“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” -Buddha***
We mortals are composed of two great schools--Enlightened knaves or else religious fools.
--Abul 'Ala al Ma'arri (973-1057)***
"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" -Auntie Mame
*******************
Philosophy, History, Travel, the Arts, Whatever's on my Table...
PolanskiIFFKV.jpg (637 × 600 pixels, file size: 35 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Image: Thanks to Wikipedia
My final thoughts on the arrest of Roman Polanski:
In a word, the Polanski arrest is a case of revenge. Not revenge by the alleged victim of a crime, a girl who is now a mother who has settled with the director and forgiven him, a woman who wants the case to end. It is not the revenge of a court that obviously mishandled the case with a plea settlement that was never finally signed. Renewing the case only exposes the bungling of the judge and prosecutor in 1977.
No, this is the revenge of the city of Los Angeles upon an artist who exposed the corruption and the horrors involved in the growth of L.A. in the 1930s. Chinatown, Polanski's masterpiece, revealed in graphic detail how a city can be built on the backs of the innocent, how the most vile city leaders took L.A. to the water. It was a visionary film not only about the evil of power and greed in the growth of L.A., but about the war for water that is only just taking shape in our present century. The central metaphor of the film, that the crime in Chinatown is but a tiny embodiment of the bigger crimes that are universal, shows what is happening today with this arrest. Roman Polanski's arrest and continued incarceration expose another facet of the spitefulness of the self-righteous. Dredging up this sad case harms those who were harmed in the past and benefits absolutely no one.
Genre(s): Musical Written by: Christophe Honoré Directed by: Christophe Honoré Release Date:
Theatrical: March 21, 2008 Running Time: 100 minutes, Color Origin: France Language(s): French
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier, Chiara Mastroianni, Clotilde Hesme, and Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet
In the hope of sparking their stalled relationship, Ismael and Julie enter a playful yet emotionally laced threesome with Alice. When tragedy strikes, these young Parisians are forced to deal with the fragility of life and love. For Ismael, this means negotiating through the advances of Julie's sister and a young college student, one of whom may offer him redemption. Love Songs is a modern-day musical told through unforgettable songs sung entirely by the cast. (IFC First Take)
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
88
TV Guide Ken Fox
The result is a bittersweet trifle one can conceivably fall in love with, and Honore's best film so far.
You could describe Love Songs, as a blend of François Truffaut's wistful Parisian sentimentalism and Pedro Almodóvar's acrid polysexual comedy, which were never far apart to begin with (given the difference in climate and native temperament between France and Spain).
Chiara Mastroianni, whose mom, Catherine Deneuve, starred in Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (1964), appears here as Julie's sister. Vive la New Wave.
Yes, it's weird. But it's wild card weird, with that thrill of never knowing what's coming next or when these Parisians are going to get musical on us.
The average user rating for this movie is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jack M. gave it a10:
Romance, scenes of Paris, beautiful songs, and a tango of love affairs, what more could one want in a film? I have wanted to see Louis Garrel in scenes like this ever since Bertolucci's The Dreamers kept him from the full embrace with Michael Pitt. The interplay of Thanatos and Eros is moving, as well.
Read this poem tonight in W. S. Merwin's book, Migration:
Empty Water
I miss the toad
who came all summer
to the limestone
water basin
under the Christmasberry tree
imported in 1912
from Brazil for decoration
then a weed on a mule track
on a losing
pineapple plantation
now an old tree in a line
of old trees
the toad came at night
first and sat in the water
all night and all day
then sometimes at night
left for an outing
but was back in the morning
under the branches among
the ferns and green sword leaf
of the lily
sitting in the water
all the dry months
gazing at the sky
through those eyes
fashioned of the most
precious of metals
come back
believer in shade
believer in silence and elegance
believer in ferns
believer in patience
believer in the rain
For Christmas 2005 and New Years 2006, we went to Kalani
We love New Orleans. Neither Hurricanes nor neglect of the levees can keep New Orleans down. The city will rise out of the flood.
We enjoyed springtime 2006 in the Big Easy with KT and Dan. We stayed once again at the Biscuit Palace. Our Photos of New Orleans:
In June we made a trek to Savannah and Tybee, where we partied with the Killians and made the rounds of the usual Savannah establishments of Pinkies, Chuck's, Blaine's and Club One. We dined at Johnny Harris three times. Jane and John were a delight.
John and Jane continued to delight us in Asheville and Mt. Pisgah where we met up with Starr and Donna. What a great place to breathe afresh.
We also enjoyed the plenitude of Cape Cod. We stayed again at Lands End Inn. There are links and accounts of all the above on our Blog.
