Harmonic Convergence

Once upon a time on the misty island of Mongo Mongo, there lived a monkey named Saru Mawashi. Saru was a serious little monkey, with a white face and deep black eyes.

Saru Mawashi knew from an early age that life in the jungle was not enough for him. At night, before sleeping, the lyrics of songs he had never learned ran through his mind, and he would wake in the morning taking bows from the stage he had never seen.

- - - hmmm, perhaps the REAL story of Saru Mawashi would be more interesting?? - - -

Sarumawashi are more a character of real life than of mythology. Sarumawashi is formed of the Japanese words saru (monkey) and mawashi (trainer). Sarumawashi are street performers, traveling from one place to another and making a living by entertaining people with their trained monkeys.

Unlike in Western civilizations, monkeys are a symbol of wisdom in Japan. Sarumawashi are neither a legend nor a thing of the past. Even today, they can be found in Japan in crowded places making a living by showing performances of their trained monkey. Sarumawashi performances are even shown on Japanese TV shows.

Always wanted to fly fancy kites of some kind. Only flew some pre-made plastic
things as an adult. Of course dad used to help us make kites from newpaper
- the "funnies", probably - and some kind of lightweight sticks. Some were
in the diamond shape, and some box kites, all with rag tails, but I can't
remember the flying, just the making and the doing and the going. I think
that was our tradition as kids. For instance we never expected to catch any
actual fish when we went fishing, but the "come on let's go gang!" from dad,
even though resisted by some of us, made the expedition memorable anyhow.

Neverthless, my contribution to the kite thing is the discovery of miniature
kites! Here are kites that are very small, but are flown by thin silk threads.

SMALL

MINI SPORTS KITE Flown and controlled by 2 fingers. Made by Jurgen Ebbinghaus
(Germany) 37 cm wing span.(14.5")

SMALLER

CHINESE DRAGON Dragon from Wiefang. It's body is 15 cm (6") long. Pin
included to show size.

SMALLEST

JAPANESE BEKKAKO KITE 50 mm high Decorated with Saru Mawashi the monkey showman
(1.97")

Maybe I'll try these someday. I bet they don't take as much running as Leah's stunt kites.

GO FLY A KITE!

Another fun weekend outing in the windy hills of the bay area. What fun to control these stunt kites. It takes a bit of practice to get them aloft, but with just enough coaxing (pull right! pull left!), the kites take to the sky, straight up like a rocket. The ones with poles make a buzzing sound as the wind zips them around. The parafoil, perhaps slightly more difficult to control, but equally exciting, is not as noisy. At one time the larger stunt parafoil was directly over my head, pulling up and up. The two sets of strings are unrolled to their full lenght and attached with straps onto your wrists. When the parafoil starting going BEHIND me, I felt lifted aloft onto my heels for a moment.

The stunt kites are really a sport, as they require a lot of running around, back and forth to straighten out the strings and launch the kite. It would be difficult to enjoy this sport alone. My little single string parafoil, on the other hand, provides more of the classic kite experience - you hold it in the wind, it shoots up into the sky, and stays there! while you enjoy the pull of the kite in your hands, the beauty of the colors against the blue, and you can send little notes up the string to communicate with the gods. It is equally enjoyable, and provided a pleasant break from the joy and frustration of the stunt kiting.

Leah Brooks at 10:31 AM

Memorial Day Weekend.

This is one holiday I always hated as a kid. It meant that I had to get dressed in my girl scout uniform and march in a parade.. but not the FUN kind of parade. The long, long parade with no clowns or balloons or floats. The shuffling parade, with soldiers who carried scary guns and many of whom rolled along in wheelchairs. Graying groups of old men representing wars that I knew nothing about. It always seemed like hours would pass as we scouts had to stand quietly on the green, waiting for the droning speeches and prayers to end, flinching as the 21 gun salute jolted the green early summer air. A gaudy circle of flowers would be placed on each war memorial. People would be crying and then quietly disperse.

Leah Brooks at 1:24 PM

Yes, there are a couple of dozen original Parrish paintings in the collection here, as well as many other fabulous paintings... by Norman Rockwell, Mary Cassatt, Carl Larsson, Wyeth and others. It's wonderful to be in such an artistic environment every day!

Here's an amusing article from today's SF Chronicle:

Houston ---- When heat quivers over rush hour at one of the busiest intersections in town, there isn't much for a weary driver to do but peruse the jumble of billboards. "Order Kalamari, Get a Pappa's T-Shirt Free," suggests Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, a Cajun fish house.

