Bailey Alexander: The Europhiletag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-3166592009-11-11T21:37:53+01:00Jumping off cultural cliffs...TypePadListening to "Prescious" on itunes; an otherly experience to embrace.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a67855d8970b2009-11-11T21:37:53+01:002009-11-11T23:15:20+01:00For avid readers who prefer their own imagination to someone else's interpretation, audiobooks can detract rather than enhance. Recently I've enjoyed re-visiting Rebecca and The Castle of Otranto if only because my imagination dictated the first impression. But In regards...baileyalexanderGlenn Greenwald ponders two establishment journalists' attitude towards Israeli aid.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef01287564108a970c2009-11-08T20:52:12+01:002009-11-08T20:52:12+01:00Is using aid to Israel as leverage becoming a mainstream idea? Glenn Greenwald explores the taboo topic by cross referencing Friedman's inconsistent column with Joe Klein's piece in TIME. Friedman, of course, is too coy to carry his thoughts to...baileyalexanderLee Daniels digestivo; "I'm a little euro, homo and ghetto." tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a65be415970b2009-11-06T17:19:12+01:002009-11-11T21:39:21+01:00Benissimo, certo, after listening to the NPR interview with Lee Daniels my appetite's been sufficiently whet, like an aperitif, it is certainly time to see his movie called Precious. Here in Northern Italy, the local digestivo consists of one part...baileyalexanderMerkel's Sturm und Drang; Issues addressed, Hopes dashedtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a655bd34970b2009-11-05T13:26:58+01:002009-11-06T17:20:25+01:00Italy convicted 23 secret agents, challenging the CIA's extraordinary renditions. Odds are the agents may simply be issued new passports but the world is paying attention, the statement has been made. As I said in previous posts, Italy does it...baileyalexanderItalians taking care of their own corruption and why we should be grateful Murdoch has to sue Silviotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a69fb12c970c2009-11-02T14:27:05+01:002009-11-05T10:30:12+01:00I'm so tired of the world suggesting Berlusconi's the 'most corrupt' of them all. Blair, Bloomberg and the rest have all been deeply complicit in their own media mind control. Their ambition to stay in the limelight so blatant, overt...baileyalexanderVenice...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a69db487970c2009-11-01T23:26:56+01:002009-11-05T10:49:16+01:00This weekend la serenissima breathes as the tourists clear out...took some pics, funny ones with fake papillons and casino entrances insisting 'no guns', 'no umbrellas' allowed....enjoy...baileyalexanderThanks to friends, travel and social media...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a6937c6b970c2009-10-30T19:48:00+01:002009-11-01T22:45:22+01:00...I've enjoyed a lovely birthday and it's only half over; received kisses from Dutch n Swedish friends, kind wishes from the isle of both Malta and New Zealand, lovely, wonderful notes from Paris, Rome, London and from across the pond,...baileyalexandertony blair update; non merci, non grazie, nein danke.....tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5f1d4e7970b2009-10-27T15:05:00+01:002009-11-01T22:47:40+01:00Latest update; finally, after reading a week's worth of funny, earnest english press forcing the candidacy of tony blair upon europe as eu prez, we can finally breathe easier today as it would appear his hopes are fading, finally... And...baileyalexanderPics of Albatross chicks and 350.org; poluting our planet out of existence.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a61dfea6970b2009-10-25T19:51:02+01:002009-10-27T18:03:44+01:00Sustainable future, ya think? Climate change feels less pressed for success than ever. Mio marito arrives soon from spending time near the nerve center as his sister in Geneva writes some of the critical content to be spoken this December...baileyalexanderEdith Sitwell and Mata Hari; Eccentric women worth reading and watching...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a600ba6a970b2009-10-20T13:17:17+02:002009-10-25T19:52:46+01:00The Independent asks whether Mata Hari was she a double agent meant to disappoint and exasperate both sides, alas, no one really knows...files to be released in 2017 may assist but the mystery is so much more fun and inspires...baileyalexanderDawn Powell on Gore Vidal, "not to be fit in any fashion"tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a6404a1e970c2009-10-16T11:18:44+02:002009-10-20T13:19:25+02:00Sig.Vidal's sun is setting and he may be grieving for a circle and country long gone but while we overlook Lignano this October eve his views prove as probable and prescient as ever. I love Vidal, read him often, but...baileyalexanderDiscussing de Chirico up north while watching Gomorrah down southtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a63ad56e970c2009-10-14T14:36:28+02:002009-10-18T18:11:37+02:00Mio marito skidded in from Geneva as did an old pal from Seattle, Ian Mcfail, visiting while in the midst of his adventure having a Giorgio de Chirico authenticated at the foundation in Rome. I bestow all the de Chirico...baileyalexanderTravelling to Trieste, coffee capital of the worldtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5e567a6970b2009-10-10T17:54:00+02:002009-10-14T18:13:04+02:00My guy insisted we go to Trieste as we'd never been before...the city was grand, all Austrian Hungarian architecture on full display, not to mention a million sailboats. As if I hadn't see enough, alas, the Barcolana was in full...baileyalexanderVenice; La Serenissima...