Diane
2024ǯ1124
Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction
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Subj:Hi, Diane
Have a great time
in London!
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Date: Sun., Feb. 26, 2012 4:11 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane3760@canada.ca
Hello, Diane,
I'm so glad to know that you'll visit London.
I was over there about 15 years ago.
I wish I could go there with you again.
Some day... some day... ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ...
I've been reading many books regarding "Madame Butterfly" since I received your last mail about "A Dangerous Method."
I was too busy reading those books to write my articles in English.
How come Sabina went through kinky sex life?
I read a book titled "Butterfly" written by Paul Loewen.
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According to the author, Paul Loewen lived in Heidelberg during the World War II.
One day, while listening to a record of the opera "Madame Butterfly," his mother became upset unusually.
When she calmed down eventually, she revealed the secrets of her upbringing.
A Japanese woman who became a model of Madame Butterfly had, in fact, a daughter, not a son.
The girl would later married a German doctor who had been a consultant at a hospital in Tokyo.
Four years later she gave birth to a baby boy.
That woman is his mother and the boy is the author---Paul Loewen.
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That's what the preface says.
When Loewen learned that the daughter of the so-called Madame Butterfly was his mother, he had a strong interest in the true story of his grandparents.
After the World War II, he had the opportunity to visit Japan in the United-Nations-related work.
In Nagasaki, he discovered the memoirs and letters of the late Pinkerton.
Because the contents of the notes and letters were decadent and sexual, they were not published at the time.
However, in the wake of the death of his mother in 1976, he decided to publish by editing the materials discovered in Nagasaki as well as the diary of Sharpless obtained in the United States in order to reveal the true story of his grandparents.
In the past years, many researchers have tried to find the model of Madame Butterfly of the opera.
Did the model ever exist?
If so, who was she?
This mystery has not been clearly elucidated until now.
Although the discovered materials are certainly suspicious and indeed lacking in credibility, Loewen's literary Work-up seems quite effective in the sense that the reader really looks forward to the mystery and wants to solve it.
The story begins when Kate (Kathryn Hamilton) and Henry Pinkerton were still young lovers.
Kate is a woman who combines the elegance of demeanor equipped with extraordinary intelligence and breathtaking beauty as well as delicate sensibility.
I've found several common traits between Kate and Sabina.
That's why I've been reading the related books in order to get insights into Kate's as well as Sabina's mind.
Well...so much so that I'll write an article about it, and hope you'll enjoy reading it.
I'll send another mail to you while you're enjoying your journey in London so that you will be able to read as a bit of refresher.
In any case, please have a great time in London, learn as much as possible, and experience a great deal of adventure and romance. :)
I'm looking forward to hearing fascinating and inspirational stories from you.
Your truly travel-loving Taliesin,
Kato
:) with love
Subj:London Theatre
Here We Come !
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From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Sun, Feb 26, 2012 4:57 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
Hi Kato,
Wow! That was a quick response .. thanks so much.
I'll send you a postcard and we'll see how long it takes to get from London to Vancouver.
I always think it's such fun to receive a hard copy of something these days; so quaint, n'est-ce pas?
I'm really getting excited about the prospect of experiencing some new things to shake me out of my routines.
Not an easy task, as I'm sure you know.
So I'm sure this trip will be good for me.
Besides, I'll get to see how compatible my boyfriend and I are travel-wise.
We've already discussed some of our differences.
He is a news junky and likes to glue himself to the television, for instance, and I'm a fan of quiet home spaces.
He's agreed to watch TV in the bar downstairs or with headphones, so I'm relieved about that.
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Otherwise, it should be fine, hopefully.
Time will tell, as they say.
I think you might be on to something with respect to the commonalities between Kate and Sabina.
It would be interesting to know if they were both abused as children.
This would, of course, explain a lot at least at a superficial level.
Good luck with your sleuthing.
See you when I return from visiting the Queen.
Hug for my truly loving Taliesin.
Ta, ta as they say in England,
Love, Diane ~
Diane, I think you've got a keen sixth sense.
Oh... what makes you think so?
You just mentioned:
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I think you might be on to something with respect to the commonalities between Kate and Sabina.
It would be interesting to know if they were both abused as children.
This would, of course, explain a lot at least at a superficial level.
As a matter of fact, Kate was abused when she was an adolescent.
I thought so.
How did you know?
Well ... maybe, sixth sense as you just mentioned.
I see... Anyway, Kate's story goes like this:
According to Kate's confession, her father was a Hungarian-born British baron, his mother a cabaret dancer in Vienna.
On behalf of her mother who didn't raise her own baby--Kate, the mother's older sister, who was a music teacher, raised Kate until she turned 14-year-old.
After the death of the aunt, Kate was sent to the father's older sister who had been married without a child.
Her husband adored Kate, but when she reached sixteen and turned out to be a beautiful girl, he forced her to have sex with him every night.
Kate planned to run away, but it was found out.
The cunning uncle sold her out to a brothel.
In the brothel, she refused to service a man.
Whenever she resisted, Kate faced a harsh punishment.
Eventually, she surrendered and started to take a guest.
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Her snobbish and cold attitudes didn't please most of her customers, but some masochistic clients liked her sadistic attitudes.
Therefore, the madame of the brothel gave Kate special education so that she should be able to become a specialist in handling masochists.
Soon, an elderly French ambassador liked Kate, and took her to Washington, D.C.
After the ambassador had been summoned to Paris, Kate remained in the United States and went to college with his financial aid.
Kate planned to enter the social circles with girlfriends of the good family.
Her dream came true when Kate came to know Pinkerton through his sister, Lisa.
Pinkerton had a fiancee at the time, but Kate attracted him without any difficulty.
Before hand, Kate carefully examined his family background.
Pinkerton was an ideal dupe because, although he owned a great deal of property and excellent family ancestry, he didn't possess his own strong character.
At first Kate considered Pinkerton to be a mediocre man with an air head.
When she noticed that Pinkerton actually possessed rich sensibility and passion inside him, however, Kate came to love him.
Wow! What a dramatic revelation...
According to Paul Loewen, Kate became a femme fatale.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, ... a femme fatale, huh?
Yes, she was...and this reminds me of the movie: "Fatal Attraction."
Why is that?
Did you see the movie, Diane?
Of course, I did.
Fatal Attraction (Trailer)
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It was quite some time ago, though. The movie was such a sensation that everybody seemed to talk about it at the time.
I know ... I know. It was a hit, becoming the second highest grossing film of 1987 in the United States and hugely popular internationally.
But I don't quite remember that the movie has something to do with "Madame Butterfly."
Yes, it has.You know, Dan Gallagher, played by Michael Douglas, is a successful, happily married New York attorney living in Manhattan. He meets Alexandra "Alex" Forrest played by Glenn Close. She is an editor for a publishing company. When his wife and daughter were out of town for the weekend, he had a passionate affair with Alex. Though he thought it was understood to be a simple fling, she begins clinging to him. When Dan explains that he must go home, Alex cuts her wrists in a suicide attempt. He helps her to bandage them and later leaves. He thinks the affair is forgotten, but she shows up at various places to see him. She waits at his office one day to apologize and invite him to the opera.
Now, I remember ... that opera was "Madame Butterfly."
You're right on, Diane. Alex was fascinated by "Madame Butterfly."
Home come...?
'Cause she was suffering from borderline personality disorder. Such a person displays the behaviors of impulsivity, emotional liability, fear of abandonment, sudden switch from idealization to devaluation and vice versa, and self-mutilation such as wrist cut in a suicide attempt shown in the film. So, naturally, Alex identified with Madame Butterfly, who did commit suicide in such a dramatic way as Alex would like to do herself. As a matter of fact, in the original ending, Alex committed suicide by slashing her throat with a sword-like kitchen knife---just like Madame Butterfly.
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Why did the director change the ending?
'Cause the test audience didn't like a suicide ending when the film was shown. I suppose, most of the audience didn't understand the Madame Butterfly theme behind the scene. So, the director changed the ending into a more violent one like a gangster movie, that is, more like an American-style ending.
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Michael Douglas is talking about the ending in the following video clip:
Michael Douglas talks on
The Ending Of FATAL ATTRACTION
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"Fatal Attraction's" Alternate Ending
Diane, why don't you see it again?
After all those years, why should I watch it again?
'Cause it is in such a big demand.
Really?
Look at the following catalogue record:
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There are 13 copies at Vancouver Public Library. They are in such a big demand that no copies are available.
How come?
Look at the following details:
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Six copies are checked out, three copies are on hold, and other four copies are stolen or under trace.
Are you keeping one of the above copies?
Yes, I was.
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But I returned it on March 7.
Amazing! Yes, I think I'm gonna reserve one of those DVDs right away.
You can see both endings on this DVD---the original and alternate one. You'd better hurry up.
Himiko's Monologue
"Madame Butterfly" is an opera in three acts (originally two acts) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
Puccini based his opera in part on the short story "Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Luther Long, which was dramatized by David Belasco.
Puccini also based it on the novel Madame Chrysanthème (1887) by Pierre Loti.
According to one scholar, the opera was based on events that actually occurred in Nagasaki in the early 1890s.
The original version of the opera, in two acts, had its premiere on February 17, 1904, at La Scala in Milan.
It was very poorly received despite the presence of such notable singers as soprano Rosina Storchio, tenor Giovanni Zenatello and baritone Giuseppe De Luca in the lead roles.
This was due in large part to the late completion and inadequate time for rehearsals.
Puccini revised the opera, splitting the second act into two acts and making other changes.
On May 28, 1904, this version was performed in Brescia and was a huge success.
Between 1915 and 1920, Japan's best-known opera singer Tamaki Miura won international fame for her performances as Cio-Cio San.
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Her statue, along with that of Puccini, can be found in the Glover Garden in Nagasaki, the city where the opera is set.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
Covent Garden
Dead poets Society
Diane Chatterley
Diane Hypatia
Early Autumn
Eight the Dog
Fire Festival
Fireflies
From Canada to Japan
From Gyoda to Vancouver
From Summer to Eternity
Fujiyama Geisha
Glorious Summer
Halifax to Vancouver
Hello, Diane
(sylvie121.jpg)
2018 BC Ballot
A Second World
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
Big Mystery
Hi, I'm June Adames.
The Royal Opera House, often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", was constructed as the "Theatre Royal" in 1732 to a design by Edward Shepherd.
During the first hundred years or so of its history, the theatre was primarily a playhouse, with the Letters Patent granted by Charles II giving Covent Garden and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane exclusive rights to present spoken drama in London.
In 1734, the first ballet was presented.
A year later Handel's first season of operas began.
Many of his operas and oratorios were specifically written for Covent Garden and had their premières here.
It has been the home of The Royal Opera since 1945, and the Royal Ballet since 1946.
The current building is the third theatre on the site following destructive fires in 1808 and 1857.
The façade, foyer and auditorium were designed by Edward Barry, and date from 1858, but almost every other element of the present complex dates from an extensive £178 million reconstruction in the 1990s.
The Royal Opera House seats 2,268 people and consists of four tiers of boxes and balconies and the amphitheatre gallery.
When you have a chance to stay in London, why don't you visit the opera house?
You may see some celebs in one of the boxes.
2024ǯ1024
Zen and Chi Gong
Zen and Chi Gong
Hi Kato!
Thanks a lot
for those video clips.
From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date:Wed, May 18, 2011 4:47 pm.
Hi Kato,
Thanks so much .. this is all so very interesting.
One of these days I'm going to take a chi gong () class here at the WECC(Westend Community Centre).
I remember taking one years ago.
In the meantime, I do my yoga every day.
and have done for years.
I used to be a yoga teacher.
I go to the gym three times a week,
walk the seawall with my group every Tuesday
and swim and hike in the mountains when I get the chance.
Hopefully, this will keep me in shape for years to come!
Thomas Jefferson, one of the early USA Presidents (he penned the Declaration of Independence) and who was a very learned man, said that "every man should devote his afternoons to exercise and recreation as it is as important as reading."
In fact, he said, "It's even more important because our health is worth more than learning."
That's for sure!
He impressed me.
Of course, learning is important, too ... but who's got the time for everything?!
Thanks again for these video clips.
They're wonderful.
Love, Diane ~
SOURCE: "Yoga and Happiness"
(May 22, 2011)
Kato, how come you've brought up my old mail?
You used to be a yoga teacher, and now you're taking a chi gong () class.
Yes, I am.
No wonder you're in good shape. And I'm pretty sure you'll be in shape for years to come.
You are in
good shape!
I really hope so.
what kind of lesson are you taking in the class?
I'll show you in the following video.
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Wow! ... quite mysterious movements...like those of Tai chi.
Tai chi (˷)
T'ai chi ch'uan (simplified Chinese: 极; traditional Chinese: ˷), often shortened to T'ai chi or Tai chi in the West, is a type of internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.
It is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons: its hard and soft martial art technique, demonstration competitions, and longevity.
As a consequence, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims.
Some of t'ai chi ch'uan's training forms are especially known for being practiced at what most people categorize as slow movement.
Today, t'ai chi ch'uan has spread worldwide.
Most modern styles of t'ai chi ch'uan trace their development to at least one of the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu, and Sun.
The term t'ai chi ch'uan translates as "supreme ultimate fist", "boundless fist", "great extremes boxing", or simply "the ultimate."
Note that chi in this instance is the Wade-Giles transliteration of the Pinyin jí, and is distinct from qì (or chi ), which means "life energy".
The concept of the Taiji ("supreme ultimate") appears in both Taoist and Confucian Chinese philosophy, where it represents the fusion or mother of Yin and Yang into a single Ultimate, represented by the Taijitu symbol.
T'ai chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many Chinese philosophical principles, including those of Taoism and Confucianism.
T'ai chi training involves five elements, nei gung, tui shou (response drills), sanshou (self defence techniques), weapons, and solo hand routines, known as forms (ϩ taolu).
While t'ai chi ch'uan is typified by some for its slow movements, many t'ai chi styles (including the three most popular - Yang, Wu, and Chen) have secondary forms of a faster pace.
Some traditional schools of t'ai chi teach partner exercises known as "pushing hands", and martial applications of the forms' postures.
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SOURCE: "T'ai chi ch'uan"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kato, why don't you join my class? You could improve your health. You know, Kato, health is worth more than learning.
I know...I know...I will join your class some day.
You always say that, but your "some day" seems 100 years down the road.
But Diane, you said who's got the time for everything, didn't you? I don't have the time for everything.
I know. It seems to me that you're always writing articles in the library. When you are not writing, then you're watching DVDs. Writing and learning is important, but, as Thomas Jefferson said, every man should devote his afternoons to exercise and recreation as it is as important as reading, learning, and writing.
You sounds like my teacher in the elementary school.
Take my advice, Kato, and join my class, will you?
Yes, yes, yes,... some day, but actually, I'm a Zen practitioner. When I've got some spare time, I always practise Zen.
Zen is quite static to me.
Static to you, Diane?
Yes, it is. Not dynamic, I mean, Zen is doing nothing---sitting still. I don't know how it could possibly improve your health and mind.
Have you ever heard of Bodhidharma?
Yes, you told me about him the other day.
Bodhidharma
ãʥޡ
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th-6th century and is traditionally credited as the leading patriarch and transmitter of Zen to China.
According to Chinese legend, he also began the physical training of the Shaolin monks that led to the creation of Shaolinquan. However, martial arts historians have shown this legend stems from a 17th century chigong manual known as the Yijin Jing.
Little contemporary biographical information on Bodhidharma is extant, and subsequent accounts became layered with legend, but most accounts agree that he was a Tamil prince from southern India's Pallava Empire. Scholars have concluded his place of birth to be Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.
After becoming a Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma traveled to China. The accounts differ on the date of his arrival, with one early account claiming that he arrived during the Liú Sòng Dynasty (420–479) and later accounts dating his arrival to the Liáng Dynasty (502–557). Bodhidharma was primarily active in the lands of the Northern Wèi Dynasty (386–534). Modern scholarship dates him to about the early 5th century.
Throughout Buddhist art, Bodhidharma is depicted as a rather ill-tempered, profusely bearded and wide-eyed barbarian. He is described as "The Blue-Eyed Barbarian" in Chinese texts.
The Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (952) identifies Bodhidharma as the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism in an uninterrupted line that extends all the way back to the Buddha himself. D.T. Suzuki contends that Zen's growth in popularity during the 7th and 8th centuries attracted criticism that it had "no authorized records of its direct transmission from the founder of Buddhism" and that Zen historians made Bodhidharma the 28th patriarch of Buddhism in response to such attacks.
SOURCE:Wikipedia
PICTURES: from the Denman Library
He looks like a devil to me---a quite scary man, wasn't he?
Yes, he was in a sense. He is actually depicted as a rather ill-tempered, profusely bearded and wide-eyed barbarian.
So what was he good at?
In Japan, Bodhidharma is believed to be an original grand Zen master.
Oh, is he?
He is known as "Daruma" in Japan, and every Japanese knows about him. If anybody doesn't know about "Daruma" in Japan, he or she is NOT a Japanese.
Is he that famous in Japan?
You bet on that, Diane. In Japan, almost every household used to have a "Daruma" figure in an alcove or on a shelf.
Is this the "Daruma" figure?
Yes, it is.
How come it has only one black eye---not two black eyes?
A good question, Diane...'cause the Japanese usually buy a "Daruma" figure with no black eyes.
When you have a serious wish, then you would pray to Daruma while writing a black eye on his face.
Once your wish is realized, then you will paint another black eye.
And then the "Daruma" figure will become your full-fledged talisman.
Quite interesting! So his teaching is well-known in Japan, isn't it?
Oh yes, it is.
...like what?
For example, the following teaching is written in one of famous Zen scripts.
̵̵ο
(Be born-free again)
It literally means "a man who does nothing and gets involved in nothing."
...doesn't make sense to me.
I know what you mean, Diane...Zen scripts often sound meaningless, if not self-contradictory.
Doing nothing and remaining involved in nothing means that you're born-free again. Is that it?
You see, Diane, some people are preoccupied by their status in our society in terms of family ancestry, wealth, education, and so on. Bodhidharma told his disciples to throw away those superficial goodies, which would prevent them from seeing the truth of life.
I see.
One of his disciples said, "Master, I'm free from all the goodies." Then Bodhidharma said to him, "No, you are not...'cause you're even chained by your belief of being free from all the goodies."
So Bodhidharma was a very sarcastic person, wasn't he?
Yes, Diane, you're telling me. Once Bodhidharma went too far.
In what way?
Sitting still, Bodhidharma faced the rock wall for nine years.
Well, that's not so extraordinary, Kato...'cause, in our Christian history, one of the saints lived on the top of the pillar for more than 30 years.
Saint Simeon
Saint Simeon Stylite or Symeon the Stylite (c. 390 – 2 September 459) was a Christian ascetic saint who achieved fame because he lived for 39 years on a small platform on top of a pillar near Aleppo in Syria.
Several other stylite later followed his model (the Greek word style means pillar).
He is known formally as Saint Simeon Stylite the Elder to distinguish him from Simeon Stylite the Younger and Simeon Stylite III.
Yes, I know that, Diane...I learned about him in the European history. However, one of Bodhidharma's disciples went much too far.
In what way?
While Bodhidharma was facing the rock wall, Huike ʷŲ: visited him and asked the grand master to teach him. Bodhidharma initially refused to teach Huike.
I suppose, Huike didn't give up, did he?
No, he didn't. Huike stood in the snow outside Bodhidharmas cave all night until the snow reached his waist. In the morning Bodhidharma asked him why he was there and Huike replied that he wanted a teacher to "open the gate of the elixir or universal compassion to liberate all beings".
Then what did the grand master say?
Bodhidharma refused, saying, how can you hope for true religion with little virtue, little wisdom, a shallow heart, and an arrogant mind? It would just be a waste of effort. Finally, to prove his resolve, Huike cut off his left arm and presented it to the First Patriarch as a token of his sincerity at which point Bodhidharma accepted him as a student and changed his name from Shenguang to Huike (Wisdom and Capacity).
My goodness! ... Huike went too far.
The story continues, Diane. Without realizing that he had just self-amputated his left arm, Huike screamed in pain and then said to Bodhidharma, My mind is anxious. Please pacify it. Bodhidharma replied, Bring me your mind, and I will pacify it. Huike said, Although Ive sought it, I cannot find it. There, Bodhidharma replied, I have pacified your mind.
I see...What a sarcastic master Bodhidharma was! So, an anxious mind didn't exist in the first place, did it?
You're right on, Diane.
But, Kato, what are you practising?
A good question! While I sit still, I'm trying not to have an anxious mind. This practice indeed improves my health and mind---much more than devoting my afternoons to exercise and recreation.
Himiko's Monologue
Wow! ... what an extreme life style!
Can you believe that a man could live on the pillar for 39 years?
Do you really believe that a man cut off his left-arm to show his sincerity?
As you know, I desperately want to meet my better half.
But when I meet a man like Saint Simeon or Huike, and he proposes to marry me, I'd rather remain single.
In any case, I've never met my "Romeo"---a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
Covent Garden
Dead poets Society
Diane Chatterley
Diane Hypatia
Early Autumn
Eight the Dog
Fire Festival
Fireflies
From Canada to Japan
From Gyoda to Vancouver
From Summer to Eternity
Fujiyama Geisha
Glorious Summer
Halifax to Vancouver
Hello, Diane
(sylvie121.jpg)
2018 BC Ballot
A Second World
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
Big Mystery
Hi, I'm June Adames.
You might wonder why Saint Simeon decided to live on the top of the pillar.
Well...an ever-increasing number of people came to see him for prayers and advice.
This left him little if any time for his private austerities.
So he decided to climb up the pillar and formed a small platform at the top so that he could remain undisturbed.
Since he couldn't escape the world horizontally, he tried to escape it vertically.
For sustenance, small boys from the nearby village would climb up the pillar and pass him small parcels of flat bread and goats' milk.
In any case, to an ordinary man, living at the top of pillar is unthinkable.
If you determine to do the same nowadays, you are more than likely to be considered as the most foolish person in the world.
2024ǯ0924
Little Night Music
Little Night Music
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Hello, Diane ... how are you?
Who ... Who ... Who the hell are you?
Guess who?
Well ... you exactly look like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, don't you?
Yes, I do.
So, Kato, you're attending a lookalike X'mas party, aren't you?
(part007.jpg)
No, I'm not... but I'm here to talk with you.
Kato, don't pull my leg. Just take off your darn mask, will ya?
Diane, I told you, I'm NOT Kato, but Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Don't tell me such a stupid fib. Mozart died in 1791---more than 200 years ago. How could you possibly claim that you're Mozart.
You're absolutely right, Diane. I'm not the same Mozart as lived some 200 years ago, but I'd still say that I'm Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
How the heck do you mean?
Well ... have you ever seen the movie---"TRON: Legacy"?
No, I haven't.
Then take a look at the following sneak preview:
TRON (2010) Legacy Trailer
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Tron: Legacy
This is a 2010 American science fiction film released by Walt Disney Pictures.
It is a sequel to the 1982 science fiction film "Tron."
In 1989, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), software engineer and the CEO of ENCOM International, disappears.
Twenty years later, his son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), now ENCOM's primary shareholder, takes little interest in the company beyond playing an annual trick on the board of directors; but is requested by his father's friend, ENCOM executive Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), to investigate a message originating from Flynn's shuttered video arcade.
(tron15.jpg)
There, Sam discovers a hidden basement in which Sam unintentionally teleports himself to the Grid, a virtual reality created by his father.
On the Grid, Sam is captured and sent to "The Game" to compete against other captured programs.
After escaping one of the closed arenas he is caught in another and is forced to fight a masked program called Rinzler who, having realized that Sam is a human User after seeing him bleed, takes him before CLU, a virtual avatar resembling a younger Kevin Flynn (created by the real Kevin Flynn years earlier), who rules the Grid.
CLU nearly kills Sam in a Light Cycle match; but the latter is rescued by Quorra (Olivia Wilde), an "apprentice" of Flynn's.
(tron03.jpg)
She conveys him to his father outside CLU's territory.
There, Flynn reveals to Sam that he had been working to create a "perfect" computer system and had appointed CLU and Tron (a security program created by Bradley) its co-creators.
During this construction, the trio discover a species of naturally-occurring "isomorphic algorithms" (ISOs), not conceived by Flynn, bearing the potential to resolve various mysteries in science, religion, and medicine.
CLU, having deemed them an aberration, betrayed Flynn, captured Tron, and destroyed the ISOs. Meanwhile, the "I/O portal" permitting travel between the two worlds had closed, leaving Flynn captive.
Now in control of the system but stalemated, CLU arranged the message sent to Alan, in order to lure Sam onto the Grid, to open the portal for a limited time.
Additionally, as Flynn's 'identity disc' is the master key to the Grid and only way to go through the portal, CLU expects Sam to bring Flynn to the portal so that he may take Flynn's disc and go through the portal himself to impose his system on the human world.
Against his father's wishes, Sam returns to CLU's territory to find Zuse (Michael Sheen), a program who can provide safe passage to the I/O portal.
At the End of Line Club, its owner Castor reveals himself to be Zuse, then betrays Sam to CLU's guards.
In the resulting fight, Flynn rescues his son, Quorra is injured, and Zuse gains possession of Flynn's disc.
Zuse attempts to bargain with CLU for the disc, but CLU simply takes the disc and destroys the club, along with Zuse and Gem (Beau Garrett).
Flynn and Sam stow away aboard a "solar sailer" transport program, where Flynn restores Quorra and reveals her to be the last surviving ISO.
Quorra relates to Sam her history with Flynn and expresses her desire to see a sunrise.
Shortly thereafter, the transport stops inside a large warship where Flynn, Sam, and Quorra discover that the transport contains inactive programs, scheduled for rectification (to be reprogrammed or repurposed) to serve CLU and follow him to the real world.
Aboard the warship, Quorra is captured and Flynn recognizes Rinzler (due to his fighting style) as Tron, reprogrammed by CLU, while CLU announces his intention to invade the material world.
Sam then reclaims Flynn's disc and rescues Quorra, whereupon CLU, Rinzler and several guards pursue the protagonists in Light Jets.
Upon making eye contact with Flynn, Rinzler remembers his past and collides with CLU's Light Jet; but CLU uses Tron's spare baton to escape while Tron falls into the Sea of Simulation, where the colored lights on his armor change from CLU's orange to Tron's original white.
CLU confronts the protagonists at the I/O portal, where Flynn reintegrates with his cybernetic duplicate, destroying them both.
Quorra, having traded discs with Flynn, gives Flynn's disc to Sam and they escape to the real world.
(tron08.jpg)
In Flynn's arcade, Sam backs up the system, and having deactivated it, asks a waiting Alan to take control of ENCOM, naming him chairman of the board.
Quorra meets Sam outside, and they depart on his motorcycle.
From the rear seat, Quorra witnesses her first sunrise.
SOURCE: "Tron: Legacy"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I've come from the Grid.
No kidding! ... Are you saying that you're an avatar like Quorra?
Yes, I am. Kato has created me with all the available information on Mozart and his family, friends, singers, patrons, and so on.
So, you're like a Mozart's clone, aren't you?
Yes, you could say that. And Diane, you look quite familiar to me.
Why is that, Mr. Mozart?
Diane, call me "Wolfie," will ya? The girl I met in the Grid reminds me of you.
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(biker106.jpg)
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"Biker Babe"
Wolfie, have you read the above article?
Yes, Of course, I have. Kato told me to read the above story so that I could feel comfortable with you. By the way, he also told me that you're taking a piano lesson.
Yes, I am. I love music.
Do you like one of my works?
Yes, of course, I do. Everybody seems to love your music.
Diane, which one of my works do you like best?
I love "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" specifically among all your works.
Eine kleine Nachtmusik
(on period instruments)
I'm glad you like this piece. To tell you the truth, this is one of my favorites.
Oh, is it? Nobody knows why you composed the above piece. Tell me, Wolfie, why on earth you created the "Little Night Music"?
Good question, Diane! I completed "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" on August 10, 1787.
If I remember correctly, your father died on May 28, 1787, didn't he?
That's right. I was so depressed at my most beloved father's death that I didn't know how I could overcome it. You see, my father had been my teacher and mentor. Without him, I wouldn't have become a gifted composer at all.
So, the "Little Night Music" has something to do with your father's death.
No, not really.
Wolfie, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't like a roundabout talk. Just tell me why you composed the "Little Night Music."
Well ... although I loved my father more than anybody else, he objected dating with my first love---17-year-old Aloisia Weber, who was a fine singer and daughter of the promoter at the Mannheim court theatre. I was twenty-two at the time.
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So you composed the "Little Night Music" for Aloisia Weber, didn't you?
Not at the time, but I had to think about her so that I could pull myself out of the abyss of the depression and misery when my father died.
I see ... So, Wolfie, you did your best to cheer yourself up while dreaming of Aloisia, eh?
That's right.
No wonder you did a superb job in completing the piece. I think the "Little Night Music" is the most successful serenade ever written, and certainly features in any "top ten" list of your works.
Do you really think so, Diane?
Yes, most definitely I do. Its virtues are utter simplicity, memorability and perfect balance. Its initial fanfares and melody indelibly remain in the mind, though really no different from those in so many other openings of your pieces. By the way, I've got one more question.
What is it?
In October of 1762, when you were six years old, you were invited to the palace at Schönbrunn in Austria, right?
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Yes, I was.
At the palace, you met Marie Antoinette, who was a year older than you. Marie and you were getting along quite well, and you were playing with the princess, and slipped on a polished floor. Bursting into tears, you were picked up and comforted by the seven-year-old Marie Antoinette. Then you kissed the future queen of France, and said "You're nice. I'll marry you when I grow up."
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Mozart & Marie Antoinette
Oh, rubbish! I didn't say that. One of the story-tellers made up such a dumb tale, I suppose.
But I saw the movie: "Amadeus."
"Amadeus" Trailer
I enjoyed this hilarious movie to the hilt.
Diane, this movie is based on a short 1830 play by Alexander Pushkin called "Mozart and Salieri," in which Salieri poisoned me to death, which wasn't true at all.
But the movie is so funny.
Diane, you like funny movies, huh?
Amadeus - Funny Parts
This is far from the true story. I look so stupid and unsensible, don't I?
But I like the movie.
Diane, I'll tell you what.
What is it?
Don't see the above movie again. Instead, watch the following piano concert so that you could improve your playing skill.
Piano Concerto
No. 21 - Andante
Wow! I love it. For the same token, I love the above movie as well.
Diane, you shouldn't see senseless, rubbish movies. You'd better practice the piano so that you would be able to play the above concerto for me someday.
Well ... I don't know, but maybe I'll try.
Himiko's Monologue
Wow!
I like the above piano concerto, but I'd rather enjoy one of Mozart's operas.
Which one? --- you may ask.
Well, I like the "Marriage of Figaro."
The Marriage of Figaro
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
Covent Garden
Dead poets Society
Diane Chatterley
Diane Hypatia
Early Autumn
Eight the Dog
Fire Festival
Fireflies
From Canada to Japan
From Gyoda to Vancouver
From Summer to Eternity
Fujiyama Geisha
Glorious Summer
Halifax to Vancouver
Hello, Diane
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2018 BC Ballot
A Second World
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
Big Mystery
Hi, I'm June Adams.
The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro) is an opera buffa (comic opera) composed in 1786 in four acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a libretto in Italian by Lorenzo Da Ponte, based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, "La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro (1784)."
Beaumarchais's earlier play "The Barber of Seville" had already made a successful transition to opera in a version by Paisiello.
Although Beaumarchais's "Marriage of Figaro" was at first banned in Vienna because of its licentiousness, Mozart's librettist managed to get official approval for an operatic version which eventually achieved great success.
Mozart Documentary
The Genius of Mozart
2024ǯ0825
Dead Poets Society
Dead Poets Society
Subj:
You must be busy.
But don't work so hard.
Take it easy...relax!
Take a walk or jog around.
From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Wed, Nov 9, 2011 8:55 pm.
Hi Kato,
My truly romantic Taliesin!
How wonderful to see how FAT you were .. just kidding.
But you did look refreshed and it was good to see you.
I only wish I was as open-minded and warm-hearted as you think I am; holy cow, IF only!
Things are going fairly well with my boyfriend and myself although I do see some red flags as it were and I do miss my Westend lifestyle so things are not entirely smooth I must say.
We had a long discussion about it just this evening at supper ... not satisfactorily resolved just yet.
You see? Relationships are NOT for the timid.
Time will tell, n'est-ce pas?
How's it going over there at Joe Fortes today?!
Keeping busy, eh? I see ...
I thoroughly enjoyed your article.
"Madame Lindbergh"
(November 10, 2011)
Thanks so much for all this fascinating information on Anne Lindbergh.
I do agree that we all need time in our day for solitude and as much as possible I do try to achieve this, but it's not always easy.
Especially now with all my distractions here in Kitsilano.
Interesting idea about women being pioneers in this.
My experience has been that men in this country are more likely to be introspective than their female counterparts.
However, this may not be the case at all but just my experience.
I listened to all the interviews by the daughter as well.
Reeve Lindbergh Interview
She is rather strange woman, wouldn't you say?
Both of the Lindberghs seem to have been larger-than-life individuals, for sure.
...hope to hear from you again soon.
I'm getting better at my piano these days.
I must have you over one day for tea.
Thanks again, Kato.
Love, Diane ~
How true it is!
What's that?
Relationships are NOT for the timid. In Japan, they say, "餺иҤ."
Translate it to me, Kato.
It literally says that you must get into the tiger's abode if you want to capture a tiger's cub.
I see. So, you must face the difficulty if you really want something, mustn't you?
That's right...nobody is perfect. So, naturally, you see some red flags with your boyfriend when you really want something.
Kato, you said that Madame Taliesin was a happily married woman, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
So, you often see some red flags with Madame Taliesin when you meet her in Japan, don't you?
Yes, Diane, you're telling me.
Don't you think you're involved in an extramarital affair?
No, I don't.
Why is that?
Let's suppose, here is a sukiyaki pot. Have you ever enjoyed sukiyaki?
No, I don't think I've ever enjoyed the genuine Japanese-style skiyaki pot.
The above pot looks delicious. In fact, you can enjoy the above pot as it is. However, you can enjoy it even more if I add some secret flavors or seasoning.
I see. So, Kato, you're saying, your relation with Madame Taliesin should be able to enrich her life, aren't you?
Yes, I am. Diane, have you ever seen the movie titled "Same Time, Next Year"?
I'm not sure. What is it about?
It goes like this:
Same Time, Next Year
It is 1975 comedy play by Bernard Slade.
The plot focuses on two people, married to others, who meet for a romantic tryst once a year for two dozen years.
New Jersey accountant George and Oakland, California housewife Doris meet at a Northern California inn in February 1951.
They have an affair, then agree to meet once a year, despite the fact both are married to others and have six children between them.
Over the course of the next 24 years, they develop an emotional intimacy deeper than what one would expect to find between two people meeting for a clandestine relationship just once a year.
During the time they spend with each other, they discuss the births, deaths, and marital problems each is experiencing at home, while they adapt themselves to the social changes affecting their lives.
SOURCE: "Dead Poets Society"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oh, this is an extramarital affair...I don't like it.
I thought you were open-minded.
I'm trying to be.
You may not like it, but it's a lovely story. The most of my friends loved the movie. Anyway, take a look at the video clip:
Interesting!...maybe, I'll borrow the DVD.
Please do...by the way, Diane, you said, Canadian men are more likely to be introspective than their female counterparts.
Yes, I did. This may not be the case at all but just my experience. What about it?
Well..., in my opinion, regardless of gender, Canadian men and women are more talkative than the Japanese counterparts.
I agree on that. The people in the East don't talk much.
No, they don't. In Japan, they say, "Silence is golden."
We say it in Canada, too.
I know. But in North America, "Dumb" means "stupid" in most cases. On the contrary, in Japan, a person who doesn't talk much is considered smart because he is supposed to be a deep thinker. Here in Canada, if you don't talk much in class, other classmates consider you to be a stupid person. Don't you think so, Diane?
Yes, that's true to a certain extent.
When I was a kid in Japan, teachers used to say, "Don't talk too much. When you talk much, people think your head is empty and you're stupid because an empty can sounds well and loud. Think, instead of talk!"
Is this the Japanese way of teaching kids?
Yes, it is. At least when I was a kid. In middle and high schools, all the students wore uniforms like soldiers, and the above teaching was prevailing. In a sense, all the Japanese pupils and students are conformists, compared to the Western counterparts.
But young people are getting more westernized in Japan, aren't they?
Yes, they are. Nowadays, students don't wear uniforms in middle and high schools. Only in some private schools, students wear uniforms.
Same here. Students in public school don't wear uniforms. They do only in some private schools.
When I was a high school student, I wore a uniform. Even though my high school was publicly funded, students were all male, so were teachers.
Uniformed male-only students in high school...I can hardly imagine that.
Think about some private prep schools in Canada. Well...on my way to Vancouver from Japan, I viewed "Dead Poets Society" on the flight. It has something to do with a prep school.
JAL Entertainment Network
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Original Trailer
Dead Poets Society is a 1989 drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams as John Keating.
Set at the conservative and aristocratic Welton Academy in Vermont in 1959, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry.
Knox (one of students) meets and falls in love with a girl named Chris, using his new-found love of poetry to woo her.
He presents one of these poems in class, and is applauded by Keating for writing a heartfelt poem on love.
Knox travels to Chris's public school and recites his poem to her, later convincing her to go to a play with him.
Neil wants to be an actor but knows his father (Kurtwood Smith) will disapprove.
Without his father's knowledge, he auditions for the role of Puck in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
His father finds out and orders Neil to withdraw.
Neil asks Keating for advice and is advised to talk to his father and make him understand how he feels, but Neil cannot muster the courage to do so.
Instead he goes against his father's wishes.
His father shows up at the end of the play, furious.
He takes Neil home and tells him that he intends to enroll him in a military school to prepare him for Harvard University and a career in medicine.
Unable to cope with the future that awaits him or to make his father understand his feelings, Neil commits suicide.
SOURCE: "Dead Poets Society"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It was quite an interesting movie, which reminded me of my high school days.
So you were prepared for Harvard University, weren't you?
Don't be silly, Diane...I was in Japan at the time. Actually, my high school was like a prep school, and I met Mr. Aoki, an unconventional teacher like John Keating.
So, Kato, you fell in love with a girl as Neil did, and tried to commit suicide during your school days, didn't you?
Don't be foolish, Diane. I'm still alive.
...'Cause your teacher, Mr. Aoki, convinced you to forget about suicide, didn't he?
No, not really, but he encouraged me and other students to reject the status quo, to "seize the day" and pursue our own dreams---as John Keating did.
So, that's the reason you decided to come to Canada, isn't it?
Yes, it is.
How about the girl you fell in love with?
Diane, I think you're preoccupied with the "a boy meets a girl and falls in love" syndrome.
I thought you were a romantic guy, are you not?
Yes, I am. so, let me finish my story.
Tell me whatever it is.
Well..., Madame Taliesin was a pretty girl attending all-female high school in Tate-bayashi.
I see, you attended the all-male high school while she all-female high school...interesting! Where is Tate-bayashi?
Tate-bayashi is a city where Empress Michiko attended a primary school during the World War II. The city is 20-minute-drive away from Gyoda, my home town.
So, both cities are so close, and you met her during the high school days, huh?
Unfortunately, we didn't meet at the time. Although Madame Taliesin and I were almost neighbors, we had to wait for some more time. We were destined to meet each other.
Did you believe that? And When did you two meet?
Some twenty years later...by Deer Lake in Burnaby.
This is the place Madame Taliesin and you met, isn't it?
Yes, it is. We didn't know each other when we were high school students. But I knew I would meet a girl in the future.
How come?
'Cause Mr. Aoki used to tell the students, "Seize the day. Boys be ambitious. Pursue your own dream!" So, I knew that a romantic girl would wait for me in the future, and was dreaming about her.
Are you serious?
Yes, of course, I am.
So, you two met in Burnaby...some thousands of kilometer from Gyoda and Tate-bayashi.
Yes, we did. Madame Taliesin had lived in her cottage on and off for 13 years since she was 29 years old.
Was she married?
Yes, she was...happily married. But her husband didn't like Canada, so they lived separately.
Separated for 13 years?
The cottage was only for summer.
So, the cottage was her summer house, wasn't it?
Yes, it was. She sold it in 2007. Since then we've met once in a year when I return to my home town.
I see.
Anyway, Mr. Aoki was right.
What was right?
Well..., he said, "Pursue your own dream, and a dream will come true." Unlike in the movie, I didn't have to commit suicide because, I knew, my dream would come true in Canada. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,...
Himiko's Monologue
Yes, yes, yes, ... That is a lovely story.
How wonderful it is!
But I feel, something is funny and foolish about Kato's story.
How about you?
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
Hi, I'm June Adams.
Halloween is over, now.
But, have you ever wondered when Halloween guising started?
As you know, children disguised in costume go from door to door for food or coins.
It is a traditional Halloween custom.
The guising is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895, where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped-out turnips, visited homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money.
The practice of Guising at Halloween in North America is first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood.
2024ǯ0725
Roof of Vancouver
Roof of Vancouver
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The Vancouver Lookout
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The Top of Vancouver
Revolving Restaurant
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Kato, what do you mean by "Roof of Vancouver"?
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Of course, I'm talking about the top of Vancouver. Have you been up there?
Oh yes, a couple of decades ago, I went up there... In those days, they called it differently.
Oh yeah? What was it called years ago?
Maybe "Roof of Vancouver"... I'm just kidding. Anyway, Kato, how come you've brought up "Roof of Vancouver"?
You see, Diane, World Trade Center is gone now.
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&nb sp;
Are you saying some terrorists will attack the top of Vancouver in the near future?
No, I don't think there'll be any terrorist attack, but the top of Vancouver might be destroyed.
...destroyed by what or who?
Well ... back in 2012, I wrote about Vancouver Earthquake.
Vancouver Earthquake
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Kato, are you saying that we're gonna have a big earthquake in the near future?
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You bet on that, Diane.
No kidding!
Diane, are you aware that we had several quakes in the past?
No, not really. As a matter of fact, I've never felt a sizable quake here in Vancouver. Have you, Kato?
Well... compared to the quakes I experienced in Japan, the quakes here in Vancouver for the past 20 years are almost next to nothing. I've never felt any danger whenever Vancouverites were worrried about tiny quakes.
Tell me, Kato, if there were any recorded quakes in and around Vancouver.
Yes, there were quite a few.
You must be kidding!
Well..., if you say so, look at the following chart.
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The mark on the left means a big quake that happened in ths past.Wow! ... So, in 1909 there was a big one in Vancouver, wasn't it?
You're telling me, Diane.
But I've never felt a sizable quake here in Vancouver.
... simply because you were lucky ... you were at the right place and at the right time so that any quake didn't hit you dead. But a big one is coming.
You mean, a giant quake like the one that took place in 1700?
That's right.
No kidding! How do you know?
Well ... I've watched the following DVD.
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"Actual Listing Page"
DVD Description
Uses earthquake survivors' account and interviews with experts to uncover the significant earthquake dangers that are unique to Cascadia, the region that surrounds the Cascade mountain range, extending from southern British Columbia to northern California.
Discusses the effects of previous earthquakes in the region, including the 1964 Alaska earthquake and the 2001 Nisqually Quake.
Kato's Comment - Aug. 15, 2012
If you live in the northwest of America---that is, Cascadia, you should be prepared for a giant earthquake.
Since 10,000 years ago, 18 earthquakes of magnitude 9 and over (equal to the East Japan Great Earthquake that devastated Fukushima and its surrounding areas in Japan on March 11, 2011) have caused catastrophic damages on the coasts of Cascadia.
Seemingly, a super-quake occurs approximately every 500 years.
The last super-quake attacked Cascadia on January 19, 1700.
So, a super-quake might take place along the Cascadia subduction zone any time because 312 years has already passed since the last super-quake.
Mind you, a 500-years cycle is an approximation.
If you're in doubt, watch the DVD for yourself.
Tōhoku Earthquake 2011
(ʿβϿ)
But, Kato, how do you know that the super quake occurred in 1700?
A certain geologist dug up the old layers of the earth near Vancouver and found out the trace of giant tsunamis that had taken place 18 times since 10,000 years ago.
Amazing!
Besides, the 1700 super-quake was recorded in the Japanese chronicle.
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Why on earth in the Japanese chronicle?
Well ..., the super quake in 1700 created the super tsunami, which hit the pacific coast of Japan.
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The Japanese people at the time were totally puzzled because they didn't felt any quake at all.
So scientists found out recently that the 1700 super quake caused the super tsunami that devastated the pacific region of Japan, didn't they?
You're telling me, Diane.
But I can hardly believe that a big one is coming to Vancouver.
Well..., I searched for the video clip on the Net so that you could understand the imminent danger caused by a super-quake.
Did you get it, Kato?
Yes, I did. Here it is.
Cascadia Subduction Zone
M9 Earthquake Imminent
(Documentary)
Amazing! ... Unbelievable!
Seeing is believing, isn't it?
I wish I hadn't seen it.
Diane, a super quake is coming to Vancouver for sure.
I hope not.
Vancouver Earthquake
You must face the reality, though nobody can tell exactly when a big one will come.
If a super quake occurs every 500 years, then we still have 188 years before the estimated super quake in 2200.
Diane, the 500-year cycle is an approximation. A super quake may occur tomorrow. Nobody knows for sure, but the big one will certainly come in the future.
I hope, a super quake won't hit Vancouver in my lifetime.
SOURCE: "Vancouver Earthquake"
(September 29, 2012)
So, Kato, do you think the top of Vancouver will be toppled down when a mega earthquake hits Vancouver?
Yes, that's a possibility, isn't it?
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So the top of Vancoure revolving restaurant might disappear in the case of a mega quake... That's why you went up there with Mayumi and enjoyed dinner with her, isn't it?
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You're telling me, Diane. You wouldn't be able to visit World Trade Center in New York, would you?
So, Kato, you enjoyed the Vancouver view from the top of Vancouver before a meg quake hits Vancouver. Is that it?
Yes, you're right on.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Have you ever been to Vancouver?
It is a beautiful city---one of the best cities in the world.
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Beautiful Vancouver
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Kato says that Vancouver is a paradise.
As you know, however, nothing is perfect, nobody is perfect.
So no city is perfect.
However, no matter what disaster hits the city, I wish, Vancouver remains to be a beautiful city.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
(biker302.jpg)
"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
javascript:void(0)
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies by the end of this year.
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"Actual Listing Page"
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So far, he's watched 822 movies.
That is, he must see 179 more movies to accomplish his goal.
I'm particularly interested in Number 812 in the above list.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
Kato jotted down his comment as follows:
This is a documentary originally broadcast on July 19 and July 20, 1998 on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).
Especially interesting for Vancouverites is an upcoming Cascadia earthquake, which takes place in an every-300-to-400-year cycle.
The last such earthquake occured at 9:00 PM on January 26, 1700.
This earthquake created a giant tsunami that hit hard at the Japanese coast.
Hence the Japanese document at the time recorded the devastating disaster.
So, some scientists predict that the next Cascadia earthquake will take place within 100 years.
It is an amazingly interesting documentary.
The above comment sounds quite interesting, doesn't it?
Why don't you see it?
Well, if you're not a registered patron of the library, you might just as well watch the following video clip.
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MegaQuake Could Hit North America
BBC (Full Documentary)
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2024ǯ0625
Love & Loyalty
Love & Loyalty
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Is monogamy really the best answer?
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From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane706@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tues., Mar 25, 2014 5:18PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Diane,
How are you doing?
So, Diane, you enjoyed the new Helen Lawrence production as well as the Floyd Collins musical, didn't you?
In any case, I've just written an article about "Mari's Bagels."
Please click the following link:
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"Mari's Bagels"
I hope you'll enjoy the above article!
By the way, I read an interesting article of "24 hours" community newspaper the other day.
It is about "Modern Love."
Is monogamy really the best answer?
It reads like this:
Sue Johnson is a psychological professor at the University of Ottawa and after decades of neuroscience research into human emotion, claims that just like the bond parents have with their offspring, monogamous love makes sense as a survival code.
According to Johnson, humans are not wired to face the world alone.
Our brains are designed to use the people we love as physiological and emotional safety cues to make the world a safer place.
To quote Johnson, "Secure attachment---having one other person you can count on as an adult---is related to almost every index of good functioning, happiness and health."
Johnson says that social isolation can be detrimental to our health, citing increased risk of anxiety, strokes and heart attacks as side effects to loneliness.
Johnson claims that because we no longer live in small, close knit communities, "People now often depend on romantic love as their main source of social support."
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She explains that the trouble with polyamorous relationships is they don't fulfil our physiological bonding need to have "one person that we depend on, that we come first with."
hum, hum, hum ... sounds naturally reasonable, doesn't it?
But ...
So, Diane, what do you think about it?
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
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Subj:I need the presence of
another loving person.
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From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tues., Mar 25, 2014 7:03PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi my smiling Bohemian, Kato,
Thanks so much for the above article.
... sure hope you make a good friend of Mari when she moves to Vancouver.
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Interestingly enough, I did read that article by Sue Johnson and do believe she's on to something.
Actually, I've always believed that we are stronger together in this world with another to call our partner.
Having said that, though, some folks seem to do just fine.
I have a girlfriend who has been single for years & years and seems to be as happy as punch.
She has many and varied interests, a few friends, lots of peace & quiet and wants nothing further.
So, for her, it's a good life indeed.
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For me, I too like my alone time, but also seem to need the presence of another loving person.
So for me having a boyfriend, but not actually living with him, even though he dearly wishes it, seems to be the answer of the moment.
How about for you?
Are you having some thoughts about your new friend and what that might mean to your life?
Hope so, actually ... might just be what the doctor ordered, as they say here in Canada.
Thanks again,
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Love, Diane
So, Diane, you too like your alone time, but also need the presence of another loving person, eh?
Most definitely. How about you, Kato?
Well ... in Japanese, "human being" is written as "among people (ʹ)." So it is obvious that you can't live alone. In this sense, anyone needs the presence of another loving person, I suppose. But some people need the presence of more than one loving person.
Polyamorous relationships, huh?
That's right. By the way, Diane, the article you read contains the following passage:
Although life is easier when you have someone rooting for you, I'm hesitant to agree that monogamy is the only answer.
Johnson's theories discount the fact that humans can receive emotional support from other people besides their partner.
As for Johnson's assertion that couples in monogamous relationships have more satisfying sex lives, I'm sure many polyamorous people would argue that their sex lives are just as fulfilling, meaningful and scorching hot as those of monogamous couples.
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Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha present scientific and anthropological evidence that humans evolved from small-scale, egalitarian societies where partners were often interchanged---therefore, pointing to the fact that monogamy maybe isn't as "natural" as we have been led to believe.
However, I like to think that one of the byproducts of our evolution is personal choice.
Instead of trying to set ourselves into a set of binary categories, we should choose the relationship style that feels best to us at any given point in our lives whether that's monogamy, polyamory or something in between.
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SOURCE: "Modern Love"
Thuesday, March 20, 2014
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/shesaid/
Quite interesting, isn't it? I like the idea that we should choose the relationship style that feels best to us at any given point in our lives whether that's monogamy, polyamory or something in between.
Yes, yes, yes, ... I agree with you, Diane. But some people are really moved to know that a certain couple are amazingly loyal to each other.
Oh ... ? Are you sure about that?
Yes, of course. The other day, I viewed the following movie.
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"Actual Library Catalogue"
The Lost Valentine (Trailer)
So, Kato, you want me to see this movie, don't you?
Oh, yeeessss..., most definitely...'cause this is the kind of movies you'd love to see.
How do you know?
'Cause I've been talking with you on the net since 2011.
No kidding!
Seeing those articles written in the past is believing! And believe me, Diane, you would cry for joy once you're through the movie.
Well ... if you say so, I'll borrow the DVD from Joe Fortes Library. So, Kato, you value a loyal love more than anything else, huh?
Yes and no, I'd say.
Why is that?
It depends... You see, Diane, life is a matter of choice...
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Himiko's Monologue
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"The Lost Valentine" is an emotionally-charged excellent movie.
I cried when I saw Caroline come across the coffin of her deceased husband at Union Station.
Oh, what a heart-wrenching story it is!
But I loved it.
I'm pretty sure that you'd love it, too.
Please run to the nearest library or video rental shop, and borrow one of the DVDs.
I believe that you wouldn't regret it.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
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Hi, I'm June Adames.
I really enjoyed seeing "The Lost Valentine."
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The film ends with Caroline, who has found peace and closure, seeing that the rosebush Neil had planted long ago in their garden has a new single bloom, the first in a long time.
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This incident seems to imply a long-lasting love, as she remembers her romantic moments with Neil in the same garden, to the sound of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" playing on the radio.
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2024ǯ0524
Changeling
Changeling
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Kato, do you know what changeling means?
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Yes, now, I know, but I didn't know it when I viewed the above movie.
Changeling
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A changeling is a creature found in folklore and folk religion.
A changeling child was believed to be a fairy child that had been left in place of a human child stolen by the fairies.
The theme of the swapped child is common in medieval literature and reflects concern over infants thought to be afflicted with unexplained diseases, disorders, or developmental disabilities.
It is typically described as being the offspring of a fairy, elf or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child.
Sometimes the term is also used to refer to the child who was taken.
The apparent changeling could also be a stock or fetch, an enchanted piece of wood that would soon appear to grow sick and die.
A human child might be taken due to many factors: to act as a servant, the love of a human child, or malice.
Most often it was thought that fairies exchanged the children.
In rare cases, the very elderly of the Fairy people would be exchanged in the place of a human baby, and then the old fairy could live in comfort, being coddled by its human parents.
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Simple charms, such as an inverted coat or open iron scissors left where the child sleeps, were thought to ward them off; other measures included a constant watch over the child.
D. L. Ashliman points out that changeling tales illustrate an aspect of family survival in pre-industrial Europe.
A peasant family's subsistence frequently depended upon the productive labor of each member, and it was difficult to provide for a person who was a permanent drain on the family's scarce resources.
"The fact that the changelings' ravenous appetite is so frequently mentioned indicates that the parents of these unfortunate children saw in their continuing existence a threat to the sustenance of the entire family.
Changeling tales support other historical evidence in suggesting that infanticide was not infrequently the solution selected."
SOURCE: "Changeling"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I've recently seen the following movies:
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"Actual List"
Kato, are you saying you've seen 1,279 movies at Vancouver Public Library?
Yes, I have. I'm an enthusiastic flick mania.
I can see that. So, "Changeling" is the 1,277th movie you watched at the library, isn't it?
You're telling me, Diane.
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"Actual Page"
The movie is about a fairy child that had been left in place of a human child stolen by the abductor, isn't it?
Yes, it is in a sense, but in the film, the fairly child is an another human child as I mentioned it in the following comment.
This is a 2008 docudrama directed by Clint Eastwood, based partly on real-life events: the 1928 "Wineville Chicken Coop" kidnapping and murder case in Los Angeles, California.
When her misssing child is found, the mother played by Angelina Jolie realizes that the boy is not her missing son.
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When she tries to demonstrate this to the police and city authorities, however, she is vilified as delusional and an unfit mother.
The film explores child endangerment, female disempowerment, political corruption, mistreatment of mental health patients, and the repercussions of violence.
The whole thing is just disgusting, but it is one of the finest works directed by Clint Eastwood.
Superb are the performances of the main actors.
I see... The movie is based on the actual kidnapping and murder case, huh?
Yes, it is. The actual case is as follows:
Wineville Chicken Coop Murders
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These murders were a series of abductions and murders of young boys that occurred in the city of Los Angeles and in Riverside County, California, between 1926 and 1928.
The case received national attention.
In 1926, Gordon Stewart Northcott, a 19-year-old Canadian-American chicken ranch owner, took his 13-year-old nephew Sanford Clark (with the permission of the boy's parents) from the boy's home in Canada.
After arriving at his Wineville, California farm, Northcott beat and sexually abused him.
In August 1928, Sanford's older sister, 19-year-old Jessie Clark, visited Sanford, who was 15 at the time, in Wineville.
She was concerned about his welfare.
At that time, Sanford told her that he feared for his life.
One night while Northcott was asleep, Jessie learned from Sanford of the horrors and murders that had taken place at Northcott's chicken ranch.
Jessie returned to Canada about one week after that.
Once in Canada, Jessie informed the American consul there about the horrors in Wineville.
The American consul then wrote a letter to the Los Angeles Police Department, detailing Jessie Clark's sworn complaint.
Because there was initially some concern over an immigration issue, the Los Angeles Police Department contacted the United States Immigration Service to determine facts relative to Jessie's complaint.
On August 31, 1928, two United States Immigration Service inspectors, Judson F. Shaw and Scallorn, visited Northcott's chicken ranch in Wineville.
They found 15-year-old Sanford Clark at the ranch and took him into custody.
Northcott had seen the agents driving up the long road to his ranch.
Before fleeing into the treeline, he told Clark to stall the agents, or else he would shoot him from the treeline with a rifle.
During the next two hours while Clark stalled, Northcott kept on running.
