RIP Merce Cunningham

To Philip Glass, to Virginia Woolf, and to Michael Cunningham

The music of Philip Glass has moved me more than any music I have ever heard. I recently obtained a copy of Glass’s music to the movie, The Hours, and in the CD booklet is an essay by Michael Cunningham. This essay has explained to me my unexplainable and odd fascination with Glass, and in addition, with the work of Virginia Wolf. I guess I am one of the “wild and lonely ones,” because I often listen to Einstein on the Beach (and any other work of his that I have collected) on repeat, especially while writing.

Let Us Consider, by Russell Edson

I stumbled on this by accident while doing research for my unit of instruction on modern poetry. It gives me the chills every time.

Another:

Another:

Swingin Martinis Designs

I am posting to promote my friend Shannon’s super awesome company: Swingin Martinis Designs. She makes unique, very well made, crafty delights: purses, aprons, hair clips, clothing, and jewelry. She will even custom design the products by letting you pick out the fabric, at no extra cost. Shannon made me a custom made apron, make-up bag, and also a very adorable wallet and Nintendo-64 coin purse. I have been very happy with her products, and I get compliments on them all the time (especially the Nintendo-64 coin purse!). Did I mention her hand-made products are reasonably priced, and you get free shipping if you purchase over $30?

So, if you are looking for a great gift, or something special to treat yourself, definitely check it out!

SwinginMartinis Etsy Website

SwinginMartinis Blog

Our Lady of Guadalupe Virgin Mary Purse (my personal favorite)

Bottle Cap Hair Clips

Pleated Purse

I Love Philip Glass

Everything must have an ending except for my love for you.

Green Porno

“Green Porno” is a series about the reproductive habits of insects acted out by Isabella Rossellini.

It is sexy, hilarious, educational, and a tad bit disturbing—a lovely combination of my favorite four things! Check out youtube.com for more.

Elizabeth Gilbert & Crazy Creativity

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love” challenges the association of creative genius and insanity. In a lot of ways I agree with her (we must see creativity springing forth from our interconnected experiences in this world–creativity inspires creativity, and so on. A creative genius do not live in a vacuum. [Exception: Emily Dickinson]). But at the same time, I think the best work I have ever done is when I am on the brink of insanity; darkness produces profound art.

I don’t think that being creative makes people crazy, I think crazy people are creative.

Tim Burton Made Me Do It

I watched this really awesome Tim Burton interview, where he talked about his art process. His doodles, which he creates during dark times to express an emotional state, eventually turn into characters like Jack Skellington and Edward Scissorhands. I have always loved Tim Burton, but his art seems so much more profound after hearing him speak.

He lets his scribbles express himself; this is something I have always wanted to experience, but lacking the skills I never tried. But his scribbles are just that—-pencil lines! The hardest part is letting yourself go, and letting your hand move on the page.

Today at work I modeled Tim Burton’s doodles. My fine piece of artwork* (see below) was inspired by nightmares I had that morning of birds attacking me (Like in “The Birds!”), and experiencing the delirium of making phones calls to strangers all day long.

*sarcasm

Charlie Kaufman is a Genius

I cannot emphasize enough how much I love Charlie Kaufman. His movies are completely esoteric, and they always make me question life, love, and what it is to be human.

Everyone’s everyone.

[over radio]

Millicent Weems: Now it is waiting and nobody cares. And when you’re wait is over this room will still exist and it will continue to hold shoes and dress and boxes and maybe someday another waiting person. And maybe not. The room doesn’t care either.

Millicent Weems: What was once before you – an exciting, mysterious future – is now behind you. Lived; understood; disappointing. You realize you are not special. You have struggled into existence, and are now slipping silently out of it. This is everyone’s experience. Every single one. The specifics hardly matter. Everyone’s everyone. So you are Adele, Hazel, Claire, Olive. You are Ellen. All her meager sadnesses are yours; all her loneliness; the gray, straw-like hair; her red raw hands. It’s yours. It is time for you to understand this.
Millicent Weems: Walk.
Millicent Weems: As the people who adore you stop adoring you; as they die; as they move on; as you shed them; as you shed your beauty; your youth; as the world forgets you; as you recognize your transience; as you begin to lose your characteristics one by one; as you learn there is no-one watching you, and there never was, you think only about driving – not coming from any place; not arriving any place. Just driving, counting off time. Now you are here, at 7:43. Now you are here, at 7:44. Now you are…
Millicent Weems: Gone.

—- Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York