I couldn't say to your face that I won't be around anymore...

Last weekend, I went to the desert with Broadway (an OTP + core member of FFC, and definitely a LOS, but more on this later...) The motivation was to go to Giggles + Wiggles' Art Swap Meet (part of HDTS) and to meet up with the East Coast OTP, fellow LOS, to partake in the first FFC field trip and to just have fun in the sun.


And the soundtrack to this weekend? Arthur Russell's "Love Is Overtaking Me." The loveliest album I've heard this year. Go see Matt Wolf's brilliant documentary, "A Wild Combination" on this chivalrous knight. Listen to this, this, that and this !!! and then ask yourself if love is overtaking you... like it has with me.


We drove straight to the inaugural exhibition of WVICA and made it time to see Douglas Armour perform his lovely pop gems underneath the brightest stars in Wonder Valley. It was a good sign to what was to come...


Digging it out to get out.


Wonder Valley. Somewhere vast, dark and wondrous.


Fall Fitness Club's first field trip. Location: Cap Rock, Joshua Tree National Park. Weather: Perfect, juste parfait. We knew what we had to do. So we did it. We climbed that thing. No sweat.


No sweat.


On the other side. In all my years coming here, it took a LOS (that's Lady of Substance you dolt!) and not a guy to do this with... funny how that goes these days for me...


Loving it.

it's just casual

I'm not gonna consider this as the usual "serious" post but I cannot resist the temptation to blog tonight even though I have no time for this right now, especially this month... but I love my blog (j'adore!) so I'm making the time, I guess it's just that important? Well, yes it is... totalement indispensable! I'm actually using my old powerbook I am borrowing from Mr. Bickerson (can you believe it? what steps we've both taken!) as my precious macbook is somewhere in Appleland (i.e. Texas) getting mended and hopefully tomorrow, it'll be returned to moi in its original glory, all shiny and new. I really believe karma has bitten me in the ass... within the same week as me getting an iPhone (finally), my macbook acts up on me. I guess the lesson here is not to be hypocritical. I hate you Blackberry!

I've been pretty excited lately (it's been awesome with adventures) which I will go in further detail later this week when life resumes once my beloved mac is back in my arms. But I want to share a couple of quick things I've been obsessed with this week: (all superficial rather... again, I am being duplicitous as my purpose in life of late is trying to get rid of my material things but here I go again, wanting and wanting and wanting...)

1. Thursday is the day. I've already endlessly looked at the entire collection, mens and womens. CDG for H&M. OMFG. This will get its own post, a full analysis, a total discourse that will blow your mind. I swear. I promise...

2. The Margiela Gift Bow Ring. A gift in form of a gift! A double gift! The ultimate gift! Oh dear, I know I've been a good girl this year... this is number one on my list for Santa. Propose to me with this and I'll prolly say YES! I still believe! It's just that good! Yum yum piggy's bum...

People couldn't believe what I'd become...

Seriously, I was possessed today. I've been on the waiting list at my local AT&T for the new BB Bold which becomes available tomorrow. My current one is on its last legs, it barely works, the battery dies instantly and I don't even get email anymore! It's been overused, misused and abused; I've pillaged it like it was My Lai.

So I've been talking to anyone who would listen to why BBs are infinitely superior, the practicality of its "copy & paste," its quiet confidence, its refined elegance, a tour de force, but mainly and (un)fortunately, it was my sick sadistic love for bbm that has propelled me to this hypocritical hullabaloo. And out of nowhere today, I was compelled to end it all. This evening, I drove to the Apple store and bought myself an iPhone. And 30 minutes later, a new era began. Just like what's gonna happen tomorrow... I'm so amped to vote. All my friends, ALL MY FRIENDS, EVERYONE OF MY FRIENDS, EVERYONE I FUCKING KNOW, we're just so stoked for tomorrow. In the next 24 hours, my city, this country will go insane, absolutely mental. And like Akon, it's gonna determine if I plan on staying in this country or go elsewhere.

PLEASE VOTE TOMORROW!!!

