memories of green

all those moments will be lost in time
like tears in the rain

time to die

it's too bad she won't live
but, then again, who does?






Featuring the perfection of:
Vangelis
Ridley Scott
and Sean Young who was transcendent once she got out of the way

Vogue boy's got it goin' on and not just where you bump and grind it

This kid's got it goin' on.

"VOGUE BOY": ME AT NINE, PERFORMING TO MADONNA IN SUMMER '91! from Robert Jeffrey / Angelo de Vries on Vimeo.

Depression's a mean bastard, even more so at Christmas. So, this year get your inner "Billy Wilder" on and do something about it.

It's the holidays.

A time when so many of us hang lights, wrap gifts, send cards, play happy, jolly music…Only thing is, it's also a really hard time for another demographic. It's the season where many people get severely depressed.

I want to talk about how depression can really take down some of the most creative, lovely, warm people you could ever imagine. You would be shocked if you knew just how many of your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors all quietly try to keep their inner "black dog" of depression from taking over their life.

Almost anyone is capable of succumbing to a variety of mood disorders under duress, but the top of the line is depression.

Speaking of the "black dog," take, for instance, wonderful Vermont folk artist, illustrator, author, Stephen Huneck, who sadly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

He was only 60 years old. He loved dogs so much he created the famous Vermont Dog Chapel. But, somewhere along the way a deep depression took his life and tragically he killed himself.

Here's a clip below of artist, Huneck, speaking below about his work.

Watching this you can see what a wonderful, loving person he was.  He was so full of life, talking about how the joy of creation. But, then one day, even he lost hope. How this happens, we still just don't fully get.   But, my point is, it does happen sometimes.

I get that it's scary to think that someone as funny and giving and full of the meaning of creative joy as this can all of a sudden just fold up and move on like that, but things like that happens more than we like to admit.

My advice, my plea, to you this year is to do something small to make a difference in the life of another.  -- Someone who might not expect it.  It might change a trajectory.  Even if just for a day.

One whole day.   That would be one very great day.

It's cold out there.  It's downright Dickensian, so why not reach out to someone who wouldn't normally expect this?  Go on,  shake a hand.  Just drop by. Have that cup of tea. Walk their dog with them. Chat unexpectedly in line with that quiet person. Do something random, but from your heart, to remind another human they are of value for that moment. It can be a small gesture.  But, you never know the impact of connecting like this.

I happen to think that this is the true meaning of Christmas.

So, this holiday I'm asking you to consider channeling your inner "Billy Wilder" (films)* and embrace the lunacy of my plea to unexpectedly show some shred of appreciation for another fellow human by making some real gesture of connection.  It can be as soft as a leaf falling or as rowdy as Uncle Fezziwig party, but they are both what Christmas is really about.  

(*Note:  While my husband thought I might have been trying to say "consider channeling your inner 'Frank Capra'" But, no, that is not a typo.  I meant, Wilder.   Sure, Capra is def. the go-to director for pro-human movies, but, I happen to also love and adore the human side of Wilder's movies, such as in Some Like It Hot, The Apartment and Sabrina and think Wilder beautifully embraced those endearing quirks which make us all very, very human -- including our darker sides.  But, come on:  The Apartment?  Very dark, but very much a movie about reaching out to someone who isn't having a great day.)

And, if you know someone, anyone, who has already confirmed they struggle with depression, then do what you can to see they do not go to that dark place alone. Try putting your money where your mouth is: Tell them they'd be missed if they were gone.

Mental illness is real. And these days it's sure not going away:  It's the holidays.  So, it's probably actually worse right now.  But, you can do something about that.  

You can make a difference to someone who might be feeling not so jolly inside.

It's sure not gonna kill you to do that.  And in doing so you might just find the person you've saved, is you.

Steve Lambert: He's Everything You Want Right Now

Meet Steve. He's a visual artist I have been a fan of for some time now.

Lots of people have posted his images, but I'm not sure they've always identified who actually created them, which rather irks me.

We all deserve recognition for the cool stuff we do -- especially if our work's good enough to be poached for Facebook and Tumblr accounts.

So, here's a few pieces by visual artist, Steve Lambert, whose work I randomly adore.

(Lambert  has his own website, here.  It's good.  Go there.)

After first discovering his images via Tumblr a few years back I quickly became one of his most ardent fans.

The blue version, I guess.  

Earlier video of one of his 2009 shows in LA.

Steve Lambert solo show walkthrough from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

Here's a link to a good article about Lambert from Laweekly a few years ago

 If you don't have time to read all that -- this part is pretty cool for those of us who get really distracted by, uh, Facebook and the internet.

 "Over the years Lambert also has founded the Center for Artistic Activism (a website for those hoping to make effective political statements), the Anti-Advertising Agency (which tests the boundaries between public space and art), Add-Art (a Firefox add-on that replaces online ads with curated art images) and SelfControl (an OS X app that blocks grownups from distracting websites so they can get work done). He has been a fellow at the Eyebeam Art and Technology Center and collaborated on projects with the Graffiti Research Lab and Greenpeace." 

Lambert's ARTIST STATEMENT: "For me, art is a bridge that connects uncommon, idealistic, or even radical ideas with everyday life. I carefully craft various conditions where I can discuss these ideas with people and have a mutually meaningful exchange. Often this means working collaboratively with the audience, bringing them into the process or even having them physically complete the work. I want my art to be relevant to those outside the gallery – say, at the nearest bus stop – to reach them in ways that are engaging and fun. I intend what I do to be funny, but at the core of each piece there is also a solemn critique. It’s important to be able to laugh while actively questioning the various power structures at work in our daily lives. I have the unabashedly optimistic belief that art changes the way people look at the world. That belief fuels a pragmatic approach to bring about those changes."