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5ce56e5970b2009-10-09T08:51:50+02:002009-10-09T08:51:50+02:00As soon as the police left, the kids were free to roam.. We've been before, you can go again, but this city somehow feels more unique, more feminine, more emotional with all the water, simply prettier than any other....baileyalexanderA basket of currencies to replace the greenbacktag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a61959b9970c2009-10-06T16:26:12+02:002009-10-06T16:26:12+02:00Per previous posts the US dollar is in dangerous demise worldwide. According to the Daily Telegraph meetings are being held in France and China and Brazil with invitations to all the players except the Americans. Robert Fisk in the Independent...baileyalexanderSexual Relations with Letterman and Polanskitag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5b4a325970b2009-10-03T16:45:00+02:002009-10-06T16:45:01+02:00Somewhere along the yellow brick road I lost the desire to impose morality on other people. Godot arrived, advised otherwise and once again I live in the land where love, sex and skin is everywhere, therefore overlooked, almost irrelevant, especially...baileyalexanderLisbon Treaty: Second time's a charm, Ta's trump. tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a60f7b31970c2009-10-03T15:44:04+02:002009-10-03T18:41:07+02:00Astonishingly enough the Irish have ratified the treaty. Now for the tricky bit, positioning the EU presidency. Position's open and we all know who's campaigned the loudest. Merkel's vote is the most decisive, obviously, and like many Europeans they'd prefer...baileyalexander"Brands" are often empty suits but lonely hearts are the real dealtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5ae2d60970b2009-09-30T22:14:55+02:002009-10-02T15:26:11+02:00Rarely does the concept of 'branding' live up to its own hype. Therefore it comes as no surprise that now the world has less money to spend on the concept it conjures up fairy tales such as The Emperor's New...baileyalexanderUh-oh, Professor Higgins was a no show at Sarah Palin's debut in Hong Kongtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5eb4dac970c2009-09-24T11:31:08+02:002009-09-25T19:08:56+02:00Apparently the Alaskan blogger gave hundreds of financial big-hitters at the CLSA Investors' Forum a less than spectacular performance. In fact, a couple of US delegates walked out saying, 'it was awful, we couldn't stand it anymore'. Robert Fisk, in...baileyalexanderHappiness is...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a584ef73970b2009-09-22T10:23:03+02:002009-09-25T19:09:20+02:00...on the decline for women according to a study on HuffingtonPost. Maureen Dowd, who's never pretended to be happy puts on her own spin. I like Dowd, she's bitter and a stereotypical NY'er and very good at her job. I...baileyalexanderSarko, Silvio and the devastatingly handsome M de Villepintag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5dd086b970c2009-09-21T12:21:46+02:002009-09-25T19:09:45+02:00Former Prime Minister de Villepin vs Sarko begins in the courtroom that condemned Queen Marie Antoinette to the guillotine in 1795. Let us hope a better fate for the tall, elegant poet. The trial will prove a dicey proposition for...baileyalexanderSwearing and Cycling, equally enjoyable sport. tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a584856f970b2009-09-20T15:46:45+02:002009-09-25T19:10:06+02:00I've adapted easily to this new routine, this sporty, cycling life, filled with fresh fruits and veggies. I'm even doing Pilate's on the bow of the boat in the morning sun using the same large rubber matts we used to...baileyalexanderOh dear, Glenn Beck dictates the discourse...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5806f69970b2009-09-19T20:31:13+02:002009-09-25T19:10:34+02:00Last night I downloaded several podcasts and sat back for a long listen. Initially it was inspiring with some pundits wishing to end partisan politics but quickly the discourse descended into base vitriol with policy sifted effortlessly into cyberdust. When...baileyalexanderMADI, Mother Nature and Antonino Morocutti's Memoirstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a571a2ed970b2009-09-16T12:58:01+02:002009-09-19T14:58:03+02:00One of the benefits of a 'liveaboard lifestyle' is close proximity to mother nature. You become much more aware of everything, including oneself while in close proximity to mother nature. Everything you do and use is inspected on a base...baileyalexanderWhile sailing we saw so many stars...