tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831503420014247602024-02-21T15:46:53.297+01:00La Vie en proseAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-11060348876781211762009-08-18T06:26:00.002+02:002009-08-18T06:29:13.183+02:00Hey, someone is talking about it!<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">NY Times movie critic A.O. Scott </span><a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/critics-picks-video-the-conversation/"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">digs into 'The Conversation'</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">.</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-22074781722084672512009-08-10T19:47:00.004+02:002009-08-10T20:02:04.126+02:00'The Conversation': an underrated classic<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The Conversation</em> has to be one of the most <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">underrated</span> movies of all time. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Featuring the direction of Francis Ford <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Coppola</span>, acting of Gene <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hackman</span>, general moral ambiguity, remarkably tight <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">filmmaking</span>, a thriller/espionage intrigue and a plethora of beautiful shots, it's certainly a classic. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>So why aren't more people talking about this film?</em> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">It's not as flashy as <em>The Godfather</em> and Gene <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hackman's</span> not as "cool" as Marlon Brando, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hackman's</span> lovable-loser status and the film's apparent simplicity combine with its moral complexity to create a modest film about epic things. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Plus, it features a young, strapping Harrison Ford.</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-20589211465552585472009-08-05T06:46:00.004+02:002009-08-05T07:26:54.373+02:00Radio is a sound salvation<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Later this month my hometown's latest and only attempt at a decent alternative/indie radio station, </span><a href="http://www.961maxfm.com/main.html"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Radio X 96.1</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">, will go the way of the dodo. It will become one of two </span><a href="http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/fm_rock_station_961s_switch_to.html"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">sports-dedicated</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> stations on Grand Rapids' musically bankrupt FM dial. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">But rather than wallow in that town's musical depravity, I'd prefer to praise my temporary residence, Columbus, for its excellent alternative radio station. Offering a diverse selection of current and nostalgic indie/alternatively inclined songs and artists, </span><a href="http://www.cd101.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">CD 101</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> is a bastion of difference in a modern world of radio monotony. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">I realize FM radio - like most media forms we grew up with - is probably a dying breed, but it is stations like this that remind me why we should love FM radio. Sure you can find almost any song you want on-demand on iTunes or YouTube or Deezer, or listen to an individualized radio statio via Pandora, but nothing beats the excitement and the haphazardness of live radio. It's exciting not knowing what will be played next and seeing how songs are juxtaposed. Plus, FM radio represents a shared, class-cutting experience that can't be beat by modern alternatives.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">So, thank you CD 101 for renewing my faith in the power of good ole FM radio. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Sample songs from CD 101's playlist:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"Walking on a Dream" Empire of the Sun</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"Bittersweet Symphony" The Verve</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"No You Girls" Franz Ferdinand</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"Bohemian Like You" Dandy Warhols</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"L.E.S. Artistes" Santigold</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"One Armed Scissor" The Mars Volta</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"The Black Keys" Strange Times</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">But don't take my word for it, listen live </span><a href="http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/ind-wwcd-plr/audio_player.php?id=WWCDFM&playerType=silverlight"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-54232188445771021942009-08-01T19:24:00.002+02:002009-08-02T02:14:06.544+02:00Public Transit Woes<div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Compared to public transit in Paris, most American public transportation options are bound to disappoint. I was expecting this. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >When I hopped on a COTA bus for the first time last night, I was, however, pleasantly surprised by the air-conditioned bus and its fancy electronic ticker denoting the stops as we passed. This was on the way to my destination.<br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">My opinion of the busing system changed on the way home. After leaving the fun, outdoor screening of <em>Raising Arizona</em> early to catch the one bus per hour that was running on a Friday night, I had to wait nearly a half hour for said bus, which was late. Plus, I had no way of knowing where the bus was or when/if it would arrive. Their wasn't even a bus schedule posted at the stop to let me confirm what I had thought I'd seen earlier online. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >In the meantime, I had to suffer weird looks from bar-going passerbys and drivers because apparently it's weird to be waiting for a bus in this country?<br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Finally, a bus came by, but it was demarcated with a bizarre letter-number combo, while my bus carried a simpler, more reasonable moniker: 2. Luckily, the bus driver was helpful enough to pull over at my wave and inform me that bus 2 should be coming behind her. After a few more minutes, I was successfully on my bus, headed home, after a long and frustrating wait. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >To top it all off, I had to walk an extra three blocks home when the bus driver, failing apparently to note that "Stop Requested" was flashing across his electronic ticker, neglected to let me off at my stop.<br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In the end, I got home and it only cost me $3. As far as public-transit related snafus go, my night was pretty minor, but it was enough to make me never want to ride the COTA again. </span></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-51645844962079375562009-07-22T06:35:00.000+02:002009-07-22T06:38:23.282+02:00Weird Advert<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Upon returning from work, I've been watching a lot of late-night TV recently (mostly Conan and Jimmy Fallon), and I've frequently been seeing these weird Palm Pre ads:</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tSMj5RoYdEI&hl=fr&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tSMj5RoYdEI&hl=fr&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This girl is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >extremely</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> creepy. I mean, why is she so pale? Why does she move so stiltedly? What is up with that hair? Why does she speak in that weird subdued voice? And on what distant planet is she?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The commercial really raises more questions than it answers and certainly doesn't make me want to buy a Palm Pre despite the fact that the phone looked pretty sweet when Jimmy Fallon was pimping it on his show. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Also, I was digging this earlier ad campaign (or at least the song, "Doorway" by IO Echo):</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XZF7DiGaSVo&hl=fr&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XZF7DiGaSVo&hl=fr&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I guess I'm just trying to figure out where Sprint's going with albino girl on tranquilizers...</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-29031657771142840202009-07-21T07:26:00.003+02:002009-07-21T18:16:29.073+02:00Brüno ich not funny<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I saw Sacha Baren Cohen’s new film <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0889583/">Brüno</a></em> last week, and I was sorely disappointed.<br /><br />There’s already been a lot of </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-robinson12-2009jul12,0,816523.story"><span style="font-size:85%;">media</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">/</span><a href="http://www.doublex.com/conversation/bruno%20reviews"><span style="font-size:85%;">blogger</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> hoopla surrounding the movie, but I wanted to add my take.<br /><br />Obviously, it was not as good as <em><a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/borat/">Borat</a></em>, for a number of reason, only one of which being that he'd already done the same schtick successfully in that film. I was prepared for <em>Brüno</em> to be less innovatively funny, but I was surprised by a movie that was utterly childish and mostly unfunny.<br /><br />Sure there are a few laugh-worthy moments (a bit with all-too-eager stage parents and another where a preacher tells us what music not to listen to if we’re trying to be straight – Indigo Girls, the Village People, I’m talking about you!), but the film is horribly uneven and, worse, often offensive.<br /><br />Watching it was an overall uncomfortable and painful experience more so than a humorous one (<em>Borat</em>, too, had those moments, but <em>Brüno</em> is constructed almost entirely of them).<br /><br />For me, most of the humor in <em>Borat</em> came from poking fun at the xenophobic/anti-Semitic/generally bigoted people he encountered along the way. <em>Brüno</em> really has less of that than you would expect. Sure there are some homophobes – it’s hard, however, to laugh at them when many of the jokes themselves are founded upon the "gag" of Brüno’s flamboyant homosexuality – but mostly there are just people who end up uncomfortable around Brüno; not because he is gay, but because he decides to talk about (and often act out) sex acts in a very explicit and inappropriate fashion. (I suppose this, in and of itself, is supposed to be funny, but I'm not a 12-year-old so it’s not). It’s hard to blame, or label as homophobic, the people who are weirded out by Brüno and his in-your-face behavior – behavior that would be equally frowned upon from a straight man.<br /><br />Obviously, one could counter that this pointing out homophobia business wasn’t </span><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/sacha_baron_cohen_the_real_borat_finally_speaks"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cohen</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">’s goal (although I think it at least partly was), but without that element, the film really falls flat. An endless stream of gross-out jokes and shock-jock humor, that, in the end, isn't very funny (sauf a few aforementioned skits).<br /><br />And still on that point, if it was at all – anywhere, even a little bit deep down – Cohen’s goal to point out homophobia, I think <em>Brüno</em> is an utter failure and a homophobic film unto itself. I realize there is a certain amount of satire involved, but the Brüno image of a kinky-sex-crazed gay man that will aggressively proposition every male in sight is not something the gay community needs, especially when many already hold that view in their hearts.<br /><br />Here’s to hoping that Cohen comes up with something better the next time around.