Friday, June 26, 2009

Please Please Please


She & Him cover The Smiths' "Please Please Please Let me Get What I want" as many, MANY others have done. (Muse, Tinderbox, etc.) I particularly dislike the She & Him version for her upcoming film "500 Days of Summer".


In the trailer for the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is standing in an elevator listening to The Smiths. Zooey Deschanel proclaims her love for the band, and immediately after she exits, he is sure he has found the girl of his dreams. Of course! The Smiths are so completely esoteric that only the perfect girl can love them. Ridiculous, I say.

Listen to the cover (via Stereogum):



While I usually enjoy Zooey Deschanel's voice, I find it to be a bit obnoxious in this version. Recently, I had a conversation with a couple friends about her, and they feel she tries too hard. That is exactly what this version radiates. Morrissey is able to convey his emotions through the song, but it sounds like Zooey Deschanel is merely trying to convey some intense emotion she has due to her horribly tragic indie lifestyle. On a positive note, I do enjoy the classic sound of M.Ward's guitar. However, it is not enough to even slightly compare to the original at all.




Current recording artists, please stop touching this song.
xoxo,
Julie

The Death of Michael Jackson



I love Michael Jackson. I grew up with his music, and his ever-changing face all over the media. On the news they were referring to his death, as though it were Kennedy's saying, "You'll always remember where you were when you heard the news." I definitely shall, since I found out via Twitter.


(Click to Enlarge)

I really felt connected to his death for some inexplicable reason. He was someone who was everywhere growing up. Now he is just gone? It was very peculiar to think about, even though I never really felt a significant connection with him before. However, I have always admired his music and talent. I loved him in The Jackson Five. “Who’s Loving You” is my favorite song. This morning, I woke up, put the song on, and my dog, Paco, came running onto my bed and began singing along.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Skull Island

Once, I was lost in it. It was not a pit of despair, nor a deafening place filled with silent cries, but rather peaceful and beautiful. Although lonely, I never needed nor did I want. I just was. My entire reality simply was to exist amidst the bones and the breeze, only hearing the voice of the waves and influenced only by the intuition of a bird. With no desires, it is easy to live and to live is easy with no desires.

-j.marie










Thursday, June 18, 2009

Everything is going to the beat

My friend Caitlin and I went to my favorite used media store in Phoenix to see what literary and musical treasures we could find. I purchased several books from the beat generation, a Vonnegut children's book, and a couple other finds I shall save for another time.

Howl by Allen Ginsberg and Junky by William S. Burroughs.

"Howl is considered to be one of the principal works of the Beat Generation along with Jack Kerouac's On the Road (1957) and William S. Burroughs's Naked Lunch (1959)." I already own On the Road and Naked Lunch. I am really looking forward to reading these iconic pieces of literature. It is a real shame that I have not already.



Old Angel Midnight and The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac


Sun Moon Star by Kurt Vonnegut & Ivan Chermayeff

Back Cover: Vonnegut & Chermayeff


Sun Moon Star is a children's book written by Kurt Vonnegut. He is my favorite author, and I was unaware he had anything to do with a book for children. It was illustrated by Ivan Chermayeff, one half of Chermayeff & Geismar, a very influential graphic design team. (Click here to view a few of the logos they designed)

This is written on the sleeve of the book:
"This book is an experiment in making music for the eye rather than the ear. Ivan Chermayeff made the illustrations first, without saying what they meant. Then Kurt Vonnegut wrote words to fit the images he saw. This is a song then, whose music came first. A simple hymn for printing press. Others may find it entertaining to put their own words to Chermayeff's tune."

The book is hilarious! Some images are merely a shooting star, or an entire page that is just the color purple. Vonnegut utilizes his usual brilliant satire to tell the story of baby Jesus and his view of the world as soon as he enters it. I wish I could put the entire thing in this blog post, because it is just dazzling.

I am off to read now. I have not yet decided which to start with, but I shall have several posts regarding these books in the future, I am sure.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Jimmy Choo at H&M




In my opinion, H&M is the best place to find affordable, very chic clothing, and of course, there is not one single H&M in the entire state of Arizona. (The cultural wasteland I like to talk about quite frequently) The first time I shopped at H&M, I was 17 and in New York for the first time. I visited the store on 5th avenue, and remember being in awe at the style of clothing available for the cost. The collaboration with established designers really sets H&M apart from similar stores like Forever 21, because rather than merely knocking off an idea, they work in partnership with the people responsible for the creativity that is leading the fashion industry today.


Image via Jimmy Choo.

H&M's latest designer collaboration is with the world-renowned accessory designer Jimmy Choo. This is a bit different for H&M, as the retailer does not typically work with designers who specialize in accessories. It shall be interesting to see what Choo and H&M come up with, but I am sure the collection of shoes, bags, and clothing shall be held to the standards of Choo's past, present, and upcoming collections. November 14 is the day to mark on your calendar as "wake up obscenely early so I may arrive when H&M opens and push other bitches around". I am sure it shall be a busy day, as the highly anticipated collection launches in 200 stores.

Finally, I couldn't resist:

Monday, June 15, 2009

Away We Go


The advertisements for this film starring John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph were all over Myspace about a week ago, but I viewed the trailer for the first time last night. After doing so, I had to see it. Since it is an independent film, a friend and I had to drive a bit in order to see it. We ended up at an indie theatre in Scottsdale, because it was the only place it was playing in the valley. We actually were quite lucky, because it is not uncommon for films like these to be unavailable to view in the cultural wasteland I live in. Of course the drive was worth it, because it has already become a favorite!



