Flashback

Summer Circa 2009

Artist Spotlight: Keith Haring

Haring Mural which used to reside in downtown Phoenix

We've teamed up with Phoenix's newest independent theatre, FilmBar, to bring you a monthly film and mixer meetup on the last Monday of the month. We will be showing a variety of films that range from fine art to street art, architecture, industrial design, and, naturally, graphic design.

Tickets are only $5 (at the door). No advanced tickets will be sold. The FilmBar offers a number of libations and appetizers prior to the film showing. Get there before 7pm to take advantage of happy hour. The film plays at 8pm.

Film Synopsis:

THE UNIVERSE OF KEITH HARING is an intimate portrait of world-renowned artist Keith Haring whose mantra was that "Art is for everyone!" The film is a thorough and intimate exploration of the background and career of one of the most popular and significant artists of the 20th century.

The film features interviews and archival footage of Fab 5 Freddy, Jeffrey Deitch, Kim Hastreiter, Grace Jones, Madonna, Yoko Ono, David LaChapelle, Kenny Scharf, Carlo McCormick, Andy Warhol, Ann Magnuson, Tony Shafrazi, and Junior Vasquez, among many others. Audio excerpts from original interviews with Keith Haring, were conducted by Haring's biographer John Gruen (Keith Haring: the Authorized Biography).

Trailer:
http://youtu.be/m3nbbGFEG2s

Directed by Christine Clausen and edited by Silvia Giulietti. The film's theme song is by the famed DJ and record producer, Junior Vasquez, with an original soundtrack by Angelo Talocci.Monday night, Aug 29, ***Marshall Shore will be presenting about Phoenix's own Keith Haring Mural located Downtown Phoenix, before the film***

FilmBar

815 N. 2nd Street

Phoenix, AZ

 

Keith Haring visits Phoenix circa 1990

The New Fiat 500

What do you think of this swanky little guy? The Sweet Valley High twins rode around in a Fiat..this was the car a few of your friends could pick up and relocate if they wanted to pay a trick on you .Clearly Fiat is evolving...not a huge fan of the aesthetics but I think it is sure to give Mini and VW a run for their money..I think people are going to be definitely showing the love to this once little retro car company..

Andre Leon Talley & Bill Cunningham circa 1984

Did I mention Vogues celebrated Fall issue arrived in my mailbox this week and that last night I read it cover to cover? All 780 pages...If you haven't seen it yet here's a sneak peek..red leather shoes and bags are where it's at for Fall..a far cry from the monotone beige and tan pumps and sandals for spring and summer that had the added benefit of elongating legs.. there are some rich reds making an appearance and that makes me glad I didn't toss the one red bag I kept from 5 yrs ago..remorseful I gave away the other one and wondering where in the garage are the red open toed pumps from 4 summers ago.. but in any case guess what else is rearing its head Plaid! Yes Plaid! And I don't mean the menswear shirts that came and went two winters ago or the baby doll numbers in "Buffalo" plaid but real old school plaid skirts, vests, leggings and you name it..anything goes but color will be key to this trend..the most popular styles will be in yup you guessed it red! I don't know about you but the first skinny plaid pants and skirt I come across will be mine..plaid can be so schoolgirl yet so punk rock at the same time..I am going to have fun with this. The Gap is bringing back their circa 1969 skinny bell bottoms and they are super cute, plan to see them in dark rinses...these will be meant to fit skin tight so by all means go with a smaller size and suck it in. And lastly something that I am beyond excited about is that Missoni is bringing a huge collection of fashion and housewares to Target yes Targay! Affordable! Their geometric knitwear essentials have long been a favorite since they hit the scene within Milan in the 1960's in psychedelic colors..not much has changed pattern wise but plan on seeing a lot of rich purples, greens and browns mixed together for Fall and don't even get me started on the blues..magnificent. I am eager to see what the housewares line has to offer as the matriarch behind one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated clothing lines is still at the helm heading up Missoni home.. I think you will find us in some pretty wild blankets this winter.

What Day Is It?

