New York is my muse

I was lazy and uninspired in Jozi. I felt there was nothing pushing me to be creative and write, although I am passionate about the cultural and social interactions of the city. But through watching and photographing and reading, I have so much to say about my own city. I have ideas lifted from the stuff I have encountered here. Stories can be re-contextualised and recreatedin my own setting. Stuff i have seen here has made methink about home and the potential to explore and discover parts of the city of Jo'burg.

I feel energised and have thought about my dreamsalot: Do a masters in Applied English Language, possibly get a teaching qualification - develop ideas aboutEnglish Education and Literacy.perhaps re-locate for a while (it would have to be where the literary culture is vibrant, and preferably be a multi-ultural city (london, Dublin (less so), new York, paris (Alliance Francais here we come!)And Jozi is not far off depending where you hang out (Braamfontein, Town, Newtown). And yes,pursue a passion in literary reporting and developments. I suppose I could also supplement an income too! I want to learn Zulu and library science ( so i couldknow what the hell is going on with Rural library developments and reading projects) and perhapsthrowin a photgraphy course along the way. And my lovely friend, veronique Tadjo, managed to get a Fulbright for the purposes of research- an idea and an avenue and somethingfor me towork towards. I would have to think of a good research topic and see how it translates into real change. Literacy issues from pre-school to tertiary education to teacher training and lack therof (where haveall the teachers gone?:Aids, better opportunities?- somethingto include for a holisitc understanding) are a problem.
oh- there is a cool project called keleketla! running in JOubert Park - something for further inspiration.

Blogs are terribly narcissitic and stream of consciousness!
Forgive me, but this is whatthe digital revolution has brought about - everyonehas a voice! Hail freedom of expression and democracy!

NeW York Times

New York cannot but instill reflection.

So my life so far:
New York is not as vast as i thought, and I didn't get this sense of smallness or anonymity. I love it here. It is the literary,artistic and thought capital of the world (although this is a sweeping and hyperbolic statement). But there is so much going on, that I simply feel overwhlemed for choice. Every journalist would die and go to heaven - Caroline,Christopheer'sroom-mate works for the NY times and has interviewed fascinating types that wear polka dot braces and tortoise shell spectacles and have never been out of the city. Theyare fulfilled.

There are hundreds of exhibitions, rare films screenings, Shakespeare productions in Central PArk, The Children's ORchestra, and Deli's. In fact,the coffee is the Best I have EVER tasted, andcheap too. Books and music are cheap, and yet food is very expensive (but large!). In Jo'burg, I feel that there are many people wantingto make it big in finance. But even though Manhattan is hugely commercial, as many people are aspiring writers, film-makers and journos. There is no mainstream, and no sub-sets either. It seems ervyone is so different. I want to go out and buy polka dot braces and wear red lipstick!

Ofcourse, i am trained to deconstruct the scial climate and this is what i have observed( I am a "watcher")- Hispanicand ASian women are maids and nannies to white kids. They walk them in central park. I havetaken some photos. Blackpeople live in the kak areas like Harlem (and it is really kak- I got lost there on my way to Columbia).Thereare a lotof immigrants ( I saw an Ethiopian community) who epitomise the ANANSE figure - being creative in their quest for survival. There are no white train/bus/taxi drivers/sweepers/cleaners etc.

Every white person who lives in Manhattan has a dog. Many women are very beautiful and well-dressed and have small kids. People are rude, but some are lovely. Most people walk around with a tall latte,although are pretentiously health and eco wise.Vegans deluxe.

Thereare so many different people here and the city is ALIVE and diverse. This should be the pattern worldwide because although there are interesting social dynamics, there are still people shoved together of all sorts.

At the universities, activism is prolific - all the fashionable social causes - Darfur, black presidency, Palestine, Africa, Xenophobia, racism, women's rights (they call themselves the Feminazis!).

What's in a being?

What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me; no, nor woman neither, though, by your smiling, you seem to say so.
Hamlet, Act II, scene ii

We are dust - and what is its quintessence? I will ask eternally...
And yet, Hamlet reveals a certain pathos in this quote - we will merely return to nothing, perhaps scatterings. But this need not be meaningless

America vs South Africa

I am off to America in just a few days - excitement and trepidation fill me. But what i am hoping to write about is the difference in the literary culture in NYC and Boston vs SOuth Africa. What I mean by this and what I hope to ask is why we don't have the scope or market for journals like the New Yorker or the Paris Review, where new and established writers are given leverage. It is something that bothers me - we have Empire and Molotov cocktail (although these have more political content and narrative journalism than short fiction and poetry) - but these publications are falling apart at the scenes due to financial constraints. They are indeed brave and controversial, and much needed. Sometimes though, I would want something lighter and whimsical (although still stimulating and well-crafted) to read.

I shall trudge the libraries and the second hand book stores and see how many people enjoy poetry recitings and who read on the subway.

Bethella Maltabella.