Next door, Khyber North Indian Grill shoots back: "Squid Pro Quo." This is the story of an Indian immigrant with an insurgent spirit and a bottomless appetite for wordplay who found his soapbox, canvas and stage in the form of a roadside marquee. But his torrent of daily puns is something of a tragicomedy in plastic, for Mickey Kapoor has spent nearly a decade trying to needle a rise out of his stoic neighbor, to no avail. "Every Tuesday's Fat Tuesday!" the seafood house enthuses. "Praise the Lard!" Khyber smirks.

Theirs is a quintessential dispute in this city of patchwork ethnicity, this thriving immigration hub that knows no zoning laws. "What am I supposed to do, put a price up there? It's just so dull," Kapoor said. "Instead, I go for the moral low ground." The man who calls himself the "Marquee de Sade" found his calling eight years ago, when he sank wearily into the park bench outside his new Indian restaurant.
It's a moment Kapoor now refers to as "one little cosmic accident." His eye fell on the sign next door. "Go Rockets!" he read-and snorted to himself. How dull, he thought. How banal. Was that any way to root for the home basketball team? Obviously, his new environs needed a creative infusion. And so he posted a retort: "And Please Come Back!"

That first mischievous shot started a steely-and one-sided-war. Day after day, for eight sarcastic years, each manager at the seafood house has played the straight man to Kapoor's relentless clowning. Pappadeaux is Felix Unger to Oscar Madison, George Burns to Gracie Allen, Dan Rowan to Dick Martin. "Hiring Today 3-5," Pappadeaux announced one morning. "My You Do Start Them Young," Khyber cooed. Pappadeaux has borne the ribbing with the deliberate oblivion of a kid who has convinced himself that the bullies will get bored and leave him alone -- if only he ignores their jeers.

When it came time for his citizenship interview, Kapoor almost talked himself out of the United States. He couldn't resist when the somber man across the table asked, "Do you believe in the overthrow of the U.S. government by force or subversion?" "I'll take subversion," Kapoor replied.

Copyright 2002 SF Chronicle

Leah Brooks at 9:06 AM

Leah, I guess you must mean THE Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish? There is an original? I'm suitably impressed. You are right, that is an incredible 3D look to that scene, certainly a certified crepuscular look, even if it is the dawn instead of twilight, due to the ray theory of crepusculinians. (huh?) I also like your choice of frog on the New Day, New Blog. Speaking of the "Ray" theory, Tell me, is that a hammered dulcimer he's clutching?

I was thinking about Meredith's word of the week, crepuscular. A painting came to mind, Daybreak, by Maxfield Parrish. If there ever was a painting that I wish I had the power to leap up and enter, it's this one. You know how in some cartoons, the characters jump into paintings and the camera seems to follow them as they transform into part of the painting, and the painting comes to life. Take a look at it:

That golden light, those lithe figures, the magic of the space they inhabit, with the open air architecture and the depth of the mountains behind them. The mist rising from the beautiful blue sky... you can smell the freshness of the cool morning air.

One of the perks of my job is that this painting hangs right here in the library of Skywalker Ranch. I can go and look at it whenever I want, and I often do.
Leah Brooks at 11:41 AM

I saw Attck of the Clones today and I hope I have done my part to send you on a great vacation.I did think it was beautiful artistically, but complained to my friend that "there was so much war in it". And she said "what did you expect its called Star Wars". We both laughed.
Meredith Brooks at 8:18 PM

http://www.puravidaspa.com/ecotours.html

I have heard that Costa Rica is cheap and beautiful.
Meredith Brooks at 7:32 PM

{Warning: Shameless Plug Alert}

Do us (meaning the us here at Lucasfilm Ltd.) a favor, and go see Star Wars: Attack of the Clones this weekend - or at least while it's still at a theater near you. That way, the fall company bonus may enable Barb and me to take an awesome 20th anniversary vacation this winter.

I'm spending time (when I'm not blogging or thinking of silly song lyrics) perusing Hawaii and Mexico vacation package websites.

Leah Brooks at 11:10 AM

Here is Barb's set of lyrics. Don't ask me where they come from.

