“ Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying “yes” begins things. Saying “yes” is how things grow. Saying “yes” leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say “yes. — Stephen Colbert
I was flipping thru unicornology the other day (one of my favorite tumblr blogs on the web) and was so struck by this lomo shot from 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist', that I had to click away from the page. I didn't intend on dating Michael Cera, but apparently 'Juno' made more of an impression on me than I wanted it to, cause dude looks just like J.
It's still hard for me to look into the eyes of the person I feel the most intimate with. In fact, I seem to have an odd sort of Jedi-psychic connection with the people I am the closest to. We can hear our own feelings thru each other's presence and voices. Without even touching, we make contact. When I look others in the eye, it has to come from a place of complete purity and curiosity. Or it can come with dire consequences. See, I think that when I look people in the eye, we'll fall in love. They'll see the deepest parts of myself. And I can't love everyone, I'm only one person.
Hey there! Thanks for stopping in, I'll be back soon with scenes from Penny's Big Gay Weekend (where I may officially change sexual orientation) I and II. For now, please enjoy our Barack Obama endorsement for today.
I feel like a such a ghetto traitor-but fuck if I don't love me some American Chinese food. Last night, Ms. Thang aka Mercedez Munro got us dinner for rehearsal. Such a plethora of deliciousness; pot stickers, chili wontons, fried shrimp rings, combo chow mein, cha siu and yes, the high priestess of bastardized Chinese food, CRAB RANGOON. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this delicacy - it is basically a combination of fake crab meat, green onions and cream cheese - stuffed into a wonton wrapper and deep fried. Served with sweet and sour dipping sauce - this abomination reaches the height of ancestor insult...too bad those damn things are so yummy. I made this point, while reaching into the box for another one and Zyller asked me why they weren't traditional.
"Cream cheese does not exist in China."
Ok, that's not strictly true. But it is a well-documented fact that lactose based products do not feature heavily in any Asian cuisine and did not til the 19th century. So the introduction of things such as cheese, milk, yogurt and even ice cream was made exclusively by Western explorers/colonists. They may have even been inserted into Asian menus to appeal to Europeans. (case in point: I made fun of J. recently for wanting to order them) But they are not familiar in a traditional Chinese diet and would account for a large number of Asians being lactose intolerant. There are a lot of cuisines that have been modified to suit their regional area and regional products. In Italy chow mein is made with spaghetti. In the states, we are blessed with the mall trash lovechild known as Panda Express. Zyller copped to a total addiction to PEx even mentioning a Pavlovian response while thinking about it. I have to admit, even I've been known to succumb to the addictive delights of orange chicken, stir fried beans and the occasional egg roll(MSG!!). But never, ever, do I think of this food as being Chinese food. It may be Asian inspired - but it is no closer to being Asian than Clay Aiken is to being straight. It puts up a good front, but at the end of the day - it's as gay as Nathan Lane at a Macy's Day Parade.
Then I danced with a drag queen and a porn star.
I told you I had the quan. By the way, I'll be here tonight, representin' with Ms. Munro if you are inclined to attend. Desperate Divas Pageant 2009 for the AIDS Housing Alliance SF
Via the Urban Dictionary (because silly OLD me, I didn't know what DYL stood for and I had to look it up)
1. quan When you are one with something. Suggests unity or completion. A loosely defined quality combining or uniting athletic skill with love and respect, as well as money. This word is used in the movie Jerry Maguire by Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr. "Jerry, you are the ambassador of quan." And "Some players have coin, but I have the quan."
2. quan anyone who is out of control You're outta control Quan! quan juan juanito gay boy quanito 3. quan the ultimate; the almighty; the maximum overlord
Uh..Mymymy's maiden name is Quan. So technically I am 1/2 Quan. Bow down bitches. hee.
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ugh...so sick of my co-worker. she needs to take the stick out of her ass.
Being grateful is not something that all of us do every day. I certainly don't always remember to say thank you. But I know that I always remember when someone else does.
