45 Books

Book 30

 Freedom - Jonathon Franzen

Darling and I both wondered if Franzen's work was as good as his reputation. I've yet to read The Corrections but Freedom, we both agree, is an outstanding work of contemporary fiction.  Freedom is bold in its contemporary depictions of family life and relationships. Franzen (in his writing) is an expert psychologist, his insight into the way people perceive themselves, their lives, their actions, and the way others view them never feels short of spot on. Even the portrayals of the female psyche are arresting in their authenticity. The story is not one of extreme circumstance but rather an all to familiar tale of a family in the 21st century. To recommend a book that encompasses "today" or "what life was like while I was in college" (much of it takes place between 2004-2007) I might point any inquisitor in Franzen's direction. The cultural references, the relevant issues (the war, the environmental movement), it's all there but never feels forced. Instead, it enriches the story and gives a larger context to more fully understand the characters and the circumstances they find themselves in. I would also like to note that after finishing the novel I think the title is perfect. I wasn't keen on "Freedom" originally (as a first impression) but I think, in the end, he got it right. It broke my heart, in the good ways that literature does. It may seem like a large undertaking at 560 some odd pages but I read it in all of 5 days. 

One of those "hit the nail on the head" moments (Franzen articulates them so well):

"This was what was keeping me awake at night," Walter said. "This fragmentation. Because it's the same problem everywhere. It's like the internet, or cable TV--there's never any center, there's no communal agreement, there's just a trillion little bits of distracting noise. We can never sit down and have any kind of sustained conversation, it's all just cheap trash and shitty development. All the real things, the authentic things, the honest things are dying off. Intellectually and culturally, we just bounce around like random billiard balls, reacting to the latest random stimuli." (218)

Also, listen to the interview that first really piqued my interest here.

PS. Mrs. Jones, I do a double take every. single. time I hear "Jonathon FranZen"

Home For The Holidays...

Image via Simple Lovely

Jiggity Jig.

Happy times with bounty of harvest and friendships!

Please, if you're traveling this holiday, be safe.

All my love.

 xoxo

Bohemia en Color

 I found this photo from 2008 somewhat unexpectedly.

We arrived in Prague very late at night. The streets become very narrow once you're in the city so it's hard to gain perspective about what exactly is surrounding you. All I could see was the whitish sides of buildings and slender cobblestone streets. (For some reason, in my memory, everything was glistening, as if a recent rain had passed through, although I remember no actual rain during my 5 days there.) I awoke the next morning and stumbled over to the nearest window to have a peak at what was to be in store for the day, I nearly lost my breath. I ran and tried to wake up Darling ("you haaaaaavvveee  to get up and come look out the window!") to have a look for himself but he was less enthused about my inability to sleep after the aforementioned late-night traveling. I dashed for the camera and awkwardly craned myself around the window's plexiglass coverings to try and snap up the morning sun, the red rooftops, the summer air, and my first impressions.  

I've been looking at color a lot recently. Trying to observe the things I like about color combinations, articulating, or even just noticing what it is I find striking about them. It's interesting to look at your own photos with new ideas and see more than you intended to capture (this coming from a non-photographer). There are so many nice warm, rusty, autumnal hues working together in this photo. Every time I see these shots my heart flutters a little bit. 

It's such a beautiful city, Bohemia, the Gothic architecture, the statuary, the public squares and winding streets, the quirky marionette shops, the best coffee you've ever had, the river and the Charles Bridge--the way it all has aged. Prague escaped the mass destruction of World War II and was left minimally damaged. It's a very old place. I love seeing the spires of the castle in the far background.

"Starchitect"

You've got to bumble forward into the unknown. - Frank Gehry

Dancing In The Streets

Images via Sean ODaniels

Actually dancing in the street. Beware of the slope and the pot holes. No one left with scabs and the weather was nothing short of gorgeous, so, all in all I say it was a success. Project: Motion  representing at the Broad Avenue Arts District art walk on Saturday. I have high hopes for the renovation of Broad Ave, there's a lot of promise in an upcoming neighborhood for artists and musicians; galleries, vintage, boutiques, and restaurants--I even heard it's might become be the new Cooper Young.  

What say you to that?! 

