it's 1 am and I should be sleeping

But I thought I'd tell you a bedtime story.

The linoleum floor in the kitchen was probably orange and maybe made up of geometric squares. It was in the early 1970's. The yellow (probably) formite counter top was a far way away. The woman swept the corners that collected dust bunnies and secret cobwebs. Back then, it was an corn straw broom that left little shards of splintered sticks behind, sometimes. Moving the chairs and collecting the crumbs from the toast that had been dropped on the floor earlier, she swept the pile near where the small baby was sitting. Too close. The child investigated with it's tiny fingers. Curious at the soft brown pile.

"No, Jill. Dirt."

"Dirt", the mother repeated and pointed at the pile.

"Dirt?" I mimicked, too tiny to know that was my first word legibly spoken.

My mother laughed and picked me up and said, "Yes, dirt."

Still today, it's one of my favorite words.

Havana Casa update

I got a response from a preferred Casa.

An Art Nouveau Casa. *sigh* It's one of only 25 building left in the Art Nouveau style in Old Havana and built in 1913 by Mario Rotllant.

It's an air-conditioned bedroom with a double bed with a private bathroom and a ceiling fan. There's also an open air patio off the bedroom.

So lovely. So lucky to get a space. Can't believe I missed seeing this building as I walked all over Habana Veija last year. It's 30 CUC a day (totally average price for any casa and about $40) and has an optional breakfast for 4 CUC ($5) which is apparently: fresh fruit, coffee/tea, bread and eggs. Have I ever mentioned the Cuban coffee and honey? OMG- that's another post all together.

Naturally, I have cordially declined on the other casa. I'm not sure if I'll go anywhere else in Cuba. This is like a dream. I wonder if they'll keep me as their in house Canadian?

I once went all the way to Brussels to look at Art Nouveau and dreamed of finding an Art Nouveau house to stay in. I didn't, but I find it oddly ironic I have found one in Havana. I didn't even know Art Nouveau was in Havana and when I did see it last year- it was crumbling.

Now, I have a renewed mission and purpose- to rediscover and find anew the lost Cuban Art Nouveau.

perched

perched, originally uploaded by jill y.

home away from home

I found a little sweet casa in Havana. Or at least I think so. You never really know until you get there, how it's going to be.

The last time I was in Havana, I stayed in a apartment that was reached by elevator. To get in the elevator- you stepped over a 4 inch crumbling limestone gap. Often the elevator was out and you had to walk the narrow, sweaty and dark stair case.

The Casa last year was really comfortable and safe, but the owner also had a 17 year old son who brought his friends over to practice their Latin rap at full blast during my 5 pm siestas.

The translation of this Casa's website says:

Beautiful private House, located just in the center of Havana Old, boarding house of lodging, income, rent and lodging. The house is comfortable, has to the entrance a patio with many plants Has two rooms with bath private.one of the room has a small patio, with plants seats, table, chairs, where you can enjoy beautiful and adorable Cuban sun. The room, dining room and the rooms built with pleasure to be felt in its own house. .

In our private house will be able to live its own experience of as we live the Cuban families, its customs, and we can teach him and to explain him everything that want to know about Havana old and Cuba so that sits down like at home. The rooms are fresh, with a double bed, comfortable environment, private bath, cold and hot water the 24 hours, fan and air conditioning.

Next to the rooms an extensive patio with excellent lighting is found where enjoys itself a fresh breeze and sun, special for the delight of a good book, a Havana cigar and a Cuban liquor.

The location of the Private House in Havana Old is central to not more than 2 minutes of the Capitol, town square and the Restaurant "Floridita" preferred by Hemingway, and to 10 minutes of the Cathedral, from the Restaurant the Bodeguita of the Middle, Palace of the Revolution, Museum Fine Arts, Chinatown and other magnificent colonial works, museums and jewels of Havana old.

We have a cheap price in the private house of 25-30 cuc by room depending on the season.

Note to self: bring a good book, avoid the Cuban cigars, and enjoy the "adorable" Cuban sun.

an open letter

I thought I would gently let you know that you're trying too hard. I don't know what it is exactly. Is it an insecurity? Are you afraid people aren't noticing you. Maybe you feel invisible. I can tell by the way you laugh that it's not you. There's something held back, controlled and slightly contrived. It keeps me from laughing with you.

I've noticed on more than one occasion that you 'one up'. If I have a pain, you have a bigger pain or know someone who has a bigger bigger pain and you tell me instead of just listening and supporting. It's the same for something good that happens. You have something better. It's hard for me to share anything with you.

I don't mean to be harsh, but this isn't the kind of notice and acknowledgment I think you want. I'm sorry if you are feeling tiny and small and afraid no one sees you. Try and see the light that shines on other people and love them for that and you'll find a light of your very own. I'm afraid the things you do to "prove" you're more or better just cast a stormy cloud and eventually rain on your parade as well as mine.

love.
Jill

be a brother

I saw Big Brother and the Holding Company play over the weekend. 3 of the 5 original band. Sam Andrew- guitar, Dave Getz- drums and Peter Albin- bass. Dave Getz once called the fame of Big Brother is like a Golden Albatross. It was a strange event. It was clearly marketed as Janis Joplin's original band, but talking to them- you got the sense that they were tired of being in her shadow- even 40 years later. I felt bad for them. Either they made her famous or she made them a killing in endorsements and no matter what- they were inseparable.

serious business

serious business, originally uploaded by jill y.

