As promise, here goes a second installment of seasonal music.
This clip is another very old one, as it's from my childhood, of course it has to be ancient. To be perfectly honest, I think that this video was filmed before I was born, but this song Feliz Navidad (written in 1970) was a super hit in the 70s and the 80s.
The video shows a young José Feliciano. I found that there are other much more contemporary videos of this song, but i want to keep it as realistic as possible with the time when it was created. Right, I'm not even getting into the topic of realism neither messing around with time nor with the combination of both. Just will let you enjoy this lovely video.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Xmas: Music Galore (Part 1)
I don't play the UK's seasonal-pop-music. That would not mean anything to me, because back home we play our own seasonal-pop-music, which is nothing like the one played here. Yet, it's as amusing!
This video is from my childhood days(1980s). The performers were my favourite band back in the day. They were a band from Spain called 'Parchis', and basically they made covers and had some songs of their own. Unfortunately, this is a boring video, yet funny. The song is 'Ven a mi casa esta navidad', which translates into English as: 'Come on over to my place during xmas'. The original songwriter of this song was Luis Aguilé, from Argentina.
I do enjoy this time of the year, it's simply so bizarre; and to increase this sensation, I'll try to post a couple of other music videos from the 1980s, so we get into the feeling. Enjoy if you knew this band and remember the song!
This video is from my childhood days(1980s). The performers were my favourite band back in the day. They were a band from Spain called 'Parchis', and basically they made covers and had some songs of their own. Unfortunately, this is a boring video, yet funny. The song is 'Ven a mi casa esta navidad', which translates into English as: 'Come on over to my place during xmas'. The original songwriter of this song was Luis Aguilé, from Argentina.
I do enjoy this time of the year, it's simply so bizarre; and to increase this sensation, I'll try to post a couple of other music videos from the 1980s, so we get into the feeling. Enjoy if you knew this band and remember the song!
Saturday, 6 December 2008
That Strange Object of Obsession
I've been too busy and therefore tired to even come down to write in the blog. This is rather unusual because I'm normally not tired from the everyday doings, you see that is simply not me. First I thought i was getting ill... well, I'm still thinking that I'm ill with some strange cancer, I still have to decide what kind of cancer. I've been so tired, that, for example, yesterday was trying to make up some words when chatting with one of my work colleagues, and I struggle to talk, perhaps I wasn't interested, but still, I felt tired. Too tired to even talk! That is definitely not me. Fortunately, as soon as I left work I felt better. Thus, probably is the bad air in the office, 'dense-heavy air', and oxygen is delayed in its route towards the brain to make it function well enough.
Or is it that? Can it be simply the 'heavy air' at the office room? And can the brain can only depend on that little thing? I know the obvious answer, but I'm writing this blog to challenge the obvious for many. Even the obvious for me.
Lately, I've been feeling physically bad, nothing seems to motivate me. Yes, it's dark here, early darkness and much clouds covering the sky. These result in almost a null exposition to sunlight. Sure, think again about the wintry syndrome. But, I don't think it's that simple. I still want to hang up with my disease.
Obsessing with ideas of all sorts are intriguing to me. Since when studying psychology, with friends always discussed about the many causes of neurosis and psychosis. The mind and soul have been profoundly explored since the era when mankind decided that there was a god and others to be judged under certain rules should they disobey. That has intrigued me since before I learn to read or write, way before that. As a little girl, I was browsing heavy books that had information about 'madness'. Well, i didn't read back then of course, but i saw the artistic impressions of 'madness' and the response to it. Thanks to painting, sculpture and music, the small/young people that cannot read or write can gain a glimpse of the human in its many shapes. Fortunately to me.
Thus, obsession, as one expression of 'madness', has hunted me. This has happened not only because of mere curiosity, but because I do obsess, constantly, over and over things. Some obsessions have remained through the decades, some others are new. Yet, they are all a reflection of myself and something about me. I was talking to someone recently about that, and the person told me that while i understand that I'm projecting and reflecting on others' actions, I shall not disregard their actions as unacceptable. For example, the atrocious events taking place in Mexico. Up to now, since the beginning of 2008, five thousand people have been killed due to the ongoing drug-cartel related wars. This involves, absolutely and without question, the state and all its law enforcing branches; civilians with and without relations with the cartels; paramilitaries, and other factions from the army. This is a thing I think every day, and cannot go without checking out what is going on about it. Cannot pass a day without having a quick update. It's like a drug. You see. Need to know! It's not simple curiosity. Think and think about it, and do not find a way out. Not being there is, above all, not reason enough to be indifferent, as that's not in my nature. I could be there, like many and intend to be indifferent. However, as things have escalated, being indifferent is absolutely impossible nowadays. Yet, the achievement of consciousness and agency are not the social prizes to this day.
