From a long time, I want to write something about this movie and now I have a blog, so here I go:

First of all this movie is the first remake of bulgarian movie from foreign country.The original movie is called “Yo Ho Ho” from Valery Petrov  filmed in 1981…

It will be really hard for me to talk about “The Fall” …

Amazing photographic movie,  filmed in South Africa, India, United Kingdom, Bali, Fiji, Italy, Spain, Prague, Romania, China, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt, Gambodia!

Every single frame, every single song is unique, it  will take you in your dream world…the plot, the act…this movie will make you cry, laugh, dream…MOVIE MUST SEE…

“The Fall” will change your life, maybe even your point of view…

“The Fall” website : http://www.thefallthemovie.com/

“The Fall” in imdb.com : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460791/

The original movie “Yo Ho Ho” in imdb : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278827/

écouter “la gerboise bleue” un morceau inédit de Mariachi et Liquid.

“Choose Your Destiny!
Flawless Victory!
Finish Him!”

Sejam bem vindos meros mortais que habitam o que resta deste planeta! O Post de hoje será sombrio….e exigirá não só a boa memória de vocês, como também, e principalmente, seu senso de crueldade!!! Afinal, estamos falando de nada mais nada menos que um dos jogos de videogame mais violentos da década de 90, ainda existente até os dias atuais, após inúmeras novas versões, chamado Mortal Kombat! Prepare-se para a batalha…

Se você, assim como eu (no bom sentido), gastou sua preciosa e curta infância, horas e horas em frente à TV, com os dedos doídos e calejados de tanto esfregar o joystick, desafiando os amigos e treinando aquele novo Fatality que vc acabou de ler na revista, continue lendo pois certamente você irá gostar desse post! Caso naum tenha a menor idéia sobre o que esse doido, que aqui escreve, se refere, continue lendo tb, afinal se você está aqui é pq naum tem PN melhor pra fazer agora, não é mesmo!? E aposto que irá se divertir…

O principal sucesso do Mortal Kombat na década de 90 não se deu apenas pela boa jogabilidade do console (o que inclui rancar o coração ou a cabeça de seu adversário, queimá-lo vivo, ou o explodir, dentre outros), lançado originalmente para Super Nintendo (ê saudades!), mas principalmente pelo realismo dos gráficos! Tudo isso graças à estratégia inovadora da Midway de utilizar Atores Reais (é isso mesmo!) e não apenas aqueles personagens tortos, computadorizados e, consequentemente, escrotos (quem já jogou Oscar sabe exatamente do que estou me referindo).

Quando a Midway resolveu fazer o jogo e anunciou a procura por profissionais de perfil atlético e com bom domínio de artes marciais para interpretarem os personagens, houve mais inscrições que o bbb e ídolos, juntos! Confiram alguns testes que o blog Amor Com Humor teve acesso exclusivo e lhes trazem em primeira mão, mostrando o quão árduo foi o processo de escolha!

Que tal conhecermos agora alguns dos escolhidos?! Começarei por um dos principais personagens: Sub-Zero, o homem de gelo! Interpretado pelo modelo, fisiculturista, personal trainer, ex-policial e ator (o que o google naum faz, não?!) John Turk, que também caracterizou demais personagens do jogo, como Shang Tsung, Sub-Zero Clássico, Scorpion, Reptile, Smoke, Rain, Ermac, Noob Saibot e Chameleon!

De acordo com o site Mortal Kombat Secrets (www.mksecrets.net), de onde as imagens foram tiradas, para os personagens que utilizavam o mesmo modelo de roupa, variando apenas a cor, a vestimenta era única, ou seja, esse vermelho são-paulino que o John usa na foto acima, e todo o truque era realizado no computador.

Demais atores também merecem destaque, dentre eles, Lia Montelongo (Sindel e Sareena), John Parrish (Jax Briggs) e Richard Divizio (Kano, Baraka, Kabal, Quan Chi).

Na segunda fileira, mas não menos importantes, Sal Divita (Nightwolf, Cyrax, Sektor e Cyber-Smoke), Tony Marquez (Kung Lao) e Brian Glynn (Shao Kahn).

