BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: mandotim
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 03:21 AM

One last try; what Australian/New Zealand 'independence' movements do you in fact support WAV? Names would be good, manifestos would be better. It seems a trifle odd to have an independence movement in a sovereign, independent state, recognised as such by your beloved United Nations, does it not? It's rather like having an organisation campaigning for independence for France. I concede that there are fringe organisations such as UKIP in this country, but all of these start from the false premise that a sovereign state cannot self-determine. If the UK chose to leave the EU, it could do so. There would be dire geopolitical and economic consequences, but the other states would not be able to prevent this. The same applies to Australia and New Zealand and their Commonwealth membership. So, WAV, are you going to break the habit of a lifetime and give a straight answer to a straight question? To remind you;
In what way are Australia and New Zealand not 'fully independent'? Who makes their laws and public policy other than their own democratically elected governments?

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 04:23 AM

I have tried to answer your question, M, so I'll post this from Wiki...

"Towards an Australian republic?

As already seen, the only remaining constitutional connection with the United Kingdom is through the monarch, who is the monarch not only of the UK, but also of Australia and of each of its States. The main function of the monarch is to appoint and dismiss the Governor-General and the State Governors, and this function is exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister or the relevant State Premier. (The monarch is also sometimes asked to perform some function, such as giving the Royal Assent to an Act of Parliament, for ceremonial purposes during a Royal visit.)
On recent moves to replace the current constitution with a republic, and the defeat of the referendum for this purpose in 1999, see Australian republicanism."

Although there's been less fireworks around here the last couple of years, it should still be quite a sight this Bonfire Night...

Poem 173 of 230: VALLEY VIEWS - AUTUMN 2001

The winds can whistle and the walls can creak,
    But from my beloved old rocking-chair,
Through a rhombus-patterned lounge-room window,
    The Tyne-valley views induce one to stare:

Over a canopy of estate trees -
    Tall birch, locust, rowan and sycamore -
To the housing, parks, stores and works below,
    Which fringe the river of the valley floor...

Then up the other side to more parkland,
    More clusters of trees and residencies,
Streets that yield at night sparkles of light,
    Plus the Angel of the North, topping these.

(C) David Franks 2003
From WalkaboutsVerse - next blog has details...

(P.S: before burning bonfires, please make a final check for hibernating hedgehogs; and, if you like, hear the traditional seasonal English song "Cob-a-Coaling" on my myspace profile.)

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: mandotim
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 12:24 PM

Referencing Wikipedia as a primary source...and you an alleged graduate. Sigh...

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:10 AM

Tomorrow, as well as being Remembrance Sunday in England, etc., it's 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down - and, about 21 years ago, I went...

Poem 17 of 230: THROUGH WHAT WAS

During Europe's summer, '88,
    At a wall my bag was checked:
A brief smile at what gave it weight;
    Sun-cream lid back - mood unwrecked.
I walked past plain buildings and cars,
    And entered a small food-store.
Its goods were plain, also: no sweet bars;
    The essentials - not much more.
As I bought crispbread, with money changed,
    A row began, at counter,
Between two, it seemed, Germans estranged -
    Clothes, to me, the sole pointer.
I headed back through the wall that was,
    Then signed a reunion book.
Reflecting, I'm happy/sad because
    The Left-cause, too, has been shook.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 04:52 PM

Just watched a powerful documentary called "The Secret Life of the Berlin Wall" (BBC 2), which, for those who missed it, will probably be on their iPlayer.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 04:25 AM

Poem 212 of 230: REMEMBER THEM?

Back when we became defenders
    (We have plainly been attackers),
Defenders' blood, sweat and years
    Were paid to keep a good home-way -
A way yet to be part stealth-blown,
    As mass immigration gained-sway
And as we slipped as maintainers.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 04:32 AM

With both national rugby-league and rugby-union teams currently on tour in England...

Poem 99 of 230: ONE RUGBY?

With sixth-tackle, knock-on and touch-line hand-over -
    No scrums, line-outs, rucks or mauls;
The rest (the best of both codes) would hardly alter -
    And no splits, due to two calls.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 04:46 PM

The poem cum song atop this thread, "Walkabout with my Pen," can now be heard, with an English-flute into, and keyboard accompaniment, via my myspace player.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 04:39 AM

On the news here in England, last night, a record lottery win was announced and celebrated: I agree with Oliver Cromwell and modern-day Taiwan - gambling should be ILLEGAL...

