In the dream
I saw a blue bird
with a long tail split
in two
the tail feathers had designs
like a silk cloth, maroon, gold
Another sticky animal
like in the 'gods must be crazy'
blue
I was warned not to have
anything to do with it.
We were close, I shoved
a camera into its mouth
Outside the office door
a blue- green beetle
lies dead on its back
Net Galley Challenge
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Kids
A small girl follows a mall cop in black and yellow dress.
ten steps away from family she wonders around with hands around her waist.
Another small girl dances by herself, looking into the mirror.
Book news
Recently my friend saw the Dorian gray movie and asked me if I read it. I read it in college, so long ago, that I could use another read. But time only permits flipping The picture of Dorian Gray.
Trees, a photo book with different kinds of rees. let me add a rescent observation at Crowne Plaza in Tempe. There was a row of what seemed like salt cedars with reall broad trunks. They have been sawed of allover. Logs stick ing out vertically. It was an antithesis of a tree with a canopy arrested to nothing.
Trees, a photo book with different kinds of rees. let me add a rescent observation at Crowne Plaza in Tempe. There was a row of what seemed like salt cedars with reall broad trunks. They have been sawed of allover. Logs stick ing out vertically. It was an antithesis of a tree with a canopy arrested to nothing.
Fan book
A Jane Austen Education
Jane Austen;s fans now and then come up with books. As I kept reading about he author finding Austen's characters boring, he got his own book to such a slow pace that the car halted for ever.
Jane Austen;s fans now and then come up with books. As I kept reading about he author finding Austen's characters boring, he got his own book to such a slow pace that the car halted for ever.
Natalie Haynes
A versatile author.
The ancient guide to modern life
In this book, I liked the quote by Trevor J saunders
Spartans managed a diarchy - Natalie Haynes.
Prytany
The ancient guide to modern life
In this book, I liked the quote by Trevor J saunders
Spartans managed a diarchy - Natalie Haynes.
Prytany
Monday, August 29, 2011
The joy of understanding
Understanding something, an equation is like finding sight. Once you are done, you see new things.
Which is the happy moment, planning for how it would be?
A soldier's hat is stronger than his flesh. - In Libya, 2011.
Which is the happy moment, planning for how it would be?
A soldier's hat is stronger than his flesh. - In Libya, 2011.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Stanley Moss
God breaketh Not all men's hearts alike
Must be the first poem 'Nightingale' about the birds, last night I dreamt that when I opened a sheaf of folded papers a small bird slid down. Then I returned the paper purse back to the person who gave it to me.
Must be the first poem 'Nightingale' about the birds, last night I dreamt that when I opened a sheaf of folded papers a small bird slid down. Then I returned the paper purse back to the person who gave it to me.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
What in biography?
The secret of chanel 5.
Coco Chanel's story is so unexpected. Starting as an orphan, watching a play about an orphan turning into a perfumer. The author presents a range of examples for smells that are used in popular brands these days. she also recreates the times of Coco by including quotes from Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia woolf.
On the TV is this news of Eau flirt Vs Classic Chanel.
Accord
Coumarin
Fougere
Chypre
Soliflore
civet
Castoreum
Coco Chanel's story is so unexpected. Starting as an orphan, watching a play about an orphan turning into a perfumer. The author presents a range of examples for smells that are used in popular brands these days. she also recreates the times of Coco by including quotes from Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia woolf.
On the TV is this news of Eau flirt Vs Classic Chanel.
Accord
Coumarin
Fougere
Chypre
Soliflore
civet
Castoreum
Monday, August 22, 2011
Unforeboded
Unlearning to fly
Halfway into the book, when I didnt find anything about flying, I thought may be here in this book, its a metaphorical act.
Lullaby for Lloyd:
This is a small chapter, but at the end of it, it seems like a book. Its about the author's adopted brother. The reader is already aware of the parents good nature. The story can be seen from a sibling's, parents of an adopted child or from the adopted child's point of view. And the innumerous people who put up with pranks of a brat.