Such a beautiful day. Dancing, browsing, buying (a vintage black, velvet theater coat! Fabulous), and eating with friends.  I'll be back Dancing on Broad the first weekend of December for an art show opening--more on that next week.

Hope you all had a great weekend friends!

I'm already in love with this 2-day work week!

Mountains + Family in the near future

I'm excited to see old friends. Will be so nice to make those connections soon.

xoxo

Happy Weekend

 Image via The Ballerina Project

"No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissastifaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."
- Martha Graham

Lovely, isn't it? That photo.

The weather is finally turning chilly here in Memphis. I'm dancing outside tomorrow at the Broad Ave Art Walk (Come out! Support the arts in Memphis!). Afterward, I'm hoping for a weekend full of comfort food, cozy hunting socks + jammies, painting, puppy walks, parks, mix tapes, Netflix instant view, reading, as well as some inevitable cleaning. I'm happy to be enjoying another weekend at home before the holidays madness* begins.

Where did time go?

 Happy  + safe weekend to you!

xoxo

*While we're mentioning holiday madness, can I just put it out there that I can't believe what TSA has implemented (with full-body scanning and invasive pat downs)  is legal. For the first time I feel nervous to fly... or at least get through the airport security. 

Are you going to participate in National Opt-Out Day (11/24/2010)? 

More Food Love {Quinoa Edition}

It's a week of food sharing around here friends! I'm just going with it. My sister is looking for ways to incorporate more super-food quinoa into her diet, birdy darling is looking for easy, protein-rich recipes. Here's a great one for both of you, but first, a lesson on quinoa:

Quiona in flower image + info via Wiki (the most reputable source for info, duh)

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a member of the grass family. As a chenopod, quinoa is closely related to species such as beets, spinach and tumbleweeds.

In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%-18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source among plant foods. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.

Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and its mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it an alternative to white rice or couscous (which is good to know, because as it turns out, Darling hates couscous, which I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around.)

Mediterranean Quinoa from Feeding the Whole Family

(Serves 4, and makes for an excellent next-day lunch)

1 cup quinoa

1 3/4 cup water

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 Tbsp fresh mint, chopped

3 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (I used 1 Tbsp dried)

2-3 scallions

1/3 cup crumbled feta. 

1/4 cup currants 

(okay, so I didn't buy currants because I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to figure out what to do with them. Instead I used 1/3 cup chopped orange bell pepper... It's not even remotely close to currants, but it was a totally delicious choice and I can definitely come up with ways to use the rest of the pepper! I think zucchini would be excellent as well.)

Wash, rinse, drain quinoa. Place in a 2 qt pot, add water and salt, bring to a boil. Once boiling rapidly, lower heat, cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer until all water is absorbed (15-20 mins) Do not stir grain while it is cooking. When water is absorbed, remove lid and let rest 5-10 mins. 

Meanwhile, dry toast pine nuts in a skillet until they begin to change color and give off aroma.

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, mint, and parsley in a large bowl. Add scallions, currants (or peppers!), feta, and pine nuts -- toss. Add cooked warm quinoa a little at a time, toss well. Serve at room temperature.

Simple, light, fresh, filling, veg-friendly, delicious, nutritious--what's not to love?

Whip Your Hair

Until just now, I had no idea that this song was performed by Will Smith's 10 year old daughter. Ten, are you kidding me? My niece is 10!! Well, I can't stop singing it. I don't know what the deal is but I'm loving this polished, post-production edited sound in all of its manufactured glory. It's the catchiest hook I've heard in a while... I whip my hair back and forth I whip my hair back and forth I whip my hair back and forth I whip my hair back and forth I whip my hair back and forth... 

...it induces the most awesome and ridiculous of dances...



I beg your pardon if this video/song has gone totally viral. Again, I don't have television. It's amazing how many cultural nuances one can miss out on when turning on the tube is not only not done, but not possible. 