Poem 138 of 230: AN OPIUM

National Lottery passes -
    Slight chances to be richer,
    With lots more than thy neighbour,
    Gained without any labour -
    Keep the system in favour:
An opium of the masses.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 04:28 AM

Poem 84 of 230: NATIONALISM WITHOUT CONQUEST

Everything in moderation..?
    Well, with "nationalism" it's true:
It can carry unique cultures on
    But, overdosed, cause their conquest, too.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 10:51 AM

I wandered like a little star
Up above the clouds so high
How I wondered what they are
Two dozen blackbirds
Baked in a pie


[No shaving, as I've a large hairy arsebeard]

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 05:29 AM

...Little birdie flying high
Dropped a message out of the sky;
"Ooh!" said the farmer, wiping his eye,
"It's a jolly good thing my cows don't fly." (trad., I think)...

Poem 114 of 230: CLITHEROE CASTLE'S VIEWS - SUMMER 2000

From outside metres-thick wall
    (Down on leafy grounds grown tall,
Then across stony households
    To lush-green sheep-grazing folds,
And up further to the moor),
    Clitheroe Castle's views soar.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: GUEST,EricTheOrange
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 08:01 AM

As already seen, the only remaining constitutional connection with the United Kingdom is through the monarch, who is the monarch not only of the UK, but also of Australia and of each of its States.

Ermmm???? By your own reference the Queen occupies a role in Australia because she is Queen of Australia as well as being Queen of the United Kingdom. It's up to the democratic choice of Australian citizens how long she remains in that role, nobody else. I doubt if many non-Australians care. As a self avowed "Englishman" it doesn't seem to be any of your business either way.

ETO

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 09:44 AM

Queen of Australia, queen of the May
Rode in a train o쳌fer the silver Tay
She said 쳌eDon쳌ft you know I쳌fm the head of state?
Make it go faster, I쳌fm going to be late!쳌f

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 01:01 PM

And I say: frankly, Eric, I do give a damn about world affairs.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: GUEST,EricTheOrange
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 01:52 PM

Telling people in other nations how they should run their government sounds like just another form of imperialism to me.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 02:38 PM

As I've said, in my opinion, apart from some local government, all any citizen of our world needs is their own nation and the United Nations - which could be more democratic and effective, of course, and dissolving the likes of The Commonwealth, the G 20/8, etc, would help with that.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: GUEST,EricTheOrange
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 05:02 PM

all any citizen of our world needs is their own nation and the United Nations

Why keep the UN?

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: mandotim
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 02:35 AM

Why do we need nations?

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:43 AM

WAVism for Beginniners

WAVism is a philosophy of a Totalitarian World Order founded on the idea that the world has to be somehow Nice and Multicultural and that the only way to achieve this is to segregate all nations and ethnicities in a programme of mass repatriation and ethnic cleansing overseen by a New World Order WAVists refer to as The United Nations With Greater Powers. Though to the rational mind WAVism is the stuff of dystopian sci-fi, the WAVist genuinely feels WAVism represents the best way forward for Humanity, complete with an emphasis on National Folk Music and Music as a National Phenomenon Within Fixed Boundaries.

In a WAVist World, only Americans will be allowed to play rock music, and the only music English people will allowed to play is Our Own Good Folk Music and, possibly, Classical Music by English Composers, though how WAVists square this with the essentially non-English nature of Classical Music from the 10th Century onwards hasn't as yet been made clear. If WAVists accept English classical composers, then why not English rock composers? And what of such distinctly non-American popular musical phenomena as Krautrock? And what of the many English rock musicians who have been more influenced by Krautrock than American rock, yet have still managed to create a uniquely English rock music which then becomes a major influence back in America where it supposedly all began? Indeed, the unravelling of millennia of ethnic and cultural migrations, diaspora, invasion and cross-fertilisation is but one of the problems the WAVist faces when deciding upon their New World Order - let alone the inevitability of Near Total Dissidence, but people have been forced to comply at gunpoint before, so why not again? It's never been achieved on a global scale before, but there is a first time for everything!

