Lillian B.

Roaming Kyrgyzstan: Beyond the Tourist Track

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:54:00 +0000

As American foreign travel is concerned, we are more likely to head to Cancun for spring break, or across the border in Canada for some duty-free shopping—not to Kyrgyzstan. The 2008 guidebook Roaming Kyrgyzstan: Beyond the Tourist Track by Jessica Jacobson (an American scholar who lived, worked, and traveled in Kyrgyzstan for two and a half years) sheds light on a place that many would consider far beyond the beaten path. The guidebook contains all of the information you would expect from a guidebook: where to eat, what to eat, where to sleep, prices, where to get a cab ride, and how much it should cost. Expect some anecdotes about Kyrgyz culture, but don’t consider it a substitute for an official history.

In my opinion, the key to a good guidebook is good organization, and this book could use more organizational clarity. The Table of Contents is broken down into into regions and “areas,” but I could not determine the difference between a region and an area, if regions were parts of areas (there are only two areas compared to nine regions), and what this distinction means for travelers. After the contents, introduction, map, and a brief history, the book opens with “Travel Essentials,” or everything you need to know about visas, air travel, train travel, what to bring, communications, publications, and more.

“Words You May Hear” (under “Travel Essentials”) seems useful at first, but actually contains only three words. A glossary of terms would be a welcome addition. Details about the cities and towns highlighted under the regions seem especially useful; they are broken down into dining and lodging options (ranging from upscale to should probably avoid), phone numbers, people to talk to, attractions, and websites where available.

Some of the entries, such as local restaurants, are “starred” with two asterisks, meaning they are especially recommended by the author. But if you don’t catch that brief note in the introduction, you’ll be scratching your head the entire book as I was about what those asterisks are supposed to indicate. There aren’t many photos in the book, and where there are images it would have been nice if they had captions. With so much information spanning geographic areas in a single page spread, it isn’t clear which image corresponds to what place. Should the book be reprinted, I would also suggest including a key and an image list.

Based on this book and Jacobson’s travels—do I want to visit Kyrgystan? Absolutely. The strongest impression I received is that Kyrgyzstan is “a nature-lover’s dream,” to quote Jacobson. Although the tourism industry is still in the process of being developed (with positive results), the country can be described as being well-suited and hospitable to backpacking, hiking, skiing (on virtually deserted slopes!), nature photography, horseback riding, camping, visiting or living in yurts, and numerous mineral and hot springs/spas and sanatoriums. Everywhere there seems to be a guest house (or yurt) with someone willing to show a foreigner around, and Jacobson never mentions encountering problems being an American woman on her own in Kyrgyzstan. The activities Jacobson participates in aren’t the typical tourist activities; they include long (and difficult) hikes and local festivals. Yet for those who want a shopping mall, she tells you where to find one. Roaming Kyrgyzstan is well-suited to assist the adventurous DIY traveler. Jacobson promises that if you don’t mind going over some bumpy roads in a noisy dust-filled car, the dynamic vistas of Kyrgyzstan will be breathtaking and like none other on the planet.

Written by: Lillian B., May 5th 2009

Fabriclive 34

admin — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:20:00 +0000

By Krafty Kuts

Fabric

I am of the opinion that party music is best heard live while at the party. Loaded with funky break beats, old school rhythms, hip hop, MC style and unique mash-ups, suffice it to say that popping in [Fabriclive 3(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N6TYSU?ie=UTF8&tag=feminrevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000N6TYSU) on my home stereo while trying to keep it down (paper thin apartment walls) didn’t do this mix appropriate justice.

Brought to us by the internationally known and hyped DJ mix series from the London-based nightclub, Fabric, breakbeat DJ Krafty Kuts joins the lineup up of notables like Grooverider, Diplo and Death in Vegas, to put together his album, which is the 34th in the Fabric Live mix series. The more I listened to this mix, the more I enjoyed it. Translation: Initially, I wasn’t blown away, but there were pockets of excitement that kept me going that I could appreciate the more I let the music take me over. Of course, break beats aren’t for everyone — this isn’t your regular dance stuff that gets played over the speakers at Abercrombie.

While “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash is easily one of the most overused tracks of all time, the high-speed spacey remix actually reinvigorates a track that would otherwise be trite. I thought tracks like “The Weekend Breaks” were not quite as strong because they tended to sound more typical, but these don’t dominate the album. The mixes tend to get funkier and groovier on the second half, such as the second to last track featuring Dynamite MC and the aptly titled final track "Funky Jam (Primal Scream)." Having a special place in my heart for funkier sounds, these later tracks got me up out of my office chair and snapping my fingers! If I heard these in the club, you know I would be jamming.

