Jai-Q bien perrón,
dedicado a Saulón:
"Fifra con Ajás"
Picsa sin tatsi,
Pecsi en la harta calor:
"¡Fifra con Ajás!"
- - - - - -
La densa nube
lloró ramos de canto
en la mora azul
De amor y lluvia
Los huesos empapados
¿Puedes secarme?
Besé la rosa
que la virgen atoró
entre sus muslos
Llueve y vibra
la ciudad en tu cama
y también tu piel
Rama de rayo
descubre sendos cerros.
Truena el deseo.
Mis versos sueltos
Tu granizo y tus truenos
Rama de rayo
Hoja de viento
Gota, charco y caracol
Rama de rayo
Mi soplo suelto
Con la rama del rayo
Cantan sirenas
Rama de rayo
Silencio y tu miedo
Tumbos de trueno
7.29.2010
7.28.2010
Friedman vs War on Drugs, Friedman y las drogas por Manuel J. Jáuregui, Reforma, noticias, 28 de julio de 2010
Milton Friedman (July 31, 1912 – November 16, 2006) was an American economist, statistician, and a recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics. He is best known among scholars for his theoretical and empirical research, especially consumption analysis, monetary history and theory, and for his demonstration of the complexity of stabilization policy.
He was an economic advisor to U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Over time, many governments practiced his restatement of a political philosophy that extolled the virtues of a free market economic system with little intervention by government. As a professor of the Chicago School of Economics, based at the University of Chicago, he had great influence in determining the research agenda of the entire profession. Friedman's many monographs, books, scholarly articles, papers, magazine columns, television programs, videos and lectures cover a broad range of topics of microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic history, and public policy issues. The Economist magazine praised him as "the most influential economist of the second half of the 20th century…possibly of all of it". (Taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman)
In 1991, Milton Friedman was interviewed on the America's Drug Forum, and he advocated for the legalization of both drugs and prostitution.
You can watch the videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyystXOfDqo&feature=player_embedded
Diario Reforma
Friedman y las drogas
He was an economic advisor to U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Over time, many governments practiced his restatement of a political philosophy that extolled the virtues of a free market economic system with little intervention by government. As a professor of the Chicago School of Economics, based at the University of Chicago, he had great influence in determining the research agenda of the entire profession. Friedman's many monographs, books, scholarly articles, papers, magazine columns, television programs, videos and lectures cover a broad range of topics of microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic history, and public policy issues. The Economist magazine praised him as "the most influential economist of the second half of the 20th century…possibly of all of it". (Taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman)
In 1991, Milton Friedman was interviewed on the America's Drug Forum, and he advocated for the legalization of both drugs and prostitution.
You can watch the videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyystXOfDqo&feature=player_embedded
Diario Reforma
Friedman y las drogas
Manuel J. Jáuregui
Estamos acostumbrados a asociar el nombre del Premio Nobel Milton Friedman en términos de economía: el afamado padre de la Chicago School fue un hombre brillante, admirado, que en su larga vida (murió a los 94 años en el 2006) asesoró a gobiernos en todo el mundo.
Aun quienes estaban (y están) en desacuerdo con sus teorías monetaristas le reconocen ser uno de los economistas más influyentes del siglo 20.
Lo que es menos sabido respecto a este gran pensador, catedrático y autor, un liberal en el sentido más noble de la palabra, es que toda su vida fue un proponente serio y razonado de la legalización de las drogas.
El meollo de sus argumentos, nada despreciables, fue difundido en una serie de entrevistas a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) y en un libro que es recopilación de las mismas, titulado "Libertad de elegir" ("Free to Choose"), traducido ya a 14 idiomas.
Imposible nos sería resumir en este espacio las razones detalladas por las que Friedman pensaba que la prohibición de las drogas favorecía sólo a los CÁRTELES (los gobiernos que los combaten les extienden de facto una patente monopolista) y no a la sociedad.
Traemos a colación el tema, sin que necesariamente estemos de acuerdo o en desacuerdo con la postura de Friedman, debido a que recientes eventos, escandalosos a más no poder, aberrantes, intolerables e indicativos de una descomposición social a grado de cáncer avanzado -como resulta lo acontecido en el CERESO de Gómez Palacio, Durango- obligan a que este tema de la prohibición de las drogas sea analizado desde muchas perspectivas y por las mentes más brillantes de las que dispone -o puede disponer- nuestro país.
Ello porque claramente, sin lugar a dudas, la lucha contra el tráfico y consumo de estupefacientes está literalmente DESTRUYENDO al País y sus instituciones, a tal grado que las ha convertido no sólo en disfuncionales, sino ya de plano en ANTAGÓNICAS al bien común.
No abogamos porque se abandone la lucha contra las organizaciones delictivas, ni por nada en específico, lo que proponemos es que se ANALICE de manera CIENTÍFICA la problemática para adecuar y perfeccionar esta lucha de tal manera que pongamos a SALVO a la Nación, como nunca, en peligro inminente de caer en la ANARQUÍA.
