Seen In South Jersey

Form and Void

I finally got a chance to watch those first three eps of True Detective that I had missed back in January. The entire series was just as good the second time around and that last episode was still a nail-biter, even though I already knew the ending. Re-watching that final scene outside the hospital I noticed that, while the focus is on Matthew McConaughey's Rust and his emotional journey, for me it is Marty that truly shines. Woody Harrelson's voice has such a calming cadence to it in that scene. I noticed that he wears the voice of a father. It's a very specific way of speaking that not many men possess. That slow and steady pacing that's used to quiet and comfort a child when they're sick or scared or upset. Some men don't know how to handle seeing other men get emotional and I felt like Marty was one of those fellas. But in that moment, outside the hospital when Rust breaks down, there's a pause. A stop. That's when Marty does the only thing he knows how to do for someone that is distressed like this. He puts on his dad voice and distracts Rust from his thoughts of sorrow and reminds him of a time when he was at peace. He made Rust reach back in to his past and recover those moments when he was so alone that all he could do was look up at the night sky and make up stories to comfort himself.

The dark is a lot more territorial.

That's such a gorgeous line. Like, don't let this darkness overtake you, man. I know everyone admires McConaughey in this scene, and agreed, he was excellent, but for me, Harrelson was so beautifully perfect that it made my chest ache. What a remarkable scene between two exceptional actors. And the writing and directing ain't half bad, neither...

 (photo kidnapped from acrossthemargin)

Newest Niece

Today I got to see my cousin Emily, who I have not seen in at least five years. We've been writing letters back and forth, but life gets in the way and we could never seem to connect in person. The bonus of today was meeting Emily's daughter, my new niece, Ana. Oh my Lord Jesus, she is such a little bundle of sugary gumdrops!! Most babies loathe my company and I steer clear of them. Not Miss Ana. She was so sweet and all smiles with two lil' teeth showing on the bottom! I can't wait til next time when we can all spend lots more time together.

(not the best picture ever taken, but her cuteness is still evident!!)

On Repeat

I can't stop listening to Bikini Kill's Feels Blind. The music kicks ass and the lyrics are just gorgeous.

All the doves that fly past my eyes,
Have a stickiness to their wings
In the doorway of my demise I stand
Encased in the whisper you taught me

How does it feel?
It feels blind
How does it feel?
Well, it feels fucking blind
What have you taught me? Nothing
Look at what you have taught me
Your world has taught me nothing

If you were blind and there was no braille
There are no boundaries on what I can feel
If you could see but were always taught
What you saw wasn't fucking real yeah

How does that feel?
It feels blind
How does that feel?
Well it feels fucking blind
What have you taught me? Nothing
Look at what you've taught me
Your world has taught me nothing

As a woman I was taught to always be hungry
Women are well acquainted with thirst
Well, I could eat just about anything
We might even eat your hate up like love

I eat your hate like love (x7)
I'd eat your fucking face all the time

How does that feel?
It feels blind
How does that feel?
Well it feels fucking blind
What have you taught me? Nothing
Look at what you've taught me
Your world has taught me nothing

The Flat on Plantin en Moretuslei

In Antwerp Ashlee and I stayed at Michel's place which was so lovely and relaxing. It was definitely our favourite of all the apartments we rented using Airbnb. We especially loved all the photos of lil' baby Michel and the, ahem, interesting artwork on the wall of the room Ashlee picked. But seriously, Michel was awesome and did not judge us at all when we could not figure out how to get back in to his god damn apartment. I mean really, deciphering hieroglyphics would be easier. You had to pull the knob toward you and turn the key all the way round then push it up. Crikey, who knew?! Thank Christ he was but moments away and immediately came to our rescue. The man is an utter gem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the Little Man

Guess who stopped by for a visit today?! Oh that face...he is just too precious for words (even though when it came time to leave he refused to give me a hug or say goodbye. soon he shall learn that good looks will only get him so far in this life...).

Murals Off South

This past weekend when Kayla and I were strolling up and down South Street we stopped to snap some pics of a couple cool murals on South Leithgow Streeet.

 

 

1st Day of Summer

Here's a mix I made for Bishop this weekend:

Rio - Duran Duran
Us - Regina Spektor
Rumour Has It - Adele
You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby - The Smiths
Let the Music Play - Shannon
Baby Be Mine - Michael Jackson
Least Complicated - Indigo Girls
Body Movin' - Beastie Boys
Cecilia - Simon and Garfunkel
Love Song - VanVelzen
I'm Afraid of Me - Culture Club
You Dropped a Bomb on Me - The Gap Band
Modern Love - David Bowie
Fresh - Kool & the Gang
Cruel Summer - Bananarama
I Need Your Lovin' - Teena Marie
If You Leave - OMD
We Used to Be Friends - The Dandy Warhols

