Michael Jackson passed away yesterday June 25 2009. The King of Pop is dead, long live the..... I do not think there is any one out there to take over the throne. In the news they were trying to make people say who was the greatest entertainer between Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. It's not fair because they were all great in their own way. However MJ did what no one had done before which is crossing colors, classes, religions,... He is known in every corner of the world. Even if you did not like his music, you knew who he was because of his accomplishments and of course the controversies that surrounded him in the last few years.
I do not know if kids in Mumbai or Rio could tell you who Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra are but I bet they could sing a Michael Jackson song.
I know that it is not good to have regrets but just like the Concorde was retired before I took a flight, MJ passed away before I could see him perform live.
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Governor Sanford of South Carolina has spent the past few days apologizing to anyone who would listen.
One more politician caught doing something wrong and going on a "recovery mission" trying to salvage his career. It is always hard to tell if they are sorry they lied/cheated/or whatever or if they are sorry they got caught.
Every time that happens, I am surprised at people's reaction: shock and then anger. If we would stop holding government figures and entertainment celebrities to higher standards, we would not need to kick them off the pedestal on which we place them. I do not care who they sleep with; that's between them and their spouse. Just do the best job for which you are paid.
I will not judge anyone, I am far from being perfect, but do not preach to me about values and tell me how I should live my life. Obviously you do not listen to your own speech. Now let's see who will be the next politician getting caught. A bathroom in Brazil maybe?
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I got a glimpse this afternoon of a story about a bill that was given to the senators today at 3:09am so they could vote on it during the morning session. The bill is several hundreds pages thick making it impossible for the senators to review. Was that done on purpose by the Democrats? If yes they are scooping as low as the Republicans. I am sure that is not the first time senators vote on bills they have not read. I find this outrageous. Noone should vote on anything unless they are familiar with the texts and understand them. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of trying to pass bills that the majority has not read nor understood. Should the Speaker of the House act as a teacher and ask for a "bill report" before every vote?
And how are they allowed to add articles to a bill, that has nothing to do with the bill's primary text? Why does everything seem to have a loophole that is never used for the greater good but for self-promotion and self-serving agendas?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Welcome to planet Water
As I am laying on my "chaise longue" looking at the waves and out to the horizon I cannot help but wondering if all that the ability to think gave humans is the sense of entitlement and superiority over everything else.
We named our planet Earth when 71% of its surface is water. Granted at the dawn of civilization that fact was unknown. We also named the other planets before we knew they were deprived of life, not thinking for one second that maybe people lived there and already had a name for their home. We did that here countless times as well, renaming places regardless of what the native peolpes had already named them.
We sectioned the ocean and gave each part a separate name as we ventured farther away in the unknown. Clearly there is only one ocean on Earth. The Seas, even the closed ones, are also (or were at some point in time) part of this same ocean.
Would it be too confusing to rename things after we uncover some fact that changes our perception? Too much work changing all the books? Or is it just not in our nature to admit that we were wrong?
I guess if we had evolved into ocean creatures we would have named our planet Water or Ocean. Still everyday astronomers discover new spatial objects in the universe and name them. I know that recognition is only possible because of names allowing us to list, archive, and sort discoveries. The definitive and unquestionable aspect of it, is what annoys me.
Imagine people from the "red planet" landing on Earth tomorrow. The welcome committee's speech would probably start with: "People from Mars, welcome to Earth". The "Martians" surprised would say: "The name of our planet is not Mars". The delegate from Earth would answer: "Oh yes it is. WE named it".
We named our planet Earth when 71% of its surface is water. Granted at the dawn of civilization that fact was unknown. We also named the other planets before we knew they were deprived of life, not thinking for one second that maybe people lived there and already had a name for their home. We did that here countless times as well, renaming places regardless of what the native peolpes had already named them.
We sectioned the ocean and gave each part a separate name as we ventured farther away in the unknown. Clearly there is only one ocean on Earth. The Seas, even the closed ones, are also (or were at some point in time) part of this same ocean.
Would it be too confusing to rename things after we uncover some fact that changes our perception? Too much work changing all the books? Or is it just not in our nature to admit that we were wrong?
I guess if we had evolved into ocean creatures we would have named our planet Water or Ocean. Still everyday astronomers discover new spatial objects in the universe and name them. I know that recognition is only possible because of names allowing us to list, archive, and sort discoveries. The definitive and unquestionable aspect of it, is what annoys me.
Imagine people from the "red planet" landing on Earth tomorrow. The welcome committee's speech would probably start with: "People from Mars, welcome to Earth". The "Martians" surprised would say: "The name of our planet is not Mars". The delegate from Earth would answer: "Oh yes it is. WE named it".