Fall Fave, 2

 Image Via Sweet Paul

While I'm posting seasonal favorites, I have to include this Butternut Squash + White Bean Stew from Sweet Paul (Issue 2, Fall 2010).  I've been experimenting with soups and stews for the first time ever this year and I have to say I think this one is my favorite so far. It's very hearty but the flavors aren't heavy. The veggies + wine + preserves creates this amazing, every so slightly sweet, complex flavor that's not over seasoned nor overbearing--the broth is incredibly tasty. It sounds silly, but I totally had this moment of empowerment, (while sauteing the bacon, leeks, garlic, and squash) where I thought to myself, "HELL YEAH!" It was somewhere around the time where the colors of the vegetables started to become brilliant and gorgeous, and the aroma in the kitchen sort of bowled you over and invaded your brain. This wonderful, "I am woman, kick-ass, awesomeness, hear me roar" realization and I felt proud of my ability to create this sensory overload with my own hands. My hands. I have really challenged myself this year, I took on a new project to develop, refine, and hone in my skill set in the kitchen and I'm beginning to see it pay off... in the form of fresh, hearty, seasonal, stew. Okay okay, so you have your victories and I have mine, but it feels awesome to know that I have taught myself how to prepare fresh, balanced, wholesome meals for myself and others with a small amount of finesse.

The deets:
- I substituted peach preserves with fig preserves I had on hand from the Farmer's Market - delish.
- I saved myself $1.99 and omitted the parsley because I find I don't particularly care for it.
- I used Sauvignon Blanc (surprise) for wine. I think the dry, bright, citrus was a great aid in helping to keep the flavors light.
- I would recommend using 3/4 lb of white beans for this dish - it was a bit beany for my personal tastes.
- I also recommend saving a few cups of broth for the end, you will want to add more during the simmer as the beans soak up quite a bit of the initial portion.
- I served this stew with crusty bread prepared in my own (slightly lighter) adaptation of "the bread" from Pioneer Woman (the best method for toasting bread if you ask me).

666

Number of pageviews from the US so far this month of November.

Creepy. Someone read this post quick!

xo

Afro-deej-ee-ack

Few things are as difficult to find as a good home fragrance. I usually find myself overwhelmed (and totally turned off) by the cloying scents of almost all home fragrance solutions. "Fresh Linen" sounds nice (theoretically, it's exactly what I'm looking for) but usually ends up burning my nostrils as if I had just snorted bath salts. Fabricated, synthetic baked goods or florals?

Nay.

Enter stage right: Tru Melange. You can find their collection of 100% essential oil, beeswax/soy candles at Whole Foods or online here.  Yes, seriously, a grocery store candle. The scents are gentle and fresh and have a decent burn time (life). My favorite is Aphrodisia - lemon & ylang ylang. The scent is very subtle, clean and natural. Even Darling has commented on how much he likes it in the house. While purchasing a replacement last night I thought to myself, "it's too good not to share"

-- you're welcome. xoxo

Puppy Love

Image via bawk bawk bawk

Someone come quick! 

I'm fairly certain my heart stopped beating altogether when I saw this sweet face.

Fall Fave

  Image

+

Image

(Lactose Free or Soy) Vanilla Ice Cream + Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

 = 

the perfect balance of sweet and tart

I think it's nice to have a few seasonal treats that don't revolve around maple, pumpkin, molasses, all spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger) and brown sugar. As much as I enjoy each of those flavors, I get bogged down by the sugary, richness associated with each. The combo of vanilla and pomegranate offers a light, fresh, bright alternative that Darling and I are both going absolutely crazy for.

Roll, Bounce

This weekend Big Brother Big Sister hosted a roller skating party! I'm almost embarrassed to tell you how much I loved it. Loved. It. I was awestruck watching pre-teens skate with such finesse, you know, Roll Bounce style. Dancing on wheels. I'm trying to convince Darling to go with me again soon, like real soon.  Want to come?

Maybe Roller Derby is in my future???

Hope you all had a happy + exciting weekend.

 Maybe more importantly, I hope you all have an easy week, deal?

xoxo

45 Books

 

Book 29

Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury

There was something about reading this at the end of summer and beginning of fall, coupled with my recent moodiness, I found Dandelion Wine surprisingly somber, a sweet melancholy touched with magic. We meet the unusual town of Green Town, Illinois in the year 1928 and, tableau by tableau we add to our cast of characters to complete the picture of that "vintage summer." Dandelion Wine resides in the interim, in a space where boundaries are malleable and change is constant. Reality and imagination are in flux. We see the tensions of adulthood and childhood, the exploration of memory and the celebration of the present, happiness is contrasted by devastation, fantasy (it is Bradburry) meets truth, man vs. machine, even life and death come into question. We explore, through the eyes of (protagonist) Douglas Spaulding, the ways in which these tensions create meaning and context in life, as if he's coming upon the coming of age, but isn't quite there yet. This fluidity is mirrored in the text itself as it dances between poetry and prose. Thick with metaphor, the writing is rich and thoughtful, filled with imagery and sentiment. 

