I dont really watch american idol but this guy is all over the news, everyone is talking about him. I agree with the people that he stinks but.. he seems to have capture the 10 year olds ... is this the new age music?

Video: Will the worst singer win 'Idol'?*

Showbiz Tonight's Brooke Anderson looks at why "Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar is still around.

A friend of mine just sent me some of my school pictures.. I have tried to circle myself and uploaded them.. Its so awesome.. I have absolutely no recollection of this time of my life.. but its nice to see it existed!

Well, not exactly but we did go to the Hamptons to check out the nice houses. It was a long drive from where we were in East Rutherford, almost 2.5 hours each way but it was a nice day so it was worth the trip. We didnt go all the way to Montague since we stopped at Sagaponac and looked around there. We went to the beach briefly which was pretty but it was still pretty cold.



Info:
The Houses at Sagaponac is a development launched by the late Harry J. Brown and Richard Meier, featuring 34 summer homes designed by internationally recognized architects on a 65-acre site. The latest one to open was designed by Shigeru Ban and Dean Maltz, and DWR is thrilled to be hosting the unveiling. Based on an unbuilt Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe brick country house, the Ban and Maltz House has been furnished with DWR furnishings from both the East Hampton Studio and the DWR Annex in Secaucus. Artwork curated by Silas Marder Gallery (www.SilasMarder.com).

Some homes we saw (they look better in the pictures, since this was early spring, everything was still pretty brown)

The crazy part about these houses was their drive ways, I dont think I have seen any houses that have driveways which go on for like miles before we actually get to see the house. Most of them had names of the architects written on the gates outside and since they all had private driveways, we couldnt get very close. From the main road it didnt look like much but once you take the small internal lanes you actually get to see the readl mansions.

Info from Fodors:

New York's Long Island is the largest island on America's East Coast -- 1,682 square miles total. It extends 120 miles eastward from New York City, traversed by the notoriously clogged Long Island Expressway (LIE, or I-495) and encompassing two New York City boroughs (Brooklyn and Queens), congested commuter towns, the farmland of the North Fork, and the world-famous summer resorts of the Hamptons and Montauk on the South Fork.

The seaside villages of the Hamptons, some dating from the 1600s, stretch west to east from Westhampton Beach to Amagansett; at the tip is the fishing community of Montauk. Both locals and the omnipresent rich and famous summer here, and they all come for what's possibly the nation's finest stretch of white-sand beach. Rolling farmland and vineyards, spectacular mansions and ranches, and blue skies and sunshine add to the allure.

Witch hunt

I am a huge fan of Munch's work.. I think if there is one artist who I can totally relate to, then its Munch. I travelled all the way to Norway to study his work for my final presentation! This one is my new desktop.

LONDON.- Sotheby’s sale of Old Master, Modern & Contemporary Prints on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 will include a particularly strong selection of works by renowned Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1863-1944). The undoubted highlight of this large group of works is entitled Two Human Beings. The Lonely Ones. This is an extremely rare early printing of this important woodcut, dating from 1899. The Lonely Ones is one of Munch’s most remarkable symbolist works, representing the themes of loss and separation that are central to his oeuvre. The work is estimated at £300,000 – 400,000. Further highlights include On the Waves of Love which was executed in 1896, the year Munch moved to Paris and began to concentrate on printmaking. Rather than continuing to simply create graphic versions of his famous paintings, he began to execute motifs exclusively for prints. On the Waves of Love is one such motif which is unusual in that there is no record of a painted version and it carrie...More

I came across this in one of my hundreds of daily poetry-a-day emails... its so simple, yet it does say something very profound.. me thinks. I also love the fact that it does not start with a capital letter..

HAPPINESS AFTER GRIEF

feels like such a betrayal: the hurt not denied, not pushed away, but
  gone entirely
for that moment you can't help feeling good in, a moment of sudden,
  irrational joy
over nothing of consequence, really, which makes it all somehow seem even
  worse.
Shouldn't happiness be the result of some grand event, something adequate
  to counter
that aching, gaping chasm that opened when... But, no: it's merely this:
  there goes
our little neighbor, running barefoot, no pants, fox stole wrapped around
  her shoulders.

Kim Addonizio
The Threepenny Review
Winter 2006

Ever since I saw the episode on Claire's art work in Season 4 of Six Feet under last week, those photographs have been haunting me.. Here is an article from Salon about the real artist and an example of this work... its just so disturbing that it totally invites you in. Just brilliant!