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Lunch at C Level on Harbor Island
Lyle took me to a beautiful spot for lunch today just across from the airport on Harbor Island. I cannot believe that in 9 years I had never been there. The food is excellent and the view amazing. We shared the crusted Brie and then I had the rock shrimps quesadilla; both so so good. I wonder how their desserts are. I guess I will have to go back to find out.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Spring cleaning...of the soul
Last week I did my Spring cleaning. What an undertaking that was. I had slowly started to move toward the "less is more" every time I went through my stuff but I guess I was still holding on to way too much. This time I went at it deciding to clear as much as possible. Little did I know that by clearing space in my room, I was getting rid of some emotional bagage as well. I know that I tend to "oversave". Not that long ago I still had every piece of document gathered since I moved to the States in 1991. Every credit card receipt; every bank statement; every bill.... Imagine how many boxes that represents. Boxes filled with the accounts of my life for the past 18 years. Finally I let go of most of it, keeping only financial documents for the last 7 years in case of an audit from the IRS.
Going through the mountain of paper I wondered if one can really move on while holding on to the past so tightly? Of course I am not talking about bank statements anymore. But if I can hold on to those for 18 years you can be sure that more personal matters where simply put in the time capsule waiting to be unearthed again. I found things I forgot I had, others I knew I had but not seen in years. I truly never went through them every so often and reminisce. The fact that I kept them in the first place, must say a lot though.
Going through each piece of mail, note, photo, did not make me sad or wish upon times past. I was just amazed at how much I had kept over the years. I am sure love letters would be useful to whoever would be writing my memoirs after I'm gone....highly unlikely; so to the trash they go.
As the trash bags got fuller, I felt lighter. I think unconsciously hanging on to so much was not just space used but also emotional weight carried.
Don't I trust my memory? Do I really need to save everything and record each event in my life? I used to treat my calendar like a journal. I kept track of every phone call I made, each e-mail I sent, all the people I talked to and places I went. Truly who needs such a detailed picture of one's day? I thought I did. Maybe I am afraid that my memory will fail me more and more as I get older. Well if it does I am sure that life will go on. My friend Lyle says that holding on too tightly to the past is like driving a car while only looking in the rearview mirror. That is definitely not how I want to live my life. The view is too beautiful ahead.
Going through the mountain of paper I wondered if one can really move on while holding on to the past so tightly? Of course I am not talking about bank statements anymore. But if I can hold on to those for 18 years you can be sure that more personal matters where simply put in the time capsule waiting to be unearthed again. I found things I forgot I had, others I knew I had but not seen in years. I truly never went through them every so often and reminisce. The fact that I kept them in the first place, must say a lot though.
Going through each piece of mail, note, photo, did not make me sad or wish upon times past. I was just amazed at how much I had kept over the years. I am sure love letters would be useful to whoever would be writing my memoirs after I'm gone....highly unlikely; so to the trash they go.
As the trash bags got fuller, I felt lighter. I think unconsciously hanging on to so much was not just space used but also emotional weight carried.
Don't I trust my memory? Do I really need to save everything and record each event in my life? I used to treat my calendar like a journal. I kept track of every phone call I made, each e-mail I sent, all the people I talked to and places I went. Truly who needs such a detailed picture of one's day? I thought I did. Maybe I am afraid that my memory will fail me more and more as I get older. Well if it does I am sure that life will go on. My friend Lyle says that holding on too tightly to the past is like driving a car while only looking in the rearview mirror. That is definitely not how I want to live my life. The view is too beautiful ahead.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Park in the park
cheese croissant in town), Lyle and I took a long troll downtown San
Diego. It was still early and the city was just waking up with places
opening and people going to work. I rarely am downtown unless for a
specific event or occasion so that is a side of our city that I do not
often see. There are still a lot of empty front windows reminding you
about the economy. On the other end there are still quite a lot of
constructions going on. Condos being built all over town with a
starting price still not as low as I would have thought in these bad
financial times. I could not afford to buy something big enough to
have a roommate to help me pay the mortgage. Even rent is
astronomical. I guess you do have to pay for the privilege to say "I
live downtown". Places the size of my appartment asking for $1500 more
than what I pay (granted I do have a sweet deal, but still). Even some
low income housing appartments were more expensive than mine. I guess
I will have to stay in North Park for now. Who needs a view of the
stadium. I do not like baseball anyway!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Every little step
A Chorus Line opened on Brodway in 1975 and became a huge hit winning 9 Tony Awards and the 1976 Pullitzer Prize for Drama. A movie version of the show came out in 1985. I have only seen the movie and although reviews were not very good, as a former dancer I could relate to the characters.