Finally, when Clark felt that the agents could protect him, he told them that Northcott had fled into the trees which lined the edge of his chicken ranch property.
Northcott and his mother, Sarah Louise, fled to Canada but were arrested near Vernon, British Columbia on September 19, 1928.
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Sanford Clark testified at the sentencing of Sarah Louise Northcott that his uncle, Gordon Northcott, had kidnapped, molested, beaten, and killed three young boys with the help of Northcott's mother (Sarah Louise Northcott) and of Clark himself.
Clark stated that, in addition to these three young boys, Northcott had also murdered a teenage Mexican boy without the help of his mother or himself.
Northcott had forced Clark to help dispose of the head of the Mexican boy by burning it in a firepit and then crushing the skull.
Northcott stated that he "left the headless body by the side of the road near Puente (La Puente, California), because he had no other place to put it."
Sanford Clark said that quicklime was used to dispose of the remains and that the bodies (of Lewis and Nelson Winslow and of Walter Collins) were buried on the Wineville chicken ranch.
SOURCE: "Wineville Chicken Coop Murders"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wow... the whole case is gruesome and disgusting, isn't it?
Yes, it is for sure.
Kato, how come you picked up the above movie in the first place?
Well... when I saw the movie, I immediately identified the boy's mother with you.
No kidding!
Angelina Jolie plays this mother, who is a loving, strong-willed and self-disciplined woman just like you, Diane.
Are you serious, Kato?
Yes, of course, I am.
Well... I'll book the DVD and see it to judge your saying by myself. Kato, what else do you recommend?
I like "The Men", which I watched as the 1,274th movie.
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"Actual Page"
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This is a 1950 American drama directed by Fred Zinnemann.
It tells the story of a World War II lieutenant who is seriously injured in combat and the struggles he faces as he attempts to re-enter society.
The film marked Marlon Brandos feature film debut.
Embittered by his condition, he refuses to see his fiancée and sinks into a solitary world of hatred and hostility.
Fighting the wishes of her parents, the coldness of a guilt-ridden society and her own self-doubts, it is Ellen (his fiancée played by Teresa Wright) who must force him to confront the reality of his condition.
Superb are the performances of Marlon Brando and Teresa Wright.
It is a gripping, emotionally-charged and thought-provoking serious drama.
How come you like the above movie?
Well... Teresa Wright is one of my favorite actresses.
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She takes a role as Ellen, who is a loving, strong-willed and self-disciplined woman just like you, Diane.
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Himiko's Monologue
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I really enjoyed watching "Carnal Knowledge," which Kato viewed as the 1,278th movie.
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Do you know what "Carnal Knowledge" means?
Well... It is an archaic or legal euphemism for sexual intercourse.
The term derives from the Biblical usage of the verb "know", as in the King James Bible and other versions, a euphemism for sexual conduct.
An example of this usage is in the first part of the Bible, the Book of Genesis, which describes how Adam and Eve created their first child: "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with [the help of] Jehovah." – Genesis 4:1.
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"Actual Page"
As Kato jotted down in the above comment, in those days of the early 1970s, the general receptiveness by the public to frank discussion of sexual issues was sometimes at odds with local community standards.
A theatre in Albany, Georgia, showed the film.
On January 13, 1972, the local police served a search warrant on the theatre, and seized the film.
In March 1972, the theatre manager, Mr. Jenkins, was convicted of the crime of "distributing obscene material".
His conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court of Georgia.
On June 24, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court found that the State of Georgia had gone too far in classifying material as obscene in view of its prior decision in Miller v. California, and overturned the conviction.
Compared to the pornogrphic, this is far from obscene material, but the film simply depicts the things far from serious material.
With today's general receptiveness in mind, however, I think this movie is a good entertaining piece.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
(juneswim.jpg)
A Second World
Adele Hugo
Bach Collegium Japan
Banana @ Eden
Big Mystery
Call Girl Mystery
(biker302.jpg)
Cleopatra
Climate of Doubt
Crocodile Meat
Dolly the Sheep
Fireflies
from Korea
Glory of Death
God is coming!
(dianesun.jpg)
Golden Shower
Hitler and Tramp
Killer Flood
Mystery of Dimension
Motre Dame
Omakase@Sushi
Popes@Spotlight
Quartet
Ramen Boom
Richard III
Savge vs. Civilized
(cook002.jpg)
Strange Love
Submerging Island
Titanic @ Sendai
Typhoon & Emperor
Unforgettable Flicks
Unknown Tragedy
Victorian Prudery
World War B.C.
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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2024ǯ0426
Fire Festival
Fire Festival
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Kato, you're in Japan enjoying the fire festival, aren't you?
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Yes, I am in Gyoda---my birthplace---right now, but the festival was held in last spring.
So you missed it, huh?
Unfortunately, I didn't see it myself, but a friend of mine showed me the above video.
How come you didn't take part in the festival?
Well... I wasn't in Gyoda at the time. The fire festival is held in May every year. I usually take a pre-Christmas vacation in October or November to visit my mother and brothers.
I see... Tell me about the couple in the video. They seem to wear old Japanese costumes.
Yes, they do... The festival is about Konohanasakuya-hime and her husband.
Who is Konohanasakuya-hime?
She is a famous character in Japanese mythology.
Konohanasakuya-hime
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Konohanasakuya-hime (ڲֺɱ) is the blossom-princess and symbol of delicate earthly life.
She is the daughter of the mountain god Ohoyamatsumi.
She is often considered an avatar of Japanese life, especially since her symbol is the sakura (cherry blossom).
Kono-hana is also the goddess of Mount Fuji and all volcanoes.
Kono-hana-hime is the wife of the god Ninigi.
She met him on the seashore and they fell in love.
Ninigi asked Oho-Yama, the father of Kono-hana-hime for her hand in marriage.
Oho-Yama proposed his older daughter, Iwa-Naga-hime, instead, but Ninigi had his heart set on Kono-hana because Iwa-Naga-hime was ugly.
Oho-Yama reluctantly agreed and Ninigi and Ko-no-hana married.
Because Ninigi refused Iwa-Naga-hime, the rock-princess, human lives are said to be short and fleeting, like the sakura blossoms, instead of enduring and long lasting, like stones.
Kono-hana became pregnant in just one night, causing suspicion in Ninigi.
He wondered if this was the child of another kami.
Kono-hana was enraged at Ninigi's accusation and entered a doorless hut, which she then set fire to, declaring that the child would not be hurt if it were truly the offspring of Ninigi.
Inside the hut, Ko-no-hana had three sons, Hoderi, Hosuseri and Hoori.
Shrines have been built on Mount Fuji for Konohanasakuya-hime.
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It is believed that she will keep Mount Fuji from erupting, but shrines to her at Kirishima have been repeatedly destroyed by volcanic eruptions.
She is also known for having tore up the Yatsugatake Mountains, because it was higher than Mount Fuji.
SOURCE: "Konohanasakuya-hime" from Wikipedia
I see... Quite interesting... But, Kato, how come you're telling me about this festival?
Diane, have you ever heard that the Japanese emperor was believed to be a living god before the second world war?
Yes, I have. But I can hardly believe that.
Anyway, according to the mythology, the third son or Hoori is supposed to be the ancestor of the current emperor.
Kato, do you believe that?
No, I don't, but my mother used to believe it before the second world war.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Canada extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles) in total, making it the world's second-largest country by total area and the fourth-largest country by land area.
Canada's common border with the United States forms the world's longest land border.
Naturally, many wild animals live in the vast land---especially in the northern part of the country.
Some of these animals are shown in this documentary called "Snow Babies," which depicts the first year of baby animals and their families originally broadcast on television as individual episodes in 1996.
Prepare for your heart to melt as the "BBC Eath" program brings you an in-deapth look at adorable baby animals in the beautiful but harsh world of ice and snow.
It is a fascinating and entertaining documentary.
Please take a look at the following trailer.
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In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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(renge400.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
(juneswim.jpg)
A Second World
Adele Hugo
Bach Collegium Japan
Banana @ Eden
Big Mystery
Call Girl Mystery
(biker302.jpg)
Cleopatra
Climate of Doubt
Crocodile Meat
Dolly the Sheep
Fireflies
from Korea
Glory of Death
God is coming!
(dianesun.jpg)
Golden Shower
Hitler and Tramp
Killer Flood
Mystery of Dimension
Motre Dame
Omakase@Sushi
Popes@Spotlight
Quartet
Ramen Boom
Richard III
Savge vs. Civilized
(cook002.jpg)
Strange Love
Submerging Island
Titanic @ Sendai
Typhoon & Emperor
Unforgettable Flicks
Unknown Tragedy
Victorian Prudery
World War B.C.
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(bare02b.gif)
Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies by the end of this year.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
(june001.gif)
Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
(1001nite.jpg)
(1001nite10.jpg)
The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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(renge730.jpg)
(bikini901b.jpg)
(dogs17.gif)
(girlxx.gif)
2024ǯ0324
Sushi @ the Globe
Sushi @ the Globe
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Kato, tell me how come an exotic dancer shows up in the above picture. Are you saying that she has something to do with sushi?
Oh, yeah... most definitely.
Why is that?
She got access to my blog.
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"Actual Footprint Page"
What the heck is this?
These are footprints of my visitors. Look at the red-rectangled entry!
I can hardly see it.
Well ... I'll enlarge it for you.
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So, she accessed your blog from Doha, didn't she?
Yes, she did.
Doha
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Doha (Arabic: الدوحة, ad-Dawḥa, literally: "the big tree") is the capital city of the state of Qatar.
Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar.
Doha is Qatar's largest city, with over 60% of the nation's population residing in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, and is also the economic centre of the country.
Doha also serves as the seat of government of Qatar.
Doha is home to the Education City, an area devoted to research and education.
Doha was the site of the first ministerial-level meeting of the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization negotiations.
The city of Doha held the 2006 Asian Games, which was the largest Asian Games ever held.
Doha also hosted the 2011 Pan Arab Games and most of the games at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
SOURCE: "Doha"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But how come the above exotic dancer read your blog?
Good question. Diane, do you know June, don't you?
Yes, I do. She always make a comment at the bottom of your article.
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That's right. June works as a public relations consultant, and last October, she organized a sushi party for an oil company in Doha.
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I see... but how did the exotic dancer step into the above picture?
Well... June invited the exotic dancer and asked her to entertain the guests and company directors at the party.
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I don't think that this kind of scantly-clad dancing is allowed in Arabic coruntries because of the religious restrictions.
I know... I know... but this is an exclusive and clandestine party. She danced exotically and charmingly so much so that they all enjoyed it to the hilt.
But how did she know that June works for your blog?
It's nice and easy. The exotic dancer did a search on GOOGLE like this.
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She then clicked on the picture at the upper-lefthand corner and get the following page:
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Then she clicked the "Website for this image" and viewed my blog.
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"Actual Blog Homepage"
This is my blog. If you're intereted in the current footprints, click the green bar on the left side. You'll see something like this:
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"Actual Footprint Page"
Quite interesting! So, sushi is popular and famous in Qatar, isn't is?
Yes, it is as popular as in Vancouver. By the way, I borrowed the following DVD on sushi.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
Kato's Comment
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This is a 2011 documentary directed by David Gelb.
The film follows Jiro Ono (Ϻ), an 85-year-old sushi master and owner of "Sukiyabashi Jiro (ФϺ)"---a prestigious Michelin three-star restaurant.
He is one of the world's greatest sushi chefs.
But his sushi shop is a ten-seat sushi-only humble-looking restaurant.
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He tries to perfect the art of sushi.
If you're a sushi-gourmet, this is a must-see to improve your knowledge about sushi and re-discover the fine art of sushi.
You would have to wait for three months to sit at his sushi bar.
The price starts at 30,000 yen---roughly, 300 Canadian dollars.
No customeres have ever regretted to pay that much after eating the exceptionally delicious ensamble of suchi.
So you viewed the above DVD on August 22, and then made the above comment, huh?
That's right. The chef whom June asked to help her is one of those sushi masters, and the company executive allowed him to use his private jet. On the day, the sushi master bought all the fish and required materials at the fish market in Tokyo, then flew to Doha, prepared sushi and demonstrated his skill at the party as well. Aftre the party, he flew back to Tokyo. He charged $9,000 for his fee and materials.
Wow! Amazing!
Look at thenumber for the "Holds" in the above page. Twenty seven copies are all checked out and 30 people are still waiting to see the DVD.
I wish I could see the avove DVD right away.
No problem! I've just found the video clip for the above movie for you.
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Ummmm ... yammy, yam, yam, yam ... Kato, why don't you make a delicious ensamble of sushi for me?
NO problem! But I'm quite busy writing articles.
Take a break, Kato, and show me how to make delicious sushi.
Okay... First of all, you must make sushi rice.
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How to make Sushi rice
professional recipe
Sushi rice is the base of delicious suchi. If it is far below standard, then your sushi is ruined. So be careful. Once you make good sushi rice, then follow the next steps.
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Step-by-Step Directions
Kato, do you think I can make delicious sushi?
Of course, you can. If you follow the above steps one by one, you should be able to make delicious sushi. Then give me a shout and I'll taste it and tell you whether your sushi is below or above standard.
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Himiko's Monologue
Do you like sushi?
I'm sure you do.
Why don't you make California rolls?
I'll show you how to make those rolls.
California Rolls
An Easy Sushi Recipe
Now, you know how to do it.
Enjoy it to the hilt.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
(biker302.jpg)
"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
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Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
The contemporary version, internationally known as "sushi", was created by Hanaya Yohei (1799–1858) at the end of the Edo period in Tokyo.
Sushi invented by Hanaya was an early form of fast food that was not fermented (therefore prepared quickly) and could be conveniently eaten with one's hands.
Originally, this sushi was known as Edomae zushi because it used freshly caught fish in the Edo-mae (Edo Bay or Tokyo Bay).
Though the fish used in modern sushi no longer usually comes from Tokyo Bay, it is still formally known as Edomae nigiri-zushi.
I like temaki sushi.
It is easy to make.
Here are the step-by-step instructions.
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Temaki Sushi
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2024ǯ0224
Diane Hypatia
Diane Hypatia
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Kato, how come you place my name right beside Hypatia?
Oh ... Diane, do you know who Hypatia is?
Yes, of course, I know. She is a Greek philosopher renowned for her beauty, isn't she?
Oh ..., ma ma mia ... ooh la la ... What an astounding jack-in-the-box!
Kato, what makes you so flabbergasted?
You know, Diane, not many people go to church these days.
I know. I know. But I don't blame them.
Why not?
...'Cause there are so many diversions people are occupied with. Going to movies is more exciting than going to church. Sitting in front of the computer screen is much more fun than sitting on a hard bench in the church.
So, Diane, you don't blame me for not going to church nor going to Buddhist temple, do you?
No, I don't. But why are you talking about church?
Well ... you know, Hypatia was killed by a Christian mob. Since you're a devoted Christian and regular church-goer, you might have known the tragic incidents in the early history of Christianity---the murder of Hypatia, in particular. That's what I thought.
I see..., but, Kato, you aren't a Christian, are you? How on earth have you come to know Hypatia?
Well ...I borrowed a DVD called "Agora" from Vancouver Public Library.
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"Actual Shelf Page"
I see... You viewed 237th DVD, didn't you?
Yes, I did. It is a historical drama about Hypatia.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
You watched the above movie on May 2, and jotted down the comment in the above, huh?
Yes, I did.
Your comment is too long, Kato. How come you always write a long comment? Make it short and get to the point.
I was thinking about writing an article on this movie. That's why I made it long so that you will know for sure what the movie is all about.
Instead of a long comment, the trailer will do a much better job, won't it?
The trailer is too short. I don't think you get a relatively full account of the story. Let me tell you the outline. I rewrite here the above comment with a number of still photos.
This is a 2009 historical drama directed by Alejandro Amenábar.
Rachel Weisz plays as Hypatia---a female mathematician, philosopher and astronomer in late 4th century Roman Egypt.
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Hypatia investigates the flaws of the geocentric Ptolemaic system and the heliocentric model that challenges it.
Surrounded by religious turmoil and social unrest, Hypatia struggles to save the knowledge of classical antiquity from destruction.
Max Minghella co-stars as Davus, Hypatia's father's slave.
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Davus
Oscar Isaac plays as Hypatia's student, and later prefect of Alexandria, Orestes.
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(Orestes sitting behind Hypatia)
The film starts in 391 AD.
By the end of the 4th century A.D., the Roman empire was on the verge of collapse.
Yet Alexandria, in the province of Egypt, still retained much of its splendor.
It boasted one of the seven wonders of the ancient world---the legendary lighthouse.
It was also proud of the greatest library on earth.
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The library was not only a cultural symbol, but also a religious one, a place where the pagans worshipped their ancestral gods.
The city's long-established pagan cult was now challenged by the Jewish faith and a rapidly spreading religion until recently banned: Christianity.
After the storming of the library, many pagans converted to Christianity and Alexandria enjoyed a time of peace.
Hypatia continued her teaching and research, while her former disciples occupied important posts among the social elite.
The Roman empire finally split into two parts.
Many Christians saw this as a sign of the end of the world and decided to prepare themselves by living holier lives.
The story uses historical fiction to highlight the relationship between religion and science amidst the decline of Greco-Roman polytheism and the Christianization of the Roman empire.
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Cyril (Sami Samir)
The leader of the Christians, Cyril (Sami Samir), views Hypatia as having too much influence over Orestes and stages a public ceremony intended to force Orestes to subjugate her.
Hypatia's former pupil, Synesius, now the Bishop of Cyrene, comes to her rescue as a religious authority counterweight, but says he cannot help her unless she accepts Christianity; she refuses.
Hypatia makes a personal discovery, theorizing that the Earth orbits around the Sun in an elliptic, not circular, orbit with the Sun at one of the foci.
Cyril convinces a mob of Christians that Hypatia is a witch and they vow to kill her.
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Hypatia among the mob
Davus tries to run ahead to warn Hypatia, but she is captured by the mob.
They strip Hypatia naked and are about to skin her alive until Davus persuades the mob otherwise, and they decide to stone her instead.
When everyone goes outside to collect stones, Davus secretly suffocates her to spare her the pain of being stoned to death and tells the mob that she fainted.
Davus leaves as they begin to stone her.
Hypatia's mutilated body was dragged through the streets and burnt on a pyre.
Orestes disappeared, never to be seen again.
Cyril seized power of Alexandria.
Much later, Cyril was declared a saint and doctor of the Church.
Although none of Hypatia's works survived, it is known that she was an outstanding astronomer and renowned for her mathematical studies for her conic curves.
1200 years later, in the 17th century, the astronomer Johannes Kepler discovered that one of these curves, the eclipse, governs the motion of the planets.
It is thought-provoking and quite fascinating!
Kato, how many more DVDs are you gonna borrow?
I'm trying to watch 1,001 movies in the library.
I see... So, the 1,001st movie will be "One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)," huh?
You're telling me, Diane.
Tell me, Kato, what impressed you most.
Well ... I'd say Pharos---the lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders.
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And, of course, Library of Alexandria.
The lighthouse and the library ... is that all?
Well ... lastly, not the least important ... Hypatia herself ... Her talent, beauty and the tragic death.
You see, Diane, she is the last philosopher of the Hellenistic Era. Cyril, the leader of the Christians, convinced a mob of Christians to kill her. And her death, I think, actually started the Dark Age in the Christian world.
Why did he want to kill her in the first place?
Well ... I think Cyril viewed Hypatia as a threat to his own dignity and power. He must have understood that she was much smarter than himself.
So, Cyril's inferiority complex and jealousy killed Hypatia. Is that it?
You're telling me, Diane. Cyril was a self-righteous, bigoted and opinionated man---the kind of guy I hate most in the human history.
Kato, you're quite mad with him because he killed the most beautiful woman at the time, aren't you?
No, not really. Actually, I'm speaking on your behalf.
On my behalf?
Yes, I am. If Hypatia had survived, she would have educated more women, some of whom would probably have gone into politics and gained the right to vote.
Do you really think so, Kato?
Yes, very much so. Unfortunately, the Christian mob killed Hypatia, and the coming of other intelligent and politically-powerful women died with her. Women had to wait for 1500 years to obtain the right to vote.
1500 years?
Yes, Hypatia was killed in 415. The American women voted for the first time in 1920. The Japanese women voted in 1946.
Kato, are you a feminist?
Yes, of course, I am.
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Himiko's Monologue
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World refers to remarkable constructions of classical antiquity listed by various authors in guidebooks popular among the ancient Hellenic tourists, particularly in the 1st and 2nd centuries BC.
The most prominent of these, the versions by Antipater of Sidon and an observer identified as Philo of Byzantium, comprise seven works located around the eastern Mediterranean rim.
The original list inspired innumerable versions through the ages, often listing seven entries.
Of the original Seven Wonders, only the Great Pyramid of Giza (the oldest of the ancient wonders) remains intact.
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In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"Dream Dream Dream"
"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
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"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
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Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office.
Limited voting rights were gained by women in Sweden, Finland and some western U.S. states in the late 19th century.
International organizations were formed to coordinate efforts, especially the International Council of Women (1888) and the International Woman Suffrage Alliance (1904).
In 1893, New Zealand, then a self-governing British colony, granted adult women the right to vote and the self-governing British colony of South Australia did the same in 1895, but also permitted women to run for office.
Australia federated in 1901, and women acquired the right to vote and stand in federal elections from 1902, though uneven restrictions on Aboriginal women voting in national elections were not completely removed until 1962.
The first European country to introduce women's suffrage was the Grand Duchy of Finland, then part of the Russian Empire, which also produced the world's first female members of parliament in the 1907 parliamentary elections.
Norway followed, granting full women's suffrage in 1913.
In most Western countries, women's suffrage came after World War I, with some important late adopters being France in 1944 and Switzerland in 1971.
If Hypatia had survived, women might have gained the right to vote much earlier.
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2024ǯ0124
Romance@Madison
Romance@Madison
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Kato, have you been to the above Roseman Covered Bridge in Madison County?
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Oh no, I haven't. The other day I watched a drama titled "The Bridge of Madison County" at the Vancouver Public Library.
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"Actual List"
This is the list of movies I've recently viewed at the library... Look at the red-rectangled title in the above list!
I see... You watched it on July 3, huh?
That's right.
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"Actual Page"
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I see... so after you watched, you jotted down the following comment, huh?
Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, this is a 1995 American romantic drama based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller.
The story in the diaries reveals the impact the affair had on the lives of a farm woman and a National Geographic photographer.
The affair took place while her husband and children were at the state fair in Illinois.
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She almost ran away with him to travel the world with him.
After a wrenching period of decision-making, however, she decided to stay at the last minute after considering the bigger picture that includes the consequences leaving would have on the lives of her teenage children and husband, who was a good, loving man.
After all the photographer finds meaning and his true calling as an artist.
It also has deep consequences on the lives of her son and daughter, who are both experiencing marital problems.
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Their mothers story helped them to find a sense of direction in their lives.
It is an old-fashioned love story with some meanings in terms of the present day context.
Superb are the performances of Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
Diane, have you seen the above movie?
Oh yes, I have. That was quite a popular movie back in those days of the late 1990s simply because the novel, on which the film was based, was a 1992 best-seller. Actually, 60 million copies were sold worldwide.
The Bridges of Madison County (Book)
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It is a 1992 best-selling novel by Robert James Waller that tells the story of a married
but lonely Italian-American woman (war bride) living on a 1960s Madison County, Iowa farm.
While her husband and children are away at the State Fair, she engages in an affair with a National Geographic photographer
from Bellingham, Washington, who is visiting Madison County to create a photographic essay on the covered bridges in the area.
The novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fictional.
However, the author stated in an interview that there were strong similarities between the main character and himself.
The novel is one of the bestselling books of the 20th century, with 60 million copies sold worldwide.
It has also been adapted into a feature film in 1995 and a musical in 2013.
Publication history
It was originally published in the UK under the title Love in Black and White.
A sequel entitled A Thousand Country Roads was published in 2002.
It tells the remainder of the two main characters' story after their four-day affair.
They never meet again, but their lives are interlocked until death.
In 2005, the trilogy was completed with High Plains Tango, which came about when Waller was writing "A Thousand Country Roads" and he realized he had two novels' worth of material.
"High Plains Tango picks up the story of itinerant master carpenter Carlisle McMillan, Robert Kincaid's illegitimate son, who settles in Salamander, S.D.
There his life becomes intertwined with two very different women and almost overrun by the threats of eminent domain."
SOURCE:"The Bridges of Madison County"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sixty million copies, eh? Amazing!
Did you watch the movie on July 3 for the first time?
Yes, I did. Actually, I was quite interested in the movie when it was quite often talked about in those days.
Then why didn't you view the movie back in those days?
Well, I could hardly imagine that Clint Eastwood would take such a melodramatic role. You see, he was quite famous as a "Dirty Harry."
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He was also famous as a hard-boiled guy in Spaghetti Western or Italian Western such as "For a Few Dollars More" directed by Sergio Leone.
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I could hardly think that Clint Eastwood would play a protagonist as a ladys' man in "The Bridges of Madison County."
Is that the reason you didn't watch the movie in the 1990s?
Yes, it is. His womanizer-image destroyed my appetite for the movie.
Then how come you watched the movie at this time?
Well, as Clint Eastwood gets older, I'm getting softer on his image.
So how did you like the movie?
As I jotted down the comment, the performances of Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep are superb. I was quite impressed by their acting. The film was made based on a true story, I guess.
No, I don't think so. As noted in the above article of Wikipedia, the novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fictional.
I know, but look at the following article about the author.
Robert James Waller
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Robert James Waller (August 1, 1939 – March 10, 2017) was an American author best known for "The Bridges of Madison County"---an enormously successful book in 1993.
He was also a photographer and musician.
Life
Waller received his BA ('62) and MA ('64) from University of Northern Iowa (then known as Iowa State Teachers College).
He received his PhD in business from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington in 1968.
Later that year he returned to UNI and began teaching management and economics, and in 1977 became a full professor.
He became dean of the College of Business in 1980 and retired from that position in 1986.
It was announced in 2000 that he made a "seven figure" donation to Indiana University.
Several of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list including 1992's "The Bridges of Madison County" which was the top best-seller in 1993.
Both that novel and his 1995 novel, Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, have been made into motion pictures.
Personal life
In 1997, his marriage of 35 years to Georgia ended in divorce.
An article in People Magazine noted, "The parallels between Waller's life and his art (his Bridges heroine, farmwife Francesca, sacrifices her chance for happiness with a globe-hopping photographer in order to stay home and shield her loved ones from small-town scandal) haven't been lost on the locals".
Waller died on March 10, 2017, at his home in Fredericksburg, Texas.
He was 77 and had been battling multiple myeloma.
SOURCE:"Robert James Waller"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You see, the author was divorced in 1997. What do you think made the couple get divorced?
Well, nobody knows for sure. Besides, he's been dead now. The secret was buried with him.
But the author stated in an interview that there were strong similarities between the main character and himself. That's the reason the novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, which has obviously damaged his wife's feeling. Therefore, the couple got divorced, I suppose.
In any case, that's none of your buinsess, Kato.
I know, I know ... But aren't you curious about it? The above Wikipedia article says: The parallels between Waller's life and Francesca's life remains on the locals.
After all, it is anybody's guess.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Well..., Francesca almost ran away with Robert to travel the world with him.
After a wrenching period of decision-making, however, she decided to stay at the last minute after considering the bigger picture that includes the consequences leaving would have on the lives of her teenage children and husband, who was a good, loving man.
When you view the movie, you might be surprised to see how much damage a scandal would cause in such a rural community in those days.
As a matter of fact, Robert noticed an alienated woman in a local cafe-restaurant when he dropped in.
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The woman sitting beside Robert (played by Clint Eastwood) was ignored by elder waitresses because of her extramarital scandal.
However, the younger waitress reluctantly took an order, but on a second thought, the woman decided to get out because the customers inside all stared at her with most treacherously despising gaze.
She just couldn't stand it.
In those days, you could hardly ignore those contemptuous gazes.
Those rural communities were open in terms of scandal and rumors but closed and close-knit in terms of human relations.
Everybody knew everybody; everybody watched everybody.
Now times seem to have been changed.
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So, I think Calpernia is quite brave to make a decision to transform her male self into female self.
Well, you can live your life ONLY once.
Nobody prevents you from realizing your dream.
So, if it's your dream, it's your choice to transform yourself or to stay as you are.
In any case, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
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Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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2023ǯ1224
Birdcage
Birdcage
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Subj:Hi, Kato...
"The Birdcage" was hilarious.
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 6:51 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi Kato,
How's it going with you?
I read your article.
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"Auntie Sleepie"
(December 13, 2011)
Fascinating information in the above article!
I actually think I know the mysterious and inspirational lady you're talking about.
She looks very much like the photo you displayed and she comes across as intelligent but disturbed at the same time.
Something must have happened to her that affected her more rational behavior, or at least that's how it seems.
I certainly know about Kurosawa as he's been famous and very popular here in Canada now for some time.
The movie "Throne of Blood" looks a bit too gory for me, though.
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More of a man's film, I'd say.
Interesting story, for sure.
Are you keeping busy ... too busy sometimes?
My boyfriend and I went to the Playhouse Theater on Saturday night and saw a hilarious play "La Cage aux Folles."
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I had seen the movie years ago and then there was remake apparently with Robin Williams.
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The Birdcage (1996)
(Movie Trailer)
The movie was better, but the play was still quite marvelous.
Preparing now for Christmas.
Maybe I'll get to Joe Fortes before that time. Hopefully.
Gotta run,
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Love, Diane ~
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Subj:Hi, Diane
What a big crook!
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Date: Tues., Dec. 20, 2011 10:11 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane3760@canada.ca
Hi Diane,
I'm glad to know that you've been happily preparing for the big event---X'mas!
Well..., I'm not a Christian, so X'mas is not such a big event in my life.
However, watching X'mas trees always makes me happy and puts me into a festival mood.
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Your big crook reminded me of James Herriot's sheep story, in which a dying sheep is miraculously saved simply because she has been sent into a long sleep with a drug so that she couldn't feel pain at all.
Pain and fear would give anyone a bad effect.
That's what James Herriot said in the story.
Well, at least, your big crook gave me a bit of laugh, which made me happy. :)
By the way, the mysterious woman showed up in the afternoon with a DVD today.
She always puzzles me.
What is she doing?
She doesn't have to sit at the online computer at all if she wants to view DVDs.
An offline computer will do.
How come she always sits at the online computer at the same time?
Some day, I might as well ask her.
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Sylvie had appeared 20 minutes earlier than you did.
You just missed her.
As usual, she seemed happy and satisfied with herself. :) he, he, he, he, he,...
Well, I've just written a story about the "Titanic" movie and my own Titanic-like romance.
Please click the following link:
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"Titanic @ Sendai"
(December 20, 2011)
I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Your truly romantic Taliesin,
Kato
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:) with love
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Subj:Hi, Kato...
Please come to see the play.
Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2011 11:27 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi, Kato.
Yes, it's a lovely crook isn't it?
I'll have to send you some photos of the cast when we're in full regalia.
I've got an awesome shepherd's outfit which I pretty well put together myself, and the rest of the group are really fun and committed to the play.
Of course, if I had got to be one of the three Kings it'd be an even better costume with more glitter and such, but what's a girl to do.
You've got to dress for the role you've got.
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As it turns out, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is really sick and I've been substituting for her as well as playing my simple role as a shepherd, so it may turn out I get to do both roles on Christmas Eve.
Such fun I haven't had since grade school, really!
It's just filled me with such happiness.
We'll perform the play at 5 PM on Dec. 24th.
Kato, come to my church & see for yourself, just for fun, why don't you?
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By the way, I'm so fascinated with this mysterious lady.
You really should approach her and get to know her, if only to explain to her she can watch her DVD's without booking time on the computer.
She'd probably bless you for this.
Let me know, okay?
Thanks for this information.
I've not got time right now but SOON I'll peruse it.
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Love & Blessings,
Diane ~
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Kato, how come you didn't come to my church to see the play?
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It was down-pouring. Too wet to go out.
I don't think so. It was drizzling, but not definitely down-pouring. You should've come to see the play.
Anyway, I had a good laugh when you showed up at Joe Fortes Library with that giant crook. That was more than enough for me. :) He, he, he, he, he,...
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Don't be silly, Kato...I didn't show up like that.
In any case, I could easily imagine how the play would go. So instead, I was looking for some funny X'mas video clips for a X'mas article.
You're not dependable. You don't show up or you come too late...always like that.
Talking of the play, Diane, you went to the Playhouse Theater to see "La Cage aux Folles," didn't you?
Yes, I did. Did you, Kato?
No, I didn't...but I viewed the "Birdcage" DVD, which you mentioned in the mail.
Oh, did you? I think the movie is better, but the play is still quite marvelous.
La Cage aux Folles
It is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman.
Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, Jean-Michel, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.
The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs.
The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
La Cage aux Folles is the only musical which has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice and the only show that has won a Best Production Tony Award (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.
A National Tour, based on the 2010 revival, will begin in October 2011 with George Hamilton as Georges and Christopher Sieber as Albin.
Synopsis
Georges, the master of ceremonies, welcomes the audience to his St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles".
The chorus line known as Les Cagelles appear and introduce themselves to the audience.
Georges and his "wife", Albin, have lived happily together for many years in an apartment above La Cage with their black "maid" Jacob.
Albin is a drag queen and the star performer of La Cage aux Folles under the alias of "Zaza".
As Albin prepares to perform, Georges' 24-year-old son Jean-Michel (the offspring of a confused, youthful liaison with a woman named Sybil) arrives home with the news that he is engaged to Anne Dindon.
Georges is reluctant to approve of Jean-Michel's engagement, but Jean-Michel assures his father that he is in love with Anne.
Unfortunately, her father is head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party", whose stated goal is to close the local drag clubs.
Anne's parents want to meet their daughter's future in-laws.
Jean-Michel has lied to his fiancée, describing Georges as a retired diplomat, and he pleads with Georges to tell Albin to absent himself (and his flamboyantly gay behaviors) for the visit.
Before Georges can break the news to him, Albin suggests that they hurry back to La Cage to make it in time for the next show.
They arrive in time and Albin takes the stage once more as Zaza.
While Albin is performing, Georges and Jean-Michel quickly redecorate the house.
Georges finally tells Albin of Jean-Michel's plan and expects Albin to explode with fury, but he remains silent.
Albin then re-joins Les Cagelles onstage and tells them to leave.
He then begins to sing alone in defiance of Jean-Michel, stating that he is proud of who he is and refuses to change for anyone.
He angrily throws his wig at Georges and departs in a huff.
The next morning, Georges finds Albin after his abrupt departure and apologizes.
He then suggests to Albin that he dress up for dinner as macho "Uncle Al".
Albin is still upset, but reluctantly agrees to act like a heterosexual for Jean-Michel.
Back at the chastely redesigned apartment, Georges shows "Uncle Al" to Jean-Michel.
Jean-Michel doesn't like the idea and expresses his dislike for Albin's lifestyle.
Georges angrily reminds Jean-Michel of how good of a "mother" Albin has been to him.
They then receive a telegram that Jean-Michel's mother Sybil is not coming and Anne's parents arrive.
Hoping to save the day, Albin appears as Jean-Michel's buxom, forty-year-old mother, in pearls and sensible shoes.
The nervous Jacob burns the dinner, so a trip to a local restaurant, "Chez Jacqueline", belonging to an old friend of Albin and Georges, is quickly arranged.
No one has told Jacqueline of the situation, and she asks Albin (as Zaza) for a song, to which he hesitantly agrees.
Everyone in the restaurant begins to take part in the song, causing Albin to yield to the frenzy of performance and tear off his wig at the song's climax, revealing his true identity.
Back at the apartment, the Dindons plead with their daughter to abandon her fiancé, for they are appalled by his homosexual parents, but she is in love with Jean-Michel and refuses to leave him.
Jean-Michel, deeply ashamed of the way he has treated Albin, asks his forgiveness, which is lovingly granted.
The Dindons prepare to depart, but their way is blocked by Jacqueline, who has arrived with the press, ready to photograph these notorious anti-homosexual activists with Zaza.
Georges and Albin have a proposal: If Anne and Jean-Michel may marry, Georges will help the Dindons escape through La Cage aux Folles next door.
The Dindons do so, dressed in drag as members of the nightclub's revue, and all ends well.
Audition for
"La Cage aux Folles"
SOURCE: "La Cage aux Folles"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Was the playhouse packed?
Oh, yes, it was with a lot of people. We really enjoyed the play. How about you, Kato?
I didn't see the play, but the "Birdcage" is quite an amusing movie. Nathan Lane, who played as Albert, is a funny guy---actually, the funniest homosexual I've ever seen in my life.
Funniest? In what way?
Well..., he was eating at the table with Robin Williams. He picked up some slimy stuff with a fork, but couldn't manage to hold it, and dropped it. In doing so, he overreacted in such a hilarious way that I laughed to death. He was really a drag queen in the true sense.
I cannot recall such a funny scene.
Anyway, if someone with homophobia see the movie, he or she might change his way of thinking about homosexuality.
Kato, are you a homosexual?
Diane, are you trying to insult me?
Oh, no, I'm quite serious and curious.
Do I look like a drag queen?
Oh, no, you don't. But I've noticed that a wildest-looking man sometimes turns out to be a homosexual.
I'm not against homosexuality, but acting like a drag queen is the last thing I want to do.
You know, Kato, there are quite a few anti-gay activists in Vancouver.
I know that. So the Vancouver School Board is taking an anti-homophobia policy, using film and video to engage youth and educators on issues related to homophobia.
How do you know?
I saw the sign board the other day.
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Where did you find it?
Of course, in Vancouver. Look at the map in the background.Don't ask me such a foolish question.
So the school board is providing anti-homophobia programs, isn't it?
I suppose so. If I was one of the school trustees, I would propose that each student should see "The Birdcage" so that all the students would laugh off homophobia. What would you say, Diane?
Maybe a good idea. I agree with you.
Himiko's Monologue
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Wow! ... What a funny drag queen!
As you know, a drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining.
There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once.
Drag queens also vary by class and culture and can vary even within the same city.
Although many drag queens are gay men, there are drag artists of all genders and sexualities who do drag for various reasons or purposes.
Women who dress like men for the same purpose are known as drag kings.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
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Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
I saw "The Birdcage" too.
It was indeed hilarious.
The Birdcage met with mixed reviews ranging from praise to condemnation in both the mainstream press and the gay press for the portrayals of its gay characters.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) praised the film for "going beyond the stereotypes to see the character's depth and humanity."
The Birdcage opened on March 8, 1996 and grossed 18 million dollars in its opening weekend, topping the box office.
By the end of its 14-week run, the film had grossed 124 million dollars domestically and 61 million internationally, coming down to 185 million worldwide.
So it became quite a popular movie.
If you happen to visit a library in your neighborhood, you might as well borrow the "Birdcage" DVD and view it.
I'm pretty sure you'll laugh to death.
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2023ǯ1123
Secret of Cleopatra
Secret of Cleopatra
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Alexandria, the birthplace of Cleopatra, is located on the western edge of the Nile that flows into the Mediterranean. Stretching 20 Km along the coast, it was one of the largest cities in the world. Surrounded in the north by the Mediterranean, in the south by Lake Mareotis, in the east by the the Nile River, the city served as a perfect base for international trade among Europe, Asia and Africa.
But it was 69 BC, when Cleopatra was born. When Kato visited Alexandria in 2010, he couldn't see the the glory of those days anymore.
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Seen from the window of the hotel room where Kato stayed is Pharos Island that was once offshore from the city but now connected to the mainland.
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Currently, the old fortress stands where once existed the ancient lighthouse---one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This huge lighthouse had a four-layer height of 130 meters. It is said that the light was visible from 55 km at sea.
Diane..., have you been to Alexandria?
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No, I haven't. Have you, Kato?
Yes, I have. As a matter of fact, I've traveled around over 30 countries.
Oh..., so, you're a world traveler, aren't you?
Yes, I am. I visited the famous Egyptian city in the summer of 2010. . . I met Cleopatra. . . he, he, he...
You must be kidding.
I know you cannot believe it.
Nobody can, Kato. Cleopatra has been long dead. Everybody knows that.
I know, I know..., but I met Cleopatra. Actually, the woman I met believed that she was a born-again Cleopatra.
So, you met a crazy woman..., or at least a feeble-minded woman, didn't you?
C'mon, Diane. She wasn't crazy at all. Actually, she turned out an intelligent woman.
By the way, Kato, you told me several years ago, you would tell me a story that was based on the brochure I'd handed out to you.
Oh, yes, this is the story based on your brochure.
But the brochure I gave you has nothing to do with Cleopatra.
No, it doesn't mention the name of Cleopatra. However, when you read the story to the end, you will know for sure that the nitty-gritty of the brochure has something to do with the love and death of Cleopatra.
Do you really mean it, Kato?
Yes, of course, I do. . . You'll definitely find the story thought-provoking.
Then, tell me.
Actually, I posted the story on January 27, 2011. . . I translated it into English for you. So, take your time and enjoy reading it:
Kato woke up at 9:00 am, then went over to McDonald's near the hotel and took a late breakfast.
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Kato ordered something like a shish kebab and ate it curiously. Then, with a guidebook in hand, Kato walked to the fortress. After viewing the old fortress, he ventured south into a back street, on both sides of which stood small houses and shops closely packed like sardines. Kato thought that he'd stepped into the world of Ottoman Turkey that had flourished between the 16th and the early 20th century.
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The shops sell various kinds of colorful spices and herbs. Kato sensed the indescribable smell mixed with dusty air like the quirky "smell of Egypt".
Near the canal that flows south of the city of Alexandria stand the tenements where the poor people live. The windows seem to be decorated with a colorful laundry. When Kato saw a donkey pulling a cart in the narrow passage, he thought he'd flown back into the ancient days.
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However, he couldn't find any remains or past glory that reminded him of Cleopatra. He just felt quite tired of walking through the narrow back streets.
When Kato felt hungry, it started to gather darkness. Fed up with fast food, he went to one of the ubiquitous Chinese restaurants and ordered both "a bowl of noodles in a brisket soup" and "a dish of fried rice with eggs, greens, and beef". Eating like a starving pig, Kato could hardly move, but managed to walk back to his hotel room, and lay down on the bed. He soon dropped into a deep sleep.
Middle in the night, Kato suddenly woke up, and rubbed his eyes.
Then, he was startled!
A naked woman sitting by the window was staring at Kato.
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He thought he was still in a dream.
He rubbed his eyes again. However, the woman didn't disappear.
In fact, she was smirking with her mouth covered by her right hand as if to show politeness.
Kato rubbed his eyes again.
However, the naked woman didn't disappear. She didn't look like an Egyptian woman he often saw in Alexandria. Even in the moon-lit hotel room, her skin gleamed whitish-blue like that of a French or German woman. The naked woman gave him a discreet smile.
Who ... who the hell are you?"
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Cleopatra...hu, hu, hu...
No kidding!
Rubbing his eyes again, Kato stared at the woman, who laughed merrily as ever.
He turned on the light at the bedside stand. The light turned her white skin into light-orange color. With an ornamental cobra in the center, a golden hairband held her black hair like an Egyptian queen.
Slightly below the shoulder, her left arm showed a gilt bracelet that looked like a coiling cobra.
Except for the hairband and the bracelet, she wore nothing.
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To his surprise, the naked woman remained still in the antique armchair like a nude model with her left leg drawn up on the edge and right leg stretching out. Naturally, the clean-shaven ripe peach between the legs was on full display.
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Although Kato considered it rude to be staring between her legs, he couldn't help but hold his peering eyes.
From the crack of peach bloomed a pair of pink petals that looked like a cockscomb. With the petals Joining together at the top, the peach boasted a gleaming pearl. The woman really looked like a voluptuous Venus.
Wow! What a woman!
Kato gulped down a thick drop of saliva or two.
"But..., but, she cannot be that famous Cleopatra," thought Kato.
"Does she tell me that she is a descendant of Cleopatra?"
As if to read his mind, she stood up and stepped forward.
Smiling like an innocent girl, she stopped in front of Kato.
What are you thinking of?
How... how come you're here with me?
'Cause you've been thinking of me for so long.
How do you know?
You've been looking for me in this town, haven't you?
Give me a break. If you were Cleopatra, how could you possibly speak English?"
I learned English for you."
The woman sat down right beside Kato.
A sweet smell of perfume tickled his nostrils.
"What kind of smell?" He thought.
It definitely stimulated him sexually.
He had never sensed it before.
However, somewhere in his heart, the watchful self told him, "Do not be fooled!"
Are you still in doubt?
Well...don't you think, you're a bit out of your mind when you meet me like this...in the stark-naked for the first time?
Jeez...are you saying, I'm out of my mind?
Yes, I am. If you aren't out of your mind, you don't have common sense.
You're talking nonsense. I have more common sense than you have.
Oh, yeah?
Yes, of course. You don't have common sense to attend the funeral of your own father.
How do you know?
I told you. I've been watching you such a long time that I know everything about you.
But why have you been watching me?
'Cause you wrote about me.
Did I write about you?
Yes, you did. Don't you remember it?
Give me a break. I met you tonight for the first time. How could I possibly write about you?
Actually, I've seen you so many times that you're quite familiar to me...so much so that you're like my husband. hu, hu, hu... Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to appear in the buff like this.
Do you really want me to believe all this?
So, you're thinking I'm telling a fib, aren't you?
The smile vanished completely from the face of the woman for the first time. The cold look floated up on her face as if to face her cheating husband.
Kato pulled himself from her for a moment.
But the woman got closer to challenge him.
Although it was hot and humid in Alexandria, Kato felt a chill deep inside.
Her breasts hardened slightly with the nipples turned up.
The big nipples were those of a mother who gave birth to a child.
Kato saw goose bumps on the skin around the nipple, it was not that cold, though.
He wondered if its cause was anger or lust.
Since you don't seem to believe me, I jot down your story right down here so that you can recall.
When I was an adorable third-grade pupil, 350 pupils of the same grade went to the movie theater near my elementary school to view the animation film called "Son Goku", which is a story about an adventurous monkey. One of the unforgettable scenes was as follows:
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The monkey stands on the palm of the giant Buddha who remains seated. The monkey looks up and talks to him. "Hey, you! I'm a great monkey just like a superman. I flew to the end of the world and now I'm back on your palm.
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Full of friendliness and mercy, Buddha smiles. "Oh, are you? You can fly from one end of the world to another like a superman, can't you? Why don't you show me some proof?"
"No problem. I can show you the proof. I flew over to the end of the world and wrote my name on the stone pole that stood like a giant finger. If you don't believe it, you should also travel to the end of the world. But I don't think you can do it 'cause you're always sitting like this."
Buddha keeps smiling. "Well, some people see me fly like a superman."
"Don't be silly. You're always sitting like this. How could you possibly fly like a superman?"
"So you've only seen me sitting like this, haven't you?"
Then Buddha slowly expands the palm of the other hand. The middle finger shows the name that the monkey wrote some time ago. "Is this the name you wrote when you flew to the end of the world?"
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Dum-founded, the monkey stares at the name, which in deed he wrote, thinking that he reached the end of the world.
But it turns out to be the middle finger of Buddha.
"You said you flew over to the end of the world, but in my eyes you just jumped from my right hand to left hand."
It was such a thought-provoking scene that I can still remember it clearly.
If I were Buddha, I might have told Cleopatra the following:
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"You certainly enjoyed a string of love affairs, soaked and immersed in politics, gathered a great deal of power, and boasted the invaluable treasure. But, after all, you are not so different from the monkey. In my eyes, you have been moving around on my palm."
"Is that so? Anyway, I'm so tired."
"Are you really tired of living in this world? If you say so, you might as well kill yourself. I wouldn't prevent you from doing so. It's up to you."
"I'm tired anyway. I did do my best. In your eyes, I might have done as the monkey did on your palm. Although all my efforts seem to be a futile struggle, I cannot think of any other way to lead my life. And now I'm really exhausted."
"Every man or woman dies soon or later. Simply, it's the difference between being early or being late. You think you did do your best, don't you? If you really think so and there's nothing you want or desire, it might be a good idea that you finish your life and take it easy at this point. Nobody has a right to say otherwise."
Even if you lead a flashy, colorful life of Cleopatra, your life is nothing more than that of the monkey who, from the Buddha's point of view, only wriggles around on his palm.
Although Cleopatra did her best, she didn't achieve what she really wanted.
Nobody is perfect; so yo might feel hopeless and sigh in disappointment from time to time.
You might say, "I'm really tired to death." just as Cleopatra did.
And if you ask Buddha what to do, he has to say the same thing:
"Every man or woman dies soon or later. Simply, it's the difference between being early or being late. You think you did do your best. If you really think so and there's nothing you want or desire, it might be a good idea that you finish your life and take it easy at this point. Nobody has a right to say otherwise."
SOURCE: "Love Affairs"
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(September 21, 2006)
I accept what Buddha said. But, Kato, you forgot the important thing.
Important thing? What's that?
So, I have come out this way. I stay here with you until I tell you the important thing. Then I'll go home.
You go home? but where?
Of course, back to Heaven!
Do you really want me to believe this?
"Those who believe will be saved."
Kato, there must be the same saying in Japan, is there?
Yes, there is the same saying in Japan, but I'm free of dire lament, great distress, acute regret or anything like that. I feel fairly contented with myself. So I don't have to join Heaven. By the way, where did you get the above article?
I searched for it on the net, of course.
But the original article is written in Japanese. Did you learn Japanese?
Yes, of course, I did.
Look! Cleopatra didn't speak English nor Japanese!
You're right, Kato. Cleopatra didn't speak both languages till her death in 30 BC. However, she spoke many languages of her neighboring countries. Indeed, without an interpreter, she communicated with Ethiopians, Arabs, Hebrews, Syrians, Medes, Parthians...You see, I have a talent for languages. Naturally, I've got a knack to learn Japanese.
And do you really believe, you're Cleopatra?
Yes, of course. Do you, Kato?
Listen! We are in the year of 2010. Cleopatra died in 30 BC. And if you are the real Cleopatra, your age is 2040 years old. Who would believe such a nonsense story?
I'm not saying I've been here in Alexandria for all those years. I was born again as Cleopatra. Kato, have you ever heard of "reincarnation"?
Yes, I have. But I don't believe in reincarnation.
Then, start believing it. Judging from all those articles you wrote, I thought you should be able to understand reincarnation.
Yes, yes, yes... I understand reincarnation, but understanding is one thing; believing is another. Anyway, I've never thought that Cleopatra would read my articles on the net.
So, I told you I was reborn.
Don't be silly! No jokes anymore, please. You're suffering from delusion. You're talking gibberish. Is there a mental hospital near this hotel?
There isn't such a thing! Have you ever thought, Kato, why I know the article you wrote?
By intuition?
No, not by intuition. I've been watching you for a couple of years. Think about why I showed up in the nude.
Why?
'Cause I know you. You aren't an indecent womanizer, are you?
No, of course not. But, what you're saying is misleading my readers. Do you know that?
Why?
'Because you're saying there's no chance for you and me to get romantically involved. Some readers may think that I am impotent.
Are you?
No, of course not.
You don't have to worry about such a thing. hu, hu, hu...
Since I arrived here in Alexandria, I've been thinking about a romance with a charming woman like Cleopatra. And here you are. I might just as well hold you in my arms, and wanna turn tonight into a memorable night.
I know, I know...
Then let's make it!
...make what?
Let's make love, shall we?
Don't be ridiculous, Kato. You're here to search for Cleopatra, aren't you?
Oh, yes, I am...but your nude is too much for me.
Okay. Then get up and stay away from the bed.
What do you think you're doing?
I'm gonna take off the bed sheet, then wrap myself with it like this. Voila! How do I look now?
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I don't think you're a reborn Cleopatra, but I can sense that you're quite knowledgeable about the queen. Tell me how you became intelligent enough to attract Caesar and Antony.
It's a long story. Here's an excerpt from the book you might be interested in:
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Cleopatra had passed her early childhood in the royal women's apartments. She was educated according to the centuries-old program established for the pharaoh's daughters, who were raised to rule alongside their brother-husbands---the girls' curriculum was, in fact, the same as the boys'.
The pharaotic tradition had given a great deal of importance to scholarship, and the Ptolemies honored and even intensified this tradition. Like all the Hellenistic rulers, they sought to nurture the child's general culture, or enkukleios paideia---the phrase from which we get the word "encyclopedia."
The Ptolemies developed a nationwide system of primary and secondary schools, for the Greek elite of girls and boys who would be called upon to maintain the pharaoh's power over the native masses.
In Cleopatra's time, the course of study was based on Greek literature, especially the works considered masterpieces, which scholars had painstakingly assembled into a fixed canon, or collection of texts.
Thus, the child read and studied Homer's epics, which were much admired at court; the poems of Hesiod and Pindar; the tragedies of Euripides, considered superior to those of Aeschylus and Sophocles; the comedies of Menander; and the Histories of Herodotus and Thucydides; Cleopatra learned the art of rhetoric from the speeches of Demosthenes. Her education in the sciences was equally thorough: she took courses in arithmetic and geometry, astronomy and medicine, disciplines that flourished in the Alexandrian schools. A gifted amateur, the young queen also learned to draw, play the seven-stringed lyre, and sing. She was an excellent horsewoman---a sure sign of Hellenism in a "barbarian" land.
Her intellectual abilities were remarkable, but the queen displayed a particular talent for foreign languages, though Plutarch, the Greek historian, may have exaggerated somewhat.
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pages 32 - 34 "Cleopatra"
Author: Edith Flamarion
Published in 1997 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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Cleopatra was a language genius, wasn't she?
Yes, indeed.
But Greek and Roman historians wrote a lot of bad things about Cleopatra.
Like what?
For example, the Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Cleopatra in the first century AD as follows:
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This greedy and ambitious queen killed her relatives in a cruel way, and if one of them survived, she turned her violent rage to other people.
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So, do you think that I'm greedy and cruel woman?
No, not really. But I don't think Cleopatra was a 100%-flawless women, either.
You know, Kato, history is written by the winner.
Yeah, that's absolutely right. I know the winner sometimes wrote the history to his advantage.
The Greek and Roman historians described Antony and me as the indecent enemy---worse than necessary---of the first Roman Emperor Augustus (Octavian) so that they could praise the performance of the winner.
Yes, I know.
But even the harsh critique, Dio Cassius (the Roman historian;circa 235 150 AD), wrote about me as follows:
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She was brilliant to look upon and to listen to,
with the power to subjugate every one,
even Julius Caesar, a love-sated man already past his prime.
She also possessed a most charming voice
and a knowledge of how to make herself agreeable to every one.
Her seductiveness, the ancients tell us, lay not only in her voice,
but in her vivacity and intelligence.
However, she also knew how to make the most of clothing, perfumes and jewels.
So, Dio Cassius actually praised you.
You're telling me, Kato.
But, Plutarch wrote, "Her actual beauty...was not in itself so remarkable that none could be compared with her, or that no one could see her without being struck by it."
Well, since nobody is perfect, no judgement is perfect. One could praise me, and another would disgrace me. But look at me, Kato. What do you think of me?
Listen, lady! Plutarch also wrote, "Cleopatra had the strange ability to attract people. The contact of her presence was irresistible, and the attraction of her person, joining with the charm of her conversation, and the character that attended all she said or did, was something bewitching. When she spoke, her grace in conversation, the sweetness and kindness of her nature, seasoned everything she said or did."
So, Kato, can you believe Plutarch?
Well, taking into consideration the education she received, I would say that Cleopatra attracted men not by her beauty, but rather by her character and intelligence.
I'm glad to hear that, Kato.
Look, lady! Tell me the most memorable words you said to a man you loved so much in the past?
I don't like to disclose that kind of secret, but you don't seem to believe that I'm the reborn Cleopatra. So, I'll tell you this. First of all, Antony was an obstacle and nuisance in the eyes of Augustus, who had told me that, if I would kill Antony, he would save my life.
Oh, really? But I hear that Cleopatra refused his offer. Is that right?
Yes, I refused it.
Home come...? Everybody thinks his or her life is the most important thing in this world. If I were you, I would have definitely killed Antony to live the rest of my life.
I remember that you wrote, "To live is to love."
How do you know?
I read the following articles:
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"Do you wanna love to live?"
뤳Ȥäư뤳ȡ
(December 18, 2010)
"I'm loving to live"
뤳Ȥäư뤳Ȥ͡
(December 26, 2010)
Yes, yes..., I wrote the above two articles.
Do you still believe that to live is to love?
Yes, of course, I believe it.
That's why I've disclosed what Augustus told me.
Then, what happened between you and Anthony?
Antony might have known about Augustus's offer through the rumor.
But Cleopatra decisively rejected the offer of Augustus. Right?
Yes, I did. But Antony was an incredulous man---just like you, Kato. Hu, hu, hu...
So...?
I wanted Antony to know the truth in my heart---my real intention.
So what did you do?
A week later after Augustus's offer, I dressed myself to sit at the supper table.
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To dine with Antony?
Yes, that's right. Saying "I'm thirsty", Antony took a glass of wine in hand. And to attract his attention, I talked about a well-trained pet lion.
So...?
