South of the Border, West of the Sun

"Inside that darkness, I saw rain falling on the sea. Rain softly falling on a vast sea, with no one there to see it. The rain strikes the surface of the sea, yet even the fish don't know it is raining.

Until someone came and lightly rested a hand on my shoulder, my thoughts were of the sea."

"We were, the two of us, still fragmentary beings, just beginning to sense the presence of an unexpected, to-be-acquired reality that would fill us and make us whole. We stood before the door we'd never seen before. The two of us alone, beneath a faintly flickering light, our hands tightly clasped together for a fleeting ten seconds of time."

Some time ago a friend (Thanks btw!) recommended an author - Haruki Murakami - to me. As I was curious I ordered a book ("South of the Border, West of the Sun") and strangely it was the first book I read in (almost) one sitting after 8 years. I used to read 3-4 books every week every since I can remember. But somehow, since getting married and having the kids I didn´t have the time and the energy to read (and also draw) a lot. Magazines or an occasional comic were all I could handle.

But then I had this moving story in my hands and couldn´t stop reading it. You can´t imagine how happy I was (and still am). After reading that book I ordered about 7 or 8 more books written by Murakami. One of them was a special edition of "Sleep" with fantastic illustrations by the artist Kat Menschik. Her illustration style is 100% what I like and would love to be able to do myself. I took elements of her drawings and drew the collage you can see above. I really like the result.

You can see some of the illustrations of "Sleep" here:

As usual I have a bad conscience when copying elements or parts of others´ art. But I learn so much from doing this. I´m glad at least Mucha said: "It is a great compliment, when people copy my art and my style."

Murakami´s signature:

“No one will weave dreams for me – it is my turn to weave dreams for others. That’s what I have to do. Such dreams may have no power, but if my own life is to have any meaning at all, that is what I have to do.”

I want you, and I want you to want me to want you

"I Want You, But I Don't Need You" by Amanda Palmer

I like you, and I'd like you to like me to like you
But I don't need you, don't need you to need me to like you
Because if you didn't like me, I would still like you, you see
la lala... la lala...

I lick you, and I'd like you to like me to lick you
But I don't need you, don't need you to like me to lick you
If your pleasure turned into pain, I would still lick for my personal gain
la lala... la lala...

I fuck you, and I'd like you to like me to fuck you
But I don't fucking need you, don't need you to need me to fuck you
If you need me to need you to fuck, that fucks everything up
la lala... la lala...

I want you, and I want you to want me to want you
But I don't need you, don't need you to need me to need you

That's just me, so take me or leave me
But please don't need me, don't need me to need you to need me
Because we're here a minute, the next we're dead
So love me or leave me but try not to need me
Enough said.

I want you, but I don't need you...

I love you, and I love how you love how I love you
But I don't need you, don't need you to need me to love you
If your love changed into hate, would my love had been a mistake?
I don't know. I don't know.

So I'm gunna leave you, I'd like you to leave me to leave you
But lover, believe me; it isn't because I don't need you
(You know I don't need you)
All I wanted was to be wanted
But you're drowning me deep in your need to be needed
la lala... la lala

I want you, and I want you to want me to want you
But I don't need you, don't need you to need me to lead you

That's just me, so take me or leave me
But please don't need me, don't need me to need you to need me
Because we're here a minute, the next we're dead
So love me or leave me but try not to need me
Enough said.

I want you, but I don't need you...

What a lovely song. I just heard it for the first time. Amanda Palmer is the lovely girlfriend of Neil Gaiman. I would love to hear her live some day.

(For Lionheart)

Dead All Along

Performed by Ceri Frost, Film by Giles Timms. Made at the Animation Workshop at UCLA's Department of Theater, Film and Television, 2009

"Enchanted by a pixie, a child called Yorick enters a magical kingdom, but when Yorick returns he finds his world ravaged by time."

Reminds me of my Edward Gorey Moleskine (part 1, part 2).

Passover Blues

Specially for you, Benjamin! ;)

There Is Something In The Water

via The Presurfer

Happy Passover!

Gran Torino

I really liked the movie (Gran Torino) we watched yesterday. Listen to the ending song "Tribute Gran Torino Music" by Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens on youtube. Unfortunatly I can not embed the video from that song here, but the version without Clint Eastwood can be listened to.

