Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy 217th Birthday, John Keats


Happy Birthday to the jewel in my nerd crown, Mr. John Keats. Today is his 217th birthday and I've been saving talking about my experience at his house in Rome for today. 

Essentially, the Keats- Shelley Museum was the primary reason for my desire to go to Rome. I knew I'd love the whole place, but that was the main event. What I came to see. I find connecting to the artists I love gives me clarity. I wanted to see Keats' things. Be in the room where he wrote and where he died. (His death and illness being such a huge well of gravity for his persona and his writings.) I'd already been to the Keats House in Hampstead, but something about this felt more important. I'm not quite sure why. 

Trusty flatmate Fiona indulged my nerdery and I just took my time in the building, looking over his letters to Fanny, his handwriting, his watch, various comic book interpretations of some of his more epic poems. There was a lock of his hair there too and I was surprised to see his hair was blonder than most renderings of him let on. 

I believe there is a soul to buildings. And I could feel the soul of this place. The legacy of those who lived and died there and a kind of cool quiet in contrast to the bustling Spanish Plaza and famous Spanish Steps just outside. There is a steadfast energy to the place. The kind Keats himself so much admired.

Of course I loved all of Rome. But if I had only gone to see my man Keatsy's last domain, it would have been worth it. Happy 217th!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Citizenship - While My Favorite City is Underwater


It's strange to see your favorite city dark and underwater. I'm not sorry I'm missing this business, but I do miss the collective way New Yorkers behave when the chips are down. It goes back to that word I like so much, "Citizenship." 

I remember very vividly the spirit of camaraderie during the MTA strike of 2005. Everyone got so scrappy. While harboring McC as a fugitive from Queens, we super bonded in my 4th & B womb room. That's probably when we subconsciously became friends forever. I'm wondering what 4th and B looks like today. 

Thinking about citizenship, and what we all do for each other, I have to say I'm terribly sorry so many people have such a Darwinian attitude about what happens to America's cities after natural disasters. That the country would pull together to help another city in time of need seems like the opposite of immoral to me, Mitt. 

Sorry that people don't think climate crisis is any way involved in the increase of storms like this. The most sorry that there seem to always be insane extremists who'd--rather than look to science-- look to bigotry and blame this on gays and Muslims. There's no sigh in the world big enough to express my feelings. 

Mostly, I am terribly sorry it's caused so much damage to my favorite place. I like the optimist who said that maybe all the severe subway flooding would wash away the smell of pee. I hope they're right. But aside from that, I hope nothing else has been irreparably washed away from New York. 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights


Friday was a special treat courtesy of the Kade-ster and his lovely bf James.  After a quick trip to the Veggie Grill and Amoeba Music, we went the live on-air special Kade was doing for 98.7, LA's Rock Alternative at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. It was a gluttonous night all around in the best possible way. We feasted on funnel cake and pizza and cookies. I got more swag than I feel is polite to brag about and rode every ride, went through every haunted maze as VIPS. (I absolutely loathe lines and will not wait in them. There is absolutely nothing I'm willing to wait in a line for if I have the option.)

My favorite ride had nothing to do with all the work Universal put into Halloween. It was the Transformers 3D ride. Very little that isn't an actual roller coaster impresses me about theme parks, but I was blown away by this and not just because pieces of the city kept flying at my face the whole time. It was so well done. And genuinely fun. I kept ducking and reminding myself that nothing was actually going to hit my face. 

The haunted mazes were visually spectacular and well thought out. The La Llorena and Alice Cooper Goes to Hell in 3D were the highlights. But, actually, I think childhood and NYC drugged-mugged-slugged trauma, I don't like people jumping out at me. And I rreeeeallly don't like people trying to touch me. I actually threw an arm back at a few of them instinctively. Ooops. After a while, with the same "Walking Dead" themed zombies and chain-saw bearing clowns jumping out at you, it turns out that it's no longer scary; it's just tiresome. Such was the case by about 35 minutes into the Terror Tram-- the real low point of the night. Hiking dusty trails, hundreds of half-hearted, well-made up zombies, guards really kinda ruining it as they pushed us past the Bates Motel set. At least we had plenty of time at the actual Bates house from Psycho. We gave the night a cap with my signature Frangelico in the only spot still serving booze at City Walk. Ah, Hollywood. 

