Ladies and Gentlemen...

I love Tom Waits and I keep this love to myself...most of the time. He is dark, distant, and mysterious. He sings of circumstances I hope to avoid yet revisit them constantly through his music. I'm sharing this information right now because I just purchased Swordfishtrombone and I am speechless. The man never ceases to amaze me. Simply amazing.


If that was too much for you check this out.


"the face forgives the mirror, the worm forgives the plow, the question begs the answer, can you forgive me somehow"
If you can't appreciate those lyrics something is seriously wrong.

If you have the means I highly recommend picking up a copy.

La Dolce Vita

Just finished watching La Dolce Vita and it was nothing like I'd expected. Whenever the movie is referenced, it's always with Silvia in the Trevi Fountain. This movie is so much more than I could have imagined. Worth the watch, I promise.

Okay this is weird. I was looking around Mexican Pictures.com (like I have been for the past hour), and I decided to check out his Flickr account. That was step one. Okay then I clicked on his favorites, found one I thought was interesting, and lo and behold, there was a picture of my friend from Atlanta, Matt Pensworth.

To commemorate this event I have included the most fantastically annoying song on the planet! Enjoy.

Mexican Pictures

I don't know how I stumbled upon this website, but it is definitely in the top ten I've ever visited. The work is primarily by a man named Raul Gutierrez. The site is a complex labyrinth of photography and all things artsy. I highly recommend checking it out. Make sure to click on the text link for his blog Heading East!

Mexican Pictures.

He also posts all sorts of things he's overheard:

Two little old ladies recounting their dreams
@ the diner on Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn

lady in yellow hat: I was flying.

lady in blue hat: I’ve had that dream.

lady in yelllow hat: I went to Jersey.

lady in blue hat: I always go to into city. I shop.

lady in yellow hat: You shop in your dreams?

lady in blue hat: I always shop.

lady in yellow hat: I just fly. Nude... Totally, gloriously, nude.

lady in blue hat: Me too! Well...except for my shoes, I always fly in my best shoes... and a hat. I never go out without a hat.

lady in yellow hat: You always were the better dressed than me.

lady in blue: But you turned the boys heads.

lady in yellow hat: Maybe next time you should leave the hat at home.

I could spend all day on this site.

I love him.

I'm on a huge Beirut kick right now. This video is strange and amazing.

I found this song on one of my old mixes while driving around after class today. It reminded me of this scene from Before Sunset. After waiting so long for the sequel, I was nervous to see the movie because I liked Before Sunrise so much...however, it didn't disappoint. Enjoy.

"66% Then and 33% Now"

I'm slowly trying to move completely away from Myspace. That being said, I'm deleting all of my old blogs there as a first step. As I was doing so, I ran across this poem and couldn't just strike it from existence entirely so I'm moving it here. I don't know what it is, but something about David Berman and his work strikes a major cord within me. All thanks to go Matt Musick for introducing me to the Silver Jews four years ago and letting me have his book of poetry, Actual Air.

Cassette County
This is meant to be in praise of the interval called hangover,
a sadness not co-terminous with hopelessness,
and the North American doubling cascade
that (keep going) "this diamond lake is a photo lab"
and if predicates really do propel the plot
then you just might see Jerusalem in a soap bubble
or the appliance failures on Olive Street
across these great instances,
because "the complex Italians versus the basic Italians"
because what does a mirror look like (when it's not working)
but birds singing a full tone higher in the sunshine.

I'm going to call them Honest Eyes until I know if they are,
in the interval called slam-clicker, Realm of Pacific,
because the second language wouldn't let me learn it
because diet cards may be the recovery evergreen
and there is a new benzodiazepene called Distance,

anti-showmanship, anti-showmanship, anti-showmanship

I suppose a broken window is not symbolic
unless symbolic means broken, which I think it sorta does,
and when the phone jangles
what's more radical, the snow or the tires,
and what does the Bible say about metal fatigue
and why do mothers carry big scratched-up sunglasses
in their purses.

Hello to the era of going to the store to buy more ice
because we are running out.
Hello to the feelings that arrive unintroduced.
Hello to the nonfunctional sprig of parsley
and the game of finding meaning in coincidence.

Because there is a second mind in the margins of the used book
because Judas Priest (source: Firestone Library)
sang a song called Stained Class,
because this world is 66% Then and 33% Now,

and if you wake up thinking "feeling is a skill now"
or "even this glass of water seems complicated now"
and a phrase from a men's magazine (like single-district cognac)
rings and rings in your neck,
then let the consequent misunderstandings
(let the changer love the changed)
wobble on heartbreakingly nu legs
into this street-legal nonfiction,
into this good world,
this warm place
that I love with all my heart,

anti-showmanship, anti-showmanship, anti-showmanship.

-D. B.

Remember that the future of the past...

*Remember that the future of the past is always expressed with the past conditional. Thanks Da Capo, I'll do that.
Sounds more like poetry than instructions on understanding verb tense.

No matter how many times I read that sentence it just doesn't make sense. I've moved on to procrastination.