In July, we were hosting uncles for Gossetts Kimmie and Buddha (Lita) who enjoyed camp at Piedmont Park
On Dar's Birthday, we flew first class to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for ten halcyon days in the tropics, flying back-- again upgraded- on Jack's b'day: Links on the Blog
For Labor Day, we drove to Savannah, visited with family, stayed at the Hilton, and enjoyed the weekend with good food, company, and weather.
Later in September, Dar attended the American Cancer Society celebration in Washington. D.C. Mom and John visited briefly, and we met Aunt Edna at the airport and drove her to Chattanooga.
In October we flew to Albuquerque, NM for Dar's American Medical Writers' Conference. Jack visited the Gruet winery, drank champagne, and ascended to 8000 feet on the nearby cable car. (blog for pics).
In November Jack stayed at at the Dillard House in the mountains of North Georgia for the GISA conference.
For Thanksgiving we flew to San Francisco (click)(pics include Peggy and Starr's visit in Nov.).
Here is a letter to the AJC, along with one by old friend and fellow professor, Lucas Carpenter:
We began autumn 2005 in Pennsylvania, visiting clean, lovely Pittsburgh and the nearby Fallingwater house by Frank Lloyd Wright. Here are some photos we took. We had an enchanting evening at the Warhol Factory across the Allegheny River, and Jack toured the Frick's Clayton Mansion and visited the Victorian Botanical Garden. See Pittsburgh.
We love New Orleans. Neither Hurricanes nor neglect of the levees can keep New Orleans down.
We enjoyed Thanksgiving 2004 in New Orleans (our pictures of the city) with Starr, Bruce, KT, Dan and KT's family. We had dinner at Tujaques, Oysters, crawfish, shrimp, and crabmeat at the usual culinary palaces, saw a fab performance of Tru at the Petite Theatre in the Quarter, saw art in the NOMA sculpture garden, and had a glorious stay at the Biscuit Palace.
On July 22, 2005 we flew to Barcelona to see Amy in Sitges and take a 10-day Mediterranean cruise to Ibiza, Italy, Istanbul, and the Greek Isles. We experienced many Epicurean delights. See a few photos from the Odyssey at Cruise, '05.
We spent warm days at High Hampton Inn in North Carolina, and made visits to Tybee and Savannah (joining the Killians) and to Mt. Pisgah. For the 4th of July we saw fireworks from the Chattanooga Waterfront with Starr and Peggy. We spent two nights with Starr and Bruce on Lookout Mt. Neice Kimmie returned with us for a week of camp in Piedmont Park.
In February we saw Paco Pena and his Flamenco ensemble at the Rialto with Starr and Kim. Then we took in our neighbor's party. Maggie and Joce treated us all to brunch at Apres Diem.
For the December Solstice, we turned harsh winter into glorious summer, going to Buenos Aires, San Carlos de Bariloche and Patagonia, where we explored the Perito Moreno Glacier. Poem to Argentina (For Darryl) Have a look at a few of our photographs from the journey South: Argentina: 2004.In November 2004, we delighted in San Francisco, entertained by Alan and Polly. We saw the dazzling dance of the Alonzo King Lines Ballet and dined in the Castro. The CES conference was consoling after the grim election. Earlier we went to Savannah, attending a Halloween Party and visiting family. In October, we returned to Fall Creek Falls state park and hiked to the base of the Waterfall.
August 7, our wedding date- married on Cape Cod in Provincetown.
In July, we saw fireworks on the 4th with Starr in Chattanooga.
June began with Jack, John, Steve & David Killian meeting on Mt. Pisgah for 3 days. This trip followed the non-stop trip Jack, Dar and Kimmie took to Washington to see the Smithsonian, the Zoo, and to visit Marilyn and Sarah. We also went to St. Simon's Island and ended the month with five days in New York to attend the NLGJA annual conference. We also heard Jane Monheit at the Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel and saw "I Am My Own Wife" on Broadway.
Saturday, May 22, we saw Bill Maher at the Tabernacle. What a brilliant performance!
Saturday, May 15 Pamela Turner and Jack heard the dynamic voice of Dianne Reeves. Darryl enjoyed New Orleans, visiting with KT. Early May, the Paul Taylor Dance Company dazzled us at the Rialto. The Petrushka and Promethean Fire performances were pure visions. With the five visible planets aligned in the evening sky, March was exciting, to say the least: Palm Springs gave us tennis and relaxation; Savannah gave us indescribable experiences in Savannah's unusual clubs and other confines; St. Simons Island gave us more tennis and walks on the beach that was just beyond our balcony. Ah, sea breezes. April brought us a jovial gathering at Bell's Landing with Starr, Bruce, Sarah, Dad, Kathy, Mom, and us. Also in April, we saw the Whirling Dervishes at the Civic Center. And read the poetry of the Dervish founder Rumi. Valentine weekend was romantic-- Dinner at Icon, Mandy Patinkin at the Rialto (the next weekend we saw the sold -out Flamenco show Paco De Lucia), and an evening with Joce Sunday with dinner by Dar. We spent the last weekend of Feb. in the Big Easy with KT, dining at Antoines (pompano and oysters Rockefellow) and enjoyed the great weather. For Christmas (2003) vacation, we spent three days at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
We also had a visit to Chattanooga where we partied on Lookout Mt. with
Starr and friends, and visited Dar's family.
