Happy Chinese New Year

Bring on the year of the Rat! Let go of any baggage you may carry regarding the rodent's reputation. Beloved in the Chinese Zodiac, rats are known for their good luck and this year is somewhat auspicious. You all probably know a rat or two, a quick reflection on my own circle includes: Aimee, MAS, Ron, Nancy, Staci, Melissa, Brook, Eric, Shawn, my pops and I'm sure many more turning 12, 24, 36, 48, & 60 between now and next February.

A Rat year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.

Enjoy!

Will you be your Valentine?

Reuters reports that millions buy Valentine gifts for themselves. Rather than feel lonely and unloved on February 14, 8 million Americans admit to sending themselves gifts, according to a new survey. The article continues shattering illusions about the romantic nature of the day by pointing out that a telephone poll of a 1,000 Americans found rampant discrepancies between the gifts women would like to receive and what men are buying them. Editorial note: It doesn't mention any figures regarding unfulfilled male expectations. The article does point out that 6 million people have broken up on Valentine's Day (there was no citation of survey methodology here either).

All that aside, I have been fantasizing about gifts I might give myself: that Nelson Sunflower Clock I've wanted for the past three years would make an awfully sweet present.


I've also been thinking about a note I may like to read. It wouldn't be too sappy, just some simple thoughts on all of my appreciation of me. What would you give you? You have a week to decide.

answer me this one

Why do we hate secrets but love surprises?

An eventful life

Perhaps it's just me, perhaps not. Have you noticed all the events happening around us?

SALES EVENTS: I used to sit up and take notice of Sales Events. Car lots have them often. Department stores even more. But, the term has been abused and now it registers on par with the old Bon Marche's one-day sale. How can it be one-day when the tune is so familiar it's like a bad audio pop-up? "One day sa-a-a-ale, one day only at the Bon Marche".

WINTER STORM EVENTS: If you live in Central Oregon (like I do) you are becoming familiar with these events. These days, Christian Boris provides this oft-delivered news with glee and a smirk. Winter Storm Events still have some impact as word of them is reality-based. Unlike:

TELEVISION EVENT OF THE SEASON: Forgive me if I sound a little stodgy here but NBC's The Biggest Loser is not a television event. News of John Lennon's death, The Challenger Space Shuttle, the '00 Election Confusion, those are television events. Last night's Super Bowl XLII approached the event of the season but not because of any inherent merit.



I wonder how Event gained momentum to be used with such generosity? Is it the outcome of an event-planner plot?

Eventually, it will have to end.

The Diving Bell & The Butterfly

Following a stroke at age 42 Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor of Frech Elle magazine, is victim to locked-in syndrome, paralyzed from head to toe. Julian Schnabel deftly directs this bio-pic and together, with Jean-Do, the viewer reconciles the meaning of a life spent wholly, senses engaged.

Mercifully, Bauby has the use of one eye to communicate. With the extreme commitment of Claude, a publisher's assistant taking dictation via eye blinks, Bauby's reflections on being a self realized man not without his flaws are shared. And as much as this film (based on Bauby's novel) captures the longing and frustration of his imprisonment, it is also a celebration of imagination.


Patience is integral to his story as are the beauty and trappings of consciousness. Max Von Syndow, as Bauby's aged father, conveys the visceral misery of a parent who must witness his child's suffering expertly, yet the familiar American recipe of hyper-sentimentalism is forgone. There is comedy, cruelty and incredible humanity within this film. I recommend it.

Mac Guy, Just Like Us?

Advertising Age shares study revealing that mac users are similar to the mac guy. The research was independently conducted by Mindset Media. They surveyed 7,500 Nielsen online consumers to create a composite psychographic profile.

Among their findings: mac users tend to be open (check), creative (heck yes), arrogant (huh?) and avid sneaker consumers.

So it seems that Justin Long is working out pretty good as the face of "mac guy". In the spirit of gender equality, who would you nominate for "mac gal"?

Ellen Page gets my vote.