Antony listened to me with a touch of interest. Then, I picked up a flower from my tiara and put it into Antony's glass.
Why...?
The flower was sprinkled with poison.
That is, Antony's wine got mixed up with poison. Is that it?
Yes, his wine was mixed with poison. When I was finished with the lion story, Antony was about to drink his wine.
So, did you watch Antony drink his wine?
No, of course not. I grabbed his glass from his hand.
How come...?
I told the lady-in-waiting, Charmion, to bring one of the prisoners in death row.
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A prisoner in death row? Why...?
I handed his glass over to the prisoner and told the prisoner to drink it.
Then the prisoner must have died. Did he?
Yes, he died. The prisoner was to be killed sooner or later. Drinking wine, he sank into a happy death---better than thirsting himself to death, I suppose.
So...?
I told Antony. "If I could live without you, I wouldn't have grabbed the wine glass from your hand."
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I see. So, Antony got to know your true heart, and he began to love you more than ever before? Is that it?
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Hu, hu, hu,... Eventually, you seem to understand that I'm the reborn Cleopatra, don't you?
SOURCE: "Cleopatra's most memorable words"
إ쥪ѥȥλʸ(January 27, 2011)
Interesting!...an interesting story, Kato.
Do you really think so, Diane?
Yes, I do, but you told me earlier, Kato, you would tell me a story based on the brochure I'd handed out to you.
Yes, I did.
Then tell me what part has something to do with the above story?
That part is as follows:
The pain of our neighbors is our pain too.
When neighbors suffer, neighbors must respond.
In this way we build a better world. We dignify humanity. We overcome what we have not caused.
Even now as we in Canada breathe the air flowing to us from Fukushima (in Japan), we are reminded we are connected to each other.
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Our lives are intertwined on the same planet, the same ecosystems, the same humanity.
Perhaps God has created such a world in order to perfect our humanity.
With the promise that death is not the end of life.
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I see. So, the death of Cleopatra is not the end of her life, is it?
No, it isn't. The pain of Cleopatra is our pain too. Our loves and lives are intertwined on the same planet at present as well as in the past. Cleopatra indeed lived and will live to the future, not poisoning Antony but saving his life, to tell us to perfect our humanity.
Amazing!... so, Kato, you actually attended the service at the church with me on March 20, 2011, didn't you?
Yes, I did as an invisible man. . . He, he, he,...
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Himiko's Monologue
Well . . . what do you think about the born-again Cleopatra?
"Don't be silly! . . . You cannot live twice!. . . Please talk about a more interesting story."
If you say so, I'll show you a 86-minute documentary about TOP 10 natural disasters.
It really gives you thrilling and unforgettable moments!
If you have a weak heart, don't watch this shocking flick.
Natural Disasters
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In any road, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
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2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
God Is Coming!
Unforgettable Flicks
Organic vs. GMO
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
There have been at least five mass extinctions in the history of life on earth, and four in the last 3.5 billion years in which many species have disappeared in a relatively short period of geological time.
The massive eruptive event is considered to be one likely cause of the "Great Dying" about 250 million years ago, which is estimated to have killed 90% of species existing at the time.
There is also evidence to suggest this event was preceded by another mass extinction known as Olson's Extinction.
The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period and is best known for having wiped out non-avian dinosaurs, among many other species.
Cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction?
Many scientists believe that a comet or meteor triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
You might wonder if another comet collides with the Earth in the near future.
Super Comet
This is a 2007 speculative documentary produced by ZDF and the Discovery Channel.
It was directed by Stefan Schneider.
The 84-minute film hypothesizes the effects on modern-day earth of a large comet impacting in Mexico near the same location of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, the ancient impact of a comet or meteor that is believed to have triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
It alternates between interviews with climatologists and researchers and dramatized scenes following several groups of people as they attempt to survive in the days and months after the disaster: a separated family in France, a pair of scientists in Hawaii, a man who manages to survive for a period of time near the ground zero impact in Mexico, and a tribe in Cameroon.
It is such a thrilling, exciting and profoundly astounding docudrama that you would forget to take a pee during the show.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
The film seems quite fascinating and interesting.
If there is a rental shop around you, why don't rent the above DVD?
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2023ǯ1026
Stanley Boardwalk
Stanley Boardwalk
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Subj:
It's about time you get out!
From: diane@vancouver.ca
to: barclay1720@aol.com
Sat., 2013 July 04 8:12 PM
(Pacific Daylight Saving Time)
Hi Kato,
Thanks for the following interesting article.
"Manwatching"
Great story about the Central VPL (Vancouver Public Library) and the old chap.
Of course, you DO look like a librarian.
You've spent so much time in the library that it comes naturally.
I'm surprised more folks don't question you.
It's funny about Sylvie as well.
Yes, I guess she overheard us talking.
You're right in that I at heart really DO like people and love to help out where I can.
It's just part of my nature so not a difficulty.
We're all different, and we all have different gifts, isn't it true?
Such lovely weather these days, isn't it great?
I went for a stroll around Lost Lagoon after supper and ended up on Cathedral Trail.
You must check it out.
Just over the Lost Lagoon bridge between the Lagoon and Second Beach, the park has constructed a lovely cedar boardwalk.
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It looks so new that it still SMELLS deliciously of cedar and the construction is solid and beautiful.
It is meant to protect the environment but delightful to stroll over.
You must do so whenever you're in the area.
... hope you're enjoying this weather.
Let me know if you get to see the new boardwalk, okay?
How's it going with the love life?
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Ciao, Diane ~
Subj:
Yes, yes, yes... I'm going out!
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From: barclay1720@aol.com
to: diane@vancouver.ca
Thurs., June 20, 2013 3:55 P.M.
(Pacific Daylight Saving Time)
Hi Diane,
What a lovely and gorgeous day we have today.
Are you enjoying the sunshine?
I hope you ARE.
Probably, you're jogging around the seawall.
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I'm at the Main Branch now.
I think I'll go to see the new boardwalk this late afternoon once I'm done with my article.
Just before the library gets closed, I'll get out and drop in at the IGA supermarket near the library to buy a bunch of bananas for my supper.
Then, I'll walk to the Rose Garden in Stanley Park.
Probably I'll reach the Garden by 6:30 p.m.
Then I'll take a break and eat my bananas.
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If you've got free time this evening, I'd like to see you at the Rose Garden.
...hope this mail will reach you in time.
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
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Subj:
I miss the rendez-vous!
From: diane@vancouver.ca
to: barclay1720@aol.com
Sun., 2013 July 14 10:30 PM
(Pacific Daylight Saving Time)
Hi Kato,
I've just received your mail now, which is too late for me.
It is 10:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.
I certainly miss the rendez-vous on the boardwalk.
I've had a wonderfully exciting and varied weekend, though.
so I can't complain.
...hope you got to see the new cedar boardwalk, kiddo.
Sleep tight.
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Luv, Diane ~
So, Diane, you were quite busy hopping around a number of parties over the last weekend, eh?
Well ... what else can I do? You see, Kato, I at heart really DO like people and love to go out with people. Furthermore, I'd like to help out where I can.
So, Diane, you go to parties and help your friends have a lot of fun, eh?
Kato, you're so sarcastic. I'm not particularly preoccupied with wild parties. To tell you the truth, I embodied a profoundly personal and deeply sincere commitment to my spiritual beliefs.
Oh ...? You sound quite serious, eh?
I taught Sunday School and undertook duties to support my Anglican Church and tried to help others in whatever way I could.
I know ... I know ...
Do you really know that, Kato?
Well ... at least I can see that you're always willing and happy to help others in whatever way you could.
I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Kato, how did you enjoy the boardwalk?
Just before the closing time, I checked the news on the newly constructed boardwalk in the library.
Did you find any?
Yes, I did. I looked into the following CBC news clip.
Check out Stanley Park's first boardwalk
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I was quite excited because the boardwalk reminded me of Oze Marshland in Japan.
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Oze Marshland in Nikko
Wow! What a beautiful view! Have you been over there, Kato?
Yes, of course, I have. That's the reason I got so excited about the new boardwalk in Stanley Park. Suddenly, the old memory about the trip to Oze Marshland came into my mind.
So, naturally, you imagined the same kind of scenery, didn't you?
Yes, I did. I thought that it would be quite romantic if I strolled with you on the boardwalk in Oze Marshland. Anyway, I went to the rose garden in Stanley Park.
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I walked from West End Community Center along the green route to the Rose Garden.
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Rose Garden at Stanley Park
So, while you were waiting for me, you ate a bunch of bananas like a chimpanzee, didn't you?
Yes, that's right. Greatly expecting a romantic rendez-vous, I enjoyed eating my banana supper like a starry-eyed amorous chimp.
I'm really sorry, Kato. If I'd known it well in advance, I could've probably managed to meet you over there.
Anyway, I waited for an extra hour or so, but you didn't show up. That was the first letdown.
Oh ...? What was the second letdown?
Well ... I went over to the stone bridge, then to the new boardwalk. Oh, yes... as you wrote, it still smelled deliciously of cedar. The boardwalk was stoutly built. I was expecting some romantic white flowers.
Lysichiton
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It is a genus in the family Araceae.
These plants are known commonly as skunk cabbage or less often as swamp lantern.
The spelling Lysichitum is also found.
The genus has two species, one found in north-east Asia, the other in north-west America.
Lysichiton has flowers which are typical of those of the family to which it belongs (the arum family or Araceae).
The individual flowers are small and are tightly packed on a fleshy stem called a spadix which is surrounded by a white or yellow but otherwise leaf-like bract called a spathe.
The spathe is hooded or boat-shaped at the top.
Lysichiton has flowers with both male and female parts present (bisexual), unlike many other aroids.
After fertilization, the green fruits become embedded in the spadix; each fruit usually has two seeds but may have up to four.
Several large leaves appear either just before flowering or soon afterwards; each has a short stalk (petiole).
Plants die down to a vertical rhizome in winter.
SOURCE: "Lysichiton"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
To my disappointment, I couldn't find any flowers of lysichiton as I walked along the boradwalk. This was my second letdown. Then came the third letdown.
What was it?
To my sad surprise, the boardwalk ended after I walked for about five minutes.
Yes, yes, yes... the boardwalk is a rather short path. So, Kato, you were quite disappointed, weren't you?
Yes, that's true. I was not satisfied with the short boardwalk, but at least it reminded me of my nostalgic memory and melody.
I can see your nostalgic memory about the trip to Oze Marshland, but what is your nostalgic melody?
Listen to this:
Oze Marshland with Music
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Did you hear a lovely melody?
Yes, I did. It's nice and sweet, isn't it? What is it about?
Here are lyrics for you.
Summer Memories
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I recall as summer comes
Oze Marshland in the far away
Floating in the mist
Gentle silhouette along the boardwalk
Flowers of lysichiton in bloom
Dreaming by the water
Like rhododendron in the twilight
Oh, Oze Marshland in the far away
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I recall as summer comes
My trip in Oze Marshland
Among white flowers
Floating islands
Sweet sweet flowers of lysichiton
Dreaming in full bloom by the water
Nostalgic Oze in my eyes
Oh, Oze Marshland in the far away
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(translated by Kato)
Ƥλפ
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졧 ϻ
ʡĴľ
Ƥ פФ
Ϥ뤫 Ȥ
Ӥ
䤵 ξϩ
ߤξ֤β֤ 餤Ƥ
̴ƺ餤Ƥ ΤۤȤ
㤯ʤˤ
Ϥ뤫 Ȥ
Ƥ פФ
Ϥ뤫 ι
֤ 褽
⤭
ߤξ֤β֤ äƤ
̴äƤ ΤۤȤ
ޤʤĤ֤ ʤĤ
Oh, Kato, I wish I could stroll with you on the boardwalk in Oze Marshland
Yes, yes, yes ... some day, some day ...
Himiko's Monologue
What beautiful flowers they are!
I like "mizu-bashō" or flowers of lysichiton.
In English, it is usually called "White Skunk Cabbage."
I hate this English name!
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I just don't understand how come any man could come up with "Skunk" to call this beautiful flower.
As you know, a skunk produces the most disgusting and obnoxious fart.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
Hi, I'm June Adams.
Oze Marshland () is a high altitude marshland in the Oze National Park, Japan.
Approximately 8km² in size, the marshland is well known for the various species of plants, including the "mizu-bashō" (White Skunk Cabbage), "Nikkō-kisuge" (yellow alpine lilies) and "Watasuge" (Eriophorum vaginatum).
The marshland is a popular hiking destination.
When you visit Japan, please drop in at Oze Marshland.
2023ǯ0925
Mochi & Redemption
Mochi & Redemption
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"Enlarge!"
Sticky New Year's Treat
Turns Deadly in Japan
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At least nine people have reportedly choked to death on New Year's rice cakes in Japan, and officials are urging people to chew slowly on the treats.
Sticky rice cakes or "mochi" are an essential part of the Japanese New Year's menu.
But the glutinous mochi, grilled or cooked in broth or with sweet beans, can get stuck in people's throats.
The Yomiuri newspaper reported Friday that at least 128 people were rushed to hospitals after choking on mochi, with nine dying.
The Tokyo Fire Department said Monday that 18 people were taken to city hospitals during the first three days of the year and three males died.
The department advised people to cut mochi in small pieces, chew slowly and learn first aid.
In addition to the Tokyo deaths, three people died in Chiba prefecture, while one each died in Osaka, Aomori and Nagasaki prefectures, the newspaper reported.
In the Nagasaki case, an 80-year-old man choked on a mochi that was in sweet bean soup served for free at a Shinto shrine.
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Japanese customarily visit shrines and temples to welcome the new year, and mochi, sake and other treats are sold or given out.
The Associated Press
(Photos from Denman Library)
Page 9 "Metro News of Vancouver"
metronews.ca
Tuesday, Janauary 6, 2015
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Kato, I wonder if any of your family in your hometown of Japan has ever chocked to death.
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Oh no, nobody! As far as I know, none of my family have ever choked on mochi before because all the members have been quite slow in eating mochi. Slow-eating is one of my family traits, I suppose.
I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Kato, did you eat some mochi on the New Year's Day?
Yes, I did. To tell you the truth, I ate four pieces of mochi for the first time in 30 years.
Why is that?
Well... As you know, Mayumi's dream has come true and now she is in Vancouver. So Mayumi and I celebrated her new life in Vancouver while eating mochi on the New Year's Day.
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How did you eat mochi?
Actually, I wrote about it the other day.
How to make Zenzai or
"mochi in sweet red-bean soup"
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Zenzai hasn't changed a bit for long, and it is a staple snack of cold season.
In good old days, Zenzai used to wait for you to be eaten on the stove in your living room while you were preoccupied with other things.
But it doesn't seem to go quite so these days.
If you ever want to make Zenzai over the gas stove, you might just as well make a delicious Zenzai.
Boil and make the red beans completely soft.
After throwing out the water, you add 250 ml of water and 200 grams of suger to make a delicious Zenzai
I'll teach you how to boil the red beans and make a Zenzai with an elegant sweetness.
Ingredients of Zenzai
• red beans ... 250g
• sugar ... 200g
• water added at the last sweetening process ... 250ml
• a pinch of salt
1) Selection of red beans
for making delicious Zenzai
The basics of make Zenzai
Tannins or bitterness can be removed by boiling twice.
When this is done, you boil it for the third time and cook for an hour.
After throwing out the water, you add 250 ml of water and 200 grams of sugar and then boil it.
NOTE: Before the removal of tannins, take a close look at the red beans placed in a pot.
When you find discolored red beans, please remove them.
2) Removal of tannins or astringency
Wash red beans in a pot, and add one litre of water.
Then put it on fire.
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Note: 1) The red beans do not need to be in water before boiling.
It is okay to place the pot on fire as soon as the beans and water come together in the pot.
2) In the first removal of tannins, add a plenty of water, instead of a little bit of water.
Once it boils, throw out the water and then add a plenty of water for the second boiling.
Even after the second boiling, the red beans are still hard.
The red beans become tender in the next step.
3) The basics of boiling red beans
Once it boils for the third time, don't discard the water.
You cook the red beans until they become tender.
You cook them in low heat for at least an hour.
NOTE: 1) While being cooked, the water gets less.
Please add some water so that the red beans always remain under water.
In about an hour, the red beans will become tender so that you could feel the softness with your fingers.
However, if the red beans are fresh, you could make them tender in less than one hour.
Please cook them carefully while checking the softness.
As the red beans become soft, proceed to the next step.
When I made the Zenzai using the fresh red beans, they became soft in about 40 minutes.
4) How to make it sweet
Place the softened red beans in a pot with 250 ml of water and 200 grams of suger as well as a pinch of salt.
The amount of water at this time is 250 ml---no more, no less.
Once it boils, you cook them about 10 minutes in low heat.
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Bake enough pieces of mochi in a toaster or an oven.
Serve a bowl of sweet red-bean soup with two pieces of mochi.
Source: "Zenzai@Overseas" ʤʴ@
The Original in Japanese
(Photos from Denman library)
Ummmm... looks delicious... Why didn't you call me? I would've been delighted to have some mochi with Mayumi.
I thought you were not accustomed to sticky mochi. If you had eaten a piece of mochi, you might have gone to Heaven. So I dared not call you.
Nonsense! I know how to eat mochi. Anyway, do you think, Kato, those people who choked to death on mochi went to Heaven?
Of course, they did because Japanese customarily visit shrines and temples to welcome the new year. So those who died with mochi naturally welcome the new year in Heaven.
No kidding!
Anyway, Diane, I've got something for you to experience a heavenly feeling.
What is it?
Recently, I've viewed interesting movies:
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
I see... So you saw two movies about Heaven, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
Tell me about "Seven Minutes in Heaven".
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
So, you jotted down your comment after viewing it on January 9, huh?
Yes, I did. Galia, a young woman from Jerusalem, got almost killed by the terrorist attack. The bus she rode exploded and she stopped breathing for 7 minutes when she was rescued from the inflamed bus.
Then what happened to Galia?
Well... she wandered in Heaven during those seven minutes.
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It is a thought-provoking film about the soul and body. I'm sure you would like it.
How about the other one---"All That Heaven Allows"?
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
So, you jotted down your comment after viewing it on January 7, huh?
Yes, I did. It's about Cary Scott, a well-to-do widow, and Ron Kirby, a much younger gardener. Both fall in love.Cary is an affluent widow in suburban New England, whose social life involves her country club peers, college-age children, and a few men vying for her affection.
I see... seems interesting.
Yes, it is. Cary becomes interested in Ron, who turns out an intelligent, down-to-earth and respectful yet passionate younger man.
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Then what happens?
Ron introduces Cary to people who seem to have no need for wealth and status and she responds positively.
Then what follows?
Cary accepts his proposal of marriage, but becomes distressed when her friends and college-age children get angry. Her daughter and son look down upon Ron and his friends, and both children reject their mother for this socially unacceptable arrangement.
Well... it's understandable.
Eventually, bowing to this pressure, Cary breaks off the engagement.
Then what?
When Ron has a life-threatening accident, however, Cary realizes how wrong she had been to allow other people's opinions and superficial social conventions dictate her life choices.
I see... so both reunite, don't they?
Sort of... In those days back in 1955, Cary must have received a lot of pressure and tons of prejudice, I suppose. In any case, it is a fascinating and thought-provoking romance. Diane, this film is your cup of tea.
I think I'll book the DVD. But, Kato, where does Heaven come in?
Well... Ron has a life-threatening accident... So he wanders in Heaven while he's recovering.
Really...?
Well... you might as well wander in Heaven while watching the above movie. I paste here the full movie for you.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Wow! What fascinating movies they are!
I'd like to meet a guy like Ron.
What about you?
Rock Hudson was so handsome.
I wish I could meet someone like him in the near future.
Oh, well... there are some other interesting movies.
For example, look at Number 649 in the above list.
It is called "The Shawshank Redemption."
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Trailer
Kato jotted down his comment as follows:
This is a 1994 epic American drama written and directed by Frank Darabont.
Adapted from the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover despite his claims of innocence.
During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money laundering operation.
I think this is one of the greatest movies, in which you could feel, as if in realty, that maintaining one's feeling of self-worth is quite important even when placed in a hopeless position.
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This film clearly shows how you can be free, even in prison, or unfree, even in freedom, based on one's outlook on life.
The above comment sounds quite interesting, doesn't it?
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
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Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Heaven with Mochi
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
I enjoyed watching the above "All That Heaven Allows", too.
Another interesting movie is Number 652 in the above list, which is called "Séraphine."
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Kato jotted down his comment:
This is a 2008 French-Belgian film directed by Martin Provost.
It shows the life of Séraphine Louis (1864–1942), who is a French painter in the naïve style.
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Self-taught, she is inspired by her religious faith and by stained-glass church windows and other religious art.
The intensity of her images, both in color and in replicative designs, are sometimes interpreted as a reflection of her own psyche because she walks a tightrope between ecstasy and mental illness.
If Wilhelm Uhde (German art collector and noted art critic) hadn't happened to come up with one of her paintings, she might have remained unnoticed, led a normal life and died as a poor yet religious housekeeper.
Prosperity must have upset her mental balance.
She is put into a lunatic asylum.
It is a sad yet thought-provoking film.
...sounds quite interesting, doesn't it?
Why don't you see it?
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2023ǯ0824
Meet Beaver
Meet Beaver
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Stanley Park
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Beaver Lake
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Subj:Oh, you made me
nostalgic, kiddo!
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Halifax
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 7:50 pm
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
I enjoyed the following article.
"Halifax to Vancouver"
Wow! You are really making me nostalgic now.
I do see the similarities between Halifax and Vancouver now that you point them out.
Point Pleasant Park and Stanley Park do share commonalities, as do Lost Lagoon and the Public Gardens in Halifax.
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Point Pleasant Park
I wonder if Point Pleasant Park has a real live beaver in one of its lakes?
I went to check out our resident beaver in Beaver Lake yesterday.
Saw his or her lodge, but apparently the beaver doesn't come out and start working until dusk each day.
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I enjoyed a wonderful article and photos in Saturday's Vancouver Sun.
It looks like the beaver has been in the lake for four years now, most likely coming from North Vancouver's Capilano Watershed area, braving the currents and freighters in Burrard Inlet and shuffling his or her way up Beaver Creek to the Lake.
One of these days I hope to see the beaver in person.
With this lovely weather, it's easy and fun to take a stroll in Stanley Park more regularly, don't you think?
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You're right about preferring the weather here to the weather in Halifax.
But some days I question even that as you can imagine.
I came out here in Vancouver on my own when I was only 21 yrs. old.
I had finished business college and had already had two fairly good jobs, but I was seeking adventure and a westcoast life.
I did stop briefly in Toronto where my older brother lived in a really cool hippie house, and considered living there, but decided to go for bust.
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I loved it immediately and made lots of friends.
Eventually my older brother moved out from Toronto and my younger brother moved out from Halifax.
Then my parents decided that, if the kids were all going to live in Vancouver, they should just come out as well.
Except for my older brother, we all settled here in Vancouver, quite happily.
Thanks for this, very well put together kiddo,
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Love, Diane ~
Kato, how come you pasted my old mail up there?
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Well... I used the above mail in the article called "A Thread of Destiny," which is well read by the regulars of Ameba Blog (http://ameblo.jp/).
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I see...the article took the 8th position on the above access list, didn't it? And I notice, "Fujiyama Geisha" was at the 12th position.
Yes, it was. You see, all other articles are written in Japanese. It is amazing that articles written in English were well read among the Japanese Net surfers.
So, some of your regulars are fluent in English, aren't they?
No, not necessarily.
Why not?
You see ... most of the Japanese don't speak good English, but they can read the books written in English somehow simply because they've learned English at school for six years or so.
What part of the article attracted the Japanese readers?
I'd say, the lifestyle of hippies and hedonists attracted the Japanese audience.
From Hippies to Hedonists,
in Yorkville, Toronto
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Driving thru Yorkville
I doubt... because the title ("A Thread of Destiny") doesn't suggest the lifestyle of hippies and hedonists.
You're right...well, maybe, some Net surfers searched Madonna on the Net, and happened to come to the video of Toronto Film Festival in the article.
Madonna's Film Premiere
Toronto Film Festival
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Or some might've searched nightlife in Toronto.
Nightlife in Toronto
I doubt... Anyway, how come you've brought up Beaver Lake?
'Cause you replied to my mail like this ...
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Sat, Aug 11, 2012 2:00 pm
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
Thanks for this .. it was good to see you as well ~
I've been spending SO much time out hiking these days that I've been neglecting my paperwork.
I'll read the Geisha story probably on Monday and can't wait.
I'll report back to you later.
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In the meantime, get your butt out of the library, kiddo and take a walk in Stanley Park, okay? :)
Stanley park
Love, Diane ~
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From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane@vancouver.ca
Date: Friday, August 10, 2012 8:55:36 PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
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Hi Diane,
What a gorgeous day we have here today!
I'm confined in the library as usual.
What a pity!
But I'm happy to see you at noon!
What a coincidence!
I was creating the following map when you tickled me at my shoulder, and wrote a story just for you in the morning.
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Please click the following link:
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"Fujiyama Geisha"
...hope you'll enjoy it to your heart's content.
Your playful bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
So, you actually got your butt out of the library and took a walk in Stanley Park?
Oh yeah ... and I went over to Beaver Lake the first time in my life---'cause I remembered you wrote about it.
First time? ... No kidding!
I've been in Vancouver for 20 years but had never seen Beaver Lake before.
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Beaver Lake
I've realized that the lake is shrinking ... I mean, I can hardly see the surface of the lake because lily pads cover it all.
But the above pictures show the nice surface with some water birds, don't they?
Well, a friend of mine took the above pictures years ago. Now, water grass covers the surface, and naturally I couldn't find any beaver. So, I watched the following video instead.
Canadian Beaver dines out
on national emblem controversy
I suppose the beaver is an endangered species.
I hope not.
Well, actually, the beaver was once an endangered species.
Why was that?
I viewed an interesting DVD about the beaver in Canada.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
So you jotted down the above comment after watching it, didn't you?
Yes, I did. You know, beavers used to number ten millions in Canada. By the year of 1928, the ruthless greed of the mankind and slaughter by the hunters had reduced the beaver race to an extinct level.
Did you borrow the DVD at Joe Fortes Library?
Yes, I did. But you cannot find one now.
Why not?
See the following list.
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"Actual Location Page"
I found one DVD at Joe Fortes, but for some reason none of the beaver DVDs are kept now. In any case, you can place a hold on that.
Tell me a good reason why I should borrow one of the above DVDs.
Well, ... you'll certainly know how to wrestle with a wild yet playful beaver.
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Himiko's Monologue
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What a beautiful city Vancouver is!
I visited Vancouver once, and swam on the New Year's day in 2008.
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The water was warmer than the air.
Can you belive that?
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In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
(dianesun.jpg)
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Stanley Park is home to several other bodies of water in Vancouver.
Beaver Lake is a small lake, mostly covered by lily pads, home to fish and water birds.
As of 1997, its surface area was 3.95 hectares, but the lake is slowly shrinking in size.
One of Vancouver's few remaining free-flowing streams, Beaver Creek, joins Beaver Lake to the Pacific Ocean and is one of two streams in Vancouver where salmon still return to spawn each year.
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2023ǯ0724
Look at Lady Hugo
Look at Lady Hugo
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Kato, who is Lady Hugo?
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Diane, have you ever heard of Victor Hugo?
Yes, of course I have... He is one of the world-famous French writers, isn't he?
So, you know about him, don't you?... Actually, I've written an article about him and his famous novel.
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إѥܿ͡(A Japanese in Paris)
It is written in Japanese... So, unfortunately, you cannot read it... Anyway, in the above article I talked about his famous novel---"The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Diane, have you read the novel?
Yes, I read it a long time ago.
By the way, Diane, have you watched the following movie?
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Trailer (1939)
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No, I haven't, but I viewed the following musical:
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So, Diane, you like musicals, eh?
Yes, I do... Talking about Victor Hugo, is he famous even in Japan?
Oh, yes! When I was a kid, I read a story about the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean.
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Did you like it?
I didn't like it too much, but one scene was clearly implanted into my mind.
What kind of scene is that?
Well... Valjean, using the alias Monsieur Madeleine, has become a wealthy factory owner and is appointed mayor of a certain town. Walking down the street, he sees a man named Fauchelevent pinned under the wheels of a cart. When no one volunteers to lift the cart, even for pay, he decides to rescue Fauchelevent himself. He crawls underneath the cart, manages to lift it, and frees him.
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The town's police inspector, Inspector Javert, who was an adjutant guard at the Bagne of Toulon during Valjean's incarceration, becomes suspicious of the mayor after witnessing this remarkable feat of strength. He has known only one other man, a convict named Jean Valjean, who could accomplish it.
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How old were you when you read it for the first time.
I was ten or eleven years old, I suppose.
So, you were an avid reader, eh?
No, not really... in those days, the story of Jean Valjean was quite popular among the children of my age... so, naturally it interested me to a great extent.
Kato, have you watched the movie lately?
Not recently, but I watched it a few years ago.
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"Actual Page"
So, you watched it on April 8, 2016, huh? ... How did you like it?
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I wasn't impressed so much as I read the original story.
Talking about Lady Hugo, is she related to Victor Hugo?
Yes, of course, she is the youngest daughter of Victor Hugo.
Adele Hugo
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(28 July 1830 - 21 April 1915)
Adele Hugo was the fifth and youngest child of French writer Victor Hugo.
She is remembered for developing schizophrenia as a young woman, which led to a romantic obsession with a British military officer who rejected her.
Her story has been retold in film and books, such as "The Story of Adele H."
Childhood
Adele Hugo was raised in a cultured, affluent home in Paris, the youngest child of Adele (nee Foucher) and Victor Hugo, France's most famous writer.
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Adele Foucher
Adele enjoyed playing the piano, and was known for her beauty and long dark hair.
She sat for portraits by several well-known Parisian artists.
In 1851, the Hugo family moved to the island of Jersey, after Victor Hugo was forced into political exile.
The family remained on the Channel Islands until 1870.
It was in Jersey that Adele met Albert Pinson, the object of her obsession.
Illness and pursuit of Albert Pinson
Signs of mental illness became apparent in Adele in 1856.
Adele became romantically involved with a British army officer, Albert Pinson.
Pinson proposed marriage to Adele in 1855, but she rejected the proposal.
Adele had a change of heart, wanting to reconcile with Pinson, but he refused to be involved any further with Adele.
Pinson continued his military career, being sent to the Sixteenth Foot Regiment in Bedfordshire in 1856, where he seldom saw Adele.
Pinson then went to Ireland in 1858, upon promotion to lieutenant, where he was stationed until 1861.
Despite Pinson's rejection, she continued pursuing him.
Pinson developed a reputation for living a "life of debauchery".
Adele followed him when he was stationed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1863.
Adele's family worried for her well-being, and tried to track her whereabouts by letters.
In 1866, Pinson was stationed to Barbados, the British colonial center in the Caribbean region.
He completely abandoned Adele when he left Barbados in 1869.
Adele did not find her way back to France until 1872, and in the interim, the Hugo family was unable to track her activities.
The mystery of Adele's life in Barbados may have been revealed in an anonymous letter to the editor—signed only "P"—published in the New-York Tribune on May 27, 1885.
The head of the Catholic mission in Trinidad, Cathonoy, gave a similar account of Adele's wretched situation in Barbados in a letter dated September 8, 1885.
He relates an incident where he met a Barbadian woman of African descent, named Madame Celine Alvarez Baa, who requested that a mass be said for Victor Hugo after news of the author's death.
Curious to know the reason for Madame Baa's interest in Victor Hugo, Cathonoy asked questions, and learned that Madame Baa had given Adele shelter when she was abandoned on Barbados, where she was known as "Madame Pinson".
Adele had been found wandering the streets, talking to herself, detached from her surroundings.
Madame Baa took the initiative to take Adele to her family in Paris.
Adele was then left in medical care.
A grateful Victor Hugo reimbursed Madame Baa for her expenses.
Erotomania
Adele's obsession was a manifestation of erotomania.
Along with her other symptoms of mental illness, including hallucinations, Adele's condition indicates schizophrenia.
The illness appeared in other members of the Hugo family.
Victor Hugo's brother Eugene was also schizophrenic.
She was ultimately sent to live in a mental institution for the affluent outside Paris.
She remained there until her death.
Out of Victor Hugo's five children, Adele was the only one who outlived him.
Much of what is known about Adele's life and her pursuit of Pinson comes from her diaries and letters.
Adele kept a journal while she lived on Jersey and Guernsey, which she titled Journal de l'Exil (Diary of the Exile).
She stopped keeping a diary by the time she landed in Barbados, due to her mental deterioration.
SOURCES: "Adele Hugo"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
How come you picked up Adele Hugo all of a sudden?
Well. . . I viewed the film: "The Story of Adele H." a few years ago.
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"Actual List"
So you'd watched 1,636 movies by May 2017, hadn't you?
Yes, I had.
So, Kato, you're a flick maniac, huh?
You're telling me... Look at Number 1624 in the above list.
So you watched "The Story of Adele H" on May 1, 2017, huh?... How did you like it?
I loved viewing it, which is a quite amazing movie.
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"Actual Page"
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Kato's Comment
This is a 1975 French historical docudrama directed by Francois Truffaut, based on Adele Hugo's diaries.
It shows the life of Adele Hugo, the daughter of world-famous Victor Hugo, whose obsessive unrequited love for a military officer leads to her downfall and insanity.
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Her father places her in an asylum in Saint-Mande, where she lives for the next forty years.
She gardens, plays the piano and writes in her journal.
Adele Hugo died in Paris in 1915 at the age of 85.
Although it is an heartbreaking drama, the film almost appears like a dramedy when Adele views the show of a greedy hypnotizer.
At the time I laughed my head off to death.
Superb is the performance of 20-year-old Isabelle Adjani as Adele Hugo.
Did you really laugh your head off to death?
Well... of course, I exaggerated a bit, but the scene appeared quite hilarious... You should view the movie.
I think I'm gonna book the DVD.
You'd better hurry... Four people are still waiting...
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Himiko's Monologue
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Well..., have you ever watched the movie of the Jean Valjean story?
If you speak Japanese, there is a Japanese version.
Here it is.
The following movie was made in 1950.
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Jean Valjean is played by Sessue Hayakawa ( 㽧 1889-1973) who starred in Japanese, American, French, German, and British films.
Hayakawa was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood during the silent era of the 1910s and 1920s.
He was the first actor of Asian descent to find stardom as a leading man in the United States and Europe.
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His broodingly handsome good looks and typecasting as a sexually dominant villain made him a heartthrob among American women during a time of racial discrimination, and he became one of the first male sex symbols of Hollywood.
During those years, Hayakawa was as well-known and popular as Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, although today his name is largely unknown to the public.
In any case, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
(dianesun.jpg)
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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2023ǯ0624
Fireflies
Fireflies
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Kato, how come you bring up fireflies in these spring days? . . .
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Well . . . Good question! . . . I've got a long story to answer your question.
Then make it short and tell me about it.
I wrote the following story:
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Popes@Spotlight
Yes, I know you did.
You viewed "The Two Popes" at the Vancouver International Film Festival, didn't you?
Yes, I did. . . It is one of the best movies I've watched these days.
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Is the above film that good?
Oh yes, believe me. . . I swear to God it's that good.
Actually, I read the following article the other day.
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Zoom In
Actual Article
As you see, The Two Popes was nominated for the 2020 Golden Globe award.
So was Marriage Story.
Yes, both films were shown at the VIFF.
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Kato, have you watched The Two Popes yet?
No, I haven't. . . As you know, I made a request so that the library would hold the DVD for the movie.
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Are you gonna wait till the library gets the DVD?
Yes, I am.
Kato, . . . It will take some time for the library to get one. . . You can watch "The Two Popes" at Vancity Theater on Seymour Street.
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Really? . . . Anyway, I searched the library catalog for both movies, but I could find none of those movies. . . So, I viewed the following movie.
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"ZOOM IN"
"ACTUAL PAGE"
My Comment
December 12, 2019
Written and directed by Isao Takahata in 1998 based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka, this animated war film depicts the lives of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko as well as their desperate struggle to survive during the final months of the Second World War.
It turns out a profoundly gripping, haunting and achingly sad anti-war drama.
Are you saying that the above movie has something to do with "The Two Popes"?
Oh no. . . I chose it simply because I read the original short story written by Akiyuki Nosaka. . .
I see. . . Is the story well-known in Japan.
Yes, it is. . . Actually, Nosaka won the Naoki Prize for best popular literature for this story and "American Hijiki", which was published a month before. . . Both short stories along with four others were bundled as a book in 1968.
Then Isao Takahata directed the anime based on the short story, huh?
That's right. . . The film was released on April 16, 1988, over twenty years from the publication of the original work.
I see. . . How does it go?
It goes like this:
Grave of the Fireflies
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PLOT
On 21 September 1945, shortly after the end of World War II, a teenage boy named Seita dies of starvation in a Kobe train station.
A janitor sorts through his possessions and finds a candy tin, which he throws into a field.
The spirit of Seita's younger sister, Setsuko, springs
from the tin and is joined by Seita's spirit and a cloud of fireflies.
They board a train.
Some months earlier, Seita and Setsuko's house is destroyed in a firebombing along with most of Kobe.
They escape unharmed, but their mother dies from severe burns.
Seita and Setsuko move in with a distant aunt, who convinces Seita to sell his mother's silk kimonos for rice.
Seita retrieves supplies he buried before the bombing and gives everything to his aunt, save for a tin of Sakuma drops.
As rations shrink and the number of refugees in the house grows, the aunt becomes resentful of the children, saying they do nothing to earn the food she prepares.
Seita and Setsuko leave and move into an abandoned bomb shelter.
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They release fireflies into the shelter for light.
The next day, Setsuko is horrified to find that the insects have died.
She buries them in a grave, asking why they and her mother had to die.
As they run out of rice, Seita steals from farmers and loots homes during air raids, for which he is beaten.
When Setsuko falls ill, Seita takes her to a doctor, who explains that she is suffering from malnutrition.
Desperate, Seita withdraws all the money in their mother's bank account.
As he leaves the bank, he becomes distraught when he learns that Japan has surrendered.
He also learns that his father, a captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy, is most likely dead, as most of Japan's navy has been sunk.
Seita returns to the shelter with a large quantity of food, but finds Setsuko hallucinating - she assumes that a few marbles she finds are the previously mentioned Sakuma drops, and offers Seita rocks, thinking she had just made rice balls.
Seita hurries to feed her, but she dies as he finishes preparing the food, and she herself falls asleep.
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Seita cremates Setsuko's body and her stuffed doll in a straw casket.
He carries her ashes in the candy tin along with his father's photograph, and though his death is never explicitly shown again, it can be assumed this is where everything ends for them.
Seita and Setsuko's deceased spirits arrive at their destination, healthy and happy.
Surrounded by fireflies, the siblings rest on a hilltop bench overlooking the skyline of present-day Kobe.
SOURCE: "Grave of the Fireflies"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
... seems like a sad story.
Yes, it is. . . You might cry if you see it.
Anyway, I'd like to watch the film.
You can see the trailer here.
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Himiko's Monologue
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The following clip is a live-action TV drama of "Grave of the Fireflies", made by NTV in Japan.
It was produced in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Like the anime, the live-action version of "Grave of the Fireflies" focuses on two siblings struggling to survive the final days of the war in Kobe, Japan.
Unlike the animated version, it tells the story from the point of view of their cousin (the aunt's daughter) and deals with the issue of how the war-time environment could change a kind lady into a hard-hearted woman.
It stars Nanako Matsushima as the aunt, as well as Mao Inoue as their cousin.
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Wnat do you think about the above movie?
You don't like a war-time story, do you?
Well... here's a mood-changing clip just for you.
Gess what?... You can now laugh to the last tears.
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Mr. Mathane
In any road, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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2023ǯ0524
Cherry and Silk
Cherry and Silk
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Kato, do you like cherry and silk, don't you?
Yes, I do. How about you, Diane?
I like both. Actually, I love a cheesecake with cherry topping.
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Oh, do you? ...me, too.
And I like to wear my favorite silk dress.
Yes, yes, yes..., I know, I know.
Then how come you've brought up cherry and silk today?
Look at the following picture again.
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Take a close look at the above picture! Now, what comes up in your mind?
Well ... a geisha girl standing by the cherry trees, isn't she?
Is that all you've come up with?
Tell me, Kato, what else you expect me to come up with?
"The Cherry Orchard"
The cherry orchard...? Where is it? In Stanley Park? Which orchard are you talking about?
I'm talking about a play called "The Cherry Orchard," which was written in 1903 by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.
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Diane, have you ever seen the above play?
No, I don't think so.
Well ... I've pasted the video clip here for you. Why don't you take a look at Part 1 of the play.
Kato, this play is too old. It was written in 1903, wasn't it?
Yes, it was, but it is still quite famous. Besides, this play gave a big influence to Eugene O'Neill, George Bernard Shaw and Arthur Miller.
Oh, did it? I didn't know that. In any case, people nowadays don't talk much about the above play any more, do they?
I guess not.
Then how come you've brought up the above play?
Well ... the title of the play reminds me of the following picture.
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Are you saying that a geisha girl shows up in the above play?
No, I'm not. As far as I know, a Japanese geisha doesn't show up in the play.
But the above picture shows a Japanese geisha girl, doesn't it?
Yes, it does. Actually, Anton Chekhov was once impressed profoundly by a certain Japanese girl.
Are you sure, Kato? I've never heard that Anton Chekhov went to Japan.
No, he never went to Japan.
Then what makes you think that Chekhov was once impressed by a certain Japanese girl?
Anton Chekhov recalled a certain Japanese woman at his death bed.
How do you know?
... 'Cause I was at his death bed in my dream.
Don't be foolish, Kato! I'm quite serious. By the way, what brought up Anton Chekhov in the first place?
Good question! The other day, I borrowed the following DVD from Vancouver Public Library.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
So, you viewed the above DVD on May 8, 2013---ten years ago, and then jotted down the long comment, didn't you?
Yes, I did. It is an amazing and fascinating movie.
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This is a 2007 film directed by François Girard, a French-Canadian director, based on the novel written by Alessandro Baricco, an Italian author.
It is a story of a French silkworm merchant-turned-smuggler named Hervé Joncour in 19th century France who travels to Japan for his town's supply of silkworms after a disease wipes out their African supply.
Before the journey, he gets married to Hélène, a teacher and keen gardener.
He loves her so much.
During his stay in Japan, however, he becomes obsessed with the concubine (played by Sei Ashina: ̾ ) of a local baron.
On his first visit to the secluded village in the Northern part of Japanese mainland, she handed him a note, which reads in Japanese: "Come back or I shall die."
She appears mysteriously attractive. Hervé Joncour never knows her name.
The concubine seems attracted to this silkworm smuggler, yet she introduces a girl to him one night, instead of sleeping with him herself.
His obsession somewhat puzzles me because he has never communicated with the concubine verbally---let alone sexually.
In any case, his obsession is so strong that he seems to do anything to meet her again, but to no avail.
Then he receives a long letter from the mysterious concubine, written in Japanese.
He takes the letter to Madame Blanche for translation, who agrees, providing he never comes to see her again.
Madame Blanche is a Japanese woman whose French merchant-husband has been long dead.
As a owner-and-manager of a high-class brothel, she lives in Lyon, a city in east-central France, and she is known for giving the small blue flowers that she wears to her clients.
The letter is a deeply moving declaration of love.
After his three journeys to Japan, his wife becomes ill and eventually dies.
Hervé finds a tribute of small, blue flowers on her grave.
He seeks out Madame Blanche once more, believing her to have written the letter, but Madame Blanche has moved to Paris without giving him a new address.
Hervé Joncour almost knocks at every door in Paris to find Madame Blanche, and finally he meets her.
Madame Blanche reveals a profound secret to him.
This is a big twist in this film.
I'd better not tell you about it.
After this revelation, Madame Blanche tells him that, more than anything, his wife loved him.
Too late, Hervé finally realizes that it was Hélène who was his true love after all.
It is a poetic film and really moving.
The Japanese scenery is authentic because it was filmed in a secluded part outside the city center of Sakata (Ļԡ).
You might be convinced that obsession is not love, but that it's more like illusion. Love is real and it's more like devotion.
I see... So you jotted down a rather philosophical comment at the very end, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
But I don't see any connection between the above movie and Anton Chekhov. Does Chekhov have anything to do with the above movie?
Yes, of course, he does. Otherwise, I wouldn't have talked about him in the first place.
Tell me, then, what on earth makes you think that the above movie has something to do with Anton Chekhov.
Obsession! ... That's it... Hervé Joncour was obsessed with the mysterious concubine. Likewise, Anton Chekhov became obsessed with a certain Japanese woman.
Who the heck is that certain Japanese woman?
Read the following excerpt.
Chekhov died on July 15, 1904 after the Russo-Japanese War began in February.
Three days before his death, he wrote a letter to his friend: "Japan will probably lose the war, and I'm sad thinking about Japan's defeat."
When he reached the end of his life, Chekhov muttered "A Japanese woman ..."
But nobody understood his following words.
Mrs. Chekhov let him sip a bit of champagne.
He said to his doctor, "I'm gonna die" in German.
Then he looked up at his wife and said with a faint smile, "I haven't tasted champagne for a long time, haven't I?"
He slowly took the last breath and died quietly.
It was 3 o'clock in the morning.
Chekhov had never come to Japan, yet he muttered about a Japanese woman.
Why?
I was profoundly puzzled.
Later when I happened to read a book titled "Chekhov and Japan" written by Nobuyuki Nakamoto, I felt that I'd solved the mystery.
In the spring of 1890, Chekhov traveled to Sakhalin, and on his way back he dropped in at Blagoveshchensk---a town along the Amur River near the Chinese border.
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Something happened on June 26, 1980.
The next day, Chekhov wrote a letter to his writer-friend.
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Japanese women seem to understand shame in a peculiar way.
When I went to bed with this Japanese woman, she didn't put out the light.
When I asked a series of salacious questions, she answered rather frankly---unlike Russian women who are pretentious with airs and graces.
She smiled constantly without much talking.
When it came to the love-making, she showed such exquisite manners and techniques that you would feel as if you were riding an expertly-trained horse rather than going to bed with a hooker.
Once it was over, she grasped my little dick lovingly and wiped it with soft tissues taken out from the sleeve of her kimono.
It was a grateful surprise, indeed.
Oh, I'm in love with Amur.
I wish I could live here for another two years.
... beautiful, spacious, and free and warm.
In France and Switzerland, I've never even once tasted the freedom like this.
At that time, in Siberia Primorye, there were a number of "Karayuki-san" or "Japanese hookers in foreign-land."
Chekhov certainly met one of those Japanese women.
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This woman inspired an image of warmth and tenderness in Chekhov, and later led to a creation of the play: "The Cherry Orchard."
It was this modest yet unforgettable Japanese woman who taught Chekhov the beauty of pure white cherry.
(translated by Kato; pictures from Denman Library)
SOURCE:
pp.237-239 "Take a Walk in History"
Published in April 15, 2010
Author: Kazutoshi Handou
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So, Kato, you're saying that Chekhov was obsessed with this Japanese woman, aren't you?
Yes, I am.
Quite interesting, isn't it? Hervé Joncour didn't have sex with the concubine, yet he was quite obsessed with the mysterious woman. On the contrary, Chekhov seems to have attracted to the exquisite manners and techniques of the Karayuki-san.
Yes, you're right on, Diane. Hervé Joncour looks like a man who tends to look at the spiritual side while Chekhov seems like a man who focuses on the technical side.
Tell me, Kato, which woman you prefer to become obsessed with---the concubine or the hooker in foreign land?
It's hard to tell, but I'd say both.
Himiko's Monologue
"Karayuki-san (Ԥ)" were Japanese women who traveled to East Asia and Southeast Asia in the second half of the 19th century to work as prostitutes.
It literally means "Ms. Gone-to-China."
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Karayuki-san in Siberia
Many of these women were said to have originated from the Amakusa Islands of Kumamoto Prefecture, which had a large and long-stigmatized Japanese Christian community.
Many of the women who went overseas to work as karayuki-san were the daughters of poor farming or fishing families.
The mediators who arranged for the women to go overseas would search for those of appropriate age in poor farming communities and pay their parents, telling them they were going overseas on public duty.
The mediators would then make money by passing the girls onto people in the prostitution industry.
With the money the mediators received, some would go on to set up their own overseas brothels.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Amazing Two-legged Pooch"
"Asexual Thought"
"At a Crossroads"
"Banana @ Eden"
"Biker Babe & Granny"
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"Bird In A Cage"
"Botchan & Glenn Gould"
"Bye Bye Trump"
"Covent Garden"
"Diane Chatterley"
"Eight the Dog"
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"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Fjiyama Geisha"
"Glorious Summer"
"Halifax to Vancouver"
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"God Is Coming!"
"Golden Shower"
"Hitler and Trump"
"Hot October"
"Killer Floods"
"Mistery of Dimension"
Hi, I'm June Adams.
"The Cherry Orchard" concerns an aristocratic Russian woman and her family as they return to the family's estate, which includes a large and well-known cherry orchard, just before it is auctioned to pay the mortgage.
While presented with options to save the estate, the family essentially does nothing and the play ends with the estate being sold to the son of a former serf, and the family leaving to the sound of the cherry orchard being cut down.
Introduction to
"The Cherry Orchard"
The story presents themes of cultural futility---both the futility of the aristocracy to maintain its status and the futility of the bourgeoisie to find meaning in its newfound materialism.
In reflecting the socio-economic forces at work in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, including the rise of the middle class after the abolition of serfdom in the mid-19th century and the sinking of the aristocracy, the play reflects forces at work around the globe in that period.
2023ǯ0424
From Gyoda to Vancouver
From Gyoda to Vancouver
Subj:
Hello from Gyoda!
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane03760@vancouver.ca
Date: Sat., October 1, 2011 12:42:32 AM
Hi, Diane. How's it going?
I've been enjoying the stay in my hometown.
It's like summer again.
Hot and humid. Awful!
But I cannot complain because my hometown is so sweet.
You might ask how sweet...
So I've written an article about it.
Please click the following link:
"From Canada to Japan"
I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Your truly skinny tourist,
Kato
Subj:I miss you!
From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Oct 4, 2011 8:25 am
Hi Kato,
Well... you snuck out of town when we weren't looking, didn't you?
Hope you're having a good time in your home town.
I WILL look at the article and video clips, probably tomorrow and I'm excited to see it.
I'm rushing off now to the VIFF.
Here's sexuality.
An open mind is advised!
It's always one of the highlights for me and I've been known to see 24plus movies in a two week span ... not so many this year, though.
I can't keep up the pace! So far so good.
I told Sylvie you were in Japan and she wasn't surprised at all.
I'll tell her you'll be back at your post on October 28th.
...most likely we'll all be here like always.
By the way, Kato, a friend of mine sent me the following video clip:
BOATLIFT, An Untold Tale of
9/11 Resilience
The 9/11 attack happened a long time ago, but it is always a thought-provoking incident.
I hope the above clip will give you an inspiration or two.
In any case, have fun in your home town, kiddo,
Thanks again,
Love, Diane ~
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Diane, are you enjoying the film festival in Vancouver?
Yes, of course, I do...I always enjoy it to the bone.
So, have you seen lots of sexiuality movies?
Kato, you're preoccupied by sex, aren't you?
No, not really...since you've pasted the salacious video clip in the above mail, I thought you had seen many sex-related movies.
Well...they say, an open mind is advised, but there aren't many sex-related movies. Kato, are you inetersted in sex-related movies?
I wanna watch movies like "Lady Chatterley's Lover."
Unfortunately, I couldn't see such a movie, but there are so many interesting films. I wish you wrere here in Vancouver. Kato, are you enjoying the stay in your home town?
Yes, of course, I am...My hometown, Gyoda, is definitely sweet to me.
Gyōda (Ļ)
Gyōda is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 87,089, with 33,570 households and a population density of 1,292.70 persons per km².
The total area is 67.37 km².
The city was founded on May 3, 1949.
On January 1, 2006 the village of Minamikawara, from Kitasaitama District, was merged into Gyōda.
Transport
Gyōda Station (JR East Takasaki Line)
Gyōdashi Station (Chichibu Railway)
Sakitama Kofun Park
Sakitama Kofun Park is a 300,000-square-meter historic park dotted with large ancient tombs, including a tomb of ancient potentates on Mt. Maruhaka-yama, one of the largest round burial mounds in Japan.
Maruhaka-yama
At Mt. Shogun-yama, a 91-meter-long burial mound that is square at the head and rounded at the foot, there is a display room of its interior where the stone cave hut and excavated articles have been restored to their original conditions in the 5th to 7th centuries.
Every spring, residents celebrate a fire festival, which symbolizes the myth that the ancient goddess of Japan gave birth in fire.
Ancient Lotus
Gyoda City is proud of its ancient lotuses that grow in the Kobari Marsh.
The seeds of ancient lotuses here, estimated to date back 1,400 to 3,000 years, were found by chance during excavation for the building of a waste disposal facility.
After a few thousand years of dormancy, they awoke and germinated.
The large pink blossoms bloom only in the morning for about a month from mid-July after the close of the rainy season.
Ancient Lotus Park
Oshi Castle (Oshi-jo) was built by the daimyo Narita Akiyasu near the end of the 15th century.
It was considered impregnable, and was built using the natural levee of the surrounding marshlands and river.
When it was attacked by the army of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century) it was besieged by over 20,000 soldiers.
The castle did not fall even when it was flooded by water drawn in from the nearby river.
After that it was rumored that the castle had been able to withstand the flood because it floats on water.
The largest turret in Oshi Castle is Gosankai Yagura, although it was demolished in the latter half of the 19th century when political power changed from the Edo shogunate to the Meiji government, due to its condemnation as a symbol of the samurai.
The existing turret was reconstructed in 1988.
Culture
Gyōda is renowned for its Jeri Furai or fried jelly.
This is a local speciality consisting of fried bean curd, carrots, onion, and potato.
There are many shops which sell it around town, especially during the warmer seasons.
Gyōda is also quite well known for the making of traditional tabi socks, worn with kimono.
Gyoda still makes half of the tabi made in Japan.
SOURCE:Gyōda, Saitama
From Wikipedia
PICTURES from the Denman Library
I wish I could see ancient lotus flowers, which are so beautiful.
Yes, indeed, the flowers are so charming, and the people living in Gyoda are proud of the ancient flowers.
Kato, I'm wondering if you're actually in Japan now.
Are you thinking that I've told you a fib?
No, not really, but I feel you're somewhere in Vancouver.
What made you think so?
Well...I just feel your presence somewhere anound here.
That's because you've always been thinking of me. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ....
I wish I were in your home town to see lotus flowers together.
Oh, yes, Diane...you're in Gyoda.
Nonsense! I'm in Vancouver now. The Pacific Ocean is between you and me, Kato.
Yes, but you are with me. Whenever you feel like being in Japan, view the following video clip:
Himiko's Monologue
Wow! Did you see the VIFF video clip?
I think it's a bit obscene and salacious.
Here is a trailer for another famous sexy movie:
Emmanuelle 1 - Ouverture
My heart throbbed like mad while I watched the above clip.
Sexuality is one thing; romance is another.
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
～ϥ～～!
ˤʤϢ
ؤ줤ˤʤäȴ
塦Ĥޤ
ؤäѤäܻˡ
Livedoor Blog - ֥
Ƴڤʪ
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
غΩĥۥåȤʾ
ءФԤˤʡ롡
Hi, I'm June Adames.
I like Sylvia Kristel's Lady Chatterley.
Talking of Sylvia Kristel, you might as well remember Lady Emmanuelle.
Emmanuelle 2: L'antivierge
Sylvia Kristel (1975)
Well...if you love to visit Paris,
please enjoy the Paris theme:
Sous le ciel de Paris
by Édith Piaf
I like Chanson Française (French song).
How about you?
Kato also love Édith Piaf,
but he considers Juliette Greco's
"Sous le Ciel de Paris" much beter.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Juliette Greco
I believe Yves Montand's "Sous le Ciel de Paris" is the best of all.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Yves Montand
I love Paris, but Vancouver isn't bad at all.
To tell you the truth, Vancouver is a paradise to me.
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إʪ٤ޤ
⤷εޤȤɤߤʤС
ΥåƤ͡
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2023ǯ0415
Love & Loyalty
Love & Loyalty
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Is monogamy really the best answer?
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From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane706@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tues., Mar 25, 2014 5:18PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Diane,
How are you doing?
So, Diane, you enjoyed the new Helen Lawrence production as well as the Floyd Collins musical, didn't you?
In any case, I've just written an article about "Mari's Bagels."
Please click the following link:
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"Mari's Bagels"
I hope you'll enjoy the above article!
By the way, I read an interesting article of "24 hours" community newspaper the other day.
It is about "Modern Love."
Is monogamy really the best answer?
It reads like this:
Sue Johnson is a psychological professor at the University of Ottawa and after decades of neuroscience research into human emotion, claims that just like the bond parents have with their offspring, monogamous love makes sense as a survival code.
According to Johnson, humans are not wired to face the world alone.
