Storytime... (KISS)

...the twisted little way I have of writing...

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Something about that feeling

As the Haze settles in and I fall again into that killer routine... I wonder what it's like for the Christmas carol singing bubbly creature stationed at the desk across from me. We all show up competing with one another on some level. Who is the most important, who has the best clothes, who just got laid. And me. I'm jealous. They seem so alive, so busy, so... unhappy. Where did I go wrong? I want to be part of the group. I'm stuck here on my side of the desk, lonely, out of the loop and miserable. What's worse the droning monotony has left me numb. I'm dropping into a haze again. I can't quite break free from the clutches of this ... this... this ... Life!
But who needs living anyway. Living is Hell.

Friday, November 17, 2006

the article pre final - ish - edit

The best place to get good ethnic food in Richmond is at any one of 53 festivals Richmond hosts every year. Not only is the food fresh, authentic, and quite tasty; but the atmosphere just can’t be beat.
Richmond is a diverse city and we’re lucky to have åsuch a culturally conscious population. Most cities don’t care who you are or where you came from. Here we all get together to celebrate anyone’s culture. And what celebrations there are!
Throughout the years, people have come to celebrate just because and left with a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Gloria Cahen of the Irish American Society of Greater Richmond said “I don’t think people realize their heritage, they come to an event and get curious and start researching” and usually what they discover stays with them.

Why celebrate?
Annual Asian-American Celebration

What else are the celebrations all about? People! It has only been ten years since it started at local High-Schools and on May 5th the Annual Asian-American Celebration will again fill the Richmond Convention Hall with 14 thousand people all coming to have a good time, to learn, to eat, to party. Twice a year they host this event and “we encourage everyone to learn something new. […] It’s the hands-on experience that teaches children and that is why we are having so much success.” Said Rumy Mohta of the Asian American Society.
There is strength in these numbers, they know something, but what? There’s no doubt it’s about the food. How often do you see an authentic Singaporean restaurant? Not in town, but as luck would have it there are too many to count at the festival and twice a year you can get authentic, fresh, savory down-home cooking from a down home that’s half a world away. The recipes aren’t for sale but the smell that beckons you through the door leads you to every taste you could imagine from the traditional to the adventurous. That’s not all, admission is free.
The food can’t be beat and the atmosphere is one where you can spend an entire day and not realize it. From scavenger hunt prizes for children to basket-ball and lantern-building, to Kite-making and an Iron-Chef Competition; the Asian-American Celebration is set on promoting a better understanding of different cultures and giving people a reason to have a good time. “We’re not affiliated with any religion or political, we just want to teach people about other cultures and if one child learns one thing then the whole day was a success.” Said Mohta.

Where does the money go?
Celtic Fest

But why stop there. Grab a beer, some Haggis and a good friend and come watch large men throwing stuff. When it comes to sports – nothing beats the Highland Games. “You have to have won a competition to get into the national championships which are hosted every year at the National Celtic Festival.” Said Jay Lugar, director of marketing for the State Fair of Virginia. “It’s a non-profit thing so the proceeds go towards scholarships, school tours, etc.” Seeing 15 to 20 thousand people each year, the Celtic fest has grown beyond its limits and will be moving to the State Fair’s new larger fairgrounds area in the near future.
So what can you find at the festival? There are over sixty vendors of all sorts of goods not including the authentic foods. You can get clothing, kilts, jewelry, and other unique memorabilia.
There are also lots of things to do. From activities for the kids to a whisky tasting seminar – where you can learn how and why different whiskies taste the way they do. Next October 27th and 28th you can come together with other festival goers and learn about clans, listen to traditional, folk and even rock music and enjoy authentic foods you can only get once a year.

Oh The Atmosphere!
Oktoberfest

It’s one of those festivals you seldom hear about but everybody knows somebody who’s going. The annual Oktoberfest is the place to go to have a good time. Held mid to late October every year at The Richmond Convention Center, it’s rare you’ll se them advertise.
“It seems they like to keep out the people who might think it’s all about the drinking.” Said one anonymous patron at the last event. There’s authentic German hats and clothing, to steins, mugs, pins, stuffed toys, and other crafts for sale, a place to park the kids and let them do some arts and crafts, and then there’s Beer.
Food, Music, Wine and Beer draw quite a decent crowd. The whole place fills with music and with it, the dancing begins. Traditional German music is played by bands brought in from all over the world and all night the Waltz and the Polka are heard; broken only by the intermittent “Gemuetlichkeit” (Cheers!) song, the Chicken Dance and the German national anthem.
No one frowned, even the faces in the endless line for potato pancakes were all smiles. The food is German, the dress is predominantly German and the people German or not were all having a good time socializing, drinking and dancing. A celebration of the harvest, Oktoberfest is known for its beer, its music and its authentic good time.

