Long Exposure

Photographer, Michael Wesley, specializes in long exposures... like 3 year long exposures. These above are photos are the building of the Moma museum in New York. The photos are all really haunting and kind of look like the composite digital-analog images they're always emphasizing in class. Super cool!

link

The Kiss aka Daddy and Me

I don't know about you but a title like this had be running away at first. Even while reading it during lunch and on the train I purposefully hid the book's title while embarrassingly showing its pages with HUGE font. It just sounds like a less than Nora Roberts saad sad attempt at a romance novel. Only after reading the book do I recognize the importance of the title, but truthfully I still wouldn't have chosen that one- it just doesn't peak my curiousity. But the story oh what a story.

Delightfully indecent! Young Katie lives with the most dysfunctional of families. An overbearing disapproving mother and a manipulative grandmother guide her into a nervous bulimic lifestyle, while her minister father, who has been living with another family all her life comes in and our of her life until finally deciding to stay in and becoming dangerously close. And so begins their extended obsessive love affair with one another. A single kiss of the book's namesake sparks their truly tortured relationship. OK but the truth? I'm SO sick of these books of tortured past that lead to empowerment. I'm a cynic I get it but this book in particular was blah.

So many things I didn't like about this book. To be absolutely frank... she just sounds like another whiner. That is absolutely inappropriate to talk about her story in such a way I know, but I didn't find any range of emotions in this book. Truthfully I don't know if that makes it any less of a book but just personally it didn't do it for me. Too much whining... too much 'please feel bad for me'. Something about her detailing every moment of her sad 25 years of life bores me. But maybe that's just me I'm more easy to pity resilient characters that can look back on their experiences with at least a smirk. She's a great writer though and I enjoyed following her poetry as well as her story. It just didn't leave me exclaiming 'hallelujah everyone needs to read this', like I usually leave a good book.

But god twisted twisted story... not as twisted as the next book on my list In Youth is Pleasure recommended by John Waters himself. Now that's what I call twisted.

John Waters- Role Models

John Waters was first introduced to me by Drew. It was actually probably the first day I met him that he invited me over to his room after work for a lil get together with the other counselors (we were in training to be counselors at a pre-college program)... naughty naughty. A few introductions, a few drinks, and there we were all huddled around a small computer watching Pink Flamingoes. I was paralyzed in shock that such a movie existed! Chickens getting fucked, trannies eating dog poop, hitchhikers getting abducted and raped to produce children sold to lesbian couples- it was absolutely brilliant! And from the disgusted looks of a solid 90% of the room, I knew who I would have to censor myself in front of, and who wouldn't budge if I cranked myself up to 100.

Since I've been trying to see as many of John Waters's (http://www.english-zone.com/spelling/possessives.html RULE 4.... I don't want to fight with anyone ever again about this) films and read as many of his books. I want to imbibe all things John Waters.

So of course when I saw this I ran for it. Sadly I can neither find it at any library nor can I afford to buy it meaning the only way for me to read those delicious words is to show my pathetic face at Strand after work day after day reading a chapter or so til I finish. But I'd like to believe John would be proud of me and would delight in my behavior.

So the book. It follows its namesake, Role Models is about the different people in Waters's life who influenced him. And just seeing the different things he has produced and the ideas storming in his head, I could imagine his role models were going to be more colorful people but it's even better than I expected! From Johnny Mathis, to a lesbian stripper in a Baltimore bar, to one of the members of the Manson family, his relationships with his role models are so genuine and show a really human side of him that is so so endearing. I've fallen even deeper in love with John Waters...uh oh.

Stumbling Upon Happiness

There are a few questions always brewing in my mind. Always always. If you've spoken to me for longer than 2 hours you've probably heard my 20 minute bit about altruism. The other BIG question is what makes people happy... i mean universally.

As always Daniel Gilbert pulled through and wrote a book... Stumbling Upon Happiness.

