HAHA Vogueing! Mariela, your sister's cool


This was after Blue Team left me, after I commadeered the Red Team's vessel.


I look essited, Monica was cap'n, but we call her Cappie


Mariela and me running. Rest a'y'all lazy, dude.


MMMKRS

I can't, for the life of me, figure out the html coding to resize images. I try the size="blah" thing in the "img" tag but nada. Anybody net savvy enough? Herp preeease!

WE'RE ALL ALRIGHT! WE'RE ALL ALRIGHT! i haffta yell that part. everytime
US History: 4_______Chem: 3_______Lang&Comp: 3

what a model.

i bet you didn't see me take that. "why?" you ask. "the log" i answer.

ps. heh sorry ryan.

P.S. That just widened the text area. Oh well.

AP Chemistry A-
Japanese III A-
Precalculus and Discrete Math B+ ughh
Strength Training A
AP U.S. History A
AP English Language A

AP Tests:
AP Chemsistry 4
AP U.S. History 5
AP English Language 5

SAT Score: 2120

Next Year: AP Studio Art, AP Physics B, AP Calculus, AP English Literature, AP Psychology, AP Government

He's So Fine - The Chiffons

My Sweet Lord - George Harrison

George Harrison

... The Science of Sleep. Looks like one of his music videos. But wuh. Shrug. Yeah??

... and Lost. But there's a picture on the front page that we're not supposed to see yet. -___________- Oh, well.

HAHA, it feels like I'm gonna see you guys tomorrow.

Four on the calculus exam.

First off, Aaron Spelling > Favorite 90's Drama > Beverly Hills 90210. And since I was a fan of The O.C.'s second season, I had to share with you all this. Of course I didn't make this. I wouldn't be caught dead with O.C. videos on my computer (kidding... or am I?)

Also, latest on ONTD: the vulcan eyebrow kid from About A Boy? Regulation Hottie. HAHAHAHA. Not my opinion, really, but I do say, he did grow up nicely. Better than DanRad (still short), ifIdosaysomyself.

More latebreaking news! You know how in Roswell, the 285 South episode? When they had to do the 'biographer' project? Well, I found them. I don't know if they are real. But I'd like to think so. Anywho, I really like the Kyle-interviewing-Max and Isabel-Liz. They're funny.


Back when Brendon Fehr and Majandra Delfino were together.


Now, with their fiances. Brendan Fehr. What a crazy canuck. Speaking of: HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Literature - 700
U.S. History - 520

Ugh. Should've taken the math test.

South San Gabriel - The Dark of the Garage

Paris Hilton grabs her taco.
I love Lost. I love Prison Break. I love The Office. And I love Roswell. This is the best TV-filled summer, EVER.

Ring Of Fire - Universal Hall Pass.
My favorite version of Ring Of Fire. Enjoy. Anyway, I suggest we go for lunch at the grill on Sunday afternoon, so we can plan an itinerary. And boy, howdie doody, do we have things planned.

Ugh, how DARE she?! One day before my trip and she chops off my curly hair! AGH. GAHHHH. Someone must pay.

Brightblack Morning Light - All We Have Broken Shines

In The Land Of Women
Looks good enough for me to watch, because a) Adam Brody, b) Kristen Stewart (from SPEAK), and c) Meg Ryan's new face. I really wish she didn't botox/surgery/ehffthethangup, but now it is just a great fodder for comedy.

Yay. The new contestants for PR3.And, what's this, a black... MAN? I HOPE HE WINS. Michael Knight, woot woot!

Also, some HP pictures:

For the play at the Queen's B-Day. All the boys got haircuts. And now they look like twats... except for Rupert. This longer-bowl-cut fits him. And I liked Matthew Lewis' long hair, but now he looks like a 50 year old man. Dan is just... No.


...gaaaaay.

EDIT - One of my favourite blogs, I Guess I'm Floating, is graciously doing a 50 song post, which is amazing of them. Tap that, folks. Watch out especially for COLD WAR KIDS, Arizona, the Format, Islands, Phoenix, Band of Horses (who will be playing at the Captiol Hill Block Party), the Lovely Feathers, Sufjan Stevens, Hot Chip, MIDLAKE, BEIRUT, SOUL POSITION, Destroyer, and Heypenny. Good stuff.

Actually, Currently listening to So Stay in Love by Kissing Tigers, which makes me wanna dance. Check it out, ya'll. A-Yes, yes ya'll.

