happy magic wolf moon!

If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.

You leave the same impression

Of something beautiful, but annihilating.

 Sylvia Plath

via.

it's all just a part of the game

Maison Martin Margiela : Atelier Artisanal from Materialiste Paris on Vimeo.

Behold: genius. I know I'm probably breaking some blogger code that puts a limit on how many videos are appropriate to post within a certain number of days- but I can't help myself. You get the idea. xox

don't mourn, organize!

For the second time in three days, my good mood is abruptly deflated by reading about the death of another great mind. RIP Howard Zinn

race against death, the atom-bomb of the days

So, after debating over a few options, I have decided on a vintage Victorian-esque black lace dress (cut short but with a high collar!!) for my birthday celebration next month.  And really, who am I kidding here- San Francisco style is vintage embodied, and that point can be made by guiding you directly to the Haight Ashbury district.  Here the locals seem to live and breathe styles from the 1960's and 1970's- of course there is a generous mix of crust punks, "hipsters", and tourists alike, but keep an eye out for those who seem to be playing dress up in their mothers' closets... if their mothers just happened to be Stevie Nicks.  xox

humanity, you never had it to begin with

Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends.

Relaxing with my required reading of the evening: Dazed & Confused, Bon, and Lush.  True to herself, Courtney Love (in D&C Magazine, top) will not be ignored.  Though her past reads like a harrowing tale of fame gone wrong, I will never stop hoping that the latest comeback (read: rehab, a new stylist, plus a new album) will always be the best and the last.  It will be difficult for her to top 2004's trashy LP America's Sweetheart, however I am extremely excited to get my hands on Love's upcoming album Nobody's Daughter, to be released in the early half of this year.  Her take-no-prisoners attitude with music and also in life reminds me that on occasion, it is acceptable to pull up to a stoplight blaring "I'll Do Anything", screaming something about.... throwing me up against a wall.  Who cares if other drivers have the impression that I'm batshit insane?  I'm nothing compared to Ms Love, the true First Lady of rock'n'roll, and her literal craziness is the reason we find it so difficult to look away.  

"We can talk as much bullshit as we like, but it means nothing until you've heard the fucking songs."

- Love to D&C interviewer Karley Sciortino

mood board: if only

Check out some more inspiration on my Tumblr.

the boy gave us a potion or two

Now, I know that Meg White is Patti Smith's daughter-in-law, but in my humble opinion Jack got the better deal- a band with Alison Mosshart. Drool-worthy.

song of the day: islands by the xx

Today's grocery list:

champagne

eggs

champagne

olive oil

champagne

cheese

champagne

tylenol (hmmmm.....)

Do we see a pattern emerging here?

(Picture taken in the last hometown in America, Nov 2009.)

Avatar: Space Cowboys vs. Indians

My initial questions directly after seeing Avatar:  What is the intended message James Cameron intends the general public to perceive?  Beyond that, what is the outcome (consequence) of the message actually taken from this movie? 

Avatar's breathtaking technology has certainly opened the doors for a new genre, and also for a new market in entertainment.  This advanced technology is a tool that has the power to elevate the art form of digital cinematography- in Avatar, however, it is used as a platform for creating a plot that, throughout the movie,  fills in the empty blanks of a flat storyline by the changing of relativistic viewpoints.  The context and use of the climax by Cameron is unoriginal and singularly confusing to the average viewer- we begin on the side of the trigger-happy, aggressive characters and end sympathizing with the Na'vi, who are referred to as "blue monkeys", and whose religion is belittled and reduced to pagan rituals.

Imagine a movie using the same science and techniques that presses towards a new expression of aesthetic pleasure and entertainment- art in a fresh and stimulating format.  Instead, here we find a film that negatively stereotypes those in the armed forces, and where both sides in the conflict are objectified and satirically used, it seems, simply for the studio to break even (in this case, that point was reportedly around $300,000,000).  Indeed, we were yawning at the xenophobic implications that force the viewer to identify with a decidedly chauvinistic perspective.  "When you want something someone else has, you make them your enemy to justify taking it," is not, to me, an acceptable or enjoyable mindset with which to leave a theater.

That's all folks.  If you need me, I'll be washing out my brain watching a Tim Burton movie (aka fantasy done right).

be careful of what you pretend to be

Coffee in hand, soon off to see Avatar 3D, checking out Terry Richardson's tumblr. Above are some of my favorites.

underrated: noir layering

Starting out on a positive note today- Berlin Fashion Week starts on the 20th of this month.  There is nothing I like more than to see what innovative designers emerge... and then begin to have a truly notable influence on the industry.  Well, almost nothing I like more.... sometimes the street style photographers (see: Jak & Jil, Garance Doré, etc.) capture the intent of fashion better than the catwalk itself.  Unfortunately this year I won't be there to join in the madness, but I will be leaving my mark on BFW 2012. 

In other news, plans are underway for my golden birthday celebration, occuring next month in San Francisco. So excited to see one of my long-time favorite trios, Medeski, Martin & Wood, at the Fillmore!  It's going to be epic. 

Can anyone find the credit for the amazing ensemble above? Many thanks!

The period of earthly life in your greater existence is similar to the 15 minutes of fame you get down here....

..Everyone gets to share you in a different way. And both are dreams.” Julian Casablancas

... and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.

Stopped by Vinyl Rev the other day to pick up an old jazz record and ended up staying a bit to chat with Bob about the local scene, San Francisco concerts back in the day, Avatar, and Scandinavian death metal.  I was super close to nabbing a Gorgoroth vinyl as well, but decided against it.  I did, however, want to share the link to a documentary that I mentioned to Bob- True Norweigan Black Metal.  It's the real thing, boys and girls.  Enjoy! 

Be sure to swing by Vinyl Rev if you're ever on the Central Coast.

Vinyl Revolution, 230 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
(Picture by me.)

"I need new clothes, she thinks. New skin, a mind I can bear to live in."

I may in fact love this woman even more than I do Patti Smith. xx

i want your horror, i want your design.

2010 shall only be full of exquisite food, music, champagne, culture and absolutely magical decadence.  I've chosen The Dead Weather's Horehound as my favorite album of 2009.  Goodnight.