For a Sunday morning

You can try the best you can

If you try the best you can

The best you can is good enough

Please please please

It's not an easy life... *sigh*

 

 

 



Mixtape II

Piano music for a rainy Monday

stolen apples Mix II from martinqn on 8tracks Radio.

1. Erik Satie - Gnossienne, 1. Lent

Tut, tut, looks like rain.

- A.A. Milne

2. Eleni Kalaindrou - By the Sea

Whenever people talk to me about the weather, I always feel quite certain that they mean something else. And that makes me quite nervous.

- Oscar Wilde

3. Yann Tiersen - Comptine d'un autre été

Haven't had a dream in a long time.

- The Smiths

4.  Max Richter - Andante Reflection

Look at the rain long enough, with no thoughts in your head, and you gradually feel your body falling loose, shaking free of the world of reality. Rain has the power to hypnotize.

- Haruki Murakami

5. Arvo Pärt - Fratres for cello and piano

My sorrow, when she's here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane. 

- Robert Frost

6. Frédéric Chopin - Prelude #4 in E Minor

We'll always have Paris

- From 'Casablanca'

7. Claude Debussy - Clair de Lune

...All sing in a minor key
Of victorious love and the opportune life,
They do not seem to believe in their happiness
And their song mingles with the moonlight...

- Paul Verlaine

8. Yann Tiersen - Watching Lara

And the rest is rust and stardust.

- Vladimir Nabokov

9. Thomas Newman - Any Other Name

Danny: You want to get married?
Sam: Can't. Got to go out later.

- From 'He Died With a Felafel in His Hand'

Terra Australis

Please, not Abbot, please.

Mixtape I

It's the weekend. Time to cruise with no particular place to go.

stolen apples mixtape 1 from martinqn on 8tracks Radio.

1. Booker T. & the M.G.s - Green Onions

There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go. 

- Tennessee Williams

2. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat the Devil's Tattoo

Here's to the first of the day, fellas. To ol' D. H. Lawrence. 

- George in 'Easyrider'

3. R.L. Burnside - Let My Baby Ride

Sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whiskey and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind but falling in love and not getting arrested. 

- Hunter S. Thompson

4. Tom Waits - Step Right Up

It's not, not bad, huh? There's no heat here, but you know, by the time winter comes, I'll be in Florida. 

- Ratso Rizzo in 'Midnight Cowboy'

5. Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning

Now the rain's like gravel on an old tin roof
And the Burlington Northern pulling out of the world
Now a head full of bourbon and a dream in the straw
And a Gun Street girl was the cause of it all. 

- Tom Waits

6. Canned Heat - On the Road Again

"Sal, we gotta go and never stop going till we get there."
"Where we going, man?"
"I don't know but we gotta go." 

- Jack Kerouac

7. John Lee Hooker - Dimples

when God created love he didn't help most
when God created dogs He didn't help dogs
when God created plants that was average
when God created hate we had a standard utility
when God created me He created me
when God created the monkey He was asleep
when He created the giraffe He was drunk
when He created narcotics He was high
and when He created suicide He was low

when He created you lying in bed
He knew what He was doing
He was drunk and He was high
and He created the mountians and the sea and fire at the same time

He made some mistakes
but when He created you lying in bed
He came all over His Blessed Universe.

- Charles Bukowski

8. Grinderman - No Pussy Blues

I'm so goddamn horny, the crack of dawn better be careful around me! 

- Tom Waits

9. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

 - T.S. Eliot

Waiting for Waits

Sorry Tom, I've neglected you for a few years now. Maybe I just didn't need you until now.

Come down off the cross
We can use the wood

A-Ž of Latvia - H

H is for Hare Krishna and Hokejs (Ice Hockey)

Latvia has only been a free republic for a tad over 20 years and Latvians are still trying to find their identity and place in the world. Locals often aren't very good at creating something new which is uniquely 'Latvian', many would rather just take something from elsewhere and run with it without adding any unique touch (with many commendable exceptions, of course). The locals love anything exotic or different, like fixie bikes (I saw less over a weekend in London than I do in a walk around the block in Riga), sushi, Eastern religion and anything even slightly whiffing of esoterica. Krishnas dance and chant through the streets here, oblivious to the fact that we in the West kinda got over that fad decades ago. But I would notice that, wouldn't I, I'm a Libran after all.

Ice Hockey is considered Latvia's national sport. It's a pity they're success is not as great as their passion for the sport. At least the Lithuanians can be proud of their international basketball success; Latvians have produced a few NHL players, beaten Russia twice, and, well, that's about it (I may get a puck to the chin for writing this).

A-Ž of Latvia - Ģ

Ģ is for Ģenētika (genetics) and Ģērbties (to dress)

I'm calling bullshit on Latvians who call themselves 'pure-blooded'. An uncle of mine told me once – tongue-in-cheek but probably on the money – that Latvians are so good looking because all the best noblemen and soldiers from invading forces raped their women. There definitely is a 'Latvian look', but it certainly isn't from any pure Latvian origin.