Both astute and new listeners will be impressed by the range of genres cohabitating on this album, from the tried and true of Grandmaster to the salsa rhythms on Ralph Robles’ “Takin’ Over” (which became a quick favorite). Though some of the faster and harder sounds on the opening tracks might not appeal to everyone, if you didn’t give it a chance you would definitely be missing out on some solid grooves.

Written by: Lillian B., August 30th 2007

Wash 'n' Wear Pads

admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:32:00 +0000

By Pleasure Puss

You’ve got your period. You start digging through your stash and - what? - no more pads! Do you make a last minute dash to the store to sift through new and expensive gimmicks? Perhaps you’ve thought, “There has got to be a better way!” There is.

I tried the small, medium and large cloth menstrual pads by Australian maker, Pleasure Puss. The design of the cloth pad is quite simple: absorbent cotton, adjustable snap and closure wings. Like most women, I thought “Is that for me? Will it be gross and leaky?” I was worried about the absorbency, and if I felt like I would be wearing a diaper and constantly checking for leaks. Not so. The cloth material means no bunchy or sticky plastic to get all twisted out of shape, and the absorbency was far above what I have experienced with any store-brand pad - no leaks or wet feeling. No fancy gels either; Pleasure Puss pads are all natural and come in cute colors and designs (mushroom tartan!).

You can clean them by hand or in the washing machine in cold water. The pads wash easily and thoroughly. You can put them in the dryer, but I sat them in the sun and they dried in about 2–3 hours.

On the Pleasure Puss website, I calculated that I would be saving roughly $5,000 from now until menopause on disposable menstrual items! Reusable cloth menstrual pads are not just financially wise, but it is heath-wise not to put the strange chemicals in the ‘super absorbent gel’ or ‘cotton-like lattice’ - blablabla - next to one’s delicate parts, or to hand those substances off to mother earth when the garbage gets hauled to some landfill.

Written by: Lillian B., August 10th 2007

3 Citrus Whipped Shea Butter

admin — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:07:00 +0000

By Prairieland Herbs

Dry knuckles? Ashy hands and elbows? Tried every lotion on the shelf? You need Prairieland Herbs' 3 Citrus Whipped Shea Butter. When I opened the little tin tub (which can be reused for multiple purposes), I was taken aback; it actually look like whipped butter! I had to resist sticking my finger in and giving it a lick. Compared to more solid shea butter, this is very gentle and airy—easy to spread and rub in.

As soon as I could, I put it to the test. My knuckles stayed moisturized throughout my daily routine much longer than conventional lotions. I didn’t notice dryness on my hands until five to six hours after I applied it. My knees and the rest of my body were smooth and moisturized until the next day. And it smells incredible. The “3 Citrus” in the name comes from lemon, tangerine and orange essential oils. As great as they smell, these and jojoba oil give it a slightly greasy feel until you rub it in, but it works so well that this doesn’t deter me in the slightest.

Prairieland Herbs has a wide assortment of shea butter products in addition to the 3 Citrus. Not only is their shea butter fair trade, but they are also committed to producing the most natural products possible. For someone who doesn’t like rubbing scary chemicals on her body, this was a major plus for me. This is perfect for dry winter days, or right out of the shower for smooth and deliciously moisturized skin!

Written by: Lillian B., July 8th 2007

Remixes Compiled

admin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0000

By Telefon Tel Aviv

Hefty Records

Ever since their first LP, Farenheight Fair Enough, I have enjoyed the graceful marriage of technology and music of the Chicago-based duo, Telefon Tel Aviv. They are described as producing “ambient techno” music. Regardless of categorization, Telefon Tel Aviv continues to be soulful and inventive.

Put out by Hefty Records, their newest release, Remixes Compiled is an exciting collection of remixes from the past seven years. Organized chronologically, the album exhibits development from beginning to end. The opening tracks showcase technical soundscapes and while intelligently remixed with some of Telefon Tel Aviv’s signature sounds, in this reviewer’s opinion the later tracks are more thoughtful. The later tracks exhibit more seamless blending techniques that create truly beautiful remixes, like that of Slicker’s “Knock Me Down Girl,” the final track on the album and my hands-down favorite.