---

Janelle left yesterday and we packed, but not before we watched this: Fainting Goats! HAHAHA Watch out for the little guy at the lower right corner at around 0:37, my favourite one.

For anyone who's ever watched TFC with a mix of derision and delight, here's another good one: Keys Me, a Sixpence Not the Richer reinterpretation. It really makes you want to scream with laughter and terror.



Apparently a car company shot this commercial above, but there was this eerie mist following the car so it never aired. It also shows up to the right close to the bottom. You can even hear the crew's reactions if you listen closely. They found out there was a fatal car crash right where it was filmed. So weird!

It’s a Wrap! SIFF Celebrates Another Record-Breaking Year
6/19/2006
The Seattle International Film Festival closes on Sunday with Michel Gondry’s Science of Sleep and announces 2006 Award Winners

The 32nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival announces award winners and concludes its 25-day run on Sunday June 18 at the Neptune Theatre with Michel Gondry’s Science of Sleep starring Gael Garcia Bernal. Gondry will be in attendance for the screening, which will be followed by the Closing Night Gala celebration.

Umm... yeah. I'm kind of.. sort of...uhh.. angry that SIFF didn't announce this sooner. Thanks, SIFF. NOT. khuh.

MAD HOT BALLROOM.
yeah it's mad hot! it gets you more like tickles you right in el corazón. that's how cute it is. my favorite dance is the merengue from Cuba (but this might be because I was watching Dirty Dancing: Havanna Nights. well it's still a good dance.) fuhgeddabaddit (it= that gym membership) when I go to college, I'm taking classes. I really liked the English/Spanish speaking Brooklyn kids. They had más attitude than the kids from Queens, and hombre, could they swing dance (2nd favorite).

totemo going.
presale 1 day=18 dollars.
Sept. 2-4.
SIFF too.
Janelle's brother's band(Blue Scholars?).

Mesopotamia - The B52s
a song that: 1. makes no sense and 2. I am memorizing

Speaking of graduations, as Reslyn and Misha already established that they're walking together, anyone want to walk with me? (Reslyn already said Kelsey said she would, but I'm just making sure) Here are my pros:

• If you trip, I will look at you, stand for 1 second, and then fall as well, so you won't be alone.
• I will be wearing flats, so most likely I will not trip and thus cause you not to trip.
• I won't hook arms, so I won't be "all up in your grill."
• And... I walk the line.

Perfect traits for a perfect walking partner. Anyway, if you're walking with someone else, I guess I'll just pimp myself over senior year. Any takers?? Anyone??

Also, I've posted my work from my portfolio.

ps: Found this t-shirt community that shares how do destroy a t-shirt and sew it into a totally new one. I thought you fashionistas (and fashionisto (que?) to you) would like this.

Ugh, what a nightmare.

Anyway, I got to the school at 3 and waited for 2 hours in the weight room with the rest of the Honor Guard; at 5pm we had to walk out onto the football field and drop of our stacks of diplomas on the stage, then stand in front of our section until all the seniors came on and were seated. It was like 90 degrees and my stomach hurt from having gone without food and water, which I only did because I wanted to prevent the urge to use the bathroom during the two-hour ceremony.

Then the top 6 of the junior class got on stage and I had to cut the ribbons from the diplomas, which took about half an hour in my wedge shoes. Ugh. Anyway, I stuffed some ribbons in my gown because they were there and I was not leaving empty-handed. I better get a certificate mailed to me or heads will roll.

AND they turned off all the traffic lights and let police officers guide traffic manually, which is the WORST IDEA EVER, especially since no cars were allowed to enter the theater, the school, and the water park across the street; they assumed everyone was already parked and that NOBODY AT ALL was being picked up. GAH*$#*@#&$@HCI^@!!!! I had to walk around and configure a specific plan for getting picked up and that cost me the outer layer of skin on the part of the top of my foot. YEAH. UGH, how did I get stuck doing this. I'm supposed to be SMART, not trained for hard labor.

Just had to vent. You guys are lucky it doesnt get that hot out in Silverdale to the point where your family members faint in the stands of the football field and have to get taken away in an ambulance (thank God my mother wasn't there or she'd blame me for the whole thing).

EDIT

I'm not number six. I'm number five!