Our brains are designed to use the people we love as physiological and emotional safety cues to make the world a safer place.
To quote Johnson, "Secure attachment---having one other person you can count on as an adult---is related to almost every index of good functioning, happiness and health."
Johnson says that social isolation can be detrimental to our health, citing increased risk of anxiety, strokes and heart attacks as side effects to loneliness.
Johnson claims that because we no longer live in small, close knit communities, "People now often depend on romantic love as their main source of social support."
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She explains that the trouble with polyamorous relationships is they don't fulfil our physiological bonding need to have "one person that we depend on, that we come first with."
hum, hum, hum ... sounds naturally reasonable, doesn't it?
But ...
So, Diane, what do you think about it?
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
(kato3.gif)
(2004fs.gif)
Subj:I need the presence of
another loving person.
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From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tues., Mar 25, 2014 7:03PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi my smiling Bohemian, Kato,
Thanks so much for the above article.
... sure hope you make a good friend of Mari when she moves to Vancouver.
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Interestingly enough, I did read that article by Sue Johnson and do believe she's on to something.
Actually, I've always believed that we are stronger together in this world with another to call our partner.
Having said that, though, some folks seem to do just fine.
I have a girlfriend who has been single for years & years and seems to be as happy as punch.
She has many and varied interests, a few friends, lots of peace & quiet and wants nothing further.
So, for her, it's a good life indeed.
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For me, I too like my alone time, but also seem to need the presence of another loving person.
So for me having a boyfriend, but not actually living with him, even though he dearly wishes it, seems to be the answer of the moment.
How about for you?
Are you having some thoughts about your new friend and what that might mean to your life?
Hope so, actually ... might just be what the doctor ordered, as they say here in Canada.
Thanks again,
(dianelin3.jpg)
Love, Diane
So, Diane, you too like your alone time, but also need the presence of another loving person, eh?
Most definitely. How about you, Kato?
Well ... in Japanese, "human being" is written as "among people (ʹ)." So it is obvious that you can't live alone. In this sense, anyone needs the presence of another loving person, I suppose. But some people need the presence of more than one loving person.
Polyamorous relationships, huh?
That's right. By the way, Diane, the article you read contains the following passage:
Although life is easier when you have someone rooting for you, I'm hesitant to agree that monogamy is the only answer.
Johnson's theories discount the fact that humans can receive emotional support from other people besides their partner.
As for Johnson's assertion that couples in monogamous relationships have more satisfying sex lives, I'm sure many polyamorous people would argue that their sex lives are just as fulfilling, meaningful and scorching hot as those of monogamous couples.
(harem2b.gif)
Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha present scientific and anthropological evidence that humans evolved from small-scale, egalitarian societies where partners were often interchanged---therefore, pointing to the fact that monogamy maybe isn't as "natural" as we have been led to believe.
However, I like to think that one of the byproducts of our evolution is personal choice.
Instead of trying to set ourselves into a set of binary categories, we should choose the relationship style that feels best to us at any given point in our lives whether that's monogamy, polyamory or something in between.
(comic picture from Denman Library)
SOURCE: "Modern Love"
Thuesday, March 20, 2014
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/shesaid/
Quite interesting, isn't it? I like the idea that we should choose the relationship style that feels best to us at any given point in our lives whether that's monogamy, polyamory or something in between.
Yes, yes, yes, ... I agree with you, Diane. But some people are really moved to know that a certain couple are amazingly loyal to each other.
Oh ... ? Are you sure about that?
Yes, of course. The other day, I viewed the following movie.
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"Actual Library Catalogue"
The Lost Valentine (Trailer)
So, Kato, you want me to see this movie, don't you?
Oh, yeeessss..., most definitely...'cause this is the kind of movies you'd love to see.
How do you know?
'Cause I've been talking with you on the net since 2011.
No kidding!
Seeing those articles written in the past is believing! And believe me, Diane, you would cry for joy once you're through the movie.
Well ... if you say so, I'll borrow the DVD from Joe Fortes Library. So, Kato, you value a loyal love more than anything else, huh?
Yes and no, I'd say.
Why is that?
It depends... You see, Diane, life is a matter of choice...
Originally posted on: April 01, 2014
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Himiko's Monologue
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"The Lost Valentine" is an emotionally-charged excellent movie.
I cried when I saw Caroline come across the coffin of her deceased husband at Union Station.
Oh, what a heart-wrenching story it is!
But I loved it.
I'm pretty sure that you'd love it, too.
Please run to the nearest library or video rental shop, and borrow one of the DVDs.
I believe that you wouldn't regret it.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
javascript:void(0)
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Hi, I'm June Adames.
I really enjoyed seeing "The Lost Valentine."
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The film ends with Caroline, who has found peace and closure, seeing that the rosebush Neil had planted long ago in their garden has a new single bloom, the first in a long time.
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This incident seems to imply a long-lasting love, as she remembers her romantic moments with Neil in the same garden, to the sound of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" playing on the radio.
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2023ǯ0324
From Canada to Japan
From Canada to Japan
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Subj:
Hello from Japan!
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane03760@vancouver.ca
Date: Mon., September 26, 2011 1:53:53 PM
Hi, Diane. How's it going?
One of those lousy rainy days, eh!
However, I feel quite upbeat.
You know why?
Well, if you read my article, you'll know for sure.
I'll include the important message for you at the end of the article.
Anyway, I'm sure, you enjoyed "Lady Chatterley's Lover",
and I've written about it again.
Please click the following link.
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"Diane Chatterley"
I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Your truly skinny admirer,
Kato
(dianesun)
Subj:I miss you!
From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Fri, Sep 30, 2011 9:56 am
Hi Kato,
How's it going? Have you really taken off for a trip to Japan?!
Haven't seen you for days now, so maybe you have.
We all miss you and hope you get back to Vancouver real soon, kiddo.
You should have told us so we could have thrown you a farewell party!
Thanks for all of this on Lady Chatterley's Lover.
Wow! What an amazing DVD.
I don't quite agree with Pascadle Ferran's assertion, though, that the story is basically about love and not sex.
Certainly there are the themes of class and adultery and integrity and such, but basically I saw it as a drawing together of two healthy people who were ready for some good old-fashioned sex...later the tenderness and love, and much later after we no longer are watching, perhaps the wholeness and such ... but basically this was just one hot sex film.
Wonderfully done, though; powerful and palpable and exciting.
Brilliant, really. So glad you mentioned this a few weeks ago.
Of course, you know you are leading me astray.
Thanks again.
You're just getting to be a better writer every day.
Love, Diane ~
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Kato, how come you did't tell me about your trip?
Well...I didn't want to bother you.
C'mon, Kato. Don't be so narrow-minded. Be friendly. We could have thrown you a farewell party!
That means, you would've wasted your time.
Oh no...that's nonsense. As I told you, face-to-face intercourse is the most important of all.
Diane, you need liberation from the rigid reality. You and I are always together in the heart-to-heart communication.
Well..., anyway, Kato, are you enjoying your stay in your hometown?
Yes, most definitely, I am.
Where is your hometown?
My hometown, Gyoda, is about 60 km from Tokyo.
Gyōda (Ļ)
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Gyōda is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 87,089, with 33,570 households and a population density of 1,292.70 persons per km².
The total area is 67.37 km².
The city was founded on May 3, 1949.
On January 1, 2006 the village of Minamikawara, from Kitasaitama District, was merged into Gyōda.
Transport
Gyōda Station (JR East Takasaki Line)
Gyōdashi Station (Chichibu Railway)
Sakitama Kofun Park
Sakitama Kofun Park is a 300,000-square-meter historic park dotted with large ancient tombs, including a tomb of ancient potentates on Mt. Maruhaka-yama, one of the largest round burial mounds in Japan.
Maruhaka-yama
At Mt. Shogun-yama, a 91-meter-long burial mound that is square at the head and rounded at the foot, there is a display room of its interior where the stone cave hut and excavated articles have been restored to their original conditions in the 5th to 7th centuries.
Every spring, residents celebrate a fire festival, which symbolizes the myth that the ancient goddess of Japan gave birth in fire.
Ancient Lotus
Gyoda City is proud of its ancient lotuses that grow in the Kobari Marsh.
The seeds of ancient lotuses here, estimated to date back 1,400 to 3,000 years, were found by chance during excavation for the building of a waste disposal facility.
After a few thousand years of dormancy, they awoke and germinated.
The large pink blossoms bloom only in the morning for about a month from mid-July after the close of the rainy season.
Ancient Lotus Park
Oshi Castle (Oshi-jo) was built by the daimyo Narita Akiyasu near the end of the 15th century.
It was considered impregnable, and was built using the natural levee of the surrounding marshlands and river.
When it was attacked by the army of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century) it was besieged by over 20,000 soldiers.
The castle did not fall even when it was flooded by water drawn in from the nearby river.
After that it was rumored that the castle had been able to withstand the flood because it floats on water.
The largest turret in Oshi Castle is Gosankai Yagura, although it was demolished in the latter half of the 19th century when political power changed from the Edo shogunate to the Meiji government, due to its condemnation as a symbol of the samurai.
The existing turret was reconstructed in 1988.
Culture
Gyōda is renowned for its Jeri Furai or fried jelly.
This is a local specialty consisting of fried bean curd, carrots, onion, and potato.
There are many shops which sell it around town, especially during the warmer seasons.
Gyōda is also quite well known for the making of traditional tabi socks, worn with kimono.
Gyoda still makes half of the tabi made in Japan.
SOURCE:Gyōda, Saitama
From Wikipedia
PICTURES from the Denman Library
I wonder if the lotus is really ancient?
Believe me, Diane, the people living in Gyoda are in fact proud of the ancient flowers.
But I can hardly believe that the flower bloomed after a thousand-year sleep.
You believe it or not, after a few thousand years of sleep, the lotus awoke and germinated.
Amazing! By the way, Kato, when are you coming back to Vancouver?
I'll return on the first of November.
So, you'll stay in your hometown for a month, won't you?
Yes, I will.
Why didn't you take me with you in the first place?
Diane, you need liberation from the rigid reality. You and I are always together in the heart-to-heart communication.
Nonsense! I wish I were in your hometown.
Yes, yes, yes,... you are with me. Whenever you feel like being in Japan, view the following video clips:
Himiko's Monologue
Wow! Did you see the official trailer of "LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER"?
I think it's a bit obscene and salacious---especially when both make love in the woods.
LADY CHATTERLEY
de Pascale Ferran (2006)
Constance (Lady Chatterley) mounted on the thighs of the gamekeeper, Oliver Mellors.
She absorbed in the oozing sensation.
Oh, what a sensual scene!
Don't you think so?
My heart throbbed like mad while I watched the above trailer.
Unity between mind and body is one thing; romance is another.
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
(biker302.jpg)
"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
～ϥ～～!
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غΩĥۥåȤʾ
ءФԤˤʡ롡
Hi, I'm June Adames.
I like Sylvia Kristel's Lady Chatterley.
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Talking of Sylvia Kristel, you might as well
remember Lady Emmanuelle.
Emmanuelle 1 - Ouverture
Emmanuelle 2: L'antivierge
Sylvia Kristel (1975)
Well...if you love to visit Paris,
please enjoy the Paris theme:
Sous le ciel de Paris
by Édith Piaf
I like Chanson Française (French song).
How about you?
Kato also love Édith Piaf,
but he considers Juliette Greco's
"Sous le Ciel de Paris" much beter.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Juliette Greco
I believe Yves Montand's "Sous le Ciel de Paris" is the best of all.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Yves Montand
I love Paris, but Vancouver isn't bad at all.
To tell you the truth, Vancouver is a paradise to me.
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Covent Garden
Covent Garden
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Subj:What a dangerous method!
That surely made me think it over.
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From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Fri, Feb 10, 2012 5:49 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
Hi Kato,
My truly romance-loving Taliesin,
Thanks so much for all of this.
I'm going to save it so I can savor it all carefully when time allows.
I'm especially grateful for the summary of how "The Piano" ended.
I suppose Alistair finally came to the sad conclusion that Ada would not ever love him like she loved (or was attracted to) Baines and possibly he felt badly for inflicting such a permanent injury.
I think if he had made a bit more effort from the start and displayed some affection towards Ada, the outcome may have been quite different.
Truly, he would have been a better match for her, I think; rather than her ending up with an illiterate tattooed native fellow.
Ah, but attraction? ... who knows?!
Thanks again, though; I did want to know how it all wrapped up.
A Dangerous Method
2011 Official Trailer
Back to the Dangerous Method, I think the situation with her father would not necessarily be one of love (doubtful, really) or true hate, but somewhere in between.
Because she felt turned on the time he beat her, in her mind the association was formed between violence and sex---an association that, even though she was an intelligent woman, seemed to persist.
Perhaps she rose about it eventually, and it did seem she married a rather straight fellow eventually and was at least marginally happy.
Such interesting creatures we are, true?
A Dangerous Method
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A Dangerous Method is a 2011 historical film directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Vincent Cassel.
The screenplay was adapted by Academy Award-winning writer Christopher Hampton from his 2002 stage play The Talking Cure, which was based on the 1993 non-fiction book by John Kerr, A Most Dangerous Method: the story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein.
The film marks the third consecutive and overall collaboration between Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen (after A History of Violence and Eastern Promises).
This is also the third Cronenberg film made with British film producer Jeremy Thomas, after completing together the William Burroughs adaptation Naked Lunch and the J.G. Ballard adaptation Crash.
A Dangerous Method was a German/Canadian co-production.
The film premiered at The 68th Venice Film Festival and was also featured at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.
Plot
Set on the eve of World War I, A Dangerous Method is based on the turbulent relationships between Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology, Sigmund Freud, founder of the discipline of psychoanalysis, and Sabina Spielrein, initially a patient of Jung and later a physician and one of the first female psychoanalysts.
SOURCE: "A Dangerous Method"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I think Jung was happy with his marriage as well; both Jung and Sabina had a close working association, both were exploring the mind and its workings, so they had a lot in common to start; the affair, the sex, the violence was an exciting secret and additional turn-on for both of them, but not truly necessary for their long-term happiness.
That's just my take on it.
Perhaps I'm out in left-field.
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"Electra Complex"
(February 10, 2012)
Wow! Thanks again for all this,
I'm looking forward to reviewing the entire message later,
Have a good weekend, kiddo,
I'm going to a Homelessness Workshop tomorrow at Christ Church Cathedral with Judy Graves, the city's "voice" for the homeless in Vancouver, a woman who has sacrificed her life, really, for those in need.
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As part of the Cathedral's soup kitchen team, they wanted to give us a greater insight into the situation and look at possible solutions or at least ways to further help the needy.
Love, Diane ~
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Love, Diane ~
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Subj:Hi, Diane
Have a great time
in London!
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Date: Sun., Feb. 26, 2012 4:11 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane3760@canada.ca
Hello, Diane,
I'm so glad to know that you'll visit London.
I was over there about 15 years ago.
I wish I could go there with you again.
some day... some day... ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ...
I've been reading many books regarding "Madame Butterfly" since I received your last mail about "A Dangerous Method."
I was too busy reading those books to write my articles in English.
How come Sabina went through kinky sex life?
I read a book titled "Butterfly" written by Paul Loewen.
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According to the author, Paul Loewen lived in Heidelberg during the World War II.
One day, while listening to a record of the opera "Madame Butterfly," his mother became upset unusually.
When she calmed down eventually, she revealed the secrets of her upbringing.
A Japanese women who became a model of Madame Butterfly had, in fact, a daughter, not a son.
The girl would later married a German doctor who had been a consultant at a hospital in Tokyo.
Four years later she gave birth to a baby boy.
That woman is his mother and the boy is the author---Paul Loewen.
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That's what the preface says.
When Loewen learned that the daughter of the so-called Madame Butterfly was his mother, he had a strong interest in the true story of his grandparents.
After the World War II, he had the opportunity to visit Japan in the United-Nations-related work.
In Nagasaki, he discovered the memoirs and letters of the late Pinkerton.
Because the contents of the notes and letters were decadent and sexual, they were not published at the time.
However, in the wake of the death of his mother in 1976, he decided to publish by editing the materials discovered in Nagasaki as well as the diary of Sharpless obtained in the United States in order to reveal the true story of his grandparents.
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In the past years, many researchers have tried to find the model of Madame Butterfly of the opera.
Did the model ever exist?
If so, who was she?
This mystery has not been clearly elucidated until now.
Although the discovered materials are certainly suspicious and indeed lacking in credibility, Loewen's literary Work-up seems quite effective in the sense that the reader really looks forward to the mystery and wants to solve it.
(puccini2.jpg)
The story begins when Kate (Kathryn Hamilton) and Henry Pinkerton were still young lovers.
Kate is a woman who combines the elegance of demeanor equipped with extraordinary intelligence and breathtaking beauty as well as delicate sensibility.
I've found several common traits between Kate and Sabina.
That's why I've been reading the related books in order to get insights into Kate's as well as Sabina's mind.
Well...so much so that I'll write an article about it, and hope you'll enjoy reading it.
I'll send another mail to you while you're enjoying your journey in London so that you will be able to read as a bit of refresher.
In any case, please have a great time in London, learn as much as possible, and experience a great deal of adventure and romance. :)
I'm looking forward to hearing fascinating and inspirational stories from you.
Your truly travel-loving Taliesin,
Kato
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:) with love
How long are you gonna stay in London?
A little bit shorter than two weeks.
Well...better than a couple of days.
I wish I could stay over there for a whole month.
Why not?
This time I'm not alone.
Oh...? With your boyfriend?
Oh no. A group of seven.
I wonder if the group has something to do with the Cathedral's soup kitchen...and, you guys are gonna help homeless people in London.
Don't be silly, Kato...not like that. We'll enjoy sightseeing and learn cultural differences...something like that.
I see. In any case I hope you'll have a great time in London.
Thank you, Kato. Why don't you join us?
Oh no, I can't. I'd rather stay in Vancouver. As I said, I wanna hear fascinating and inspirational stories from you. I'm pretty sure you'll have some adventures and romances over there. Will you not?
Don't be silly, Kato. I won't disturb other people in my group.
You don't have to disturb other people. What I'm saying is that the whole group should be able to have some adventures and romances in London.
Like what?
Like...ah...streaking in front of the Parliament.
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Don't be foolish, Kato. I'm a Christian. I shouldn't be running naked in any public place.
I thought you were open-minded.
Be serious, Kato. Streaking has nothing to do with open-mindedness. I think I should behave like a decent Canadian.
Good for you, Diane.
By the way, Kato, you mentioned that you went over to England 15 years ago.
Yes, I did.
What part of London do you recommend me to see?
Covent Garden.
Covent Garden
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It is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane.
It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as "Covent Garden".
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Lighting Design Madame Butterfly
At Royal Opera House
The district is divided by the main thoroughfare of Long Acre, north of which is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials, while the south contains the central square with its street performers and most of the elegant buildings, theaters and entertainment facilities, including the Theater Royal, Drury Lane, and the London Transport Museum.
Though mainly fields until the 16th century, the area was briefly settled when it became the heart of the Anglo-Saxon trading town of Lundenwic.
After the town was abandoned, part of the area was walled off by 1200 for use as arable land and orchards by Westminster Abbey, and was referred to as "the garden of the Abbey and Convent".
The land, now called "the Covent Garden", was seized by Henry VIII, and granted to the Earls of Bedford in 1552.
The 4th Earl commissioned Inigo Jones to build some fine houses to attract wealthy tenants. Jones designed the Italianate arcaded square along with the church of St Paul's.
The design of the square was new to London, and had a significant influence on modern town planning, acting as the prototype for the laying-out of new estates as London grew.
A small open-air fruit and vegetable market had developed on the south side of the fashionable square by 1654.
Gradually, both the market and the surrounding area fell into disrepute, as taverns, theaters, coffee-houses and brothels opened up; the gentry moved away, and rakes, wits and playwrights moved in.
By the 18th century it had become a well-known red-light district, attracting notable prostitutes.
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An Act of Parliament was drawn up to control the area, and Charles Fowler's neo-classical building was erected in 1830 to cover and help organize the market.
The area declined as a pleasure-ground as the market grew and further buildings were added: the Floral Hall, Charter Market, and in 1904 the Jubilee Market.
By the end of the 1960s traffic congestion was causing problems, and in 1974 the market relocated to the New Covent Garden Market about three miles (5 km) south-west at Nine Elms.
The central building re-opened as a shopping center in 1980, and is now a tourist location containing cafes, pubs, small shops, and a craft market called the Apple Market, along with another market held in the Jubilee Hall.
Covent Garden, with the postcode WC2, falls within the London boroughs of Westminster and Camden, and the parliamentary constituencies of Cities of London and Westminster and Holborn and St Pancreas.
The area has been served by the Piccadilly line at Covent Garden tube station since 1907; the journey from Leicester Square, at 300 yards, is the shortest in London.
Covent Garden at night
SOURCE: "Covent Garden"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
How come you recommend this part of London?
Well... you see, it was once a well-known red-light district, attracting notable prostitutes.
Don't be silly, Kato. Why should I visit the once notorious red-light district?
I don't mean, you should streak on the street of Covent Garden.
Kato!...tsk, tsk, tsk ... you, naughty brat!...you're preoccupied with streaking, aren't you? Do you really want me to run naked in London?
Oh no ... Londoners would be more than happy to see you run naked, but the reason I recommend Covent Garden is Royal Opera House.
Why is that?
You see... As I wrote in the mail, I've been reading many books regarding "Madame Butterfly" since I received your last mail about "A Dangerous Method."
So what?
Well..."Madame Butterfly" is an opera created by Giacomo Puccini.
Puccini was an Italian composer, wasn't he?
Yes, he was.
How come you brought up Royal Opera House and Puccini together?
A good question ... Puccini had a romance with Sybil Seligman at Royal Opera House.
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Sybil Seligman
Who is Sybil Seligman?
Puccini met her on his business trip to London. One of his friends introduced her to the composer, who at once liked her because she was beautiful and full of inspiration.
Was she married?
Yes, she was. Puccini could convince his wife that his friendship to Sybil was of a purely intellectual nature.
Did his wife believe it?
Well... yes and no. His wife, Elvira, was suffering from an inferiority complex for not being educated or interested in matters of art. Although she didn't believe it 100%, Elvira had no other option. So she accepted Sybil as Puccini's artistic counsel and confidant because Elvira herself was never able to be.
I see. That's how their romance started, isn't it?
That's right. Sybil was Puccini's friend, confidant and lover for more than 20 years, suggested topics and translated dramas and literature for Puccini who barely spoke an English word. Sibyl translated Oscar Wilde's "A Florentine Tragedy" for the composer, who nearly turned it into a first third of the planned trittico but then decided otherwise. Later, Alexander v. Zemlinsky adapted it and turned it into "the Florentine Tragedy."
What is the romance you're talking about, Kato?
Well... Puccini and Sybil got out to the theater at Covent Garden every night.
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David, Sybil's husband and businessman, didn't like music, and didn't like Puccini at all, but he pretended to like him while her husband had allegedly countless affairs. Sybil didn't care because she enjoyed seeing operas with Puccini. Later she told her friends that those night-outs with Puccini were the happiest years of her life.
How about Puccini?
Of course, he never forget those inspirational evenings.
How come you're so sure about it, Kato?
'Cause one of those nights, Puccini saw with Sybil "Madame Butterfly"---a play dramatized by David Belasco. Puccini loved it and decided to turn it into his opera.
Himiko's Monologue
(himiko22.gif)
"Madame Butterfly" is an opera in three acts (originally two acts) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
(puccini2.jpg)
Puccini based his opera in part on the short story "Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Luther Long, which was dramatized by David Belasco.
Puccini also based it on the novel Madame Chrysanthème (1887) by Pierre Loti.
According to one scholar, the opera was based on events that actually occurred in Nagasaki in the early 1890s.
The original version of the opera, in two acts, had its premiere on February 17, 1904, at La Scala in Milan.
It was very poorly received despite the presence of such notable singers as soprano Rosina Storchio, tenor Giovanni Zenatello and baritone Giuseppe De Luca in the lead roles.
This was due in large part to the late completion and inadequate time for rehearsals.
Puccini revised the opera, splitting the second act into two acts and making other changes.
On May 28, 1904, this version was performed in Brescia and was a huge success.
Between 1915 and 1920, Japan's best-known opera singer Tamaki Miura won international fame for her performances as Cio-Cio San.
(butterfly3.jpg)
Her statue, along with that of Puccini, can be found in the Glover Garden in Nagasaki, the city where the opera is set.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
(renge62e.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
(renge63.jpg)
(juneswim.jpg)
"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
The Royal Opera House, often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", was constructed as the "Theater Royal" in 1732 to a design by Edward Shepherd.
During the first hundred years or so of its history, the theater was primarily a playhouse, with the Letters Patent granted by Charles II giving Covent Garden and Theater Royal, Drury Lane exclusive rights to present spoken drama in London.
In 1734, the first ballet was presented.
A year later Handel's first season of operas began.
Many of his operas and oratorios were specifically written for Covent Garden and had their premières here.
It has been the home of The Royal Opera since 1945, and the Royal Ballet since 1946.
The current building is the third theater on the site following destructive fires in 1808 and 1857.
The façade, foyer and auditorium were designed by Edward Barry, and date from 1858, but almost every other element of the present complex dates from an extensive £178 million reconstruction in the 1990s.
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The Royal Opera House seats 2,268 people and consists of four tiers of boxes and balconies and the amphitheater gallery.
When you have a chance to stay in London, why don't you visit the opera house?
You may see some celebs in one of the boxes.
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2023ǯ0124
Banana @ Eden
Banana @ Eden
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Kato, did you dream of eating a banana in the Garden of Eden last night?
No, I didn't.
Then how come you pasted the above picture? You and Eve seems to have found a lot of bananas in such a romantic dream.
Diane, have you ever heard of a true story in which Adam and Eve ate a banana instead of an apple?
No kidding!
I'm not joking nor jesting. I'm dead serious!
Kato, are you out of your mind? All the Christians have been believing for centuries that Adam and Eve ate an apple in the Garden of Eden. If you say this nonsense, you're gonna be a laughingstock on the Net.
I know, I know..., but what I'm saying is true.
You must be out of your mind, Kato. Why don't you wake up and wash your face again in the ice-cold water?
So, Diane, you don't believe me, do you?
Nobody believe you, Kato. What the heck makes you think so?
Actually, I borrowed a translated version of the best-seller called "Banana."
I see ... so you've simply gone bananas after reading it, haven't you?
Well ... Diane, at least, you've got a good sense of humor ...
Kato, do you really believe such a foolish story?
No, this isn't a foolish story. Look at the following catalogue page.
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Actual Library catalogue
I see... so, Kato, you've read the Japanese version, haven't you?
Yes, I have. The above book is one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read in my life.
Do you really mean it, Kato?
Yes, of course, I do. Why don't you borrow and read it once the library acquires it.
Kato, have you already reserved it?
Oh, yes, I have. By the way, Diane, do you know who told the world in the first place that Adam and Eve ate an apple in the Garden of Eden?
... beats the hell out of me, but it is common sense, isn't it?
The book says, the first person said that is Saint Jerome.
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This man was born in Dalmatia in 340 AD. Parents were Christians, but he wasn't interested in Christianity himself. He went to Rome simply because he wanted to study philosophy and rhetoric.
Then why did he get involved in the Bible?
Good question! ... While he studied Greek and devoted himself to the study of classics in Anatolia and Gaul, he got seriously ill around 373, in Antioch. This illness made him devote his life to the study of theology. Then he learned Hebrew while living in the desert of Syria, and decided to immerse himself in a project to translate the old Bible into Latin. The book also tells the following story.
The Pope ordered Jerome to translate the Bible, and he just did it in Rome.
After this translation, the Bible came to be read by more people.
During the following six centuries, the Bible began to be translated in other languages.
Then, in 1455, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing machine, which made it possible that the Bible came to be printed in large quantities for the first time.
The Gutenberg Bible was an exact copy of the faithful Latin translation made by Jerome a thousand years ago.
As in English, Latin is a language in which there are homonyms that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings.
When Jerome translated the Hebrew word "fruit of knowledge of good and evil" into Latin, he picked malum for it.
According to the biblical archaeologist Shuneia Levin, its meaning is close to "malicious."
Malum can also be translated as "apple" since it is a word derived from the Greek word "melon" that originally maens "apple."
The Renaissance painters who read the Gutenberg Bible interpreted the word to refer to apple, and began to draw an apple, instead of a banana, in a picture of the Garden of Eden.
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"Adam and Eve" by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526.
He should've put bananas, instead of apples.
(translated by Kato)
SOURCE: -ڡ إХʥʤˡ
ԡ åڥ ԡ ͳ
ǯ 裱裲ȯ
ȯԽꡧ Ľ
"Banana" by Dan Koeppel
But I'm still in doubt.
I can understand your doubt. Let me ask you this question.
What is it?
Where is the Garden of Eden?
I think it was somewhere in the Middle East.
According to the Book of Genesis, the Garden of Eden was surrounded by four rivers---the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Pishon, and the Gihon. In the early 1980s, using satellite-captured pictures, an archaeologist located the Pishon and the Gihon, which are now at the bottom of the Persian Gulf. In the old days, the Garden was climatically well-suited for bananas, but not for apples. Even today, the Middle East is well-known as one of the main producers for bananas, but not apples.
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But you can find apples even in the Middle East.
I know, but not many apples. As a matter of fact, in old days, they couldn't grow apples in the Middle East. Only with the modern technology can they grow apples nowadays over there.
I see... Tell me, Kato, who on earth drew an apple in the picture of the Garden of Eden for the first time?
Hugo van der Goes did.
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Hugo van der Goes
(Circa 1440 - 1482)
Painter of early Flemish school.
Born in or near Ghent, van der Goes was enlisted as a member of the painters' guild of Ghent as a master in 1467.
The following year he was involved in the decoration of the town of Bruges in celebration of the marriage between Charles the Bold and Margaret of York.
He provided heraldic decorations for Charles's joyeuse entrée to Ghent in 1469 and later in 1472.
He was dean of the Guild of Saint Luke in Ghent from 1474 till 1476.
SOURCE: "Hugo van der Goes"
Free encyclopedia "Wikipedia (Wikipedia)"
Because van der Goes painted apples in the Garden of Eden, the people who saw his picture came to believe that Adam and Eve ate an apple, instead of a banana. Since then, almost all the painters drew apples in the picture of "Adam and Eve."
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ADAM AND EVE by Jan (Mabuse) Gossaert (1478-1532)
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Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1533),
the German Renaissance painter.
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ADAM AND EVE by Hans Baldung Grien (1484-1545)
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ADAM AND EVE by Tintoretto (1518-1594)
The Fall of Man, c. 1550
Canvas, 150220 cm
Galleria dellAccademia, Venice
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ADAM AND EVE by Hendrik Goltzius (1558-1617)
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ADAM AND EVE by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
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ADAM AND EVE by Hans Thoma (1839-1924)
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ADAM AND EVE by Maurice Denis (1870-1943)
For more than four centuries, the painters have drawn apples in the picture of Adam and Eve.
Then who the heck started to tell the world that Adam and Eve ate a banana, not an apple?
The man in the following picture did.
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Who on earth is this man?
You might've heard of his name, Diane. His name is Carl Linne, the naturalist who was born in 1707 and died in 1778. He is world-famous called the "father of modern taxonomy."
I think I heard his name in my biology class at high school. He started to tell the world that Adam and Eve ate a banana, not an apple, didn't he?
I do not know whether or not he educated the Pope. In any case, Linne was a devoted Christian, and believed that it was God's calling for him to make a perfect inventory on the creation of God. Moreover, Linne believed the existence of Eden as well as that of bananas. You can find the following interesting passage in the book.
The yellow sweet banana was given the scientific name of "Musa sapentium" from the Latin word which means "knowledge" after the tree of wisdom that knows good and evil.
In addition, the green banana (a.k.a "plantain" used as a cooking) was named "Musa paradisiaca," that is, "banana paradise."
Genus "Musa" that Linne named comes from the Arabic word "mauz," which means the banana.
It is understandable because bananas appear in the holy garden depicted in the Koran---the holy scriptures of Islam written in Arabic.
In the Koran, the tree in the forbidden Eden is called "talh," which is usually translated as "tree in a paradise," or more directly "banana tree."
The scriptures of Islam indicates, "The fruit grows abundantly in the shade of luxuriant foliage... and you can see the fruit in all the year round."
This depiction certainly matches the way bananas grow in the tree.
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(translated by Kato)
SOURCE: -ڡ إХʥʤˡ
ԡ åڥ ԡ ͳ
ǯ 裱裲ȯ
ȯԽꡧ Ľ
"Banana" by Dan Koeppel
I see... Bananas appear in the Koran, don't they?
That's right. The scriptures of both Islam and Christianity come from the Old Testament. Diane, look at the following picture of "Adam and Eve" again.
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Adam and Eve are hiding their private parts with the fig leaf.
Yes, I can see that. So what?
Why the fig leaf? Diane, have you ever wondered how come both of them had to hide with the fig leaf---among all other leves?
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Well ... I suppose there was a fig tree nearby, so they happened to pick its leaves.
Take a close look at the fig leaf. There are some slits in the leaf. You can see the private parts through the open gaps, can't you?
That is because you're so keen to take a close look at those parts.
I'm not so keen, Diane. Look! The private parts are visible through the open gaps. You see... both ate an apple from the tree, so it is natural for them to pick up leaves from the apple tree. Don't you think so? Yet, they hide their parts with the fig leaf. It is unnatural, isn't it?
I see... it would be more natural for them to pick up some leaves from the apple tree---not from the fig tree.
Yes, that's what I'm talking about.
Maybe, a fig tree happened to grow by the apple tree.
It sounds too contrived. People wouldn't believe that, I guess.
Kato, you don't like fig trees, do you?
Yes, I like those, but as a matter of fact, in the ancient days, a banana was called "fig."
No kidding!
I'm dead serious. The above book says that Alexander the Great sent a letter to Aristotle about the discovery of "fig" when he saw bananas in India.
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When the Spanish explorers came across bananas in the New World, they recorded those bananas as "the fig."
But, I can't still believe that "fig" in old days means "banana."
Believe me, Diane. They say, "Those who believe are saved."
Only the Japanese believe it, I guess.
To tell you the truth, in the ancient Hebrew, a banana was called the "fig." Besides, the forbidden fruit is written as the "fig of Eve"---that is, banana of Eve.
I still can't believe this.
Diane, look at the following picture!
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This is a conclusive evidence because a banana leaf is much better than a fig leaf when you hide your private parts. A fig leaf is not big enough to hide your pussy.
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Himiko's Monologue
What an amazing story it is!
Yes, a fig leaf is too small to hide my pussy.
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In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
The Garden of Eden is the biblical "garden of God", described most notably in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 2-3), but also mentioned, directly or indirectly, in Ezekiel, Isaiah and elsewhere in the Old Testament.
In the past, the favoured derivation of the name "Eden" was from the Akkadian edinnu, itself derived from a Sumerian word meaning "plain" or "steppe", but it is now believed to be more closely related to an Aramaic root meaning "fruitful, well-watered."
The Eden of Genesis has been variously located at the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates in northern Iraq, in Africa, and in the Persian Gulf.
The Eden in Ezekiel appears to be located in Lebanon.
For many medieval writers, the image of the Garden of Eden also creates a location for human love and sexuality, often associated with the classic and medieval trope of the locus amoenus.
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2022ǯ1224
Glorious Summer
Glorious Summer
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Poutine, eh?
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From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane705@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thurs., June 12, 2014 1:10:39 PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Diane,
Are you still avoiding poutine?
Come to think of it, it is actually junk food as you stated in the previous mail.
To tell you the truth, I've never eaten any French fries for last 10 years.
As you mentioned, the obesity epidemic is a big problem in Canada.
As a matter of fact, in 2004, approximately 6.8 million Canadian adults ages 20 to 64 were overweight, and an additional 4.5 million were obese.
Amazing, isn't it!?
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Well ... Diane, you really inspired me to write the following article.
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"Poutine@Canada"
You believe or not, the obesity epidemic is also a big problem in Japan.
The Japanese must adhere to government-mandated waistline limits or face consequences.
The government has established waistline limits for adults ages 40 to 74.
Men must maintain a waistline at or below 33.5 inches; for women, the limit is 35.4 inches.
Diane, can you believe this?
Well, I'm pretty sure your waist measurement is below 35.4 inches.
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In Japan, the "metabo law" went into effect in 2008, with the goal of reducing the country's overweight population by 25% by 2015.
The government's anti-obesity campaign aims to keep "metabolic syndrome"---a number of factors that heighten the risk of developing diabetes and vascular diseases, such as obesity and high blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels---in check, thus minimizing the ballooning health care costs of Japan's massive aging population.
It is a good idea, isn't it?
Why doesn't the Canadian government copy the "metabo law"?
The Japanese who stray beyond the state-mandated waistlines are required to attend counseling and support sessions.
Local governments and companies that don't meet specific targets are fined, sometimes quite heavily.
NEC (Japan's largest maker of personal computers) says it's possible to incur as much as $19 million in penalties for failing to meet their targets.
Matsushita (which makes Panasonic products) has to measure the waistlines of at least 80% of its employees, along with their families and retirees.
The company distributes "metabo check" towels that double as tape measures to employees to ensure adherence to the waistline limits come time for employees' annual checkups.
This seems to be working for Japan, at least for now, though the policy has its share of problems.
Critics of the policy say the government's real goal is to shift health care costs onto the private sector.
One thing is for sure: this would never work in the U.S.
How about in Canada?
What do you think about it, Diane?
So much for the obesity epidemic.
Last night, I watched "The Sign of the Cross."
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In the year 64 C.E., the corrupt and maniacal Emperor Nero torches Rome,
and is advised to blame the ensuing destruction on the unsuspecting Christians.
Meanwhile, Roman Prefect Marcus Superbus falls for an innocent and beautiful Christian maiden, Mercia.
When the seductive and wicked Empress, Poppaea, learns that she has a rival for Marcus' affections,
she conspires to send all Christians to a chilling death.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
MY COMMENT:
This is a 1932 pre-Code epic film released by Paramount Pictures, produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
It is based on the original 1895 play by Wilson Barrett.
It is the third and last in DeMille's biblical trilogy with The Ten Commandments (1923) and The King of Kings (1927).
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This film has a history of censorship.
In the original version, Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) is unsuccessful in his desire to seduce Mercia (Elisa Landi), an innocent Christian girl.
He then urges Ancaria (Joyzelle Joyner) to perform the erotic "Dance of the Naked Moon" that is intended to "soften" her into life.
This "lesbian dance" was cut from the negative for a 1938 reissue.
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Some gladiatorial combat footage was also cut for the 1938 reissue, as were arena sequences involving naked women being attacked by crocodiles and a gorilla.
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This DVD (Turner Classic Movies) has been restored to the original 125-minute length.
Some arena scenes are so disgusting yet unquestionably fascinating and gripping.
This epic is a vivid retelling of the struggles of the first Christians.
Elisa Landi portraits a beautiful Christian girl and effectively underplays her role as the virtuous believer who eventually coverts Roman Prefect Marcus Superbus at the very end before entering the arena.
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Oh Diane! This movie is really for you.
I'm pretty sure that you would cry for joy after viewing it.
Let me know how you feel about it.
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love as always
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Subj:Summer Vacation in France!
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:24:28
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
Well, you have a good point here kiddo.
The Canadian government should, I think, at least seriously look at the Japanese "metabo law" and determine its effectiveness.
I didn't realize the Japanese people were also experiencing these obesity problems.
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I expect it's getting to be a worldwide phenomenon.
Thank God we don't have this problem, I say; we all have problems but thankfully this isn't one of them.
Now, having said that, I've just returned from a 15-day visit to Paris and Nice with my boyfriend and we certainly had our fill of lovely fat-filled French food, including pommes frites (french fries) which are an absolute must when in France.
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They seem to come with everything except the pizzas, which are absolutely delicous by the way as the Italian influence is very strong in France.
We had a wonderful time and many adventures and experiences.
My brother lives in Nice and he totally devoted the 10 days we were there to us and we had so much fun with him and his son and their friends.
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One day we took a train up into the mountains to a medieval village for a mind-blowing duck lunch, one day his friend Pierre took us all to Italy to Ventimigilia (or something like that) to experience their market and then to another village for a four-course lunch with wines and licquer complimentary.
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What a feast!
We also had them over to our apartment which had a big deck and a gorgeous view.
And he had us over on the last night for a party with his musical friends
(they sang French songs to us which were really sweet) and another pasta dinner.
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In between we visited each other, went to a raggae concert, and every morning we had breakfast on the deck with the warmth of the Mediterranean sun warming us and the sweeping view of nice charming us.
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My brother's girlfriend, Michelle, lives on the 5th floor of an apartment on the promenade with a million-dollar view and she invited us over for drinks one night before heading out to the raggae event.
So it was wonderful.
I won't forget this marvellous vacation!
In any case, thanks so much for this movie recommendation.
I'm going to add it to my list.
How are you doing?
Has your friend come yet?
Anything new?
...hope to see you soon.
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Love, Diane ~
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Summer at last!
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From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane705@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thurs, 26 Jun 2014 10:28:18
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Diane,
I can see you had a wonderful summer vacation!
God bless you!
Here in Vancouver, we seem to have started getting gorgeous sunny days---at least today, we have one!
God bless us!
On June 16, Mari---my cousin's daughter---visited my elderly mother with her own mother (my cousin).
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Mari met my mother for the first time.
My mother is sort of a "God Mother" in the whole clan.
So, Mari seems to have overjoyed to meet her.
My mother was profoundly happy to see unexpected young relatives.
Mari is planning to work in a bagel shop in Vancouver and now doing her best to get a job as a baker.
Mari is a licensed cook specializing in bagels and European sweets.
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Hopefully, she is coming to Vancouver in October or November.
In any case, enjoy this sunny day and take a good care of yourself.
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Your smiling and romantic Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love as always...
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Subj:Summer in Stanley Park!
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thurs, 26 Jun 2014 14:45:21
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
You, too, have a great day.
I started my day by hiking the Tatlow Trail to 3rd Beach and around the cliff trails.
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You're right it's an awesome day.
Perfecto!
How wonderful your mother had a visit by her relatives.
... hopefully Mari will be able to get a job as a baker soon after she arrives;
good thing she has a specialty.
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Luv, Diane ~
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Himiko's Monologue
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Diane enjoyed a mind-blowing duck lunch in a medieval village.
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Diane also enjoyed pasta dinner.
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The duck dish looks great, and the pasta seems delicious,
but I'd rather eat some sushi now.
How about you?
Do you like sushi?
I'm sure you do.
Why don't you make California rolls?
I'll show you how to make those rolls.
California Rolls
An Easy Sushi Recipe
Now, you know how to do it.
Enjoy it to the hilt.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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"A Second World"
"Adele Hugo"
"Buch Collegium Japan"
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"Banana @ Eden"
"Big Mystery"
"Call Girl Mystery"
"Cleopatra"
"Climate of Doubt"
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"Crocodile Meat"
"Dolly the Sheep"
"Fireflies"
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"from Korea"
"Glory of Death"
"God Is Coming!"
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"Golden Shower"
"Hitler and Trump"
"Hot October"
"Killer Floods"
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"Mystery of Dimension"
"Notre Dame"
"Omakase@Sushi"
"Popes@Spotlight"
"Quartet"
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"Ramen Boom"
"Richard III"
"Savage vs. Civilized"
"Strange Love"
"Submerging Island"
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"Typhoon @ Emperor"
"Unforgettable Flicks"
"Unknown Tragedy"
"Victorian Prudery"
"World War B.C."
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"Lady Hugo"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Mysterious Dimension"
"New Cinderella"
"Nostalgia"
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"Odd Couple"
"Oh, my God!"
"Organic vs. GMO"
"Post MH370"
"Sinking Island"
"Swansea"
"Wonder Dog"
"You Want No GMO"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
The contemporary version, internationally known as "sushi", was created by Hanaya Yohei (1799–1858) at the end of the Edo period in Tokyo.
Sushi invented by Hanaya was an early form of fast food that was not fermented (therefore prepared quickly) and could be conveniently eaten with one's hands.
Originally, this sushi was known as Edomae zushi because it used freshly caught fish in the Edo-mae (Edo Bay or Tokyo Bay).
Though the fish used in modern sushi no longer usually comes from Tokyo Bay, it is still formally known as Edomae nigiri-zushi.
I like temaki sushi.
It is easy to make.
Here are the step-by-step instructions.
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Temaki Sushi
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Fujiyama Geisha
Fujiyama Geisha
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Kato, have you fallen in love with a geisha?
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Oh no, I've never been in love with a geisha.
Then how come you've chosen "Geisha" as part of today's article?
Good question!...well, I borrowed a DVD called "Memoirs of a Geisha" from Vancouver Public Library.
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"A catalogue page of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA"
I see...so you added a comment on July 26, didn't you?
Yes, I did. Seventeen people jotted down their comments, and ten of them, including myself, have written their comments since April 8, 2011.
Are you saying the DVD is so popular?
Yes, I am. Look at the current borrowing record below.
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I see... There are thirteen copies, but none of them are available... It's in a big demand, isn't it?
Yes, it is.
Two copies are located at Joe Fortes Library, aren't they?
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I've asked the librarian to keep at least two copies so that you could borrow at any time.
No kidding!
But you see, both of them have been checked out. What a pity!
So, Kato, you really want me to view the DVD, don't you?
Yes, I do. If you take a look at the following trailer, I'm pretty sure, you would more than likely dash to the library to hold it.
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Memoirs of a Geisha trailer
Wow! ...seems quite fascinating!
Yes, it is.
Kato, tell me about the outline.
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The film, set in Japan during the 1930s and 40s, tells the story of Chiyo Sakamoto, who was portrayed by Suzuka Ohgo as a child and by Zhang Ziyi as an adult.
Chiyo is a poor, young Japanese girl who has been sold along with her older sister Satsu into a life of servitude by her parents when she is nine years old.
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Chiyo is taken in by the proprietress of a geisha house, Mother (Kaori Momoi), but Satsu is rejected and is sold to another house in the "pleasure district" of the Hanamachi.
At the okiya (geisha house) she meets another young girl named "Pumpkin" (Youki Kudoh).
Both girls are sent off to geisha school but Chiyo dishonors the okiya by attempting to run away.
Instead of training to become a geisha she is given manual labor to do to pay off the debt of her purchase.
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One day while crying in the street, the young Chiyo is noticed by the Chairman (Ken Watanabe) and his geisha companions.
Chiyo is afraid to make eye contact with the Chairman, who says "Don't be afraid to look at me."
He then buys her an iced sorbet (kakigōri) and gives her his handkerchief with some money in it.
Inspired by his act of kindness, Chiyo resolves to become a geisha so that she may one day become a part of the Chairmans life.
She spends the money, not on food, but on prayer, wishing to see him again.
Chiyo, now a young woman, is taken under the wing of Mameha, who has forgiven her for her actions as a child.
Under Mameha's tutelage, Chiyo becomes a maiko (geisha in training) and then takes the name of Sayuri, the most famous geisha in all of Gion, Kyoto.
Hatsumomo becomes Sayuri's rival and seeks to destroy her.
Through her work as a geisha, Sayuri reunites with the Chairman and longs to catch his attention, but instead has to lead on the Chairman's friend and business partner Nobu, who falls fast for her.
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Sayuri and Chairman
Sayuri grows in popularity and Hatsumomo spreads lies and rumors to ruin Sayuri's reputation.
Meanwhile Mameha starts a bidding war for Sayuri's mizuage which will make her a full geisha.
Sayuri gets named the lead dancer for the Spring Dances, where she dances wonderfully and catches the attention of bidders, including the Baron (Mameha's lover), who invites Sayuri to his house for a party, gives her a kimono then, as he finds her so beautiful and believes he deserves a look, forcefully strips her.
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Sayuri, Mameha, and Baron
After the party Mameha hears what happened and believes that the Baron took Sayuri's virginity, and claims that Sayuri's bids may not come through if she is found to be "worthless." Sayuri cries and tells Mameha that nothing happened and she is not worthless.
That night the bid is finally placed by an elderly doctor known as Doctor Crab, for 15,000 yen—the highest mizuage bid in history. Mother then chooses to "adopt" Sayuri as the heiress of the okiya, a title that Pumpkin and Hatsumomo had been longing for.
Mameha tells Sayuri later that the bid was down to two people, Dr. Crab and the Baron, but Mameha let it go to Dr. Crab because of her feelings for the Baron, despite his bid being even higher. When returning home, Sayuri finds Hatsumomo in her room, who found the Chairman's handkerchief and attempts to burn it, but unsuccessfully.
Sayuri and Hatsumomo fight and accidentally start a fire, and finally to her breaking point, Hatsumomo purposely begins to burn the rest of the house and then leaves, knowing she has reached the bottom.
Sayuri's prosperous life is then cut short by the outbreak of World War II and while the safety of Sayuri and Mameha is ensured by the Chairman, they must endure a life of hard labor.
Sayuri and Mameha are separated, with Sayuri going to the hills to work for a kimono maker.
After the war, Sayuri is reunited with Mameha, and they become geisha once more to impress an American Colonel that are going into business with Nobu and the Chairman.
Sayuri meets back up with Pumpkin who is now a risqué, flirty escort/prostitute (trying to act like geisha) and goes on a trip with Nobu, the Chairman, Pumpkin and the Americans to the Amami Islands.
While they are conversing in a hot spring, Sayuri participates in the game 'Truth and Lies', starting to explain the "story" of how, when she was a little girl, a 'handsome man was kind enough to buy me a cup of sweet ice'.
Before she can continue, the Chairman interrupts and changes the subject, clearly uncomfortable with her statement.
Afterwards, the Colonel attempts to "hire" Sayuri for "services", but is rejected.
Nobu saw the incident and confronts Sayuri (with the impression that they had made an arrangement) finally confessing his feelings and that he wants to be her lover.
Sayuri is distraught and devises a plan to humiliate herself with the Colonel in front of Nobu.
She arranges for Pumpkin to bring Nobu by an abandoned theater at a predetermined time, and "stumble" upon Sayuri and the Colonel making love.
But, because of her secret resentment of Sayuri for being adopted by Mother, Pumpkin brings the Chairman instead, claiming to Sayuri, "Now you know how it feels", Sayuri believes that the Chairman is lost to her forever.
A few days later Sayuri discards the Chairman's handkerchief by throwing it off a cliff above the sea, and later receives a call to go to the teahouse.
While waiting, Sayuri expects Nobu to arrive, but instead the Chairman comes where he finally reveals to her that he knows she is Chiyo by saying, "Don't be afraid to look at me, Chiyo."
He tells her that he was responsible for sending Mameha to her so that she could fulfill her dreams of becoming a geisha.
Sayuri finally reveals her love to the Chairman, which she has been harboring for over fifteen years.
(Pictures from the Denman Syndicate Library)
SOURCE: "Memoirs of a Geisha (film)"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So, Kato, it's a love story, isn't it?
Yes and no.
What do you mean, Kato?
Well... it may be a love story on the surface, but I'd say, it's rather a life story in the sense that Sayuri (Chiyo) keeps a 15-year love and romance in her heart despite all the difficulties.
I think any girl could have her dream for 15 years.
You're right, Diane, but it's hard for an ordinary girl to keep it for 15 years---let alone a geisha.
Why is that?
When Sayuri said to Mameha that she wanted to realize her dream, Mameha replied, "We're here by destiny and have no other options but to live like a bird in a cage. No free love!"
I understand what you mean, Kato. But Sayuri discarded the Chairman's handkerchief by throwing it off a cliff above the sea, which means Sayuri abandoned her dream once and for all, didn't she?
Yes and no.
What do you mean by that, Kato?
Look at Pumpkin! She looks like a bird out of a cage, but she has actually downgraded herself to a risqué, flirty escort/prostitute. Sayuri, however, keeps her lifestyle deep inside desipite the hard times.
I see...but I wonder, Kato, how come you've brought up "Memoirs of a Geisha" in the first place?
Well, Sayuri reminds me of you, Diane.
You must be kidding!
You're well self-disciplined like Sayuri.
Oh...am I? What makes you think so?
As you know, I'm writing this article in Joe Fortes Library. There are quite a few people who talk on the cell phone. In Japan, people don't talk on the cell phone in the bus and the train---let alone in the library.
Really?
Simply because the conductors announce, "Please don't talk on the cell phone." So do the librarian. But here in Vancouver, people resort to their own common sense.
I see ... You're right. I've noticed that some people don't seem to have common sense.
Once I've seen you talking on the cell phone in front of the library entrance, and then you turned off the phone before entering the library. And I've never seen you talking on the phone in the library. By the way, I don't have a cell phone. He, he, he, he, he, ...
But even here in Vancouver, other folks don't talk on the cell phone in the library. I'm not the only one who has common sense in Canada.
You're right on, Diane. But there is a big difference between you and others.
Oh...? What is it?
You're a well self-disciplined woman driven by romance---just like Sayuri. Look at the following map!
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So, Kato, are you saying that I'm driven by romance and adventure?
Oh yes! If you read the follwoing articles again, you'll certainly know what I mean.
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"Roly-poly in the wild"
"Biker Babe"
"Halifax to Vancouver"
"A Thread of Destiny"
Kato, are you saying that we are destined to meet like Sayuri and Chairman?
Well...Look at the above map! ... What I'm saying is, East meets West, you know...you and me...Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...
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Himiko's Monologue
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In the early stages of Japanese history, there were female entertainers called saburuko (serving girls), who were mostly wandering girls whose families were displaced from struggles in the late 600s.
Some of these saburuko girls sold sexual services, while others with a better education made a living by entertaining at high-class social gatherings.
After the imperial court moved the capital to Heian-kyō (Kyoto or ) in 794 the conditions that would form Japanese Geisha culture began to emerge, as it became the home of a beauty-obsessed elite.
Skilled female performers, such as Shirabyōshi() dancers, thrived.
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Shirabyōshi()
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"A Second World"
"Adele Hugo"
"Buch Collegium Japan"
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"Banana @ Eden"
"Big Mystery"
"Call Girl Mystery"
"Cleopatra"
"Climate of Doubt"
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"Crocodile Meat"
"Dolly the Sheep"
"Fireflies"
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"from Korea"
"Glory of Death"
"God Is Coming!"
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"Golden Shower"
"Hitler and Trump"
"Hot October"
"Killer Floods"
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"Mystery of Dimension"
"Notre Dame"
"Omakase@Sushi"
"Popes@Spotlight"
"Quartet"
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"Ramen Boom"
"Richard III"
"Savage vs. Civilized"
"Strange Love"
"Submerging Island"
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"Typhoon @ Emperor"
"Unforgettable Flicks"
"Unknown Tragedy"
"Victorian Prudery"
"World War B.C."
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"Lady Hugo"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Mysterious Dimension"
"New Cinderella"
"Nostalgia"
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"Odd Couple"
"Oh, my God!"
"Organic vs. GMO"
"Post MH370"
"Sinking Island"
"Swansea"
"Wonder Dog"
"You Want No GMO"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
I saw the above DVD.
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The story was so fscinating that I thought all the geisha actresses were Japanese.
Actually, the three leading actresses (Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, and Michelle Yeoh) are non-Japanese.
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Zhang Ziyi (playing Sayuri)
They were put through the 6-week "geisha boot camp" before production commenced, during which they were trained in traditional geisha practices of musicianship, dance, and tea ceremony.
One of the teaching stuff is Liza Dalby, who was the first western woman to become a geisha in the 1970s.
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Liza Dalby
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Eight the Dog
Eight the Dog
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Kato, what do you mean by "Eight the Dod"?
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It is a dog's name... It literally means the dog called "Eight." If it is translated into Japanese, every Japanese knows the dog.
How could it be possible?
There is a dog statue placed in front of Shibuya Station in Tokyo.
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So there used to be a real dog called "Hachi" and this statue was made after that dog, wasn't it?
Yes, that's right.
what kind of a dog was it?
Born on November 10, 1923, this dog was called "Hachikō" in Japanese. He died on March 8, 1935. He is remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, for whom he continued to wait for over nine years following his death.
Really?
Oh, yes. During his lifetime, the dog was held up in Japanese culture as an example of loyalty and fidelity. Well after his death, he continues to be remembered in worldwide popular culture, with statues, movies, books, and appearances in various media.
Amazing! I didn't know that.
Eight the Dog
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In 1924, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo, took Hachikō, a golden brown Akita, as a pet.
Ueno would commute daily to work, and Hachikō would leave the house to greet him at the end of each day at the nearby Shibuya Station.
The pair continued the daily routine until May 1925, when Ueno did not return.
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The professor had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, while he was giving a lecture, and died without ever returning to the train station in which Hachikō would wait.
Each day, for the next nine years, nine months and fifteen days, Hachikō awaited Ueno's return, appearing precisely when the train was due at the station.
Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters.
Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day.
Initial reactions from the people, especially from those working at the station, were not necessarily friendly.
However, after the first appearance of the article about him on October 4, 1932 in Asahi Shimbun (one of the national newspapers), people started to bring Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.
