The English Patient

Book, movie; movie- book. Which is better? Which is most satisfying? What can you recall most quickly: scenes from the movie or descriptions from the book? A modern dilemma. The movie version came out in 1996, a while ago. The movie has a great cast of characters: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colin Furth, to name a few. It was produced by locals in Berkeley: Saul Zaentz, and some strong help- Walter Murch and Anthony Minghella.
The producers also had the luck to shoot on location in Tuscany and North Africa, in the desert; both memorable locations and visually interesting. The mayor has seen the movie years ago, and he can recall numerous scenes from the film: of course, the plane crash in the desert which was a spectacular creation of real and special effects. The club scenes in Cairo, pre WWII were believable and effective. The camera work exceptional with lots of closeups when appropriate.
So it was a great movie, start to finish. And the book: a best seller, of course, giving a basis for the cost of movie making. The author, MIchael Ondaatje, is a published poet, author of several other novels, a memoir: Running in the Family, and a winner of the Booker prize for the English Patient.
The book is a combination of overlapping memories of past events recalled by characters assembled in an abandoned Italian villa in the heart of Tuscany at the end of WWII in Europe. The Nazis have been defeated but the residue of the war in Italy remains in the form of landmines sewn by retreating German units as the Allies pushed them back north toward the Alps. The author did his homework in this area and the reader is instructed on the vagaries of bomb disposal, the craft of Kip, one of the 4 main characters. Kip is a Sikh, wears a turban to work, and harbors a spiritual side in contrast to his Canadian associates, Caravaggio and Hana, the 20 year old nurse.
The "English" patient is the fourth member of the group, laying in bed, unable to do anything for himself. He can communicate with words, hand movements, and eye contact, period. From him, we learn slowly, his story, his history, how he was burned so badly, and yet survive against all odds. The author mined records of the Geographical Society of London, a remnant of centuries of exploration and global investigation by Great Britain. The layered civilizations of North Africa come to 'life' as the expeditions of the 1930's fan out across the Sahara Desert, looking for signs of past occupants and their various oases. One in particular, Zerzura, is oft mentioned as the goal. These events, of course, predate the beginning of WWII, which began in earnest(shots fired), in September, 1939 with the invasion of Poland. Shortly thereafter, North Africa became its own theater of war, with Italians and Germans responding to the presence of the British in Egypt and the Middle East.
Hana, the youngest of nurses, has followed the advancing armies across the Mediterrenean to Sicily and the Italian peninsula. The endless supply of wounded has taken its toll on her mental health: her shell of personal protection has become hardened and thick, as the young men in her care die, despite her best efforts. Upon hearing of her own father's death in France, she retreats even further from social engagement, preferring to stay alone in the villa with the English Patient.
The story unfolds, layer by layer, in the Villa Giraloma, a real place in Tuscany. The cinematography is captivating, highlighted by enchanting replicas of thunder and lightning storms that roll through the Tuscan hills. The interiors, described variously by the author, provide a feeling of museum-like qualities to the villa, complete with frescoes, statuary, and religious motifs.
The time shifts are managed by chapters, with subtle shifts in time indicated in the book with breaks between paragraphs. Often, the text has dreamlike characteristics, evoking ideal images from morphine-induced states. Both the patient and Caravaggio are current and frequent users of available morphine, for pain and for pleasure.
Book or movie? It's a tough call. Read the book, see the movie. You decide. I can't.

Summer Solstice 2012

Nice day. Nice long day. Nice longest day of the year(in northern latitudes). June 20th, 2012. The 1st day of summer. Hours of daylight today will run about 14+ hours. Time to linger on the porch, trail, river bank, corral, golf course, swimming pool, bocce ball court, tennis court, fishing hole, Lake Tahoe, etc.,etc.
4th of July is only 2 weeks away. Now, the quiet time before the real summer vacation time. A generation ago, Americans had more time. Families began summer around Labor day. Schools were closed, kids came home, looking for something to do. Anything. So families that could, headed for the hills or mountains. Resorts welcomed the influx and kids could relax in the local setting, getting tanned/sunburned, growing an inch or more, and discovering the world around them.
It's different now: less time for everything except work and more work. With Mom at the office/store/shop, kids go to camp, briefly. Camps enhance the group experience, but it is just an extension of the school setting: teachers/counselors running everybody here and there to have a good"experience".
Enjoy this longest day- 365 more days until the next one.