Special thanks to Kade for an amazing time & James for the driving and the comic relief! 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

One Thousand



Almost three years and one thousand posts later, I'm still at this thing. Every time I think it has run its course, something new will come along to revive my dedication. Normally, it's got something to do with connecting to you lovely folks who read. 

Every move I make has felt very consequential. For a long time now. One time, my wonderful friend Betsy said, "It's kind of exhausting living an 'epic' life all the time isn't it?" And of course, my answer was YES. I'm looking forward to some routine. A little less epic and little more just enjoying the consequences of all those decisions I've been making. 

That's what this blog is supposed to be all about anyhow. Enjoying my pursuit of culture through the five cities I've lived in during the last two years, the miles I've racked up-- Scotland, England, Wales, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Canada-- when I sometimes feel regret, when I make the list like that, or when I scan back over this blog, there's at least one thousand reasons why everything I've done in the last two years was exactly what I needed. 

This blog obviously changes each time I change locales. The name stays the same. Here's why: that decision, the sort-of secret I revealed in my very first post, and my time in Fife is going to inform my life no matter where I live it for a very long time. The attitudes I developed, the people I met, the debt I incurred, the confidence I gained, the ideas of myself I lost. Some choices have more weight than others. If a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm thinking today about all the things worth one thousand posts. 

Hope your'e having a great Sunday-- New Yorkers, stay safe! 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Who Dares, Wins


The motto of the British Special Air Services is now a gorgeous neon installation. Neon is everywhere in art these days, it seems. At least amongst the Brits

Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst (sorta), Sarah Lucas,  Nathan Coley (a Scot & perhaps my own personal favorite modern artist) & Martin Creed (also sort of a Scot) collab'ing on those amazing neons with Edinburgh's Dean Galleries/ Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art-- check it and check it) When I put it like that, I guess I'm in the mood for it myself. I guess Vegas really is in my blood. 

For only 600 bucks, the wisdom of the world's first ace flight program and the latest fad in art can be yours. 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Freaky Friday Links


Today, I'm working on a future hit TV show with the lovely Miss Autumn Withers and tonight, I'm going to a haunted house extravaganza with Kade. I don't really do costumes, but I'm down to pretend to be scared with friends. Other than that, this is the first week where things feel like they're genuinely coming together for me here. I'm going to feel great once I'm finally sticking in one neighborhood and have a set of wheels. Hope you have a great pre-Halloween weekend! Here are this week's links. 

- Time Magazine's list of Top 25 Best Blogs of 2012 (Hint: I'm not on it.)
- Taylor Swift's analogies in order of incomprehensibility. Since McC and I ARE a Taylor Swift song
- New Milo Green video. Glad the UK is finally getting a taste of them.
- My favorite new show of the season. Yeah, they all look the same: HOT.
- Mitt Romney as Fifty Cent (or 53 Per Cent) = Genius. 
- Well, this website exists.
- So does this. Luminosity.com. Heard of it? It's brain training.
- The 15 Boyfriends You Break Up With: complete with snazzy names like Cilantro & Palm Pilot
- The Tom Hanks Matrix. I agree with this except for the placement of Gump & Money Pit. I mean...come ON! Money Pit is GENIUS!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

War & Peace, the Electro Pop Opera?

One can always count on Ars Nova to bring to you some truly trippy shit. This latest thing of theirs I'm dying to see is Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812-- an electro pop opera from Dave Malloy based on War & Peace. And while I think their title is about the worst I've ever heard, I'm crazy about Tolstoy, I'm utterly devoted to pop operas about Russia (!!!) and would give almost anything to experience the lit nerd acid trip that this surely is. 

