Sunday, October 30, 2011
Photogsnazzy: Sunshine and Newspaper
All of this snow in October is making me long for the summer when I could spend a Saturday afternoon reading the newspaper on the lawn in the warm sunshine.
Film for all you Fashion Freaks.
There's a new documentary about famous fashion school Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, which has produced such designers as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Ricardo Tisci.
I'm excited to see an inside look into the school and development of such talented and influential artists. Unfortunately, the film, "I Hate My Collection," has yet to announce a release date, and even when it does, I doubt it will be showing anywhere near here.
But here is a trailer/clip:
I'm excited to see an inside look into the school and development of such talented and influential artists. Unfortunately, the film, "I Hate My Collection," has yet to announce a release date, and even when it does, I doubt it will be showing anywhere near here.
But here is a trailer/clip:
I Hate My Collection - 1st TEASER from Markus Nylaander on Vimeo.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
In the Papier: Pigmented Insects
I love stationary.
I love sending letters and notes to people. I love writing addresses on envelopes and sticking on the stamps. But best of all, I LOVE sending people letters and notes that are a visual party. Stationary and note cards feature some really beautiful, funky and creative art, full of cool colors, shapes, images, interpretations and materials. It is so enjoyable to receive provoking visuals in the mail along with the latest news from your pals, and it is so enjoyable to browse the stationary stores and aisles until you find something you think your correspondents will get a kick out of or really really love. I still have many many cards people have sent me over the years either because they are beautiful or because I can tell the person put a lot of thought and effort into picking a card they knew I would really love or would really speak to me.
So much love can go into that simple, little physical packet of paper.
As such, I'm going to start sharing with you some of my finds, starting with these cards featuring insects against some gorgeous colors. I've started to get really into butterflies, so I think that's what drew me to these initially when I picked these up at Michael's off one of those $1 stands. They are a little cheap-looking, but still very pretty.
The orange one is easily my favorite.
These are done under the label "Studio18" by Rachel Tribble, and distributed by International Greetings USA.
I love sending letters and notes to people. I love writing addresses on envelopes and sticking on the stamps. But best of all, I LOVE sending people letters and notes that are a visual party. Stationary and note cards feature some really beautiful, funky and creative art, full of cool colors, shapes, images, interpretations and materials. It is so enjoyable to receive provoking visuals in the mail along with the latest news from your pals, and it is so enjoyable to browse the stationary stores and aisles until you find something you think your correspondents will get a kick out of or really really love. I still have many many cards people have sent me over the years either because they are beautiful or because I can tell the person put a lot of thought and effort into picking a card they knew I would really love or would really speak to me.
So much love can go into that simple, little physical packet of paper.
As such, I'm going to start sharing with you some of my finds, starting with these cards featuring insects against some gorgeous colors. I've started to get really into butterflies, so I think that's what drew me to these initially when I picked these up at Michael's off one of those $1 stands. They are a little cheap-looking, but still very pretty.
The orange one is easily my favorite.
These are done under the label "Studio18" by Rachel Tribble, and distributed by International Greetings USA.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Travelling the Ode: Exercise 2
I've always wanted to read more poetry than I have: Keats, Plath, Mitlon, Byron, Poe, to name a few. I recently got Plath's Ariel from the library. But I feel like I could get a lot more out of poetry, if I knew a little more about it. I'd really like to read and write more poems, but understand the structures and forms of poetry better before I do.
I've never really learned anything really foundational about poetry, except in a crazy 2-week poetry-cramming session after the AP English exam junior year in high school, and then it was summer and I forgot everything, and let's face it, I only really read Ulysses and The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson anyway.
So I've turned to any learner's best friend, the erudite Stephen Fry and his super accessible, friendly and very educational book, The Ode Less Travelled. It's all about understanding poetry in order to enjoy poetry, and is written in an humorous yet earnest tone by an author who makes you feel right at home, making the same observations you are: about how pretentious pretentious snobs are, how seemingly arbitrary prosodic jargon can be, and how mediocre/silly his own poetry is.
Another great thing about the book is that Fry provides exercises for the reader to do, in order to better understand the concept he's just explained---- and he is constantly begging the reader to slow down and actually do the assignment, actually get a pencil and mark up the book. After a while you just feel deceitful not doing the exercises and not doing them properly. Although I started the book last year and balked at the first exercise (marking iambic pentameter and reading it over and over again outloud) I decided to try harder this time. I actually followed the instructions, and what do you know! It really helped! I am understanding iambic pentameter a lot better now, and can read it out loud much better than before.
