デンマンの書きたい放題:アメリカ政治・文化

Hi, Diane

Tsk, tsk, tsk, ... Wet, wet, wet, ... one of these days, eh?
How's it going?
...hope you're skipping and hopping around like a teenaged bambina in the workout room.

Are you sweating a lot?

I've been watching a number of interesting DVDs these days.
You know, I practically live at Joe Fortes Library, but I'm not paying any rent.
Do you think they will charge me someday?

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...

Well..., talking about fascinating DVDs, I've just written an article.
I'm pretty sure that you'll love this article at the end.

Why?

Well, you'll see...

Please click the following link:

(anne03.jpg)

■"Anne Frank"

(Sat., Mar 31, 2012)

I hope you'll have a heart-felt laugh at the end and feel like skipping again in the workout room.

Your truly faithful follower, Kato

with love

(diane25.jpg)

Subj:I'm glad

you got your postcard FINALLY.

From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue., Apr 3, 2012 7:31 pm
Pacific Daylight Saving Time

Hello, Kato!

Thanks for the above article and the fascinating information.
It was good to see you this afternoon at Joe Fortes.
The libarian tells me that you're now paying rent and that you're one of their best tenants; quiet, peaceful, intelligent and mindful. Not bad.
There could be worse places to hang out in, that's for sure!

(postcd2.gif)

I'm glad you got your postcard FINALLY.
... seems that everyone I sent those to had the same experience as you did.
They've taken over 20 days to reach Vancouver.
Bit too long, I'd say.

Did you like the stamp?
I've got a thing for stamps and these are special ones, apparently, and just to be used for postcards.
I thought they were very attractive myself .. unique.

Thanks again for all of this material.
I'm still digesting it ~ you are such a sleuth, kiddo.

Love, Diane ~

Kato, are you fascinated by biker babes?

What makes you think so?

What a stupid question! 　You've just pasted a picture of an attractive biker babe at the top of this page.

You know what, Diane?... I was creating the above photo when you dropped in at Joe Fortes Library on your way to the yoga class last Tuesday.

Oh, I see...

What do you see?

I asked you to join my yoga class since my instructor was offering a free lesson, but you seemed apathetic and preoccupied with something else. 　So, you were working on the above photo, weren't you?

Yes, I was.

Is she one of your ideal girlfriends?

Yeah...sort of...ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ... By now, Diane, you've been quite familiar with the above girl in the picture, I suppose.

She has appeared in my articles quite often.

I see...so, she is June, isn't she?

Yes, she is. 　June was born and brought up in Ottawa. 　After high school, she moved to Vancouver.

What is she doing for living?

She is now working for an animation production company in Tokyo as a public relations specialist, promoting the works of animation and manga in Canada as well as in the States.

She speaks Japanese, I suppose.

Yes, she does.

Is she really a biker babe?

Well... she is not so crazy about bikes as you are.

How do you know I'm crazy about bikes?

...'cause you showed me the following pictures when you came back from London.

(biker106.jpg)

(biker105.jpg)

(biker203.jpg)

I showed you only the one at the top. 　You've made up the other two, haven't you?

You're telling me, Diane...by the way, what has made you a biker babe?

I'm not so much of a biker girl as you think, Kato. 　Well...when I was an innocent and curious girl in the late sixties, I watched the film called "Easy Rider," which gave me a great deal of influence. 　This movie really made me get excited about the prospect of experiencing some new things in the coming future so that I could shake me out of my routines.

Easy Rider

(biker010.jpg)

Easy Rider is a 1969 American road movie written by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Terry Southern, produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper.

It tells the story of two bikers (played by Fonda and Hopper) who travel through the American Southwest and South with the aim of asserting their freedom.
The success of Easy Rider helped spark the New Hollywood phase of filmmaking during the late sixties.
The film was added to the Library of Congress National Registry in 1998.

A landmark counterculture film, and a "touchstone for a generation" that "captured the national imagination," Easy Rider explores the societal landscape, issues, and tensions in the United States during the 1960s, such as the rise and fall of the hippie movement, drug use, and communal lifestyle.

Plot

The protagonists are two freewheeling hippies: Wyatt (Fonda), nicknamed "Captain America", and Billy (Hopper). After smuggling cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles, Wyatt and Billy sell their contraband to "Connection," a man (played by Phil Spector) in a Rolls-Royce and score a large sum of money.

With the money from the sale stuffed into a plastic tube hidden inside the Stars & Stripes-adorned fuel tank of Wyatt's California-style chopper, they ride eastward in an attempt to reach New Orleans, Louisiana, in time for Mardi Gras.

Later, the duo pick up a hitch-hiker (Luke Askew) and agree to take him to his commune, where they stay for a day. Life in the commune appears to be hard, with hippies from the city finding it difficult to grow their own crops in a dry climate with poor soil.

The notion of "free love" appears to be practiced, with two women seemingly sharing the affections of the hitch-hiking communard, and who then turn their attention to Wyatt and Billy.

(biker302.jpg)

The hitch-hiker wants the two bikers to stay at the commune, saying, "the time is now", to which Wyatt replies "I'm hip about time...but I gotta go."

While jokingly riding along with a parade in a small town, the pair are arrested by the local authorities for "parading without a permit" and thrown in jail. In jail, they befriend American Civil Liberties Union lawyer and local drunk George Hanson (Jack Nicholson). George helps them get out of jail, and decides to travel with Wyatt and Billy to New Orleans.

George Hanson (Jack Nicholson) with Wyatt (Peter Fonda)While attempting to eat in a small rural Louisiana restaurant, the trio's appearance attracts the attention of the locals. The girls in the restaurant want to meet the men and ride with them.

