Endoresment from Hell -- by Nicholas Kristoff -- New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/opinion/26kristof.html?th&emc=th

Think about it.

Falling demand causes fall in gasoline prices in USA --

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1853775,00.html?cnn=yes

And now for Michele O. fans -- a lot in Asia --

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/galleries/michelles_style/michelles_style.html

Now cost of Cindy's clothes --

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/09/cindy-mccains-300000-outfit.html

Estimates by Vanity Fair.

Red Shoes -- Sarah Palin has spent $150,000 of RNC money on clothes and charged kids' travel to AK taxpayers --

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/21/rnc-has-spent-over-150000_n_136736.html

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/32659514.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUJ

From Politico.com and Channel 7 news --

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14805.html

Why $ soars -- Americans can make fun of Sarah Palin -- also called "Caribou Barbie"

This is from Saturday Night Live Comedy show -- from Huffington Post

--http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/23/sarah-palin-on-snl-costum_n_137248.html



I really could not tell the actress Tina Fey from the Governor P.

Maybe if R.s win -- and there's an emergency, Tina can play Sarah.

Dollar and yen soar as other currencies fall and stocks slip -- from New York Times --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/business/25currency.html?th&emc=th

Ancient city of Bagan (formerly spelled "Pagan") in Burma -- look at all the stiff and horrible "renovations."

http://www.ancientbagan.com/bagan-photo-slideshow.htm

In a way, I am glad all my mentors are dead -- otherwise they would be heartbroken.

The late Dr. Than Htun: "None of the temples are authentic any more in their upper portions."

But now it's worse. The junta gave "permission" to private donors to "renovate" and they tore down 10th to 13th century ruins and built things from ground up --

Few foreign scholars have spoken up about this.

Thai non-profit says many Burmese migrant women targetted and gang raped --

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14476

In 2006 I visited two factories in Mahachai -- the article is in Wild River Review --

Kyi May Kaung

From US Campaign for Burma -- Aung San Suu Kyi marks 13 years in prison --

Today marks the day that Burma's Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 13 years in detention. She is the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Though she hasn't been released, we wanted to share with you some of the exciting things that are being done around the world to set her free.

Now is the time for action. We are working to ensure that this date doesn't pass unnoticed by the world.

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years before he was released, and Aung San Suu Kyi shouldn't have to wait that long.

Mandela was virtually ignored by the world for the first two decades of his imprisonment -- we are making sure that doesn't happen to Aung San Suu Kyi.

Among the other things we are doing to help her (see below), we printed new posters of her that you can order on our website.

We are also sending you a powerful video we made earlier this year about her.

Here is what is happening right now:

1) Yesterday, the United States called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma.

2) Additionally, the European Union called for her release

3) At a meeting of European and Asian leaders, it appears that Euro/Asian countries will call for her release, including China

4) Aung San Suu Kyi's first cousin Dr. Sein Win and her attorney Jared Genser, who represents her at the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, published an opinion piece that has been published in multiple newspapers

5) Most importantly, the UN Secretary General had said he would travel to Burma by the end of this year to secure changes in Burma. Now, it appears that he may be trying to back out of this trip for fear of failure -- don't let him give up on this trip -- send him a message today!

6) In Washington, DC and London, human rights activists are holding demonstrations in front of Chinese embassies. China is the Burmese regime's #1 ally, and they need to do more to secure peaceful change in Burma.

7) Today, the creators of The Trouble with the Alphabet , a photographic journey through the alphabet that illuminates the world's injustices from the point of view of a child, will launch their compelling new exhibit to celebrate the book's release at the Ditto Gallery in downtown Denver. If you buy the book, you can designate US Campaign for Burma as the beneficiary and we will receive 10% of the profits.

8) Students across the United States are participating in events to help raise funds to free Aung San Suu Kyi and all the people of Burma.

While we are doing many things, we have much more work to accomplish. Thank you for your interest in our work -- we are asking you to continue to support our efforts.

