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

Friday, December 19, 2008

First Snow & "It's a Wonderful Life"

The snow the weather critters have been hyper-amped about for a few days, which was supposed to arrive, They cried, soon after midnight, has only now begun. Of course, Vaquero has a rehearsal at 11 AM, so the snow is right on time. It's supposed to become a mix of snow, rain, freezing temps and wind by tonight. Naturally, one is supposed to attend a party. How do you do this and look presentable without a limo? Argh.

There's a killer assessment of the Christmas classic movie, It's a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart, in today's NY Times Arts section. I've been hearing about this movie all my life it seems, but I've never seen it. After reading the article, I think I can see why. It describes so much about where I came from -- though it was a northern midwest farming community, not a NY manufacturing community -- and why, indeed, from early on, I couldn't wait to escape. However, since this movie is a Christmas classic, does everyone see the movie as the writer does?

1 comment:

Frank Partisan said...

I never saw it either. I duck Christmas movies.

I do like "The Nutcracker."