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#cc66cc;">Musique: "Closer to Fine" Indigo Girls</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-78067355017020692262009-07-20T06:55:00.012+02:002009-07-20T07:30:58.572+02:00Daylight and catching air<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Very much in love with this song and video:</span><br /><br /><div><object width="380" height="351"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x7sk62_matt-and-kim-daylight_creation&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x7sk62_matt-and-kim-daylight_creation&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="380" height="351" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7sk62_matt-and-kim-daylight_creation">Matt And Kim // Daylight</a></b><br /><i> <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/us/channel/creation">Watch original web videos.</a></i></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Also, the end of the clip reminds me of the artwork of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.perryrubenstein.com/artists/robin-rhode/">Robin Rhode</a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >, (perfect segue) whose first major solo exhibit, </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.wexarts.org/ex/?eventid=3609">Catch Air: Robin Rhode</a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >, I just saw and enjoyed at the </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.wexarts.org/">Wexner Center for the Arts</a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >, a really cool music, film and contemporary art venue on OSU's campus.</span> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />He's an innovated South African artist who works with photography, video and performance art, to touch on issues of poverty and materialism and mess with perception. The majority of his works involve two-dimensional paintings or chalkings in which he or another subject interacts to create three-dimensional scenes, defying perception and telling a unique story.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbI51ypOSRprys1cCE4UW-mhn7YfyUaGJmYOJKApfpK5sHkxccrCoi2Pp5tIXvu0h0_6qzL46HHgk9g5PA_IYr7LbO2XU0xlNDKdvIovPrNzRFfrOWqKDtEau8ccopnkexiSmS6VwhFSQ/s1600-h/Robin+Rhodes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbI51ypOSRprys1cCE4UW-mhn7YfyUaGJmYOJKApfpK5sHkxccrCoi2Pp5tIXvu0h0_6qzL46HHgk9g5PA_IYr7LbO2XU0xlNDKdvIovPrNzRFfrOWqKDtEau8ccopnkexiSmS6VwhFSQ/s400/Robin+Rhodes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360406906497705842" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" > <span style="font-size:78%;">Robin Rhode, "Untitled, Dream House," 2005. (Photo courtesy of ICA Boston via flickr) </span><br /><br />He's definitely worth checking out – as are <a href="http://www.mattandkimmusic.com/">Matt and Kim</a>.</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-51368609997462511882009-07-20T04:10:00.004+02:002009-07-20T04:23:55.005+02:00Beneath our oaks hast slept<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">As is always the case, but seems particularly so this year, summer is passing me by all too quickly. I am thoroughly enjoying my internship here at </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >The Dispatch</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, and I am even beginning to warm to Columbus itself. But all too soon (in about 4 weeks) I will be leaving here for good. And it certainly feels like I only </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >just</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> got here. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am, however, getting increasingly excited about my return back to Smith. Despite my many complaints about that place, I am looking forward to that beautiful campus, seeing my friends again, great classes and the many responsibilities I will be taking on in the fall. I'm already fulfilling some elements of my roles as Dawes House HC and Sophian editor-in-chief and can't wait to do more. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But I can't help to feel like this summer has passed me by. Combined with my Parisian nostalgia and looks to the future the present has become a bit of a blur. It is great to be working though, and even better to be working in an exciting and challenging position that offers me something new every night. So, no complaints here, just hoping to make the best of the rest of the summer. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-family:arial;" >Musique: "Le Chemin" Kyo</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-18451799952987343252009-07-17T05:40:00.005+02:002009-07-20T04:27:10.421+02:00More objectification in pop music<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I drove home a few days ago. Five hours both each way of driving means a lot of time with the generic, over-produced “pop” music they play on the radio. (Full disclosure: I am lucky enough to have a CD player, but I do find odd satisfaction in putting myself through the self-inflicted torture of seeing what the kids are listening to these days.)<br /><br />Well along the way, I discovered a somewhat disturbing new song. It appears to be called “Don’t Trust Me.” I assumed it was a new song by Metro Station – that band that sang that obnoxiously catchy song “Shake It” last summer. “Don’t Trust Me” featured the same whiny teenage vocals and the lyrics, the same naughty undertones.<br /><br />Upon consulting my trusty Internet, however, I have learned that this new song is by a band terrifyingly named <em>3OH!3</em>. What kind of a name is that? I mean I’m all about the exclamation marks (two of my favorite bands Against Me! and The Go! Team feature them prominently), but this seems to be talking it a bit too far.<br /><br />Well, the Three-OHHHH-Three song had caught my attention with its insane catchy-ness and mildly electronic/dance beats so I was digging it – until we came around to the bridge. At which point that whiny voice taunted over and over again, “Shush girl, shut your lips/ do the Helen Keller and talk with you hips.”