Alabanza. When the war began, from Manhattan and Kabul two constellations of smoke rose and drifted to each other, mingling in icy air, and one said with an Afghan tongue: Teach me to dance. We have no music here. And the other said with a Spanish tongue: I will teach you. Music is all we have. — from Alabanza by Martin Espada Props to riley dog for the link.
Sometimes, when life is dealing you a bunch of bum cards, you need to retreat and watch an uproariously funny movie. So, my faithful readership, I am in need of your very best recommendations for really funny movies. Bonus points for films easy to get at an average video store (it’s a small island, and they do their best). Also you will get points if no one dies in the movie. We’re not into dying at the moment. So let’s have at it. Anything has to be more amusing than Zoolander.
For my friends in the gifting movement, some insight from the Buddha’s Sappurisadana Sutta: ‘These five are a person of integrity’s gifts. Which five? A person of integrity gives a gift with a sense of conviction. A person of integrity gives a gift attentively. A person of integrity gives a gift in season. A person of integrity gives a gift with an empathetic heart. A person of integrity gives a gift without adversely affecting himself or others. ‘Having given a gift with a sense of conviction, he — wherever the result of that gift ripens — is rich, with much …
The Smithsonian launched it’s prize jewel, the National Museum of the American Indian last month in Washington. Joy Harjo was there: Sitting outside the National Museum of the American Indian after a reception and viewing of the museum, the day before the opening, I run into Carlos Nakai, one of Indian country�s finest musicians. We admire the lily-filled pond, the grounds rich with native plants. It�s idyllic. We both agree that what�s missing are the junked cars, chickens, skinny rez dogs, kids running around, dried meat racks�.and so on. Yeah! But I will say one thing for that museum. They …