I have decided that starting tomorrow I am going to set my alarm for 5 instead of 6:30..I never have relied on an alarm to wake up in the morning until recently when I find myself waking up slow and lingering in bed until 6:30. You would think since I have cut almost 40 hrs off of my work schedule per week I would have all the time in the world and then some but the funny thing is I am just as busy, not that I am complaining but I do find it somewhat amusing. My days are now filled with volunteer work, my classes, keeping up with everything the kids have going on which considering they are now all involved in at least two activities aside from school I rely on my little day planner to dictate whats next. This is all good stuff, I still may not have time to tackle the house in its entirety before the weekend rolls around or be so lucky as to not spend my evenings doing homework but it is better, things are starting to flow and I like that..it does make me wonder how I did it all before. So yes tomorrow is Friday and it will be a busy one and I will start it with some yoga to recenter myself. I am so enjoying reading time with the boys at night I am bringing out some books that haven't made an appearance for a while and trying to turn them onto to whimsical poetry. Lately I am also taking into consideration how my time is spent being careful not to waste it away on things like oh say bad company, facebook, television... instead I am writing philosophical questions, opening my mind to new forms of architecture and learning everything you'd ever want to know about maps which has me bringing out all the maps from within my huge National Geographic collection and hanging them..what ever happened to that globe anyways? I am looking forward to spending time with my husband this weekend..his days are long and he works so hard weekday nights he needs to regroup and recharge his batteries..his birthday is coming up in 3 days even though he isn't excited for it I sure am and I will be making his favorite carrot banana cake and trying out some massage techniques that could potentially backfire but hopefully relieve some tension...no wine required.

E! spent $20,000,0000 on KIM KARDASHIAN'S WEDDING / And on the other side of the world...

What a wonderful world this could be...

Do you ever just have one of those days where you just seem to find yourself in some sort of a funk? Caught between not feeling like doing anything particular at all and being bored out of your mind at the same time? Saturday was one of those days for me..maybe it was because my husband spent the weekend golfing or that the sweltering weather kept us inside late in the afternoon..or perhaps I was just pooped out from spending the morning at a soccer skills assessment which took me through 4 long lines in triple digit weather as my back dripped and I fantasized about jumping in a pool. This restless bliss kept up until I announced somewhat last minute that we were going out to eat Chinese, I mean if a flaming PuPu platter and Chinese horoscopes over hot tea doesn't cheer you up nothing will right?So there I was sitting with the kids, a window seat might I add in the same old red glitter boothes within the towns only Chinese restaurant reminding myself once again to never marry the goat while reading my place mat when it hit me. We are not only the only people in here, except for the owners family enjoying their dinner on a back table across the room..but is that ..nah..wait a minute it is..the theme from Animal House playing via oriental instrumental. I instantly snapped out of my blaze mood and began to picture the family in the Christmas Story enjoying their Chinese Christmas dinner and suddenly it dawned on me hey this life of mine is pretty good duh...The past few days I have been checked out I have been enjoying birthday parties in the park..spending time with the boys and embracing the first day of school. I have been looking into nonprofits and museums in my down time...eating sweets..and making peace. If anyone has happened to notice I changed my URL to a big time Dot com I named my blog after an art magazine a dear old friend used to have, in fact its an homage to him, which showcased controversial works of art and literature in an uncensored fashion. It catered to the local punk scene and every time you opened up a new issue you just never knew what you'd find within those pages, but whatever it was it was something you would find yourself thinking about later.