The Fruit of my Labors!
Food in the Greek Festival

“The thing you never want to miss is the authentic food.” Said Lugar. “It’s the kind of stuff you can’t go down to the corner wherever and just pick up normally.” They don’t count the food by the pound, “It comes in by truck-load and takes months to prepare.” Said Phyllis Knuth of the Greek Orthodox Church. Every year 50 to 75 thousand people are served, there isn’t a charge to get in and they even set up a drive-through to alleviate parking and line issues.
Hundreds of volunteers put in four days to earn money for a good cause. Last year they gave portions of the proceeds to four local charities to help children, hospitals and those with Autism. “You go listen to some music, get some Grecian food and come home with a souvenir.” said Knuth. But don’t miss the moussaka and the souvlaki at the next Greek Festival which – provided renovations conclude in time – will be again in June.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Where the article stands so far now.

The best place to get good ethnic food in Richmond is at any one of 53 festivals Richmond hosts every year. Not only is the food fresh, authentic, and quite tasty; but the atmosphere just can’t be beat.
Richmond is a diverse city and we’re lucky to have such a culturally conscious population. Most cities don’t care who you are or where you came from. Here we all get together to celebrate anyone’s culture. And what celebrations there are!
Throughout the years, people have come to celebrate just because and left with a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Gloria Cahen of the Irish American Society of Greater Richmond said “I don’t think people realize their heritage, they come to an event and get curious and start researching” and usually what they discover stays with them.

Why celebrate?
Annual Asian-American Celebration

What else are the celebrations all about? People! It has only been ten years since it started at local High-Schools and on May 5th the Annual Asian-American Celebration will again fill the Richmond Convention Hall with 14 thousand people all coming to have a good time, to learn, to eat, to party. Twice a year they host this event and “we encourage everyone to learn something new. […] It’s the hands-on experience that teaches children and that is why we are having so much success.” Said Rumy Mohta of the Asian American Society.
There is strength in these numbers, they know something, but what? There’s no doubt it’s about the food. How often do you see an authentic Singaporean restaurant? Not in town, but as luck would have it there are too many to count at the festival and twice a year you can get authentic, fresh, savory down-home cooking from a down home that’s half a world away. The recipes aren’t for sale but the smell that beckons you through the door leads you to every taste you could imagine from the traditional to the adventurous. That’s not all, admission is free.
The food can’t be beat and the atmosphere is one where you can spend an entire day and not realize it. From scavenger hunt prizes for children to basket-ball and lantern-building, to Kite-making and an Iron-Chef Competition; the Asian-American Celebration is set on promoting a better understanding of different cultures and giving people a reason to have a good time. “We’re not affiliated with any religion or political, we just want to teach people about other cultures and if one child learns one thing then the whole day was a success.” Said Mohta.

Where does the money go?
Celtic Fest
But why stop there. Grab a beer, some Haggis and a good friend and come watch large men throwing stuff. When it comes to sports – nothing beats the Highland Games. “You have to have won a competition to get into the national championships which are hosted every year at the National Celtic Festival.” Said Jay Lugar, director of marketing for the State Fair of Virginia. “It’s a non-profit thing so the proceeds go towards scholarships, school tours, etc.” Seeing 15 to 20 thousand people each year, the Celtic fest has grown beyond its limits and will be moving to the State Fair’s new larger fairgrounds area in the near future.
So what can you find at the festival? There are over sixty vendors of all sorts of goods not including the authentic foods. You can get clothing, kilts, jewelry, and other unique memorabilia.
There are also lots of things to do. From activities for the kids to a whisky tasting seminar – where you can learn how and why different whiskies taste the way they do. Next October 27th and 28th you can come together with other festival goers and learn about clans, listen to traditional, folk and even rock music and enjoy authentic foods you can only get once a year.

Friday, November 10, 2006

section by section:

fest people - Oktoberfest



fest fund r - Greek (and proceed benefits)



fest sports - Celtic



fest music - Folk



fest atmos - Asian-Am

still in the Making

Outline:

fests: 5
Asian - 804) 245-4974 also Mr. Simon Sunny Rinthalukay
celtic - Jay Lugar Office: (804) 569-3226
greek - Call 804-358-5996
oktoberfest - Hans Stienen
folk-fest - Katie Boyer (804) 492-9448.

