"The Revolutionary": A Documentary

Last night, I attended a really fascinating event, held at the University of Washington Jackson School of International Studies. It was the screening of a new documentary titled "The Revolutionary," about the life story of Sidney Rittenberg, an American who became friends with the leadership of the Chinese communist party, and lived in China from 1945-1980. Mr. Rittenberg is now in his early nineties, and has lived in the United States since 1980. He attended the screening of this documentary, and answered questions from the audience at length. Lucy Ostrander, one of the film's producers, also attended.

What an amazing life story! I highly recommend this film. Take a look at the YouTube trailer, below.

For more information, go to the movie's website: http://revolutionarymovie.com/

Also see the Wikipedia article on Mr. Rittenberg (click).

Rob

Video: economics and #occupywallstreet

Mars Landing Sunday Night 10:30 PDT

Did you know about the upcoming landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars?
Check out the video simulation.

This Washington Post article give details about when it will happen (late Sunday PDT, early Monday EDT).
Rob

Stoney End cover by Laura Bareilles

Did you guys happen to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony 2012 (it was on HBO recently). They inducted Laura Nyro, and the presentation brought back a lot of memories. I think I taped her "New York Tendaberry" LP on reel to reel back around when I was a junior in high school (or was it a few years later???). Anyway, I really liked her songs, and singing, and playing.

And I always liked the song "Stoney End." At the RRHoF ceremony, a singer/piano player named Sarah Bareilles really knocked it out of the park (along with a great band and backup singers). Submitted below for your consideration is the YouTube.

Rod Rob

1Q84 - the novel's translators' phone chat

Haruki Murakami's novel, 1Q84, is a book in 3 volumes. At the end of my reading of my Audible edition, I was delighted with a bonus, a recorded phone conversation between the book's translators into American English. Jay Rubin and Philip Gabriel. It is just a little over half an hour. Enjoy! Discuss!

banjo video: Lancashire Clogs -- Emile Grimshaw -- As played by Olly Oakley

Banjo can convey a wider array of musical styles in the right hands. (Sure, left hand, too!)I think is that this gentleman's banjo playing is mighty smooth sounding. The link was forwarded to me from a fellow fan on the Banjo Hangout site... www.banjohangout.com. Lots of good stuff there. Another place where the odd fanatic will reside. So many styles!

suggesting Blow (NY Times columnist)

"We were talking ... about the way ... " (Harrison)
Sorry mind drifting, hearing a sitar.

Last week we were talking about columnists we read.
I mentioned Charles M. Blow.

If you like this column, or go back and see previous ones, and you like him, perhaps Rob might include his column as ones who appear on the left side like where Krugman, et al appear.
(I would do it, but cannot figure out how. I'm the scarecrow in the Wizard, I reckon)
Here is URL to today's column that I read from yesterday's New York Times. I first heard of him in a Brian Lamb interview on C-SPAN's Q&A program. It was a while back.

URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/03/opinion/blow-santorum-and-the-sexual-revolution.html

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