Three Paragraphs:
Her experience as an obituary writer. How they moved from 'in your own words' of the bereaved family to the stock three paragraph format. When she writes her own grandfather's obituary, one can see how to keep it from getting overly public, all things unique about him have to be shorned off the paper.
The Metaphysics of being stuck:
From here on you enter the promised land of the book. While it is about stall in the flying process, it does not end without touching (let me trace the path) the split between moving and still - explorers fascination - student pilot - her solo flight - ambition vs societal expectation - motherhood.
Angle of attack:
The writing technique in this is worth admiring.
Analysing the cause of death of an acquaintance, she has a lot more to tell about flying, about accidents. Including some writing on 'accident reports' has added texture to this essay. There are many quotes from many authors, but one mostly used are of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's "Wind, Sand and Stars" who stars in the next essay 'Blue Storm'
The beginning is foreboded in the title, but it branches into many journeys.
Aug 3, 2009
Halfway into the book, when I didnt find anything about flying, I thought may be here in this book, its a metaphorical act.
Lullaby for Lloyd:
This is a small chapter, but at the end of it, it seems like a book. Its about the author's adopted brother. The reader is already aware of the parents good nature. The story can be seen from a sibling's, parents of an adopted child or from the adopted child's point of view. And the innumerous people who put up with pranks of a brat.
Three Paragraphs:
Her experience as an obituary writer. How they moved from 'in your own words' of the bereaved family to the stock three paragraph format. When she writes her own grandfather's obituary, one can see how to keep it from getting overly public, all things unique about him have to be shorned off the paper.
The Metaphysics of being stuck:
From here on you enter the promised land of the book. While it is about stall in the flying process, it does not end without touching (let me trace the path) the split between moving and still - explorers fascination - student pilot - her solo flight - ambition vs societal expectation - motherhood.
Angle of attack:
The writing technique in this is worth admiring.
Analysing the cause of death of an acquaintance, she has a lot more to tell about flying, about accidents. Including some writing on 'accident reports' has added texture to this essay. There are many quotes from many authors, but one mostly used are of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's "Wind, Sand and Stars" who stars in the next essay 'Blue Storm'
The beginning is foreboded in the title, but it branches into many journeys.
Aug 3, 2009
Literary Landscape
I first read this book for a non-fiction writing class. This is when I learnt about many of the plants and the animals in the desert and to know the name of everything.
"To name a thing is to give it a second creation, a creation by the viewer"
After a trip to Bisbee, I am reading this book again to savor the landscape through the author's eyes and to compare what I have seen.
It might take more courage 'to see the landscape properly (if) one must experience the temperature as well'.
June 1, 2011
Going back to Bisbee
Reading about 'alligator juniper' different from 'one-seed juniper' fills me with equal astonishment as with finding a broad-stumped eucalyptus in a park. The author's sense of history with place, things, events is persistent to the erstwhile with no traces in the present. Like when the author says that Sonoita started with a railroad but that does not exist anymore.
I have seen alternate old highways around AZ, but didnt know that one of the reasons for constructing new ones so as to overcome floodwaters.
The book is an exhaustive history of the land, people and the forts enroute Bisbee
"To name a thing is to give it a second creation, a creation by the viewer"
After a trip to Bisbee, I am reading this book again to savor the landscape through the author's eyes and to compare what I have seen.
It might take more courage 'to see the landscape properly (if) one must experience the temperature as well'.
June 1, 2011
Going back to Bisbee
Reading about 'alligator juniper' different from 'one-seed juniper' fills me with equal astonishment as with finding a broad-stumped eucalyptus in a park. The author's sense of history with place, things, events is persistent to the erstwhile with no traces in the present. Like when the author says that Sonoita started with a railroad but that does not exist anymore.
I have seen alternate old highways around AZ, but didnt know that one of the reasons for constructing new ones so as to overcome floodwaters.
The book is an exhaustive history of the land, people and the forts enroute Bisbee
Simple
To keep a Body Warm - Kelly Scott - The scene of picking sweet corn is evocative.
Rope and Wire - Patrick Robbins - What starts as a loony enterprise in the backyard about to take on a TV coverage has its little doubts in the form of a child's objections. Humor involved.