Sections:
what they do
why they celebrate
benefits

food - The spread of food you can't pronounce but can't get enough of
fest - Greek (and proceed benefits)
person - intimate atmosphere -we're all family and friend here - of course that could be the beer
fest - Oktoberfest
music - a myriad of cultures, ethnic traditional everywhere. The sence of being wholly immersed in another culture
fest - Folk
sports - Initally I went to see guys in kilts heave stuff... then I started enjoyinh it. Known for it's Highland games, the Celtic fest is a growing festival celebrating ... everything celtic!
fest - Celtic
people - tell me what it's like walking around at the Asian American Festival
fest - Asian-Am


or

food - The spread of food you can't pronounce but can't get enough of

fest people - Oktoberfest
fest fund r - Greek (and proceed benefits)
fest sports - Celtic
fest music - Folk
fest atmos - Asian-Am

people - It is overwhelming watching the whole room get up and flock to dance the chicken-dance for the fifth time...
The food not to miss here:
Numbers
what the patrons do
why they celebrate
who benefits

fund raising -
The food not to miss here:
Numbers
what the patrons do
why they celebrate
who benefits

sports - Initally I went to see guys in kilts heave stuff... then I started enjoyinh it. Known for it's Highland games, the Celtic
fest is a growing festival celebrating ... everything celtic!
The food not to miss here:
Numbers
what the patrons do
why they celebrate
who benefits

music - a myriad of cultures, ethnic traditional everywhere. The sence of being wholly immersed in another culture
The food not to miss here:
Numbers
what the patrons do
why they celebrate
who benefits

atmosphere -
The food not to miss here:
Numbers
what the patrons do
why they celebrate
who benefits

Thursday, November 09, 2006

new to do list:

English Oral
Eth Article
write reaction Paper
Card Lab project one due Mon
write Webb article

finish 40
finish hat
get a second hat

movie
mind-dump

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Not traditional enough - re-edit

A Reason to Celebrate: Ethni-City
(992 words)
By: Shannon Hollender


Note to elf: Scrap the whole thing for "content" and re-write with sectionalized theming and dumbed-down themes or you'll never get it past the editors...


It's not like going to the Opera, you don't sit there and quietly observe. Richmond festivals are about the celebration. And the celebration is about as labour intensive as it gets. The amont of involvement it takes to organize these things is staggering. ""We cook non-stop for a week! says so-n-so "and it's still not enough!" The experience of it all is indescribable. You walk into a wholly different world. There are people dancing to music unlike anything you've heard on the radio, the band is authentic, not some cover-band re-make. They play traditional songs n the tradition fashion and it leaves you with the same awe-inspiring feeling had









When Saysamon Rinthalukay, organizer of Richmond's Laotian Community, recalls first coming to the United States, he looks to the future; "There is opportunity for everybody in this country, my son does not realize how lucky he is." He said it was a struggle comming to the U.S. and every day is a reason to celebrate.

Sasamon can be found behind a table talking to patrons at the Annual Asian American Celebration teaching as many as he can about the way of life he came from in order to get here. The music in the background is light-hearted and fast-paced, primal and deep. You can hear the drums beat and the feet pound the ground in practiced repetition as the festival kicks off another beautiful, cultural, and moving display of traditional dance. This is what celebrating one's culture is about. Learning, dancing, food, this is about the pride so many feel to be American

Oktoberfest:
Music grabs the attention and inspires the joy of everyone young and old. And it seems the more traditional, the more of a hit it is going to be. People all over the region flock to such events like the Richmond Oktoberfest for the music and the good food. .

Folk Fest:
The National Folk Festival, will this October be celebrating the last of the three-years it designated for Richmond. Traditionally they showcases a variety of cultures and customs along with their music and the variety of experience to be had is unbelieveable. .

"I got a car and it was a big mistake. I had not thought about insurance, I didn't even have license" Saysamon recalls. For years he worked and biked and even sponsored other refugee and immigrant families, claiming it was important someone who knew the culture did this. You have to know to not put hotdog or hamburger in the fridge, "Laos like sticky rice and we're the only ones who do. It is more filling."

But even stocking his own fridge was a challenge without a car; "I was used to going and getting things from market and carrying back. The people [here] looked at us strange for carrying our groceries."

