Deep Blue

Today is the fourth anniversary of Buzzin’ Fly. Ben Watt is not only one of my favorite lyricists, musicians, and DJs, he is also an inspiration. His is a story of blood, sweat and tears, literally. But it is also a story of joy. I go tonight to see and hear his joy.

I look forward to seeing him in action.  I hope Tracey participates as well, as I have always wanted to hear her sing in person. Hers is a truly gorgeous voice, and she knows how to use it.

Keep dancing.

Update: What an excellent event. Three DJs on two SL1200MK5s, two DVJ-1000s, and one heavily used mixing/effects board (I think it was a DJM-800).

They sounded great, built a relentless groove, and moved the crowd without fail.

A good time, to be sure.

More pictures here.

Interesting results from my Samsung phone’s camera: like photos from a Lomo!

I started learning Italian this weekend while I was in Rimini. Very cool.

I spoke with my family, and wished My Father/my brothers/many of my friends a happy Father’s Day. They all deserve it.

I also re-read some passages of Vincent Van Gogh’s Letters to Theo.

I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.

We can be happy for what Vincent gave us. He did not waste his life.

If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. 

Among the tools of mio nuovo prova (learning Italian):

1. Tu Che Mi Ascolti, by Alberto Bevilacqua.

I am on page 10. That only took me half a day. Hah! It’s going faster now that I understand common structures (word orders, etc.), and have bought an Italian/English dictionary for the occasional words that are not cognates with French, Portuguese or Spanish. È facile.

Bevilacqua has a very personal voice and tone to his writing.

The writing reminds me of  Ondaatje. They have both learned their own “trick with a knife“*.

2. Time Out, by Max Pezzali, formerly of the band 883. He sings very clearly and beautifully, which makes it easy for me to hear how he forms sentences. Questa musica è ottima.

Also, check out Negramaro.

3. Teach Yourself Italian, which worked nicely in combination with my iPod, a chaise longue, and some sun last weekend.

Am on chapter 5, part 2 now. I am impressed with how well this Audiobook is structured/wrought.

4. The patience of my Italian coworkers. :) I now have four or five accidental professors/translators pressed into service. Perdonimi gli amici, io imparerà rapidamente.

Also, see my photos from Rimini over the weekend. What a great place: I hope to return.

___________________

* Translations of My Postcards, by Michael Ondaatje

the peacock means order
the fighting kangaroos mean madness
the oasis means I have struck water

positioning of the stamp – the despot’s head
horizontal, or ‘mounted policemen’,
mean political danger

the false date means I
am not where I should be

when I speak of the weather
I mean business

a blank postcard says
I am in the wilderness

________________

Ciao à tutti!

Just worked this out in the last few days with my bro Tom (thanks for the help Tom!), so this is the first post.

Also, Joe wanted this, after he heard my small gift to Laura. I love how Ozzy sounds like he’s reading from fast-moving Cue Cards on the beginning of this version of “Paranoid”.