Himiko
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"
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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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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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2023ǯ0224
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.
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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
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"Madame Butterfly" is an opera in three acts (originally two acts) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
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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 ...
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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 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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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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2019ǯ0525
Quartet
Quartet
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Kato, did you attend your friend's wedding recently, huh?
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No, I didn't... Why do you ask me such a question?
Well..., it's obvious that you've pasted a clip of Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major, which has been used frequently in weddings these days.
I see... Diane, you're quite knowledgeable about today's wedding fad, eh?
It's commen sense, isn't it?
Oh...? I didn't know that.
Then how come you pasted the above photo of the wedding string quartet?
Well..., I've recently watched the following movie:
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"Enlarge it!"
"Actual Page"
My Comment
Directed by Dustin Hoffman in 2011 based on the play Quartet by Ronald Harwood, this British drama depicts the lives at Beecham House---a retirement home for former professional musicians, patterned after the real-life Casa di Riposo per Musicisti founded by Giuseppe Verdi.
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Although the cultured Englishfolk live peacefully in a beautifully maintained residence for retired musicians, the film lacks a real drama with turns and twists.
The story appears predictable and lack-lustre.
Quartet
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PLOT
The drama takes place in Beecham House, where live Reg, Wilf and Cissy who often worked together in the past.
Among other residents are Cedric Livingstone, a former director, and diva Anne Langley.
All the guests in the retirement home continue to be engaged in their former professions in one way or the other, including lecturing and initiating young people to music.
Finances threaten closure of the home, but proceeds from a yearly gala concert on Verdi's birthday hold hope for a continuation of the place.
However, Cedric has become rather desperate because some of the most prominent singers have either died or decided not to participate at all.
Reg, Wilf and Cissy were in the cast of a very highly rated recording of the opera Rigoletto, which includes a famous quartet for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and baritone ("Bella figlia dell'amore").
This version is very prominent among opera buffs as "the Rigoletto" of the post-war era.
One day, Reg is shocked to find his former wife Jean Horton, the missing soprano of the Rigoletto recording, turning up to live at Beecham House.
Reg is angry not to have been warned as their parting was on very sour terms.
At first, Jean tries unsuccessfully to mend things with Reg.
In the ensuing conversations her infidelity arises, as well as her past marriages, but Reg comes to understand that all that is past.
In the meantime, Wilf and Cissy convince Cedric that bringing together those who sang the quartet on the famous recording to sing it again for the Verdi Gala concert will sell enough tickets to save the home.
Enchanted with the idea, they persuade Reg to overcome his objections to performing with Jean again.
However, she is harder to persuade as she vowed never to sing again after retiring.
Cissy takes Jean flowers from the garden to cheer her up, and asks if she wishes to discuss the quartet, but Jean becomes violent and attacks Cissy, which only aggravates Cissy's already delicate senile condition.
Jean apologises and is finally persuaded to sing in the quartet from Rigoletto, after learning that Anne Langley will be singing "Vissi d'arte" from Tosca.
The group prepares for their performance and, moments before their curtain call, Cissy gets very confused and attempts to walk out the door, saying that she has to go back to her family, but Jean manages to salvage the situation.
During her conversation with Cissy, Jean expresses regret for all her past bad behaviour towards Reg and admits that she is still in love with him.
Reg overhears this.
Just as the recital is about to start, the director of the home is amazed at the energy displayed by the guests of the home.
The idea of rehearsing and playing before an audience brings life back to them, leading her to the conclusion that old age and art go together.
SOURCE: "Quartet (2012 film)"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I see... So, you viewed the above movie on May 14, didn't you?
Yes, I did... and I jotted down the above comment.
Kato, you wrote down, "The film lacks a real drama with turns and twists. The story appears predictable and lack-lustre."
Yes, I did... Is there anything wrong with my impression?
Well..., I see some romance among the residents... Don't you think that's good enough for the elder folks?
I don't think so... I wanna see more excitement and surprise in the movie.
Like what?
You know... The above movie was directed by Dustin Hoffman, who got an inspiration viewing the following documentary:
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"Actual Page"
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My Comment
Directed by Daniel Schmid in 1984, this 87-minute Italian documentary depicts the lives at the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti of Milan, the world's first nursing home for retired opera singers, founded by composer Giuseppe Verdi in 1896.
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Dustin Hoffman cited this film as a direct inspiration for his 2012 film "Quartet".
If you're a music lover in general and an opera fan in particular, this is a must-see.
So, Kato, you're saying that the documentary appears much better than Hoffman's movie, huh?
Yes, that's quite right... You see, all the people in the documentary are real people, I mean, the retired opera singers and musicians who sing arias and play the music marvellously---even after their retirement... I was thrilled and fascinated---this excitement and fascination, which I couldn't get from the Hoffman movie, seems like a rare godsend.
Kato, you're exaggerating!
