New inspirations.

Today I have discovered three new artists who's work and style have struck me. I am now a fan.  They are all from the early 20th century.

"Green Ballet" - Everett Shinn (1943)

 

 Alfred Stieglitz

"New York Movie" - Edward Hopper

Five films I will never see. I don't care how great you say they are.

I am a film lover. A geek even. I watch a lot of them, good and bad. There are plenty of films that I need to see such as classics that have been on my to do list for years (i.e. Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, Some Like It Hot, etc.) I will always remember that I need to see those movies and someday I probably will. However there are some movies that I have absolutely no interest in and can immediately guarantee disdain. Sure, this may be unreasonable, but we all do it. Right? Anyway, here's my top five films that I will never see. 

1. "Twilight" - Sure everybody in America loves this shit. What's not to love about the fictitious romance between a vampire and some high school chick? The fact of the matter is "Twilight" is written by a Mormon housewife. Mormon housewives should have no say in vampires. Nor should they be allowed to fill young girls heads with unrealistic views of love and devotion. I guarantee I'm not the only guy in the world who has been judged because he is "no Edward". I'm sorry that there are no werewolves for me to fight off in real life and I find it creepy to watch you while you sleep all night. 

2. "Mamma Mia" - A movie based off of a play based on the music of ABBA. Enough said. 

3. "Saw" - When "Saw" was released, I wanted to see it. I was going through a phase of watching fucked up, independent, horror films. I didn't see it because of some reason I can't remember (probably lack of funds, or laziness), but now for every year that goes by that I don't see it, four or five "Saw" sequels are released. I don't want to get sucked into that franchise, and what better way to do that than by refusing to see the origin? 

4. "Gladiator" - Big fight scenes and scantily clad Mediterranean men don't move films up my Netflix queue. "Spartacus" aside, I can't think of one that has made it to my queue in the first place. I don't care how amazing the effects are or how "badass" the fighting is, I don't have three hours to watch Russell Crowe shit on celluloid. 

5. "This Is It" - Here's the thing. Michael Jackson did his thing. I don't think I really ever liked his music, but I can respect what he did, sorta. I mean the guy is kinda responsible for the existence of scene-specific choreographed dancing in any music video (see B.E.T.) and I don't know how much I like that. ANYWAY, I digress. "This Is It", as discussed by many, is a product of publicity. It is a perfect example of taking advantage of current news to make money. And I don't l know if I would've been to keen to going to an M.J. concert while he was alive, let alone watching the making of one. Who knows? This one might be watched. But it'll be for free and somebody else will have to press play. 


Stay tuned for more lists.

 

My stomach melts.

 

The snow falls in tons.

Finally, it is weekend. The snow will attempt to be an obstacle, but I intend to overcome. It is Halloween and I am happy. 

 

The smiles return.

Let's all be artists. Let's live our life, day to day, viewing the world as something new an exciting. Let's set aside the desire for confrontation and give hugs instead. And finally, let's enjoy Jack Conte. 

sigh.

For all that is going so so right, I cannot help but feel that there is always more going wrong. Is that just life?

So very me.

I am so far behind in my classes that I am actually not attempting to catch up until I get an email response from my teachers, informing of me of "what it's gonna take" to pass. I have never done this bad. Straight F's. That means that I am a failure, four-fold. 

Oh well. I'm feeling really anti-humanity right now. These are my peers. Boo.

The Duke Spirit's "Neptune" permeates my skull.

Being replaced, in any facet, is always unsettling. Even if I am being replaced in a situation that I didn't even care about when I was involved. I become extremely narcissistic, wondering, "how the hell could anyone ever replace me." Then I just have to swallow my pride and say, "so it is."


 

Outside my window is a powder sugar spill.

I hate snow. I always have. I always will. I don't snowboard, ski, or ice fish. I have no use for it. Snow is an inconvenience and it'll only get worse.

I am ...

Jesus.

I am mentally preparing to pose as Jesus for a painting. The preparation isn't so much the fact that I'm posing for the painting, but, rather, that I am starting to look enough like Jesus to pose as him. At least I get to hold a gun.

Life is much easier without a care.

I would dry your tears only because they make me uncomfortable.

My car becomes comfortable when I reach my destination.

"Make a little cafe in your soul"

The shop is quiet, with the only audio coming from the Arcade Fire that I put on through the P.A. Sunrise enthusiasts, pump away on treadmills a few doors down. I'm always surprised at how quickly the sky lightens. I prefer it like this. It makes me want to open up a coffee shop that is never open to the public, but somehow convince myself to show up at 6AM and stay for 8 hours. I would bring lots of stuff to do and would get a lot of stuff done. There would be guests and free drinks until all of the supplies were gone - then the store would close.

Tonight I was punched in the face by an American flag.

I feel Cat Stevens and Elliott Smith in my blood. I desire to write music that rocks without rocking. That says something. I want to write haunting and beautiful melodies. Something that somebody, somewhere, listens to while they lay in bed, thinking of how much they can relate to every word I hum. I will sing of seashell eyes and windy smiles. I will write, even if it ends up just being for myself.

Walmart patrons love electric mobility.

My iPod is on shuffle and there is dishwater on my shoe.

With a stomach full of herbal tea and cookies, I try to find the desire to do schoolwork. I'm sitting in a cafe, aching to leave; all the while, music from The Incredibles blares over the P.A. In my procrastination, I unveil this blog. 

My intentions are usually the same when I start these things: document my life, share links, art, music, and film, and of course the occasional rant and rave. But I'm not going to set any specific standards. The theme, feel, and purpose of this journal will likely change from day to day. Perhaps, eclecticism, itself, will become the standard. Regardless, welcome.