Almaz's story (BBC)

BBC News published a disturbing illustrated story about maids in Saudi Arabia, based on the interview of an Ethiopian girl, Almaz (name changed). How many Almaz are out there in the Gulf countries, with absolutely no help or assistance?

Pina Bausch, como el musguito en la piedra

A couple of hours ago I saw, at the Tanztheater Wuppertal, “Como el musguito en la piedra, ay si, si, si…”, by Pina Bausch, and I’m still speechless.

 

So far I knew Pina’s work through TV, interviews or movies such as Wim Wenders’ famous documentary. It was the first time I watched one of her shows live, at the very place where she used to work.

It felt… ethereal, magical, like a dream. It was full of joy and humour, in contrast to other works of Pina’s vast portfolio, such as "Vollmond" or "Le sacre du Printemps", also magnificient but darker. I found it poetic that she created a work so full of light without knowing it would be her last (she died in 2009 after a short illness).

I didn’t know, but the name of this work is taken from a song by Mercedes Sosa.

 

 

 

An Iranian journey: 77 beautiful pictures of Iran by Hossein Fatemi

An Iranian Journey

Seen last January on the boat from Siem Riep to Battambang, Cambodia

Love ever after

Lauren Fleishman published a photographic series of NY couples who have been married for more than 50 years: Love ever after.

Azulejos from the Azulejo National Museum, Lisbon

"Macacaria - the chicken's wedding"

Fernando Pessoa by Júlio Pomar

Detail from the church

Luísa

Luísa, a friend of mine, died today. I took these pictures of the sunset on the last day of her life.

Seen on a sidewalk in Lyon last Saturday

Wonderful Maya Angelou talks to BBC (1998)

Globalbility

An interesting postcard project: Globalbility

On thanking

What I suddenly understood was that a thank-you note isn't the price you pay for receiving a gift, as so many children think it is, a kind of minimum tribute or toll, but an opportunity to count your blessings. And gratitude isn't what you give in exchange for something, it's what you feel when you are blessed - blessed to have family and friends who care about you, and who want to see you happy. Hence the joy from thanking.

 

Will Schwalbe, in The End of Your Life Book Club

Making friends when you're over 30

I liked this article by Alex Williams published a couple of months ago in the NYTimes: Friends of a certain age.

Apology to roadkill (Shaun Gladwell), Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia

World Press Photo 2014 picture

Amir Parmand won the 3rd prize singles in the General News category with this picture taken in Iran: "Just before a noose is put on his neck, Alireza Mafiha, 23, lays his head on an executioner's shoulder".  

http://www.worldpressphoto.org/awards/2014/general-news/amir-pourmand    



Borges on beauty

La música, los estados de la felicidad, la mitología, las caras trabajadas por el tiempo, ciertos crepúsculos y ciertos lugares, quieren decirnos algo, o algo dijeron que no hubiéramos debido perder, o están por decir algo; esta inminencia de una revelación, que no se produce, es, quizá, el hecho estético.

 

Jorge Luís Borges

António Ramos Rosa

Poema dum Funcionário Cansado

A noite trocou-me os sonhos e as mãos
dispersou-me os amigos
tenho o coração confundido e a rua é estreita
estreita em cada passo
as casas engolem-nos
sumimo-nos
estou num quarto só num quarto só
com os sonhos trocados
com toda a vida às avessas a arder num quarto só
Sou um funcionário apagado
um funcionário triste
a minha alma não acompanha a minha mão
Débito e Crédito Débito e Crédito
a minha alma não dança com os números
tento escondê-la envergonhado
o chefe apanhou-me com o olho lírico na gaiola do quintal em frente
e debitou-me na minha conta de empregado
Sou um funcionário cansado dum dia exemplar
Por que não me sinto orgulhoso de ter cumprido o meu dever?
Por que me sinto irremediavelmente perdido no meu cansaço
Soletro velhas palavras generosas
Flor rapariga amigo menino
irmão beijo namorada
mãe estrela música
São as palavras cruzadas do meu sonho
palavras soterradas na prisão da minha vida
isto todas as noites do mundo numa só noite comprida
num quarto só.

António Ramos Rosa, 1924-2013

On taking risks

“I have noticed that doing the sensible thing is only a good idea when the decision is quite small. For the life-changing things, you must risk it.

 

And here is the shock – when you risk it, when you do the right thing, when you arrive at the borders of common sense and cross into unknown territory, leaving behind you all the familiar smells and lights, then you do not experience great joy and huge energy.

You are unhappy. Things get worse.

It is a time of mourning. Loss. Fear. We bullet ourselves through with questions. And then we feel shot and wounded.

And then all the cowards come out and say, “See, I told you so.”

In fact, they told you nothing.”

Jeannette Winterson, in Why be happy when you could be normal? (Grove Press)

Things I did in New York this September

I went to the Guggenheim and saw James Turrell exhibition

  

I saw the Iranian collection at the Metropolitan Museum



Chess game





I read next to the Peace Fountain near the Cathedral of St John the Divine

I went to the Lenox Lounge, which was closed (for good?)

I visited the African burial ground

I crossed the Williamsburg bridge on foot

I saw the sunset from the Staten Island ferry

I visited St Mark's Bookshop, 192 books, and Printed Matter Inc

and I had countless bagels at Murray's.

Selexyz bookshop in Maastricht, in an ancient Dominican church