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When my sisters and I were growing up, a print of this Emmy Lou
Packard painting hung in the living room.
The Women's Marathon in the Olympics a few days ago brought
back memories of the picture.
The medal winners were a Romanian, a Kenyan and a Chinese
Ted |
I was at a wedding in Redding over the weekend, one of my grad students. I knew that she was partly of Portuguese descent, from the Azores.
But when I was sitting around waiting for the wedding to begin, the man in front of me turned around and said, "You look really familiar. Where have I seen you?" We quickly established that he pretty much spends all his time in Redding, and that I have never been there before. He then said, "It's because you look like the Portuguese people around here, we're all related." I am not used to thinking of myself as looking Portuguese, people usually think I'm German if anything, but I told him about my Portuguese ancestry, and it turns out that his grandfather came from Fayal, which I am pretty sure is where Anthony Vincent was born (I think his father "John" was born in Flores, which is a different island in the Azores, although I could have the two place names reversed). So we agreed that we were probably distantly related, and he told me that his father had visited Fayal, and that was about it.
But I should also mention that I have a picture of Tad's parents up on my wall, and Dashiell looks STRIKINGLY like Tad's father (his great-great grandfather), especially because his hair is turning dark & curly at this point in adolescence. So I guess insofar as I look like Dashiell, maybe I do look Portuguese.
I looked around the wedding to see if I could see anyone who looked like Dashiell, and didn't really, but a couple of the men looked kinda like Joanie, skin color like Anna. My memory of the photos of Anthony Vincent I've seen look like Teddy, not so much like Tad's father or like Dashiell. It would be interesting to look at Dash & Joanie together at this point.
There is also a guy at my church who grew up in a Portuguese community in Vallejo, also from the Azores, and he was telling me about some of the cultural stuff they do there, about which I had no idea. Like "Portuguese beans" is a typical dish.
It's funny cause Tad's father left so little trace on the family, but here his genes are popping in Dashiell...
Love, Julia
Hi all, I'll try and make this short (yea right) well, I haven't even figured out how to put all kinds of things, songs and pictures and animations into Vox. Hey Dan, whoever suggested using this site for the blog should be flogged. Blog flogged. Song: "Cavatina" by Stanley Myers Play that song in the background, I just love it! To be widely known I hope I don't have to write a lovely song that becomes a Bobbie Deniro viet vet flashback murderer like "Deer Hunter." That's also the name of the song :( I love it because hey, it was written in the 80s I think, and it's called CLASSICAL, how about that! On the CD I sent most of you there are 2 songs by Teo Vincent, one "The See" a kind of buddhist triality meditation and Yoruba Ocean Goddess song combined, and one from, well the date I composed it is easy to remember, it was the day before my son was born! It's called "From Me and You." What is classical? All of the songs from that CD - including funny ones like Claude Debussy's "The Little Negro Boy" played on Clavinet! Acutally.. FUNKY! are online, http://webpageexperience.com/mid New songs I'm doing are pretty nice too. They arehttp://www.webpageexperience.com/mid/process the joke is "they are in process. I haven't learned how to link to pictures in vox yet.. here is my new puppy: [img]http://www.WebPageExperience.com/images/KeystationPro88.jpg[/img] http://www.WebPageExperience.com/images/KeystationPro88.jpg Believe it or nuts, 88 keys fully weighted and only $400! Amazing. New songs will be done on this, so it's more "genuine" piano playing, not the mushy organ feeling keyboards.. hey, my fingers are even aching nowadays! I'm in the middle of moving to Canada, and making every effort that this goes well. All loose ends and mental baggage left at the border! Instead of hanging out with a lot of musicians, performing, jamming, collaborating, and going into outer (and inner) space to find that elusive perfect note and lick that makes all of life worthwhile.. instead of playing with them cats, now I'm playing with Franz Farenc Liszt, Frydryk Chopin, Ludwig Von Beethoven, Eric Satie, Mo (Mozart), Bach Humbug! he he.. and the lot. Don't believe the movie that Salieri was in any way a person not to love, not at all. Total lies. At one performance Mozart and he had operas performed on either end of the room, the audience turned around from one perfomance to the other! They were not enemies like that idiotic movie portrayed. Salieri was also Franz Schubert's main teacher - and if you didn't know, he was about the poorest, most unknown genius of all time! Amazingly, his "unfinished symphony" number 8 I believe, has a trademark lick, you'll think I'm nuts, but really, it's the "Flamenco Guajira" guitar part! Really! If you are able to see my fashionable wig.. wink wink, die of envy you all! he he.. Don't think it's a stuffy kind of corny reference.. not at all!!! The wig comes from an amazing swordsman, greatest violinist only discovered in the 1990s, Chevalier