Ocupando a terceira e última fileira, só as meninas, iniciando pela boneca de borracha (sim, os 4 braços não eram reais! kkkkkk) Sheeva, Becky Gable (Mileena, Kitana, Jade e Khameleon) e Kerri Hoskins (musa da Playboy e Sonya Blade).

Agora que já foram apresentados, que tal um pouco de ação?!

Alguns novos personagens se incorporaram à equipe há pouco tempo. Avaliem sua performance e destreza!

No primeiro Mortal Kombat, alguns atores eram diferentes, como Johnny Cage e Liu Kang. Confiram no video os atores e um duelo real e virtual entre Sonya Blade e Johnny Cage!

Chega de treinamento! Agora é hora do Torneio Mortal Kombat! Choose Your Destiny…

Você já parou para imaginar quem faz as vozes dos lutadores e efeitos especiais do jogo? Pelo sim ou pelo não, descubram aqui!

Como já diz aquele velho e conhecido ditado…quem sabe faz ao vivo neh! Confiram portanto os lutadores durante performance…onde qualquer erro pode ser fatal!

Trabalhar com atores reais nem sempre gera bons resultados…afinal eles são imprevisíveis! Imagine, por exemplo, se o Todo Poderoso Shao Khan resolvesse “sair um pouco do script”…o que será que aconteceria?!?!?

Quando criança, você certamente já se deparou com aquele jogo chato de passar, naum é mesmo?! Por acaso alguém se lembra, da época do Nintendinho, em que  Mário tinha que salvar a Princesa do Donkey Kong, que por sua vez tacava barris e naum o deixava subir as escadas? Que tal resolvermos esse problema de modo rápido?! Quer saber como?! Fácil…experimente só trocar o Mário pelo Scorpion…=P

Antes de finalizarmos nosso post, gostaria de propor uma eleição um tanto quanto diferente…! De um lado, a musa supersexy virtual, modelada pelos melhores designers gráficos do mundo, Jade! De outro, ela que já foi capa da Playboy, a loira todaboa real, Sonya Blade! Quem será que vai ganhar essa disputa hein?! Aguardamos seus votos nos comentários deste post!

Concorrente 1 – Sexy Jade

Concorrente 2 – Sonya Blade (Kerri Hoskins)

Por fim, para aqueles que foram e continuam sendo fãs do game, um videozinho curtíssimo (apenas 12 minutos) com o Making Off do jogo de luta mais polêmico de todos os tempos: Mortal Kombat 3!

Espero que gostem e assim demonstrem nos comentários! =P

Bjundality!

Can I trace an IP address past a “proxy” server? It’s been fascinating to study, but I still don’t know if it’s impossible or easy. I’m tracing the IP address 193.200.150.125. As far as I can tell, it’s a proxy server located in Germany. I got this piece of useless but interesting information earlier today:

Fascinating how they work, these proxy servers, but not helpful to me. I’m doing this in an attempt to find out who is attempting to leave cruel comments after every post. Such commentary inspires a desire, on my part, to identify to whom I am speaking.

I say, “attempted” because they really don’t bother me. The comments themselves, anyway. It just annoys me that someone out there wants to hurt me. Wants to exercise cruelty with me.

I’m sure most of us remember that episode of Seinfeld, where Julia Louis-Dreyfuss’ boyfriend was stabbed by his ex. During a date with Julia, no less. She found herself more attracted to the fellow, because he was so bad that he was “stab-worthy.”

Depending on the person, that can be a compliment or a heart-breaker. Show yourself, Baraka, and be judged. J’Accuse!

About three weeks ago, I was asked to do a post on the online clothing store Baraka, and I’m finally getting around to it. According to the philosophy section of the website:

baraka women is designed and made in Australia with love by Kath Fry and Eisha Saleh. The business was launched in 2008 with a fresh innovative approach.

After both having experienced the challenge of finding modest yet stylish clothing for women, the baraka women decided to solve the fashion gap problem themselves.

The result is a label that makes you feel beautiful and confident everyday. baraka women understands that style is your personal signature and creates pieces that are simple and easy to wear, beautiful and comfortable giving you the freedom to add your distinctive personality.