Happenings

This is an outstanding foundation! Learn more at teoe.org

08/15/2k11 A Week of Full Moons

Journal Circa 2005

I have always been pretty good about keeping a journal since my teenage years..often times they were started with great zeal and left half empty..I went through stages with writing things down and although months would sometimes pass in between entries I would always go back to them someday. I have many beautiful journals among my bookshelves that reflect the days of my life long ago full of empty pages waiting to be re-discovered. I suppose since starting this blog a few years back that this has almost become my journal, except everyone can see it that chooses to and that in and of itself is kinda of strange I must admit. Whenever I happen upon one of these old journals I can't help but flip through a few pages and roll down memory lane, the good and the bad and reflect on what place I was in my life. 2005 was a significant year for me in that life as I had known it would never be the same. It was a huge time of personal growth for me and I was coming to terms with admitting to myself that I was not existing in a happy marriage, I ended that year pregnant with my third son and things had changed so much within the course of that year I had no idea where life would take me all I knew is that change was on the horizon. The following year I found myself in a completely different place living a completely different life and went through personal changes beyond anything I could have imagined at the time. If I have learned anything from that transition, the change..what I gained from it is that I once again became a humble person. Looking back I needed to be humbled and more importantly I needed to know that for the first time in my life I could take care of myself and my children and fly solo..which reaffirmed that no matter what happens to me I will be okay because I can trust myself  and my abilities and I will make it so. I walked away from a beautiful home, money, a house full of things taking only what I needed and bid farewell life as I knew it..it was a hard couple of years, I often times walked around feeling as though someone blew out the light inside of me, that I had lost my spirit but I wouldn't change a thing...Six years later I find myself a person who knows with utmost certainly that I deserve to be happy and fully embrace this unplanned life of mine... I look back to the words I wrote during the calm before the storm..and sometimes I feel as though I almost knew then that one day it would all be worth it...

Random Entries 2005

~Home is what catches you when you fall, and we all fall

~Don't scribble just adjust & try to understand..embrace confusion

~Practice random acts of kindness,music is the language of the soul, today I vow to forgo what drains me, to cling to only what is inspiring,try to only surround myself with people who inspire me and make time to enjoy their company, To not be so opinionated and quiet my mind. The love of my life..keeper of my heart..time to let go and continue on this path.

Get myself healthy again and take great care in doing so, read instead of watch TV..don't let money get me down be smart with all costs. Know that there is a bigger plan for me..

~Compassion is the best healer

~Life is too short for bad company

~Faith is the basis of the path..the mother of virtue it nourishes all roots of goodness

~the Gardens of Heilbrunn, Austria..Home to the Gazebo of "Sixteen Going On Seventeen"

~Keep on the straight & narrow

~I can do everything through him who gives me faith-Philippians 4:13

~Whatever is not yours abandon it-when you have abandoned it, that will lead to your welfare and happiness.

~Hell is empty, all the devils are here-William Shakespeare

~Let us not talk of karma, but simply of responsibility toward the whole world

~Crabby people will find reasons to be crabby about the weather, whatever the day is like. It will be too hot or too cold, and if one day is perfect, it will only get worse tomorrow. They complain not because of what the day is like but because of what they are like. By contrast, grateful people are grateful for the weather whatever it may be, remembering that April showers bring May flowers...

~Do things that rewuire creative thinking, add spice to life, read newspapers that aren;t local,play make believe,see the world through rose colored glasses,dance,do something my mom would never do, read about women from different eras,fins a secret getaway,live in the moment,,,gratitude is where religion begins in the human heart..life is a gift

~You have to prepare for the life you want

~May all be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow..may all never be sperated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless

~Work hard..play hard..falling in love with me yet feeling like I am trying to save someone who is drowning..

~I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me, I walk with beauty before me, I walk with beauty behind me,I walk with beauty above me, I walk with beauty around me, my words will be beautiful.

~In the first minutes of the morning: be grateful I am alive..that my body works..that I have food to eat and clothes to wear,,that I have things to do today that will demonstrate my humanity and that I have friends to share the day with..Thank everyone in my life, be humbly grateful there is someone in the world to love me. Live a parallel life in the garden. Grow in knowledge of one another.

~A very special day indeed, never did know the pwer of Linda Rondstat..came at the right time, very unexpected..in any case matters of the heart still rule and boy is my intuition right on. I am secure and happy..I need to work on me again..so strange how as the years go by you sort of morph into these different people..wonderful when you can suprise yourself.

~Givernay (Zhay-vair-nuy) home to Monet and gardens 40 miles outside of Paris..

~I won't taint you with my words anymore, no more just fiction is needed at the expense of you-I am done now moving on and happy- I am at peace.

~When is it that one becomes "Between the Second Act & the Final Curtain"?

