Can I be dead?

Well, no! Simply because when I die my body stops hosting an "I" - ergo, I can die but not be dead!

Michael

Whether I like him or not, Michael Jackson has been very much a part of my life with his music, his creativity, his dancing, his outrageousness, his courage to do what he wanted to do, and to continuously re-create himself. I salute your life, Michael! You have left a mark on my life and on our times.

Happiness

The other day someone asked what happiness was. So I thought I'd write about it a bit.

Wikipedia says that "Happiness is a state of mind or feeling such as contentment, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy".

Merriam-Webster says that it is "a: a state of well-being and contentment : joy b: a pleasurable or satisfying experience."

All very nice but largely overblown and useless definitions. So what is it to me, I though. At the end of the day, happiness comes from knowing that I have fulfilled or am fulfilling my life's purpose.

tango saxophone

The other day I listened to Francisco Lomuto's "1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2" CD. There, on track 2, is a simple, little, very melodic vals called "Congojas Que Matan".

What caught my attention was a surprise saxophone solo at about 1:24 -- a very short passage, a sweet, sad sound that so beautifully fits the feeling of the song.

I just can't help but listen to it over and over; ah so beautiful.

El Adiós

I recently revisited "El Adiós," this beautiful tango composed in 1937 and performed and danced by many.

My favourite interpretation for dancing is that of Edgardo Donato with Horacio Lagos singing just one verse. To hear all verses sung I listen to Ignacio Corsini's recording in 1938. Beautiful!

But what really made me return to it was the clip of Osvaldo y Coca dancing it in El Beso in Buenos Aires.



There are many things beautiful about their dance, but what sticks out the most is the feeling of love and care that they radiate as they dance. They are among friends who adore them and it is felt. I have seen Osvaldo and Coca dance several times in person and what you see on that video clip is the real thing -- that's how they are.

One little detail that was missing in this clip is a little peck on the lips they usually exchange before dancing which makes them even so much more special and dear.

Otros Aires

I have been listening to Otros Aires now for the second straight day. I love their (two) albums. Their music so beautifully combines the moderns sounds and ideas with the classics, made-to-sound-like-classics, and even the ancients. Singing, sound effects, the mix, track selections -- it all gives me a very good feeling of Buenos Aires streets so diverse, so full of life, with creativity everywhere. This Southern metropolis, Buenos Aires, is truly that - a metropolis equaling the other greats - paris and alike. The added benefit - tango - makes it irresistible.

Sings of age

I got a shocker the other evening reading an on-line news publication from Croatia - a former Miss Yugoslavia committed suicide - she was 62. Well, this particular lady, Ms. Nikica Marinovic, was Miss (former) Yugoslavia in 1966 and became first runner-up at Miss World that year. She was born and grew up in Dubrovnik.

Later on that year, we had our high school prom and Ms. Marinovic was invited. She came with her boyfriend who was a drummer in a local rock band and was controlling her every step.

At some point during the ball I got this crazy idea that I wanted to dance with her - she had not danced up to that point at all. I did not even dream that that would be possible given who she was, who I was, and given her eagle boyfriend. I went to their table and asked her to dance and she agreed!! So, I danced with Miss Yugoslavia. My friends did not let me off the hook for that one ever. And now she is dead! Hmmm.

P.S. In preparation for that prom, my mother gave me my very first ever lesson in Tango. Earlier that year I danced to the first tango I remember ever - Tango Delle Rose.