Deep Blue

Whitman (see post below) had my mind ranging through the American Wild.

This is the American Wild that I was shown by my parents, of course.

Which leads me to Pirsig. You see, it’s all connected.

But you know that.

Take a look at that smile riding in back.

Robert Pirsig was indeed a Father to be respected.

He set aside his life to show his son the American Wild, this despite slowly losing his own mind at the time.

That gives a new meaning to ”Quality Time”.

Oh, by the way, just in case anyone is discouraged today: despite literally battling his mental illness to write a book about the experience(s) of the trip, Pirsig completed his book. He then received 120 rejections, and one acceptance, for his Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

One of the greatest modern books I have ever read.

And now you can too. Enjoy. If you read the book I’ve posted here, please also buy it, out of respect.

Thou art that which asserts that everything you think you are, and everything you think you perceive, are undivided.

- Robert Pirsig

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!

I have just posted some pictures from my ramblings in England and New York on Picasa. Check them out if you are so inclined.

Much love to James and all the rest of the Merry Band. I had myself a fine time with you all.

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”.