Lately, this song by William Orbit called Adagio for Strings has brought much comfort to me (I know it's probably in some movie score, but I can't place it). It's one of those emotional depressing songs that makes your heart feel sorrow. So why has it brought me comfort? Well, I think there's something to be said about going through pain in our lives. Most of the time, with pain comes growth, understanding, loss with some sense of newness. I recently heard that the Japanese symbol for "crisis" is a combination of the symbols for "danger" and "opportunity." I can definitely relate to this. William Orbit's "Adagio for Strings" reminds me of the calms after the storm. When I am overwhelmed by loss, tragedy, or sorrow, I also catch glimpses of hope and revival. New beginnings are offered and a chance to slowly rise from the pain. I don't know if I ever understand the pain completely, but this song helps me to be ok with pain in my life, and then move forward with hope.
While looking for a video of the song, I found it was originally composed by Samuel Barber. Here is a youtube video of the song. Take some time to relax and feel the emotions in this piece. "Digest slowly..."
I knew this year was a bit different when I turned on my radio to The Kost 103.5 a week before Thanksgiving and found myself pseudo-conducting to this version of Carol of the Bells, indeed my favorite version:
Don't get me wrong, everyone knows I love Christmas music. But this year has brought on that giddy joy that I haven't felt for years. Which has to be a gift from God, cause this year has been one of the most emotionally exhausting years of my life. So a little bit of refreshment in the form of sweet melodies was gladly welcomed. In fact, Thanksgiving came and went without much attention because I was already in the Christmas spirit. I did spend a delicious and delightful Thanksgiving with my in-laws. And Sam is an absolutely amazing chef! Just LOOK at this turkey: We went to the zoo on Saturday and it was such a blast to see my niece and nephew. Audrey's almost 3 yrs old and Lukas is 7 months. I haven't started shopping yet, but very much enjoying the delight of the Christmas spirit and wishing everyone a very merry Christmas season as well. Also, I just learned today that Nat King Cole's version of The Christmas Song is the original version and was written by two writers in Toluca Lake on a very hot "winter" day. I'll post that, along with the lyrics below...
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe, Help to make the season bright, Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow, Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh, And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy, To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase, To kids from one to ninety-two, Although it's been said Many times, Many ways Merry Christmas to you.
Miami is the art deco mecca! The city has myriads of buildings and structures, mostly art deco. I was super impressed. Below are some collages I put together. Great design ideas/reference. As always, click on any photo for a larger view:
Thanks! She has been loving the yard! She found two vertebrae this weekend... We think they might be from a dog, but I can't find where she's digging them up, so who knows.
I saw Melody Gardot a little bit ago at the Troubadour. She has a phenomenal voice. She was disabled at the age of 19 because she was hit by a car, and became more serious about music at that time, using music therapy to recover. More about it on wikipedia, if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melody_Gardot
RITA! Rita is our new pup. She's about 2 months old and she's a Rottweiler mix (probably with German Shepherd?). She's super mellow for a pup and is starting to learn the potty training process. Training is tough, but hopefully we'll be good at it. We've been having a blast with her.
AHMANSON RANCH hike If you take the 101 west to Las Virgenes Rd and go north a couple miles, there's a peaceful walk with rolling hills and beautiful oak trees. I'm guessing that the loop I did with Rita was about 5 miles, but I'm not sure. We had a splendid time and she stayed right by me the whole time. She loves being outdoors off the leash!
And then there's Runyon Canyon, which we took her to on Saturday and Monday morning: It's just a couple miles from where we live and a perfect place to socialize the pup with other people and other dogs. Above is a map with three routes. The red is the main route. The easiest way is to go up the paved route and down the side with stairs. I suggest going up the stairs (via Fuller St entrance), it feels like a better workout. The blue path is the most challenging. Such a fun hike, but definitely not one to do in extreme heat. The yellow path is a steep cliff of loose gravel where you travel about a yard in 6 steps because you're slipping so much. My brother and I did that together once. I wouldn't suggest this path to anyone. However, Runyon is a great place to go for some views of the city and a good hour-long workout.
The Edison is a sweet bar downtown. With steampunk decor, 35-cent cocktail on Thursday's happy hour (4-7pm), and a dress code, this place makes you feel like you are in another country or time period. The place is kinda hard to find...the entryway is unassuming, in an alley way between Spring and Main, just south of 2nd St. Here's a few pictures:
Max: "He doesn't mean it. He's just scared." KW: "Well he's making it harder on everyone. Things are hard enough as it is already." Max: "He loves you. You're his family." KW: "Being a family is hard."
This movie, as amazing and magical as it is, touches so delicately and honestly on the realities of being a human, being one who loves and one who is loved, feeling pain and loneliness, feeling joy and feeling invincible. So many of us, trying to make an influence in this world, only inhibited by your own shortcomings. Although heavy at times, the characters draw you in to a place we can all relate to, and it was nice to be in that place.
Also, the trailer features Arcade Fire. This band can really blend mellow and drama! I've attached one of my favorite songs, Crown of Love, and below are the lyrics.
They say it fades if you let it, Love was made to forget it. I carved your name across my eyelids, You pray for rain I pray for blindness.
If you still want me, please forgive me, The crown of love has fallen from me. If you still want me, please forgive me, Because the spark is not within me.
I snuffed it out before my mom walked in my bedroom.