Oh how I love Robert Longo. I've never thought "Damn I wish I'd thought of that!" more than when I see his work. He could quite possibly be my favorite artist. Plus, he's under appreciated, and for some reason I appreciate that.

Melanie Pullen

Melanie Pullen

"You heard me, Coltrane"

Maps

I don't know how I found this website but I just thought this map was hilarious.

“This map is basically what would happen if you got a bunch of Japanese guys in a room, got them drunk, and then asked them to draw what they could remember about America on a bar napkin. Hell, that’s probably how this game was originally designed,” says Andrew Vestal on Yukihime.com

When in Rome...

I just got home from class, and on my way I ran into one of the most interesting people I've ever met in my life: Alvin C. Sella. Sella is a legend in the UA art department. I heard about him on my first day in art class as a freshman.
"He'll rip your work up and throw it out the window if he doesn't like it." That was my introduction. Fast forward two years and it was my turn to take his famous figure drawing class. I will never forget walking into this room and setting up my drawing pad on the easel. I was nervous, frightened even. After a few minutes I heard a shuffle and, "you ready girls?" Two girls strolled to the center of the room and dropped robe. Now I had to add awkward to the mixture of feelings. Sella tells us to go and that he wants to see what we've got.
By the end of class, and Sella's infamous criticism, one girl started crying and left, never to return. All I can say is I'm glad that girl wasn't me, even though we had a fallout one day where he tapped me with his cane and scattered by paintings all over the floor. He liked me though and I knew it so I never let it get to me. A year after I left that class I was in the art department and the secretary said I had a message from Sella. It was a W magazine with a page flagged. I opened it up and it said, "Kate, this looks like you." The opposite page which was stark white, he had signed. This was his apology. I know this because he later asked me if I ever got his message and explained. I know to some this might sound trivial, but to me this man is a monument and a symbol for what I always thought college was about.
So today, when I walked into the art department office and Sella was sitting there I couldn't help but laugh. He remembered me and called me by name. We chatting for a moment in Italian after I told him what I was studying, and then he walked away in his red socks holding a bag of Halloween candy.
Hopefully this won't be our only encounter while I'm here.
Sella's website.

Coeur d'Coeurs

Pushing Daisies

Oh...my...dear...God!

Happy Halloween!

Cut Paper

Today while in the French Quarter I saw this man's work from across the street and decided to check it out. I find it to be so beautiful and delicate. The works are hard to appreciate strictly from these photos but I wanted to include them to give an idea of what he's all about.
I'll post a link a.s.a.p.

Amazing documentary about hosts in Osaka, Japan. I highly recommend watching this film.
Also, I have to mention this guy's shirt...I mean come on, that's just badass.

Pablo

Yep, old boy was born today. My figure drawing teacher knew him personally and told me a quote he heard directly from Picasso's mouth. Ask me about it...it's quite inappropriate!

Anyone going? Let me know! I'll be there with bells on...or maybe a Whoopie Cushion costume.

America F#%& Yeah!

Right now I am reading I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert. I swear I am trying hard to be extremely judgemental but I cannot stop laughing. I'll leave you with a short excerpt:

I am reminded of the works of Walt Whitman, the nineteenth-century poet, naturalist, and all around man's man, who, through his epic lyricism, defined the character of this new nation. He said,

"I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume, you shall assume."

That "I" he was talking about? It's me.

I think that quotes speaks for itself.

I saw Lindsey Buckingham for the first (and only) time live when I was 15...I'm still 90 percent sure there is an additional guitarist hiding in the shadows. It's just too good. My jaw dropped at the performance ten years ago and I'm still mesmerized today.

Reckless Abandon

At this point I have accumulated around 15 rolls of undeveloped black and white film. I really can't afford to have them developed at the overpriced local camera shop (which by the way scratches the negatives to hell and back), so I'm thinking about staging a B&E at Woods Hall. Now all I need is an accomplice.

Shades of Dorian Gray

If you have the time I highly recommend reading this short story. It's beautiful in its simplicity.

Cathedral

by Raymond Carver

In Other News...

1. I just got back from my midterm consultation with Professore Godericci and I made an "A"! Ahhhh! So excited!

2. Yesterday I was in spinning class and the instructor played the following song near the end when we had to "climb the hill." I had forgotten how much I love it. This song should go on every work out mix. Enjoy.


3. Il Postino was really good, but Pablo Neruda was the most interesting aspect of the entire movie.

Ramble On

I was reminded of the following song on the way home from Atlanta this past weekend. Rod Stewart was on the radio singing his rendition of "Downtown Train" but I was singing along with Tom Waits' original rhythm. This is by far one of my favorite songs. It was put on a mixed tape for me in high school by my crush at the time. This single mixed tape was my introduction to Yo La Tengo, Tom Waits, The Rachel's, Modest Mouse, Joan of Arc, James, and many others. I don't think it will every be topped. Every time I hear it I feel like I'm seventeen, perhaps that's why I like it so much. Sometimes I still get chills while listening.

Just out of curiosity I looked up the James song from the mix and found it! I must share!


