off trekking

...trekking through the last few weeks of this semester, that is. I've been buried alive in deadlines, papers and other time suckers so I apologize for my lack in activity on this blog lately. My normal posting will resume soon  eventually. Meanwhile, enjoy the scenery and think of me as I attempt to use one, if not all, of these excuses.


On another note: you can look forward to a monday mix next week soon of all of my favorite 90s hits (or most, at least... there are so many!) Also I have another weekly blog post up my sleeves called Midnight Sessions, so check in again soon!


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I Believe I Can Fly: flight of the frenchies

I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

1. The quality of this film [in regards to color and angle execution] is simply, stunning.
2. These guys are crazy. This documentary follows a group of (mostly) French guys in their recreational activity of "skylining" (which combines base jumping, tightrope walking, and slacklining). My heart was racing just in the few short minutes of this trailer as I watch these guys just casually do flips off cliffs that are hundreds of feet up (my limit is 30ft), tightrope-walk across buildings and said cliffs, or y'know, just hang by their toes with just a parachute to catch them when they (inevitably) fall...
3. I can't wait to watch the rest.

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music for your ears: video and links

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

No mix this week. Unfortunately, time escaped me this weekend. On the bright side, this video by Jarbas Agnelli is incredibly interesting. Having taken a photograph of birds perched atop wires, he wondered what 'sound' they would make if they were instead notes on staff paper (the kind of paper you write music on). Without digitally altering any of the birds, he produced a melody to the photograph.

Agnelli said, "I knew it wasn't the most original idea in the universe. I was just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating." Well, I disagree. I think it was incredibly original and fascinating to watch. And it was a sweet melody, too, that will likely pop in my head now whenever I look up and see birds scattered along the wires.

Other musical links from around the webosphere:

• A sweet playlist for a bride from her groom.
• A relaxing Wordless playlist by Kate Miss at For Me, For You
• For the francophile in us, a list of 10 French Bands that Everyone Should Know
• Hilarious infographic: Musicians Least Likely to Get You Laid
• An intriguing article from Pitchfork on "narrative" and "beautiful music."
• Catchy song, but mostly a very eye-catching music video.

spent: a challenge

Want to play a game? The challenge is: Can you make it through the month? This "game," released in February 2011, is created by Urban Ministries of Durham (a non-religious based organization in North Carolina) who provides food, clothing, shelter and other services to its surrounding communities.


Their concept is simple. As the player you learn that you have lost your job and are already low on cash (because, really, how many of us are able to maintain a large savings account?) and you're then asked the basic question: "Can you make it through the month?" The two first options you are confronted with are A) find a job or B) exit the game. By accepting the "challenge" you then enter a heart thumping series of choices and confrontations each with their own consequences (that come from real statistics.)


I barely made it through the month (which sounds similar to my own reality), but overall this idea is an engaging way to educate those who don't quite understand what it's like to live on a low-income salary. So I triple dog dare you. Play the game and see how you do: Spent.

aubade - philip larkin

I work all day, and get half-drunk at night.

Waking at four to soundless dark, I stare.

In time the curtain-edges will grow light.

Till then I see what's really always there:

Unresting death, a whole day nearer now,

Making all thought impossible but how

And where and when I shall myself die.

Arid interrogation: yet the dread

Of dying, and being dead,

Flashes afresh to hold and horrify.

The mind blanks at the glare. Not in remorse

- The good not done, the love not given, time

Torn off unused - nor wretchedly because 

an only life can take so long to climb

Clear of its wrong beginnings, and may never;

But at the total emptiness for ever,

The sure extinction that we travel to

And shall be lost in always. Not to be here,

Not to be anywhere,

And soon; nothing more terrible, nothing more true

visual trickery: fredo

This young (& extremely talented) artist, Fredo, is giving the late M. C. Escher a run for his money with these amazing 3-D illustrations. A few of these required me to take a second, and third, glance just to separate what's real and what's not. These are making me nostalgic for my M.C. Escher pop up book I had growing up as a kid...


Source and Fredo's website.

Murmuration

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

one word: amazing

bookmarked

• (Above) This music video created for the song "Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn" - by Evelyn Evelyn is mesmerizing. source or on Vimeo.
• Have you heard of the pickle-back? Honestly, I only skimmed the article, but it's about something that is truly delicious (if you also like whiskey). My roommate and I always have pickles in our refrigerator, and it's not just because we like the crunch.
• Not only did I hear about the amazing film The Future through Kate Miss's blog (For Me For You), but she's already gotten me excited about Miranda July's new book, It Chooses You. Can't wait for winter break reading...
• Inwardly did a Stephanie Tanner 'yesss' when Hoop Dreams was named all-time best documentary by Current TV (and covered by the New York Times). Have you seen it? Stop reading and go watch it now.
• Another good piece on Thought Catalog - "The Intimacies of The Urban." Definitely rings a bell having lived in a few different cities.
• Every week I look forward to the new Modern Love column in the Times, but this one is still my very favorite laugh-out-loud story.

high fives

these comics bring me joy, daily...

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music for your ears: monday mix

It's been a lot of work, work, work around here this week. Semester is halfway over which equals lots of looming deadlines. Also, with two jobs in the hospitality industry, things always seem to peak a little around the holidays before its inevitable crash and temporary fade in January.


With all the running around, I've relied on music to keep me mellow. Here are just a few of the songs on this week's rotations. Enjoy.

1. Love is All - The Tallest Man On Earth
2. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star
3. Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Bob Dylan
4. Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye ft. Kimbra
5. Jungle - Emma Louise
6. Bittersweet Melodies - Feist
7. Round Here - Counting Crows
8. Existentialism On Prom Night - Straylight Run
9. Walk In The Park - Beach House
10. Gone - Vacationer

you can download the mix here: Gone

Please: If you enjoy the music, seek out and support the artist (ie: buy music).

in where i wish i could sing

this seems like a nice way to pass the time with friends

had never heard of this Swedish girl group, Erato - but I like!

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