Jim Pascual Agustin's Blog, page 52
March 9, 2011
Precious, My Precious
One of two precious finds.
Yesterday I stopped by Franschhoek on my way back from Villiersdorp after dropping off the kids at their school camp. Found a small bookshop that was aptly named – Treasure House Books. It was in one of the few old buildings that have not been surrendered to the whims of so-called "developers" who relish introducing cold as aluminium structures. Stop me from ranting.
Back home – in Marikina – in October 2009, a week after the flood, I saw practically all my books had been thrown among the rotting belongings in front of my mother's house. I remember having a copy of Rimbaud's Drunken Boat from New Directions. Well that boat didn't survive the floods of Ondoy obviously. I also had a copy of Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago – unread – I was still preparing to meet up with the tragic Doctor one day.
Well in Franschhoek I chanced upon a copy of Rimbaud's Illuminations, a 1957 third printing edition, still in remarkable state. A shelf down to it was Pasternak's novel, a hard copy of the sixth impression, 1958 edition. And since no one was around to treat me, I treated myself to an early birthday gift. I feel like Gollum. It's our birthday my precious!
-o-
Filed under: Africa, Asia, environment, Europe, Fragments and Moments, Influences, Life in a different world, Literary News & Articles, poetry, Sanaysay / Essays, Silly Babble, Uncategorized Tagged: Arthur Rimbaud, Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago, Franschhoek, Illuminations, Jim Pascual Agustin, Treasure House Bookshop
March 8, 2011
Multiple Vehicle Crash Too Close to Home
Drove past a major car crash today. A bus loaded with people, a car, and a big vehicle… HUV? is that what you call them petrol guzzlers? The bus crashed and tore through the metal railing on the side of the N1 highway but the passengers escaped unharmed. There was a smashed up windscreen lying on the side of the railing. It had come right off the car which was now facing the direction of oncoming traffic – my direction. The man in the car had one bloody arm – broken, by the looks of it, hanging limp out the window – and his face was a mess. Paramedics were talking to him to keep him awake. His car was a total wreck at the front, metal probably wrapped around his legs. The big van was lying on its side, no visible passengers. It was not even 9 in the morning.
Tomorrow I have a long drive to take my kids to their school camp.
Filed under: Life in a different world, Silly Babble Tagged: Cape Town, N1 Highway, traffic accident
March 7, 2011
We are Way (Weigh?) More than Them
Michael Moore's documentaries are always provocative. They strip the magician's curtains of corporate greed, militaristic mindset, and just plain idiocy of those in power. I see him as a cousin to Bertolt Brecht, but just more jolly and populist.
Here, with jittery camera, unedited, he seems nearly void of the humour I expect from him. But just as provocative.
Sorry for the play on the title, Michael. Hope you know you've got a fan here.
Filed under: Influences, Life in a different world, North America, politics Tagged: Michael Moore, Wisconsin, workers rights
March 3, 2011
39 Strikes
Not as bothersome as what's been happening in North Africa, but caught my ears as I was driving with the radio on, was a news item on the number of deaths caused by lightning in the Eastern Cape. 39 so far this year.
Quick Google search says Brazil (as of 2002) has the highest in the world at 100. Well the Eastern Cape is doing a good job at challenging that right now.
Why the fascination? Here goes… Alice, the amazing woman who took on the daunting task of helping new parents (me and my wife) take care of newborn twins, told me stories of mysterious deaths by people she knows. Apparently lightning is one weapon someone with magical powers uses to inflict vengeance on an enemy – or so they believe.
Hmm. Enough blabber. Just throwing some thoughts around.
Here's a LINK TO PHOTOS of lightning strikes in South Africa. No, no mangled, burnt bodies.
-o-
Oh, bit of news. My sample pages of my new books are now available for free browsing at Sribd.com — just type Jim Pascual Agustin — and they should come up. 
enjoy. And hopefully one day buy when they become available online at Avalon.ph. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks.
Filed under: Africa, environment, Fragments and Moments, Latin America, Life in a different world, Sanaysay / Essays, Uncategorized Tagged: Alice, Alien to Any Skin, Baha-bahagdang Karupukan, Brazil, Eastern Cape, Jim Pascual Agustin, lightning, lightning deaths, South Africa
February 22, 2011
Empty of Words
Empty of Words
It started in the car. My cellphone with MP3 player plugged in to the speakers, Natalie Merchant started singing "I may know the word…" Hours later my ears sought other music to accompany the ghosts that Merchant roused. I listened to the whole of Hildegard von Bingen's "Canticles of Ecstasy" followed by John Tavener's "Svyati." I thought if I keep surrendering to this, it was likely I would end up playing Jan Garbarek's "Officium."
That was yesterday, the day my mind needed to empty itself of words. Or perhaps of easily recognizable words.
Filed under: Creatures, environment, Fragments and Moments, Influences, Silly Babble, Uncategorized Tagged: Hildegard von Bingen, Jan Garbarek, Jim Pascual Agustin, John Tavener, Natalie Merchant
February 16, 2011
How the World Spins
I was listening to an interesting discussion on the radio today, , on the recent events in Egypt. A lot of very good points came up, but one caller made me laugh. He shouted AMERICA KEEP OUT! He confessed to being an ex-CIA-trained-and-paid mercenary sent to Angola many years ago. How the world spins.
I wrote a poem years ago about foreign aid and the kindness of the heart (har har), "Threats and Deeds." But I can't post it here. It is included in my new book, Alien to Any Skin.
Filed under: Imperialism, Influences, Middle East, politics, Silly Babble Tagged: Angola, dictators, Egyptian revolution, Israel, US foreign policy
February 14, 2011
Hallmark Love
Hallmark Love
version 2
The bishops are talking
down from the top of the pulp,
declaring war
on common human urges.
They say half-babies must never be trapped
in balloons. That women have dominion
over their bodies, but less
than God, priest, husband, rapist.
Dear men of the cloak,
what dagger lies under those
flowing fabrics, what skeletons
rattle behind your pulpit?
Blessing for empires,
allegiance to the Third Reich,
cover for the paedophile,
and now, seller
Of Hallmark cards.
Happy Valentine, dear bishops,
as you wield your scepters
so mighty and high. For all we know
You've never fed a baby
with your nipples
so dry. Go ahead,
try.
this is an early draft… hoping to fix it up some more later
Filed under: Asia, Fragments and Moments, Imperialism, Influences, Mga Tula / Poetry, poetry, politics Tagged: Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, CBCP, Jim Pascual Agustin, reproductive rights, Risa Hontiveros, sex
February 12, 2011
Ghosts of a Wound
Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have the 1999 paperback edition from Faber of this book, in a rather unattractive blue with text in gray and red. Whatever Plath defenders may say (or stab with), this is a moving and painful collection that is worth reading over and over. Here Hughes dresses a wound that refuses to heal.
Filed under: Influences, Literary News & Articles, poetry, Silly Babble Tagged: Birthday Letters, Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes
The Chill in the Bones of the Puppet Masters
Nice title. I could sell it to a hack novelist.
February 11, 2011
The Taste of Freedom
Having experienced the euphoria of EDSA 1986 in the Philippines, I can imagine the jubilation and hope now flooding the streets of Egypt. The road to freedom – true freedom, and not the one spoonfed by mass media to couchdwellers (hahahaha, new term) – will be far from smooth. May the people of Egypt find their way on their own terms and without the shadow of some other power's hands hovering over their land.
This is just the beginning. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT!
Filed under: Africa, Asia Tagged: Democracry, EDSA 1986, EDSA Revolution, Egypt, Freedom, human rights, Mubarak