Remixes Compiled passed the “friend-riding-shotgun” test. When riding with someone who has different tastes in music, I popped in this album to see what would happen. What they heard of the album garnered the enthusiastic comment, “Hey! This is really good!” and the follow up question, “Where can I find this?” Never failing to pique interest, it passed with flying colors. In terms of songs and genres, this is an eclectic mix with something for everyone. Nine Inch Nails and Bebel Gilberto are under the same roof, just to give an example. Be you a newcomer or a long-time listener, this album illustrates some of the best that Telefon Tel Aviv has to offer.

Written by: Lillian B., June 13th 2007

Songs From Under the Sink

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:59:00 +0000

By Mischief Brew

Fistolo Records

Mischief Brew describes the 14-track album Songs From Under the Sink as a “collection of anthems, ballads, marches, love songs, hate songs, and lullabies” written over five years, from 1997 to 2002. It is a “lost LP,” resurrected or “finally brought up from the cellar-or, from under the sink.” These descriptors help identify this album as being a non-identifiable hodge-podge of sorts, with a variety of distinct sounds. Some are “hot and spicy, some are just as fresh as the day they were written, and others may have passed their expiration date a bit. But that’s what happens when you clean out your cupboards.”

That sounds just about right. From the opening track “Thanks, Bastards,” with its raspy vocals and jabs at the political establishment, to the forceful lines “Fuck the city, burn it down” on “Save A City” to the jaunty sounds on “Gratitude and Thanks” and “All Our Comrades” and a folksy version of “Midnight Special” complete with cowbell – this album is the whole spice rack and then some. The lyrics on this album are politically charged throughout, but are heartfelt and not didactic. Most if not all of the songs are about some kind of rebellion, be it against The State or a state of things.

The more I listened to the album, the more impressed I became with the influence of a multitude of musical styles. What you’ll notice is how easy the songs are to listen to, learn the words, and sing along with. If you already know you have a predilection for olde-tyme-folk-punk-Celtic-gypsy-jazz, and even if you don’t, I am willing to bet you will find yourself swaying along to the lullabies and kicking your feet up in celebration for the marches.

Written by: Lillian B., April 14th 2007

B.I.K.E.

admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 01:31:00 +0000

Directed by Anthony Howard, Jacob Septimus

Fountainhead Films

In case you thought B.I.K.E. was just a movie about bikes… well, it is, but you might be surprised at the ground it covers. From filmmakers Anthony Howard (Tony) and Jacob Septimus, B.I.K.E. delves into the lives of the members of the Black Label Bike Club in New York City. Access to the Black Label New York subculture is mediated by Tony and his desperate attempts to gain entrance to the elite ranks of Black Label. Both filmmaker and main character, Tony becomes the epicenter of the film. As such, the strongest narrative is about the desire to belong to something in a national culture that stresses both individualism and the proliferation of subcultures.

For Tony, almost nothing is as important as being a member of Black Label, and yet his entrance into the club is consistently withheld. Tony struggles with substance abuse and increasingly erratic behaviors, but his commitment to Black Label seems unquestionably strong – he’s even making a movie. A looming question in the film is why isn’t Tony part of the club? Whatever the reasons may be, it is revealed that even “outlaws” have rules, regulations and serious degrees of exclusivity.

The issues raised in the film run the gamut from class differences to political motives. For example, the New York chapter identifies as being mostly “middle class art school kids”, compared to the original Minneapolis chapter members – some who lived in junkyards. BLBC New York drives to the national Black Label get-together in Minneapolis with their bikes strapped to their Land Rover SUV’s and Mercedes station wagons—a perhaps unintentional irony not explored in the film. Such moments that offer untouched avenues of departure might leave some viewers wanting. Though originally thrown off by the film’s main focus, I found myself caught up in every moment, down to Tony’s tragicomic formation of his own bike club.

If you’re looking for action, B.I.K.E. does have its share of dramatic bicycle screen shots, tall bikes, freak bikes, even jet bikes. I would have gladly appreciated greater digging into some of the more delicate club issues that crop up from time to time, but as it stands, B.I.K.E. provides for both bike enthusiasts and green thumbs a fascinating peak at a distinct and previously unexplored subculture. It doesn’t shy away from intensity, which some might take as melodrama. And for all the difficult questions that can be asked about social systems, it doesn’t attempt to toss out cheap and easy platitudes, instead trusting viewers to mull things over for themselves.

Written by: Lillian B., April 7th 2007