quiero hacer contigo… 24/02/2008
Posted by dlatman in Graffiti, art, literature, love, nc, u.s..add a comment
**UPDATE 2/27/o8: Poet and naturalist Diane Ackerman states that Neruda’s “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair,” which this poem comes from, is a book she always returns to. “It’s perfect to share with a sweetheart,” she says in the current issue of Newsweek.**
Yo quiero hacer contigo lo que la primavera hace con los cerezos
Translation: I want to do with you what the spring does to the cherry trees
– from Pablo Neruda’s Poem 14
Read the entire poem here.
Learn more about Pablo Neruda, the Chilean writer and politician who Gabriel Garcia Marquez called “the greatest poet of the 20th century,” on Democracy Now!
These pictures are from the train trestles on the Carrboro/Chapel Hill border in N.C.
Even the penguin likes to hang out.
Justinian & Theodora 14/02/2008
Posted by dlatman in Collage, art, beauty, europe, feminism, history, love, u.s., women.add a comment
UPDATE 2/20/08: I just read in The Economist that a Venetian museum is currently hosting an exhibit on Rome & the Barbarians. So, Medieval Era lovers, it’s time to cash in those frequent flier miles, or at least check out the cool online exhibit.
This collage is lovingly made from pictures photocopied from Judith Bennett’s excellent textbook, Medieval History, and letters cut out of O Magazine.
Happy Valentine’s Day, or f— Valentine’s Day, if you prefer.
This collage is dedicated to the hottest romance of the sixth century: Justinian, the last Roman emperor, and his gorgeous empress Theodora.
Why do I dedicate this V-day to them? Well, Theodora was raised poor, supported herself through prostitution, and earned enough money and influence to move within powerful circles. Eventually she hooked up with Justinian, but she didn’t forget her humble beginnings, helping Justinian to create laws that empowered and protected all women and prostitutes specifically.
Justinian helped guide Rome through its last golden age. He was smart enough to listen to Theodora on women’s issues and rebuilding Constantinople, the seat of the Byzantine Roman empire. Part of the rebuilding project included the Hagia Sophia, which supposedly has the most brilliant mosaics that I hope to see first-hand one day!
The Middle Ages are my favorite historical period. Although we call them the “Dark Ages” (’cause nothing good could ever be called dark… right?), the first printing press was created, universities formed, and better agricultural practices improved nutrition for everyone, which especially helped women, mothers and children. Also… visigoths are cool.
Check out my other blog post on a medieval love affair.
baleboste 07/02/2008
Posted by dlatman in "middle east", Amsterdam, Graffiti, Jewish, art, food, women.2 comments
UPDATE 3/14/08: Another reason to support Dr. Bronner’s: the company has recently begun mixing the main ingredient of their soap, olive oil, from both Palestinian and Israeli olive growers in an effort to promote economic cooperation in the region.
Amsterdam, alley, 2006
I was unemployed last month and had a lot of time to spend at home, doing errands, cooking and cleaning. It’s almost embarrassing to admit how much I enjoyed that. You see, I was a filthy punk rocker youth, who thought I could help take down “The Man” by bathing only when necessary and furnishing my apartment with simple materials, preferably found on the street.
You can only rebel against your true nature for so long. See, I come from a long line of balebostes, or proud Jewish homemakers. My grandfather says that his mother and grandmother, both Russian immigrants, would clean the floor on their hands and knees every shabbes back in the day, and make cherry blintzes from scratch by sticking a sewing needle into each individual cherry to extract the pit. I’m not that intense, but few things please me more than having a clean, well-kept and –run house.
Every baleboste has her challenges. While my grandparents grew up in tenements and had to shovel coal for heat, I live in a one-room apartment with my boyfriend, who loves collecting knick-knacks and making clutter. I’d like to share the main things I’ve learned as a baleboste-in-training and, for a few months, as a cleaning lady and dish washer.