Aw, snap man. Let's hear it for the greatest love song ever:

the Platters - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Used perfectly in the movie Three Times (Trailer, MUST SEE). Love it or hate it (Kelsey), you have to agree the movie had an excellent soundtrack and atmosphere. Every still from that movie could be framed and put up in art galleries. My current favourite movie for 2006; Click the link, watch the trailer, relive the magic, mang.


Of all we saw at SIFF, yeah, my choice was my favourite. Actually, I loved all the movies. Grading them is just a formality. Initially They were all A- to A, but I thought I had to be more discerning. A great improvement over last year, when we watched Pizza (which had frikkin Jesse McCartney in it), rather than Mysterious Skin or Junebug, the latter being my third favourite movie in the world.

Here's my scoresheet:

No. 2 (New Zealand) - At times melodramatic and unpolished, when it hit, it hit. Warm, charming, and sweet. A-

Les Poupées Russes (France) - Not exactly brimming with the contentment of its predecessor, which comes with the inevitable comparison. Short story: first was better). Its saving grace is its romanticism and the stark performance of Kelly Reilly. Crowd-pleasing and humurous, but could have been trimmed down due to too many dispensable scenes. I'm looking at you, Audrey Tatou. The scene where Wendy leaves the trainstation, awash with red, green, blue and inky silhouettes stays in my mind 3 weeks later. Another amazing soundtrack, as well. B+

Linda Linda Linda (Japan) - A suprisingly well photographed Japanese Teen Flick that, even more suprisingly, isn't anime. A simple, skin-deep plot but used to its fullest through the charismatic and hilarous lead cast (Son in particular, played by the droll Du-na Bae). The song is still stuck in my head, as are the imagery and performances. Again, big ups on the cinematographer, Yoshihiro Ikeuchi. Every frame is Art. A-

Love Sick (Romania) - Maudlin yet ambitious love triangle piece, though at times terribly creepy. That is, whenever the brother popped up. Sometimes the soundtrack outperformed the scenes, but it worked well as a drama. Oddly nostalgic and starkly moving, but still, the hurdle over getting used to the brother/love idea is too much of a hurdle when the movie didn't really need that detail. The girl who plays Alex looks like Lily Cole Redux. Google that, I dare you. B+

Three Times (Taiwan) - Rapturous. Heartbreaking. Smouldering. Hou Hsiao-Hsien proves again his auteur status. Shu Qi is breathtaking and able to display so much versatility and above all, humanity. Chang Chen matures past his Crouching Tiger days and holds his own. Some may find it droning, understandably, but being so dense with nuance, you cannot deny its beauty and its truth cast on the many faces of love. The soundtrack? Fuggedaboutit! Beautiful. A

Malas Temporadas (Spain) - A fine character study, with its revolving narrative and whirlwind cast, each performing remarkably well, sometimes blazingly so. A drama that touches so many bases, this is the movie Crash wanted to be. A

Other movies I wanted to watch:

Quinceanera (Trailer)
C.R.A.Z.Y. (Main Page, Trailer Within)

Can we watch them when they are wider released? We should, and Kelsey can translate (I swear you get to choose the next movies, Debbie Downer. HAHA Though we do have Strangers With Candy to look forward to).

Okizzay, this is my itinerary which is subject to change. Coo.

EDIT

Oh, she already posted it.

EDIT

Ryan deleted it.

first off I would like 1 book recomendation from each of you. I need to learn how to talk, so reading this summer will help . I suppose. and Gotta keep up with the Jones' Diazs'.

3 guesses where you've heard this: Mama? Cass Elliot

btw..we watched Hour of Power istead of going to church today. but then my mom told me to switch it to Showtime because it's a free weekend and Danny Deckchair happened to be on.

mas reasons por que sawyer es mi favorito:
Jack: Stand up.
Sawyer: Why, you wanna see who's taller?

Kate: Come on. You're going to see Jack.
Sawyer: Do I get a lollipop?

Ho muffins and bitch biscuits! Too many posts this week, it is sickening. And that picture of me makes me sick too. I liked the black/white one better.

Anyway. The Aussie guy from House? Dr. Robert Chase-- you SING?!? Apparently he does. He's a pretty boy, has an accent, and to House, is the weakest link (goodbye!) of his medi-troop. But he makes up for it because he. can. sing. So stick that in your orange bottle and shake it. Shake it like a blahsomethingthatmakesnoisewhenshaken.