All Hallows' Even

I haven't dressed up for Halloween in ages and wasn't planning on it this year but G convinced me last minute and said that I've been wanting to be Yayoi Kusama for a while now so why stay at home when I can chill chez moi on any other night? He even offered to paint the polka dots on me... How could I refuse such an offer? And so I was committed for the night, no flaking whatsoever. Turned out to be so much fun, I even danced for what seemed like a considerable time and felt like I was 26 again, with not a care in the world! It would have been perfect if Lil' Wizzy's "A Millie" & Akon's "Right Now (na na na)" were both played! It was that kind of night. I mean, c'mon! I was just wearing a leotard and felt pretty okay about it!

It got a bit repetitive by end of night trying to explain who I was... rudimentary kids... everyone should know who she is!

[Ideally, I wanted black polka dots on yellow but I didn't want to be confused as a bumble bee (stripes, circles, they're all the same to most) and I guess orange dots would have been more festive but I played it safe.]


The best costume goes to Sonny's Ghandi costume. He was impossibly unrecognizable. Awesome.


Lolita and Snow White


Remember what you have to do first thing Tuesday morning... I guess you can check ur facebook first.

P.S. I already know what I want to be next year. I'm going to be Fitzcarraldo. Just finished watching the film and it's wacky but totally amazing!

The Power of Negative Thinking

I've been trying to fight the lethargy I've been feeling lately. I've been restless, sleepless, loveless. Opted out on all social activities this weekend, and instead, tried to work on fall fitness (triumphantly) and the enrichment of my eroding mind (disastrously).


1. Watched Godard's La Chinoise with Color Scribble who wanted to see if it could pertain to her dissertation. It was maddeningly syntactic, so presumptuous, so torturous in politics, so obsolete yet absolutely necessary for today (like a nice grad school class). The self-mockery of the bougie youth, though as pretty and charming as it is, does have its limits. I won't go into my personal view of communism (as that will bore and offend some others) but the best thing about this movie is how visually stunning it is in HD. I'm in love with primary colors again.



And then luckily, Shadey had to take a piss so we got to take a break from that tedious didactic. It was hard to resume... like really hard.


2. Then, I finally got around to listening to the entire Jesus & Mary Chain's "The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities" box set Kathy gave me last month. Jesus. This is fucking good. A mammoth collection that almost put me weak in the knees. Another pair of heroes reaffirmed.

listen to this
and this
and this

3. Then Kathy and I went to see Rachel Gets Married which was probably the worst movie both of us needed right now in our "delicate" state. We both thought we were going to see a romantic comedy with (my fave) Anne Hathaway but we got something else. The hand-held camera made us dizzy and the relentless subject matter was a bit too dear to both of our hearts; it messed up us all night.

4. And then Alex ichatted me tonight (on tour, he must have been bored in a lonely hotel room somewhere in Ohio) and told me to "go to London and start your own solo project." That's in the works Al... in due time...

Mr. Bickerson

The Ex, who will now be known as Mr. Bickerson [or one half of the (former) Bickersons] gave some insightful reminders tonight:

1. "This belittles your blog. You're not into cartoons."
Mr. Bickerson is referring to my last post of The Simpsons. He's right, I'm not the biggest fan, or rather, I really don't know anything about this cartoon series, never having seen one full episode. I only posted it because my friend made it and I find it clever. Well done Gregory.

2. Mr. Bickerson reminded me that the Spectrum version of "True Love Will Find You In The End" is actually the best. That's debatable but this is good, excellent rather. Listen and find out for yourself now.

3. Mr. Bickerson reiterated the genius of R Kelly. THIS IS GENIUS! YES IT IS! I teared up, that's for sure...


...And then I got this serious warning from Wiggles... (Mr. Bickerson thought this was complete nonsense.) This is for my former colleagues, so fresh + so young, and first-time voters(!); you could be me and that would seriously suck...

3am In Springfield

I don't know much about The Simpsons at all... but this is quite amusing...