My Turn

She types on a keyboard
Has nothin' to do
Won't drive her old Ford
It's rusty and blue
Don't care for those vistas
Just over the fog
That's why the lady likes to blog

He's smart and creepy
In white doctor's suit
Works hard till he's sleepy
Operating on newts
He wants that Nobel
As soon as he can
That's why the baby's in a can

She goes out to dinner
Wearing a vest
She's lookin' much slimmer
It's the way that she's dressed
She shaves in the kitchen
Over pots and pans
That's cuz the lady is a man
Leah Brooks at 9:16 AM

Last night, couldn't sleep .. those damn lyrics rolling around in my head again. I was sure I had a great version, with "that's why the future is a hoax", but today it sounds absurd!!

I really like Meredith's nebula version!

I looked up the original lyrics today, with all the verses, and I see that, perhaps, I don't need to re-write it at all, because the original meaning of "tramp", as in "hobo", makes the song a much more interesting tale. It's Frank Sinatra's reinterpretation of the song, insinuating that the society woman is really still a prostitute (since she used to be a stripper), that made it so hard to understand. Read this:

VERSE

I've wined and dined on Mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted, too,
From Maine to Albuquerque.
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball,
And what is twice as sad,
I was never at a party
Where they honored Noel Ca' ad.
But social circles spin too fast for me.
My Hobohemia is the place to be.

REFRAIN 1

I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theater but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crapgames with Barons and Earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's oke
Hates California is cold and is damp
That's why the lady is a tramp

REFRAIN 2
I go to Coney-the beach is divine.
I go to ball games-the bleachers are fine.
I follow Winchell and read ev'ry line.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like a prizefight that isn't a fake.
I love the rowing on Central Park Lake.
I go to opera and stay wide awake.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like the green grass under my shoes.
What can I lose?
I'm flat! That's that!
I'm all alone when I lower my lamp.
That's why the lady is a tramp.

REFRAIN 3 (reprise)

Don't know the reason for cocktails at five.
I don't like flying-I'm glad I'm alive.
I crave affection, but not when I drive.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Folks go to London and leave me behind.
I'll miss the crowning, Queen Mary won't mind.
I don't play Scarlett in Gone With the Wind-
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
I like to hang my hat where I please.
Sail with the breeze.
No dough-heigh-ho!
I love La Guardia and think he's a champ.
That' s why the lady is a tramp.

REFRAIN 4 (reprise)
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan.
Tell Lizzie Arden to leave me alone.
I'm not so hot, but my shape is my own.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
The food at Sardi's is perfect, no doubt.
I wouldn't know what the Ritz is about.
I drop a nickel and coffee comes out.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like the sweet, fresh rain in my face.
Diamonds and lace,
No got-so what?

Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers - the original show was Babes in Arms (which also featured "My Funny Valentine" and "Johnny One Note".
Leah Brooks at 10:53 AM

Cone Ne-bu-laa
She's "M seventeen"
Hubble has shown us
Her beauty is seen
Don't usually think
outside Milkyway
Thats why cone nebbi makes my day

Meredith Brooks at 9:08 AM

----------==========**********RGB**********==========----------

She does the laundry in an old metal tub
She hacks a chicken to make her some grub
She'd rather take her corn from a jug
That's why the lady is a hick

She lives in tatters, no time for a bath
She takes her shoes off for all the high math
She lives in squalor, three rooms and a path
That's why the lady is a hick

She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
She's broke, but it's o'k
She hates West Virginia, it's cold and it's sick
That's why the lady is a hick

----------==========**********RGB**********==========----------
R.G. Brooks at 12:08 PM

[5/13/2002 6:39:16 AM | Meredith Brooks]

new day, new blog, new moon
new york, new spaper, new haven, nue tron
new deal, new comer, new sbreak
new wave, new deal, new speak
new t, new world

extemporaneous ode to bloging

Meredith Brooks at 6:51 AM

Ever since we watched "Pal Joey" on TV last week, the song "The Lady is a Tramp" has been going thru my head. It's got a great hook, nice swing, perfect song really, except for the lyrics! Even if they weren't tinged with male chauvinism, they still wouldn't make much sense.

I have this idea of writing new, funny lyrics for this song. The pattern is very IF/THEN. You know those Stephen Wright aphorisms that go around the internet? (http://www.effingpot.com/fun/wright.html) I think they would make great lyrics, if rewritten and rhymed just right.. here's a first stab:

Microwaved instant coffee.. went backwards in time,
Put a skylight in my ceiling.. the upstairs neighbors got mad,
Put spot remover on my dog .. he disappeared!
That's why... something something something...

