The way that ‘Amelie’ tells a grounded, meaningful story while lightly floating across your screen, this quilt of vignettes devoted to different neighborhoods and relationships throughout Paris pieces together to become something truly moving.
A number of different directors and actors demonstrate love in all forms and stages. My favorite vignettes were the one about the African man who had been stabbed, the man re-falling in love with his wife as she dies of cancer, and the mom who has to leave her baby in childcare so she can ride far far across town to care for someone else’s.
The directors succeed in telling one coherent story about the presence and significance of Love – both the Big love of your life, and the Everyday love you take for granted – and they do it without becoming gooey. The New York version is coming out next year – if it comes close to matching the depth and emotion of this one, I’ll be the first in line.
September 18, 2008
I'll cover you.
Like most girls who once attended high school, I have a soft spot for acoustic covers – really any cover: Hey, I know this song! But it sounds…different. Ooooh, neat. It’s like that dreamboat of a lead singer actually understands ME!
I was completely guilty of falling for the New Found Glory trick.
As I’ve grown and my music taste has matured oh-so-much, that affinity for acoustic covers has also. It's not just about cute boys and their guitars anymore - sometimes they have pianos instead. I kid. My cover love has translated into an adoration of all-unusual-versions-of-songs-I-know (Think John Mayer doing 'Kid A' or Ben Folds and 'Tiny Dancer'. And I'm pretty sure everyone in the world can agree on Johnny Cash doing Nine Inch Nail’s 'Hurt'.)
The latest incarnation that I’ve discovered and am completely in love with is the Black Cab Sessions. This is an awesome initiative that’s filmed in London – they recruit some of the hippest bands/singers around and put them in the backseat of a London cab and record them – one song, one take.
Now, the roster is full of musical acts that I’m in no way hip enough to know [yet], but there are also awesome ones with: The New Pornographers, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Okkervil River, Spoon,
Death Cab for Cutie and My Morning Jacket. Remember how before I had all those issues talking about my favorite music because I have a new obsession every week? Well, I’m currently way obsessed with The National, and lo and behold:
I was completely guilty of falling for the New Found Glory trick.
As I’ve grown and my music taste has matured oh-so-much, that affinity for acoustic covers has also. It's not just about cute boys and their guitars anymore - sometimes they have pianos instead. I kid. My cover love has translated into an adoration of all-unusual-versions-of-songs-I-know (Think John Mayer doing 'Kid A' or Ben Folds and 'Tiny Dancer'. And I'm pretty sure everyone in the world can agree on Johnny Cash doing Nine Inch Nail’s 'Hurt'.)
The latest incarnation that I’ve discovered and am completely in love with is the Black Cab Sessions. This is an awesome initiative that’s filmed in London – they recruit some of the hippest bands/singers around and put them in the backseat of a London cab and record them – one song, one take.
Now, the roster is full of musical acts that I’m in no way hip enough to know [yet], but there are also awesome ones with: The New Pornographers, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Okkervil River, Spoon,
Death Cab for Cutie and My Morning Jacket. Remember how before I had all those issues talking about my favorite music because I have a new obsession every week? Well, I’m currently way obsessed with The National, and lo and behold:
September 17, 2008
Like musty aftershave and cigars.
I am wearing a wool sweater (yes, fall is on the way). I sat next to an older gentleman on the bus this morning. And now I feel like my sweater has absorbed old man scent. It’s all I can smell!
September 16, 2008
It's time to move on.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d get over the Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Finals. Let’s go back:
I’ve lived in Boston for 8 years, and it’s hard to resist the pull of a hometown team. Last year, of all years, Trevor & I decided to become more regular Celtics game attendees by sharing a 12-game package with Dan and his brother-in-law. I mean, we’d be crazy to not take advantage of the ticket prices for a near-to-last-place team that had just gotten its hands on Kevin Garnett & Ray Allen (I mean, on Scot Pollard and Eddie House). But, as born and raised Southern Californians, we could never be 100% Celtic prideful. So, we’d spend our weeks rooting for the Celtics, and the weekends (when we could stay up late enough to keep up with the Lakers), cheering on KB24 and the rest of the purple and gold.