Aung Din, Jeremy Woodrum, Jacqui Pilch, Jennifer Quigley, Mike Haack

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

Become a member of the United States Campaign for Burma today.

Or, make a donation today.

Demonstration for Daw Suu --

Dear Friends of Burma in the DC Area,

I wanted to send you a last minute reminder about today's demonstration for Burma.

Today, Friday, October 24th, will mark the day that Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 13 years under house arrest.

We, and many others around the world, are organizing demonstrations at Chinese embassies. Will you join us?

China is the number one supporter of the military regime in Burma, again and again preventing the UN from taking meaningful action to set Aung San Suu Kyi and the rest of Burma free.

Incidentally, Friday October 24th also marks the 60th anniversary of the UN charter, known as "UN day". Help us hold the UN to its promise by taking action for Burma.

The embassy is located at: 2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. It is between the Dupont Circle and Woodley Park metro stops, off of Connecticut Avenue. The demonstration will begin at 5pm.

Questions? email: mike@uscampaignforburma.org or call: (202)234-8022.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Mike Haack

How the pros do it -- all of New York in a warehouse --

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/23/movies/20081024_KAUFMAN_AUDIOSS/index.html?th&emc=th

The Burma Border Consortium reports that 66,000 in Burma displaced in last year alone --

http://www.burmabloggers.net/?p=1011

The statistics can't get more reliable than this. TBBC feeds refugees in the camps along the Burma-Thai Border and has done so since at least 1997, when I first met Director, Jack Dunford.

You see what a weak case ICG has when it recently called for a regularization of aid on grounds that that alone would create democracy.

The junta has learned to play the game and plays it "well."

Even long time dissidents have been taken in and speak as if 2010 were some magic number.

Prof. Bob Hudson's page on Bagan (used to be spelled Pagan) -- ancient Burmese city --

http://www.timemap.net/~hudson/pagan.htm

Influential art historian Albert Boime dies -- analyzed Van Gogh's Starry Night --

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-me-boime23-2008oct23,0,3159641.story

World art prices expected to drop through the floor --

http://www.examiner.com/x-898-New-York-Art-Examiner~y2008m10d22-Art-Prices-Expected-to-Drop-Through-the-Floor

Monk-activist flees to Burma-Thai Border -- from Democratic Voice of Burma --

http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1892

Wanted monk flees to Thai border -- from Mizzima --

http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/1179-wanted-monk-flees-to-thailand-border.html

World-wide recession -- so Queen recycles her clothes --

My red jackets -- photo copyright Kyi May Kaung

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/10/22/marshall.uk.queen.credit.crunch.itn

Hey, I haven't bought anything new since 2004. I even re-cycled my wedding clothes. If it's good enough for Tennessee William's grandmother, it's good enough for me.

Kyi May Kaung

The Color Blue --

So calming --

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/25/garden/20080925_SHOPPING.html

Colorful house in Mexico --

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/10/22/garden/2001023-MEXIC

Lonely Death of Cycle Maung Maung by "Norman Robespierre."

http://mandalar.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/the-lonely-death-of-cycle-maung-maung/

Interesting article which argues for "more than non-violence" in Burma -- by "Norman Robespierre."

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JJ23Ae02.html

I don't agree with everything this author behind a pseudonym says,but it does reflect the level of frustration felt.

I don't see how members of opposition could say they use violence, even if they did.

Where is "Robespierre" based and who is he?

Poem -- Prelude by Kathy Engel in FPIF --

http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/5604

Big Apple Circus Ringmaster retires -- from NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/theater/22ring.html?th&emc=th

These days even a one ring-circus is Big.

