Saturday, May 08, 2004
I just saw a great movie which made its impact in all of 68 minutes: "Yossi and Jagger." It's about two gay Israeli soldiers, one of whom is the commander and slightly more closeted, and their relationship with each other and their fellow soldiers, including two women, one very horny. Many firsts: a gay Israeli movie in the snow, with a modern sensibility. Really unusual and worthwhile. See it.
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Friday, May 07, 2004
Know Your Onion...
You know I only mention The Onion when it's really funny, which it wasn't for a couple of weeks. But this week it's really awesome. Check out the "What Do You Think?" survey about social security's time bomb future and "Darling, You Were Well Worth Nine Goats," a hilarious tribute/love letter by a (cluelessly) medieval rural Moslem to his (long-suffering) wife.To whet your appetite, here's a sample of the survey:
Q.Experts urge Congress that Social Security will become insolvent if action isn't taken. What do you think?
A. "It's a good thing I already have a taste for dog food."
A. "Everybody, relax. We'll be fine as soon as we get our money back from Iraq."
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Thursday, May 06, 2004
Sink Your Teeth Into This
Juicy delicious pears melt into your mouth in a delicious rush of flavor and texture. It is the time! Treat yourself to a few - the best thing you could possibly due for a jolt of springtime good feeling. good night. love, Aaronthis entry's permalink
Quote of The Day:
"It's no wonder that so many Americans are obsessed with the finale of the sitcom "Friends" right now. They're the only friends we have, and even they're leaving." - Thomas Friedman, in New York Times column of today.
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"It's no wonder that so many Americans are obsessed with the finale of the sitcom "Friends" right now. They're the only friends we have, and even they're leaving." - Thomas Friedman, in New York Times column of today.
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Just completed 5 hours of sleep. That red-eye flight came with its own jet lag. : - ) Last night I saw the 1958 film "Look Back In Anger" and was blown away. What a powerful and intense film, visually as well as verbally. Well, I'd better get ready for that skipping and whistling marathon known as work. : - )
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Wednesday, May 05, 2004
"America is ungovernable. Those who serve the revolution plow the sea. The only thing to do in America is emigrate." - Simon Bolívar, father of South American independence, in a particularly depressed moment before his death in 1830
"I must say it's really dreary living in the American Age. Unless, of course, you're an American..." - Jimmy Porter, as played by Richard Burton in "Look Back In Anger," the 1958 movie version of John Osborne's hard-hitting play.this entry's permalink
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Bogotired... : - ) I spent six hours with a beer company. The plant was interesting, huge, ultramodern, and clean, with 60 enormous fermenting vats and a whole hanger full of bottle-filling and bottle-capping machines, very cute. We drove 30 miles north of Bogotá to get there through the 'Savannah'. Then, lunch at "Café Reault," a showroom turned fancy shmancy restaurant, with two full size Renaults among the tables. I had the Robespierre, cubes of steak in brown pepper gravy, served on a bed of mixed lettuce with rich vineagrette dressing. I also had a lite Aguila beer, and earlier I tried a non-alcoholic malt beverage. Now I have 8 hours to kill before my flight, and it's rainy and nasty out. Sightseeing? Not sure yet. Their only NY flights leave at 9am, noon, and 11:59pm redeye. Will be happy to get home.
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Now Bogotá
Bogotyping is Bogotricky on this strangely arranged Bogokeyboard. Arrived last night in rain and darkness. As we walked down the gangway off the plane, the crew turned into an Umbrella Opening and Distribution Assembly Line. Bogotá looked pretty charmless in the dark and rain, but this morning the city is kissed by the equatorial sun and you can see the majestic mountains towering in the horizon. I have one long meeting from 9 to 1 at a beer company, consisting of interviews, a plant tour, and lunch. Then, I have a lot of time on my hands until my 11:59pm flight home. There´s no earlier flight to switch to that isn't too early with layovers elsewhere. I have no more work with me to do, and my local colleagues have no time to hang out with me. I might actually have to do some sightseeing - carefully, with a driver to protect me. We'll see what happens. this entry's permalink
Monday, May 03, 2004
From Caracas, With Images
It's been a short, but pleasant stay. Caracas looks nicer than I'd pictured, sandwiched between two thin mountain ridges the sides of which are dotted with squatter homes. It's urban and congested but also green and tropical. "Venezuela the country and people" is a colorful and chaotic siamese twin brother of "Venezuela the oil company that pays the bills". People seem extremely nice. Local cuisine, alas, is their take on meat and potatoes (meat and plantains?).
My meetings went well, in an hour I'll head out to the airport and hop a plane to Bogota, 630 miles to the southwest and 90 minutes by air. Caracas, btw, is 2120 miles south of New York, about 80% the distance to my family in Phoenix.
Venezuelan Congress, courtyard
Caracas Metropolitan Cathedral
Caracas - Eastern Park
Palace of the Academies (Venezuela's First University)
Where Caracas' poorer residents live...
Caracas has miles of beach...
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Sunday, May 02, 2004
Into The Wild Blue Yonder
Off I go, on a whirlwind two-day two-country three-interview trip. I've spent most of day preparing after spending most of yesterday lying down in order to recuperate. All that sleep definitely helped. Here's where I'm headed:
Aaron Geek Watch: This will be my 24th trip to South America, my 42nd trip to Latin America, and my 78th Foreign Trip, where I have spent 16 months, 19 months, and 34 months, respectively. I have also travelled 21 times to Europe (8 months total), 18 times to Mexico (3 1/2 months), 7 times to Asia (2 1/2 months), 4 times to the Middle East (3 months), 5 times to Canada (1 1/2 months), and once to Sub-Saharan Africa for 1 week. By country, Mexico leads with 18 visits, followed by Brazil with 17, Argentina with 13, and France with 10. If we rank by days spent per country, Argentina leads wiht 279 days, then Brazil with 115, Mexico with 103, France with 96, Chile with 70, and Israel with 60. Hope you have enjoyed the statistics. Statistics have an appealing tangibility, solidity, and reliability when compared to the murky terrain of human interaction and endeavor. : - ) Let's talk soon. Love, Aaron.
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