(biker205.jpg)

But the local men and police officer make mocking, racist, and homophobic remarks. One of the men menacingly states, "I don't believe they'll make the parish line." As the waitress does not take their order Wyatt, Billy, and George leave without eating and make camp outside of town. The events of the day cause George to comment: "This used to be a hell of a good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it." He observes that Americans talk a lot about the value of freedom, but are actually afraid of anyone who truly exhibits it.

They continue to New Orleans and find the brothel George had intended to visit. Taking prostitutes Karen (Karen Black) and Mary (Toni Basil) with them, Wyatt and Billy decide to go outside and wander the parade-filled street of the Mardi Gras celebration. They end up in a cemetery, where all four ingest LSD. They experience a psychedelic bad trip infused with Catholic prayer, represented through quick edits, sound effects, and over-exposed film.

The two are continuing their trip to Florida (where they hope to retire wealthy) when two rednecks in a pickup truck spot them and decide to "scare the hell out of them" with their shotgun. As they pull alongside Billy, one of the men lazily aims the shotgun at him and threatens and insults him by saying "Want me to blow your brains out?" and "Why don't you get a haircut?"

When Billy flips his middle finger up at them, the hillbilly fires the shotgun at Billy who immediately hits the pavement, seriously wounded in the side. As the truck then takes off past Wyatt down the road, Wyatt turns around and races back to put his jacket over his fatally injured friend already covered in blood before riding off for help. But by this time, the same pickup truck has turned around and closes on Wyatt. Not wanting any witnesses to report them to the police, the hillbilly fires at Wyatt as he speeds by the pickup, hitting the bike's gas tank and causing it to instantly erupt into a fiery explosion. Wyatt lands by the side of the road, dead.

As the murderous rednecks drive away, the film ends with a shot of the flaming bike in the middle of the deserted road, as the camera ascends to the sky.

Easy Rider Trailer

SOURCE: "Easy Rider"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(To be continued)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-04-13 08:52 | アメリカ政治・文化

Biker Babe(PART 2 OF 3)

2012年 04月 13日

Biker Babe(PART 2 OF 3)

I see...so you went up north to Faro to get new experiences, didn't you?

You're right on, Kato... The world was wider than I thought. So I went to the States to find some new things, but I couldn't. 　Therefore I went up north to Faro.

Did you find anything new?

Yes, of course I did. 　I really enjoyed new experiences.

...like what?

Kato, you don't remember, do you? 　I wrote to you last summer.

Subj:Summer is here

with us!

Enjoy the sunshine!

From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 4:35 pm.
Pacific Daylight Saving Time

Thanks my truly skinny Socrates, Kato.

■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

(July 26, 2011)

I've read the above article.
Your article is excellent as usual.
I did remember that you lived in Yellowknife some years ago.

Many years ago, I too lived for six months or so in the north, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

Actually, I worked for a mining company in a small town called Faro (Anvil Mines at the time) as secretary to the President.
I was given my own apartment (most of the staff had to live in bunk houses) and a huge salary compared with what I would receive in Vancouver.
So I was thrilled about that.

I didn't want to feel totally isolated, though, so I asked whether I could eat with the others in the cookhouse and they obliged.

Thank God.
It was fun and much easier than doing my own cooking and making do with the limited selection in the local store.
The cook took a special liking to me and every day he would give me extra rations of cookies and cakes.

Pretty soon I realized that if I took advantage of these favours I would end up being a roly-poly.

so I would take them and then give them away.
Lotsa fun.

I do remember a really cute Japanese gal who worked up there telling me she had already gained 25 lbs in one year, and it showed.

It was all the lesson I needed, thankfully.

SOURCE: "Roly-poly in the NOrth"
(Sat. July 30, 2011)

So, Diane, you came back to Vancouver before you became too fat, didn't you?

Yes, I had to.

You made a right decision because we're in beautiful Vancouver.

Diane... Vancouver is the paradise...don't you think?

Vancouver is pretty good, but not paradise I'd say. 　The weather's too crummy half the time, or more than half the time actually, Which is why my brother left Canada for France. He could no longer stand the cold weather. 　As a matter of fact, I've found an interesting joke:

You see, Kato, we don't have many sunny days in Vancouver!

I know..., I know..., but as long as you stay in Vancouver, you're in a good shape, I suppose.

That's for sure! 　I don't want to be a roly-poly biker babe.

But I'll give you a piece of advice.

What is that?

Next time you'll ride on a bike on Oxford Street, or in Vancouver for that matter, don't forget to wear a helmet.

(biker106.jpg)

Otherwise, you'd get a ticket.

I'll keep it in mind.

(biker203.jpg)

【Himiko's Monologue】

I'm a biker babe, too.
You don't believe me, do you?

Well... I don't drive a bike.
But, I like to go for a ride on a bike.

How?... you may ask.

Well...I'm always a piggyback rider like this:

(biker012.jpg)

But, the other day when I went for a ride on the bike my cousin was driving, the cop in the picture stopped us.
At first I didn't know why he stopped us.
You may wonder if I was wearing no panties.
Of course, I did wear a string bikini bottom.
But the problem wasn't my panties, but a helmet.

So whenever you ride a bike piggyback, you'd better wear a helmet, too.
Otherwise, you'd get a ticket and pay fine.

I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.

Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...

(To be continued)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-04-13 08:51 | アメリカ政治・文化

Biker Babe(PART 3 OF 3)

2012年 04月 13日

Biker Babe(PART 3 OF 3)

If you've got some time,

Please read one of the following artciles:

■"Hello Diane!"

■"I wish you were there!"

■"Jane Eyre"

■"Jane Eyre Again"

■"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"

■"Jane Eyre Special"

■"Love & Death of Cleopatra"

■"Nice Story"

■"Scrumdiddlyumptious"

■"Spiritual Work or What?"

■"What a coincidence!"

■"Wind and Water"

■"Yoga and Happiness"

■"You're in a good shape"

■"Hellelujah!"