Aug 16, 2009
Rope and Wire - Patrick Robbins - What starts as a loony enterprise in the backyard about to take on a TV coverage has its little doubts in the form of a child's objections. Humor involved.
Aug 16, 2009
self study
In the minds eye
Memory's Hills - If you think you are recalling past incidents, verify with the coincident people.
Canonicity - This essay shatters Keefe's painter-of-flower image. With noticing things like missing eras in rocks, readers will make a mental note, especially those who find themselves in mountains, to read not only whats on but in rocks
mar 23,2010
Memory's Hills - If you think you are recalling past incidents, verify with the coincident people.
Canonicity - This essay shatters Keefe's painter-of-flower image. With noticing things like missing eras in rocks, readers will make a mental note, especially those who find themselves in mountains, to read not only whats on but in rocks
mar 23,2010
Remember mousaka
Days before yesterday
The essay 'Family Odyssey to Greece' is excellent with diary excerpts from the whole famly. Its rife with sense of smell.
The essay 'Family Odyssey to Greece' is excellent with diary excerpts from the whole famly. Its rife with sense of smell.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wendy McClure
The Wilder life
Can readers become such big fans that they are taken to the books they read as teens? The way, the author revisits the books she read as a child just like Courtney Sullivan indulges in her doll house compulsion.
Vanity cakes.
The little house cookbook like Andrew beahr's Twains Feast or Chris Kimball's Fannies Last supper
Can readers become such big fans that they are taken to the books they read as teens? The way, the author revisits the books she read as a child just like Courtney Sullivan indulges in her doll house compulsion.
Vanity cakes.
The little house cookbook like Andrew beahr's Twains Feast or Chris Kimball's Fannies Last supper
Elif Shafak
Black Milk
Stories had given me a sense of continuity,center and coherence - the three Cs that I sorely lacked. - Elif Shahak
continuity and center are opposite.
Adalet Agaoglu
Mathnawi
Stories had given me a sense of continuity,center and coherence - the three Cs that I sorely lacked. - Elif Shahak
continuity and center are opposite.
Adalet Agaoglu
Mathnawi
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
John Baxter
The most beautiful walk in the world
It snows in Paris?
Confiture d oignons. This reminded of an onion pickle(different from onion chutney served with dosas) that my Tamil roomate shared in undergrad.
The Hay Wain
In ovis opalis
Psychogeography
Cloche
Filofax
tisane
It snows in Paris?
Confiture d oignons. This reminded of an onion pickle(different from onion chutney served with dosas) that my Tamil roomate shared in undergrad.
The Hay Wain
In ovis opalis
Psychogeography
Cloche
Filofax
tisane
Another Paul Theroux book
The tao of Travel
Donn Fendler
Dervla Murphy
In old Patagonia express, Theroux says that there is nothing shocking about leaving home, but rather a slow feeling of gathering sadness as each familiar place flashes by the window, and disappears, and becomes part of the past.
I havent felt this feeling much while doing the trips from school to home and back after each semester. But as the train approaches home, I cant contain myself.
Freya Stark
Donn Fendler
Dervla Murphy
In old Patagonia express, Theroux says that there is nothing shocking about leaving home, but rather a slow feeling of gathering sadness as each familiar place flashes by the window, and disappears, and becomes part of the past.
I havent felt this feeling much while doing the trips from school to home and back after each semester. But as the train approaches home, I cant contain myself.
Freya Stark
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Everything is normal
A fake cold
every alternate day
just the voice
pain in the
righ hip
during pregnancy.
every alternate day
just the voice
pain in the
righ hip
during pregnancy.
Plum
pale spots on the peel
like stars
on the inside pink veins
run through
creamy flesh like
in the brain
like stars
on the inside pink veins
run through
creamy flesh like
in the brain
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
To make talk and swoon
Gary Soto's poem The dime-store parakeet reminded me of a recent visit to Animal zoo in Bordentown.