Gran Torino by Jamie Cullum:

Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt

Narziss und Goldhund has been posting about some of his favorite music and there I discovered great songs and bands. I already posted about Ballroom Stories by Waldeck, which I love. The music is very sexy (listen to the songs make my day, memories or even better addicted).
He also wrote a wonderful article about Maria Callas and how her music moves him to tears. It reminded me of the music, which almost instantly brings tears to my eyes, whenever I hear it: Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt. Try listening to it when you are alone and your surrounding is quiet. Unfortunately I can´t post the video Art of contortion on Spiegel im Spiegel here, but check it out on youtube.com.
I hope to discover some more good tunes at Narziss und Goldhund. He has got quite a good music taste - well maybe except for the Coconuts. *lol - Sorry, I just couldn´t resist! ;)

Bukowski Tattoo

I like text tattoos and this one looks very nice. It is part of a text by Charles Bukowski.
The Norwegian jazz composer and vocalist Kristin Asbjørnsen with her band Dadafon sings this subtle and graceful solo piano piece "I Wish to Weep" for the movie Factotum. The words for the song were taken from a Bukowski poem found in his book "What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through the Fire".

Here´s another video of Kristin Asbjørnsen.

Crazy By Gnarls Barkley

I´m feeling wonderful (except for the little hangover from yesterday). I feel like dancing. Wanna join me?

(Here´s another video to this song.)

Gnarls Barkley
"Crazy"

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place.
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space

And when you're out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly [radio version]
probably [album version]

And I hope that you are having the time of your life
But think twice, that's my only advice

Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,
Ha ha ha bless your soul
You really think you're in control

Well, I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them
Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun
And it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe you're crazy
Maybe we're crazy
Probably

Uh, uh

The Apl Song By Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas
The Apl Song

[Chorus in Tagalog]
Lapit mga kaibigan at makinig kayo
Ako'y may dala-dalang, balita galing sa bayan ko
Nais kong ipamahagi ang mga kwento
Ang mga pangyayaring nagaganap
Sa lupang pinangako

[English Translation:]
(Come closer my friends and everyone listen
I brought news from my homeland
I'll tell you how we live and what goes on
From my beloved homeland.)

[Verse one, Apl.De.Ap]
Every place got a ghetto this is my version
Check it out...
Listen closely yo, I got a story to tell
A version of my ghetto where life felt for real
Some would call it hell but to me it was heaven
God gave me the grace, amazin' ways of living
How would you feel if you had to catch your meal?
Build a hut to live and to eat and chill in.
Having to pump the water outta the ground
The way we put it down utilizing what is around
Like land for farming, river for fishing
Everyone helpin' each other whenever they can
We makin' it happen, from nothin' to somethin'
That's how we be survivin' back in my homeland

[Chorus]

[Verse two, Apl.De.Ap]
Yo, its been a while but...
I been back home to my homeland, (check it out) to see what's going on
Man it feels good to be back at home
And it's been a decade, on the journey all alone
I was fourteen when I first left Philippines
I've been away half my life, but it felt like a day
To be next to my mom with her home cooked meal
Meant I felt complete, my emotions I feel!
Now life has changed for me in the U.S
But back at home man, life was a mess...
I guess sometimes life's stresses gets you down
On your knees, oh brother I wish I could have helped you out...

[Chorus]

Tais Toi Mon Coeur By Dionysos Ft. Olivia Ruiz

Currently I feel like having an umbrella stabbed into my heart too. Friday is drama time! ;)
The video is nice but I have already posted a wonderful video of Dionysos “Tes lacets sont des fées” here, which I like a lot better.

Update:
Here´s the translation by someone on youtube.

Tais Toi Mon Coeur
by Dionysos Ft. Olivia Ruiz

For me it's the time to shove into the trash
my wooden heart, for good.
It is to the mounting head of the sparks (of love)
that I come to bring my resignation.

Go, birds of my body,
close your pretty beaks to passion.
The accidents of love by the dozen
have never made much sense to me.

Chorus:
Shut up, my heart.
I don't recognize you. (x4)
Me, I'm the only one who gets carried away.

I make myself a heart of stone,
to become a "big boy".
The one you would be proud of,
and could live with.

But a nice day like this raises in you
the damned idea
of digging through your souvenirs and dreams
in the trashcan of passion.