~The rules of the world do not apply to me

~As rain penetrates the roof passion overwhelms a confused mind...

All of these snippets of life thrown in with menus for summer BBQ & margarita parties.. what I bought for who on their birthdays..a master list of important dates..what I cooked for Thanksgiving...and then it ends 35 pages in....I am left hanging...I have to smile and chuckle a bit it is almost as if I am reading a bunch of self affirmations off of post its..no matter how silly or mundane it may seem..no matter what it is important to just keep writing it down.

Giverny

Shawn Vidmar 2001-The Gazebo of "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" Made famous in the film The Sound of Music is said to be a haunting place

08/13/2k11

Isaac The Camel at 5 yrs old.. he weighs approx. 1500 lbs likes to sleep in the cool dirt and god bless him walks children around in circles multiple times a day...

Daybook Aug 2k11

Outside My Window:Even though the air is heavy and the humidity has set in due to last nights rain, it was a beautiful morning for a long walk and we enjoyed it at the Fountain Park before the afternoon heat

I Am Thinking Of: How the pace of life has slowed down a bit since I cut my work schedule down to part time and how this has allowed for me to spend more quality time with the ones I love...I am relishing in it.

I Am Thankful For:Having a supportive husband and family and for the ability to embrace living with less and letting things go..inside and out.

From The Kitchen: The meals have been easy and simple these past few weeks. I am taking a hiatus from making recipes every single day and have just been winging it..

I Am Creating: Books of photography for the kids as keepsakes

I Am Going: To the Phoenix Zoo tonight for their afterhours party lots of fun in the water, radio Disney, games, giraffes, camel rides... I registered for my first walk and 5k run the Aids Walk Phoenix

I Am Reading: About Irving Gill..Alexander McQueen and Missoni...so excited for their homewares to hit Target this September...high fashion & design for the masses..just love it..

I Am Hearing: the History channel although I am not paying attention

From The Teaching Rooms: I will soon start my training to become a child advocate with the Superior court system..and school starts back up in 10 days..looking forward to killing 18 credits this semester..

Around The House: My yoga mat waits patiently for me on the floor..it is ready for action but I am not quite there yet

One Of My Favorite Things: Reading to my boys at night..last night we read about rainforests..Africa..and Green Eggs & Ham..all of these books take me back to my childhood and make me feel like a kid again..

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: A visit to the hair salon.. a couple days of office work...back to school nights..plenty of yoga and down time

Here Are A Few Pictures From The Week To Share

Andy Warhol - Robert Mapplethorpe 1986

 

Life Lessons

Sometimes I can't help but feel like this guy....

08/11/2k11

Annabel Lee - Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love
 I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me
Yes! that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we
 Of many far wiser than we
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling - my darling - my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Exploration

Darwin attempted to answer the question as to not only why we are here but how did we come to “be”. Since the dawn of time human beings have wanted answers to these questions and religion has attempted to answer them. The difference between religion and the theories brought forth by Charles Darwin is that he took a more scientific approach to explaining our evolution. One of the most important ways that Darwin’s ideas impacted society is that they caused people to question them. By questioning them they not only challenged existing ideas brought forth by religion but also each other which led to his teachings becoming so controversial. From a scientific standpoint it also challenged the scientific community to prove these theories to be wrong, something that scientists continue to try and do even in modern times. These ideas and concepts led to new means of scientific explanation and exploration. During his time many of his theories were not accepted, in particular his Theory of Natural Selection but even so they led people to look at the relationship between man and animals and it were these theories that were responsible for research into these directions as man and animals were considered unrelated before. Many religions such as Christianity would down play the ideas set forth by Darwin in that they did not go along with their systems of beliefs which stated that human beings were created by a divine source which was God. The fact that Darwin puts out there that God did not create human beings had an impact because it challenged religion and this was one of the main controversial subjects of his set of ideas. There are a lot of people in the scientific community who believe Darwin’s theories and they continue to give people a different and new view on life itself and are the basis for all types of scientific research that would have never had occurred had he not developed these ideas and concepts. His ideas will continue to impact society well into the future because for some people it answers the question where human beings came from and for some they will continue to challenge them and try to prove his theories right or wrong.