Mom sends the kids to
the zoo with 'talk
to the parrot'
Macaws dont talk, not
interested in corn or
popcorn
A white cockatoo
lets popcorn hand fed
son calls 'it gentle'
unlike the macaw which
made a 3yr old daughter
blame the father for
letting it eat her hand
A kid's futile attempts
to land corn into a bowl
above him and behind a
mesh bring out the evil in
a foreign tone mommy.
Cockatoo has some popcorns
and doesnt miss the lost
Its time to say bye
and thats when it says
Hello
we all turn back
In frenzy, White Cockatoo
lifts its crest
and nods the head up and down
I clap and the head nods in
fervor.
Later a video showed my head
nodding too.
Mom sends the kids to
the zoo with 'talk
to the parrot'
Macaws dont talk, not
interested in corn or
popcorn
A white cockatoo
lets popcorn hand fed
son calls 'it gentle'
unlike the macaw which
made a 3yr old daughter
blame the father for
letting it eat her hand
A kid's futile attempts
to land corn into a bowl
above him and behind a
mesh bring out the evil in
a foreign tone mommy.
Cockatoo has some popcorns
and doesnt miss the lost
Its time to say bye
and thats when it says
Hello
we all turn back
In frenzy, White Cockatoo
lifts its crest
and nods the head up and down
I clap and the head nods in
fervor.
Later a video showed my head
nodding too.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Look again
Masters of deception
In college, I became familiar with Escher's paintings and a friend of mine does ambigrams. I took this book more to refresh my memory of Escher and Dali's paintings, I am surprised to find the work of many contemporary artists. The choice of materials for some of the paintings - sugar on black paper, syrup, thread is new to me.
In some pages, its easy to miss the illusion but nothing a second visit cant take care of.
PS: Oliver Peyton's 'Eating Art' is about food made from Giuseppe Arcimboldo's 'Water' painting.
My favourites is synthesis in 'Nomad' by Sandro Del Prete.
In some pages, its easy to miss the illusion but nothing a second visit cant take care of.
PS: Oliver Peyton's 'Eating Art' is about food made from Giuseppe Arcimboldo's 'Water' painting.
My favourites is synthesis in 'Nomad' by Sandro Del Prete.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Upside down
A bird shrieks early morning
not enough to wake me up
to find who it is
An hour later
I hear it again and through
the blinds
its a grackle trying luck
at the humming bird feeder
not enough to wake me up
to find who it is
An hour later
I hear it again and through
the blinds
its a grackle trying luck
at the humming bird feeder
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Ledge: An Inspirational Story of Friendship and Survival
The Ledge: An Inspirational Story of Friendship and Survival by Jim Davidson
The Ledge
Speaking of Adventure
Joe Simpson of Touching the void
Everett Ruess
Outward Bound
Joseph Wood Krutch
Longs peak
Mc Henrys Peak
Cathedral Ledge
Crow hill
Mt Rainier
Arete
climbing terms - simulclimbing, z pulley system, aid-climbing, camming units, snow fluke, equalized sling,
moving like molasses?
clear, bluebird day
Snow bridge
perlon cord
Kernmantle rope
pile jacket
shell jacket
Heel plunging, side step
ice axe
ice serac
avalanche survival tip - drool to know which side is up
Hyperextended knee
bight
Chouinard zero model
Royal Robbins
bowline knot
sheepshank knot
Getting pumped climbing
Elvis leg. I got it going down the tunnel at Havasupai falls. so had to turn around.
corn snow
Escape from kathmandu
Extend your reach. That it is possible, to hoist yourself up is what I learnt in the one and only indoor rock climbing attempt. That was enough to show the self laid boundaries. Mountains have a way of tantalising people and challenging them. I am a fan of the movies 'North Face','Touching the Void' and Messner's movie and that explains why I picked this book despite aversion to reading of a person dying.
I like that the book The Ledge starts off with Jim Davidson's backgrond with climbing and working at heights helping his father in business. The author's recounting of his father coming after him to check up on him shows a nascent climber's beginnings. Starting the story from here makes it credible and easy to accept the climbing feats as of courage and overcoming challenges instead of inborn dare-devilness or natural skill. The author recalls of all the classes that he is taken to enhance his knowledge and skills in climbing, safety and rescue.