I will give $5 to anyone who sees it and reports back to me.  It's extended until November 17, so you have some time. The Times called improbably wonderful, but I want your word for it. Thank you. 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Cup of Gold - Wisdom from The Steinbeck


"And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away."

— John Steinbeck
Some California wisdom from a great California author

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Monday, October 22, 2012

Try the Lamb


One of my favorite popular novelists is the lovely Wally Lamb. She's Come Undone, I Know This Much is True, and The Hour I First Believed remain some of the most emotionally affecting works I've ever read. 

On top of all that, Wally Lamb has always just seemed like the nicest man ever. Kind of a cross between Tom Hanks and Toby Ziegler in a way that makes you wish he was your father in law. As it happens, he's got three sons. 

Two of those sons live in New Orleans and one, Justin Lamb,  is a spoken word or performance poet. (I can't bring myself to use the term slam poetry, as it is no longer the nineties.) He does a lot of spots for The Saints. If professional football held any power over me, I'm sure I'd find these very moving. They seem to have the gravitas and high production quality that resonates with sports fans.

My second favorite Justin Lamb moment is this little rumination on his home state of Connecticut. I don't really think of Connecticut as what you'd call 'gangsta,' but I'm glad Justin does. Or is at least willing to wink at us. Continually for three minutes. 

My FAVORITE Justin Lamb moment is his "New York."

He also says one day he'd like to be 'snack laureate.' Snack being one of my favorite words, I'd like to say to Justin, let's just get married. I know Crush Week isn't until February around here, but I just couldn't wait. 

For more Justin, check out here & here

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday So Dreamy


What is it about Scandanavians and that dark fairy tale tone? They just tap into that like nobody else. Hans Christian Andersen, anyone? I came across these fabulous pieces by Norwegian artist, Rune Guneriussen, via Honestly WTF and haven't been able to get them out of my head, so I'm passing them on to you. Haunting. Lovely. Woodsy. And as CS Lewis once said, "It begins, as a good story should, with a young man [or woman!] lost in a forest."

Hope you're having a dreamy Sunday!

More. 

Saturday, October 20, 2012

What is a Rebel?


Here's a Saturday quote from my most quotable boyfriend, the sexy/brilliant Albert Camus:

"What is a rebel? A man who says no."

From the most amazing The Rebel
If you've never read it, run don't walk to the bookstore or internet

Friday, October 19, 2012

Landon's Broadway Debut Links


What are you guys all doing this fair fall weekend? McC and I are headed down to San Diego for a shotgun trip and some cooler weather. It's still pretty hot up in LA. Also hoping to meet up with my brother on the way considering, we literally pass his house on PCH on the way and neither one of us has a car at the moment. (We aren't related by blood, but we're clearly related. Sigh.)

I feel like I'm finally back in the land of the living with this phone now. I've already caught up with four people I haven't talked to in ages just by virtue of being on their grid again. The network of people I've collected and invested in on my travels is the greatest resource and source of joy in my life. Plug me back into that. 

- Today is one of those most loyal, supportive people's Broadway Debut! DOONER LOVE!
- I don't see a lot of movies in theaters, but this is a funny app
- Oh, the old creativity and mental illness talk again. 
- A kid who comes to school in a different historical costume each day? My soul mate! My hero!
- Blogstar
- A mom I super respect shared her story of choosing not to medicate her kids. People listen up. 
- This is disgusting, Mittens. You make me sick. 
- SO. IS. THIS.
- I've been waiting a long time for someone to make this Claire Danes cut mix
- This is still DEEPLY upsetting to me. If you're not caught up on Downton, spoilers ahead. 
- The Rice Centennial spectacle was indeed nothing short of a spectacle. Watch here.
- Or, if you only have 100 seconds:

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Florence + The Machine + The Hollywood Bowl


Before time totally gets away from me, I wanted to share a little bit about Flo and her awesome Machine at the Hollywood Bowl. She was joined by The Maccabees (why has no one ever casually mentioned how hot the lead singer of said Maccabees is? Is that a recent thing? I don't remember him being hot.)  and another love, The Weeknd. I was joined by two of my favorites as well: Haviland and Ashley. There was a lot of mermaid hair in this group. 