Remember that movie, 'Pay It Forward'? It starred the kid from the 6th Sense (Haley Osment) as a rough and tumble outcast with a stripper mom (Helen Hunt) and a thirst for finding meaning. Kevin Spacey played his disfigured teacher and I think Jon Bon Jovi, his dad. But the concept behind the movie, and inspiration for the title is thusfold.
1) You do a good deed for three separate people. It must be something fairly large, something that they cannot accomplish themselves. 2) They in turn, each do a good deed for someone else. You don't limit the number of people that they can help, but you do make it a minimum of three people OTHER than the one who did the good deed for them in the first place (hence the 'forward') 3) In return, the person that they have now helped, must help three more people. Asking nothing in return but for them to 'pass' the favor on.
Tonight, I dropped one of my ensemble members off at her place. She hugged me and she said as she was leaving the car, "I appreciate you." And I started to wonder who and why and where and when generosity starts in people. Why some people are more generous than others and how this gift comes about. I'll tell you when it happened to me.
I was about 9 years old, spending the ENTIRE summer hanging out in the office of my father's summer school where he was principal. Sometimes doing mundane tasks, but mostly drawing and goofing around. There was about two days where I discovered the daring thrill of calling 976 numbers, but that was pretty quickly squashed. There was the secretary to talk to and people coming and going. At the school, there was also a wonderful middle aged physical/ speech therapist, who was not married and childless. We took to each other like ducks to water. I found the mother figure (albeit, one who smoked like a chimney) I was craving, one who was interested in what I had to say and who was gentle, nurturing and funny. She found the child starving for affection. Her name, was and is, Ms. G. Grove.
She had white hair, in a shapely bob and glasses. A rough, hoarse voice and fancy nails. I remember her taking me down to the local deli to pick up sandwiches, she never ever wanted mayonnaise, but lots of mustard. And she bought me Martinelli's sparkling cider in the apple shaped bottle. I would help her organize her classroom, but then afterwards, could spend a couple of hours drawing with her fancy colored pens or answering her questions. And then there was the week, her niece, Seana came to visit. Seana was about a year older and a head taller than me, with braces - Ms. Grove thought we would be good company for one another.
On one of Seana's last days in San Francisco, Ms. Grove ended up taking us to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. I had been there before with my dad, but this was different. This time, I was going with a friend. The exhibits seemed bigger, scarier, more interesting. Seana and I discovered things that I hadn't known before. Ms. Grove knew a lot about each of the different halls - or at least took the time to figure it out. We had lunch at the cafeteria and then Ms. Grove took us to, probably the favorite part of my day, THE GIFT SHOP (I swear I'm not Japanese)
She told us to get WHATEVER we wanted.
As a kid, I was often told that money was unavailable and that we couldn't afford lots of things. The things that one of my best friends was constantly receiving; Babysitter Club books, horse riding lessons, new shoes... I started to get nervous. Seana picked up little knicknacks, but I got very VERRRYYY quiet. Ms. Grove noticed and asked me what was wrong. I mentioned that my father had only given me a certain amount of money for the afternoon (enough to pay for lunch and probably admission) - and no money for presents. She hugged me close, looked me in the eye and said,
"Get whatever you want honey. Don't worry about it."
I picked out stickers, a cup and I also, distinctly remember getting gifts for my parents. Wrapping paper maybe. In the car, on the way back to the school, I sheepishly thanked Ms. Grove for her generosity. And she said,
"You girls, just remember this when you get older. And do it for someone else."
Those words, were simple. But the gesture was huge. And to this day, it is Ms. Grove's gift that makes me remember, that the actual present can be small, but it is the intention and the thought behind the gift that means the most. The things that people need, that they cannot do for themselves, that I can? That is my serving the world. Where I have, and others have not, I can give. She is my present, and now, I hope to return it to others. Whether it's buying someone a cup of hot chocolate or giving them a ride. Rest assured, you may not always remember otheres more talented or witty or smart. But the ones with the generous hearts are the ones who find a place in our minds.