de Saint Georges, or Joseph Boulogne, or Mozart Noir. Such an amazing story I can't even start.. born in Haiti, taught Marie Antoinette, slept with them all, had a 1000 man army for Napoleon, met Mozart, commissioned Haydyn to do 3 symphonies, wrote operas... I know one of his songs http://webpageexperience.com/mid/StGeorg.mid orhttp://webpageexperience.com/mid/StGeorge01.mid and I'm working on a quite overdone piece called "Ernestine" from an opera of his! Cottage has been sold, boo hoo, but hey, the drive was becoming a nightmare! Funny think: on the way to the cottage was "the fastest growing city, Barrie!" Hah! :) Now there'll be more time for me to snoop music seens & stuffs. One kick with Chopin waltzes is I turn them into 4/4. Don't tell the classical purists! They'd have a fit! One starts here: http://webpageexperience.com/mid/ChopinMazurka01.mid and ended up a Bossa Nova! http://webpageexperience.com/mid/BossaMazurka-inprocess.mid and of course there are other fusions and fun thinks! Congrats Julien, good luck on the book Nick, thanks for the info dad (Ted) and all that have shared stories! The only post dad ever put on Givnology.com my own discussions was how email and technology keeps us together. It sure does! I won't complain about people texting (a verb now, like Googling hum?) and having all those virtual identities and such... I'm so glad we can all communicate like this! And I'm calling that a short message! :( I can't wait to figure this all out and reply to each of you more. Great stories, and I just have to say, it suuuure makes me proud to have such a funny, I mean great family! Sending positive vibes to all! Love, Teom ;)
Hi friends!
Well, I have been in Argentina for one week and one day now. So far I have really enjoyed being here and am getting to know how things work around these parts. It's cold here!! Even colder than it ever is, according to the peeps that know. So that part is bull shit. Everything else is good though. I like my apartment and eat a lot. I walk or take the bus everywhere. This is a really beautiful city, although it is completely covered in dog shit. ALL over the place. It is disgusting. Between the shit and the horrible sidewalks, I walk with my head down, trying to avoid falling on my face in a pile of poo. So far I've been successful, but there have been some close calls!
To give you an idea of what the city is like -- it's full of energy; people, cars, dogs and buses. It's sorta like Rome, but not as ancient, a bit like New York, but not as modern looking and of course, always compared to Paris, but not as clean. People are always calling it the Paris of the south but I think that's a lame way to categorize this city, because it has it's own feel and identity, although I can see the similarities (tree lined streets, French-y architecture, tons of cafes). The food is really good. The best beef I've ever eaten (and the cheapest). So good that I've eaten steak almost every day. Yes, it's getting a little out of hand. Nearly every restaurant is a Parrilla (which means grill) where the menu includes all kinds of cuts of beef, blood sausages, kidneys and sweetbreads. They really enjoy their cow. The other main food group they have here is their take on Italian. So lots of pizza/pasta and this thing called Milanesa which is basically a chicken fried steak (or chicken ) covered in tomato sauce, ham and cheese. Yum! And they eat french fries like I've never seen before! I know it sounds a little rich, but don't be worried. I bought a bunch of fruits and veggies to ward off scurvy.
I have been hanging out by myself because I haven't really connected with any of my classmates. Many of them are from Southwestern law school in LA (the school that coordinates this program) and already knew each other, and seem to want to keep it that way. (I'm trying to be nice, in reality I think they're mostly a bunch of douchebags.) But I'm okay with that. Being alone has meant that I am speaking lots of Spanish because people inevitably talk to me. Cab drivers, waiters (I've been asked out by two of them), store owners and other diners are always starting conversation. You all will be glad to know Americans aren't hated in all parts of the world, one waiter was so excited when he found out I was American that he made me a special coffee, just for me! He said we are the best people in the world, and he meant it. It was a bit strange but nice to hear. They are very curious about our Presidential elections and what will happen. Most people I've spoken with think Bush is basura, so that's funny. Actually a funny story I've heard over and over again is about when the Bush twins were here a few years ago. They were sitting at an outdoor cafe a few blocks from where I live and one of their purses was stolen, from right under the nose of the Secret Service surrounding them. Ha Ha!
Another cool thing about the city is the weird shops here. Like ones that just sell Argentine flags, or hinges, or maybe stove parts, or others sell just calculators. Walking around the city is definitely interesting because I'm always finding a new, wackier shop. It's refreshing to be in a city where the small business is thriving. Although today my class took a trip to a ranch in the country and right outside of BA there was a Wal-Mart supercenter. Some of my classmates were really excited by that, I'm not sure why.