<br /><br />Not only does the line continue to perpetuate the juvenile demeaning of an honorable woman, but it also seems to support an aggressive silencing of women in favor of objectification and subjectification. Obviously, it’s not the only example of these sorts of things in modern music, but the aggressiveness and forcefulness of this assertion within the context of such a bubbly pop song surprised me.<br /><br />It really ruined an otherwise intriguing song for me. The good news is, this song and this ridiculously named band will very soon be forgotten never to be seen again…<br /><br />The video only confirms the immaturity. I guess I shouldn't take these guys seriously:<br /></span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8nVp_nZI4CQ&hl=fr&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8nVp_nZI4CQ&hl=fr&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-86466177512303176852009-06-29T04:18:00.002+02:002009-07-17T06:11:28.972+02:00Allons-y Alonzo!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">"Pierrot!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Je m'appelle Ferdinand."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Jean-Luc Godard has blown me away again. </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,102,204);font-family:arial;" >Musique: BET Awards/Michael Jackson tribute and keyboards in the newroom</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-74886037170276647532009-06-27T18:05:00.003+02:002009-06-27T18:12:26.429+02:00Summer Watching List<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Currently watching: </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Arrested Development</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, on </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.hulu.com/arrested-development">Hulu</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Mad Men</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Season 1 DVDs</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Just watched:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Touch of Evil</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Orson Welles</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Volver</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Pedro Almodovar</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Will watch:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Pierrot le fou</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Jean-Luc Goddard</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Capote</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Public Enemies</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, out July 1</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Musique: "Baby Be Mine" Michael Jackson</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-33168649440568849842009-05-21T23:58:00.004+02:002009-06-29T04:20:50.132+02:00So in love with the nouvelle vague<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoWY4RCGXeMev1G35Ph95reuYKpZN8G4HnUctOVuJGkT5_inGtpzlAQ_DoK1s9OyO8Fd5SycHf3UWKJlReDrjOy2TLt8QRTu_Z-eHwhCVchigzQfETBbx4A2Ef1fbi536f-5chZiizsk/s1600-h/New+WAVE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoWY4RCGXeMev1G35Ph95reuYKpZN8G4HnUctOVuJGkT5_inGtpzlAQ_DoK1s9OyO8Fd5SycHf3UWKJlReDrjOy2TLt8QRTu_Z-eHwhCVchigzQfETBbx4A2Ef1fbi536f-5chZiizsk/s400/New+WAVE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338401077212978274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Agnès Varda, director of </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Cleo de 5 à 7</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">More stunning nouvelle vague geniuses in black & white here: </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://todayspictures.slate.com/20090521/">http://todayspictures.slate.com/20090521/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Courtesy of Magnum Photos via Slate's "Today's Pictures."</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-60446927321182240822009-05-12T23:59:00.000+02:002009-05-13T00:00:21.841+02:00Lazy Days in this D.A.I.S.Y. Age<div><span style="font-size:85%;">I just put together my official summer lazy-days playlist. Best for listening to while lounging on the Place des Vosges or along the Seine, it can easily be adapted for the beach, your front porch or whatever outdoor, laidback place is nearby. Just add some sunlight and a refreshing beverage, close your eyes and enjoy.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><div style="width: 180px; height: 236px;"><object height="236" width="180"><param name="movie" value="http://www.deezer.com/embedded/widget.swf?path=25228782&lang=EN&colorBack=0xFF33CC&colorVolume=0xFF0099&colorScrollbar=0x98005B&colorText=0xFFFFFF&autoplay=0&autoShuffle=0&id=4695005"><embed src="http://www.deezer.com/embedded/widget.swf?path=25228782&lang=EN&colorBack=0xFF33CC&colorVolume=0xFF0099&colorScrollbar=0x98005B&colorText=0xFFFFFF&autoplay=0&autoShuffle=0&id=4695005" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="236" width="180"></embed></object><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:'Arial';" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Discover</span> <a href="%27http://www.deezer.com/en/duncan-sheik.html%27">Duncan Sheik</a>!</span></div></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Complete playlist:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“On a High” Duncan Sheik</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Lights Out” Santogold</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Gone” Jack Johnson</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Eye Know” De La Soul</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Age of Consent” New Order</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Keys to the City” The Go! Team</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Lay Lady Lay” Bob Dylan</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Drive-In Movies and Dashboard Lights” Nancy Griffith</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Aïcha” Khaled</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Geometry &C” Chris Walla</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“We Can Get Down” A Tribe Called Quest</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Steal My Sunshine” Len</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Strawberry Fields Forever (Love remaster)” The Beatles</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Crooked Teeth” Death Cab for Cutie</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Carey” Joni Mitchell</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Kids” MGMT</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Walk in the Park” Oh No! Oh My!