I just signed up today and bought the 8 out of 9 books for the next class I plan to take starting March 26 - June 10. This is a continuation of the Asian Classics class that I am taking right now. Here is a brief description:

Spring Curriculum: Year One—India

In the spring, the class will be divided into paired seminars rather than into a seminar and a tutorial. The first of these seminars will explore the diversity of Indian literature, including the south Indian classic epic The Tale of an Anklet, a collection of Jain stories, and the Sufi romance, The Story of Layla and Majnun. We will close with the work of Kabir, a great poet who synthesized Hindu and Muslim concepts. The second seminar will begin with selections from two collections of ecstatic Bengali religious poetry from the 13th through 18th centuries, and then move into the 20th century with Godaan, Premchand’s celebrated novel of social inequity, Ghandi’s seminal work Hind Swaraj, and the haunting poetry of Jejuri.

Schedule of Readings: First Year Spring (India)

Week Seminar 1: Literatures of India
1–3 The Tale of an Anklet: An Epic of South India (Parathasarathy, tr., Columbia, 0-231-07849-8)
4-6 The Clever Adulteress and Other Stories: A Treasury of Jain Literature (Granoff, ed., Mosaic Press, 0889624356)
7–8 Nizami, The Story of Layla and Majnun (Omega Publications, 0930872525)
9–10 The Bijak of Kabir (Hess and Singh, tr., Oxford, 0195148762)

Seminar 2: Modern India
1–3 In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali (Dimock and Levertov, tr., Chicago, 0226152316) and Grace and Mercy in Her Wild Hair: Selected Poems to the Mother Goddess (Seely and Nathan, tr., Hohm Press, 0934252947)
4–7 Premchand, Godaan: The Gift of a Cow (Roadarmel, tr., Indiana, 0253215676)
8–9 Ghandi’s Hind Swaraj and Other Writings (Parel, ed., Cambridge, 0521574315)
10 Kolatkar, Jejuri (New York Review of Books Classics, 1590171632)

I would like to do this sometime... first I should pick up the book and read it before April.

Devil in the White City Tour Offered by CAF

CHICAGO.- The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Devil in the White City Tour is being introduced on select Fridays and Sundays April through October. Departing from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Avenue at 10:30 a.m., the tour is based upon Eric Larson's bestselling book. It focuses on two remarkable events: the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the emergence of America’s first serial killer to come to public attention. “The fair had a profound effect on the people’s lives at the time and in turn, people’s changing lifestyles during that period, shaped the built environment,” said Lynn Osmond, Chicago Architecture Foundation President and CEO. "CAF has offered this tour intermittently to our members. It has been so popular; we have begun offering it to a broader audience.” The tour includes a visit to the Fair through a slide presentation featuring many period photographs. The presentation is followed by a bus tour of Prairie Avenue and Jackson Park with a visit to many buildings and places identified in the book. People who have already read the book will learn more about the circumstances surrounding the Fair. Those who haven’t read ‘The Devil in the White City’ will find this tour to be an introduction to those fascinating events. The entire presentation and tour lasts about 3-1/2 hours and costs $55; $45 seniors and students; CAF members are $40. Reservations are required. Specific dates are Fridays: April 20, May 18, June 15, July 13, August 17, September 14, October 19 and Sundays: April 29, May 27, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 30, October 28.

Today I begin my 48 hour Detox Cleansing to welcome spring this year....

The Two-Day Detox

For two days enjoy fresh citrus juices which provide the body with over 100% of the U.S. RDI essential vitamins and minerals. Specially formulated, this tested two-day juice program cleanses, detoxifies and rejuvenates the body while allowing you to perhaps also lose a few pounds.

Perfect for slimming down before or after the holidays or just prior to a special event.

What You Will Need For The Two Days:

48 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
32 oz. fresh orange juice
16 oz. fresh lemon juice
160 oz. quality steam-distilled water
Empty 1 gal. jug for mixing
Funnel (optional)

What To Do:

Mix together for each gallon:

24 oz. fresh grapefruit juice,
16 oz. fresh orange juice,
8 oz. fresh lemon juice and
80 oz. distilled water
- the detox mixture -
Drink 8 oz. every hour -til the total 128 oz. have been consumed- and that's it! No food.