2003
(Prague) In Nov. and Dec. 2002, we celebrated several birthdays: John, Donna, Joce, Maggie and Dad. We also visited Starr and Bruce in Chattanooga and celebrated Bruce's b'day when they visited us and stayed in the 13th st. apt.
In Washington and Baltimore, in November, we visited with Paula and Joe, took in the Walters Museum's collection, saw the wonderful Bonnard show at the Phillips in DC, and attended the CES conference. Gov. Howard Dean was charming when told of our civil union in Vermont.
For T'giving went to Cape Cod (encore), then in Dec. we went to San Antonio. On Dec. 20, we flew to Savannah, and after Xmas at home, to Dublin, Ireland for New Years. We saw a play at the Abbey, enjoyed the friendly comraderie of Dublin Pub life, saw art, had great Irish food, and walked the elegant parks and greens of the city.
In January, we spent several delightful days in New Orleans, having dinner with KT at such places as the Sun Ray Grill and Cafe 201, having breakfast at Brennan's and seeing the hit musical "Five Guys named Mo."
A delightfully long V-Day weekend gave us a visit from Starr and her brother. The week before, we heard Paco Pena and his Flamenco ensemble at the Rialto.
March took us back to Hawaii for an exciting week that included ascending 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island, taking a helicopter ride over the live volcanoes and hiking to live, red hot lava in Volcanoes National Park. We completed our visit at Kalani with two nights in the treehouse . We soaked up the rich spirit of place there.
In April we spent a few days in the Blue Ridge Mt.s in Asheville. We celebrated David Perkins' birthday, visited their lovely home on a hill north of Weaverville, and enjoyed the spirited ambience of Asheville. Other spring events: VIP seats at the Eagles Concert downtown and Preservation Hall Jazz from New Orleans at the Jazz fest in P'mont Park. We saw Margaret Cho's sharp show at the Civic Center.
In May and June we heard Vera Bile at the Rialto, bought a new Mitsubishi convertible, and drove to Charleston for Spoleto. We saw Pamela Turner's moving play "The Lady and the Poet" about Maude Gunn and Yeats, and we saw dazzling Flamenco. We then drove to Savannah twice, the second time with brother Jim to visit with the Killians at Tybee and to celebrate Fathers' Day at the Hilton. In June, we drove to Chattanooga to meet our neice, Kimmie Gossett, and bring her to Atlanta where she enjoyed day camp at Piedmont Park. Our Vive La Difference Party was a hit with 50 of our closest friends. Thanks to all who helped make the party such a delight.
We spent the 4th of July in the Blue Ridge Mountains, feasting on the home-cooked fresh foods of the Dillard House and watching the spectacular fireworks in Asheville. The Parkway was lovely with Mountain Laurel in bloom.
August 2003: Darryl enjoyed Las Vegas, including performances of Cirque Du Soleil. Thanks to Maggie and Joce for a fab dinner on Jack's B'day August 7.
July & August: Prague. We had a gorgeous trip to this enchanting city for 10 days and traveled to Cesky Krumlov as well. Click the Prague link for letters to the editor of the AJC, as well.
October : New York City: We had a dazzling three days in the Big Apple, including three amazing plays: Wicked, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Take Me Out. All were sold out and all got standing ovations that were heart felt. Ned Beatty as Big Daddy was stunning. The sets and story and singing in Wicked were over the top and over the rainbow, including those flying monkeys soaring over the audience. Soaring is the word. Jamie Cullum at the Algonquin's Oak Room was a jazz and piano treat, his voice easily handling classic jazz songs. The New York Times accolades were correct. But best of all was our partying together at Jimmy's Corner after the performance. Jamie turned out to be a charming party boy, and his impressive knowledge of everyone from Mable Mercer to Johnny Mercer was respectable for a 24-year-old. He is eager to go to the Big Easy soon. On Monday, we saw the awe-inspiring El Greco show at the Metropolitan. Room after room of the Master's best 70 paintings transcended description. We walked through a lovely autumn Central Park filled with New Yorkers sunning themselves after the bustle of the Columbus Day parade. Yes, we took in the Village and some good food too. So much to do, so little time. The Algonquin and our room with the bay window over 44th St. were comfy and the best service we've gotten in NYC. Our first class flight (yea, we got upgraded to 1st class again, like on our flight up) got us back to Druid Hills by midnight.