And then, after a season of sitting in front of the World’s Most Annoying Basketball Fan (Imagine a 22 year old kid who alternates play-by-play instructions to the players – “Roll it to Ray Ray” was one of his favorites – with stories about how many beers he drank that weekend), it was time to face reality: The Celtics and the Lakers were both going to the playoffs, and (at least according to Magic Johnson and SI), would face each other in the finals. There began the weeks of stress – staying up way too late night after night, watching each game, knowing that the match-up was on its way, and being really unsure of how I wanted it to unfold.
It only took attending Game 1 of the Finals to clarify my loyalties, after which I was in Prague for the final 2 games, up at 3AM in the morning to listen to them over my laptop speakers. If I had gone to bed that night, I would have cried myself to sleep. But, instead, I spent the day working – and the cloud of What-If and How-Did-This-Happen hung over my head for weeks. And I wasn't the only one:
Over the summer, I avoided all mention of the Finals – I couldn’t deal with photos, analysis, or any kind of commentary. And I certainly couldn’t deal with Bill Simmons – that one I’m not sure I’ll ever get over. I didn't go to ESPN.com for weeks, and the Sports Illustrated featuring the Celtics went immediately to the recycling bin. During my commutes to work, I would avert my eyes from any billboard featuring a Celtic player, and I would jam my headphones in my ears if anyone remotely near me would begin discussing the NBA.
Boston
If you’re wondering what this means for my neighbors the Red Sox and the Angels hat hanging in my closet… It’s a little easier to be loyal to 2 (I mean 3!) teams in baseball, which I think is because of the pace of the game (There’s very little adrenaline associated with watching baseball, and a good basketball matchup is almost all adrenaline. I mean, there’s a reason that guys can score 80+ points in a game one night, and the next night their team won’t even score that many). But really, it’s simple – I still sing “So root, root, root for the Angels” during the 7th inning stretch, and whether or not the Halos have to face the Red Sox [again] in the playoffs, this year they are going to the World Series. And I’ll be in front of the TV, rally sticks and rally monkey in hand, screaming my head off.
Okay, so anyway. The whole point of this post was to talk about how I AM getting excited for the NBA season to kick off again, largely so that Dave Damshek, et al can start making new songs about the Lakers players. Like this gem about Derek Fisher to the tune of the Verve Pipe’s "The Freshman" - Go ahead, click on the link. Even non-basketball/Lakers fans will get a chuckle.
I’ve lived in Boston for 8 years, and it’s hard to resist the pull of a hometown team. Last year, of all years, Trevor & I decided to become more regular Celtics game attendees by sharing a 12-game package with Dan and his brother-in-law. I mean, we’d be crazy to not take advantage of the ticket prices for a near-to-last-place team that had just gotten its hands on Kevin Garnett & Ray Allen (I mean, on Scot Pollard and Eddie House). But, as born and raised Southern Californians, we could never be 100% Celtic prideful. So, we’d spend our weeks rooting for the Celtics, and the weekends (when we could stay up late enough to keep up with the Lakers), cheering on KB24 and the rest of the purple and gold.
And then, after a season of sitting in front of the World’s Most Annoying Basketball Fan (Imagine a 22 year old kid who alternates play-by-play instructions to the players – “Roll it to Ray Ray” was one of his favorites – with stories about how many beers he drank that weekend), it was time to face reality: The Celtics and the Lakers were both going to the playoffs, and (at least according to Magic Johnson and SI), would face each other in the finals. There began the weeks of stress – staying up way too late night after night, watching each game, knowing that the match-up was on its way, and being really unsure of how I wanted it to unfold.
It only took attending Game 1 of the Finals to clarify my loyalties, after which I was in Prague for the final 2 games, up at 3AM in the morning to listen to them over my laptop speakers. If I had gone to bed that night, I would have cried myself to sleep. But, instead, I spent the day working – and the cloud of What-If and How-Did-This-Happen hung over my head for weeks. And I wasn't the only one:
Over the summer, I avoided all mention of the Finals – I couldn’t deal with photos, analysis, or any kind of commentary. And I certainly couldn’t deal with Bill Simmons – that one I’m not sure I’ll ever get over. I didn't go to ESPN.com for weeks, and the Sports Illustrated featuring the Celtics went immediately to the recycling bin. During my commutes to work, I would avert my eyes from any billboard featuring a Celtic player, and I would jam my headphones in my ears if anyone remotely near me would begin discussing the NBA.
