I spent yesterday evening, from 7-11, in Bacchus Bar, Burlington Arcade, Birmingham, one of Mitchells & Butlers‘ supposedly “Classic Pubs”. Had I not been there as a guest of others, for whom I have great respect, I would have left.

The only guest ale was off.

The dirty plates left by the departing people whose table we occupied, and their and our empty glasses and bottles, were not collected once. The plates included uneaten food, which sat festering for four hours.

The men’s toilets were an utter disgrace: stinking, awash with urine – footsteps caused audible splashes; I’m going to have to have my trousers laundered – and clearly not attended to all evening. Everyone who entered, each time I was in there, commented. I was told the women’s toilets were little better.

A pile of vomit on the carpet outside the toilets was marked with a “wet floor” A-frame, but otherwise left for over an hour, remaining until after closing.

I have never seen such bad practice, even in run down inner-city pubs; let alone a supposedly prestige, and pricey, city-centre venue.

Update: I have contacted Mitchells & Butlers, and asked them to respond here. Their contact form includes several unnecessary yet mandatory questions, such as wanting my postal address (which I declined to give, using bogus data instead) and the number in the party, which must be a number, making it impossible for me to say “over 15″.

Visit Facts Are Stubborn Things to print out pink slips to send in as a warning to your Senators about health care.

bacchus presents...

 the main reason for this was an 8-course food and brew company beer pairing extravaganza at the bacchus in newcastle on the sunday – but we figured it’d be rude not to spend some more time in the city sampling a few beers. so on saturday morning, off we trotted to the station for what proved to be a remarkably glitch-free train journey.

saturday was spent pootling around some of the excellent pubs on offer in newcastle. stand-out amongst these was the  crown posada - a gem of a city centre pub with an intriguing looking exterior and decor to match. it was also packed to the rafters within a few minutes of the doors being opened at midday and – incidentally – had a good offering of sandwiches behind the bar to soak up some of the ales that were available :) i was pleased to discover jarrow beers that afternoon – we had some excellent rivet catcher, and jarrow bitter: the latter was surprisingly pale and refreshing, but had a lovely bitterness to it, and i’ll definitely look out for more of their beers in future.

we ended up later on saturday evening filling our boots in rasa, a fantastic keralan restaurant. in hindsight, with the prospect of an 8-course dinner the following day, we should probably have skipped the desert. and we could very possibly have survived without appetisers and starters, but you know how it is…plus, we needed something to soak up the beers/gin + tonics. ooops.

anyway, all of that was a mere prelude to the main event on sunday. bacchus was due to open at midday so, at about 11.50, we wandered nonchalantly up to the pub and hung around for a bit looking from side to side, trying desperately not to look, well, desperate. a couple of other small groups of people were gathering nearby in a similar fashion so we didn’t feel too self-conscious – especially when one of our fellow loiterers turned out to be ToonBeerFest, a fellow tweeter and beer blogger.

now then. we’d had a couple of pints in bacchus the previous afternoon, so we knew they could look after their beer, but we had no idea what to expect from the food. we had a chat with the chef at the bar, and got a first look at the menu – at which point it became clear that there was going to be some serious eating involved. the write up of the courses was mouthwatering (this is one ginsoak who was feeling tempted to let her vegetarian status lapse for the day) and it was nice to see the thought that had gone into courses/beers that either complemented or contrasted with one another. it was also interesting to see that the order wasn’t dictated by the usual progression from pale-to-dark – and fair to say that we were giddy with anticipation by the time we sat down.

it was a nicely informal/relaxed set up - mr brew company did a quick general introduction to the whole group, and then had a chat with each small group as the courses and accompanying beers came out. and boy did those courses keep coming!

first up was abyss best bitter paired with duck liver parfait and toasted brioche:

abyss best bitter with duck liver parfait

this looked fantastic – the pairing had been chosen to match the “sweetness of the duck [with] the toffee sweetness in the beer”, while the bitterness would balance this up. abyss is a great traditional style best bitter with lovely roasted flavours, and a hint of toffee which rounds it off. this is the first time it’s been available since it took gold in the best bitter category (making it best best bitter…?) at the oakwood beer festival, and it’s a welcome re-addition in my book.

slaker pale ale with thai crab salad

the second course was slaker pale ale with thai crab salad served in raddicho. the colours in this were fantastic and, as with the first course, the consensus was that the pairing was perfectly judged. slaker is light, fruity  and refreshing – and has a lot more body/flavour than most other 3.8% pales. the light lager hops balanced with biscuity malt make it a beer that appeals to a wide range of tastes (and on a summer’s day, it’s perhaps a little too easy to drink as a session ale!). 

hop manifesto with mexicana tart

next up was hop manifesto – a beer brewed by steel city brewing at the brew company as a result of a new partnership – with mexicana cheese tart:  i stole a small piece of the tart – it was gorgeous, a lovely proper dense filling with melt-in the mouth pastry, and the intense hoppiness of the beer cut through it brilliantly.

roast!

at this point, i was very happy to accept delivery of a vegetarian roast dinner. this was seriously good – 2 forms of potatoes (roast *and* mashed – yes!), a yorkshire pudding (heaven…) and some of the most perfectly cooked carrots i’ve ever had. (i don’t often get excited at the thought of carrots, by the way.)

moving swiftly onwards before i turn into a vegetable-obsessed blogger, course number 4 was st petrus stout with fresh oysters, lemon juice and coriander.

st petrus stout with oysters

 now, regardless of what you think of oysters (opinion amongst the diners appeared to be split 50/50 between heavenly/*ack*) there’s no denying that it’s a classic combination of flavours and textures. st petrus is a great dry stout with well defined roasted flavours from the malt, and plenty of body. almost chompable (which i’m assured is a technical term).

the next course provided a perfect balance to the richness of the stout and oysters. the zestyness of hop ripper ipa was matched with thai fried noodles, with the “citrus dryness” chosen to stand up to the thai spices:

hop ripper with thai fried noodles

the ipa was very well conditioned with lovely citrussy freshness; the aroma from the noodles was fantastic – and by this point i was excitedly anticipating the dessert courses, where i’d be able to join in the food again

tantalus belgian-style dubbel with sticky pork spare ribs

now it was time for the 2 (count them – 2!) puddings. any meal that includes 2 sweet courses is ok in my book – especially when that meal comes with 8 fantastic ales – and this was no exception. first up was autumnus spiced porter paired with dark chocolate and courgette brownies.

autumnus porter with brownies

i’d managed to have a sneaky pint of autumnus in sheffield the week before – which is more than the brewer had managed to do – and it was fast becoming one of my favourite wintry drinks. the brownies were perfection – dry on the outside, dense and fudgy in the centre – and the dark chocolate was a fantastic match for the delicate nutmeg and cinnamon spices in the beer.

the final course came in the shape of raisin to live black chocolate stout and strawberry creme brulee. you may have gathered that i like chocolate, so it’ll be no surprise that i was looking forward to this. the stout was another special, brewed as a one-off for the sheffield beer festival in october – an exceptionally well-balanced stout enriched with tons (well, maybe not tons, but lots) of dark belgian chocolate and plump raisins. be warned: this does not taste like a 7% stout. at least, it doesn’t if you have it in small amounts. a couple of pints in, you soon start to realise that the world is becoming a little bit fuzzy around the edges though…

raisin to live chocolate stout with brulee

i’ll admit to being a bit cynical about the creme brulee – i’ve had some bad brulees in the past. on a scale of bad experiences in life this isn’t really such a traumatic thing, but nonetheless they’re never top of my afters-list. happily, however, this redeemed them forever in my eyes. it had a perfect glassy finish on top with a gorgeous burnt sugar flavour, and the inside was gooey, creamy and delicate with moist strawberry pieces. perfection – and a fantastic way to round off a brilliant sunday afternoon!