Do you ever quantify your emotions? I mean, go beyond 'happy' or 'sad' or 'angry' and even beyond, 'morose' or 'indifferent', but
the pang of regret/sadness when you discover your favorite celebrity is dating a total douchebag or dating/married at all? Case in point: you have just sheepishly admitted to your total attraction to Josh Groban, once he moved past the Ally McBeal years only to discover that he once dated total hottie January Jones? (Betty Draper from MadMen). You crawl back into your hole with a pint of double fudge brownie and rue the day.
or the slight burst of karmatic glee you get from reading your jerkface ex's status on Facebook has gone from 'in a relationship' to 'single'. You can't allow yourself too much glee, as your own status is, 'it's complicated', but nevertheless...
or the insta-regret from hearing that the drummer from Blink 182 was in a plane accident that killed 4 other people and he is in the hospital with 1st and 2nd degree burns, because you remember that you used to watch his reality show when he was married to Miss America.
or the sweet sadness when you take your sweetie to a show or musical that you think will be life-changing for them; huge epiphanies! Fireworks! And then are let down to hear that the only thing really doing it for them is the music. Or is the sadder part, letting that be enough for you? Or sitting through the second act thinking, "Wow...they really don't get me. Will they ever get me?"
or the liberating goodness of realizing that there will always be loving people who love you and think that you will land on your feet. The people who praise you. Cherish the fact that you are working hard to do what you love. Don't trivialize or ridicule you or make you feel bad for doing what you do. That this is not the end.
Is always there for you. Laughs at the same silly jokes. Loves you for who you are. Says that you're right even when she thinks you're wrong, and then gently reminds you later to do what is right.
And will do embarrassing promo for your show for you...because she cares.
"The artist's life cannot be otherwise than full of conflicts, for two forces are at war within him—on the one hand, the common longing for happiness, satisfaction and security in life, and on the other a ruthless passion for creation which may go so far as to override every personal desire. There are hardly any exceptions to the rule that a person must pay dearly for the divine gift of creative fire."
Pen telling Stoney (who is playing Brad): Note to self - no more hipster jeans at rehearsal!
Lassie: Yeah honey, we're doing a musical?
Pen: A musica....really?
Lassie: Yes (nods head up and down)
Pen: But I..I...(fake sobs) I can't! (fakes leaving)
Lassie: (grabs Pen's arm) Look at me. LOOK AT ME! (locks eyes with Pen) YES. YOU. CAN. Pen: I can?
Lassie: Yes, you can honey. You can sing and dance and act all at the same time.
Pen: (sniffle) I can?
Lassie: You have to.
Pen: I do?
Lassie: Yes, otherwise we have to look for another Asian girl to be in this show.
Pen/Lassie: BWAHAHHA! (only we found this funny)
Everybody: What part are we at? interspersed with I'm so confused.
Prince Pianist: Wait...the first Hot Patootie or the second one?
Columbia: Wait...we're after the first SAX solo? Ohhh...I thought you said, "We're at the first sex solo..."
******************************* Ok...wait a sec. I thought the whole point of Burning Man is that you DON'T buy shit. Am I wrong here? and...this genius picture. God I hate pretentious people eating food. But I like making fun of pretentious people eating food. And I am not a pretentious eater. I know this because I ate at Carl's Junior the other day for the criss-cut fries (mmmm...criss cut) even though I felt like any moment I was going to be stabbed, mugged, (I wrote muggled...that's funny), raped or shot. Or witness someone having any combination of the aforementioned happen to them. All from the Only In San Francisco Tumblr Blog.
Beautiful things... You know, snowglobes have gotten ridiculously tacky. These days, they're painted in ludicrously eye-blinding garish colors, embossed and plastered with gilt and then filled with a scene that doesn't even require snow. And then, to add insult to injury, they'll inbibe the musical mechanism with the most insipid song ever, like 'It's a Small World' or 'Music of the Night'. But take the concept and simplify it. Make it meaningful. And you get these lovelies by Martin & Munoz - my favorite is the telescope one. Or the one with the GINORMOUS rabbits. via MightyGirl
Also great for seasonally classic and reusable centerpieces!
But not necessarily PETA friendly.
The orchid, rose and dyed ostrich feather one in the upper right hand corner is my favorite. It's exotic and unique without seeming kitchy or straight out of a Vegas showgirl act.