De antemano no prejuzgamos, ni arribamos a conclusión alguna, meramente decimos: ¡hay que darle una buena rascada a este tema, desde numerosos ángulos, de una manera seria, metódica, analítica y CIENTÍFICA!
Ello, obviamente, despojados de prejuicios y sobre todo imponiéndole a la actividad del Estado una jerarquía en sus metas inmediatas para asegurar que pueda cumplirlas sin desgastarse hasta la inoperancia.
Desconocemos si el Presidente Felipe Calderón se asesora con especialistas de renombre internacional, contratados para hacerle llegar a quien toma las decisiones la información y puntos de vista más iluminados de los que dispone actualmente la humanidad.
Recordemos, nunca se ha mencionado a ninguna personalidad como "asesor presidencial".
No como lo fue, por ejemplo, Jeffrey Sachs con Salinas de Gortari, o el propio Friedman -antes de morir- en Chile... ¡y hasta en China!
Sí creemos que Calderón tiene asesores indirectos, esto es, algunos que en temas económicos son contratados por los gargantones del sector privado y que luego le hacen llegar al Presidente algunas opiniones, casi todas relacionadas con el tema económico y empresarial.
Ojalá y fuese posible revivir a Friedman y pedirle que realizara una exposición específica sobre el tema de las drogas, pero a falta de esto tendremos que recurrir a la serie de entrevistas con el genio que difundió la PBS hace más de 20 años, porciones de la cual pueden encontrarse en sitios como YouTube.
Testerear con los mismos métodos y enfoques, tal como lo hemos venido haciendo, claramente no rendirá resultados diferentes a los que tenemos a la vista.
Si hemos de vencer este cáncer debemos hacerlo adoptando una visión lateral, innovadora, que incorpore no sólo la lucha armada, sino otras estrategias coadyuvantes para terminar con este cáncer antes de que acabe con nosotros.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_FriedmanDesafía narco en Durango, noticias, Reforma, 28 de julio de 2010
Desafía narco en Durango
Grupo Reforma
Ciudad de México (28 julio 2010).-Con la aparición ayer de ocho cabezas humanas en las salidas carreteras de esta capital y el secuestro de cuatro periodistas la tarde del lunes en Gómez Palacio, se recrudeció la violencia que azota a este Estado, en especial en la Comarca Lagunera, que abarca también a Torreón, Coahuila.
La Procuraduría local informó del hallazgo de cabezas en la salida de las carreteras Durango-México, Durango-Parral, Durango-Mazatlán y Durango-Gómez Palacio.
Hasta ahora las autoridades no han hallado los cuerpos ni identificado a las víctimas, todos hombres con edades entre los 25 y 30 años.
Ante esos hechos, el Gobernador Ismael Hernández solicitó más apoyo a la Federación para hacer frente al crimen e indicó que, por la naturaleza de los sucesos, es la PGR la que está a cargo de las investigaciones.
A su vez, el Secretario General de Gobierno de Durango, Oliverio Reza, reveló el plagio de cuatro periodistas de la región.
"Por ahí a las 12:00 del día (lunes), se tuvo conocimiento de que reporteros (un camarógrafo de Grupo Milenio, otro de Televisa Laguna y un reportero de Televisa México) desaparecieron", informó en entrevista con Sergio Sarmiento.
"Posteriormente, ya para las 11:00 de la noche, también por ahí hubo otro levantón de un periodista de nombre Óscar Solís, del periódico El Vespertino de Gómez Palacio".
Horas después, la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos manifestó en un comunicado su indignación por la desaparición de los periodistas y exigió aplicar todas las medidas necesarias para su localización.
El hecho se produce 2 días después de que la PGR revelara que la directora del Cereso Número 2 de Gómez Palacio, Margarita Rojas, permitía salir a presos para que perpetraran ejecuciones por encargo en Torreón.
Grupo Reforma
Ciudad de México (28 julio 2010).-Con la aparición ayer de ocho cabezas humanas en las salidas carreteras de esta capital y el secuestro de cuatro periodistas la tarde del lunes en Gómez Palacio, se recrudeció la violencia que azota a este Estado, en especial en la Comarca Lagunera, que abarca también a Torreón, Coahuila.
La Procuraduría local informó del hallazgo de cabezas en la salida de las carreteras Durango-México, Durango-Parral, Durango-Mazatlán y Durango-Gómez Palacio.
Hasta ahora las autoridades no han hallado los cuerpos ni identificado a las víctimas, todos hombres con edades entre los 25 y 30 años.
Ante esos hechos, el Gobernador Ismael Hernández solicitó más apoyo a la Federación para hacer frente al crimen e indicó que, por la naturaleza de los sucesos, es la PGR la que está a cargo de las investigaciones.
A su vez, el Secretario General de Gobierno de Durango, Oliverio Reza, reveló el plagio de cuatro periodistas de la región.
"Por ahí a las 12:00 del día (lunes), se tuvo conocimiento de que reporteros (un camarógrafo de Grupo Milenio, otro de Televisa Laguna y un reportero de Televisa México) desaparecieron", informó en entrevista con Sergio Sarmiento.