I made my own fanmix. I'm proud. Because it's sorta what my soundtrack for my prison-movie was supposed to be. Well, the romance part, which was like, 1/100 of it. Not much romance, my movie. But a lot of prison bitches. Same-same, I guess, if you're the T-Bag sort of person.

But Monica has mo' motherehffing work for some mo' motherehffing finals.

But first, a song:

Magnet - Little Miss More or Less (Mp3)
Just beautiful. Swaying, shoegazy, tragic. Sweetly maudlin but not melodramatic (at least, I think so - I hope so). If you don't catch yourself humming this to yourself alone, then keep keep listening until it's automatic. Pavlovian response and all that jazz. Lyrics here, if interested, provided by the band's website, with a little blurb of explanation. Good stuff.


Onto the goods:
Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song titles that come up to answer each question. NO CHEATING, that is, except you can skip over instrumentals and songs that aren't in English.

(I wish we had journal cuts like on other stuff, but whatcanyado?)


How does the world see me?
the Knife - "Heartbeats"

And you, you knew you had to fight the Devil
And you, kept us away with wolf's teeth

What is my day going to be like?
Metric - "Soft Rock Star"

'Choose the highest bidder,' was my answer
When they told me I was up for sale

Will I have a happy life?
Apples in Stereo - "Shine a Light"

Something I would do
Is shine a light on you
And the light would shine,
Baby, all the time.

What do people really think of me?
Bobby Bare Jr. - "Valentine"

In the middle of every dream
Is the lie that pulls the key

Do people secretly lust after me?
Scout Niblett - "Kidnapped by Neptune"

Where've you been,
Where, where've you been
You crazy Girl

How can I make myself happy?
Cold War Kids - "Pregnant"

Pregnant with doubt
You'll figure it out

Will I ever have children?
Jets to Brazil - "Perfecting Loneliness"

The world becomes a room under the microscope with a lab coat and glue.
I'm fixing this hole with everything I knew.

What is some good advice for me?
Velvet Underground - After Hours

Oh, someday I know
Someone will look into my eyes
And say 'Hello.'

What do I think my current theme song is?
Hotel Lights - "Small Town Shit"

What's worse than your refusal
Is my not wanting to.

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Guillemots - "Who Left the Lights Off, Baby?"

Hello, Hello, Hello,
I think you're out on your own.
Well, it may sound funny
But it don't strike, Honey, for me.

What type of person am I attracted to?
Nouvelle Vague - "Melt With You"

Making love to you was never second best
I saw the world thrashing all around your face

Why am I here?
Page France - "Spine"

And I'll trade being your spine
With another one who thinks that he can keep your bones aligned.
And I'll watch until he finds that I'm your home.
You will come home.

What will people remember me for?
Brandy - "Sittin' Up in My Room"

Seems like ever since the first day we met,
There is no one else I think of more than you.

What song will I get stuck in my head tomorrow?
Mull Historical Society - "Peculiar"

He said, why don’t you open right up?
I bet you’d pour right out,
Or I could pour right into you, you, you, you.

What does your future have in store?
the Beatles - "Two of Us"

You and me chasing paper
Getting nowhere
On our way back home.

What song will play at my funeral?
Ray Charles - "Georgia On My Mind"

Other arms reach out to me,
Other eyes smile tenderly --
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you.

Any Last Words?
Sufjan Stevens - "Springfield, Or Bobby Got a Shadfly Caught in His Hair"

Wait a minute, wait a minute
Give a minute, baby, I can explain the aftershave
Wait a minute, wait a minute, give a minute
Bobby got a shadfly caught in his hair
Yes he does.

I am The Fool The Fool can signal a new beginning or change of direction - one that will guide you onto a path of adventure, wonder and personal growth. He also reminds you to keep your faith and trust your natural responses. If you are facing a decision or moment of doubt, the Fool tells you to believe in yourself and follow your heart no matter how crazy or foolish your impulses may seem. The Fool also frequently messes up the numbers he inputs into forms. Maybe you should try it again... For a full description of your card and other goodies, please visit LearnTarot.com

What tarot card are you? Enter your birthdate. Month: Day: Year:

HAHA. I guess it's relevant these days?

Summer Art Program at Cornish. $295 for 1 course (boohoo). Any takers?

I want to take B/W Photography and Digital Imaging and Printer Poster. I can see Misha doing the Hip Hop Sketch and Strength.