Baraka’s selection of clothing is understated, stylish, and, most importantly, modest. It isn’t religion-specific, but modest women of any religion should be comfortable wearing Baraka’s clothing. They have pants, skirts, dresses, tunics, etc. In the accessories section they even sell headscarves. I love how much of the clothing has colors and/or patterns, but they aren’t too loud or attention-getting. Don’t forget to check out their lookbook!

Baraka’s clothing is perhaps a tad too mature for me at my age (I’m only 20), but five years or so from now I could definitely see myself wearing lots of their things. I intend to be a full-time homemaker, perhaps volunteering or working part-time once my children are old enough, and it will be very important to me to wear clothing that is attractive, comfortable, and modest. I’d say that Baraka’s clothing definitely fulfills all three of my requirements. Below is a selection of my favorite pieces:

Tribal Smock Dress ($159.00 AUD)

Farah Satin Kaftan ($49.00 AUD)

Zara Wide Leg Pant ($39.00 AUD)

Tokyo Boho Skirt ($99.00 AUD)

Tokyo

People living in Tokyo, you’ve got to see this: a scene from one of my favorite documentaries, Baraka.

This part is a focus on Japan. It starts off kinda slow, but about two minutes in it starts to depict life as we know it here. You even see Shibuya crossing around the four minute mark!

Ich möchte über einen Mann schreiben, und hoffe ein bisschen deiner Zeit zu gewinnen.

Die Rede ist von einem Menschen mit vorzüglichsten Charaktereigenschaften und ungewöhnlichen aber äußerst vorbildlichen Handlungsweisen. Die Ruhe und Geduld selbst.
Gibt es in Ihrer Umgebung bzw. in ihrem Verwandten- und Familienkreis einen Menschen von dem sie so etwas behaupten können? Kennen Sie einen Menschen, der nie schimpft, schreit oder wütend wird..? Immer geduldig, liebevoll und ruhig bleibt..?

Ich kenne einen Menschen.

Die Rede ist von dem Propheten Mohammad – Friede und Segen auf ihm.
Wie sehr ich mir nur wünsche, ich hätte die Ehre gehabt diesen wunderbaren Menschen zu kennen und zu seiner Zeit gelebt zu haben.

Mit Allahs Gnade darf ich zu der Ummah Mohammads – Friede und Segen auf ihm – gehören.

Eine größere Gnade gibt es nicht für mich! Alles Lob gebührt Allah, dem Herrscher der Welten!

Einmal saß der Prophet und rezitierte den Quran und weinte bei einer Stelle, wo die Aussage des Propheten Issas zur Geltung kam: “Wenn du, Allah ihnen nicht verzeihst sie sind deine Diener, und wenn du ihnen verzeihst dann weil du Allvergebend bist.” Allah schickte den Engel Gabriel – Frieden auf ihn – zu ihm herab und dieser fragte wieso er weinen würde. Der Prophet Mohammad – Friede und Segen auf ihm – sagte das er wegen seiner Ummah weine.

Er weinte wegen seiner Ummah!
Er fürchtete um uns.
Wie wichtig ihm seine Ummah war.

Was würde unser geliebter Prophet heute tun, wenn er sehen würde, was aus seiner Ummah geworden ist?
Er könnte die Tränen nicht mehr unterdrücken, würde sprachlos und erschrocken sehen müssen, wie seine Ummah alles vernachlässigt, wofür er gelitten hat.
Er hat gelitten, damit wir frei sein können.

Er hat gelitten, für seine Ummah.
Und wie ist es mit uns heute?

Einmal sprach der Gesandte Allahs zu seinen Gefährten: “Ihr seid meine Freunde, und die welche nach mir kommen werden, das sind meine Lieblinge!”

Wie kann das sein? Wie kann er Menschen, die nicht zu seiner Zeit lebten, die er also nicht persönlich kennen lernen wird als seine Lieblinge bezeichnen?
Dies weil jene Menschen ihn auch lieben, und das obwohl sie ihn nicht selber erlebt haben.

