9 posts tagged “new york”
My mind has been on Africa and food these days. Africa is on my mind almost constantly. Food is on my mind because I am enjoying the glories of summer vegetables and I am on a pretty good steady diet these days.
Not a day passes that in some way I don't reflect on my time spent in the Peace Corps in Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo). I loved eating fresh fish and dried fish there along with rice and beans, wild greens, fresh pineapple, fresh mangoes, and goat among other things. Reading the New York Times these past few days I've been apprised of what seems like a truly sad story in the case of Zimbabwe where it doesn't look like anyone will have anything to eat if things keep going the way they are going with Robert Mugabe's and Zimbabwe's dire economic policy situation.
On a brighter note ... when I lived in Ann Arbor, MI I was a habitue of a local restaurant there that came and went with much fanfare. It was called Latdior. The cusine was from Senegal, the West African country pictured above. If you have never had Senegalese food then you are truly missing a culinary sensation. The people of Sengal do things with fish, chicken, and lamb that make you want to slap your mother as they say. Latdior in Ann Arbor featured many of the traditional Senegalese dishes done in a very authentic style. I ate there several days a week because the food was so good. Traditional Senegalese dishes include thiebu djen (fish), yassa (chicken), and mafe (meat w/peanut sauce). The New York Times just reminded me of how much I love the food from Senegal. Please visit this very infomative article about a often overlooked and underappreciated cuisine. To my friends Michael and Keisha who live in Harlem, I look forward to exploring some Senegalese joints the next time I find my way up past 116th Street ...
Ah ... the former mayor of New York and "hero" of September 11 looks like he wants to try and cash in on the "Bubba" vote in the South of the United States. Kudos to NPR for information about the GOP's "frontrunner" and his recent Southern tour.
You are smart to play on the politics of fear, terror, and race, Mr. Giuliani. However let me suggest to you that the good old boys and girls in the South will see through your ploys and will eventually see you for what you are. Give it up Rudy. You will not be president of the United States.
I am really starting to get into my Spanish language study. One of my favorite things to do to keep me in a Spanish speaking mindframe is to listen to music that features Spanish lyrics. Hence there is currently a great deal of Cuban music in my rotation and one of my most prized teachers is Celia Cruz.
I first learned of Celia Cruz during my Ann Arbor years (1992 - 1997). Thanks to Afrobella for bringing Celia back into my realm of knowledge. There is a great deal of information via the Internet on Celia Cruz. For further information one may also check in with The Smithsonian National Museum of American History web site accompanying the current traveling exhibiton entitled "Azucar! - The Life and Music of Celia Cruz". The exhibit is currently in Miami at the Bass Museum of Art and will be moving on to venues in New York and Texas.
Don Cheadle is the man. I've seen him in all types of roles and I was moved by his portrayal of the character "Mouse" in Devil in a Blue Dress. I was completely blown away by his role in the HBO film A Lesson Before Dying as Grant Higgins. Today I was treated to Don Cheadle in a very poignant film entitled Reign Over Me also starring Adam Sandler.
I highly recommend this film. It's subtlety is overpowering. Adam Sandler does a brilliant job of acting and proves himself to be quite believable in this story of a man who has lost his wife and 3 daughters in the tragic event of September 11. I was also very impressed with Jada Pinkett Smith who is oh so beautiful and quite an actress herself. Jada has only a small role in the film but her character is essential to the plot. Saffron Burrows as the character Donna Remar is quite sexy and I can't recall seeing her in any other films but will be on the look out for her work. Donald Sutherland has a strong performance in the end of the movie that truly makes me appreciate all of the great work he has done through the years.
Reign Over Me is heavy but enlightening. I laughed. I cried. I was made to think about the human mind and dealing with life's numerous challenges as well as grief. Four out of five stars. Thumbs up. I highly recommend this dramatic film that was beautifully shot, superbly acted, and featured a compelling story line that kept me guessing until the very end. I particularly loved the wonderful interiors. The wardrobe department did a smash up job. Don Cheadle looked immaculate in many different suit and tie combinations and the film itself displayed many provocative shots and scenes of one of my beloved cities ... New York, NY.
There has long been a buzz that Don Cheadle is eventually scheduled to attempt to portray the jazz trumpeter Miles Davis in a forthcoming biopic. I've studied the life and music of Miles Davis for quite some time and I don't know if anyone can pull off telling his story for film but if any actor is capable it would be Don Cheadle. I am excited to see if that project ever comes to fruition.
I have now been in NYC for 5 days. As much as I love this city, it is beginning to wear on me. My hotel accomodations are adequate at the Hotel Chandler.
I also regret that I did not have a chance to visit with Michael J, Keisha, Beth or Mike D. Perhaps next time and I'm really sorry I didn't get a chance to see Nola ...
The past two weeks have involved a great deal of travel for me. I have been to Las Vegas, New Mexico; Los Lunas, New Mexico; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Las Cruces, New Mexico. No pictures from the road yet but they are coming I do indeed promise. The current digital camera I have is a bit bulky for travel so I am going to try and get a more compact version in the very near future.
In any case, I'll be leaving the land of enchantment on my way to the Big Apple on tomorrow for a week. I'll be receiving some training from my company, checking out a Yankees game on Tuesday night (my first visit to Yankee Stadium), enjoying Paul Motian, Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano at the Village Vanguard on Thursday night and visiting friends throughout the city while I am there. Michael J, Keisha, Beth, and Michael D looking forward to seeing you this week. Hope to see Baby Nola too! I'll be busy during the daylight hours but after 6:00 PM on each day I should be free. My occupied nights will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. So that leaves Monday, Friday and Saturday open for gathering. Get in touch.
Well I am going to try and enjoy the rest of this weekend by watching US Open Tennis and working on preparing for my business trip to NYC.
Peace and blessings.