"Posteriormente, ya para las 11:00 de la noche, también por ahí hubo otro levantón de un periodista de nombre Óscar Solís, del periódico El Vespertino de Gómez Palacio".
Horas después, la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos manifestó en un comunicado su indignación por la desaparición de los periodistas y exigió aplicar todas las medidas necesarias para su localización.
El hecho se produce 2 días después de que la PGR revelara que la directora del Cereso Número 2 de Gómez Palacio, Margarita Rojas, permitía salir a presos para que perpetraran ejecuciones por encargo en Torreón.
Prohiben corridas de toros, fiesta brava en Cataluña, Reforma, noticias, 28 julio 2010
Bullfighting will be banned from Catalogne, Spain, in 2012.
It will be interesting to see the reaction of the fans.
Of course, Catalogne fans will always be able to go to the nearest province to see bullfighting.
But what if bullfighting was banned from all of Spain?
Would corridas be performed by organized crime?
Would there be a "bullfighting revolution" in Spain?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-style_bullfighting
Reforma
It will be interesting to see the reaction of the fans.
Of course, Catalogne fans will always be able to go to the nearest province to see bullfighting.
But what if bullfighting was banned from all of Spain?
Would corridas be performed by organized crime?
Would there be a "bullfighting revolution" in Spain?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-style_bullfighting
Reforma
Prohíben la fiesta brava en Cataluña
Guillermo Leal
Ciudad de México (28 julio 2010).-La realización de corridas de toros en Cataluña quedará prohibida a partir de 2012.
Esta fue la resolución del Parlamento catalán, cuyos diputados se dividieron con 68 a favor de la abolición de corridas de toros; 55 en contra y 9 abstenciones.
José Montilla, presidente de la Generalidad de Cataluña y presidente del Partido Social de Cataluña, que pudo haberle dado la vuelta a la tortilla, llegó a las 11:37 horas de España (4:37 en México) a esperar la votación.
"He votado contra la prohibición porque creo en la libertad y habría preferido que la decisión sobre los toros hubiese sido por los actos de los propios catalanes, y no por una imposición legislativa", señaló en una breve conferencia de prensa.
"Respeto, como no puede ser de otra manera, la decisión aprobada por nuestro Parlamento y rechazo las pretensiones de quienes han querido hacer de esta votación un termómetro de las relaciones entre España y Cataluña".
"Respeto a quienes consideran que los toros forman parte de su cultura y respeto también a quienes consideran que la fiesta de los toros es cualquier cosa menos una Fiesta", expresó Montilla.
"Espero moderación y sentido de la responsabilidad".
Una hora y 45 minutos duró la exposición de los diferentes partidos políticos en Cataluña para que cada uno de ellos expresara su postura en torno a la realización de los festejos taurinos que no podrán ser prohibidos sino hasta el 1 de enero del 2012 y únicamente en Cataluña.
En esta demarcación, pese a haber sido un importante bastión de la fiesta brava hace años, ahora prácticamente la única plaza importante en funciones es la de Barcelona, que celebrará en las siguientes semanas corridas de toros con la presencia de las principales figuras del toreo.
En las afueras del Parlamento se encontraban muchas personas que polemizan sobre algo que ya está votado.
"Se ha perdido una batalla, pero no la guerra, pues Cataluña no es España entera", afirman simpatizantes de la fiesta brava.
Con esta resolución, Cataluña es la segunda región española en prohibir la tauromaquia, después del archipiélago de las Canarias, que lo hizo desde 1991
7.26.2010
Bef's Novel about Drugs
Bef's real name is Bernardo Fernández.
He draws cartoons, writes scripts, and he has won important literature prizes for his novels.
I would like to read Tiempo de alacranes (something like Time of Scorpions), his novel about drug dealers, cartels and so on.
I have not found it yet.
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/07/04/a10n2cul.php
He draws cartoons, writes scripts, and he has won important literature prizes for his novels.
I would like to read Tiempo de alacranes (something like Time of Scorpions), his novel about drug dealers, cartels and so on.
I have not found it yet.
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/07/04/a10n2cul.php
7.24.2010
Chevy Chase
The first time I went to Washington, DC, I was surprised to see that a community was called Chevy Chase.
"Chevy Chase is the name of both a town and an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition, a number of villages in the same area of Montgomery County include "Chevy Chase" in their names. These villages, the town, and the CDP share a common history and together form a larger community colloquially referred to as "Chevy Chase." This community is roughly centered on Connecticut Avenue north of the District of Columbia and also includes a neighborhood of Washington, D.C., called Chevy Chase, D.C." (Wikipedia)
It might sound funny, but for me Chevy Chase was a comedian.
"Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (pronounced /ˈtʃɛvi/; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, writer, and television and film actor, born into a prominent entertainment industry family. Chase worked a plethora of odd jobs before moving into comedy acting with National Lampoon. He quickly became a key cast member in the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live, where his Weekend Update skit soon became a staple of the show. Chase is also well-known for his portrayal of the character Clark Griswold in four National Lampoon's Vacation films, and for his roles in other successful comedies such as Caddyshack (1980), Fletch (1985), and ¡Three Amigos! (1986). He has hosted the Academy Awards twice (1987 and 1988), briefly had his own late-night talk show, The Chevy Chase Show, and is currently a regular on the NBC comedy series Community."
"Chase was named for his adoptive grandfather Cornelius. The name Chevy was a nickname bestowed by his grandmother, derived from the medieval English Ballad of Chevy Chase. As a descendant of the Scottish Clan Douglas, the name "Chevy" seemed appropriate to her." (Wikipedia)
"Chevy Chase is the name of both a town and an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition, a number of villages in the same area of Montgomery County include "Chevy Chase" in their names. These villages, the town, and the CDP share a common history and together form a larger community colloquially referred to as "Chevy Chase." This community is roughly centered on Connecticut Avenue north of the District of Columbia and also includes a neighborhood of Washington, D.C., called Chevy Chase, D.C." (Wikipedia)
It might sound funny, but for me Chevy Chase was a comedian.
"Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (pronounced /ˈtʃɛvi/; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, writer, and television and film actor, born into a prominent entertainment industry family. Chase worked a plethora of odd jobs before moving into comedy acting with National Lampoon. He quickly became a key cast member in the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live, where his Weekend Update skit soon became a staple of the show. Chase is also well-known for his portrayal of the character Clark Griswold in four National Lampoon's Vacation films, and for his roles in other successful comedies such as Caddyshack (1980), Fletch (1985), and ¡Three Amigos! (1986). He has hosted the Academy Awards twice (1987 and 1988), briefly had his own late-night talk show, The Chevy Chase Show, and is currently a regular on the NBC comedy series Community."
"Chase was named for his adoptive grandfather Cornelius. The name Chevy was a nickname bestowed by his grandmother, derived from the medieval English Ballad of Chevy Chase. As a descendant of the Scottish Clan Douglas, the name "Chevy" seemed appropriate to her." (Wikipedia)
Love and Hate
I love her when she is playful.
I love her when she is still.
I hate her when she meows at 5 am asking to be fed, and then she jumps on the dinner table, gracefully avoids my cup of tea, my laptop, and tries to get on my lap. I am mean: I sprinkle some water on her face, and she runs away.
Yes, I woke up early this morning, and there was no blue moon... but I was thinking about the Sopranos. We just bought the last season, which we had not seen, and are amazed at the flabbergasting soap. There are so many interesting characters, good stories, complex situations, unpredictable endings... One of the best series ever! I guess some of the characters in my novel will be inspired in Tony Soprano or Christopher Moltisanti or John Sacrimonti. Wise guys who are mean but also human, straight catholics who take into account honor and pride, but cheat on their wives, and beat or kill their enemies. Human complexity at its best.
But then, I watch 1, 2, or even 3 chapters of the Sopranos, and my writing time goes to zero. It does not matter, I am in no hurry to write. For me, writing is just a hobby, at which I like to take great pleasure.
7.14.2010
Aristegui - El narco en México 05/02/10 (Más violencia está por venir...)
Una muy buena entrevista de Carmen Aristegui a Edgardo Buscaglia acerca de la vacilada de la guerra de Calderón.
Edgardo Buscaglia es asesor del Instituto de Entrenamiento para el Mantenimiento de la Paz de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas. Ha estudiado en 107 países a las mafias criminales y desde hace dos años advierte que en México el Estado podría perder el control porque no investiga las redes patrimoniales y económicas de los cárteles debido a la falta de un pacto político.
Buscaglia es colombiano y vivió en carne propia la violencia en su país.
Carmen Aristegui interviews UN security analyst Edgardo Buscaglia, who warns that the Mexican government may loose the war on drugs because it does not investigate or control the financial and economic networks created by the drug cartels.
Buscaglia is Colombian. He personally experienced the cartel violence in his country.
Los Angeles Underground
The History Channel uncovers underground tunnels in the 1920s L.A. downtown, when people had to go to the basement to enjoy some booze, and police officers ran illegal speakeasies.
Again, prohibition, corruption and criminality, all intertwined. Anything new under the sun?
My Hypothesis
My hypothesis is the following:
Prohibit, forbid, ban something that people really like and criminals will love it--alcohol, drugs, or even coffee or chocolate. Soon you will have bootleg, smuggling, traffic, and really big, coordinated, powerful, and mean underdog organizations. No enforcement will be enough to counteract criminals: prohibition will make them thrive, corruption of officials will increase, and criminality will soar.
This has been proven many times throughout history: one example is shown by the 1920’s prohibition era in the U.S.
Authorities behind the current war on drugs seem to be forgetting the lessons of history.