Allah schickte uns einen so liebevollen, gütigen und fürsorglichen Propheten. Er war gerecht wie kein anderer und war stets darauf Bedacht, Gutes zu tun. Er war beliebt unter seinen Gefährten, aber trotzallem bescheiden und sogar bedürftig. Er besaß nicht viel an materiellen Dingen, aber war trotzallem dankbar und zufrieden. Es gab Tage an denen er hungerte oder nur eine Dattel aß.

Zur Bescheidenheit des Gesandten: Es wurde über den Gesandten Allahs berichtet:” Ihnen (den Gefährten) war keine Person lieber als der Gesandte. Und wenn sie ihn kommen sahen, standen sie nicht auf, weil sie wussten, wir verhasst ihm das war.” (Sunan al-Termedhi, Hadith Nr. 2754)

Gucken wir uns heute an.
Ein kleines Beispiel: Eines Abends kam mein Vater nach Hause. Er hatte hunger und es war nicht mehr viel übrig, aber es hätte aufjedenfall gereicht! Er ärgerte sich sehr darüber und fing an zu schimpfen. Ich sagte ihm: “Baba, manche Menschen haben gar nichts zum Essen”. Leider konnte ich ihn noch nicht beruhigen und er sagte mir ich sollte doch lieber still sein. Ich meinte dann freundlich aber entschlossen: “Der Gesandte Allahs – Friede und Segen auf ihm – aß manchmal nur eine einzige Dattel, und wir sind unzufrieden, nur weil der Teller nicht bis zum Rand gefüllt ist.”

Mein Vater schaute mich an und nickte mit dem Kopf.

Was ich mit diesem Beispiel nur verdeutlichen wollte, ist wie undankbar wir Menschen manchmal sind. Wir sind nicht zufrieden mit dem was wir haben und wollen immer mehr. Das ist nicht richtig. Iss im Namen deines Herren, und du wirst satt werden.

Schauen wir uns noch mal den Gesandten Allahs an. Er hätte alles haben können, wenn er es von Allah gewünscht hätte, aber er bevorzugte es in Bescheidenheit zu leben. Er benötigte nicht Reichtümer um seine Bedürfnisse zu befriedigen. Er war hier aber seine Gedanken waren stets bei Allah. Er lebte im Diesseits aber hatte nur Sehnsucht nach dem Jenseits. Er wollte keine Reichtümer haben. Er wollte nur Allah dienen, denn das machte ihn glücklich. Allahs Segen und Frieden auf ihm und seine Familie und jener die der Rechtleitung folgen. Das Diesseits ist vergänglich und wir sollten uns nicht daran klammern.

Wir sollten uns das beste Geschöpf als Vorbild nehmen. Er war frei von Sünden. Wir sind es nicht. Aber Allah liebt zu verzeihen. Liebe den Gesandten und Allah wird dich lieben.

Ich liebe meinen Propheten und ich danke Allah das er mich auf diesen Weg gebracht hat. Ich danke Allah für diese Barmherzigkeit die er der Welt erwies, als er den Propheten Mohammad – Frieden und Segen auf ihm -.

Die Handlungen und Taten des Gesandten Allahs erweichen mein Herz immer wieder aufs Neue. Wie kann ein Mensch nur so frei von Hass und Groll sein? Wie kann ein Mensch nur so gütig sein? Ganz gleich wie unfair andere Menschen ihn behandelten, er verfluchte sie niemals.

Einmal bei einer Schlacht kam ein Gefährte zu dem Gesandten und sagte: “Du bist der Gesandte Allahs, du musst es dir nur von Allah wünschen..” (also die Vernichtung der Ungläubigen wünschen)
Und der Gesandte Allahs erwiderte: “Vielleicht wird einer ihrer Nachkommen zum Islam kommen… Was für ein Prophet, was für ein wunderschöner Charakter.

Es gibt noch soviel mehr über ihn zu schreiben, aber meine ganze Zeit reicht nich dafür aus um zu zeigen wie reizend dieses Wesen war! Wie voll von Überzeugung und Geduld er war.

Möge Allah uns alle leiten und uns zu rechtschaffenen und frommen Muslimen machen.