So, OK. I've said it. And as I was writing, that annoyingly long paragraph, had to be stopped. I had to come into terms with it, and to leave it for now. Too much can be delusional anyway. Let me know what you think, is this an obsession, or my own humane and social concern with the things that go on in the place that matters to me? Or is it, as I think, a non-stoppable thinking due to my inability to do something about it. My beloved ones, have always told me that it is unnecessary to think that much about it, because there is nothing i can do. Perhaps that is why this results in an obsession: I cannot do a thing about. It's like the candy I cannot have, well, I don't eat candy. It's like the perfect weather that I cannot enjoy. It is so much uncontrollable that I have to check the weather almost for any plan I make, just so I know how it may be when I go out there... to the world.
Or is it that? Can it be simply the 'heavy air' at the office room? And can the brain can only depend on that little thing? I know the obvious answer, but I'm writing this blog to challenge the obvious for many. Even the obvious for me.
Lately, I've been feeling physically bad, nothing seems to motivate me. Yes, it's dark here, early darkness and much clouds covering the sky. These result in almost a null exposition to sunlight. Sure, think again about the wintry syndrome. But, I don't think it's that simple. I still want to hang up with my disease.
Obsessing with ideas of all sorts are intriguing to me. Since when studying psychology, with friends always discussed about the many causes of neurosis and psychosis. The mind and soul have been profoundly explored since the era when mankind decided that there was a god and others to be judged under certain rules should they disobey. That has intrigued me since before I learn to read or write, way before that. As a little girl, I was browsing heavy books that had information about 'madness'. Well, i didn't read back then of course, but i saw the artistic impressions of 'madness' and the response to it. Thanks to painting, sculpture and music, the small/young people that cannot read or write can gain a glimpse of the human in its many shapes. Fortunately to me.
Thus, obsession, as one expression of 'madness', has hunted me. This has happened not only because of mere curiosity, but because I do obsess, constantly, over and over things. Some obsessions have remained through the decades, some others are new. Yet, they are all a reflection of myself and something about me. I was talking to someone recently about that, and the person told me that while i understand that I'm projecting and reflecting on others' actions, I shall not disregard their actions as unacceptable. For example, the atrocious events taking place in Mexico. Up to now, since the beginning of 2008, five thousand people have been killed due to the ongoing drug-cartel related wars. This involves, absolutely and without question, the state and all its law enforcing branches; civilians with and without relations with the cartels; paramilitaries, and other factions from the army. This is a thing I think every day, and cannot go without checking out what is going on about it. Cannot pass a day without having a quick update. It's like a drug. You see. Need to know! It's not simple curiosity. Think and think about it, and do not find a way out. Not being there is, above all, not reason enough to be indifferent, as that's not in my nature. I could be there, like many and intend to be indifferent. However, as things have escalated, being indifferent is absolutely impossible nowadays. Yet, the achievement of consciousness and agency are not the social prizes to this day.
So, OK. I've said it. And as I was writing, that annoyingly long paragraph, had to be stopped. I had to come into terms with it, and to leave it for now. Too much can be delusional anyway. Let me know what you think, is this an obsession, or my own humane and social concern with the things that go on in the place that matters to me? Or is it, as I think, a non-stoppable thinking due to my inability to do something about it. My beloved ones, have always told me that it is unnecessary to think that much about it, because there is nothing i can do. Perhaps that is why this results in an obsession: I cannot do a thing about. It's like the candy I cannot have, well, I don't eat candy. It's like the perfect weather that I cannot enjoy. It is so much uncontrollable that I have to check the weather almost for any plan I make, just so I know how it may be when I go out there... to the world.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
B of the Bang into Trouble
It's been recently in the news, not really in the big news though, that this massive extraordinary sculpture's designers have been sued by the local authorities. According to The Guardian, no one has been really injured by this sculpture, however there is some negligence in its construction and maintenance, possing thus as a hazard to the community.
