Dick Miller

One of those familiar faces of cinema passed away yesterday and I'm so thankful to @filmtourismus on Instagram for posting the below so that now Xavier and I know his name!

David Foster Wallace

I've been thinking about this man a lot this month. I'm almost always late to discover anyone or anything that is in the collective conscience of the universe and this author and his work is a prime example. While reading Infinite Jest I went to YouTube to see if there were any interviews and found two. One was with Charlie Rose and another was with a German interviewer, which was superb, as it was quite conversational.

What I surmised from these interviews was that David Foster Wallace was kind. He was courteous, considerate and extremely thoughtful in his answers. He smiled frequently, apologised often, and came across as a bit shy. He really paid attention to the interviewers and listened. He didn't do that thing where you stay quiet and wait your turn to talk - he listened. He was very self-honest, to coin a goofy new word, and gave insightful and reflective answers.

Knowing of David's death before knowing his work, I've also been thinking a great deal about mental illness. At the time of his death he seemed to have the "everything" - he was intelligent, successful, talented, had a good sense of humour, a home, a wife, a family, a career, good looks, and a healthy body, yet something tortured him and drove him to realise his only option was to end it all. For me, my depression has always felt environmental. I have never felt that it was due to a chemical imbalance. I know how difficult depression can be and how it seems no one understands me, but it's hard to imagine how completely isolating it would be to seem to have it all yet be miserable and desperately want to feel better but unable to do so. It's crushing to imagine the depths of this kind of depressive state. It makes sense to put an end to it, but how truly sad that there was no other way out.

I was also extremely impressed with his commencement speech, This Is Water, on YouTube, especially when he talked about how to overcome and deal with the trials of the every day frustrations in life. He spoke of How to keep from going through your comfortable, prosperous, respectable adult life dead, unconscious, a slave to your head and to your natural default setting of being uniquely, completely, imperially alone day in and day out. I'm so glad I found my way to David Foster Wallace. I just wish he was still out there in the world.

Vir Das

I didn't know who Vir Das was, but decided to give his Netflix special a chance. I really liked what he had to say and especially that he was funny and poignant. One part that stood out and was so phenomenal that I paused it and wrote it down was as follows:

Your talent belongs to you and, weirdly, your reputation belongs to other people. Like, other people will decide when you are cool, uncool, finished, relevant, irrelevant, want a selfie, don't care. It's none of your business. Don't think about that shit. It's a disease. You can't control it. Focus on the talent you have in front of you and you'll always be okay.

Sometimes people will say something that you already know; it's no surprise, yet it takes you by surprise. It does so because it brings a thought from the far recesses of your mind and draws it out so that you hear it, think it, see it, and recognise the truth in those words. Therefore, in your "new" awareness, you will be able to put it into practice, whereas before, you did nothing. Focus on the talent you have in front of you and you'll always be okay. I just love that.

(photo kidnapped from mojarcinema)

Patti Smith

Aside from the Dalai Lama, I can't think of anyone else's smile that is so contagious.

(photo kidnapped from the dailymail - I hate the stupid copyright in the bottom corner and considered cropping it out but thought that would seem sneaky or dishonest. Whatever - no one sees this blog anyways!)

Three Identical Strangers

Watch this movie. Now. As soon as possible. Amy told me about it late last month and I immediately put it on hold from the library and it finally arrive for me on Saturday. I, for real, gasped out loud at least six times while watching this. It will leave you speechless and you won't be able to stop thinking about it.

(photo kidnapped from brocku.ca)

Thank You Letter

At the beginning of the month I sent this note to John Waters, care of Atomic Books. I hope he received it and smiled while thinking of how much he is truly loved by random strangers.

Obit.

I'd first seen this absorbing film on my flight home from Dublin in December of 2017 and recently watched it again on Amazon Prime. Definitely worth checking out.

(photo kidnapped from impawards)

Infinite Jest

I started listening to the audiobook version of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest and I am shocked that I actually really like it. So much so that I ordered a paper copy, which I have already started to underline and asterisk my favourite moments. Granted I don't completely understand everything and there were sections that I just could not bear, but so far I'm enjoying it. I picked up Stephen J. Burn's A Reader's Guide to help me figure out the super confusing bits.