I couldn’t understand how the Lakers fell apart so badly at the end. I couldn’t understand how the re-introduction of Derek Fisher wasn’t enough to win with. I didn’t get why a team so full of great characters, including a very bearded Spanish man, couldn’t get their
If you’re wondering what this means for my neighbors the Red Sox and the Angels hat hanging in my closet… It’s a little easier to be loyal to 2 (I mean 3!) teams in baseball, which I think is because of the pace of the game (There’s very little adrenaline associated with watching baseball, and a good basketball matchup is almost all adrenaline. I mean, there’s a reason that guys can score 80+ points in a game one night, and the next night their team won’t even score that many). But really, it’s simple – I still sing “So root, root, root for the Angels” during the 7th inning stretch, and whether or not the Halos have to face the Red Sox [again] in the playoffs, this year they are going to the World Series. And I’ll be in front of the TV, rally sticks and rally monkey in hand, screaming my head off.
Okay, so anyway. The whole point of this post was to talk about how I AM getting excited for the NBA season to kick off again, largely so that Dave Damshek, et al can start making new songs about the Lakers players. Like this gem about Derek Fisher to the tune of the Verve Pipe’s "The Freshman" - Go ahead, click on the link. Even non-basketball/Lakers fans will get a chuckle.
September 12, 2008
Movie review: 21
What a clunker!
I’ve wanted to read the book for awhile, and probably still will, since I’m sure there are some pretty ridiculous Hollywood twists included in the completely formulaic plot. Good kid with single mom and nerdy best friends with a longtime crush on a super hottie who just happens to be a genius at MIT impresses a professor who recruits him to join a semi-legal card counting ring that has him flying high in no time, forgetting all about who he is and what he really believes in. There are ups and downs, but, wouldn’t you know it – at the end he re-discovers what he really wants. And that’s go to Harvard Medical School. Bored now.
And why do I get the feeling that Kevin Spacey phoned in for this role? It felt like a reheated version of a character he’s played a million times before, and I don’t know if it was the script’s fault or his. But as long as we’re talking about the script…come ON: It was forced and clichéd and without much in the way of redeemable value.
On the plus side, I like Jim Sturgess and he wasn’t half bad. He has the same kind of appeal as Cappy on ‘Greek’ (the most underrated designed-for-pre-teens show on TV!) , a kind of dreamy hapless goofball.
By factoring in the bonus points for being filmed in Boston and my alma mater, BU, serving as the set for all the classroom scenes, "21" gets…5.5/10 Twix bars!
I’ve wanted to read the book for awhile, and probably still will, since I’m sure there are some pretty ridiculous Hollywood twists included in the completely formulaic plot. Good kid with single mom and nerdy best friends with a longtime crush on a super hottie who just happens to be a genius at MIT impresses a professor who recruits him to join a semi-legal card counting ring that has him flying high in no time, forgetting all about who he is and what he really believes in. There are ups and downs, but, wouldn’t you know it – at the end he re-discovers what he really wants. And that’s go to Harvard Medical School. Bored now.
And why do I get the feeling that Kevin Spacey phoned in for this role? It felt like a reheated version of a character he’s played a million times before, and I don’t know if it was the script’s fault or his. But as long as we’re talking about the script…come ON: It was forced and clichéd and without much in the way of redeemable value.
On the plus side, I like Jim Sturgess and he wasn’t half bad. He has the same kind of appeal as Cappy on ‘Greek’ (the most underrated designed-for-pre-teens show on TV!) , a kind of dreamy hapless goofball.
By factoring in the bonus points for being filmed in Boston and my alma mater, BU, serving as the set for all the classroom scenes, "21" gets…5.5/10 Twix bars!
It won’t be the fur trade.