Seeing pictures of this sculpture do actually leave me gobsmacked. It's beautiful, and at least in the pictures, it looks perfect, like a real explosion, like something is coming out from the centre. Now, making that sculpture most have taken certain levels of imagination and creativity and skills that not many of us could ever have. And while i think that indeed, it could be dangerous, especially because of spikes falling off here and there...I think its something to be noted.
Looking at this image, through this medium, makes me ponder about the premises guiding this blog. What are the things that direct us inside? Can we only be reacting to the nature and the social? Or is that the chemical functions of our brain and body are so particular that allow us to create, to admire, and to challenge?
This is another pick, from Sheffield Hallam University. Couldn't resist as there are too many of them. I think this is particularly beautiful and contrasting to the picture i put on the top.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Sledging on Art, AKA, if Durkheim would know, would say HI FIVE to those Finns! or would flip...
The other day, I was talking to one of my course mates, he is a fantastic guy who is in the Art Design department. Well, we were doing an assignment together, and then he mentioned, out of the blue! Have you seen this video showing someone 'skiing' on an Aalto chair? I was so fascinated! couldn't believe what I've heard... So he showed me the video. I felt that I wanted to be there, in the middle of nowhere doing 'no non-sense' things. Anyway, I'm where I am, cannot be fooling around as much as I wish. But, here it is! It made me laugh so much when that guy at the end yells: PAHA! hahahaha.
Chin chin, Hölökun kölökun (I know I'm missing the right spelling here, so forgive me please).
Friday, 7 November 2008
Heart's Filthy Lesson: "I Abuse you, Tongue in Cheek"
Before I begin my narrative, I want to apologise to my beloved David, because I'm taking his music (song) to illustrate the bitterness of my story. But, as I much admire him, I feel is the thing that fits too well with what i would like to tell.
Once upon a time, I met someone, like we all do. This someone seemed at first like me. I was happy, like i would have normally been, for having the chance to meet a person with whom i would identify with, i could talk about as many possible things, agree and disagree comfortably, and still be myself. This romanticism lasted only for a little while. Not long enough. That remains the most scary bit, because i still wonder if that person was me, or if it was someone else outside from me? This, i know, is another topic.
Anyway, I befriended this someone, whom I thought was the most improbable person in the world to be like me. Back then, I was right, and I should have paid attention to meself. I thought, as I think sometimes, that it was faith. Perhaps, it is still faith. However, after a while, i perceived that the person was not what i first thought the person was. This particular creature, has a signature expression, which got me fed up after hearing it every single day. After, whichever thing s/he would say, would come up the uncompromising phrase: 'by the way, i mean this completely with my tongue in my cheek.'
It took me a while to realise, as it takes me generally, that this person has used this phrase to get around in life. Also, most likely, never been challenged by abusing the phrase. I do not appreciate people who do not compromise. I know, I am a lazy bastard, but like it or not, I have compromised with my statements and standing point in life. I would not be here writing this down otherwise.
On this person's defense, I guess we all abuse some catch-phrases, things we say become part of our-front-stage-selves. Yet, this person, did really have a reason to abuse this phrase, and, as I found out the hard way, it was because s/he was an abusive person, altogether. A misogynist pig, as the philosophical Argenteneans would say.
So, I met this misogynist pig, who disguises under a catch-phrase, and under the self-patronising idea that s/he grew up in a time and place when and where that was the only way to grew up. Sadly, this person is not someone that has never read a book. This is a person who has read several books, spent time teaching, and supposedly works in an academic environment... Well, I don't blame the supposedly academic environment, I only want to raise a case against this person.
There has not been responsibility laid on her/his shoulders for her/his actions against the rest of us: simple losers that socially lure around the world trying to find meanings. I am sad and disappointed, once again, at my own expectations, and my foolishness. I have been a momentary victim of this person, who thought that by standing up and literally looking down at my while speaking loudly, would silent my soul and mind. Indeed, s/he silenced my mouth, but nothing else. Yet, I've got to admit, that it was only until the latest events that I've made my mind. I always give people many chances...didn't I already say that I am a fool?