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">"Big Casino" Jimmy Eat World</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Marquee Moon” Television</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“The Seed (2.0)” The Roots</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">“Sitar Folks” Peter Bjorn & John</span><br /></span></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-39442428493045487142009-04-26T18:56:00.004+02:002009-04-27T12:45:25.610+02:00I'm Back<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I need new headphones.<br /><br />And new music.<br /><br />Suggestions?<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,102,204)">Musique: "Ulysses" Franz Ferdinand</span></span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-34870604465790554652009-04-10T00:23:00.003+02:002009-04-10T11:57:40.146+02:00De La Soul “Eye Know”<div><object height="381" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xqtdp_de-la-soul-eye-know_music&related=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xqtdp_de-la-soul-eye-know_music&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="381" width="400"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqtdp_de-la-soul-eye-know_music">De La Soul - eye know</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/trapux">trapux</a></i></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-5227892438288714552009-04-09T23:37:00.005+02:002009-04-11T12:13:01.845+02:00Things I Like RIGHT NOW<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><em>Synecdoche, New York</em> by Charlie Kaufman</span> – Considering <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2202945/">critics</a> have compared it to Beckett, Proust, Kafka and Woody Allen, it was probably a given that I would like Charlie Kaufman’s directorial debut. It doesn’t hurt that I find <span style="font-style: italic;">Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</span> to be utter genius and the screenplay of <span style="font-style: italic;">Adaptation</span> to be one of the most mind-blowing and innovative ever. I was not in the least disappointed by this movie despite my immense expectations. The words that come to mind in describing this film, however, don’t at first seem incredibly positive: it’s emotionally-disturbing, disorienting, agonizing, troubling, alienating and overall painful. But the true and sincere emotion that this multi-layered film evoked in me more than made up for the pain and discomfort of the viewing experience. Plus, Kaufman does manage to work in a view laughs and visual gags (often at our pitiful and pitiable main character’s expense) for levity’s sake. All this said, I can’t really recommend the film to anyone but myself. It’s not a particularly <em>enjoyable</em> experience, and the movie’s sentiments can very easily hit as clichéd or pretentious or simply irrelevant if you are not the type of person that spends a lot of time reflecting on subjectivity, art, isolation and regret. Still, I was moved in a strange and unpredictable way by Kaufman’s epically subtle and cerebrally tender work.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><em>The Bell Jar</em> by Sylvia Plath</span> – I know I’m a bit late to the game, but I finally picked up this novel and fell in love with it. As a Smithie, I believe it’s obligatory to have read this iconic and metonymic work by one of our most famous alumna. It is likewise obligatory reading for any self-reflective, self-deprecating, depression-prone, slightly counter-culture, literary young woman (look no further than <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEgesLcvi9c">10 Things I Hate About You</a></em>). So, I realize how clichéd it is to say that I’ve fell in love with the book, but I found the novel extremely touching and true. Plath captures so perfectly the universal inner workings of depression and her own downward spiral toward self-destruct that I sometimes felt like it was me she was describing on the page. It’s tragic and it’s touching, especially given the inevitable end of Plath’s real life story, but the simple elegance with which Plath writes is inspiring. And each moment, we sit by hoping that Esther Greenwood will find a way to get out from under that bell jar, because if she can do it, we can too.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">The Smiths.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Musique: “Eye Know” De La Soul</span> </span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-38826575609195584102009-03-21T23:12:00.003+01:002009-03-21T23:25:58.737+01:00Sia “Soon We’ll Be Found”<div><object width="400" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x7zdh9_sia-soon-well-be-found_music&related=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x7zdh9_sia-soon-well-be-found_music&related=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="381" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zdh9_sia-soon-well-be-found_music">Sia - Soon We'll Be Found</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Sia">Sia</a></i></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-68242907255968821922009-03-13T20:41:00.001+01:002009-03-13T20:46:35.461+01:00Welcome to the real world<span style="font-size:85%;">It’s actually happening.<br /><br />I’ve officially been offered a summer internship on the news copy desk of <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/index.html">The Columbus Dispatch</a>. I’ll be working fulltime and getting paid for it. It’s really kind of scary when I think about it.<br /><br />Does this mean I’m an adult now?<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Musique: “Sunday” Sia</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-31282038543276464372009-03-13T01:23:00.002+01:002009-03-13T11:40:18.784+01:00To Res Life or not to Res Life?