Dressed to Kill

I'd forgotten what a great movie this is and it definitely comes in a close second to Brian De Palma's Blow Out which I absolutely adore. (Primarily because it was shot in a gritty 1970s Philadelphia, but I do love that Dressed to Kill's museum interior is the Philly Art Museum.)

(photo kidnapped from pinterest)

At Garland of Letters

This still remains my favourite shop on South Street in Philadelphia. So many things have changed since I was a teenager in this city, and so many shops have closed, but it's a great comfort to see that Garland of Letters is still thriving.

The Atlas of Tomorrow

Last month when Kayla and I went to Philly I finally checked out the mural on South that I always see. It's called The Atlas of Tomorrow and that funky compass actually spins. I silently asked it a question, as instructed to do so, and got number 33.

Fallingwater in Autumn

When I visited Ashlee and Sean Friday night I saw a framed photo of Ash and I hanging on the wall. It was a selfie from our day-trip to Fallingwater. I decided to dig up some pix from that day that I haven't posted and try to relive seeing that incredible home. One day I hope to return and take the special tour where they allow photography in the house.

Lauryn and Mona

On May 31st of 2014 Lauryn and I went to Grounds for Sculpture together. I recently went through the sim card for my camera (that sadly, I so rarely use) and this one cracked me up.

(admittedly, these are not my finest photos, but i took them for a laugh, not for the artsiness)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Yipao 2013

June 30th of 2013 I went to the Yipao festival in Calarcá with Marina, Mario, and lil' Mateo. It was such a great time and I'm so glad I captured the noise and zaniness in one of my mini movies.

They Called Us Enemy

I'm really excited for George Takei's new book and especially that it will be teaching people about something in America's recent history that is rarely discussed - the concentration camps for Japanese-Americans during World War II. I didn't know about the camps until I was in my thirties and so I feel it's extremely important to inform young people of these things so that it makes an impression on them. In doing so, they may grow up to make sure things like this never happen again, anywhere.

Available at Amazon (of course) on July 16, 2019.

Stink

David Bowie - Young Americans
Til Tuesday - Voices Carry
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
Bush - Mouth (Stingray mix)
Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay
Gipsy Kings - Hotel California
King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight
Pearl Jam - Smile
Ani DiFrance - Cradle and All (live)
Clint Black - Like the Rain
Nirvana - Molly's Lips
Aimee Mann - Save Me
Jamiroquai - Corner of the Earth 
Lionel Richie - Running with the Night
Gladys Knight and the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia
Big Mama Thornton - Hound Dog
Blind Melon - Change

11 October 2001

America's Next Teen Model

I mean, honestly, could this girl be any more photogenic??

John Waters' Fridge

Little Joe

I finally watched Heat and could not take my eyes of Joe Dallesandro. I had mentioned in a previous post a few years back that I first saw him in a late 90s documentary on Lou Reed. He just seemed so genuine and serene. The other day I saw this photo of him online and thought, "My God, how gorgeous. This should be in a museum." The stillness and form is so effortlessly graceful. He looks like a Bernini sculpture.

(photo credit (i think) to Kenn Duncan)

Phoenix

This band seriously doesn't seem to know how to make a bad song. When I put on a Phoenix album I am immediately in a good mood and a good frame of mind. Such a brilliantly perfect band.

(all photos kidnapped from amazon)

Govinda's Yum Yum!

The next time Bishop and I get together and head into the city we are so stopping at Govinda's for the bestest vegan chicken cheese-steak on the planet. I'm drooling a little just thinking about it...

Zach and KayKay

April 6th 2011 I recorded this little video of Zach and I goofing off with KayKay and her obsession with the laser pointer. I love that Zach is missing his front toofahs!! So cute...

Pastry Chef Susan

Angry Elephant

(This elephant has some bad-ass Cookie Mueller eye makeup going on...)