Publication
One of Ueno's students, Hirokichi Saito, who developed expertise on the Akita breed, saw the dog at the station and followed him to the Kobayashi home, the home of Ueno's former gardener, Kuzaboro Kobayashi, where he learned the history of Hachikō's life.
Shortly after the meeting, the former student published a documented census of Akitas in Japan.
His research found only 30 purebred Akitas remaining, including Hachikō from Shibuya Station.
He returned frequently to visit Hachikō, and over the years he published several articles about the dog's remarkable loyalty.
In 1932, one of his articles, published in Asahi Shimbun (literally "Rising Sun Newspaper"), placed the dog in the national spotlight.
Hachikō became a national sensation.
His faithfulness to his master's memory impressed the people of Japan as a spirit of family loyalty to which all should strive to achieve.
Teachers and parents used Hachikō's vigil as an example for children to follow.
A well-known Japanese artist rendered a sculpture of the dog, and throughout the country, a new awareness of the Akita breed grew.
Eventually, Hachikō's legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty, particularly to the person and institution of Emperors.
Death
Hachikō died on March 8, 1935 at the age of 11 based on his date of birth.
He was found on a street in Shibuya.
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In March 2011, scientists finally settled the cause of death of Hachikō: the dog had both terminal cancer and a filaria infection.
There were also four yakitori skewers in Hachikō's stomach, but the skewers did not damage his stomach or cause his death.
Legacy
After his death, Hachikō's remains were cremated and his ashes were buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo where they rest beside those of Hachikō's beloved master, Professor Ueno.
Hachikō's fur, which was preserved after his death, was stuffed and mounted and is now on permanent display at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.
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Bronze statues
In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachikō himself was present at its unveiling.
The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II.
In 1948, the Society for Recreating the Hachikō Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist, to make a second statue.
When the new statue appeared, a dedication ceremony occurred.
The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is a popular meeting spot.
The station entrance near this statue is named "Hachikō-guchi", meaning "The Hachikō Entrance/Exit", and is one of Shibuya Station's five exits.
The Japan Times played an April Fools' joke on readers by reporting that the bronze statue was stolen a little before 2:00 AM on April 1, 2007, by "suspected metal thieves".
The false story told a very detailed account of an elaborate theft by men wearing khaki workers' uniforms who secured the area with orange safety cones and obscured the theft with blue vinyl tarps.
The "crime" was allegedly recorded on security cameras.
A similar statue stands in Hachikō's hometown, in front of Ōdate Station.
In 2004, a new statue of Hachikō was erected on the original stone pedestal from Shibuya in front of the Akita Dog Museum in Odate.
After the release of the American movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) filmed in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the Japanese Consulate in US helped the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the city of Woonsocket to unveil an identical statue of Hachiko at the Woonsocket Depot Square, which was the location of the "Bedridge" train station featured in the movie.
SOURCE: "Hachikō"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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I see... So he's become a symbol of loyalty for the Japanese, huh?
You're telling me... Actually, the Japanese still remember Hachiko and love him... As a matter of fact, some people recently placed another statue of both Hachiko and Professor Ueno at the campus of Tokyo University.
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But, how come you pick up the dog out of the blue.
Well..., I watched the last movie in the following list.
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"Actual List"
This is the list of movies I've recently viewed at the Vancouver Public library... Look at the red-rectangled title in the bottom of the list!
I see... So you watched "Hachi" on August 22, huh?
That's right.
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"Actual Page"
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After you watched, you jotted down the following comment, huh?
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Directed by Lasse Hallström in 2009, this 93-minute docudrama delves into a sad yet heartwarming real story of the famous Japanese loyal dog in an American setting.
The subject is a remake of the 1987 Japanese film, Hachikō Monogatari (ϥʪ), literally "The Tale of Hachiko".
Hachi(November 10, 1923 – March 8, 1935) was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan.
He is remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, whom he waited for more than nine years after his owner's death.
Hachi is known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō (鸤ϥ) "faithful dog Hachikō", hachi meaning "eight" and kō meaning "affection."
During his lifetime, the dog was held up in Japanese culture as an example of loyalty and fidelity.
Well after his death, he continues to be remembered in worldwide popular culture, with statues, movies, books, and appearances in various media.
I've seen its movies so many times and heard its stories so many times, yet still it touches my heart each time I see the movie.
Kato, have you really seen so many movies about the dog?
Oh, yes, actually I watched the Japanese version.
How did you like it?
I love it! ... It seems to me much beter than "Hachi (American version)" simply because it reminds me of my hometown... The most heartbreaking scene is as follows:
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Wow!... I feel like crying...
Seriously?
Oh, yes... very much so... Did you also watch the American version?
Yes, of course, I did.
Kato, tell me about it.
Here it is.
Hachi
Spoiler Alert!
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Hachi is a story of love and devotion between a dog and a man.
The story is told by Ronnie, the grandson of the man.
He has to give a presentation about a personal hero.
Ronnie's subject is his grandfather's dog, Hachikō.
Despite his classmates laughing he tells how his grandfather, Professor Parker Wilson, finds a lost puppy sent from Japan at the train station and ends up taking it home with the intention of returning the animal to its owner.
He names the Akita puppy Hachikō, after Ken, a Japanese professor, translates a symbol on his collar as 'Hachi'—Japanese for the number 8—signifying good fortune.
Even though they didn't find his owner and his wife, Cate, doesn't think they should keep him, they do.
Over the next year or so, Parker and Hachi become very close.
Parker tries, but Hachi refuses to do dog-like activities like chase and fetch.
One morning, Parker leaves for work and Hachi follows him to the train station and refuses to leave until Parker walks him home.
Later that afternoon, Hachi walks to the station to wait patiently for Parker to return.
Parker is surprised to find Hachi waiting for him, but it becomes a daily routine.
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One day, Hachi waits patiently as the train arrives, but there is no sign of Parker.
He waits, lying in the snow for hours until Parker's son-in-law Michael comes to get him.
Although everyone tries to tell Hachi that Parker has died (of a cerebral hemorrhage during a lecture in class), Hachi doesn't understand.
Hachi continues to return to the station and wait every day.
As time passes, Cate sells the house and Hachi is sent to live with her daughter Andy, Michael, and their baby Ronnie.
However, Hachi escapes and finds his way back to the station, where he sits at his usual spot.
Andy arrives and takes him home, but after seeing how depressed the dog is she lets him out to return to the station.
Hachi waits every day at the train station and sleeps in the rail yard at night.
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He is fed daily by the train station workers that knew the professor.
After seeing a newspaper article about Hachi, Ken visits Hachi.
Cate comes back to visit Parker's grave on the tenth anniversary of his death and meets Ken.
She is stunned to see a now elderly Hachi still waiting.
Overcome with grief, Cate sits and waits for the next train with him.
At home, Cate tells the now ten-year-old Ronnie about Hachi.
Meanwhile, the dog continues waiting until his body can wait no longer, and is last seen lying in the snow, alone and still, although he is comforted by a final vision of Parker finally appearing and picking him up to go, presumably to the afterlife.
Ronnie concludes on why Hachi will forever be his hero and his story has clearly moved the class, with some students holding back tears, including those who had laughed at the beginning.
After school, Ronnie, coming off the school bus, is met by his dad and his own puppy, also named Hachi.
Ronnie and Hachi walk down the same tracks where Parker and Hachi had spent so much time together.
SOURCE:"Hachi: A Dog's Tale"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It appears quite different from the Japanese version, doesn't it?
Yes, it does... It can't be the same simply because "Hachi" is now an Americanized pooch... Anyway, the movie turns out to be still good in its own right... And Richard Geer loves the movie himself.
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Kato, do you think I should watch the film?
Yes, of course, you should because it's free as long as you borrow the DVD from the library.
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In any case, there are some people waiting to see this movie. So you should reserve the DVD as soon as possible.
Yes, I'll do it right away.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Kato has watched 1,737 movies at the Vancouver Public Library so far.
When I take a look at the following movie list, I notice a film called "Marley & Me."
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"Actual List"
It must be another dog story.
I checked the catalogue page.
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"Actual Page"
Kato jotted down the following comment:
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Originally produced as a motion picture in 2008 and based on the book by John Grogan, this 115-minute comedy-drama depicts an amazing, amusing and incorrigible dog called Marley.
The film portrays John Grogan and his family's life during the thirteen years that they lived with their dog Marley, and the relationships and lessons from this period.
Marley, a yellow Labrador Retriever, appears as a high-strung, boisterous, and somewhat uncontrolled dog.
He is strong, powerful, endlessly hungry, eager to be active, and often destructive.
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It is definitely a good movie for dog-lovers.
Although I enjoyed it, the first two-thirds of the film are somewhat repetitious and boring.
"Hachi" is certainly much better as a docudrama.
Kato says, "'Hachi' is much better."
Anyway, I past the trailer here.
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It looks amusing and amazing, doesn't it?
I think I'll borrow the DVD.
How about you?
In any case, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Glorious Summer"
"Biker Babe & Granny"
"Genetically Modified"
"Tyrannosaur"
"Love@Magic"
"Yellow Ball"
"Welcome Back"
"Forbidden Love"
"Merry X'Mas"
"Heaven with Mochi"
"Travel Expense Scandal"
"Love@Redemption"
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"JAGEL"
"JAGEL Again"
"Say NO!"
Happy Gal in Canada
Roof of Vancouver
Aftershock
Whiplash
Sex Appeal
Better Off Without Senate
Fire Festival
Sweets@Paris
Scary Quake
MH370 Mystery
Putin's Way
Trump @ Vancouver
Otter & Trump
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Changeling
Fiddler on the Roof
Flesh and Bone
Maiden's Prayer
Romeo & Juliet
Trump @ Joke
Halloween in Shibuya
Trump Shock
Happy New Year!
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Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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2022ǯ0924
Botchan & Glenn Gould
Botchan & Glenn Gould
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Natsume Sōseki ( )
(February 9, 1867 – December 9, 1916)
He is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji period (1868–1912).
He is best known for his novels such as "Kokoro," "Botchan," "I Am a Cat" and his unfinished work "Light and Darkness."
He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, kanshi, and fairy tales.
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From 1984 until 2004, his portrait appeared on the front of the Japanese 1000-yen note.
In Japan, he is often considered the greatest writer in modern Japanese history.
He has had a profound effect on almost all important Japanese writers since.
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In 1900, the Japanese government sent Sōseki to study in Great Britain as "Japan's first Japanese English literary scholar".
He visited Cambridge and stayed a night there, but gave up the idea of studying at the university because he could not afford it on his government scholarship.
He studied instead at University College, London (UCL).
He had a miserable time of it in London, spending most of his days indoors buried in books, and his friends feared that he might be losing his mind.
He also visited Pitlochry in Scotland.
He lived in four different lodgings, only the last of which, lodging with Priscilla and her sister Elizabeth Leale in Clapham, proved satisfactory.
Five years later, in his preface to "Bungakuron (The Criticism of Literature)," he wrote about the period:
The two years I spent in London were the most unpleasant years in my life.
Among English gentlemen I lived in misery, like a poor dog that had strayed among a pack of wolves.
He got along well with the one Leale sister, who shared his love of literature (notably Shakespeare) and spoke fluent French, much to his admiration.
The Leales were a Channel Island family, and Priscilla had been born in France.
The sisters worried about Natsume's incipient paranoia and successfully urged him to get out more and take up cycling.
Despite his poverty, loneliness, and mental problems, he solidified his knowledge of English literature during this period and returned to Japan in 1903.
After his return to the Empire of Japan, he replaced Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) at the First Higher School, and subsequently became a professor of English literature at Tokyo Imperial University, where he taught literary theory and literary criticism.
SOURCE: "Natsume Sōseki"
From the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kato, I've never heard of Natsume Sōseki, nor his works.
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I know... Most Canadians don't know his name.
Is he well-known in Japan?
Yes, he is.If a person doesn't know his name in Japan, he or she is not a Japanese.
Are you sure about that?
I'm absolutely sure of that. You can bet on that. From 1984 until 2004, his portrait appeared on the front of the Japanese 1000-yen note. So almost all the Japanese know his name and his face.
Can you find his books in the library?
Yes, of course, you can. Why don't you borrow one of the following books at Vancouver Public Library?
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
So there are 31 books written by Natsume Sōseki, aren't there?
Yes, you can read the translated version such as Kokoro, Sanshirō, and Kusamakura.
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Which one do you recommend, kiddo?
I recommend "Kusamakura ()."
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Why is that?
...'Cause this book was GlennGould's most favorite book. When he died on October 4, 1982 at the age of 50, there were two books at his bedside: the Bible and "Kusamakura."
Did he read the book in Japanese.
No, he didn't. He readthe translated version.
What does the title mean?
Literally, "Kusamakura ()"means "grass pillow", which implies "camping in the wild."
How did he find the book?
Well ..., at the age of 35, Glenn Gould traveled to the eastern part of Nova Scotia, and met Professor William Foley in the train. In the course of conversation, the professor told him about the book 'cause he was greatly moved while reading it.
So, Glenn Gould bought the book, didn't he?
Yes, he did, and loved it so much so that he actually read the whole book on the phone to his sister.
No kidding!
This is a true story---one of his eccentricities.
Glenn Gould
(25 September 1932 – 4 October 1982)
He was a Canadian pianist who became one of the best-known and most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century.
He was particularly renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
His playing was distinguished by remarkable technical proficiency and capacity to articulate the polyphonic texture of Bach's music.
Gould rejected most of the standard Romantic piano literature and, after his adolescence, avoided Liszt, Schumann, and Chopin.
Although his recordings were dominated by Bach, Gould's repertoire was diverse, including works by Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, pre-Baroque composers such as Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, and such 20th-century composers as Paul Hindemith, Arnold Schoenberg and Richard Strauss.
Gould was well known for various eccentricities, from his unorthodox musical interpretations and mannerisms at the keyboard to aspects of his lifestyle and personal behavior.
Rare strange footage
He stopped giving concerts at the age of 31 to concentrate on studio recording and other projects.
Gould was also known as a writer, composer, conductor, and broadcaster.
He was a prolific contributor to musical journals, in which he discussed music theory and outlined his musical philosophy.
His career as a composer was less distinguished.
His output was minimal and many projects were left unfinished.
There is evidence that, had he lived beyond 50, he intended to abandon the piano and devote the remainder of his career to conducting and other projects.
As a broadcaster, Gould was prolific.
His output ranged from television and radio broadcasts of studio performances to musique concrète radio documentaries about life in the Canadian wilderness.
The Life and Times of Glenn Gould
Source: "Glenn Gould"
Free encyclopedia "Wikipedia (Wikipedia)"
You see, Diane ... if Glenn Gold lived beyond 50, he intended to abandon the piano and devote the remainder of his career to conducting and other projects.
...like what?
He might have produced documentaries about life in the Canadian wilderness 'cause he loved "Kusamakura" from the bottom of his heart.
What makes you think so, Kato?
Actually, Glenn Gould made numerous television and radio programs for CBC Television and CBC Radio such as his music-concrète "Solitude Trilogy," which consists of "The Idea of North"---a meditation on Northern Canada and its people, "The Latecomers" about Newfoundland, and "The Quiet in the Land" about Mennonites in Manitoba. All three use a radiophonic electronic-music technique that Gould called contrapuntal radio, in which several people are heard speaking at once--—much like the voices in a fugue—--manipulated through the use of tape.
So, Kato, you're saying, Glenn Gould was really influenced by the book written by Natsume Sōseki.
Yes, I am.
But how come you're telling me his story?
...cause you love music as well as wilderness in the North. You enjoyed life in Faro---a town in Canadian North, didn't you?
Oh yes, I did.
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Subj:Summer is here
with us!
Enjoy the sunshine!
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From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 4:35 pm.
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Thanks my truly skinny Socrates, Kato.
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
(July 26, 2011)
I've read the above article.
Your article is excellent as usual.
I did remember that you lived in Yellowknife some years ago.
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Many years ago, I too lived for six months or so in the north, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
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Actually, I worked for a mining company in a small town called Faro (Anvil Mines at the time) as secretary to the President.
I was given my own apartment (most of the staff had to live in bunk houses) and a huge salary compared with what I would receive in Vancouver.
So I was thrilled about that.
I didn't want to feel totally isolated, though, so I asked whether I could eat with the others in the cookhouse and they obliged.
Thank God.
It was fun and much easier than doing my own cooking and making do with the limited selection in the local store.
The cook took a special liking to me and every day he would give me extra rations of cookies and cakes.
Pretty soon I realized that if I took advantage of these favors I would end up being a roly-poly.
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so I would take them and then give them away.
Lotsa fun.
I do remember a really cute Japanese gal who worked up there telling me she had already gained 25 lbs in one year, and it showed.
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It was all the lesson I needed, thankfully.
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Le Crueset cookware is definitely famous.
A friend of mine in Kerrisdale has some and he said they're very, very expensive but worth every penny.
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He has one pot that he uses almost daily and has for years and it has proved to be the best pot he's every cooked with and worked with---sturdy, reliable, easy to work with.
So I guess it's worth the big bucks, true?!
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Vancouver is pretty good, but not paradise I'd say.
The weather's too crummy half the time, or more than half the time actually, Which is why my brother left Canada for France.
He could no longer stand the cold weather.
Certainly, I do miss him.
As a matter of fact, I've found an interesting joke:
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You see, Kato, we don't have many sunny days in Vancouver!
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your article.
Thanks again for all this.
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Love, Diane ~
SOURCE: "Roly-poly in the North"
(July 30, 2011)
So, I thought you might just as well want to read "Kusamakura."
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Himiko's Monologue
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Wow!
I wish I could be up in the North.
I wanna enjoy the wilderness in the Canadian North like Diane.
There is an old saying:
Where there is a will,
there is a way.
Someday, I'll go to Faro with my sweetheart.
Before that, however, I'd better find a nice gentleman, I suppose.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happy Days"
"Vancouver Again"
"Midnight in Vancouver"
"Madame Lindbergh"
"Dead Poets Society"
"Letters to Diane"
"Taliesin Studio"
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"Wright and Japan"
"Taliesin Banzai"
"Memrory Lane to Sendai"
"Aunt Sleepie"
"Titanic @ Sendai"
"Birdcage"
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"Roly-poly in the wild"
"Silence is dull"
"Zen and Chi Gong"
"Piano Lesson"
"Dangerous Relation"
"Electra Complex"
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"Covent Garden"
"Fatal Relation"
"Notre Dame"
"Anne Frank"
"Biker Babe"
"Diane Girdles the Globe"
"Diane in Casablanca"
"Infidelity Neighbourhood"
"Forest Bathing"
"Enjoy Ramen!"
"Sex, Violence, Love"
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"Halifax to Vancouver"
"A Thread of Destiny"
"Fujiyama Geisha"
"Beaver Lake"
"God is Near!"
"Holy Cow@Rose Garden"
"Vancouver Earthquake"
"Birthplace"
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"KIFF"
"You Love Japan, eh?"
"Eight Bridges"
"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Glenn Gould was widely known for his unusual habits.
He usually hummed while he played the piano, and his recording engineers had mixed results in how successfully they were able to exclude his voice from recordings.
Gould claimed that his singing was subconscious and increased proportionately with the inability of the piano in question to realize the music as he intended.
It is likely that this habit originated in Gould's having been taught by his mother to "sing everything that he played."
This became his unbreakable and notorious habit.
Some of Gould's recordings were severely criticized because of the background "vocalise".
Many listeners would find the groans and croons intolerable.
Glenn Gould: A Portrait (1985)
Gould was renowned for his peculiar body movements while playing and for his insistence on absolute control over every aspect of his playing environment.
The temperature of the recording studio had to be exactly regulated.
He invariably insisted that it be extremely warm.
The air conditioning engineer had to work just as hard as the recording engineers.
The piano had to be set at a certain height and would be raised on wooden blocks if necessary.
A small rug would sometimes be required for his feet underneath the piano.
He had to sit fourteen inches above the floor and would play concerts only while sitting on the old chair his father had made.
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He continued to use this chair even when the seat was completely worn through.
His chair is so closely identified with him that it is shown in a place of honor in a glass case at the National Library of Canada.
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2022ǯ0824
Aftershock
Aftershock
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Kato, how come you've brought up a shocking image?
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Diane, do you remember what we talked about the last time?
Yes, we talked about an upcoming Vancouver earthquake, didn't we?
Yes, you're telling me.
Cascadia Subduction Zone
M9 Earthquake Imminent
(Documentary)
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Vancouver Earthquake
Amazing! ... Unbelievable!
Seeing is believing, isn't it?
But I don't think we're gonna see this mega earthquake in our lifetime.
Well... according to many seismologists, a super quake occurs every 300 to 400 years in Cascadia. And chances are we'll see one giant quake pretty soon since the mega quake hit Vancouver on January 19, 1700.
Kato, I think you're worried too much.
I don't think so... you know something Diane?... I've been watching many movies... Last night, I watched my 857th movie.
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"Actual Listing Page"
I see... you viewed "Calcutta" on June 23, didn't you?
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Yes, I did watch "Calcutta."
So what?
Well... I watched "Aftershock" on May 5.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
I see... you viewed "Aftershock" on May 5, and then jotted down your comment, didn't you?
Yes, I did... the thing is, I've watched many movies since then.
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"Actual Listing Page"
I see... you watched "Orgasm Inc" on the same day, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
...sounds quite interesting... Maybe, I should see it, too... How did you like it?
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
Well... Diane, I wanna get into this movie, but I've almost forgotten viewing "Orgasm Inc."
Why is that?
...'Cause the shocking images of "Aftershock" have remained in the back of my mind ever since.
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I see... your mind has been inprinted with the above images, hasn't it?
Yes, it has. The movie "Aftershock" still stands out in my mind.
What is the movie all about in the first place?
Well, "Aftershock" is a 2010 Chinese disaster-drama directed by Feng Xiaogang. The film depicts the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake. It is a major box office success, and has grossed more than US$100 million at the Chinese box office. The story goes like this:
Aftershock
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In 1976 Tangshan, Li Yuanni lives in a small apartment with her husband and their twins Fang Deng and Fang Da.
Li tells her husband, Fang Daqiang, that she wishes to have one more child, and they get into the back of their truck after putting their son and daughter to bed.
Suddenly the ground shakes, and buildings begin tumbling down.
Running back to save their children, Li is pulled back by her husband, who runs ahead of her and is instantly crushed.
Their house collapses, trapping her two children.
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In the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, a rescue team informs Li that her twins are trapped together under a slab of concrete.
Lifting the slab in any way will kill one of her children.
Heartbroken, she decides to save her son, Fang Da.
The girl, Fang Deng, survives and wakes up later to find herself among several dead bodies.
Assumed to be an orphan, Fang Deng is adopted by a military couple.
She refuses to speak, but eventually opens up and bonds with her adopted parents (Wang Deqing and Dong Guilan).
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Ten years later, Fang Deng (renamed to "Wang Deng" after taking on her adoptive father's surname) is accepted into medical school and moves away, where she meets a graduate student, Yang Zhi, and begins an intimate relationship with him.
In Fang Deng's third year of study, her adoptive mother falls ill.
Before dying, she asks Fang Deng to use the money they saved to find her real family.
Fang Deng finds out she is pregnant, and despite being pressured by Yang to get an abortion, she refuses to abandon her baby.
She secretly drops out of university and loses contact with Yang and her adoptive father.
During that period of time, Fang Da grows up with his mother.
The earthquake claimed his left arm, leaving him physically disabled.
Rather than taking his university entrance exams, Fang Da opts to make it on his own by transporting people with his bike.
He leaves his mother in Tangshan and moved to Hangzhou, and eventually becomes the boss of a successful travel agency.
He marries and has a son, named Diandian.
After a four-year absence, Fang Deng goes back to see her adoptive father with her daughter, also named Diandian.
She apologises to her adoptive father and reconciles with him.
On New Year's Eve, Fang Deng tells her adoptive father that she is getting married to a foreigner and will be emigrating to Vancouver, Canada, with her daughter.
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In 2008, Fang Deng sees the earthquake in Sichuan on television.
She immediately volunteers to join rescuers and returns to China.
Fang Da has also decided to help in the rescue efforts.
While taking a break, Fang Deng overhears Fang Da talking about the Tangshan earthquake.
She reunites herself with her brother, and they both decide to visit their mother.
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At first, Fang Deng is angry at her mother for abandoning her.
Later, after realising the remorse, emotional agony and guilt that her mother had gone through, she forgives the latter.
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SOURCE: "Aftershock (2010 film)"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So, the heroine immigrated to Vancouver, huh?
Yes, she did. Her husband is a Canadian lawyer living in West Vancouver.
Really? What a coincidence? So, Kato, that's why you think a super quake like Tangshan Quake may take place in Vancouver, huh?
Yes, it might happen... Anyway, Diane, you should borrow the DVD and be prepared mentally for the upcoming Vancouver quake.
Well ... maybe I'll see "Aftershock" after watching "Orgasm Inc."
That's a good idea.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Have you ever been to Vancouver?
It is a beautiful city---one of the best cities in the world.
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Beautiful Vancouver
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Kato says that Vancouver is a paradise.
As you know, however, nothing is perfect, nobody is perfect.
So no city is perfect.
However, no matter what disaster hits the city, I wish, Vancouver remains to be a beautiful city.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Sabina"
"Happy New Year"
"Merange & Sabina"
"Beauty in Spa"
"Love @ e-reading"
"Troublesome Slang"
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"World Family"
"Mari's Bagels"
"Love & Loyalty"
"Another Cinderella"
"Amazing Two-legged Pooch"
"Delusive Romance"
"Royal Couple"
"Life with Music"
"Poutine@Canada"
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"Glorious Summer"
"Biker Babe & Granny"
"Genetically Modified"
"Tyrannosaur"
"Love@Magic"
"Yellow Ball"
"Welcome Back"
"Forbidden Love"
"Merry X'Mas"
"Heaven with Mochi"
"Travel Expense Scandal"
"Love@Redemption"
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"JAGEL"
"JAGEL Again"
"Say NO!"
Happy Gal in Canada
Roof of Vancouver
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies by the end of this year.
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"Actual Listing Page"
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So far, he's watched 857 movies.
That is, he must see 144 more movies to accomplish his goal.
I'm particularly interested in Number 857 in the above list.
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"Actual Catalogue Page"
Kato jotted down his comment as follows:
This is a 1969 French documentary directed by Louis Malle.
It explores the poorest part of the city.
One-third of the population, or 1.5 million people, lived in 3,500 unregistered squatter-occupied and 2,011 registered slums.
The authorised slums (with access to basic services like water, latrines, trash removal by the city) can be broadly divided into two groups—bustees, in which slum dwellers have some long term tenancy agreement with the landowners; and udbastu colonies, settlements which had been leased to refugees from present-day Bangladesh by the Government.
The unauthorised slums (devoid of basic services provided by the municipality) are occupied by squatters who started living on encroached lands---mainly along canals, railway lines and roads.
Some living conditions are unimaginable and nauseating.
You might get sick and feel like throwing up.
The above comment sounds quite interesting, doesn't it?
Why don't you see it?
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2022ǯ0725
Victorian Prudery
Victorian Prudery
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No panties, please!
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In the first place, the Japanese women used to wear no panties---let alone, brassiere.
Men wore a loincloth while women wore "koshi-maki()" or something like petticoat.
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Women in
"koshi-maki()"
In 1919 the headmaster at Ochanomizu girls' high school forced his students to wear panties or drawers.
After graduation, however, 90 percent of those students stopped wearing panties simply because they abided by the prevailing customs.
One of the reasons why the Japanese women started to wear panties is to have experienced some major disasters, one of which was the Great Kanto Earthquake that took place in 1923.
Another disaster was the fire that happened at the Shirokiya Department store in 1932.
The shoppers involved in the accident tried to escape the fire using a rope along the exterior of the building.
However, the female shoppers didn't wear panties.
A great number of onlookers watched the escaping women, who hesitated to jump down because of their sense of prudery.
If the female shoppers jumped down, the hem of their kimono would flare up and their private parts would expose themselves to the eyes of the curious onlookers.
Instead, the women preferred burning-to-death to exposing their private parts.
Since this fire, the Japanese women started to wear panties.
(translated by Kato)
(pictures from the Denman Library)
206 page
"When did the Japanese feel ashamed of nakedness"
by Akira Nakano;
published by Shincho-sha(Ĭ)
on May 25, 2010
Quoted in :
"Unwashed Panties and
Good Gals in Bed"
(August 25,2011)
ѥĤȾ٤˷Ǻ
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Kato, are you serious?
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Yes, of course, I am. I'm not joking nor jesting.
But I can hardly believe that those Japanese women preferred death because of their prudery.
You believe it or not, Diane, it is supposed to be a historical fact. The fire at the department actually happened and many female shoppers died due to their prudery.
Amazing!
Yes, it is indeed, but that prudery had been imported by the Westerners---the British, the Americans and the Germans.
How do you know?
Look at the following picture!
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Public bath house in Shimoda
around the 1850s
Jeez. This is a picture of mixed bathing scene, isn't it?
Yes, it is. Actually, this picture was painted by Wilhelm Heine, a German artist.
Wilhelm Heine
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Full name: Peter Bernhard Wilhelm Heine
He was born on January 30, 1827 in Dresden,
and died on October 5, 1885 in Lößnitz bei Dresden.
He was a German-American artist, world traveller and writer.
Heine studied at the Royal Academy of Art in Dresden and in the studio of Julius Hübner.
Then he continued his artistic studies for three years in Paris.
He returned to Dresden getting work as a scene designer for the court theater and giving painting classes.
He fled to New York in 1849, following the suppression of the May Uprising in Dresden in which he participated.
In this he was aided by Alexander von Humboldt.
He set up his artist studio at 515 Broadway, and soon established his reputation as an artist.
After meeting the archaeologist and diplomat, Ephraim George Squier, Heine was invited to accompany him, as an artist, on his consular duties to Central America.
Proceeding ahead of Squier, he collected and recorded indigenous plants and animals and compiled notes for future publications.
Until Squier arrived, Heine stood in as consul, negotiating a commercial agreement between the Central American countries and the United States, which he delivered to Washington.
The record of this expedition was published in 1853 as the Wanderbilder aus Centralamerika.
While in Washington, he met President Millard Fillmore and Commodore Matthew Perry, and was selected from among several score of applicants for the post of official artist to the Perry expedition to Japan.
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Commodore Matthew Perry
Nominally attached to Perry's expedition as an Acting Master's Mate in the United States Navy, Heine visited Okinawa, the Bonin Islands, Yokohama, Shimoda and Hakodate during 1853 and 1854.
Tokyo (Edo), however, remained closed to the members of the American expedition, and Heine was not to visit the city until 1860, when he returned to Japan as a member of the Prussian Expedition.
The sketches he produced of the places he visited and the people he encountered there, together with the daguerreotypes taken by his colleague Eliphalet Brown Jr., formed the basis of a official iconography of the American expedition to Japan which remains an important record of the country as it was before the foreigners arrived in force.
SOURCE: "Wilhelm Heine" Wikipedia
PICTURES: from the Denman Library
So, when the German artist visited the public bath house in Shimoda, the Japanese didn't feel ashamed of their nakedness at all, did they?
No, the Japanese at the time didn't care about their nakedness at all.
Amazing! What a big change between the 1850s and 1930s.
Yes, it was a big change, yet the Westerners---the British, in particular---also experienced a big change.
Oh...? What change?
Well..., Diane, please read the following passage.
Foreign prejudice
against bathing
Foreigners coming to Japan was amazed to witness the mixed-bathing scene in Japan.
Why is that?
Well..., if you want to understand their wonder, you should know their prevailing common sense at the time.
First of all, the Western approach to nudity was quite different from the Japanese.
For example, the British at the time abided by the Victorian prudery.
During the Victorian era, the British must not expose their naked bodies.
There are some episodes about those strict social codes.
One episode goes like this:
A newly-wed husband was stunned to death when he saw the pubic hair between his wife's legs for the first time.
Another episode goes like this:
Even the glimpse of an ankle of a piano leg was scandalous so that it was covered with tiny pantalettes.
(piano90.jpg)
(piano91.jpg)
Such being the case, the British were stunned to death when they saw the Japanese men and women bathe together naked.
Besides, the Western bathing custom was quite different from the Japanese.
In much older times, the Westerners took a bath and mixed bathing was also found in Europe.
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However, when the medieval plague went rampant, spread the rumor that "the heat and water caused a rift to the skin and the plague slip into the body through the rift."
Because of this rumor, the bathing custom became obsolete.
Some historians believe that most European women in the 18th century died without taking a bath for their lifetime.
Most Westerners had this kind of prejudice when they visited Japan in the 1850s.
Even in 1897, other historians say, "some French women never took a bath for their lifetime.
(translated by Kato)
(pictures from the Denman Library)
Pages 30 - 31
"When did the Japanese feel ashamed of nakedness"
by Akira Nakano;
published by Shincho-sha(Ĭ)
on May 25, 2010
Quoted in :
"Nudity and Censor"
(August 29,2011)
إ̡ɤȼ̿٤˷Ǻ
I can hardly believe that French women in 1897 never took a bath for their lifetime.
Only some of the French women didn't, I suppose. Some historians say that perfume was introduced for that reason.
What reason, Kato?
Well...if you didn't take a bath for years, your body would naturally spread a killing odor, wouldn't it?
Oh, my goodness...don't tell me that, Kato. Besides, I'm suspicious about the piano leg story.
If you doubt, please read the following passage.
Victorian prudery
Clothing covered the entire body, we are told, and even the glimpse of an ankle was scandalous.
Critics contend that corsets constricted women's bodies and women's lives.
Homes are described as gloomy, dark, cluttered with massive and over-ornate furniture and proliferating bric-a-brac.
Myth has it that even piano legs were scandalous, and covered with tiny pantalettes.
Of course, much of this is untrue, or a gross exaggeration.
Corsets stressed a woman's sexuality, exaggerating hips and bust by contrast with a tiny waist.
Women's ball gowns bared the shoulders and the tops of the breasts.
The jersey dresses of the 1880s may have covered the body, but the stretchy novel fabric fitted the body "like a glove".
There is no actual evidence that piano legs were considered scandalous.
Pianos and tables were often draped with shawls or cloths—but if the shawls hid anything, it was the cheapness of the furniture.
There are references to lower-middle-class families covering up their pine tables rather than show that they couldn't afford mahogany.
The piano leg story seems to have originated in Captain Frederick Marryat's 1839 book, Diary in America, as a satirical comment on American prissiness.
Victorian manners, however, may have been as strict as imagined—on the surface.
One simply did not speak publicly about sex, childbirth, and such matters, at least in the respectable middle and upper classes.
However, as is well known, discretion covered a multitude of sins.
Prostitution flourished.
Upper-class men and women indulged in adulterous liaisons.
Victorian Women
(bustle7.jpg)
Some people now look back on the Victorian era with wistful nostalgia.
Historians would say that this is as much a distortion of the real history as the stereotypes emphasizing Victorian repression and prudery.
Women were not allowed to swim, for it would be frowned upon as "bad etiquette".
Women also had to wear special suits to ride bikes.
Also notable is a contemporary counter-cultural trend called steampunk.
Those who dress steampunk often wear Victorian-style clothing that has been "tweaked" in edgy ways: tattered, distorted, melded with Goth fashion, Punk, and Rivethead styles.
Another example of Victorian fashion being incorporated into a contemporary style is the Gothic and Classic Lolita Fashion culture.
Victorian Women
and Prostitution
SOURCE:"Victorian fashion", Wikipedia
PICTURES: from the Denman Library
London In The 1920s
Queen Victoria's
Diamond Jubilee (1897)
You see, Kato, there is no actual evidence that piano legs were considered scandalous.
I see that, Diane, but in those days, people did not speak publicly about sex, childbirth, and such matters, at least in the respectable middle and upper classes. I believe, this is the prevailing social atmosphere of the Victorian era. Don't you think so, Diane?
Yes, I understand what you mean. Nowadays, people talk about sex anytime and everywhere.
Talking about mixed bathing, we have Wreck beach in Vancouver. Some men and women go naked on the beach and enjoy the sunshine.
Yes, I know that, Kato. And you used to be one of them, I guess.
How do you know, Diane?
Because I notice some of your articles about nudity when I did some search on the Net.
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"The Search Result at Present"
So, how about you? Have you ever been to the nude beach?
I'm a born Christian, you know, and proud of having a decent prudery.
Oh, yeah...? :)
Anyway, prudery seems to change as time goes by, doesn't it?
Yes, it does. You're right on, Diane.
Himiko's Monologue
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Wow! I'm ashamed of being stark naked in the public.
Maybe, I'm old-fashioned.
But yes, I'm proud of having a bit of decent prudery like Diane.
Nudity is one thing; romance is another.
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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(cleo005.jpg)
"Cleopatra"
"Queen Nefertiti"
"Catherine de Medici"
"Catherine the Great"
(mata02b.jpg)
"Mata Hari"
"Sidonie Colette"
(monroe92.jpg)
"Marilyn Monroe"
"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
(dogs17.gif)
"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
(sushi82.jpg)
"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
(joy001.jpg)
"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
(engbay02.jpg)
"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
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～ϥ～～!
ˤʤϢ
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ؤ줤ˤʤäȴ
塦Ĥޤ
ؤäѤäܻˡ
Ƴڤʪ
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
غΩĥۥåȤʾ
ءФԤˤʡ롡
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̴ȥޥβͻ
زĤͤäƸơġ
ضΰ
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ؾξοʣǯˡ
طΤʤʣǯˡ
ػȡձסʣǯˡ
إʥ˥ʣǯˡ
(june09b.jpg)
Hi, I'm June Adames.
I'm surprised to read about the Victorian prudery.
These days, I quite often see nudity in magazines and movies.
When you see Madame Emmanuelle in the film,
you cannot avoid nudity.
(sylvia16.jpg)
Emmanuelle 1 - Overture
Emmanuelle 2: L'antivierge
Sylvia Kristel (1975)
Well...nudity is one thing; romance is another.
I believe, the capital of romance is Paris.
If you love to visit Paris,
please enjoy the Paris theme:
(paris32.jpg)
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Edith Piaf
You can find some Japanese musicians in Paris.
Fujiko Hemming also likes Édith Piaf
who sings "Sous le Ciel de Paris."
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Édith Piaf
I like Chanson Française (French song).
How about you?
Kato also love Édith Piaf,
but he considers Juliette Greco's
"Sous le Ciel de Paris" much beter.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Juliette Greco
I believe Yves Montand's "Sous le Ciel de Paris" is the best of all.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Yves Montand
I love Paris, but Vancouver isn't bad at all.
To tell you the truth, Vancouver is a paradise to me.
(vanc700.jpg)
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Ȥˤڤ
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2022ǯ0626
Odd Couple
Odd Couple
(cage004.jpg)
(cage002.jpg)
(2004ft.gif)
Subj:Hi, Kato...
"The Birdcage" was hilarious.
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 6:51 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi Kato,
How's it going with you?
I read your article.
(dizzy2.jpg)
"Auntie Sleepie"
(December 13, 2011)
Fascinating information in the above article!
I actually think I know the mysterious and inspirational lady you're talking about.
She looks very much like the photo you displayed and she comes across as intelligent but disturbed at the same time.
Something must have happened to her that affected her more rational behavior, or at least that's how it seems.
I certainly know about Kurosawa as he's been famous and very popular here in Canada now for some time.
The movie "Throne of Blood" looks a bit too gory for me, though.
(kumo905.jpg)
More of a man's film, I'd say.
Interesting story, for sure.
Are you keeping busy ... too busy sometimes?
My boyfriend and I went to the Playhouse Theater on Saturday night and saw a hilarious play "La Cage aux Folles."
(play001.jpg)
(play002.jpg)
I had seen the movie years ago and then there was remake apparently with Robin Williams.
(cage004.jpg)
The Birdcage (1996)
(Movie Trailer)
The movie was better, but the play was still quite marvelous.
Preparing now for Christmas.
Maybe I'll get to Joe Fortes before that time. Hopefully.
Gotta run,
(engbay03.jpg)
Love, Diane ~
(foolw.gif)
Subj:Hi, Diane
What a big crook!
(angel03.gif)
Date: Tues., Dec. 20, 2011 10:11 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane3760@canada.ca
Hi Diane,
I'm glad to know that you've been happily preparing for the big event---X'mas!
Well..., I'm not a Christian, so X'mas is not such a big event in my life.
However, watching X'mas trees always makes me happy and puts me into a festival mood.
(xmastree2.gif)
Your big crook reminded me of James Herriot's sheep story, in which a dying sheep is miraculously saved simply because she has been sent into a long sleep with a drug so that she couldn't feel pain at all.
Pain and fear would give anyone a bad effect.
That's what James Herriot said in the story.
Well, at least, your big crook gave me a bit of laugh, which made me happy. :)
By the way, the mysterious woman showed up in the afternoon with a DVD today.
She always puzzles me.
What is she doing?
She doesn't have to sit at the online computer at all if she wants to view DVDs.
An offline computer will do.
How come she always sits at the online computer at the same time?
Some day, I might as well ask her.
(sylviex.jpg)
Sylvie had appeared 20 minutes earlier than you did.
You just missed her.
As usual, she seemed happy and satisfied with herself. :) he, he, he, he, he,...
Well, I've just written a story about the "Titanic" movie and my own Titanic-like romance.
Please click the following link:
(titanic13.jpg)
"Titanic @ Sendai"
(December 20, 2011)
I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Your truly romantic Taliesin,
Kato
(denman01.gif)
:) with love
(2004ft.gif)
Subj:Hi, Kato...
Please come to see the play.
Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2011 11:27 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi, Kato.
Yes, it's a lovely crook isn't it?
I'll have to send you some photos of the cast when we're in full regalia.
I've got an awesome shepherd's outfit which I pretty well put together myself, and the rest of the group are really fun and committed to the play.
Of course, if I had got to be one of the three Kings it'd be an even better costume with more glitter and such, but what's a girl to do.
You've got to dress for the role you've got.
(maria05.jpg)
As it turns out, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is really sick and I've been substituting for her as well as playing my simple role as a shepherd, so it may turn out I get to do both roles on Christmas Eve.
Such fun I haven't had since grade school, really!
It's just filled me with such happiness.
We'll perform the play at 5 PM on Dec. 24th.
Kato, come to my church & see for yourself, just for fun, why don't you?
(dizzy2.jpg)
By the way, I'm so fascinated with this mysterious lady.
You really should approach her and get to know her, if only to explain to her she can watch her DVD's without booking time on the computer.
She'd probably bless you for this.
Let me know, okay?
Thanks for this information.
I've not got time right now but SOON I'll peruse it.
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Love & Blessings,
Diane ~
(diane02.gif)
Kato, how come you didn't come to my church to see the play?
(kato3.gif)
It was down-pouring. Too wet to go out.
I don't think so. It was drizzling, but not definitely down-pouring. You should've come to see the play.
Anyway, I had a good laugh when you showed up at Joe Fortes Library with that giant crook. That was more than enough for me. :) He, he, he, he, he,...
(angel03.gif)
Don't be silly, Kato...I didn't show up like that.
In any case, I could easily imagine how the play would go. So instead, I was looking for some funny X'mas video clips for a X'mas article.
You're not dependable. You don't show up or you come too late...always like that.
Talking of the play, Diane, you went to the Playhouse Theater to see "La Cage aux Folles," didn't you?
Yes, I did. Did you, Kato?
No, I didn't...but I viewed the "Birdcage" DVD, which you mentioned in the mail.
Oh, did you? I think the movie is better, but the play is still quite marvelous.
La Cage aux Folles
It is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman.
Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, Jean-Michel, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.
The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs.
The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
La Cage aux Folles is the only musical which has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice and the only show that has won a Best Production Tony Award (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.
A National Tour, based on the 2010 revival, will begin in October 2011 with George Hamilton as Georges and Christopher Sieber as Albin.
Synopsis
Georges, the master of ceremonies, welcomes the audience to his St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles".
The chorus line known as Les Cagelles appear and introduce themselves to the audience.
Georges and his "wife", Albin, have lived happily together for many years in an apartment above La Cage with their black "maid" Jacob.
Albin is a drag queen and the star performer of La Cage aux Folles under the alias of "Zaza".
As Albin prepares to perform, Georges' 24-year-old son Jean-Michel (the offspring of a confused, youthful liaison with a woman named Sybil) arrives home with the news that he is engaged to Anne Dindon.
Georges is reluctant to approve of Jean-Michel's engagement, but Jean-Michel assures his father that he is in love with Anne.
Unfortunately, her father is head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party", whose stated goal is to close the local drag clubs.
Anne's parents want to meet their daughter's future in-laws.
Jean-Michel has lied to his fiancée, describing Georges as a retired diplomat, and he pleads with Georges to tell Albin to absent himself (and his flamboyantly gay behaviors) for the visit.
Before Georges can break the news to him, Albin suggests that they hurry back to La Cage to make it in time for the next show.
They arrive in time and Albin takes the stage once more as Zaza.
While Albin is performing, Georges and Jean-Michel quickly redecorate the house.
Georges finally tells Albin of Jean-Michel's plan and expects Albin to explode with fury, but he remains silent.
Albin then re-joins Les Cagelles onstage and tells them to leave.
He then begins to sing alone in defiance of Jean-Michel, stating that he is proud of who he is and refuses to change for anyone.
He angrily throws his wig at Georges and departs in a huff.
The next morning, Georges finds Albin after his abrupt departure and apologizes.
He then suggests to Albin that he dress up for dinner as macho "Uncle Al".
Albin is still upset, but reluctantly agrees to act like a heterosexual for Jean-Michel.
Back at the chastely redesigned apartment, Georges shows "Uncle Al" to Jean-Michel.
Jean-Michel doesn't like the idea and expresses his dislike for Albin's lifestyle.
Georges angrily reminds Jean-Michel of how good of a "mother" Albin has been to him.
They then receive a telegram that Jean-Michel's mother Sybil is not coming and Anne's parents arrive.
Hoping to save the day, Albin appears as Jean-Michel's buxom, forty-year-old mother, in pearls and sensible shoes.
The nervous Jacob burns the dinner, so a trip to a local restaurant, "Chez Jacqueline", belonging to an old friend of Albin and Georges, is quickly arranged.
No one has told Jacqueline of the situation, and she asks Albin (as Zaza) for a song, to which he hesitantly agrees.
Everyone in the restaurant begins to take part in the song, causing Albin to yield to the frenzy of performance and tear off his wig at the song's climax, revealing his true identity.
Back at the apartment, the Dindons plead with their daughter to abandon her fiancé, for they are appalled by his homosexual parents, but she is in love with Jean-Michel and refuses to leave him.
Jean-Michel, deeply ashamed of the way he has treated Albin, asks his forgiveness, which is lovingly granted.
The Dindons prepare to depart, but their way is blocked by Jacqueline, who has arrived with the press, ready to photograph these notorious anti-homosexual activists with Zaza.
Georges and Albin have a proposal: If Anne and Jean-Michel may marry, Georges will help the Dindons escape through La Cage aux Folles next door.
The Dindons do so, dressed in drag as members of the nightclub's revue, and all ends well.
Audition for
"La Cage aux Folles"
SOURCE: "La Cage aux Folles"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Was the playhouse packed?
Oh, yes, it was with a lot of people. We really enjoyed the play. How about you, Kato?
I didn't see the play, but the "Birdcage" is quite an amusing movie. Nathan Lane, who played as Albert, is a funny guy---actually, the funniest homosexual I've ever seen in my life.
Funniest? In what way?
Well..., he was eating at the table with Robin Williams. He picked up some slimy stuff with a fork, but couldn't manage to hold it, and dropped it. In doing so, he overreacted in such a hilarious way that I laughed to death. He was really a drag queen in the true sense.
I cannot recall such a funny scene.
Anyway, if someone with homophobia see the movie, he or she might change his way of thinking about homosexuality.
Kato, are you a homosexual?
Diane, are you trying to insult me?
Oh, no, I'm quite serious and curious.
Do I look like a drag queen?
Oh, no, you don't. But I've noticed that a wildest-looking man sometimes turns out to be a homosexual.
I'm not against homosexuality, but acting like a drag queen is the last thing I want to do.
You know, Kato, there are quite a few anti-gay activists in Vancouver.
I know that. So the Vancouver School Board is taking an anti-homophobia policy, using film and video to engage youth and educators on issues related to homophobia.
How do you know?
I saw the sign board the other day.
(homo001.jpg)
Where did you find it?
Of course, in Vancouver. Look at the map in the background.Don't ask me such a foolish question.
So the school board is providing anti-homophobia programs, isn't it?
I suppose so. If I was one of the school trustees, I would propose that each student should see "The Birdcage" so that all the students would laugh off homophobia. What would you say, Diane?
Maybe a good idea. I agree with you.
Himiko's Monologue
(himiko22.gif)
Wow! ... What a funny drag queen!
As you know, a drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining.
There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once.
Drag queens also vary by class and culture and can vary even within the same city.
Although many drag queens are gay men, there are drag artists of all genders and sexualities who do drag for various reasons or purposes.
Women who dress like men for the same purpose are known as drag kings.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
(renge62e.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
(renge63.jpg)
"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
(rengevan.jpg)
"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
(rengfire.jpg)
"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
(girl202.gif)
"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
(girl122.jpg)
"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
(girl100.jpg)
"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
(chiwawa5.gif)
"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
(ebay5.jpg)
"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
(vanc700.jpg)
"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victoria Prudery"
(sylvia16.jpg)
"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happy Days"
"Vancouver Again"
"Swansea"
(vansnow2.jpg)
"Midnight in Vancouver"
"Madame Lindbergh"
"Dead Poets Society"
"Letters to Diane"
"Taliesin Studio"
(kimo10.jpg)
"Wright and Japan"
"Taliesin Banzai"
"Memrory Lane to Sendai"
"Aunt Sleepie"
"Titanic @ Sendai"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
I saw "The Birdcage" too.
It was indeed hilarious.
The Birdcage met with mixed reviews ranging from praise to condemnation in both the mainstream press and the gay press for the portrayals of its gay characters.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) praised the film for "going beyond the stereotypes to see the character's depth and humanity."
The Birdcage opened on March 8, 1996 and grossed 18 million dollars in its opening weekend, topping the box office.
By the end of its 14-week run, the film had grossed 124 million dollars domestically and 61 million internationally, coming down to 185 million worldwide.
So it became quite a popular movie.
If you happen to visit a library in your neighborhood, you might as well borrow the "Birdcage" DVD and view it.
I'm pretty sure you'll laugh to death.
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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(girlxx.gif)
2022ǯ0524
Wonder Dog
Wonder Dog
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Kato, have you got an amazing two-legged dog?
Me...? Oh, no, I don't have such a mind-boggling pooch.
Then, how come you talk about such an unbelievable dog?
Well ... I've read a newspaper article about unusual dogs.
Pooch Saved from Foreclosed Home
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Naki'o, a red heeler mix breed, has received four prosthetic limbs in Denver, Colorado.
Naki'o was found in the cellar of a Nebraska foreclosed home with all four legs and its tail frozen in puddles of water-turned-ice.
What frostbite didn't do, a surgeon did, amputating all four legs and giving him four prosthetics.
Two-legged Dog Vid
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A nine-month-old boxer named Duncan barreled down a beach in Oregon, running full tilt on soft sand into YouTube history and showing more than four million viewers he can revel in a good romp despite lacking back legs.
SOURCE: "Dog days of prosthetics"
Metronews Weekend April 17-20, 2014
Wow! Amazing! Are these dogs real?
Yes, of course, they are. Community papers are not supposed to publish fake stories.
So, Kato, you've tried to find YouTube video clips for the above pooches, haven't you?
You're telling me, Diane. Here are the amazing video clips:
Naki'o---Bionic Dog
Two Legged Boxer Duncan Lou
Amazing Two hind-legged Dog
Britain's Biggest Dog
Friendly Grizzly Bear
Living With Tigers
Lion Tamer Teenager
So, Diane, how do you like the above video clips?
Just amazing! I can't find right words ... Beats the hell out of me.
I'm pretty sure, your brain and nerves have been quite agitated by now. So, why don't you take a close look at the following pictures.
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Croque Monsieur style Bagels
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Tomato Cheese Bagel Sandwich
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Strawberry Sponge Cake
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Fried Minced Meat Hamburger
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My Favorite Sweets
So, Kato, what about the above pictures?
Aren't you hungry, Diane?
Well ... To tell you the truth, my stomach is rumbling while watching the above pictures. Who made all the above?
Mari did.
Did Mari make all the above from scratch?
Yes, she did.
Why?
...'Cause she would like to impress her prospective employers in Vancouver.
No kidding!
Actually, I wrote an article about a bagel shop on Granville Island.
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Denman-san, is Granville Island a famous spot in Vancouver?
Yes, it is. Almost all the tourists visiting Vancouver enjoy strolling on Granville Island. Mari-chan, I'll take you to the island when you come to this city.
I'd love to visit the island, but how come it is so famous?
Well ... actually, it is not an island. It might have been an island a long time ago, but it is now connected to the town. In a sense, it is a fashionable waterfront public market with various kinds of shops, stores and restaurants as well as some entertainments such as theaters and exhibition halls. If you want to know more about it, click the following link:
Grandville Island
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Denman-san, is there any particular reason for you to bring up the island?
Good question, Mari-chan! Yes, there is a good reason. You would be more than happy to visit the island because there is a bagel shop specializing in authentic Montreal-style bagels. If you want to know more about the shop, click the link below.
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Siegel's Bagels at Granville Island
Denman-san, how come you introduce this shop to me?
'Cause this shop makes stuffed bagels with smoked meat.
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Ummmm... looks delicious.
Indeed, it does, eh? Mari-chan, I'll tell you what. Why don't you make a Japanese-style stuffed bagel with Satsuma-imo or yam?
SOURCE: "Bagels@Granville Island"
Mari has a dream one day she would like to make delicious Japanese-style bagels in Vancouver.
Are you saying that Mari is doing job-hunting while writing articles about her self-made bagels, burgers and sweets?
Yes, that's right. Diane, don't you think she's making such delicious goddies that Vancouverites would be more than happy to have Mari in Vancouver?
I'm pretty sure we'd be more than happy to meet Mari in Vancouver.
Well..., then why don't you jot down a line or two in her blog?
How can I find her blog?
The picture below is a link you could click. Mari would be more than happy to see your comment.
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Himiko's Monologue
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A bagel is a bread product, traditionally shaped by hand into the form of a ring from yeasted wheat dough, roughly hand-sized, which is first boiled for a short time in water and then baked.
The result is a dense, chewy, doughy interior with a browned and sometimes crisp exterior.
Bagels are often topped with seeds baked on the outer crust, with the traditional ones being poppy or sesame seeds.
Some also may have salt sprinkled on their surface, and there are also a number of different dough types such as whole-grain or rye.
How to Make Bagels
Bagels have become a popular bread product in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, especially in cities with large Jewish populations, many with different ways of making bagels.
Like other bakery products, bagels are available either fresh or frozen, and often in many flavor varieties.
The basic roll-with-a-hole design is hundreds of years old and has other practical advantages besides providing for a more even cooking and baking of the dough.
The hole could be used to thread string or dowels through groups of bagels, allowing for easier handling and transportation and more appealing seller displays.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Go Bananas"
"Manwatching"
"Stanley Boardwalk"
"With Your Tiger"
"A Second World"
"Asexual Thought"
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"Stanley 125 Years"
"Sushi @ the Globe"
"Peace@Syria & Pentagon"
"Sweet Memory"
"Unforgettable Movies"
"Typhoon 26"
"Great Luck"
"Diane@World"
"Diane@Spam"
"Sabina"
"Happy New Year"
"Merange & Sabina"
"Beauty in Spa"
"Love @ e-reading"
"Troublesome Slang"
"World Family"
"Mari's Bagels"
"Love & Loyalty"
"Another Cinderella"
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Hi, I'm June Adames.
The Montreal bagel is a distinctive variety of handmade and wood-fired baked bagel.
In contrast to the New York-style bagel, the Montreal bagel is smaller, sweeter and denser, with a larger hole, and is always baked in a wood-fired oven.
It contains malt, egg, and no salt and is boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in a wood-fired oven, whose irregular flames give it a dappled light-and-dark surface color.
How to Make Montreal-Style Bagels at Home
In many Montreal establishments, bagels are still produced by hand and baked in wood-fired ovens, often in full view of the patrons.
There are two predominant varieties: black-seed (poppy seed), or white-seed (sesame seed).
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Diane Chatterley
Diane Chatterley
Subj:
One of those rainy days!
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From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane03760@vancouver.ca
Date: Wed., Sept. 21, 2011 4:08:23 PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi, Diane. How's it going?
Oh, what a lousy day!
One of those wet days, eh?
Today, however, you look sparklingly beautiful!
Wow!
I really mean it!
How come you look so young?---at least 10 years younger!!
I know...I know...you viewed "Lady Chatterley's Lover" last night, didn't you?
No, you didn't?
Well...in that case, your expectation to step into the world of Lady Chatterley has worked a marvelous wonder on you, and makes you feel much, much younger and also makes you look sparklingly beautiful!!
Wow!
I wonder if the DVD film you've got was made by that French female director.