How Change Happens from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

I don't know, I've always felt that one should use one's talent to leave this planet a better place than it was before we got here. How this is accomplished is personal for all of us, however, in Lambert's case I think he's pretty direct about his aims to do this.

And I like that. 

still a big fan of...

Happy…holidays? -- Just go see Silver Linings Playbook, okay?

These are my peeps.

for this i am grateful

health 

peacekeeping

creative freedom

humor

children

family

the kindness of strangers

food

beauty

for this i am grateful

i am grateful for

eternal love

stronger than withering sun or rivers of ice

for honesty so brutal the only road out is through mercy

for the grace to keep eyes on the horizon while holding hands smaller than my own

and still wanting to  

after having come this far

for this i am grateful

Yay! Obama Won! And now back to the weather

I heard it 's snowing back East.

An early cold, wet, messy snow storm right where Superstorm Sandy just finished ravaging things.

Well, that's not fair.

If life were fair I'd be able to bring each of you a warm cup of (allergy-free!) hot chocolate, but I can't.

All I have to offer this minute is a video-hug to say we want all of you warm and safe and sound just as soon as possible.

You're our peeps, America. West, East, Red or Blue.
We love you. Now please stay warm.


"Love Is Making It's Way Back Home" from Erez Horovitz on Vimeo.

New The New Yorker Cover Nov. 12, 2012

Wreck and Ruin: A Musical Journey Into Heartache from Talented Married Duo

Last week I heard this duo on NPR sing excerpts from their new album "Wreck and Ruin" and I actually had to pull the car over to finish listening to every note, lyric, every word they uttered.

What's really astonishing is that this couple is both married with kids yet write the kind of songs you'd expect from a much more diverse writing team.  They manage to convey so many different facets of love and strained relationships that it's difficult to imagine this wellspring of insight into heartache could stem from one simple, solid marriage.

 Check out NPR's interview with Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, here.

 Even if you don't love country-folk 100%, all you have to do is watch how these two really look in each other's faces when they speak to know they are alive on every level: Musically, spiritually and best of all, romantically. They're an inspiration.

Meet the sweetest child this side of Halloween

Apparently Jimmy Kimmel has a seasonal Halloween prank encouraging parents to film telling their kids they ate all their candy. (Uh, does he even have kids?)

But this year Kimmel's prank unexpectedly turned the table "on mean."

Meet, Madeline, who could teach us a thing or two about compassion, kindness and just plain moving on when something goes wrong.

I'm so in love with this child's reaction. While I don't endorse pranking kids (ever) it's clear this mom's done something very right to raise such a sweet child.

Watch:

Chris Rock's Message for Undecided White Voters

Check it out:

Cher and Kathy Griffin Firing Up Women To Take the Vote On Election Day

Hm. So, yesterday's Randy Newman video didn't inspire you find out who else you can take with you to the polls this Tuesday?
Well, how about Cher?! Is she able to get you up and moving? Or Kathy? Cause, hey GFs, they want you to wake up and get the vote out.

“This is Cher, bitches. Do what she says … and God bless America,” says Kathy Griffin: Our "other" fabulous female icon in their web ad firing up the bases to GET out the vote for women's rights and -- hey, how about all American's rights, this Tuesday.

Don't Let Mitt Turn Back Time On Women
Check it out and "just say no" to the war on women. No, wait, that was Nancy Reagan. Well, I bet she's disgusted with this, too.

Dreaming of a White President: Randy Newman Laments 2012 Voter Racism

I had a feeling Randy Newman would call us out for our human foibles during this 2012 presidential race, however did not expect to hear quite such a note of despair to his voice.

At first Newman's ballad appears to be nothing more than a sweet, humorous lament. However as the melody unfurls we hear the deceptively simple harmonies limp awkwardly toward it's real message: We are forever bound in ugliness to a sinking ship of racism: And he makes this point not just musically, but by stringing together lyrics as funny as salt in a wound; Within a tune all but refusing to hummed. This is no amusing ditty; this is our historic demise.

We do seem to be a nation of folks unable to heed either common sense or God's warning wrath.

And I, too, am heartbroken by what I fear is our endless, tragic ignorance.

When will we ever learn?

"Apocalypse Now" - Whedon for Romney

Thanks to Lucia Tran for this:

More Marceline Musing

My hero(ine) du Jour:  Marceline, The Vampire Queen, from Adventure Time.

If you're not a fan of Adventure Time you can begin to catch up on what the fuss is about here.

Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME.

Yesterday, as I was going over the list of items for this character's costume I asked "Anna Lily! Just who the heck is this "Marceline?" What does she even look like?"

She thought about it and said, "We-ell, she's kind-of hard to describe.  Hm.  Well, she's cool and she sings.  She's kind-of like an Aimee Mann Vampire.  Mom, if you'd actually watch it I bet you'd really like her!" (She knows me so well.)

I do, so here's more Marceline-love.



Below's a short video clip of The Vampire Queen reading the riot act to another character with a voice I could stand to hear a LOT more of. (Hey, Adventure Time! Time to release an album, or two featuring the Mighty Marceline.  She sounds amazing!)

BURY YOU / I'M JUST YOUR PROBLEM

You just gotta love this show. Way to go, Cartoon Network! I'm quite pleased with this particular female role model for my middle school daughter. And, for the record, I plan to spend much more time watching Adventure Time with my own 6th grader, Marceline.

Daddy Why Did You Eat My Fries

Whoah! 

And now I just now found an entire Polyvore Page devoted to dressing like her, too!
Check it out!