7.11.2010
More Interesting Links
More interesting links with information I will use to write my novel:
Prohibition (drugs):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_(drugs)
"Coffee almost followed the same fate as cannabis as its use spread from Ethiopia through the Middle East to Europe. Coffee, regarded as a Muslim drink, was prohibited to Orthodox Christians in its native Ethiopia until as late as 1889; it is now considered a national drink of Ethiopia for people of all faiths. In the Ottoman Empire, Murad IV attempted to prohibit coffee drinking to Muslims as haraam, arguing that it was an intoxicant, but this ruling was soon overturned after his death.[2] The introduction of coffee in Europe from Muslim Turkey prompted calls for it to be banned as the devil's work, though Pope Clement VIII sanctioned its use in 1600, declaring that it was "so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it." Its early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places."
Allen, Stewart. The Devil's Cup. Random House. ISBN 978-0345441492
Health Effects of Coffee (Benefits and Risks):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_coffee
Caffeine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine#Tolerance_and_withdrawal
Prohibition (drugs):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_(drugs)
"Coffee almost followed the same fate as cannabis as its use spread from Ethiopia through the Middle East to Europe. Coffee, regarded as a Muslim drink, was prohibited to Orthodox Christians in its native Ethiopia until as late as 1889; it is now considered a national drink of Ethiopia for people of all faiths. In the Ottoman Empire, Murad IV attempted to prohibit coffee drinking to Muslims as haraam, arguing that it was an intoxicant, but this ruling was soon overturned after his death.[2] The introduction of coffee in Europe from Muslim Turkey prompted calls for it to be banned as the devil's work, though Pope Clement VIII sanctioned its use in 1600, declaring that it was "so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it." Its early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places."
Allen, Stewart. The Devil's Cup. Random House. ISBN 978-0345441492
Health Effects of Coffee (Benefits and Risks):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_coffee
Caffeine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine#Tolerance_and_withdrawal
Robusta Coffee (Wikipedia)
The big question here--as far as my novel is concerned--is:
will it be Arabica or Robusta coffee?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffea_canephora
"Coffea canephora (Robusta Coffee; syn. Coffea robusta) is a species of coffee which has its origins in central and western subsaharan Africa. It is grown mostly in Africa and Brazil, where it is often called Conillon. It is also grown in Southeast Asia where French colonists introduced it in the late 19th century. In recent years Vietnam, which only produces robusta, has surpassed Brazil, India, and Indonesia to become the world's single largest exporter. Approximately one third of the coffee produced in the world is robusta.
Canephora is easier to care for than the other major species of coffee, Coffea arabica, and, because of this, is cheaper to produce. Since arabica beans are often considered superior, robusta is usually limited to lower grade coffee blends as a filler. It is however often included in instant coffee, and in espresso blends to promote the formation of "crema". Robusta has about twice as much caffeine as arabica.
"
will it be Arabica or Robusta coffee?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffea_canephora
"Coffea canephora (Robusta Coffee; syn. Coffea robusta) is a species of coffee which has its origins in central and western subsaharan Africa. It is grown mostly in Africa and Brazil, where it is often called Conillon. It is also grown in Southeast Asia where French colonists introduced it in the late 19th century. In recent years Vietnam, which only produces robusta, has surpassed Brazil, India, and Indonesia to become the world's single largest exporter. Approximately one third of the coffee produced in the world is robusta.
Canephora is easier to care for than the other major species of coffee, Coffea arabica, and, because of this, is cheaper to produce. Since arabica beans are often considered superior, robusta is usually limited to lower grade coffee blends as a filler. It is however often included in instant coffee, and in espresso blends to promote the formation of "crema". Robusta has about twice as much caffeine as arabica.
"
Illegal Coffee Farming in Indonesia
This is great for my novel! (Not so great for endangered species)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_coffee
"In January 2007, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported that land was illegally cleared for coffee farming in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the island of Sumatra. The protected park is home to endangered tigers, elephants and rhinos, and WWF predicts that these species will be extinct in a decade should the clearing and farming continue. WWF states that the illegal coffee is sold to Western companies such as Nestlé and Kraft Foods."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_coffee
"In January 2007, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported that land was illegally cleared for coffee farming in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the island of Sumatra. The protected park is home to endangered tigers, elephants and rhinos, and WWF predicts that these species will be extinct in a decade should the clearing and farming continue. WWF states that the illegal coffee is sold to Western companies such as Nestlé and Kraft Foods."
Indonesian Coffee History (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_coffee
"In the early days, the prominent coffee under Dutch rule was Coffea arabica. The coffee was introduced to the archipelago via Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka). The Dutch Colonial Government initially planted coffee around Batavia (Jakarta), and as far south as Sukabumi and Bogor, in the 17th century. Coffee plantations were also established in East Java, Central Java, West Java and in parts of Sumatra and Sulawesi. Coffee at the time was also grown in East Indonesia- East Timor and Flores. Both of these islands were originally under Portuguese control and the coffee was also C. arabica, but from different root stocks. The coffee in Eastern Indonesia was not affected to the same degree by rust, and even today, some coffee in East Timor can be traced back to the 16th and 17th century.
