LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Outlook Is Not Looking Good

Update: ConEd just informed our friends on Kenmare Street -- east of Broadway, below Houston, just above Canal -- they are turning off the power in that part of Manhattan. That's a straight shot to our place on the west side.

It is more likely our end of town, at least, will lose power than it won't lose power, and the real thing hasn't hit yet. The chance that the basement of our building will flood is at least 50% and the real thing hasn't happened yet.

So I took Unhappy Ears Dog on a long walk -- she's a rescue and very needy. Hostess took down the boxes and so on with her winter clothes last night, and today is a work day, moveover one longer than usual. Molly was drooping ever more as the morning rolled on.

Now she's bright and undroopy. Instead of her tail being tucked, her tail wags when she does her job of following me whenever I get up from the chair. She's resting instead of hiding. She also got a treat. She's cheered me up.  This is why we have pets.  We can do something for them, and it makes us feel better too.

In the meantime, el V, here in New OrleansSome people have asked, so:

I will be speaking in New Orleans tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 30) evening at 6:30 at Tulane's Jones Hall, room 100A, on "Kongo Belief Past and Present." On Thursday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. in the Iberville Room of the Astor Crowne Plaza, I will be part of a panel at the American Musicological Society conference titled "Moving Roots of Music: The Many Worlds within New Orleans."

When he's not doing this, he's watching the east coast on the computer. Actually, what el V's doing is working his behind off, to be ready for tomorrow's talk and making the next Afropop program in the epic of Angola.

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