<span style="font-size:85%;">That is <em>a</em> question.<br /><br />The small French-themed house that I will be living in next year at Smith, is – or at least was last I knew – still in need of an HC (basically an RA or whatever you call those people on normal campuses) for next year. I initially was not in the least bit interested in this position, but I’m beginning to think that it might be a good idea. I guess I should try weighing some of the pros and cons.<br /><br /><u>Pros<br /></u>Getting paid<br />Having a suite for a room<br />Good life experience<br />Nice addition to my résumé<br />Getting to know more people<br />Having a reason to spend more time at Smith<br />Getting more involved on Campus<br />Not having to deal with adjusting first-years or roommate drama<br /><br /><u>Cons</u><br />Time commitment<br />Returning to Smith 2 weeks early and over J-Term (see pro no. 6)<br />Bureaucracy<br />Training sessions<br />Being the bad guy<br />Juggling the Sophian, schoolwork, life and this<br />Needing “intrapersonal” skills<br />Responsibility<br /><br />Anyway, I’m still thinking about it. And I’m hoping to talk to the current HC of the house to hear her experience. What do you think?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Musique: “Je voudrais déjà être roi” Le Roi Lion</span> </span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-67198646178093396682009-02-28T12:42:00.002+01:002009-02-28T12:46:02.301+01:00What's his name? Patches?<span style="font-size:85%;">I love Demetri Martin.<br /><br /><br /><style type="text/css">.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style></span><div class="cc_box" style="POSITION: relative"><a style="DISPLAY: inline; FLOAT: left; WIDTH: 60px; HEIGHT: 31px" href="http://www.comedycentral.com/" target="_blank"><div class="cc_home" style="BORDER-RIGHT: #cfcfcf 0px solid; BORDER-TOP: #cfcfcf 1px solid; BACKGROUND: url(http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png); FLOAT: left; BORDER-LEFT: #cfcfcf 1px solid; WIDTH: 60px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #cfcfcf 0px solid; HEIGHT: 31px"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div></a><div style="BORDER-RIGHT: #cfcfcf 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #cfcfcf 1px solid; FLOAT: left; FONT: bold 10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-LEFT: #cfcfcf 0px solid; WIDTH: 299px; COLOR: #707070; BORDER-BOTTOM: #cfcfcf 0px solid; POSITION: relative; HEIGHT: 31px"><div class="cc_show" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px; OVERFLOW: hidden; PADDING-TOP: 2px; POSITION: relative; HEIGHT: 14px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e5e5e5"><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">Important Things with Demetri Martin</span></a><span style="RIGHT: 3px; POSITION: absolute; TOP: 2pxfont-size:85%;" >Wed 10:30pm / 9:30c</span></div><div class="cc_title" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; OVERFLOW: hidden; COLOR: #868686; LINE-HEIGHT: 14px; PADDING-TOP: 1px; HEIGHT: 21px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f5f5f5"><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=219802&title=brains-jokes-about-brains" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">Brains - Jokes About Brains</span></a></div></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><embed style="CLEAR: left; FLOAT: left" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:219802" width="360" height="301" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="window" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="autoPlay=false" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" bgcolor="#000000"></embed> </span><div class="cc_links" style="CLEAR: left; BORDER-RIGHT: #cfcfcf 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FLOAT: left; FONT: 10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; BORDER-LEFT: #cfcfcf 1px solid; WIDTH: 358px; COLOR: #b9b9b9; BORDER-BOTTOM: #cfcfcf 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f5f5f5"><div style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px; FLOAT: left; WIDTH: 177px"><a href="http://www.jokes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">Joke of the Day</span></a><br /><a href="http://comedians.comedycentral.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">Stand-Up Comedy</span></a></div><div style="FLOAT: left; WIDTH: 177px"><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/games/index.jhtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">Free Online Games</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/funny_videos/index.jhtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">More Funny Videos</span></a></div><div style="CLEAR: both"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div></div><div style="CLEAR: both"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This from his new TV series, <em>Important Things with Demetri Martin</em>. It's on Comedy Central Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. Watch it.</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-6948917431765519652009-02-17T15:28:00.006+01:002009-02-17T19:54:09.106+01:00Things I Like RIGHT NOW<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#663366;"><em></em></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#663366;"><em>Feed The Animals</em> by Girl Talk</span> – I’ve always heard amazing things about musical-collage artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Talk_(musician)">Gregg Gillis</a> a.k.a. Girl Talk, but I hadn’t gotten around to listening to him until recently. I just downloaded his latest album (available <a href="http://74.124.198.47/illegal-art.net/__girl__talk___feed__the__anima.ls___/">here</a>); thankfully, he lives up to the <a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/search/pitchforkmedia/girl%20talk">hype</a>. His “songs” – mash-ups that combine dozens of unlicensed samples – are a music nerd’s dream. Not only does Girl Talk produce hits as dance-worthy as the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU4uEWyRt_U">latest Beyoncé track</a>, but he’s also creating a musical artifact of sorts – a catalogue of what’s hot in music. Each moment is meticulously worked and spliced. It’s a bit heady at times, but its beats have a mass appeal that is undeniable. Is Girl Talk the future of pop music? If so, I wouldn’t be too disappointed.