First Day Of School Aug2k11

Sunset Strip Circa 1940's

NOPHO

As if my pending 20 year high school reunion was not enough action to stir up the awkward memories of my teenage years apparently all the rage on Facebook right now is these groups titled You know your from ________ when" or "Growing up in ____"  I was so lucky to get added to the North Phoenix Group..or as they call it nowadays NOPHO. A forum where thousands of random people are posting their memories of growing up in da hood, most of which circulate around teachers we hated, where we went to party, the local bars, and who got in a fight with who. While mildly entertaining this is a period in my life I'd much rather forget, in fact I have pretty much closed the book on it. I hated High School. My parents at the time were total dicks I think I was grounded for pretty much 80 % of it because my grades weren't up to par. I left home and high school at the ripe old age of 16 to go it alone and have never looked back. This trip down memory lane has me thinking of when North Phoenix was the edge of town and how the "desert parties" were only a ten minute drive away. It reminds me of all the reasons also of why I left that neighborhood when my oldest son was 2 yrs old and we were awakened on a regular basis by gunshots. North Phoenix, the area I grew up in is now termed "The Square" which refers to an area riddled with drugs, crime, and illegals. My parents live a hop skip and a jump from it still, as do apparently quite a few people I went to school with. You can keep North Phoenix, I'll take my small town any day over 24 hour grocery stores full of tweekers where English is a second language and  where its a pain to drive anywhere because of the traffic. Somehow I still find myself down there on occasion however and for nostalgia sake it still oddly feels a bit like home to me.

Imperfection

Wasn't it Marilyn Monroe who said "Imperfection is beautiful madness is genius and I would rather be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring?" I probably twisted that.. Jesus Obama just needs to put a sock in it, seriously Fox news is plastered with excuses and lack of accountability. Eating pull apart sticky buns in the kitchen sounds like a much more pleasant idea. The pickup and drop off at 3 separate schools is madness and if I wasn't a better person I'd be mixing my OJ with vodka just to deal..there are hundreds of cars like a parking lot backed up in all directions as all 4 grades have their own lines and the lines they arent movin fast, the 15 minute window between bells seems less like a cushion and more like a race, 2 days in I am speeding up and down side streets at lightening speed making u turns and heart racing cursing the 15mph school zones have managed to get everyone to their respective drop off zones on time however we have 2 schools on one campus each with separate start and end times and somehow along the way I screwed up and got the two schools mixed up..hence I was 15 and 20 min late picking 2 of my boys up today which sucked big time..I felt like such an A-Hole , today I became "that mom" the one who's child is left behind and walked to the office who's mother didn't show up on time...I swear the crossing guard was leering at me from across the room, I went over and over in my head how could I have made this mistake? Never mind 2 of the schools are new schools and the times all changed from last year and they weren't updated on the website last week, I don't make mistakes like this..I still feel consumed with guilt..but they forgave me and I am not perfect got to let it go, won't make that mistake again but still being late to pick up your kids mistake or not just sucks. My little man proceeded to yell at me and kick me in the leg while I was holding a hot pizza in my hands shortly thereafter because I wouldn't give him change for the Chinese junk in the machines sitting there in all its leaded glory. As I was about to escape out of the grocery store with hot pizzas a full cart and an angry 5 yr old trying to block my path I realized I was charged for 36 boxes of frikin Gogurts. Seriously? I thought about saying F*ck it but the 24 boxes I was overcharged for equaled out to be $71.00 so there I was at the dreaded customer service trying to explain hey I only bought 12 boxes not 36 which I had to do like 4 times before they would issue a credit. In cases like this they always act as though it is your fault, many people in "customer service" anymore just act like they are doing you a favor and keep you wondering about your probable neurosis. Good times. I love the fact that Al Gore isn't afraid to call bullshit, I for one do believe in global warming much to my husbands dismay. The quitting smoking thing is really touch and go, my anxiety is bad anyways sometimes but this afternoon can you say through the roof.. The day it winded down and things are settled now. The little man is happy again, I apparently needed to be reminded that I am not perfect and life goes on....now to totally change the subject this is what we see on the sidewalk in AZ when we take our evening walks...jealous?

