Bright Star

There is a charming theatre in Wilmington that I frequent as often as my time allows. Monthly I receive a pamphlet of upcoming films and those which I am unable to see I place in my Netflix queue. This weekend I received Jane Campion's Bright Star.
Much like a prepubescent girl who dots her i's with little hearts, I have a keen fondness for stars. With little care given to anything else, I placed this film at the top of my queue based on its title alone. Then I took note of the director, whose films I have admired for a time, the lead actor, whom I adored in Perfume, and finally its premise, poet John Keats.
Only slightly familiar with Keats work, I have now discovered a new friend whose words will fill the void of romance in my daily living. The poem for which the film's title is taken is truly exquisite. Take a moment to linger on the delicate beauty of each lovely line.

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

Tucker in South Bend

Tucker at University,

with Touchdown Jesus,

by the pond,

making new friends,

...and finally, Tucker discovers a new abode!

Fishs Eddy

I'm not positive of the pronunciation of this store since I've only bought from them online, but I love when people ask where I got my new bag and they think I said, "from Vicious Eddie." (Knowing my luck it's probably supposed to be Feeshes Edie and I look like a stupid Jersey Pine Barrens hick when I attempt to say the company name.) Anyway, I am saving my pennies (literally) so that I can someday soon get the following pieces. (intervention dinner plate)
(brooklynese cawfee mug, shuguh bowl, & creamuh)

Definitely check out the site because their prices are dirt cheap and the merch is totally unique.

General Douglas MacArthur, 1946

"The soldier, be he friend or foe, is charged with the protection of the weak and unarmed. It is the very essence and reason for his being. When he violates this sacred trust, he not only profanes his entire cult, but threatens the very fabric of international society. The traditions of fighting men are long and honorable. They are based upon the noblest of human traits—sacrifice."
(This quotation, along with Hamlet's soliloquy, always makes me cry.)

Garland of Letters

Over the years I have watched South Street in Philadelphia turn from a mecca for oddballs, artists, punks, goths, and hippies to a street filled with trendy bistros and Gap shops. No more Zipperhead, no more Green's Pharmacy, and no more Inferno. The shops that still remain are but a shell of what they once had been. Imagine used to be the place to find old military jackets, funky gloves and hippie hats, not to mention the coolest Matt Houston shirt I have ever owned. However, amidst the sad and dreary backdrop, Garland of Letters still remains. It was always one of my favourite spots and Monday afternoon I snapped these fotos whilst trying to avoid looking like a tourist in the city of my birth.

Pixie

Like so many others, I immediately fell for Jean Seberg the moment I saw her in Breathless. My eye has always been drawn to ladies with short hairstyles and seeing her in that pixie cut was just intoxicating.

Om Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

May all beings everywhere be happy.

André Gregory & His Wisdom

"Comfort can be dangerous. Comfort can lull you into a dangerous tranquility."

Bowlful o' Keys

I'm all about decorating and designing on the cheap, which explains the random bowls and boxes strewn throughout my place that are filled with odd little collections.

(btw, that plastic yellow key was my key to the philadelphia zoo back in the 80s. clearly, that one's my fave.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

It should be stated that I am the furthest thing from an artist. That being said, here are the handmade valentines that I made for three of my nearest and dearest.

This teeny tiny valentine is for Terri, who is the sister I never had. (that's me w/the purple hair, pink shoes & anarchy shirt, btw.)

This one is for Amy. It's my favourite b/c the little alien turned out so well.

And here's the one I made for Bishop. Guess what TV show we watch on Tuesday nights??

Thailand

On a five day pass to Thailand while serving in Vietnam, my Uncle and his mates were relaxing in an outdoor café. At one point the University let out and dozens of young female students strolled past the men. Alan told me that, "It was like a god damn beauty pageant right there in front of our very eyes. Just beautiful."
In the midst of chaos, war, death, anguish, and loss, a handful of young ladies out for a walk in front of some American GI's made all that misery disappear if even for just a brief moment.

Mmm...

Few things in this world bring comfort like chocolate chip cookies can. The addition of butterscotch to the mix only brings one that much closer to Elysium. In my close knit group of friends, my chocolate chip butterscotch cookies are said to be the finest ever. I reckon that's true.

More Snow...

Stuck indoors yet again due to Jersey's latest blizzard. Which means I now have no excuse to put off the cleaning that's been on the back burner for the past week. Fear not, for I've got leftover Margherita pizza, Internet access, a slew of books, blog updates for Scraps and The Chronicles to do, an iPod chock full of fabulous music (Horace Silver is on right now), and Band of Brothers to watch. That'll keep me busy til nightfall. Hope all my dear readers are equally happy and warm! TTFN.

My Bowl o' Buttons

My Mantra

"Less space, less things, more life."

~Kim Saether of Copenhagen

Sassafras

My cousin Ryan is an incredible jazz guitarist who performs weekly at a small bar in Philly called Sassafras. Last summer his sister and I went to see him, but his performance was overshadowed by the ladies' room located at the top of the stairs. It is an enormous room and garishly painted in the brightest of colours. Across from the pedestal sink is a very 1950s pale mauve sofa with an odd mural of a sunbather in a red thong just above it. Behind the door is a painting of a cowboy with a svelte female that you see above. Oh, and the there is only one toilet in the entire room. Not one stall, one toilet. So as I'm doing my business, Marina was seated directly across from me on the sofa - no door between us. What is the point of having a bathroom the size of the White House dining room when clearly it is meant for one person's use? Unless you intend on using the sofa for more intimate encounters. When we asked Ryan about the men's room downstairs, he replied,"It's a broom closet."
I feel it should be mentioned that the bartender is ridiculously handsome. His name is Fergus and he is a cross between Ray Liotta and Martin Sheen in Badlands only with a charming Irish accent. Seriously though, the music was sensational, the food was delicious and the atmosphere charming. Can't wait to go back.

Ellen MacArthur

"I was clearly a stubborn child from the word go." Thus begins my journey alongside Ellen MacArthur as she sets sail around the world. Myself, I'm not an adventurer; but I so admire those that are and I live vicariously through them. I am chomping at the bit to tear into this story because ever since reading Sterling Hayden's "Wanderer" I have fallen in love with the sea.

my god but she is unbelievably beautiful. her face is absolutely stunning.

Bob Ross

On two separate occasions I've sat with different brothers and gone from stone sober to completely stoned just from watching The Joy of Painting on PBS. I have come to the conclusion that the voice of Bob Ross (bless his soul) is so reserved that it is more still than absolute silence. He is mesmerizing. He is peace incarnate. He is a ninja.

Spongebob Yogapants

I saw this at the drug store the other day and desire it like nothing else. Alas, I suppose I'll just have to settle for the photo.