inspiration in the weirdest places

The weekend was splendiferous. I feel terrible knowing that my readership is going down due to lack of posting, but I am going to try WAY harder to update. I mean, I just sent my mom an email that was longer than most of the posts I write, so I really have no excuse.
It’s not like I don’t have the time. Honestly, it is too hot to write. I feel as if I could write on the west coast if it was that hot, I mean, 90 degrees of DRY heat is way different than 90 degrees of HUMIDITY. It makes me want to die. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m going to sell my soul in exchange for air conditioning. My roommate already has done that.

I honestly can’t justify an investment like an air conditioner for an apartment I’m going to live in for 2.5 more months. If I buy one, it’s not like I can put it in storage until I move in February - seriously, it would be a storage unit with an air conditioner, maybe some of my summer clothes, and quite possibly my new best friend, Mr. Box Fan.

To distract myself from the heat, I’ve been trying to keep busy in air conditioned places. And if I’m at the apartment, I sit in front of my fan in a swimsuit (seriously.) On Saturday, I spent most of the day in front of the fan, using my dove bronzing lotion and painting my fingernails while catching up on all the MTV I’ve missed during the week (AMERICAS BEST DANCE CREW AUDITIONS, YES PLEASE!) then went out for dinner with Stef and a coworker. We got Tapas (SO GOOD) and saw Sex and the City (SO LONG). It was fun, but I wouldn’t force any non-fan to sit through over 2 hours of outfit montages and carrie-isms. I certainly enjoyed it, but I have an annual SATC marathon where I watch every episode in order. You may call me a loser, but I see it as dedication.

Yesterday was fabulous, in the most fabulous sense of the word. Brunch was fabulous. The Murakami exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum was fabulous. Rob was fabulous (hah.) and dinner with Matt and Stef and Rob was delicious - seriously go to Momofuku. the pork will change your life. fo reals.

I am just so unmotivated to do anything now. Somebody give me a new blog to read… hopefully one that updates every 45 seconds plz. k thanks.

In no particular order…

Weezer’s “Pork and Beans”

Not only is Weezer going back to the sound that made them kickass in the first place, but this video is brilliant, utilizing v-video that is still in everyone’s minds. The only thing missing is a Rick Roll.

The Grouch’s “Artsy”

In a surprisingly similar vain, The Grouch’s “Artsy” pulls from contemporary music video and commercials to make a pretty interesting video. I feel like Talib Kweli or Swiss Beatz or Lupe Fiasco already did something making fun of the HP commercials (how those three are in a group, I don’t know) but somebody did. I still like this video.

We Are Scientists’ “After Hours”

Not only do I love We Are Scientists more after this video, but I’ve always loved Akiva Schaffer (YES, of AKIVA, JORMA AND ANDY OF LONELY ISLAND!!!) This video is simple, the budget probably went to hiring the actress (who is on 30 Rock or something? What’s with 30 Rock kids getting cast in music videos lately?) and paying the dog’s SAG fees or something.

Flight of the Conchords’ “Ladies of the World”

If I have to explain why this is great, you either have absolutely no idea who I am or are as boring as a brick. Fo seriously.

Foo Fighters’ “Pretender”

Dave Grohl gives me a boner and the simplicity of the idea and killer effects and imagery is like a sweet sweet orgasm for the eyes. Seriously, somebody was like “Here: run around with this steady cam for like four minutes. By the way, wear a poncho.” (better res is available on youtubes, just not embedded)

Girls Aloud’s “Don’t Speak French”

Guilty pleasure. I’m sorry. Whoever picked these girls out of an audition line was a genius. The song sucks, the idea sucks, but dear God, where did these creatures come from? Way to put out there the only thing these girls have got goin for them… Bravo hair/makeup/costume. (P.S. I’m sorry I made you watch that.)

Herman Dunes’ “1-2-3-Apple-Tree”

There’s just something about well done contemporary puppetry that really makes my day. And I dig the song. It just makes me feel good. I think.