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I cannot tell if it is GOOD or BAD that I thoroughly enjoy all the songs in iTunes' Museum Music playlist. Cause sure, there are the usual suspects of Bach, Beethoven, Ravel and a ton of jazz by Brubeck, Miles Davis..but there are also maverick tracks by Mos Def & Blackalicious and Sonic Youth and the Flaming Lips.
“ The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them - words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than the living size then they’re brought out. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That’s the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear. — Stephen King, Different Seasons
love has made me a fool set me on fire and watched as I floundered unable to speak except to cry out and wait for your answer but you come around in your time speaking of fabulous places create an oasis that dries up as soon as you're gone you leave me here burning in this desert without you - 'Stupid' Sarah McLachlan
it sucks sucks sucks sucks feeling like this. And I know how to make it better. I don't want to do it. Because it'll hurt like hell. That once again, because I'm STRONG, it means I have to give up. That the needy, grasping, insecure one WINS. Because I don't have time to waste on fighting. And I'll have to give up something that makes me feel good. But does it? Does it really? To never know the truth? To be fed half-truths? Why keep me at arm's length. I loved you as much as you would let me...
Selecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton's candidacy stood for -- and that Barack Obama's still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, "Somebody stole my shoes, so I'll amputate my legs."
Blog of actual cook (Richie Nakano) at NOPA in SF. Entries are engaging, smart, to the point. Great advice for wannabe professional chefs, stories from the kitchen, restaurant reviews. Elaborate and gorgeous food porn included. Drooooooolll...I love getting insider stuff on different industries.
I totally saw McHammer last night at 5th and Mission on my way to dinner before rehearsal. What is it about famous or semi-famous people that their eyes just seem to pop? They're brighter, more alert. Even if he hadn't been like 6'2", walking with a surreptiously geeky, shorter, Hoarder looking nebbishan and wearing a bright, almost neon green hoodie-the thing you noticed were his huge, sparkling eyes. They were looking at everyone and everything. Is this an entertainer thing? Famous people eyedrops maybe?
GENIUS:FluffyBunnyButts (the title of which is so damn simultaneously cute and dirty that it makes me joyful) compares Delores Umbridge to Sarah Palin. The sickeningly sweet catch phrases, unswerving elder statesmen loyalty and rigid dogma of both figures, who come out of relative political obscurity to power because of their 'mothering' natures, aren't far fetched compairisons. I think the hypocritical nature of both ruling parties (Ministry v. GOP) changes based upon popular mores and fear-based crowd control. The key to understanding both creatures is that appearances can be, and often are, deceiving. Beneath the nauseating pink tweed and coiffed updos hides a torturer worthy of a South Vietnam POW camp.
Palin has never ever campaigned on a platform of women's rights like Hilary has. She has given us spin. And the magic vagina. And Bristol-the progenitor heiress of the magic vagina. She is a staunch lieutenant; someone who will stick to McCain's rules by hook or by crook, but what is she bringing to the party other than ovaries? According to FBB-Palin has also supported banning books.
Dolores Umbridge, if you don't recall, is the woman who showed up from the Ministry of Magic in the last film and dismantled everything that was good about Hogwarts. Under the guise of spreading the truth, her main objective was to put to bed the rumors that something bad was about to happen. She took over the Dark Arts class and banned the useful books that actually taught magic and insisted that they instead study from these 1950's style books with innocuous illustrations.
During the gubernatorial campaign, Palin declared that education, public safety, and transportation would be the three cornerstones of her administration
Oh...really?! The first two are shockingly like an opening year speech. The following from Palin's nomination speech-the first 1/2 of which is about what a cool guy McCain is...uh huh. Hiding behind the big name to further your own policies eh? Sounds familiar.
I came to office promising major ethics reform to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is a law...I came to office promising to control spending, by request if possible, but by veto, if necessary. (I see, so you're not above the law eh?)
And the story is told, when McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn towards Moe's door, and he'd flash a grin and a thumbs up, as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." (Yo...that just means bitch has lost his mind!)
