Out of time...

John Nava is one of the American modern painters whose art includes masterpieces that I would compare to the one of Michael Angelo. I have discovered him by watching on http://www.onnetworks.com/ program called “For the Art’s Sake”. The figures he draws looks like photographs that are refined on computer program. But his hands are specially gifted and can copy any posture and movement of a man. One of his paintings presenting mostly a woman face is an idea of the famous one of Vermeer “A girl with the pear earring”. He asked his model to pose just like the one from the famous painting. He did “put the actual earring in her ear and to try to make something that was contemporary figure but it had that resonance from the past” (J.Nava-Painter).
He also did an amazing job at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angles. J.Nava painted the Communion of Saints Tapestries that is now on the walls of the place inside. This work made him feel to increase the benefit of “the tradition again by making a huge image cycle for the church that was a part of the 2000 year old tradition” (J.Nava-Painter). Any other artist is amazed for the great project that he has done. This way he definitely felt to be at some point connected to tradition and part of his presentation. J. Nava says about himself as minimalist in the art he is creating and that’s why his art is aesthetic and his figures of people are still, there is a true reality in them. The great power of his painting is that it is out of a time, “it’s literally timeless and for [him] it was something that has stopped and this way it’s out of time. In his works he tries to get some neutral expression and at the same time a reality existence.
He is not trying to be a messagistig, moralistic or anecdotal. In the past he has made some exhibitions with works that have an overt story line. They were expressing message that is very clear. There was a political meaning, it said about our present live and people in the society and realities they/we have to confront with.
John Nava is definitely one of the painters who create amazing masterworks that is and will be admired by many.

http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/for-arts-sake/john-nava---painter?autoplay=true#

Paris, Paris

I have found a travel program “City by city” about travelling to Paris in France on http://www.onnetworks.com/ .I always had a dream to see the city of love, amazing architecture and style. They said that the trip is wroth to go even alone. There are tones of great museums to see and tasty shows but the most impressive are the lights of Paris in the night. Paris is knows for the most famous designers in the world: Cartier, Dior, Swarowski, Armani. But this show took me to some other place than fashion; it was a fashion of pastries that they call “Picasso pastries”. The cake designer name is Pierre Herme whose decorative delicacies are fun to watch but probably the most, fun to eat. He is baking and creating amazing cookies, chocolates, cakes, macaroons, baguettes and champagnes. His stores look like a jewelry place.
Hotel Bel-Ami is one of the great places to see, did not impressed me much. It is too expensive and I would never stay there for a night.
They present a variety of restaurants to eat well and spend pleasure time but also night clubs where a tourist can have many attractions.
Paris is a place where, at any time and season, there is always something to see, admire and have a nice time. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world?

Diva's report:(

On http://www.mevio.com/ there people can find different kind of searches: shows, people, music and video. I have spotted couple things that I like but one got to my attention most.
From a very fashionable and rather unlikeable to me kind of source, I have found out about a new play of Arthur Miller “My sons”.
A. Miller is one of my favorite play writers. I do know some of his plays but unfortunately I have only read them and never had a chance to see. This time I thought, wow I have finally an opportunity to see it and in an original language. I read it before in Polish and some in English but never saw it!
Anyway, when I watched the preview by some ‘The Diva Report’, I totally changed my mind. This, I don’t know if I can call her a critic, lady who had not a bit of 'diva' looking, gave me such bad and discouraging opinion that I don’t want to even hear about the play for some time.
The most disappointing news was that Kate Hudson playing there. Why? This is nonsense. “All my sons” it’s such a great play itself that it does not need an extra advertisement. Besides, what could I heard from the ‘diva’ who I would not listen to for any recommendation but to my surprise, she even said that Kate Hudson was not best in the play. Obviously she spoiled it!!! I prefer still to read than see some poor acts.

The use of fragile seasoning

One morning this week while I was driving I have heard a story in a radio about an amazing and very expensive herb or rather spice SAFFRON; it is derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus.