Well, you might as well want to read the article.
D.H. Lawrence Heritage
promotional video
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
I hope you'll feel much younger and beautiful.
Your truly skinny admirer,
Kato
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Subj:
I miss the summer sunshine!
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From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Wed, Sep 21, 2011 4:25 pm.
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
Oh, you're such a kidder.
I never did get a chance to see that DVD but I'm looking forward to it; probably won't be home in the evening until Sunday night.
I don't know how I can wait until then.
Yes, it is the one with the female French Director.
I believe it's in French with English subtitles.
I specifically looked for that particular Director and the librarian here (the young shy guy with the short dark hair) was kind enough to find it for me and reserve it.
He didn't even raise his eyebrows! :)
I'm sure I'll feel much younger and fresher by Monday!
Thanks for this ...
Love, Diane ~
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So, Diane, you viewed the DVD movie directed by Pascale Ferran, didn't you?
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Yes, I did.
Pascale Ferran
"It is known that three original manuscripts of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' remain today.
The first manuscript is something like a draft.
The second was published in the form of a fiction, and the third turned into a film three times in the past.
I made the forth film based on the second manuscript.
In the third manuscript, many characters talked about their own actions while, in the second, unexplained parts remain yet psychological changes revealed themselves, impressing me greatly.
I've found a pure love in the story as if a love story was told for the first time in the human history.
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Constance (Lady Chatterley) and the gamekeeper, Oliver Mellors, went naked in a hut in the woods and gave each other a floral head decoration. To me, it was two hearts combined together.
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Then both lovers ran around in the buff like two playful children while their whole bodies expressed a heart-felt joy. Both scenes are included in the original manuscript and became two important scenes in my film.
I wanted to capture their psychological changes as well as sensual pleasure and smell.
In other words, I wanted to make my film appeal to the senses of the audience.
Translated by Kato
SOURCE:
"Obscenity and Lady Chatterley"
(Decmber 2, 2010)
إ磻Ĥȥ㥿쥤͡
(Japanese Version)
How did you like it?
I became so hot.
Oh, did you? :)
Yes, not because of the movie, but due to the weird weather---hot and humid. How come we had such a weird weather.
Diane, you're mistaken. The thing is, you were sexually excited, weren't you?
Don't be silly, Kato. I'm not such a simple-headed girl.
Oh...? So, you weren't impressed by the movie, were you?
Yes, I was. Actually it was one of the best movies I've ever seen.
Oh, do you really think so, Diane?
Yes, most certainly.
But you didn't become sexually hot, did you?
Oh, Kato, you're preoccupied by sex, aren't you?
Well...everybody is thinking about sex regardless of gender and age.
How come you're saying that?
'Cause I've recently read the following passage:
Sex and Elderly Folks
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About five years ago, in rural Denmark, there happened this incident.
There was a hard-working, reputable female home-helper who cared for the old folks.
She took a good care of elderly men who once in a while got into the romantic mood.
As a result, she became pregnant.
Who was the father of a baby?
She took care of two men, one of whom was in his 60s; the other in his 80s.
Guess which man?
However, both men denied.
So naturally the local police stepped into the matter and made a DNA test on both men.
To everybody's surprise, the father turned out to be the man in his 80s.
With the news, the octogenarian became radiant with his rejuvenation and accepted obediently the result, saying, "I'll look after the child until adulthood."
I wonder if he realized that he would become over 100 years of age when the baby would reach adulthood.
When asked of this episode, the Danish people became amused, but never considered it to be salacious and abominable.
If the same incident had occurred in Japan, the home-helper and her boss would have been fired immediately. The old man might have been put into a jail. The national Diet might have discussed the matter seriously.
(translated by Kato)
Page 120
"Northern European Culture Guide"
First edition second printing
published on February 26, 2001
by Travel Journal Co.
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This incident has nothing to do with "Lady Chatterley's Lover."
Yes, of course, it has. "Lady Chatterley's Lover" is about sex, you know.
You're wrong, Kato. Pascale Ferran said, "I've found a pure love in the story as if a love story was told for the first time in the human history." It is about love, not sex.
But nobody would see the movie if it were about pure love---I mean, Platonic love.
Kato, you're preoccupied by sex. And most people think as you do. But the main subject of Lady Chatterley's Lover is not the sexual passages that were the subject of such debate but the search for integrity and wholeness.
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Themes
In Lady Chatterley's Lover, Lawrence comes full circle to argue once again for individual regeneration, which can be found only through the relationship between man and woman (and, he asserts sometimes, man and man).
Love and personal relationships are the threads that bind this novel together.
Lawrence explores a wide range of different types of relationships.
The reader sees the brutal, bullying relationship between Mellors and his wife Bertha, who punishes him by preventing his pleasure.
There is Tommy Dukes, who has no relationship because he cannot find a woman whom he respects intellectually and, at the same time, finds desirable.
There is also the perverse, maternal relationship that ultimately develops between Clifford and Mrs. Bolton, his caring nurse, after Connie has left.
Mind and body
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Richard Hoggart argues that the main subject of Lady Chatterley's Lover is not the sexual passages that were the subject of such debate but the search for integrity and wholeness.
Key to this integrity is cohesion between the mind and the body for "body without mind is brutish; mind without body...is a running away from our double being."
Lady Chatterley's Lover focuses on the incoherence of living a life that is "all mind", which Lawrence saw as particularly true among the young members of the aristocratic classes, as in his description of Constance's and her sister Hilda's "tentative love-affairs" in their youth:
So they had given the gift of themselves, each to the youth with whom she had the most subtle and intimate arguments.
The arguments, the discussions were the great thing: the love-making and connection were only sort of primitive reversion and a bit of an anti-climax.
The contrast between mind and body can be seen in the dissatisfaction each has with their previous relationships: Constance's lack of intimacy with her husband who is "all mind" and Mellors's choice to live apart from his wife because of her "brutish" sexual nature.
These dissatisfactions lead them into a relationship that builds very slowly and is based upon tenderness, physical passion, and mutual respect.
As the relationship between Lady Chatterley and Mellors develops, they learn more about the interrelation of the mind and the body; she learns that sex is more than a shameful and disappointing act, and he learns about the spiritual challenges that come from physical love.
Neuro-psychoanalyst Mark Blechner identifies the "Lady Chatterley phenomenon" in which the same sexual act can affect people in different ways at different times, depending on their subjectivity.
He bases it on the passage in which Lady Chatterley feels disengaged from Mellors and thinks disparagingly about the sex act: "And this time the sharp ecstasy of her own passion did not overcome her; she lay with hands inert on his striving body, and do what she might, her spirit seemed to look on from the top of her head, and the butting of his haunches seemed ridiculous to her, and the sort of anxiety of his penis to come to its little evacuating crisis seemed farcical.
Yes, this was love, this ridiculous bouncing of the buttocks, and the wilting of the poor insignificant, moist little penis."
Shortly thereafter, they make love again, and this time, she experiences enormous physical and emotional involvement: "And it seemed she was like the sea, nothing but dark waves rising and heaving, heaving with a great swell, so that slowly her whole darkness was in motion, and she was ocean rolling its dark, dumb mass."
SOURCE:
Lady Chatterley's Lover, Wikipedia
PICTURES: from the Denman Library
Besides, I see class struggles in the story.
Class struggles?
Oh, yes...you see, Kato, there were struggles between the aristocratic class and the working class. The husband of Lady Chatterley represents the aristocracy and Mellors the working class.
I see.
The story also tells us about the women's liberation from the aristocratic codes of sexual conducts as well as the British subjects' liberation from the aristocracy-led society. The flip-side of the story is actually about liberty, not sex. That's the way I see it.
Wow! I didn't know that you're such a sophisticated philosopher.
Oh..., you didn't, Kato? I'm a female Socrates in a good shape...ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,...
By the way, Diane, I'm leaving for Tokyo tomorrow.
You gotta be kidding!
I really mean it, Diane.
How could I possibly live in Vancouver without you?
Don't be silly, Diane. We always meet on the Net.
That's nonsense! Face-to-face intercourse is the most important of all.
Diane, you need liberation from the rigid reality. You and I are always together in the heart-to-heart communication.
Well..., anyway, have a nice trip and enjoy a pleasant stay in Japan.
Thanx much, Diane. Whenever you feel lonely, view the following video clip:
Himiko's Monologue
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Wow! Did you see the official trailer?
I think it's a bit obscene and salacious---especially when both make love in the woods.
LADY CHATTERLEY
Official Trailer
Constance (Lady Chatterley) mounted on the thighs of the gamekeeper, Oliver Mellors.
She absorbed in the oozing sensation.
Oh, what a sensual scene!
Don't you think so?
My heart throbbed like mad while I watched the above trailer.
Unity between mind and body is one thing; romance is another.
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
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"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
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"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
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"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
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"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
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"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
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"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
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"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victoria Prudery"
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Hi, I'm June Adames.
I like Sylvia Kristel's Lady Chatterley.
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Sylvia Kristel (1981)
Talking of Sylvia Kristel, you might as well
remember Lady Emmanuelle.
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Emmanuelle 2: L'antivierge
Sylvia Kristel (1975)
Well...if you love to visit Paris,
please enjoy the Paris theme:
Sous le Ciel de Paris
You can find some Japanese musicians in Paris.
Fujiko Hemming also likes Édith Piaf
who sings "Sous le ciel de Paris."
Sous le ciel de Paris
by Édith Piaf
I like Chanson Française (French song).
How about you?
Kato also love Édith Piaf,
but he considers Juliette Greco's
"Sous le Ciel de Paris" much beter.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Juliette Greco
I believe Yves Montand's "Sous le Ciel de Paris" is the best of all.
Sous le Ciel de Paris
by Yves Montand
I love Paris, but Vancouver isn't bad at all.
To tell you the truth, Vancouver is a paradise to me.
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2022ǯ0325
You Want NO GMO
You Want NO GMO
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Kato, you don't like GMO, do you?
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Well... to tell you the truth, I didn't know much about GMO.
Then how come you pasted a NO-GMO sticker in the above?
Since I didn't know much about GMO, I borrowed a DVD about it.
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Actual Catalogue Page
So, you borrowed the above DVD on August 10, 2014 and, after viewing it, you jotted down the comment, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
That was almost 8 years ago, huh?
Yes, it was. . . At that time, 18 people were waiting for the available DVD. . . Many people were interested in GMO.
I can see that. So, Kato, how did you like the movie?
Well... before I'm gonna tell you my opinion, why don't you take a peek at the trailer?
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Ummm... Quite interesting! I think I'm gonna borrow it myself.
Please do. Actually, I've been really convinced that those genetically modified foods are damaging human beings.
Really?
Take a look at the following clip.
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You see, Diane... Monsanto, a multinational agrochemical and biotechnology corporation, introduced genetically engineered cotton to India. Because of this cotton, farm workers are getting itching rashes, and livestock eating the plants are getting sick or dying, and the cotton's unreliable yield is leading to an enormous number of suicides among indebted farmers.
Amazing, isn't it?
Yes, it is. Besides, genetically engineered foods play as a major contributor to rising disease rates especially among children. Gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, inflammatory diseases, and infertility are just some of the problems implicated in humans, pets, livestock, and lab animals that eat genetically modified soybeans and corn.
But Kato, is this all true?
Well, a variety of American organic food companies see Smith as a champion for their interests, and Smith's supporters describe him as the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods.
I've heard that Mr. Smith was a ballroom-dance teacher and yogic flying instructor before he started his crusade against GMO.
That's darn true, but as you see the above clips, he is respected as a public educator on GMO.
But some people describe him as misinformed and misleading, don't they?
That's true. Although they accuse Mr. Smith of being an activist with no scientific or medical background, the film is quite convincing that GMO really damages human beings. Don't you think, Diane?
Then how come the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) ignores a growing health emergency?
The film says, the USDA has lied about it since 1992. Besides, some of the top administrators of the USDA are ex-executives of Monsanto. That is, Monsanto controls key appointments to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The thing is, no matter who wins the presidential election Monsanto benefits.
How about President Obama at the time when the problem hit the public? Was he influenced by Monsanto?
Oh, yes he was. Throughout his first term, for example, President Obama presided over the passage of several Monsanto-friendly legislative initiatives and appointed numerous people associated with Monsanto to high-level positions. So, in this regard, even Putin opposed President Obama as shown in the following clip.
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I see... So, most of the countries are introducing anti-GMO legislation, huh?
You're telling me, Diane. I'm pretty sure, these clips may change your diet.
So, Kato, what would you suggest?
Of course, you should go for organic foods, and take a lot of phytonutrients.
What are phytonutrients?
Watch the following clip.
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I see... So, I should eat foods of 5 colors every day, huh?
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SOURCE: "5 Colors of Phytonutrients You Should Eat Every Day"
Those foods of 5 colors will definitely keep you in shape for years to come.
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Himiko's Monologue
Well . . . what do you think about genetically modified foods?
Do you quite often eat genetically modified foods?
Have you ever worried about disease they might cause?
Maybe you're sick and tired of negative comments on the media.
Do you want me to change subjects?
Well . . . here's a 86-minute documentary about TOP 10 natural disasters.
It really gives you thrilling and unforgettable moments!
If you have a weak heart, don't watch this shocking flick.
Natural Disasters
In any road, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
God Is Coming!
Unforgettable Flicks
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
There have been at least five mass extinctions in the history of life on earth, and four in the last 3.5 billion years in which many species have disappeared in a relatively short period of geological time.
The massive eruptive event is considered to be one likely cause of the "Great Dying" about 250 million years ago, which is estimated to have killed 90% of species existing at the time.
There is also evidence to suggest this event was preceded by another mass extinction known as Olson's Extinction.
The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period and is best known for having wiped out non-avian dinosaurs, among many other species.
Cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction?
Many scientists believe that a comet or meteor triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
You might wonder if another comet collides with the Earth in the near future.
Super Comet Hits the Earth
This is a 2007 speculative documentary produced by ZDF and the Discovery Channel.
It was directed by Stefan Schneider.
The 84-minute film hypothesizes the effects on modern-day earth of a large comet impacting in Mexico near the same location of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, the ancient impact of a comet or meteor that is believed to have triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
It alternates between interviews with climatologists and researchers and dramatized scenes following several groups of people as they attempt to survive in the days and months after the disaster: a separated family in France, a pair of scientists in Hawaii, a man who manages to survive for a period of time near the ground zero impact in Mexico, and a tribe in Cameroon.
It is such a thrilling, exciting and profoundly astounding docudrama that you would forget to take a pee during the show.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
The film seems quite fascinating and interesting.
If there is a rental shop around you, why don't rent the above DVD?
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2022ǯ0125
Biker Babe & Granny
Biker Babe & Granny
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Kato, are you fascinated by biker babes and grannies?
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What makes you think so?
What a stupid question! You've just pasted pictures of an attractive biker babe and a biker granny at the top of this page.
Oh, I see...
So, Kato, are you starting to date with grannies as well?
What makes you think so, Diane?
...'Cause there are so many attractive grannies around.
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So, Diane..., you think I'm dating with one of those attractive grannies, don't you?
Why not?
Oh, ... you must be joking!
Kato, I'm quite serious.
Well ... I've got a reason why I've posted those two pictures above.
Tell me why.
Look at the following screenshot, will ya?
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"Actual Page"
Look at the golden stars in the above screenshot!
1483 Votes are cast, aren't they?
As of January 24, 2022, 4617 Net citizens voted "good" or "excellent" for the above page. These citizens came from all over the world.
Access from Overseas
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I see... So, many people like the above article, don't they?
Yes, they do. And you know what? These folks love your pictures as well.
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And they loved to read your email.
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Subj:I'm glad
you got your postcard FINALLY.
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue., Apr 3, 2012 7:31 pm
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hello, Kato!
Thanks for the above article and the fascinating information.
It was good to see you this afternoon at Joe Fortes.
The librarian tells me that you're now paying rent and that you're one of their best tenants; quiet, peaceful, intelligent and mindful. Not bad.
There could be worse places to hang out in, that's for sure!
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I'm glad you got your postcard FINALLY.
... seems that everyone I sent those to had the same experience as you did.
They've taken over 20 days to reach Vancouver.
Bit too long, I'd say.
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Did you like the stamp?
I've got a thing for stamps and these are special ones, apparently, and just to be used for postcards.
I thought they were very attractive myself .. unique.
Thanks again for all of this material.
I'm still digesting it ~ you are such a sleuth, kiddo.
(dianelin2.jpg)
Love, Diane ~
SOURCE:"Biker Babe"
(April 12, 2012)
I'm glad to know that they loved it, but how about the biker granny? Who the hell is she?
Good question! Actually, the above granny's picture has been taken from the following book cover.
(granny21.jpg)
So, Kato, you read the above book, didn't you?
Yes, I did. I borrowed it from Vancouver Public Library as usual.
Tell me, Kato, what makes you talk about this elderly woman.
I read the following passage.
Fifty Years After WWII
and My Remembrance
A year before the end of the war, my husband was sent to the island of the southern Philippines when a red conscription card was delivered to our home.
We had been married for seven and a half years.
Although I had heard that he was sent to Mindanao island at first, then to Cebu, I hadn't received any letter from my husband.
My husband was a 36-year-old civilian who used to say that he'd like to study painting in Paris after the war.
He was kind of a dreamer, I suppose.
Without realizing his dream, however, he died on the battle ground.
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I clearly remember the day he went to war with two young men in the neighborhood. I carried my 12-month-old daughter on my back while taking the hands of four-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.
With neighbors and send-off friends, we went to the nearby station, but I couldn't find my husband.
I was quite concerned about what happened to my husband.
The departure time of the train was looming, and the send-off party was ready at the platform.
When I went up together, to my surprise, my husband was standing all alone at the end of the long platform.
My husband was a pacifist who hated wars and loved liberty.
Probably because he was forced to go to war, he might have taken such a behavior as a resistance.
My heart really ached whenever I thought about how he could manage to get along with disgruntled sergeants in the army of tough military disciplines.
In March 1946, I received an official notice of my husband's death.
I said to myself, "My dear... You died because you stood alone at the end of the platform when you went to war."
Two young men who went to war with my husband returned home safely.
My husband returned but he turned into a tiny pebble in the urn.
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I wonder how he died in the southern Philippines.
Since I didn't see his death myself, my thought about his death remains blurred.
When you encounter an unbearable distress, you can't shed tears.
I had such a first-hand experience when I had to face the death of my husband.
When I received the urn, I had to think about how we would have to survive before I had a time to shed tears.
I had to support my three children and my mother-in-law and father-in-law.
Thinking about the difficulties as well as the chaos in the post-war years, I swore to myself, "I'll support my kids and my in-laws by all means and I'll never let them starve to death."
Such being the case, I did not afford to shed tears.
Thanks to English I studied hard at the girls' Catholic high school in Yokohama, I started working in a foreign trading company.
Immediately after the war, my father-in-law died unfortunately.
I lived with my mother-in-law for another 25 years.
Although some people made quick money in the post-war mess in many cases, our life with a single bread earner was rather poor.
However, I thanked God for the fact that we were healthy through all these years.
When the occupation authorities returned a Yokohama department store to the Japanese hands, my younger daughter asked me, "What is a department store?"
"It is a store where you can buy anything."
Then my daughter told me, "Mama, please buy me a father."
I was really troubled.
My younger daughter is now living in Toronto, and I live with her family.
I've been here in this city for 18 years since I immigrated to Canada.
I'm now accustomed to a Canadian way of living.
Although I don't have much luxury, I enjoy this moderate lifestyle.
And friendship I have built since I came here is a real asset for the life of an 85-year-old grandmother.
I really appreciate the kindness of my friends.
I lost my husband in the Philippines and my brother in Okinawa.
My "life after the war" or remembrance will be always with me until my death.
At the end, however, I can certainly tell you, "I have no regrets about the fact that the militaristic Japan is gone now."
(translated by Kato)
SOURCE:"Romance in Tough Life"
(ؤӤ뤷Υޥ)
July 28, 2014
I was really moved by reading the above passage.
Were you? What made you get so moved?
The following part really made me moved.
(urn02.jpg)
When I received the urn, I had to think about how we would have to survive before I had a time to shed tears.
I had to support my three children and my mother-in-law and father-in-law.
Thinking about the difficulties as well as the chaos in the post-war years, I swore to myself, "I'll support my kids and my in-laws by all means and I'll never let them starve to death."
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How come you were so moved by the above passage?
Well ... she said that her favorite movie was "Waterloo Bridge" and that it gave her a lift so that she could put up with the hardship whenever she viewed it. So I borrowed the DVD from Vancouver Public Library and viewed it myself.
(waterloo2.jpg)
(lib40722.png)
"Actual Catalogue Page"
"Waterloo Bridge"
(waterloo3.jpg)
The film opens after Britain's declaration of World War II.
Roy Cronin, an army colonel, is being driven to London's Waterloo Station en route to France, and briefly alights on Waterloo Bridge to reminisce about events which occurred during the First World War when he met Myra Lester, a ballerina, whom he had planned to marry.
Roy and Myra serendipituously meet on Waterloo Bridge and strike up an immediate rapport.
On parting, Myra invites Roy to attend that evenings ballet performance.
Roy, already enamored with the ballerina, cancels his dinner appointment with a fellow officer to attend the ballet.
At the shows end, Roy sends a note to Myra to join him for dinner.
The note is intercepted by the director of the ballet troupe, Madame Olga Kirowa who forbids Myra from continuing her relationship with Roy.
Madame Olga ultimately learns of Myras disobedience and dismisses her from the ballet troupe.
Myra and another dancer, Kitty, who has sided with her friend is also asked to leave.
Both young women then join together, sharing a small apartment, and look for work.
(waterloo4.jpg)
Hours before his planned marriage to Myra, Roy is suddenly deployed to active military duty in France,
but assures Myra that his family will look after her and safeguard her welfare while he is away.
Subsequently, Myra and Roys mother, Lady Margaret Cronin, arrange to meet at a fashionable restaurant; their first introduction to each other.
Awaiting Lady Cronins very belated arrival, Myra scans a newspaper and faints on seeing the name of her fiancé Roy in a list of war dead.
Dazed by grief and proffered wine, she relates poorly to Roys mother in a session of awkward miscommunication.
She is reticent and apprehensive in the presence of the aristocratic, yet kindly Lady Cronin and does not disclose her knowledge of Roys reported death.
Lady Cronin gracefully retreats, baffled by Myras behavior.
(waterloo5.jpg)
Unable to find employment, Kitty and Myra face a dire financial situation.
Belatedly, Myra, who believed that Kitty was working as a stage performer, learns her friend has been working as a prostitute to support both of them.
Too proud to reach out to Roys mother for help, the heartbroken Myra finds it necessary to join her friend Kitty in the same profession.
A year passes.
While offering herself to departing and arriving soldiers at Waterloo Station, Myra catches sight of an arriving Roy, who is alive and well.
He had been wounded and interned in a POW camp for year.
A reconciliation occurs; a joyous one for Roy, a bittersweet one for Myra.
The couple visit Roy's mother at their estate in Scotland, where Myra, guilt-ridden, is confronted by the impossibility of a happy marriage to Roy.
Her career of prostitution has made her feel she is beyond redemption, unworthy of Roys love.
Myra discloses her story to Roy's mother, who is sympathetic, but Myra tells her she cannot do Roy the injustice and then leaves Roy a goodbye note, and goes away 'forever', returning to London.
Roy follows, and with the aid of Kitty, looks for her, finally discovering the truth in the process.
Meanwhile, Myra, depressed, reminiscing on and then traversing Waterloo Bridge, the location where the love affair began, takes her own life by walking into the path of a moving truck.
(waterloo9.jpg)
SOURCE:"Waterloo Bridge (1940 film)"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ummmm... sounds quite tragic yet interesting. I think I'm gonna borrow the DVD. Kato, why do you think this movie becomes the granny's favorite?
Well ... you see, the granny had to support three children and two in-laws during the difficulties and chaos in the post-war era, and she did that by all means without working on the street like Kitty and Myra.
I see... she feels self-satisfied and assured that she did the right thing whenever she views the movie. Is that all?
No, that's not all. For the granny, Robert Taylor talks to her like her late husband, who is liberal-minded and kind-hearted.
So, she seems to be with the late husband whenever she watches the movie.
(waterloo6.jpg)
Yes, she does.You're telling me, Diane.
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Himiko's Monologue
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How romantic it is!
Romance, however, doesn't fill up your stomach.
I'm now quite hungry.
During the summer vacation, Diane enjoyed a mind-blowing duck lunch in a French medieval village.
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Diane also enjoyed pasta dinner.
(pastadin.jpg)
The duck dish looks great, and the pasta seems delicious,
but I'd rather eat some sushi now.
How about you?
Do you like sushi?
I'm sure you do.
Why don't you make California rolls?
I'll show you how to make those rolls.
California Rolls
An Easy Sushi Recipe
Now, you know how to do it.
Enjoy it to the hilt.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
(renge400.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
(juneswim.jpg)
"Go Bananas"
"Manwatching"
"Stanley Boardwalk"
"With Your Tiger"
"A Second World"
"Asexual Thought"
(biker302.jpg)
"Stanley 125 Years"
"Sushi @ the Globe"
"Peace@Syria & Pentagon"
"Sweet Memory"
"Unforgettable Movies"
"Typhoon 26"
"Great Luck"
"Diane@World"
"Diane@Spam"
"Sabina"
"Happy New Year"
"Merange & Sabina"
"Beauty in Spa"
"Love @ e-reading"
"Troublesome Slang"
"World Family"
"Mari's Bagels"
"Love & Loyalty"
"Another Cinderella"
"Amazing Two-legged Pooch"
"Delusive Romance"
"Royal Couple"
"Life with Music"
"Poutine@Canada"
"Glorious Summer"
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(bare02b.gif)
Hi, I'm June Adams.
The contemporary version, internationally known as "sushi", was created by Hanaya Yohei (1799–1858) at the end of the Edo period in Tokyo.
Sushi invented by Hanaya was an early form of fast food that was not fermented (therefore prepared quickly) and could be conveniently eaten with one's hands.
Originally, this sushi was known as Edomae zushi because it used freshly caught fish in the Edo-mae (Edo Bay or Tokyo Bay).
Though the fish used in modern sushi no longer usually comes from Tokyo Bay, it is still formally known as Edomae nigiri-zushi.
I like temaki sushi.
It is easy to make.
Here are the step-by-step instructions.
(sushi802.jpg)
Temaki Sushi
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ΤäޤȤ
إʪ٤ޤ
⤷εޤȤɤߤʤС
ΥåƤ͡
ذȥޥΥʪ
(renge730.jpg)
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
Ȥˤڤ
ͥåȥեޤ礦͡
㤢͡
(bikini901b.jpg)
(dogs17.gif)
(girlxx.gif)
2021ǯ1226
Halifax to Vancouver
Halifax to Vancouver
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(halifax1.jpg)
Halifax
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Vancouver
Kato, how come you've pasted the pictures of Halifax up there?
Diane, I've noticed that you're from Halifax.
How do you know?
I've received the following message from the Facebook.
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I can't read Japanese.
It says that Diane has pasted some pictures and posted her private information. So I went to your Facebook page:
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This is what your Facebook page looks like on my system. I'll enlarge it so that you can see it more clearly.
(di20701c.gif)
I see... some passages are translated into Japanese, aren't they?
Yes, they are. Look at the red-underlined part, which says you're from Halifax and now living in Vancouver.
Have you been to Halifax, Kato?
Oh yes, I traveled around the city a couple of years ago. It is a lovely city.
Yes, you're telling me, Kato.
So, why don't you take a look at the following video clip.
Kato, I used to live over there. I know the town inside out.
I know...I know...but I'm pretty sure you're missing something, and this clip reminds you of good old days in Halifax.
(halifax9.jpg)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
You know, Diane, Halifax seems to me a sister city of Vancouver.
Why is that?
...'cause both cities look pretty alike.
Oh...? How do they look alike?
First of all, Point Pleasant Park looks like Stanley Park of Vancouver.
(halifax10.jpg)
Point Pleasant Park
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Stanley Park & Vancouver Downtown
Yes, you're right, Kato. Come to think of it, they really look alike.
The lost lagoon in Stanley Park reminds me of the pond in the Public Garden in Halifax.
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Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park
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The pond, Halifax Public Garden
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Halifax Public Garden
And both cities have nice discos.
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Venue Nightclub, Vancouver
Halifax Nightlife
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And both cities have nice cafes...
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The Java Factory, Halifax
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Art Gallery Cafe
The town clock in Halifax reminds me of the Gastown steam clock.
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Halifax Town Clock
The Gastown Steam Clock
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Both cities enjoy dragon boat festivals...
Dragon Boat Festival
Halifax
Dragon Boat Race in Vancouver
Both cities enjoy fireworks...
Canada Day Fireworks in Halifax
Celebration Of Light Vancouver 2011
Oh, Kato...You make me nostalgic.
Well...if so, why don'y you take a loot at Halifax from the sky above.
Flying over Halifax
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Diane, you might as well drive through the old town...
Driving in Halifax
Downtown Halifax
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Oh, Kato...You really make me nostalgic.
Then how come you left Halifax?
Well... The life in Halifax became monotonous to me when I reached twenty.
Oh c'mon... Look at the above pictures and watch the video clips.Halifax has a couple of nice discos...and the lovely park as well as fascinating fireworks and festivals. You can't be get bored.
I know what you mean, Kato.What I'm trying to say is this---if you stay in a particular place for long, your life will be choked up in your own small world. I needed some kind of adventure.
I see...I see...that's the reason you went up north, isn't it?
You're telling me, Kato.
(dianesun.jpg)
Subj:Summer is here
with us!
Enjoy the sunshine!
(sunwind2.gif)
From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 4:35 pm.
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Thanks my truly skinny Socrates, Kato.
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
(July 26, 2011)
I've read the above article.
Your article is excellent as usual.
I did remember that you lived in Yellowknife some years ago.
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Many years ago, I too lived for six months or so in the north, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
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Actually, I worked for a mining company in a small town called Faro (Anvil Mines at the time) as secretary to the President.
I was given my own apartment (most of the staff had to live in bunk houses) and a huge salary compared with what I would receive in Vancouver.
So I was thrilled about that.
I didn't want to feel totally isolated, though, so I asked whether I could eat with the others in the cookhouse and they obliged.
Thank God.
It was fun and much easier than doing my own cooking and making do with the limited selection in the local store.
The cook took a special liking to me and every day he would give me extra rations of cookies and cakes.
Pretty soon I realized that if I took advantage of these favors I would end up being a roly-poly.
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so I would take them and then give them away.
Lotsa fun.
I do remember a really cute Japanese gal who worked up there telling me she had already gained 25 lbs in one year, and it showed.
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It was all the lesson I needed, thankfully.
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Le Crueset cookware is definitely famous.
A friend of mine in Kerrisdale has some and he said they're very, very expensive but worth every penny.
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He has one pot that he uses almost daily and has for years and it has proved to be the best pot he's every cooked with and worked with---sturdy, reliable, easy to work with.
So I guess it's worth the big bucks, true?!
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Vancouver is pretty good, but not paradise I'd say.
The weather's too crummy half the time, or more than half the time actually, Which is why my brother left Canada for France.
He could no longer stand the cold weather.
Certainly, I do miss him.
As a matter of fact, I've found an interesting joke:
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You see, Kato, we don't have many sunny days in Vancouver!
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your article.
Thanks again for all this.
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Love, Diane ~
SOURCE: "Roly-poly in the North"
(July 30, 2011)
So you really enjoyed the northern way of semi-arctic life, didn't you?
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Yes, I did. I loved it very much, but as you know, I realized that if I took advantage of the above favours I would end up being a roly-poly.
I see...but why didn't you go back to Halifax.
Well... I was seeking a westcoast life.
And you've chosen Vancouver ever since.
Yes, I have.
Have you been enjoying the life in Vancouver?
Oh yes, very much so. Although I don't like too much rain here, I like the westcoast living. Kato, since we have a lovely and gorgeous day today, why don't we jog around the seawall in Stanley Park?
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You must get your butt out of the library.
Well... that's a good idea. But I'd rather play with a squirrel in the park.
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Tsk, tsk, tsk, ... That would be too childish. Well... if you insist, Kato, don't forget to take some nuts with you.
I won't... Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...
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Himiko's Monologue
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What a cute squirrel it is!
I love squirrels.
Have you ever seen a squirrel?
I once went to Stanley Park.
There are a number of wild animals such as raccoons and skunks in the park.
(racoon2.jpg)
(racoon.jpg)
(skunk02.jpg)
But you're not supposed to feed the animals in Stanley Park.
Please keep it in mind when you fly to Vancouver.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(renge62e.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
(rengfire.jpg)
"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
(girl202.gif)
"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
(girl122.jpg)
"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
(girl100.jpg)
"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
(ebay5.jpg)
"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
(vanc700.jpg)
"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victorian Prudery"
(sylvia16.jpg)
"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happy Days"
"Vancouver Again"
"Swansea"
(vansnow2.jpg)
"Midnight in Vancouver"
"Madame Lindbergh"
"Dead Poets Society"
"Letters to Diane"
"Taliesin Studio"
(kimo10.jpg)
"Wright and Japan"
"Taliesin Banzai"
"Memrory Lane to Sendai"
"Aunt Sleepie"
"Titanic @ Sendai"
"Birdcage"
(sylvie121.jpg)
"Roly-poly in the wild"
"Silence is dull"
"Zen and Chi Gong"
"Piano Lesson"
"Dangerous Relation"
"Electra Complex"
(juneswim.jpg)
"Covent Garden"
"Fatal Relation"
"Notre Dame"
"Anne Frank"
"Biker Babe"
"Diane Girdles the Globe"
"Diane in Casablanca"
"Infidelity Neighbourhood"
"Forest Bathing"
"Enjoy Ramen!"
"Sex, Violence, Love"
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(bare02b.gif)
Hi, I'm June Adams.
The Town of Halifax was founded by British government under the direction of the Board of Trade and Plantations under the command of Governor Edward Cornwallis in 1749.
On April 1, 1996, the government of Nova Scotia dissolved the City of Halifax, and amalgamated the four municipalities within Halifax County and formed Halifax Regional Municipality, a single-tier regional government covering that whole area.
There are no longer any cities in Nova Scotia.
The city was the capital of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County.
It was also the largest city in Atlantic Canada.
Residents of the former city are called "Haligonians".
(SOURCE: Wikipedia)
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Ȥǡȥޥ
ΤäޤȤ
إʪ٤ޤ
⤷εޤȤɤߤʤС
ΥåƤ͡
ذȥޥΥʪ
(renge730.jpg)
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
Ȥˤڤ
ͥåȥեޤ礦͡
㤢͡
(dogs17.gif)
(girlxx.gif)
2021ǯ1127
At a Crossroads
At a Crossroads
(stanley1.jpg+cleovani.gif)
(dianef02.jpg)
Subj:Oh, you made me
nostalgic, kiddo!
(halifax2.jpg)
(halifax1.jpg)
Halifax
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 7:50 pm
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
I enjoyed the following article.
"Halifax to Vancouver"
(July 9, 2012)
Wow! You are really making me nostalgic now.
I do see the similarities between Halifax and Vancouver now that you point them out.
Point Pleasant Park and Stanley Park do share commonalities, as do Lost Lagoon and the Public Gardens in Halifax.
(halifax10.jpg)
Point Pleasant Park
I wonder if Point Pleasant Park has a real live beaver in one of its lakes?
I went to check out our resident beaver in Beaver Lake yesterday.
Saw his or her lodge, but apparently the beaver doesn't come out and start working until dusk each day.
(beaver2.jpg)
I enjoyed a wonderful article and photos in Saturday's Vancouver Sun.
It looks like the beaver has been in the lake for four years now, most likely coming from North Vancouver's Capilano Watershed area, braving the currents and freighters in Burrard Inlet and shuffling his or her way up Beaver Creek to the Lake.
One of these days I hope to see the beaver in person.
With this lovely weather, it's easy and fun to take a stroll in Stanley Park more regularly, don't you think?
(seawall3.jpg)
(seawall2.jpg)
You're right about preferring the weather here to the weather in Halifax.
But some days I question even that as you can imagine.
I came out here in Vancouver on my own when I was only 21 yrs. old.
I had finished business college and had already had two fairly good jobs, but I was seeking adventure and a westcoast life.
I did stop briefly in Toronto where my older brother lived in a really cool hippie house, and considered living there, but decided to go for bust.
(yorkville2.jpg)
I loved it immediately and made lots of friends.
Eventually my older brother moved out from Toronto and my younger brother moved out from Halifax.
Then my parents decided that, if the kids were all going to live in Vancouver, they should just come out as well.
Except for my older brother, we all settled here in Vancouver, quite happily.
Thanks for this, very well put together kiddo,
(dianelin3.jpg)
Love, Diane ~
(kato3.gif)
So, Diane, you've enjoyed a bit of hippie lifestye in Toronto, have you?
Yes, I have. Have you been to Toronto, Kato?
Toronto was my first destination in Canada.
No kidding!
Actually, I wrote the following article.
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"Don JuanSpammer in Makati"
ڥޥƥѥѥޡ
April 19, 2012
Kato, I can't read Japanese.
Well... I translate the related passage for you...
Hey, Don Juan Spammer! You've got a Filipino friend living in Toronto, haven't you?
(doctor23.gif)
Kato, how the heck do you know that?
...'Cause your spam is advertising the following site.
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This site is selling auto parts made in Canada. Your Filipino buddy asked you to send a lot of spam for the above site, didn't you?
Jeez...Kato, you're a darn smart ass, aren't you?
Actually, I lived in the Danforth area in Toronto for three years. This Danforth area is called "Greektown" because many Greeks live over there.
2010 Taste of the Danforth:
Greek Festival
As a matter of fact, this district is the third-largest Greek community in the world, after the Greek mainland and Melborne.
So what?
Well... Part of the "Greektown" is a Philippine community, where a Filipino friend of mine lives.
Oh, yeah? ... To tell you the truth, Kato, my buddy lives near Pape Station.
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Pape Subway Station
Kato, do you know the area?
Yes, of course, I do. Actually, I used to live near the station---two blocks away to the south.
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42 Cavell Avenue, Toronto
This is the house I lived for three years.
I know the area.
You gotta be kidding!
'Cause I went to Jones School to learn English with my buddy.
Me, too. What a coincidence!
I wish I could've met you, Kato.
I'd rather not.
SOURCE: "Don JuanSpammer in Makati"
So my mail made you nostalgic, didn't you?
You're telling me, Diane.
What is Jones School?
It was an elementary school, which seems to have been converted to a community center. In the old days, new immigrants learned English at the school free of charge.
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It is called "Adult Centre," isn't it?
...seems like it. The house at 42 Cavell Avenue was my first house in Canada.
Do you still remember the area, Kato?
Yes, of course, the scenery has burnt into my memory since.
Danforth Ave. & Pape Ave.
The Novascotia bank in the above video is my first bank in Canada. The burger shop used to be a smoke shop in those days.
Did you join the dance in the Greek festival.
Oh yeah! I loved and enjoyed the Greek dance... Guess where I moved to next?
To Yorkville?
Not exactly...but close enough...I moved to a boarding house on Brunswick Avenue.
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Brunswick Avenue
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Brunswick Avenue at Bloor Street West
Walking Around
Bloor and Brunswick
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So, Kato, you quite often fooled around in Yorkville, didn't you?
You're telling me, Diane. As you mentioned in the mail, Yorkville flourished as Toronto's bohemian cultural centre in the 1960s.
From Hippies to Hedonists,
in Yorkville, Toronto
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Driving thru Yorkville
Did you live there in the 1960s, Kato?
Oh no, my days were in the late 1970s, but I definitely enjoyed bohemian culture in Yorkville.
Do you know, Kato? The old town was the breeding ground for some of Canada's most noted musical talents---Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot, as well as then-underground literary figures such as Margaret Atwood, Gwendolyn MacEwen and Dennis Lee.
Oh yeah? I didn't know that.
And of course, Yorkville was the Canadian capital of the hippie movement. Cyberpunk writer William Gibson was living there.
When I was fooling around, some people loved upscale shopping and enjoyed eating at posh restaurants over there.
I see some changes in the old town.
Did you enjoy the film festival while you lived there, Diane?
Yes, of course, I did.
Madonna's Film Premiere
Toronto Film Festival
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During the Toronto International Film Festival, Yorkville becomes an excellent place for celebrity-spotting, especially in the Hazelton Lanes shopping complex. Most recently, however, I hear the celebrities once seen during the Toronto International Film Festival have migrated elsewhere and are now most often seen in the entertainment district bars and after-hour clubs near the CITY-TV building.
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The Toronto Entertainment District is an area in Downtown Toronto, concentrated around King Street West between University Avenue and Spadina Avenue. Have you been there, Diane?
Yes, I did, but a long time ago.
There are now a lot of theatres and performing arts centres, as well as homes of Toronto's four major-league sports teams. And of course, this area is home to most of the nightclubs in Toronto.
Nightlife in Toronto
Oh, kato, you made me nostalgic again.
You know what, Diane?
Tell me.
I think both of us are here in Vancouver by destiny.
By destiny? ... Why is that?
You see, Diane, we were supposed to meet in Toronto, but for some reason, we didn't. Then you went to Faro up north, but I spent too much time in Yellowknife. So we couldn't meet, either. Then, when I went to Halifax, you were already gone a long time ago. And at last in Vancouver, we met.
It was just by chance, Kato.
I'd like to think, we're somehow tied by a thread of destiny.
I didn't know you're such a romantic man, Kato.
Now, you know that...Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...
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Himiko's Monologue
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What a beautiful city Toronto is!
I visited Vancouver, but I've never been to Toronto.
I wish I were there.
I'd like to have a memorable time at one of the best cafes in Toronto.
Toronto's Best Cafes
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
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"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
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"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
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"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victorian Prudery"
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"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happy Days"
"Vancouver Again"
"Swansea"
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"Midnight in Vancouver"
"Madame Lindbergh"
"Dead Poets Society"
"Letters to Diane"
"Taliesin Studio"
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"Wright and Japan"
"Taliesin Banzai"
"Memrory Lane to Sendai"
"Aunt Sleepie"
"Titanic @ Sendai"
"Birdcage"
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"Roly-poly in the wild"
"Silence is dull"
"Zen and Chi Gong"
"Piano Lesson"
"Dangerous Relation"
"Electra Complex"
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"Covent Garden"
"Fatal Relation"
"Notre Dame"
"Anne Frank"
"Biker Babe"
"Diane Girdles the Globe"
"Diane in Casablanca"
"Infidelity Neighbourhood"
"Forest Bathing"
"Enjoy Ramen!"
"Sex, Violence, Love"
"Halifax to Vancouver"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Since I've got a lot of friends in Toronto,
I visited the city so many times.
Have you been there?
This is Toronto.
Especially I like the Beaches around Toronto.
Some day, I hope you and I will meet on one of the beaches.
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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2021ǯ1026
Amazing Two-legged Pooch
Amazing Two-legged Pooch
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Kato, have you got an amazing two-legged dog?
Me...? Oh, no, I don't have such a mind-boggling pooch.
Then, how come you talk about such an unbelievable dog?
Well ... I've read a newspaper article about unusual dogs.
Pooch Saved from Foreclosed Home
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Naki'o, a red heeler mix breed, has received four prosthetic limbs in Denver, Colorado.
Naki'o was found in the cellar of a Nebraska foreclosed home with all four legs and its tail frozen in puddles of water-turned-ice.
What frostbite didn't do, a surgeon did, amputating all four legs and giving him four prosthetics.
Two-legged Dog Vid
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A nine-month-old boxer named Duncan barreled down a beach in Oregon, running full tilt on soft sand into YouTube history and showing more than four million viewers he can revel in a good romp despite lacking back legs.
SOURCE: "Dog days of prosthetics"
Metronews Weekend April 17-20, 2014
Wow! Amazing! Are these dogs real?
Yes, of course, they are. Community papers are not supposed to publish fake stories.
So, Kato, you've tried to find YouTube video clips for the above pooches, haven't you?
You're telling me, Diane. Here are the amazing video clips:
Naki'o---Bionic Dog
Two Legged Boxer Duncan Lou
Amazing Two hind-legged Dog
Britain's Biggest Dog
Friendly Grizzly Bear
Living With Tigers
Lion Tamer Teenager
So, Diane, how do you like the above video clips?
Just amazing! I can't find right words ... Beats the hell out of me.
I'm pretty sure, your brain and nerves have been quite agitated by now. So, why don't you take a close look at the following pictures.
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Croque Monsieur style Bagels
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Tomato Cheese Bagel Sandwich
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Strawberry Sponge Cake
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Fried Minced Meat Hamburger
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My Favorite Sweets
So, Kato, what about the above pictures?
Aren't you hungry, Diane?
Well ... To tell you the truth, my stomach is rumbling while watching the above pictures. Who made all the above?
Mari did.
Did Mari make all the above from scratch?
Yes, she did.
Why?
...'Cause she would like to impress her prospective employers in Vancouver.
No kidding!
Actually, I wrote an article about a bagel shop on Granville Island.
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Denman-san, is Granville Island a famous spot in Vancouver?
Yes, it is. Almost all the tourists visiting Vancouver enjoy strolling on Granville Island. Mari-chan, I'll take you to the island when you come to this city.
I'd love to visit the island, but how come it is so famous?
Well ... actually, it is not an island. It might have been an island a long time ago, but it is now connected to the town. In a sense, it is a fashionable waterfront public market with various kinds of shops, stores and restaurants as well as some entertainments such as theaters and exhibition halls. If you want to know more about it, click the following link:
Grandville Island
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Denman-san, is there any particular reason for you to bring up the island?
Good question, Mari-chan! Yes, there is a good reason. You would be more than happy to visit the island because there is a bagel shop specializing in authentic Montreal-style bagels. If you want to know more about the shop, click the link below.
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Siegel's Bagels at Granville Island
Denman-san, how come you introduce this shop to me?
'Cause this shop makes stuffed bagels with smoked meat.
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Ummmm... looks delicious.
Indeed, it does, eh? Mari-chan, I'll tell you what. Why don't you make a Japanese-style stuffed bagel with Satsuma-imo or yam?
SOURCE: "Bagels@Granville Island"
Mari has a dream one day she would like to make delicious Japanese-style bagels in Vancouver.
Are you saying that Mari is doing job-hunting while writing articles about her self-made bagels, burgers and sweets?
Yes, that's right. Diane, don't you think she's making such delicious goddies that Vancouverites would be more than happy to have Mari in Vancouver?
I'm pretty sure we'd be more than happy to meet Mari in Vancouver.
Well..., then why don't you jot down a line or two in her blog?
How can I find her blog?
The picture below is a link you could click. Mari would be more than happy to see your comment.
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Himiko's Monologue
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A bagel is a bread product, traditionally shaped by hand into the form of a ring from yeasted wheat dough, roughly hand-sized, which is first boiled for a short time in water and then baked.
The result is a dense, chewy, doughy interior with a browned and sometimes crisp exterior.
Bagels are often topped with seeds baked on the outer crust, with the traditional ones being poppy or sesame seeds.
Some also may have salt sprinkled on their surface, and there are also a number of different dough types such as whole-grain or rye.
How to Make Bagels
Bagels have become a popular bread product in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, especially in cities with large Jewish populations, many with different ways of making bagels.
Like other bakery products, bagels are available either fresh or frozen, and often in many flavor varieties.
The basic roll-with-a-hole design is hundreds of years old and has other practical advantages besides providing for a more even cooking and baking of the dough.
The hole could be used to thread string or dowels through groups of bagels, allowing for easier handling and transportation and more appealing seller displays.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Go Bananas"
"Manwatching"
"Stanley Boardwalk"
"With Your Tiger"
"A Second World"
"Asexual Thought"
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"Stanley 125 Years"
"Sushi @ the Globe"
"Peace@Syria & Pentagon"
"Sweet Memory"
"Unforgettable Movies"
"Typhoon 26"
"Great Luck"
"Diane@World"
"Diane@Spam"
"Sabina"
"Happy New Year"
"Merange & Sabina"
"Beauty in Spa"
"Love @ e-reading"
"Troublesome Slang"
"World Family"
"Mari's Bagels"
"Love & Loyalty"
"Another Cinderella"
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Hi, I'm June Adames.
The Montreal bagel is a distinctive variety of handmade and wood-fired baked bagel.
In contrast to the New York-style bagel, the Montreal bagel is smaller, sweeter and denser, with a larger hole, and is always baked in a wood-fired oven.
It contains malt, egg, and no salt and is boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in a wood-fired oven, whose irregular flames give it a dappled light-and-dark surface color.
How to Make Montreal-Style Bagels at Home
In many Montreal establishments, bagels are still produced by hand and baked in wood-fired ovens, often in full view of the patrons.
There are two predominant varieties: black-seed (poppy seed), or white-seed (sesame seed).
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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2021ǯ0926
Lady Hugo
Lady Hugo
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Kato, who is Lady Hugo?
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Diane, have you ever heard of Victor Hugo?
Yes, of course I have... He is one of the world-famous French writers, isn't he?
So, you know about him, don't you?... Actually, I've written an article about him and his famous novel.
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إѥܿ͡(A Japanese in Paris)
It is written in Japanese... So, unfortunately, you cannot read it... Anyway, in the above article I talked about his famous novel---"The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Diane, have you read the novel?
Yes, I read it a long time ago.
By the way, Diane, have you watched the following movie?
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Trailer (1939)
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No, I haven't, but I viewed the following musical:
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So, Diane, you like musicals, eh?
Yes, I do... Talking about Victor Hugo, is he famous even in Japan?
Oh, yes! When I was a kid, I read a story about the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean.
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Did you like it?
I didn't like it too much, but one scene was clearly implanted into my mind.
What kind of scene is that?
Well... Valjean, using the alias Monsieur Madeleine, has become a wealthy factory owner and is appointed mayor of a certain town. Walking down the street, he sees a man named Fauchelevent pinned under the wheels of a cart. When no one volunteers to lift the cart, even for pay, he decides to rescue Fauchelevent himself. He crawls underneath the cart, manages to lift it, and frees him.
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The town's police inspector, Inspector Javert, who was an adjutant guard at the Bagne of Toulon during Valjean's incarceration, becomes suspicious of the mayor after witnessing this remarkable feat of strength. He has known only one other man, a convict named Jean Valjean, who could accomplish it.
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How old were you when you read it for the first time.
I was ten or eleven years old, I suppose.
So, you were an avid reader, eh?
No, not really... in those days, the story of Jean Valjean was quite popular among the children of my age... so, naturally it interested me to a great extent.
Kato, have you watched the movie lately?
Not recently, but I watched it a few years ago.
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"Actual Page"
So, you watched it on April 8, 2016, huh? ... How did you like it?
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I wasn't impressed so much as I read the original story.
Talking about Lady Hugo, is she related to Victor Hugo?
Yes, of course, she is the youngest daughter of Victor Hugo.
Adele Hugo
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(28 July 1830 - 21 April 1915)
Adele Hugo was the fifth and youngest child of French writer Victor Hugo.
She is remembered for developing schizophrenia as a young woman, which led to a romantic obsession with a British military officer who rejected her.
Her story has been retold in film and books, such as "The Story of Adele H."
Childhood
Adele Hugo was raised in a cultured, affluent home in Paris, the youngest child of Adele (nee Foucher) and Victor Hugo, France's most famous writer.
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Adele Foucher
Adele enjoyed playing the piano, and was known for her beauty and long dark hair.
She sat for portraits by several well-known Parisian artists.
In 1851, the Hugo family moved to the island of Jersey, after Victor Hugo was forced into political exile.
The family remained on the Channel Islands until 1870.
It was in Jersey that Adele met Albert Pinson, the object of her obsession.
Illness and pursuit of Albert Pinson
Signs of mental illness became apparent in Adele in 1856.
Adele became romantically involved with a British army officer, Albert Pinson.
Pinson proposed marriage to Adele in 1855, but she rejected the proposal.
Adele had a change of heart, wanting to reconcile with Pinson, but he refused to be involved any further with Adele.
Pinson continued his military career, being sent to the Sixteenth Foot Regiment in Bedfordshire in 1856, where he seldom saw Adele.
Pinson then went to Ireland in 1858, upon promotion to lieutenant, where he was stationed until 1861.
Despite Pinson's rejection, she continued pursuing him.
Pinson developed a reputation for living a "life of debauchery".
Adele followed him when he was stationed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1863.
Adele's family worried for her well-being, and tried to track her whereabouts by letters.
In 1866, Pinson was stationed to Barbados, the British colonial centre in the Caribbean region.
He completely abandoned Adele when he left Barbados in 1869.
Adele did not find her way back to France until 1872, and in the interim, the Hugo family was unable to track her activities.
The mystery of Adele's life in Barbados may have been revealed in an anonymous letter to the editor—signed only "P"—published in the New-York Tribune on May 27, 1885.
The head of the Catholic mission in Trinidad, Cathonoy, gave a similar account of Adele's wretched situation in Barbados in a letter dated September 8, 1885.
He relates an incident where he met a Barbadian woman of African descent, named Madame Celine Alvarez Baa, who requested that a mass be said for Victor Hugo after news of the author's death.
Curious to know the reason for Madame Baa's interest in Victor Hugo, Cathonoy asked questions, and learned that Madame Baa had given Adele shelter when she was abandoned on Barbados, where she was known as "Madame Pinson".
Adele had been found wandering the streets, talking to herself, detached from her surroundings.
Madame Baa took the initiative to take Adele to her family in Paris.
Adele was then left in medical care.
A grateful Victor Hugo reimbursed Madame Baa for her expenses.
Erotomania
Adele's obsession was a manifestation of erotomania.
Along with her other symptoms of mental illness, including hallucinations, Adele's condition indicates schizophrenia.
The illness appeared in other members of the Hugo family.
Victor Hugo's brother Eugene was also schizophrenic.
She was ultimately sent to live in a mental institution for the affluent outside Paris.
She remained there until her death.
Out of Victor Hugo's five children, Adele was the only one who outlived him.
Much of what is known about Adele's life and her pursuit of Pinson comes from her diaries and letters.
Adele kept a journal while she lived on Jersey and Guernsey, which she titled Journal de l'Exil (Diary of the Exile).
She stopped keeping a diary by the time she landed in Barbados, due to her mental deterioration.
SOURCES: "Adele Hugo"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
How come you picked up Adele Hugo all of a sudden?
Well. . . I viewed the film: "The Story of Adele H." a few years ago.
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"Actual List"
So you'd watched 1,636 movies by May 2017, hadn't you?
Yes, I had.
So, Kato, you're a flick maniac, huh?
You're telling me... Look at Number 1624 in the above list.
So you watched "The Story of Adele H" on May 1, 2017, huh?... How did you like it?
I loved viewing it, which is a quite amazing movie.
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"Actual Page"
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Kato's Comment
This is a 1975 French historical docudrama directed by Francois Truffaut, based on Adele Hugo's diaries.
It shows the life of Adele Hugo, the daughter of world-famous Victor Hugo, whose obsessive unrequited love for a military officer leads to her downfall and insanity.
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Her father places her in an asylum in Saint-Mande, where she lives for the next forty years.
She gardens, plays the piano and writes in her journal.
Adele Hugo died in Paris in 1915 at the age of 85.
Although it is an heartbreaking drama, the film almost appears like a dramedy when Adele views the show of a greedy hypnotizer.
At the time I laughed my head off to death.
Superb is the performance of 20-year-old Isabelle Adjani as Adele Hugo.
Did you really laugh your head off to death?
Well... of course, I exaggerated a bit, but the scene appeared quite hilarious... You should view the movie.
I think I'm gonna book the DVD.
You'd better hurry... Four people are still waiting...
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Himiko's Monologue
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Well..., have you ever watched the movie of the Jean Valjean story?
If you speak Japanese, there is a Japanese version.
Here it is.
The following movie was made in 1950.
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Jean Valjean is played by Sessue Hayakawa ( 㽧 1889-1973) who starred in Japanese, American, French, German, and British films.
Hayakawa was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood during the silent era of the 1910s and 1920s.
He was the first actor of Asian descent to find stardom as a leading man in the United States and Europe.
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His broodingly handsome good looks and typecasting as a sexually dominant villain made him a heartthrob among American women during a time of racial discrimination, and he became one of the first male sex symbols of Hollywood.
During those years, Hayakawa was as well-known and popular as Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, although today his name is largely unknown to the public.
In any case, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP8CRi-WfyQ&w=500&h=350]
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzKrMfni29c?feature=player_detailpage&w=500&h=350]
The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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㤢͡
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2021ǯ0729
Swansea
Swansea
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Karuizawa (ڰĮ)
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Karuizawa is a town located in Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan.
As of January 1, 2008, the town has an estimated population of 17,833 and has a total area of 156.05 square kilometres (60.25 sq mi).
Karuizawa is known throughout Japan as a popular tourist spot.
People from Tokyo will travel to Karuizawa to get away from the city especially in summer.
There is a Shinkansen (bullet train) station as well as a large outlet store shopping mall.
It is also known for its historic shopping street known as "Ginza dōri" or "Kyū-dō" (Ginza Street, or the Old Road).