And lastly: Two Alaskan bridge construction proposals, receiving $442 million in Federal budget earmarks in 2005 at the bequest of Alaska's Rep. Don Young, then-Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,[78] and supported by Palin in her 2006 Gubernatorial race, have been derided as a symbol of pork barrel spending: 1) a proposed bridge connecting Ketchikan to Gravina Island (population 50) where its airport lies;[79] and 2) a proposed bridge ("Don Young's Way") crossing Knik Arm to provide an alternate route from Anchorage to Wasilla.[80] The nickname "Bridge(s) to Nowhere" has been used for either the first[81] or, more rarely, both[82] bridges. In November, 2005, Congress stripped the specific earmark allocation of federal funds for the two bridges in the bill, without changing the amount of money allocated for use by Alaska.[83][84] In 2006, Palin ran for Governor on a "build-the-bridge" platform,[85] attacking "spinmeisters"[86] for insulting local residents by calling them "nowhere"[85] and urging speed "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."[87] In September 2007, one month after the bridge received sharp criticism from John McCain,[88] and nine months into Palin's term as Governor, Palin cancelled the Gravina Bridge, blaming Congress for not providing enough funding
So Palin really is an UN-Bridge. This makes me horrified - by the way? Alaska kept the $442 million. Whoops.
“ We all have the potential to fall in love a thousand times in our lifetime. It’s easy. The first girl I ever loved was someone I knew in sixth grade. Her name was Missy; we talked about horses. The last girl I love will be someone I haven’t even met yet, probably. They all count. But there are certain people you love who do something else; they define how you classify what love is supposed to feel like. These are the most important people in your life, and you’ll meet maybe four or five of these people over the span of 80 years. But there’s still one more tier to all this; there is always one person you love who becomes that definition. It usually happens retrospectively, but it happens eventually. This is the person who unknowingly sets the template for what you will always love about other people, even if some of these loveable qualities are self-destructive and unreasonable. The person who defines your understanding of love is not inherently different than anyone else, and they’re often just the person you happen to meet the first time you really, really, want to love someone. But that person still wins. They win, and you lose. Because for the rest of your life, they will control how you feel about everyone else.”-Chuck Klosterman
Don't be afraid of the ones that got away - they define love for the ones that we love and the ones that love us back. Be happy that they are magical memories for our others. They tell us to what extent that we are capable of real, true love. I'm glad that my love will now not be defined by my first ex. My love will forever be bound, simply, to a man who changed me in the span of 6 months. Who lives at the limit of his potential. Who made me feel singly unique and beautiful. Made me honorable, dignified, uncontent to live quietly. Made me understand real sacrifice, genuine love. Made me see our children held in his hands. Made me unaccepting of mediocrity. A man that I still love-whose room I may end up subletting permanently. But rather unfairly, he holds my current high standard of compairison. I can never mourn his loss, but will always remember that he, for one, saw me as the potential of greatness. And for the first time in years, made me feel alive.
Please do not vote for Sarah Palin just because you share anatomical features. That's all I ask. She's pro-life for fuck's sake. There are plenty of women out there who are just as racist, close-minded and dogmatic as men. Sometimes more so. Having a vagina doesn't make you a good person. Or a good politician. Or a good leader. It just makes you genetically female.
From Lily Mariye's Website for her production company - Nice Girl Films
Being "nice" has certainly gotten a bad rap... The name "nice girls films" refers not to my being the typical "nice girl," as opposed to being a "bad girl," but rather my whole philosophy of filmmaking-- Being "nice" has nothing to do with being boring, or subservient, or a doormat...Being "nice" is being appreciative and kind to the people who are trying to help you create your vision...Being "nice" doesn't preclude being driven or ambitious or motivated or strong...Being "nice" just means that I work better surrounded by people who are professional, prepared...I believe there are many talented people in our industry, and it's just as easy to pick people who help you create a healthy atmosphere as it is to pick jerks.
Lily is sort of an unsung hero in the Asian American acting community; or certainly one you don't get listed by other ethnicities when asked to name an Asian American actor (note: we are NOT all Lucy Liu!) Girl's been working since the early 80s on everything from 'ER' to 'Murphy Brown' to 'Star Trek' and 'Melrose Place'. But the more mature of you out there will remember Lily best as the sole Asian resident of Miss Mona's Chicken Ranch (Best Lil Whorehouse in Texas). I like that there's another Asian American out there making films and being multi-talented that I can follow.