Tahoma Blight

The Mayor strolled the grounds of the old Norfolk Hotel and resort, again. It appears that some transients have been crashing in the various spaces on the grounds. All the telltale signs are there: mattresses strewn about, food containers scattered here and there, and doors left open. Apparently, no sale has gone through. Local realtors can't explain the situation, other than noting that 5(five) different lenders are involved.
It is rather sad to have to witness this steady downhill slide as the local economy struggles to hold its head above water. The calm after Memorial Day only adds to the malaise as businesses struggle against the headwinds blowing still into the face of California residents. Yes, there is some construction going on, but not enough to indicate a turnaround.
What will happen at the old hotel? Usually, there's a fire of some significance. It generally renders the structure a total loss. Then the remains are carted off, the lot is leveled, and signs go up, offering the space at a steep discount. The life cycle of real estate in America.
Meanwhile, locals suffer the blight.

Mary Sluchak Park
It was good to see work going on in the park, namely, the benches being painted and repaired. It's been awhile since the plan was approved, but, it's getting done. Volunteers are needed to finish in a timely manner, so if you're able and willing, show up for some community service. It would be much appreciated.

D Day June 6 1944

The 68th Anniversary of D-Day, the day Allied Forces of the west landed on the shores of France to begin the arduous task of driving the German Armies back to Berlin and end Hitler's dream of world conquest for his Aryan Nation. Much has been written, movies have been made, and museums constructed to enshrine this noble undertaking in the pantheon on noble causes.
Newspapers place an article with a few choice words to mark the occasion. Since it closely follows Memorial Day here in the USA, patriotism and patriots are on the collective mind. The local paper ran a photo with the stooped veteran strolling among the headstones in a national cemetery, contemplating the neat rows marking the graves of more than a few participants in the Normandy landings. Most veterans of the event have long since passed on; those survivors are in their 9th or 10th decade. My cousin, who died last year, was 94. He landed a few days after June 6th, about the 11th or 12th of June. Lucky him; it was not pretty on the first day, especially on Omaha Beach where most American troops landed. The airborne divisions: the 101st and 82nd Infantry, were dropped behind the coast just after midnight. They were the first on the ground. It was not easy, in the dark, without direct support, on their own. Think about it.
Much has happened in these past 68 years. Without compiling a list, a long list at that, one can say that D- Day was a turning point in human history.
In New Orleans, today, the World War II Museum stands as a memorial to all who participated. Originally conceived as a D-Day museum, it has proven so popular, so inspiring, and so grand, that it has changed into an institution in a class by itself. Having been their a half dozen times, the Mayor can attest to its marvelous attributes. Encompassing now, 3 buildings in the heart of NOLA, it is a state of the art museum. It embraces multimedia, and uses the personal stories and mementos of many veterans from General to private. Boeing Aircraft is currently building a pavilion to house aircraft of their company that played a role in the conflict.
In San Francisco, a cold steel participant swings on anchor at the harbor: the USS Jeremiah O'Brian, a cargo vessel that took part in the landing operation, is itself a living memory of that day. It is staffed and maintained by volunteers and is a regular draw of visitors from around the USA.
It is well worth a visit.
Here's to you, D-Day Veteran! Never to be forgotten.

Plaza de Toros de la Madrid

The Mayor and the Minister of Latin American Affairs went to the bullfights recently while on an inspection visit to Espagna. Why do they call them bullfights? Bulls don't do the fighting. Bulls just show up and run around. It was a sellout crowd, and their was high anticipation. This event was part of the larger event: the Festival of San Isidro, patron of Madrid. For 2 weeks, the city of Madrid is celebrating the life and times of their saint.
It seems like one party after another. At the bullring, the crowd was mixed: men and women, old and young, rich and poor, and everything in between. The afternoon, early evening was overcast, and a light sprinkle began just before the first event, but not enough to warrant umbrellas. The temps were perfect-in the 70's. We sat about half way up, in the midpriced area, with our seat cushions against the granite stone. We were surrounded by Spaniards, and the Minister was feeling at home.
Today's card included well known toreros, young veterans with numerous fans. El Presidente was in his box with his entourage for added importance. The late start obviously needed so the chief executive could make critical decisions regarding the economy.
So, for the next 2 hours, we were entertained by the spectacle of horsemanship extraordinaire, the favorite type of bullfighting for those present. In this type, the toreros never dismount from the horse until the bull is finished. Using at least 6 different horses the torero performs his routine, guiding the animal as the bull is circled, prodded, dodged, attacked, and defeated. It's all about the horse. At the end, the horse does a victory lap to grand ovation from the crowd. The crowd is estimated at about 18 grand, a sellout.
And a good time was had by all.
Before the event, we visited an exhibition tent set up outside in the Plaza. It was an exhibition dedicated to the life of American author Ernest Hemingway. It followed his life and his relationship with Spain, bullfighting, matadors, and of course, Rioja wine. In photos, text and awards, the displays told a story of a life well lived, from earliest beginnings to its sad finale. Missing from the text was the recently revealed role of the F.B.I.. Records prove that J. Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI, had illegally wire tapped Hemingway's phone, followed him around the world, and established a dossier on his associates,casual and otherwise. This pattern of illegal activity certainly contributed to his "paranoia" that eventually drove the author to suicide. A sad statement on government power in the US.
After departing the bullring, we took the subway back to the city center, in this case Plaza del Sol. What a scene! A demonstration against austerity by the government. 50,000+ Spaniards marching in concert to express their displeasure with current conditions of high unemployment and higher taxes, and reduced spending. We did not stay around to see the outcome, that would be imprudent. We gor home in time for a late dinner.
Another good day on the continent.