An exciting autumn provided Darryl a new job as Managing Editor of the American Cancer Society. We took several trips as well: Dar to L.A. for the WTA Championships; both of us to New Orleans for a great ARLIS conference and visits with KT and Dan. Dar met Sir Ian McKellan and Terrance McNalley near Fort Lauderdale at an awards ceremony; while Jack went to Sammy's 60th b'day party with Paula and Joe, Alan K., Bro. John, Joce and the McQueens. For Thanksgiving, we had duck with Polly on Page St. in San Francisco, had dinner with Alan, and took a side trip to Yosemite. As December began, Jack attended the SACS conference in Nashville with ACA Vice-President Kay Kallos We spent Christmas at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
We traveled from Asheville to Savannah, then returned home for New Years, 2004.
We began 2002 in Spain. In Madrid we stayed at the Palace Hotel and we luxuriated in the splendid Alfonso XIII in Seville. We also visited the Alhambra in Granada and were given a tour of the city by one of its nicest citizens.
Later in January we flew to snowy Baltimore to visit Paula and Joe and celebrate Jess' 21st birthday. We visited the wonderful Walters Museum (where Paula works) and saw the Marvelous Matisse collection of the Cone sisters at BMA. We also celebrated the move into Paula and Joe's lovely new home.
In February, we enjoyed a few days in Tucson, staying at the delightful Arizona Inn. From there, we visited Sequaro National Park and Sabino Canyon. The open desert landscapes and mountains gave us fresh air.
In March, Dar visited Eric in Seattle. We also visited Savannah and Daufauskie Island with Starr and Bruce. We had steamed oysters at Teeples and dined at the Pink House. Previously, we spent two weekends in Tennessee, first in Memphis where we saw some great tennis, including matches of Roddick and Blake. Then we went to Chattanooga to visit Dar's Grandmother and family and Weiss House on Lookout Mt. where we had culinary delights. April in California, we basked above the Pacific in the hot tubs of Esalen. We stayed in a cabin in Pfeiffer State Park and dined at the Sierra Mar restaurant of the Post Ranch Inn. We met Eric in Monterey and saw the amazing aquarium there. Along Highway 1 and in sunny San Francisco, we got tans riding in our convertible. We watched the sunset from the Beach Chalet with Polly and Alan, whose stories livened the evening. Click "Big Sur," above, for a glimpse of our trip. We began the summer with Spoleto in Charleston, where we heard the clear, lovely voice of Tierney Sutton, and saw John Hurt in Brien Friel's latest play. We also stayed on the Isle of Palms. In June, we went to Tybee with the Killians, followed by a trip to New Orleans where we saw "Chicago," and had a delightful time with KT and Roger. For the 4th of July, we went to Cape Cod, and stayed in P'town at the Land's End Inn. The beach and town were a perfect blend of sun, surf, and seafood. Alaska in August was amazing. We flew to Seattle to take Holland America's Amsterdam north to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and the awesome Hubbard Glacier. For Labor Day we had 4 enjoyable days in Savannah. Then Dar flew to New York where he saw Hairsprayon Broadway.
In November in Washington and Baltimore we Visited with Paula and Joe, took in the Walters Museum's collection, saw the wonderful Bonnard show at the Phillips in DC, and attended the CES conference. Gov. Howard Dean was charming when I told him of our civil union in Vermont.
After the election, we took in the antidote to the debacle--a party with and a performance by John Waters. It was a Divine evening, from the cocktails, "sex in the city"s to the banter with the master of sleaze, himself. John gave us an hour-long stage and vaudeville act recounting the high lights of his life of film to a screaming, adoring audience at the Rialto (our favorite theatre.) Then we all were treated to "Female Trouble," from the Divine abuse of the Christmas tree to the shocking end in the electric chair.
Waters, of course, was charming as Dar and I sat and talked with him at the Mumbo Jumbo party about P'town and Baltimore. He was so modest! When we told him about our upcoming visit to Hampden neighborhood in Baltimore with Paula and Joe, he said, "You'll love it there. That's where I made 'Pecker." What a sweetheart!
A Ben Franklin Academy graduate served us delicious food and beverages during the party; then Jess, Dar, numerous friends, and I crossed the windy boulevards of downtown Atlanta to the Rialto for the performances. Republicans were reduced to just another excuse for counter-cultural excess! Nixon, Reagan, and the bushes--prods to get us out of our Bourgeoise complacency and make us aware that life is more than an SUV and a gun. More than oil and its byproducts. More than money. More even than Power. Trash is more than pollution and religion is more than self-righteous posturing. Amen. In short, we had an unforgetable night. And next week, we go to celebrate Thanksgiving in Provincetown--Thanks indeed! Thank you Buddha. Thank you Pan. And thank you most of all John Waters for an enchanted evening.