well, when i say round off, i’d be lying if i said we’d stopped there. we still had a couple of hours to kill before the train back to sheffield, so there was nothing for it but to have a couple more pints and some strong liquor while we were waiting. it seemed a shame to leave the bacchus, so we stayed put – it’s a fantastically friendly and welcoming bar, and the team there have a great way of making you feel comfortable. not to mention well fed and watered – 10/10 for proper northern hospitality!

i’d heartily recommend the bacchus to anyone. as hinted at above, the team looking after the place are some of the friendliest and most welcoming you could hope to meet. in fact, on the basis of last weekend, i’m almost tempted to make a day trip up there just for the roast…

Ave amicus!  Quid novi? 
Hail friends!  What’s new?  For this My World Tuesday I’m taking you back to the 4th century, to the remains of a Roman Villa here on the Isle of Wight.  Being prone to rather grandiose gestures, it occurred to me that it would help you to get into the swing of Roman times if I sprinkled this post with Latin phrases.  And so, undeterred by the fact that I never really learned Latin, I’ve drawn upon the help of Ehrlich’s : Dictionary of Latin Tags and Phrases.  Some of these phrases come from classical Latin scholars, others from the Middle Ages, and a couple are my own ‘freeform’ combinations!  Translations of all the Latin phrases are given in italics.  Truthfully - when I bought this book some years ago thinking ‘it will come in useful some day’, publication on the World Wide Web was not what I had in mind!  I can give no better explanation for my folly than this one from Juvenal’s Satires: hoc volo, sit prop ratione voluntas: this I will, let my will serve as reason.

Gesta Romanorum: hoc loco redivivus 
The Deeds of the Romans: in this place brought back to life

The Romans ruled Britain, including the Isle of Wight, between AD 43 and 410.  Their name for the island, Vectis, is still used today - exempli gratia (e.g.) our main bus service operator is ’Southern Vectis’.  Two Roman villas have been rediscovered here, this one in Brading on farmland in 1880.  The first photo shows the recently constructed, award-winning building that houses and protects everything you’ll see in the following photographs.

The mosaic floors you’re about to see are laid throughout the villa and are an indication of the wealth of the owners.  It’s astonishing to think that they lay hidden beneath the earth for almost 1500 years; and I wonder how many more Roman villas we unknowingly walk across as we go about our daily lives.  The scenes in the mosaics depict life as experienced by the people who lived in the villa.  Through the images we know what they believed, ate and drank, the importance of the seasons for them, et cetera.  New discoveries and information at the site constantly change what is understood about the size and layout of the villa, the types of crops grown and the way of life of the Romans in southern Britain.  

Ecce homo  
Behold the man

This is Gallus, the ‘cock-headed man’ who has been adopted as the logo for the Roman Villa.  He is possibly a caricature of the Roman Emperor Gallus.

Per astra ad saber 
By way of the stars, to knowledge 

The astrologer is pointing to a globe of the heavens.  By his side is a sundial.

Bonum vinum laetificat cor hominis  
Good wine gladdens a person’s heart 

This is what remains of Bacchus, Roman god of wine.  When the villa was rediscovered in 1880 archaeological methods left much to be desired.  It’s thought that heavy-handed labourers caused irreparable damage to parts of the remains. 

Facta non verba 
Actions, not words 

This is the hand print, used as a signature, of the man who made this tile 1700 years ago.  Since it’s behind glass and the lighting in the centre is kept low it was difficult to get a good photo – in reality the hand print can be seen very clearly.  To help you to locate it I’ve added (right) another version of this same image, emphasising the handprint.  Click thumbnail to enlarge.

Stet muros domus 
May the walls of the house endure

The original walls remain throughout the villa to a height of about 2 feet / 60 cm.  Here you can see how the Romans constructed walls:  two parallel courses of brick with a rubble-filled cavity (here, chalk).  A skim was applied to the sides – this is the only wall in the villa where the skim remains intact.

Tempus edax rerum 
Time, the devourer of all things

It wasn’t really ‘time’ that devoured this Nymphaeum, but the changing habits of the householders as times changed.  A Nymphaeum was a sacred pool, used for healing ceremonies.  This one was also a garden feature, fed by spring water but had fallen into disuse and was buried beneath the earth by the time the courtyard wall was built through it.

Ex uno disce omnes 
From one example, you may deduce the rest

A reconstruction, but from these original period roof tiles, hewn from local Bembridge limestone, archaeologists have deduced that to withstand this weight the structure of Roman villas must have been very sturdy.

Ad perpetuam rei memoriam 
For the perpetual remembrance of the thing

Brading Roman Villa has a special place in my heart.  In 2007 the Youth Theatre that my sons belong to was funded to research, write and perform a production based on life as it would have been at the villa in the 4th Century.  Not only was what they all did astonishingly good, but they had the honour of performing it right here at the villa, amongst the mosaics and out in the grounds.  One of the scenes  – a dream – was based around the imagery of this particular mosaic, including the Medusa.  Whenever I see it, it will always remind me of their performance.

Acta est fabula.  Vale amicus!  Vade in pace.
That’s it!  It’s all over.  Farewell my friend!  Go in peace. 

But please – go visit more ‘worlds’ by clicking on the badge below.

1.  Jingle Bell Run

Sunday, November 8th -   Bells will be ringing this holiday season as thousands of runners and walkers hit the pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.NEWaukee has developed a team to particpate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, a 5K fun run/walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation on Sunday, November 8th. And YOU can help, too! Register the day of the event under the NEWaukee team to support the cause.

2.  STOMP

November 6th – 7th - STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows.

3.    MUSA End of Season Party

Saturday, November 7th - It’s been a long and trying season.  You feel like you’ve got a flat tire on your kicking leg.  You’ve consumed countless glasses of “gatorade” during your kickball games.  And at the end of the day, you still can’t figure out why your homerun hasn’t been added to the MUSA website.  All the MUSA folks are getting together for the end of the season party.  Join us as we share some highlights with eachother and let the smack talking begin for next season!

4.   Milwaukee Food Tour on Brady St.

Saturday, November 7th- Enjoy an intimate stroll through Milwaukee one delicious taste at a time! Discover the sights and flavors of Milwaukee’s most delicious and historic neighborhoods with a walking food tour. Go behind the scenes to visit our favorite specialty shops and ethnic eateries. The guided tours include food samples that add up to a meal, along with stories about Milwaukee’s rich immigrant history and the exceptional people who bring it to life. 

5.     Dine in the Dark at Bacchus

 Sunday, November 8th - Bacchus, in partnership with the Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and the Badger Association, invites you to Dine in the Dark. Enjoy a four-course meal in complete darkness while blindfolded and experience food, drink and conversation as you may never have before– without your sight. Expand your imagination and understanding of what individuals who are blind experience throughout their lives. 

The Christians struggle to hold on to their identity, religion, and lives in a region that was pagan before it was Christian, and Christian before it was muslim.  Now the cancer that has engulfed the entire region is eating away at places like Syria.  Lebanon is another example of the spreading cancer.  It was predominantly Christian until a few decades ago when muslims moved in and began persecuting and murdering Christians.

That cancer has now reached our shores and is spreading and devouring our culture like a cancer does.  If we don’t start “irradiating” the cancer, or giving it “chemotherapy” soon, we will meet the same fate that all countries in the middle east have met, and Europe will soon meet.

Christians Uphold Long and Sacred Heritage in Syria

Thursday , October 29, 2009

By Amy Kellogg

SYRIA, Damascus —

The Syrian Ministry of Tourism invited journalists from Tehran to Tunis to check out its top attractions during a trip to the normally reclusive country. Fox News hopped a caravan and went along for the ride.

Syrians are proud of the fact that Christians and Muslims have traditionally lived together in harmony in Syria. The historical monuments alone tell the story of the intertwining of faiths.