Other than the psycho fan girls of The Weeknd next to our box (seriously, I feel old. Since when do bands like the Weeknd get ruined by SCREAMING teenagers? Isn't that reserved for the Biebs and Glee concerts?) all three sets were a treat. We lounged in our comfy cox chairs and chilled out (when we could actually hear him over the screaming) to The Weeknd. Then we jumped to our feet and hopped around (she asked us to) with Flo. 

Florence is the kind of wild horse-tree nymph-seventies film goddess you want to be when you grow up. Or in your imagination if you can envision a world where you relinquish any and all Type A tendencies. Not to mention, a deep deep sense of what is inherently theatrical.

She skips everywhere she goes. I'd like to do that. She makes everyone hop around on the finale "Dog Days Are Over." She knows the importance of a harp. In many ways, The Hollywood Bowl is the venue she was born to play. She should set up residence there. 

While my Dog Days I fear are far from over, this night was the first night where I felt like I lived in Hollywood. And for now, that'll do. 

Special Thanks to Alex Tievy for the tix!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

All Of My Days - Alexi Murdoch



How delighted I was to be watching television and hear lovely Scottish musician, Alexi Murdoch, featured in a Sprint cell phone advertisement. In addition to being a lifetime nomad and partaker of various locale, (Athens! Scotland! North Carolina! Los Angeles!) I've been a big fan of his mellow music for years now. 

Today's been a pretty trying day. Today, I wish I were in a Sprint commercial (unlimited life!) instead of the AT&T nightmare that ate my whole day and I still don't have a working phone. It's like the world does't want me to rejoin it. Fine. I'll just relax with McC and Alexi Murdoch and imagine ourselves somewhere more dreamy. Greece, perhaps. Alexi, See you there?

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Go Mighty, Camp Mighty


The folks at Go Mighty are known for awesome retreats for people (started out just as ladies) in media. There's an invite only Mighty Summit, which one day, I'd like to be invited to, but in the mean time, I'm thinking about going to the recently made co-ed Camp Mighty in Palm Springs.  (McC? Shall we? We can brainstorm our world take over? I know how you love Palm Springs!)

This year's speakers include Ben Silbermann, one of the cofounders of Pinterest, and Margaret Gould Stewart, the Director of Product Design at facebook-- to name just two. And even though I'm massively strapped for cash,  I wouldn't mind the jolt in confidence. (Doesn't hurt that it's at the lovely ACE Hotel either.)

I love their girls with big ideas vibe. And not just the big ideas part, but the implementing them part. 

I just feel like it's pretty easy to feel like you're losing your edge on being good at life. Mighty Girl, Go Mighty, Camp Mighty and the Mighty Summit make me think it's mighty easy to remember and enumerate all the reasons you are, in fact, good at life as long as you surround yourself with a community of champions. Not that they are "winners" but champions of each other. I'm very interested in that. 

Camp Mighty
Nov 15-17


Monday, October 15, 2012

Time Traveling - Hollywood Tower


Radio people have always been my people. Makes me think of a time before television. Before I moved to NYC, I used to spend hours in the studio laughing maniacally with DJs from Mix 94.1, most especially, my darling Kade. We talked about Buddhism and life and had funny alter egos I'm sure no one found as funny as we did. I'm so happy to be reunited with him here in Los Angeles. His radio station, 98.7, permanently occupies the rooftop penthouse at the Hollywood Tower, and last night, we partook of its splendor for some Saint Motel and The Walking Dead. All of that was fun (minus the blase LA crowd-- whatelseisnew?) but I was mostly just happy to be surrounded by art decor on all sides. 