We heard the incomparable Maureen McGovern at the Rialto. We went to Asheville with Pamela and Bob and met up with David Perkins for the Mars Hill Homecoming. The Killians joined us as well. Dar spent a weekend in New Orleans(check out the link to Bourbon Street), where he attended Halloween parties and saw the play Gross Indecency with KT. They also went to church and returned to Cafe Sbiza for a fab dinner.
For T'giving we returned to Cape Cod and Provincetown; then in Dec., to San Antonio for the Southern Assn. of Colleges Conference. For Christmas vacation, Savannah, and Dublin, Ireland where we celebrated New Years Eve. We flew first class to Hawaii in March 2003.
2001
Picture: Darryl and Bob canoe across Lake Swann
January 2001 on Miami Beach (NY Times article on South Beach):
We slept to the sound of the ocean waves beneath our open windows and dined on seafood at cafes in South Beach.
The blue water and sunny beach formed the perfect contrast to the wonderful, snowy New Year's celebration at Fall Creek Falls state park in Tennessee with Starr, Bruce, Pamela, Bob, and other friends. From walks through the wintry woods to the waterfall to poetry and fiction readings in our spacious lakeside cabin, it was a great way to end our vacation. (see the year 2000 for our photos)
We also enjoyed theatre and art in New York . We appeared on the Letterman Show and saw such exciting Broadway plays as Cabaret and Copenhagen. In April, after we made a trip to Los Angeles for the ARLIS gathering and a visit to the Getty Museum, we spent halcyon days on Oahu and Maui in Hawaii. In May, we attended Spoleto in Charleston. We saw David Sedaris, enjoyed the play "A Servant to Two Masters," and we met up with Pamela and Bob for great meals and fun. Also In May, we attended the Music Midtown Festival and heard such performers as Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams. John and Donna celebrated their anniversary and heard the Indigo Girls.
In June, We enjoyed Tybee Beach with the Killians. Also In June, we visited KT in the Big Easy. We dined at Herbsaint, attended theatre nearby ("As Bees Drown in Honey"), went to the Greek Fest near Lake P. and had such delectables as crabmeat martinis at Commander's Palace, poboys at Parasol's, and a champagne b'fast on the porch of the Columns Hotel on St. Charles. Later in June and July, we had an exhilarating trip to Montana. We stayed in scenic Ensign lodge on Swann Lake and visited Glacier National Park.
In July and August, we stayed with Starr and Bruce in their lovely Lookout Mountain home above Chattanooga. We attended the festival in Riverside Park and also visited Dar's family in Happy Valley. Bruce prepared culinary delights for us and we had delicious dinners downtown. We saw our new niece, Lita, and brought niece Kimberly for a visit to Atlanta, where she attended summer camp in Piedmont Park. We attended the fabulous Sade Concert August 27. Read the great review of her show in the New York Times.
After the horror of Sept. 11, Darryl made an uplifting trip to New York where he saw Proof with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Strindberg's play Dance of Death, starring Helen Mirren and Ian McKellan.
Labor Day took us to the Big Easy where we attended the Decadence parades and a few plays (Hedwig) and had the good company of Katie and friends. We returned Dec. 7-11 to New Orleans for the SACS/SAIS Conference. We dined and partied with KT and heard innovative, exhilarating jazz at Snug Harbor with Carol Mathias. We had an excellent Thanksgiving with John, Donna, and friends in Savannah. We visited the family, then drove for 3 days of tennis camp at a Hilton Head Resort. The beach, the weather, and the tennis were exhilarating. Over the past few weeks, we visited Chattanooga and Asheville, where we met Starr and Bruce. We ended 2001 in Spain. (return to the index for photos and details)
In May, after our trip to Hawaii, we attended Spoleto inCharleston. We saw David Sedaris, enjoyed the play "A Servant to Two Masters," and we met up with Pamela and Bob for great meals and fun.
In July and August, we stayed with Starr and Bruce in their lovely Lookout Mountain home above Chattanooga. We attended the festival in Riverside Park and also visited Dar's family in Happy Valley. Bruce prepared culinary delights for us and we had delicious dinners downtown. We saw our new niece, Lita, and brought niece Kimberly for a visit to Atlanta, where she attended summer camp in Piedmont Park.
In June and July, we had an exhilarating trip to Montana. See a few of our latest photos: Summer 2001.