The story Why the world is still just mad about saffron gives very interesting information about the herb called saffron. This herb grows mainly in India, Spain and Iran. It’s very expensive, it costs about seventy five dollars per pound and it is not easy for cultivation. However, its properties are worth the price. Saffron is used for perfume industry, treating various illnesses including depression and the key factor is that it enhances desirability and promotes relaxation in a hot bath.
Mediterranean cuisine is famous for including this unique spice in various meals. And though saffron has bitter taste it turns a regular dish into a culinary masterpiece.
I had the pleasure to taste saffron and I must say it really gives exceptional taste to ordinary dishes. But I don’t get upset because I cannot afford it. I can use many other great spices like curcuma or carry to replace saffron in my cooking. People should not get mad about saffron they need to be more optimistic and creative while cooking.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

I was recently searching for some unique gift for my very best friend. In Barnes&Nobles one book got to my hands, "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World". This album and history book presented a widely-known list of seven remarkable man made constructions of classical antiquity. It was based on guide-books popular among Hellenic sight-seers and only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim. Later lists include those for the Medieval World and the Modern World.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were:
The Lighthouse at Alexandria was built in 279 B.C. on the small island of Pharos by Sostratus of Cnidus for Ptolemy II. The lighthouse was over 400 feet high. The earthquake, AD 1303-1480, caused the destruction. The remains of this imposing structure could still be seen in 1480, when the Mamluk ruler Qa'it Bay constructed a fort on the exact site of the lighthouse. The work was done by Hellenistic Egypt.
The Colossus of Rhodes was over 100 feet tall (roughly 3/4ths as large as today's Statue of Liberty in New York. This statue of the Greek sun god Helios, built in period of 292-280 BC completed by the sculptor Chares. The Colossus stood with one hand shielding its eyes looking over the harbor of the Greek island. The destruction was caused by the Earthquake in 224 B.C.
The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos was built by Persians and Greeks from the order of the wife of the Carian ruler Mausolus in 353 B. C. It stood approximately 45 meters (135 feet) tall. Each of the four sides adorned with sculptural relief. This tomb was of great size and, with its sculptured friezes amazingly beautiful. Damaged in AD 1494 by an earthquake and eventually disassembled by European Crusaders. Fragments of it are preserved in Turkey and at the British Museum.
The Statue of Zeus, though small in relation to some of the other wonders of the ancient world, this statue of Zeus, sculpted by the Greek Phidias about 430 B.C., won fame because of its beauty. It occupied the whole width of the aisle of the temple that was built to house it, and was 40 feet (12 meters) tall. Unknown cause of destruction presumed, by fire or earthquake in5th-6th centuries AD.
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus measured 300 by 150 feet, with columns 60 feet high. This great temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis was begun about 555 B.C. by Croesus, king of Lydia. It took 120 years to build it. Herostratus burned down the original temple in 356 C.B.in an attempt to achieve lasting fame. It was rebuilt by Alexander the Great.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon -Those hanging gardens were built by Nebuchadnezzar about 600 B.C. to console his queen, who missed the mountains, trees and flowers of her native Media. Diodorus described multi-leveled gardens reaching 22 meters (75 feet) high, complete with machinery for circulating water. Large trees grew on the roof. The cause of destruction was earthquake after 1st century B.C.
The great Pyramids at Giza, which date from the Old Kingdom (2700-2300 B. C. ), are the oldest and most famous of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built as the tomb of Fourth dynasty Egyptian, Pharaoh Khufu in period of 2650-2500 B.C. Its 756 feet long on each side, 450 high and is composed of 2,300,000 blocks of stone, each averaging 2 1/2 tons in weight. Despite the makers' limited surveying tools no side is more than 8 inches different in length than another, and the whole structure is perfectly oriented to the points of the compass. Until the 19th century it was the tallest building in the world and, at the age of 4,500 years, it is the only one of the famous "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" that still stands.
Why the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were built in Mediterranean area? It was the most highly important route for merchants and travelers of ancient times, allowing for trade and cultural exchange between emergent peoples of the region — the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Semitic, Persian, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, Levantine, and Roman cultures. The history of the Mediterranean is crucial to understanding the origins and development of many modern societies.

The colors of night and day...

Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night - this is the title of the special exhibition that takes place is Museum of Modern Art in NYC. September 21, -January 5, 2009.
Ah! I adore paintings of Vincent van Gogh. This is my favor impressionist. When I had lived in Amsterdam, I used to go to the Museum under his name that is dedicated to his works and arts. It is an amazing place where I could stay for hours and watch the amazing colors, style and talent of van Gogh.
This time I have a chance to see one of the best master pieces of his in New York’s museum. I am so glad that wherever I travel I have a chance to discover van Gogh’s new paintings and re-admire the one I have already seen many times in my life. I just hope, the line ticket for the exhibition won't be too long. I am not the only one who loves the Dutch painter.

A little about painter's life and work:

Throughout his career, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890) attempted the paradoxical task of representing night by light. His procedure followed the trend set by the Impressionists of "translating" visual light effects with various color combinations. At the same time, this concern was grafted onto Van Gogh's desire to interweave the visual and the metaphorical in order to produce fresh and deeply original works of art. These different artistic concerns found themselves powerfully bound together in Van Gogh's nocturnal and twilight paintings and drawings. This exhibition will present new insight into Van Gogh's depictions of night landscapes, interior scenes, and the effects of both gaslight and natural light on their surroundings. Representing all periods of the artist's career, the exhibition will comprise over two dozen works of superlative quality—several of which have never been seen together, even though they were very clearly conceived with each other in mind. This exhibition will be shown at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, February 13–June 7, 2009. It will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue.