Hollywood Tower was built in 1929 with an eye towards entertainment type inhabitants. Or, as the plaque on the door says, "Sophisticated Living for film luminaries during the Golden Era of Hollywood." The bathrooms, the elevators alone... le sigh. I'd live there, that's for sure. 

One day, I want to make a coffee table book consisting of nothing other than dreamy photos of me draped with the ennui of the aristocracy on fabulous couches all over the world. You'd be amazed at how many I already have....

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Dream Pop & Walking Dead


Tonight I'm going to the Season Premiere Party for Season 3 of The Walking Dead. LA band Saint Motel will be playing it out at this Zombie-themed shindig. I'm not much for costumes, but I'll definitely get into some dream pop and awesome old friends from Vegas. Also a big fan of Walking Dead. Reminds me of London. 

Fun fact: Andrew Lincoln, of "To Me You Are Perfect" sign Love Actually fame-- and a Brit-- is one of the many Hollywood types to smartly change his name. His real last name is Clutterbuck. Gurrl, I'd change that too. 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Impossible Project


If many more old school/new school combos come out, my head might explode. My latest love is The Impossible Project, which, among other things, takes your instagrams and turns them into instant polaroids. The minds behind The Impossible Project, based in the Netherlands, funded their idea on kickstarter and ended up with over a half a million dollars to support the prototype. 

In the US, you can go to their NYC shop on Broadway and Canal. I wish I'd had a chance to get down there while I was still in the City. Open one in LA, guys! Angelinos love instagram too. At least you can buy their awesomeness online. It's the film that really gets ya.

I love how they put up user photos in their gallery. I've been browsing that for days now. They even do a promotion with SNAP! Magazine each month with a theme and entries can win prizes. This month's theme is near and dear to my heart: road trips. 

More. 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Three Days in the Valley Friday Links


Soon, I will live in a pool house in North Hollywood. For now, I'm trying it on for size and dogsitting for some of my favorite people. It's nice to have the alone time. Even if I don't always use it as productively as I'd like. At least I'm free to yell at the debates as loudly as I want. In case you didn't know... I'm loud. It annoys people. My energy level is the main reason I like being alone. And the main reason I don't.

Another few things I've learned. No matter how many precautions you take, how diligent you are, or how many hours a day you allow them to be outside, the dogs (all the dogs, everyone's dogs, everywhere) will always piss in the house. And no matter how tired you are or how peaceful the setting, if you didn't get done what you wanted to get done that day, there's no way you're going to sleep well. Or at all. The guilt on productivity is the same no matter where I go.

- I love TED talks, but, well played, The Onion. WELL PLAYED.
- Is it weird that bad reviews actually make me want to see films?
- Here's why "trickle down" doesn't work.
- A gem. Paul Ryan mansplaining things.
- More DT Max on DFW for Granta.
- Choreographer Benjamin Millepied is directing music videos now. Word up Io Echo. More. 
- Why yes I do hate The Bachelor.
- Depends on which kind. If I had a Brummy accent....I'd keep quiet maybe. 
- Speaking of which...
- Striving and dependency culture... nope not Reps vs Dems. Scotland.
- My old pal Brandon is selling his classic mustang. Any takers?
- Hahaha. 100 Reasons not to go to grad school. "There is a psychological cost. There is a psychological cost for quitting." Now that I'm in LA, I wonder if I'm really going to go to USC or just move on. Thoughts?


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Franzen's House For Sale at Transport Group


While those in NYC start bundling up for Fall and Winter, I'm still sleeping with door open and swimming in my pool. I doubt I'll miss Winter in New York, but I will miss the start of this and every theatre season. I'm impressed with Broadway's line up this season. (They snagged Paul Rudd for...anything at all... so why complain?) There's always the spot of drama with some show never making it to performances. (Rebecca. In this case due to shady, dead investors, who, it turns out never existed in the first place.)