Tarantula

What Rings True

It is a beautiful evening and I have been lost in the weekend. The wind is blowing a nice cool breeze and another monsoon storm is pending..The backpacks are packed and lunch box is ready..the school supplies for the most part have been bought and distributed..and three boys are tucked away in bed getting ready for tomorrow..for one it is his first day at kindergarten. We met the teachers, went over all of the details and I pretended to be Olivia Newton John in Grease and sang them Summer Nights. I actually sat through 3 movies this weekend, it would have been 4 had I not fell asleep. This is huge, I never sit through an entire movie, I am thinking that it was a good thing I have lightened my load so to say. I will only be working 2 days this week during the hours that the boys are in school, a far cry from the 45 I usually pull down. This weekend was the first one in a long time where I didn't feel rushed to get a ton of things done and it felt very very nice. Heck I didn't even do a rigid schedule of yoga..we relaxed into it and I soaked up family time and all the excitement that came with preparing for their first day of school. The meals were easy and we even went out for Sunday dinner..to a salad bar restaurant nonetheless that I picked. But Jake ate his broccoli and there was frozen yogurt and everyone had potato soup.I quietly celebrated Andy Warhols birthday. There is a lot in the works in the coming weeks..before I know it school will be starting again soon. I moved my circa 1920's Frank Lloyd Wright designed desk downstairs, a piece designed and produced by the master himself for the Arizona Biltmore hotel. It was the same desk I used as a child and through all of my school days. If you look at it in the right light you can still see the early penmanship I practiced that superimposed on the finish, much like my dining room table which my Dad made when I was very young. This desk is very special to me and once again has become a place where I will set about making things happen. I am looking forward to the week, to a lot of things but for tonight I am going to rest and continue to take it all in something that had become sort of a lost art for me...focusing in the coming week of letting something go every day.. think about it...theres a lot to be said for self liberation..

So begins the 2k11/2k12 School Year

I have spent in between moments of the day wrapped up in Warhols Stars...

paristocrats.blogspot.com

Nico circa 1960

Candy Darling Circa 1970

The Big 2.0

                                             
20 Positive Things That Happened Today

1. I did numerous lunges before 7 am

2.I splurged on fancy coffee just for me

3. While walking up the stairs with 2 pieces of carrot cake I decided to take a bite of one mid flight and ended up getting a mouth full of cream cheese frosting

4. I was still getting compliments on that green dress I wore yesterday from the girls at Starbucks this morning, apparently it was flattering in all the right places, maybe I will live in it?

5. When telling someone about the acceptance of my final project on Recovery they asked me "Are you in recovery?" To which I answered well yes I don't drink and for good reason...think I handled it okay

6.I got my son to believe that if he doesn't do what I say I can wiggle my nose and turn into any animal in particular a rabid dog who will chase him down the stairs.. and he believed me..

7. I got to see my coffee shop friends and a few new ones this morning.

8.I was really able to relax during yoga tonight

9.Saved $57.00 at the grocery store.

10. Spent $9.99 on a pack of cigs .. my last pack

11. I have feet full of Peppermint Burt's Bees Lotion

12. Half Price Pizza Day

13. I had a good conversation with someone for whom I care for very much

14. I smoothed waters

15. I was able to look at my decision to move forward from my job knowing that this is for my own good

16. I studied Warhol & deKooning in my down time today

17. Decided I no longer need a $100 dollar an hour hair stylist

18. Was able to cheer my teenager up

17. Was able to pick a little man up that fell out of bed and hold him till he fell back asleep

18.Was able to reassure the middle man about his apprehension starting 5th grade at a new school

19. Theres fancy Italian ice cream in the freezer

20. Staying focused on peace...

How about you, what happened in your life today?

Tell me something good...

 

08/02/2k11

French Vogue August 2k11

Dodge House 1916 (1965)

Haunting video of the Dodge House, designed by architect Irving Gill which acts as a complete photo essay of this beautiful home taken 5 years before preservation efforts failed and the home was demolished to make room for condos in 1970... watching this movie and the simplistic repetition in his design brings tears to my eyes to know that it is gone forever.