(Chorus)

I have cracks
in my shoes.
It is definitely
My stone heart
That makes me tremble.
Shut up, my heart.

Shut up my heart; my heart, it is you
I believed that you kept silent and she
wouldn't remember you.
Besides it's not worth hurting yourself like that;
You will frighten her again.

Oh shut up, my heart. Shut up, my heart.

I don't recognize you.
Shut up, my heart.
I don't recognize you. (x2)
Listen to me.
I don't recognize you.
Shut up, my heart.
I don't recognize you.
Listen to me. (x2)
Shut up, my heart.
I don't recognize you. (x2)

Are You The Favorite Person Of Anybody?

We have a list of movies I want to rent online. And we never know which dvds the rental company will send us next. It was such a coincidence when on the same day the dvd of "Me and You and Everyone We Know" arrived along with the yellow book "No one belongs here more than you" both by Miranda July. Add then I also found this short movie at YouTube. Did anybody say "There are no coincidences"?



This is a simple short film, shot on a budget of $150. A man with a survey stops passersby and asks them, "Are you anybody's favorite person?" That can be heartbreaking for somebody who doesn´t come first in somebody else's heart!

Ponderosa by Tricky

Here´s a song I found by chance on youtube. It talks about a weeping willow in the lyrics.



Ponderosa by Tricky

The place where I stand gives way to liquid lino
Underneath the weeping willow lies a weeping whino
The place where I stand gives way to liquid lino
Underneath the weeping willow lies a weeping whino
The mind's a crowd -- search for the the spaces
And turn around time's gone, take ten paces.
Been up ahead - can't make head or tale of it
I drink till I'm drunk, and I smoke till I'm senseless.
You see in black and white, feel in slow motion,
I drown myself in sorrow, until I wake up tomorrow.
The illusion of confusion is not from where I am sat
(Tricky: recycle resemble me)
Different levels of the devil's company
[Primera.]

They lead us outside, take us out quietly
To the cage through the bars
You see scars: results of my rage
The place where I stand gives way to liquid lino
Underneath the weeping willow lies a weeping whino
The place where I stand gives way to liquid lino
Underneath the weeping willow lies a weeping whino
the mind's a crowd -- search for the spaces
And turn around time's gone, I take ten paces.
Been up ahead - can't make head or tale of it
I drink till I'm drunk, and I smoke till I'm senseless.
You see in black and white, feel in slow motion,
I drown myself in sorrow, until I wake up tomorrow...
(Tricky: The illusion of...until I wake up....)

Staring Girl - Part 2

Halloween Countdown 4 - Rasputina

1816 The Year Without A Summer by Rasputina



This is a most delightfully dark and frilly Rasputina video for "1816 The Year Without a Summer." It was created by the one and only Dame Darcy. (via Phantasmaphile)

You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse

You Know I'm No Good
by Amy Winehouse


Meet you downstairs in the bar and heard
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull t-shirt
You say why did you do it with him today?
And sniff me out like I was Tanqueray

Cause you're my fella, my guy
Hand me your stella and fly
By the time I'm out the door
You tear me down like Roger Moore

I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good

Upstairs in bed, with my ex boy,
He's in the place, but I can´t get joy,
Thinking of you in the final throws, this is when my buzzer goes

Run out to meet your chicks and bitter
You say when we're married cause you´re not bitter
There'll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor

I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good

Sweet reunion, Jamaica and Spain
We´re like how we were again
I'm in the tub you´re on the seat
Lick your lips as I soak my feet

Then you notice lickle carpet burn
My stomach drops and my guts churn
You shrug and it's the worst
To truly stuck the knife in first

I cheated myself like I knew I would
I told ya I was troubled, you know that I'm no good
I cheated myself, like I knew I would
I told ya I was troubled, yeah ya know that I'm no good

EDM #1 - A Shoe (Amy, Amy, Amy by Amy Winehouse)

I won´t be blogging the next few days either. I´m currently sketching EDM #1 - Draw a shoe. It is not ready yet, so I´ll post only part of the whole pic. In fact, when I´ll post the whole sketch, you´ll have a better idea why I didn´t have the time to blog the past days. A little clue: I spent some time at the place where I bought this shoe. (Actually I thought that I would need some practice to be able to walk in them. But in fact it´s not very difficult.)
Due to several requests ;), I have posted a pic of the real shoes at flickr.