The musical is the story of dancers and singers auditioning to be in a...musical. Michael Bennett, the creator and choreographer, spent one night talking (and recording) to friends about their respective experiences as artists trying to break through in the business. From these recordings lyrics and stories were pulled to write songs, Marvin Hamlich wrote the music,and a show was born. The audition process must have been very interesting since the cast was going to play people who audition for a show.
Every Little Step is a documentary about the revival of the musical in 2005. Again it is odd to look at dancers auditioning to play dancers who audition. The film gives you an incredible insight on the lives of artists and the struggle they go through to pursue their dream. The process can be long, painful and not for the faint of hearts. Just imagine interviewing for your current job every day. It is difficult for all artists I guess. Most of us with a "regular" job only go through this a few times in our lifetime. An artist has to get so many "no" before finally getting "yes".
All this put things in perspective for me. I often wonder "what if" I had followed a different path; "What if" my parents had supported me and pushed me; "What if" I had taken more chances?
I started to dance when I was 10 and for the following years thought that was my calling. I lived for rehearsals and loved being on stage. I had found something that brought me joy above everything else. Even though back then (and especially in the macho Caribbean environment) guys did not dance, or have earings or long hair, nothing could keep me away from Wednesday rehearsals. For 7 years, I stuck with it (the longest involvement in any activity for me at the time). I realize now that although I did work hard and practice a lot, opportunities came easily. Guadeloupe is a small island, and once you have done one thing people noticed, others ask you to participate in other events. Besides the annual big show we also performed at small events all over the island. On the side I did some commercials, fashion shows, music videos....I never ask for anything; those fall in my laps. So when I moved to Paris, I really thought it would be the same. Well I had a big wake up call. Where back home I was one of only a few, here I was merely one more fish in the ocean. I took dance lessons and went to auditions for a while but I quickly wondered if that was the life I wanted. Dad was paying my rent and my lessons and it was the endless "being a dancer is not a job" argument. I started to work and the more I worked the less I danced. Dancing is not something that you do on your spare time if you want to be if not the best at least among the best. It takes hours of daily practice and more time to go to auditions. After a while something had to give. I chose the easier route and kept on working, becoming financially independant and changing my life altogether by moving to the U.S. in 1991. It has not always been easy but I know that my path has been lined up with opportunities and people that brought me to where I am today. I had always dreamed of coming to the States and I love my life here, but I can't help but wonder sometimes on which stage and with which company I would be dancing if I had made different choices.
The musical is the story of dancers and singers auditioning to be in a...musical. Michael Bennett, the creator and choreographer, spent one night talking (and recording) to friends about their respective experiences as artists trying to break through in the business. From these recordings lyrics and stories were pulled to write songs, Marvin Hamlich wrote the music,and a show was born. The audition process must have been very interesting since the cast was going to play people who audition for a show.
Every Little Step is a documentary about the revival of the musical in 2005. Again it is odd to look at dancers auditioning to play dancers who audition. The film gives you an incredible insight on the lives of artists and the struggle they go through to pursue their dream. The process can be long, painful and not for the faint of hearts. Just imagine interviewing for your current job every day. It is difficult for all artists I guess. Most of us with a "regular" job only go through this a few times in our lifetime. An artist has to get so many "no" before finally getting "yes".
All this put things in perspective for me. I often wonder "what if" I had followed a different path; "What if" my parents had supported me and pushed me; "What if" I had taken more chances?
I started to dance when I was 10 and for the following years thought that was my calling. I lived for rehearsals and loved being on stage. I had found something that brought me joy above everything else. Even though back then (and especially in the macho Caribbean environment) guys did not dance, or have earings or long hair, nothing could keep me away from Wednesday rehearsals. For 7 years, I stuck with it (the longest involvement in any activity for me at the time). I realize now that although I did work hard and practice a lot, opportunities came easily. Guadeloupe is a small island, and once you have done one thing people noticed, others ask you to participate in other events. Besides the annual big show we also performed at small events all over the island. On the side I did some commercials, fashion shows, music videos....I never ask for anything; those fall in my laps. So when I moved to Paris, I really thought it would be the same. Well I had a big wake up call. Where back home I was one of only a few, here I was merely one more fish in the ocean. I took dance lessons and went to auditions for a while but I quickly wondered if that was the life I wanted. Dad was paying my rent and my lessons and it was the endless "being a dancer is not a job" argument. I started to work and the more I worked the less I danced. Dancing is not something that you do on your spare time if you want to be if not the best at least among the best. It takes hours of daily practice and more time to go to auditions. After a while something had to give. I chose the easier route and kept on working, becoming financially independant and changing my life altogether by moving to the U.S. in 1991. It has not always been easy but I know that my path has been lined up with opportunities and people that brought me to where I am today. I had always dreamed of coming to the States and I love my life here, but I can't help but wonder sometimes on which stage and with which company I would be dancing if I had made different choices.
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