So that's about it. Oh, do you want to know about school? It's good. I am taking two classes, Tuesday - Thursday. The topics: globalization and international protection of human rights. Both taught in English. My professors seem really smart!
I wish I could have put you all in my pocket and brought you here to experience this with me! I am thinking of you all and hope to hear exciting things from you!!
xo
julien
P.S. I wanted to attach some photos but the f-ing computer wouldn't allow it. So I will save them for next time!
Hello wonderful family. I guess I missed the boat on the printed copy of the Robin, but this blog idea is great for us procrastinators. Thanks Dan! I've really enjoyed reading everyone's news. Try to force your offspring/parents/cousins to write more! I definitely agree that it is time for a good old fashioned Vincent family reunion. Let's pick a place and time and go for it.
A bit about my life. I'm still working for a non-profit called the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (you can check it out at www.irco.org) for the "school based youth services" department, We have a couple of programs with bilingual staff (Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Thai, Swahili) who work inside a few elementary and middle schools with newcomer kids. We also run after school programs for the entire school. I "coordinate" a few of these programs, which means doing any random task that is needed. Lately what that looks like is keeping track of a bunch of very rowdy middle schoolers after they get out of school from 3:00-5:00. I herd children into rooms where they go to dance, computer, piano, tutoring. . .; I book the teachers, take attendance, yell at mean kids, wipe their tears after they abuse each other and just generally try to not let on what a softie I am (Billie Vincent, you've ruined us all!). This Fall, I'll be entering into a Master's of Social Work program at Portland State. . . probably trying to do similar work but hopefully doing it better and in more depth.
Life is pretty routine lately. I get out on little adventures here and there, visiting folks in Eastern Oregon, the Bay area, going to the OR coast, the San Juans. I have a sweetheart named Tom. He's a cook and a musician, been a friend for years, knows Dan well. I think he approves.
Here's a few photos I thought you all might enjoy from the last year or so. 1.) Frida at a park in Berkley when I was there for a short weekend 2.) Connor being shy 3.) Bill and Lucy at Billie and Tad's grave in Cove last Fall 4.) me and Oso (Bill and Lucy's then new pup) also at the cemetery 5.) My sweetheart and I at his friends' wedding in Texas (yes, he's from Texas) just last weekend.
My deep love to all of you,
Maria
Fifty years ago there were Billie & Tad and their five children, and little else was going on in terms of family relations.
Then the adventures and the babies came in waves and an abundance of children replaced the generation of Billie and Tad when it passed on. Now Daniel offers to collect a new Round Robin letter about the latest adventures and babies.. And there are now plenty of former babies at that precious age when they learn about the "real world," discoveries their parents are probably eager to tell the Robin..
We had an invigorating four days in New Orleans avoiding the news of politics and war. The city has survived Katrina, not so much by outside assistance as by a massive frontal attack upon bad vibes. The action was organized at the grass roots and a first confrontation came at the 2006 Mardi Gras. Many city and state officials wanted the festival cancelled, saying the date was too soon after the 2005 disaster. How the event was saved was explained by Chief Howard Miller of the "Creole Wild West Indians" a festival dance troupe. He spoke during a discussion following a performance of the troupe which Selma and I attended. Disregarding the recommendations of officials, Chief Miller and cohorts decided they had a tradition to uphold. The "Wild West Indians" are a group of blacks and black Choctaws who had been parading since 1837. Mardi Gras approached and, Miller relates, "We decided to put on our costumes and parade.. What might happen, we didn’t know." They hit the street in their 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide feathered outfits and found a slew of other Mardi Gras groups of like mind. Bad vibes suffered a defeat.
The struggle continues.
"What is New Orleans like?" Mimi asked as she picked us up at the airport on our return.
"New Orleans is one big bar," Selma replied.
Well, not exactly, though in a figurative sense the quip might fit for the old French Quarter, where the Bourbon street is 10 long blocks of bars, restaurants, night clubs, disco joints, fortune teller stands, t-shirts and trinket shops. voodoo establishments erotic dancer dives and little doorways here and there leading to second story hotels with balconies overhung with flower pots and happy drunks. Attaining a high alcohol level is easy. Draft beer for a buck is yours by just reaching from the sidewalk into one of the stalls with their signs "public drinking is legal."
Compared with my two Pre-Katrina visits one difference in the French Quarter (which was spared a physical beating by the hurricane) was that I don’t recall strip joints before and now there are many. And before, black kids doing tap dance routines on the sidewalk for spare change were a rarity, this time they were common enough to seem in competition.
The nightlife spills into onto wide Canal street, which mirrors San Francisco Market Street in width and trolleys, but differs in having big crowds at late hours.