In June, we visited KT in the Big Easy. We dined at Herbsaint, attended theatre nearby ("As Bees Drown in Honey"), went to the Greek Fest near Lake P. and had such delectables as crabmeat martinis at Commander's Palace, poboys at Parasol's, and a champagne b'fast on the porch of the Columns Hotel on St. Charles.
In May, we attended the Music Midtown Festival and heard such performers as Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams. John and Donna celebrated their anniversary and heard the Indigo Girls.
In June, We also enjoyed Tybee Beach with the Killians.
We had an excellent Thanksgiving with John, Donna, and friends in Savannah. We visited the family, then drove for 3 days of tennis camp at a Hilton Head Resort. The beach, the weather, and the tennis were exhilerating. Over the past few weeks, we visited Chattanooga and Asheville, where we met Starr and Bruce. (click for a new link)
Darryl has returned from an uplifting trip to New York where he saw Proof with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Strindberg's play Dance of Death, starring Hellen Mirren and Ian McKellan.
Labor Day took us to the Big Easy (to which we returned Dec. 7-11 for the SACS/SAIS Conference. We dined and partied with KT and heard innovative, exhilerating jazz at Snug Harbor with Carol Mathias.)
In Sept., we attended the Decadence parades and a few plays (Hedwig) and had the good company of Katie and friends. We attended the fabulous Sade Concert August 27. Read the great review of her show in the New York Times.
2000
2000 began with a New Year's celebration at David and Birgit McQueen's party. A couple of weeks later, we flew to Boston. Then, after the winter ice storms, and after the WebMD-sponsored party and private performance at the Fox by Sir Elton John, we began a series of spring and early summer trips: San Diego, San Antonio, Kennebunkport, and Darryl to Chicago. We spent Memorial Day in Asheville with Bob and Pamela, Starr and Bruce. We even hiked through Craggy Gardens.
The highlight of summer was Our Civil Union . More Summer 2000
In November, we had a warm visit to San Miguel (we stayed at Casa Luna) and to Guanajuato (Casa de Espiritus Alegres).
the photo above (by Darryl) is of Guanajuato click it for the Mexico page.
And don't miss Darryl's Icelandic adventure (read his letters from Iceland).
The Christmas holidays gave us a whole new set of adventures: Photos of X-mas and New Years. January 2001 on Miami Beach (NY Times article on South Beach): We slept to the sound of the ocean waves beneath our open windows and dined on seafood at cafes in South Beach. The blue water and sunny beach formed the perfect contrast to the wonderful, snowy New Year's celebration at Fall Creek Falls state park in Tennessee with Starr, Bruce, Pamela, Bob, and other friends. From walks through the wintry woods to the waterfall to poetry and fiction readings in our spacious lakeside cabin, it was a great way to end our vacation. We also enjoyed theatre and art in New York . We appeared on the Letterman Show and saw such exciting Broadway plays as Cabaret and Copenhagen.
Our neice, Maggie Vivian Miller, daughter of John and Donna, entered the world on Dec. 11, 2000.
The Gay 90s
The 90s: A Gay Decade
Year by Year:1990- The boys next door meet--Karen Finley, Brandy Night, Big Kiss on New Years Eve.
1991- We take our first trek by train to New York in January. Stop in Washington, D.C. Move to North Avenue, Sammy and Joe Mead's house. Jack goes to Australia with the Killians- Sydney, The Blue Mountains, Snowy Mts. Coastal Parks.
1992- New jobs and a new home in Druid Hills. We visit the Great Northwest, including Victoria, Vancouver, and Aunt Edna's Port Orchard. 1993- We're off to Paris and Amsterdam with the Killians. 1994- Sad year. Dar's Mom Betty dies. Jack's step-brother Tim dies. We go with Momma Geri to Mt. Rainier, Butchart Gardens, Seattle, and Edna's house. 1995- Dar to Italy. We both watch Lindsay Lee play tennis at the French Open in Paris. 1996- Begin year with the Kirks in Copenhagen. Summer in England and Scotland. 1997- San Francisco and Oregon, connected by train. 1998- The Gay Games in Amsterdam with side trips to Brugges and Paris (to see Amy) 1999- Hellas {Greece} with Starr and Natalie. Athens, Delphi, Mykonos, and Thera. Thanksgiving with Geri in Paris and Amsterdam. Also in the Nineties: Quebec and Montreal, The Virgin Islands, Santa Fe, Phoenix, and numerous trips to New York, New Orleans, Asheville, Savannah, and Chattanooga.
Copenhagen '95-6
Notes from our visit, New Years Eve 1995-6
After several nights at the ship-like Admiral Hotel, Darryl and I taxied to the home of Alan and Katrina Kirk in the Norrebro section of the city. We had dined with them and their international friends at Pompeii, the night before, drinking full-bodied red wine and eating plate after plate of hearty Italian food. We arrived at their flat, five flights above Skt. Hans Torv with a splendid view of the square and church facing it. Kierkegaard's grave lies nearby up a tree-lined blvd.