Hmm... And a song for the road, I guess. Just to fill some space (ps. it's a m4a file):

La Mer - Maggie Grace

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - House Fire
My 4th Most Played Song out of 5500, this song makes me think of someone and makes me feel old at the same time. Emo, sure, but (sarcasm free zone) so much more. Beautiful.

---

I am The Hierophant The Hierophant often represents learning with experts or knowledgeable teachers. This card also stands for institutions and their values. The Hierophant is a symbol of the need to conform to rules or fixed situations. His appearance in a reading can show that you are struggling with a force that is not innovative, free-spirited or individual. Groups can be enriching or stifling, depending on circumstances. Sometimes we need to follow a program or embrace tradition, other times, we need to trust ourselves. For a full description of your card and other goodies, please visit LearnTarot.com

What tarot card are you? Enter your birthdate. Month: Day: Year:

Ugh, I hate my card too. Misha will probably get something like, "The Amazing Life," just cause she always gets stuff like that.

Meet Sayid and Charlie. Sayid is from the Middle East. Charlie is from the Shire. --->

HAHA. Got that quote from TWOP. Well. This video of Kelly (Kellie?) Pickler from American Idol doing some interviews for Jay at MTV Movie Awards ... is hilarious. I wish I had a Southern accent, so if I ever say something weird, it will be excused because people will be like, "Aww. She's from the south." ... Sad, isn't it? Oh well. And the world keeps on spinning.

I am The Wheel of Fortune The Wheel of Fortune represents unexpected encounters and twists of fate. You can't predict surprises; you can only be aware when one is circling around. Indeed, Card 10 often suggests wheel-like actions - changes in direction, repeating cycles and rapid movement. When the energy of the Wheel arrives, you will feel life speed up. You are caught in a cyclone that may deposit you anywhere. "Round and round and round she goes, and where she stops, nobody knows." For a full description of your card and other goodies, please visit LearnTarot.com

What tarot card are you? Enter your birthdate. Month: Day: Year:

Khuh. My tarot card is so vague. Gaaaaaaaay. And "Round and round and round she goes, and where she stops, nobody knows." ??? What's THAT supposed to mean???!

A heads up to Mariela, My Old Kentucky Home blogged about your guys recently, the Wildlife, so head on over for some praise and pride.

The blog also recently went over Asobi Seksu, which I thought I would take a stab at, but I like the blog and have read it for some time, so I'll let your read his probably better, more qualified musings.

---

I was at the library and I typed "www.g" in the address bar, and it just so happens that other users' search history shows up. Among the noticable finds include:

"hardcore poemss [sic]"
"emo poem"
"petsmart job application"
"indie rawk messenger bag"

HAHA! Keeping on the up and up and the down low, I guess. I've seen and heard kids talking to each other, obsessively trying to log onto Myspace. HAHA So ugly.

I heard there was a girl with 666 in red nailpolish on her forehead wandering around the halls yesterday. HAHA. Next there'll be girls in catwoman masks and dying their hair green for that original 1877 punk look that everyone's too stupid to understand. (Omagha, I hate Enid)

---

Cloak is still teh c00l3st.

I love this woman. Hilarious!

Anyhoo, anyone interested in switching on over to a Blog Spot account? Objections? Suggestions?


Edit HOLY MOLEY! Is the announcer guy in the Mrs. World Pageant posted below the dad from Growing Pains?! I loved Growing Pains!

Also, half the traffic to the site has been from people searching for Paris Hilton's lyrics, those Proustian, almost transcendent, heavenly phrasings. Better that than the Shizika Arakawa N-pple search (the dash is to prevent further searches ending up here, not because of my respectable Victorian sensibilities).

Via Oh No They Didn't, Natch

Filmed only 2 days ago, this video is 7 minutes of cruel fate and horrible, unbridled camp. A mix up of crowns, the directors yelling and backstage bickering. (Also a flying child, tears, and the fact that these women are Mrs.'s?? Really? Really.) HAHA, Big ups to Mrs. New Zealand, with her killer remark, "Fiasco," which I thought reminded me of Kelsey. "Fiasco" will probably have to replace "Plot Twist" and "Awkward" for the It Words for social disasters.

Most confusing of all, there's the announcer guy who speaks English, can probably read English, yet watches as Mrs. Costa Rica gets crowned when he said Russia (And that dress! Oy vey!) Then there's that whole no-one-understands-a-word-anyone's-saying. And the poor woman going "No! Sh! Sh, shshsh! Lemme say something. Lemme just say something! Turn that camera off!" Hilarious and awful at the same time.

