Reading Bowl

Sometimes I wonder who has better manners - Eitan or the dog. At least the boy can read.

Yankee Doodle

I am reading Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With The Wind" which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 (it was her one and only book). Anybody who thinks this a frilly romantic novel sorely mistaken. It is the story of the rape of Georgia during, and after, the Civil War. But this is not my blog. Instead, I have often wondered about the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle" sung by the Confederates known by every American grade-schooler:

Yankee Doodle went to town

A-riding on a pony

Stuck a feather in his hat

And called it macaroni

Why did yankee doodle stick a feather in his hat and call it macaroni? In Pre-Revolutionary America the song not referring to a pasta "macaroni"; rather, "macaroni" a fancy ("dandy") style of Italian dress widely imitated in England. By sticking a feather in his cap and calling himself a "dandy," Yankee Doodle was proudly proclaiming himself to be a gentleman of some social standing though, as known by the Southerner humming the tune, he had none.

Japanese Tsunami

Waves from the 8.8 earthquake off northwest Japan Friday are off the charts reaching 12 feet in some locations. The above graphic, by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, shows the wave sizes as they move halfway around the world.

The waves at their highest point near the earthquake's epicenter, then taper as they travel across the Pacific reaching South America 24 hours later. My Dad reports minimal damage in Northern California but the coastline a mess in some areas and dozens of boats damaged or sunk.

NOAA monitors wave heights by using buoys that are strategically placed across the Pacific rim.

Japan's estimates for dead and missing surpass 10,000 people most of whom killed by the tsunami that followed the earthquake.

Pancakes And The River Café

Our Sunday morning so far: Sonnet up at 0620h to wrestle the kids from bed and swimming practice. Myself, I awake an hour or so later to make coffee and a run with Rusty, who resists for all his life (strangers in the park look at me kinda funny as I drag the unwilling pooch). Rusty supposed to enjoy these things I thought. Sonnet makes pancakes etc. and I read the Sunday Times which I have come to enjoy though a poor comparison to the NYT. Last night we join friends at the River Cafe, which has become our favorite; The RC our first "serious" restaurant in London back in '97.

"The River Café specializes in Italian cuisine and owned and run by chef Ruth Rogers and until early 2010, Rose Gray. Located on the north bank of the Thames in Hammersmith in the former Duckhams oil storage facility modified by architect Lord Rogers, the husband of Ruth Rogers (Lady Rogers). Opened in 1987 as the employee café of the architectural partnership, there is a garden with views of the River Thames.

River Café brought to London the flavours of Italian home cooking with an emphasis on the finest ingredients, and an all-Italian wine list. The restaurant also brought to London a modern, open-plan kitchen and dining room with a buzzy atmosphere. "Sourcing, sourcing, sourcing" is the mantra of Rogers and Gray. Menus are tweaked constantly (sometimes twice a day) to respond to the seasons and what is best in the market, with simplicity the key. Signature dishes include: wild mushroom risotto; Dover sole (which I have last night) and John Dory smoked in the restaurant's own wood stove; and rich Italian desserts including lemon almond cake or the chocolate "Nemesis" cake.

The restaurant earned a Michelin star in 1988 and is critically acclaimed, although sometimes criticised for high pricing.

"

--Wiki

Water Can

Hmmm Madeleine and Nicki upstairs washing Rusty while I sit in the kitchen, here, at my notebook, writing. The boy and I spent the last couple hours getting the garden ready for spring. Our big excitement this morning the discovery of frog spawn in the pond - yes, they are back and this time we will aim to have a frog unlike last year's failed nurtury (I hear screaming and yelping so upstairs I go).

The Perry and Marty Granoff Center

And, voila!, Brown's new performing arts building (picture from the NYT). I am reasonably certain the location in a parking lot next to the sciences building two or three blocks from the main campus. Freshman rumor suggested the science building's late night and unusual smells from burning animal carcases, post lab-room dissection. I still might believe this - indeed, I cut up a shark and a few rats back in the day.

The center's 35,000-square-feet include three studio work spaces supported by a multimedia studio, a recording studio, a robotics studio, art galleries for student showcases and a 200-seat recital hall. Neighboring RISD will enjoy access. The center's architects Diller, Scofidio and Renfro were behind the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

And here is what we know about Marty Granoff (from the Brown website):

Granoff, a University trustee emeritus, is a veteran of the textile industry. He is the founder and chairman of Val D’Or, a knitwear manufacturer that merged with Cannon County Knitting Mills Inc. in 1995; vice chairman of Koret of California, which makes women’s brand-name clothing; and chairman, founder, director, and majority owner of National Textiles, a manufacturer of open-end and ring-spun cotton.