"It was a quiet morning, the town covered over with darkness and at ease in bed. Summer gathered in the weather, the wind had the proper touch, the breathing of the world was long and warm and slow. You had only to rise, lean from your window, and know that this indeed was the first real time of freedom and living, this was the first morning of summer."

Miss Rachel, thank you thank you for sending this sweet book my way.

 xo

Book Love

"Faulkner compared lovers of literature to dog breeders, few in number but passionate to the point of madness on the subject of blood lines."  - Gore Vidal

DCDC

Who? Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. 

Where? The University of Memphis. 

When? Last night

How? I got a free ticket from a student while attending the River North Master Class.

What? Awesome.

There has been some incredible dancing in Memphis these last few weeks. Sometimes I can go and enjoy myself immensely,while other times I leave haunted and emotionally unstable. The last week of shows has been great though. Very inspiring, getting the creativity (and motivation) juices flowing. I think I've avoided the affects of facing my ghost as I'm just coming off of a good performance high.

I have issues...

And, just for the record, if DCDC wanted to offer me a position and salary to be on their company I would move to Ohio in an instant with tears of joy staining my cheeks. Such a strong, powerful, modern-based company. There seemed to be endless unique pairings and duet combinations, I found myself constantly struck by the clever choreography choices. I also really enjoyed the way the company plays with repetition and movement vocabulary. Lots to take in and learn from as I rev up to choreograph for the upcoming Frame-by-Frame Project: Motion show in June. If you have the opportunity, please, catch DCDC.

What? Amazing.

Bit O Love

Image Via Google

I can't figure out why Darling gives me such a hard time about these...

If even a single wrapper is discovered (possibly in the side compartment of my car door) I face accusations of being an OLD, crazy, cat lady. Namely, old. Apparently it is only old people that enjoy this sweet chewy bit-o-love (sorry, I had to).

I'm not much of a candy/sweets person (I'm more of a salty/cheese girl) and I'm not much of a snacker, but I think the Bit O Honey is awesome. And I'm convinced that I can't be the only one residing in this camp. I think the categorization of Bit O Honey as an old person treat is simply unfair. I mean, at least I'm not eating Necco Wafers or Circus Peanuts or black licorice. 

I love you Bit O' Honey.
xo

Do you have a favorite guilty-pleasure snack too?

Catching Up: The Wedding

My cousin that lives on Oahu (yes, as in Hawaii) got married at Camp Nakanawa just outside of Cookeville, TN. Don't ask. I don't think an acceptable answer exists as to why the decision to do it this way was made, but I digress... My mom and sister flew into Memphis one week prior, from there the three of us took a roadtrip across the state to meet the rest of our clan (most of them from California and Utah) to celebrate. Although I give a hard time about the location, I have to say the the South is breathtaking in the fall. We went out on the lake in paddle boats, ate BBQ, had a bon fire with s'mores, and did plenty of dancing. I took an embarrassingly few number of photos so the following is presented to you a la Facebook and Ogilvy Images.

My sweet grandparents Mary and Marcus (above) and Grandpa Jack (below)

The bride and groom take Tango lessons weekly, and not just to show off at the wedding. Adorable, no?

I would have never guessed my cousin had it in him.

The first dance was seriously impressive: lifts, quick flicks, dips, it was all there.

Doug and I took a spin on the dance floor later on, with much less finesse and probably a lot more wine.

(Speaking of wine, judging from the photo above, I may have had more than I realized)

My dance partner of choice has got to be Grandpa Jack. My grandfather dates more than anyone I know, it also turns out he's the smoothest two-stepper I know. Coincidence? Probably not.

Congrats cousins!

Thanks for letting us come celebrate with you.