The only thing that you keep changin' Is your name, my love keeps growin' Still the same, just like a cancer, And you won't give me a straight answer!
If you still want me, please forgive me, The crown of love has fallen from me. If you still want me please forgive me Because your hands are not upon me.
I shrugged them off before my mom walked in my bedroom.
The pains of love, and they keep growin', In my heart there's flowers growin' On the grave of our old love, Since you gave me a straight answer.
If you still want me, please forgive me, The crown of love is not upon me If you still want me, please forgive me, Cause this crown is not within me. It's not within me, it's not within me.
You gotta be the one, You gotta be the way, Your name is the only word that I can say
You gotta be the one, You gotta be the way, Your name is the only word, The only word that I can say!
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." -Aldous Huxley Joseph Arthur is one of those musicians whose songs you'll hear for the second time and you think you've known it all your life. I find my heart connecting with the lyrics, melodies, harmonies. It's all very beautiful. I'm going to see him at the Troubadour in January. Really looking forward to it. Lately I've been listening to his album "Nuclear Daydream" and another good one is "Redemption's Son". In my opinion, these are the best two albums. I haven't spent much time outside of these two albums, but I'm not as drawn to what I've heard outside these two albums either. Anyway, here is one of his biggest hits called "In The Sun" w/lyrics below.
I picture you in the sun wondering what went wrong And falling down on your knees asking for sympathy And being caught in between all you wish for and all you seen And trying to find anything you can feel that you can believe in
May God's love be with you Always May God's love be with you
I know I would apologize if I could see your eyes cause when you showed me myself I became someone else But I was caught in between all you wish for and all you need I picture you fast asleep A nightmare comes You cant keep awake
May God's love be with you Always May God's love be with you
cause if I find If I find my own way How much will I find If I find If I find my own way How much will I find You
I don't know anymore What it's for I'm not even sure If there is anyone who is in the sun Will you help me to understand cause I been caught in between all I wish for and all I need Maybe you're not even sure what its for Any more than me
May God's love be with you Always May God's love be with you
Sam and I went to see Daniel Lanois for our anniversary. It was an amazing show. The house was packed. Daniel Lanois was amazing and Brian Blade, on drums, is just so pleasing to listen to. They all really feel the music. I find so much emotion and comfort in Lanois' music. The harmonies were phenomenal, and to hear Lanois play pedal steel on a few songs was just so romantic. Great anniversary date. :) The video above is from youtube member "mytraveltales" and is one of my favorite Lanois songs. Hope you enjoy.
So I think I hiked about 3.5 miles, but I'm not sure. I traced out the trail that I'm pretty sure was the one I was on. The trailhead is about 1 mile west of La Tuna Canyon and the 210 fwy (on La Tuna Canyon). The weather was great, partially cloudy and relatively cool. Here's some pics from the hike:
http://www.3drunkengoats.com/ Three Drunken Goats - Spanish tapas restaurant with amazing vibe and amazing food. I love going here! Definitely try the bacon wrapped dates with chorizo, the artichoke and goat cheese croquettes, golden beets with hazelnuts, herbed goat cheese and arugula. They have great happy hour prices if you're in that area M-F, 4-7pm. The spanish wines are delicious. 2256 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA
http://www.vivolicafe.com/ Vivoli Cafe - This Italian restaurant is real Italian food made by Italians. Everything about it is so amazing. I've tried half of the pasta dishes here and they're all amazing. Great prices, great desserts. Not the best acoustics, but still fine for conversation. 7994 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046 (other locations listed on their website)
http://www.takamisushi.com/index.html Takami Sushi - Downtown Highrise with upper class/hipster vibe and delicious sushi. I'm not a huge fan of the vibe, but the restaurant is very impressive. Beautiful view. Try the lobster roll. The sushi is definitely overpriced/expensive, but it's still delicious. I like to think of it as "paying for the experience." Very classy place. 811 Wilshire Boulevard, 21st floor, Los Angeles, CA
AM played a great show at Spaceland last night. The band sounded really tight and several people who were there for The 88 seemed to be won over by AM. Good times.
I've been trying to expand my collection of interior design and architecture ideas. By doing so, I've also been exploring a website called "The Selby" (interesting people and their creative spaces). And I've noticed that nearly every home has extensive clutter. This is mostly contradictory in the modern design world, where modern homes have this clean, minimal look. (click here, beautiful design work) Yes, looks great, but where do they put their clutter? I mean we all have it, despite some efforts to purge ourselves of it, and it seems to grow more each year. I think Sam and I have bought three bookcases/shelving units over the last year just to somewhat take a hold of this thing we call clutter. I'm wondering if anyone out there has different creative ways they deal with clutter. Feel free to post pictures or comments. I'd love to hear from you.
(taken with infra-red camera on Key Biscayne, FL)
I knew this year was a bit different when I turned on my radio to The Kost 103.5 a week before Thanksgiving and found myself pseudo-conducting to this version of Carol of the Bells, indeed my favorite version:
We went to the zoo on Saturday and it was such a blast to see my niece and nephew. Audrey's almost 3 yrs old and Lukas is 7 months.
I haven't started shopping yet, but very much enjoying the delight of the Christmas spirit and wishing everyone a very merry Christmas season as well.
Lovely Rita!
(photo above compliments of Courtney Brillhart)
(my personal living room/dining room clutter)