Massive columns, the remains of a pagan temple, which was at once the Temple of Hadad — and later the Temple of Jupiter — face the entrance to Damascus’ Umayyad Mosque, one of the holiest shrines in Islam. The mosque you see today was actually built on the site of the old temple. But there was yet another interlude.

SLIDESHOW: A Long Christian Heritage in Syria.

When Christianity became the official religion of the Byzantine Empire, a basilica to St. John the Baptist was built on the site. In fact, reportedly the head of St. John the Baptist is buried in the mosque.

VIDEO: Inside a Syrian Convent

When the Muslims entered Damascus in 636 AD, Islamic places of worship were cobbled onto the site, and Christians and Muslims shared the space for prayer. In the early eighth century, with Damascus now the capital of the Muslim world, the basilica was converted entirely to a mosque at enormous cost and grandeur, with rich mosaics and precious stones. Some say it took seven years of tax to pay for the grandiose building.

Though now it is exclusively a Muslim place of worship, non-Muslims are welcome to visit. The mosque is always buzzing with visitors, from Americans to Iranian pilgrims.

Syria had temples before it had churches, churches before it had mosques, so there is a lot of historical overlap at houses of worship. The Crusader castle Krak des Chevaliers has a sacred room with both Christian altars and Muslim prayer niches, as one example.

The history of the Jews in Syria has been more tumultuous. In Roman times, there were as many as 10,000 living in Damascus, by some accounts. Jews migrated to Syria after the Crusaders moved on Jerusalem. Today, there are just over 100 Jews left in Syria. Legal restrictions put on the community around the time of the founding of the state of Israel caused many to leave. That included restrictions on travel, so Jews would not visit Israel.

Syria, a predominantly Muslim country, is technically speaking at war with the Jewish state. Some of those restrictions have been lifted in recent years. Indirect talks between Syria and Israel were gathering momentum until late last year.

Today, 10 percent of Syria’s population is Christian. St. Paul converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus, and the country just recently celebrated 2000 years since his birth, in a year-long nationwide commemoration.

In the town of Maalula, just outside Damascus, many people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ. It’s one of the very few places in the world where that tongue is still spoken. Some children don’t even learn Arabic, the official language of Syria, until they start school.

The buildings of the mostly Greek Catholic town of Maalula cling to the side of a steep hill. Many of them are light blue in color, giving the landscape an otherworldly feel, something fragile yet lasting, and completely unusual.

The fourth century Monastery of St. Sarkis (or Sergius and Bacchus) is also and example of tradition laid upon tradition. The priest pointed out a formerly pagan altar with a special rim for draining the blood of animals that were once sacrificed right there. The father tells me the church was built on the ruins of a temple to Apollo.

He recites the Lord’s prayer for me, in Aramaic. He tells me that Greek Catholic mass is read each day in the church.

At the Convent of St. Thekla the Mother Superior, Pelagia Sayaf, talks of all the miracles which have been attributed to St. Thekla. People travel from near and far to the convent in search of healing.

St. Thekla was a doctor, according to Mother Pelagia, and a martyr, according to legend, because she was persecuted for defending her faith. The story goes she escaped death when, fleeing persecution, while being chased, lightning struck the mountain, opening up a cleft, into which she disappeared. It then closed behind her, locking out her persecutors.

Mother Pelagia claims several miracles happen each month.

“Many visitors come here—I can’t even count them. Americans come. The people who come here ask about their health. Ask about babies. Then the next visit they come to St. Thekla to thank her for everything.”

Mother Pelagia has 33 orphans. We meet some of them—Noor, Silva, Reem, Hoosam and Julie, little girls, not more than eight or ten years of age, who come out to recite the Lord’s Prayer for us in Aramaic.

It seems some of them do have one parent, but one who can’t care for them. So the Mother Superior does. She tells stories of marrying some of her girls off over the years. Stories that set her eyes atwinkle. And suddenly Mother Superior looks less severe.

In one case, she tells me, a visitor of Arabic descent from Chicago came to the convent of St. Thekla, saw one of the older orphans, and fell in love. The Mother Superior appears very pleased with this story. She arranged for the two to meet, properly. She approved of the man and the rest is history. Her little charge moved to America and so far, so Mother Pelagia swears, is living happily ever after.

On another occasion, a Bishop from the Santa Barbara area sent one of his congregation to Maalula to study Aramaic. He saw one of Mother Pelagia’s young ladies in the library one day, and also got impaled by Cupid’s arrow. The rest of that story is also happy history.

St. Thekla might be looking after more than just health—she may in fact be also looking after affairs of the heart.

This is the fourth in a series of reports by Fox News Correspondent Amy Kellogg, who recently returned from a 10-day trip to Syria at the invitation of the Syrian government. This report covers the long Christian heritage in Syria. Tomorrow Kellogg will report on her trip to the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

Povestea nascuta in Anglia despre doi tineri italieni a fost adaptata in forma de musical de un francez, ca mai apoi sa fie pusa in scena de catre o echipa de realizatori din Ungaria in colaborare cu actori romani.

Din 2001, musicalul a avut un succes rasunator, iar ce am vazut aseara este de departe un spectacol complex : romanticul si tragicul isi dau mana pe fondul unui sincretism ce pare a avea resurse inepuizabile. Daruirea fiecarui personaj si grandoarea fiecarei scene imi ingreuneaza misiunea de a nominaliza O scena si numai UNA. Timp de 2h si 30′ (cu pauza) am fost martora unui spectacol veritabil, si cand spun veritabil, nu denaturez intelesul acestui cuvant. In genere, mediatizarea intensa a unei reprezentatii prinde “mucegaiul comercialului: si practic, ce faci este sa te expui de unul singur mirajului acelui pom laudat. Asta, in genere, desigur..! Dar specialia generalibus derogant, iar “Romeo s Julieta” (muzica&versuri : Gerard Presgurvic; regia : Miklos Gabor Kerenyi/ Kero) nu este o forma fara fond, goala de continut, nu este un interes pecuniar, un produs in ambalaj sofisticat.

Departe de a fi o simpla umbra hamletica in peisajul autohton al artelor, musicalul se impune printr-un scenariu proaspat, actual : doi tineri exponenti ai unor lumi paralele (ce mi-e 1600? ce mi-e 2009?), infrunta orgoliul nemasurat si, in cele din urma, fatal al familiilor lor (Capulet si Montague). Costumele de epoca sunt inlocuite de tinute indraznete, moderne (mai ales cat ii priveste pe dansatori), dialogurile afectate si trase de par abunda in cuvinte recognoscibile in vocabularul tineretului secolului XXI, muzica se “inaspreste” pe ritmuri de rock si pop, machiajul devine mai excentric, Verona cea rupta din soare devine refugiu al demoniacului, sub imperiul razboiului deschis dintre cele doua familii.

Singuri supravietuitori ai acestui paradis destramat sunt Julieta (Diana Nitu/Simona Nae) si Romeo (Mihai Mos/ Jorge), imbatati de dragoste si dorinta de a se casatori in secret. Cand in prima scena cei doi dusmani se privesc ca doua fiare gata de lupta, zarurile par a fi aruncate si soarta celor doi indragostiti – scrum. Sfidand, insa, rigorile si imposibilul, acompaniati de voci cultivate (si de o orchestra fara cusur!), acesti copii nebuni se cununa si isi jura credinta pana la moartea care ii pandeste mai iute decat s-ar fi asteptat.

Conflictul central al familiilor, cel psihologic, precum si cele secundare (Romeo-Paris, Romeo-Tybalt, Mercutio-Tybalt, lady Montague-lady Capulet) sunt stinse de cruzimea mortii fulgeratoare a celor doi. Daca amor omnia vincit, se poate spune ca singura “victorie” a acestor destine tragice este pecetluirea pacii dintre cele doua familii, iar, la scara larga, raspandirea iubirii intre semeni ca unica posibilitate de salvare de la un naufragiu spiritual, de la dezumanizare, desacralizare si indobitocire. Pentru ca iubirea a trait o viata milenara si a salvat vieti; aici, paradoxul face ca aceeasi iubire sa mistuiasca vieti.