It is surprising that as diverse as Richmond is, cultural heritage is still a concept so very foreign. "I don't think people realize their heritage, they come to an event and get curious and start researching" said Gloria Cahen of the Irish American Society of Greater Richmond. "That's how lots of people get involved with any number of the events we have in Richmond."

And that involvement is why so many cultural organizations hold so many events year round here in Richmond. From the annual Oktoberfest, to the local organization of Arabs in Richmond celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan, for so many there's a reason to celebrate every day.

"I was lucky" says Saysamon, "to come to this country." He worked as a translator for Laotian refugees in the court system and said it hurt to see so many of his people, used to the kind of persecution he escaped, and to know they were being sent back to it for making mistakes here. Saysamon reasoned; "I help. It is my civic duty. My wife does not like it [...] but I tell her I make a promise, I not break it."

Throughout the years Saysamon has led associations and organizations dedicated to helping Laotians become good American citizens. The first one; Laotian Relief Association of Virginia (LRA), was successful in bringing together a support group for Laos in the area "...but too many people wanted to misuse it, to use the money, go back and liberate our country. I had to dissolve it."

In 1991 Saysamon gave everything the LRA had to a Buddhist Temple. "Fish, eggs, sticky rice, our fridge is filled with basics [...] we stay the same way, we are not used to [immediate gratification.] Where I come from a person needs something they go fetch it."

There is a drive-through during the week of the festival so nine-to-fivers can get an authentic Greek Lunch on the go. If food is the way to a man’s heart, then the annual Greek Festival, which draws crowds numbering in the thousands each year, has conquered the hearts of thousands.

The Greek pride themselves on the thousands of pounds of food cooked annually for the people who annually attend, obviously, food is also the way to draw in and win over a crowd. Serving Gyros, Souvlaki, Dolmades, Shrimp, wine, lemonada, Baklava and so on; every year the Greek Festival attracts more people to attend than had the previous year. All to celebrate Greek ways, Greek heritage, Greek food!

From The Annual Oktoberfest to the Asian American Society, the French Film Festival, to the Italian Street Festival, people come together to celebrate just that - coming together. No matter where you go at any of these events, you find yourself immersed in a culture and an experience that is truly unique and entirely enjoyable.

And what of Saysamon? You may find him sitting at a booth at just such a festival, teaching others about his culture and heritage, complaining about kids these days and smiling that smile of his. "I am lucky to come to this country." He says; and he would prefer no one ever forget it.~

I'm always afraid

I'm always afraid when I hiccup. I'm afraid because I think if I'm drinking anything and then I hiccup at the same time, because you can't control that, I think that I'm going to choke when I drink and hiccup and I think I'm going to die from that. What's worse is the papers would say I died hiccuping. How aweful! Drowning by hiccup!
I'm always afraid when I hiccup. Aren't you?

Monday, November 06, 2006

Addictive Parenting - Better Days At 40

Dirty dollar bills grip my lonely nights
Screaming silence prepare me to be raped
I am yours, young victims, your children
Weeping, thus feel nothing, ripping pain
Penetrateing will, remove my safety belt
And throw me, your used jacket, off away
For I am no man, am no woman I am no-one
I search your wallet while you're asleep
Same ol' story No money a fat 8-ball bag
I'll starve. I have no use for your drug
Too many nights wasted spiting out blood
Lonesome phone's sweet silence by candle
Mine and my mistake confining this night
Oh by choice why didn't I learn from you
I watch you leaveing me, this time again
I sell what was yours for a bit of bread
Pace the floor, feel older than my youth
Strike hard the match burning away bills
"I am salvations" temptations all around
Feeling nothing, breathing in your death

Being a parent is being used, being loved, struggling. Life and how it feels is classless in a child’s eyes. Rearing is the rape of being abused by a rat-race public or by a self-centered loved one, worse; by a child. Young and old, we feel dead at times. And, at times, we are.

So apparently some sites don't allow certain words so there has to be some altering: On that note here's what it became:

Addictive Parenting

Dedication:
Rearing is abuse, feeling dead at times, being classless. To parents:

Dirty dollar bills grip my lonely nights
Screaming silence prepares me to be used
I am yours, young victims, your students
Weeping, thus feel nothing, ripping pain
Penetrate my will, remove my safety belt
And throw me, your used jacket, off away
For I am no man, am no woman I am no-one
I search your wallet while you're asleep
Same ol' story; No money 3.8 bag of crak
I'll starve. I have no use for your cure
Too many nights wasted spiting out humor
Lonesome phone's sweet silence by candle
Mine and my mistake confining this night
Oh by choice why didn't I learn from you
So I watch you leaving me time and again
I sell what was yours for a bit of bread
Pace the floor, feel older than my youth
Strike hard the match burning away bills
"I am salvations" temptations all around
Feel nothing, and breath in sweet demise

Friday, November 03, 2006

A Reason to Celebrate: Ethni-City

A Reason to Celebrate: Ethni-City
(992 words)
By: Shannon Hollender

Since when did paying bills become more important? Remember the need to have a good time, no matter the cost? And every once in a while the feel of finding yourself immersed in something, utterly clueless as to what's going on and smiling that strange 'I can't get enough' smile. What happened to people having a good time? What happened to enjoying and celebrating simply being American?