I first met Gilbert through a TED talk that blew me away. I guess what's nice about seeing someone lecture before reading their book is you get a sense of the author's voice, mannerisms, and in some aspects their personality. So I fell in love is what happened. He gave a fantastic lecture about how our psychological immune system is constantly working to make us happy. So when I saw the book I nabbed it and was done in a day or two. He was described as a mix between Malcolm Gladwell and David Sedaris by critic and I think that's a perfect description. Surely it was very informative with graphs, cited experiments, and all that good stuff, but it was also very very very funny.

I can say without a doubt that this book probably changed my life or at the very least how I think.

Summary: Chill out... be happy cuz your body wants you to be. (wow that completely strips the book bear and makes it sound useless to read but trust me very very very useful)

Murakami=Gehry? Say It Ain't So!

I've been reading like a MAD woman these past weeks because for once I have time and my daily two+ hours of commuting provides the perfect time to. Surely there were a few books that were life changing but this needed to be posted because reading Haruki Murakami's latest, What I Think About When I Think About Running made me so so so sad.

And not in the typical 'oh my god I think I'm going through another existential crisis thank god someone understands me in this world' type of sad that I'm usually thrown into after reading one of his books. Mostly a 'wow I've been duped' sad. Why you ask? Murakami seems like an arrogant Gehry-esque toolbag that likes to talk about how modest and innovative he is!

Surely arrogance never hindered someone from being a successful writer, architect, or musician (I'm looking at you Amadeus, Chris Martin, Gehry, KANYE WEST), but I'd like to imagine one of my favorite writer being a feeble dreamy man that's shy, intelligent, and likes to listen.

Summary: I'm better than everyone else. I conquer things better and more frequently than anyone else. I'm great at running. I'm great at writing. Everyone loves me.

Damn you Murakami! Way to crush my dreams of the mysterious warm-hearted man that peers at me from the jacket cover of many a books.

BIKINI KILL and riot grrrls

The new obsession of the month I suppose. Of course I'm a sucker for feminist, all powerful women shit like this. It's all about solidarity and independence and not having to apologize for anything. It's great!

Here's a cute lil article that sums up a lot of my feelings about the riot grrrl movement

Andrew Freear

I just saw a lecture at school by Andrew Freear and it was the spark I needed to restart this blog . What an incredible guy! From what I can tell he is exactly what I aspire to become. An architect that designs with a social conscience. I guess that's something all architects are taught to do but it seems his whole being goes into building for the common good. He would be a fantastic burner if he isn't already and someone that explanations for good are unnecessary. It takes a very special someone to transplant themselves to a rural alabama town of 200 people to simply better their conditions.

Drool drool drool enough said.


On a side more philosophical note, I'm always so surprised or suspicious people are of those who give. Freear mentioned the residents' skepticism when given free modifications to the homes which reminded me of my experience with MadHatters in Alabama. Similarly homeless people wouldn't accept free homes, thinking we were tricking them. Well before I start spilling my guts on my philosophy... peace.

Charlie Le Mindu

Old news in the world of fashion, again new for the blog.
Hair hair hair hair hair hair hair.

More importantly Gaga's hair. Love or hate her she undeniably made a splash last year and her hair was absolutely ridiculous. And her styled wigs were more often than not the masterpieces of Charlie Le Mindu. He did three or so of the Bad Romance hairstyles and get this- he's only 23. Add him to the long list of people who make me feel unaccomplished.

link to Charlie's site

Fat-Bottomed Girls

WHOAH Karl Langerfeld did a big girl shoot for V magazine's plus size issue! He hates fat people! And oh damn! Girl looks good! link

Lots of these big people shoots but honestly most of them make these women look awwful:
Who wears this?? And of all places to show skin...tummy? I hate to fall into society's trap but, skinny is seeexxy. And I think it's pretty hard to make big look good but psh if anyone's gonna do it I suppose it would be Karl.

