Little Ron Howard's "Eddie" made my face go into one of those crumpled little grins in every scene he graced. This one, in particular, made my eyes hurt for all the stinging.
Get a single tissue and skip to 6:40...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
I've Forgotten How to Write a Music Review*
*...though, some past colleagues/editors might argue I never knew how to in the first place!
I went to a show! What's up?!
Saturday night, I went to Costa Mesa's Detroit Bar to check out The Morning Benders (who I've mentioned before).
I'd seen them before, in an opening act role, and was impressed. Add to that, there was a lot of SXSW-generated buzz about them, making this a moderately hot ticket. I just can not express how suddenly age 32 has swooped in and left me grasping at every last thread of coolness. Finding out about and seeing a band before their single becomes a car commercial? Seemingly major.
Saying I was going felt great (I rather relished the faint hint of jealousy in the eyes of the other park moms when they heard of my plans). Being there, on the other hand, was a pain...literally. I needed epsom salts and two next-day naps after that show.
The sets (including the first one, by likable unknowns The Miniature Tigers) were as short and tidy as one would expect from bands with not a lot in the way of a discography. But, for some reason, they didn't start until 10:30, or so. "This is inching up on your bedtime!" my knees seemed to scream out at me. (Though I tried to appease them by wearing sensible-ish shoes, the knees were not happy and they would not be ignored as the night wore on.)
The Morning Benders is a seriously cute band. Their songs are melodic and catchy without being cloying. They're definitely keeping that whole "modern barbershop quartet harmonizing pop song" momentum going and I don't mind it a bit. The audience was a mix of the curious and the ground-floor fans who sang and hugged their significant others through all the songs. I was in the former camp, but I watched them thinking: They are so adorable, I want to put them in my pocket...or, at least, in my earbuds as I'm grocery shopping. One smile- and sway-inducing song led to another. Then they finished up with the pay-off everybody in the crowd had been waiting for — their single, "Excuses," a song so all-encompassingly catchy that any band with aspirations of longevity would put a moratorium on, if they knew what was good for them.
Before the last guitar strap was removed, I made a move for the door. I know now that I am too old to wait for an encore (not that there was one). I had gotten my $10 worth and it was finally time to appease the knees. Will I go to another show anytime soon? No doubt. Will there be a mandate that it be a seated show? No doubt.
Watch This — A Movie Worth Getting a Baby-Sitter For...
First thing this morning, I learned about a new Jean-Pierre Jeunet film releasing stateside. Unlike my usual stance of "initial excitement followed by gradual ambivalence, ending in complete obliviousness" (e.g., "The Informant!," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "The September Issue," etc.) here's an upcoming film that I will actually go to the theaters to see.
In general, movies are a waste of a date night. The effort of setting up a sitter, putting on grown-up clothes and stopping for that last minute vivifying cup of pre-screening coffee seldom pays off a suitable reward.
But this is a whole 'nother story. "Delicatessen" is one of my all-time favorites and it kinda goes without saying that my husband (then, boyfriend) and I had a magical date seeing "Amelie," back when it came out. Now, Jeunet is back, with "Micmacs," and I'm already wondering what going-outfit I will don.
Edit: Mon ami, Daniel, informed me that the last video I posted was cut off on the right. So here, I posted a different version (with cheesy French narration) and it's happening again. Anybody know why?
Of course, the film — which has only played at festivals thus far in the U.S. — will have limited screening when it comes out May 28. And, given that I'm currently in the sticks, it may take a bit more doing to find a theater. Worth it, though!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Me + Mondette
Yay! L.A.-based style wire, Mondette, included my humble little line in one of their to-the-minute fashion write-ups today. I feel so honored!
Art I Heart — APAK
I did a barely-audible squeal when I found this little tidbit of tandem twee this morning. T-shirt/cute stuff depot, Poketo, posted an interview with Portland-based artistic duo, APAK, to plug their newest tee.
The most exciting info from the Q&A? They're working on a kids' book. (Slightly more audible squeal!)
Here's a taste of their Etsy store...
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Shop 'Til Your Screen Freezes
Let's say you find yourself in one of the following situations...
a.) you're sitting underneath an unbudging sleeping baby
b.) you're waiting in a VW dealership for a recall inspection
c.) you're frittering away your life when you should be looking for a job
d.) you're frittering away your day when you should be doing your job
I have just the thing for you...Polyvore. Yes, after avoiding its addictiveness for months, I finally jumped on the bandwagon.
The main draw of this online shopping site is their "Create a Look" page, where Polyvore's simple directive is "mix & match products from your favorite online stores to create outfits or any kind of collage!" It's the grown-up version of Tada! Shop, which I mentioned before. You can even add music to accompany the sartorial mood you've created. A finger-cramping amount of clicks later and you have looks like these:
Um, nevermind my corny username!
You will diligently sift through the gaudy to get to the gold. You will click, drag, gag and covet. Then, you will look at the clock and you will feel so, so guilty.
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