However, Canal street gives a glimpse into the effect of Katrina. Many a building on the thoroughfare is abandoned above the first floor, judging from unrepaired broken windows and lack of lights. One assumes that before Katrina the floors above the retail shops and restaurants of Canal Street had offices of lawyers, medical specialists, business concerns, etc. But New Orleans now has half its old population. The town needs fewer lawyers, accountants, chiropractors and others who make a professional/white-collar critical mass for cities.
A sense of urgency over how to keep the city together permeated the Black Music Diaspora culture conference of the Center for Black Music Research which invited me to be on a panel,( and which arranged that Selma and I could see the dancing then hear the commentary of Chief Miller and other Chiefs). Their view, and the consensus of CBMR participants was that city salvation was tied to the promotion of the New Orleans traditions in the musical arts
Panelists at the conference noted that New Orleans is a valuable training ground. I saw this on a previous trip during the city’s French Quarter Festival. Parading by were high school jazz bands that were big and made good music, as mentioned in a Robin some years ago. One of the feature events of this recent trip was music provided by the Xavier University, choir, jazz band, and opera singers. Ironically, outside the university hall, where promise for the future was on display, was block after block in which most houses were abandoned. The waters had been eight feet high at Xavier and remained there rotting the wooden homes for weeks. Xavier recovered, thanks to youthful energy and being built of mortar more than wood. But during the school recovery, Tess’s nephew Ky, then an Xavier student, had to spend a year at a school out of town - he is now in MedSchool in San Francisco.
Scholars say musical arts retain their traditions when those who know them have young people who will listen and learn from the elders. The very old Wild West Indians troupe was fortunate in the 1980s to have two 14 year olds (Miller was one) who sought elders, including 90 year olds, who passed down the troupe's long saga, which the two teens used to revitalize the troupe, and become among its Chiefs, who gather and handle costumed marchers and chanters, including children. Many other basically black "Indian"dance troupes are part of the New Orleans scene.
At Xavier, another feature of keeping traditions alive was presented by Michael G. White. He is a professor and renowned clarinetist of New Orleans style. His many performance credits include stints at Preservation Hall - where there are usually different personnel each night in as much as it appears the musicians are typically of the age that doesn’t go out much at night anymore. Michael White is a revered collector of the physical history of New Orleans jazz, amassing folders of long ago sheet music, advertisement fliers, many shelves of rare old instruments, rows of piano rolls and stacks of 78 rpm records, etc.. The immense collection was lost in the hurricane, save what White could cram in his car before a hasty flight.
Michael White lived in the area of Eastern New Orleans that until around 1960 was swamp, and then became a huge suburban development through drainage and fast talking developers, who claimed that they had solved water problems that washed out earlier attempts at farming and residential use. But by 1980 the new suburbia was suffering uneven earth settlement. Many houses developed cracks in the walls, sewer lines had problems and property values declined. What began as a pilot project in racial integration found whites leaving. They were only 4% when Katrina hit, Blacks 55% and Vietnamese 37%, their presence having been a proud achievement for the city in racially integrating while helping an immigrant population.
Another swampy part of the East, called Lower 9th Ward, was founded after the Civil War by freed slaves and immigrant laborers from Italy and Germany. Residents had suffered periodic floods over the years but nothing like Katrina, from which rebuilding in the Lower 9th has been tied up in red tape.
Today, the intact parts of New Orleans include a traditionally African American neighborhood of quaint and tiny row houses adjacent to the French Quarter. The two room to three room homes have high ceilings to keep air cool. In the 1960s, desire for a yard and a bigger home in the East led a number of blacks to leave the row houses, which are now gentrifying. It appears that coffee houses will soon outnumber the neighborhood’s jazz clubs.
Worry over gentrification was expressed at the music conference. Plans for corporate/city partnerships suggest a goal of revitalization via expensive housing and high end retail. Fear of a wave of genuine rich folk, however, appears unlikely, judged by the plethora of for sale signs seen in a stroll among the mansions of the city elite’s Garden District.
In the long run, it appears that good spirits will prevail over downers. The front lines in the struggle are resilient and malleable. They are manned by the likes of the "Creole Wild West Indians" Chief Miller explains that the basically black troupe that was founded in slavery times had to call itself Indian "because we were not permitted to gather." He adds, "Native Americans and Africans had much in common, so we could adapt Native American customs easily."
Chief Miller’s troupe performs at various street fairs, including the city Jazz Festival, which comes the week after the departure of Selma and I from the "Big Easy."
Teddy
Hi Everybody,
Dear Daniel and Julien,
Ok, so I finally got with the program and figured out how to create a VOX account so that I... read more
on Emmy Lou Packard Print