I love when the other contestants also hate on Russia Gurl. HAHA How two-faced. I would have given it to Mrs. New Zealand for the aforementioned Zinger. Zinger, Zealand, yeah ok. Or the lady who said "Mrs. Russia a Woman? No." HAHAHAHA

My heart goes out for the lady in white (Mrs. Brazil?) who at first says "We all of us are proffesional here! We leave our families, we leave everything to come here! What you are doing is WRONG!" then her face crumples into despair. AWW!! My heart! Oscar watchers take note.

Then the group hug as the angry blonde lady cries and Costa Rica goes "Don't worry for me!" as another lady talks like Rocky in the background, "THEY TOOK OFF THE F*CKING CROWN! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" AWWW!! Friends for Lyf!

The Reshoot was bananas, Russia has the balls to act suprised (and according to earlier reports might actually possess them). HAHA Obviously Team Russia girls are behind her cheering her on. And her DRESS HAHA The gurl even sashays. Ice queen, much? Anyway, the girl from St. Petersburg winning a pageant in St. Petersburg sounds fishy; Give it to Costa Rica! Petition! Write your senators!

Fairy girl = endlessly annoying.



If this could all translate into the Soccer (wotev) World Cup, even Costa Rica's football team striking back in her honour, that would be amazing. HAHA



Speaking of crazy women, watching Iron-Jawed Angels in class makes me even more of a militant feminist. The fact that some people still don't vote drives me bonkers. Heal the world, guys. Make it a better place. For you, me, and the entire human race, roight? Bush is trying to up his approval ratings by being a bigot, btw. Get informed, dude.

Nice job, Ryan; therefore, I don't have to feel bad about my putting off the job to spur you to it.

SAT subject tests yistyday. Literature was fine, U.S. History was harder than I'd expected because I could answer every question on the practice test I'd taken beforehand. Ah well.

Music. Apparently, Seth Cohen of "The O.C." is an indie-tastic kind of guy. Of course he's hardcore; he even has a subscription to Spin. Why, just last month, his band Big Japan released this single (courtesy of more than milk):

Big Japan - The Rise and Fall of Bill

The composition is actually quite good and jingly, with charming riffs and catchy synth-pop hooks. It's a'ight. The lyrics are mediocre and the vocals start off all trembly and maudlin like Conor Obherst, but aside from that, it's pleasant. Score a small one for Adam Brody, whose real name I even cared to use.

P.S. I just bought several palettes of eye shadow and I'm aiming to find some disposable makeup brushes. I also desecrated some of my fashion magazines from last year in order to compile all the pages with makeup tips. There. Now you are all obligated to partake in my makeover.

P.P.S. Speaking of makeup, the image for the layout reminds me of those multicolored blush compacts, like the ones made by Physician's Formula or Estee Lauder. Why's that? HAHA.

New layout is up, new pictures and everthing, so get used to it. I tried using recent pictures, but how come I don't have pictures of Monica? If you guys send me alternate pictures, I can change the ones we have now if you request. Except Kelsey's. I happen to love that "Kelsey in the Big City" picture. HAHA

Also, Misha and I made a discovery:

Misha: Umm...
Misha: Is that kid...
Misha: Staring like that...
Misha: On purpose?!
Ryan: HAHAHA
Ryan: Wait, He looks like someone
Ryan: I can't remember...
Ryan: This old butler cartoon
Ryan: Maybe it was on a boardgame
Misha: HAHA

Ryan: WAIT! SUIKODEN 3!
Ryan: There's a butler on that videogame that looks exactly like him!
Ryan: Wait!
Ryan: Wait!
Ryan: Lemme find a picture!




Ryan: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Misha: HAHAHAHAHAHA!

So now you know. Also, that means all this esoteric video game knowledge is worth something after all. I'm satisfied.

Update Turns out that's the kid from the kid from the new Omen movie. Maybe he just can't turn it off. HAHA

Update 2 OK, OK! So it says Omen on the poster behind them, but how can you not stare into the eyes of the devil? Everything else just fades away.

Also, my review of The Stranger is below, if you care to read it (which I think you should. Both, that is)

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0530Hilton-ON.html

She said she had to overcome shyness to become a singer.