On that occasion, I dare to say something, for the first time, that would be challenging to this person. Her/his reaction was to stand up, coming nearer to me (I was sitting down), and defended her/himself, in a loud and firm voice towards me, literally looking down at me. I, for that instant, felt shocked-frightened, and told the person that if that was what s/he would think, it was her/his business. It took me a couple of days to come into terms with this situation. Considering that I see this person on a daily basis does not help.
A last thing this person did, was to refer to me, by the way tongue in cheek, as 'a woman therefore you don't have certain abilities'. Well, in my full acknowledgement of demise towards this semi-friendship, i turned around and kept on minding my business. The person realised that s/he said something that made me feel uneasy, and said: 'well, you know, that is what psychologists claim to'.
Well, I am sorry. I am sorry, for not realising early enough that you are another abusive person, by the way, i would not tell you this 'tongue in cheek'.
Once upon a time, I met someone, like we all do. This someone seemed at first like me. I was happy, like i would have normally been, for having the chance to meet a person with whom i would identify with, i could talk about as many possible things, agree and disagree comfortably, and still be myself. This romanticism lasted only for a little while. Not long enough. That remains the most scary bit, because i still wonder if that person was me, or if it was someone else outside from me? This, i know, is another topic.
Anyway, I befriended this someone, whom I thought was the most improbable person in the world to be like me. Back then, I was right, and I should have paid attention to meself. I thought, as I think sometimes, that it was faith. Perhaps, it is still faith. However, after a while, i perceived that the person was not what i first thought the person was. This particular creature, has a signature expression, which got me fed up after hearing it every single day. After, whichever thing s/he would say, would come up the uncompromising phrase: 'by the way, i mean this completely with my tongue in my cheek.'
It took me a while to realise, as it takes me generally, that this person has used this phrase to get around in life. Also, most likely, never been challenged by abusing the phrase. I do not appreciate people who do not compromise. I know, I am a lazy bastard, but like it or not, I have compromised with my statements and standing point in life. I would not be here writing this down otherwise.
On this person's defense, I guess we all abuse some catch-phrases, things we say become part of our-front-stage-selves. Yet, this person, did really have a reason to abuse this phrase, and, as I found out the hard way, it was because s/he was an abusive person, altogether. A misogynist pig, as the philosophical Argenteneans would say.
So, I met this misogynist pig, who disguises under a catch-phrase, and under the self-patronising idea that s/he grew up in a time and place when and where that was the only way to grew up. Sadly, this person is not someone that has never read a book. This is a person who has read several books, spent time teaching, and supposedly works in an academic environment... Well, I don't blame the supposedly academic environment, I only want to raise a case against this person.
There has not been responsibility laid on her/his shoulders for her/his actions against the rest of us: simple losers that socially lure around the world trying to find meanings. I am sad and disappointed, once again, at my own expectations, and my foolishness. I have been a momentary victim of this person, who thought that by standing up and literally looking down at my while speaking loudly, would silent my soul and mind. Indeed, s/he silenced my mouth, but nothing else. Yet, I've got to admit, that it was only until the latest events that I've made my mind. I always give people many chances...didn't I already say that I am a fool?
On that occasion, I dare to say something, for the first time, that would be challenging to this person. Her/his reaction was to stand up, coming nearer to me (I was sitting down), and defended her/himself, in a loud and firm voice towards me, literally looking down at me. I, for that instant, felt shocked-frightened, and told the person that if that was what s/he would think, it was her/his business. It took me a couple of days to come into terms with this situation. Considering that I see this person on a daily basis does not help.
A last thing this person did, was to refer to me, by the way tongue in cheek, as 'a woman therefore you don't have certain abilities'. Well, in my full acknowledgement of demise towards this semi-friendship, i turned around and kept on minding my business. The person realised that s/he said something that made me feel uneasy, and said: 'well, you know, that is what psychologists claim to'.
Well, I am sorry. I am sorry, for not realising early enough that you are another abusive person, by the way, i would not tell you this 'tongue in cheek'.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Hope is a Great Feeling
The cartoon is borrowed from The Guardian's Steve Bell. Can be accessed through: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/cartoon/2008/nov/05/uselections2008-georgebush
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