Piano Teacher

Flashback: The Piano Teacher

One of the most insane movies I've seen in a long time. I'm completely lost on where to begin and where to end.

There's a piano teacher.
She's into S+M.
Shit starts with her 17-year old student.
Shit get wild.

The story is unpredictable and will leave you with a gaping mouth. Those two characteristics alone should be enough for you to watch this movie.

Let's Get Some Mugs!

Clear mugs for hot drinks... is this a trend? I remember seeing this once and thinking it looked so chic! ... the point? I got a pair even though my cabinets are exploding with muugs.

Also I'm on the lookout for gold mugs like these:
Again I'd drink anything out of theses cups! Wow... has this blog degraded from enlightenment to the material goods I'd like to gather? Fine by me. In all seriousness though, I got into with Gabi that's pushed me to want to decorate my home. I mean we're spending so much time in these spaces... they should make you feel good

Christopher Kane

Fashion Bla Bla

I'm lucky enough to live in arguably the greatest city in the world- NYC. I didn't get the hype growing up here but after having lived and visited multiple other cities around the world I get it. Sure it's a cliche but where else in the world will you find this beautiful hodge podge of people, foods, sites... inspiration (barf).

Anywho, the point of the story is I made my first purchases at Topshop after many empty-handed visits. Needless to say SALE SALE SALE

TADA It's Mine! It's Christopher Kane for Topshop. Old news in the blogosphere but new in phyllisosphere!! So you either love it or hate it but goddamnit this is gorge! Eyes where the titties go and mouth for the cooch. I am currently wearing it to bed- a bit obsessed yes. But IT'S CHRISTOPHER KANE and IT'S MINE and IT'S FABULOUS!

Dipped Things

Back again for a buttload to unload ... firstly dipped things.

Gabe loves clay and has explained a miniscule amount of it to be... but just enough for me to think "ooo gabe" whenever I see something I like in clay. So of course when I read about this artists who dips doilies in porcelain it got me thinking. Imagine the possibilites! Wireform... lace... anything with super intricate details submerged in something that will eventually solidify???
That's right... that's porcelain!



link

McQueenie Queen

Ok I get it, the entire world loves Alexander McQueen and I've done so many past post drooling over McQueen BUT
I LOVE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN!

I guess I can only critique fashion just like any other art form from an architect's persepective but damn. He designs a completely alternative world and he fits every stitch to fit this world. His runway shows are spectacular and he has the ability much like h.g. giger to make the grotesque beautiful. Ok enough of my half-awake babble. You decide for yourself.

Holiday For a Friend

Holiday
For a Friend

The conduits and symbols of love will fill
and empty in step with the wink of our tongue;
neurons will burst open as your spinal cord twists
into a tesla coil, the walls of the temple shrine

unraveling. There will be only words, spoken
in morse code, in dots and dashes, images
and photoreels, taste and sound underwhelming
in their edict, their muddled signs and prophesy.

We will hawk for Oligarchs, haunt cylindrical thought
for fun; euthanize desire with the static emanating
from our fingertips; taste, then spit up, philosophy
and beliefs, live like nothing, like nothing at all.

And I will hang your hopes like a cowbell
about my neck, the sun growing jealous
of our foreheads & we will forget who we are
or why it mattered. Let the temper of this air

leave you breathless, the sentence of this moment become
your nothingness. Do not deal in prayer
or petals of ash, dim when compared
to their counterparts. Embrace only the moon

drawing static along the bottom curve of my iris,
the blood siphoned from beneath our tongue, the mercury
marking what’s left, fossilized points and lines.
Abandon the fuel, the reality that tethers you,

unclothe, delineate, go mad, magnify the architecture
of empty space, my palmprint; set loose the funnel
of crows in your throat, let my carcass of iron torture
your compass needle, and you will have your holiday.