■"Ecclesiophobia"

■"Uncorruptible"

■"Net Travel & Jane"

■"Net Love"

■"Complicated Love"

■"Electra Complex"

■"Net Début"

■"Inner World"

■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

■"Roly-poly in the North"

■"Amazing Grace"

■"Diane in Paris"

■"Diane in Montmartre"

■"Diane Well Read"

■"Wantirna South"

■"Maiden's Prayer"

■"Bandwidth"

■"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"

■"Tulips and Diane"

■"Diane in Bustle Skirt"

■"Diane and Beauty"

■"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"

■"Victorian Prudery"

■"Diane Chatterley"

■"From Canada to Japan"

■"From Gyoda to Vancouver"

■"Film Festival"

■"Madame Taliesin"

■"Happy Days"

■"Vancouver Again"

■"Swansea"

■"Midnight in Vancouver"

■"Madame Lindbergh"

■"Dead Poets Society"

■"Letters to Diane"

■"Taliesin Studio"

■"Wright and Japan"

■"Taliesin Banzai"

■"Memrory Lane to Sendai"

■"Aunt Sleepie"

■"Titanic @ Sendai"

■"Birdcage"

(sylvie121.jpg)

■"Roly-poly in the wild"

■"Silence is dull"

■"Zen and Chi Gong"

■"Piano Lesson"

■"Dangerous Relation"

■"Electra Complex"

(juneswim.jpg)

■"Covent Garden"

■"Fatal Relation"

■"Notre Dame"

■"Anne Frank"

Hi, I'm June Adames.

The "Easy Rider" movie was a box office smash with a $41 million intake.

It became the third highest grossing film of 1969, along with "Bonnie and Clyde" and "The Graduate."

The "Easy Rider" helped kick-start the New Hollywood phase during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The major studios realized that money could be made from low-budget films made by avant-garde directors.

Heavily influenced by the French New Wave, the films of the so-called "post-classical Hollywood" came to represent a counterculture generation increasingly disillusioned with its government as well as the government's effects on the world at large, the Establishment.

Although Jack Nicholson appears only as a supporting actor and in the last half of the film, the standout performance signaled his arrival as a movie star.

The film's success gave Hopper the chance to direct again with complete artistic control.
However, his film (1971's The Last Movie) was a notable box office and critical failure, effectively ending Hopper's career as a director for well over a decade.

ところで、愛とロマンに満ちた

レンゲさんのお話をまとめて

『レンゲ物語』を作りました。

もし、レンゲさんの記事をまとめて読みたいならば、

次のリンクをクリックしてくださいね。

■『愛とロマンのレンゲ物語』

■『軽井沢タリアセン夫人 - 小百合物語』

とにかく、今日も一日楽しく愉快に

ネットサーフィンしましょうね。

じゃあね。

(sylvie122.jpg)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-04-13 08:51 | アメリカ政治・文化

Zen and Chi Gong (PART 1 OF 3)

2012年 01月 18日

　
　
Zen and Chi Gong (PART 1 OF 3)
　
　

Hi Kato!

Thanks a lot

for those video clips.

From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date:Wed, May 18, 2011 4:47 pm.

Hi Kato,

Thanks so much .. this is all so very interesting.
One of these days I'm going to take a chi gong (気功) class here at the WECC(Westend Community Centre).

I remember taking one years ago.
In the meantime, I do my yoga every day.
and have done for years.
I used to be a yoga teacher.

I go to the gym three times a week,
walk the seawall with my group every Tuesday
and swim and hike in the mountains when I get the chance.

Hopefully, this will keep me in shape for years to come!

Thomas Jefferson, one of the early USA Presidents (he penned the Declaration of Independence) and who was a very learned man, said that "every man should devote his afternoons to exercise and recreation as it is as important as reading."

In fact, he said, "It's even more important because our health is worth more than learning."
That's for sure!
He impressed me.

Of course, learning is important, too ... but who's got the time for everything?!
Thanks again for these video clips.
They're wonderful.

Love, Diane ~

SOURCE: "Yoga and Happiness"
(May 22, 2011)

Kato, how come you've brought up my old mail?

You used to be a yoga teacher, and now you're taking a chi gong (気功) class.

Yes, I am.

No wonder you're in a good shape. And I'm pretty sure you'll be in shape for years to come.

You are in

a good shape!

I really hope so.

what kind of lesson are you taking in the class?

I'll show you in the following video.

(chigong90.jpg)

Wow! ... quite mysterious movements...like those of Tai chi.

Tai chi (太極拳)

T'ai chi ch'uan (simplified Chinese: 太极拳; traditional Chinese: 太極拳), often shortened to T'ai chi or Tai chi in the West, is a type of internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.
It is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons: its hard and soft martial art technique, demonstration competitions, and longevity.
As a consequence, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims.
Some of t'ai chi ch'uan's training forms are especially known for being practiced at what most people categorize as slow movement.

Today, t'ai chi ch'uan has spread worldwide.
Most modern styles of t'ai chi ch'uan trace their development to at least one of the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu, and Sun.

The term t'ai chi ch'uan translates as "supreme ultimate fist", "boundless fist", "great extremes boxing", or simply "the ultimate."
Note that chi in this instance is the Wade-Giles transliteration of the Pinyin jí, and is distinct from qì (or chi 氣), which means "life energy".

The concept of the Taiji ("supreme ultimate") appears in both Taoist and Confucian Chinese philosophy, where it represents the fusion or mother of Yin and Yang into a single Ultimate, represented by the Taijitu symbol.
T'ai chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many Chinese philosophical principles, including those of Taoism and Confucianism.

T'ai chi training involves five elements, nei gung, tui shou (response drills), sanshou (self defence techniques), weapons, and solo hand routines, known as forms (套路 taolu).
While t'ai chi ch'uan is typified by some for its slow movements, many t'ai chi styles (including the three most popular - Yang, Wu, and Chen) have secondary forms of a faster pace.
Some traditional schools of t'ai chi teach partner exercises known as "pushing hands", and martial applications of the forms' postures.