I've also been energized, and then of course, depressed that I would miss a few great off-broadway showings. I mean, Jake Gyllenhaal's stage debut alone was enough to make me question my decision to leave. But of all my celebrity boyfriends, no one gets me more turned on (theatrically speaking) than my very own personal abusive boyfriend, Jonathan Franzen

This season, one of my favorite theatre groups-- Transport Group-- is presenting a theatrical adaptation of one of Franzen's essays, House For Sale

Adapted by Daniel Fish, a man I think might be spying on my thoughts, is the same guy who adapted the strange and trippy stage incarnation of DFW's A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again. Fish's House For Sale seems to be along the same lines, with five actors interpreting the same essay "word for word" in different ways. I think Franzy's language stands up to repetition. I suppose I'll have to get someone to give me the recap. Theresa, I nominate you.

House For Sale starts this Sunday, October 14th at the Duke.
229 West 42nd Street

You can read the full essay House For Sale here.
Image via

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Happy 100th Birthday, Rice University!


Today, I am wishing a wonderful Centennial Celebration to my beloved alma mater, Rice University. We are a small, strange, and lovely place. I hope we will always fight to keep it that way. We are a small, strange, and lovely group of people; filled with wild, brilliant, silly thoughts. 

I had a hard and lesson-filled four years there.  I remember the joy of winning the world series, jumping in Gillis's pool (no longer the president's house. They've filled the pool in now) and the more than one occasion I sat locked in my car out in the parking lot, staring up at the stadium and crying. They were an intense four years. Sometimes it just felt good to cry it out. In many ways, I think I made the absolute most of them. In other ways, I wish I'd worked a lot harder. 

But out of all my decisions, in my whole life, no decision (or the lead up to it) has had more impact on my life than choosing Rice. It is the fulcrum on which the everything else pivots: my career, my friends, the way I interact with the people I keep in my life. 

I haven't always agreed with the direction our current president has taken the school, but I insist that there exists an inherent Rice-ness at the soul of those swampy acres that no ambitious professional academic administrator could squash. Try all you like, but I think you'll never make Rice like Duke or Columbia or Harvard. And I'm glad for that fact. I always think of the West Wing: Let Bartlet Be Bartlet

Let Rice Be Rice. 

I wish I could be there to celebrate homecoming with everyone, but I am sending all my love and thanks to a place I love so dearly. Happy Birthday, Rice. Gurrrrl, you look good for 100. Go Owls. 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Clueless Reunion


While I'm still not sure why they picked seventeen years as the appropriate reunion year, (maybe it's a teenage thing?) I sure am glad there was a reunion at all for the cast of Clueless. 

I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I was deeply affected by Paul Rudd in Clueless. (Why isn't he in this video? At least he's in the overall reunion photos. Sigh.) If you ask me, he's had the best career of any of them. 

I still love Alicia Silverstone, even though I've never liked her in anything else. And I still love Stacey Dash, even if she is pimping Romney on twitter

Clueless was also one of the first movies where I didn't actually see myself as any of the characters and still loved them all. Normally, I just always identified with the blonde one. But I was definitely not a Cher. Even though I did have pink t-strap Mary Janes in her honor. 



Monday, October 8, 2012

You Don't Just Deface a Mark Rothko


And yet, that's exactly what someone did at the Tate Modern in London. Just walked right up to it and tagged it. It's one of the Seagram murals no less! The ones that were commissioned for the Four Seasons-- the inspiration for the wonderful play, RED. 

Press replay on all my sentiments about our society no longer valuing art. This is really disappointing. I've had Tate Modern guards jump all over me for iphone flash-less pics. I've spoken to my art historian friends who can see no way that would hurt the art. And yet, where was security when someone came up with black paint to graffiti Mark Rothko?

Before we went into the Sistine Chapel in Rome, they told us not to talk or take any photos. And as soon as we entered, everyone-- everyone!-- was talking and snapping about a million photos. With the flash, even! None of the guards did anything. I took an iphone pic with no flash, but I was really confused and saddened by the whole thing. I feel a bit like how I feel now. Get it together, people. 

