Dell Hymes Passes Away

At the moment, I simply don't have the words to write an academic obituary for one of the greatest visionaries of the 20th century. In less than a month's time, we lost the fathers of structuralism (Levi-Strauss) and sociolinguistics (Hymes). Dell Hathaway Hymes' vision of

a better world through an empirical study of marginalized voices in society has profoundly impacted my research. I recently presented a paper on Hymes' deep engagement with socialist concerns, and feel that we have only now began to really understand his powerful

vision on how language policy impacts social inequality. It was my professor at Ghent University, Jan Blommaert, who opened up his complex oeuvre and showed that many of his ideas are absolutely essential to better understand language in society. But most of all; Hymes learned me to LISTEN to others, and that listening is an act of love.

I was hoping to see Dell accompany his wife Virginia to the panel in her honour at the upcoming

annual anthropology convention in Philly next month, but that will not happen.

I can only try to pay respect to him the best I can through further engaging with his

monumental legacy. May your vision live on, Dell.

Haircut!

Yes, I decided it's time for a haircut... Why? Well, it seems that after I have cut off my locks, sometime in 1999, I haven't really been satisfied with any way of keeping long hair other than locks, so here goes the "carpet", the "wig", or whatever inventive metaphor friends would kindly present me with. Anyhow, I'll post a picture tomorrow when I get back from the barbershoppe. :-)

Arriving in Toronto...

I've moved to Toronto now. Officially. School year hasn't started yet BUT I'm here already to undertake some necessary preparations, such as the obligatory stuff like opening a bank account, registering with the department etc. Then, on the 4th, I can embark on my doctoral spree, which should hopefully lead to a Phd somewhere mid 2010. Ouch. 2010. Mmmm...

Toronto's a lot like New York really...People are busy busy busy and even if someone is on the street acting like a lunatic or screaming their heads off or DYING for that matter, he or she will probably not get a lot of reaction. Climate here seems a bit cold, and no, I wasn't talking about the weather. Also, the administrative whirlwind of housing, tuition fees and bank issues seems to be pacing about at a rather high and confusing speed... And that for a city that has gone almost bankrupt and where prices are very high.

Luckily, Toronto seems to have an equally interesting and wide-spread counter-cultural movement, including ecological, vegetarian and queer/feminist groups. And, it seems that the way in happens through these groups. So yes, yours truly has checked out some of these cohorts and might join them as the upcoming months proceed. And, I do hope to make some friends and good colleagues once the year takes off.

As for smoking I am really fucked. I can't smoke anywhere in the building, gotta go 9 floors down AND cross the street (because it is not allowed to smoke in front of the building outside). At 11 euros a pack, one has quickly abandoned the nasty habit. And drinking, well, beer is sold in separate beer shops, wines in wine shops and liquor in liquor shops... Damn...As yours truly really fancied the combination of those deliria, a long long trip will be my curse. BUT as a reward they have Red Stripe, Appleton, and more of that goodness...

I'll be writing more, and share some academic stuff and poetry as well, once I get this pc thing sorted out. Peace be with y'all.

Jimmy in his Provence home

If there is one writer that is continually on my night-table, under my bed, on top of my desk and shelves, then it's Jimmy Baldwin. I feel as this is my imaginary friend, my twin soul. There are no words that can describe what this picture does for me. Yes, I love Jimmy. Oh yes, I do. I wish I could have just enter the picture and have beer or a whisky with him. 20 years ago Jimmy died but in a remote village, all the way in Belgium (but not so far from his home in France) he is still remembered every day.

Wine and Life

I just love wine. The growing conditions and the love and care given to the original ranks really account for not only the quality but also the texture, the character and the taste of the wine. Life is very parallel with how the wine rank is nurtured and taken care of. In the next sequence of the movie "Sideways", the main character Miles describes how the Pinot Noir ( also my favorite grape) grows and why he likes it so much. And, he is actually describing himself...And perhaps me... And what better than to enjoy this wine with someone who takes the time for you ? Who thinks you are worth tasting?

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwpfk2TuRS8

(I hope this link will stay on Youtube for a while).

Zora Neale Hurston: Mother of Caribbean Ethnography

Good friend better than pocket dunsa (2)

This is another one of my very good friends, Dirk Oxen. Our history goes back at least six years, when we started to run a local sound system "Rasta Academy", which main purpose was to educate people about social and spiritual issues. Although the sound and inspiration were arguably Rastafarian, they certainly were uplifting. A few years later, we developed "Lovers Hi Fi", "the sweetest sound around". Triggered by personal issues in both our love lives, we decided to give the crowd a selection of the best loversreggae we could find. I remember me and Dirk have spent days in his forest home selecting stuff on minidisc to play in the nearby youth club. Next to all this, we have invented a genre called "reggae comedy", closely linked to Lovers Hi Fi; as we would put on small sketches on stage (a betrayed husband, a fight over a girl) while the music was playing. At last, Dirk fell in love and married an American girl and now practices his other passion (next to Sonya) as a shepherd somewhere close to Vancouver. I hope we can meet again soon. Fond memories, reasoning by the fireplace ... All best Dirk!