SOURCE: "T'ai chi ch'uan"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kato, why don't you join my class? 　You could improve your health. 　You know, Kato, health is worth more than learning.

I know...I know...I will join your class some day.

You always say that, but your "some day" seems 100 years down the road.

But Diane, you said who's got the time for everything, didn't you? 　I don't have the time for everything.

I know. 　It seemes to me that you're always writing articles in the library. 　When you are not writing, then you're watching DVDs. 　Writing and learning is important, but, as Thomas Jefferson said, every man should devote his afternoons to exercise and recreation as it is as important as reading, learning, and writing.

You sounds like my teacher in the elementary school.

Take my advice, Kato, and join my class, will you?

Yes, yes, yes,... some day, but actually, I'm a Zen practitioner. 　When I've got some spare time, I always practise Zen.

Zen is quite static to me.

Static to you, Diane?

Yes, it is. 　Not dynamic, I mean, Zen is doing nothing---sitting still. 　I don't know how it could possibly improve your health and mind.

Have you ever heard of Bodhidharma?

Yes, you told me about him the other day.

(To be followed)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-18 05:47 | アメリカ政治・文化

Zen and Chi Gong (PART 2 OF 3)

2012年 01月 18日

　
　
Zen and Chi Gong (PART 2 OF 3)

Bodhidharma

達磨（ダルマ）

Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th-6th century and is traditionally credited as the leading patriarch and transmitter of Zen to China.

According to Chinese legend, he also began the physical training of the Shaolin monks that led to the creation of Shaolinquan. However, martial arts historians have shown this legend stems from a 17th century chigong manual known as the Yijin Jing.

Little contemporary biographical information on Bodhidharma is extant, and subsequent accounts became layered with legend, but most accounts agree that he was a Tamil prince from southern India's Pallava Empire. Scholars have concluded his place of birth to be Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.

After becoming a Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma traveled to China. The accounts differ on the date of his arrival, with one early account claiming that he arrived during the Liú Sòng Dynasty (420–479) and later accounts dating his arrival to the Liáng Dynasty (502–557). Bodhidharma was primarily active in the lands of the Northern Wèi Dynasty (386–534). Modern scholarship dates him to about the early 5th century.

Throughout Buddhist art, Bodhidharma is depicted as a rather ill-tempered, profusely bearded and wide-eyed barbarian. He is described as "The Blue-Eyed Barbarian" in Chinese texts.

The Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (952) identifies Bodhidharma as the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism in an uninterrupted line that extends all the way back to the Buddha himself. D.T. Suzuki contends that Zen's growth in popularity during the 7th and 8th centuries attracted criticism that it had "no authorized records of its direct transmission from the founder of Buddhism" and that Zen historians made Bodhidharma the 28th patriarch of Buddhism in response to such attacks.

SOURCE:　Wikipedia
PICTURES: from the Denman Library

He looks like a devil to me---a quite scary man, wasn't he?

Yes, he was in a sense. 　He is actually depicted as a rather ill-tempered, profusely bearded and wide-eyed barbarian.

So what was he good at?

In Japan, Bodhidharma is believed to be an original grand Zen master.

Oh, is he?

He is known as "Daruma" in Japan, and every Japanese knows about him. 　If anybody doesn't know about "Daruma" in Japan, he or she is NOT a Japanese.

Is he that famous in Japan?

You bet on that, Diane. 　In Japan, almost every household used to have a "Daruma" figure in an alcove or on a shelf.

Is this the "Daruma" figure?

Yes, it is.

How come it has only one black eye---not two black eyes?

A good question, Diane...'cause the Japanese usually buy a "Daruma" figure with no black eyes.

When you have a serious wish, then you would pray to Daruma while writing a black eye on his face.

Once your wish is realized, then you will paint another black eye.

And then the "Daruma" figure will become your full-fledged talisman.

Quite interesting! 　 So his teaching is well-known in Japan, isn't it?

Oh yes, it is.

...like what?

For example, the following teaching is written in one of famous Zen scripts.

無為無事の人

(Be born-free again)

It literally means "a man who does nothing and gets involved in nothing."

...doesn't make sense to me.

I know what you mean, Diane...Zen scripts often sound meaningless, if not self-contradictory.

Doing nothing and remaining involved in nothing means that you're born-free again. 　Is that it?

You see, Diane, some people are preoccupied by their status in our society in terms of family ancestory, wealth, education, and so on. 　Bodhidharma told his disciples to throw away those superficial goodies, which would prevent them from seeing the truth of life.

I see.

One of his diciples said, "Master, I'm free from all the goddies." 　Then Bodhidharma said to him, "No, you are not...'cause you're even chained by your belief of being free from all the goddies."

So Bodhidharma was a very sarcastic person, wasn't he?

Yes, Diane, you're telling me. 　Once Bodhidharma went too far.

In what way?

Sitting still, Bodhidharma faced the rock wall for nine years.

Well, that's not so extraordinary, Kato...'cause, in our Christian history, one of the saints lived on the top of the pillar for more than 30 years.

Saint Simeon

Saint Simeon Stylites or Symeon the Stylite (c. 390 – 2 September 459) was a Christian ascetic saint who achieved fame because he lived for 39 years on a small platform on top of a pillar near Aleppo in Syria.

Several other stylites later followed his model (the Greek word style means pillar).

He is known formally as Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder to distinguish him from Simeon Stylites the Younger and Simeon Stylites III.

Yes, I know that, Diane...I learned about him in the European history. 　However, one of Bodhidharma's disciples went much too far.

In what way?

While Bodhidharma was facing the rock wall, Huike （慧可:えか） visited him and asked the grand master to teach him. 　 Bodhidharma initially refused to teach Huike.

I suppose, Huike didn't give up, did he?