So this is the absolute vision of WAVism's Nice Multicultural World, though what is particularly Nice about is another thing that hasn't, as yet, been made clear, especially given the pragmatics of making such a Global Totalitarianism a reality. Look at the human cost of Partition in India, which would be multiplied a million-fold at least in the ensuing migrations as populations are torn apart and people are forced to repatriate to the country of their ethnic (if not individual) origin. Still, such a holocaust would significantly reduce the Global Population - something else the WAVist has concerns about, as evident in their various Eugenic Asides which crop up every now and then. Still, when all is sorted out we will have that Nice Multicultural Wav-World with each ethnically cleansed Nation State devoted to its Indigenous Folk Culture, and policed by a Stronger UN to make sure it stays that way - there will be no Ethnic Contaminations or Cultural Recalcitrance, there will be no creativity or individualism, and, no doubt, the Human Genome will be modified to make sure that there will be no further developments; and that it will remain this way forever and ever and ever and ever...

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 05:08 AM

(A lot of words in my/"WAVists" mouth(s) there S. This is the sort of thing I like - http://www.llangollen2009.com/)

It's called Mumbai now, of course, but not when I was there...

Poem 21 of 230: BOMBAY PORTER

Awaiting a train in Bombay,
    I was shocked into dismay;
For a well-dressed man, built strongly,
    Was walking, his hands set free,
Ahead of a bony porter -
    Heavy case on head, no quarter.

Shortly later, I watched again
    As out from the rich-man's train
Came the scrawny struggling porter -
    His thin back now much tauter;
For he writhed as he stretched his loins -
    After a quick count of few coins.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 06:06 AM

Not at all, WAV - I think that's a fair enough appraisal of your general philosophy as you've promoted it here over the years, although maybe I've been a bit soft there on the humanitarian implications! Your general tone is one of Cultural Policing along Iron Curtains erected on national boundaries to keep things nice and multi-cultural.

Worse still, you persist in the belief that Folk Music is somehow part of Our Own Good Culture!

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:05 AM

Our world is filled with folks profuse
We쳌fre not all white, that쳌fs not much use
Geographical adaptations
Guard against nature쳌fs fluctuations
Under the skin we쳌fre pink and red
We all become equal when we쳌fre dead

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: s&r
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 05:38 PM

I was waiting for a tram in Fleetwood
When I saw a man whose clothing wasn't very good
He said can I help you with your case Boss
I said No because I'm as strong as a hoss

Oh dear said he Well will you buy a Big Issue
I said No because you're not an Englishman true
Go back to where you belong
Living in my country can only be wrong

I like to see you in your native lands
Scooping up rice in your scrawny hands
I love multiculturalism it's full of such charm
And the benefit culture will keep me from harm

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 07:06 AM

Hardly seaside weather today in England, but, speaking of Fleetwood, here's an a-political postcard-poem, for a change...

Poem 120 of 230: A GOOD SEASIDE DAY - AUTUMN 2000

Via the art gallery,
    Blackpool how it used to be;
Via a famous tower,
    The Blackpool of the hour.
Via a maritime Mount,
    Fleetwood with its channel out.
And, via a coastline tram,
    The autumn-night lit-art jam.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 07:48 AM

Nothing like a rainy day by the sea, not that we sea-side dwellers have much of a choice of course. All weather is sea-side weather, and the beauty remains un-dampened come whatever.

grey the rain
by Fleetwood's shore;
vistas, and horizon
blurred as
tides flow and gulls cry.
Today there is no sun,
no mountains,
only wet leaves
now fallen
floating out to sea.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: GUEST,Suibhne (Astray)
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 08:22 AM

Although I wrote the above poem before we set off today I'm delighted to report that it is in every sense accurate.

I now sit
at my father-in-law's
PC, watching starlings
squabble over seed-cake
as a solitary bee buzzes
around an equally
solitary
yellow poppy.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 12:46 PM

Okay - and not long after I posted my above "daily ditty," I noticed on the news some surfers, in Cornwall, enjoying their relatively large swells.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 01:52 PM

Before me sits my computer
Smugly gazing in my general direction
Knowing it has me under its spell
And helpless to face my growing addiction
It demands more power every day
Power that I must pay for
When the mail brings me the hydro bill
Wrapped up in a bland white letter
Hey, wait...that last couplet didn't rhyme!
Oh well, let's call this free verse
More freedom to exprapolate
As I pen another wee verse

- Nov. 14th, 2009

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:54 PM

Okay - but could a certain Chimp do better, LH?!