Mondays "Whats Happenin"

I don't know who turned this show on but for the last hour while my husband sleeps the TV has been on  OWN ( Oprah Winfrey Network) & whatever show this is there are a whole gaggle of overweight women in their undies on TV for the world to see..oh the humility. I think it is some kinda of weight loss challenge but in front of thousands of people in your undies..when thinks look well pretty bad..really who does that? I had a very relaxing weekend ...with my husband working all weekend and my older boys with their dad I flew solo though it and decided to postpone said Xmas in July as my 5 year old just wouldn't appreciate the fake vomit and prime rib, there will be another time for that tomfoolery..After months of agonizing over making this decision I have decided that I will be taking a sabbatical..I have decided to give myself an unspecified amount of time to grow, learn, focus on school..family..spirituality..and go wherever the road takes me. This wasn't an easy decision to come by, I am part of a successful business but the reality of it is it isn't mine anymore, I lost it in the divorce. Although it has been a joy to be a part of the last 15 years and what I have learned has been immeasurable I think the only reason I am there every day still working morning to night is because I enjoy being with my ex husband as much as that allows, after all 18 years together is a long time but I am married again now to a wonderful man, as much as it pains me to do so I have to let it go..and I have a PhD to complete, internships to get involved with, a family that needs me here more..it just doesn't fit into my life now. This is going to pain me for some time but I know I have made the right decision... On a lighter note school starts next week and I have some upcoming postings about fun stuff for the school year. I know some people have food blogs, some have humour or fashion or just family stuff..it may seem like mine is all over the place sometimes..but that's just me I may go off on a rant one day about the economy in China, share a painting that moves me yet tell you what I cooked for dinner and share a photo here and there but I always keep it real, life isn't perfect and that's the beauty of it... and besides I never really did fit in anyways.

Happy 30th Birthday MTV ( I Wish You Didn't Lose Your Cool)

I was fortunate to be home one summer day surfing the newly installed cable TV channels for something to watch back in 1981. I watched the first music video ever played “Video Killed the Radio Star” in great amazement. As a matter of fact I think I spent the rest of the Summer watching MTV. Early on it was apparent that the music industry would be forever changed by it. Image was everything. It wasn’t long before I tried to start braiding my hair like Annabella Lwin after watching Bow Wow Wow’s “I Want Candy” and got into the Madonna phase I’d just assume forget. There was a lot of controversy surrounding MTV’s refusal to play Michael Jackson videos. When they did start allowing them to be shown, lots of kids at school wore wannabe jackets, along with the infamous one glove. I never fell into the Jackson hype rather I would wait patiently for the Duran Duran videos to come on as I had a thing at the time for Simon Le Bon. MTV enabled a lot of artists to expand their creative means by incorporating visual stimulation along with audio. It also opened the doors for many to also gain their 15 min of fame not so much on their musical talent but more so from their good looks or downright oddness. Boy George is a prime example of this. MTV played a huge part in my formative years, their best show and the one I would stay up way past my bedtime to watch would be 120 Min.
Hair bands consisted of guys who dressed borderline in drag. The music was ostentatious as were the fashions & the lifestyle many of the musicians led. Thank god most of them burnt out going into the 90’s because the music wasn’t all that memorable. It reflected the party lifestyle and what was currently going down in and around Los Angels, in particular the Sunset Strip, the epicenter of it all.
For the younger generation who is coming of age the types of music they are listening to is influenced by visual and social stimulation mainly because they are growing up in an era where this is commonplace. No longer do they need to rely on MTV ,their listening devices are full of videos as well thanks to the Internet. It is the whole package now not just a song you hear on the radio. It is hearing that song downloading it, downloading the video, becoming the artists friend on Facebook, then following them on Twitter. I wouldn’t say that the auditory appreciation is music is lost through this process entirely. I for one still buy & throw on albums as nostalgic as it may seem although I have been know to watch my Leonard Cohen movie “I’m Your Man” too many times to count because the Movie just enhances the album as anything visual enhances a song.