Lost...

CHEERS?!

V-ati intrebat vreodata care este originea obiceiului de a ciocni paharele inainte de a bea? Am gasit niste "legende" legate de acest lucru . . . relatarea lor inainte de ciocnirea fiecarui pahar in noaptea dintre ani va intarzia probabil starea de intoxicare *giggles*.

Here you go:

No.1 - The cups were clinked as if to slosh poison from one vessel to another. The “clinking” ritual, according to this theory, was a gesture to prove the safety of the drink. In time, the actual mixing of the two drinks was altered to become a gesture performed especially amongst trusted companions. However, this origin was quickly debunked, as tradition holds that the host always drinks first to test the nature of the drink. The practice continues today especially in regards to wine. This supposed origin, however, actually dates back only to a fictional plot twist penned by Alexandre Dumas in the late 1800’s.

No.2 - Mediaeval custom of clinking goblets together in order to frighten the demons out of the spirits. The problem with this theory is that the sound of the clinking cups is likened to church bells, which were believed to frighten the devil (the devil I should add , was said to often frequent festive activities). Although it is doubtful that the clanking of the wooden tankards and clay cups of the period could make such a sound.

No.3- The Germanic tribes would bang their cups on the table before drinking in order to knock out the ghosts, and the Congolese natives would ring bells before emptying their cups for the same reason. Nomadic horsemen, like Atilia, decorated their cups and wine sacs with bells and other “clinking clutter” for the purpose of keeping out the evil. The Tibetans tapped their cups of Kumiss before drinking. From the citizens of the Shang Dynasty crying “Kaan” to Nordic tribes in the caves of Odin cracking skulls and shaking leather wine sacs, all peoples seemed to make noise before drinking. However, it seems that not all cultures necessarily took part in the ritual of clinking glasses.

No.4 - In Ancient Greece, before the “Yimas” (to your health, or cheers), noise played a part in drinking as well. A myth says that wine, as well as all other things spiritual and beautiful, must appease and tempt each sense. The bouquet of the wine is for the nose, the colour for the eye, the body for taste and touch, and, of course, the clinking of the goblet for the ear. Ancient Greeks had other reasons for clinking cups: the first drink (the Proposis, or “the drink before”) was taken by the gods and not the mortals whom imbibed the rest of the drink. The Homeric ritual for this act involved rising to one’s feet and holding a drink in the right hand aloft, and then with both hands in air, praying “to the gods!” and then deliberately spilling some of the drink. In 4th century b.c., Herodotus spoke of much toasting and “cheersing” even to the extent as to mention that even the Germanic savages were familiar with the custom of clinking cups.

Oricare ar fi adevarul, ani intregi de istorie imi vor trece prin fata ochilor inainte de a bea urmatorul pahar si va fi placut sa simt o conexiune in acest fel cu civilizatiile trecute. Adevarul este ca, indiferent de momentul in istorie...este placut sa stii ca s-au mai facut si altii pulbere inaintea ta sau odata cu tine heh.

New dawn?

Este seara. Astept sa se incalzeasca apa ca sa pot face un dus. Imi aprind o tigara si mut de pe Realitatea pe Pro. Sunt happy. Ma uit la brad si rememorez 4 zile in doua secunde.
A fost frumos. La tv e o emisiune, Romanie te iubesc, ‘-eh, astia de la pro cu emisiunile lor…’. Arunc ochii intr-o doara spre tv si …

Cighid – lagarul de exterminare a copiilor cu handicap

Supravietuitorii iadului de la Chighid depun marturie. Adusi din leagane, cu diagnostice grave, copiii cu handicap sever ajungeau aici pe moarte.
In 1990, reporterii de la Spiegel TV surprindeau imagini socante: copii lasati sa zaca in propriile fecale, urlete si sunetul obsesiv al paturilor ruginite ce se loveau de zidurile reci. Acest lagar a adus Romania in fata intregii lumi cu un mare handicap, de care se chinuie si acum sa scape.
Iernile, micutii se inghesuiau unii in altii ca sa nu moara de frig, iar dimineata asistentele ii gaseau acoperiti de promoroaca. (protv.com)

Imaginile sunt groaznice, bantuitoare. Ideea de ansamblu a reportajului este una optimista ; unii copii, oameni maturi acum, depun marturie despre trecut si prezent.
Sunt bine. Amintirile ii tulbura. Dar sunt bine, pentru niste copii trimisi la Cighid catalogati ca fiind ‘irecuperabili’.

Si totusi…’CE BINE ERA PE VREMEA LU’ CEAUSESCU ‘. As fi crezut ca esta imposibil sa mai auzi refrenul asta si totusi… Cei care au dus-o ‘bine’ (e.g. au avut rude care…, si vecini care…, si …ba mie nu mi-a lipsit nimic nu stiu ce tot zice lumea…, si totusi aveai un loc de munca sigur, o casa) ar trebui sa ia in consideratie si ‘aspecte’ de genul celui prezentat mai sus. Poate acestea vor avea o rezonanta mai mare decat problema libertatii cuvantului si a liberei circulatii a informatiei.

Nu mai sunt happy. Nu am cum sa mai fiu happy. Nu cred ca am fost cu adevarat happy vreodat’.

Ashes to Snow

The Nomadic Museum / Exhibition Gregory Colbert - Ashes and Snow:

“In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present.” — Gregory Colbert, Creator of Ashes and Snow .

Gregory Colbert's Ashes and Snow is an ongoing project that weaves together photographic works, 35mm films, art installations and a novel in letters. With profound patience and an unswerving commitment to the expressive and artistic nature of animals, he has captured extraordinary interactions between humans and animals.

His 21st-century bestiary includes more than 40 totemic species from around the world. Since he began creating his singular work of Ashes and Snow, Colbert has mounted more than 30 expeditions to locations such as India, Egypt, Burma, Tonga, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Antarctica, the Azores, and Borneo.

The show first opened at the Arsenale in Venice, Italy, in 2002 and is charted to travel the globe with no final destination. The Nomadic Museum, the travelling home of Ashes and Snow, debuted in New York (March to June 2005) and then travelled to Santa Monica (January to May 2006), and Tokyo (March to June 2007). The show will travel next to Mexico City.

More here.

Probleme la alegerea cadourilor de Craciun?

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Ahhh the good old days of when parents threw knives at their children......

Mda . . .