The Palau De La Musica Catalana

Visiting the Continent is always an exciting experience. There are sights too numerous to count that capture our interest and imagination. It's not just the old building and fortresses, but the cultural artifacts that dot the landscape. In Spain, one can find any number of representative buildings, each with its own character, marking a point of history of the host. Examples include the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Alhambra of Granada, the Alcazar in Toledo, the Sagrada Familia Catedral in Barcelona, and the Maria Sofia Museum in Madrid. In Barcelona, architects were unleashed from the constraints of the past and they "built" a tradition of innovation, imagination, singularity, and a merging of concepts and styles that gave a unique look to their city.
Antonio Gaudi, an architect of the late 19th century, is perhaps the most well known of these innovators. His style is recognizable for its unique character and appearance. His masterwork, the Sagrada Familia Catedral, is nearing completion after 120 years and several wars.
One of his contemporaries was LLuis Domenech I Montaner. Born in 1850, he lived a long, fruitful life, designing buildings of remarkable style and influence. A true professional, he studied abroad, seeking the roots of his profession in Germany, France, and Italy. When only 28 years old, he published an article"In search of a national style". In it, he took a stand against the eclectic mix of styles currently in vogue. He asked that a new style e born that addressed the industrial and cultural demands of the time. He was a tireless worker, heading many organizations, writing articles, and he was active in politics, all while producing a body of modernist work. Of all his work, the new, specifically Catalan style, is the Palau. He was awarded a prize by the barcelona City Council in 1909 for his design of this magnificent building, dedicated to the music and culture of Catalanya.
The experience of walking into the Palau is akin to walking into a fantasy, a dream, a construct of wild imagination unbounded. No single feature grabs your eye because everywhere one looks is a captivating and unique feature: sculpture, mosaic, stained glass, iron work, stone and brick work, and lighting fixtures.
More later, including a description of interior finishes

Google Map Wars

As reported in the WSJ, Google is launchng an upgrade to its mapping service-Google Earth and Google maps. This comes ahead of Apple's launch of its mapping service, hoping to capture some of the Google map user share.
Accompanying the article was a photo, in 3D, of downtown San Francisco. The City never looked so good! Is this the future of online searches? Will our expectations rise again to another lofty height? Apparently, so. There's little going back with new technology. Once a standard is accepted, users will not settle for less, and you cannot buy less anyway: it's not for sale anymore, anywhere.
So, Apple and Google will continue to duke it out over maps. What geographer could have anticipated such a contest? Not in his wildest dreams did the cartographer of old think his science would be the talk of the town and the business world in 2012.
Having had the pleasure of using a Garmin navigator(numi) in Patagonia a few months ago and being grateful for its info(despite obvious limits), this contest between giants will certainly benefit future users of their services on the web.
Tahomans can use this service to find the best locations for all activities around Tahoe, especially when signs and posts are obscured by snow and foul weather.
Have you checked your map lately? Can you find Tahoma on the West Shore? Where exactly is Rubicon Peak? Where is the source of Meeks Creek? Where is the Upper Truckee River? Where is the Little Truckee River? Find out on the web.

Election Day the Primary

The preliminary to the main event, the presidential election in November, took place yesterday, Tuesday, June 5th. Local politics seemed to be of some concern, but overall voter turnout could set a new low,perhaps 27-28%. Pundits enjoy chastising eligible voters for their lack of interest and participation. No surprises there, given the abysmal state of government activity, and the bankruptcy of the Golden State. The Democrat, Jerry Brown, has not been able to unify his own party to deal with shortfalls. Where is the leadership? Where are the elected representatives doing their best?
Perhaps the big news came from Wisconsin, where the main event was the recall of the governor. He survived and it wasn't close. The Republican, Scott Walker, took on state employees and their unions. He had signed a law forcing them to pay more for pensions. Four state legislators were also voted on. Only one of the four was recalled. OBama won Wisconsin by 14% in 2008. Wisconsin is a swing state and is looked upon as up for grabs. Republicans will now focus on voters willingness to challenge sacrosanct state employee unions, a source of much financial support for Democratic candidates. The 44 year old Walker can now go forward with a new mandate to ensure a balanced state budget, something lacking in New York and California.
Come November when triple the number of voters will turn out, candidates must hit the road to take their message to the hinterlands.
Good Luck!