Möge der Frieden Allahs auf den Gesandten, und auf seine Gefährten sein, und auf jeden, der ihrem Wege folgt, und mögen sie den schönsten Platz im Paradies haben.

drum roll please!

It’s

LUCY!!!
YAY!

Lucy, please email me your name and mailing address and I will send you 2 fat quarters and a small surprise. My email is wordnerd411@yahoo.com

Here’s how this random drawing was scientifically conducted:

Here’s the “hat” (actually a tote bag with fused embellishments):

and here’s my completely impartial, preliterate assistant!

So thanks to everyone who joined in, this was fun. I’m still visiting different people’s Fall Festival entries, which will likely take me months. Stick around, everyone, don’t be a stranger!

And for everyone who DIDN’T win, remember I’m doing another small giveaway which will start on Saturday October 24th, when I belatedly throw open my studio right here. So do come back and try again!

SIM, SENHORAS E SENHORES, ENQUETES NO COISA BURRA kkk
por mais falhado que seja, tá valend né
em enquetes, todos participam, sendo que a melhor resposta será votada pelos membros do coisa burra, ganhando o prêmio em questão
essa semana será o PRÊMIO NOBEL DA PAZ
que como todos sabem, foi entregue a BARAKA OBAMIS esses dias, por ele não ter feito: nada ~~~~~~

fui atrás de amigos e pessoas kk e perguntei a cada um otario: (kk não me espanquem)
- PORQUE VOCÊ MERECE GANHAR O PRÊMIO NOBEL DA PAZ?

ao todo foram umas 10 pessoas que responderam,
respostas criativas ou não, aí vai:

Cathy Lima respondeu com toda sua ternura e delicadeza, me dando um belíssimo corte nos primeiros 15 segundos de conversa kkk:

meuamigo Daniel do super mario bloggers – embora entediado – respondeu de uma forma sincera a nossa pergunta infame:
pena que ele não curte ser identificado kkkk

de uma forma homossexual e bonitap, gih deixou claro seu lado lesbian
100% SEM PRECONCEIT quem quiser o msn dela me pede kkkkkk brinks

o iorro… bom, ele respondeu. kkkk

pelo visto a Ju adorou responder e mostrar seu lado TREVOSO kk praticamente me bateu querendo que eu postasse kkkk JU CURTE FAMA JU É LUXO
kkkk

leo é punk
mto punk kkk

mari não quis dar mais informações |:

NAT e suas formigas ~~~~sempre colaborando por um futuro melhor TAPA NA CARA

viciado em futebol só podia dar nisso né kkkkk

JOICE BALBUENA NÉ sempre sincera, sempre intelectual

E POR ÚLTIMO MAS NÃO MENOS IMPORTANT
thales meuamigo hippie né kkkk pegador de cocota playsson 5TR0ND4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

É ISSO AÍ PESSOAL, PRÓXIMO POST SERÁ A VOTAÇÃO E A ENTREGA DO FANTÁSTICO PRÊMIO mentira AO GANHADOR / loser
ATÉ A PRÓXIMA

BJS
PATO

Una giornata dall’alba al tramonto per viaggiare attraverso il mondo in 104 minuti. Il film, volutamente privo di una trama e a volte di connessioni evidenti, ci porta attraverso la spiritualità, la natura e gli scenari urbani di 24 paesi.
Il regista Ron Fricke (direttore della fotografia di Koyaanisqatsi) spiega che l’effetto è intenzionale: “It’s not where you are that’s important, it’s what’s there.”

Ecco la prima parte del video, vi indico poi i link delle altre parti:

Part 2 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=11QZiQFXTow
Part 3 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=U-sjmX9c450
Part 4 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=8DMA0c7KdYk
Part 5 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=aa_VUrys0j8
Part 6 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=in91EpP9US0
Part 7 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Qd8RhogIMY
Part 8 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=kbCNaGoaqLc
Part 9 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=9hU-Zb1BRmw
Part 10 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=CZYj55TAENY

écouter “sans titre 01” de Liquid

écouter “sans titre (-1)” de Liquid

Regret

Regret is an intelligent and emotional dislike for personal past acts and behaviors. Regret is often felt when someone feels sadness, shame, embarrassment, depression or even guilt after committing an action or actions that later wished that he or she hadn’t done (wikipedia)

A few days ago I went to my sister’s house attending a wedding proposal to a nephew. I went there with my wife and the two sons, as you all know it’s post Eid Al-Fitr so our two maids went home and promised to return on October 1st 2009. As soon as we got there, it’s crowded already, lots and lots people came around from both sides. What’s more terrifying was the two boys didn’t seem to enjoy the crowd too much, the full house seemed to worsen the hot day so I took them in my sister’s bedroom, a cozy and cool place to dwell temporarily.