We walked to the Rosenborg castle and the botanical garden there and watched the changing of the goose-stepping, black- hatted guards.
The Kirks took us to their favorite Turkish buffet and we attended the Royal Danish Ballet production of Flemming Flindt's Dodens Triumf
We have grown intimate with the Kirks, sharing the details of our private lives, staying up past three in the morning in their lovely living room, listening to Danish music, lounging on their plush leather sofa. Katrina is a delight to converse with, intertwining philosophy and sensuality in an irresistable blend. Alan is a paragon of consideration and kindness, taking Darryl and me on a walking tour of the city, including Christiana with its drug culture, squalid houses, aging hippies, and alternative values. As firecrackers went off like gunshots, several guys yelled at me for videotaping. Alan came to the rescue as I turned the camera off.
We celebrated New Years Eve at a party in the outskirts of Copenhagen, a costume party to which Katrina went as a mermaid, Alan as a devil, Darryl as a puritan woman named Goodie, and myself as Poncho Villa. The Danes took Darryl for a milkmaid.
We brought food, and with a number of guests from South America, we had an ethnic feast. Darryl's sweet potato pie, made with yams from the Turkish grocery store in Katrina's neighborhood was the hit of the party. We also got to meet Little Red Riding Hood, especially dear to Katrina.
We danced and heard all sorts of music until midnight; then, we all ran out into the snow to see the dazzling display of fireworks from every part of the city. We huddled and drank champagne and welcomed the arrival of 1996.
No account of Copenhagen would be complete without mention of a few highlights of our trip:
1) Hamlet's Castle Elsinor, to which we went by train through lovely, snow-covered fields and forests,
2) the museum/gallery Louisiana, with its contemporary art exhibits, including an erotic photography show, and sculpture garden on the banks of the Baltic sea, including Calder mobils and the like.
3) the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek with its green house atrium, ancient sculpture, and paintings by Bonnard, Pissaro, Gaugin, Vuillard, Monet...
4) Tivoli, which was closed but along the gates of which we walked and from which occasional fireworks arose.
5) Toldbod Bodega, the Danish restaurant where we had such delicious traditional food.
6) the Tyco Brahe planetarium and, in town, the tower where Brahe observed the heavens.
7) Stroget, the pedestrian street that winds through the old section of town and provided our morning coffee, "danish," and cheese.
Fall '96
It was back to work after our trip to England, after our experiences at the Olympics, and after a visit to see Starr and Darryl's family in scenic Chattanooga.
Of course we did manage a bit of entertainment-- going with Maggie and Joce to see K.D. Laing in concert at Chastain amphitheatre.
Darryl made it to the quarterfinals of the Peach tennis tournament over Labor Day weekend in the consolation matches. We attended a banquet of peachy tennis players at the Peasant Uptown.
It was party time at Briar Hills: D&J threw a party for Amy (fresh from her wedding in Paris) and friends, Saturday, October 5 from 8:00 P.M. 'til 4:00 A.M. Dar prepared ravishing martinis that put us all in the proper mood.
On Sunday Oct. 27, we attended the wedding reception of Rachel Braun and David Farris on Lake Lanier. The evening was perfect, with a full moon rising over the house and lake and a joyous crowd partaking of the food, good company, music and exotic bellydancing, including a dance of fire.
On Friday, Nov. 1 We made a trip to Asheville to meet Mom and Marilyn and visit with our friend Cliff. We all had dinner at the Laughing Seed on Wall St. On Saturday, after a delicious lunch at the Grove Park Inn, we drove to Mars Hill and Wolf Laurel, then up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Later, in the evening, we met David Perkins and visited his home on Sunset. On Sunday morning we took in the Craft Center on the Parkway, then made the long drive back to Atlanta via Highlands.
On November 10, we heard the inspiring chant of the Heart Sutra by Su Nim (Kim Mu-Seung) at the Cannon Chapel of Emory University as part of the Conference on World Religions. We then went to a baby shower for Jessica Seiler at her friend's home near Grant Park.
Mom visited us for Thanksgiving; We drove up to Chattanooga to see the acquarium and 3-d I-Max and stay in Starr and Bruce's home on Lookout Mt. We also saw the play Raised in Captivity at Actor's Express and had many delicious meals, none better than those homemade by Dar.
December 7-11 took us to the SACS conference in Nashville where we saw and heard the Grand Ole Opry and stayed at the lavish Opryland Hotel with its waterfalls, rivers, plastic snowflakes, and 30,000 poinsettas. Jack had a fab dinner at the Sunset grill near Vanderbilt thanks to friend Kay Kallos and ACA. We both had a quick tour of the Nashville favorites, including the parthenon and the Connection for a little nightlife.