"I have always had a voice and always known I could sing, but I was too shy to let it come out," Hilton was quoted as saying. "When I finally let go and did it, I realized it is what I am most talented at and what I love to do the most."

So I lied about posting about Asobi Seksu after my Jaga Jazzist post. I have something so much more important:

Siik is the brains behind that Amerie vs. Modest Mouse mash I've been raving constantly about. The guy is a genius, I say. I've been listening to these nonstop, and even my friends who don't like music agree that these are amazing. +Points for the use of "Crips" by Ratatat; maybe I'll post them after posting about Asobi Seksu, if I don't skip the latter entirely.

Amerie vs. Modest Mouse - 1 Thing (Siik Mash)
Cassie vs. Ratatat - Me and You (Siik Mash)

Other mixes can be found here. If I were you, I'd pick up the Busta Rhymes mash, and the "Sock It to Me" Missy Elliot mash. He's also done some mixes if you care to hit that. Highly recommended.




I've finished Camus's The Stranger, and I have to say I loved it. I think I especially identify with the main character. Existentialism to the max, dude.

The book, translated into English by Matthew Ward from French (interested, Monica?), had a terseness to it, and its brevity was perfect. Each character was realized accordingly, the atmosphere was at once both smokey and fresh, gritty yet breezy. It makes me want to learn French just to read its original form; I also heard there was a different translation, an earlier version by Stuart Gilbert. I feel like reading that version as well, just for comparison's sake.

Highlights include Monsieur Pérez during the funeral march (in fact, the entire funeral march in general), the trial, Marie, Marie, Marie (!!), and every single insight provided by the main character, Meursault, especially during his encounter with the chaplain in the last chapter.

But even after all that, what struck me most, and stays in my mind even now, is the narration of Part I, Chapter 2 - the events unfolding on the main street as Meursault watches; fascinating and beautifully written. I have a thing for reading what and how people eat, so anything about coffee, fish, or ciggarettes was also captivating.

The observations on the relationships between family members, people and yes, strangers, self-determination, absurdity vs. sense, and the Algerian social miasma between the Arabs and the Pied-noir (look it up on Wikipedia!), and the lack of Truth itself, leaves you with a hunger for more.

At only 123 pages (the '88 publication at least, pictured above), even Misha can read it in 2 days if she wants; the prose is entirely absorbing, it's almost ethereal. 10 out of 10. Classic.

The book itself can be described by a single line, spoken by the imposing character, Masson, in the 6th Chapter of Part 1: "Stunning, I'd even say charming." That, and so many more words.

Yep, There I Am
I'm on a quest for higher learning, so I've checked out a billion books from the library for summer reading. It took 10 minutes to check out and process, and I carried them out with two full oversized shopping bags. I suggest you guys do the same; Book club, anyone?

FICTION
(I own these already, but still Summer Reading)
Catch-22 - HELLER
We Were the Mulvaneys - OATES
Life of Pi - MARTEL
The Jungle - SINCLAIR
An American Childhood - DILLARD (for realz this time)
The Picture of Dorian Gray - WILDE
Atonement - McEWAN

Borrowed:
Slaughterhouse-Five - VONNEGUT
Pride and Prejudice - AUSTEN
The Sound and the Fury - FAULKNER
As I Lay Dying - FAULKNER
The Grapes of Wrath - STEINBECK
The Winter of Our Discontent - STEINBECK
Beloved - MORRISON
My Ántonia - CATHER
The Stranger - CAMUS
Native Son - WRIGHT
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Hurston
Farewell to Arms - Hemingway
Mrs. Dalloway - WOOLF


COLLECTION
American Voices (Short Stories) - Arteseros, Editor
New Poets of the 90s - Myers, Weingarten, Editors
The Best American Essays - Atwan, Editor


NON-FICTION
Devil in the Details - TRAIG
The Fabric of the Cosmos - GREENE
Don't Think of an Elephant: The Essential Guide for Progressives - HAZEN
Harvesting Minds: How TV Commercials Control Kids - FOX
China Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World - FISHMAN
Fast Food Nation - SCHLOSSER
The World of Caffeine - WEINBERG, BEALER
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed - DIAMOND

The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women - WOLF
Looking Good: Male Body Image in Modern America - LUCIANO

The Epidemic - The Rot of American Culture... and the Resultant Plague of Joyless, Selfish Children - SHAW
Scapegoat Generation: America's War on Adolescents - MALES

I'm really excited for reading all these, I can feel my head expanding. Currently, I'm working on My Ántonia and The Stranger. I'm planning on writing a discussion/critique on these as I finish them, meaning most of you guys will probably just skip over that. HAHA

Most of my non-fiction is social-commentary. Non-fiction works I've set off and grouped in pairs are for reading and comparing/contrasting opposing viewpoints.