Kyi May Kaung

Here the Birds' Journey Ends by Mahmoud Darwish -- from New Yorker

http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2008/08/25/080825po_poem_darwish

Foreign Policy in Focus -- interview of artist Daniel Heyman, prints of Abu Ghraib survivors --

http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/5602

Poets and Writers -- Report from Literary Burma --

http://www.pw.org/content/censored_stories_report_literary_myanmar

Post-cyclone aid divides Burma --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/world/asia/21myanmar.html?th&emc=th

Art market and recession --

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/the-art-of-recession/

Street artist in New York --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/nyregion/20artist.html?th&emc=th

Obama says Powell will have a role in (his) administration --

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_el_pr/obama

Some very wow pictures from the New York Times -- broker-minstrels on Wall St. . a forest fire , 1,500 pound pumpkin

http://news.yahoo.com/page/week_in_photos_rss?fid=20081017

Could the world be any stranger or the photos any better?

Kyi May Kaung

Angelina Jolie --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/movies/19harr.html?th&emc=th

Pompeii Exhibit --

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/10/17/GA2008101701423.html

Obama likely to become next President of the United States -- by Charles M. Blow

Fresh green leaves -- photo copyright Kyi May Kaung

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/opinion/18Blow.html?_r=1&th=&emc=th&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

"pocketbook vs. prejudices" indeed.

Kyi May Kaung

Exhibit reception for Cranial Vault -- in which "My Skull" will also be exhibited --

"He was from China" art work and photo copyright Kyi May Kaung.


Exhibit Reception, Cranial Vault

Cranial Vault: Artifacts and Impressions
November 3 through December 31, 2008
City of Takoma Park Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Gallery
7500 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Opening reception: Friday, November 14, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

One man's journey from a middle-of-the-night grand mal seizure through cancer treatment and brain surgery to a survivor's new normal. Part curiosity shop, part medical illustration, and part memoir, the exhibit is an experiential travelogue of a trip, nine years and continuing.

Exhibit features commissioned artwork by local artists Bobbi Kittner, Kanchan Balse, Alice Sims, Peter Krsko, Amy Kincaid, Kyi May Kaung; designer Norman Mallard; photographer Emily Deisroth; and more.

Posted by Amy Kincaid --

--- For other images of "My Skull" or "He was from China" scroll down this blog for month of October 2008. Kyi May Kaung

AP -- Voters souring on MacCain, Obama holds steady --

http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-souring-on-mccain

Woodcuts (some portraits), all political, by internationally acclaimed artist Sid Chafetz-- now 86 years young --

http://www.artatthecenter.com/html/Artists.cfm?ID=10

http://artsandhumanities.osu.edu/news/focus/default.cfm?do=story&id=2&date=2008:10

Vietnam joining growing list of countries vying for Burma's oil and gas -- by William Boot --

http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/article.php?art_id=14432

Burma's new constitution: Radical change or fig leaf? by John Feffer --

http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/article.php?art_id=14457

Mercury pellets found in Russian human rights lawyer's car in Strasbourg --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/world/europe/16russia.html?_r=1&th=&emc=th&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Don't take "Burmese medicines" which contain mercury. A Burmese doctor told me this.

Gen Saw Maung is said to have died of mercury poisoning. He had tremors and made erratic statements and allegedly it was all due to self medication.

What radio should be -- sample from Democracy Now with Amy Goodman --

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/29/exclusive_the_three_trillion_dollar_war

Excellent use of 59 minutes which Burmese language radios would do well to emulate.

Kyi May Kaung

Paul Krugman wins Nobel Prize in Economics --

Red plate made in China and cherries from where? Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/13/AR2008101300369.html?hpid=sec-business

The Theory of Comparative Advantage explained a lot, but Krugman's work has explained country specializations and trade better.

See PBS.org for Jim Lehrer's interview of Krugman, yesterday. (10-13-08)

Krugman said countries fall into trade patterns also by chance and then economies of scale take over.

Think of China's increasing role in African trade and investment.

Kyi May Kaung

My Skull by Kyi May Kaung --

Photo Copyright Kyi May Kaung



Covered skull art work and photo Copyright Kyi May Kaung.

When A. dropped off the skull, I was afraid to open the box for a few days, in spite of being born into a Buddhist culture. When I unwrapped it, the plastic felt slimy. The screws, especially the big one, the open-up top, the hinges and the teeth bothered me. So I quickly covered them up with torn up brown paper bags from Chinese takeout food, using a pot of home-made glue. I covered the mouth because of the teeth. Now it looks like an Egyptian mummy that can't talk.