A rust plague in the late 1880s killed off much of the plantation stocks in Sukabumi, before spreading to Central Java and parts of East Java. Around the turn of the century the C. arabica crops were devastated by coffee rust, wiping out the bulk of the Dutch root-stocks. The Dutch responded by replacing the C. arabica firstly with Coffea liberica (a tough, but somewhat unpalatable coffee) and later with Coffea canephora. The popularity of this species was short lived as it was also affected by disease. The C. liberica cherry can still be found throughout Java, but is seldom used as a commercial crop in Indonesia. The C. liberica bean is much larger than either C. arabica or the C. canephora cherry; however, it shares more in common cupping wise with C. canephora."
"In the early days, the prominent coffee under Dutch rule was Coffea arabica. The coffee was introduced to the archipelago via Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka). The Dutch Colonial Government initially planted coffee around Batavia (Jakarta), and as far south as Sukabumi and Bogor, in the 17th century. Coffee plantations were also established in East Java, Central Java, West Java and in parts of Sumatra and Sulawesi. Coffee at the time was also grown in East Indonesia- East Timor and Flores. Both of these islands were originally under Portuguese control and the coffee was also C. arabica, but from different root stocks. The coffee in Eastern Indonesia was not affected to the same degree by rust, and even today, some coffee in East Timor can be traced back to the 16th and 17th century.
A rust plague in the late 1880s killed off much of the plantation stocks in Sukabumi, before spreading to Central Java and parts of East Java. Around the turn of the century the C. arabica crops were devastated by coffee rust, wiping out the bulk of the Dutch root-stocks. The Dutch responded by replacing the C. arabica firstly with Coffea liberica (a tough, but somewhat unpalatable coffee) and later with Coffea canephora. The popularity of this species was short lived as it was also affected by disease. The C. liberica cherry can still be found throughout Java, but is seldom used as a commercial crop in Indonesia. The C. liberica bean is much larger than either C. arabica or the C. canephora cherry; however, it shares more in common cupping wise with C. canephora."
My Hawaii Kona Coffee tree in Garyton Indiana bought on EBAY in 2004
Amazing: a coffee tree with coffee beans in Indiana.
At the end of the video, the guy picks up a bean and shows the inside.
(Part 1) One Cup Of Coffee
History of coffee, coffee in Ethiopia, growing coffee in Jamaica with chemical pesticides, and growing organic coffee with Marley Coffee.
(Part 2) One Cup of Coffee
I liked this video because Marley Coffee is growing organic coffee trees in Jamaica.
Xicome, the island where coffee is grown in my novel, will look a lit bit like this.
Links for Xicome's Setting, the Coffee Island
Xicome will look like a hawaiian island where coffee can be grown.
http://www.gardenguides.com/114379-coffee-tree-growing-hawaii.html
VIDEO: Historic drought threatens Kona coffee
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2010/03/12/video-historic-drought-threatens-kona-coffee/
http://www.coffee-makers-et-cetera.com/growing-coffee-beans.html
"The majority of the world's coffee is grown in a narrow band around the equator stretching from 25 degrees north to 25 degrees south. The climate boasts of average temperatures between 60ºF (15ºC) and 70ºF (21ºC), and they receive six inches of rain or more per month. Well-draining loam is needed for good growth, and high humidity (mist and clouds at higher elevations) is a must for great coffee beans. Trees at higher elevations take longer to mature."
"After planting, a coffee tree will mature in approximately five years before the first crop can be harvested. Even then, one tree will only produce enough beans to make about two pounds (1kg) of coffee. It takes approximately 2,000 beans to produce two pounds of finished coffee. These beans are hand-picked by skilled workers. Each picker develops their skill and can choose good beans over bad right from the tree. And you wondered why coffee is so expensive."
Growing coffee in Jamaica:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv4UpSJ4EYc
History of coffee and coffee in Jamaica:
One Cup of Coffee (Marley Coffee, growing organic coffee)Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEJwyNZK9Z8&feature=related
One Cup of Coffee (Marley Coffee, growing organic coffee)Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLyGIZ_JQnI&feature=related
Of course, some information about Coffea Arabica, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffea_arabica
http://www.gardenguides.com/114379-coffee-tree-growing-hawaii.html
VIDEO: Historic drought threatens Kona coffee
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2010/03/12/video-historic-drought-threatens-kona-coffee/
http://www.coffee-makers-et-cetera.com/growing-coffee-beans.html
"The majority of the world's coffee is grown in a narrow band around the equator stretching from 25 degrees north to 25 degrees south. The climate boasts of average temperatures between 60ºF (15ºC) and 70ºF (21ºC), and they receive six inches of rain or more per month. Well-draining loam is needed for good growth, and high humidity (mist and clouds at higher elevations) is a must for great coffee beans. Trees at higher elevations take longer to mature."
"After planting, a coffee tree will mature in approximately five years before the first crop can be harvested. Even then, one tree will only produce enough beans to make about two pounds (1kg) of coffee. It takes approximately 2,000 beans to produce two pounds of finished coffee. These beans are hand-picked by skilled workers. Each picker develops their skill and can choose good beans over bad right from the tree. And you wondered why coffee is so expensive."
