Last night at dinner my colleague and I decided that, rather than attribute our work-related depressions to our own weak characters, it would be more practical to admit that the atmosphere in our department sucks a green one (as my friends in junior high school used to say) and that it is dragging us down. That way, we reasoned, we at least will not blame ourselves for having that sinking feeling as we go in to work, thus deepening yet further the quicksand through which we labor. Neither will we spend any of our much needed energy seeking third causes, and attempting to remedy these. Only if we name the actual cause of our malaise will we be able to rise above it, said we.
It had been raining for some time, but today dawned brilliantly sunny. I have been fairly sick with nostalgia for Madrid, but my package–a book I ordered from a Madrid bookstore–arrived today. It came encased in cardboard wrapping, stamped several times with the words La Casa del Libro – Madrid. Having this wrapping right here in the office (yes, I am blogging from work today, but it is lunch time) is oddly heartening, as evidence that the city is still there.
I have seen four films since returning from points south, and I recommend them all: Deepa Mehta’s Fire (beautiful photography of India, and very good on representation of everyday middle class life, in addition to the main subject matter), Robert Guediguian’s La ville est tranquille, a non-romantic film set in Marseille which I adore; Colin Nutley’s Under the Sun, in which something happy happens in Scandinavia for once; and most amazing of all for my purposes, the restored version of Gillo Pontecorvo‘s Burn.
Today’s featured post is the Unapologetic Mexican’s Zambra. He has found an amazing video of the amazing flamenco artist Estrella Morente, daughter of the brilliant granadino cantaor Enrique Morente. Believe what I am telling you: you want to see that video, and know about these two artists. Our featured comment is my own, in response to Stephen Bess’ question on New Orleans Mardi Gras post Katrina.
I will add to that comment here. Last year everyone made a supreme effort to put on an excellent Mardi Gras. This year, the post Katrina adrenalin rush is over, and people are more fatigued. We will have to see what will happen.
It is well worth watching the commentary from the G Bitch and the people she links to. They have their collective finger on the pulse of things.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 
Estrella sometimes makes me weep like a baby…that song included. Her voice seems to carve ears right in my heart, her emotion fills me.
Maybe because Momo is in Spain it is on your mind.
Speaking of your Red Monday. I just rewatched “The Night of the Iguana.” Rev. Shannon and the artist Hannah talks about the “blue devil” and how and what they do in order to give him the slip.
More movies to add to my netflix queue – gracias.
Thanks for the link to G-Bitch! Much appreciated. My oldest son’s nickname (a fine son who will be 35 on February 6) is Momo. I started calling him Momo when he was tiny, maybe 3 months old. Didn’t know where it came from, but in any event, nice. 🙂
Heart
hola. my server crashed. it’s the same one XP is on. my status blog from now on, in cases like this will be here: http://nezua.wordpress.com/
Yet another very nutritious post!
I will buy Queimada, The Battle of Algiers has haunted me for years, but I’d never thought about looking anything else by Pontevorco. Thanks