Found these images on apartment therepy of this room decorated like the book Where The Wild Things Are. I am so so so excited for the movie which won't be here til December, but I love the idea of painting a room like this. I desire it badly.

Broken English

I officially have a new favorite movie. Beautiful story, beautiful clothes, beautiful city, beautiful Parker Posey, and closes with a song written to incorporate the title, just like in the 80's. I think I could watch it 100 times and not be sick of it, just like The Anniversary Party, Elizabeth and Stealing Beauty. That's my list of all time movie loves.

Musically, this month looks like:

My newest McSweeneys book to read.

"Robert Coover, one of the true revolutionaries in American fiction, presents a new collection of short stories, revealing the cruelty of puppets, the perfection of a jigsaw puzzle, and the lonelinesss of the invisible man. Outlandish and precise, menacing and humane, this collection finds new life in our oldest tales."

"Coover shows he has plenty of fire left in this bawdy and witty remix of 18 popular tales -- from Puff the Magic Dragon to the Pied Piper and Casey at the bat. In [his] hands, our stories shimmer as we hope they might, showing us a more open way of living."
–Minneapolis Star Tribune

PLUS you can get it at the McSweeney's garage sale online, for ONLY 5 DOLLARS.

Grace Jonzed

Last night at the Hollywood Bowl, I was powerfully moved by the incredible force that is Grace Jones. I'd never seen anyone do that many costume changes at a concert, or sing like a hurricane with ten yard of gray silk billowing in the wind across the stage, or tiptoe-shimmy across it in a giant rose shaped dress with a hundred points of spiked fabric while crooning La Vie en Rose, and then spin around to reveal there is no dress at all in the back, only shiny nakedness, to the delight of thousands of screaming queens in the audience. I was left wondering why I'd never really heard of her before, and in the wake of Michael Jackson's passing, as we all ruminate and wonder at his ability to entertain, I have to say, after last night, I really don't understand why she isn't as big as him or bigger. When you see a show like this, for me at least, it shocks me and makes me realize just how crappy and trite and expected most of our entertainment is, you've just gone numb to it. Then you see someone really get up and make art, and everything else just starts to pale in comparison. She sang live to this video last night and it really blew me away.

Marry Me Bill!

Yesterday we attended the wedding of our beloved friends, Agata & Bill. It was so beautiful and she looked amazing in the big magnolia headpiece she made herself. The ceremony was on the beach, and the reception followed at their home in San Pedro. We drank sangria, ate tacos and dates wraped in bacon, and danced the night away in our fake moustaches. My favorite part of the night was watching them cut their cake and dance after to "Marry Me Bill", while we all stood around them with sparklers lighting up the night. And it was so great to see Kristen again, in from Seattle to celebrate!

Some days, you really need a beer after work, and there's one in there, and it's just so beautiful.

Ephemeral Weekend

On Sunday Lindsay took me with her to hunt down treasures at the Long Beach Flea Market. She was on assignment to collect more ephemera for the collection at work, but also to look for lovely decorations for her new apartment. I found some good little books to turn into new sketchbooks for myself, which I love, from the early 1900s. We also found some good pieces for work and had a lovely time sorting through boxes and boxes of old victorian artwork. I love the flea markets in LA, and want to go again soon.

Family

I've been working hard on my family book again, and have been doing lots of cleaning up of old photos scanned from different people's aging albums. It's amazing to see similarities in faces of parents and kids you never noticed before, I've been marveling over it. It makes me miss my grandparents so much, especially seeing them when they were younger, wishing I could talk to them like an adult now about their lives, instead of the kid I was when they died.

Cut

I am currently reading this beautifully illustrated biography of Mark Twain. I'm quite smitten with him, no wonder everyone loves him so much! He's ONLY the greatest American EVER, geez. Also do you know why his pen name is Mark Twain? It's a little term from the days when he was a steam boat captain, riding the mighty Mississippi River. The depth of the water is measured by throwing ropes into the water to see how deep it is. Such as "Half-Twain", "Quarter-Twain", and "Mark-Twain" - which means a perfect depth for safe water. Here's my drawing of his lovely wife, Olivia.

NY in BW

Friends!

I was so lucky to get to vist with so many beloved friends last week after work and at lunches, and over the holiday weekend, but I am still teetering on a cold I can't shake, I guess from doing too much, I can't wait to feel better so I can keep going! Lucila I have to see you again while you are still in LA!

Agata in Vegas

Im still trying to recover from the amazing fun we had in Las Vegas this last weekend for Agata's bachlorette party. You girls know how to bring the party! Dance dance dance, we had a blast! Also, some good poolside chilaxin and BBQ action.