Blood Ties

When in the hell is this gonna be released in the States???? I am not a patient woman, y'know...

(photo kidnapped from ropeofsilicon)
(post script april 8, 2014 - extraordinarily disappointing in nearly every way imaginable. and i wanted so desperately to love it...)

Christopher Plummer

This man just gets more and more handsome as the years go by.

(photo kidnapped from vanityfair)

Seen In Bryn Mawr

Nautical Rockabilly Perfection

Oh, if only I had all the money in the world, I would so snap this dress up in a flash...

(photo kidnapped from dollydripp)

The Dark Forest Goes Camping

- June 19, 2010

Port Eynon, Gower, Wales

Lars & the Real Girl

Truth be told, I had no idea who Ryan Gosling was until about six years back when my grandmother raved about this handsome young actor. He was in The Notebook, which Nana just loved and I just sort of liked. It was okay, but Gosling and McAdams' characters annoyed me to no end - until they became James Garner and Gena Rowlands. If the whole movie was Garner and Rowlands I probably would have enjoyed it. But I didn't. I dismissed Gosling as just another pretty boy actor. A Channing Tatum, if you will. And that's not to say anything against Channing Tatum, as he seems like such a sweet guy and I did like him in Haywire. But Magic Mike?? Ugh. Don't even get me started.

Anyways, when I first saw the trailer for Lars and the Real Girl I was so not interested. Then Jack at the library suggested I give it a try and it was completely endearing and wonderful. Emily Mortimer - who I have loved since Dear Frankie back in 2004 - delivered a truly standout performance and the townspeople stole my heart. Lars was one of those films that leaves you feeling like you just had a big ass mug of the best hot cocoa ever.

(photo kidnapped from worldofvintagepearl)

Señor Coconut

(photo kidnapped from music-bazaar)  

El Baile Alemán is just pure genius. It's been years since I dusted off my copy, but oh how the memories came flooding back. Remembering the days of working in the café late nights and listening to Showroom Dummies in between cleaning counters, refilling the sugar and coffee, gabbing with all of my fantastic customers and steaming milk better than anyone else. Man, those were good days...

Gravelands

This cd hasn't a bad track on it. Ray introduced this to me back in 2003ish and when I heard The King's version of Nirvana's Come as You Are I knew I had found greatness.

(photo kidnapped from 7digital)

Backyard Brouhaha

Hanging out with friends with kids and clearly I am not a good influence on little Evangeline. Oh she's such a sweetie, I just can't stand it!

Paris - September 11th 1937

Dear Ethel:
We just love this city. Last night we visited the famous Moulin Rouge and enjoyed it. Today we are going to visit the Exposition. Will sail Wednesday. 
Love - Enid and Jim

Florence

On our way back to Tuscany from Venice, we had an hour or so stop-over in Florence. All we saw of the city was two square blocks while standing across from the train station. We smoked a couple cigarettes and snapped these few photos. (Clearly Nicole was thrilled that she finally got some McDonald's.)

Cutie in Motion

Next up, lil' Jackson is gonna work on his Flemish while still concentrating on Spanish so he can chit chat with his cousin Mateo!

Cutie Pa-damn-tootie!

Atlas Shrugged

I'm re-reading this, well, re-listening to this novel. I have the audio disc version - fifty discs in all. It's read by Scott Brick and, dork that I am, I find it terribly romantic driving down dark highways and through the back roads of the Pine Barrens listening to a strange man read the beautiful words that Ayn Rand has written. It's completely thrilling every time he says the words Reardan Metal - he has such a clear, lush voice.
I first remember hearing the name Ayn Rand when I was in grade school and I watched The Fountainhead with my father. I was so confused by the coldness of the actors; they seemed so unfeeling and so unlike any other character I had ever seen that I was completely fascinated. My father really enjoyed the film and I have inherited the old paperback copy we had of The Fountainhead that rested all those years on our bookshelf. Years later, when I was just starting out in high school, my beloved Aunt Bernadette told me that one of her favourite books was Atlas Shrugged and that it changed her life. I'd always wanted to read it but never got around to it until about four years ago. It's such a gorgeous novel and I am utterly swept up in the beauty of Rand's words. Can't wait for my next late night walk when I can listen some more...

(photo kidnapped from thomasstorey)

Best Roommate Ever

Donna, I miss you so much already...

Wish you were still here trying to hold my interest whilst telling me about the latest Twilight craptastic movie or how devastated you are that True Blood is going on it's last season (thank Christ). But you aren't here and that completely and totally sucks.

