JULY 12TH, 2015

Frantisek Kupka - The Wave 1902

Today, Sole would have been 40. I'm sure she would have been her usual lively, vibrant, warm, joyful and funny self.
With love to you, Sole... Anyone who met you still feels a great void.

WATERLOO - TWO HUNDRED YEARS - NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Waterloo ! Waterloo ! Waterloo ! morne plaine !
Comme une onde qui bout dans une urne trop pleine,
Dans ton cirque de bois, de coteaux, de vallons,
La pâle mort mêlait les sombres bataillons.
D’un côté c’est l’Europe et de l’autre la France.
Choc sanglant ! des héros Dieu trompait l'espérance ;
Tu désertais, victoire, et le sort était las.
Ô Waterloo ! je pleure et je m'arrête, hélas !
(From Victor Hugo - L'Expiation)

Is the world still so afraid of history that almost no main site (hey Google...where are you ?) mentioned this historical anniversay ? For better, for worst, Napoleon had a vision of a united Europe. Means, at that time were not diplomatic. Nonetheless, he was two hundred years ahead of our European Community dream. And it's still a dream.
Vive l'Empereur !

RAPPERS ? NEVER...BUT...

I'd make an exception for these guys !
http://www.lastampa.it/2015/05/05/multimedia/societa/lazampa/cat-party-la-festa-pi-pazza-quella-dei-gatti-cKJpRo466lx7tv4uFmasTL/pagina.html

YOUTH AND AGEING

I often think of Sole.
She died in her prime, in her most glorious years, having been born in 1975.
I often think of her and envy her.
She'll never get old.
She's in our memories in her most vibrant self, full of projects, curious about everything that happened in our world.
She despised one-minded people.
She despised those who can't understand others' reasons.
She was so open to anyone who could talk and argue reasonably about one's beliefs.
She said her mind had been shaped by her mother's teachings: open to all reasonings but judge with your own mind.
I miss you, Sole !

In my mind ...

In my mind, you appear to me.

Oft times unexpected, but welcome always.

Some stray event or random occurence will lead me to you.

How I wish so very much to reach out and find you there.

Someday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Rjn1EI7MQ

ST. PATRICK'S DAY...

...was never forgotten by Sole. And I guess it'a also a special day for Her Captain Zaphod
Another little thing that brings her back in memory

REDHEADS IN ART

Renoir again !

WHEREVER YOU ARE

You're never forgotten !

Arthur Hughes (1863-4)

SOMETIMES PROTESTS COUNT

Update on previous announcement by Blogger
"
Dear Blogger User,

This week, you received an email telling you about some changes we were making to the Blogger Content Policy. In that email, we announced a change to Blogger's porn policy stating that blogs that distributed sexually explicit images or graphic nudity would be made private.

We've received lots of feedback about making a policy change that impacts longstanding blogs and the negative impact on individuals who post sexually explicit content to express their identities.

We appreciate the feedback. Instead of making this change, we will be maintaining our existing policies (http://www.blogger.com/content.g).

What this means for your blog:
Commercial porn will continue to be prohibited.
If you have pornographic or sexually explicit content on your blog, you must turn on the adult content setting (https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/86944?hl=en) so a warning will show.

If you don't have sexually explicit content on your blog and you're following the rest of the Blogger Content Policy (http://www.blogger.com/content.g), you don't need to make any changes to your blog.

Thank you for your continued feedback,

The Blogger Team
"
So, as far as this blog is concerned, nothing will change, as it has always been submitted to the 'adult Content Setting'

Today is a good day :-)

A FRIEND LEFT US

Mr.Spock, so rational always.
Thank you Leonard Nimoy for the entertainment and for the lesson you taught: acceptance; friendship, open-mindedness.

CENSORSHIP IS GAINING GROUND

I received this message from Blogger:

Blogger no-reply@blogger.com via scoutcamp.bounces.google.com	9:04 PM (20 hours ago)
to me

Dear Blogger User,

We're writing to tell you about an upcoming change to the Blogger Content Policy that may affect your account.

In the coming weeks, we'll no longer allow blogs that contain sexually explicit or graphic nude images or video. We'll still allow nudity presented in artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts, or where there are other substantial benefits to the public from not taking action on the content.

The new policy will go into effect on the 23rd of March 2015. After this policy goes into effect, Google will restrict access to any blog identified as being in violation of our revised policy. No content will be deleted, but only blog authors and those with whom they have expressly shared the blog will be able to see the content we've made private.

Our records indicate that your account may be affected by this policy change. Please refrain from creating new content that would violate this policy. Also, we ask that you make any necessary changes to your existing blog to comply as soon as possible, so that you won't experience any interruptions in service. You may also choose to create an archive of your content via Google Takeout (https://www.google.com/settings/takeout/custom/blogger).