No, he didn't. 　Huike stood in the snow outside Bodhidharma’s cave all night until the snow reached his waist. In the morning Bodhidharma asked him why he was there and Huike replied that he wanted a teacher to "open the gate of the elixir or universal compassion to liberate all beings".

Then what did the grand master say?

Bodhidharma refused, saying, “how can you hope for true religion with little virtue, little wisdom, a shallow heart, and an arrogant mind? It would just be a waste of effort.” 　 Finally, to prove his resolve, Huike cut off his left arm and presented it to the First Patriarch as a token of his sincerity at which point Bodhidharma accepted him as a student and changed his name from Shenguang to Huike (“Wisdom and Capacity”).

My goodness! 　 ... Huike went too far.

The story continies, Diane. 　Without realizing that he had just self-amputated his left arm, Huike screamed in pain and then said to Bodhidharma, “My mind is anxious. Please pacify it.” 　Bodhidharma replied, “Bring me your mind, and I will pacify it.” Huike said, “Although I’ve sought it, I cannot find it.” “There,” Bodhidharma replied, “I have pacified your mind.”

I see...What a sarcastic master Bodhidharma was! 　So, an anxious mind didn't exist in the first place, did it?

You're right on, Diane.

But, Kato, what are you practising?

A good question! 　While I sit still, I'm trying not to have an anxious mind. 　This practice indeed improves my health and mind---much more than devoting my afternoons to exercise and recreation.

(To be followed)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-18 05:46 | アメリカ政治・文化

Zen and Chi Gong (PART 3 OF 3)

2012年 01月 18日

　
　
Zen and Chi Gong (PART 3 OF 3)

【Himiko's Monologue】

Wow! ... what an extreme life style!
Can you believe that a man could live on the pillar for 39 years?
Do you really believe that a man cut off his left-arm to show his sincerity?

As you know, I desperately want to meet my better half.
But when I meet a man like Saint Simeon or Huike, and he proposes to marry me, I'd rather remain single.

In any case, I've never met my "Romeo"---a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.

I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.

Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...

If you've got some time,

Please read one of the following artciles:

■"Hello Diane!"

■"I wish you were there!"

■"Jane Eyre"

■"Jane Eyre Again"

■"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"

■"Jane Eyre Special"

■"Love & Death of Cleopatra"

■"Nice Story"

■"Scrumdiddlyumptious"

■"Spiritual Work or What?"

■"What a coincidence!"

■"Wind and Water"

■"Yoga and Happiness"

■"You're in a good shape"

■"Hellelujah!"

■"Ecclesiophobia"

■"Uncorruptible"

■"Net Travel & Jane"

■"Net Love"

■"Complicated Love"

■"Electra Complex"

■"Net Début"

■"Inner World"

■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

■"Roly-poly in the North"

■"Amazing Grace"

■"Diane in Paris"

■"Diane in Montmartre"

■"Diane Well Read"

■"Wantirna South"

■"Maiden's Prayer"

■"Bandwidth"

■"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"

■"Tulips and Diane"

■"Diane in Bustle Skirt"

■"Diane and Beauty"

■"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"

■"Victoria Prudery"

■"Diane Chatterley"

■"From Canada to Japan"

■"From Gyoda to Vancouver"

■"Film Festival"

■"Madame Taliesin"

■"Happy Days"

■"Vancouver Again"

■"Swansea"

■"Midnight in Vancouver"

■"Madame Lindbergh"

■"Dead Poets Society"

■"Letters to Diane"

■"Taliesin Studio"

■"Wright and Japan"

■"Taliesin Banzai"

■"Memrory Lane to Sendai"

■"Aunt Sleepie"

■"Titanic @ Sendai"

■"Birdcage"

■"Roly-poly in the wild"

■"Silence is dull"

Hi, I'm June Adames.

You might wonder why Saint Simeon decided to live on the top of the pillar.

Well...an ever-increasing number of people came to see him for prayers and advice.

This left him little if any time for his private austerities.

So he decided to climb up the pillar and formed a small platform at the top so that he could remain undisturbed.

Since he couldn't escape the world horizontally, he tried to escape it vertically.

For sustenance, small boys from the nearby village would climb up the pillar and pass him small parcels of flat bread and goats' milk.

In any case, to an ordinary man, living at the top of pillar is unthinkable.

If you determine to do the same nowadays, you are more than likely to be considered as the most foolish person in the world.

ところで、愛とロマンに満ちた

レンゲさんのお話をまとめて

『レンゲ物語』を作りました。

もし、レンゲさんの記事をまとめて読みたいならば、

次のリンクをクリックしてくださいね。

■『愛とロマンのレンゲ物語』

■『軽井沢タリアセン夫人 - 小百合物語』

とにかく、今日も一日楽しく愉快に

ネットサーフィンしましょうね。

じゃあね。

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-18 05:45 | アメリカ政治・文化

Silence is dull (PART 1 OF 3)

2012年 01月 11日

　
　
Silence is dull (PART 1 OF 3)
　
　

Subj:I'm glad

you enjoyed "The Birdcage"!

From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Jan 3, 2012 7:04 pm.

Hi Kato Akira Kaato,
Such a great name!

How's it going?
...glad you enjoyed "The Birdcage".

■"Birdcage"

(December 30, 2011)

Like you, the first time I saw it, I almost laughed myself to death.
It was SO funny and it's so West-End Vancouver, don't you think?
How hilarious!

I couldn't access your response to the movie, but I'm sure it was fun as well.
The guys who make these movies must be geniuses, I'm sure.
My boyfriend and I are going to see "The Artist" tomorrow.

A critic says, it should have us tap-dancing out of the theatre.
All the reviews I've seen are positive, but I'm still not convinced a movie with NO dialogue can be that great.
Time will tell, as they say.

...hope you're doing well, staying out trouble, and meeting lots of wonderful, sensual and mysterious women!