Enjoy a beauty and be alive

There is a beautiful saying of R. Jeffries “The time when our mind is busy with enjoying the beauty, is a special moment in which we feel that we are alive!”
Whole August I was having vacation in my home, Poland. I used to go there once per year and it’s a very short visit; I run from one family member to another or friend to a friend. I never have time to enjoy e.g. sunrise and sunset or the beautiful places that I used to admire and love to be in.
This time was different. My goal was to go to the most wonderful places that I have never seen. I love mountains and climbing it up was always giving me satisfaction and it was a great pleasure. Unfortunately, I was so busy for the recent couple years that I have forgotten what I truly like to do to relax my mind.
Tatra Mountains are the highest ranges in Poland and Slovakia. This year I have beaten my own record- I have climbed the places in Tatra M. where I would not even dreamed about before. I have reached high summits and walk on the steep rock walls and passes that I have never thought I could summon up. I have also overcome finally a fear of open heights. I have spent in Tatra M. the most beautiful moments of this vacation and I have seen the most gorgeous views of mountains, valleys, sky, ponds, waterfalls, flora and fauna ( I have seen 9 bears feeding themselves in the open area of the National Park-amazing).
I felt like in heaven there but I knew I am actually very alive!

Read the novel first, than watch the movie

The secret life of women

There is movie “The secret life of bees” that recently comes out in cinema. I've read the book and I am very interested if the screen version is going to follow the novel’s contents.
It is a beautiful novel that tells a story of group of women that live together. The book is rather kept in modest tone and it’s seems that the movie should be as well; hopefully done in a gentle way with special, magical atmosphere that the main characters create. And I believe that Qeen Latifah and Alicia Keys, the mega stars of today’s Hollywood, will not 'screw up' the movie because of their image there.
Read the book definitely before going to watch in theater. The movie sometimes does not give the same charm as the novel can award.

Watch out what do you drink!

Pure spring water?!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081015/ap_on_sc/impure_bottled_water


While I was drinking my favorite “Spring Poland” water this morning I was reading news. My attention got suddenly directed to such topic: “Bottled water has contaminants too”, I immediately have put the water away. Thank god it was not article about my favorite water that I drink a lot every day (3 litters per day) but sometimes I drink other brands as well. If I think how many people is cheated by many water companies, I cannot believe it.
Many would think that water, it self don’t have any chemicals because it is pure and probably taken from the best springs in the country. But unfortunately, some of the bottled water companies are not trustworthy; the difference between the water from the top and the one from the bottle is the same. It means it has contaminants that can be killed only by boiling it in 100 degrees otherwise, in big amounts, can be harmful for your body.
WATCH WHAT YOU DRINK, even it looks clear and is recommended.

No child left behind?

No Child Left Behind: A Success or a Failure?

In January 8, 2002 President of the United States singed the program called No Child Left Behind that is the federal law in this country. Its aim is to “Improve the performance of the U.S primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, School districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend.” It will also increase focus on reading, writing and math skills especially on those students who desperately needs this attention. This program requires more hours spend on reading, writing and math in school and cutting off subjects such as history and other arts. However, this reform program became the matter of vital controversy, especially from the parents’ side. According to them, the program is concentrated on weak students who have difficulties. But what about the children who are gifted? In a lot of families there are exceptionally bright children who may lose the opportunity to develop their art skills because they will have to boringly be on the same page with the ‘left behind’ students. Will not the gifted students be ‘left behind’ than?
The resent test result depicts that “Nearly a quarter of pupils are unable to read at the appropriate level, the state extends ‘personal literacy plans’ to reach those in higher grades.” It is scary that such amounts of young students in the U. S. have problems with basic reading, writing and math skills and they are below grade level. The J. Jordan in his article writes that “In several urban districts, the problem is far worse- about half of their students struggle with reading.” But the problems include also writing and counting abilities. Therefore recognizing as soon as possible such problem and solving it, is necessary for the success of the future generation and the each individual child. If they need extra help with those subjects they should necessary get the kind of ‘personal literacy plan’ that will gear to meet the needs of those children with the special attention and let them be more profitable in later years. For example, reading is the essential ability and it is really important to understand what a child reads because being able to read instruction in every subject in school but also in life, is the key to good existence. Reading, writing and math will be significant from first-grade through college, and throughout adulthood. People will not have possibility for better choices in their life, if the fact of poor literacy will not change. It is really important to educate the nation in as early childhood as possible hence in later future and in the higher levels of education, they will not struggle with the fundamental skills needed to develop in other, more sophisticated subjects like history, biology, geography, chemistry, music and other interests. I believe that the idea of the No Child Left Behind program has a good reasons and goals because what Flahery, the deputy commissioner of education, said “Deficient reading skills lead to other problems, including students frustration and behavior issues and a higher dropout rate”. Therefore it may cause even more problems not only in school but also in life outside of it.
No Child Left Behind program has a good base. Its goal is to focus on the crucial education of all children. This program definitely will gain a success but only for those students who need the additional attention. Unfortunately, it really concentrates only on the weak students and leaves the gifted ‘at the back’. It is a failure for the bright students who need to focus on more advance subjects that will bring them joy and achievement. From my perspective, the educational system in U. S. should find other solution for this really important problem. The suggestion would be to create a school that stands between the elementary and high school. If the child will not get the certain scores to get to high school it should be sent to it where concentration and more individual studies are involved. If the students will advance fast, he/she can be transferred to high school. This method works perfectly in some other countries and there is rather not much children ‘left behind’.