Growing coffee in Jamaica:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv4UpSJ4EYc
History of coffee and coffee in Jamaica:
One Cup of Coffee (Marley Coffee, growing organic coffee)Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEJwyNZK9Z8&feature=related
One Cup of Coffee (Marley Coffee, growing organic coffee)Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLyGIZ_JQnI&feature=related
Of course, some information about Coffea Arabica, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffea_arabica
7.10.2010
Ashes Over Usame
Fire and black, gray and white smoke. Thunder without lightning or storm. The volcano spoke, screamed, roared, and no one understood. Ashes are raining all over the island. A black cloud covers the sky. The sky? What sky? Where are the sun, the sky, the stars and the moon? How many days have passed? Nobody knows. I don’t know. How can one know when days are counted with suns and moons? Nobody goes out, colors have run away, light was swallowed by darkness, it must be the end. The gods are killing us. What do matriarch sorcerers say? What signals have they heard in their dreams? Any god has established communication?
Matriarchs will gather today in the house of the councils around coffee. They are going to discuss. They are going to offer chanting and sacrifice. Denshke will drink a whole pot of strong coffee and slump into trance; she will be the medium used by gods to communicate. Denshke will sing in the language that only sorcerers understand. Well, that’s what they say, I don’t really know. As a man I am not allowed to go into the house of the councils; but I have been told. All of Usame is in expectation. We are all gathered around the hearth, drinking coffee, and making assumptions. All of Usame smells like ashes and coffee.
There goes Ishtaki, the old sage. Or maybe it’s Shlekti, the one with gray hair? It’s difficult to know in the darkness. Her manservants are carrying her so that her feet don’t touch the ashes, and her head is covered. Neither of them have colors, they go as gray as the earth, trees or walls.
Matriarchs will gather today in the house of the councils around coffee. They are going to discuss. They are going to offer chanting and sacrifice. Denshke will drink a whole pot of strong coffee and slump into trance; she will be the medium used by gods to communicate. Denshke will sing in the language that only sorcerers understand. Well, that’s what they say, I don’t really know. As a man I am not allowed to go into the house of the councils; but I have been told. All of Usame is in expectation. We are all gathered around the hearth, drinking coffee, and making assumptions. All of Usame smells like ashes and coffee.
There goes Ishtaki, the old sage. Or maybe it’s Shlekti, the one with gray hair? It’s difficult to know in the darkness. Her manservants are carrying her so that her feet don’t touch the ashes, and her head is covered. Neither of them have colors, they go as gray as the earth, trees or walls.
7.07.2010
Shlekti, Witch of Usame
Shlekti is one of the most powerful witches. She is a white witch, full of wisdom. She likes to meditate, and she is admired and respected.
The theory that coffee is noxious comes from her. She was meditating, when she got a strong insight that coffee was affecting her.
She experienced her theory in her own body. She realized she was a coffee addict when she tried to drop it, and she got depressed. Some weeks after she dropped coffee, she realized her digestion improved, and her sleep disorders were gone. Her mind became clearer, and her meditative state got deeper.
She now advocates for a healthy, meditative life, for exercise and good food.
The problem is Usameans are coffee addicts, and they don't believe in her theories. Just a bunch of followers apply her advise.
In the beginning, Arbusht'o was against her, but then he realized the scope of benefits that could derive from promoting Shlekti's ideas--especially for his leadership.
Shlekti is against forbidding coffee, and realizes immediately what Arbusht'o is up to.
The theory that coffee is noxious comes from her. She was meditating, when she got a strong insight that coffee was affecting her.
She experienced her theory in her own body. She realized she was a coffee addict when she tried to drop it, and she got depressed. Some weeks after she dropped coffee, she realized her digestion improved, and her sleep disorders were gone. Her mind became clearer, and her meditative state got deeper.
She now advocates for a healthy, meditative life, for exercise and good food.
The problem is Usameans are coffee addicts, and they don't believe in her theories. Just a bunch of followers apply her advise.
In the beginning, Arbusht'o was against her, but then he realized the scope of benefits that could derive from promoting Shlekti's ideas--especially for his leadership.
Shlekti is against forbidding coffee, and realizes immediately what Arbusht'o is up to.
7.06.2010
Monteleone's Guide to Writing a Novel, Chapter 8, Setting-Location is Everything
Monteleone says about setting in a novel:
"The key to getting the right amount of information to the reader is balance. You want to strike an equilibrium between the action and dialogue and your descriptive passages."
"The key to getting the right amount of information to the reader is balance. You want to strike an equilibrium between the action and dialogue and your descriptive passages."
Sometimes, action can be more interesting if you interrupt it with a location description. Action and setting can be integrated to make the reading more riveting.
A setting can also tell a lot about the character who lives there, like in the movies: just by looking around the character's bedroom you can tell if this person is tidy or not, his/her social and economical status, likes and dislikes, and so on.
Describing a setting is good but don't overwhelm your readers with everything you know about a particular place.
