Fallowing

The fall is extravagant in the City of K. The guelder rose, the chestnut, and the smurky weather.

Old and New

Was talking to my students about recycling. Water, plastic, paper, etc. (The city of L. has yet to build at least one recycling facility. Most things just get dumped -- and not necessarily at the dumpster). Somehow we ended up talking about reusing things (thrift stores, donations, Salvation Army, etc). The interesting thing is that, when asked if they would wear/use something used/worn, 90% of the group pulled a quick 'no, never' at me. This was hardly a revelation but a confirmation. The cult of the (brand-) New has been obvious to me from day one. But the reasoning behind all this is still pretty unclear.

Be as it may, what bothers me most is that this place is losing a sense of history... I mean older things get mercilessly discarded (especially material culture). Grandmas and grandpas, those in their 70s, with their maniacal attachment to material possessions (mostly because they can't afford new things) are the only depositories of Soviet relics. The Soviets seemed to work hard to obliterate everything pre-Soviet. Younger people now seem like they were born with their iPhone, Nokia, IKEA, and Chinese Dolce&Gabbana. And the rate at which we now move through things is quite amazing. This kind of attitude is very similar to the attitude to computers and software. After all, why would you use Firefox 3.6.10 if the 3.6.11 is already out?

Piazzolla in the City of L.

Yet another happening that added some spice to the musical diet of the city of L. The symphonic orchestra opened the season with a medley of Piazzolla's pieces "Invierno porteño," "Adios Nonino," "Oblivion," the bandoneon concerto (Aconcagua), and "Libertango" as an encore. It was great to see some people leaving the concert hall humming tangos and skipping around the bus stop. Another group of people were trying to come up with mnemonics to remember the word 'bandoneon.' Piazzolla left everyone with something to do!