During his service as a University trustee, Granoff was a member of the Corporation committees on Advancement, Admission and Financial Aid, Budget and Finance, and Student Life. He also is an emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the Brown University Sports Foundation. He also serves as a vice chair of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment.

The parent of a member of Brown’s Class of 1993, Granoff spearheaded the Brown Hillel campaign to build the Glenn and Darcy Weiner Hillel Center, which was dedicated in February 2004.

Easter In Czech Republic

Madeleine and I use up the accoutrement's from yesterday's story time.

Happy birthday Stan!

Sonnet takes Madeleine to the Yohji Yamamoto opening party at the V&A. Sonnet notes Yohji-san a fashion designer "known for his unusual constructions."

Sonnet: "What do people do for Easter in your village?"

Aneta: "Do?"

Sonnet: "Are there any traditions?"

Aneta: "You mean like what we do?"

Sonnet: "Yes."

Aneta: "Well, the boys they have a big stick. And they chase the girls."

Sonnet:

Aneta: "And they try to tap them, the girls."

Me: "Is everybody naked?"

Madeleine: "Dad!"

Me: "Well, they might be."

Madeleine: "Are they naked Aneta?"

Aneta: "No."

Sonnet: "Where do they tap them?"

Aneta: "On their bottom." (Aneta points to her bottom)

Madeleine: "Woa."

Me: "Are they drunk?"

Aneta: "Yes, the boys are very drunk. The girls, they don't like this so much. So when the boys come by before lunch . ."

Sonnet: "They are drunk before lunch?"

Aneta: "Yes. When the boys come by before lunch the girls can splash water on them. They don't like that so much."

Me: "What happens after lunch?"

Aneta: "The girls cannot splash water then."

Madeleine: "We are going to have an Easter Egg Hunt."

Auntie Katie

After my class-time story, Madeleine shows-and-tells "Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked" which is, afterall, consistent with the theme of "fantasy." Our dear fills with pride as she describe's her Auntie Katie: "a writer who lives in New York city with lots of really tall buildings."

Go On, I Dare You

So I wonder - has Tucson changed anything? (On January 8, 2011, near Tucson, AX, 19 people were shot, six of them fatally, during an open meeting that U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Those killed include US District Court for the District of Arizona Chief Judge John Rolland one of Rep. Giffords's staffers. Gifford was shot through the head at point-blank range, and her medical condition was initially "critical"). Congress's then boldly pronounced corrective initiatives have so far netted one proposal: a ban on the sale of ammunition clips that allowed the gunman to fire 31 shots in 15 seconds. Seems reasonable. But no, the gun-clip ban has zero Republican supporters, which is a problem since the Republicans are the House majority. Meanwhile in the states, there is legislation for more guns in more places (public libraries, college campuses, Starbucks). Gail Collins in the NYT notes that Georgia allows guns in bars, Arizona eliminated concealed weapon permits and Utah has designated its own official state gun. Should we be surprised?

And how about those colleges? A number of states are considering laws to prohibit colleges and universities from barring guns on campus. Excuse my French but this is fucking madness. Does anybody in the Republican party remember Virginia Tech? Says Daniel Crocker, the southwest regional director for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus: “It’s about people having the right to personal protection.” Concealed Carry on Campus BTW is a national organization of students dedicated to opening up schools to more weaponry. Every spring it holds a national Empty Holster Protest “symbolizing that disarming all law-abiding citizens creates defense-free zones, which are attractive targets for criminals.” Retards.

All this to blow the NRA, whose annual budget of $200 million gives them plenty of insider influence. Go on, become a member, and get your discount on a muzzled shot gun. While doing so, think about the 270,000 Americans who have died by guns in the United States since 2001.

Speaking of blow jobs and Republicans, Newt Gingrich says his passionate hard work for his country contributed to his marital infidelity. Really, he said this in an interview posted Wednesday by The Christian Broadcasting Network. Gingrich -- who recently converted to Catholicism of course -- said he had sought God's forgiveness for mistakes in his past. Recall the married Newt was screwing his intern with gleeful tongue wagging abandon while demanding Clinton's impeachment for the Monica Lewinsky affair. Now Newt wants to be President. With prescience, Gingrich should have suggested Clinton's Oval Office dalliance a trifle but, sadly for him, his best nature kicks him in his groin. Again.

Photo by Mister Tim from the www.

Swimmer

Here is how Sonnet/I accommodate two evening sessions at different times and pools: 5:30PM pick up Eitan, Madeleine (double-check for goggles, swimsuits, towels and gear), drive to ABC pool and watch Madeleine for 75 minutes; (double-check goggles, swimsuit, towel and gear) race across southwest London to drop off Eitan at XYZ pool. Drive home, Madeleine dinner. Back to the XYZ for Eitan (double-check goggles, swimsuit, towel and gear) then home, dinner, brush teeth and bed by 10PM. Eitan can stay up as late as he wants.