When Saysamon Rinthalukay, organizer of Richmond's Laotian Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Laotians be successful citizens, was asked to recall first coming to the United States, he said "Schooling is so very important, lack of precision is so very prominent, there is opportunity for everybody in this country, my son does not realize how lucky he is."

He recalled being in Laos, a beautiful country tucked between Thailand and Vietnam. He escaped wrongful persecution by somehow getting to a refugee camp in Thailand. Having earned a degree in economics and French, he hoped to escape to France. Instead, his brother got him to the U.S. where they both biked to work and to English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. "Cartoons taught me the local speech better!" he recalled.

We smile at the mouse dancing across the screen as the cat nearly catches him but plows into a wall. The music in the background is light-hearted and fast-paced, primal and deep. You can hear the drums beat and the feet pound the ground in practiced repetition as the Annual Asian American Celebration kicks off another beautiful, cultural, and moving display of traditional dance.

Music grabs the attention and inspires the joy of everyone young and old. And it seems the more traditional, the more of a hit it is going to be. No matter the ethnic background people all over the region flock to such events like this for the music.

A prime example is The National Folk Festival, which will be celebrating this October the last of the three-years it designated for Richmond and which traditionally showcases a variety of cultures and customs as well as their music.

"I got a car and it was a big mistake. I had not thought about insurance, I didn't even have license" Saysamon recalls. For years he worked and biked and even sponsored other refugee and immigrant families, claiming it was important someone who knew the culture did this. You have to know to not put hotdog or hamburger in the fridge, "Laos like sticky rice and we're the only ones who do. It is more filling."

But even stocking his own fridge was a challenge without a car; "I was used to going and getting things from market and carrying back. The people [here] looked at us strange for carrying our groceries."

It is surprising that as diverse as Richmond is, cultural heritage is still a concept so very foreign. "I don't think people realize their heritage, they come to an event and get curious and start researching" said Gloria Cahen of the Irish American Society of Greater Richmond. "That's how lots of people get involved with any number of the events we have in Richmond."

And that involvement is why so many cultural organizations hold so many events year round here in Richmond. From the annual Oktoberfest, to the local organization of Arabs in Richmond celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan, for so many there's a reason to celebrate every day.

"I was lucky" says Saysamon, "to come to this country." He worked as a translator for Laotian refugees in the court system and said it hurt to see so many of his people, used to the kind of persecution he escaped, and to know they were being sent back to it for making mistakes here. Saysamon reasoned; "I help. It is my civic duty. My wife does not like it [...] but I tell her I make a promise, I not break it."

Throughout the years Saysamon has led associations and organizations dedicated to helping Laotians become good American citizens. The first one; Laotian Relief Association of Virginia (LRA), was successful in bringing together a support group for Laos in the area "...but too many people wanted to misuse it, to use the money, go back and liberate our country. I had to dissolve it."

In 1991 Saysamon gave everything the LRA had to a Buddhist Temple. "Fish, eggs, sticky rice, our fridge is filled with basics [...] we stay the same way, we are not used to [immediate gratification.] Where I come from a person needs something they go fetch it."

There is a drive-through during the week of the festival so nine-to-fivers can get an authentic Greek Lunch on the go. If food is the way to a man’s heart, then the annual Greek Festival, which draws crowds numbering in the thousands each year, has conquered the hearts of thousands.

The Greek pride themselves on the thousands of pounds of food cooked annually for the people who annually attend, obviously, food is also the way to draw in and win over a crowd. Serving Gyros, Souvlaki, Dolmades, Shrimp, wine, lemonada, Baklava and so on; every year the Greek Festival attracts more people to attend than had the previous year. All to celebrate Greek ways, Greek heritage, Greek food!