Will you let me come stay with you as well?

xo

Koen Hauser

 

 I love these creepy anatomical photographs.

http://www.koenhauser.com/

Dance Love + Music Love, A Weekend

A full weekend has left me a bit sleepy the past two days, but no one is complaining (at least, not about sleep). Friday was girl's night -- an art show, Thai food, red wine and the River North Chicago Dance Company concert. It was moving and inspiring, well-rounded, dynamic, entertaining, quirky, and encompassed my favorite elements of both modern and jazz dance. The show order was perfect and the evening left me feeling full and satisfied. An aside to note: I don't think I've seen a company with such muscular, athletic dancers. It's possible that's a lie, but these dancers seemed exceptionally able bodied. I would love to see them again and again and highly recommend attending a performance if you're in the Chicago area or see that they are touring your city.

Saturday was a bit of a whirlwind, Darling and I ran around/worked all morning and jumped in the car just before lunch. We drove straight through Mississippi, all the way across Alabama and made it just in time to see Sufjan Stevens take the stage at the Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta. Just in time, we had maybe a 10 minute window before the lights began to dim! The concert was a multimedia spectacular: animation, costume changes, glow-in-the-dark accessories, wings, ribbon dancers, black lights, auto tuners, keyboards, horns, drums,  banjo, confetti, balloons... Sufjan's voice is transcendent, ethereal. I wish that, like the other stops on his 2010 tour, we had the chance to see him in a formal concert hall setting (the Tabernacle is a bar-venue). Similarly to my feelings upon seeing She & Him in Birmingham, although it was a great show, I feel as though you miss out on a lot of the nuance and musicianship displayed when you see a performance in a bar (in this instance). He played a lot of new material from his latest The Age of Adz album, but songs from Come On Feel the Illinois, and Seven Swans were sprinkled in as well.


Have you ever seen (stalked?) a friend's friend on Facebook and then actually met that person later, only to find out they were nothing like you were expecting? That's how I feel about Sufjan. I suppose I was expecting someone a little more hip, a little more Brooklyn, but I think he might just be a total geek boy, and a little new age-y. Not that either of those things are bad, just unexpected.

Upon listening to Sufjan's music, I'm always transported back to Thanksgiving 2005, I was house/dog sitting for a friend and discovered the Illinois album in a stack of cd's on the coffee table. It blew my mind, it dominated my car stereo and iPod for months and was the most original sound I'd heard in what seemed like ages. Do you have albums that can encompass, or at least take you back to a previous time in your life, too?

The Deets: We stayed in Buckhead (no vacancies in Midtown or Downtown this weekend), had brunch at The Flying Biscuit (again), went shopping at Lenox Squre (much more successful for Darling than for myself), and made it home in time to eat grilled cheese and tomato soup while watching Season 5 Episode 1 of The Wire before turning in. I really enjoy and feel lucky we've had so many opportunities for quick weekend getaways since relocating. Although the day to day is rather unglamorous, and oftentimes tedious, we have still managed to get out, to see and do and taste and listen and explore on (what I consider, in comparison to years previous) a regular basis.  I still really dig Atlanta too, I do. I'm beginning to feel like it's a place to consider trying out for a time, see if it could be a fit...

I hope y'all had a fantastic weekend.

I'm getting back on track, I'm getting caught up again.

Thank you so much to those of you who asked how my dance performances! I felt really good about the second weekend, specifically. I think my two best performances happened then. Thanks also for your sweet comments (specifically here)! I'm going to do my best to post replies in the post themselves. I appreciate you taking the time to indulge me, help me bounce ideas, let me vent and explore.

Be seeing you super soon

xoxo

Notes on Style

River North Chicago Dance Company

I'm so excited to take a master class from River North Chicago Dance Company tonight.

It's good to be dancing.

It really and truly is.

...

 Image via li hui

i love how that happens....
life pulls a strange, exhausted power from you somehow

-birdydarling

 

Little Edie

I think it's mildly hilarious that this is the only picture that has surfaced from this past weekend.

Unfortunately, only 1 person at the party had seen Grey Gardens. She noticed my white shoes and told me they really made the outfit, which was a little bit validating.

It may have been a cop-out in the costume department, but, much like last year, I ended up spending all my time on Darlings ensemble (Andy Warhol) and didn't worry about my own getup until much too late in the game. Alas, Ziggy Stardust may have to wait until next year ...

So, how about you?

How was your Halloween? Any links or pictures to share?

Also will you please take the bag of Kit Kat's from my house? 

My belly aches.

xoxo