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 05:05 AM

It's raining today,
but once there was summer and you
and dark little rooms
and sleeping late afterno...

Hold on, someone's already written that one.

Sunday morning
washed and cold
as glazed
greyness chills.
Outside -
a gazing-gull warms on
a smoking chimney pot.
Inside -
Cuban coffee cools
in a Hornsea mug
that says
November.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 05:14 AM

After a stormy Saturday here in England, it's much calmer (if still "raining," S.) in Newcastle upon Tyne today...

Poem 179 of 230: A GLASSY TYNE - AUTUMN 2001

Near glassy-classical new Law Courts,
    From the snazzy Millennium Footbridge,
Reflecting fine bridges of other sorts -
    A glassy Tyne's snazzy sunset image.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 06:30 AM

Snazzy, eh? I suppose that sums it up. We pass along by that way on our visits to Newcastle, parking as we do in the Holy Jesus multi-story, part of T. Dan Smith's once snazzy make-over that featured in the opening titles of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? as being emblematic of the change underlying the initial comedic premise. It also features in the wee video we did for Scott Walker's We Came Through which you can watch both in its edited version and the production footage that proves the song lasted the exact duration of the ascent from bottom to top.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_ktTtAZfV4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqf3TRP7XYs

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 06:47 AM

Here's the picture I tried to describe..."snazzy"?

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: s&r
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 06:03 PM

Nice pic WAV. Needs the horizon straightening though - about three degrees clockwise

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 05:05 AM

This was in 1988...

Poem cum song 10 of 230: LAND'S END TO JOHN O' GROATS

(TUNE:

D G A A B B A A
D A B B A A G G
D B B B A A G G
D A B A B A G G)

At the bold age of twenty-one
    (Via Hong Kong, China, Macau),
I flew from Sydney to London -
    Land's End to John o' Groats my vow.

I took a train out of London,
    Found a highway and thumbed a ride;
I headed down toward Brighton,
    Then hitch-hiked roads the coast beside.

On the face of my shoulder bag,
A sketched map of Aus. was my tag;
For said a Scot who'd hitched Europe:
"Some emblem may well boost your hope."

And drivers throughout the island,
Over a two month riding span,
Were the kindest folks I have met -
I swear not once did I get wet!

I stopped overnight in Portsmouth,
    And one or two nights in Torquay;
Then headed along to Plymouth -
    Still travelling beside the sea.

After viewing rugged Land's End,
    I began the long journey north -
North-east, rather, before a bend,
    Somewhere in a bit from Bournemouth.

On the way, I saw relatives,
Whom after leaving I did miss -
Their homes' cosy atmosphere,
And their local pubs' good cheer.

And the hitched-lifts came from many:
An off-work Bobbie, a truckie,
As well as on-duty soldiers -
Thanks, and I've not said where each was!

I headed west through South Wales,
    And viewed Cardiff Arms from afar -
I was hitching with local males,
    And they showed me from in the car.

I stayed a while at Swansea -
    Saw the local footballers play;
Then hitched north through Llandovery -
    Beautiful farmland, I must say.

I slept mostly in B. & B's,
Where the full breakfasts sure did please;
But also stopped in Youth Hostels,
Where it's the comradeship that tells.

My favourite sites were Torquay,
Old St. Andrews (noted shortly),
The road Glasgow-to-Inverness,
The Lakes, plus London's spots, no less.

From Colwyn Bay, I headed east
    To Manchester, my place of birth;
Then on the Lakes my eyes did feast,
    Before I passed by Solway Firth.

Onto Edinburgh, Glasgow,
    St. Andrews, before Inverness;
Then waves from locals were the go -
    Warm folks round John o' Groats, I'd guess.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 08:48 AM

Twenty-one years ago in other words. Very old news indeed, WAV - although in 1988 we recorded the Masstishaddhu / Shekinhah LP for United Dairies which is still worthy of its alt. folk / feral / wyrd / ritual / pagan / classic status...

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 04:51 PM

"Old news" to some extent, S. - Macau and Hong Kong have been handed back to China; the Chinese Communist Party is much more like the "Chinese Capitalist Party" (the first Kentucky Fried Chicken had just opened in Beijing when I was there); on a personal note, I've returned to stay, this time; etc.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 04:27 AM

In North East England...