When in Hawaii, Jill & I had a nice conversation on the way to the airport about jobs – careers, salaries, job satisfaction and resume holes. Jill has a Master’s degree and works in emergency planning for the City of San Francisco, in a job that she really likes. She is also a certified yoga instructor, and she said she thinks it's really important to have a "trade" - whether as something to fall back on, break up the monotony with, or complement your fullblown career. Like I’ve said before, I really admire/respect Jill, and that got me thinking about my options.
So, I ask you – what should my trade be?
So, I ask you – what should my trade be?
A. Bartender. Pro: Flexible hours. Con: Is there anything more annoying than drunk people when you’re sober?I will now Google “trade school” and see what else I can come up with.
B. Massage therapist. I imagine that training for this would involve a lot of student-on-student practicing, and I am totally good with that.
C. Pastry Chef. The whole vegetarian thing pretty much eliminates me from future contention as an Iron Chef, but I’ve always liked dessert better than the main course anyway.
D. Court reporter: On the plus side, I’d be very informed about civic happenings. On the negative side, I’d probably have to wear a herringbone blazer with shoulderpads in order to fit in.
E. Hair dresser. I’d have to spend a lot of time on my feet, but I could sleep in every day.
Oh what a beautiful morning.
Fall must be on its way, b/c this picture of the lovely sky above Boston from this morning sure looks crisp.
September 11, 2008
Traveling tips, aka: Vacation blog, part 3
Over the last 5 years, I have done a significant amount of traveling – most of it by myself. While the exceptions have been wonderful (Yes, Trevor and I did fly together to our honeymoon – though not to the wedding…), I’ve also gotten into a bit of solo routine, and thought I might share some Helpful Tips.
#1 – Always check a bag. Yes, there are horror stories. We’ve all [unfortunately] seen “Meet the Parents.” But there are 2 reasons for this: First, when you check a bag, you don’t have to elbow your way into line to be among the first in your Group onto the plane to ensure you get a slice of overhead space. Your carry-on with all the in-flight essentials will fit easily under your seat, and you can remain off the plane on your feet (aka @ Starbucks or reading trashy magazines in the closest Hudson News) as long as possible. Second, chances are you’re going to have a layover. There is nothing worse than trying to fit into a bathroom stall with your suitcase. Trust me.
#3 – Skip the drink cart. Sure, it provides a nice distraction – and when else do you get to drink Cranberry Juice from a tiny, tiny can? But do you really want to be that person teetering down the aisle on the way to the bathroom, whacking people with their elbows as the plane hits some unexpected turbulence?
#5 – BYO. Puzzle, that is. It’s never a good idea to rely on the airline magazine’s crossword or Sudoku. There’s an excellent chance that someone much smarter than you already filled out the crossword completely – or that someone much dumber than you half-completed all 3 Sudoku games with the wrong numbers.
And finally, not a tip, but an observation:
If you are flying on a red eye and really need to get some sleep, the movie will be something you really want to see. If you are flying, bored, in the middle of the day, it’s guaranteed to be something A) Horrible, B) You’ve seen multiple times, C) You would like to watch, but can't because the tape is broken. Then the flight attendants will choose something that fits criteria A or B.
Lesson concluded. Happy travels!
#1 – Always check a bag. Yes, there are horror stories. We’ve all [unfortunately] seen “Meet the Parents.” But there are 2 reasons for this: First, when you check a bag, you don’t have to elbow your way into line to be among the first in your Group onto the plane to ensure you get a slice of overhead space. Your carry-on with all the in-flight essentials will fit easily under your seat, and you can remain off the plane on your feet (aka @ Starbucks or reading trashy magazines in the closest Hudson News) as long as possible. Second, chances are you’re going to have a layover. There is nothing worse than trying to fit into a bathroom stall with your suitcase. Trust me.
EXCEPTION: Never check a bag if your trip is shorter than 2 days, or if your trip marks some kind of traveling milestone, like the last time you’ll travel for business on that particular job. That guarantees that your bag will go missing A) Until your trip is over, or B) With all of your necessary supplies to complete that final business trip effectively. Also, never check a bag if you are my sister. That just guarantees something will go wrong – likely something that will involve driving back and forth between major metropolitan airports searching for your suitcase.#2 – Be nice. Help people put their bags in the overhead, agree to switch seats if someone asks, and say thank you to the flight attendants. Don’t roll your eyes at the woman with the crying baby, man with a hacking cough, or grandma with a really upset cat underneath her seat – You will be one of them someday.