From The Annual Oktoberfest to the Asian American Society, the French Film Festival, to the Italian Street Festival, people come together to celebrate just that - coming together. No matter where you go at any of these events, you find yourself immersed in a culture and an experience that is truly unique and entirely enjoyable.

And what of Saysamon? You may find him sitting at a booth at just such a festival, teaching others about his culture and heritage, complaining about kids these days and smiling that smile of his. "I am lucky to come to this country." He says; and he would prefer no one ever forget it.~

Thursday, November 02, 2006

work in progress - Richmond Magazine Ethnic Article

ook

The Diversity
of the Richmond Area is not surprising to anyone who
has lived here long enough but most of the people
living here are surprised to learn about the many
festivals celebrating ethnic backgrounds. There are so
many organizations found in this city, they are almost
never publicized and

In need of support...
these organizations do an amazing job co-ordinating
some of the most amazing celebrations. It is a feat
coordinating the famous Celtic Festival and Highland
Games - where, in Richmond, Norh American pros
converge to compete in the strenuous athletics - and
working together, our community does it! From the
Asian American Celebration to the Annual Oktoberfest
locals put together grand displays of heritage, pride
and glee.

Fund-raising
is what keeps all these organizations going. It is
tough raise literally hundreds of thousands of dollars
to orchestrate the efforts of an entire community,
simply to celebrate. But that's not all. Many of the
local chapters take pride in raising money through
festivals and bake-sales in order to sponsor community
projects, memorials and in order to spread community
awareness. Recently the local chapter of the Irish
worked in conjunction with the Daughters of the
confederacy to erect a memorial to the thousands Irish
immigrant children killed or maimed by machinery in
the ...

Food is a big deal...

~~~

"Schooling is so very important, lack of precision is so very prominent, there is opportunity for everybody in this country and my son does not realize how lucky he is." said Simon Rinthalukay when asked about when he first came to The United States. Between the politics of war and peace, the economy and whether or not we're going to still have benefits or Social Security in the near future; finding a moment's peace is getting harder. Most people are balancing the bills and the household, holding a job and figuring out how to raise the kids right, a seldom few can find the time to think about themselves let alone other people from other countries. Sure, there's the immigration issue, but that's politics! No one really thinks about the neighbors; the fact that they're from, ... where was it again, ... someplace Asian...?

It is surprising that as diverse as Richmond is, cultural heritage is still a concept so very foreign. It's not like Richmond is isolated either. It seems every time you turn around in this city there's another party, festival, celebration, club meeting, fund-raiser... the list goes on! Diversity in Richmond, is so overwhelming when you're a small town farm girl stoppping to look around. The people, their heritage and their organizations, as well as all the cultural pride that comes with, it's all over the place.

"I don't think people realize their heritage, they come to an event and get curious and start researching" said Gloria Cahen of the Irish American Society of Greater Richmond. "That's how lots of people get involved with any number of the events we have in Richmond." And that involvement is why so many cultural organizations hold so many events year round here in Richmond.

From the annual Oktoberfest, to the local organization of Arabs in Richmond celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan, there's a reason to celebrate Richmond every day and there's always a celebration to take part of in Richmond. And speaking of celebration, what's any even without fabulous cuisine! The saying goes; that food is the way to a man’s heart, but it is obviously also the way to draw and win over a crowd.

The annual Greek Festival, which prides itself on the thousands of pounds of food it cooks annually for the thousands of people who annually attend, serves Gyros, Souvlaki, Dolmades, Shrimp, wine, lemonada, Baklava and so much more, they even offer a drive through during the week of the festival. It seems that every year, more people attend than had the previous year and with good, or rather delicious, reason.

There are other reasons to attend local festivals than food, heritage and entertainment, there’s the excitement of experiencing another ethnic group’s joys and learning what their ways are all about. There are different people all around, and yes, they are friendly. The annual Folk Festival, known also for it’s diverse and enjoyable music and atmosphere, is notorious for its diversity. People from all over the globe attend representing their culture, their ways, their music and their life-styles.

“And that’s the nice part about the festivals here in town” says Barbara Robinson, a festival frequent “We all come here together. That’s what people are celebrating.” With drum beats in the background one patron begins to feel the emotion and the soul of a culture with a deep and wonderful history.

“You can’t help but get into it, the song, the dance,” says Arthur Brill, a returning patron of Richmond’s Oktoberfest. There’s no avoiding it, the music gets into you and takes over “the next thing you know, you’re smiling and enjoying yourself.” Says Brill. The festivities continue to lure more and more people as the too-few days pass quickly and as the beer flows generously. And while a lot of people think it’s about beer, it’s actually about the harvest and the culture.


No matter where you go at any of these events, you find yourself immersed in a culture and an experience that is truly unique and entirely enjoyable. And the people are involved in so much, the German American Society, meets to sing and teach each other German, among their other local projects. The Asian American Society of Central Virginia has consistently offered support and funded festivities such as the Asian American celebration and other programs in order to teach youth and adults alike about Asian languages, cultures and tolerance.

But none of it would happen without the efforts of so many Richmonders. So many organizations work together on project after project, no only to celebrate, but to make Richmond a better, more beautiful, place to live where the people are more knowledgeable and the streets are safer for all.

