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Split personality. Liking the arts, especially opera, and hockey and Los Toros. I know, I know THAT one is non pc currently. But I can't help it saw some in Spain and got hooked, but good. But on the other hand right now opera and hockey are in the forefront!

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

When lies collapse

A smug Media has a hay day ...
Just feel like writing about crooks, liars and others today with a bit of music to go along...


When caught, some 'crestfallenly' admit they did wrong, others brazen it out 'smirkingly' - in hand cuffs. Or they 'find' Jesus and say "I am so sorry-The devil made me do it!"- well, of course that makes it all right again? Their narcissism is so blatant..they are without conscience. But then such behaviours have been around for a while just not brought out into the limelight and being persecuted for it!
And that brings me to a book, recently read ;-) "Zeno's Conscience" by Italo Svevo (not his real name). Written in Italy, perhaps influenced by James Joyce, who actually tutored the author in English.
It is a satire on life of an Italian male in the times before WW I and presages today's concern with smoking's negative effects. The author is unable to kick the habit, is an hypochondriac, consults with doctors, and glories in his own shortcomings, anyway. Falling in love with one, but marrying the other sister, has affairs, gambling on the stock market, and so on. It is a window on Austro-Italian life of a certain class and culture.
Actually reads rather well, even though words from an older, more polite ? (one does not talk about IT openly) time course throughout the book. Irony and sarcasm are not too blunt but still there to amuse while reading about this life of a self centered male of another time ;-)!
One does need moments of quiet to appreciate this book fully!

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