THIS &
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A Thought for Today
With understanding comes both recognition and resignation.
ROD REPORT
Most of you know by now that Rod is currently firmly ensconced in New York, preparing for his appearance later today at the Robert Fryer Memorial at the Broadhurst Theatre. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you, Rod - break a leg.
Following his performance Rod will be staying on in New York for awhile to attend to some business as well as getting some well deserved R&R and as a result it will be my
privilege to be with you on a daily basis until his return.
Please note that Rod will not be in a position to respond to your mail until after his return so if you've recently written to him, don't expect a reply any time soon.
THE DAYS AHEAD
At the moment I'm undecided as to what form the Flight Plans will take during Rod's absence. I'm keen to dip into the Folio collection in more detail so perhaps some of this work will feature quite prominently as well as some of his less well known work.
Larry Baillie has submitted an interesting poem for a future edition of "This One Does It For Me!". More than a year ago I threatened to post the whole of "Is There Life After Tower Records?", all 30-odd pages of it. At the time Rod wasn't at all convinced we should inflict such a
lengthy work on the Internet community. Well, he ain't around right now and they don't get the
Internet in New York, do they? All I have to do is take a week off work, get rid of my wife and children for approximately the same period
of time, and we're in business. Let's see what happens, Larry.
ELECTION 2000 - A VIEW FROM AFAR
OK, let me see if I've understood the happenings of the past few days.
The Presidential candidate who attracted the largest number of votes may lose the election and a gentleman who died tragically in an airplane crash a few weeks ago has just been elected to the Senate. That 'bout sums it up, right?
During our National elections last year a number of polling stations opened late (some failed to open at all) due to the fact that the electoral officers manning those stations forgot there was an election taking place. As we approach our December Local Government elections, we're reliably informed that some candidates are standing in constituencies where there are simply no voters present. Oh, and did I mention that candidates are permitted to stand for more than one party?
The point here is that until the events of yesterday unfolded, I was firmly convinced South Africa had a lock on unusual and bizarre political happenings. It's reassuring to know that we're not all that out of kilter with the rest of the democratic world. Gee, it's good to be back in the main stream!
It would appear that the American broadcast media have a lot to answer for regarding the confusion which surrounded the premature announcement that Mr. Bush was to become the next President of the United States. Be that as it may I take my hat off to CNN, our primary news feed in this part of the world, which provided riveting coverage throughout the day yesterday. Not once did they forget they were broadcasting to a global audience and they managed to explain developments in such an intelligent and logical manner even this dummy at the tip of Africa understood what was
happening. Kind of. I think.
One final thought on what has turned out to be the greatest show on earth this year. No matter who wins, spare a thought for the man who doesn't make it. I know the emotional roller coaster ride I experienced yesterday doesn't even begin to resemble that of the candidates and their respective teams. The final result will be a
devastating blow for the loser and I feel for him already.
Back with you tomorrow
- Ken, Johannesburg, November 9
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NORTH STREET REMEMBERED |
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You’ll have a phonograph
a chef’s hat
and a yellow suit
of your own choosing,
even if we have to
pay for them on time.
A canopy above the bed
that I can chin on.
A headboard
you can prop your head against
and
read.
You can write and polish words
while I sit quietly
in some dark corner
watching.
I’ll teach you music
slowly and without pain
and you can show me
how to make Quiche Lorraine.
I’ve never been up Beacon Hill,
you can take me there.
Later in the summer
we’ll go to that beach
in Provincetown.
You can show me
where you started
writing out your poem.
Don’t you see
I’ve got it all worked out
we’ll follow every sun
there is to follow.
We’ll be equal in all things
you’ll give me youth and you
I’ll give you more of me
than I yet know.
Each other we will give
each other’s other.
I’ll lose weight, you’ll see.
Before we leave for California
Paris or wherever
we’ll get it all together.
I never sleep so well
as when I’m sleeping
next to you
or talk so much
as when I’m talking
at your ear.
My hand
while touching
just your back
has touched the sky
as sure as God has groped
the stars.
Ask my name
and it’s now yours.
Demand my purpose
and you know it’s you.
My needs are only
those wants you want.
And when I sleep this night
or any after this,
though you be miles gone,
my head still rests
against your belly,
moving down.
Or at your back
against your shoulders
moving not at all.
- from "Moment To Moment 1973, 1975 |