"Cinema Paradiso"- great movie!*****

"Cinema Paradiso" is a story of a famous Italian film director Salvatore. After almost thirty years of absence he returned to his Sicilian village, where he reminisced about his happy past, joyful childhood years and his dear old friend Alfredo.
Alfredo was working as a projectionist, but movies for him were literary the sense of life and he took pride in presenting screen dreams for his native town, which was still recovering from the consequences of the World War II. Alfredo’s fascination with movies deeply inspired Salvatore, they became lifelong friends and shared the same passion.
Salvatore also recalled his lost teenage love, Elena, who he had no chance to live with. He moved to Rome in hope to forget about her and heal his broken heart.
This is a beautiful magical movie, where comedy is intertwined with nostalgia about the past, and romance goes along with pragmatism. It is interesting to observe how childhood hobbies, innocent from the first glance, can turn into real passion and become true purpose of life.

"A Long Way Gone: Memories of a Boy Soldier"

Make love, not hate

When I was a child, I played a lot with many children from a neighborhood. I still remember the feeling of joy and fun. We were spontaneous and very happy. I did not have many responsibilities at that time and felt free. We were enjoying the time together and no one would treat us badly or force us to do things. We also could distinguish what was bad and good to do. The moral rights were built into our intuition during childhood and we were raised in normal conditions of standard loving families. Unfortunately, some children cannot be so lucky and have such wonderful childhood as I or other children of the peaceful places have now. Sadly, there are approximately 300,000 children participating in about 30 conflicts. It is hard to imagine that children can harm and be dangerous. They seem to be born with free spirit and innocence. But the reasons for using ‘child soldiering’ in recent conflicts are characterized by the creation of orphans who are often abducted or sold, destruction of opportunities and the revenge. is a novel of a young writer Ishmael Beah who has experienced the drama of war in his life. In his book he describes the tragedy of his lost childhood but also of other thousands of boys and girls who were forced to fight and kill.
Those groups of people who are capable of doing such crime as kidnapping and grabbing children from their homes or selling them, are indifferent to the future of the next generation. They do not care about the principles and unit of the family but especially about the little individuals who are about to enter into life.
As long as people will not understand that teaching children violence and bringing them to the war area is not a moral right, there still will be tragedy, trauma, destruction and killing present in every day all around the world. The way the child is being brought up has important impact on the future of people and the matters in their life. It is not the innocent children fault that they are changed into dangerous individuals trained to kill, but the adults’. Children that were recruited to an army through such drastic actions as abduction, devastation of their hopes or teachings of revenge, is the worst crime ever that man could have committed. Children deserve to be loved, treated with special care and certainly not to be deprived of childhood or filled up with extreme dislike towards others. They shall be taught how to love and be loved, not how to hate.
Reading A Long Way Gone:Memories of a Boy Soldier gave me a lot of thinking of how damaging is war and how happy my childhood was.