M-a uimit cum decorul anacronic si simbolic al operetei “Ion Dacian” s-a imbogatit vizibil, oferind Cezarului ce-i al Cezarului si, in speta, oferind privirii ce i-a fost dat sa i se ofere. Sub ochii mei s-a desavarsit un spectacol care isi merita recunoasterea la nivel mondial si care mi-a transmis niste emotii puternice, complexe si greu de transpus pe hartie. Singura mea recomandare este sa nu va limitati la a viziona filmuletele de prezentare sau la a citi postari poate subiective, poate neconforme cu realitatea de pe scena. Inlocuiti tenisii cu pantofi si clubul cu “templele de cultura” si optati pentru o seara la Opera/Opereta/teatru/Ateneu.

Am toata pretuirea pentru acesti artisti, pentru ca iubesc ceea ce fac si ca natura lor boema, adesea apostrofata, ii indeamna sa isi redescopere umanitatea din ei si sa ii faca si pe ceilalti sa isi dea seama de ea.. Jos palaria pentru arta!

I am going through all the booklets I have on the topic
so you can read my resources. If you want to write
an article or book on the topic please feel free to use
as you like.

Rough Notes -WDHCF

• Where did Halloween originate from?
• How did we get it?
• Halloween was celebrated by pagans centuries
  before the First Century Congregation was founded.
• Introduced into the First Century Congregation
  centuries after the death of the Apostles, yet it
  was celebrated by the pagans centuries before the
  First Century Congregation was founded.
• From Halloween Through Twenty Centuries, by Ralph
  Linton, page 4, it says, “The American celebration
  rests upon Scotish and Irish folk customs which
  can be traced in direct line from Pre-Christian
  times. Although Halloween has become a night of
  rollicking fun, superstitious spells, and eerie
  games which people take only half seriously, its
  beginnings were quite otherwise. The earliest
  Halloween celebrations were held by the Druids in
  honor of Samhain, Lord of the Dead, whose festival
  fell on November 1.”
• very distant from being righteous festival.
• pagan holiday masquerading as though it was a
  genuine custom of the true Congregation of
  Yeshua / Jesus Christ.
• parents allow their children to get involved in the
  spirit of the pagan custom.
• The Encyclopedia Americana states, “it’s clearly a
  relic of pagan times.”
• The Encyclopedia Britannica states, “It long
  antedates Christianity. The two chief
  characteristics of ancient Halloween were the
  lighting of bonfires and the belief that this is the
  one night in the year during which ghosts and
  witches are most likely to wander about. History
  shows that the main celebrations of Halloween were
  Druidical and this is further provided by the fact
  that in parts of Ireland October 31 is still known
  as Oidhch Shamhna, “Virgil of Saman.’”
• Halloween celebrated by the pagans long before
  Yeshua / Jesus Christ was even born.
• Halloween was celebrated by the Romans.
• Encyclopedia Britannica continues, “On the Druidic
  ceremonies were grafted some of the characteristics
  of the Roman festival in honor of Pomona held about
  November 1, in which nuts and apples, representing
  the winter store of fruits, played an important
  part.”
• Halloween’s pagan customs are widespread around the
  world to celebrate this season.
• The Book of Halloween by Ruth Kelley writes, “The
  pagan Druid priests taught the immortality of the
  soul, that it passed from one body to another at
  death … They believed that on the last night of
  the old year (October 31) the lord of death
  gathered together the souls of all those who had
  died in the passing year and had been condemned to
  live in the bodies of animals, to decree what forms
  they should inhabit for the next twelve months. He
  could be coaxed to give lighter sentence by gifts
  and prayers. ”
• Halloween Through Twenty Centuries page 5 writes,
  “On the New Year, their sins being expiated, they
  were released to go to the Druid Heaven.”
• Wheel of the Year, picture found
  here
  illustrates Pagan festivals such as Samhain
  (Halloween), Yule (Saturnalia – Christmas),
  Imbolc, Ostara (Ishtar – Easter) Beltane, Litha,
  Lammas, Mabon, which some of their customs have
  been grafted into Christianity.
• Halloween / Samhain promoted the ‘Doctrine of
  Immortality of the Soul” that the dead are not
  really dead.
• almost all heathen countries had festivals or days
  set aside to honor the dead.
• These festivals originated from the death of Nimrod,
  (Genesis 10:8-10) whom Semiramis said had resurrected
  from the dead when an evergreen tree grew out of a
  dead tree stump which is the origins of the Christmas
  tree associating Yule (Saturnalia – Christmas) to Samhain
  (Halloween).
• The meaning of the word “Halloween” – Allhallows or
  Hallowmas, or All Saints Day which is one of the
  festivals of the Catholic Church says Lintons
  Halloween Through Twenty Centuries, page 3.
• Samhain / Halloween was the evening celebration
  commencing at sunset, in anticipation of November 1,
  honoring the Lord of the Dead.
• Who is Lord of the Dead?
• Yeshua / Jesus Christ states in Matthew 22:31-32
  “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have
  ye not read that which was spoken to you by God,
  saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of
  Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God
  of the dead, but of the living”
• God is not God of the dead but in reality and in
  righteousness, Yeshua / Jesus Christ is Lord of the
  dead.
• the dead do not serve God (Psalm 6:5, 115:17), the
  soul that sins dies (Ezekiel 18:4), the dead know
  nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5), the dead’s thoughts
  perish (Psalm 146:4), only God has immortality
  (1 Timothy 1:17, 6:15-16), and only God can destroy
  a persons soul (Matthew 10:28)
• to consult the dead is an abomination.
  (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:9-12) and is part
  of the abominations of the nations.
  (Deuteronomy 18:9, 1 Kings 14:24, Ezekiel 6:9)
• How is Yeshua / Jesus Christ Lord of the dead? He
  defeated death as atonement for our sins but also to
  become Lord of the dead (Romans 14:9)
• Yeshua / Jesus Christ through his resurrection
  obtained the keys to Hades or state of the dead.
  (Revelation 1:18)
• Who did Yeshua / Jesus take the authority of “Lord
  of the Dead” from? Satan / Lucifer ofcourse.
  (Hebrews 2:14)
• What is Yeshua’s / Jesus Christ’s function as Lord
  of the Living and the Dead?
• on the last day to change the righteous from mortal
  to immortal (1 Corinthians 15:51-58,
  1 Thessalonians 4:14-18), to resurrect the righteous
  to eternal life (John 3:16) and the unrighteous to
  resurrection of condemnation (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54,
  11:24-26, 12:48, 5:28-30)
• Paganism make the “Lord of the Dead” other than
  Yeshua / Jesus Christ but give authority to deities
  such as Samhain, Baal, Nimrod, Hercules, Tammuz,
  Adonis, Achilles, Orion, Belial, Mithra, Horus,
  Osiris, Thor, Yule, Cronos, Kronus, Saturn, Odin,
  Bacchus, Dionysus, Molech, Deonius, Jupiter, Man
  the Branch, Wodan, Attes, Attis, and many others
  depending which variation of paganism the name
  derives from.
• Paganism really is worshiping Satan / Lucifer as
  “Lord of the Dead” , as Satan deceives the whole
  world (Revelation 12:9) and Satan / Lucifer is the
  Prince the power of the air (Eph 2:2) and god of
  this world (2 Cor 4:4).
• Giving these deities the authority of “Lord of the
  Dead” rather than Yeshua / Jesus Christ is
  glorifying Satan / Lucifer and is a form of
  Idolatry.
• In my opinion Halloween is Satanic.
• people today are deceived into believing that
  Halloween is harmless fun, but infact are honoring
  Satan on this day.
• most people know deep in their soul that Halloween
  is Occult, sinful, and honors Satan / Lucifer
• Apostle Paul states that this kind of worship is
  worshiping demons (Galatians 4:8)
• Halloween is not a righteous form of worship to
  worship God
• The True God demands that worshipers worship him
  in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23-24)
• What is the origins of All Saints Day?
• November 1st, derived from the pagans is celebrated
  by in hundreds of Church denominations to honor
  the dead Saints
• Pope Urban IV states All Saints day is “to honor
  all the saints, known and unknown, and to supply
  any deficiencies in the faithful’s celebration of
  saints’ feasts during the year” according to
  Reference Catholic Encyclopedia
• How did Christianity come to venerating saints
  come to be observed on the day in honor of the
  devil?
• The Catholic Encyclopedia continues, “… The
  Church, feeling that every martyr should be
  venerated, appointed a common day for all.”
• The Catholic Encyclopedia continues, “Gregory III
  (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the basilica
  of St. Peter to all saints and fixed the
  anniversary on November 1 … Gregory IV
  (827-844) extended the celebration on 1 November
  to the entire church. The vigil (Halloween) seems
  to have been held as early as the feast itself.”
• From Halloween Through Twenty Centuries Ralph Linton
  says, “All Saints’ Day was introduced into the
  church calender because the year was not long
  enough to make it possible to dedicate a special
  day for each spirit of the Catholic Church, … That
  the day chosen was one already associated in the
  popular mind with a thronging of spirits of the
  dead which was quite in line with church policy
  of incorporating harmless pagan folk ideas. ”
• Protestant Churches observe All Saints’ Day “since
  it was on this day in 1517, that Martin Luther
  posted his epoch-making ninety-five theses on the
  door of the castle church at Wittenberg, … He
  chose Halloween night because he knew that the
  townsfolk … would be coming to the church that
  night.” (Halloween pp 9-10)
• What is the origins of “Trick or Treat?”
• Where did the prank of children knocking on peoples
  doors and shouting “Trick or Treat” come from?
• From Halloween Through Twenty Centuries Ralph Linton
  says, “… certainly it comes from pagan times. …
  led by a man in a white robe wearing a horse mask.
  … which indicated that this custom was a survival
  of a Druid rite.”
• The horse head was sacred to the Sun God.
• The procession levied a contribution from the
  farmers in the perverted name of what probably was
  an old Druid god. Unless the procession was treated
  liberally with gifts, the farmers were tricked with
  the threat of a curse that would ruin following years
  crops.
• The custom of having processions at Halloween were
  further derived by wealthy churches during the Middle
  Ages copying the ancient Greek and Roman processions
  parading the relics of patron saints.
• Poorer churches could not afford to buy relics so
  they used caricatures of their patron saints
• Halloween Through Twenty Centuries page 103 states,
  “Those who were not playing the parts of the holy
  ones also wanted to get into the procession and so
  dressed up as angels or devils. The Allhallows
  procession around the churchyard eventually became a
  gay and motley parade.”
• the “Trick or Treat” custom simply derived from these
  former degenerate absurd customs which came out of
  paganism, grafting them into Christianity labeling
  them with Christian names.