The second exercise set me the task of writing my own 10 lines of iambic pentameter. It neednt be good, lofty, profound or anything like that, repeated Fry over and over again. Just practice writing iambic pentameter, trying to use more than just monosyllabic words, and trying to do a few paired lines. And do it all in 10 min so you don't obsess over everything: you are just practicing the meter! (He even does the exercise himself to demonstrate that it is possible and to keep the stakes low.)
Here's what I came up with. It's not very good, but it sure is in iambic pentameter. Or at least I hope so:
1.
I should obey the hateful clock alarm.
2.
My mother's shoes, those hammers split the floor
3.
I killed a man today with just a blink.
4&5.
How can you know how I experience
a sunless Spring, a birdsong scraping snow?
6.
A dancer's body never lasts for long.
7.
I see your apple sure is ruby-red.
8&9.
If worlds would shut I'd stay alone with you
blockade the din, the eyes, and hold your hand.
10.
My tea was bad and nearly cost my health.
Fry says to practice writing a few lines everyday. So perhaps more bad iambic pentameter coming soon!
I've never really learned anything really foundational about poetry, except in a crazy 2-week poetry-cramming session after the AP English exam junior year in high school, and then it was summer and I forgot everything, and let's face it, I only really read Ulysses and The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson anyway.
So I've turned to any learner's best friend, the erudite Stephen Fry and his super accessible, friendly and very educational book, The Ode Less Travelled. It's all about understanding poetry in order to enjoy poetry, and is written in an humorous yet earnest tone by an author who makes you feel right at home, making the same observations you are: about how pretentious pretentious snobs are, how seemingly arbitrary prosodic jargon can be, and how mediocre/silly his own poetry is.
Another great thing about the book is that Fry provides exercises for the reader to do, in order to better understand the concept he's just explained---- and he is constantly begging the reader to slow down and actually do the assignment, actually get a pencil and mark up the book. After a while you just feel deceitful not doing the exercises and not doing them properly. Although I started the book last year and balked at the first exercise (marking iambic pentameter and reading it over and over again outloud) I decided to try harder this time. I actually followed the instructions, and what do you know! It really helped! I am understanding iambic pentameter a lot better now, and can read it out loud much better than before.
The second exercise set me the task of writing my own 10 lines of iambic pentameter. It neednt be good, lofty, profound or anything like that, repeated Fry over and over again. Just practice writing iambic pentameter, trying to use more than just monosyllabic words, and trying to do a few paired lines. And do it all in 10 min so you don't obsess over everything: you are just practicing the meter! (He even does the exercise himself to demonstrate that it is possible and to keep the stakes low.)
Here's what I came up with. It's not very good, but it sure is in iambic pentameter. Or at least I hope so:
1.
I should obey the hateful clock alarm.
2.
My mother's shoes, those hammers split the floor
3.
I killed a man today with just a blink.
4&5.
How can you know how I experience
a sunless Spring, a birdsong scraping snow?
6.
A dancer's body never lasts for long.
7.
I see your apple sure is ruby-red.
8&9.
If worlds would shut I'd stay alone with you
blockade the din, the eyes, and hold your hand.
10.
My tea was bad and nearly cost my health.
Fry says to practice writing a few lines everyday. So perhaps more bad iambic pentameter coming soon!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Becoming an Adult
There are some pretty standard ways We as a society determine if someone is truly grown up: graduating from high school or college, securing employment, acquiring a significant other, having children, becoming "financially independent" . . . whatever THAT means . . .
But in this turbulent economic times, us youngin's are having a hard time meeting a lot of those standards. But I think there are better ways to determine if you are truly becoming a "real person" as we college kids say. Here are some tell-tale signs, in my opinion, that you are becoming a grown up:
1) You avoid checking your emails because they are too numerous and stressful.
2) You have so many keys, you have to flip through them all to find the right one.
3) You compare all discussion of large sums of money to your loan payments and rent.
4) You are constantly flabbergasted as to how these young people think they are going to get anywhere in life with attitudes like that!
5) When you are feeling a bit blue, you think of the comp-time you have coming to you, or at least should have coming to you.
6) You find yourself automatically asking people for business cards, even if you don't have any yourself.