Karuizawa hosted equestrian events in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
The town also hosted curling in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
To date, it is the only city in the world having hosted both Summer and Winter Olympic events.
SOURCE: Karuizawa,
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kato, I would love to be in Karuizawa with you.
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That would be lovely. I wish I would take you to Japan Someday.
Your lady friend, Madame Taliesin, lives over there, doesn't she?
No, not always. You see, Karuizawa is famous mainly because wealthy and well-known people have their sumptuous summer cottages.
So, Madame Taliesin has a magnificent second home, hasn't she?
Yes, she has.
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...looks like a mansion, doesn't it?
Actually, it is an expensive residential condominium. She owns one suite.
I'd like to see her.
You should be able to see her. I'll introduce her when she visits Vancouver.
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I can hardly wait for the occasion.
I'm pretty sure that Madame Taliesin and you are getting along quite well.
What makes you think so?
'Cause Madame Taliesin and you have one thing in Common.
What is that?
Taliesin---the Welsh poet. You know Taliesin, don't you?
No, I've never heard of Taliesin before.
No kidding!
I don't recall ever hearing about his name. Kato, are you really sure about it?
Yes, of course, I am.
Taliesin
(c. 534 – c. 599)
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He was an early British poet of the post-Roman period whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the Book of Taliesin.
Taliesin was a renowned bard who is believed to have sung at the courts of at least three Celtic British kings.
A maximum of eleven of the preserved poems have been dated to as early as the 6th century, and were ascribed to the historical Taliesin.
The bulk of this work praises King Urien of Rheged and his son Owain mab Urien, although several of the poems indicate that he also served as the court bard to King Brochfael Ysgithrog of Powys and his successor Cynan Garwyn, either before or during his time at Urien's court.
Some of the events to which the poems refer, such as the Battle of Arfderydd (c. 583), are referred to in other sources.
His name, spelled as Taliessin in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King and in some subsequent works, means "shining brow" in Middle Welsh.
In legend and medieval Welsh poetry, he is often referred to as Taliesin Ben Beirdd ("Taliesin, Chief of Bards" or chief of poets).
He is mentioned as one of the five British poets of renown, along with Talhaearn Tad Awen ("Talhaearn Father of the Muse"), Aneirin, Blwchfardd, and Cian Gwenith Gwawd ("Cian Wheat of Song"), in the Historia Brittonum, and is also mentioned in the collection of poems known as Y Gododdin.
Taliesin was highly regarded in the mid-twelfth century as the supposed author of a great number of romantic legends.
According to legend Taliesin was adopted as a child by Elffin, the son of Gwyddno Garanhir, and prophesied the death of Maelgwn Gwynedd from the Yellow Plague.
In later stories he became a mythic hero, companion of Bran the Blessed and King Arthur.
His legendary biography is found in several late renderings, the earliest surviving narrative being found in a manuscript chronicle of world history written by Elis Gruffydd in the 16th century.
SOURCE: Taliesin,
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amazing! Taliesin is quite somebody, isn't he?
Yes, he is a well-known bard in the literature world.
How come I didn't come to know him? My father wasa Welshman from Swansea---a Welsh town.
'Cause you were born and brought up in Canada, I suppose. Did your father tell you about Swansea?
No, not really. He wasn't much of a talker.
But he was a clergyman, wasn't he?
Yes, he was. However, he didn't tell me much about Swansea.
That is usually the case, you know. A father doesn't talk much about his birthplace. So, I looked it up in the wikipedia.
Swansea
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Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales.
Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan.
Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands.
Swansea had a population of 169,880 in 2001 and is the second most populous city in Wales after Cardiff and the third most populous county in Wales after Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
During its 19th century industrial heyday, Swansea was one of the key centres of the world copper industry, earning the nickname 'Copperopolis'.
History
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Archaeological finds are mostly confined to the Gower Peninsula, and include items from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.
The Romans visited the area, as did the Vikings.
Swansea is thought to have originally developed as a Viking trading post.
Some think that its name is derived from Sveinn's island (Old Norse: Sveinsey) – the reference to an island may refer to a bank at the mouth of the river Tawe, or perhaps an area of raised ground in marshes.
An alternative explanation is that the name derives from the Norse name 'Sweyn' and 'ey', which can mean inlet.
The name is pronounced Swans-y /ˈswɒnzi/), not Swan-sea.
The Welsh name first appears in Welsh poems at the beginning of the 13th century, as "Aber Tawy".
The earliest known form of the modern name is Sweynesse, which was used in the first charter granted sometime between 1158–1184 by William de Newburgh, 3rd Earl of Warwick.
The charter gave Swansea the status of a borough, granting the townsmen, called burgesses certain rights to develop the area.
A second charter was granted in 1215 by King John.
In this charter, the name appears as Sweyneshe.
The town seal which is believed to date from this period names the town as Sweyse.
Following the Norman Conquest, a marcher lordship was created under the title of Gower.
It included land around Swansea Bay as far as the River Tawe, the manor of Kilvey beyond the Tawe, and the peninsula itself.
Swansea was designated chief town of the lordship and received a borough charter some time between 1158 and 1184.
SOURCE: Swansea,
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You know what?...My Welsh given name is "Myfanwy."
Really?
Yes, it is. As you know, I always jot down "Myfanwy" in my mail. so I thought you figured it out.
No, I didn't. I thought that "Myfanwy" was your handle name. So you're a Welsh-Canadian, aren't you?
Yes, I am. By the way, Kato, how come you call her "Madame Taliesin"?
A good question, Diane...There is a theme park called "Karuizawa Taliesin" in Karuizawa. She loves and visits the park quite often. So I call her "Madame Taliesin."
Karuizawa Taliesin
I see. Then how come the theme park is called "Karuizawa Taliesin" in the first place?
In Middle Welsh, "Taliesin" means "shining brow." In the Celtic mythology, Taliesin also means a wise man, who is related to a fairy, called "Taliesin", who promoted the art. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, called his work place "Taliesin" and produced a lot of creative works. Sympathetic to the architect's idea, the creator of the theme park in Karuizawa also called his park "Karuizawa Taliesin" and wanted to make it as a base for new cultural power.
It's a long story, huh?
Yes, it is. You know what, Diane? You can see the same kind of facility in Swansea.
What is it?
It is called Taliesin Arts Centre.
Taliesin Arts Centre
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The Taliesin Arts Centre is owned and managed by the University of Wales, Swansea and is located on the university campus.
The venue hosts a broad programme of events including cinema screenings, an average of ten visiting exhibitions per year, and a variety of live performances, from dance and drama to jazz and world music.
Taliesin Arts Centre also houses the Egypt Centre. The two-storey gallery contains an important collection of antiquities from Ancient Egypt.
The Taliesin provides a service to both students and the people of Swansea and acts as a regional centre. Performers in recent years have included Jamie Cullum, Clare Teal, Billy Cobham and Paco Pena.
In addition to hosting regular touring exhibitions, the Taliesins Oriel Ceri Richards Gallery also stocks a range of greetings cards as well as jewellery, ceramics and other craft items, and includes a café bar.
SOURCE: Taliesin Arts Centre,
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wow!... Taliesin seems prevailing all over the world, doesn't it?
Yes, indeed, it looks like it.
Kato, you're telling me about my ancestors, aren't you?
Yes, I am. Your forefather was a bard just like Taliesin, and liked to stroll in the Welsh woods with a lovely fairy.
What makes you think so?
'Cause you wore a fairy costume on the night of Halloween. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...
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Himiko's Monologue
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Wow! Diane's Halloween night costume!
How lovely it is!
Did you enjoy your Halloween party?
I wish I could see the Halloween night like this.
What a fascinating illumination!
Halloween is one thing; romance is another.
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
"Cleopatra"
"Queen Nefertiti"
"Catherine de Medici"
"Catherine the Great"
"Mata Hari"
"Sidonie Colette"
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"Marilyn Monroe"
"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
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"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
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"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
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"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
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"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
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"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
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"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
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"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victoria Prudery"
"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happt Days"
"Vancouver Again"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Have you been to Wales?
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom in the south-west of the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west.
It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km² (8,023 square miles).
Wales has over 1,200 km (746 mile) of coastline, including its offshore islands.
It is a lovely part of the island of Great Britain as you see in the following video clip.
Here is Welsh National Anthem you might as well want to hear.
Lovely, isn't it?
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2021ǯ0624
Sinking Island
Sinking Island
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Kato... are you talking about climate change and global warming?
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Oh yes, I am... Diane, how come you've grimaced all of a sudden.
You see, Kato... Quite a few people say, the ice at the North Pole is melting and we'll be drowned in the near future... I'm sick and tired of hearing such a mambo jumbo.
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Well... But if it's true, what would you say?
Kato, do you really believe such a crap?
Oh yes, I read the following news article in the local town papers:
Antarctica's ice melt has trippled
in just one decade
If this continue, the planet
will be in big trouble
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Enlarge!
Actual Page
By Chris Mooney
The Washington Post
Wed., June 13, 2018
Antarcticas ice sheet is melting at a rapidly increasing rate, now pouring more than 180 billion tonnes of ice into the ocean annually and raising sea levels a half-millimetre every year, a team of 80 scientists reported Wednesday.
The melt rate has tripled in the past decade, the study concluded.
If the acceleration continues, some of scientists worst fears about rising oceans could be realized, leaving low-lying cities and communities with less time to prepare than they had hoped.
The result also reinforces that nations have a short window — perhaps no more than a decade — to cut greenhouse-gas emissions if they hope to avert some of the worst consequences of climate change.
Antarctica, the planets largest ice sheet, lost 199 billion tonnes of ice annually from 2012 through 2017 — approximately triple the 66 billion-tonne melt rate of a decade ago, the scientists concluded.
From 1992 through 1997, Antarctica lost 44 billion tonnes of ice annually.
But, Kato, the above article is about the South Pole, isn't it?
Oh yes, however, the situation is the same... At both Poles, the ice is melting.
You know, Kato, you don't worry about climate change too much.
Why is that?
'Cause climate change is a change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns when that change lasts for an extended period of time---decades to millions of years... That is, without human activites, climate has changed up and down since the birth of the globe.
Yes, I know, there have been at least five major ice ages in the Earth's history. Outside these ages, the Earth seems to have been ice free even in high latitudes.
So, regardless of our activities, climate has changed up and down in terms of temperature.
You're absolutely right on, Diane. By the way, I watched the following documentary at Vancouver Public Library.
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"Actual Page"
Full Movie
My Comment
This is a 101-minute documentary directed by Jon Shenk in 2011 about world climate change.
The film focuses on the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit, which was held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 7 and 18 December 2009.
This conference marked the first time in history that China, India, and the United States agreed to reduce carbon emissions.
The agreement, however, is NOT legally binding and does NOT contain any legally binding commitments for reducing carbon emissions.
Although the safe level is below 350, the atmospheric carbon emissions continued to rise from 387 to 390 parts per million in the following year.
In February 2012, Mohamed Nasheed resigned the presidency under the threat of violence in a coup d'état perpetrated by security forces loyal to the former dictator.
"It is going to be very difficult," said Mohamed Nasheed, "for us to adapt to climate change issues if we do not have a solid and secure democratic governance."
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It is a profoundly eye-opening documentary.
You viewed the above film on April 15, 2017, didn't you?
Yes, I did... You see, the conference at Copenhagen marked the first time in history that China, India, and the United States agreed to reduce carbon emissions... That is, they admitted that carbon emissions cause global warming.
I know, but some people don't agree on that.
You're telling me... Incidentally, I also watched the following documentary:
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"Actual Page"
Full Movie
My Comment
Originally broadcast on October 23, 2012 as a FRONTLINE TV program, this 55-minute documentary delves into the climate change.
Obviously many politicians and lobbyists redefine the policies of global warming.
Why?
Conspiracy?
It involves denial, dismissal, or unwarranted doubt that contradicts the scientific opinion on climate change.
Some people seem to promote climate change skepticism.
Why?
If you're interested in climate change, this is a must-see.
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As I jotted down in the above, some people seem to promote climate change skepticism.
Well..., Look at the top comment, which says, "The doomsayers cannot explain the medieval warming period, nor can they explain the prolonged mini ice age of the 17th and 18th centuries. Climate change is an enormously complex scientific puzzle, and the computer models that predict armageddon are only as accurate as the assumptions of those who programmed them."
It might be true, but 98% of renowned scientists agree that carbon emissions cause today's global warming... If you're in doubt, watch the following documentary:
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"Actual Page"
My Comment
Directed by Ruth Chao in 2014, this 55-minute documentary delves into the climate change and global warming.
In the period from 1880 to 2012, the global average (land and ocean) surface temperature has increased by 0.85C while in the period from 1906 to 2005, Earth's average surface temperature rose by 0.740.18C.
The rate of warming almost doubled in the last half of that period.
Climate proxies show the temperature to have been relatively stable over the one or two thousand years before 1850.
Recently, however, the warming evident in the instrumental temperature record is consistent with a wide range of observations, as documented by many independent scientific groups.
Those observations include sea level rise, widespread melting of snow and land ice, increased heat content of the oceans, increased humidity, and the earlier timing of both spring events and the flowering of plants.
The probability that these changes could have occurred by chance is virtually zero.
That is, these changes are induced by human activities.
It is an alarming and thought-provoking documentary.
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So, Kato, you definitely believe, global warming is induced by human activities.
Oh yes, you're telling me... If you're still in doubt, you should also watch the following film:
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"Enlarge!"
"Actual Page"
Trailer
My Comment
Originally broadcast as an episode of the series "NOVA" on the PBS, this 54-minute documentary delves into the silent killer in the oceans.
We've known for years that oceans absorb a quarter of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
If carbon dioxide enters the sea at an alarming rate like today, it raises the oceans' acidity and hence increases the strength of the silent killer.
As a result, some of marine creatures are dying.
Yes, this silent killer has something to do with global warming and our carbon emissions.
It is an informative and alarming documentary you should watch if you would like to survive.
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So, Kato, you believe that carbon emissions also kill marine creatures in addition to causing global warming, huh?
Yes, I do... Diane, are you still in doubt?
Well..., I don't know.
Here's a Japanese old saying: ŷҤ˺줿ˤä.
What does that mean?
It means: Disaster strikes when you least expect it.
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Kato, do you really mean that the melting ice causes a mega flood in Vancouver?
Well..., God only knows.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Wow!...
Do you agree that carbon emissions also kill marine creatures in addition to causing global warming?
Certain scientists say, this is the truth.
If you're in doubt, watch the above clips, again.
In any case, a disaster hits you when you're least prepared for it.
I see some reason in the above saying, but my immediate inclination is for some food 'cause I'm hungry.
Now I desperately want to eat Taiyaki.
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Taiyaki (literally "baked sea bream") is a Japanese fish-shaped cake.
It imitates the shape of Tai (Japanese Red seabream).
It is also the origin of the name.
The most common filling is red bean paste that is made from sweetened azuki beans.
Other common fillings may be custard, chocolate, cheese, or sweet potato.
Some shops even sell taiyaki with okonomiyaki, gyoza filling, or a sausage inside.
Taiyaki is believed to have originated in Tokyo during the Meiji era, and can now be found all over Japan, especially at food courts of supermarkets and at Japanese festivals.
In any road, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001st movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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2021ǯ0522
Bird in a Cage
Bird in a Cage
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Subj:Hi, Kato...
"The Birdcage" was hilarious.
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 6:51 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi Kato,
How's it going with you?
I read your article.
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"Auntie Sleepie"
(December 13, 2011)
Fascinating information in the above article!
I actually think I know the mysterious and inspirational lady you're talking about.
She looks very much like the photo you displayed and she comes across as intelligent but disturbed at the same time.
Something must have happened to her that affected her more rational behavior, or at least that's how it seems.
I certainly know about Kurosawa as he's been famous and very popular here in Canada now for some time.
The movie "Throne of Blood" looks a bit too gory for me, though.
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More of a man's film, I'd say.
Interesting story, for sure.
Are you keeping busy ... too busy sometimes?
My boyfriend and I went to the Playhouse Theater on Saturday night and saw a hilarious play "La Cage aux Folles."
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I had seen the movie years ago and then there was remake apparently with Robin Williams.
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The Birdcage (1996)
(Movie Trailer)
The movie was better, but the play was still quite marvelous.
Preparing now for Christmas.
Maybe I'll get to Joe Fortes before that time. Hopefully.
Gotta run,
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Love, Diane ~
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Subj:Hi, Diane
What a big crook!
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Date: Tues., Dec. 20, 2011 10:11 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane3760@canada.ca
Hi Diane,
I'm glad to know that you've been happily preparing for the big event---X'mas!
Well..., I'm not a Christian, so X'mas is not such a big event in my life.
However, watching X'mas trees always makes me happy and puts me into a festival mood.
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Your big crook reminded me of James Herriot's sheep story, in which a dying sheep is miraculously saved simply because she has been sent into a long sleep with a drug so that she couldn't feel pain at all.
Pain and fear would give anyone a bad effect.
That's what James Herriot said in the story.
Well, at least, your big crook gave me a bit of laugh, which made me happy. :)
By the way, the mysterious woman showed up in the afternoon with a DVD today.
She always puzzles me.
What is she doing?
She doesn't have to sit at the online computer at all if she wants to view DVDs.
An offline computer will do.
How come she always sits at the online computer at the same time?
Some day, I might as well ask her.
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Sylvie had appeared 20 minutes earlier than you did.
You just missed her.
As usual, she seemed happy and satisfied with herself. :) he, he, he, he, he,...
Well, I've just written a story about the "Titanic" movie and my own Titanic-like romance.
Please click the following link:
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"Titanic @ Sendai"
(December 20, 2011)
I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Your truly romantic Taliesin, Kato
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:) with love
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Subj:Hi, Kato...
Please come to see the play.
Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2011 11:27 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi, Kato.
Yes, it's a lovely crook isn't it?
I'll have to send you some photos of the cast when we're in full regalia.
I've got an awesome shepherd's outfit which I pretty well put together myself, and the rest of the group are really fun and committed to the play.
Of course, if I had got to be one of the three Kings it'd be an even better costume with more glitter and such, but what's a girl to do.
You've got to dress for the role you've got.
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As it turns out, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is really sick and I've been substituting for her as well as playing my simple role as a shepherd, so it may turn out I get to do both roles on Christmas Eve.
Such fun I haven't had since grade school, really!
It's just filled me with such happiness.
We'll perform the play at 5 PM on Dec. 24th.
Kato, come to my church & see for yourself, just for fun, why don't you?
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By the way, I'm so fascinated with this mysterious lady.
You really should approach her and get to know her, if only to explain to her she can watch her DVD's without booking time on the computer.
She'd probably bless you for this.
Let me know, okay?
Thanks for this information.
I've not got time right now but SOON I'll peruse it.
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Love & Blessings,
Diane ~
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Kato, how come you didn't come to my church to see the play?
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It was down-pouring. Too wet to go out.
I don't think so. It was drizzling, but not definitely down-pouring. You should've come to see the play.
Anyway, I had a good laugh when you showed up at Joe Fortes Library with that giant crook. That was more than enough for me. :) He, he, he, he, he,...
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Don't be silly, Kato...I didn't show up like that.
In any case, I could easily imagine how the play would go. So instead, I was looking for some funny X'mas video clips for a X'mas article.
You're not dependable. You don't show up or you come too late...always like that.
Talking of the play, Diane, you went to the Playhouse Theater to see "La Cage aux Folles," didn't you?
Yes, I did. Did you, Kato?
No, I didn't...but I viewed the "Birdcage" DVD, which you mentioned in the mail.
Oh, did you? I think the movie is better, but the play is still quite marvelous.
La Cage aux Folles
It is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman.
Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, Jean-Michel, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.
The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs.
The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
La Cage aux Folles is the only musical which has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice and the only show that has won a Best Production Tony Award (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.
A National Tour, based on the 2010 revival, will begin in October 2011 with George Hamilton as Georges and Christopher Sieber as Albin.
Synopsis
Georges, the master of ceremonies, welcomes the audience to his St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles".
The chorus line known as Les Cagelles appear and introduce themselves to the audience.
Georges and his "wife", Albin, have lived happily together for many years in an apartment above La Cage with their black "maid" Jacob.
Albin is a drag queen and the star performer of La Cage aux Folles under the alias of "Zaza".
As Albin prepares to perform, Georges' 24-year-old son Jean-Michel (the offspring of a confused, youthful liaison with a woman named Sybil) arrives home with the news that he is engaged to Anne Dindon.
Georges is reluctant to approve of Jean-Michel's engagement, but Jean-Michel assures his father that he is in love with Anne.
Unfortunately, her father is head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party", whose stated goal is to close the local drag clubs.
Anne's parents want to meet their daughter's future in-laws.
Jean-Michel has lied to his fiancée, describing Georges as a retired diplomat, and he pleads with Georges to tell Albin to absent himself (and his flamboyantly gay behaviors) for the visit.
Before Georges can break the news to him, Albin suggests that they hurry back to La Cage to make it in time for the next show.
They arrive in time and Albin takes the stage once more as Zaza.
While Albin is performing, Georges and Jean-Michel quickly redecorate the house.
Georges finally tells Albin of Jean-Michel's plan and expects Albin to explode with fury, but he remains silent.
Albin then re-joins Les Cagelles onstage and tells them to leave.
He then begins to sing alone in defiance of Jean-Michel, stating that he is proud of who he is and refuses to change for anyone.
He angrily throws his wig at Georges and departs in a huff.
The next morning, Georges finds Albin after his abrupt departure and apologizes.
He then suggests to Albin that he dress up for dinner as macho "Uncle Al".
Albin is still upset, but reluctantly agrees to act like a heterosexual for Jean-Michel.
Back at the chastely redesigned apartment, Georges shows "Uncle Al" to Jean-Michel.
Jean-Michel doesn't like the idea and expresses his dislike for Albin's lifestyle.
Georges angrily reminds Jean-Michel of how good of a "mother" Albin has been to him.
They then receive a telegram that Jean-Michel's mother Sybil is not coming and Anne's parents arrive.
Hoping to save the day, Albin appears as Jean-Michel's buxom, forty-year-old mother, in pearls and sensible shoes.
The nervous Jacob burns the dinner, so a trip to a local restaurant, "Chez Jacqueline", belonging to an old friend of Albin and Georges, is quickly arranged.
No one has told Jacqueline of the situation, and she asks Albin (as Zaza) for a song, to which he hesitantly agrees.
Everyone in the restaurant begins to take part in the song, causing Albin to yield to the frenzy of performance and tear off his wig at the song's climax, revealing his true identity.
Back at the apartment, the Dindons plead with their daughter to abandon her fiancé, for they are appalled by his homosexual parents, but she is in love with Jean-Michel and refuses to leave him.
Jean-Michel, deeply ashamed of the way he has treated Albin, asks his forgiveness, which is lovingly granted.
The Dindons prepare to depart, but their way is blocked by Jacqueline, who has arrived with the press, ready to photograph these notorious anti-homosexual activists with Zaza.
Georges and Albin have a proposal: If Anne and Jean-Michel may marry, Georges will help the Dindons escape through La Cage aux Folles next door.
The Dindons do so, dressed in drag as members of the nightclub's revue, and all ends well.
Audition for
"La Cage aux Folles"
SOURCE: "La Cage aux Folles"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Was the playhouse packed?
Oh, yes, it was with a lot of people. We really enjoyed the play. How about you, Kato?
I didn't see the play, but the "Birdcage" is quite an amusing movie. Nathan Lane, who played as Albert, is a funny guy---actually, the funniest homosexual I've ever seen in my life.
Funniest? In what way?
Well..., he was eating at the table with Robin Williams. He picked up some slimy stuff with a fork, but couldn't manage to hold it, and dropped it. In doing so, he overreacted in such a hilarious way that I laughed to death. He was really a drag queen in the true sense.
I cannot recall such a funny scene.
Anyway, if someone with homophobia see the movie, he or she might change his way of thinking about homosexuality.
Kato, are you a homosexual?
Diane, are you trying to insult me?
Oh, no, I'm quite serious and curious.
Do I look like a drag queen?
Oh, no, you don't. But I've noticed that a wildest-looking man sometimes turns out to be a homosexual.
I'm not against homosexuality, but acting like a drag queen is the last thing I want to do.
You know, Kato, there are quite a few anti-gay activists in Vancouver.
I know that. So the Vancouver School Board is taking an anti-homophobia policy, using film and video to engage youth and educators on issues related to homophobia.
How do you know?
I saw the sign board the other day.
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Where did you find it?
Of course, in Vancouver. Look at the map in the background.Don't ask me such a foolish question.
So the school board is providing anti-homophobia programs, isn't it?
I suppose so. If I was one of the school trustees, I would propose that each student should see "The Birdcage" so that all the students would laugh off homophobia. What would you say, Diane?
Maybe a good idea. I agree with you.
Himiko's Monologue
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Wow! ... What a funny drag queen!
As you know, a drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining.
There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once.
Drag queens also vary by class and culture and can vary even within the same city.
Although many drag queens are gay men, there are drag artists of all genders and sexualities who do drag for various reasons or purposes.
Women who dress like men for the same purpose are known as drag kings.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
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"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
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"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
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"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
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"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
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"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
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"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
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"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victoria Prudery"
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"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happy Days"
"Vancouver Again"
"Swansea"
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"Midnight in Vancouver"
"Madame Lindbergh"
"Dead Poets Society"
"Letters to Diane"
"Taliesin Studio"
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"Wright and Japan"
"Taliesin Banzai"
"Memrory Lane to Sendai"
"Aunt Sleepie"
"Titanic @ Sendai"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
I saw "The Birdcage" too.
It was indeed hilarious.
The Birdcage met with mixed reviews ranging from praise to condemnation in both the mainstream press and the gay press for the portrayals of its gay characters.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) praised the film for "going beyond the stereotypes to see the character's depth and humanity."
The Birdcage opened on March 8, 1996 and grossed 18 million dollars in its opening weekend, topping the box office.
By the end of its 14-week run, the film had grossed 124 million dollars domestically and 61 million internationally, coming down to 185 million worldwide.
So it became quite a popular movie.
If you happen to visit a library in your neighborhood, you might as well borrow the "Birdcage" DVD and view it.
I'm pretty sure you'll laugh to death.
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2021ǯ0426
New Cinderella
New Cinderella
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Spring seems to
have come at last.
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From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane705@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Mon., Mar 31, 2014 3:58PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Diane,
How are you doing?
Spring seems to have come at last.
I'm sure that you'll soon jog around the seawall.
I wish I could jog with you.
However, I'm recently quite involved with the following movie---"The Lost Valentine."
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"How come you're so much involved in the above movie?"---you may ask! :-)
Well ... Madame Taliesin sent me a Valentine parcel by sea.
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Unfortunetely, however, the parcel seems to have been lost somewhere between Tokyo and Vancouver 'cause I haven't received it yet!
So, I tried to locate the parcel on the net, and came up with this movie. ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,...
During World War II, Navy Lt. Neil Thomas bids Caroline, his pregnant young wife, farewell at Union Station.
Before their son is born, Neil's plane goes down in the Pacific and he's declared "MIA: Missing in Action."
Caroline is devastated, but her love never dies.
For the next 65 years, Caroline returns to Union Station on the anniversary of her loss to salute his memory.
When a TV journalist learns of the touching story, she sets out to investigate what happened to Neil 65 years earlier.
This is a 2011 American drama based on the novel by James Michael Pratt of the same name, previously titled "The Last Valentine", which is a 1998 New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
The story follows Susan Allison (a TV journalist) who works on a profile of Caroline Thomas.
The interview with Caroline reveals that for 66 years she has had no information about her husband from the Department of the Navy.
With the help of a United States Senator (Susan did an unrelated story on him) who puts pressure on the Navy, they locate the Billings family, whose now deceased father Jeff was a gunner on Lt. Thomas' airplane.
From a surviving letter by Jeff to his wife we hear the account of the crash and of Morang, a Filipino guerrilla, who rescued two wounded crash survivors.
Susan turns to her boyfriend Andrew for help because he still has connections to the Philippines where Lt. Thomas was last seen alive.
Putting past hard feelings over his breakup with Susan aside, Andrew manages to locate the elderly Morang, who told that Lt. Thomas joined the Filipino guerrillas and fought the Japanese deep behind enemy lines.
During a patrol, Lt. Thomas was killed by a Japanese sniper while selflessly trying to rescue a little boy.
Morang reveals he knows where Lt. Thomas's body is buried.
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Thus the U.S. Navy goes to the grave site and returns Lt. Thomas' remains and personal effects to the United States.
Caroline is handed Neil's dog-tags, watch, and wallet, which contains her valentine to him.
It is actually a heart-warming tear-jerker with double romances.
Diane, borrow the DVD and find out two love stories by yourself.
In any case, I've just written an article about this movie.
Click the following link:
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"Love and Loyalty"
I hope you'll enjoy the above article!
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
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Subj:I'll see the DVD one day.
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From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Mon., Mar 31, 2014 8:50PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi, Kato,
Oh, doesn't that sound romantic, Kato!?
Thanks so much, my smiling Bohemian.
I must make a point to see this one day soon.
Life's sure interesting, isn't it?
Never a dull moment!
I just picked up a DVD I had ordered from the VPL "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" with Jim Carrey.
Don't think I've seen it, but you never know.
Certainly there was an interesting article I read recently that this movie, which is now ten years old.
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The above film is a 2004 American romantic science fiction dramedy about an estranged couple who have each other erased from their memories.
The film uses elements of science fiction, psychological thriller, and a nonlinear narrative to explore the nature of memory and romantic love.
This film was so brilliant that it should have won an Oscar.
Probably one of those years like last year where there was a plethora of excellent choices
It is hard to select just one as "Best Picture," that's for sure.
Thanks again, kiddo.
... hope you're enjoying this lovely day.
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Love, Diane
So, Diane, you enjoyed viewing the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," eh?
Most definitely. The protagonist is an emotionally withdrawn guy named Joel Barish, and his love interest is an unrestrained free-spirited girl---Clementine Kruczynski.
What happens between them?
They strike up a relationship on a Long Island Rail Road train from Montauk, New York. They are almost immediately drawn to each other despite their radically different personalities.
So it's a boy-meets-a-girl-and-falls-in-love-at-once type of story, eh?
Not quite. Although they do not realize it at the time, Joel and Clementine are in fact former lovers, now separated after having spent two years together. After a fight, Clementine hired the New York City firm Lacuna, Inc. to erase all her memories of their relationship.
It's impossible, isn't it?
Well ... not at present, but this movie has something to do with science fiction. And Clementine eases all her memories of their relationship.
Then what happens?
Upon discovering this, Joel is devastated and decides to undergo the procedure himself, a process that takes place while he sleeps. Much of the film takes place in Joel's mind. As his memories are erased, Joel finds himself revisiting them in reverse. Upon seeing happier times of love with Clementine from earlier in their relationship, he struggles to preserve at least some memory of her and his love for her. Despite his efforts, the memories are slowly erased, with the last memory of Clementine telling him: "Meet me in Montauk".
I see... so they meet on the train as if they met for the first time, don't they?
Yes, they do.
So, they start their relationship from scratch. Is that it?
Yes.
And at the end, they're going to live happily ever after, eh?
Sort of...
It's so predictable. I don't like such a simple storyline.
Kato, don't jump to such a hasty conclusion. There're, of course, several twists and turns so that you could laugh to death.
Oh, yeah? Maybe, I'll borrow the DVD some day.
Anyway, Kato, tell me about "New Cinderella."
I borrowed the following DVD.
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Actual Library Catalogue
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I see... So, Biddy starts to work as a housemaid for a noble house, and is bullied by the head of housemaids, huh?
Yes, she is.
Biddy then catches the eye of a wealthy young man, and both live happily ever after, huh?
To make a long story short, that's it.
Well ... It seems to me it's too simple a storyline.
Oh, Diane, don't jump to such a hasty conclusion. There're, of course, several twists and turns so that you could cry for joy.
So, it's a tear-jerker, huh?
No, not really. The story is somewhat like a Cinderella tale, but it contains more than that.
Like what?
Well ... first of all, Catherine Cookson, the author of the original story, is quite unique and famous.
Catherine Cookson
(27 June 1906 – 11 June 1998)
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Catherine Cookson was an English author.
She became the United Kingdom's most widely read novelist, with sales topping 100 million, while retaining a relatively low profile in the world of celebrity writers.
Her books were inspired by her deprived youth in South Tyneside, North East England, the setting for her novels.
The illegitimate child of an alcoholic named Kate Fawcett, she grew up thinking her unmarried mother was her sister, as she was brought up by her grandparents, Rose and John McMullen.
Biographer Kathleen Jones tracked down her father, whose name was Alexander Davies, a bigamist and gambler from Lanarkshire.
She left school at 13 and, after a period of domestic service, took a laundry job at Harton Workhouse in South Shields.
In 1929, she moved south to run the laundry at Hastings Workhouse, saving every penny to buy a large Victorian house, and then taking in lodgers to supplement her income.
SOURCE: Catherine Cooksonɡfrom Wikipedia
I see..., she had a quite unique life story to tell, didn't she?
Yes, she did... That's why she wrote another Cinderella story, I suppose.
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Himiko's Monologue
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I like the real Cinderella story, which is quite romantic.
How about you?
Have you ever seen one of the movies?
Here it is:
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Cinderella 1997 - Trailer
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
"Go Bananas"
"Manwatching"
"Stanley Boardwalk"
"With Your Tiger"
"A Second World"
"Asexual Thought"
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"Stanley 125 Years"
"Sushi @ the Globe"
"Peace@Syria & Pentagon"
"Sweet Memory"
"Unforgettable Movies"
"Typhoon 26"
"Great Luck"
"Diane@World"
"Diane@Spam"
"Sabina"
"Happy New Year"
"Merange & Sabina"
"Beauty in Spa"
"Love @ e-reading"
"Troublesome Slang"
"World Family"
"Mari's Bagels"
"Love & Loyalty"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Catherine Cookson took up writing as a form of therapy to tackle her depression, and joined Hastings Writers' Group.
Her first novel, "Kate Hannigan," was published in 1950.
Though it was labelled a romance, she expressed discontent with the stereotype.
Her books were, she said, historical novels about people and conditions she knew.
Cookson had little connection with the London literary circus.
She was always more interested in practicing the art of writing.
Cookson wrote almost 100 books, which sold more than 123 million copies, her novels being translated into at least 20 languages.
She also wrote books under the pseudonyms Catherine Marchant and a name derived from her childhood name, Katie McMullen.
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In her 60s
She remained the most borrowed author from public libraries in the UK for 17 years, losing the title only in 2002, four years after her death.
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2021ǯ0118
Bye Bye Trump
Bye Bye Trump
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Kato, how come you've lined up Hitler and Trump in the above?
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What's wrong with that?
Well..., Hitler is long gone, but Trump is still alive, isn't he?
Yes, he is... You're quite right, Diane. Hitler committed suicide in 1945, but President Trump is still alive.
Oh my goodness... Kato, are you saying that President Trump will commit suicide?
Oh no... I don't think Trump will ever commit suicide... He isn't that type of man, but somebody might assassinate him.
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Kato, you'd better not post the above picture.
Why not?
A CIA man might abduct you as a prospective assassin and put you into the Guantanamo Bay detention camp for torture, and you'll more than likely be dead soon or later.
You gotta be joking.
No, I'm dead serious. As a matter of fact, hundreds of Arabic people were detained over there after the 911 terrorist attack. According to a 21 June 2005 New York Times opinion article, an FBI agent was quoted as saying, "On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times, they had urinated or defecated on themselves and had been left there for 24 hours or more."
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Oh no! ... That sounds awful and disgusting... I don't want to urinate and defecate on myself.
If you say so, Kato, don't post such an incriminating picture like the above.
Diane, you're terrifying me to death.
Anyway, Kato, are you saying that there's something in common between Hitler and President Trump?
Yes, I am... That's the reason I put both men on the top.
Tell me, then, what is in common between both of them.
Actually, I read a wikipedia article the other day and came across the following passage:
Hitler's Rise to Power
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The Great Depression provided a political opportunity for Hitler.
Germans were ambivalent about the parliamentary republic, which faced challenges from right- and left-wing extremists.
The moderate political parties were increasingly unable to stem the tide of extremism, and the German referendum of 1929 helped to elevate Nazi ideology.
The elections of September 1930 resulted in the break-up of a grand coalition and its replacement with a minority cabinet.
Its leader, chancellor Heinrich Brüning of the Center Party, governed through emergency decrees from President Paul von Hindenburg.
Governance by decree became the new norm and paved the way for authoritarian forms of government.
The NSDAP rose from obscurity to win 18.3 per cent of the vote and 107 parliamentary seats in the 1930 election, becoming the second-largest party in parliament.
Hitler made a prominent appearance at the trial of two Reichswehr officers, Lieutenants Richard Scheringer and Hans Ludin, in late 1930.
Both were charged with membership in the NSDAP, at that time illegal for Reichswehr personnel.
The prosecution argued that the NSDAP was an extremist party, prompting defense lawyer Hans Frank to call on Hitler to testify.
On 25 September 1930, Hitler testified that his party would pursue political power solely through democratic elections, which won him many supporters in the officer corps.
Brüning's austerity measures brought little economic improvement and were extremely unpopular.
Hitler exploited this by targeting his political messages specifically at people who had been affected by the inflation of the 1920s and the Depression, such as farmers, war veterans, and the middle class.
Although Hitler had terminated his Austrian citizenship in 1925, he did not acquire German citizenship for almost seven years.
This meant that he was stateless, legally unable to run for public office, and still faced the risk of deportation.
On 25 February 1932, the interior minister of Brunswick, Dietrich Klagges, who was a member of the NSDAP, appointed Hitler as administrator for the state's delegation to the Reichsrat in Berlin, making Hitler a citizen of Brunswick, and thus of Germany.
Hitler ran against Hindenburg in the 1932 presidential elections.
A speech to the Industry Club in Düsseldorf on 27 January 1932 won him support from many of Germany's most powerful industrialists.
Hindenburg had support from various nationalist, monarchist, Catholic, and republican parties, and some Social Democrats.
Hitler used the campaign slogan "Hitler über Deutschland" ("Hitler over Germany"), a reference to his political ambitions and his campaigning by aircraft.
He was one of the first politicians to use aircraft travel for political purposes, and used it effectively.
Hitler came in second in both rounds of the election, garnering more than 35 per cent of the vote in the final election.
Although he lost to Hindenburg, this election established Hitler as a strong force in German politics.
Hitler lost the presidential election, but in the subsequent National Assembly election in July 1932 the Nazi Party won the vote rate of 37.8% (18.3% at the time of the 1930 election) and gained 230 seats (107 seats before the election).
Source: "Adolf Hitler"
Free encyclopedia Wikipedia
In Germany where the economy deteriorated rapidly due to the Great Depression of 1929, a large number of unemployed people overflowing in the town, and the social situation became unrest and unstable.
So what?
Well..., likewise, USA in general, Detroit in particular, had a large number of unemployed people overflowing in the auto-industry district.
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Are you saying, Kato, history repeats itself?
You're telling me, Diane... As you see, the Great Depression provided a political opportunity for Hitler, who was eventually elected as president... In the case of Trump, he took an advantage of the frustration of most blue-collar workers and anti-establishment unsatisfied white-collar people as a political opportunity and win the presidential election... That is, both men were elected as president as the result of democratic process.
I see...
Once Winston Churchill said that democracy was the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that had been tried from time to time.
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In other words, Hitler who is regarded as a bad guy worldwide was also elected by democratic election. Likewise, despite the prediction of the so-called intelligent people, Trump was elected as President of the States.
If you say so, Kato, every person who was elected president of the United States after the war was also chosen by the democratic election.
You're telling me, Diane... But there is a big difference between the presidential elections after the war and the election where Trump was elected.
What is that?
Remember Winston Churchill who said, "democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." Democracy works alright when the existing society is stable and people's values are shared, and in a relatively gentle state where a crazy event does not occur and certain functions can be fulfilled.
Are you saying, Kato, the States was unstable at the moment?
Yes, I'd say so... As in Detroit, the American society was unstable and confusing in a way at the time... So, as Hitler was elected by democratic elections, Trump also was elected president contrary to the media's expectation, since the United States was in the socially disturbing period, just like when Hitler's Nazis made a leap forward.
I see...
As in today's American society, when society gets into a turmoil, it is easy for demagogue-type leaders like Hitler and Trump to step up and win the popular votes.
Why is that?
Well, in such a society people don't really care about what is right. Instead, Trump talk about what people want to hear... Indeed, those blue-collar workers rejoiced in listening to Trump's uncompromising speech, rather than politically correct speech of the American Establishment (including Hilary Clinton).
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In Nazi Germany, Germans were enthusiastic about Hitler because Hitler talked about what they wanted to listen.
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Of course, there were citizens with good sense in America too! So, they objected to Trump becoming President!
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However, they were a minority. Most people are those blue-collar workers and anti-Establishment unsatisfied white-collar people who love the way Trump talks.
I see... So Trump was elected president in 2016, huh?
That's right...just like Hitler won the election and became German demagogue-type leader in those days... But there is a hope.
What kind of hope is that?
Well... Here's a newspaper article:
Trump wants Attorney General
to investigate source of
anonymous Times op-ed
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By John T. BennettCQ-Roll Call
Fri., Sept. 7, 2018
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump said Friday his Justice Department should launch an investigation into what government official penned an anonymous New York Times Op-Edis job.
The op-ed claimed a large cadre of officials across the government are working hard to stifle his most extreme policy whims.
It also alleged that early on, senior officials toyed with using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
(NOTE: The above picture from the Denman Collection)
DIGITAL SOURCE: "The StarMetro"
So, at least, there is a sensible man in the Trump administration, huh?
Yes, ...looks like it. . . And eventually, in the 2020 election, most American people regained some sense and realized what kind of man Trump really was.
I'm glad Trump is leaving the White House.
Well, . . . the whole world seems much obliged to see him leave before he makes war to create his Great American Empire.
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Himiko's Monologue
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What do you think?
Do you really think that there are so many unsatisfied and anti-Establishment workers in the States?
Well... even so, I hope Trump would never become another Hitler.
By the way, if Hitler had won the war, what kind of world do you think we could see?
Here's one such possibility.
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In any road, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Glorious Summer"
"Biker Babe & Granny"
"Genetically Modified"
"Tyrannosaur"
"Love@Magic"
"Yellow Ball"
"Welcome Back"
"Forbidden Love"
"Merry X'Mas"
"Heaven with Mochi"
"Travel Expense Scandal"
"Love@Redemption"
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"JAGEL"
"JAGEL Again"
"Say NO!"
Happy Gal in Canada
Roof of Vancouver
Aftershock
Whiplash
Sex Appeal
Better Off Without Senate
Fire Festival
Sweets@Paris
Scary Quake
MH370 Mystery
Putin's Way
Trump @ Vancouver
Otter & Trump
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Changeling
Fiddler on the Roof
Flesh and Bone
Maiden's Prayer
Romeo & Juliet
Trump @ Joke
Halloween in Shibuya
Trump Shock
Happy New Year!
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Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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إʪ٤ޤ
⤷εޤȤɤߤʤС
ΥåƤ͡
ذȥޥΥʪ
(renge730.jpg)
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
Ȥˤڤ
ͥåȥեޤ礦͡
㤢͡
(bikini901b.jpg)
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(girlxx.gif)
2020ǯ1224
Nostalgia
Nostalgia
(stanley1.jpg+cleovani.gif)
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Subj:Oh, you made me
nostalgic, kiddo!
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Halifax
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 7:50 pm
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
I enjoyed the following article.
"Halifax to Vancouver"
(July 9, 2012)
Wow! You are really making me nostalgic now.
I do see the similarities between Halifax and Vancouver now that you point them out.
Point Pleasant Park and Stanley Park do share commonalities, as do Lost Lagoon and the Public Gardens in Halifax.
(halifax10.jpg)
Point Pleasant Park
I wonder if Point Pleasant Park has a real live beaver in one of its lakes?
I went to check out our resident beaver in Beaver Lake yesterday.
Saw his or her lodge, but apparently the beaver doesn't come out and start working until dusk each day.
(beaver2.jpg)
I enjoyed a wonderful article and photos in Saturday's Vancouver Sun.
It looks like the beaver has been in the lake for four years now, most likely coming from North Vancouver's Capilano Watershed area, braving the currents and freighters in Burrard Inlet and shuffling his or her way up Beaver Creek to the Lake.
One of these days I hope to see the beaver in person.
With this lovely weather, it's easy and fun to take a stroll in Stanley Park more regularly, don't you think?
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You're right about preferring the weather here to the weather in Halifax.
But some days I question even that as you can imagine.
I came out here in Vancouver on my own when I was only 21 yrs. old.
I had finished business college and had already had two fairly good jobs, but I was seeking adventure and a westcoast life.
I did stop briefly in Toronto where my older brother lived in a really cool hippie house, and considered living there, but decided to go for bust.
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I loved it immediately and made lots of friends.
Eventually my older brother moved out from Toronto and my younger brother moved out from Halifax.
Then my parents decided that, if the kids were all going to live in Vancouver, they should just come out as well.
Except for my older brother, we all settled here in Vancouver, quite happily.
Thanks for this, very well put together kiddo,
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Love, Diane ~
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So, Diane, you've enjoyed a bit of hippie lifestyle in Toronto, have you?
Yes, I have. Have you been to Toronto, Kato?
Toronto was my first destination in Canada.
No kidding!
Actually, I wrote the following article.
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"Don JuanSpammer in Makati"
ڥޥƥѥѥޡ
April 19, 2012
Kato, I can't read Japanese.
Well... I translate the related passage for you...
Hey, Don Juan Spammer! You've got a filipino friend living in Toronto, haven't you?
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Kato, how the heck do you know that?
...'Cause your spam is advertising the following site.
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This site is selling auto parts made in Canada. Your filipino buddy asked you to send a lof of spam for the above site, didn't you?
Jeez...Kato, you're a darn smart ass, aren't you?
Actually, I lived in the Danforth area in Toronto for three years. This Danforth area is called "Greektown" because many Greeks live over there.
2010 Taste of the Danforth:
Greek Festival
As a matter of fact, this district is the third-largest Greek community in the world, after the Greek mainland and Melbourne.
So what?
Well... Part of the "Greektown" is a Philippine community, where a filipino friend of mine lives.
Oh, yeah? ... To tell you the truth, Kato, my buddy lives near Pape Station.
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Pape Subway Station
Kato, do you know the area?
Yes, of course, I do. Actually, I used to live near the station---two blocks away to the south.
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42 Cavell Avenue, Toronto
This is the house I lived for three years.
I know the area.
You gotta be kidding!
'Cause I went to Jones School to learn English with my buddy.
Me, too. What a coincidence!
I wish I could've met you, Kato.
I'd rather not.
SOURCE: "Don JuanSpammer in Makati"
So my mail made you nostalgic, didn't you?
You're telling me, Diane.
What is Jones School?
It was an elementary school, which seems to have been converted to a community center. In the old days, new immigrants learned English at the school free of charge.
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It is called "Adult Centre," isn't it?
...seems like it. The house at 42 Cavell Avenue was my first house in Canada.
Do you still remember the area, Kato?
Yes, of course, the scenery has burnt into my memory since.
Danforth Ave. & Pape Ave.
The Novascotia bank in the above video is my first bank in Canada. The burger shop used to be a smoke shop in those days.
Did you join the dance in the Greek festival.
Oh yeah! I loved and enjoyed the Greek dance... Guess where I moved to next?
To Yorkville?
Not exactly...but close enough...I moved to a boarding house on Brunswick Avenue.
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Brunswick Avenue
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Brunswick Avenue at Bloor Street West
Walking Around
Bloor and Brunswick
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So, Kato, you quite often fooled around in Yorkville, didn't you?
You're telling me, Diane. As you mentioned in the mail, Yorkville flourished as Toronto's bohemian cultural centre in the 1960s.
From Hippies to Hedonists,
in Yorkville, Toronto
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Driving thru Yorkville
Did you live there in the 1960s, Kato?
Oh no, my days were in the late 1970s, but I definitely enjoyed bohemian culture in Yorkville.
Do you know, Kato? The old town was the breeding ground for some of Canada's most noted musical talents---Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot, as well as then-underground literary figures such as Margaret Atwood, Gwendolyn MacEwen and Dennis Lee.
Oh yeah? I didn't know that.
And of course, Yorkville was the Canadian capital of the hippie movement. Cyberpunk writer William Gibson was living there.
When I was fooling around, some people loved upscale shopping and enjoyed eating at posh restaurants over there.
I see some changes in the old town.
Did you enjoy the film festival while you lived there, Diane?
Yes, of course, I did.
Madonna's Film Premiere
Toronto Film Festival
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During the Toronto International Film Festival, Yorkville becomes an excellent place for celebrity-spotting, especially in the Hazelton Lanes shopping complex. Most recently, however, I hear the celebrities once seen during the Toronto International Film Festival have migrated elsewhere and are now most often seen in the entertainment district bars and after-hour clubs near the CITY-TV building.
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The Toronto Entertainment District is an area in Downtown Toronto, concentrated around King Street West between University Avenue and Spadina Avenue. Have you been there, Diane?
Yes, I did, but a long time ago.
There are now a lof of theatres and performing arts centres, as well as homes of Toronto's four major-league sports teams. And of course, this area is home to most of the nightclubs in Toronto.
Nightlife in Toronto
Oh, kato, you made me nostalgic again.
You know what, Diane?
Tell me.
I think both of us are here in Vancouver by destiny.
By destiny? ... Why is that?
You see, Diane, we were supposed to meet in Toronto, but for some reason, we didn't. Then you went to Faro up north, but I spent too much time in Yellowknife. So we couldn't meet, either. Then, when I went to Halifax, you were already gone a long time ago. And at last in Vancouver, we met.
It was just by chance, Kato.
I'd like to think, we're somehow tied by a thread of destiny.
I didn't know you're such a romantic man, Kato.
Now, you know that...Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...
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SOURCE: "A Thread of Destiny"(2012-07-25)
Himiko's Monologue
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What a beautiful city Toronto is!
I visited Vancouver, but I've never been to Toronto.
I wish I were there.
I'd like to have a memorable time at one of the best cafes in Toronto.
Toronto's Best Cafes
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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"Hello Diane!"
"I wish you were there!"
"Jane Eyre"
"Jane Eyre Again"
"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"
"Jane Eyre Special"
"Love & Death of Cleopatra"
"Nice Story"
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"Scrumdiddlyumptious"
"Spiritual Work or What?"
"What a coincidence!"
"Wind and Water"
"Yoga and Happiness"
"You're in a good shape"
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"Hellelujah!"
"Ecclesiophobia"
"Uncorruptible"
"Net Travel & Jane"
"Net Love"
"Complicated Love"
"Electra Complex"
"Net Début"
"Inner World"
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"Madame Riviera and Burger"
"Roly-poly in the North"
"Amazing Grace"
"Diane in Paris"
"Diane in Montmartre"
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"Diane Well Read"
"Wantirna South"
"Maiden's Prayer"
"Bandwidth"
"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"
"Tulips and Diane"
"Diane in Bustle Skirt"
"Diane and Beauty"
"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"
"Victorian Prudery"
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"Diane Chatterley"
"From Canada to Japan"
"From Gyoda to Vancouver"
"Film Festival"
"Madame Taliesin"
"Happy Days"
"Vancouver Again"
"Swansea"
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"Midnight in Vancouver"
"Madame Lindbergh"
"Dead Poets Society"
"Letters to Diane"
"Taliesin Studio"
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"Wright and Japan"
"Taliesin Banzai"
"Memrory Lane to Sendai"
"Aunt Sleepie"
"Titanic @ Sendai"
"Birdcage"
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"Roly-poly in the wild"
"Silence is dull"
"Zen and Chi Gong"
"Piano Lesson"
"Dangerous Relation"
"Electra Complex"
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"Covent Garden"
"Fatal Relation"
"Notre Dame"
"Anne Frank"
"Biker Babe"
"Diane Girdles the Globe"
"Diane in Casablanca"
"Infidelity Neighbourhood"
"Forest Bathing"
"Enjoy Ramen!"
"Sex, Violence, Love"
"Halifax to Vancouver"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Since I've got a lot of friends in Toronto,
I visited the city so many times.
Have you been there?
This is Toronto.
Especially I like the Beaches around Toronto.
Some day, I hope you and I will meet on one of the beaches.
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Ȥǡȥޥ
ΤäޤȤ
إʪ٤ޤ
⤷εޤȤɤߤʤС
ΥåƤ͡
ذȥޥΥʪ
(renge730.jpg)
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
Ȥˤڤ
ͥåȥեޤ礦͡
㤢͡
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(girlxx.gif)
2020ǯ1125
Price of Your Life
Price of Your Life
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Kato, look at the above picture! What a disgusting scene it is. Are you talking about the price of a corpse?
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Oh, no. I'm talking about the price of a human being in general.
Then how come you've pasted an abominable picture in the above?
Well ... to attract your attention. he, he, he, he, he, ...
This isn't a laughing matter, Kato. Why on earth are you talking about the price of your life and mine?
Good question. I borrowed the following book from Vancouver Public Library.
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Actual Catalogue Page
I see... this is a Japanese book, isn't it?
Actually, this is a translated version of "Justice" written by Michael J. Sandel. I read this book twice, then I borrowed the English version.
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Actual Catalogue Page
I think I've heard of the name of the author.
I know ... I know ... Professor Sandel is now world-famous.
Why is that?
Well ... His lectures are even aired in China... let alone in Japan.
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Putting a Price Tag of Life
So, you really enjoyed reading the book, didn't you?
You bet on that, Diane. As I jotted down as comment, reading the book is just like taking his famous undergraduate course "Justice" at Harvard University without the troublesome parts such as term papers and exams.
Oh, yeah?
Yes, I think he is an excellent educator who has unique and fascinating teaching methods with lucid and illustrating examples.
What's so good about the book?
Well ... once you get into his world, you would have to rethink your assumptions and question accepted ways of thinking. Then you would probably come up with a more awakening way of thinking as well as a more enriching way of living your life.
So, tell me, Kato, what impressed you so much.
Before I'll talk about it, read the following excerpt.
Exploding gas tanks
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During the 1970s, the Ford Pinto was one of the best-selling subcompact cars in the United States.
Unfortunately, its fuel tank was prone to explode when another car collided with it from the rear.
More than five hundred people died when their Pinto bursts into flames ...
Compnay executives had conducted a cost-benefit analysis ...
To calculate the benefits to be gained by a safer gas tank, Ford estimated that 180 dearths and 180 burn injuries would result if no changes were made.
It then placed a monetary value on each life lost and injury suffered---$200,000 per life, and $67,000 per injury.
It added to these amounts the number and value of the Pintos likely to go up in flames, and calculated that the overall benefit of the safety improvement would be $49.5 million.
But the cost of adding an $11 device to 12.5 million vehicles would be $135.5 million.
So the company concluded that the cost of fixing the fuel tank was not worth the benefits of a safer car.
Upon learning of the study, the jury was outraged.
...
Perhaps they thought that $200,000 was egregiously low.
Ford had not come up with that figure on its own, but had taken it from a U.S. government agency.
In the early 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had calculated the cost of a traffic fatality.
Counting future productivity losses, medical costs, funeral costs, and the victim's pain and suffering, the agency arrived at $200,000 per fatality.
SOURCE: pp. 43-44 "Justice"
by Michael Sandel
I think, $200,000 is too low for the price of my life.
I think so, too.
Besides, I don't like an idea to put a price tag on human life, which is immeasurable in the first place, I suppose.
I agree with you, Diane, but if you perform a cost-benefit analysis, you would have to come up with the price of human life.
Even if you somehow come up with a price, it is not possible to measure and compare all values and goods on a single scale.
I understand what you mean, Diane. Here's an interesting episode. Read the following passage.
St. Anne's girls
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In the 1970s, when I was a graduate student at Oxford, there were separate colleges for men and women.
The women's colleges had parietal rules against male guests staying overnight in women's rooms.
These rules were rarely enforced and easily violated, or so I was told.
Most college officials no longer saw it as their role to enforce traditional notions of sexual morality.
Pressure grew to relax these rules, which became a subject of debate at St. Anne's College, one of the all-women colleges.
Some older women on the faculty were traditionalists.
They opposed allowing male guests, on conventional moral grounds; it was immoral, they thought, for unmarried young women to spend the night with men. But times had changed, and the traditionalists were embarrassed to give the real grounds for their objection.
So they translated their arguments into utilitarian terms.
"If men stay overnight," they argued, "the costs to the college will increase."
How, you might wonder? "Well, they'll want to take baths, and that will use more hot water."
(anne82.jpg)
Furthermore, they argued, "we will have to replace the mattresses more often."
The reformers met the traditionalists' arguments by adopting the following compromise: Each woman could have maximum of three overnight guests each week, provided each guest paid fifty pence per night to defray the costs to the college.
The next day, the headline in the "Guardian" read, "St. Anne's Girls, Fifty Pence a Night."
The language of virtue had not translated very well into the language of utility. Soon thereafter, the parietal rules were waived altogether, and so was the fee.
