Here's the news

Here's the news!!

I am starting this blog today with a video I patched up using Imovie.  Nothing impressive really.  I just wanted to include the mp3 in the blog, but couldn’t find how, as the only option available is to upload a video.  So I made this short video to accompany the music. 

Still what I really wanted to share with you is this piece of music.  It is an excerpt from Electric Light Orchestra’s “Here’s the news”.  I accidentally came across this track, and realised that it used to be the opening theme of the Maltese TVM News in the early 90’s.  Apart from the nostalgic overtones, it reminded me of the excitement and sense of expectation we used to feel, as soon as this tune was heard.  Probably younger people wouldn’t really understand, but in those days, TVM was the only Maltese TV station, which used to start its transmission only after 16.00.  The only Maltese radio stations were Radju Malta 1 & 2.  Internet was unheard of, so you can imagine how the daily TVM news were very important for us.  Their value in sense of being informed was much more than nowadays. 

This led me to think of the great advances we have gone through as a nation in such a short span of time of around 20 years.  Maybe because I’m away from home, or I don’t know why but all these thinngs passed through my mind when I heard this tune, and it was quite exciting.  Thus I wanted to share all this with you.

Eurovision

As I’m writing today’s blog, I was also watching parts of the Maltese Eurovisoin song contest.  First of all I must say I’m not impressed, especially with the opening, which looked more like the opening of my sixth form soiree in terms of quality, rather than an international show.  Maybe it was a measurement of austerity?

Anyway but what struck me most was that Norman Hamilton guy, boasting of the MSC Splendida – 140,000 tonnes of luxury on the sea….  (until it ends below…) Is this guy living on my same planet?  To me these adverts sounded really out of place.  There was also the Crosscraft advert, which really makes one think…. Their solutions are only cosmetic.  Once the Tv crew stops filming the problem crops up again.  Very good representation of Crosscraft: Good marketing , zero service.

I liked the switched off mobile which rings joke.  Well if not for his political theories, Franco Debono will definitely be remembered for this new kind of mobile. LOL 

With regards to the winning song, I’m quite neutral.  It’s not bad.  I’m very glad Fabrizio didn’t make it, tough.  I have nothing against him, but I think he went enough times already.  Enough on the subject.

Cooking

This week I continued developing my culinary skills.  My old colleagues know how much I like pastries.  So I decided to do a lot of short crust pastry, which I froze.   I also cooked a Quiche.  I couldn’t find ham, so I decided to invent a recipe of my own with mushrooms, broccoli & onion.  The result was superb. 

I also had to do some creative re-use.  The cheapest rolling pin I could find was something over $30.  I decided its’ not really worth buying one.  So I decided to re-use a wine bottle.  And it worked out really well.  The only problem was that I used it, before I drank the wine.  Now will see if it’s still good…..

Since I had some fresh mushrooms left, I decided to go for Tortellini with mushroom sauce, next.  I also have some broccoli left, which I hope to use this week.  By the way, Tina is still alive, although she underwent major trimming.  I’ll keep you posted about my culinary adventures.

Nikki Giovanni Lunch

One of the weekly highlights was the lunch organized in honour of Nikki Giovanni, a world renowned author and poet.  I must admit I didn’t know about her before, but nevertheless attended the event, especially as it was held in the hall which is just opposite my bedroom.  Ms. Giovanni held a very interesting speech, which was quite informal, and very humorous too.  It had its serious moments too., which were also touching.   It described the difficult moments Africans went through when they were forced to leave their homes and travel across the Atlantic action, centuries ago.  This action stripped them of their most treasured possession: freedom, as in the new world they became slaves.  It is indeed a very sad story, a story which was only recently acknowledged.  

I’m proud of living in a time were every human being is recognized as such, or at least were a good chunk of society believes in this principle.  Back home we are struggling a bit with this fact nowadays, due to illegal immigration.  The experience here is making me appreciate more the difficulties which minority groups experience.  After all I’m a minority here J I’m probably the only Maltese in Chicago.  If not, do get in touch with me J

Film Night

Thursday I’ve watched the film The immortals, although a better title would have been the mortals, as from beginning to end its about being bloodily killed.  Even the gods were killed, even tough they should have been immortal.  It’s quite brutal really, and the story doesn’t make much sense.  Moreover it confuses Greek mythology totally.  Anyway it’s one of those free pizza events….. J

Hasta la vista.