#3 – Skip the drink cart. Sure, it provides a nice distraction – and when else do you get to drink Cranberry Juice from a tiny, tiny can? But do you really want to be that person teetering down the aisle on the way to the bathroom, whacking people with their elbows as the plane hits some unexpected turbulence?
EXCEPTION: Nothing spells stress relief like a nice [alcoholic] drink, so if you’re headed home from a business trip or on your way to a celebration or long-awaited vacation, bust out your wallet and order yourself one. Let me recommend the wine – It comes in a miniature bottle, which is adorable; It’s better quality (and serves more) than the Heineken Light your airline is likely to offer; And, $6 for 2 glasses of wine is a better deal than you’ll get anywhere – even with feet firmly on the ground.#4 – Be patient. This goes along with #2. Have you ever noticed how on traveling days, you always see the same people over and over again? Checking in, going through security, loading up at Starbucks, boarding the plane, deboarding and stopping at the bathroom, waiting for their luggage, waiting at the cab stand... Everyone’s on the same schedule - Save yourself some stress by being willing to take the hit of the 5 cumulative minutes you’ll lose by allowing a stroller-pusher cut in front of you at security or letting someone from 2 rows back rush to deboard in front of you.
#5 – BYO. Puzzle, that is. It’s never a good idea to rely on the airline magazine’s crossword or Sudoku. There’s an excellent chance that someone much smarter than you already filled out the crossword completely – or that someone much dumber than you half-completed all 3 Sudoku games with the wrong numbers.
And finally, not a tip, but an observation:
If you are flying on a red eye and really need to get some sleep, the movie will be something you really want to see. If you are flying, bored, in the middle of the day, it’s guaranteed to be something A) Horrible, B) You’ve seen multiple times, C) You would like to watch, but can't because the tape is broken. Then the flight attendants will choose something that fits criteria A or B.
Lesson concluded. Happy travels!
September 10, 2008
Hawaii Five-Oh: Vacation blog, part 2
Let’s talk vacation. Trevor & I spent 5 days in Hawaii last week with the Graham clan, including Jay (sister’s boyfriend) and Jill (sister’s best friend). We also got to spend a ton of time with our mutual friend Beth. We sunned, ate and drank up a storm, and I think it’s safe to say that a great time was had by all.
Highlights:
You know what was also awesome about this vacation? We didn’t do a single bit of shopping (Okay, we went to one gift shop – but it was in a gift shop SLASH museum in Waimea Canyon) and we went to bed by 10 (mostly 9) every night. Awww yeah.
My 2 favorite quotes from the week:
Highlights:
- The Napali Coast Raft Tour – Not so much a highlight for Jay, (and I wish I had remembered to put sunscreen on my legs – that shorts burn looked pretty awkward the rest of the week.). However, I can’t think of a better way to spend a first day on Kauai than on a high speed Zodiac boat, zooming up and down the western coastline, viewing scenery from a perspective otherwise impossible. It’s like a roller coaster through beautiful landscape.
- Anini Beach – After visiting the Kilauea Lighthouse, we made a stop at Anini Beach (or possibly Anini Beach’s neighbor – the directions weren’t super clear) on our way to Hanalei (Yes, home of Puff). A quick swim, a lovely nap, some Frisbee and a Negro Modelo – what a perfect afternoon!
- Bocce Ball with my mom – Now, we all know I love me some bocce ball. Saltbox, Arboretum, Esplanade (I still don’t understand why Trevor won’t let us play on the roof…), these are all lovely bocce backdrops, but I’m just not sure that they can compare. Also – my mom is freakishly good at this type of game (by which I mean, casual “lawn” sports: badminton, croquet, ping pong, ladder golf... And also bowling. She could beat me – and you – at every single one of those.). Though Trevor pulled ahead at the end, I think I see a future bocce champion!
- The coconut ratatouille at the luau – No, really.
- Drinks @ the Grand Hyatt – I had a Lava Flow, which was pretty much life changing. I don’t see how much booze it could really have in it, being as it tasted like a delicious strawberry milkshake. Good thing we had to leave after one.