Love, Diane ~

Subj:Daine, do you remeber

the life in Yukon?

From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane03760@vancouver.ca
Date: Wed., Jan 4, 2012 4:52 PM

Hello, Diane,

Have you ever heard of this name---Chris McCandless?

The young man threw away his real name and his background, then called himself Alexander Supertramp, and walked into the wilderness.
Unfortunately, he was found dead in August, 1992.
This incident made a sensational news at the time.
Now, you might recall it.

Well, I read the book "Into the Wild" about the above incident and viewed the DVD with the same title.
Since it has something to do with you and me,
I've just written a story. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...

Please click the following link:

■"Roly-poly in the wild"

(January 4, 2012)

I hope you'll enjoy reading it.

Your truly wild Taliesin,
Kato

:) with love

Subj:Wow! What an interesting

story line!

From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thu, Jan 5, 2012 7:20 pm.

Hi Kato,

Very inspiring .. thanks!
I do vaguely recall this story, and the trailer was fascinating.
I must reserve the DVD one day soon.

I just love Sean Penn as an actor and can only imagine that he's equally professional as a director.
What an interesting story line!

Tales of adventure and freedom are always interesting.
He's just like you, Kato, a world traveller.

How are you doing?
...hope you're getting lots of exercise and socialization as well as your computer work ... although this time of year does encourage more indoor activities, I know.
Have you seen much of that mysterious lady lately?

Gotta run,

Love, Diane ~

Kato, have you seen much of that mysterious lady lately?

Yes, I have.

So, you told her, she didn't have to sit at the online computer in order to see her DVD, didn't you?

No, I didn't.

Why not?

'Cause she yawned several times and then started nodding as soon as she inserted her DVD into the drive. 　I didn't want to disturb her peaceful sleep.

Don't tell me such a fib, Kato.

I'm not joking, not even jesting.

Are you saying, she sank into a doze whenever she viewed her DVD?

That's right. 　I always wonder what she is doing with her DVD, which seems to poroduce a pleasant lullaby. 　With a pair of earpieces over her head she always nods comfortably while listening to her favorite lullaby DVD.

Well...probably, she slipped into a romantic dream.

Anyway, how did you like "The Artist"?

(To be followed)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-11 07:32 | アメリカ政治・文化

Silence is dull (PART 2 OF 3)

2012年 01月 11日

　
　
Silence is dull (PART 2 OF 3)

The Artist

The Artist is a 2011 French romance film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.
The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on a declining male film star and a rising actress, as silent cinema grows out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies.
Much of the film itself is silent; it is shot in black-and-white, and has received wide praise from critics and many accolades.
Dujardin won the Best Actor Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered.
The film has six Golden Globe nominations, the most of 2011.

Plot

Swashbuckling silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) attends the premiere of his latest film A Russian Affair.
Outside the theater, Valentin is posing for pictures for the paparazzi when a woman, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), admiring Valentin while lost in a sea of adoring fans, drops her purse.
She bends down to get it, but is accidentally pushed into Valentin.
She ends up photographed, and the next day, she is on the front page of Variety with the headline "Who's That Girl?".

Later, Miller auditions as a dancer and is spotted by Valentin.
He insists she have a bit in his new film, despite objections from the studio boss, Al Zimmer (John Goodman).
Peppy slowly rises in the industry, her roles growing larger and larger.

Two years later, Zimmer announces the end of production of silent films, but Valentin insists that sound is just a fad.
When Zimmer unloads all his silent stars, George decides to produce and direct his own silent film, financing it himself.
It opens on the same day as Miller's new sound film, and Valentin is ruined.
His wife, Doris (Penelope Ann Miller), kicks him out, and he moves into an apartment with his valet, Clifton (James Cromwell).
Miller goes on to become a major Hollywood star.

Later, Valentin fires Clifton and sells off all his effects.
Desperate and drunk, Valentin starts a fire in his home.
His dog gets help and he awakes in a bed in Miller's house.
Clifton is now working for Miller.
Miller insists that Valentin co-stars in her next film, or she will quit Zimmer's studio.
After Valentin learns that Miller had purchased all of his auctioned effects, he has a nervous breakdown and returns to his burnt-out apartment.
Miller arrives, panicked, as Valentin is attempting suicide.
Peppy and George reconcile, and remembering that he is a superb dancer, she convinces Zimmer to let them make a musical together, and the picture ends with the implication that Valentin will return to fame again.

In the final shot, the sound finally comes in as the film starts rolling.
Afterwards, Zimmer calls 'Cut! Perfect. Beautiful. Could you give me one more?'.
Valentin, in his first audible line, replies in a clearly French accent, "With pleasure", revealing the reason he refused to speak on camera.

Production

Director Michel Hazanavicius had been fantasizing about making a silent film for many years, both because many filmmakers he admires emerged in the silent era, and because of the image-driven nature of the format.
According to Hazanavicius his wish to make a silent film was at first not taken seriously, but after the financial success of his spy-film pastiches OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies and OSS 117: Lost in Rio, producers started to express interest.
The forming of the film's narrative started with Hazanavicius' desire to work again with actors Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, Hazanivicius's wife, who had starred in the OSS 117 films.
Hazanavicius chose the form of the melodrama, mostly because he thought many of the films from the silent era which have aged best are melodramas.
He did extensive research about 1920s Hollywood, and studied silent films to find the right techniques to make the story comprehensible without having to use too many intertitles.
The screenplay took four months to write.

The film was produced by La Petite Reine and ARP Sélection for 13.47 million euro, including co-production support from Studio 37 and France 3 Cinéma, and pre-sales investment from Canal+ and CinéCinéma.
Both the cast and crew were mixed French and American.

Filming took place during seven weeks on location in Los Angeles.
Throughout the shoot Hazanavicius played music from classic Hollywood films while the actors performed.

