in the grove . . .

spent the better part of the day yesterday feeling like the judge from Rashomon as I heard testimony from victim, perp and witnesses in a sexual assualt claim. it's not very often that one actually attempts to sort out the truth of a situation through 4 different and greatly varying perspectives, all of them somehow self-serving. and when i say sort, i mean really pick apart and revisit specific events in an attempt to find fault in accounts--asking questions in different ways, jumping around on the timeline of events, etc. i felt like a rookie detective--except i didn't get into that whole leading questions side investigatory work. it was very frustrating as noone involved speaks very good english and my tagolog doesn't go much further than basics like good morning (mangadang umaga) and thank you (salaamat). this kinda shit is draining . . .

on a much lighter note, check out the new look (and name?) for twinkle twinkle blah blah blah etc

current background = Pharoah Sanders' Summun, Bukmun, Umyun (Deaf Dumb Blind) mixed with the blanketing din of ammonia compressor units . . .

From Jameelah Ali's liner notes: "This album is predicated on spiritual truths and to the future enlightenment of El Kafirun or The Rejectors of Faith (non believers).... Deaf, dumb and blind as used here does not refer to the physical state, but, instead, to the spiritually handicapped... Deaf--To the pleas of fellow creatures to harken, Dumb--To spiritual enlightenment and Blind--To the essence of Beauty and Truth."