<br /><br /><span style="color:#663366;"><em>Never Let Me Go</em> by Kazuo Ishiguro</span> – It’s been quite some time since I’ve been as moved by a work of contemporary fiction as I was by Ishiguro’s gentle and emotional masterpiece. A universal tale of lost childhood and wistful remembrance, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Never-Let-Me-Kazuo-Ishiguro/dp/1400043395/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234881573&sr=1-2">Never Let Me Go</a></em> is simultaneously a slow-burning reflection on the past and the fleeting nature of life and a compelling page-turner that will have you wondering what is ahead from the first page. Ishiguro has an amazing mastery of these two modes of narration. The power, passion and emotion with which the reader emerges upon completing this novel are unrivaled in this modern era. It is a must read, and I can’t wait to see what <a href="http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth52">Ishiguro</a> comes up with next.<br /><br /><span style="color:#663366;"><em>Slumdog Millionaire</em> by Danny Boyle</span> – I know this one’s a bit overplayed, and it might be just at the moment of receiving too much praise to the point that it has become overrated, but I greatly enjoyed the movie-watching experience that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000965/">Danny Boyle</a> created with his most recent film. Sure it’s all a bit chanceful and the highs are too high for the lows which are too low, but I found it to be a both a great <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bildungsroman">bildungsroman</a> and a spot-on commentary on films, filmmaking and the modern spectator. Boyle gave the spectator exactly what he wants to see and made a great movie, i.e. a series of moving images, music, characters and story that pleases. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of movies that would make great books or plays but fail to measure up to the medium. Plus, how could I deny my love for a movie that uses M.I.A.’s music so aptly (even if she’s Sri Lankan).<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Musique:</span></span><span style="color:#cc66cc;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">“O…Saya” A. R. Rahman & M.I.A.</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-42342011917397278452009-02-09T22:35:00.007+01:002009-02-10T20:17:38.661+01:00M.I.A., the Grammys and Hip Hop's Boys' Club<span style="font-size:85%;">To continue my Grammy life lessons, let's discuss what they have taught be about the gender gap in hip hop:</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Although I obviously didn’t actually get to watch the broadcast of the real show, I just caught the “Swagga Like Us” performance on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KinRqxsY_s">YouTube</a>. I am thoroughly amazed and impressed by M.I.A.’s gusto in killing it on stage even at nine-months pregnant. Unfortunately, I am incredibly disappointed that she was not even able to get out the whole chorus of her own song! When I heard she would be performing, I realized that they probably wouldn’t give her the respect that she deserves. But I at least figured they would let her get in a bit of her song before the “Swagga Like Us” parade of hip-hop’s finest showed up.<br /><br />I know the Grammys were excited to have the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T.I. on stage together, but as much as I love them all, I’m disappointed that they continue to co-opt M.I.A.’s amazing track without giving her the credit she deserves as an M.C. and an artist.<br /><br />This performance is a perfect representation of the boys' club that is hip hop. So I guess I’m just proud that Maya was able to be up there to represent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc66cc;">Musique: "Swagga Like Us" Jay-Z & T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-33804780099061415782009-02-09T21:37:00.002+01:002009-02-09T22:01:54.540+01:00Life Lessons from the Grammy Pre-show<span style="font-size:85%;">Things I learned from the <a href="http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/GRAMMY_Live.aspx">Grammy Awards Pre-telecast</a>:<br /><br />1) Ne-Yo’s songs are written by a pair of lanky Scandinavian guys, who could very well pass as Bond villains. <br /><br />2) Don’t accept an award for someone else or the Grammys will get pissy with you.<br /><br />3) Unless Black Thought gives his approval, in which case they will let is slide, but don’t get cocky and try it a second time or they’ll get pissy again and let the robotic-sounding woman who reads the nominees cut you off.<br /><br />4) Carrie Underwood is NOT Blair Underwood’s cousin.<br /><br />5) Heavy D, who was both a nominee and a performer, is still alive.<br /><br />6) Static Major, who appeared on Lil Wayne’s hit “Lollipop,” apparently is not.<br /><br />7) The Blind Boys of Alabama are indeed blind (actually, I think this one is cheating because I believe I learned this a couple years ago at the Grammys, but it’s the kind of thing that needs reminding).<br /><br />8) Daft Punk is a “he,” but Duffy is a “they.”<br /><br />9) No matter how many times she does it, it will still be hilarious to hear robotic-sounding lady say “swagga.”<br /><br />10) Who actually shows up to this thing includes the random selection of: Carrie Underwood, the bassist from Metallica and The Mars Volta.<br /><br />Also, Danger Mouse got snubbed; he had an infinitely better year that Rick Rubin.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Musique: “Lost!” Coldplay</span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-77619455234660274332009-02-06T23:12:00.004+01:002009-02-17T15:58:54.407+01:00Photo of the Day<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-eM8rPf81DdjqfnEGAlPd0zh7ufm16MfKj7kdiaDp__uUIcFLvSWUiUlhqModjb_ePm7wxqzlUq6V9kfDPQ-24rw4vXKsyp2o7pEZatXKxT1mTOxV7DqTGSRxSHfYkj6XJx-_y7IVHY/s1600-h/Putin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299814772177986482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-eM8rPf81DdjqfnEGAlPd0zh7ufm16MfKj7kdiaDp__uUIcFLvSWUiUlhqModjb_ePm7wxqzlUq6V9kfDPQ-24rw4vXKsyp2o7pEZatXKxT1mTOxV7DqTGSRxSHfYkj6XJx-_y7IVHY/s400/Putin.