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, January 3, 2014

I Was Wrong

10 degrees here shortly before 9 AM, and still snowing, though fairly lightly by now.


Some flakes began to fall about a block after we set off for the subway at dinner time to hook up with our friends. By the time we arrived in the east 20's it was coming down smartly. When we left the Jazz Standard it was pouring snow with already about an inch accumulated. So far we've got at least 10 inches in Central Park. The wind is getting nasty. So I was wrong about what we'd get out of this storm. (But I like to be optimistic about these things -- since snow in the City is such a pita.)

Butler on the piano of course; Steve Bernstein, one of the best trumpet musicians currently around ; Steve also conducted the Hot 9.  Great performance, and I felt I was back in New Orleans.  Until I went outside again.
One of our friends had planned to take a bus back to Virginia after Henry Butler and the Hot 9's set. As her bus didn't leave until 3 AM I'm guessing this day will not find her back in Williamsburg, where she's on the music faculty at William and Mary.

My other prognostications for yesterday, however, all turned out correct.

Plus the pulled pork is now cooked. I turned on the crock pot about 3:30 PM yesterday, and by this morning it was perfect. Who knew? It was a lot easier than doing in the oven.

Everything is closed -- schools, etc. Except the subways, though a few of them have been barned to keep them out of harm's way.

Tonight it's supposed to be 5 degrees. A dramatic beginning to 2014, and to NYC's de Blasio's spanking new mayorship. Incidentally, there's a vid posted on the NY Times website of Bill de Blasio shoveling the snow in front of the family's Brooklyn house. I thought they'd agreed as a family to move into Gracie Mansion?  But on fb, again, according to the Times, when their son's friends asked him to pressure his dad to close school in NYC today, NYC's first lady posted as response to what Dante would be doing if the schools were closed, photos of a snow shovel and sack of salt.  Incidentally2, the video of the shoveling mayor is very short ....


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