Venus Fly By

The higher elevations-mountains- had an advantage over the flats as the planet Venus made a transit across the face of the sun yesterday. Scientists around the world, and astronomers,too, made the effort to focus on this celestial event. A relative rarity, this will not happen again in our lifetimes. The Hubble Space Telescope watched(observed ) the transit by focusing on----the moon! It has to do with measuring reflection so as not to damage the Hubble lens.
NASA made hay with its web coverage, experiencing 90K+ hits on its dedicated site. Not bad considering the general lack of interest in things in the space realm. Amateurs managed to view the sight by adjusting their scopes to account for the sun's direct exposure. The transit was visible across a wide swath of the globe, including portions of both hemispheres. Where was the best viewing position? No single place was best, and your view depended on equipment and set up to deal with solar light.
Tahomans had the altitude edge, but hiding behind a mountain or a cloud would nullify that position. So, if you missed it, look at NASA!

Down on the Farm Leland Stanford jr farm

The Mayor and his senior staffers and most of his cabinet met in Palo Alto for a conference on the the future of Europe and the Euro and the ripple effect on the Tahoma economy. After preliminary speeches, the hard work began. Within minutes, it became obvious that other factors were of greater concern: a wedding and a party were about to begin!
The Deputy Minister of Solar Power was marrying the vice minister of Solar Power in nearby Woodside, California. There was hardly enough time to catch the shuttle to the site at Thornhill Park. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny afternoon-perfect for a wedding celebration!
The guests began arriving at 3:30pm, but there were unexpected delays among members of the wedding party. The announced time came and went, and the bride was hustled into the hou
se to make final arrangements. All her attendants were scurrying about, ensuring flowers were in place. The caterers were doing their duty, and guests were sitting in the sun, waiting. As the temperature neared 85 degrees, lemonade was produced to provide a little thirst quencher. Grandma appeared and was escorted to a shady spot under a large maple tree.
At about 5:10pm, the groomsmen began their entrance, followed by the bridesmaids, who were followed by the flower girls casting flower petals along the path. They in turn were followed by the bride and her father, the Minister of Aviation and Aeronautics. The ceremony began as the officiant began his invocation and read his carefully worded script. In no time, the rings were produced, placed, and the "I do's" spoken by bride and groom. Lovely!
Then the partying began; and for the next 6 hours at the site, the celebration went on. One of the highlights of the night was a performance at the piano by the bride's grandmother, who delighted all with her rendition of "I left my heart in San Francisco". It was filmed by several guests. Later, toasts and speeches were heard on the patio as family and friends bid the newly weds good fortune and happy days. The mayor captured this scene in HIDef for all to see at a later date.
As the full moon rose in the night sky, party goers straggled to the shuttle for the trip back down the hill, back to the farm. It was a fine night.
At the Western Regionals of the NCAA baseball tournament, Peppardine lost to Stanford, 8-7. Now Stanford advances, and Peppardine goes home. Stanford will now play in the super regionals later this week.

Europe's Dilemma

The ongoing economic tragicomedie across the continent continues to drive the financial discussion. It now appears that bankers and Politicians are getting the message: the problem is bigger than any one country and that the only solution with any degree of success is cooperation. Cooperation among sovereigns and bankers alike. Ben Bernanke of the USA is made to look good as US Treasuries have become the "go to" refuge for investors. Rates are at all time lows; lowest since 1789, the days of Alexander Hamilton!
So, can the Euro Union survive? Given that Greece is the least of Europe's problems, it looks like governments will finally realize they are all in the same boat, lifeboat, if you will. For the future to work, they need to clean up the agreement that bound them together in 1999 in the first place. That hastily written document left too many loose ends that apparently have been the basis of the financial woes hanging around the collective necks of the 17 Euro member countries. Yes, the german bankers have to look in the mirror and say, "Yes, I gave them loans from my bank."
Mediterranean countries have to admit they lied and cheated on their records and record keeping. Now the day of reckoning is at hand. Can the pull it off? After changing leaders in 11 of 17 countries, the citizens have used most of their ammunition. Now comes the hard part: putting a plan in place that will solve the problems, not a plan that will please everybody.
Stay tuned.