It's a pretty serious mixture of not knowing and not caring. With Rothko, people may be unaware of his significance (still a huge failing of our arts education system) but I think even the most clueless understands the significance of the Sistine Chapel. What do you guys think? Sigh.



Sunday, October 7, 2012

My Favorite Person


No one and I mean no one gives me as much unadulterated joy as Tigerlily. I don't think about anything else when I'm with her. I experience no existential angst. If she wants to hop, we hop. If she wants to race, we race. Drive boats? We drive. Spin? We spin. She is my favorite person. 

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Ryann's Life Coaching Service


You too can experience the joy of this satisfied customer. And for a limited time, only $49.95 per session! Just paypal me the money. I may have no idea what I'm doing with my life, but I can sure as shit tell you what to do with yours. Here's me warning Spellman he better not go get a soda at In-n- Out. We are revolutionizing up in here. 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Vegas Road Trip Friday Links


Today I have the great honor of showing a Brit the wonderment that is Las Vegas. Even though we'll be there less than 24 hours, I'm excited to see my Tigerlily, my Emily and my Dad. I'm excited to begin steps (again) for getting my driver's license back. I'm excited to show people the Elvis Museum. Here are your links.

- My college prof/friend/mentor's new book comes out. Nice when the Times does a feature.
- Becoming a stylish writer
- Or! Just say whatever the hell you want. Then take it back. Works for this guy.
- This was good. I went to a University with the good sense to skip fraternities, but I get it. 
- I wholeheartedly agree with this in the nerdiest way possible.
- Milo Greene at the Wythe Hotel
- Forget your past

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Into the Mystic, Away From The Market


One really good reason not to cut funding for PBS, Mitt, is their awesome series, Sound Tracks featuring (among others) the fabulous Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. I have previously written about her awesomeness when her song, "Tha Mo Ghaol Air Àird" was featured in the BRAVE trailers. 

You don't put your soul up to the mercy of "The Market." Art is our soul. The less we appreciate it, the less we're fulfilled. I'll go down with the ship on that one because I don't want to live in a world that doesn't set aside time and space and money for art for its own sake. I think a lot of why it's hard to feel fulfilled in modern life is our turning away from appreciating art on a regular basis. 

Lots of things don't make money, but keep us full of life. Children for one. Or maybe we should send them back to work. That's in line with the same Dickensian England style attitude that I just can't get behind. 

I want to live in a world where someone thinks to put Wynton Marsalis, Youssou N'dour and Of Monsters and Men in the same show. I want always to remember that it's a big world and America is just one piece of it. I want to be able to experience Scotland even when I can't be there and the music of Senegal even if I never go. 

The Market only lets us have what we know we want. PBS or an entity like BBC gives us what maybe we didn't know we wanted. Big Bird, sure. Julie Fowlis, singing with her baby on her lap, hell yes. 

Watch Sound Tracks: Preview Trailer on PBS. See more from Sound Tracks.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Happy 20th Anniversary, Barack & Michelle



Whether you like Barry politically or not, I have a hard time imagining anyone not respecting the Obamas as a couple. There's not a lot of inspiring couples these days I'd consider role models. Ones that seem balanced (ie: where the woman is equally valued, etc etc) and ones that just by looking at them, you can see how in love they still are. 

In almost every photo of Barack and Michelle, how in love they are is just palpable. I'd like to look like they do after being married for twenty years.

Too bad Barry won't be taking Michelle out for any fancy anniversary dinners tonight. He's got the first presidential debate. Are you planning on watching? Spellman and I are having a viewing party here at his house in Hollywood. Spellman, naturally, as an American male, has a huge TV and we've invited some folks over. I look forward to whatever new insults Mitt will have for me and people like me almost as much as I look forward to casting my vote in the swing state of Nevada. Maybe he'll succeed in convincing me I'm as much of a mooch on the system as he thinks I am and I'll actually vote for him. 

Are you registered? Deadline is October 7th. 

Why Stop Now?

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