Springfield, USA. - Sen McCain's robodialing has spiraled out of control. Residents, including the owner of a local powerplant, and a community religious organizer, have reportedly received an endless string of automated calls, many of them in the middle of the night.

Watch the full video report at www.theeasthollywoodhuntingclub.com

Antony

I went to the Disney Hall to see Antony & the Johnsons last week. It was very special, one of those few experiences you know is more than just a show, more than just music, it really gets in there. And I don't think I was the only one who sobbed the entire time. I can't describe how this has touched me in ways indescribable, how the last five months were brought back all at once, all blue skies and fluffy white clouds but ultimately, just blue.

Two live radio versions, accompanied by the brilliant Bernard Butler...
My Lady's Story
Hope There's Someone

The Silent Ceremony

I had the privilege of attending Jonas + Katherine's wedding. It was a silent ceremony. The sweet smell of sage lingered throughout that windy night in the hills of Echo Park and captured everyone's hearts. Such tenderness, such fire, I was overcome with emotion, how could I deny something so pure even in my current state... as the Gay Divorcée?


A Silent Ceremony but not a Quaker Ceremony. C'mon now, we are in California, not Pennsylvania.


Michael made the gorgeous flower arrangements of course. He never fails to amaze me.


It was pleasant catching up with former colleagues of mine. It's been an entire month now!


Kids just don't get it these days (as lovely as they are). Alex & Andrew, a bit bewildered with the setup but they got it together just in time...


Jane, my favorite actress. Me, as her adoring fan bordering on the obsessive (though I'm really her "unofficial" manager). She's gonna be massive I tell you. Just massive. A natural talent, a superstar!


The gay toast!

Slow & Steady Wins the Race

It's been a while and I'm a bit rusty with my djing skills but am super excited to be helping Wiggles & Mary with their party tomorrow night. Mary, I'll play some of your requests but cannot accommodate your love for Sophie B Hawkins' "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" even though I really wish it is the case!

It's Always Sunny with Jeremy & Jamie...

I received the most precious package in the mailbox this evening from Jeremy & Jamie... The twelve months contained in this exquisite calendar made by J&J is bursting with their love of whimsy, fable, wanderlust, song and tenderness.



If you're an Owley fan, then you must be a Atherton Lin fan too! If you're lucky (and good) enough this Xmas, you'll receive this from me... But if you're not, then I guess you must get your own...

Make Cupcakes Not War...

Yummy cupcakes from this evening's debate gathering...



"America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people."
- Gloria Steinem

Week in Review

Images from the last week or so... Don't want to get too heavy on you blog anymore. It's been a bit much eh? Not gonna let those Seasonal Blues creep up on me this year. (It's kinda fab referencing old entry posts; it's a sizable archive now, quite respectable...)


Ended up at Philly's new Khyber, Johnny Brenda's (as Mickey professed) in Fishtown. Saw a couple of bands play; venue was more memorable than the bands. That's how it goes most times...


The Green Room. Yes it really is a green room. Was instructed by Mickey to really, like seriously, shut my mouth and downplay my excitement that the Dodgers were in the NLCS with Philly. I was in the wrong town and neighborhood especially for that kind of dirty talk. F**k that, like that has ever stopped me from saying what I wanna say. GO DODGERS!!!


Somewhere in the suburbs of PA, I found myself here and saw the loveliest bottles... totalement mon style.


Then back in Cali, visited the folks in Little Saigon and had what else, the yummiest Vietnamese food in this country. Always packed, just Viets and no one else.


The special (I opted out of the shredded pork to simplify the flavors). So good. So so so good.


Saw my faves, My Barbarian's abridged version of "Non-Western" at UCLA (my beloved old campus, it was good to walk the grounds again; North Campus is now Northern Lights! wtf?) Bunche Hall, my old Hx building, is as penetratingly jolie-laid as ever!

Alex & Malik were part of my first ever musical collaboration back when we were students and we did this art musical performance at my ex's senior thesis show at Highways! I must remember all the details to blog as I think it was quite a good story!


