A Jacket of Folds and Flows

Black Friday Purchase: The Blind Side

Black Friday for me was going to be light, but instead of ignoring it altogether, I managed to purchase one item - The Blind Side DVD.  Not only does this movie have an outstanding actress, Ms. Sandra Bullock, but it is the story of my mother.  She takes people into her circle in the same blaze of Southern force that she uses to accomplish huge plans and major overhauls of any sort (whether requested or not). She and Leigh Anne would be a joint force to be reckoned with!  What could be a better buy on the day after you should be thankful for your mother?

Uno Dale Chihully chandelier, por favor?

I believe Dale Chihully serves the world as the maestro of glass.  Nothing he does or is brings as much to light as when he pulls glass and light together in some perfect symphony barely capable to hanging out in our lowly world.  The images speak for themselves.  Uno Dale Chihully chandelier, por favor?

Dale Chihully website

The Wiles and Wonders of Thanksgiving Familial Interaction

Yes, this portrait is the idea.  Mr. Rockwell has informed us of the magnitude of the tradition and idealistic values which are primarily unacceptable or disregarded at this point in society. YET. That's the exact word I'm stuck on - YET.  Don't we want a mildly romanticized family with a turkey on a platter, happy people, and ultimate one experience called Thanksgiving to enjoy? 

Perhaps this is out of my own disappointment with myself or my family, but everyone is not on the same page about Thanksgiving. The process is there, the lip service to thanks is there, but the central idea around Thanksgiving just doesn't seem to be there.  The last time I checked "Thanksgiving" was supposedly an event to express our thanks to God, YET as the Colonel likes to say, everyone was on an "I program."  Perhaps the members of my family are simply too independent to all join their attention to enjoying a meal together, but I'm most skeptically beginning to believe that it is the art of conversation that is lost.  Not quips or sermonettes, or opinion sagas but a real conversation among mutually present adults is missing.  I'm not sure if it does exist in American homes, but I thought it was evident in this nice Rockwell image.  I wanted to hear a viable communication among a less than perfect blend of adults this Thanksgiving, and all that returned was an awkward chorus of "I program" statements perhaps even myself - wanting a real conversation to miraculously appear.

The good news is that I have my first new year's resolution - to become a better conversationalist, to not be someone who can do nothing to stop the downward slide, to be a nice family member to have a conversation with, to be better at family festivities - including the conversations that happen during those Rockwell snapshots.

Overall, a nice matter for self-reflexive behavior.  I'm quite thankful.

Lady Friend

Lady Friend by bdk2008 on Polyvore.com
Who else but your lady friend can pull off the hue of red and the clash of purple leather? You're asking for it. But if you can, it's stunning - and that's what your lady friend is all about.

A Certain Choichun Leung

My new favorite curator, Amy Morton, is working in conjunction with a certain Choichun Leung who creates these textured canvases which are incorporated into an well presented exhibit on ritual.  Here, the ritual is of script and layers.  I'm particularly fascinated by the free flow stroke yet orderly method she seems to be in full command of here.  I'm tempted to want to try to find a little paint and string and order within myself.  Is that inspiration?  If it is, it came from a certain Choichun Leung.

Check out Morton Fine Art at http://www.mortonfineart.com/

DC's Minor Inspirations

Real rhetoric comes from an image like this.... An idea in the clear sky that makes the DC crowd croon a little and walk the halls of Congress a little faster.

My Absolutely Lovely Sloth Bears

One of my absolute favorite things about DC - The National Zoo's sloth bears! Beyond the purity of the two new cubs being absolutely adorable, these bears are most accurately described as being "naturally disheveled in appearance" vegetarian bears that looked like they walked off a Dr. Seuss page.  According to the Zoo's website, in the wild sloth bears live on insects and fruits in Indian and Sri Lankan forests picked up with their super nose/mouth anteater like snout.  Endangered sloth bears can be up to six feet long and tend to grunt and snort the whole time it's tromping for food. They make "kerfump" noises as it sucks food with their snouts.

The National Zoo keeps the "kerfump" sounds here. 

And don't worry - there are more pictures of the cubs on the website.

Yes, you can say douche bag to TIME.

TIME You've also just done a film with Steve Carell--Crazy, Stupid, Love--out next year.

GROBAN: They put me in the role of Emma Stone's fiancé, who is kind of a douche bag--can I say that in Time? It was so, so fun. To make Steve laugh is the greatest thrill ever.

Full TIME piece: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2030903,00.html#ixzz15zSzo9ZM

Homage to Richard Avedon

The lovely and self-gratuitous Corcoran put on Richard Avedon: portraits of power previously, and someone wonderful snapped this shot (unknown).  I, personally, adore it almost as much as Avedon's previous work (below).

The Photo that Is Almost Me

I don't know who took this shot.  I don't know that it would matter to me as much as the picture matters on days like today.  This shot is how my life looks from my head...  I see myself going right up to the couch, writing this blog post, not writing a report...  Perhaps I'll build this room soon, dog optional - books not....

Poster Adoration and Razzia

Posters are traditionally disposable objects. They hammer home a point quickly and without explanation if at all possible. The older the poster is - the more of a statement in time it becomes.  We still have the ability to make these same iconic statements, but we rarely do.  Some still do - like Razzia.

I'll agree most wholeheartedly - Razzia's Posters embody perfect communication – elegantly modern and executed with uniquely surreal Art Deco brevity. 

Oh how I loved to justify you...

Meet Kate Spade's last season beauties.  They were an impulse purchase, I admit.  But they were so justifiable -- I needed them, wanted them, and had so many occasions that called for beautiful red suede shoes - tweed rides, thanksgiving, christmas parties..... Like Elvis, there are just times when suede shoes are the occasion!

Meet the Emperor's Lover

 

Emperors Bride Tea - Also called Keisarin Morsian this Finnish tea has a base of Assam and Ceylon teas. Pineapple chunks and dried orange peel are added and it is enhanced with thistle petals and essence of quince and elder.  Sold at the one and only Tea Room of Savannah, Georgia. 

Be My Morning Glory

 
So after putting in my 70 hours at the office trying to save something that did not want to be saved, I put forth the last ounce of effort and went to see Morning Glory. A move of genius proportions - "tart and terrific" are absolutely accurate!

Trailers: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/morningglory/

Fruit in My Dinner

It is never a bad idea to add fruit while cooking - whether it's wine to the sauce or jam to the cookies or apricots to the meatballs.  Yes, you heard me, apricots to the meatballs.  And while you're at it, add cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg and curry powder...  Real Simple got it right - Lamb Meatballs with Couscous and Feta.

The Perfect Hedgehog

The first item shall be the perfect hedgehog - a fine specimen of intelligent design and strange innocence staring at you from the kitchen counter.

Meet Anthropologie's Newest Hedgehog.