But I like her quote best of all. While a healthy dose of doing your best and jumping on opportunities in the theater world is something I'm constantly encouraging, it does NOTHING to yourself, self-esteem or the well-being of others to sink to the levels of insecure criticism. There are going to be people out there who have not matured past middle-school, who cannot see beyond their little box and think poorly of karma in favor of self-advancement. They think that 'nice' means 'doormat' and 'mean' equals 'honest'. They, admittedly, don't WANT to be nice. They ridicule, shame and tease. Nitpick your faults or step on others to make themselves feel better; because they feel like crap. But being honest doesn't mean being an asshole. You know those people that give you loving, meaningful compliments or diplomatic, constructive, KIND feedback? It's because they feel good about themselves. Don't give up your humanity to become someone you don't recognize in the mirror. At the end of the day, did you achieve what you wanted to achieve with wisdom, respect and an open heart? To me, that integrity and genteelness means more in the world than a golden palace.
Larger than life is your fiction In a universe made up of one You have been drifting for so long I know you don't want to come down Somewhere below you, there's people who love you And they're ready for you to come home Please come home -'Drifting' Sarah McLachlan
They're not that huge most of the time. The blogger revelation will not cure cancer or solve world hunger or any of that bullshit. If they're any halfway good, they'll make you think. If they're really good, they'll make you mad. If not, they will make you apathetic or bored. I'm just trying to quantify this, so something that seemed so huge to me, won't make you, the reader, disappointed. (and so that I can write something before I have to go running and eat lunch...not at the same time)
I am not a reticent moper. When mopey, there is this physical impetus to get off my ass. In fact, the only time I really allow myself to lie on my ass is when I'm perfectly content or full of food-most of the time both events go hand in hand. Anger motivates and focuses me - I once got an entire week's worth of Spring Break homework done in two hours because my then boyfriend had gone to the boardwalk without me. Similarly, when I'm stressed or thinking too much about boys or career or money or auditions, my body decides that it's the perfect time to clean.
As I was cleaning today, I happened across an old cd that J-Flower burned for me when we were about 23. It was a mix of all her favorite indie songs (she also made me a Pop song cd that, joy of all joys, includes N'Sync) and I hadn't listened to it in years. As the cd played on, it got to a track that had a neat orchestral mix tagged on the end (ELO's 'Mr Blue Sky). So much so, that I considered replaying the track, but instead, let the cd play on. Only to fall on Tori Amos' 'Carbon' - which was so beautiful, I nearly cried. And I sort of understood life at that point.
We have to let the cd play on. Even though there's a track that we really really like, there are just as amazing and gorgeous things to come. We can't keep replaying the track in our minds, cause we have to get on and listen to all the other things that the world has to offer. And there's a reason that we don't have time travel. Cause there's only the here and now.
Right?
they say that an oak tree is brought into creation by two forces at the same time. Obviously, there is the acorn from which it all begins, the seed which holds all the promise and potential, which grows into the tree. Everybody can see that. But only a few can recognize that there is another force operating here as well - the future tree itself, which wants so badly to exist that it pulls the acorn into being, drawing the seedling forth with longing out of the void, guiding the evolution from nothingness to maturity. In this respect, say the Zens, it is the oak tree that creates teh very acorn from which is was born. - Eat, Pray, Love
Sometimes I wonder if I am really a bachelor stuck inside a woman's body. Why?
Because nothing is turning more on more right now, than the idea of a dark wood apartment with stark white carpets and these illustrations on the walls. Walking around, wearing a silk charmeuse dress or leather catsuit and 60s sunglasses. Sipping my gin and tonic with a lime twist. And lounging in a leather settee.
I mean, aren't they beautiful? There's a reason why women's bodies have been the quintessential model for artists-the curves are softer, the expression more enigmatic. They're actually book covers by UK Artist Michael Gillette for the Penguin Anniversary Reprint of Ian Fleming's classics. But they're also totally retro art and awesome at that. My favorites are the 'Casino Royale' one and the 'Spy Who Loved Me'. The first for it's gorgeous rich color and the second for the subtly evocative valentine curves. Eye candy!