Want to play??

Leah Brooks at 3:47 PM

Pun alert, pun alert!

They were sorry the human cannonball at the circus quit because they couldn't find another man of his caliber.
R.G. Brooks at 12:40 AM

Well you would not believe the coincidence!

I finally achieved my 5th grade dream today. . . .the Taj Mahal!

You can download a 3D model of the Taj here:
http://www.GreatBuildings.com/models/Taj_Mahal_mod.html

and check out this interesting book:
http://www.jannah.org/tajmahal/
Leah Brooks at 3:10 PM

I have always heard said that upon seeing the Taj Mahal, one can't help but feel: it's so SMALL! Apparently the pictures exaggerate the size of the place, due to the perspective effect of the columns. So Don't feel badly that the cries of "baksheesh" keep you from visiting it - you may have been disappointed.

One of the funny parts of that book is when the author, Brad, is in Egypt, and is getting sick and tired of all the beggers crying for "baksheesh" (spare change) and "bonbon" (candy). He is also tired of no one being able to pronounce his name (Bread? Brud?) So he introduces himself to some kids as "Baksheesh Bonboni". They get such a kick out of that name that they invite him home and he has a great experience with the whole family. When he rides his bike back through the town, kids call out "Hey, it's Baksheesh Bonboni!!" He really makes an impression... and got the kids off his back for the time being!
Leah Brooks at 9:42 AM

In 5th grade, I had a teacher (sent this in e-mail a little earlier) named Miss Rush, a kind of bedraggled but nice lady (I guess I was judgmental as a kid). She made me read Richard Halliburton's Book of Marvels, which I devoured. She said she was only letting me borrow it because she thought I had imagination or something. (I bet she said that to all the boys) (this is getting to be quite a parenthetical message) Anyhow, one of the things among the marvels that I just KNEW I would do as an adult was see the Taj Mahal, since I was fascinated by it back then (did you know a mirror image black one was planned, but never made across the water?) Anyhow, some time as an adult I realized it was in India, and it slipped way down my list of places that I yearn to see, but probably will not, because of the negative image of India that I have. I was evidently right from your book review of Brad Newsham's book. It's not that I don't have compassion for them, It is just that I am overwhelmed by that kind of thing.

BEE AY BAY
BEE EE BEE
BEE BYE BICKY BYE
BYE BICKY BAY
BICKY BYE BOE BOE
BEE BEE
BICKY BYE BOE BOO

It seems to me

(I said to thee)

That you sometimes

Have sung these lines

But when you sang

This little thang

You said boe bee

dif'rent from me

Do you need to name something? Do you like long URLs?

http://www.etdomenenavnkanmaksimaltinneholdesekstitrebokstaversliksomdette.com/indexenglish.html
Leah Brooks at 1:06 PM

How monotonous the sounds of the forest would be if the music came only from the Top Ten birds?
-- Dan Bennett
Leah Brooks at 12:00 PM

Middle age snuffs our more talent than ever wars or sudden deaths do.
-- Richard Hughes: (1900-1976) Welsh author, dramatist
Leah Brooks at 11:54 AM

A moment's thinking is an hour in words.
-- Thomas Hood: (1799-1845) English poet, editor
Leah Brooks at 11:51 AM

Book of the week: Take Me With You : A Round-The-World Journey to Invite a Stranger Home
by Brad Newsham

Barb gave me this for my birthday (a few days early) and I devoured it. I guess I really like travel writing, though I don't often read it. This guy was someone I could really relate to - he was a hippie, he had travelled a lot in his youth. He had made himself a promise to someday invite a stranger to the USA, when he was older and richer. He's older now, not much richer, and he took a trip around the world, all third world locations, meeting people with the secret intention of later on picking one to invite home.

The book got me intrigued with the idea of travelling to Kenya, and really turned me off India. There were not enough words for "disgusting" in the thesaurus for him to use while describing the scene there.
Leah Brooks at 5:03 PM

When I was very small, too short to see my whole face in the dresser's mirror, I remember crouching down, opening an imaginary trap door, crawling down into it, and coming back up as a 33 year old woman. I saw her deep eyes looking back at me in the mirror, and she was speaking to me. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear her (probably something to do with the time delay.) Now, of course, she won't shut up.
Leah Brooks at 3:27 PM