Beneath our oaks hast slept

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 The Dispatch, 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 just got here.

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.

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.

Musique: "Le Chemin" Kyo

More objectification in pop music

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.)

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.

Upon consulting my trusty Internet, however, I have learned that this new song is by a band terrifyingly named 3OH!3. 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.

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.”

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.

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…

The video only confirms the immaturity. I guess I shouldn't take these guys seriously:

Allons-y Alonzo!

"Pierrot!"
"Je m'appelle Ferdinand."

Jean-Luc Godard has blown me away again.

Musique: BET Awards/Michael Jackson tribute and keyboards in the newroom

Summer Watching List

Currently watching:
Arrested Development, on Hulu
Mad Men, Season 1 DVDs

Just watched:
Touch of Evil, Orson Welles
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Volver, Pedro Almodovar

Will watch:
Pierrot le fou, Jean-Luc Goddard
Capote
Public Enemies, out July 1

Musique: "Baby Be Mine" Michael Jackson

So in love with the nouvelle vague

Agnès Varda, director of Cleo de 5 à 7.

More stunning nouvelle vague geniuses in black & white here: http://todayspictures.slate.com/20090521/

Courtesy of Magnum Photos via Slate's "Today's Pictures."

Lazy Days in this D.A.I.S.Y. Age

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.

Discover Duncan Sheik!

Complete playlist:
“On a High” Duncan Sheik
“Lights Out” Santogold
“Gone” Jack Johnson
“Eye Know” De La Soul
“Age of Consent” New Order
“Keys to the City” The Go! Team
“Lay Lady Lay” Bob Dylan
“Drive-In Movies and Dashboard Lights” Nancy Griffith
“Aïcha” Khaled
“Geometry &C” Chris Walla
“We Can Get Down” A Tribe Called Quest
“Steal My Sunshine” Len
“Strawberry Fields Forever (Love remaster)” The Beatles
“Crooked Teeth” Death Cab for Cutie
“Carey” Joni Mitchell
“Kids” MGMT
“Walk in the Park” Oh No! Oh My!
"Big Casino" Jimmy Eat World
“Marquee Moon” Television
“The Seed (2.0)” The Roots
“Sitar Folks” Peter Bjorn & John

I'm Back

I need new headphones.

And new music.

Suggestions?

Musique: "Ulysses" Franz Ferdinand