For more information, please read here (https://support.google.com/blogger?p=policy_update).

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

(c) 2015 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

Needless to say, I'm more sorry for them than for myself. That nudity must be seen as offensive says enough of those who are judgeing. Blogger is evidently subjected to some hypocritical powers. Sorry for them. I'll migrate to some other place :-)

REDHEADS IN ART

Jean-Léon Gérôme 

I'M AGAINST...

I'm against anyone killing whilst taking god - any god - as an excuse for his/her killings of innocent people
I'm against anyone trying to silence the cry for liberty of religion, of thinking
I'm against anyone speaking of religion and all the while killing innocent  in the name of that religion
Did history teach us nothing ?
People who kill innocent people are just killers.
Just that.
Killers.
Evil.
Guilty.

THE TYRANNY OF FACEBOOK

I'm not in Facebook.
I never will be.
I strongly dislike being unable to give a vote on some book or novel unless it's on facebook.
When it happens I'm faced with such choice, I don't only avoid voting but I cancel the author/publisher from my favourites.
A publisher should have the decency to have at least 2 or 3 possible poll sites.

IF YOU FEEL A LITTLE LOST...

...in regard of Middle East politics, this map will not help a lot but will maybe make you smile

REDHEADS ARE SO SPECIAL

LIBERTE'. EGALITE'.FRATERNITE'

VIVE LA FRANCE

et ses valeurs répubicaines

MA FRANCE

By one of Sole's favourite singers

LIBERTÉ

Liberté - Paul Eluard

Sur mes cahiers d’écolier
Sur mon pupitre et les arbres
Sur le sable sur la neige
J’écris ton nom

Sur toutes les pages lues
Sur toutes les pages blanches
Pierre sang papier ou cendre
J’écris ton nom

Sur les images dorées
Sur les armes des guerriers
Sur la couronne des rois
J’écris ton nom

Sur la jungle et le désert
Sur les nids sur les genêts
Sur l’écho de mon enfance
J’écris ton nom

Sur les merveilles des nuits
Sur le pain blanc des journées
Sur les saisons fiancées
J’écris ton nom

Sur tous mes chiffons d’azur
Sur l’étang soleil moisi
Sur le lac lune vivante
J’écris ton nom

Sur les champs sur l’horizon
Sur les ailes des oiseaux
Et sur le moulin des ombres
J’écris ton nom

Sur chaque bouffée d’aurore
Sur la mer sur les bateaux
Sur la montagne démente
J’écris ton nom

Sur la mousse des nuages
Sur les sueurs de l’orage
Sur la pluie épaisse et fade
J’écris ton nom

Sur les formes scintillantes
Sur les cloches des couleurs
Sur la vérité physique
J’écris ton nom

Sur les sentiers éveillés
Sur les routes déployées
Sur les places qui débordent
J’écris ton nom

Sur la lampe qui s’allume
Sur la lampe qui s’éteint
Sur mes maisons réunies
J’écris ton nom

Sur le fruit coupé en deux
Du miroir et de ma chambre
Sur mon lit coquille vide
J’écris ton nom

Sur mon chien gourmand et tendre
Sur ses oreilles dressées
Sur sa patte maladroite
J’écris ton nom

Sur le tremplin de ma porte
Sur les objets familiers
Sur le flot du feu béni
J’écris ton nom

Sur toute chair accordée
Sur le front de mes amis
Sur chaque main qui se tend
J’écris ton nom

Sur la vitre des surprises
Sur les lèvres attentives
Bien au-dessus du silence
J’écris ton nom

Sur mes refuges détruits
Sur mes phares écroulés
Sur les murs de mon ennui
J’écris ton nom

Sur l’absence sans désir
Sur la solitude nue
Sur les marches de la mort
J’écris ton nom

Sur la santé revenue
Sur le risque disparu
Sur l’espoir sans souvenir
J’écris ton nom

Et par le pouvoir d’un mot
Je recommence ma vie
Je suis né pour te connaître
Pour te nommer

Liberté.

------------------------------

2 – Translation

On my school notebooks
On my school desk and the trees
On the sand on the snow
I write your name

On all the pages read
On all the blank pages
Stone blood paper or ash
I write your name

On the golden images
On the warriors’ arms
On the kings’ crown
I write your name

On the jungle and the desert
On the nests on the brooms
On the echo of my childhood
I write your name

On the wonders of the nights
On the white bread of the days
On the engaged seasons
I write your name

On all my rags of azure
On the pond mildewed sun
On the lake moon alive
I write your name

On the fields on the horizon
On the birds’ wings
And on shadows’ mill
I write your name

On every puff of dawn
On the sea on the boats
On the insane mountain
I write your name

On the foam of the clouds
On the sweat of the storm
On the thick and dull rain
I write your name