One more from memory lane.

"It is time, love, to break off that sombre rose,
shut up the stars and bury the ash in the earth;
and, in the rising of the light, wake with those who awoke
or go on in the dream, reaching the other shore of the sea which has no other shore."
-P.N. from "The Watersong Ends"

Dinner and a Movie

So bored I photographed the preperation of my dinner. Wow.

Also, I just signed up for a Netflicks account (again, bored) so if you have any suggestions please let me know. After rating a few movies they recommend Il Postino; I read the review and it's about Pablo Neruda! WTF! I love Pablo Neruda...and it's in Italian! Netflicks is onto me! Anyway it's in the mail...I'll let you know how it goes.
Cheers, ta.

Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth is by far my favorite female historical figure of all time. Cate Blanchett is in my top 3 favorite female actresses. The Golden Age starts this weekend, so in the very near future I'm going to see this movie.
Who wants to join me???
I'm thinking next Tuesday night. That gives you time to rent the old one and be prepared.

Sharing is Caring

The Darjeeling Limited

I refuse to read the reviews before I actually get to see it...no matter what though, something good will come from this movie.


The Darjeeling Limited

On the Surface Simplicity

My favorite Bjork song...most of the time. Anyone know if she played this song in Atlanta?
While I'm on Bjork here's a totally weird but awesome song and video from Bjork's Medulla-Triumph of the Heart.

Ahhh, I can't stop.

I Feel It All

I'm in love with Feist's The Reminder. Of course I've heard all the catchy songs on commericals and what not, but not until an hour ago had I actually listened to the entire album. Her voice is stunning.

Tara Donovan

Tara Donovan

L'ho Fatto per il Bene di Tutti Noi.

I've been studying Fellini (and 8 1/2 in particular) for almost two weeks now and I'm obsessed...and inspired. Marcello Mastroianni isn't too hard on the eyes either. I think I'm going to have to drive down the street and rent La Dolce Vita. Yeah, I'm going right now.

"The truth is: I do not know... I seek... I have not yet found. Only with this in mind can I feel alive and look at you without shame."

So What

Miles to go before I sleep.

Spinal Tap

It never dawned on me to check this site before, but I'm glad it finally did...

The Criterion Collection

LOST

I watch LOST episodes online every once in a while and just realized that they have posted a few more from season 3! Yay!

LOST online

And while I'm on LOST, here's an old promo by David LaChapelle. I'm not a huge LaChapelle fan, but it's still pretty interesting. Enjoy.

HOTEL

This could quite possibly be the weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life. It's worth checking out though.

As one user so eliquently commented, "...someone must have had a little too much of the ol crack pipe."

HOTEL

Dear Edie,

"No, no, this is the revolutionary costume. I never wear this in East Hampton." -E.B.B.

I haven't seen the movie...yet, but I saw an interview with Christine Ebersol, who is playing the part of Edie Bouvier (yes, related to Jackie O) Beale on Broadway and as soon as they started discussing the background, I started researching!
Edie reminds me of a woman who lived down the street from me when I was a child. Emily Gaskin and I thought she was a witch. She kept her shoes, which had large, gold buckles in a long line on the porch. In the backyard, she had this dead tree that she hung white, plastic milk jugs on and I swear there was a large black cauldron underneath. Anyway this documentary strikes a cord of fascination I've missed for a long time now...maybe ever since then.
I've included a clip below. Normally I hate clips with contemporary music overlapping but this is just too perfect.

Wanna learn more? Grey Gardens
Here's a clip of Christine Ebersol's performance:

Sze Tsung Leong

Sze Tsung Leong

No Code

Recently I've spent most of my time trying to figure out how the f*@% a gerund works in Italian and reading books on existentialism. It can be a hard thing to grasp at times so I spent the afternoon researching. Immediately I stumbled upon a website created by a teacher which offered lessons on how to understand "Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum" through poetry, including band lyrics. First on the list was Pearl Jam's "Who You Are." I've always loved this song. No Code is an amazing album and nine times out of ten when someone criticises Pearl Jam I ask if they've ever listened to No Code; nine times out of ten they haven't. Anyway here are the lyrics:

Come to send
Not condescend
Transcendental consequence
Is to transcend, where we are
Who are we? Who we are

Trampled moss on your souls
Changes all, you're a part
Seen it all, not at all
Can't defend, fuck the man

Take me for a ride, Before we leave
Avalanche
Falling Fast
Guidin' winds
Happenstance
Off the track, in the mud
That's the moss, in the aforementioned verse

Just a little time, Before we leave

Stop light plays its part
So I would say you've got a heart
What's your part? Who you are
You are who, who you are

Ahh, Eddie's voice is amazing in this song. Please take a listen if you haven't already.
So the teacher poses the question: "How do you 'transcend where we are?' Was there any advice?"
Very interesting stuff.

Here's a link to the website.

Bird on a Wire

Damn this is one concert I did NOT want to miss! Ah well. I'll just have to watch videos such as this one and pretend. Have fun you lucky bastards who have tickets.

Quote Unquote

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." -R. W. Emerson