- Beth! Trevor & I were on summer staff @ Camp Stevens with Beth in 2002, and Jill & Meredith have been friends with her since her winter staff year of 1998. Having not seen her in 6 years, what a great surprise to find out this summer that she was moving to Kauai and would be there when we got there! So, we got to reconnect, and hang out a ton, which was really special, and I’m sure we’ll keep in touch this time. I mean, hello – we’re already totally Facebook friends. (Now, I don’t want to leave Jill out here just because I see her relatively frequently (4 times in the last 18 months – not bad for someone who lives in San Francisco). She’s a good person to have in your life – hilarious and honest and with some great life experience that she’s willing to share. Nothing but love.).
You know what was also awesome about this vacation? We didn’t do a single bit of shopping (Okay, we went to one gift shop – but it was in a gift shop SLASH museum in Waimea Canyon) and we went to bed by 10 (mostly 9) every night. Awww yeah.
My 2 favorite quotes from the week:
- Apparently, the Napali Coast used to have copious numbers of waterfalls, cascading down its sides into the ocean. A long time ago (I honestly can’t remember if we’re talking about the late 1800s or like 1970), they were all dammed up to divert the flow to the sugar cane plantations. Our tour guide’s take on it: “Nothing a bottle of Jack Daniels and a sledgehammer couldn’t fix.” Amen, brother.
- After everyone else had departed, Trevor & I spent a day with my parents, playing bocce ball with my mom, lying by the pool, then off to a luau and back to the condo to play Scattergories. During said game of Scattergories, the letter was ‘J’ and the category was “Something you keep hidden.” My mom couldn’t say her answer out loud, giggling until she finally said, “I put joint?” Classic.
Announcing Man of the Month.
Dear Joshua Jackson,
I am writing to inform you that you have been selected as the inaugural Man of the Month for “Man of the Month – Online Edition.” Man of the Month is a historic and respected tradition, dating back to a Boston University dorm room in 2002. Previous honorees include Mos Def, Diego Luna and Luke Wilson. It is with great excitement that I welcome you to this illustrious club.
As a longtime fan of yours, who may or may not have counted down the days to the theatrical release of "D3" in her drama textbook, I was thrilled to see that you would be making your television comeback with “Fringe” (JJ Abrams has a way with characters previously or currently named Charlie.). And though you were equipped with clunkers of lines like, “A cow. He wants a cow,” I see you haven’t lost your touch. No one can quite do bewildered sarcasm like you. In fact, I hope it is not out of line for me to posit that your deepened brow crease is from all the hard work your eyebrows have done over the years.
In conclusion, I sincerely welcome you as Man of the Month, and will be keeping my fingers crossed for better scripts for you in the near future.
Love,
Ashley
PS: And, by the way, congratulations on getting Joey in the end. It takes some balls to wind up with the title character’s girl. Emilio would be proud. He, however, will not be eligible for Man of the Month until he apologizes for ‘Bobby.’
I am writing to inform you that you have been selected as the inaugural Man of the Month for “Man of the Month – Online Edition.” Man of the Month is a historic and respected tradition, dating back to a Boston University dorm room in 2002. Previous honorees include Mos Def, Diego Luna and Luke Wilson. It is with great excitement that I welcome you to this illustrious club.
As a longtime fan of yours, who may or may not have counted down the days to the theatrical release of "D3" in her drama textbook, I was thrilled to see that you would be making your television comeback with “Fringe” (JJ Abrams has a way with characters previously or currently named Charlie.). And though you were equipped with clunkers of lines like, “A cow. He wants a cow,” I see you haven’t lost your touch. No one can quite do bewildered sarcasm like you. In fact, I hope it is not out of line for me to posit that your deepened brow crease is from all the hard work your eyebrows have done over the years.
In conclusion, I sincerely welcome you as Man of the Month, and will be keeping my fingers crossed for better scripts for you in the near future.
Love,
Ashley
PS: And, by the way, congratulations on getting Joey in the end. It takes some balls to wind up with the title character’s girl. Emilio would be proud. He, however, will not be eligible for Man of the Month until he apologizes for ‘Bobby.’
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