~~~

Since when did paying the bills become more important than anything else? Remember the need to have a good time, no matter the cost? And every once in a while the feel of finding yourself immersed in something, utterly clueless as to what's going on and smiling that strange 'I can't get enough of this' smile. What happened to people having a good time? What happened to enjoying and celebrating simply being American.

When Saysamon Rinthalukay, leader of Richmond's Laotian Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping laotians be successful citizens, was asked to recall first comming to the United States, he said "Schooling is so very important, lack of precision is so very prominent, there is opportunity for everybody in this country and my son does not realize how lucky he is." He recalled being in Laos, a beautiful country tucked between Thailand and Vietnam, and having escaped wrongful persecution by somehow geting to a refugee camp in Thailand. He earned a degree in economics and French in the hope of escaping to France. Instead, his brother got him to the U.S. where they both biked to work and to English classes. "Cartoons taught me the local speech better" he recalled.

We smile at the mouse dancing across the screen as the cat nearly catches him but plows into a wall. The music in the background is light-hearted and fast-paced, primal and deep. You can hear the drums beat and the feet pound the ground in practiced repitition as the Annual Asian American Celebration kicks off another beautiful, cultural, and moving display of traditional dance. Music grabs the attention and inspires the joy of everyone young and old. And it seems the more traditional, the more of a hit it is going to be. No matter the ethnic background people all over the reigon flock to such events like this for the music. A prime example is The National Folk Festival which will be celebrating this October the last of the three-years it designated for Richmond and which traditionally showcases a variety of cultures and customs.

"I got a car and it was a big mistake. I had not thought about insurance, I didn't even have liscence" Sasamon recalls. For years he worked and biked and even sponsored other refugee and immigrant families, claiming it was important someone who knew the culture did this. You have to know to not put hotdog and hamburger in the fridge, "Laos like sticky rice and we're the only ones who do. It is more filling." But even stocking his own fridge was a challenge without a car; "I was used to going and getting things from market and carrying back. The people [here] looked at us strange for carring our groceries."

It is surprising that as diverse as Richmond is, cultural heritage is still a concept so very foreign. "I don't think people realize their heritage, they come to an event and get curious and start researching" said Gloria Cahen of the Irish American Society of Greater Richmond. "That's how lots of people get involved with any number of the events we have in Richmond." And that involvement is why so many cultural organizations hold so many events year round here in Richmond. From the annual Oktoberfest, to the local organization of Arabs in Richmond celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan, for so man there's a reason to celebrate every day.

"I was lucky" says Sasamon, "to come to this country." He worked as a translator for Laotian refugees in the court system and said it hurt to see so many of his people, used to the kind of persecution he escaped and o know they were being sent back to it for making mistakes here. Sasamon reasoned; "I help. It is my civic duty. My wife does not like it [...] but I tell her I make a promise, I not break it." And throughout the years he has led Laotian associations and organizations. The first one was successful in bringing together a support group for Laos in the area "...but too many people wanted to misuse it, to use the money and go back and liberate our country. I had to dissolve it." And in 1991 he gave everything they had to a Buddist Temple. "Fish, eggs, sticky rice, our fridge is filled with basics [...] we stay the same way, we are not used to [immediate gratification,] where I come from a person needs something they go fetch it."

They offer a drive-through during the week of the festival. If food is the way to a man’s heart, and obviously also the way to draw in and win over a crowd, then the annual Greek Festival, has conquored the hearts of thousands. They prides itself on the thousands of pounds of food cooked annually for the thousands of people who annually attend. Serving Gyros, Souvlaki, Dolmades, Shrimp, wine, lemonada, Baklava and so much more, It seems that every year, more people attend than had the previous year and with good, or rather delicious, reason. Drawing a crowd all to celebrate Greek ways, Greek heritage, Greek food.