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a56f1d6f970b2009-09-15T01:13:12+02:002009-09-15T01:15:15+02:00baileyalexander Still Life of a Liveaboardtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5bd81a0970c2009-09-12T16:03:49+02:002009-10-18T18:13:11+02:00Option A was to stay in the Malta flat in that heat and that air with transportation via mio marito's motorcycle or 60 yr old buses blowing billows of black smoke. Option B was to become a liveaboard within country...baileyalexanderArchitectural sonatas as performed by Rome, Austria-Hungary, and Titotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5542c90970b2009-09-07T20:29:22+02:002009-10-18T18:14:17+02:00We parked at ACI marina in Pula, our last stop in Croatia. The views were spectacular, if not extreme. At first we have the Imperial grandeur of Rome, a lovely coliseum, if not thee coliseum. Then I move the camera...baileyalexanderFood, conversation and the kids tour their twenty-third.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5a26dc8970c2009-09-05T17:15:10+02:002009-09-07T12:01:48+02:00Simple fare; fish, white wine and local water have been super for the diet and waste line for both me and my guy but finally we enjoy fries and a meat platter, wonderful stuff. Here are the kids, Colette and...baileyalexanderWhile life is still bare of clouds, chatter and things that don't matter...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5a258d4970c2009-09-05T16:39:35+02:002009-09-07T12:07:44+02:00Weather channel's insisting we stay at port another nite lest the Bora winds get the best of us so I've time to post pics from Mali Losinj. And si, oui, scenery's still drop dead gorgeous. Walking away from the coastline,...baileyalexanderDining along the pines, beneath the bridge of sighstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a53b97d1970b2009-09-01T10:28:25+02:002009-09-07T12:08:44+02:00A block from the marina we dine along the pines, just beneath the bridges, modeled after the Venetian 'bridge of sighs' where convicts were allowed their last divine gasp of the most feminine, the most pure city of them all....baileyalexanderCroatia arrives as advertized; drop dead gorgeoustag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a536dfe3970b2009-08-31T12:51:57+02:002009-09-05T22:14:43+02:00Cruising the Caribbean was culturally diverse with its islands of French, British and Danish descent and sailing from Seattle to Desolation Sound was deeply pretty, pristine and clean but Croatia, well, it has castles, cathedrals and 'bridge of sighs' kind...baileyalexanderBack in the land of fashion and foodtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a572aab8970c2009-08-25T17:39:29+02:002009-08-25T17:47:01+02:00Still floating in Otranto, taking a breather prior to sailing across the Adriatic to cruise Croatia and then enter La Serenissima. And why not, this town is quite the party, it could easily rival the Edinburgh fringe festival for eclectic...baileyalexanderAnchored out near Otranto's Castle.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a56ace9f970c2009-08-23T21:09:35+02:002009-08-23T23:13:58+02:00How fabulous is that! Quite, in fact, but not without its multiple tasks, bruises, abrasions, work and lack of sleep, some of which we've received back, but do need much more, svp. Gosh, had to edit prior post, a rarity,...baileyalexanderAfter a nite out w/the Genovesi we set sail to Santa Maria di Leucatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a56630cf970c2009-08-22T10:03:04+02:002009-08-23T23:12:33+02:00The Italians aboard the lovely 50ft beneteau with passarelle boasting black lights (tres chic), on our port side suggested we hit the well known fish joint across the marina. They'd just spent two months sailing along Croatia and had much...baileyalexanderA bit of a slog, allot of bliss, but we're back...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a508584d970b2009-08-20T16:39:41+02:002009-08-20T16:50:05+02:00...in the land where the coffee tastes like milkshakes and the pasta is al dente, finally! Benissimo!!! Such a process this exercise of sailing. It took some time to prepare. First I became at one with MADI. Cleaned, bleached, waxed...baileyalexanderPersephone's myth, Malta's archipelago and sailing away from Calypso's imprisonmenttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5501268970c2009-08-16T00:14:13+02:002009-08-16T08:46:37+02:00We'd hoped for Sunday but Monday's just fine by me. One should never, ever challenge the weather gods or the gods of fate when setting sail long distance. So, now tis time to bid adieu to persephone's myth near Mdina,...baileyalexanderWe stayed in a cave in Basilicata.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a54eb4ec970c2009-08-15T08:48:09+02:002009-08-15T08:50:33+02:00John Hooper@The Guardian has a great article about Matera, a place of caves where people have been living since Paleolithic times. This place, in Basilicata, in the south, was surreal and a must see for anyone that wants to see...baileyalexanderHamburg teases with dreams of green; a view from their window.