For a moment I was busy taking pictures for the occasion, my sister wanted me to help with additional camera so that I brought one that day. The photo session had to stop since Baraka, our second son, had enough with the bedroom and all the crowd. He begged me to take him and so I did. He enjoyed my company, he was busy exploring the neighborhood, running here and there touching things and moving back and forth the neighbors’ houses. The hot sun didn’t seem to bother him at all despite his heavy sweating.

Ariq and Baraka

Baraka started walking about two months ago when he was 1,3 years that’s why babysitting him has been quite exhausting since he tends to be so active exploring everywhere. The same thing happened that day, he seemed to enjoy his new neighborhood. He started running (not walking) everywhere, every second, every place. I was heavily sweating trying to keep up with him. Actually taking pictures of him was more exhausting that his being active (LOL), I had to run after him, taking my camera, trying to capture his acts.

Baraka Badr Al-Din

When he was running towards the house, there was a boy, aged around seven, who suddenly put his arm on Baraka’s shoulder then pushed him away causing him to fall down instantly. He was crying loudly, shocked. I was startled since it happened so fast. Next, I remembered yanking the boy’s arm, furious, trying to dig why he pushed my son. I yelled at him, asking “Why did you push him?” I also yelled at him “Do you want me to push you as well?” . The boy just stood there staring at me, uttering unclear Afterwards, the sight of his father standing nearby had worsened my anger. I looked at him disgustedly, saying “Don’t you teach your children some manner?” I told him how his son pushed mine until he fell down.

However, his apologies really calmed me down, soon enough I had even forgotten what happened at least until he approached me to say that he was sorry while explaining that his son suffers from autism. This last statement was like a huge blow and soon I was overwhelmed with guilt and regret. Next, I was questioning myself “Why didn’t I think something was wrong?”. I should have come to an easy conclusion or even assumption that something must have been wrong. The boy didn’t even wink or even say he was sorry when confronted for his devilish acts. I said to him that I was sorry, the thought of raising a child with special needs can indeed be frustrating sometimes. I explained that my son suffers from cerebral palsy, a condition somewhat similar to his son and that I understood taking care such a condition is not easy.

Suddenly God revealed the most painful truth, the sight of the autistic boy running here and there screaming meaninglessly, uttering the most bizarre sentences ever. I regret myself for not seeing this earlier, I was too blind to see because of my anger. I didn’t have the guts to see his father anymore. Everything seemed so wrong and next I condemned my stupid anger over and over again. I remember my wife advised me to be more patient and calm. She said that I should have been wiser in dealing with such a situation even though my reaction as father is understandable, yet I should be more and more cautious next time.

Every now and then, I cannot stop regretting that moment. I cannot seem to forget the boy’s static look, his ashamed father, my anger and everything that contributes to this guilt. The voice of his father explaining that his son suffers from autism still echoes inside my head. She’s right, older should have come with wiser. To the boy and his father, wherever you are, forgive me for yelling at you, forgive me for yanking you in anger, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect and God knows how I feel for you.

Written in guilt, September 2009

Images: flickr

]]> http://smmslt.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/david-hykes-hearing-solar-winds-1983/ Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:44:00 +0000 aorto http://smmslt.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/david-hykes-hearing-solar-winds-1983/

The human voice pure and simple. No manipulation, no technology, no beats, no lyrics, just the voice. Hykes has an “eastern” slant to his music which he calls Harmonic Chant or, more technically, overtone singing. Definitely has shades of the Tibet/Buddhist background from which he comes.