7) You discover yourself "networking" at any gathering of more than 4 people. Either that or discussing work-family conflict, even if you don't really have a family.
8) The social gatherings you attend include a larger and larger number of pregnant women or men discussing the significant pregnant women in their lives.
9) Your "elevator" speech actually sounds somewhat natural and less apologetic than it used to.
10) I need to come back for ANOTHER appointment??? When in bloody hell am I supposed to do that??? What do you think I am??? MADE of time???
11) You actually need a religiously updated calendar (maybe even several) to survive and may have given other people access to it in order for the world to continue revolving.
12) Is this MY responsibility? Am I getting paid to do this? Is this in my job description?
13) You unexpectedly find your car out of gas at very inconvenient times.
14) You feel accomplished after spending the day taking care of things that were not actually ever on your to-do list when the day began.
There are many more. Any additions?
But in this turbulent economic times, us youngin's are having a hard time meeting a lot of those standards. But I think there are better ways to determine if you are truly becoming a "real person" as we college kids say. Here are some tell-tale signs, in my opinion, that you are becoming a grown up:
1) You avoid checking your emails because they are too numerous and stressful.
2) You have so many keys, you have to flip through them all to find the right one.
3) You compare all discussion of large sums of money to your loan payments and rent.
4) You are constantly flabbergasted as to how these young people think they are going to get anywhere in life with attitudes like that!
5) When you are feeling a bit blue, you think of the comp-time you have coming to you, or at least should have coming to you.
6) You find yourself automatically asking people for business cards, even if you don't have any yourself.
7) You discover yourself "networking" at any gathering of more than 4 people. Either that or discussing work-family conflict, even if you don't really have a family.
8) The social gatherings you attend include a larger and larger number of pregnant women or men discussing the significant pregnant women in their lives.
9) Your "elevator" speech actually sounds somewhat natural and less apologetic than it used to.
10) I need to come back for ANOTHER appointment??? When in bloody hell am I supposed to do that??? What do you think I am??? MADE of time???
11) You actually need a religiously updated calendar (maybe even several) to survive and may have given other people access to it in order for the world to continue revolving.
12) Is this MY responsibility? Am I getting paid to do this? Is this in my job description?
13) You unexpectedly find your car out of gas at very inconvenient times.
14) You feel accomplished after spending the day taking care of things that were not actually ever on your to-do list when the day began.
There are many more. Any additions?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Unintended Adventures at the Mall
Today I went to return some earrings to Macy's. I bought the only rhinestone clip-ons in the store to go with a wedding outfit, but they ended up just looking horrible. It's been three weeks since the wedding, so my goal for this weekend was to actually return them and not be stuck with them forever.
I got to the mall, which is a rather long drive (by which I mean slightly longer than the 15 min it usually takes me to get to some of the other malls around here), and promptly locked my keys in the car. Luckily, I did this while my parents were out collecting duckweed for some biology lab activity of my dad's; they would not be showing up with the spare key anytime soon. So there I was stuck at the mall for an unknown period of time, when my whole intention was to get money back, not to spend it.
I thought: This is ok! Great even! I can go to the movie theatre while I wait. What an excellent excuse to watch a movie! Everyone will admire what an wonderful experience I made of such a sorry situation. But then realized I was not at the mall with the movie theatre.
Second idea: well, gee! I happen to have some of my reading with me in my purse. I'll go find a nice quiet bookstore and read about audience analysis of black women watching The Color Purple. Boy I will be so productive!
But there was no bookstore. Not even a quiet eatery where I could order a hot chocolate to mask my homework-doing. Also EVERYONE was at the mall: squalling babies, frantic saleswomen mowing people down with racks of clothing, toy salesmen flying remote control helicopters, hoards of teenagers who seemed to think Payless shoes was the most hilarious place on earth. There was not a place quiet enough to make a phone call, much less read.
I found myself forced to browse. I think my feet actually just walked me into Forever 21.
I resisted buying things in Forever 21. I did this by refusing to look at the accessories section, and contemplating the shoddy quality of the clothes in general (I bought two-pairs of shorts there last year that I had to sew the buttons back on two days after I purchased them) and the exploitation of the third-world which probably assures the "affordability" of such clothes.
I then resisted buying things in Old Navy. Express. Delia's. I almost bought a pair of brown boots, but then I didn't. Oddly enough, In doing this however, I discovered that I'd only put on one sock that morning. How peculiar! I'd like to think that it was endearingly eccentric, but it just isn't.
After about 40 mins, I got in touch with the parents, who said they were departing to rescue me. I still had about a half hour though until they got there. I got off the phone to find myself in Claire's.
I began to inexplicably and rabidly want to buy EVERYTHING. Necklace with a fox wearing sunglasses. Stick-on fake blood for Halloween. Jewelry box covered in peace signs. Cheap-looking red cloche hat with a studded bow. A gold collar, Cleopatra-type necklace. Glittery tights. Gold leg-warmers. I managed to draw the line at the Bieber products, and got out with only 2 sunglasses (on sale!) and 3 rings.
Parents finally arrived (I did actually do 4-5 pages of reading in the parking lot while I waited) and let me into my car and brought me a Coke. Woo!
The traffic on the long way back was rather bad. To entertain myself, I did what any responsible driver would do and tried on my rings as I poked along and took blurry photos of them!
I also feel compelled to mention that I was also singing songs from Finian's Rainbow whilst doing this. "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" is one of the most hilarious songs ever, and inspired by my girl, Florence Welch, I really belted out "Ole Devil Moon" into the blustery autumn wind.
"You and your glance
make this romance
too hot to haaaaaanndllllee.
Stars in the night
blazin' their light
can't hold a caaaaaanddddlllle . . . . tooooo your razzle dazzle"
"WAAAAANNNNAAA CRYYY
WANNNAAAA CROOON
WANNNAAAA LAUGH LIKE A LOON
IT'S THAT OOOOOLLEE DEVIL MOON
IN YOUR EYEEEEEEEEES"
It's a good song. Check it out sometime.
Also, here's what my sparkly rings actually look like:
I got to the mall, which is a rather long drive (by which I mean slightly longer than the 15 min it usually takes me to get to some of the other malls around here), and promptly locked my keys in the car. Luckily, I did this while my parents were out collecting duckweed for some biology lab activity of my dad's; they would not be showing up with the spare key anytime soon. So there I was stuck at the mall for an unknown period of time, when my whole intention was to get money back, not to spend it.
I thought: This is ok! Great even! I can go to the movie theatre while I wait. What an excellent excuse to watch a movie! Everyone will admire what an wonderful experience I made of such a sorry situation. But then realized I was not at the mall with the movie theatre.
Second idea: well, gee! I happen to have some of my reading with me in my purse. I'll go find a nice quiet bookstore and read about audience analysis of black women watching The Color Purple. Boy I will be so productive!
But there was no bookstore. Not even a quiet eatery where I could order a hot chocolate to mask my homework-doing. Also EVERYONE was at the mall: squalling babies, frantic saleswomen mowing people down with racks of clothing, toy salesmen flying remote control helicopters, hoards of teenagers who seemed to think Payless shoes was the most hilarious place on earth. There was not a place quiet enough to make a phone call, much less read.
I found myself forced to browse. I think my feet actually just walked me into Forever 21.
I resisted buying things in Forever 21. I did this by refusing to look at the accessories section, and contemplating the shoddy quality of the clothes in general (I bought two-pairs of shorts there last year that I had to sew the buttons back on two days after I purchased them) and the exploitation of the third-world which probably assures the "affordability" of such clothes.
I then resisted buying things in Old Navy. Express. Delia's. I almost bought a pair of brown boots, but then I didn't. Oddly enough, In doing this however, I discovered that I'd only put on one sock that morning. How peculiar! I'd like to think that it was endearingly eccentric, but it just isn't.
After about 40 mins, I got in touch with the parents, who said they were departing to rescue me. I still had about a half hour though until they got there. I got off the phone to find myself in Claire's.
I began to inexplicably and rabidly want to buy EVERYTHING. Necklace with a fox wearing sunglasses. Stick-on fake blood for Halloween. Jewelry box covered in peace signs. Cheap-looking red cloche hat with a studded bow. A gold collar, Cleopatra-type necklace. Glittery tights. Gold leg-warmers. I managed to draw the line at the Bieber products, and got out with only 2 sunglasses (on sale!) and 3 rings.
Parents finally arrived (I did actually do 4-5 pages of reading in the parking lot while I waited) and let me into my car and brought me a Coke. Woo!
The traffic on the long way back was rather bad. To entertain myself, I did what any responsible driver would do and tried on my rings as I poked along and took blurry photos of them!
I also feel compelled to mention that I was also singing songs from Finian's Rainbow whilst doing this. "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" is one of the most hilarious songs ever, and inspired by my girl, Florence Welch, I really belted out "Ole Devil Moon" into the blustery autumn wind.
"You and your glancemake this romance
too hot to haaaaaanndllllee.
Stars in the night
blazin' their light
can't hold a caaaaaanddddlllle . . . . tooooo your razzle dazzle"
"WAAAAANNNNAAA CRYYY
WANNNAAAA CROOON
WANNNAAAA LAUGH LIKE A LOON
IT'S THAT OOOOOLLEE DEVIL MOON
IN YOUR EYEEEEEEEEES"
It's a good song. Check it out sometime.
Also, here's what my sparkly rings actually look like:
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Les jeunes filles qui portent des lunettes de soleil, Item 11
Item 11, Les jeunes filles qui portent des lunettes de soleil
This one is simply a classic. Classic shades. Classic relaxing girl. Classic black and white. All in all, very classy.
Now that I've started this series, I've had a really difficult time finding any more sunglasses-related ads that I like. I hope I find more soon!
This one is simply a classic. Classic shades. Classic relaxing girl. Classic black and white. All in all, very classy.
Now that I've started this series, I've had a really difficult time finding any more sunglasses-related ads that I like. I hope I find more soon!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Photogsnazzy: Autumnal Guest Author Ania!!!
Welcome to my first guest authored post! I have super cool and talented friends who deserve a little attention. One of them is Ania who does a little, gorgeous photography--- while simultaneously being a medical student! You can check out her blog about photography, U2, and med school here. But first check out her post below:
Autumn Photos, Pinckney State Recreation Area, Michigan by Ania
My friend Ashley and I decided to leave Ann Arbor for a day and go immerse ourselves in the wonders of Mother Nature while the trees were changing colors. Lost among girl talk and miles of trails, I managed to remember to use my beloved Nikon D90.
Ashley really liked the Sassafras leaves, and found one so appealing she put it to her face. Voilà , the birth of a very fun photo.
I am a huge fan of macro shots, and when we spotted these adorable fungi growing on a tree trunk, I could not help myself.
Autumn Photos, Pinckney State Recreation Area, Michigan by Ania
My friend Ashley and I decided to leave Ann Arbor for a day and go immerse ourselves in the wonders of Mother Nature while the trees were changing colors. Lost among girl talk and miles of trails, I managed to remember to use my beloved Nikon D90.
Ashley really liked the Sassafras leaves, and found one so appealing she put it to her face. Voilà , the birth of a very fun photo.
I am a huge fan of macro shots, and when we spotted these adorable fungi growing on a tree trunk, I could not help myself.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Dressing a film
One of the things that often bothers me about the Oscar for Best Costume Design is that it so often seems to go to the big showy costume dramas or period pieces. While obviously all theses designers are doing great work, I always feel like it is too easy to award these movies this award because 1) they kinda have to go all out--- no one is going to take a period film to seriously if it has low production values and 2) they have SO MUCH room to experiment and create. I mean, in Marie Antoinette, they actually HAD those massive giant wigs and gowns to play with. In Changeling not so much.
Also Changeling or An Education could probably have saved some money, blood, sweat, and tears but doing a less fantabulous job on the costumes. But they did it anyway, even though it was hard and there were much stricter lines, outside of which they could not color. They really couldn't put these characters in feather-plumed hats or neon ribbons or engraved armor.
This brings me to another point, I don't think people really appreciate the dedication and work art directors and costume designers and their staff put into this "background" element of a film. But it is a lot of high-quality, dedicated, and difficult work. But if they don't do this work, the world of the film and the essence of the characters exist less and less.
I recently came across the music video Drew Barrymore directed for Our Deal which I think is a nice microcosm of art direction and costume design that demonstrates what I'm talking about. The storyline is not stellar, but the world of the film and the ambiance of the gangs is really vivid--- most of it comes down the art direction and the costume design.
The style and set dressing is great right? MTV provides two additional behind the scenes videos about developing the look of the film and shows just how much work, by many people, went into getting it right.
They get more into the details of the costumes in this video. It is amazing to realize all of this stuff is conceptualized, planned, and choreographed. And it is also so cool to see how enthusiastic and familiar the director and stylists are with each piece.
As, Barrymore says "These people will have put time into making themselves individuals." When you are making a film or designing any space or outfit for any character, you have to remember this, and making this come alive for a fictional character is a lot of work and a lot of creativity. And this is just for a music video; imagine the forces that have to get rolling to do a stellar job on a film or tv show!
And when you've seen it done right, you often don't notice. What you do notice is how great the film is as an experience and how present and real the characters are. These elements are a key piece of making that happen, and when they are that seamless, you are seeing some excellent excellent work. Which is why I'd like to see one of those types of film win the Oscar sometime soon.
P.S.
1) How rad do Alia Shawkat and Miranda Cosgrove look?
2) How cool is Drew Barrymore?
3) I want a Night Creeper jacket.
Also Changeling or An Education could probably have saved some money, blood, sweat, and tears but doing a less fantabulous job on the costumes. But they did it anyway, even though it was hard and there were much stricter lines, outside of which they could not color. They really couldn't put these characters in feather-plumed hats or neon ribbons or engraved armor.
This brings me to another point, I don't think people really appreciate the dedication and work art directors and costume designers and their staff put into this "background" element of a film. But it is a lot of high-quality, dedicated, and difficult work. But if they don't do this work, the world of the film and the essence of the characters exist less and less.
I recently came across the music video Drew Barrymore directed for Our Deal which I think is a nice microcosm of art direction and costume design that demonstrates what I'm talking about. The storyline is not stellar, but the world of the film and the ambiance of the gangs is really vivid--- most of it comes down the art direction and the costume design.
Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast, Best Coast, Music, More Music Videos
The style and set dressing is great right? MTV provides two additional behind the scenes videos about developing the look of the film and shows just how much work, by many people, went into getting it right.
Get More: Supervideo Style, MTV Style, Fashion News, MTV Shows
They get more into the details of the costumes in this video. It is amazing to realize all of this stuff is conceptualized, planned, and choreographed. And it is also so cool to see how enthusiastic and familiar the director and stylists are with each piece.
Get More: Supervideo Style, MTV Style, Fashion News, MTV Shows
As, Barrymore says "These people will have put time into making themselves individuals." When you are making a film or designing any space or outfit for any character, you have to remember this, and making this come alive for a fictional character is a lot of work and a lot of creativity. And this is just for a music video; imagine the forces that have to get rolling to do a stellar job on a film or tv show!
And when you've seen it done right, you often don't notice. What you do notice is how great the film is as an experience and how present and real the characters are. These elements are a key piece of making that happen, and when they are that seamless, you are seeing some excellent excellent work. Which is why I'd like to see one of those types of film win the Oscar sometime soon.
P.S.
1) How rad do Alia Shawkat and Miranda Cosgrove look?
2) How cool is Drew Barrymore?
3) I want a Night Creeper jacket.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Anecdote: Smile and the World Smiles with You
So last weekend I took the day off and went to Ithaca, NY to visit with my wonderful college roommate and to go to a Janelle Monae concert. After three months of working working working, running Grad Student Association events in the evening, attending class and falling behind in the reading, and somehow applying to, getting, and getting used to a new job and revising my academic/life plans in between, I was so excited to be just saying "hang it all! I'm taking the day off. I'm not going to think about anything but having a good time for the next 24 hours."
I mean I was really really really excited. 5-year old waiting for Santa on Christmas eve excited.
The morning I was leaving I got up and seriously could not get the smile off my face. I was grinning ear to ear like the Cheshire cat. My dad even asked what was wrong with me at one point. But nothing was bringing me down that morning!
Eventually I got on my way. The last thing I had to do before I officially headed toward upstate NY was fill up the gas tank. I pulled into the gas station, whistling "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" because it was the only way I could stop myself from singing it and weirding out everyone.
A scruffy older gas station attendant came up to the car and for some reason said:
"Bonjour! Comment ca va?"
I got really excited (yes even more) because I never get to speak french with anyone. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered why he had decided to speak french to me, but when it came down to it, who cared? It was cool and fun and oh wasn't this the best time I've ever had at the gas station.
Just about brimming over with enthusiasm I just grinned even more and burst out:
"BIEN!!!!!!!!"
This time he was a bit surprised but carried on the conversation:
Attendant: "Ahhh! Parlez-vous francais?"
Me: "Mais oui! Un peu. Un peu."
Both: "Oh hahahahhahaha!"
Eventually we got around to the business of filling up the gas tank and parted company with a "Bonne journée!" and a "Merci bien!" (which is apparently a but old fashioned but I like the expression).
I don't know what the whole episode was all about but it sure made my day! It was one of the best random encounters I have ever experienced. Perhaps the gas station attendant was merely so friendly because I was in such an outrageously cheerful mood, especially for 9am on a Saturday morning. But I like to think that magic of the moment was because we were both in a gloriously, unjustifiably, stupendously bright mood. Together we just made the world overflow with happiness!
They say, smile and the world smiles with you--- but if you smile and the world smiles back, well, that's even better!
I mean I was really really really excited. 5-year old waiting for Santa on Christmas eve excited.
The morning I was leaving I got up and seriously could not get the smile off my face. I was grinning ear to ear like the Cheshire cat. My dad even asked what was wrong with me at one point. But nothing was bringing me down that morning!
Eventually I got on my way. The last thing I had to do before I officially headed toward upstate NY was fill up the gas tank. I pulled into the gas station, whistling "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" because it was the only way I could stop myself from singing it and weirding out everyone.
A scruffy older gas station attendant came up to the car and for some reason said:
"Bonjour! Comment ca va?"
I got really excited (yes even more) because I never get to speak french with anyone. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered why he had decided to speak french to me, but when it came down to it, who cared? It was cool and fun and oh wasn't this the best time I've ever had at the gas station.
Just about brimming over with enthusiasm I just grinned even more and burst out:
"BIEN!!!!!!!!"
This time he was a bit surprised but carried on the conversation:
Attendant: "Ahhh! Parlez-vous francais?"
Me: "Mais oui! Un peu. Un peu."
Both: "Oh hahahahhahaha!"
Eventually we got around to the business of filling up the gas tank and parted company with a "Bonne journée!" and a "Merci bien!" (which is apparently a but old fashioned but I like the expression).
I don't know what the whole episode was all about but it sure made my day! It was one of the best random encounters I have ever experienced. Perhaps the gas station attendant was merely so friendly because I was in such an outrageously cheerful mood, especially for 9am on a Saturday morning. But I like to think that magic of the moment was because we were both in a gloriously, unjustifiably, stupendously bright mood. Together we just made the world overflow with happiness!
They say, smile and the world smiles with you--- but if you smile and the world smiles back, well, that's even better!
Come On Get Crafty: Drop in the Bucket
After doing some work with all the triangles, I wanted to try some curved lines.
I really liked the shape that I cut from Paltrow's picture, especially with such a substantial block of orange to work with.
After I finished this one, it really made me think of a regal retinue of fine ladies for some reason. I mean, all these women are like modern-day royals or courtesans, aristos, "ladies," whatnot. The border around them kinda looks like flames or streaks of light, almost as if they had been painted into a retinue of holy people to whom we should pay homage, like queens or saints. And we kinda do act like that towards celebrities.
But then thinking about this, as I started to add the drops of polish--- mostly to experiment with colors initially, I thought to myself: "if these are the queens and courtesans, well, this is just a drop in the bucket." Because there are so many other celebrities and beautiful women we pay attention to!
And to go off on a bit of a tangent, that word "celebrity" sounds so horrible and unromantic the more and more I use it. It gets right down to the bare-bones of the matter: these are people who are celebrate, whose most defining descriptive element is that people pay attention to them. It doesn't allow them any other attributes. The word lacks the descriptive finesse that something like "queen" (connoting power, wisdom, responsibility, divine right) or "courtesan/courtier" (touching on class, relationships, political and cultural status) or even "artist" (highlighting talent, insight, sacrifice, beauty & philosophy)--- which is essentially (arguably) what they are (these ones anyway) or try to be. I wish sometimes we could use other words to distinguish those celebrities celebrated for specific merits from those whom we just consider "famous-people" whose central focus is the mere banality of "fame."
I really liked the shape that I cut from Paltrow's picture, especially with such a substantial block of orange to work with.
After I finished this one, it really made me think of a regal retinue of fine ladies for some reason. I mean, all these women are like modern-day royals or courtesans, aristos, "ladies," whatnot. The border around them kinda looks like flames or streaks of light, almost as if they had been painted into a retinue of holy people to whom we should pay homage, like queens or saints. And we kinda do act like that towards celebrities.But then thinking about this, as I started to add the drops of polish--- mostly to experiment with colors initially, I thought to myself: "if these are the queens and courtesans, well, this is just a drop in the bucket." Because there are so many other celebrities and beautiful women we pay attention to!
And to go off on a bit of a tangent, that word "celebrity" sounds so horrible and unromantic the more and more I use it. It gets right down to the bare-bones of the matter: these are people who are celebrate, whose most defining descriptive element is that people pay attention to them. It doesn't allow them any other attributes. The word lacks the descriptive finesse that something like "queen" (connoting power, wisdom, responsibility, divine right) or "courtesan/courtier" (touching on class, relationships, political and cultural status) or even "artist" (highlighting talent, insight, sacrifice, beauty & philosophy)--- which is essentially (arguably) what they are (these ones anyway) or try to be. I wish sometimes we could use other words to distinguish those celebrities celebrated for specific merits from those whom we just consider "famous-people" whose central focus is the mere banality of "fame."
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Music Vid: Fun.-Walking the Dog
I recently happened upon this band: fun., although I haven't quite worked out if they capitalize the "F" ever or not. I think not, but to be safe I'll do one way in this post's title and the other in the previous sentence.
I unexpectedly got to see them live, as are touring with Janelle Monae--- whom I went to see on October 2nd. They were great live, so I searched out their youtube and they had this fantastico music video, full of cool music video creativity!
Here is a pic to give you an idea:
I wish I had been an intern on this video.
However, I really roll my eyes at the video for We Are Young (love the song). As I say often to friends, DON'T WATCH, JUST LISTEN. It's (it=video, not song) a bit of a giant walking cliche and you know exactly where it's going once she picks up the random knife. To peel an apple? that's what it's for? yeah. suuuurrree. lame. lame. lame. Please kick the cool back in.
I unexpectedly got to see them live, as are touring with Janelle Monae--- whom I went to see on October 2nd. They were great live, so I searched out their youtube and they had this fantastico music video, full of cool music video creativity!
Here is a pic to give you an idea:
I wish I had been an intern on this video.
However, I really roll my eyes at the video for We Are Young (love the song). As I say often to friends, DON'T WATCH, JUST LISTEN. It's (it=video, not song) a bit of a giant walking cliche and you know exactly where it's going once she picks up the random knife. To peel an apple? that's what it's for? yeah. suuuurrree. lame. lame. lame. Please kick the cool back in.
Come On Get Crafty: Mirrored
This was mostly an exercise to use up scraps. I wanted to see if I could fill up the whole space with just triangles, keeping with the meditations of "women's stuff" and sharpness I mentioned in the "Hard as Glass" post.
I almost succeeded. If I had planned ahead and been less lazy I could have done it. But as it stands, a few 4 sided shapes are in there.
These type of images--- I think I did another like this, but I may not have posted it---make me think of a prism or even a hall of mirrors. Which one is the real face? Is there just one or multiple faces? (Well, here there are multiple--- or are there?)
Although the hall of mirrors I have been in have been relatively non-threatening, as a concept they seem rather frightening to me. You don't know what will be reflected back at you. You don't know which reflection is real. You don't know the way out. All you know is who you are and what you feel, but you don't see anything familiar reflected around you. It's a very 'alone' experience and powerless, in my thought experiment about halls of mirrors. And yet, I feel like sometimes our social groups and the whirl-wind of media images that make up our collective 'mainstream' is a bit like this when you think about it.
I almost succeeded. If I had planned ahead and been less lazy I could have done it. But as it stands, a few 4 sided shapes are in there.
These type of images--- I think I did another like this, but I may not have posted it---make me think of a prism or even a hall of mirrors. Which one is the real face? Is there just one or multiple faces? (Well, here there are multiple--- or are there?)Although the hall of mirrors I have been in have been relatively non-threatening, as a concept they seem rather frightening to me. You don't know what will be reflected back at you. You don't know which reflection is real. You don't know the way out. All you know is who you are and what you feel, but you don't see anything familiar reflected around you. It's a very 'alone' experience and powerless, in my thought experiment about halls of mirrors. And yet, I feel like sometimes our social groups and the whirl-wind of media images that make up our collective 'mainstream' is a bit like this when you think about it.
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