(Pictures from Denman Library)
SOURCE: pp. 47-48 "Justice"
by Michael Sandel
Kato, this is a farce, isn't it?
Yes, I guess so.
Have you quoted the above passage for the laugh of the day?
No, of course, not. Actually, I have an interesting episode to share with you, Diane.
Tell me.
In the late 1970s, I visited Jane at St. Anne's College.
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Are you saying, the girl in the above pictures is Jane?
Yes, she is.
She looks like June, doesn't she?
Jane is June's cousin.
I see. What happened at the college?
Naturally I stayed overnight in her room as a male guest.
(anne82.jpg)
Are you saying, Kato, you stay overnight in the above room with Jane?
Yes, I am.
I was madly in love with Jane at the time. She majored in philosophy---modern philosophy of Immanuel Kant in particular.So, what happened?
Read the following episode.
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Kato, what ... what do you think you're trying to do here ... here in my bed?
Well ... I wanna make love.
Are you serious?
Yes, I am.
Kato, I told you I believe in Immanuel Kant.
I know.
Then you should know that Immanuel Kant was againt casual sex. So am I.
Do you really believe in Kant?
Yes, I do. Kant said that casual sex is objectionable.
Why is that?
...'Cause it is all about the satisfaction of sexual desire, not about respect for the humanity of one's partner. The desire which you have for me is not directed toward me as a human being. That I am a human being is of no concern to you; you're interested in me as the object of your desire.
Who told you so?
Kant did.
I've never told you that I'm interested in you as the object of my desire. Listen to me, Jane! I love you because you're like Hypatia in the ancient Alexandoria. You're quite intelligent, compassionate, and good-natured, and I've got tons of respect for the humanity of your person.
Even if you insists on that, I still reject your advance.
Why is that?
Kant says that only sex within marriage can avoid degrading humanity. Only when two persons give each other the whole of themselves, and not merely the use of their sexual capacities, can sex be other than objectifying. Only when both partners share with each other their person, body and soul, for good and ill and in every respect, can their sexuality leads to a true union of human beings.
Jane, are you saying, every marriage actually brings about a union of that kind?
No, Kant didn't say that, but sexual relations outside of marriage involve nothing more than sexual gratification.
Who said so?
Kant did. The categorical imperative tells us to treat everyone with respect, as an end in itself.
So, believe me, Jane, I'm treating you with respect and love as a rational human being---not merely the object of my desire.
But I believe in Immanuel Kant.
Jane, who is more important to you---Kant or Kato?
I'm very sorry, Kato. I go for Kant.
So, Kato, you didn't make love with Jane, did you?
No, not really, I didn't know she is such an opinionated, dogmatic and stone-headed woman.
So what about the price of your life and mine?
Oh yes ... that's the thing I wanna talk about with you. There are things you can't buy with money.
Like what?
Like your life or Jane's love.
Are you serious, Kato?
Yes, I'm dead-serious. After reading the above book, I've just concluded that you just can't come up with the dollar value of a human life?
Why is that?
...'Cause human life outweighs the earth.
Kato, do you really believe that?
Yes, I do.
How on earth have you come up with the idea?
Well ... let me tell you this incident, which took place on September 28, 1977. The Douglas DC-8, en route from Paris to Haneda Airport in Tokyo with 156 people on board, stopped in Mumbai, India. Shortly after taking off from Mumbai, five armed members of the Japanese Red Army, led by Osamu Maruoka, hijacked the aircraft and ordered it flown to Dhaka, Bangladesh.
No kidding!
I'm not joking nor jesting. At Dhaka, the hijackers took the passengers and crew hostage, demanding $6 million and the release of nine imprisoned Red Army members.
Then what happened?
On October 1, 1977, Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda announced that the Japanese government would accept the hijackers' demands.
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Really? Did he acceptetheir demands?
Oh yes, Mr. Fukuda told the reporters, "human life outweighs the earth."
Japanese Leftist Terror Footage 3
Japanese Leftist Terror Footage 2
Six of the imprisoned Red Army members were then released.
Then what happened?
A chartered Japan Airlines flight carried the money and the six released JRA members to Dhaka, where the exchange took place on October 2. The hijackers released 118 passengers and crew members. On October 3, they flew to Kuwait City and Damascus, where they released 11 more hostages. Finally, the aircraft was flown to Algeria, where it was impounded by authorities and the remaining hostages were freed.
So, no casualties.
No, there are no casualties. I admire and respect Mr. Fukuda and believe that human life indeed outweighs the earth.
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First published on Monday, May 28, 2013
Himiko's Monologue
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The first recorded aircraft hijack took place on February 21, 1931, in Arequipa, Peru.
Byron Rickards, flying a Ford Tri-Motor, was approached on the ground by armed revolutionaries.
He refused to fly them anywhere.
After a 10-day standoff Rickards was informed that the revolution was successful and he could go in return for giving one group member a lift to Lima.
I'm glad to hear that there are no casualties.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
(renge62e.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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"Covent Garden"
"Fatal Relation"
"Notre Dame"
"Anne Frank"
"Biker Babe"
"Diane Girdles the Globe"
"Diane in Casablanca"
"Infidelity Neighbourhood"
"Forest Bathing"
"Enjoy Ramen!"
"Sex, Violence, Love"
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"Halifax to Vancouver"
"A Thread of Destiny"
"Fujiyama Geisha"
"Beaver Lake"
"God is Near!"
"Holy Cow@Rose Garden"
"Vancouver Earthquake"
"Birthplace"
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"KIFF"
"You Love Japan, eh?"
"Eight Bridges"
"First Love"
"Fright on Flight"
"Boy's Movie"
"From Summer to Eternity"
"Sōseki & Glenn Gould"
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"Dream Dream Dream"
"In Search of Your Footprint"
"Little Night Music"
"Merry X'mas"
"Happy New Year!"
"Long live Diane!"
"Mona Lisa"
"Flu Shot"
"Selfish TD Bank"
"Talk with Mozart"
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"Bliss for Diane!"
"Romantic Bohemian"
"TD Bank or Mozart?"
"Diane@TD Bank"
"Tear Jerker"
"Diane in Chorus Line"
"Pork or Friend?"
"Easter Bloopers"
"Beauty is Heart-deep"
"Romance@South Pacific"
"Art Gallery"
"Diane Hypatia"
"Cherry and Silk"
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
The above hijacking incident contrasted Europe and the United States' approach of non-negotiation with terrorists to Japan's approach of appeasing terrorists if necessary.
Shortly after the incident, Japan's National Police Agency established a Special Assault Team to deal with future acts of terrorism.
Several of the Japanese Red Army radicals involved in the hijacking have yet to be apprehended and their current whereabouts are unknown.
Maruoka escaped and remained a fugitive until 1987 when he was arrested in Tokyo after entering Japan on a forged passport.
Given a life sentence, he died in prison on 29 May 2011.
Another of the hijackers, Jun Nishikawa, eventually returned to Japan, was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
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2020ǯ0926
Love & Death of Cleopatra
Love & Death of Cleopatra
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Alexandria, the birthplace of Cleopatra, is located on the western edge of the Nile that flows into the Mediterranean. Stretching 20 Km along the coast, it was one of the largest cities in the world. Surrounded in the north by the Mediterranean, in the south by Lake Mareotis, in the east by the the Nile River, the city served as a perfect base for international trade among Europe, Asia and Africa.
But it was 69 BC, when Cleopatra was born. When Kato visited Alexandria in 2010, he couldn't see the the glory of those days anymore.
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Seen from the window of the hotel room where Kato stayed is Pharos Island that was once offshore from the city but now connected to the mainland.
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Currently, the old fortress stands where once existed the ancient lighthouse---one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This huge lighthouse had a four-layer height of 130 meters. It is said that the light was visible from 55 km at sea.
Diane..., have you been to Alexandria?
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No, I haven't. Have you, Kato?
Yes, I have. As a matter of fact, I've traveled around over 30 countries.
Oh..., so, you're a world traveler, aren't you?
Yes, I am. I visited the famous Egyptian city in the summer of 2010. . . I met Cleopatra. . . he, he, he...
You must be kidding.
I know you cannot believe it.
Nobody can, Kato. Cleopatra has been long dead. Everybody knows that.
I know, I know..., but I met Cleopatra. Actually, the woman I met believed that she was a born-again Cleopatra.
So, you met a crazy woman..., or at least a feeble-minded woman, didn't you?
C'mon, Diane. She wasn't crazy at all. Actually, she turned out an intelligent woman.
By the way, Kato, you told me several years ago, you would tell me a story that was based on the brochure I'd handed out to you.
Oh, yes, this is the story based on your brochure.
But the brochure I gave you has nothing to do with Cleopatra.
No, it doesn't mention the name of Cleopatra. However, when you read the story to the end, you will know for sure that the nitty-gritty of the brochure has something to do with the love and death of Cleopatra.
Do you really mean it, Kato?
Yes, of course, I do. . . You'll definitely find the story thought-provoking.
Then, tell me.
Actually, I posted the story on January 27, 2011. . . I translated it into English for you. So, take your time and enjoy reading it:
Kato woke up at 9:00 am, then went over to McDonald's near the hotel and took a late breakfast.
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Kato ordered something like a shish kebab and ate it curiously. Then, with a guidebook in hand, Kato walked to the fortress. After viewing the old fortress, he ventured south into a back street, on both sides of which stood small houses and shops closely packed like sardines. Kato thought that he'd stepped into the world of Ottoman Turkey that had flourished between the 16th and the early 20th century.
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The shops sell various kinds of colorful spices and herbs. Kato sensed the indescribable smell mixed with dusty air like the quirky "smell of Egypt".
Near the canal that flows south of the city of Alexandria stand the tenements where the poor people live. The windows seem to be decorated with a colorful laundry. When Kato saw a donkey pulling a cart in the narrow passage, he thought he'd flown back into the ancient days.
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However, he couldn't find any remains or past glory that reminded him of Cleopatra. He just felt quite tired of walking through the narrow back streets.
When Kato felt hungry, it started to gather darkness. Fed up with fast food, he went to one of the ubiquitous Chinese restaurants and ordered both "a bowl of noodles in a brisket soup" and "a dish of fried rice with eggs, greens, and beef". Eating like a starving pig, Kato could hardly move, but managed to walk back to his hotel room, and lay down on the bed. He soon dropped into a deep sleep.
Middle in the night, Kato suddenly woke up, and rubbed his eyes.
Then, he was startled!
A naked woman sitting by the window was staring at Kato.
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He thought he was still in a dream.
He rubbed his eyes again. However, the woman didn't disappear.
In fact, she was smirking with her mouth covered by her right hand as if to show politeness.
Kato rubbed his eyes again.
However, the naked woman didn't disappear. She didn't look like an Egyptian woman he often saw in Alexandria. Even in the moon-lit hotel room, her skin gleamed whitish-blue like that of a French or German woman. The naked woman gave him a discreet smile.
Who ... who the hell are you?"
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Cleopatra...hu, hu, hu...
No kidding!
Rubbing his eyes again, Kato stared at the woman, who laughed merrily as ever.
He turned on the light at the bedside stand. The light turned her white skin into light-orange color. With an ornamental cobra in the center, a golden hairband held her black hair like an Egyptian queen.
Slightly below the shoulder, her left arm showed a gilt bracelet that looked like a coiling cobra.
Except for the hairband and the bracelet, she wore nothing.
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To his surprise, the naked woman remained still in the antique armchair like a nude model with her left leg drawn up on the edge and right leg stretching out. Naturally, the clean-shaven ripe peach between the legs was on full display.
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Although Kato considered it rude to be staring between her legs, he couldn't help but hold his peering eyes.
From the crack of peach bloomed a pair of pink petals that looked like a cockscomb. With the petals Joining together at the top, the peach boasted a gleaming pearl. The woman really looked like a voluptuous Venus.
Wow! What a woman!
Kato gulped down a thick drop of saliva or two.
"But..., but, she cannot be that famous Cleopatra," thought Kato.
"Does she tell me that she is a descendant of Cleopatra?"
As if to read his mind, she stood up and stepped forward.
Smiling like an innocent girl, she stopped in front of Kato.
What are you thinking of?
How... how come you're here with me?
'Cause you've been thinking of me for so long.
How do you know?
You've been looking for me in this town, haven't you?
Give me a break. If you were Cleopatra, how could you possibly speak English?"
I learned English for you."
The woman sat down right beside Kato.
A sweet smell of perfume tickled his nostrils.
"What kind of smell?" He thought.
It definitely stimulated him sexually.
He had never sensed it before.
However, somewhere in his heart, the watchful self told him, "Do not be fooled!"
Are you still in doubt?
Well...don't you think, you're a bit out of your mind when you meet me like this...in the stark-naked for the first time?
Jeez...are you saying, I'm out of my mind?
Yes, I am. If you aren't out of your mind, you don't have common sense.
You're talking nonsense. I have more common sense than you have.
Oh, yeah?
Yes, of course. You don't have common sense to attend the funeral of your own father.
How do you know?
I told you. I've been watching you such a long time that I know everything about you.
But why have you been watching me?
'Cause you wrote about me.
Did I write about you?
Yes, you did. Don't you remember it?
Give me a break. I met you tonight for the first time. How could I possibly write about you?
Actually, I've seen you so many times that you're quite familiar to me...so much so that you're like my husband. hu, hu, hu... Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to appear in the buff like this.
Do you really want me to believe all this?
So, you're thinking I'm telling a fib, aren't you?
The smile vanished completely from the face of the woman for the first time. The cold look floated up on her face as if to face her cheating husband.
Kato pulled himself from her for a moment.
But the woman got closer to challenge him.
Although it was hot and humid in Alexandria, Kato felt a chill deep inside.
Her breasts hardened slightly with the nipples turned up.
The big nipples were those of a mother who gave birth to a child.
Kato saw goose bumps on the skin around the nipple, it was not that cold, though.
He wondered if its cause was anger or lust.
Since you don't seem to believe me, I jot down your story right down here so that you can recall.
When I was an adorable third-grade pupil, 350 pupils of the same grade went to the movie theater near my elementary school to view the animation film called "Son Goku", which is a story about an adventurous monkey. One of the unforgettable scenes was as follows:
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The monkey stands on the palm of the giant Buddha who remains seated. The monkey looks up and talks to him. "Hey, you! I'm a great monkey just like a superman. I flew to the end of the world and now I'm back on your palm.
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Full of friendliness and mercy, Buddha smiles. "Oh, are you? You can fly from one end of the world to another like a superman, can't you? Why don't you show me some proof?"
"No problem. I can show you the proof. I flew over to the end of the world and wrote my name on the stone pole that stood like a giant finger. If you don't believe it, you should also travel to the end of the world. But I don't think you can do it 'cause you're always sitting like this."
Buddha keeps smiling. "Well, some people see me fly like a superman."
"Don't be silly. You're always sitting like this. How could you possibly fly like a superman?"
"So you've only seen me sitting like this, haven't you?"
Then Buddha slowly expands the palm of the other hand. The middle finger shows the name that the monkey wrote some time ago. "Is this the name you wrote when you flew to the end of the world?"
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Dum-founded, the monkey stares at the name, which in deed he wrote, thinking that he reached the end of the world.
But it turns out to be the middle finger of Buddha.
"You said you flew over to the end of the world, but in my eyes you just jumped from my right hand to left hand."
It was such a thought-provoking scene that I can still remember it clearly.
If I were Buddha, I might have told Cleopatra the following:
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"You certainly enjoyed a string of love affairs, soaked and immersed in politics, gathered a great deal of power, and boasted the invaluable treasure. But, after all, you are not so different from the monkey. In my eyes, you have been moving around on my palm."
"Is that so? Anyway, I'm so tired."
"Are you really tired of living in this world? If you say so, you might as well kill yourself. I wouldn't prevent you from doing so. It's up to you."
"I'm tired anyway. I did do my best. In your eyes, I might have done as the monkey did on your palm. Although all my efforts seem to be a futile struggle, I cannot think of any other way to lead my life. And now I'm really exhausted."
"Every man or woman dies soon or later. Simply, it's the difference between being early or being late. You think you did do your best, don't you? If you really think so and there's nothing you want or desire, it might be a good idea that you finish your life and take it easy at this point. Nobody has a right to say otherwise."
Even if you lead a flashy, colorful life of Cleopatra, your life is nothing more than that of the monkey who, from the Buddha's point of view, only wriggles around on his palm.
Although Cleopatra did her best, she didn't achieve what she really wanted.
Nobody is perfect; so yo might feel hopeless and sigh in disappointment from time to time.
You might say, "I'm really tired to death." just as Cleopatra did.
And if you ask Buddha what to do, he has to say the same thing:
"Every man or woman dies soon or later. Simply, it's the difference between being early or being late. You think you did do your best. If you really think so and there's nothing you want or desire, it might be a good idea that you finish your life and take it easy at this point. Nobody has a right to say otherwise."
SOURCE: "Love Affairs"
ѤˤäƤޤ
(September 21, 2006)
I accept what Buddha said. But, Kato, you forgot the important thing.
Important thing? What's that?
So, I have come out this way. I stay here with you until I tell you the important thing. Then I'll go home.
You go home? but where?
Of course, back to Heaven!
Do you really want me to believe this?
"Those who believe will be saved."
Kato, there must be the same saying in Japan, is there?
Yes, there is the same saying in Japan, but I'm free of dire lament, great distress, acute regret or anything like that. I feel fairly contented with myself. So I don't have to join Heaven. By the way, where did you get the above article?
I searched for it on the net, of course.
But the original article is written in Japanese. Did you learn Japanese?
Yes, of course, I did.
Look! Cleopatra didn't speak English nor Japanese!
You're right, Kato. Cleopatra didn't speak both languages till her death in 30 BC. However, she spoke many languages of her neighboring countries. Indeed, without an interpreter, she communicated with Ethiopians, Arabs, Hebrews, Syrians, Medes, Parthians...You see, I have a talent for languages. Naturally, I've got a knack to learn Japanese.
And do you really believe, you're Cleopatra?
Yes, of course. Do you, Kato?
Listen! We are in the year of 2010. Cleopatra died in 30 BC. And if you are the real Cleopatra, your age is 2040 years old. Who would believe such a nonsense story?
I'm not saying I've been here in Alexandria for all those years. I was born again as Cleopatra. Kato, have you ever heard of "reincarnation"?
Yes, I have. But I don't believe in reincarnation.
Then, start believing it. Judging from all those articles you wrote, I thought you should be able to understand reincarnation.
Yes, yes, yes... I understand reincarnation, but understanding is one thing; believing is another. Anyway, I've never thought that Cleopatra would read my articles on the net.
So, I told you I was reborn.
Don't be silly! No jokes anymore, please. You're suffering from delusion. You're talking gibberish. Is there a mental hospital near this hotel?
There isn't such a thing! Have you ever thought, Kato, why I know the article you wrote?
By intuition?
No, not by intuition. I've been watching you for a couple of years. Think about why I showed up in the nude.
Why?
'Cause I know you. You aren't an indecent womanizer, are you?
No, of course not. But, what you're saying is misleading my readers. Do you know that?
Why?
'Because you're saying there's no chance for you and me to get romantically involved. Some readers may think that I am impotent.
Are you?
No, of course not.
You don't have to worry about such a thing. hu, hu, hu...
Since I arrived here in Alexandria, I've been thinking about a romance with a charming woman like Cleopatra. And here you are. I might just as well hold you in my arms, and wanna turn tonight into a memorable night.
I know, I know...
Then let's make it!
...make what?
Let's make love, shall we?
Don't be ridiculous, Kato. You're here to search for Cleopatra, aren't you?
Oh, yes, I am...but your nude is too much for me.
Okay. Then get up and stay away from the bed.
What do you think you're doing?
I'm gonna take off the bed sheet, then wrap myself with it like this. Voila! How do I look now?
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I don't think you're a reborn Cleopatra, but I can sense that you're quite knowledgeable about the queen. Tell me how you became intelligent enough to attract Caesar and Antony.
It's a long story. Here's an excerpt from the book you might be interested in:
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Cleopatra had passed her early childhood in the royal women's apartments. She was educated according to the centuries-old program established for the pharaoh's daughters, who were raised to rule alongside their brother-husbands---the girls' curriculum was, in fact, the same as the boys'.
The pharaotic tradition had given a great deal of importance to scholarship, and the Ptolemies honored and even intensified this tradition. Like all the Hellenistic rulers, they sought to nurture the child's general culture, or enkukleios paideia---the phrase from which we get the word "encyclopedia."
The Ptolemies developed a nationwide system of primary and secondary schools, for the Greek elite of girls and boys who would be called upon to maintain the pharaoh's power over the native masses.
In Cleopatra's time, the course of study was based on Greek literature, especially the works considered masterpieces, which scholars had painstakingly assembled into a fixed canon, or collection of texts.
Thus, the child read and studied Homer's epics, which were much admired at court; the poems of Hesiod and Pindar; the tragedies of Euripides, considered superior to those of Aeschylus and Sophocles; the comedies of Menander; and the Histories of Herodotus and Thucydides; Cleopatra learned the art of rhetoric from the speeches of Demosthenes. Her education in the sciences was equally thorough: she took courses in arithmetic and geometry, astronomy and medicine, disciplines that flourished in the Alexandrian schools. A gifted amateur, the young queen also learned to draw, play the seven-stringed lyre, and sing. She was an excellent horsewoman---a sure sign of Hellenism in a "barbarian" land.
Her intellectual abilities were remarkable, but the queen displayed a particular talent for foreign languages, though Plutarch, the Greek historian, may have exaggerated somewhat.
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pages 32 - 34 "Cleopatra"
Author: Edith Flamarion
Published in 1997 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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Cleopatra was a language genius, wasn't she?
Yes, indeed.
But Greek and Roman historians wrote a lot of bad things about Cleopatra.
Like what?
For example, the Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Cleopatra in the first century AD as follows:
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This greedy and ambitious queen killed her relatives in a cruel way, and if one of them survived, she turned her violent rage to other people.
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So, do you think that I'm greedy and cruel woman?
No, not really. But I don't think Cleopatra was a 100%-flawless women, either.
You know, Kato, history is written by the winner.
Yeah, that's absolutely right. I know the winner sometimes wrote the history to his advantage.
The Greek and Roman historians described Antony and me as the indecent enemy---worse than necessary---of the first Roman Emperor Augustus (Octavian) so that they could praise the performance of the winner.
Yes, I know.
But even the harsh critique, Dio Cassius (the Roman historian;circa 235 150 AD), wrote about me as follows:
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She was brilliant to look upon and to listen to,
with the power to subjugate every one,
even Julius Caesar, a love-sated man already past his prime.
She also possessed a most charming voice
and a knowledge of how to make herself agreeable to every one.
Her seductiveness, the ancients tell us, lay not only in her voice,
but in her vivacity and intelligence.
However, she also knew how to make the most of clothing, perfumes and jewels.
So, Dio Cassius actually praised you.
You're telling me, Kato.
But, Plutarch wrote, "Her actual beauty...was not in itself so remarkable that none could be compared with her, or that no one could see her without being struck by it."
Well, since nobody is perfect, no judgement is perfect. One could praise me, and another would disgrace me. But look at me, Kato. What do you think of me?
Listen, lady! Plutarch also wrote, "Cleopatra had the strange ability to attract people. The contact of her presence was irresistible, and the attraction of her person, joining with the charm of her conversation, and the character that attended all she said or did, was something bewitching. When she spoke, her grace in conversation, the sweetness and kindness of her nature, seasoned everything she said or did."
So, Kato, can you believe Plutarch?
Well, taking into consideration the education she received, I would say that Cleopatra attracted men not by her beauty, but rather by her character and intelligence.
I'm glad to hear that, Kato.
Look, lady! Tell me the most memorable words you said to a man you loved so much in the past?
I don't like to disclose that kind of secret, but you don't seem to believe that I'm the reborn Cleopatra. So, I'll tell you this. First of all, Antony was an obstacle and nuisance in the eyes of Augustus, who had told me that, if I would kill Antony, he would save my life.
Oh, really? But I hear that Cleopatra refused his offer. Is that right?
Yes, I refused it.
Home come...? Everybody thinks his or her life is the most important thing in this world. If I were you, I would have definitely killed Antony to live the rest of my life.
I remember that you wrote, "To live is to love."
How do you know?
I read the following articles:
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"Do you wanna love to live?"
뤳Ȥäư뤳ȡ
(December 18, 2010)
"I'm loving to live"
뤳Ȥäư뤳Ȥ͡
(December 26, 2010)
Yes, yes..., I wrote the above two articles.
Do you still believe that to live is to love?
Yes, of course, I believe it.
That's why I've disclosed what Augustus told me.
Then, what happened between you and Anthony?
Antony might have known about Augustus's offer through the rumor.
But Cleopatra decisively rejected the offer of Augustus. Right?
Yes, I did. But Antony was an incredulous man---just like you, Kato. Hu, hu, hu...
So...?
I wanted Antony to know the truth in my heart---my real intention.
So what did you do?
A week later after Augustus's offer, I dressed myself to sit at the supper table.
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To dine with Antony?
Yes, that's right. Saying "I'm thirsty", Antony took a glass of wine in hand. And to attract his attention, I talked about a well-trained pet lion.
So...?
Antony listened to me with a touch of interest. Then, I picked up a flower from my tiara and put it into Antony's glass.
Why...?
The flower was sprinkled with poison.
That is, Antony's wine got mixed up with poison. Is that it?
Yes, his wine was mixed with poison. When I was finished with the lion story, Antony was about to drink his wine.
So, did you watch Antony drink his wine?
No, of course not. I grabbed his glass from his hand.
How come...?
I told the lady-in-waiting, Charmion, to bring one of the prisoners in death row.
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A prisoner in death row? Why...?
I handed his glass over to the prisoner and told the prisoner to drink it.
Then the prisoner must have died. Did he?
Yes, he died. The prisoner was to be killed sooner or later. Drinking wine, he sank into a happy death---better than thirsting himself to death, I suppose.
So...?
I told Antony. "If I could live without you, I wouldn't have grabbed the wine glass from your hand."
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I see. So, Antony got to know your true heart, and he began to love you more than ever before? Is that it?
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Hu, hu, hu,... Eventually, you seem to understand that I'm the reborn Cleopatra, don't you?
SOURCE: "Cleopatra's most memorable words"
إ쥪ѥȥλʸ(January 27, 2011)
Interesting!...an interesting story, Kato.
Do you really think so, Diane?
Yes, I do, but you told me earlier, Kato, you would tell me a story based on the brochure I'd handed out to you.
Yes, I did.
Then tell me what part has something to do with the above story?
That part is as follows:
The pain of our neighbors is our pain too.
When neighbors suffer, neighbors must respond.
In this way we build a better world. We dignify humanity. We overcome what we have not caused.
Even now as we in Canada breathe the air flowing to us from Fukushima (in Japan), we are reminded we are connected to each other.
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Our lives are intertwined on the same planet, the same ecosystems, the same humanity.
Perhaps God has created such a world in order to perfect our humanity.
With the promise that death is not the end of life.
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I see. So, the death of Cleopatra is not the end of her life, is it?
No, it isn't. The pain of Cleopatra is our pain too. Our loves and lives are intertwined on the same planet at present as well as in the past. Cleopatra indeed lived and will live to the future, not poisoning Antony but saving his life, to tell us to perfect our humanity.
Amazing!... so, Kato, you actually attended the service at the church with me on March 20, 2011, didn't you?
Yes, I did as an invisible man. . . He, he, he,...
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Himiko's Monologue
Well . . . what do you think about the born-again Cleopatra?
"Don't be silly! . . . You cannot live twice!. . . Please talk about a more interesting story."
If you say so, I'll show you a 86-minute documentary about TOP 10 natural disasters.
It really gives you thrilling and unforgettable moments!
If you have a weak heart, don't watch this shocking flick.
Natural Disasters
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In any road, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
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2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
God Is Coming!
Unforgettable Flicks
Organic vs. GMO
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
There have been at least five mass extinctions in the history of life on earth, and four in the last 3.5 billion years in which many species have disappeared in a relatively short period of geological time.
The massive eruptive event is considered to be one likely cause of the "Great Dying" about 250 million years ago, which is estimated to have killed 90% of species existing at the time.
There is also evidence to suggest this event was preceded by another mass extinction known as Olson's Extinction.
The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period and is best known for having wiped out non-avian dinosaurs, among many other species.
Cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction?
Many scientists believe that a comet or meteor triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
You might wonder if another comet collides with the Earth in the near future.
Super Comet
This is a 2007 speculative documentary produced by ZDF and the Discovery Channel.
It was directed by Stefan Schneider.
The 84-minute film hypothesizes the effects on modern-day earth of a large comet impacting in Mexico near the same location of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, the ancient impact of a comet or meteor that is believed to have triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
It alternates between interviews with climatologists and researchers and dramatized scenes following several groups of people as they attempt to survive in the days and months after the disaster: a separated family in France, a pair of scientists in Hawaii, a man who manages to survive for a period of time near the ground zero impact in Mexico, and a tribe in Cameroon.
It is such a thrilling, exciting and profoundly astounding docudrama that you would forget to take a pee during the show.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
The film seems quite fascinating and interesting.
If there is a rental shop around you, why don't rent the above DVD?
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2020ǯ0826
Organic vs. GMO
Organic vs. GMO
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Kato, you don't like GMO, do you?
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Well... to tell you the truth, I didn't know much about GMO.
Then how come you pasted a NO-GMO sticker in the above?
Since I didn't know much about GMO, I borrowed a DVD about it.
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Actual Catalogue Page
So, you borrowed the above DVD on August 10, 2014 and, after viewing it, you jotted down the comment, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
That was 6 years ago, huh?
Yes, it was. . . At that time, 18 people were waiting for the available DVD. . . Many people were interested in GMO.
I can see that. So, Kato, how did you like the movie?
Well... before I'm gonna tell you my opinion, why don't you take a peek at the trailer?
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Ummm... Quite interesting! I think I'm gonna borrow it myself.
Please do. Actually, I've been really convinced that those genetically modified foods are damaging human beings.
Really?
Take a look at the following clip.
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You see, Diane... Monsanto, a multinational agrochemical and biotechnology corporation, introduced genetically engineered cotton to India. Because of this cotton, farm workers are getting itching rashes, and livestock eating the plants are getting sick or dying, and the cotton's unreliable yield is leading to an enormous number of suicides among indebted farmers.
Amazing, isn't it?
Yes, it is. Besides, genetically engineered foods play as a major contributor to rising disease rates especially among children. Gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, inflammatory diseases, and infertility are just some of the problems implicated in humans, pets, livestock, and lab animals that eat genetically modified soybeans and corn.
But Kato, is this all true?
Well, a variety of American organic food companies see Smith as a champion for their interests, and Smith's supporters describe him as the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods.
I've heard that Mr. Smith was a ballroom-dance teacher and yogic flying instructor before he started his crusade against GMO.
That's darn true, but as you see the above clips, he is respected as a public educator on GMO.
But some people describe him as misinformed and misleading, don't they?
That's true. Although they accuse Mr. Smith of being an activist with no scientific or medical background, the film is quite convincing that GMO really damages human beings. Don't you think, Diane?
Then how come the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) ignores a growing health emergency?
The film says, the USDA has lied about it since 1992. Besides, some of the top administrators of the USDA are ex-executives of Monsanto. That is, Monsanto controls key appointments to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The thing is, no matter who wins the presidential election Monsanto benefits.
How about President Obama at the time when the problem hit the public? Was he influenced by Monsanto?
Oh, yes he was. Throughout his first term, for example, President Obama presided over the passage of several Monsanto-friendly legislative initiatives and appointed numerous people associated with Monsanto to high-level positions. So, in this regard, even Putin opposed President Obama as shown in the following clip.
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I see... So, most of the countries are introducing anti-GMO legislation, huh?
You're telling me, Diane. I'm pretty sure, these clips may change your diet.
So, Kato, what would you suggest?
Of course, you should go for organic foods, and take a lot of phytonutrients.
What are phytonutrients?
Watch the following clip.
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I see... So, I should eat foods of 5 colors every day, huh?
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SOURCE: "5 Colors of Phytonutrients You Should Eat Every Day"
Those foods of 5 colors will definitely keep you in shape for years to come.
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Himiko's Monologue
Well . . . what do you think about genetically modified foods?
Do you quite often eat genetically modified foods?
Have you ever worried about disease they might cause?
Maybe you're sick and tired of negative comments on the media.
Do you want me to change subjects?
Well . . . here's a 86-minute documentary about TOP 10 natural disasters.
It really gives you thrilling and unforgettable moments!
If you have a weak heart, don't watch this shocking flick.
Natural Disasters
National Geographic Classics
In any road, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
(renge62e.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
(biker302.jpg)
Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
(dianesun.jpg)
Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
God Is Coming!
Unforgettable Flicks
(surfing9.jpg)
(bare02b.gif)
Hi, I'm June Adams.
There have been at least five mass extinctions in the history of life on earth, and four in the last 3.5 billion years in which many species have disappeared in a relatively short period of geological time.
The massive eruptive event is considered to be one likely cause of the "Great Dying" about 250 million years ago, which is estimated to have killed 90% of species existing at the time.
There is also evidence to suggest this event was preceded by another mass extinction known as Olson's Extinction.
The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period and is best known for having wiped out non-avian dinosaurs, among many other species.
Cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction?
Many scientists believe that a comet or meteor triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
You might wonder if another comet collides with the Earth in the near future.
Super Comet After the Impact
This is a 2007 speculative documentary produced by ZDF and the Discovery Channel.
It was directed by Stefan Schneider.
The 84-minute film hypothesizes the effects on modern-day earth of a large comet impacting in Mexico near the same location of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, the ancient impact of a comet or meteor that is believed to have triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
It alternates between interviews with climatologists and researchers and dramatized scenes following several groups of people as they attempt to survive in the days and months after the disaster: a separated family in France, a pair of scientists in Hawaii, a man who manages to survive for a period of time near the ground zero impact in Mexico, and a tribe in Cameroon.
It is such a thrilling, exciting and profoundly astounding docudrama that you would forget to take a pee during the show.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
The film seems quite fascinating and interesting.
If there is a rental shop around you, why don't rent the above DVD?
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2020ǯ0726
Unforgettable Flicks
Unforgettable Flicks
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So, Kato, you're talking about your unforgettable movies, aren't you?
Yes, I am. You know, Diane, VIFF (Vancouver International Film Festival) will be held on September 24, and continue till October 7.
You gotta be kidding me. . . How about this pandemic. . . The organizer ignores this prevailing pandemic, huh?
No, not really. . . They take it into consideration and they've come up with an online festival.
Online festival? . . . What the heck is that?
Well . . . To ensure the best possible user experience, VIFF is developing VIFF Connect, a new online streaming platform designed in partnership with CineSend, a Toronto-based industry leader in media solutions.
Are you sure, Kato?
Oh yes, I'm positive. . . If you're still in doubt, look into the VIFF home page.
If I could view the VIFF movies at home, that would be superb. . . As a matter of fact, I've been an enthusiastic patron of the festival.
Oh, have you?
You know, Kato, VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America.
Really?
Yes, it is. Both in terms of admissions, and number of films screened, (133,000 and 324 respectively in 2016), VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. . . The festival screens films annually from approximately 73 countries on 10 screens.
Amazing, isn't it?
At Vancouver Film Festival, you can enjoy the largest selection of East Asian films outside of that region, and the Festival is one of the biggest showcases of Canadian film in the world. Furthermore, VIFF has one of the largest nonfiction program outside of a Documentary Film Festival.
Oh, really? So, Diane, are you gonna watch many movies during the festival?
Yes, I am---as many as possible. How about you, Kato?
Well ... Since it's an online festival, I'll probably view the movies in Japan.
Why is that?
I'll leave for Tokyo in late September only if the pandemic dies down. . . In any case, I've been enjoying my own international film festival.
No kidding.
No, I'm not. I'm dead serious. Look at the following list:
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"Actual Collection Page"
I see... So, Kato, you've watched 2,545 flicks at Vancouver Public Library, huh?
Yes, I have. . . As of March 13, 2020, I had watched 2,693 movies.
How come you haven't viewed any flick since then.
Well . . . , the library had been closed until July 14 due to the pandemic.
I see. . . So what are those unforgettable flicks?
The following is one of those remarkable flicks. . .
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The President's Last Bang
(trailer)
This is a 2005 satiric black comedy directed by Im Sang-soo about the events leading to and the aftermath of the assassination of Korean President Park Chung-hee by his close friend and Korean Intelligence Agency director Kim Jae-kyu.
The fictional portrayal of the former President has raised a storm of controversy, leading to a suit against the film by Park Chung-hee's only son, Park Ji-man.
In 2005, a ruling by the Seoul Central Court ordered that 3 minutes and 50 seconds of documentary footage (mostly of demonstrations) be censored out of the film.
In response, the director had the excised footage replaced with a blank screen for its running time. During its theatrical run, both nationally and internationally, only the censored version was shown.
The ruling was appealed, and in August 2006 overturned, with the court issuing the following statement: "We must broadly confirm the right of free expression concerning the depiction of public historical figures."
Despite the taboo-subject, the director dared to show what happened in the political coup.
Although I admire his courage to challenge the taboo, it is a pity that the director didn't show what really happened in the mind of Director Kim who actually shot the president.
I'd rather like to see its documentary instead of the black comedy.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
I don't like political dramas very much.
I know, I know ... You're a devoted Christian, and you don't like much violence, do you?
No, I don't. Now, I notice you watched "The Jesus Film."
Yes, I did.
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The Jesus Film 1979
(full movies 2 hours)
This is a 1979 drama co-directed by Australian Peter Sykes, Britons John Heyman and John Krisch and filmed in Israel.
It is said that, as of 2003, the film had been seen over 4.7 billion people in 236 nations.
I didn't know that there are so many nations on the Globe.
The film has been translated into more languages than any film in history---amazingly, more than 800 languages. This DVD version has 8 languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and Korean.
According to The New York Times, this film is likely the most-watched motion picture of all time.
The Los Angeles Times called it a "...dull Sunday-School treatment of the life of Christ, meticulously but unimaginatively culled from Luke 3-24."
Although the directors seem to have paid a meticulous attention to historical authenticity, all the miracles look quite unbelievable to the scientific mind.
Well, you can judge it by yourself.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
So, Kato, you don't believe in miracles, do you?
Yes, I do, but not those depicted in the above film.
By the way, how did you like the wild child?
Oh, too sad a story!
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Secret of the Wild Child part 1
This is a 55-minute documentary originally broadcast on NOVA in 1994.
Genie is the pseudonym of a feral child who was the victim of extraordinarily severe abuse, neglect and social isolation, making her one of the most well-known cases recorded in the annals of abnormal child psychology.
Her abuse came to the attention of Los Angeles child welfare authorities on November 4, 1970, when she was 13 years old.
Her mother was herself abused by her dominant husband who committed suicide.
Thinking that Genie was born mentally retarded, her parents locked her in a room where she was sit alone, day after day, strapped to a potty chair, with little more than bare walls to look at.
Genie was severely under-developed, unable to talk and barely able to walk.
Genie's case has been compared extensively with that of Victor of Aveyron, an 18th-century French "Wild Child" who similarly became a classic case of late language acquisition and delayed development.
The film shows some footages from a 1970 French film "Wild Child" by director François Truffaut.
Despite some improvement under professional care, it is unfortunate and profoundly sad to know that Genie experienced further physical and emotional abuse during the stay in the institutions for disabled adults, where she was severely punished for vomiting.
Her newly acquired language and behavioral skills regressed rapidly.
As of 2008, she was again speechless.
What a pity!
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
So, Genie's remained speechless since 2008, hasn't she?
Yes, I assume so.
How did you like "Mao's Last Dancer"?
I liked it very much. It was about cultural differences.
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Mao's Last Dancer (Trailer)
This is a 2009 Australian biographical film based on a true story of ballet dancer Li Cunxin.
It starts in the year of 1972, when the 11-year-old Chinese boy lives in a rural village commune in Shandong Province during the Mao's Cultural Revolution.
As often occurred in those times, government officials fanning out across the nation seeking young candidates for centralized training arrive at this school.
At first bypassed but selected after a plea by his teacher during the school visit, Li seems bewildered although piqued by the gruff preliminary inspection screening at the provincial capital city of Qingdao.
Beating impossible odds with his hard work, Li is chosen to go to the States to join the Houston Ballet as an exchange student.
Li's encounters with US life gradually change his way of thinking and he begins a relationship with an aspiring American dancer, Elizabeth Mackey. Li now wants to get an extension in America, but the Chinese government refuses.
Overwhelmed by the opportunities offered in America and in love with Mackey, Li is determined to stay. With legal advice that the Chinese government would recognize certain residence rights arising from an international marriage, Li and Mackey rush into a marriage.
To declare personal responsibility for his decision and hopefully avoid consequences for his family, Li visits the Chinese Consulate in Houston.
The Chinese resident diplomat forcibly detains Li in attempt to coerce his return to China.
Unknown to Li, the situation quickly evolves when the media and high level government agents both in the US and China become involved.
Now he must risk everything to remain in the free country.
It is an emotionally-charged, fascinating and tear-jerking epic tale of a peasant boy who becomes a world-renowned ballet dance.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
This movie has something to do with politics, huh?
No, no, no... In essence, it is like a East-meets-West-type of movie.
Kato, did you see "Angels: Good or Evil"?
Yes, I did.
So, you're getting into Christianity, aren't you?
Yes, yes, yes ... Diane, as a devoted Christian, you believe in angels, don't you? So, I watched the following movie simply because I'd like to know more about you.
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History Channel - Angels: Good or Evil
(PART 1)
This is a 2003 90-minute History-Channel documentary that offers all sides of the debate surrounding these mythical, mystical, ethereal entities.
Much of what we think we know about angels is at odds with their long and curious history.
Hebraic, Christian, and Muslim scripture all describes angels and demons, yet each offers a slightly different version.
In search of a definitive portrait, this film traces the history of these winged beings, exploring their lineage from the ancient Egyptians and the Greco-Romans to today.
You can listen to firsthand accounts of those who claim to have encountered angels and hear
experts grapple with their mysterious legacies.
Can you believe that an angel came to save a woman who was totally engulfed by a dormitory fire?
She recounts to you how she was saved by the mysterious angel.
I doubt, but it is actually worth watching.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
Can you believe in angels now, Kato?
Sadly, the film couldn't convince me.
The next movie sounds interesting.
Yes, it does, but It is such a shocking movie.
(dalia02.jpg)
Dearly Departed (Official Trailer)
This is a 2009 tour-guide-type 84-minute documentary guided by Scott Michaels.
He introduces to you some locations where the most infamous murders, suicides and bizarre crimes took place.
Although celebrity scandals, deaths and murders in Hollywood are quite eye-catching, this documentary is superficial, not definitely investigative as I expected.
Only exception is the case of "The Black Dahlia," which is one of the oldest unsolved murder cases in Los Angeles history.
"The Black Dahlia" was a nickname given to Elizabeth Short (July 29, 1924 – c. January 15, 1947), an American woman who was the victim of a gruesome and much-publicized murder.
She was found mutilated, her body sliced in half at the waist, on January 15, 1947, in Leimert Park, Los Angeles.
Short's unsolved murder has been the source of widespread speculation, leading to many suspects, along with several books and film adaptations of the story, which is quite new to me, though.
Her face had been slashed from the corners of her mouth toward her ears, creating an effect called the Glasgow smile. Short also had multiple cuts on her thigh and breasts, where entire portions of flesh had been removed.
The body had been washed and cleaned and had been "posed" with her hands over her head, her elbows bent at right angles, and her legs spread.
The cause of death was hemorrhage from the lacerations to the face and shock due to blows on the head and face.
Her stomach contained some feces which, Michaels says, she was forced to eat before her death.
The film shows the gruesome picture of her corpse.
It is simply amazing and profoundly horrendous!
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
It sounds terrible, doesn't it?
Yes, it does.
Instead, I'd rather watch bananas.
Bananas!* (trailer)
This is 2009 97-minute Swedish documentary directed by Fredrik Gertten about a conflict between the Dole Food Company and banana plantation workers in Nicaragua over alleged cases of sterility caused by the pesticide DBCP.
Representing 12 Nicaraguan banana workers, Juan Dominguez sues Dole, the world's largest agricultural producer, for allegedly exposing thousands of field workers to a banned pesticide known to cause sterility. One third of the production cost of a banana goes to pesticides.
Faced with a grueling uphill battle, the determined lawyer tries to beat the odds and bring this modern day Goliath to justice.
The film was criticized by Dole for containing "patent falsehoods."
Dole appealed all verdicts in the case and accused Juan Dominguez of fabricating evidence.
On April 23, 2009, Judge Chaney dismisses all Nicaraguan cases pending before her, citing serious fraud allegations.
Judge Chaney says, "We'll never know if anybody in Nicaragua was actually injured or harmed by the alleged wrongful conduct of the defendants (Dole), and people will never have the opportunity to learn ... the truth."
Juan Dominguez is fighting all charges of fraud against him.
After a screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2009, Gertten was sued for defamation by Dole on 8 July, 2009.
The lawsuit was preceded by threats of legal action from Dole aimed against the LA Film Festival.
These threats resulted in sponsors pulling support and the film being removed from competition.
Dole dropped their lawsuit against Fredrik Gertten and Bananas!* on 15 October 2009.
In late 2010 a court in Los Angeles decided in favor of the movie crew, making it possible to release the film in the USA. A judge awarded the filmmakers nearly $200,000 in fees and costs.
This is such a gripping, rage-inducing and heart-wrenching film that you would also like to tell your friends to watch.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
I don't like political stuff. The above film has nothing to do with banana diet, doesn't it?
Well... so, Diane, you wanna watch banana diet, eh? In this case, watch the following movie---"Mother Teresa."
I can see that you're really getting into Christianity.
Yes, I'd like to know more about you since you're a devoted Christian like Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa
(full movie 82 minutes)
This is a 1986 82-minute documentary produced and directed by Jeanette Petrie.
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries.
They run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; children's and family counseling programs; orphanages; and schools.
Members of the order must adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and the fourth vow, to give "wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor."
This inspiring film is considered the definitive portrait of the 1979 Nobel Peace winner, Mother Teresa.
Shot on the run over a period of 5 years in 10 countries on 4 continents, this film follows Mother Teresa into the world's most troubled spots.
It is such an inspiring and thought-provoking film that it certainly moves your spirit and lifts your soul.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
So, Kato, you now understand what Christianity is all about, don't you?
Yes, I think I do.
By the way, Kato, you haven't mentioned any Japanese movie. . . Tell me about one of your favorite Japanese movies.
Well . . . , there're so many excellent Japanese movies. . . I'd say, the following movie appears quite remarkable.
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Like Father, Like Son
Like Father, Like Son (Japan, 133 min.)
Koreeda Hirokazu's prize-winner asks: what if two male babies were accidentally switched at birth and, six years later, the parents decided to restore the boys to their "rightful" homes?
The conundrum is a clever pretext for a study of differences in class, temperament and the ability to love.
Winner, Jury Prize, Cannes 2013
SOURCE: Page 137 of "The Georgia Straight"
Sept. 19-26/2013
It sounds quite interesting.
Yes, it is. . .
I think I've heard of this kind of baby-swapping-by-accident story in the real world. . . Tell me, Kato, what's so good about this movie.
Well. . . , the film confronts two distant kinds of Japanese families coming from different social backgrounds and reflects opposing conceptions that coexist in contemporary Japanese society. . . Naturally, these two families are faced with the dilemma of retaining the children they have raised, on the basis of the bonds built with them over six years, or swap them and start over for the sake of blood lineage continuity. . . I don't tell you the final decision so that you'll find it on your own. . . In any case, the film keeps you totally engaged, thoroughly profound, fully emoted and ultimately refreshing.
Does it, huh?
Oh yes, I found the movie to be incredibly compelling. . . Its insight and emotional depth more than make up for any issues that you could come up with. . . This is an excellent and pretty incredible movie. . . I'd definitely recommend it if you're really interested in this kind of family problem.
I'll keep it in mind.
(fatwom2.png)
Himiko's Monologue
I like melodramas as well as romantic love stories, but I'm really crazy about a film that shows natural disasters . . . Here is an amazing documentary.
This is a 86-minute documentary about TOP 10 natural disasters.
It really gives you thrilling and unforgettable moments!
If you have a weak heart, don't watch this shocking flick.
Natural Disasters
National Geographic Classics
In any road, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(hand.gif)
(renge62e.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
(biker302.jpg)
Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
(dianesun.jpg)
Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
God Is Coming!
(surfing9.jpg)
(bare02b.gif)
Hi, I'm June Adams.
There have been at least five mass extinctions in the history of life on earth, and four in the last 3.5 billion years in which many species have disappeared in a relatively short period of geological time.
The massive eruptive event is considered to be one likely cause of the "Great Dying" about 250 million years ago, which is estimated to have killed 90% of species existing at the time.
There is also evidence to suggest this event was preceded by another mass extinction known as Olson's Extinction.
The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period and is best known for having wiped out non-avian dinosaurs, among many other species.
Cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction?
Many scientists believe that a comet or meteor triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
You might wonder if another comet collides with the Earth in the near future.
Super Comet After the Impact
This is a 2007 speculative documentary produced by ZDF and the Discovery Channel.
It was directed by Stefan Schneider.
The 84-minute film hypothesizes the effects on modern-day earth of a large comet impacting in Mexico near the same location of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, the ancient impact of a comet or meteor that is believed to have triggered the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
It alternates between interviews with climatologists and researchers and dramatized scenes following several groups of people as they attempt to survive in the days and months after the disaster: a separated family in France, a pair of scientists in Hawaii, a man who manages to survive for a period of time near the ground zero impact in Mexico, and a tribe in Cameroon.
It is such a thrilling, exciting and profoundly astounding docudrama that you would forget to take a pee during the show.
SOURCE: "Kato's comment on the DVD"
The film seems quite fascinating and interesting.
If there is a rental shop around you, why don't rent the above DVD?
(karuhap8.jpg+bare04e.gif)
Ȥǡȥޥ
ΤäޤȤ
إʪ٤ޤ
⤷εޤȤɤߤʤС
ΥåƤ͡
ذȥޥΥʪ
(renge730.jpg)
طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
Ȥˤڤ
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㤢͡
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2020ǯ0626
God Is Coming!
God Is Coming!
(herriot95.jpg)
Kato, do you believe in God?
Diane, how come you ask me such an eternal question?
Am I offending you by any chance, Kato?
No, you're not. But they say, don't talk about politics and religion if you get along well with your neighbors.
So, you mind my questioning about God, don't you?
No, Diane, not at all.
But you seem to avoid answering my question.
Well..., tell you the truth, Diane, I believe in many gods.
I'm talking about God, Kato,---not many gods.
I know, but I enjoy Christmas. I attend the funeral directed by a Buddhist priest as well as marriage ceremonies directed by a Shinto priest. I also cerebrate the New Year's Day at a Shinto shrine. Therefore, I'd say, I'm multi-religious.
So, you believe in many gods, don't you?
Yes and no.
What do you mean by that?
I don't think I really believe in a particular god, but I admit that people believe in their own god. Believing in a god isn't a bad thing at all.
(laughx.gif)Kato, I don't think you're quite serious.
Believe me, Diane, I'm dead serious.
Are you sure? In any road, how come you've brought up today's religious theme---"God is coming!"
A good question, Diane... Last night, I happened to read a short story written by James Herriot.
Oh... what kind of story is that?
It goes like this...
God is Near!
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"You know, Mr. Herriot, it will be my turn next."
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"What do you mean?"
"Well, tonight Ben has gone and I'm going to be the next one. I just know it."
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"Oh, nonsense! You're feeling a bit low, that's all. We all do when something like this happens."
"I'm not afraid. I know there's something better waiting for me. I've never had any doubts. But I have only one fear."
"What is it, Miss Stubbs?"
"It's the dogs and cats, Mr. Herriot. I'm afraid I might never see them when I'm gone which worries me so. You see, I know I'll be reunited with my parents and brothers, but ... but ..."
"Well, why not with your animals?"
"That's just it. They say animals have no souls."
"Who says?"
"Oh, I've read it and I know a lot of religious people believe it."
"Well, I don't believe it. If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You've nothing to worry about there."
"Oh, I hope you're right. Sometimes I lie at night thinking about it."
"I know I'm right, Miss Stubbs, and don't you argue with me. They teach us vets all about animals' souls."
"I'm sorry to bore you with this and I'm not going to talk about it again. But before you go, I want you to be absolutely honest with me. I don't want reassurance from you--just the truth. I know you are very young but please tell me. What are your beliefs? Will my animals go with me?"
"Miss Stubbs, I'm afraid I'm a bit foggy about all this. But I'm absolutely certain of one thing. Wherever you are going, they are going too."
"Thank you, Mr. Herriot, I know you are being honest with me. That is what you really believe, isn't it?"
"I do believe it. With all my heart I believe it."
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Author Profile: James Herriot
Oh, Kato, this is a nice and lovely story.
I know you love this story. That's why I've decided to talk about "God is coming!" today.
So, Miss Stubbs believes in God, doesn't she?
Yes, of course, she does. Miss Stubbs was bed-ridden. Hanging from the old brass gas bracket on the wall above her head is the following strip of cardboard about eight inches long with plain lettering:
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So, Kato, James Herriot is your favorite writer, isn't he?
You're telling me, Diane. I love his short pooch stories.
All Creatures Great And Small
Documentary Part 1
All Creatures Great And Small
Documentary Part 2
All Creatures Great And Small
Documentary Part 3
All Creatures Great & Small
Set Visit 1985
World of James Herriot
Oh, Kato, you're an enthusiastic fan of James Herriot, aren't you?
Yes, I am.
Miss Stubbs and James Herriot believed in God, but you don't believe in God, do you?
Diane, you aren't self-centered nor self-righteous, are you?
No, I'm not self-centered nor self-righteous.
I thought you were open-minded.
Yes, I'm still open-minded.
Yet you're still asking me such a mind-crashing question, aren't you?
Kato, you're over-reacting.
Then why don't you ask me to take a forest-bathing, instead of asking me about God?
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Oh, that's another thing I'm worried about you, Kato. Don't confine yourself in the library. Instead, take a stroll in Stanley Park and enjoy forest-bathing.
Diane, focus on the matter in hand. We're talking about God.
So, Kato, you believe in God or what?
To tell you the truth, Diane, I believe in Providence.
Oh, do you? But what do you mean by Providence?
Last night I watched the stars in the sky.
Oh, did you? What happened?
Nothing seemed to happen. Everything was so quiet and still, but I knew that a traffic cop is working in the whole universe.
Who on Earth is the traffic cop you're talking about?
That traffic cop is Providence.
Kato, I don't understand what you're talking about.
You see, Diane, most of us were sleeping in the middle of night. Nobody seems to suspect that we are actually moving faster than the fastest vehicle on Earth.
World's Fastest Car 439Km/h!
Are you saying the earth is moving faster than the above car?
Yes, I am.
You must be kidding!
Earth Rotation & Revolution
around a moving Sun
You know what, Diane? ... The Earth is travelling around the Sun at a speed of 29.78 km/s---that is, 107,200 km/h!
No kidding! ... 107,200 km per hour? That's 244 times as fast as the fastest car on Earth.
That's right!
So what's got to do with Providence?
You see, Diane, the Earth travels at a speed of 107,200 km/h! Yet no traffic accidents have taken place in the universe since the human beings appeared on Earth, where there are so many traffic deaths everyday.
So, you're saying, there must be a traffic cop in the universe, and this cop is Providence.
You're telling me, Diane.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Well..., what do you think about a traffic cop in the universe?
Do you believe in this traffic cop?
Here is an interesting clip.
Earth Orbit
Do you know that the Earth is rotating at about 2.9 miles (4.64 Km) per second?
The Earth is also travelling around the Sun at a speed of 29.78 km/s---that is, 107,200 km/h!
The Sun is travelling around the Milky Way galaxy at a speed of about 142.9 miles (228.6 Km) per second.
And the Milky Way galaxy (and thus the Sun and the Earth) is travelling---relative to other galaxies---at a speed of about 3,728.23 miles (5,965.23 Km) per second.
Amazing, isn't it?
In any case, I expect Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following articles:
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Life or Death
Way to Millionaire
Adele Hugo
Middle Sexes
Romance@Madison
Hacksaw Ridge
Eight the Dog
Halloween@Shibuya
Chef Babette
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Ramen Boom
from Korea
Omakase@Sushi
Crocodile Meat
Killer Floods
Climate of Doubt
Glory of Death
Big Mystery
Hitler and Trump
Hot October
2018 BC Ballot
Bach Collegium Japan
Dolly the Sheep
Golden Shower
Cleopatra
Strange Love
Quartet
Unknown Tragedy
World War B.C.
Mystery of Dimension
Call Girl Mystery
Typhoon & Emperor
Popes@Spotlight
Fireflies
Richard III
Savage vs. Civilized
Submerging Island
Adele Hugo
Banana @ Eden
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Hi, I'm June Adams.
Kato is a real movie lover, who tries to watch 1001 movies.
As a matter of fact, he has already accomplished his goal.
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Actual List
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Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001st movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
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The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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