Only one song (sung, with lyrics) is used in the soundtrack, "Pennies from Heaven," sung by Rose "Chi-Chi" Murphy (uncredited).

SOURCE: "The Artist (film)"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As you know, I read quite a few reviews, which were mostly positive, but I wasn't convinced. 　A movie with NO dialogue cannot be that great.

So, you were disappointed, weren't you?

No, not quite... Actually, I liked the movie because the performances of both Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo were elegant and delightful, but I must say that, halfway through, the movie became quite slow with no dialogues. 　I almost dropped into a dead sleep like the mysterious lady at Joe Fortes Library.

I agree with you, Diane.

Kato, did you see the movie?

Oh, no, but I saw the trailer. 　Besides, I also read quite a few reviews. 　As you told, most of the reviews are favorable, but some say that making a silent film at present isn't a serious endeavour. 　I got the same gut feeling as you had, Diane, when I read your mail.

A movie with NO dialogue cannot be that great.

That's right. 　We're living in the days of talkies so that our minds always create so many dialogues in the brain even if we see a silent movie. 　Therefore, as you told, the silent movie becomes quite slow with no dialogues. 　Whenever I see a silent movie, I stop viewing within the first ten minutes 'cause I cannot stand the sugguishness anymore. 　My mind feels the movie so dull that my brain goes to sleep.

Silent movies are so dull, aren't they?

You're telling me, Diane. 　But there are two exceptions?

Oh...? 　What is it?

Ben-Hur of 1925.

Ben-Hur of 1925

This silent movie was made with almost 4 million dollars at the time---the most expensive silent film ever made, and became a mega spectacle with 120,000 extras. 　The film of the chariot-race scene became 60 kilometer long so that it was shortened to 229 meter by edit. 　I borrowed the DVD from Joe Fortes Library and enjoyed it immensely. 　Diane, you're gonna love it.

What makes you think so?

Well..., unlike Ben-hur 0f 1959, the silent version is like a Christmas movie.

Ben-Hur of 1959

Tell me about it.

The birth of Christ was filmed in the silent version, and three wise men watched the sparkling star fall from the sky. 　You can see Mother of God as well. 　So, you'll be able to show it to the kids in your church the next X'mas.

Is that all?

Oh, no...the current prints of the 1925 version are from the Turner-supervised restoration, which includes the color tints and Technicolor sections, set to resemble the original theatrical release. There is an addition of a newly recorded stereo orchestral soundtrack by Carl Davis with the London Philharmonic Orchestra that was originally recorded for a Thames Television screening of the movie.

Where can I find it?

It can be found at Joe Fortes Library. 　You'll find the DVD complete with the Technicolor segments---the four-disc collector's edition of the 1959 version starring Charlton Heston.

I can hardly wait to see the silent version. 　By the way, what is the other exception?

A good and timely question, Diane! 　It is called "Double suicide of Sonezaki."

Wow! 　What a deadly and shocking title! 　I don't think I've ever heard of that.

It's a Japanese film made in 1978.

Double Suicide of Sonezaki

(Opening Scene)

This isn't a silent movie, is it?

No, it isn't. 　The silent version is actually a Japanese puppet show.

Japanese puppet show

文楽人形浄瑠璃

曽根崎心中　(下之巻)

お初徳兵衛道行

What is so fascinating about this puppet show?

You see, puppets don't talk, but their movements are elegant, subtle, and delicate. Those puppeteers are recognized as "human-treasure" in Japan. 　Manipulated and controlled by those experts, the movements of those puppets are actually more sophisticated than human actors.

Yes, I can tell.

Can you?

But "Double suicide" is againt my religion.

I know...I know...I don't mean that you should accept double suicide. 　I just wanna tell you that Michel Hazanavicius, the director of "The Artist," might as well perform the drama as a French puppet show.

(To be followed)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-11 07:31 | アメリカ政治・文化

Silence is dull (PART 3 OF 3)

2012年 01月 11日

　
　
Silence is dull (PART 3 OF 3)

【Himiko's Monologue】

Wow! ... I'm glad Renge didn't commit suicide.
As you know, you don't have to feel lonely because everybody is born alone and dies alone.

The thing is, how to meet a better half.
Unfortunately, I haven't met my better half so far, although I met so many unromantic morons.

Come to think of it, I've never met my "Romeo"---a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.

I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.

Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...

If you've got some time,

Please read one of the following artciles:

■"Hello Diane!"

■"I wish you were there!"

■"Jane Eyre"

■"Jane Eyre Again"

■"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"

■"Jane Eyre Special"

■"Love & Death of Cleopatra"

■"Nice Story"

■"Scrumdiddlyumptious"

■"Spiritual Work or What?"

■"What a coincidence!"

■"Wind and Water"

■"Yoga and Happiness"

■"You're in a good shape"

■"Hellelujah!"

■"Ecclesiophobia"

■"Uncorruptible"

■"Net Travel & Jane"

■"Net Love"

■"Complicated Love"

■"Electra Complex"

■"Net Début"

■"Inner World"

■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

■"Roly-poly in the North"

■"Amazing Grace"

■"Diane in Paris"

■"Diane in Montmartre"

■"Diane Well Read"

■"Wantirna South"

■"Maiden's Prayer"

■"Bandwidth"

■"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"

■"Tulips and Diane"

■"Diane in Bustle Skirt"

■"Diane and Beauty"

■"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"

■"Victoria Prudery"

■"Diane Chatterley"

■"From Canada to Japan"

■"From Gyoda to Vancouver"

■"Film Festival"

■"Madame Taliesin"

■"Happy Days"

■"Vancouver Again"

■"Swansea"

■"Midnight in Vancouver"

■"Madame Lindbergh"

■"Dead Poets Society"

■"Letters to Diane"

■"Taliesin Studio"

■"Wright and Japan"

■"Taliesin Banzai"

■"Memrory Lane to Sendai"

■"Aunt Sleepie"

■"Titanic @ Sendai"

■"Birdcage"

■"Roly-poly in the wild"

Hi, I'm June Adames.