The lovely thing about it is how clear but absolutely personal I perceive it to be. Relative to my own experience. The power and grace of words.
Have you ever been somewhere, crowded especially, and really looked at people? Like at the mall? Or on the bus? And been shocked and delighted to realize how beautiful they are? I mean, really really beautiful. Fuzzy and dewy, bright, interesting, aged or young, they're beautiful. Or have you ever reviewed someone you love and realize how other people see them? Maybe as old or Black or White or funny looking or ugly; but because you love them and know them - you think they're NORMAL? Or even, interesting?
I'm always happy to find that my friendships with people make them beautiful. But totally surprised to know that I can see that in strangers.
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From BIGTHINK.COM Question:Can people be happy in the present?
"Well I think forecasting for the future is the way we live happy lives now. You know, people ask me, “Don’t you think that we’d just all be a lot happier if we would just live in the moment and be here and now?” And the answer is, “Well yeah, for a second.” But if you don’t want to look forward in time . . . you don’t want to make plans, you don’t want to arrange a life so that it’s optimal rather than suboptimal, then you should be a mosquito or a toaster or something that doesn’t look into the future. Our ability to look into the future and think about what would make us most happy is the way that we get to a present that pleases us. And I don’t see these things as being at odds. I see them as going hand-in-hand." -Dan Gilbert, Psychologist/Prof. of Psychology @ Harvard Univ.
HEART! This Design Client Guidelines Checklist. I wish everyone who ever worked with or met a designer would understand and follow these rules. I mean, I KNOW that some designers ARE arrogant toerags - sometimes for no reason at all, but a lot of us are just sensitive artists who are really into creation. It can sometimes feel yucchy to put a price on our creativity, just like selling your child or something, so please please understand that. (via a lot of people...I think unicornology)
CLIP and SEND to anyone who might be able to use it. Laminate it. Post it all over your office. Post to your blog. Make it your calling card.
Feel free to visit Room 17, the design hub of Bonnie Siegler and Emily Oberman who created this list and several others.
Sneaky success! I used the USB cord at the office to upload my photos! Yay for not having to trek to Longs.
Highlights include:
-Gorgeous wedding site in Sausalito, high on the hill (sat a lonely goatherd)
-Mohm's mariachi band making an astounding addition to the ceremony -Momh's brother making a wedding speech referencing PASSING GAS.
-Delicious dinner at South Sea Village; J. is still a little overwhelmed I think at eating actual banquet food.
-The photographer literally humping the windshield of the wedding car to get a shot of Bean and Mohm through the sunroof
-Old friends interacting well with new. Or at least trading the racial jokes on an equal basis.
AN.TI.CI.....
PATION.
Note: I sort of feel like an asshole for not having any pictures of the Bean, but my camera ran out of space right before the ceremony. So just look at Mohm looking slightly uncomfortable. He rocked the ceremony though.
I bought a new camera today. The one on the left, yes, that color too. I think my friends have more sophisticated ones, but I think this one will be fine. (Feel free to weigh in on this decision Friends) The original purchase was going to be a Kodak M683, but then I read some newer reviews that said there was a shutter delay problem. So I went with the tried and true Canon.
J-Dawg also let me know about the Costco return policy, where they will pretty much take anything back because they have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. So she said it's actually a good way to try out a camera and then return it if you find it somewhere else cheaper, but...I guess, I'm just not that Asian.
Wow, this is slowly turning into those - blogging about your life that no one cares about posts - but the main impetus to this purchase which does seem to be coming out of left field is that the camera I borrowed from my parents yesterday to take pictures of the wedding is now missing the USB cord - so all my photos are stuck on it (we don't have a card reader). See, I think somewhere inbetween here and the cruise ship, my parents lost the cord which I thoughtfully bundled for them in their camera bag before they left. I guess the point being is that it's time to start being responsible for my own items, because damn if I don't really want to upload all those photos right now.