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-size:78%;">Photo credit: AFP/ALEXEY DRUZHININ</span><br /><br /><strong>Stare down:</strong> European Commission President José Manuel Barroso (left) and Vladimir Putin each criticize the other for failing to respect human rights.<br /><br />Retrieved at: <a href="http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2009/02/06/poutine-souhaite-que-les-observateurs-de-l-ue-restent-en-ukraine-au-moins-jusqu-en-mars_1151937_3214.html">http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2009/02/06/poutine-souhaite-que-les-observateurs-de-l-ue-restent-en-ukraine-au-moins-jusqu-en-mars_1151937_3214.html</a>.</span><br /></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083150342001424760.post-12872278221618663972009-02-05T22:08:00.003+01:002009-02-05T22:16:37.831+01:00Official Smith College Rant<span style="font-size:85%;">It’s odd that since I’ve been abroad and, thus, away from Smith, I’ve become more away of the things about Smith that repulse me. You would think that being away from the college would make me nostalgic for the things I love about it, but it’s only given me more perspective to reflect on the elements of Smith that I’m not so fond of. This is not to say that I’m not at least partly excited to return back there for my senior year, but I have to confess that I am glad it’s only one more year.<br /><br />There are certainly many great things about Smith. I’ve had a number of amazing professors and classes. Their French department is outstanding. This JYA program is one of the best. And despite what I may say about Smithies, I have met a lot of great people.<br /><br />But I can’t help but think about how things would have been different somewhere else. Although I’m not completely regretful of the last three years of my life, I am almost positive that if given the chance to choose again I would not have chosen Smith.<br /><br />To be fair, in this hypothetical situation, I would not choose a women’s college at all. Before I went to Smith, I wasn’t opposed to the idea of single-sex education, but I wasn’t all gung-ho about the women’s college aspect either. I figure that going to Smith was a way to allow me to go to the best college I could get into and that I could afford (thanks to financial aid).<br /><br />Now, I am beginning to doubt the relevancy of single-sex education. Coming out of high school, where I had been taught by predominantly male instructors and was one a few females in my higher level math and science classes, I was excited at the prospect of tipping the balance at Smith. But I quickly grew tired of the equally skewed worldview that Smith had to offer. Constantly reading texts by and about women is boring and patronizing. As far as I am aware, women still only represent 50 percent of the population; continually framing classes around women is as equally exclusive as – if not more exclusive than – the male-dominated history we are trying to correct. What’s more, this assumption that these are the texts that would speak to us, that we would inherently enjoy and understand, is, as I said, patronizing.<br /><br />Everything does not have to be framed in the cadre of gender roles and norms. It’s a bit frustrating – and equally unrealistic. In the real world, people do not spend their time sitting around reflecting on our differences like this. In a career, the philosophical reflection of the gender gap and women’s roles in the workplace doesn’t matter. NO ONE CARES. It’s only us at women’s colleges who sit around musing on these things over and over. Yes, women have been oppressed; yes, women at times face difficult challenges; yes, the list goes on; but ruminating on it the way we do at Smith only makes these divides greater and creates an us-against-them mentality. Suddenly every man out there in the real world is a secret chauvinist, fighting to uphold the patriarchy. We’re simply weaving a web of paranoia. It’s ridiculous.<br /><br />Not to mention the social element of an environment filled with overly dramatic, cliquey females, grasping onto the high-school, popularity-contest culture in which they thrived. The whole thing is unbearably drama filled.<br /><br />Smith is made up of an odd assortment of various self-selected groups. My *favorite* are the East-Coast elite/wannabes, clinging to Smith’s historic “women’s ivy” status (often because they didn’t get in to Harvard, Yale or Brown). I know those individuals don’t constitute all of Smith, but they do seem to be everywhere you turn.<br /><br />Maybe it’s the East-Coast thing that’s just not right for me or maybe it’s something special about Smith, but either way I never realized how out of place I would feel as a student on major financial aid among a crowd of rich girls.<br /><br />And the bureaucracy of the institution that is “Smith College” adds another whole layer of frustration. The college is full of its own history and own false sense of self-worth. In the majority of the country the phrase “Smith College” means very little, but while on campus, they would have you believe that those two magic words bear a burden of history and tradition that is perhaps not even rivaled by Oxford. Surely I exaggerate, but they would have you believe that “Smith College” magically opens doors. It’s not true. I’m not really sure if it ever was true; the college has simply become deluded by its own faux power.<br /><br />With all that being said, I don’t really know how different things would be anywhere else. Obviously, I have no counter-experience with which to compare it. And despite all this, I don’t think these last three years have been a waste. It’s all part of a greater experience that is life, and part of the fun of it is that you can’t do it over again, even though counterfactuals are inevitable – and fun.<br /><br />I’d just been thinking about all of that lately…</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc66cc;">Musique: "Anthems For a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl" Broken Social Scene</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047129783565881075noreply@blogger.com0