if i have to back-it-up (no pun intended) and watch it again, then it's a dance that has really caught my attention. there were several from season 6 of sytycd that did just that, but here's one that really made my jaw drop during the finale. when jakob does that double-fist punch to the ground, i kinda' lose it.
...a better blogger. it's true. also. ...a more intentional foto-sharer. ...a more driven language-learner. ...& a more consistent letter-writer :: snail mail, baby.
what i'm looking for is a bit more. structure.more discipline.more routine. which kinda' goes against my nature. and while there is something terribly appealing about routine, it also scares.the.spontaneity.out.of.me! nonetheless, i think i am seeking new rhythms, please. if i say i am going to do something, i want to do it. follow-through. and through.
will you help me grow in these aforementioned areas, dear ones? i know it'll take some help from friends. keep bugging me. reminding me. merci. merci.
So my mom just sent me the link to this video, and I immediately knew it was worthy of posting on here. We've all seen the group-choreographed vids' on youtube, but this one has found a special place in my heart. It's especially pertinent because:
1. I'm becoming more and more convinced that my one constant these days is a train station. I live in them. I even stopped at the very station that this video takes place in while passing through Belgium last summer. Euro train stations are always a-buzz, always a-flutter, and this video does the atmosphere, my seemingly one true constant, justice.
2. I'd say the number-one reason why people knock musicals is because they argue that "it's just not realistic to have people spontaneously breaking-out in song and dance". Oh contraire. After watching this video, you'll see why the ol' "realistic" argument is just rubbish. Rubbish, I tell you. It's obvious that song and dance, whether choreographed or spontaneous, is simply a normal part of life. I know it is for me.
3. Um, hello -- this is the Sound of Music! Do.rey.mi.fa.so.la.tee.do in Europa! And to top it all off I'm going to Austria this weekend! I'll be in Vienna and then Salzburg... I'll be standing (and of course dancing) in the very places that made this song so beloved, so treasured. Life-long dream being fulfilled here... after having the line about 'my birthday being on Tuesday and wanting a pink paracel' and all that jazz quoted to me too many times to count, it's about time I explored Salzburg first-hand.
So the way to this girl's heart is through an assortment of flavored nuts. Whoa, that sentence sounds a bit weird. Eh, I'm not going to delete it. You see, I received the best care package ever today. Ev-er. And nestled among all the lil' treats was a new treat: wasabi soy alonds. Um, yum. These are dang good. Good call Mom and Emi!
The rest of the parcel was jammed-packed with love notes and things that make me happy and colors that make me sing. All good things, such as: textured.tights.and.family.photos.and.itunes-moolah.and.gold.earrings. and.manhattan.plumb.nail.polish.and tapatio.(big.yay.).and.tabasco.too. and.corn.tortillas.(mexican.food.is.sorely.missed.in.deutschland!). and.a.'pegasus.crossing'.sign(not.lying.--.thanks.meltita!). and.even.a.funky.vintage.ring.from.my.grandma's.jewelry.box. <-- [that may be my favorite surprise out of everything].
Plus, if that all wasn't enough, there was this major outpouring of love from family and friends and friends who really should just be called 'family'. Thanks to all! Seriously though, your notes (and good taste in stationary!) made my month. That's right. They didn't just make my day. They made the whole month shine brighter -- and it's already been a very bright month. And, it's not even over yet...
I might not be able to share my wasabi soy almonds with you, but I do send my love and gratitude and good thoughts through this blog. I'll write back to ya' now too -- hooray for new pen pals and the best birthday package ever.
I am posting this Talking Heads video simply because I just realized how insanely cool it is.
"This Must Be The Place". I love this song. You could say I dig it. Big time.
And is it not way ahead of its time? Or maybe we are now just living in the throw-back of this era... I mean just look at the background video and the clothes -- especially on the three ladies... hello 2009 -- except this was 1984. Much of today's art is just echoing this video. We're trying to emulate this look, this vibe. Look closely and tell me I'm right? Or, you have groups like The Arcade Fire and MGMT trying to cover this song -- and they're stylistically good, real good, but there's still nothing like the original.
Go ahead and pull out your best lamp dance moves for this one (David Byrne's the man here). Or just rock-it-real-cool-like, just as the background singers do. This, my friends, is what we call a jam.
The Deutsch greeting for Valentine's Day is so much better (yes, better) than the English greeting on this day. It basically translates to, "All love at Valentine's Day". Nice, huh? I sure like it.
I've been in Europe for over two weeks now (photos & posts concerning both Taize and Büsingen are pending... I need to get on that), and it feels like home. It really does; I'm not just saying that. A new home for the next six months... It feels pretty natural to be here, but at the same time, I have to remind myself that I'm actually living here – and not just passing through.
For those who have traveled a bit in Europe (henceforth to be referred to as Europa -- the Deutsch spelling) you've no doubt experienced the "pay to pee" policy in public restrooms.
It often costs a couple Euros to use the facilities -- especially at big train stations and various tourists’ attractions. So, you always have to be prepared... because when you gotta' go, you gotta' go. Am I right? While you might think this is an absurd policy, think again.
In most of Europa, higher education is virtually free or close to free. While traveling in Deutschland this past summer, a friend asked me, "Would you rather pay for your entire college education or have to pay to use the toilet now and then?" Umm, yeah. That's not a hard question for me; no deliberating there -- especially as student loans are already staring me down and will be for the next 10 years... eek. I opt to paying for die Toilette.
So, in honor of bothlove and lavatories today, I present my new favorite short film for your viewing pleasure. It's a Russian film (by Konstantin Bronzit), but not to worry -- there's no dialogue. Instead it uses all non-verbals to convey the story, quite brilliantly actually. Also, take note, Lavotory Lovestory is in the running for an Oscar right now (in the Short Film category). The Academy Awards are on February 22nd -- one week away. There are a lot of good short films this year (nytimes: Oscar Shorts, Low-Hype and Sweet), but I think I'll be rooting for this one.
You can't help but smile... It is simply de-lightful.
All love to you and yours today! {Because pouting on Valentine's Day is soo overrated. Get over it (this is me talking to myself); celebrate life; and love people. But, remember, you (still talking to myself) should celebrate life and love people every day of the year... I guess we might as well emphasize the fact of the matter today though. Right? Sure; why not.} ♥
This picture is absolutely incredible, no? I stumbled upon this inventor's web-site (http://www.davidmoises.com), and I couldn't resist sharing the joy that this foto brought me, and this blog is of course the place to share such joy.
wow.
That's all I can say.
And don't you want to be his friend too? I can't blame you. He was born in Innsbruck (fav Austrian city -- where I'd maybe even like to live for a season or two) and it looks like he lives in Vienna now... a city of genius and he's certainly no exception to the rule. Maybe I'll meet him on the cobblestone streets of Österreich some day... maybe he'll have a spare set of roller skates... and a spare set of knee pads. One can only hope, right?
His creativity is unmatched... even when it comes to his wardrobe selection in this picture -- you gotta love it. Rawk it David Moises; rawk it on your hobby horse, boy.
Loooooove it. (you may insert Molly Shannon's joyologist expression here... go ahead, say it out loud and add a sassy kick in the air for good measure.)
