Mumbai Bound

To all of my faithful readers, you are the first to know that it's time for a change.
I'm moving once again.
After watching the Oscars last night, I became inspired.
I have seen the movie, Slumdog Millionaire quite some time ago.
And I've been aware of the buzz all around it.
It only cost 14 million to make.
It has already earned over 100 million. And this is before tonight's Oscar.
It elevates India as the new place to go for those of us ever searching for a Promised Land here on Earth.
Mumbai. I had to place pebbles in my mouth in order to pronounce it. Ah, the Greeks knew how to settle elocution issues.
But it's also Bombay!!
This is exciting. ---Where am you headed, you ask?
--- To Mumbai! (be careful of the spewing pebbles.)
---Say where?
---To Bombay!
---But I thought you said....
---I've swallowed the last of the pebbles, fool, so from here on in, it's Bombay!

Then, I notice the look of awe that comes over you. You like my esprit. You think, hhmm, didn't he just settle into Panama? And I nod, but tell you I am taken up with the spirit of Slumdog Millionaire. I am ready for Inja's sunny clime. I intend to place myself exactly in the spot where "it's at." I always do. I will be like a giant spanning bridge connecting the Old India with the New. The evolutionary link between Bombay and Mumbai!!

I will not be discouraged by any poverty I find there. Lord knows I've seen it in Panama. Yes, but you say that there is nothing as desolate as India's downtrodden. Well, I reply. I'll just go on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, like the young boy in the movie did. It will be life imitating art imitating life imitating reality show, imitating legitimate show, imitating what's left of the rot we have to watch on T.V.

Ask Jeanne. She knows how much trivia my teeming brain contains. There probably won't be a love story attached to my appearing on the show like there was in the movie, but it doesn't matter, this will be the version for the rest of us. I will walk away a millionaire. I will lavish money and beauty on my little corner of Mumbai. And, by then, it will probably be time to move.

The View from Panama

To all of you who have faitfully been following my Blog:
Yes, it has been a long time since the last entry here.
Why? You ask.
I've been moving to Panama, where I currently reside somewhere in one of the many meandering bends of The Canal.
I had to jump a cruise ship to establish residence.
I landed in a wonderful spot on The Canal.
Thank God we gave it back.
But there are so many Americans here with me that I think there is a plan afoot to reclaim it.
Fortunately, I am able to access the The Hampshire School of Art from my computer here.
I don't know what I'd do without it.
I am currently reading a wonderful anthology put together by Joyce Carol Oates. Love the author and you'l love her choices in the anthology. I've discovered so many excellent writers through this large volume.
For those of you who hang on my every word and recommendation, the official title is:
The Ecco Anthology of Contemporary American Short Fiction. (Not to be confused with Eccho La Barba, the famous opera) Slections are by Joyce Carol Oates and Christopher R. Beha. I think he was included so that he could pick a story by Joyce Carol Oates, since it might have looked a bit egotistical for her to include herself. Although, I personally, do not see any wrong in that.
One of my favorite authors thanks to Kirk is Charles Baxter, and he's included.
Others, including Manny: Pinckney Benedict (No relation to Arnold), T.C. Boyle, whose short stories are better than his novels, E.L. Doctorow, also easier on the eye in the short story genre, Deborah Eisenberg, Louise Erdrich, William Gay, Antonya Nelson...just to name a few and not the entire contents page.
I'm hoping that if any of you are around The Canal in the near future, please jump ship, come visit me. I'm not difficult to find. Keep looking for the giant "I support The Hampton Street Art School" poster near the water's edge.
Jim, just one of La Perdutta Gente