For the wall

Images found at this glorious website

Us and them

The world is split into two different kinds of people. When I moved into my flat, we were having all our kitchen goods delivered. My then girlfriend got off the phone and said to me, “we need to stay in because the fridge men are coming.” The world is divided into those who hear that and think, “I need to be in because I’m having a kitchen delivery” and those who hear the word “fridge men” and immediately conceive of a kind of cyborg creature with a big open door in his chest and stopping arms and legs and kind of freezing demeanor—a fridge-man hybrid.

- China Mieville

A smile on the dial

Jung Park put a smile on my dial today with her slightly batty illustrations

Fodder fix

Sometimes breathtaking works of literature need to take a step aside for deliciously dramatic, romantic, incestuous, drug addled drama that can only be the work of Jacqueline Susann and V.C Andrews. Oh the deceit, addiction, bitchy fights and triumphant back stabbing. Choosing a fluffy piece of fiction is a fine line to walk. One doesn't want to lose all pride succumbing to the fodder of she-devil Marian Keys or Danielle Steel for fear of reading the same book (cleverly marketed as a different book) over and over again.

I first clapped eyes on a V.C Andrews book at eleven years old and promptly devoured its contents. My aunty gifted me the entire Flowers in the Attic series and I boasted about the contents at school. Most kids didn’t care (there was a myriad of things far cooler than me harping on about a book) although I did manage to lure a few into my in exclusive V.C Andrews circle and we discussed plot lines at length.

One afternoon my mother caught sight of me reading some rather filthy words one day all the while laughing loudly and banned the series for two whole years. This only raised the illicit desirability of such a work and I stole the books back continuing to read about crazy grandmothers and incestuous children late into night, torch slyly hidden all the while listening for creaks in the corridor which could be either mum or dad about to snap me with my forbidden fruit.

Jacqueline Susann came later in life, both books and movie. The glamour, the plastic world and insane meltdowns proved to be the perfect escapism while trapped in a boring suburban town devoid of drama. Watching Sharon Tate on screen all the while knowing her imminent fate in real life seemed so fitting of a plotline from one of Valley books that it was all the more sad and poignant.

I haven't picked up a heinously embarrassing book in a while now and I am hearing alluring things about Jilly Cooper. 'Sex and horses, who could ask for more?' said the Sunday Telegraph review. Enough said. I'm approaching with caution all the while secretly hoping for embezzled millions, big hair, ultra 80's glam and incomparable love affairs.

Lone Wolf {symbolic animals part I}

"Deeply emotional, and wholly passionate, the Wolf is a lover. The Wolf understands that all we need is love, and is fully capable of providing it. Juxtaposed with his/her fierce independence – this Native American animal symbol is a bit of a contradiction in terms. Needing his/her freedom, yet still being quite gentle and compassionate – we get the picture of the "lone wolf". In a nurturing environment the Wolf is intensely passionate, generous, deeply affectionate, and gentle. Left to his/her own devices the Wolf can become impractical, recalcitrant, obsessive, and vindictive."

PS "The wolf in the story of Little Red Riding Hood represents the frightening aspect of the male and the fear of sexual contact. Told at bedtime, the fairy story warned girls of the dangers of sex before marriage."

New Coppola

Years ago, when I am Sam came out, I made the mistake of telling my friends that Dakota Fanning was my favourite actress. I'm not sure why I said it, I just really liked the film. They gave me endless amounts of shit about citing a child as my favourite actress of all time and predictably, I was stubborn and stood by my statement.

Somewhere by Sophia Coppola will be gracing cinemas later this year. It's staring Elle Fanning and Stephen Dorf so I'll be sure not to make the same mistake twice. The trailer, which hit the internet a few days ago has been generating much discussion. Coppola lovers and haters are all quick to provide comment and it seems speculation is rife. Personally, I really love her movies. It's all in the way they're so distinct. The intimate moments, the offbeat humour, the peculiar attention to details and the bizaare choices in soundtrack (Aphex Twin and Todd Rundgren!) It all comes together to create something that is distinct and somehow filled with nostalgia. Although some movies (Marie Antoinette) have been less great than others Coppola takes risks and works to her own agenda. I can't wait to see this movie.

Sumimasen!

I just discover Isabelle Boinot's sketch books and boy oh boy are they great. The water colour, the collage, the cartoons, the sausage dogs! She has two blogs, one focused on her travels to Kyoto, and the other on her Tokyo experiences. It tells you pretty much everything that Wikipedia won't, in the very best way.

Yesterday a fancy new macbook pro arrived in the mail for me, it was all rather thrilling. Ahhh technology. This means I can finally start putting up personal photos as they have been trapped in my camera for far too long. Watch this space.

Right now I am struggling to remind myself of the fact that so much goodness can come from pen, paper, scissors and glue, all because of my macbook giddiness. Thank goodness Boinots illustrations are here to remind me.

Sumimasen and Sugoi 

Enjoy!