On the scintillating figures
On the colors’ bells
On the physical truth
I write your name

On the awake paths
On the unfurled roads
On the overflowing squares
I write your name

On the lamp that comes alight
On the lamp that dies out
On my combined houses
I write your name

On the fruit cut in halves
Of the mirror and of my room
On my empty shell bed
I write your name

On my gourmand and tender dog
On his pricked up ears
On his clumsy paw
I write your name

On the springboard of my door
On the familiar objects
On the flood of the blessed fire
I write your name

On any granted flesh
On my friends’ forehead
On every hand held out
I write your name

On the window of the surprises
On the attentive lips
Well above the silence
I write your name

On my destroyed shelters
On my crumbled beacons
On the walls of my boredom
I write your name

On the absence without desire
On the bare solitude
On the steps of death
I write your name

On the health returned
On the risk disappeared
On hope without remembrance
I write your name

And by the power of a word
I start my life again
I was born to know you
To name you

Freedom.

BELLISSIMA

Such as she would've been, had she lived in that century
I can view Sole as the perfect model for any of past centuries artists as, for instance
Leonor Fini

THE REDHEAD's FAMILY PLACE

On her father's side, she was Venetian and loved this town.
A couple of days ago, just before the last day of 2014, there was a snowfall that made of  Venice (too often invaded by ignorant mass-tourist hordes) a graceful, magic place.
That's how she loved it.

REDHEADS ARE THE BEST (FOREVER)

Milva. A great singer. A great lady and a wonderful redhead

THE REDHEAD FOREVER

She loved Leonard Cohen. So, how better to celebrate her memory than with this wonderful video for which I thank the uploader.
The second song makes me think of a Canadian author, Louise Penny, that I love.
Her Acknowledgements as written in her Novel 'How the Light Gets In' are really touching.
For anyone fancying quality Mystery Stories, I'd recommend starting from her first novel, featuring Inspector Gamache ( I'm sad to say her last one disappointed me but all the previous stories were absolutely wonderful).
Canada seems to be home to many fine persons.
Sole loved One of them especially.

What If?

What if …

            … we met?

What if …

            … we smiled nervously and hugged?

What if …

            … we sipped coffee and chocolate at a small café?

What if …

            … we walked along the shore holding hands, looked at one another, and kissed?

What if …

            … we watched the sun set, dusk settle like a velvet cloak, and the stars peek down on us as we sipped Armagnac from a secret flask?

What if …

            … after a very hectic day of business, clients, and seemingly interminable meetings, You were greeted with an elegant table set with a warm nourishing meal by a loving companion in a serene comfortable haven?

What if …

            … we went to Your room and made love? Gentle, sensuous, languorous, sweet, loving. Hard, raw, fierce, savage, wild, urgent, passionate.

What if …

            … we sat quietly together holding hands whilst listening to a Mozart opera?

What if …

            … we shared raspberry Gelato on a summery warm afternoon?

What if …

            … we smiled nervously as You fastened my collar?

What if …

            … we met?

REDHEADS IN ART

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson- Psyché Endormie 1799
More works by this painter HERE

REDHEADS IN ART ... AND POETRY

Lucrezia de' Medici ( not to be confounded with Lucrezia Borgia)
Painting by Il Bronzino
Notes can be found HERE
Poem My Last Duchess by Robert Browning, Its first line is:

That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,

REDHEADS IN ART

Agnolo Bronzino-Portrait of Lucrezia Panciatichi ca.1545

You are with Me ...

… when I first awake each morning. Sleepy and vulnerable with eyes which refuse to open. Soft and warm with a body which yearns for Your touch.

… when I totter along to the hall and step into the shower. Beneath Your stern gaze, my soapy hands roam freely over my skin and I wish they were Yours.

… when I don my clothes and reflect on my rough lack of sartorial splendour.

… when I boil the kettle, make coffee, and have the first sip of that warm sensuous brew. My smile appears as I think of cooking for You.

… when I head out into the world to face whatever the day may present.

… when I climb the ladder up to my boat and take extra care because I know I must be safe for You.

… when You look over my shoulder as I work on some fitting and explain we do it this way because it is more secure, better protected, and safer.

… when I take some nourishment and consider what a positive influence You are on my diet.

… when filled with fatigue from the day’s efforts, I settle for a few quiet moments and contemplate this wonderful mystical connection between us.

… when I take a sip of Prosecco and whisper, “Slainte”, to You.

… when the sun sinks to the horizon and the night draws her velvet cloak over the world to end another day. The stars begin to peek down at us and I wonder if You too are looking up at them.

… when I climb into bed and long to share my warmth with You.

… when my eyes begin to close and I smile at my thoughts of You.

Every moment of every day, You are with me.