Oh, am I?
So, you've just brought up the above title---just to tell me about your excitement and fascination, huh?
Well..., there's more to it.
What else are you talking about?
The Casa di Riposo per Musicisti of Milan is the world's first nursing home for retired opera singers, founded by composer Giuseppe Verdi in 1896... Diane, do you know him?
I have never met him, but I know that he composed the world famous opera Aida...
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Set in the Old Kingdom of Egypt, it was commissioned by Cairo's Khedivial Opera House and had its premiere there on 24 December 1871, in a performance conducted by Giovanni Bottesini.
Today the work holds a central place in the operatic canon, receiving performances every year around the world.
At New York's Metropolitan Opera alone, Aida has been sung more than 1,100 times since 1886.
Ghislanzoni's scheme follows a scenario often attributed to the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, but Verdi biographer Mary Jane Phillips-Matz argues that the source is actually Temistocle Solera.
Setting
The libretto does not specify a precise time period, so it is difficult to place the opera more specifically than the Old Kingdom.
For the first production, Mariette went to great efforts to make the sets and costumes authentic.
Given the consistent artistic styles throughout the 3000-year history of ancient Egypt, a given production does not particularly need to choose a specific time period within the larger frame of ancient Egyptian history.
Backstory
The Egyptians have captured and enslaved Aida, an Ethiopian princess.
An Egyptian military commander, Radames, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the King of Egypt.
To complicate the story further, the King's daughter Amneris is in love with Radames, although he does not return her feelings.
SOURCE: "Aida"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So, Diane, you love his opera, eh?
Yes, I do.
Do you know, Diane, Giuseppe Verdi was an intensely private person?
Oh..., in what way?
Giuseppe Verdi
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10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901
He was born near Busseto to a provincial family of moderate means, and developed a musical education with the help of a local patron.
Verdi came to dominate the Italian opera scene after the era of Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, and Gioachino Rossini, whose works significantly influenced him.
By his 30s, he had become one of the pre-eminent opera composers in history.
In his early operas, Verdi demonstrated a sympathy with the Risorgimento movement which sought the unification of Italy.
He also participated briefly as an elected politician.
Personality
Not all of Verdi's personal qualities were amiable.
John Rosselli concluded after writing his biography that "I do not very much like the man Verdi, in particular the autocratic rentier-cum-estate owner, part-time composer, and seemingly full-time grumbler and reactionary critic of the later years", yet admits that like other writers, he must "admire him, warts and all...a deep integrity runs beneath his life, and can be felt even when he is being unreasonable or wrong."
Budden suggests that "With Verdi...the man and the artist on many ways developed side by side." Ungainly and awkward in society in his early years,
"as he became a man of property and underwent the civilizing influence of Giuseppina,...[he] acquired assurance and authority."
He also learnt to keep himself to himself, never discussing his private life and maintaining when it suited his convenience legends about his supposed 'peasant' origins, his materialism and his indifference to criticism.
Mendelsohn describes the composer as "an intensely private man who deeply resented efforts to inquire into his personal affairs.
He regarded journalists and would-be biographers, as well as his neighbors in Busseto and the operatic public at large, as an intrusive lot, against whose prying attentions he needed constantly to defend himself."
Verdi was similarly never explicit about his religious beliefs.
Anti-clerical by nature in his early years, he nonetheless built a chapel at Sant'Agata, but is rarely recorded as going to church.
Strepponi wrote in 1871 "I won't say [Verdi] is an atheist, but he is not much of a believer."
Verdi today
The music of Verdi can still evoke a range of cultural and political resonances.
Excerpts from the Requiem were featured at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
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SOURCE: "Giuseppe Verdi"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I see... Not all of Verdi's personal qualities were amiable. Verdi is NOT an atheist, but he is not much of a believer... Yet he founded the world's first nursing home for retired opera singers... Why is that?
Well..., it says that a deep integrity runs beneath his life, and can be felt even when he is being unreasonable or wrong. His generosity and benevolence has something to do with his deep integrity, I suppose.
I see... So his deep integrity made him found the world's first nursing home for retired opera singers, huh?
Yes, it did, I suppose.
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Himiko's Monologue
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Do you think that Giuseppe Verdi was actually a generous pesron with goodwill?
What? You don't really care about it, do you?
"Tell me another interesting story!"
If you say so, I'll show you the following clip:
Here's a clip for a certain woman to use for making love.
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How do you like the above music?
Are you tired of sexy music?
Well... here's a mood-changing tune just for you.
Gess what?... You can now laught 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 artciles:
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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
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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
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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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2015ǯ0625
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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(renge400.jpg)
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
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"Sabina"
"Happy New Year"
"Merange & Sabina"
"Beauty in Spa"
"Love @ e-reading"
"Troublesome Slang"
(biker302.jpg)
"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 nauceating.
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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طڰꥢ - ɴʪ
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