They are doing four performances this month, only three left now. Go. See it.

Rain drips off of the awning... distorts all four chords...

And I'm not distorting how I feel inside...

Separate Cars.mp3

It's coming up to two years now... The Last Tour. I knew it would be my last tour even before I had even set off for this Great Land. And as the autumn air finally sets into LA, I've been thinking a lot about those five weeks (or was it six)? It left me with permanent battle wounds; life has been surreal since then, lucid but surreal. Touring N.A. is tiring, it leaves you hard-bitten. So much that an European tour was canceled last minute due to exhaustion; I just couldn't be bothered regardless of how much better it was going to be... or how amazing Scandinavia was going to be!

But now there is only nostalgia. And I'm really proud of this song. It's one of the best songs the band has ever done. It really encapsulates that time and the band as a whole (bittersweet as it may be now): he and I, our history, its presentness (even now in small but important ways), LA, our musical references, our production inclinations, the instrumentation, my best playing yet I think... I remember recording my Mellotron, Rhodes & organ parts that winter night, I was having a hard time and couldn't get them the way I wanted them to be; it was several takes too many. But it sounds almost decent right now.

[Normally, as a rule, I would never put something like this up on my blog but I'm compelled to tonight and I mean in it in the most sincere way.]

melody/noise

First there was the MBV show which I had expected to help my deteriorating hearing further atrophy. There was the choice, ear plugs to help stop the hemorrhaging of the bodily organs but the undeniable melody underneath all the noise would be completely muffled. I did both.


But that was just the prelude to what I heard two days later. Lou Reed with Ulrich Krieger & Sarth Calhoun at the RedCat, performing an hourlong set of "unclassified" music. It was a private, more intimate affair. Never one to be a massive fan of the saxophone, Ulrich did things to it I never thought could be done: the bellowy feedback was marvelous, his stooped posture was inspiring (I was falling for him), it was a total commitment to the music, out of control but always in control. It made me miss playing live, where nothing else really mattered. Sarth's deep demented keyboard tones tested me at times but Lou's contented grin made everything alright. There were beautiful, just absolutely gorgeous & quiet melodies at times unexpected, through all that regal energy, that misshapen noise. It was modern day baroque music. I loved it.


I left with a new context, a redefinition of what I thought melody and noise should be for me. Noise has always been challenging for me; I've always opted for more apparent melody, something sweet and harmonious, something more balanced, like a 3-chord traditional song! Some friends have said I'm into a specific kind of esoteric but this "obscure" indie rock/pop music I've been obsessed with since a twee teen is rather "mainstream" I think, based on the popular, the folklore. I mean I love Top 40 Hip Hop and the new Killers song is just awesome! Now this noise is something different; it's been there for a while but I've never been able to appreciate it until now. I guess it took a crazy German dude (like this one) to get me to open my damaged ears to something more...


Then the week ended back to the familiar, those simple melodies made for simple people like me. The Japanese Motors were fun to watch and have improved tremendously while first time viewing of the Sian Alice Group was a good gap between art noise and sweet contemplation. Give me Melody or give me Death!

If it was worth it, it would be worth it...

Had a curious past week (there was the unexpected but much needed quiet time for ruminant reverie in neighboring hiking hills). Then a dear friend from London quietly reaffirmed all the things I believe in a time when all my dearest friends are splitting up (and I do not believe Mercury retrograde is to blame for all of this heartbreak...)

"As the great Daniel Johnston said, 'true love will find you in the end'... and if we are ever to settle for less, more the fool are we. Let's keep searching..."

Oh why don't you have a listen to one of the greatest songs ever written...

"How can it recognize you, unless you step out into the light, the light?"

LIGHT PIECE
Carry an empty bag.
Go to the top of the hill.
Pour all the light you can in it.
Go home when it is dark.
Hang the bag in the middle of your
room in place of a light bulb.

Yoko Ono, 1963 autumn

CdG

Don't know what compelled me to flip through my old Purple Mags last night but saw these CdG ads.