Yes, she's my celebrity girl-crush and current personification of cool. But, she also has the sneaker thing down, as mentioned in a December All Things Considered interview with Neta Ulaby:

"She's a devotee of Converse sneakers and flannel, so she was shocked when Vanity Fair asked her to model for a magazine spread featuring a gaggle of young actresses."

And, further on in the NPR segment, additional insight:

"Ellen Page has another movie coming out in the spring — Smart People — in which she stars opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. After that, she hopes to start shooting a Canadian indie film about teenage lesbian werewolves."

The Comeback Kid

Consider this blog re-funked. So much more soon...

happy birthday mr. dylan

who are you

You are what you pretend to be–wise words from Kurt Vonnegut

So, what do you pretend to be? And how else do you pretend?

Are you insousciant, with a light-hearted approach that belies your sensitivity?

Are you cautious and frustratingly indirect despite a desire for fearlessness and courage?

Are you inventive, fresh and original but afraid of your irreverent spirit?

Do you have a thousand inchoate ideas orphaned by your lack of confidence in what you know?

If so, I think I know you.

AVANT GARDE DIY

No one belongs here more than you:

This is the title of Miranda July's upcoming book. Here is the link to her website promoting the May 2007 release No one belongs here more than you

I am intrigued by Ms. July whose film Me and You and Everyone we know explores the desire to connect in a world of disconnects.


She is also part of a collective responsible for this website which prompts a diy approach to expression: learning to love you more Assignments are there for the taking. Here is a favorite line found on that site:
"The best art and writing is almost like an assignment; it is so vibrant that you feel compelled to make something in response. Suddenly it is clear what you have to do. For a brief moment it seems wonderfully easy to live and love and create breathtaking things."

Don't be surprised if you feel inspired.

Oscar Dreams

I dreamt that Little Miss Sunshine won the Academy Award for Best Picture and felt strangely torn.



Now, in my waking life, I profess a conviction that The Departed deserves the award for Best Picture. Why? A great ensemble cast with standout Leonardo DiCaprio. Plus,a love triangle storyline that was executed in a refreshing manner with the talented Vera Farmiga.

The Departed is not cinematic perfection by any means-- Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Frank Costello disrupts the viewer's complete delve into an otherwise believable mob/cop world. Still, I wanted to discuss The Departed for days after viewing.

Celebrating the Year of the Pig

Years
1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Pig personality traits
Intellectually curious, honest and tolerant, those born in the Year of the Pig can be relied upon for their loyalty and often make true friends for life.

Like the knights of old, Pigs are often highly regarded for their chilvary and pureness of heart, and will often sacrifice their own well-being for the greater good.

The Pig can be very naive, however, and may easily fall victim to the unscrupulous who take advantage of their idealistic nature - as Pigs see everyone as loyal and caring as they are. Although forced to play the fool many times, they will just as likely hold fast to the notion that everyone is at heart decent and admirable.

Stubbornly optimistic, the Pig will not tolerate those with well-meaning advice on how to be a Pig, but since they dislike quarreling and discord their anger usually cools quickly. Sometimes looked upon as a snob, the Pig just finds it right and natural to exhibit good manners whenever possible. Their main goal in life is in serving others, and no matter how difficult circumstances become the Pig will never waiver or retreat, forging ahead in the sure knowledge that all will be well.

Obviously, I am a pig...what are you?

Inspirational quote of the day

"If an idea is any good it's on the verge of being stupid." Michel Gondry

Returning to my fantasy

I want to live in Almodovar's Spain where every day life is patterned with vibrant colors .

I want to be like an Almodovar heroine and face life's challenges with fortitude in my shamelessly feminine pencil skirts, and cleavage.

I will be resilient, protective, and warm. I will love my mother better and be kind to my neighbors.

Hello Again

I'm so happy to discover that blogger located this site! You see, I was locked out and could not report the humble beginnings of my new blog Style Maverick: street style investigations shot from the hip Also, it felt so wrong not to have a photo for your viewing pleasure. You may recognize this shot as being one from Henri-Cartier Bresson. I love it for obvious reasons.

Happy February and check back soon. I have so much to tell you!