"Supreme cleanliness is the first step towards a healthy body. Any accumulation or retention of morbid matter, or waste of any kind within us, will retard our progress towards recovery. The retention of such body waste has a much more insidious effect on our health than is generally suspected, and its elimination is one of the first steps toward perceptible progress." Dr. Norman W. Walker

Or you may purchase pre-mixed gallons at Sevenanda, Whole Foods in Atlanta, and all Arden's Garden locations.

For a Natural High - Detoxify!

More...

'The Curtain: An Essay in Seven Parts'

By MILAN KUNDERA
Reviewed by RUSSELL BANKS

The novel, in Milan Kundera’s view, is a way of busting through the lies regarding human nature and our collective and individual fates.

• First Chapter

 

10.

'Commander in Chief'

By GEOFFREY PERRET
Reviewed by MICHIKO KAKUTANI

President Harry S. Truman’s belief in intervention set the stage for America’s “wars of choice” in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, says Geoffrey Perret.

11. 

'The Communist’s Daughter'

By DENNIS BOCK
Reviewed by NISID HAJARI

A fictionalized life of a left-wing physician who saved people but didn’t much like them.

• First Chapter

12.

Bush Books by Michael D. Tanner and Joe Conason

Reviewed by JACOB HEILBRUNN

Two critiques of the Bush presidency, from the right and from the left.   

13. The Ten-Cent Solution
Atlantic Monthly, March 2007
by Clive Crook

14. Picasso: Creator and Destroyer
Atlantic Monthly, June 1988
by Arianna Huffington

15. Is God an Accident?
Atlantic Month, December 2005
by Paul Bloom

Key words: Gods/Magic, Forests, Priests, Palace, Ascetics, Kings, households

Qs:
Where do you see a break?
What does this material remind you of?

Vocabulary: Atman <---> AnAtman (un-atman)
Rupa<---> ARupa (formlessness)
various realms of hell ---> finite (series of purgatory)
minor heavens - realms of desire of Gods (finite world)
Rupaloka - world of forms
aRupaloka - also part of finite world
Indra - prey to desire
vihara - monastary (Bihar - Garden State)
Arhat - buddha (enlightened being who walks among us) - Hinayana word
Boddhisatva - buddha - Mahayana word - emphasizes giving unto others
Tathagata - buddha - he who has arrived among us in a fully fulfilled state
significance of numbers - Skanda (s) - 5 qualities of a person

Synopsis of Cantos

XV: The middle way (between ascetism and lust of life) is introduced. 5 mendicants - original desciples - 1st sermon at Sarnath, UP. Arrogance of Buddha - No 46 - no means for success. ascetics <--> householder. No teacher - Svayambhu (rock for shivling, ant hill, elephant trunk on a tree)

XVI: Conversions of Importance - Many Conversions - Sleep, Yasas. Clother related imagery. Demolishes 4 stages of life. Pg 16 - 11 - 13, mind <--> body. Project of mind and body. Discipline to do mental work. Anti-Vedic: 57-61. King of Magadha. Kasyapa - powerful sage.

XVII: Medicant of Kapila sect. Samkhya philosophers, conversion

XVIII: Convert - neither mendicant not householder. Sudatta - Charitable/Philianthropist - Merchant. Casuality of non existence of a creater god. buys a part of the forest - Jetavana for the Vihara.

XIX: Back to Nepal -Kapilavasta

XX: India - Kosala. Prasenajit. Sermon of Karma. Argument with king - 53-54. Complementary to Gita. Does not ask him to join the monsatery. Conversion in heaven.

XXI: Goes all the way to Gandhara (not historically) - central america. Birds, snakes, yaksas (local spirits). First enemy - Devadatta (cousin of Buddha) - dispute within sangha, tried to kill the Buddha in 2 ways : Rock, Elephant. 3rd method: knife not covered here. Ages times- demphasized by teacunbgs.

 Doctrine of absence of soul (anAtman). Dialog between Nagasena (buddhist king) - Milinda (greek king). NON- Viability of the self. - Impermanence, Interdependency - building blocks.

I just found some old notes taken in my first Buddhacharita class on 1/21 on Cantos 7-14.

Key words: Rings, Sex, gods, dharma, priests

This was sung by buddhists but also have some trenchant arguments.

