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Letters
Hey, Fish!— May 20, 2010 2:21 a.m.
Catching Up With Karma
Nice stuff, nan! "...win her condolence..." [shivers] ;) re: #1: "We can change the direction and outcome of our entire chain of interactive events by changing our minds and our intentions with each decision -- before committing each action. Each active expression of a decision is like a shot on the cosmic pool table of life. So, I guess that means that we can keep our goals, strategy & methods in front of us with some foresight and compassionate wisdom. Does that make any sense?" Just to clarify: What you are referring to as an "active expression of a decision" is this mental turn or change one can have in thought, just before acting on a decision? Now: Is the power of foresight you mention here definable as the consistent knowledge that everything in this schema must be interconnected in ways we aren't aware or haven't thought of?— May 20, 2010 2:13 a.m.
Who's Bad -- Not this Michael Jackson Tribute Band
Holy cheesemuffin, Catman! So, this is clearly one of those threads that got away from the big choppety-chop. Bet it wisps to nothing vehwy soon. :)— May 20, 2010 1:56 a.m.
Pie's the Limit
Oh and PS: If you do see Adam, tell him Mica wrote a whole blog in response to Stella's, with not so much as a meow out of her in return! :)— May 20, 2010 12:52 a.m.
Pie's the Limit
Well, shall there be a CF/Adam connection on a jury?— May 20, 2010 12:51 a.m.
Letters
And these opinions are pretty common...Has there ever been a field of work more misread, misunderstood, than formal criticism? Irony hits when you consider that a couple of generations ago, in the "Letters" sections of publications, people used what they learned of criticism to share and evaluate books. The same stuff, btw, that lets us distinguish a clumsy phrase from an entire personal system of racist convictions (critics of Naomi). Of course, given a little more reading of her work, one would likely get to know the idiomatics of that columnist in particular before denouncing and reviling her in easy fashion. (And of those who are currently picking on Naomi rather than choosing more carefully, I ask ‘uh, where ya been?! That is, while we had two very vocal, and very unapologetic racists contributing here daily?) But that’s a whole ‘nother kettle of fish, so I will stop here, and add only ‘Hallelujah for free speech’ ;)— May 20, 2010 12:49 a.m.
Letters
re: #1: Darn, Russ, ya beat me to it. Well put, my man. re: #2: Wow, refried, you also beat me to it. Feel like I can relax and go take that bubble bath with you guys on the job over here. :) I will add a few comments just before jumping in that bath: refried wrote: "The idea, then, is to entertain; opinion, contrast, and descrption are offered in order to put the reader inside of the critic for the event. It isn't politics." I agree it isn't politics, but politics is in it at some level, even if not the motivation for the writing. It is a byproduct of any opinion on any subject. I would say that even literary criticism that is focused on matters of "pure" aesthetics, as opposed to say, an approach from cultural studies with its primarily sociopolitical concerns, still cannot escape some trace of political inclination. 'Course, this is being a stickler, but…:) As for the politics behind such letters as written by our dear friend "Ron Tyler" (of letters of April 22), I have to quote this guy in full, because it is really remarkable: "[Duncan's] attack on The Last Song is an attack on me and my tastes and preferences. When he describes as insipid, sparkless, and dreck the movies I like and prefer, he is implying that my tastes and preferences are insipid, sparkless, and dreck, when in reality it appears that this Duncan guy is the one who is insipid, sparkless, and dreck". Oh man, I can't help but quote this tidbit, too: "Why can’t you get a movie reviewer with heart, human emotions, and family values who knows and believes in real, kind, patient, unselfish, heroic, self-sacrificing, enduring, and committed love to review G and PG movies and let the so-called movie reviewer Duncan Shepherd review R- and X-rated movies." You could say that it is just the sharpness of this guy's insecurities that explains why he takes a film review as an attack upon himself and his “preferences.” He does end by attempting to redeem himself with a little scatter of literary references, as if to say “Hey, I know I might seem sort of dumb to attack this learned reviewer, but looky, I’m the real gentleman scholar!” But what forms and fuels such cuh--razed insecurity? The guy tells us himself--it is his social values, which tell him that this movie is "decent," or that one "R-rated" (which seems to sum up his scale for judging cinema). He is insecure that a negative review of a movie he liked (a whole lot, apparently) contradicts his religious and social perspective that must have been upheld by that movie—shorthand for this would be, of course, "family value,"--and all the attendant complexity--including a growing sense of social oppression and tyranny for we adults who do not proselytize for it. Just please do not let guys like “Ron Tyler” in front of a classroom…— May 20, 2010 12:47 a.m.
slow food fun stuff and cheapies
"Foccacia Blues is an independent film about a Southern Italian breadmaker who stands up to a large corporation. It is a wonderful example of how powerful a role food can play in a community." Naomi, did you see the film, and if so, what did you think of it? How about a column on your favorite food movies, with mini-reviews for each? Better yet, it would be fabulous to see you do a column reviewing your favorite food writing-- on your favorite contemporaries, but also the classics who might have inspired your own writing, like MFK Fisher, say...;)— May 19, 2010 10:48 p.m.
You, In The Tight Black Teeshirt, At The DMV Yesterday
hormone victim— May 9, 2010 7:28 a.m.
Cinco de Mayo
SD drops in a moment to wax chidingly: I'm surprised at the fearful palates on this page! Refried'll tell ya that REAL regional Mexican cuisine, makes frequent, economic, and sensible use of the animal parts Americans don't consider to be food. Escargot? It tastes of garlic and butter usually, with a jellyfish-like consistency at first bite. To me, they are really nothing, just bits of protein, like Mexican tripe and offal in general... The French don't consider them as much a staple as you think--they are not on the everyday, weekly menu, and neither is foie gras (which I vehemently oppose!). Btw, you wouldn't likely have "escargot stands" if the French took over; you would have Turkish and generally Mid-Eastern influenced street foods, and/or crepe and chestnut stands. And the French really know how to put out an entire outdoor market full of stands with yummy foods. Mexico and France: Lands of Delicious Sauces! Yay for La France, too! Cocorico! Viva Mole! Mmmmmmm— May 8, 2010 9:18 a.m.