This Must Be the Place

How the hell did I even find out about this film? All of a sudden I found myself watching it and being completely lost in Sean Penn's performance. I've always known he was a truly talented actor but for some reason I always think, "Ahhh....he can't pull that off..." Especially when I heard he was playing Harvey Milk. Really? Sean Penn is gonna play Harvey? I mean I don't think I've ever seen Sean Penn smile and when anyone thinks of Harvey they think of his big gorgeous grin. Yeah. Then I saw Milk and it was an utterly flawless performance never to be topped. But I don't know...This Must Be the Place just stayed with me and I've never seen Sean Penn in a role that was anywhere near this character. The hair and makeup, the posture, that voice!, and especially the way he projected his voice, it was all just so original and beautiful and I think it's Penn's best yet. Oh that scene with David Byrne...I just can't stop thinking about this weirdly bizarre, strangely touching and unique movie. I have no clue who else out there liked or can appreciate it, but it was truly an experience to watch.

(photo kidnapped from collider)

Cinnamon Caramel Apple "Pumpkins"

Holy schnikes! Look at these delectable treats!!

(photo kidnapped from bakingdom)

Bakingdom has a recipe that I am absolutely trying out this fall with my nieces. The best part? Chef Darla claims they are super easy to make, which is fantastic considering that I am rubbish in the kitchen. Mmm...they look like Heaven on a stick...

Killer New Music

This disc hasn't left my stereo since Bishop loaned it to me on Sunday night. Man this woman is unbelievably gifted. Stand out track has got to be Ghetto Woman. I can't get it off repeat!

(photo kidnapped from prettymuchamazing)

Bernie

I re-watched Bernie a few days ago as I hadn't seen it in a year or so and while all of the performances are incredible, my Lawd, those townfolk make the film. They are all hi-larious! "She'd rip you a three bedroom, two bathroom double wide asshole." I mean who but a Southern - especially a Texan - could come up with a gem of a phrase like that? This is seriously an absolutely wonderful movie that made me laugh til I cried - both times.  

(photo kidnapped from impawards)

A Mix for Bishop

I Like You...Kind of a Lot

This here mix was created with tons of love for my nearest and dearest who never lets me down and always has my back. 

Track listing:

Tina Turner - The Best
Stevie Wonder - Love Having You Around
Queen - You're My Best Friend
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Garth Brooks - Friends in Low Places
Rocket Summer - Never Knew
Joe Esposito - You're the Best Around
Led Zeppelin - I Can't Quit You Baby
Barbra Streisand & Ryan O'Neal - You're the Top
Bette Midler - Friends
Otis Redding - Cigarettes and Coffee
Style Council - You're the Best Thing
Sammy & Frank - Me and My Shadow
David Bowie - Young Americans
Andrew Gold - Thank You for Being a Friend
Penny & the Quarters - You and Me

The Wonkavator

Stay

Bad art is more tragically beautiful than good art because it documents human failure.

Seriously?

Of course during my month of fasting Krispy Kreme creates the cutest doggone doughnut the world has ever known. However, they do freeze beautifully...maybe I'll swing on down to Collingswood this weekend and snag me a cool half dozen to enjoy sometime in October...

Sheffield's Back!

Okay, everything goes totally on hold - Rob Sheffield has a new book out and it just arrived to my hot little hands. I'm only four pages in and already I know that this is gonna be one kick-ass read.

(photo kidnapped from ew)

*special thanks to Jack from the library for bringing this to my attention.

Thinking of...

...Positano and longing more than ever to go back. Especially to walk down to the beach; not necessarily back up, but the walk down was sheer perfection.

Chuck Klosterman

It's been ages since I read this fabulous book and after I finish Anne's copy of The Midwife I am so revisiting this gem once more.

The Drunk Forest

May 3rd, 2010

"The Farmyard Connection" - Fun Boy 3
"Drinking Again" - Dinah Washington
"Spill the Wine" - War
"Crystal Ship" - Duran Duran
"Milk and Alcohol" - Dr. Feelgood
"Cocaine" - Jackson Browne
"Kaya" - Bob Marley
"What's the Use of Getting Sober" - Louis Jordan
"Sitting and Drinking" - Christine Kittrell
"The Piano Has Been Drinking" - Tom Waits
"There's a Tear in My Beer" - Hank Williams
"Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" - The Ramones
"Whiskey on a Sunday" - The Irish Rovers
"Something Cool" - June Christy
"Was I Drunk?" - George Melly
"One Mint Julep" - Ray Charles
"The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea" - Louvin Brothers
"Mother's Little Helper" - The Rolling Stones
"The Devil is Dope" - The Dramatics
"Sunny Goodge Street" - Donovan
"Too High" - Stevie Wonder

The best part of this broadcast was when Rickster Rick introduced The Crystal Ship by stating that it was a Doors cover song and "I hate The Doors. My phrase has always been, uh, the best doors should always be closed and I don't like The Doors." Also, the "Tonight Let It Be Lowenbrau" jingle was hilarious as was the commercial for Schaefer Beer - "The one beer to have when you're having more than one." Classic!