Copyright Kyi May Kaung.

Burma signs energy deal with Singapore and Thailand --

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSPdAm7MB3SAzyoRRBIcmB-b5CIA

Hurricane Ike sunsets --

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhubarble/sets/72157607908436378/

Paleantologist finds fossil of mammoth tooth after Hurricane Ike --

on Bolivar Peninsula, in Texas --

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/03/discovery.ike.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Maybe anyone else might not have recognized it.

Machu Picchu

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/latinamerica/south/sites/machu_picchu.html

Tibetan Blue Poppy (meconopsis)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/followingmybliss/2494347440/

In bud --


http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceeceedotca/2514273542/

Never yet seen in the flesh.

And another blue poppy shot --

http://www.flickr.com/photos/followingmybliss/2515927356/

It's worth dying after you've seen a blue poppy once.

Kyi May Kaung

Presdt. Bush and financial rescue plan --

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7665192.stm

Make sure to watch the video clip of his speech --

meanwhile McCain campaign does rabble rousing and "character assassination."

In my view, Obama makes the most sense and has the best grasp of economics of the two presidential candidates. The rabble is frightening and a presidential nominee should not resort to such tactics which could get out of hand.

An interview Friday night of George Soros on Bill Moyers Journal was the most enlightening about what is happening.

Kyi May Kaung

Renowned literature critic Harold Bloom on (financial) panic --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/opinion/12bloom.html?th&emc=th

Undergrad scholarships in New Zealand for Burmese students --

http://scholarship-positions.com/undergraduate-scholarships-in-newzealand-for-myanmar-burma-students/2008/10/09/

I don't know anything about this other than what I read here -- but this data base seems worth checking out.

Kyi May Kaung

Gareth Evans of International Crisis Group on Responsibility to Protect

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081010/cm_csm/yevans_1

China may let farmers sell land use rights --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/world/asia/11china.html?th&emc=th

What the farmers have is called a usufruct or land-use right, they don't actually own the land.

This was the cornerstone of Deng Xiao Ping's successful economic reforms which began in 1978.

Kyi May Kaung

Portraits painted by Elizabeth Peyton --

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/10/arts/peyt_audioss/index.html

Hurricane Ike video essay --

http://redcrossrockriver.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/hurricane-ike-photo-essay/

The victims look so fat and actually have brick houses, compared to the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. And the aid actually arrives.

Another loss -- a relative dies of cancer in Burma --

Pink crepe myrtle -- maybe one of many hybrids developed by the National Arboretum --

Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung.

The Grim Reaper is Always Grim.

She wanted to be an actress, so my father took her to see A1 Studios.
She married well and had four children.
She nursed the twins through dengue haemorrhagic fever.

She was always well groomed and had taste in her clothes.
You could not tell she had cancer and was dying.

She always stayed in touch.
She listened to me on the radio.
She wanted change.

She liked drawing family trees.

She introduced me to someone famous.
She sent me Maddhi Dewi's Ode to the Himalayas and asked to see
my translation.

Her brother also died of cancer.
Her mother died of Alzheimers, in her house.

Her daughter says she "suffered a lot before
she let go of her life
but she did not suffer long."

Rest in Peace, H.H.

You did well.

Poem copyright Kyi May Kaung.

Bird Art --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/science/07bird.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Beloved Singer Daw Mar Mar Aye --

Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung.

Chicago -- from air.

Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung.

Obama and McCain --

Paper cutouts at an airport -- Why no Joe Biden? Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung.


On a shelf in dorm in a Mid-West college -- photo copyright Kyi May Kaung

Htein Lin's Art -- I think this performance piece is called "September" but art itself is "Crossings."

Set up for the performance.


Near the beginning of the performance.


Middle of the performance.


Near the end of the performance.


End of performance.

All art and performance itself copyright Htein Lin, photos, copyright -- Kyi May Kaung