Don't dare walk across the road to buy your milk and bread in your flip-flops and tank-top in Latvia, sniggers and smug grins from the locals ensue. Latvians are always self-consciously dressed. Probably another symptom of collectively low self-esteem.

A-Ž of Latvia - G

G is for Gadalaiki (seasons) and Gaiziņkalns (Latvia's highest point)

What is so glorious about the weather in Latvia, and which is much less pronounced in Australia (where I grew up), is the clear distinction between the four seasons. Winter is long and cold in Latvia, with the mercury sometimes falling into the minus 30s, but you find yourself becoming aware of the different types of snow and ice (hard, soft, dry, wet, fresh, old...) and the stark beauty of a Northern winter. Spring bursts forth with spectacular intensity, summer is magnificent and never too extreme, and autumn calmly welcomes you back into winter with it's confetti-showers of golden leaves, and crisp, brisk evenings.

Latvia's Mt. Everest at a monumental 312 metres above sea level. Latvians are so insecure, they built a phallic tower on top of this hillock so it would be officially taller than neighbouring Estonia's highest peak. Ferrari-owners, you've been trumped.

A-Ž of Latvia - F

F is for /f/ and Fui! (a general exclamation of disgust)

The Latvian language never traditionally included the phoneme /f/ but it was later introduced as words were borrowed from foreign languages. So now locals can easily converse about 'filozofija' (philosophy), fakultātes (faculties), and 'fistings' (I'm sure you can guess that one).

'Fui!' is a Latvian's way of saying your fart stinks real bad.

A-Ž of Latvia - Ē

Ē is for Ēst (eat) and Ēģipte (Egypt)

Latvian cuisine has been heavily influenced by the Germans and the Russians but still has its own individuality. Expect to eat, among many other things too numerous to list here: cottage cheese, plenty of sour cream, forest berries, shashlik meat (pretty much a national dish by now), smoked fish, meat-filled pancakes, beetroot, lampreys (look it up, weird), jellied cat-food-esque meat, and truck-loads of pork and pork fat. Good luck being vegetarian here, by the way.

Escaping the early onset of Autumn or getting a dose of sun as they wait for spring to unfurl after a long, depressing winter, the people of Latvia take budget flights to places like Egypt, Turkey, the Canary Islands, and Italy. Their pale skin turns copper quicker than you can say 'pass me my faux-Gucci sunglasses Vladimir'.

A-Ž of Latvia - E

E is for Eirovīzija (Eurovision) and Eglīte (Christmas Tree)

Latvians love this shit, and not even in an ironic way. This is the first verse and chorus from Latvia's entrant in the 2010 competition, Aisha 'What For?' (I swear to Mr God, this is not a joke):

I've asked my angels why, but they don't know
What for do mothers cry and rivers flow?
Why are the skies so blue and mountains high?
What for is your love always passing by?
 
I've asked my uncle Joe, but he can't speak
Why does the wind still blow and blood still leaks?
So many questions now with no reply
What for do people live until they die?
 
What for are we living?
What for are we crying?
What for are we dying?
Only Mr God knows why

Latvians grasp firmly to their claims-to-fame. Apparently the tradition of the decorated Christmas tree was started in Latvia in the 15th century, but even so, it was actually Germans who did it. Whatever.

A-Ž of Latvia - D

D is for Daba (nature) and Dziesmu Svētki (Song Festival)

41% of the country is forested, and that's a lot when you think about it. On the weekends, and especially in summer, Riga's streets are eerily quiet, because most residents will rather spend their free time at their country properties, gorging on forest-berries and collecting meadow-flowers for tea. Latvians are still very closely connected to nature, its cycles and rhythms. Home grown produce is very popular, as is foraging (see Sēņošana), and the wildlife you can come across there is astonishing. Wolves and lynx, hedgehogs and moose, storks which migrate from Africa, even bears are slowly growing in number.

Approximately every five years the Song (and Dance) Festival takes place in Latvia. This isn't just some carols-by-candlelight-esque affair; this involves a final concert with more singers than spectators, a whole city proudly dressed in folk costume for a week, impassioned impromptu singing on public transport, and a significant quinquennial reinvigoration of a powerful, if not sometimes inconspicuous, Latvian self-pride.

A-Ž of Latvia - Č

Č is for Čangaļi (Latgallians) and Čaks, Aleksandrs

Eastern Latvia (Latgale) to Latvia is like Tasmania to Australia. The rest of the country thinks it's full of simple, rude, country bumpkins who speak in a strange accent. Admittedly they do speak in a strange tongue (sometimes as hard to understand as Glaswegian is to anglophones), but they're certainly not simple and rude. Latgallians may seem a little backwards at first, but you'll soon discover they are a good people with enormous hearts, a strong sense of tradition, and piles of pride. Oh, and they're experts at having a good time (three day weddings, say no more).

This chrome-dome poet is a bit of a champion. When most Latvian word-smiths were writing their rural idylls, Čaks described urban scenes of trams, noise, pavements, and dripping faucets. Latvia's Baudelaire, sans lesbiennes.