Climbing lingo is lost on me as a result of which I couldnt appreciate the author's difficulty and his way of tackling the route in detail. simulclimbing, snowbridge, glissade are interesting to learn of.
With sentences like '.. feel residual volcanic grit settle on my gums', talking of muscles when he feels the impact, the author makes the experience visceral, I wonder how this will turn out as a movie and how has Joe Simpson written of his survival fight in 'Touching the void' book, from which the author finds strength to come out of the worst experience of his life. The book leaves the reader with 'author's learning from this incident and his attempt to help other climbers'. This incident and his years of climbing, have made the author broaden his scope and reach out to the general public as a motivational speaker.
If you have been in a situation where you push yourself to walk more, reach or go beyond your limit, then you can identify with what the author means with 'I feel like I'm the third person in the conversation..... this battle of wills between the voices'.
Author by comparing his friend Mike Price's spirit to Everette Ruess makes a compelling case to read 'Finding Everette Reuss'.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
A mother is beyond any notion of a beginning
- The Long Goodbye, Meghan O' Rourke
Baby your age is counted from the day you started as an egg. Your conception is read through the presence of HCG
Baby your age is counted from the day you started as an egg. Your conception is read through the presence of HCG
Monday, May 30, 2011
Economy
A walk in the Mill Avenue. An at gallery is replaced with Mushroom Pizzeria. The Harley D store is gone. So is the bath & body works. Corner Uno Pizzeria is now a Sushi & Bar.
An empty store showcasing historical photos of 1888's Tempe.
An empty store showcasing historical photos of 1888's Tempe.
Travel
Patagonia lake has a wooden bridge over it. The postcard with such a picture has 'Patagonia lake state park' on the upper right hand side is how I learn of state parks other than national parks. That postcards have postcard stamps different from the normal stamps, this I learn at Chiricahua Mountains national monument visitor center. How we ended up there is a result of natural conditions. We were going to go to Coronado national forest but that had a fire alert of type II. I just translated it to an avoid. Later I learn that it does not mean that the park is closed but just that cigs and fires are not allowed. I magie my surprise when driving into the Chiricahua, I find the coronado entrance on the right. Close neighbors. While driving towards the Chiricahua, when we saw the mountains in Coronado forest, lost in the fog, I was disappointed to not be there. Few hours later, I realise that from the direction of the fog, abundant smoke is flowing with the wind. A day later news confirm the fire.
Driving into Bisbee is driving into a mountainous area of red and a llayered pit called Lavender Pit. A tunnel counts as surprise.
At the hotel we saw an elder lady dressed in a traditional saree and pperforming her evening puja.
At Chiricahua, we learn of
CCC Loop road in honor of - Civilian Conservation Corps and Cochise of the Cochise County was a person.
Counties have state fair grounds.
Trees line San pedro river.
I a missing Going back to Bisbee book. The book where I learnt about the local plants.
Driving into Bisbee is driving into a mountainous area of red and a llayered pit called Lavender Pit. A tunnel counts as surprise.
At the hotel we saw an elder lady dressed in a traditional saree and pperforming her evening puja.
At Chiricahua, we learn of
CCC Loop road in honor of - Civilian Conservation Corps and Cochise of the Cochise County was a person.
Counties have state fair grounds.
Trees line San pedro river.
I a missing Going back to Bisbee book. The book where I learnt about the local plants.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
33 men
33 men
Queen mine tour. The timber used is Douglas fir.
3D model of Jerome mining town shows the way the scaffolding was laid.
Queen mine tour. The timber used is Douglas fir.
3D model of Jerome mining town shows the way the scaffolding was laid.
In the basement of ivory tower article expanded into eponymous book.
There are new books on pets and peeves, but no time to read.
Forbidden creatures
Shell games
Flawless
There are new books on pets and peeves, but no time to read.
Forbidden creatures
Shell games
Flawless
Good prose
Interior places
Surrender - bird banding
Deboned - tiny piece much like Diane Ackerman's natural history of senses - on ones own voice
A review
Surrender - bird banding
Deboned - tiny piece much like Diane Ackerman's natural history of senses - on ones own voice
A review
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)