I'm planning to read 1 or 2 Short Stories/Essays a day, plus a couple pages of poetry. I have to read 2 books a week, 3 if I'm really into one of them. I have nothing better to do anyway, other than anxiously await the release of Final Fantasy XII, obvs. It. Will. Be. Done. Sweater God, I do.

Any other suggestions?



In other news, DeVotchka plays the good stuff.

Stereogum has the new Paris Hilton song, "Stars Are Blind," leaked. I daresay it's catchy. and with lyrics like:

"Even though the guys are crazy / Even though the stars are blind / If you show me real love, baby, / I'll show you mine,"

It just means you don't have to invest any real mental thought into it. What does that even mean. WTF, much? Someone needs to go on a Summer Reading Mission, eh? Eh? Wotev. Obvious vocal tampering aside (her voice changes not), it's still pretty catchy. Or, you know, not.

Also, if anyone is up for hearing an angelic children's choir singing "She Hates Me" complete with swearing, just hit me up; Shiz's-hilarious.

I hate to say it, but I jumped on the bandwagon. The wagon of SU DOKU. Ehffing logic.

And hello. I thought you did things the British way, Ryan. It's football... right?

And here are songs on yousendit:

Nations of the World - The Animaniacs

I Wish I Knew How To Quit You - Jake Gyllenhaal

And in honor of WM's 34th birthday, Happy Birthday - Wentworth Miller I wish I knew how to quit him. Not really. Why would I want to quit?

At first I was like: "Get him away from the mother and child!" He is like, the best actor out of all in Prison Break. Then someone on LJ was like: "I want Winnie to hold on to his pocket.. *sigh*"

IT'S FINALLY HEEERE!

Seriously, World Cup Soccer (Held this time in Germany) is a gajillion times more exciting than the Olympics, the other once-in-four-years sporting event. Seriously, I've been waiting for this since the last one in Japan and Korea. Now you know my maroon soccer shirt isn't really ironic after all.

GO CROATIA, KOREA, SWITZERLAND, JAPAN, ITALY, U.S.A., and IRAN!

I want nothing more than for Brazil to go DOWN, they're always the favourites. WHOOOO!!!

Thank Vishnu we have digital cable. I've been watching nothing but Soccer cause normal ESPN channels don't usually show it. First up is Germany vs. Costa Rica

man am i in a hip hop rut or wut? definitely strange phase right now,
I mean New Edition? Johnny Gill? really?

New Edition - cool it now

hear that casio work it. yeah. i need the program that mashes songs. "like a prayer so cool it"--New Madonna, imaginate that for a bit.

ok i knew love sick was "girlfriends" right when i first read about it. did yall listen? maybe we can change our tickets. ironic how nicole's choice turns out to be.. well you know.

Anyone wanna do that layout now? Also, anyone wanna take up mp3 posting as well? I like reading your entries, dudes. An mp3 to go with it would be cool, with commentary, hopefully.

Jaga Jazzist - Airborne

Think of one of the most archetypal film noir scenes imaginable: after it all, the brassy herione leaves the detective with smoke rings illuminating him, outside some seedy speakeasy never turning her back. This would be playing in the background.

At first, piano and saxaphone, low and exhausted but still expansive, tinged with world weary fuzz like whispery breaths. The sparse percussion sets the mood while fuzzy chords wash over each other in the backdrop, but then suddenly at 2:18, the bass picks up and the percussion gets more accented. Suddenly you're in a flashback, in Brazil (or a spy mission, but I like both). There are flutes and epic trumpets with a latin tendency. You see the plight that got them there in that dark alley, the view spliced by venetian blinds.

The muted, low saxaphone goes up an octave at 3:42 and you can feel the adrenaline and excitement. As abruptly as it is when people seperate, the song returns to the present departure. The adventure described in the Brazil scene was just a montage, the luck of circumstance, a memory. The heroine turns her head and they both smirk remembering that rush, and still she leaves him, the heel of her shoe clicking in time with his saxaphone croon.

Up next: Asobi Seksu


BTW, 2120 in SAT for me.