Tokyo Police Clubs’ “Tesselate”

My boy Miguel came up with the concept and co-directed it (fo seriously) and I love it. I think it’s an adorable concept, and kind of takes me back to that Disney World thing, Body Worlds or whatever they’ve got, where you go through that journey of the body to help this guy out and there’s all these other guys living inside this guy trying to help him get through the day. (I’m pretty sure it has to do with reproduction too, but I probably blocked that from my 9 year-old memory.) This, however, has nothing to do with reproduction, and is probably cooler.

I’m sure I have tons of more videos to say I love, but these were the ones I found easily. I hope you like them too, and maybe see something you haven’t seen yet. There’s a lot of crap out there, but luckily there’s some select groups of artists floating around…

Woke up to rain. Odd. It’s been in the 80s and 90s the past few days. Tried to watch “Grindhouse” this morning. Got through about 15 minutes, in which Rose McGowan pole danced (sort of?) somebody’s face melted a la the Nazis in Indiana Jones, Fergie pretended she knew something about cars, and somebody got their balls cut off. And, oh my God, all of the women had huge tits and tiny waists. Imagine that. What a perfect world Robert Rodriguez lives in.

I figured I couldn’t handle three hours of it. Considering part two was directed by Quentin Tarentino, I was probably going to vomit in my mouth some more, and figured my morning was better suited for other things.

Made breakfast. Wandered around the house. Mulled over last night’s gossip girl and tomorrow’s therapy session #2. Baked cookies. Worked on a friend’s graduation present (You’ll get it in July in your new Dailie, Boo.) And had a moment with… someone I really didn’t want to see. I had kind of a clairvoyent moment, where I considered that I was going to a very popular hangout place downtown, and that I might just see someone I REALLY didn’t want to see. I considered my options if I ran into a person like this, and decided that the project could wait for another day if I had to enact an escape route. Upon arrival, I was the only one there. I worked for about three hours, and about halfway through hour 2, in walked a nemesis, one from high school I really never wanted to see again, and at one point considered beating the shit out of. (The only reason I didn’t is because she outweighed me by about 20lbs with her beer gut. I figured I could hate from afar and avoid confrontation.) However, she walked in, looking slimmer and more composed, and I still wanted to beat the crap out of her. Luckily, I was almost done with my project, so I finished, paid, and left. But not without workin it as I walked out the door. I’m sure as soon as I left she had a fit with her friend that I was there and “What the hell” was I doing back in town. It’s been three years, but I still want to punch her in her fat little face.

That’s a lot of rage in one girl. Trust me, it’s not something you want to unleash.

So I rolled home about 3pm. My brother joined soon after and we were interrupted by a phone call from my Dad. He told my brother to get a box out of his closet and bring it to me. Inside were my brand new Wii controllers and their chargers. We began charging for the preparations for the night.

After a lovely dinner and American Idol viewing session with lil Bro, all in the world was right, the Wii console arrived from heaven, and we promptly began to damage our joints by bowling (arms), boxing (arms. ow.), golf (back), tennis (arms), baseball (elbows). It was a hoot, and I got some sweet pics of my Dad about to punch the TV with his bowling arms to prove it. He got really into the boxing too. It was kind of pathetic, but it shows where I got my competitive streak from. We had a really great time and ended the night with a rousing game of Mario Kart (Father says “Marry-oh”, Bro and I say “Mar-ree-oh” - guess who grew up on the East Coast and who didn’t) and decided it was time to throw in the towel for the night. Wii sports is EXHAUSTING.

Going to see Alex tomorrow. Finally. I feel like it’s been… oh it has been almost half a year since I’ve seen him. And since we’re not meeting up in Topeka any time in the next few months, I figured I needed to drop in for a visit. He always seems to remind me that I’m a normal human being, and for some reason, I subconsciously decided to be myself around him (around others, I become incredibly chatty and friendly.) I was told that I needed to spend more time with the people that are my true friends, and stop worrying about being friends with “everyone.” Alex is one of those true friends, and I’m glad that I’m able to see him before I jet off to the big city again. He gets me; I like that.

In other news, I am glad I have rediscovered popsicles and Ding Dongs, a rarity in the East (I CANT FIND THEM ANYWHERE.) I’m tempted to bring back a few boxes, and then I remember I’m 10lbs heavier than I’d like to be. I’m sticking to coke zero (YESSS) and sugar free popsicles for the time being as treats. Ding Dongs will just have to be a special hometown memory.