A-Ž of Latvia - C

C is for Caurvējš (draught) and Cope (fishing)

eblok clothing

Latvians have a very strong and widely accepted belief that you can get sick from an open window. Yeah; don't believe scientific and medical knowledge, you can get critically ill from a gentle draught. True story.

Instead of talking about their emotions, the men of Latvia spend their time dressed in camouflage, drinking, and trying to catch gigantic pike.

A-Ž of Latvia - B

B is for Barons, Krišjānis and Bērzu Sula (birch sap)

Barons (born 1835) had a magnificent beard. The other thing he is known for is his work documenting Latvian folk songs from all parts of the country and publishing them in six big volumes. The over 200,000 folk songs form a significant cornerstone of Latvian identity and cultural pride. He even published a section specifically dedicated to 'naughty' folk songs, full of sex and splendid vulgarity, including – wait for it – bestiality. Seems Latvians were quite sexually open-minded before the Christians turned up and made them feel guilty about it.

Every year in spring when the snow has almost completely melted and nature is slowly starting to wake up, Latvians head out to the forests to their favourite birch trees. They tap those bad boys for the healthy sap flowing up their trunks. Fresh birch juice doesn't taste dissimilar to slightly sweet water, but is full of wonderful things (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) to strengthen your health after a long cold winter, or just a heavy night on the piss. When not drunk fresh, the sap is naturally fermented to create a refreshing, slightly carbonated drink which can keep all year. This stuff is ace, trust me.

A-Ž of Latvia - Ā

Ā is for Ārsti (doctors) and Ādas jakas (leather jackets)

Getting medical treatment in Latvia can be a bit of an ordeal, even if you do know the local language. I've had medical professionals 'prescribing' me vodka to disinfect a laceration; telling me I can't drink beer or wine while I'm ill, but spirits are fair game; and suggesting I should dump my girlfriend because 'Latvian girls are sick in the head'. Throw in a few cold and spooky Soviet-era hospital wards and even chillier looks from medical staff and you see why I prefer to deal with the issue myself.

The early years of post-Soviet Latvia were singularly wild. A friend of mine told me of an acquaintance who owned a bar and refused to pay 25% of his earnings to the Russian Mafia for protection (the going rate at the time). One day a dark BMW turned up and burly henchmen sporting black leather jackets strode into the bar with Uzis in hand. They took the chap out into the forest and tied him naked to a tree for the wolves to eat. True story. I steer clear of burly men in leather jackets.

Watch out

A-Ž of Latvia - A

I am currently living and working in Riga, Latvia, and have been here for more than three years. I'll be moving on soon, to another place, and another world of experiences. In the spirit of Vice magazine, I have slowly started putting together a similar guide to this land of forests and corruption, gorgeous women and mushroom-picking. Excuse any cynicism, I really do love this country!

Here we go...

A-Ž of Latvia

A is for Abaks (abacus) and Alus (beer)

You can still find old ladies selling their goods in the markets using abaci to add up purchases. I remember in kindergarten being taught to use an abacus, but once I developed a basic grasp of arithmetic I turned to just using my brain. I swear, I gave an old woman two lati (Latvia's currency) for 1.20 worth of strawberries; I stood there waiting while she worked out the change on her blasted counting frame!

Beer tastes swell here. The best lubrication for a warm afternoon spent checking out skirt, or driving a car.

Hi there.

I'm Martin.

I enjoy writing, people tell me I have a talent with words, and I'm starting to believe them despite my frustratingly low self-confidence, so I figured I need a place to write and put down my thoughts and opinions. The content of this blog won't be themed - I concluded  many years ago that I am doomed to be a jack of all trades, master of none - but I'll try my best to make it interesting.

I just finished reading Paul Kelly's memoir, How to Make Gravy, and the Australian songwriter has subsequently been featuring more prominently in my evening listening, and while thinking of a title for this blog, his song 'Stolen Apples Taste the Sweetest' just popped into my fatigued head. I've never been great at coming up with names or titles, but I don't think this one is too bad. In fact, it's the bomb.

Stolen apples taste the sweetest
See them hanging in the pale moonlight
You won't feel those cuts and bruises
As you reach out for your prize in the night
Pluck them down and take that very first bite

"Don't tell anyone our secrets"
Said the farmer to his darling wife
Oh no, don't tell me
"There are some here in the districts
Not so happy with their lot in this mean, old life
Oh, sweetheart, won't you pass me the paring knife?"

Stolen apples plucked down in their prime
Stolen apples hanging heavy on my mind
Heavy on, heavy on my mind, oh, my mind
Oh, my mind

Eve called Adam in the garden
"Hey Adam, come over here and look at these, won't you try some?"
"Oh, no," said Adam, "Ain't that forbidden"
"Come on now, baby," said Eve, "What could be wrong
What could be wrong with just one little one?"
So Adam bit and cried out, "That's the bomb, that's the bomb"

Stolen apples taste the sweetest
Stolen apples taste the sweetest
Stolen apples taste the sweetest
Stolen apples taste the sweetest

Stolen apples taste the sweetest
Stolen apples taste the sweetest
Stolen apples taste the sweetest