The movie begins with Bert (John Krasinski) orally pleasuring Verona (Maya Rudolph) and noticing a different taste in her natural lady juice, which of course means she is either menopausal or pregnant. The couple lives in the same town as Bert's parents, who announce they are relocating to Belgium a month prior to the birth of the baby. Bert and Verona decide to go on a trip to several different cities in order to find a new place to call home. They visit cities which have at least a couple residents they are familiar with and the film follows their interactions with the people from their past (notable characters played by Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janney), as well as their interactions with the cities themselves. (Side note: It was interesting to see Phoenix, the city I call home, in the film. It was however, rather upsetting that we were unaware of the filming. I would have stalked Phoenix Greyhound park for the chance to meet Krasinski!) The film may appear to be another feel-good indie comedy, with a typical indie soundtrack, but it has several dimensions which affect every emotion. The soundtrack contains 13 songs, ten of which are by Alexi Murdoch. It is very usual indie-flick music, folk with a soft male voice singing over a mellow acoustic guitar strum. Despite the fact that it has been done so many times, it was still enjoyable. Additionally, I was elated when "What is Life" by George Harrison began playing during their visit to Montreal. I was singing along in my seat with a huge smile on my face.




Moving on to more of my own opinions, it probably should be said that I am the type of person who criticizes any seemingly insignificant aspect of a film that happens to bother me a great deal, but coming out of this one, I only had one dismissible annoyance. On positive notes, the movie made me laugh so hard, it hurt, I was on the verge of tears several times, and I fell in love with virtually every character. Since I am a big fan of The Office, I have been infatuated with John Krasinski for a while. In this movie, he plays the perfect man. (Well, perhaps not perfect. He could have made a bit more money and not live in a trailer. ha) We were talking about his character while in line at the bathroom for about three hours, and came to a couple conclusions: 1. It is so great that a male can be portrayed in this manner. 2. It is ultimately crushing due to the fact that no one like Bert actually exists! A girl can dream though. I love the intelligent, somewhat geeky, extremely sweet, but sarcastic and humorous type of male with a beard and trendy glasses. AKA John Krasinski's character in the movie. Plus, he is really tall and has great teeth. Alright, now I may be going too far straying off topic, but one can easily grasp the point I am trying to make: watch the movie! You shall laugh, you shall cry (or at least feel like you could), and you shall ultimately FEEL. Brilliant, bloody brilliant.
View Trailer here.

Just to end it all on a classy note:

(Image via Elle)

Shining, shimmering, splendid

Let's go on a magic carpet ride




On Saturday night, Katie, Addison, Stephanie, Rik and I were all sitting around drinking and started singing "A Whole New World" for a reason I cannot recall. This is one of my favorite Disney songs of all time! Aladdin and Jasmine flying through the clouds is so beautiful.

"Don't you dare close your eyes" - performed by Addison in a rather dramatic fashion, was the highlight of the night.



Sometimes I wish these things could actually happen. Only sometimes....

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Heavy Cross, all in gold



I have had a love affair with Gossip ever since viewing footage from "Live in Liverpool". Beth Ditto has a presence that cannot be ignored, nor imitated. It is very rare to possess both of these characteristics these days. I have had "Heavy Cross" on heavy rotation ever since it was released on their Myspace profile. The video reminds me of something from the 80's, with a futuristic twist. Not straying from her usual, Ditto is wearing outlandish outfits, which she pulls off spectacularly. Favorite? Of course, the all gold number at the beginning! Perhaps I shall start rocking gold lipstick. ha

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Thrift finds of the day



Decorative Owl
I am in love with gold objects. They are all around my room, and this is a nice addition to it. Also, it has amazing blue/teal eyes.

Walden and Other Writings by Henry David Thoreau
I studied Thoreu a bit my junior year of high school, but now I want to go more in depth. Picked it up for $2.

Victorian Boy in Gold Frame
I just love it. It shall go on my "random" wall as soon as I finish organizing my life room.

Not pictured:
The Courage to Be Rich by Suze Orman
The purchase of this book was a very crucial life step for me. It was very difficult to even carry around the store, because I've been so scared to be rich all my life.
Green Photo Album

Unrelated note: I cannot stop listening to Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" album. My favorite track being "The Well and the Lighthouse", especially two minutes and twenty seconds in.....


Resurrected
Living in a lighthouse
If you leave the ships are gonna wreck
Resurrected
Living in a lighthouse
The lions and the lambs ain't sleeping yet

Thursday, June 4, 2009

What would Jesus Do?

I am laughing so hard, I am crying. YES, I am weeping here at work due to laughter. British comedy is so much better than America's. My new task in life is to watch every episode of Outnumbered.





"When Jesus was a bit older, and he was still being searched by the Romans, why couldn't he shape shift into a Roman....?"

These children are amazing.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Introductions, shall we?

My favorite line in a song ever from my favorite song ever:
“Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all”

Like many other beings on this planet, I enjoy art, music, fashion, films, books, humor, death, religions, observation, golden gods, Charlie Brown, beards, people, secret rituals, style, Polaroids, The Virgin Mary, etc. I’m just like everyone else!

So for the third time now, the time has come for me to create a space in which I may write my thoughts on reality, perhaps divulge a bit of my imagination, etc. You, my friends are in luck, for it exists here before your very eyes!

I shall keep up this time. I shall. I shall.

I SHALL.