Elf

I visit Madeleine's class to tell a story - this time, about "fantasy" which is being taught as part of the curricula. Madeleine is my trusted assistant elf. My on-the-fly tale about Bobby Bogart (which gets a chuckle) who enters Middlearth, via a hidden basement door, finding himself at the "Strange and Wonderful Creatures" ball where he is the only human-child, surrounded by witches, ogres, trolls, elfs, dwarfs and wizards. To return home, Bobby must retrieve Princes Leia who slumbers under a spell at the end of a long, dark cave inside a mountain guarded by a dragon. Nobody will go with Bobby except a troll and I tell the adventure from the troll's perspective, dressed for the part including a wicked nose, walking shaft and orange red hair purchased at "Party Palace" (agree, this is an interpretation). On the way to Leia, Bobby and the troll discover three ogre-brothers debating whether to kill a girl and grind her bones or roast her on the fire spit; a botched rescue finds Bobby and the troll in the same predicament with the sun-up in two hours - trolls, we know, turn to stone in daylight. Bobby negotiates everyone's release in return for gold, to be found in the dragon's mountain. The ogres keep the girl for recourse and promise to eat her in 21 days if no treasure. Eventually Princess Liea freed, the dragon thwarted, the girl saved. All made possible by the help of kind elves (Madeleine) and therein lies my message to the kids: whenever faced by life's challenges, ask for help and it can usually be solved.

I am granted two extra minutes and revive class favorite "Kit Kat Cowboy," who returns to make sure the classroom working hard and doing well. Nothing else to match my day.

Red Riding Hood

Many of you may recall that my (little) sister wrote a book "Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of A Fairy Tale" which was an Amazon best-seller and has gone through several printings (go on, buy a copy). Last night Katie attends the Hollywood film premier "Red Riding Hood," pictured, staring Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman and co-produced by Leonardo Dicaprio. Katie makes an appearance in the movie and provides the narrative for the DVD release, which includes the history of the fairy tale and interviews with various meaningful players. The Warner blurb:

"Valerie (Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Max Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie's older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon's arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon...

"

Monday Morning

Sonnet bolts early and I walk the dog. I will swim a few laps soon - beats taking a shower. The kids wander downstairs dressed and ready to go and in a happy mood - Madeleine notes thumbs "middle to up" which is as good as it has been since last summer. Maybe it's the sunshine which floods into the conservatory and warms the kitchen.

Eitan makes breakfast.

Me: "What is that?"

Eitan: "I'm making cinnamon toast."

Me: "All I see is a lot of sugar."

Eitan: "That's the recipe. Sugar, cinnamon and toast."

Madeleine: "Eitan's not supposed to eat sugar in the morning."

Me: "Thank you, Madeleine. That won't be happening again."

Eitan: "Ohhh it's heavenly . . .."

Madeleine pokes her head into the bedroom as I am about to take a nap.

Me: "Hey, kid, what are you up to?"

Madeleine: "Um, nothing. I'm going to play the trumpet."

Eitan, lying on the floor with Rusty: "Rusty just stepped on my balls."

Madeleine, over the sink, drinks from a ladle.

Me: "What are you doing?"

Madeleine: "Discovering a new way of drinking."

First Spring

The first bulbs poke their way through the topsoil searching for sun and I know how they feel. I stamp my feet to ward off the cold on the sideline watching Eitan's KPR lose to the Whitton Wanderers in a must-win game for the blues should they wish to advance to the Premier League next season. Alas, our star goalie Maxime sick and the lads go down 5-3 in a game never that close. Eitan scores two goals and the team plays well but they squander their chances. KPR will be top of the mid-table. Eitan collects his thoughts afterwards and I give him his space.

Manchester United trails 3-0 against Liverpool.

Me: "It's not looking like a very good football day for you."

Eitan: "They still have a chance but it's not looking particularly good."

Me:

Eitan: "They have 24-minutes to score three goals."

Me: "There is still hope."

Eitan: "It is not very likely though."

Skip Kenney

Stanford wins its 30th consecutive Pac 10 swimming championships in Long Beach, Calfornia. Will and I disappointed as Cal favored going into the week end. The Cardinal racked up 911 points, followed by the Bears (864) USC (534), Arizona (483), Arizona State (273), UC Santa Barbara (184) and Cal Poly (158). 30 in a row - the last time Stanford lost the title I was a Sr at Berkeley High. For Pete's sake.

