3. As for the writers, I also really like David Foster Wallace. Except that, definitely Flannery O'Connor, William Faulkner, Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac and (something more classical) Edgar Allan Poe. I only read the originals, I don't trust Polish transaltions :) Besides, that's the great opportunity to improve the English skills. 4. Finally, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LAST POSTCARD! ::) It was such an unexpected pleasure :) I promise I'll finally send you Polish ones. Someday... Ba patient, please :)

Hi there! I've just noticed that you're listening to Thelonius Monk! I love that guy. I think that it is him who's my favorite jazz performer :) Soo... 1. I'm really happy that you're reading The Human Stain. Philip Roth's an amazing writer. Unfortunately the movie is terrible so if you haven't seen it, don't do that. 2. As for the movies, the film "The Dutchman" is not that short in fact :) It lasts for an hour and a half (yes, the 1967 version). Few months ago it was available online but somebody had removed it :( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060358/ here's some info. In general, it's a play, not that long so if you have some time, just search for it on the internet and it won't be a trouble to find it.

Hello! :) This time, my dissertation is on Racial and Sexual Identity in Nella Larsen's "Passing", Amiri Baraka's "The Dutchman" and Philip Roth's "The Human Stain". In general, it's devoted to the phenomena of racial passing - the situation when African American is born light-skinned. I've chosen the works from different periods of time to discuss it in the vast perspective. So... What are your favourite American writers? :) I'd love to find out!

Sasha, it seems I've forgotten to tell you that I've just started working on my MA dissertation! :) This time it's going to be on American Lierature though I am very excited to exploreee my ideas. How the thing are going there?

Hey Sasha! Thanks for your message. It's so nice to hear from you. I need to say that I got your postcard. It brought me a lot of joy! I'm really sorry that I haven't sent mine yet. It's been pretty rough time for me because I moved to another city and I've been quite busy with school and work. Nevertheless, I promise to send you one as soon as I could! :)

I think that this happens to all kinds of music nowadays. It's so hard (or is it even possible?) to come up with something new... What I really dislike about modern musicians is this common belief that it is better to use computers instead of instruments :<

I think that there is nothing new about NIN on this album. But it's still pretty enjoyable. What is your opinion? :)

Oh, thank you! These descriptions you made sound great! I'll definitely check these bands out :)

Sasha, could you recommend me some good music? :) I search for new impressions.

Yup, I've been listening to The Knife quite a lot recently. Sometimes I need to stay connect to the modern electronic music. I don't want to be vintage all the time. Besides I love mixing styles. As for The Knife I guess it's nothing more than well produced piece of Swedish disco - Abba ancestors. I really ilke Deep Cuts because of very nice melodies - it's definitely the best side of the band. As for the thins I don't like, first of all it's the vocalist. I think that I would love that band if not Karin's vocal. I really hate her voice - it's terrible for me. I can't focus on music when she's singing. Thus, I love Take my Breath Away, when the other vocalist enter. Ok, as for Shaking the Habitual I really enjoyed drum section. It sounds like live instruments which pleased me. Secondly, I loved thee reference to Margaret Atwood's novel "Oryx&Crake". That's more or less it ;) What's your opinion?

Sasha, how was the concert? :)

I love Brainstorm!! They were very popular in Poland something like 10 years ago. The first CD I bought for my own money was Brainstorm's A Day Before Tomorrow, and I was 12 years old then :) I'm very sentimental about that band. Brings good associations.

Are you going on Brainstorm's concert, Sasha? I've just noticed an event on your page ;)

I like Jantar very much. She had a doughter who's also a famous polish singer. Her name is Natalia Kukulska. She also has a nice voice. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k99zzhH4bTE

Sasha, do you like Anna Jantar?

My comparisons always are quite... unique :) I feel the spirit of the fathers of punk on that album, such as Pistols or The Clash... But you're right that it is also very "Smithsian" or "Smithsful" :)

I'm listening to John Marr's The Messanger! :) That's quite a good album. So far it's sounded to me as a mixture of U2 and Sex Pistols ;) But these are only "first impressions"... :)

I understand your point. My opinion is quite similar. Well, first of all I think that to get a proper impression from the album, one has to listen to it something like 5 - 10 times. First impressions are deceiptive. As for my feelings, I'm positively surprised. I really hated Sounds of the Universe (which is next to the Exciter my second least favourite DM's album) and when I heared Delta I found it really convincing! I think that there's quite good variety of melodies, rythms and influences. I really like Slow (which sounds like a blues song). This song was a total surprise for me. But I agree with you that this album lacks in a hit song. All is on the same,equal level. Btw, I also love SOFAD (I have this album on a tape) ;)

Unfortunately I haven't. But I will, I promise! :) What do you think about Depeche Mode's brand new album?

Oh, and I can see that another passion we share (except our gorgeous Cohen) is Depeche Mode and Morissey! :) I adore his hair <3