Some days like today are normal until you pick up the phone and learn what happened to a friend.

1-2-3-4

Okay so yesterday I went and interviewed one of the demonstrating fir trees. Their slogan is "1-2-3-4, we can't bear it anymore, 5-6-7-8, the forest will retaliate!" The spokestree said we should leave them be and buy fake trees, or change that tradition for a less barbaric one. "Don't you like being decorated?" I asked, and he said that the decorating thing is okay, but we shouldn't fell them. "But then again, he added in hushed tones, look how big-headed that one got by being the center of attention! He wasn't half as big when they brought him here...".
Before I left he said "if a tree falls in a forest, do you know why no one can hear it?"
"No"
"Because of the chainsaw!"
With lines like that, that one could probably run for president...

Odds and sods

I forgot to mention that at last winter is showing its head here in Nancy. It snowed all day yesterday, and today we're having a clear blue shiny beautiful cold weather.

(that's Place Stanislas invaded by fir trees demonstrating against Christmas)

Unfortunately, my oh so beloved neighbors haven't stopped drilling holes in the walls. Tomorrow I'm moving in the campus library with all my stuff -- they're not the friendliest people there but I'm sure they won't mind.

Priceless piece of history

I love this:

Monday January 15 2007
The Guardian
[...]
On September 10 1956, Guy Mollet, the then French prime minister, came to London to discuss the possibility of a merger between the two countries with his British counterpart, Sir Anthony Eden, according to declassified papers from the National Archives, uncovered by the BBC.

A British cabinet paper from the period reads: "When the French prime minister, Monsieur Mollet, was recently in London, he raised with the prime minister the possibility of a union between the United Kingdom and France."

At the time of the proposal, France was in economic difficulties and faced the escalating Suez crisis. Britain had been a staunch French ally during the two world wars.

When Mr Mollet's request for a union failed, he quickly responded with another plan - that France be allowed to join the British commonwealth - which was said to have been met more warmly by Sir Anthony.
[...]
Copyright Guardian News and Media Limited

I can't figure out how this could have worked, culturally. The reactions to this so-called revelation (apparently it was already mentioned in Keith Kyle's book about Suez) on both sides of the Channel are eloquent. I know I wouldn't bother -- both languages are already in my brain anyway...
but it seems an armed conquest of one country by the other would be more believable than a peaceful union! I guess the European Union in itself really is an accomplishment...

Al'ud and al tarab

I went to a fantastic concert on friday night. It was oud virtuoso and composer Marcel Khalifé -- from Lebanon -- playing his "concerto al andalus" with the Gradus Ad Musicam symphonic orchestra. His son Rami -- a pianist who graduated from Julliard in 2003 -- also played. It was magical! Marcel ended with one of his ballads, and in the audience the arab speakers who knew it (it seems they all did) sang along.

Oriental music really is something I have to explore.

Freedom fries curriculum

Not many things I hear or see anger me. I am generally unhopeful about mankind, but rarely angry. However over the last couple of years, I have found that one recurring behavior invariably angers me: when people utter ridiculous and/or harmful statements with an obscene amount of assertiveness.

This kind of comment, I think, illustrates rather well what I call a vulgar blend of ignorance and self-confidence:

Wednesday, September, 06, 2006 9:10 AM
Uncle Max writes:

a few points

1) We are just pups. Just 230 years out of the block we are already the richest, most powerful nation in history. And we saved uncounted numbers of european butts 4 times in the last century.

2)Europe - especially the frogs - realize that with every breath they take and HATE us for it.

3)A story is told that in 1956 when france was loudly proclaiming its decision not to join NATO, French President General Charles De Gaulle loudly proclaimed that he wanted every American soldier out of France.

Replied then Secretary-of-State John Foster Dulles "Does that include the 100,000 buried there?"

History does not record the General's reply. Perhaps for once in his life he just decided to shut up.

To those both in this country and without who hate us, I quote the late Richard J. Daley of the great city of Chicago: "I'll see you at the Christmas party and I'll have mistletoe on the back of my suitcoat."

iow -
----------------------------------------------
source here

This is probably the zillionth time I have read something like that, and it is certainly not the last. Now there is no way the genius who wrote that figured such a subtle approach to foreign affairs on his own. Nor, I assume, did he learn about French culture and politics in a college debate team. So that leaves us with the media. Welcome on Fox Planet, folks!

What I am

Everyone who knows me knows I am a night owl.


"On dirait encore une de ces robes étranges de danseuses, où une gaze transparente et sombre laisse entrevoir les splendeurs amorties d'une jupe éclatante, comme sous le noir présent transperce le délicieux passé; et les étoiles vacillantes d'or et d'argent, dont elle est semée, représentent ces feux de la fantaisie qui ne s'allument bien que sous le deuil profond de la Nuit."

Baudelaire, Le crépuscule du soir

Nigel Kennedy - Tribute to Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze

Enjoy! I certainly did.

The irony of it all

The most apprehensive individuals will notice that I was away from my blog for a number of rotations. And the most inquisitive of them will wonder what went through that brain of mine during all that time.
Well, something happened that I know will change the course of history. I have at last decided to acknowledge a fundamental feature of my psyche. My friends and family, nay, everyone around me has tried to make me own the truth about myself for as long as I can remember, and I have restlessly denied it with might and main. Indeed to acknowledge it is to accept it, and with that come tremendous responsibilities towards the world and towards myself.

The truth is, dear reader, that I am a genius.

I can almost hear my friends' sigh of relief, as I decide to take on this burden and face the consequences. A genius does not fail. I will not fail!

Well well, time for my medication. And so I leave you. :p

"The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history."
[Bertrand Russell]

My Jack Lament

After a week spent with my family, I'm back in town. I have to readjust my mind to the lonely, quiet, academic atmosphere of my place. I relish the fact that no one was waiting for me to come back, and I can really take care of myself. I am definitely going through a loner phase... which often happens in winter. If I was a shaman, I would have a bear for my guardian spirit!
I wish everyone a happy new year!