Stanford's success no doubt because of coach Skip Kinney (photo from Stanford), who has been with the Cardinal since '85. Not surprisingly, given yesterday, he has been the NCAA Coach of the Year six times and Pac-10 Coach of the Year 21 times; he was Head Coach of the US Men's Swimming Team at the '96 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and assistant coach at the '84 and '88 games. Like Mike Troy, Kenney from the military: Marine Corps, with combat in Vietnam for 13 months in 1965 to 1966; four months spent as a sniper. Kinney brings a military sensibility to training: "Whether you are racing or in combat, for you to be at your best, your mind takes over and your body follows. Your expectations rise." No shit - getting chased by the Cong in a 500 freestyle would bring the best out of anybody.

When I was a youngster I spoke to Kinney about swimming for Stanford though I would have been hard pressed to score a point at the Pac 10s looking at today's results (nor was I accepted to Stanford). Kinney was quiet and intense - few words but big presence - and he always had a smile or nice word when I saw him at swimming meets around Norcal.

Stupid Drivers

Maybe it's the cold grey morning but I've seen a few shocking things which confirm that most people are mindless or stupid. At the gas station, an Audi Q5 pulls up too far from the pump so the driver (male, 40s, wearing mocasins) stretches the hose while petrol sploshes about everywhere. Retard. A few moments later, a BMW (women driver, probably a local mom) mis-judges traffic and so stuck on the level crossing as the warning lights go so she honks furiously then guns her motor around incoming traffic. Or the various countless idiots who text while driving. Again, this morning: I watch a near-miss collision at a busy circus as some mope talks on his cell phone.

Here is the UK road kill from the Office of National Statistics:

In 2007, 646 pedestrians were killed in road accidents in Great Britain; this was 22 per cent of all deaths from road accidents, a 78 per cent decrease from 40 years ago when pedestrian fatalities were 2,964.

The total number of deaths in road accidents fell by 7 per cent to 2,946 in 2007 from 3,172 in 2006. However, the number of fatalities has remained fairly constant over the last ten years.

Nearly half (49 per cent) of people killed in road accidents were car users in 2007. Pedal cyclists and motor cyclists represented 5 and 20 per cent of those killed respectively. Occupants of buses, coaches, goods and other vehicles accounted for the remaining 5 per cent of road deaths.

The total number of road casualties of all severities fell by
4 per cent between 2006 and 2007 to approximately 248,000 in Great Britain. This compares with an annual average of approximately 320,000 for the years 1994-98.

The decline in the casualty rate, which takes into account the volume of traffic on the roads, has been much steeper. In 1967 there were 199 casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres. By 2007 this had declined to 48 per 100 million vehicle kilometres.

The UK has a good record for road safety compared with most other EU countries. In 2006 it had one of the lowest road death rates in the EU, at 5.4 per 100,000 population. The UK rate was also lower than the rates for other industrialised nations such as the United States (14.3 per 100,000 population), Australia (7.8 per 100,000 population) and Japan (5.7 per 100,000 population).

Photo from the www.

Five Years And Blogging

To celebrate my fifth online anniversary I somehow feel the above vibe, captured at the American Ambassador's home in Regent's Park, London, in July 2005, appropriate seeing how the website began . . . .

To you, my family and dear friends, I write, in this otherwise vast and empty universe. Thank you for hearing me shout. And a special holler out to the Shakespeares, who make my life worth living.

JMO

Wazza's Bicycle Vs City (Getty Images)

Golden Jubilee Bridge

Here I am on another river crossing, this time the Golden Jubilee Bridge and one of two nouveau walkways bracketing the Charing Cross Bridge connecting the railway station/ Victoria Embankment and Waterloo across the way. Since you ask: There are 12 `public` bridges in London's centre+three rail bridges (Blackfriars, Charing Cross and Grosvenor Rail); A further 17 bridges cross west of Battersea Bridge until Hampton court bridge which is the last in London. Going East you also have the Queen Elizabeth Suspension bridge near Dartford. So the grand total is 33 bridges crossing the our mighty river.

BTW that small pointy thing next to the dude facing us will soon be Europe's tallest building.

Sonnet takes Madeleine to a Japanese restaurant for dinner.

Sonnet: "So, how am I doing as a mom?"

Madeleine: "I like the fun things you do with me ..."

Sonnet: "That's nice."

Madeleine: "But sometimes you say 'no' too much."

Sonnet: "Oh?"

Madeleine: "And, you know mom, sometimes we could have more sweat treats."

Sonnet:

Madeleine: "And sometimes you get my hopes up."

Sonnet: "Like when?"

Madeleine: "Today it was the play date" [Sonnet got the day wrong which made Madeleine cry].

Sonnet:

Madeleine: "Oh, and then there was that other one. It was bigger than a play date. Oh, I know! It was the walk with Natasha. You promised me that two weeks ago.. ."

Sonnet: "Thank you for telling me."

London Fashion Week 2011

Sonnet at last week's cat walks; below Mathew Williamson (first two shots) and John Rochas. Photos by Sonnet.