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a4f504f6970b2009-08-14T20:30:13+02:002009-08-16T01:43:36+02:00One of the highlights of having a sailboat is meeting new friends along the dock. Here in Malta, Manuel Marina to be exact, we met a cool couple from Hamburg, Knut and his lovely wife Birgit. They park their baby...baileyalexanderMonday to Sunday countdown to sailing away....tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a4e4daf2970b2009-08-11T22:07:55+02:002009-08-11T22:10:22+02:00Because I felt landlocked for so many months, this simply serves to enhance the elation I'm beginning to feel. Big Time. To see the ETD exist within this week, to decide the date of departure lives on top of my...baileyalexanderThe next/new 'American Revolution'; let the silly/scary season begin.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a4d3cc96970b2009-08-07T23:25:55+02:002009-08-08T12:17:30+02:00Re recent protests, I thought the revolution would arrive in the form of a financial one. I thought the flavor would have a whiff of 'for the people' rather than 'for the corporate interest', via les lobbyists'. But then, who...baileyalexanderDinner parties vs Brightworktag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a5261950970c2009-08-06T21:44:57+02:002009-08-06T21:47:11+02:00I've been at it for three straight days and several more to follow, and even if the art of varnishing proves beyond my skillset, I have to admit, the process feels not too removed from entertaining friends. Putting on a...baileyalexanderSpeaking of inspirational....tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a51d671b970c2009-08-04T18:41:11+02:002009-08-04T18:41:11+02:00Lovely notes via cyberspace this am from the US and Italy. This pic of Fort Penante, in Limone, Piedmonte.baileyalexanderMovies and Michael Powell; A Matter of Life and Deathtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0120a51d217b970c2009-08-04T18:27:00+02:002009-08-04T21:12:28+02:00I thought Les Chaussons rouges lived at the top of my list of Michael Powell films, alas now, it's A matter of Life and Death. So whimsical, allegorical, cinematically creative, and yet, so serious. All about the emerging relationship btwn...baileyalexanderAnywhere, elsewhere, but here...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef01157253388e970b2009-08-02T17:40:05+02:002009-08-02T17:58:26+02:00Everyday I enviously trip upon some weird and variable weather pattern, anywhere, but here. For instance, in parts of Europe there's lengthy cool periods interrupted by short but sharply felt heatwaves...in Seattle there's major heat this week, in New York,...baileyalexanderConcentric circles as we prepare to sail away once again...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef01157245a3b1970b2009-07-29T16:30:01+02:002009-07-29T16:32:31+02:00I'm pleased and proud to announce the furniture is selling nicely, sofa and chairs disappeared quickly, quite possibly due to less than stellar bartering skills. Shelves, screens and drawers are still scattered about, waiting for a pair of eyes to...baileyalexanderCronkite and Carson both spoke for one United State of Mindtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0115712487d1970c2009-07-19T18:29:31+02:002009-07-23T18:44:19+02:00Whether or not you're a change agent, classicist or traditionalist, Cronkite's passing, like Carson, makes one pause, pine and ponder just why our country no longer swings back towards the middle. Nothing quite highlights the changing of the guard like...baileyalexander Tony's media campaign for President of EUtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef0115720d2ec7970b2009-07-16T14:10:50+02:002009-07-16T14:10:50+02:00Of course, a few issues at hand. 1) Job doesn't exist. 2) Job description hasn't been written; scope, deliverables, any particular need of or reason for is nowhere to be found. Must be hiding in the same place as the...baileyalexanderWhite Men vs The Real Worldtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef01157207c50b970b2009-07-16T10:51:20+02:002009-07-23T16:11:09+02:00Obama's Prez, Oprah and Ellen are tv talk queens. Counties like Santa Clara in California have residents speaking Spanish, Chinese, Farsi and Hindi, basically anything other than English, more diverse than the Metropolitan region of Miami. A proud, loud policy...baileyalexanderHow far have we come, baby?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef011571eb6b50970b2009-07-10T21:45:54+02:002009-07-10T22:04:23+02:00Pompidou in Paris showcases an all women show, finally, the largest of its kind. We've come a long way but nice to note the quote from 1989 by a group of women plastering posters across New York. "Do women have...baileyalexanderHefner, Lolita and Dorothy Parker's review of Nabokov circa '58tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341ca16253ef011570f2bd25970c2009-07-10T00:11:59+02:002009-07-10T00:11:59+02:00Hugh Hefner acquires serial rights, but I've mixed feelings, like many, after reading so much ado about Nabokov's unfinished work. Rewinds my mind to the time I read Dorothy Parker's review of Lolita. I'll go back to my portable DP,...baileyalexander