Shalom
Michael Grant

Bacchus Deur Caravaggio

Groot was my verbasing (en tot my lewer se onmiddelike spyt) toe ek die uitnodiging van my vriende Bacchus en Dionysus ontvang vir ‘n bietjie middel van die week buitemuurse aktiwiteite. Ek was vas beslote, hierdie keer gaan ek hulle wys hoe Dawid die wortels versuip het. Gewapen met ‘n potlood, proe-notaboekie en ‘n glas het ek probeer om ongesiens in te sluip en rustig van ‘n hoekie af aan die spel te begin deelneem.

My onder-die-dekmantel, agter die skerms deelname was egter van korte duur, want toe Bacchus my eers gewaar, merk ek toe hoe hy knipoog in Dionysus se rigting…. en toe is dit verby. Bacchus speel sy troef en gooi meer as ‘n duisend uitstekende Suid-Afrikaanse wyne op die tafel. As dit strip-poker was het ek kaalgat daar uitgeloop.

Of jy nou van wyn hou of nie, die verskeidenheid wat by WINEX aangebied word is ongelooflik. Ek het probeer hou by die minder bekende, kleiner kelders of die boetiek-kelders, maar daar was selfs te veel van hulle, en die ongelooflike verskeidenheid, en die feit dat ek nie regtig voorkeure het as dit by Droë wit of rooiwyn kom nie, maak die proses net soveel makliker. Die ander pluspunt is dat jy natuurlik ook die kans kry vir proetjies uit die duurder bottels uit.

Na al die geproe moet ek erken Springfield se “Life From Stone” bly nog een van my groot gunstelinge. Tee R80+ per bottel is dit seker bietjie duur vir ‘n Sauvignon Blanc, maar glo my as ek sê dit is elke sent vir elke milliliter werd.

Daardie quartz-klip hange waar hierdie wingerde staan verleen net op ‘n manier ‘n baie unieke smaak aan hierdie wyn…. in tweede plek sal ek Diemersdal se “8 Rows” ingooi, maar slegs tweede omdat dit nog duurder is.

Vir ietsie meer bekostigbaar, kan Bellevue Estate: Morkel se Sauvignon gerus probeer word – Ook met ‘n baie unieke smaak.

Sover dit die rooies aangaan het ek probeer (lees hard probeer) om by die versnittings te hou. Ek geniet op die oomblik die versnittings meer aangesien dit aan my ‘n baie meer “smooth” smaak gee. Daar was ‘n hele paar gunstelinge, maar ek wil graag die “Z” en “Fushion V”, beide van De Toren, en dan “Atticus”, weereens van Morkel uitlig.

As jy jouself in Jozi bevind, die WINEX is nog aan tot Vrydag aand by Sandton Convention Centre, en definitief die ingangsfooi en die hoofpyn werd.

PS. En Gelukkige verjaarsdag aan die Suid-Afrikaanse Wynbedryf – ‘n Volle 350 jaar oud!

This is my next attempt at something for the Ebony Tower project. This is the second of the big canvases I had and it wasn’t going to be this image ,but at the last moment it seemed like the only thing that it could be. It is inspired by the scene in the book where the group visit the lake for a picnic and while Breasley sleeps the other three move of and end up swimming naked. This is a leap in a literal and physcological sense for David.

The imagery that the book conjures brings to my mind Titian’s The Andrians and Bacchus and Ariadne. They have been in my mind since first reading. The twisting and dramatic poses and the way that the figures seem at one with nature. In the second image a face has appeared quite by accident and the form has begun to grow.

This is a modern view-point and the image could only exist with use of the photographic image but that image is now becoming something more for me. It is about reaching I think and glimpsing something as reward for bravery. Only done two sessions on this so a long way to go yet!

Dimineata mijeste de prin palcurile de nori. O alta zi de octombrie care, culmea (!), desi este tot o zi ca si ieri, si ca si maine, si repetitivitatea ei o inscrie in calendarul sempitern al lumii, aceasta alta zi isi reclama dreptul de a fi distincta de suratele ei (fie si cu putin!) si de a-mi darui si ea o frantura de amintire si o bruma de intelepciune. Analizandu-i acest infim “deziderat”, concluzionez ca nu m-am trezit pentru a astepta sa adorm la loc seara… ci pentru a trai!