From The Annual Oktoberfest to the Asian American Society, the French Film Festival, to the Italian Street Festival, all come together celebrate just that - coming together. No matter where you go at any of these events, you find yourself immersed in a culture and an experience that is truly unique and entirely enjoyable. And what of Sasamon? You may even find him sitting at a booth at just such a festival, teaching others about his culture and heritage, complaining about kids these days and smiling that smile of his. "I am lucky to come to this country." He says; and he would preferr no one ever forget it.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

An inmate's lonely loveing

Insomniatic howling; the sandpaper of restraint,
Swaying grasslands of this lonesome prison;
The white-noise silence and soundless crying.
Howlong does love last? Howlong should one wait?
Can I have your hand my dear? Or shall I take it by force?
Chainsaw teeth and you whine against belt-strap restraints.
Chewing flesh and bone, splatters of blood upon my face,
The warm sweet kisses I crave.
Forced the clotting, forced to life, stay, die another time
Stay with me Sweet Dear, Sweet Dreams. Wake, touch no other.
For your hands are mine alone, hung by a ring by the door.
Let me unbind you, help you up. Go run to the door
But stay. Your hands are as mine.
The lock stays clasped, and I, your Mistress, lye in wait.
On the sofa, on the bed, on the floor I stay.
Fall on me, I'll take you down. Sigh. Come to my perdition.
Love my sandpaper hands and kiss me, accept my every caress.
Talk to me, Fearing lonely silence, Lye with me in pain;
On these soft grasses of servitude,
We shall not sleep together.

Again it had needed editing. What it was originally:
Lovers Cabin Fever
Insomnia, howling, sandpaper, grassland,
Swaying fields of lonesome prison.
White-noise silence; crying soundless.
Howlong does love last? Howlong to wait?
Can I have your hand my dear?
Or shall I take it by force?
Chainsaw teeth and belt-strap restraints.
Chewing flesh and bone, drown screams.
Splatter of blood upon my face,
the warm sweet kisses I crave.
Forced the clotting, forced to life
Stay and die another time
Stay with me Sweet Dear, Sweet Dreams.
Wake and touch no other.
For your hands are mine alone,
In a jar by the door.
Let me untie you, help you up.
Go run to the door but stay.
Your hands are mine, the lock stays clasped
And I, your Mistress, lye in wait.
On the sofa, on the bed, on the floor I sit.
Fall on me, I'll take you down,
Sigh and come to my perdition.
Love my sandpaper hands and kiss me,
Accept my every caress.
Talk to me, Fearing lonely silence
Lye with me in pain;
On soft grasses we'll not sleep together.

to do list:

English Term Paper:
3. Choose a secondary character in one of the plays. Research what critics and actors and others have said about this character and form an argument of your own as to the character’s significance in the play. What is this person supposed to represent and/or what function does s/he perform in the larger action?
~Egeus ???

English Oral:
a copy of the passage; an outline of themes, formal characteristics, and key words; a short paraphrase of the speech. These must be typed, and distributed to each “audience” member at the beginning of class on the day of presentation. Due date: friday 11.17.06
PUCK
The king doth keep his revels here to-night:
Take heed the queen come not within his sight;
For Oberon is passing fell and wrath,
Because that she as her attendant hath
A lovely boy, stolen from an Indian king;
She never had so sweet a changeling;
And jealous Oberon would have the child
Knight of his train, to trace the forests wild;
But she perforce withholds the loved boy,
Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy:
And now they never meet in grove or green,
By fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen,
But, they do square, that all their elves for fear
Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there.
Fairy
Either I mistake your shape and making quite,
Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite
Call'd Robin Goodfellow: are not you he
That frights the maidens of the villagery;
Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern
And bootless make the breathless housewife churn;
And sometime make the drink to bear no barm;
Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?
Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck,
You do their work, and they shall have good luck:
Are not you he?
PUCK
Thou speak'st aright;
I am that merry wanderer of the night.
I jest to Oberon and make him smile
When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile,
Neighing in likeness of a filly foal:
And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,
In very likeness of a roasted crab,
And when she drinks, against her lips I bob
And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale.
The wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale,
Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me;
Then slip I from her bum, down topples she,
And 'tailor' cries, and falls into a cough;
And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh,
And waxen in their mirth and neeze and swear
A merrier hour was never wasted there.
But, room, fairy! here comes Oberon.


Grab Quotes from Local organizations:
German
French
Greek


Read on ODD and CD


Write Reaction Paper


Study For Exam


Mind Dump!
hit counter download
Tracker Raven