P.S. 58% to 42%. I always like it when my team wins.

Film:
Finished “Paris, Je t’aime” (finally). I thought it was a really beautiful film. For those of you who have seen it, the last story really spoke to me - the one with the woman who goes to Paris by herself and the entire voice over is like an essay she wrote for her french class. The weak pronunciation, the jilted speech patterns, and the tourist short pants, fanny pack, and white tennis shoes. The whole film was a really glorious piece of work, and I’m very curious to see if “New York, I Love You” ruins the concept or paints the portrait of New York by New Yorkers that Parisians painted of Paris. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it.

TV: Finished disk 1 of “Weeds” Season 2. It feels like FOREVER since I’ve seen Season 1, but the ideas are still as funny an interesting as it once was. I’m having a little trouble with the DEA theme, and I think they should have considered the long-term effects of it before introducing it to the storyline. It’s going to be difficult to write out if they decide to. (For those of you keeping up, don’t tell me how if they do it. I’ll find out eventually…)

Books:
Finished “Fuck Up” by Arthur Nersesian. Really great, but not for everyone. It’s the story of this guy where things just keep getting shittier and shittier. Basically it’s a “what can go wrong will go wrong” and even the things you don’t think will go wrong, will get worse. It’s such a nitty-gritty 90s New York. Reading another one of this books “The Swing Voter of Staten Island”. Oh go figure, another book about New York.

Apartment:
Swept. Dusted. Swiffered. Started dishes. Paid rent. Grocery shopped. You know. Keeping busy.

I don’t know what I’m doing with my life anymore and I can only focus on tomorrow. I suppose I just count the hours until I go to sleep again, and start the timer over when I wake up again. It’s a pretty sad existence, but if that’s what it takes to get through the day right now, then that’s what I’m going to do.

I’m watching Magnolia. It’s the part with the frogs. I have no idea what’s going on in this movie anymore.

It reminded me of this random association I have with Julianne Moore. I don’t know why but I think of Laura Linney every time I see her, and every time I see Laura Linney, I see Catherine O’Hara.

I thought I would do some photo representations of celebrities I mentally associate with one another. Ready?

Julianna Moore, Laura Linney and Catherine O’Hara

Ben Stein, Eugene Levy, and Groucho Marx

Sean Astin and Seth Rogan

That’s all for today. If I think of more, I’ll post.

God, what is up with the raining frogs? What is up with this movie? Maybe I should have been paying closer attention from the beginning.

Hallie and I went to “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” last night (which was a good and bad idea… sigh) and it was really fun. Could have done without a few extra peen shots, and it was a little bit on the long side, but the writing was HILARIOUS. I absolutely loved the cut away/memory shots, and the rock-star English boyfriend was absolutely hilarious in every way, shape, and form.

I would highly recommend seeing this film. It was funny, heartwarming, and a great watch with friends. The theater was packed - even on a Sunday night at 9pm.

A good simple laugh that can brighten any cloudy day. Co-written by Michael Ian Black and that guy from Sean of the Dead (Simon somethingorother) and directed by David Schwimmer (yet to confirm whether or not it’s actually Ross from friends or just some guy with the same name) it was light hearted, cute, VERY funny at some points, but in true Simon whatshisface fashion, never to be taken too seriously. Enjoy.

I went to see “Vantage Point” with Hallie last night, and I went in with low expectations.  Even after the consessions guy, K.C., suggested we sneak into “Boleyn Girl” instead (and let Hallie try the pretzel bites for free - what movie theater does that?!) my expectations only sank more.

In the theater, some guys got in a shouting match during the film about “shutting the fuck up” and I got really excited because I thought maybe we’d get to see a fist fight in the theater, and to put it into perspective, I wanted to watch the fist fight more than the movie.

“Vantage Point” was far more dissapointing then I expected. A over-the-top 9 minute car chase, a completely unrealistic plot, superflouous characters, horrible script, and a lame twist I could see coming from the beginning, I couldn’t believe that someone actually agreed to produce it.

In the end, I was glad I used a coupon to get into the movie for free, but wished I could have the hour and thirty minutes of my life back.