Multi am uitat sa mai traim si spun cu franchete ca am momentele mele cand uit sa fac acest lucru – cine stie? – din prea multa blazare, impacare cu rutina, cufundare in gandurile goale, stravezii si gesturi mecanice : laitmotivul poeziei umanitatii. De aceea: “Să îţi trăieşti viaţa este ceva foarte rar. Majoritatea oamenilor doar există.” (Oscar Wilde)

Meditand la doctrine filozofice, deci, ma uit in oglinda si fac un pact cu imaginea care motaie de zor, aproape noctambula: sa traiesc! Mai frumos. Mai en detail, mai minimalist; sa supradimensionez frumosul pitit (inclusiv cel proscris) sub plapuma pornirii instrinctive a fiecarui om : aceea de a nu mai acorda o catusi de mica atentie unor lucruri arhicunoscute si bagatelizate. Vinovat e preconstientul din fiecare dintre noi, vinovat pentru ca ne preseaza sa ocolim florile (pentru ca – nu-i asa? – sunt doar niste flori scurse de esenta si noutate, pe care le-am tot pipait, mirosit si privit), sa ocolim privirea unui copil cersind (pentru ca, iarasi (!) este doar o veriga dintr-o za a acelor nefericiti, trandavi, mizerabili care nu ne mai misca in imperturbabilitatea noastra) s.a.m.d. Pe principiul “nihil nove sub sole”, ne taram pasii gelifiati de cazna banalului cotidian… Cum sa traim, daca noi insine nu vrem s-o facem? Bunica spune de Dumnezeu care “nu-ti baga in traista…”, iar eu vorbesc de Dumnezeu care te-a trimis in corpul tau ca sa aduni pentru suflet, ca sa ii povestesti in Purgatoriu despre fericire, bunatate, vis, cosmar, frustrare, extaz, supliciu, durere, speranta – asa cum le traieste un muritor! Tu ce-ai sa-i spui? Sau poate crezi ca iti va sufla Charon, vaslind in luntrea sa dintre doua lumi?

(…) Mintea mea se arata grozav de agera : periuta – pieptene – haine – fard – pantofi – geam deschis pentru aerisit – mapa – cursuri – geanta – chei – bilet de tramvai la purtator – usa incuiata… and I’m set to go! Dar.. o dispretuiesc pe aceasta minte, care inainte se mustra pentru acel actus reus de a se complacea in banal,  pentru modul cum acum pare impacata si chiar serviabila in a-i oferi corpului meu ritualul de zi cu zi al plecarii de acasa! Cat de duali suntem! Ce mai “trestii ganditoare“! (Blaise Pascal)

Pe drum ma remontez totusi, imi sunt un dascal aprig si recurg la  masurile ce se impun. Nu, astazi o sa-i ofer un zambet cald si un ton placid vanzatoarei cu mina acra si desfigurata de … (ce intamplare!) aceeasi confruntare cu banalul existential. Astazi ma uit cu luare aminte in jur si vad in metrou fetzisoara candida a unei mogaldete cu par blond si ochi albastri si – ce senzatie noua si revelatoare! – mintea imi developeaza un film vechi de 19 ani cu o alta mogaldeata asemenea, pregatindu-se sa inmagazineze candva, in viitor, un alt chip blond si serafic – bucata rupta din acest film vechi. Astazi uit intelesul invectivelor din romana si aud ce-mi place mie. Imi cumpar un covrig cu susan si il savurez din mers – ma gandesc la simitul turcilor, la calatorii.. O, sancta simplicitas! Vad un afis cu dansatori si ma gandesc ca in sfarsit am sansa sa invat de la cineva avizat cativa pasi profesionisti – ce bine! Ma gandesc ca am motive sa imi rada sufletul, si ochii! Trec pe langa Opera si consult programul, zabovind asupra descrierii fiecarei reprezentatii, si apoi privesc Opera Romana – ce cladire mareata si eleganta! Azi este una din putinele dati cand am privit-o altfel decat cu ochii sau, mai degraba, cu ochelarii de cal ai trecatorului aflat in contratimp. Apoi aud liedurile rasadurilor de flori ce imprejmuiesc facultatea – ce flori mandre si frumos colorate! priviti-le: atat de mandre sa iti vegheze pasul masurat de student. Oh, ce aglomerare de chipuri, ce hora a destinelor, cum se lasa parterul insemnat de mii de pasi! Treceti, treceti!

Astazi e cam frig, dar de ce mi-ar pasa? Carpe diem…

..Vs..

This is not your usual 2Pac vs. The Notorious B.I.G. or Suge Knight vs. Puff Daddy kinda east coast Vs West Coast rivalry, No bullets flying here or No punches thrown. Two of India’s top rock stars will fight it out “acoustically” at Bacchus at F&B( TODAY 22nd Oct, Bangalore, St Marks Road, Papanna Street). Contenders are Junkyard Groove’s Ameeth Thomas (Chennai) Vs Sid Coutto (Mumbai) of  Zero, Helga’s Funk Castle, Tough on Tobacco fame. More details on the ‘war’ here on facebook.

Since we are not attending the ‘acoustic wars’ .. do let us know if you see any bullets flying

Welcome to India’s first East Coast Vs West Coast Rivalry … I’m just Kidding… but this should be fun !

"Bacchus" the god of wine

Bacchus is the Greek and Roman “god of wine”. In creating him I was inspired by the beautiful sculptures I saw on the buildings and fountains on a trip to Italy.  He seems to be enjoying his vino!

This sculpture measures 15″X15″ and it is 6″ thick. ( life size )  

Available for purchase for 85.00. Call 949-813-4318 to order.

Du-ma in lumea unde ziua se contopeste cu noaptea, in care luna si soarele guverneaza acelasi cer, o lume a particularului lui Noica, a Increatului si a Energiei in forma sa cea mai pura. Mai mult ca niciodata, imi doresc sa ma complac intr-o stare ingenua, contemplativa, si sa parasesc conditia pesterii. Ajuta-ma sa aud muzica sferelor, sa respir prin roua florilor, sa ma pieptan in ochiul lacului, sa fiu naturala si simpla, sa iubesc mai mult, sa ma stiu ferita de ce e rau. Creeaza-mi in continuare acea lume de care sa ma agat, o lume straina de tot ce e sordid si obscur, vulgar si prostesc, dar ridicata pe pilonii armoniei interioare si a afectivitatii. Sa fim sociali cu altii, dar asceti cu noi; sa nu ridicam ancora de pe malul realitatii, dar sa privim spre orizontul propriilor nazuinte; sa fim doi in corporalitate, dar unul in gandire si simtire… Eu sunt aici, dar tu?

Jill P.:

Everytime I think about blogging I feel bad that it’s been so long, but then I feel overwhelmed about what I’m going to show.  It becomes this horrible cycle of guilt and continual non-posting.  But finally, I’m getting to it.

I’ve been keeping on schedule with knitting a pair of socks a month.  These are the pairs that I knit in July and August.  First up is the Spot Check Socks from Knitting Socks from Handpainted Yarn designed by Beth Parrott.

Mine are a little more subdued than the ones shown in the book.  I think I like that the look is subtle.  Also, these are the only yarns I had in the stash that worked together.  The blue is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Navy and the green is Claudia Handpaints in the Jungle colorway.  This was for the Sock Knitters Anonymous colorwork challenge in July.  The pattern is stranded, but alternating every stitch, so very simple.  I used the medium size for my size 8 1/2 feet.  Very comfortable.

Next, were also for the SKA July challenge, but finished in August.  The challenge was knitting a pattern by a SKA member.  I chose the Bacchus socks by Alice Bell.  These were in Interweave Knits, Fall 2008.  I used ShibuiKnits Sock in Taupe.

Being shown with a view of my parents’ backyard in Washington.  I was very happy with how these turned out.  Baby’s first bobbles. I was worried they would be too bulky in shoes, but I wore them with Converse with no problems.  My second skein of yarn was slightly different from the first, even though they were the same dyelot.  It had little spots of brown on it.  When you look at that sock close-up, it kind of looks like dirt.  As always, I find projects with elaborate charts addicting.  You can’t stop at the end of a repeat, you have to keep on going!