Talking about shoes, heels and "walking past his desk in heels": Here´s another great song (from the first album) by Amy Winehouse. Please listen to it.



Amy, Amy, Amy
by Amy Winehouse

Attract me
'til it hurts to concentrate
Distract me
stops me doing work I hate

and just to show him how it feels
I walk past his desk in heels
one leg resting on a chair
from the side he pulls my hair

(Amy Amy Amy)
Although I've been here before
(Amy Amy Amy)
He's just too hard to ignore
Masculine you spin a spell
I think you'd wear me well
(Amy Amy Amy)
Where's my moral parallel?

It takes me
half an hour to write a verse
He makes me
imagine it from bad to worse

My weakness for the other sex
every time his shoulders flex
way the shirt hangs off his back
my train of thought spins right off track

(Amy Amy Amy)
Although I've been here before
(Amy Amy Amy)
He's just too hard to ignore
Masculine he spins a spell
I think he'd wear me well
(Amy Amy Amy)
so where's my moral parallel?

His own style
right down to his Diesel jeans
Immobile
I can't think by any means

Underwear peeks out the top
I'll let you know when you should stop
from the picture my mind drew
I know I'd look good on you

(Amy Amy Amy)
Although I've been here before
(Amy Amy Amy)
You're just too hard to ignore
Masculine you spin a spell
I think you'd wear me well
(Amy Amy Amy)
so where's my moral parallel?

Creative energy abused
all my lyrics go unused

but when I clock black hair, blue eyes
a teardrop I fantasise

(Amy Amy Amy)
(Amy Amy Amy)
Although I've been here before
(Amy Amy Amy)
He's just too hard to ignore
Masculine he spins a spell
I think he'd wear me well
(Amy Amy Amy)
so where's my moral parallel?

(Amy Amy Amy)
(Amy Amy Amy)
Although I've been here before
(Amy Amy Amy)
He's just too hard to ignore
Masculine he spins a spell
I think he'd wear me well
(Amy Amy Amy)
so where's my moral parallel?

Want to tell me something about your weaknesses?

Budapest by Billy Collins

Billy Collins, former US Poet Laureate and one of America's best-selling poets, reads his poem "Budapest" with animation by Julian Grey of Headgear.



Budapest
by Billy Collins

My pen moves along the page like the snout of a strange animal, shaped like a human arm and dressed in the sleeve of a loose green sweater. I watch it sniffing the paper ceaselessly, intent as any forager that has nothing on its mind but the grubs and insects that will allow it to live another day. It wants only to be here tomorrow, dressed perhaps in a sleeve of a plaid shirt, nose pressed against the page, writing a few more dutiful lines while I gaze out the window and imagine Budapest, or some other city where I have never been.

I hadn´t planned on posting this. Somehow I must have published the draft accidently. This is going to be the last poem by Billy Collins. I guess I have to take care that this blog does´t drift off too far into the literature field.

The Dead by Billy Collins

"As I'm writing, I'm always reader conscious. I have one reader in mind, someone who is in the room with me, and who I'm talking to, and I want to make sure I don't talk too fast, or too glibly. Usually I try to create a hospitable tone at the beginning of a poem. Stepping from the title to the first lines is like stepping into a canoe. A lot of things can go wrong." (1999, Billy Collins)

Billy Collins is the former US Poet Laureate and one of the America’s best selling (action) poets.
Though I think his website is pretty cool, there is something about his reading which I do not like at all. I´m very sensitive when it comes to voices. A great voice can read anything but then I always have difficulties following the words. I can only hear the voice and the emotions. And if a voice or the reading isn´t that good I don´t want to listen to the poem either.

Here he reads his poem “The Dead” with an animation by Juan Delcan of Spontaneous.



The Dead

The dead are always looking down on us,
they say,
while we are putting on our shoes or making a sandwich,
they are looking down through the glass-bottom boats,
of heaven as they row themselves slowly through eternity.
They watch the tops of our heads moving below on earth,
And when we lie down in a field or on a couch,
Drugged perhaps by the hum of a warm afternoon,
They think we are looking back at them,
which makes them lift their oars and fall silent and wait,
like parents,
for us to close our eyes