25 June 2010

Crush



Ms. Angela Bassett

(remember that scene with the closet and car in Waiting to Exhale?)

ahem,
Here is that scene, poorly recorded but you get the gist.
As a foreword, Bernadine's husband just left her,
after 20 something years of marriage,
for his secretary,
who happens to be a white girl.
Madness Ensues.

22 June 2010

slowly but surely




I managed to make a fairly decent sketch today at around 4am.
I took a little job tending bar and had to have training all
last week from 5pm until around 5am so now I tend to go to sleep
as the sun is rising. Even it seems on my days off. So last night
I hung out with some paper and some Nina Simone and set out to
determine how out of practice I've become.

21 June 2010

Films: Coco Chanel et Igor Stravinsky, Jan Kounen (2009)



Seriously one of the most gorgeous cinematography I have ever seen.
Worth seeing for so many reasons, including the opening sequence which
reenacts Stravinsky’s 1913 “Rite of Spring”at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
in Paris including the riot which erupted as a result.

12 June 2010

j'ai le monde au bout de mes doigts.



Being unemployed amidst a recession,and looking for
an apartment in New York on less than stellar credit
because I chose to further my academic and career goals
by going to grad school, is not the most spectacular life I must
say. However, I try not to let it bother me. I know
I will not be homeless, I have access to funds,
I'm not hungry. I do well just going to museums and
parks and wandering aimlessly through this beautifully
insane city. Reminding myself that I really do live here
now, and that soon things will fall into place.

I've also stopped with the cocktails for a while,
and restarted on the cigarettes because I must have
something. Stopped looking for love in bars, because
it isn't there. At least not in any bar I know of.
I do still like going and watching people in them
though. Sitting with my seltzer and lime. I leave
when too many couples start to assemble because
while I understand that it just isn't the right time
it still stings a bit.

I rediscovered this meditation just now which
has such an incredible resonance with where I
am in terms of living right now.

...............................................

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive God to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

06 June 2010

Smile

s

Films: Get him to the Greek, Nicholas Stoller (2010)



I have to say I loved it.
I thought it would be a slightly
tragic mess, but I loved it.
The best soundtrack I've heard in
a while, including a song about
bangers and mash, what's not to love
about that. Even if it was attached to
possibly the most insane date I've
ever been on.

Note to self. STAY ON THE BUGGERY ISLAND!!

02 June 2010

parks & recreation





Bryant Park


A week and a half and no replies to any of my employment
inquiries. The hardest part of having an MFA is trying to
convince people in other fields that you are not a dolt.
But, alas what else is there to do but keep it up.
Everyday I wake up and apply to at least five postings,
another five by afternoon and usually the evenings bring
no other listings for scenic designers/artists/illustrators.
Store design, I suppose its more like display set up, has
crossed my mind but apparently those jobs are kept close
and under lock and key. Someone suggested temping, which
sounds great save for that I've never done anything like
that before, no idea what my WPM ratio is. Perhaps data
entry is more my speed. Truth be told I could be quite
happy in a 9-5 with benefits and nights and weekends free.
Theatre is great but its a lot of rush toward uncertainty,
which doesn't excite me as it used to do. Perhaps that's
due to the current constant outpouring of my savings
account.

Still, despite my constant adaptation to living
this insane lifestyle I do still find myself enraptured
by this city. I'm quite fond of the parks in particular,
which I imagine to be the summer living rooms of New Yorkers
who, like me, live in apartments the size of tea cups.
A few blocks and you're on the lawn, surrounded sometimes by
fantastic buildings and more often by fantastic sunbathers.
Pick up a coffee and bring a book, because you are facing
an enormous case of stress induced drawers block, and
all is not as bad as it could be. That'd be next week when
we go hunting for the food pantry.