I was visiting my parents because I went to my high school reunion.  I was pretty nervous about going.  I was never very popular.  Somewhere in the middle I guess.  I ended up getting kind of defensive and extremely jokey-jokey.  I could feel myself being obnoxious but couldn’t really stop it.  It was good getting back in touch with people I haven’t seen in quite a while.  I reconnected with my friend Trisha who was my best friend in 7th grade/middle school.

I also learned that one of my best friends is 6 months pregnant with twins!  I hadn’t heard from her much in the last year, so this was a real shock.  Since I last talked with her, she’s met someone, gotten married, gotten pregnant and moved across the country.  Crazy.  Of course I am working on sweaters for the babies.  I want to make more than that, but don’t think I’ll make the deadline.

I’ve got more to show, but am getting tired.  The last thing for this post will be the Aeolian Shawl that I finished last month. 

Pattern: Aeolian Shawl by Elizabeth Freeman at Knitty.com

Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Intenso.  I used a smidgen more than 2 skeins.  If I hadn’t doubled the yarn on the bind-off I would have made it with no problem.  Luckily Melissa had just finished her Sweet Lily Shawl with the same yarn and had leftovers. 

I made mine a little bit smaller than the full shawl.  I did only 8 repeats of the Yucca chart instead of the 12 it calls for.  I followed the shawl directions for the rest of it.  7 stitch nupps.  (Anyone else having trouble calling them “noups” like Nancy Bush?  Everytime I have to say both ways.  “I’m doing 7 stitch noups…you know, nupps”)  I used purple Toho silver-lined 8/0 beads throughout.  They are always hard to see in pictures. 

I had a hell of a time blocking this out.  I forgot it had the swooping U shape on the top and tried to block it out in a straight line.  Then I had no room to pin out all the points.  I had to keep readjusting all my pins and by the time I was finishing (2 + hours later) the shawl was mostly dry.  I had to spray it with water again.  I may go back one day and try for sharper points.  Overall though, I am happy happy with it.  Love it. 

I like styling shawls like this, but it seems a little ridiculous.  Why go through all that work, just to wad it up in a ball around your neck.  We’re all fighting the dowdiness of a lace shawl I guess.  Making it all casual, like a kerchief.  It does bother me when it’s the picture for the pattern.  You can’t even tell what the pattern looks like when it’s all wrapped around like that.  Despite this mini-rant, this is totally the way I wear them out on the town.  Like I’m putting on a elaborately knit lobster bib. 

More soon!  Oh, and I need to either find a new roommate, or find a new place to live.  Let me know if anyone has any Los Angeles apartment leads!  Also, I can’t pay very much for said apartment.  Thanks!

Jill B.

We komen nog niet zozeer dichterbij het heden, maar geografisch gezien wel nader tot personen die mijn geschriften op waarheidsgehalte kunnen toetsen, aangezien er velen zijn die Severinus trouwer zijn gebleven dan hun eigen levenspartner. Hoewel….
Hier ga ik al meteen memorabel de mist in. Want van hen die ik voor ogen heb, zijn er opvallend veel, althans voor de bühne, monogaam gebleven. Dat geldt evenwel niet voor ons geheugen en al zeker niet voor het mijne. Er is niets of niemand waardoor we vaker in de steek zijn gelaten of worden bedrogen dan het geheugen. Hoe het ook zij, de feiten worden steeds meer controleerbaar, de meningen alsmaar meer bediscussieerbaar, om niet te zeggen discutabel. En het risico dat ik op mijn afrekeningen wordt afgerekend des te groter.

Echter, we moeten hier wel meteen één ding  onomwonden vaststellen: Severinus is mij zeer dierbaar en Biezenkuilen 8/69 in het bijzonder. Dit wordt dus allesbehalve een meedogenloze afrekening van een verbitterde ex-werknemer. Als het goed is, wordt dit een genuanceerd kritisch analytische terugblik op een lange, doorgaans aangename, soms onprettige, maar altijd leerzame carrière bij een instelling die hoe dan ook de kwaliteit van zorg, leven, wonen en werken hoog in het vaandel draagt. En daar heb ik – maar anderen nog veel meer  – een steentje aan bijgedragen.

Ter opfrissing van uw geheugen: ik moest na Sint Servatius dus soldaatje spelen. Om zo snel als mogelijk uit dienst te komen, diende ik met succes een rekest in om vanwege studieredenen na een jaar af te mogen zwaaien. Eind januari 1974 pleurde ik mijn plunjezak voorgoed op zolder. Dat ik pas in september dat jaar bij de Z(wakzinnigenzorg)-opleiding in kon steken, kon de legerleiding ook niet weten. Naar ik meen was 14 februari 1974 mijn eerste werkdag op de Sint Severinus Stichting en en mijn eerste werkplek paviljoen 3, groep 3. In den beginne waren er op De Berkt nog maar twee paviljoens (3 en 4). Op ‘t Honk bevonden zich 1 en 2. De Berkt is later uitgebreid met paviljoen 5 en 6. Elk paviljoen had vijf wooneenheden, die men als groep* aanduidde. De meeste groepen werden bevolkt door twaalf bewoners, toen nog pupillen.

Men sprak van hoog en laag niveau-groepen. Dat had in geen enkel opzicht met etages, laat staan verdieping te maken. Men verdiepte zich destijds nog niet zo in benamingen. Nee, het sloeg terug op het verstandelijke en zelfstandigheidsniveau van de pupillen. Wanneer de pupillen waren afgestudeerd en tot bewoners danwel cliënten werden gepromoveerd, is, althans voor mij, moeilijk aan te geven. Op 1 en 2  bevond zich de hogere burgerij, op 3 en 4 de onderlaag der bevolking; 5 was voor de rolstoel- bedlegerige of lichamelijk gehandicapte bewoners van gewoonlijk hoog niveau. En dan had je zo her en der nog een tussengroepje: een meer heterogeen samengestelde groep. ‘Mijn’ groep was dus van een bedenkelijk laag niveau qua intellectuele vaardigheden, maar desalniettemin zeer creatief in het vinden van allerlei curieuze gedragingen om ons als begeleiders bezig te houden. Trouwens, wij werden geen begeleiders genoemd. Wij waren groepsleiders/sters, dacht ik. In elk geval geen broeders en zusters in Severinus of in Christus, zoals wel nog enigszins te doen gebruikelijk was op Servaas. Misschien mocht wat we deden wel geen naam hebben.

Als B-gediplomeerde (psychiatrie) mocht ik in de Z-opleiding  als 2e jaars insteken. Een aantal vakken hoefde ik dus niet te volgen. We hadden zo om de 4 á 5(?) weken een lesweek. Net als in de psychiatrie werkten er in de zwakzinnigenzorg naar verhouding veel meer mannen dan tegenwoordig. Nou ja, mannen… Met mijn 23 jaar was ik een veteraan vergeleken bij velen van mijn klasgenoten en collega’s. Toch mag deze lesgroep gerust legendarisch worden genoemd. Menigeen doorliep een opmerkelijke en lange carrière bij Severinus en twee exponenten daarvan werken er zelfs nu nòg, 36 jaar na dato! Dat mag aan alles behalve het niveau van lesgeven te danken zijn geweest. Ofschoon ik dus amper de helft van de lessen heb gevolgd, spraken deze al voor zich. Functionarissen als artsen, verpleegkundigen, pedagogen en psychologen werden zonder mededogen voor de leeuwen geworpen, niet gehinderd door enige didactische en vaak ook nog theoretische kennis. En de enige min of meer professionele docente offerde meer aan Bacchus dan kennisoverdrachtelijk aan haar leerlingen.