Poem 197 of 230: HISTORIC HEXHAM – AUTUMN 2002

All hay was made,
    And the sun stayed,
The autumn day
    I made my way,
Via Heddon,
    To old Hexham,
Where I did see:
    The fine abbey,
The ex-gaol
    By the moot-hall,
Plus, holding sports
    Of varied sorts,
The Tynedale
    And the Seal.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:25 AM

Despite such beautiful scenery, if I was to visit Ireland these days, I'd be more keen on a folk-club than a golf-club...

Poem 12 of 230: GOLF AT KILLARNEY

At Killarney Golf and Fishing Club,
    There's two great courses to be found;
Built on Ireland's fine Ring of Kerry,
    Both are really worth a round.

From the local social Youth Hostel,
    I hitched (doing as Irish do);
Then paid to play both the courses,
    But missed five holes - Hostel curfew.

The fairways were lush and nicely groomed,
    And the course views the best I've seen;                        
With walks beside the lakes and mountains,
    I'm proud to say to there I've been.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 05:49 AM

Poem 36 of 230: WALKABOUT MEXICO

In late December,
    1996,
I can remember
    Being in a fix -
For time and pesos -
    And, thus, unable
To see Mexico's
    Sights commendable.

So, in Tijuana,
    I enjoyed the show
At a miniature
    Rep. of Mexico.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Don Firth
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 04:28 PM

Tijuana?

The Republic of Mexico in miniature?

Uhh. . . .

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: GUEST,EricTheOrange
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 03:14 AM

From: Don Firth

Tijuana?

The Republic of Mexico in miniature?

Uhh. . . .

Don Firth

Yes. WAV once again demonstrates his special brand of ignorance.

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 05:17 AM

Is that what WAV's saying here? I rather get the impression he's looking at some sort of relief map or diorama. No doubt he'll be along shortly to clarify the ambiguity...

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 06:13 AM

Yes, S., with the various sites of Mexico represented in miniatures - I just checked my Lonely Planet book and tijuana.com but could not find the name/if it's still there, sorry. I paid a weekly rent in a Tijuana hotel, and also made day trips back over the border to San Diego, the Baja Peninsula (seeing Mexican jumping beans for the first and only time), the golf course, the Cultural Centre (bought an excellent print by Diego Rivera), etc. Before that, via the same return plane ticket from Sydney, I was here...

Poem 37 of 230: RODEO DRIVE

On visiting Los Angeles,
    I thought I'd walk Rodeo Drive.
I'd passed a few up-market shops
    When an hombre said, "Take one please."

'Twas info. on exploitation,
    Which I read that night in my room.
It mentioned of the unfair gap -
    Sweatshop-wages to profit-on.

I left him to visit the john,
    Which was all clad in marble stone.
Then I walked past more fortune gowns
    To lunch: four bucks - fair profit-on.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 08:16 AM

seeing Mexican jumping beans for the first and only time

When I was a kid you could buy these at the pet shop in the Grainger Market in Newcastle; maybe you still can?

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 06:11 AM

Have to check, next time...and just a bit of a jump/trot, toward the tawny Tyne, from Grainger Market...

Poem 184 of 230: THE QUICK CLUBBERS' TROT IN NEWCASTLE - AUTUMN 2001

Fridays, Saturdays,
    Latish in the night,
Bringing a smile,
    Making quite a sight
Down the steep-sloped Side,
    High on their heels -
Bonny, blithe ladies,
    Done with their meals
Or earlier clubs,
    Seeking the next spot,
And risking it with
    Their quick clubbers' trot.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: Amos
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 10:18 AM

There is a CUltural Center in Tijuana which provides a display covering the many wonders of Mexican culture in all its variety.

It is possible WAV was talking about that or some similar display.

Tijuana itself is part of the narrow corridor of border culture that runs along the southern border of the US and discolors the first hundred miles or so into Mexico, making it very much not representative of Mexico's interior.


A

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 12:43 PM

I agree that, in some ways, it's very much a frontier town, Amos, and think you could be right about the...

"Tijuana Cultural Center
A culture and arts center where famous art pieces go on exhibit, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, along with a wide variety of plays, symphonies, recitals, operas and ballets. It also includes an Omnimax theatre, art gallery and a bookstore" (tijuana.com).

But it was definitely a kind of park that had Aztec monuments, etc., in miniature, beside pathways..?

Subject: RE: BS: WalkaboutsVerse Anew
From: GUEST,stu away from home
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 12:54 PM

500?