I first heard his “Rainbow Voice” in the film Baraka and was spellbound. You can also hear part of “Arc Descents” from this album in the movie Jacob’s Ladder, a briliant, and often overlooked, film.

Imagine my surprise when, fifteen years later I heard a sample of Hykes’ work in Teargas & Plateglass’ song “Plague Burial” on the album Black Triage.

East meets west, yin meets yang, the circle, once again, closes in on itself.

Try

Info

This is music with something to say. Deep, dark, brooding and unrelenting, this is essential listening.

With liner notes from Godfrey Reggio (director of Koyaansiqatsi) and a sample of David Hykes (whose work can be heard in the film Baraka) on the first track, darkness meets the light.

From the liner notes:

“Elements of inspiration come from the documentary ghosts of rwanda and the book we wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families. a significant portion of the royalties of this album go to support human rights watch (hrw.org).”

Right there is reason enough to support the artist or get involved.

Listen to this along with Darrin Verhagen’s Soft Ash for a unique listening experience.

Try

Info

L’impatto della storia non è mai estraneo; i piccoli ‘drouba‘ che portano all’ultima casa di Bouaâbid Charki raccontano silenziosamente i percorsi di un uomo non come gli altri. Malgrado un relooking estremo, i muri di queste stradine non hanno perso l’impronta del tempo. L’antichità spirituale dei luoghi regala sensazioni emozionanti. ‘Sidi Bouaâbid è sempre con noi. Si sente la sua presenza e sappiamo che veglia su di noi’, testimonia Souad, una ‘nekkacha‘ che passa le sue giornate nel Mausoleo alfine di assicurare un pasto alla sua famiglia. ‘Sidi non ha mai abbandonato la regione, guardate come è diventata, grazie alla sua benedizione‘, aggiunge la pia signora, eccitata. Attraversando il piccolo labirinto di chiassose arterie dedicate agli acquisti, il silenzio dei luoghi quasi deserti in questo venerdì pomeriggio è pesante. Dopo un centinaio di metri una grande porta color del bronzo, solidamente chiusa, si impone e lascia presagire la fine di una esplorazione. ‘Sidi, fate la vostra Zyara di là: il Mausoleo è chiuso per restauri da sei mesi. Nessuno puo’ entrare‘, spiega Mohhamed, ultimo dei figli di Bouâbid Charki. Propro di là si sta svolgendo una recita di preghiere, dove un giovane uomo cade in trance evocando la Baraka dei suoi antenati e prega a voce alta affinchè le richieste delle visite vengano esaudite, grazie anche all’aiuto in soldi che ognuno dei presenti offrirà. Tra Moulay Brahim a Marrakech, Sidi Abderrahmane a Casablanca, o ancora Sidi Ali Ben Hamdouch a Meknès, Bouaâd Charki di Boujaâd rappresenta una leggenda mistica nella memoria dei marocchini. La sua storia ha toccato più di una persona ed è l’orgoglio di tutta una comunità. Prima della fondazione della Zaouia Charkaouya, gli avi di Sidi Brahim Boulaâjoul e di Sidi Larbi Bensayeh installarono una tenda, scavarono un pozzo e costruirono una moschea. Da quei giorni un vero impero spirituale venne creato e continua ad attirare adepti da ogni parte del Marocco. La Zaouia, che era una tappa di scalo per le carovane commerciali che toccavano Fès e Marrakech passando per Tata, Zer e Meknès, diede l’avvio ad una serie di Mederse che offrivano un bagaglio spirituale ampio e culturalmente importante. Tra la scuola di Laâouina, di Cheick El Maâti e Al Hassania, le istituzioni religiose fecero diventare la Zaouia un centro di spiritualità d’eccellenza fuori dal comune. ‘Noi siamo un associazione di Madhi che cantano per Allah e che insegna ai giovani i precetti della religione musulmana. Diamo lezioni nella moschea e incoraggiamo i bravi allievi’, spiega El Haj Mohammed Habib Naciri Charkaoui, presidente del Consiglio degli Oulema di Khouribga e capo della Zaouia Chatkaouia. “Sidi Bouaâbid fu eccelso. Se