I was in Seattle with my mom and sister and we hit the Pike Market. Immediately we got separated. This girl's bangles caught my eye and I stopped her and asked her if I could take a photo. She struck this pose and people walked by and I overheard someone say sarcastically, "she's taking a picture of that girls bracelets" and then I caught this girl's expression.

The world is a hard place to be. I'm glad she made it more colorful.

this is good. this is soothing.

on the street in Seattle

obama, originally uploaded by jill y.

belgian endive in Brussels

IMGP5585, originally uploaded by jill y.

number thirty six

IMGP2706.JPG, originally uploaded by jill y.

A Taste of Cuba

A new friend dropped off an old book for me.

The sketches are amazing. They're done by Ximena Maier and now I am a fan. They really capture the feeling of what I saw in Cuba and like photographs I took. So, feeling inspired.. I decided to take on page 73 and make Red Snapper "a la Santa Barbara".

While I warm up leftovers..

Ingredients:
1/2 cup wheat flour
2 eggs
2/3 cup shredded coconut (I used packaged, but I have a funny feeling fresh would have been better.)
1 tbsp chopped scallion or green onion
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 lb fresh red snapper (go to a Fishmonger if you can.)
Oil for deep frying (Grapeseed is best)

For the sauce:
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (I used the left over green onion)
1 ounce butter
2/3 cup white wine (I bought Santa Isabela Sauvignon Blanc- Chile, and it was lovely.)
1 1/4 cup coconut milk
1 tsp wheat flour
1 pinch Annatto powder (if you can find it. see note)

Method:

For the sauce:
Saute onion in 2/3rds the butter for 3-4 min. on low heat without allowing it to brown.
Add the wine & coconut milk and cook on low until reduced by half.
In a separate pan, fry a tsp of the flour in the remaining butter.
Add this to the 1st mixture to thicken the sauce.
Add the annatto powder and cook for 5-7 minutes more.
Season with Salt & pepper.
Puree the sauce and set aside in a saucepan.
The sauce should be light and not too thick.

Place the flour in a shallow bowl and the beaten egg in another. In a 3rd bowl, place the shredded coconut with the chopped scallion/onion and parley. Season the fish fillets with salt, cover each fillet first with flour, then the egg, and finally with the coconut mixture. heat the oil in a skillet on high heat and deep fry the fish until golden. Drain the fish on paper towel.

serve the fish immediately with the very hot sauce handed separately.

Drink the rest of the wine.

(Note: Annatto powder is adds no flavor, just a yellowish or orange coloring.)

had I stopped to tie my shoe before I turned left

If I hadn't decided to walk home that one day, I wouldn't have crossed the street.
If I hadn't have crossed the street, I wouldn't have been hit by a car.
If I hadn't been hit by a car, I wouldn't have sued the driver.
If I hadn't sued the driver, I wouldn't have had the cash.
If my sister didn't guess how many clown noses were in a jar, she wouldn't have won the contest.
If my sister didn't win the contest, she wouldn't have given me a plane ticket to Europe.
If I hadn't have gone to Europe I wouldn't have come home to go to University.
If I hadn't have gone to University, I wouldn't have worked at Zenari's.
If I hadn't have worked at Zenari's, I wouldn't have got that job at the cheese deli.
If I hadn't worked at the cheese deli, I wouldn't have found out I love facts about cheese.
If I didn't love facts about cheese, I wouldn't have move to Calgary to pursue it.
If I hadn't have moved to Calgary, I wouldn't have lost touch with a friend.
If I hadn't have lost touch with a friend, I wouldn't have returned to find him.
If I hadn't have found out he died, I wouldn't have been upset.
If I hadn't have been upset, I wouldn't have sought out other friends I had lost touch with.
If I hadn't sought out other friends, I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity.
If I hadn't have gotten the opportunity, I wouldn't have bought the Valiant.
If I hadn't have bought the Valiant, I wouldn't have moved to Vancouver.
If I hadn't moved to Vancouver, I wouldn't have been at Joe's Cafe.
If I hadn't had been at Joe's Cafe, I wouldn't have me Michael.
If I hadn't have met Michael, I wonder if the last 5 years would be as great as they have been.

Thanks to Nicolien for the idea

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, originally uploaded by jill y.

The bird caled Dany.

Havana,Cuba 2008

it was worth the wait

Michael and I were wandering around the fancy market we never go to unless we're looking for rare red cow Parmesan, raw milk Stilton and bottled water with Swarovski crystals embedded in the bottles as a logo design when I stumbled upon a funny looking thing.

Since I was somewhat overwhelmed by gold dusted chocolate bars and ostrich eggs sold only a few feet from one another, I made note of the name and fled- without one.

Later.. in an equally rare visit to the fancy celluloid drugstore, and while perusing the aisles of Bernardo Bertolucci films while having menacing thoughts towards film snobs, I overheard an unusual conversation..

It's dense and firm, like it has no pulp.
There are these fingers that grow out of it.
Ya, I don't know. Fingers. I can't think of any other way to describe them.

I leaned around the corner and said.. you're talking about Buddha's Hands aren't you?

Yes, we are open!

IMGP2872, originally uploaded by jill y.

i'm sorry I have been neglecting you. I'll come back to posting soon.

IMGP0480.JPG, originally uploaded by jill y.

packrat

IMGP2859, originally uploaded by jill y.

Liberty

IMGP1774.JPG, originally uploaded by jill y.