Some writers would never write about a place they don't know. Monteleone disagrees, but he also warns: you will also have to do a lot of research.
Balance is the key: give enough details but don't transfer encyclopedia pages into your narrative.
"Providing the reader with a solid sense of place is an ongoing exercise. As you proceed chapter by chapter, be mindful to include more and more detail each time you return to the same scene."
Time is important: "Is your scene taking place during the day or night?"
Winter, spring, summer or fall?
"You also want to be aware of the passage of time."
In traditional tragedy, for example,
the action should be one whole and take place in one day and in one location: one action, one place, one day.
The effect on the reader is totally different if, instead, the action takes place in many years and many settings. In my opinion, this is one thing that separates theater from novel: the possibility to create a whole universe, rich with actions, places, characters, stories, an on, and on.
Another element of setting is mood. Different moods: caution, vigilance, adventure, hopefulness, urgency, paranoia.
Atmosphere is also part of the setting, and is connected to place, time and mood "because all three contribute to create it. It's the most abstract part of a book's setting, and something you can't just describe or declare."
In order to use detail, you have to "pay attention to the extra aspects of your environment".
For example, right now, in my apartment's eighth floor, in the middle of a noisy and busy big city, ambulances and police sirens, and airplanes, helicopters, trucks, motorcycles, and of course cars, lots of cars, new and old, a church bell tolls and lots of birds sing. The gray rainy sky has opened up, and I can see white clouds, the big blue sky and the sun shining again.
Senses. For me describing what I see and hear is easy but I should not forget about the other senses: smell, taste, and touch, which are more difficult to convey.
Try to avoid clichés.
"A very clever way to inject setting into your narrative is to filter the description through the viewpoint of several of your major characters."
Some tricks to creating believable settings:
- Ask your friends--especially those who live somewhere else or who have traveled to places where you haven't been yourself.
--Keep everything when you travel: maps, postcards, stationary, brochures, etc.
- The Timetables of History, edited by Bernard Grun.
- Rent travel videos, watch The Travel Channel, browse the WWW.
Pacing and balance: "By changing the landscape or locale, or alternating the action among several major sets, you achieve a nice cinematic effect that keeps things moving."
"Avoid the overly familiar. Strive to be original in your inventions and borrowings. When you give readers more than they expect, they love you all the more."
7.05.2010
Arbusht'o, Notes to Build the Character
Arbusht'o has always wanted power, and above all, to take the witches' council power.
He has used rumor, lies, defamation and calumny--can I get some humor in there?
Arbusht'o is full of bullshit. But he has been caught. When he was a boy, witches used to threaten him with magic. Sometimes, the threats became true. So, Arbusht'o was prone to think magic really worked. For a long time, he was scared of the witches. But now, as a grown-up, he is not afraid anymore.
He also wants good things for his island. He wants to unify the island villages to create one nation. He has great plans for Usame, things that can bring wealth and well-being to Usameans.
He is not the typical evil villain. He is more like Cesar Borgia: He is a power addict, but with the dream of national unity.
He is going to need a common enemy, common heroes, common goals. And, if there is no enemy, he will have to make up one. Here is where the coffee prohibition makes sense.
Arbusht'o, construyendo el personaje
Arbusht'o ha querido siempre el poder y sobre todo, quitárselo al consejo de brujas.
Ha usado el rumor para desprestigiar, la mentira, la calumnia: ahí se puede meter humor. Arbusht'o ha inventado estupidez y media. Pero lo han cachado. Cuando era chico, las brujas lo ahuyentaban o metían en cintura amenazándolo con sortilegios y mal de ojo. A veces, la casualidad hizo que las amenazas se hicieran realidad.
También quiere cosas buenas para su isla. Quiere unificar a las aldeas de la isla para convertirlas en una sola nación. Tiene grandes planes para Usame, cosas que pueden traer bienestar y riquezas a los usameos.
No es el típico villano malo, malo. Es como un César Borgia, borracho de poder, pero con una idea de unidad nacional.
Para eso va a necesitar un enemigo común, héroes comunes, metas comunes. Y si no hay un enemigo, hay que inventarlo. Ahí cae todo en su lugar al prohibir el café.
Ha usado el rumor para desprestigiar, la mentira, la calumnia: ahí se puede meter humor. Arbusht'o ha inventado estupidez y media. Pero lo han cachado. Cuando era chico, las brujas lo ahuyentaban o metían en cintura amenazándolo con sortilegios y mal de ojo. A veces, la casualidad hizo que las amenazas se hicieran realidad.
También quiere cosas buenas para su isla. Quiere unificar a las aldeas de la isla para convertirlas en una sola nación. Tiene grandes planes para Usame, cosas que pueden traer bienestar y riquezas a los usameos.
No es el típico villano malo, malo. Es como un César Borgia, borracho de poder, pero con una idea de unidad nacional.
Para eso va a necesitar un enemigo común, héroes comunes, metas comunes. Y si no hay un enemigo, hay que inventarlo. Ahí cae todo en su lugar al prohibir el café.
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