plantable

plantable

melanie authier

Have you ever had that empty feeling where your stuck doing the same routine, the same thing everyday, and sometimes you just want to leave it all, deviate from it? I've been feeling that way about school as of late; I come home, do hours of homework and studying, work hard for my grades, which pays off in its entirety, but exhausts me on the way, leaving little time for personal pleasures, wee enjoyments. Then there's that ever-present feeling that leaves me feeling unfulfilled, telling me that perhaps I am not working hard enough, that I'm not good enough, and won't amount to anything or do anything of importance or enjoyment in my life. I wish to fight these premonitions and find the joy that presents itself between the drudgery of school work and studying, yet I often fail to do so. I often wonder whether hard work will ultimately amount to success, or if the very prospect of that ideal is mere folly. I'd like some daily adventure in my life, that of the depth, and propensity executed in Melanie Authier's paintings, that somehow create beauty and wonder out of the unexpected. 

Despite my quandary, this quote by Steve Jobs has given me immense inspiration through it all: "When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

the artist

Michael Hazanavicius' The Artist beautifully adapts the lives of silent film stars into a dazzling depiction of the dawn of a new age. Segueing both meticulous yet startlingly stunning filming techniques amidst an unexpected genre of choice, The Artist, presents a fascinating view of silent films, an innovative turn on modern film, and a rebirth of a dormant, perhaps dead era, that is perhaps more fascinating its second time around. What was particularly incredible about The Artist was the film maker's technique in making something that could be completely tedious and lackluster, a grandeur that presents itself as anything but; the burst of emotion and feeling were something that audible words need not convey. Five stars for The Artist and then some! If you have viewed this film, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts!

2011 in colors

So you probably saw this coming....but...

happy holidays!

petros chrisostomou

My physical appearance and or mental state may have arguably been compared to the first image for the past few weeks....a hopeless mess of disarrayed thoughts and excessive studying for exams have been my life, yet hopefully not defined it in the slightest as of late. But alas, I am done with school for an interim of two weeks and can take my mind preoccupied with algebraic word problems and Julius Caesar lately, to a nice, desolate, and calm place. Belle & Sebastian's "Song for Sunshine," has pretty much been my anthem since finishing school related affairs, which was probably like two hours ago, now that it comes to mind, BUT STILL.

Anyways...How are you? How are you spending the holiday season? Has your physical and or mental state been comparable to any of these images? Do tell!

mix tape