-Austin Moyer

The Thing about Daul Kim

The world and particularly the blogosphere has been in mourning over the death of Daul Kim. She was the darling of the fashion world, supposedly Karl Lagerfeld's new muse. I guess what caught my eye really more than anything else are the so many similarities that Daul and I have. Ok I guess these are just chance coincidences and not something completely out of the ordinary. So we're both depressed Korean chick artists with blogs, roughly 5'10", sharing the same surname, and born three days apart.

That's enough to peak my interest. The first thought that rushed through my head is damn, she's done a lot more in her years on the earth than I have. I mean she's left a legacy and a fan base behind and damn she's done well with that bod of hers. And secondly, if the stars were aligned differently... could that have been me?

Fashion What?

Let's be serious, my fashion sense involves whatever the fuck I want and at times things that will make me laugh. Well I guess it goes a little beyond that and I do think of composure and fit and smaller things that no one else will ever notice. And it really depends on the day sometimes I feel like being Ms. On-a-boat JCrew with with lots of hot white... and other days i'm a rockstar.. As a kid I told myself when I was living independent of my parents I would eat just as I pleased and dress just as I pleased. Today: Asparagus, hotsauce, pasta with eggplant marinara + mohair plaid sweater, grey jeans, cowboyish boots ...

Anyway the point of all this? I've become obsessed reader of the regular blogs i.e. sartorialist and jakandjil for their HAWT clean looks buuttt just recently began to enjoy the chaos of certain other bloggers:

http://moohoop.livejournal.com/
WOWza... a stark contrast to everything I've been seeing and liking. In theory I guess this shouldn't be anything I really like. Sure I looove crazy accessories and I wear quite a few shocking numbers but this girl has it going on! Brooke is a design student in the district and she gets it. I've never been one bold enough to do so many layers or mix SO many patterns but she rocks. Maybe it's her bangin bod? I really don't get it because it's nothing I've ever really been drawn to this look I mean but I couldn't help but spend an hour yesterday trying to read every single one of her entries. She's goddamn fierce and I think my new muse.



and

http://tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com/


So this is the kinda thing that makes me think 'what have i been doing with my life?'. This 13-year old writer is more fluent in fashion than anyone else I can think of at the top of my head and someone that my 13-year self would have dressed like ... (if I weren't the normal self-conscious MustFitIn 13-year old girl). Other than being awesome fashion blog, I love that hers is kinda angsty...something I can still very much relate with.


Lots of thanksgiving reading material! Love having found these people.

You may all call my crazy, but looK! I've found some crazies that relate!

Comics and Zine Binge

The stack of comic books has been ever decreasing and I only have a pair left so here are noteworthy ones:

Doris 15: The Anti-Depression Guide

This one really hit close to home and truthfully I don't know how entertaining it would be for someone that hasn't gone through depression but boy was this one fantastic. I was at first reluctant to pick it up because it was so obviously a zine bound at home by some unknown artist with scraggly writing and equally scraggly drawings but thank god I did. Cindy Crabb is a wonderful angsty writer that I loved reading. I liked her take on the disease and the way she didn't try to forcefeed the same old bullshit I hear all the time on staying calm and blah blah blah. real advice for real people

Skim

Asian girl who's depressed, in a relationship with an older woman teacher... great

Black Hole

Thanks to Merri, in my room lies a thick stack of graphic novels that are slowly being read. Last night's read was the infamous Black Hole, which I've been meaning to get at for a while now and holy shit was it awesome. Disturbing storyline... awesome graphics. A +++ I was thinking of how this could possibly be translated into a movie or a book or anything because it has so many deeper elements and truly i don't think it can be. It is the perfect graphic novel because it cannot be anything else. In a rush but more to come...

wiki:
Set in the suburbs of Seattle during the mid-1970s, the comics follow a group of mostly middle class teenagers who, over the summer, contract a mysterious sexually transmitted disease known as "the Bug" or "the teen plague", which causes them to develop bizarre unique physical mutations, turning them into social outcasts.