Saturday Near South

Yesterday afternoon I picked up my latest grade school graduate and we were off to Center City. Kayla won a Good Citizenship Award out of all of her classmates! Not surprising in the least since she is extremely kind to everyone and has thee biggest heart. She's pretty dang fabulous and it's so nice to see that her school recognised this. To celebrate, we went to Blackbird Pizzeria (More on Blackbird in the future - I promise!) and then walked on South Street for a bit. We hit the two remaining shops that I used to frequent in my youth - Garland of Letters and Eyes Gallery. I snapped a pic of a fabulous Buddha in the storefront window at Garland and then a bunch of the interior of Eyes. I can never afford anything at Eyes Gallery, but it's still fun to window shop. Kayla is always so great to be with and the bonus of today was seeing Jaeden who said, whilst coming in for a hug from Auntie Star, "It's summer now, so we need to hang out more." I am so loved...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiny: A Story About Living Small

I was watching this inspiring documentary and something that Tammy Strobel of Portland Oregon said was absolutely brilliant. Time is a non renewable resource. Time is a non renewable resource... I love that. Like, don't live in the future and in a time that doesn't exist yet - live in the now and realise that this moment can never come back to you. Make your life the best that it can be and make it that way right now. Don't take any shit from anyone, don't be trampled upon, and made to feel inferior and be damn sure to be kind to everyone at every moment. Kindness is key to living a beautiful, beautiful life.

(photo kidnapped from tinyhousedesign)

Sorrento

I Heart Nicole!

 

Google Image

Look what came up when I Google Imaged my name! It's totes adorbs.

(photo kidnapped from pinterest)

Graffiti Insight

(photo kidnapped from thejoysofbeingpureatheart)

The Up! House

(photo kidnapped from etsy)

Her

So many people told me how much they disliked this film and that it was absurd. Some couldn't even finish it. But still, I was intrigued by the storyline and had to see it for myself. I really, really liked it. I often feel like a sad, lonely, pathetic girl just searching and searching for someone to fit perfectly into my little life, so I absolutely identified with Theodore. I especially loved the films colour palette and I think it was the perfect futuristic film because it felt so close to life now. No silly flying cars or tailored track suits where we all look the same. It seemed like a world that could one day exist. It was the quintessential quirky film and I thought it was just completely fantastic.

(photo kidnapped from herthemovie)

Miranda July

The primary reason for my picking this book up was the title. I think this is the best book jacket ever. Reading the title makes me want to simultaneously curl into fetal position and cry a bit, but also stand up tall with both fists raised high above my head. Like a victory. Like an F.U. - I belong here. Miranda July says so. True, if I hadn't seen The Future and loved it so much I would not have found this book, but man, what a wonderful collection of extremely unique and honest stories.

Too Cute

When Ashlee and I were in Antwerpen, Animal Planet was pretty much the only channel that came on in English. We constantly saw previews for the show Too Cute and I finally just watched the first season on Netflix. Oh my good god almighty, the cuteness is overwhelming! I'm not even an animal person per se, but all those puppies and kittens just bring out the "Awwww!!"s big time. So stinkin' precious.

(photo kidnapped from animalplanet)

St. James's Park

London in early Spring!

The House on Linden

Camembert

Dean Martin and Julie London - Sway (Remix)
Earth Kitt - I Want to Be Evil
- Dinah Tells a Joke -
Dinah Washington - I Don't Hurt Anymore
Kenneth Patchen w/Chamber Jazz Sextet - The Murder of Two Men by a Young Kid Wearing Lemon Yellow Gloves
Jean Jacques Perrey - Gossipo Perpetuo
Don Tiki - The Natives Are Restless
Ken Nordine - Green
Eden Ahbez - Full Moon
Ani DiFranco & Jackie Chan - Unforgettable
Esquivel - Mini Skirt
The Divine Miss Sarah Vaughan - LOVE
Sammy Davis, Jr. - A Lot of Livin' to Do
Bob Thompson - Star Fire
Remy Zakon & Katherine Helmond - Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? 
Tony Bennett - When Joanna Loved Me
Judy Garland - Lucky Day
Ken Nordine - Yellow
Lola Albright - Dreamsville
June Christy - Something Cool
Nat King Cole - Night Lights
Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Chove Chuva
Anita O'Day - Peanut Vendor
Shirley Bassey - Diamonds are Forever
Louis Prima - Banana Split for My Baby
Andy Williams - Canadian Sunset

-October 13th 2004

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Could there possibly exist a more dashing and handsome man than Ciarán Hinds? I have my doubts. I dare you not to swoon the moment his face flashes across the screen. This movie was really good, but it was the scenes between Frances McDormand and Ciarán Hinds that made it beautiful and memorable. It's the ideal film for a dreary day.

(photos kidnapped from impawards & nowyoureintheworld)