(Siento que se aglomeran mis deseos como el pueblo a las puertas de una boda.) El río allá es un niño y aquí un hombre que negras hojas junta en un remanso. Todo el mundo le llama por su nombre y le pasa la mano como a un perro manso. ¿En qué estación han de … More Un paisaje hecho poema
Donde las altas ruedas con silencio se mueven, y a gemir no se atreven las verdes sonorosas alamedas, por no hacer ruïdo al Betis, que entre juncias va dormido; sobre un peñasco roto, al tronco recostado de un fresno levantado, que escogió entre los árboles del soto porque su sombra es flores, su dulce fruto … More Luis de Góngora: Canción
It is still the weekend, so we must sing; this is El Cascabel, a famous son jarocho. Songs like this are sung especially at Candlemas in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, on the river Papaloapan. I would like to go there. This travel writer says Tlacotalpan is “where Mexico is perfect,” and recommends we stay in the Posada … More Son de Madera
There were elections today in Mexico, and they were to be watched, although I went to a picnic. First, we will have yet one more footnote on American culture and Reeducation. * I am not normally cynical but I have something cynical to say. Typical, correct statement, possibly learned on television: Person X must be … More Election Day
We went to Lafayette, to a benefit for the Gulf Restoration Network, and saw D. L. Menard. We went in through the front door, so as to pay the cover charge, which was the point. To get there, we burned fossil fuels; that is why we had to leave dedans la porte en arrière. You, … More Gulf Restoration with D. L. Menard
What shall we be when we grow up? * This is a kaleidoscopic post. It was a narrative post, but now it is kaleidoscopic. * People have been trying to convince me I am insane for decades. * In Reeducation, we were taught that there was a choice between being happy and being right. If … More Des fragments de Z
Back home in Mexico, the Atenco protestors have been released after four years, by Supreme Court decree, Gott sei Dank. Three minor politicians were ambushed in Oaxaca, with two being killed and one malherido; elections are Sunday. Over here, these autodidacts on my Facebook page are elaborating a grand theory of the universe without enough … More Mr. Casaubon, and Some Autodidacts
Earlier today there was a 6.4 earthquake in southern Mexico. While it was happening I, oblivious, was singing the Corrido de Cananea with the famous Hermanos Zaizar. The mine at Cananea has a long history. And it seems that Calderón, Clinton, the Grupo México, and Obama are all one. Honestly, I might like the narcos … More Corrido de Cananea
The modern university is sustained by academic freedom; it guarantees higher education’s independence, its quality, and its success in educating students. The need to uphold those values would seem obvious. Yet the university is presently under siege from all corners; workers are being exploited with paltry salaries for full-time work, politics and profit rather than … More Cary Nelson
Longhini is a good conductor and here we see the Moscow Conservatory. One of the search terms that most often leads people here is the title of the Monteverdi madrigal Ecco mormorar l’onde. In searching for more Monteverdi recordings I came across an ancient advertisement saying, “Nadia Boulanger uses Baldwin pianos exclusively.” It included a … More Marco Longhini
coldhearted scientist وداد 