l’Oriente a le Anbyaa, il Marocco a le Awliyaa”, aggiunge. Secondo Lahcen Haddad, professore universitario in Marocco e negli Stati Uniti, che ha effettuato delle inchieste sulla città di Boujaâd, da dove proviene, la Zaouia ha giocato un ruolo importante di propaganda per una cultura raffinata, per la filosofia e il trance, mettendo in piazza una cultura cittadina che ha creato una simbiosi con la cultura beduina di Boujaad. Da sempre il suo Moussem annuale dedicato alla memoria del Santo, attira curiosi che scoprono il potere di questa piccola città e l’alone di spiritualità che si è costruito nel corso dei secoli. Restaurare questa tradizione dei Moussem dal Ministero degli Habous e degli Affari Islamici è una forma per salvaguardare l’identità dell’Islam e la sua tradizione. Quest’anno pero’ i Boujaadis resteranno orfani del loro Moussem considerato che il Mausoleo è in piena ristrutturazione e non sarà pronto che tra qualche mese. Chiamata anche la piccola Fès, la città delle Chorfas ospita una miriade di santi che la rende luogo culturale e spirituale. Situata tra Khouribga e Beni Mellal, Boujaad è famosa per le sue falegnamerie, per i suoi tappeti e per alcune importanti imprese di costruzione. Città che unisce l’utile al dilettevole, sa coniugare i suoi aspetti pittoreschi con la modernità e il ritratto che rende ai suoi visitatori corrisponde esattamente al suo spirito: una città-zaouia senza mura che presenta un passato storico e culturale di tutto rispetto. Il suo nome evoca un arbusto locale dai frutti amari, la Jaâda, che cresce nei suoi dintorni. Ma quello che caratterizza di più questa zona è l’élite che qui è nata e cresciuta. Mohammed Yassine El Mansouri, Mly Tayeb Cherkaoui, Amir Peretz, ex Mimistro della Difesa israeliana, e la lista continua ancora. Dalla sua fondazione questa città divento’ un crocevia di cultura, di spiritualità, di precetti e di educazione. Il mix con la comunità ebrea che rappresentava una buona parte della popolazione Boujaadie installo’ una tolleranza introvabile in altre regioni.  I musulmani frequentavano gli ebrei, studiavano nelle stesse scuole, si recavano agli stessi hamman. Le sinagoghe era a pochi metri dalle moschee e le tombe dei santi musulmani rivaleggiavano con quelle dei santi ebrei. Questo meticciato culturale e religioso fece della città una zona dove la guerra e il razzismo non avevano voce in  capitolo. Crebbe sola, si sviluppo’ e raggiunse la reputazione di piccola Fès, intoccabile in materia di rispetto dei costumi e dei principi. La sua élite lavoro’ molto per farla uscire dalla sua oscurità e vi riusci’ non senza difficoltà. Oggi le Mederse orgogliosamente vantano tra i loro ex studenti il maggior numero di  grandi Oulema del Marocco e le sue strade sono percorse da molte auto con targhe straniere, prova del suo buon risultato in materia turistica, abbinando Baraka e spiritualità alla storia. E’ Boujaâd, la città dei Santi…..

Consulter la biographie de la Baraka

As someone without a tap-tap-tap smartphone, I often use GOOG-411 to dial up local establishments while away from the www.   Boop beep bamp bompbomp… I’ll connect you!

This past weekend, unfortch, attempts at reaching Beretta (Valencia at 23rd) were all sorts of messed.

Voice search pronunciations carried out included: brrrr-eh-tah, bee-reh-duh, beh-re-TA!, and so forth.  Attempts were made by three parties of mixed age, gender, and socioeconomic status.  No dice!

Goog did, however, pull up the following results:

• Goodwill (wha?)
• Baraka (almost!)
• Piranha (eh.)
• Ghirardelli Square (pronounced: grrr-ARRGHHH… delisquare)

Sure, okay, I’ll dine at Goodwill.

READERS: Try this one at home! If you figure out the correct way to pronounce “Beretta” for GOOG-411ing purposes, make me a reservation. The caponatina with burrata (#56 on the 7×7 list) makes eggplant relevant again (sorry, eggplant).