Author: F C

The Anti-Diva (New York Times Magazine)

Deep into the end of the article, the writer mentions that Nora Jones is the out-of-wedlock daughter of Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar. Who knew? Other fan websites actually say that Jones and Shankar have a good relationship, but they prefer to keep it private. I think that it is a good thing that she doesn’t make a big deal about that connection. I agree with her that it doesn’t matter about one’s family background or connections, but that one’s work has to stand on its own.

You have to be a lawyer to figure out how to actually cash in on American Airlines’ buy 2 get 1 free offer. The deal is: fly twice to California or Florida from New York or Boston before April 15, and get one ticket anywhere AA flies. There are plenty of catches, though: you have to be an AA member, register before making the flights on their website, make sure the flight is a non-stop flight, fly on a published fare, and that the flight returns to the same airport that the flight originated (well, it says “same co-terminal”; I don’t know what that means). The award ticket has blackout dates, is in class “T”, which is bottom basement Economy, is non-upgradable, has a $100 penalty for changes, and must be used by April 15, 2005. That being said, it’s not a bad deal. I’m going to try to do it with P–.

The Lunar New Year begins very early this year — January 22. Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreans celebrate with even more gusto than in Times Square; definately with more food. There is a certain arbitrary way in which the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one is celebrated: the date of Western Civilization’s new year has ranged from January 1 to March 15. Some of the reason that new year celebrations go on for a week I think has to do with the possibility of not exactly knowing whether which day is truly the new moon. I can tell you outside is really dark!

Let’s have more Monkey business this year! Gung Hei Fat Choy!