SPECIAL EVENTS

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 9, 2009 at 10:00am

Fiera dei Morti
Italy

Went to the fair the other day, that which is held during the Fair for the Dead, here in Italy. It is in November and filled with people selling things, from clothing to household goods, to foods to special products.
But this year it hit me in a harder way: it seemed junkier, and even sort of depressing!
I did, however, get a very unusual feeling that I had never had before - that it was really the world all in front of me, in everything I saw, in everything I heard. People, everywhere, looking, touching items for sale, walking, staring.....and the mass of the people, the crowd, the different nationalities, just looking to consume, to buy, to have something new, some odd gadget to clean windows (inside and out at the same time!) or some contraption that cuts vegetables, or plastic this and that for cooking....it all seemed so unlikeable!
I just couldn't get into the special flavor that SHOULD have been there...or was it ME?? It didn't have the special homemade feel it used to have, it seemed to shout PLASTIC, CHEAP, LOUSY QUALITY. And it hit me.....THAT is where we have gotten to - loads of STUFF and loads of STUFF that has no real value! And people WANTING THESE THINGS.
Not looking for beauty, or quality, just to have stuff.
What did I buy?
Absolutely nothing....and I went away though, a little poorer than I came in. I was disillusioned with it all, and rather than being enriched, I was lowered in spirits a notch or two.
THE ONLY THING that I really got from the experience was that I felt like I was in the middle of the world. The people. Surrounding me, pushing, talking, some using foul language as is often common....but it didn't feel positive. But it did make me reflect on humanity itself. And how it is at times to be in the crowd of people, pushing, walking, everyone with their own thoughts....on his own way.....going forward in direction, but not really going ahead.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 14, 2009 at 10:53am

LUXURY IN LOS ANGELES

Today I met a friend I hadn't seen in abut 10 years. It was just wonderful. We met in a very fancy area, with beautiful modern buildings, decoration, food served on fancy tables.
America however has just never seemed the same to me as Europe. It seems that America tries to look European in their style, but it is all new. It seems exaggerated to me, the size of drinks (which they keep filling, without having to pay more) the size of the foodplates and the amounts....it all seems like too much.
I prefer the older places, the more homey atmosphere, places that have soul. I fit in better with real places rather than places that seem cold and new.
Maybe I have totally grown out of these places, maybe I never really felt I fit in. I am not impressed by fake design, or places that try to look like places they are not....Give me an old fashioned American restaurant anytime, something with soul.....that's what I personally like.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 15, 2009 at 9:50am

POLICE STATION

Don't have my photos ready yet but today was a real special event! A visit to open house at the police station in my neighborhood in Los Angeles. It was very interesting, and the thing that was the most curious was how the police said they wanted to be "transparent" - being open with the public and letting them see just how the police work, and their office structures , cars, motorcycles...it was really very enlightening, and a pleasant way to learn about the police and see their sophisticated vehicles. Thanks for the opportunity to know you better, L.A. Police! Photos to come, promise.