ML Hart's journal of observations, obsessions and inspirations
I write to question, clarify and celebrate – explore the categories in the sidebar.
Exactly one year ago today, I arrived in Uruguay. I was looking to slow down my high-stress life and jump into writing my book. Within two weeks, mi novio commented in one of our frequent calls that I sounded like a different person… far more relaxed. Más tranquilo. Detaching myself from one lifestyle and settling …
How’m I supposed to explain it to my friends? I mean, that was me, the one who swore I’d never put myself through the anti-social agony, the jigsaw-puzzle-from-hell nightmare, the mano a mano word-wrangling that is writing another book. People tell me the life of an author is “glamorous,” which I’m gonna say can only …
“Everyone remembers the first time they saw La Jetée.” I’m pretty sure we all remember the first time seeing this film – a perfect use of form and style merged with story and theme – and knowing that everything had changed, right then. William Gibson articulates his moment beautifully. His comments are significant in today’s …
About a year ago, with the invaluable help of Romina, one of my familia, we went to the telecom office, Antel, and I now have a Uruguayan phone number. Pretty easy if one is fluent in Spanish LOL so I’m grateful to have had an interpreter with me. I’d purchased the phone in the US …
In the mid-to-late 1980s, I was hooked on a TV show originally from the BBC, transplanted to the US for production. Unlike most “American” remakes, MAX HEADROOM stayed true to its dark cyberpunk look at the future. It only lasted two seasons but its impact stretched far beyond that. “This is Edison Carter coming to …
One day in Montevideo, my Spanish class ended two hours earlier than usual, at 3 pm. Generally, we just call for a taxi – that means I ask my teacher to call for a taxi, as talking on the phone is still beyond my skill level and ability to understand! – and several minutes later, …
Have you traveled to large cities before? I’ve been to New York and Chicago, London and Barcelona and Moscow. I’ve never felt in any danger there, but I’m a careful traveler. Smart at home, too, whatever city that might be. Before my first trip to Uruguay, I read dozens of articles. A lot of blog …
I’ve been working like crazy on the book, have been for a couple months. It’s a little manic. Mostly it’s wrangling the research and trying to bring a bit of order to chaos, find a form I can access and pull it all into whatever is going to become The Book. In particular, the interviews …
Accent One of the hardest adjustments, language-wise, has been hearing the Rioplatense accent. Making the connection between what I hear and what I was used to hearing, and figuring out what it means. Big disconnect. Yes, I know I’ll get there, but right now I’m not. There’s the accent. All “y” (except at the end …
Verduras y frutas at the feria What will $513 UY pesos* get you at the Atlántida feria? More than I could fit in the photo: *approximately $17.60 USD 2 manojos grandes de espinaca 1/2 kilo de fresas 4 manzanas 2 morrónes 2 dientes de ajo 2 lechugas 1 docena de huevos 2 pepinos, 4 naranjas 2 …
Everything is a little slower here, which is a welcome change. But it’s taking some getting used to. The picture shows a view of downtown Atlántida – the centro – in winter. It’s a tourist town that comes alive from mid-December to the end of February, and nearly all restaurants and many other businesses close …
Visited again today with the owners of the house I’m renting for the next year and a half. Here’s the avocado tree in the back yard, or part of the tree – it’s about 20 feet high. I met the owners last month, nice couple who have lived here for 7 or 8 years. Originally …