The film "The Artist" premiered on 15 May in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

It was initially announced as an out-of-competition entry, but was moved to the competition a week before the festival opened.

The Weinstein Company bought the distribution rights for the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

The film was released in the United States on 25 November 2011.

Ninety-seven percent of critics have given the film a positive review based on 133 reviews, with an average score of 8.7/10, making the film a "Certified Fresh" on the website's rating system.

Mark Adams of Screen Daily called the film "a real pleasure" propelled elegantly forward by delightful performances from Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.

He added however: "The film does feel a little sluggish towards the end of the first third as the music is a little repetitive and the intertitles are infrequent, but Hazanavicius manages to give the film a real sense of charm and warmth."

Well...if you've got some time, why don't you see the movie and judge it yourself?

ところで、愛とロマンに満ちた

レンゲさんのお話をまとめて

『レンゲ物語』を作りました。

もし、レンゲさんの記事をまとめて読みたいならば、

次のリンクをクリックしてくださいね。

■『愛とロマンのレンゲ物語』

■『軽井沢タリアセン夫人 - 小百合物語』

とにかく、今日も一日楽しく愉快に

ネットサーフィンしましょうね。

じゃあね。

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-11 07:30 | アメリカ政治・文化

Roly-poly in the Wild (PART 1 OF 3)

2012年 01月 06日

　
Roly-poly in the Wild (PART 1 OF 3)

Subj:Summer is here

with us!

Enjoy the sunshine!

From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 4:35 pm.
Pacific Daylight Saving Time

Thanks my truly skinny Socrates, Kato.

■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

(July 26, 2011)

I've read the above article.
Your article is excellent as usual.
I did remember that you lived in Yellowknife some years ago.

Many years ago, I too lived for six months or so in the north, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

Actually, I worked for a mining company in a small town called Faro (Anvil Mines at the time) as secretary to the President.
I was given my own apartment (most of the staff had to live in bunk houses) and a huge salary compared with what I would receive in Vancouver.
So I was thrilled about that.
I didn't want to feel totally isolated, though, so I asked whether I could eat with the others in the cookhouse and they obliged.

Thank God.
It was fun and much easier than doing my own cooking and making do with the limited selection in the local store.
The cook took a special liking to me and every day he would give me extra rations of cookies and cakes.

Pretty soon I realized that if I took advantage of these favours I would end up being a roly-poly.

so I would take them and then give them away.
Lotsa fun.

I do remember a really cute Japanese gal who worked up there telling me she had already gained 25 lbs in one year, and it showed.

It was all the lesson I needed, thankfully.

Le Crueset cookware is definitely famous.
A friend of mine in Kerrisdale has some and he said they're very, very expensive but worth every penny.

He has one pot that he uses almost daily and has for years and it has proved to be the best pot he's every cooked with and worked with---sturdy, reliable, easy to work with.
So I guess it's worth the big bucks, true?!

Vancouver is pretty good, but not paradise I'd say.
The weather's too crummy half the time, or more than half the time actually, Which is why my brother left Canada for France.
He could no longer stand the cold weather.
Certainly, I do miss him.

As a matter of fact, I've found an interesting joke:

You see, Kato, we don't have many sunny days in Vancouver!
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your article.
Thanks again for all this.

Love, Diane ~

SOURCE: "Roly-poly in the North"
(July 30, 2011)

Kato, how come you've brought up my old mail?

A good question...I've read the book "Into the Wild" written by Jon Krakauer, then viewed the DVD in the library.

Into the Wild (Trailer)

Chris McCandless

a.k.a Alexander Supertramp

The above book is a non-fiction written based on the real story.

What kind of story?

Well...it's a story of adventure and self-search journey into the wilderness.

...sound quite interesting.

I thought you would say that.

What makes you think so?

...'cause you went up north to Faro in the wilderness.

Faro is a small town, but far from wilderness, I suppose. 　I went up there for my career.

I know, but if you hate wilderness and adventure, I don't think you went up north in the first place.

You're right on, Kato. 　Anyway, what impressed you so much.

The story is about Chris McCandless---a young man who threw away his real name and his background, then called himself Alexander Supertramp.

So he was a super tramp, wasn't he?

You're telling me, Diane. 　He graduated from college in 1990 and told his parents that he might as well go to Harvard Law School---simply to make his parents happy. 　Although he loved his parents, he sank into a trauma when he came to know that his mother gave birth to him while his father was married to another woman.

So, he was legally born as a bastard, wasn't he?

That's right.

Is this the reason he stepped into the wild as Alexander Supertramp?

I would say so. 　He threw away his identity, donated his all the money ($24,000) to a charity organization, then took up another identity as Alexander Supertramp, and stepped into a self-search adventure penniless.

Unfortunately, he was found dead in August, 1992.

What happened to him?

Nobody knows for sure, but the book suggested he ate some kind of poisonous plant. 　So did the movie.

I think I heard the news of his death in 1992.

So did I, and I thought that the yound man was a careless hitch-hiker, and forgot about the incident soon afterwards. 　Then I happened to read the book. 　As soon as I read the book, the incident came back to my mind. 　At the end of the bood written in 1996, the Japanese translator told that the movie was to be made and shown in 2006 or 2007. 　So I borrowed the DVD and viewed it.

Who directed the movie?

Sean Penn.

I thought he was an actor.

Yes, he was and still is. 　He is now a hyphnated director---actor-come-director.

He does look older, doesn't he?

Well...everybody is getting old day by day, you know.

You're telling me, Kato. 　How come you are so motivated to view the movie?

Well... first of all, his footsteps crossed yours and mine...sort of, when you and I were young, staying up north.

(To be followed)

▲ by denman705 | 2012-01-06 09:37 | アメリカ政治・文化

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