Nu waren wij als jonge, hemelbestormende honden niet zo gemakkelijk af en te onderrichten, maar toch. De opleiding was eigenlijk een regelrechte farce. Als al wat oudere en relatieve buitenstaander heb ik nogal eens een overbruggende rol moeten spelen tussen het ‘docenten’korps en morrelende leerlingen. Maar van heel deze, zij het korte, opleidingsperiode is mij toch het meest bijgebleven dat wij de nogal onbescheiden gewoonte hadden om het leslokaal te betreden, onderwijl luidkeels zingend ‘Here we are!’, het intro van het beste Bee Gees-nummer Nights On Broadway. Voor intimi behoeft het geen betoog dat uw scribent hierbij de leading vocal voor zijn rekening nam. 
En die keer dat de helaas al geruime tijd overleden Theo Lammers mij toesprak met de onsterfelijke woorden: ‘Der Heinschen, immer lustig’. Dit was vroeg ’s morgens tijdens een soort van themadagen en we allen in één ruimte vlak naast elkaar in slaapzakken sliepen, ik slaap- en stomdronken even m’n ogen opende en in het bebaard olijke gelaat van Theo keek. Een mooie anekdote en ode aan Theo ter afsluiting van deze episode.

*groep. Deze term is onlosmakelijk verbonden met het woordgebruik in Zorg & Welzijn. Ook toen de normalisering, decentralisering en individualisering de begeleide woonsector in een wurgende greep kregen, wist de groep van geen wijken. Nergens ook is het/de groepsdenken en -benadering zó sterk verankerd als in de gezondheids- en welzijnssector. Nog steeds krijg ik spontaan de jeukkriebels als ik denk aan al die groepswerkopdrachten tijdens verpleegkundige en sociale opleidingen/ cursussen. Maar daarover ongetwijfeld later meer.

In luna februarie a acestui an, Realitatea a realizat un top al melodiilor de dragoste care au inspirat atatea cupluri de ieri, de azi si de maine. Intamplator, am dat peste acest articol,, dar, mult mai mult decat o fac manualele groase de drept, m-a sensibilizat si mi-a readus aminte ca simtirea primeaza.

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Scoala m-a invatat ca “maneaua” e un cantec de dragoste oriental. Societatea m-a invatat ca orice termen poate fi dus pana la degradare semantica si ca barbarismele sunt de-a dreptul cool!

Odata, un elvetian m-a uimit cand, trecand strada, i-a multumit printr-un semn al mainii soferului, care a clatinat din cap la randul lui cu deferenta. In Romania, cand am incercat experimentul, soferul m-a invitat la el acasa.

Bineinteles ca vremurile se schimba, si noi odata cu ele. Esti vetust sa mai crezi ca poti admira obiectele dintr-un magazin daca nu ai intentia sa le si cumperi, eventual sa mai lasi si un mic “spor de zambet” vanzatoarei

Romanii sunt un popor exuberant, asa ca orice pui de roman va insufleti atmosfera posaca din tramvai cu un tril de telefon, eventual sustinut de versuri proprii. Romanul s-a nascut poet, stim bine.

In Romania, sa fii student nu-ti da prerogativa de a fi privit ca un intelectual; ceea ce, sincer, mi se pare just, atata timp cat licenta depinde de dexteritatea cu care dam search pe google.

Codul familiei reglementeaza si relatiile dintre soti, relatii bazate pe armonie si intelegere. Din nefericire, violenta domestica e la ea acasa la noi. Eufemistic, sa zicem ca romanul de azi a conservat bunele cutume ale Imperiului Roman si e un pater familias desavarsit.

O vorba arhaica spune ca “lenea e cucoana mare”. Dar, surprinzator, in spatiul romanesc ea are de mancare poate chiar mai mult decat harnicia.

Inca mai pastrez un cadou original pe care un Mos Craciun cu un simt dezvoltat al umorului a avut inspiratia sa mi-l ofere. Era un atlas al statelor lumii, pe metoda simbolurilor. Buglaria avea trandafiri, Spania – caii Lipitani si, in fine, Romania – un taran cu o turma de porci. How better than this can it get?

Oricum te-ai imbraca, te expui riscului de a fi luat peste picior. In mentalitatea de mahala a romanului din popor “elegant” echivaleaza cu sclifosit care aspira la recunoastere intelectuala, “casual” cu mediocru, banal, “chic” cu atractiv in maniera vulgara, “sport” cu pseudoatlet si “hijo-de-putana style” cu … barosanul no.1. Socant! Blogul meu devine un adevarat martir al vorbelor despre realitatile de azi, tind sa cred.

Din nou.. problema mijloacelor de transport in comun impletita cu problema fondului muzical. Astfel, mi s-a intamplat de multe ori sa fiu partasa la eforturile zadarnice a unor manelisti simpatici de a-mi face curte acompaniati de ritmuri de cadana si versuri exotice care implica “bani, dusmani, tu si eu, impreuna mereu, gagica mea, inima mea” s.a.m.d. Ergo, homo homini lupus est!

Ca un sfat : daca simtiti ca “umilul” “Cod al bunelor maniere astazi” va este inferior si potrivnic comprehensiunii voastre, nu ezitati sa va procurati ghidul d-l Radu Paraschivescu. Eu l-am citit, dar e prea dificil pentru mine.

Va mai aduceti aminte de “Florile Raului” a lui Baudelaire?

Daca nu, nu va faceti griji. Acele “flori” oricum apartineau unui secol apus, unde oamenii se dadeau de ceasul mortii cu gandul la “teroarea” simbolista, care le smulgea vitalitatea, le transforma patul in cavou, cainele de companie in les, chipul rozaceu in galbejit, viata in moarte.

In secolul nostru, “florile” raului au deveit asa-zisii oameni noi, cu perspective si aspiratii noi, cu instrumente de cucerire a lumii… tot noi. Dar aparente sunt inselatoare. Pe premiza ca in natura nimic nu se pierde, totul se transforma, vanitatea omului a suferit modificari numai in masura in care si-a gasit o noua corporalitate, o noua infatisare (noile generatii), dar ea nu s-a pierdut; ba chiar s-a accentuat. Vanitatea inveterata e prezenta pretutindeni, dar am impresia ca a trebuit sa evoluez spre alta etapa ca sa ma frapeze din ce in ce mai mult aceasta realitate. Am impresia.. nu ca am stat intr-un turn de fildes, ci mai degraba ca, neavand experienta socializarii in masa, nu puneam pret pe veridicitatea acestei realitati a vanitatii.

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” – Dvs. de ce a venit aici? Ce v-a manat sa alegeti acest domeniu?

- Aaaa, pai, n-as putea sa spun ashea.. Adica.. imi place avocatura, adica, sa apar oameni si chestii d-astea.. Nah, cam d-aia.”

E infiorator si nu ar fi asa daca ultima replica de mai sus ar veni dintr-o constiinta preaplina de o neprihanire geamana cu stupizenia dragalasa. Dar nu, ultima replica este musamaua acelei vanitati care apare de unde te astepti mai putin si in institutiile in care te astepti cel mai putin. E vanitate cand gandurile tale depasesc granita sinelui si nu mai sunt compatibile cu autoaprecierea corecta. E vanitate cand autosugestia isi intinde tentaculele labartate spre teluri fara acoperire. E vanitate sa incetezi sa te uiti lung la un pisc si sa indraznesti sa visezi ca ajungi acolo fara urcusul bolovanilor. Acesti alpinisti cu aripi ai muntelui telurilor inainte sunt suflete fara fund care raman vesnic in Purgatoriu, nauce de visurile irealiste cu care se indoctrineaza. Ei bine, piatra unghiulara a indraznelii de a spera la mai sus este experienta. Tichia de margaritar e o fata Morgana tentanta, dar ce nu stim multi (sau refuzam cu obstinatie  sa stim!) e ca pana la fata Morgana sunt dune de nisip.. multe, dureroase, cu urcusuri si coborasuri.

Raul secolului nostru sunt cei cu aspiratii prea inalte (ipostaza fericita), dar cu instrumente care sfideaza “chestii” cum ar fi cultura, bun-simtul, buna-credinta, cumpatarea etcaetera (ipostaza, desigur, nefericita)

Pentru acest mal du siecle: