I was flipping through my journal today and came across most of this poem. It was apparently inspired by an article I read about Winslow Homer's studio in Maine, but I'm not sure that I really get the connection now. Anyways, it feels a bit unfinished but I think it has some promise.
a comfortable man
There is he
a comfortable man in the woodwork
next to bright elegant names
ensconced among the whorled, rough-hewn signs.
He leaves us just the cliff
and the wind and the rain and the wet earth
to throw over our shoulders
when the skies get white and lonely.
He looks away to the northeast of low stars.
he no longer relaxes in hives
amongst the tea leaves
whispering
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Music this week: lots of new albums for me
This month I'm still bingeing on a lot of new music. In addition to having a Muse and Mumford & Sons revival, here are some of the other songs and artists I've been listening to on repeat.
1. 'I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)' - Josh Groban
So I think I mentioned that I was getting Josh's new album. Unfortunately, this is probably my least favorite of his albums so far. I found a couple of the songs just a little disappointing. But that said, there are a couple songs that I really love. I definitely listened to this one a lot (also Changing Colors and Play Me from the bonus tracks). I can totally see this song being used at the end wedding-scene of some super-feel-good romantic movie . . . and then fade to credits.
2. 'Radioactive' - Imagine Dragons
I went to see Beautiful Creatures and this song was in one of the terrible trailers I had to watch. But I'm glad I got to hear it because I got the full album and I really like it. My other favorite right now is 'On Top of the World.'
3. 'Your Bones' - Of Monsters and Men
I finally got my hands of the Of Monsters and Men album and I was immediately distracted and moved by 'Your Bones.' It has such a haunting sound and made me really really emotional the first couple times I listened.
4. 'Stronger than Me' - Nashville [DON'T WATCH VIDEO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SPOILERS]
And speaking of haunting songs, this song really stuck with me too. I know I said I would stop posting about Nashville, but this song is so powerfully sad, and mesmerizing. I had it in the back of my head for days after I watched the episode. (Not really a song I'd want sung to me on my birthday though, poor Deacon.)
5. 'Kiss Me Goodbye' - Nick Urata and the Candelabras
I heard this song after watching the independent film Virginia starring Jennifer Connelly. It was an interesting, sometimes funny, movingly sad movie. This song captures the weird mix of cheerfulness, nostalgia, and bittersweetness.
6. 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' - from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel soundtrack, Thomas Newman
I distinctly found parts of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel very relaxing and beautiful, especially because of the music. I got the soundtrack and it is great for calming down, concentrating and finding that inner peace.
7. 'Shake it Out' - Florence + the Machine (Benny Benassi Remix)
I was discussing F+tM remixes with my sister. And while I don't really care for the Calvin Harris remix of 'Spectrum,' this is one of the other remixes floating around out there that I enjoy. This version is also pretty wonderful.
Of course, I always prefer the originals.
8. 'Terrible Love' - Birdy
I forget where, but I heard her cover of People Help the People and got the album on a bit of a whim. I'm really glad I did because I really like the whole album. She has a great and strong voice, and the album as a whole has a sleepy and reflective vibe. I'm really looking forward to what she does next.
1. 'I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)' - Josh Groban
So I think I mentioned that I was getting Josh's new album. Unfortunately, this is probably my least favorite of his albums so far. I found a couple of the songs just a little disappointing. But that said, there are a couple songs that I really love. I definitely listened to this one a lot (also Changing Colors and Play Me from the bonus tracks). I can totally see this song being used at the end wedding-scene of some super-feel-good romantic movie . . . and then fade to credits.
2. 'Radioactive' - Imagine Dragons
I went to see Beautiful Creatures and this song was in one of the terrible trailers I had to watch. But I'm glad I got to hear it because I got the full album and I really like it. My other favorite right now is 'On Top of the World.'
3. 'Your Bones' - Of Monsters and Men
I finally got my hands of the Of Monsters and Men album and I was immediately distracted and moved by 'Your Bones.' It has such a haunting sound and made me really really emotional the first couple times I listened.
4. 'Stronger than Me' - Nashville [DON'T WATCH VIDEO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SPOILERS]
And speaking of haunting songs, this song really stuck with me too. I know I said I would stop posting about Nashville, but this song is so powerfully sad, and mesmerizing. I had it in the back of my head for days after I watched the episode. (Not really a song I'd want sung to me on my birthday though, poor Deacon.)
5. 'Kiss Me Goodbye' - Nick Urata and the Candelabras
I heard this song after watching the independent film Virginia starring Jennifer Connelly. It was an interesting, sometimes funny, movingly sad movie. This song captures the weird mix of cheerfulness, nostalgia, and bittersweetness.
6. 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' - from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel soundtrack, Thomas Newman
I distinctly found parts of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel very relaxing and beautiful, especially because of the music. I got the soundtrack and it is great for calming down, concentrating and finding that inner peace.
7. 'Shake it Out' - Florence + the Machine (Benny Benassi Remix)
I was discussing F+tM remixes with my sister. And while I don't really care for the Calvin Harris remix of 'Spectrum,' this is one of the other remixes floating around out there that I enjoy. This version is also pretty wonderful.
Of course, I always prefer the originals.
8. 'Terrible Love' - Birdy
I forget where, but I heard her cover of People Help the People and got the album on a bit of a whim. I'm really glad I did because I really like the whole album. She has a great and strong voice, and the album as a whole has a sleepy and reflective vibe. I'm really looking forward to what she does next.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
My Oscars best dressed & recap
I know this is rather late news but here are my Oscars 2013 best dressed.
I pretty much hated everything I saw on the red carpet this year. Everyone either wore super boring white, black or beige dresses or clingy gowns encrusted with metallic sequins. The place was drowning in sequins. I never want to see a metallic dress ever again. Seriously, like 5 people wore anything with color.
[Sidebar: Who cares about Jennifer Lawrence's ridiculously dress that actually physically impaired her all evening--- and not just that time when it prevented her from getting from her front row seat to the stage stairs. Ridiculous.]
Here are the only three dresses I liked from the red carpet.
#1. Jessica Chastain - This coppery dress with Chastain's beauty, skin tone and hair, in my opinion, was easily the most beautiful dress on the red carpet this year. It was the one dress worthy of exemption from my sequin/beading/metallic-hating.
#2. Halle Berry - I could get behind the art deco-ness of this dress. Bringing the Gatsy-trend to the party. I got pretty sick of her gushing about Bond movies though. SNOOZE.
#3. Jane Fonda - She just looked great. And she actually wore a color. Thank you Jane Fonda. Show these fools how it is done.
Since the red carpet was such a boring place, I combed the after-party photos to find a few other dresses of note.
#4. Solange Knowles - This woman is just generally on top of her stuff.
#5. Ginnifer Goodwin - Always looks cute and looked cuter than most of the other boring-colored, shiny metallicness happening around her.
Also here is a great picture of her and Josh Dallas:
#6. Lily Collins - Pretty. Purple. A little Gothic. but with stripes. A little different.
Worst: Well, pretty much everyone in metallics made me angry, as you can probably tell. Emmy Rossum looked particularly terrible (especially after looking so AWESOME in Beautiful Creatures).
And here is a picture of Jeremy Renner looking a little awkward to represent the men. I couldn't put a picture of Ben Affleck because he is just way too handsome and charming.
As for the Oscars themselves, I found them SUPER boring. And I usually find them interesting.
This was pretty much my reaction to the controversy that became represented by he who is known as Seth MacFarlene: http://www.shewired.com/box-office/2013/02/28/op-ed-feminists-defense-seth-macfarlane
Favorite things:
Taylor Swift not being invited.
Capt. Kirk trying to save the Oscars. (and no, not Chris Pine).
Joseph Gordon Levitt and Daniel Radcliffe dancing & singing.
The joke about the director of Argo being unknown to the academy.
The orchestra mercilessly using the theme to The Magnificent Seven to kick someone off the stage.
Jeremy Renner was funny when the Avengers presented stuff.
The TIE!
The Sound of Music joke.
Michelle Obama crashing the end of the Oscars.
Least favorite things:
That first song.
My parents deciding to watch that first song with me.
The pre-recorded jokes in the opening monologue. Just too long and not funny enough.
The Bond-worshipping.
The SUPER RANDOM musical numbers. So so painful.
Joseph Gordon Levitt and Daniel Radcliffe not being integrated into the SUPER RANDOM musical numbers.
Shameless Chicago promotion.
Jessica Chastain not winning. (Disclaimer: I do like Jennifer Lawrence.)
Anne Hathaway winning.
Les Mis winning anything.
Hearing anything about Les Mis.
Jack Nicholson showing up right at the end when I thought we'd actually escaped him for one year.
Nice surprises:
Argo winning best picture & Ben Affleck being handsome, emotional and inspiring.
Anna Karenina winning something.
Favorite speeches:
Ang Lee - most adorable speech
Daniel Day Lewis - most charming and errudite speech
Ben Affleck - most handsome, emotional and inspiring
. . .
And with that, I have spoken.
I pretty much hated everything I saw on the red carpet this year. Everyone either wore super boring white, black or beige dresses or clingy gowns encrusted with metallic sequins. The place was drowning in sequins. I never want to see a metallic dress ever again. Seriously, like 5 people wore anything with color.
[Sidebar: Who cares about Jennifer Lawrence's ridiculously dress that actually physically impaired her all evening--- and not just that time when it prevented her from getting from her front row seat to the stage stairs. Ridiculous.]
Here are the only three dresses I liked from the red carpet.
#1. Jessica Chastain - This coppery dress with Chastain's beauty, skin tone and hair, in my opinion, was easily the most beautiful dress on the red carpet this year. It was the one dress worthy of exemption from my sequin/beading/metallic-hating.
#2. Halle Berry - I could get behind the art deco-ness of this dress. Bringing the Gatsy-trend to the party. I got pretty sick of her gushing about Bond movies though. SNOOZE.
#3. Jane Fonda - She just looked great. And she actually wore a color. Thank you Jane Fonda. Show these fools how it is done.
Since the red carpet was such a boring place, I combed the after-party photos to find a few other dresses of note.
#4. Solange Knowles - This woman is just generally on top of her stuff.
#5. Ginnifer Goodwin - Always looks cute and looked cuter than most of the other boring-colored, shiny metallicness happening around her.
Also here is a great picture of her and Josh Dallas:
#6. Lily Collins - Pretty. Purple. A little Gothic. but with stripes. A little different.
Worst: Well, pretty much everyone in metallics made me angry, as you can probably tell. Emmy Rossum looked particularly terrible (especially after looking so AWESOME in Beautiful Creatures).
And here is a picture of Jeremy Renner looking a little awkward to represent the men. I couldn't put a picture of Ben Affleck because he is just way too handsome and charming.
As for the Oscars themselves, I found them SUPER boring. And I usually find them interesting.
This was pretty much my reaction to the controversy that became represented by he who is known as Seth MacFarlene: http://www.shewired.com/box-office/2013/02/28/op-ed-feminists-defense-seth-macfarlane
Favorite things:
Taylor Swift not being invited.
Capt. Kirk trying to save the Oscars. (and no, not Chris Pine).
Joseph Gordon Levitt and Daniel Radcliffe dancing & singing.
The joke about the director of Argo being unknown to the academy.
The orchestra mercilessly using the theme to The Magnificent Seven to kick someone off the stage.
Jeremy Renner was funny when the Avengers presented stuff.
The TIE!
The Sound of Music joke.
Michelle Obama crashing the end of the Oscars.
Least favorite things:
That first song.
My parents deciding to watch that first song with me.
The pre-recorded jokes in the opening monologue. Just too long and not funny enough.
The Bond-worshipping.
The SUPER RANDOM musical numbers. So so painful.
Joseph Gordon Levitt and Daniel Radcliffe not being integrated into the SUPER RANDOM musical numbers.
Shameless Chicago promotion.
Jessica Chastain not winning. (Disclaimer: I do like Jennifer Lawrence.)
Anne Hathaway winning.
Les Mis winning anything.
Hearing anything about Les Mis.
Jack Nicholson showing up right at the end when I thought we'd actually escaped him for one year.
Nice surprises:
Argo winning best picture & Ben Affleck being handsome, emotional and inspiring.
Anna Karenina winning something.
Favorite speeches:
Ang Lee - most adorable speech
Daniel Day Lewis - most charming and errudite speech
Ben Affleck - most handsome, emotional and inspiring
. . .
And with that, I have spoken.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
So I'm on my soapbox: Oz the Great and Powerful
Despite it's pretty fantasticalness, the trailer for Oz the Great and Powerful has consistently left me with a sense of being kinda irritated. Mainly I am thinking: so, three extremely talented and powerful sorceresses have to beg a vain-glorious man with no clear relevant skills to save them? Yeah. I REALLY want to see THAT movie!!!!!
I still haven't seen the movie, and I'm not going to pay money to see it, so I'll have to rely on others to prove me right or wrong. But here is an interesting article on the subject: Why 'Oz the Great and Powerful' is a major step back for witches and women by film.com
Update: here is a related, maybe more fun, related article from Vogue
I still haven't seen the movie, and I'm not going to pay money to see it, so I'll have to rely on others to prove me right or wrong. But here is an interesting article on the subject: Why 'Oz the Great and Powerful' is a major step back for witches and women by film.com
Update: here is a related, maybe more fun, related article from Vogue
Friday, March 1, 2013
Progress Report: start of March
I've been mentally tabulating my achievements all week so I thought even if it's a little soon after my last report in February, I would sum up some of my progress now so I don't forget anything. (Last report I forgot to mention under #15 that I had read American Gods by Neil Gaiman. If you want to know what I thought, I was a little surprised to find that I kind of hated it.)
So I'm just going to skip over the ones that really haven't gotten anywhere so this doesn't get as length as usual.
2. Job - I've sort of been slowly sneaking back into this, doing some small searches once a week about. I've also been working on developing stuff at work that will challenge me and hopefully give me some skills or interesting projects.
4. Writing - I've maybe been writing a little bit more consistently than usual because I've been trying to get myself to write something everyday for Lent--- this could be letters, blog posts, poems, or actual real writing.
One of my problems is that I have lots of ideas and I get confused about which idea I should work on consistently, or which one isn't working and maybe needs to go sit in a corner by itself for a couple months--- maybe forever.
I also want to develop more stamina to just keep powering through an idea and being more focuses on ways to solve the problems. I tend to hit a block and just give up or start working on something else.
6. ALREADY DID THIS
7. Photography - I signed up for a photography workshop through my work! I might break out my dad's camera and practice a little this weekend in preparation.
8. Photoshop - I actually went to a workshop on basic photoshop today! We went through many things and nothing was too difficult, but I think it was really helpful and less intimidating to have an actual human in the room teaching and walking us from the really basic stuff to the more tricky stuff in a structured manner.
9. Exercise - This is still going fine. I've had some (very mild) weird ankle/knee pain lately and not been feeling super well so I've taken the intensity down. I also really really really need to get new shoes. I'm 99.9% sure this is why I'm having pain because my shoes are SUPER old. So the plan is to make myself get new shoes sometime in the upcoming week.
I've started doing some arm strengthening things so that I don't get tired out when I lugging around equipment for work.
Also, I've been consciously not eating junk food more often.
10. Writing routine - Like I said above in #4, I've been trying and sometimes failing to write everyday. However I'm often doing this late at night either when I've found the time, or after I've procrastinated all evening. But I've found writing late at night is somewhat problematic because I can be really tired, and it's hard to concentrate or deal with getting stuck successfully just because I don't have the brainpower available at that hour. So got to figure out something else and give that a try.
13. Poems - I've written one poem and thrown down some bits and pieces maybe for some others.
16. Journal of cool things - I really TRIED to work on this. I got some scrapbooks and things that I really like to use as a medium in which to archive and journal my stuff but I wanted to print out some photos to include. So I went and got photo ink for my printer and photo paper, but my printer FAILS at printing photos. It refuses to feed the paper all the way through the machine and then prints the photo on the inside of the printer. SO FRUSTRATING. I literally lost an entire afternoon to this and accomplished nothing. I might need someone to help me out to figure out if I'm doing something wrong or if my printer is just a jerk.
23. Creative organization - I've been trying out few things. I haven't really settled into something yet but I feel like I am getting there.
24. ALREADY DID THIS
So I'm just going to skip over the ones that really haven't gotten anywhere so this doesn't get as length as usual.
2. Job - I've sort of been slowly sneaking back into this, doing some small searches once a week about. I've also been working on developing stuff at work that will challenge me and hopefully give me some skills or interesting projects.
4. Writing - I've maybe been writing a little bit more consistently than usual because I've been trying to get myself to write something everyday for Lent--- this could be letters, blog posts, poems, or actual real writing.
One of my problems is that I have lots of ideas and I get confused about which idea I should work on consistently, or which one isn't working and maybe needs to go sit in a corner by itself for a couple months--- maybe forever.
I also want to develop more stamina to just keep powering through an idea and being more focuses on ways to solve the problems. I tend to hit a block and just give up or start working on something else.
6. ALREADY DID THIS
7. Photography - I signed up for a photography workshop through my work! I might break out my dad's camera and practice a little this weekend in preparation.
8. Photoshop - I actually went to a workshop on basic photoshop today! We went through many things and nothing was too difficult, but I think it was really helpful and less intimidating to have an actual human in the room teaching and walking us from the really basic stuff to the more tricky stuff in a structured manner.
9. Exercise - This is still going fine. I've had some (very mild) weird ankle/knee pain lately and not been feeling super well so I've taken the intensity down. I also really really really need to get new shoes. I'm 99.9% sure this is why I'm having pain because my shoes are SUPER old. So the plan is to make myself get new shoes sometime in the upcoming week.
I've started doing some arm strengthening things so that I don't get tired out when I lugging around equipment for work.
Also, I've been consciously not eating junk food more often.
10. Writing routine - Like I said above in #4, I've been trying and sometimes failing to write everyday. However I'm often doing this late at night either when I've found the time, or after I've procrastinated all evening. But I've found writing late at night is somewhat problematic because I can be really tired, and it's hard to concentrate or deal with getting stuck successfully just because I don't have the brainpower available at that hour. So got to figure out something else and give that a try.
13. Poems - I've written one poem and thrown down some bits and pieces maybe for some others.
16. Journal of cool things - I really TRIED to work on this. I got some scrapbooks and things that I really like to use as a medium in which to archive and journal my stuff but I wanted to print out some photos to include. So I went and got photo ink for my printer and photo paper, but my printer FAILS at printing photos. It refuses to feed the paper all the way through the machine and then prints the photo on the inside of the printer. SO FRUSTRATING. I literally lost an entire afternoon to this and accomplished nothing. I might need someone to help me out to figure out if I'm doing something wrong or if my printer is just a jerk.
23. Creative organization - I've been trying out few things. I haven't really settled into something yet but I feel like I am getting there.
24. ALREADY DID THIS
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