Better XXI century

It cannot be worst

I was recently reading the Lais of Marie de France. Marie de France is one of the first women writers and poets recognized in France in Medieval times. She was a creative and versatile writer. Her literal heritage consists of Lais that were based of Breton tales of chivalry, fables that describe in metaphorical way the difficult situation of women in her society. Maries de France’s unique talent lies in the ability to show the real life problems of human protagonists in mystical world. Most of her male characters are valiant, handsome, well-mannered, and extremely loyal to the king and country but mostly devoted to their beloved women. They have very kind and pure heart. And their purpose of their life is to help people in deprivation, to fight for the benefits of their homeland and for a noble intention they will not hesitate to sacrifice their lives.
Medieval times for women were definitely difficult and harsh. They were strongly discriminated in the society especially by men; had no rights to decide about their life, love, marriage and sexual relationships. However, reading Marie de France’s Lais, it seems like middle ages life was full of romance, graceful manners and attitudes. Women in her stories are beautiful, intelligent and have a power to desire any men they love. Marie de France in her writings used the meaning of courtly love to make female characters strong and she allowed them unintentionally protest against the tough realities.
Life of women in marriages and sexual relationships has changed, for better thank god, dramatically since the XII century. Presently, women are very independent. Marriages are not arranged by parents or families but it is the woman choice who she desires to live with. In relation with men, women rights are equal. They both have the same privileges to work, get the same benefits and share duties of household. As a wives and mothers, they can choose if they want to have children and because of a great progress of medicine the mortality rate is slender. Women have right to divorce her husband and not to be rejected by the society. They can absolutely relay on themselves, raise children and exist on rights equal to men.
I am glad to live in XXI century. Everyone who feels little lost in today’s world should sometime think how bad it was couple centuries ago to realize that human right’s and life has definitely improved and it cannot be worst.

A matter of our life

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7651981.stm

Mammals facing extinction threat

Within our lifetime, hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions.
/Julia Marton-Lefevre, ICUN/

If hundreds of species dies now than probably the same will happen to human beings, mammals as well, in about 100 years. Are we killing ourself?
There is already a group of mammals that are at a great risk. The biggest group is located in South America where cutting forests is a main reason of threat. Also loss of habitat, ecosystem causes the death of many population of mammals. But the biggest risk of mammals lost is in Asia: Japan, China where people kill them because it's part of thair tradition and meat is used for a special cuisine that they are famous for.
If people will not find immediate solution, humans, the closest relavites of the species, are going to be affected in the whole world as well. People think that the recent economical crisis is more important but in real that is nothing compared with the environmental crisis.
It depends so much on us and esp.the politicians who we choose not only to take of our financial matter but the most important of our life and the environment we live in.

World market down

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7653868.stm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2008/10/german_guarantee_lost_in_trans.html

Germany clinches bank rescue deal

European governments are as dazed and confused by the mayhem in the global banking system as most of the rest of us.
/Robert Peston BBC business editor/

What the …. is going on in this world??? First in USA some banks collapsed and now in Europe the banks are in need of national support. Is one of the strongest economy countries, Germany starting to feel the financial downs of the USA?
It’s doubtful that Angela Merkel can do anything to save Germany from debts.
In Europe also other countries decided to gather and set a plan that could help prevent the world’s market crisis. The leaders of strong economy countries such as Germany, Franace, Italy and Britan disagreed with a coordinated US-style bank bail-out and promised to stabilize market in Europe their way.
The whole world’s market is a one big circle. Let’s than wait another week and see if we should be stressed more.

Russia makes political progress

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7653219.stm

Russia removes Georgia Checkpoint

Removing the checkpoint near the town Gori in South Ossetia in Georgia by Russian army is the first important sign that Russia will really withdraw from Georgia’s territory by October 10th 2008.
The dramatic news of the war in Georgia in Asia shocked me and I suddenly I had a feeling of insecurity. I started to worry not only about the tragedy of people who live there but also about my own country, Poland. My home country is situated in the middle of Europe. It was and probably still is a very inconvenient area from the political and territorial point of view. Poland is surrounded by 7 countries. Russia was always the powerful one and demanding. France and Germany used to be as well, if we go to the history of XVIII- XX century. Other one are in the same position as Poland.
That’s why always one of the powerful countries had desire to rule all Europe and to attack the other super powerful country on the East or West side. But first they had to take possession of Polish territory and this way step by step, countr by country,seize the whole Europe. Poland went through too many painful moments in a history of Europe and in its as well. Therefore, NO MORE WARS!!! I would NOT wish any wars at all and especially in nearby places such as Georgia is.
When the war in Georgia started Poland as one of the first countries run immediately for help to Georgian people. Our politicians publically criticized the action of Russian army. This way Poland got in political conflict with Russia and our relations cooled down strongly. (Not mention that Poland, couple weeks before, signed agreement with USA to set National missile defense that would shield an entire country against incoming Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Russia expressed strong disapproval).
I hope that Russia finally will not think only about its benefits and power but is looking for peace and political agreement with other nations. And that I think means political progress.