While I have nothing else to add… August 24, 2007
Posted by Luke in Music.add a comment
why don’t you watch this video? August 28th is the day this album drops.
Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
I done did it… August 9, 2007
Posted by Luke in Adelaide, Work.9 comments
It’s done. I gave my notice. Four weeks of it – two weeks more than the obligatory two. And I told my work colleagues, who were all most excited for me. Now I just have to tie the loose ends together and board that plane in six weeks.
Lavapies August 7, 2007
Posted by Luke in Music, Spain, Travel.add a comment
In two months, I’d like to live here, I think. Lavapies. I stumbled across it some days ago now. I’d never heard of it, but the description of it really grabbed me. Then I read someone else describingit as ‘dangerous’. And it grabbed me even more.
Wikipedia provide this article:
Lavapiés is a barrio of the city of Madrid, centred on Plaza de Lavapiés.It was the Jewish quarter of the city until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, the church of San Lorenzo being built on the former site of the synagogue. The name literally means “wash feet”, and seems to refer to the ritual washing of one’s feet before entering the temple, possibly in the fountain in Plaza de Lavapiés.
It has long been a neglected area of the city. An inscription on a fountain in Plaza de Cabestreros is the only monument to the Spanish Republic in Madrid, such mentions having been systematically removed elsewhere during the Franco regime. The ruins of Escuelas Pías, a religious school, were left to stand for many years after it was burned down by supporters of the Popular Front in 1936, only being demolished in 2002.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, Lavapiés had acquired a reputation as a “vertical slum”, with its tenement blocks either empty or occupied by older people paying low rents. As a result, it became the most important location for okupación, or squatting, in Madrid.
More recently, it has become the focal point for immigrant populations, particularly Chinese, Arabs and people from the Indian subcontinent. It has been estimated that around 50% of the population is of foreign origin.
I’m keen to live here. Extremely keen. If anyone who stumbles across this page has any knowledge of Lavapies, a room for rent, or any other useful/less tidbits of factoids, please get in touch.
On another note:
To read… Espana August 6, 2007
Posted by Luke in Literature, Opinion, Spain.add a comment
So – I want a list of Spanish texts worth reading. Fiction – non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry. I’ve read a few books on Spain. Writing a thesis on Spanish anarchism helped in that regard, but there’s much I haven’t read. So if anyone cares to add to this list of interesting books relating to Spain, then please do.
Gerald Brenan – the Spanish Labyrinth – it’s a while since I read this, not owning a copy myself. If I recall, I found it to be one of the better socio-political histories of twentieth century and earlier Spain. He seemed to realise that you couldn’t separate the political development of Spain from the social development of its society. But I’m not going to delve into an analysis of this – it’s too long since I read it.
George Orwell – Homage to Catalonia – perfect Orwell. Inspiring images of the Civil War, even if he perhaps give to much credence to the POUM.
Antony Beevor - the Spanish Civil War – it’s just been re-released, 25 years after first publication. Once again, a long time since I read it but a fascinating ‘big picture’ history of the Civil War.
Driving over Lemons – by the first drummer in Genesis – a really entertaining story of a man who moves to Andalucia to take over an old farm. It’s an enjoyable read. And hey, he used to be in Genesis. In high school.
** how could I forget?! Franz Borkenau – The Spanish Cockpit – a fantastic foray into the Spanish Civil War. On par, if not better, than Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia. This is a fascinating read. Apologies to one certain library, which allowed a copy to fall into my possession, possibly against their will.
But I know there’s a heap of stuff I haven’t read that I want to, nay, need to read at some point in the near future. So to start the list of must read Spanish authors/subjects (that I am yet to read/should have read)…
Hemingway – For Whom the Bell Tolls
Lorca – anything (I can’t think of titles of his works)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez – okay, not really Spanish but close enough.
I can’t think of anything else right now. I apologise for the shittiness of these posts. Writing online isn’t as easy as it sounds – it may even require some sort of planning. Please add to this list, and jog my memory.
