from The New Republic, Oct 18 1939
W.H. Auden — September 1, 1939 (read by Dylan Thomas)
E.B. White- Here is New York, 1948
There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter-the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something.…Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion.
The subtlest change in New York is something people don’t speak much about but that is in everyone’s mind. The city, for the first time in its long history, is destructible. A single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn the underground passages into lethal chambers, cremate the millions.
Laurie Anderson - O Superman
There was an absorbing symposium on climate change at the Scandinavia House today (great restaurant, hello !- and more) . I urge you to watch the video of the event available on-line soon. It totally elucidates all the arguments and raises some that are have been quite hidden in terms of the sociology of the Arctic Circle. PLEASE check it out. These people absolutely know what they are talking about. It is not politically agenda’d.
A weird juxtaposition but I then this evening checked out a student/faculty concert evening at Turtle Bay Music School. Very mixed talent from very young to middle-age plus;) Now/but: who is to say that any of these students may/will not find their true voice! ? So if you are about to ‘pop your clogs’ maybe spare a thought for these Turtle folk doing good.
I was totally fascinated. Easy to make fun: but you will never know unless you have tried- how hard it is get upon that stage and perform even in front of friends and family. They will never tell you the truth but YOU are the one that strives to deliver the best truth on that stage that you can muster! Some 'off' notes tonight but NEVER heard a false note of truth throughout the entire evening.
That is courage and belief. They some/all may not end up on Broadway but they will you all end up better people for having chosen that courageous leap.