Winter 1997
Our escape from Atlanta is over, though the visit to the Virgin Islands and the Pink Fancy on St. Croix remains a fond memory. We toured the Whim Plantation, strolled the St. George Botanical Garden, walked the streets of Christiansted and Fredericksted, and ate spicy West Indian food. But best of all was the day of sailing, snorkeling, and swimming in the Caribbean on our way to Buck Island. A close second was the day on the beach at Carambola Resort which concluded with free rum punch and hors d'oeuvres.
The slides are in from our trips to New Orleans and Nashville, and we hope to post a few in the near future. Savannah where we saw Mom, Marilyn, Dad and Kathy, John, and Lisa. is another fond memory as is the fabulous food, both in the Big Easy and in Savannah-- everything from crawfish etouffe to steaks on the grill in the garden on Stillwood.
Jack celebrated New Year's Eve with the McQueens at their sumptuous party with lots of friends, including Paula and Joe, Sammy and Joe, Eric, and Kathy Hagan Henderson. Dar stayed at home and watched "Our Miss Brooks," until Jack returned and helped him polish off a bottle of champagne.
As spring approaches, we are planning a trip to Savannah for St. Patrick's Day and a return to New Orleans, where Dar will be a panelist in April.
Spring, 1997
Dar and Starr on the Pedestrian Bridge (photo by Dar)
We began March with a trip to Chattanooga to visit with Starr, Bruce, and Dar's grandmother. Our evening at Starr's home on Lookout Mountain was a delight, from Dar's dinner of salmon in parchment to sitting on the deck sipping single malt scotch under the stars as the spring breezes played the windchimes. Dar and I found gold rings at the Antiques show downtown and we took photos on the pedestrian bridge.
We made a trip to Savannah for St. Patrick's Day, and Darryl attended the Lipton Tennis Tournament in Key Biscayne where our friend Lindsay Lee won one round.
As April began, we drove up to Amicolola Falls (highest east of the Mississippi) and spent two days and nights hiking, shopping and dining in Dahlonega, and gazing at the awesome comet Hale-Bopp. The long weekend there was literally a breath of fresh air.
Later In April we returned to New Orleans, and visited with K.T. Nachod and Carol Mathias. We wined and dined at Commander's Palace (with Beth and Vickie), the Palace Cafe, the Camellia Grill, Irenes, to name a few, and heard music at the Rock and Bowl while playing the worst bowling games in recent memory. It was a full four days and Darryl was the hit of the conference.
1998: January-May
Dar's tour of Guatemala included a visit to Tikal.
Darryl enjoyed Guatemala where he visited Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Tikal, the Mayan ruins, with friend Eric. We had a fantastic stay in Santa Fe for a week in March as Dar wowed the annual conference of The American Association of Medical Colleges. We resided at the
Inn of the Tourquoise Bear.
Besides enjoying the art and ambience of Santa Fe, including the Georgia O'KeefeMuseum and the Indian Arts Museum, we also visited spectacular Bandelier National Monument, the Sanctuary of Chimayo, Taos, and several stunning vistas of the Rio Grande.
We are still making plans for Amsterdam (Read the article) and Darryl was written up in Southern Voice.
For Christmas we flew to Seattle and Yakima after we made a trip to New Orleans Dec. 6-10 for the SACS Conference. In Seattle, we stayed at the Edgewater Inn and had a balcony overlooking the Bay. In April Mom visited us from Savannah for Spring Break.
Summer 1998
Jack and Darryl's Excellent European Adventure
Canal view, Amsterdam '98
The Duke of Burgundy Hotel where we stayed in scenic Brugge, Belgium (All photographs on this page by Jack) Darryl as the demigod Pelops in the onstage performance of Cafe Ooh-La-La in Amsterdam before a thousand fans. (from the video by Jack)
Darryl and Amy with baby carriage Luxemburg Gardens, Paris '98 Amy, Lucie and Dar at the Creperie, Blvd. Montparnasse
We had a truly exciting visit to the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Dar's participation in the Tennis matches on red clay courts, and in the Cultural events was great fun. We hope to add more photos soon of the Opening ceremonies of the Gay Games and performances in the central plaza of Amsterdam.
We went to Mt. Pisgah and Asheville with the Killians and brother John just before our trip to Europe in August...
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2000
Romance, scenes of Paris, beautiful songs, and a tango of love affairs, what more could one want in a film? I have wanted to see Louis Garrel in scenes like this ever since Bertolucci's The Dreamers kept him from the full embrace with Michael Pitt. The interplay of Thanatos and Eros is moving, as well.