R.I.P. Cesaria Evora (1941 - 2011)

So farewell then, Cesaria Evora. That's two people dying in two days who've meant a lot to me. Everyone's linking to the classic morna songs like 'Sodade', but I rather like her more uptempo Afro-
Cuban material:

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In memoriam Hitch

One of my heroes dies, and I'm lost for words. But you could do worse than read the wonderful tributes by Terry Glavin, Nick Cohen, Ian McEwan, Francis Wheen, Andrew Sullivan, Michael Weiss, Roya Hakakian, Graydon Carter, and Peter Hitchens.  I'm sure there'll be more.

Interlude

Why no recent posts? Well, it could be because I’m spending more time these days twittering and updating my Facebook status than blogging. Or it might be that the original purpose behind this blog, to work out what I really thought about politics, religion, culture, etc. no longer feels quite so urgent. On the other hand, it's possible that my opinions on these topics are in such a state of flux that I'm finding it increasingly difficult to pin them down, even in something as transient and insubstantial as a blogpost. More mundanely, it could just be that I’ve just been too darn busy with other stuff...

Anyway, I’m planning a relaunch of sorts in the New Year. In the meantime, you’re welcome to join me on Twitter or Facebook, or if you’re so inclined, to check out my family history and 'academic' blogs (though the latter's a bit somnolent too). And Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Holidays, whatever.