Q's
1. Where do you see a break? - in book, from orthodox hindu teaching
2.  What does this remind you of? - entering trenchen arguments
3. What kind of person is he?

Cantos - synopsis

VII: Argument #1: Leaves palace, enters hermitage, ascetics welcome him, he leaves them, you may not have answer yet but you have right path.
VIII: Palace women --> accusing servant. Lesson to what extent do we have control over the fruits of our actions. Chandrakas denial of free will.
IX: Argument #2: Representatives of priestly class. First time he is described as Bodhisattva. breakdown of death - shout out to atheists, stay there. No certain means of liberation.
X: Argument #3: Patna, Bihar. Kshatriya dharma moment: straight out of Manu. Dharma, Wealth and Pleasure. 1. Join me; 2: Join me and win your enemies.
XI; Response to Argument #3: Kshatriya dharma moment. Psychology of the character, adolescent behavior. Argues like a Brahmin, from upanishads.
XII: Argument #4: Upanishad like argument. Lesson to persuade intellectuals commited to their beliefs, Samkhya - one of six schools of hinduism. Your systematic response does not satisfy me.
XIII: Beats Mara, same as Kama. Different from Shakuntala: 1. Sends his men ; 2: Sends his daughters. 2 great traps - 1. Agression 2. Indulgence.
XIV: Under Peepal tree in Gaya - in one night. four watches: 1.Previous births; 2. Sees cosmos; 3: Philosophical Jab 4: Beyond birth, emphasis in death. Debate with Aradtha.

Similarity with Kalidasa's Shakuntala.

Ashvagosha quotes Ramayana and Mahabharatha. One of the audiences are brahmin elites. Written 700 years after Buddha's real life. First Biography.

Denial of the presence of Gods - but he never dies that, still being compared to God.
Dharma - differs betwen people. pluarality
The Dharma - superior way of physical detachment. Age of Siddhartha - 18-19 around this time.
Purohit - Royal house priest
8th century Guptas - pushed Buddhism to South after Ashoka (3-4 AD). Cholas adopted it.
Area of Gandhara - Afghanistan and Pakistan area.
Alexander's craftsmen made Buddha look like Alexander. Hindus made idols too around this time
Lineage reproduction argument. Arada- last word as far as hindu teachings

Samkhya - beginning in Upanishads - Changogoya Upanishad - enumeration. Physics - concerned with stuff fitting in universe
- Dualistic school. 2 great principles: 1. Spirit - boorish ; 2. Matter - prakrith
- way to liberate yourself - get rid of matter
- subtile - more elevated you get
- exemplary philosophical argument - most antithetical to where buddha is trying to go
- Buddha going beyond the Samkhya

Asking different questions - Moment of break - MIDDLE WAY
Cognitive breakthrough connect with physical breakthrough
How do we get beyond suffering, desire...?
Intellectually <----------> Practically
(insufficient) <-----------> (what is the method?)

Q for next week: Intellectual project (why) <---how is that connected with----> practical project (how)
Transcends categories that Arada teaches him

End of Canto XII - follows ascetic method, breakthrough, eats until round and full. famous statues as such. sits under tree, gets it.

I am trying to start this new thing where I print out some of the chapters and reviews/ essays from Sunday's NYT Book Review page and read them in the flight. Today was my first... and I am posting below what I just read. Out of these, the Mamet one I really was looking forward to but was a slight let down, I picked up Bambi vs Godzilla in the store the other day. Also I almost bought Ishmael Beah's book at starbucks so it was a rare chance that I got to read the first chapter. I dont think I can stand that much cruely and sadness in a book though.

The other two were just catching pieces so I read them too.

Essay

Rediscovering Alexander Herzen

By WILLIAM GRIMES

The man who gave Tom Stoppard some of his best lines remains the least read of the great 19th-century Russians.

'Bambi vs. Godzilla'

By DAVID MAMET
Reviewed by WALTER KIRN

David Mamet offers some thoughts about life in the movie industry.

'Call Me by Your Name'

By ANDRÉ ACIMAN
Reviewed by STACEY D’ERASMO

André Aciman’s novel describes a passionate affair between two young men.

• First Chapter

'A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier'

By ISHMAEL BEAH
Reviewed by WILLIAM BOYD

The author was just a boy when he was recruited into the Sierra Leone Army.

• First Chapter