kite strings

A Tour of the World in 80 Seconds

I need to find myself an excuse to go around the world like this. I've made myself a bucket list of sorts, and to "travel the world" stands on the tip-top. I feel as though I've been neglecting my list, lately. It's hard not to, when I'm stuck having to deal with "daily life". Your life dreams can so easily get drowned in the noise and bustle of work that has to get done, bills that have to be paid, rooms that have to be cleaned, calls that have to be made, and so on and so on.

When I'm near the end and look back at my life, I don't want to say, "Yes, I earned so much money, doing nothing but work. Bought a big house. Bought a fancy car." Instead, I'd rather be able to tell my grandkids, "Yes, I saw the world, climbed a mountain, learned four languages, and lived life spontaneously."

This video I found on mrtalented.com. Mr. Talented himself was sitting on 27th Street, holding a long kite string attached to a bundle of balloons. His card, both untearable and waterproof, read "Mr. Talented" - with his BBM barcode stamped on the back.

"Nobody ever looks up," he said.

Complete your lists,

Ai

Across The Sea.

Across the sea was an island. And on this island was a man. Every night this lone man walked to the edge of the shore and watched his distorted reflection staring back. With the stars encompassing his figure and the moon smiling down like an old forgotten friend, he smiled. The figure smiled back. He could still remember the taste of that night air when he finally returned to this island... with her. Almost a year had passed but the memory was still a present thrill. One minute he's staring at the water, the next he was sailing away from the mainland, hand in hand with the woman that changed his ever existence, body and soul alike. The night smelled like salt and lavender. The night smelled like her. She once told him that lavender meant devotion. All he remembered about lavender was the way it invoked their romance. How it reminded him of her elegance, her grace, her delicateness. She, like these precious purple flowers, was devoted to him and would hold on until the very end.

In Ruins (Baths Remix) - Fol Chen

They sit and discuss future adventures as they sip their lemon and honey based steaming tea. They share a scone that's lightly dusted with a soft white powdered sugar. With a smile, he slowly kisses away the remaining powder on her upper lip. "We'll parasail our way to Japan, climb the mountains in Peru, join forces in Uzbekistan and say our prayers at Auschwitz. We'll camp out in the trees in the rainforest, and watch the falling water turn into mist in Venezuela." "We'll stay on this island until we pass into old age. Who are we fooling?" "This place is not our future, it's just temporary. Just for now." "Well then, let's leave tonight. Get away for awhile, breath in new air." "I can't leave tonight, it's too soon. We don't have anything planned." "You were never really a planner. I have to leave. If I don't go tonight, I never will. I hope you'll understand." As she walked out of the tiny cafe, he watched the sweet lavender air follow her, slowly circling back as if to entice him into following. "I will let her go, I must let go," he thought. Because he knew he couldn't leave this island. Not again. And that is what he did, despite the aching pain that infested his heart. He took her to the boat and watched her sail away into the night, as the lavender scent gradually dispersed into the air. "I will wait for you, in this very spot. Every night I will stand here and wait. All I will ever want is to see your face again."

Sweet dreams,

R.Dearlove

what to say

I have strange dreams when I'm sick.

Last night I was an astronaut, moving through a fog. I watched as moon craters flitted by my spaceship. My reflection stared back at me through my window and I tried to turn my face at the angle in which I was the prettiest. In due time, our ship landed, and I had been lied to: we had been on Earth the whole time.

People love, but they don't know what to say.

Here's a treat I found on weallwantsomeone.org, an indie music blog I found out about through word of mouth (a friend of a brother of a cousin...). While still rather small, this music blog is gaining its fair share of attention. Great way to find new indie music and download mp3's for free! After watching this video, I daresay I'm feeling a little better.. :)

Stay Healthy (unlike me),

Ai

We See What We Want To See

Pieter Brueghel's beautiful representation of winter in the Netherlands. The Netharlands, a very flat country, is depicted here with giant Alp-like mountains.

The Hunters In The Snow.

It's a complex world we live in sometimes, isn't it? We are blinded by our own beliefs and opinions, that we forget about those we hurt, and those we neglect. We see what we want to see, however when do we once try to attempt a journey into someone else's perspective? It's difficult, and even the strongest fail in the attempt. Who can blame them? This is where every conflict collides. Every war that has been fought and will be fought lies along the lines of fighting for one's beliefs. I ran across a book the other day that said this, "Violence may be innate in human nature but so is it's opposite: love. The next stage of humanity, the leap which we are poised to take, will be guided by the force of that love." Is this true, and if so, could this be just as dangerous? Yes, love is innately part of every human being, but many are blinded by love. Love is simple, love is kind but what about when love takes over every logical and rational thought that eventually everything we once believed in is mystified by an unrealistic notion of what is true? What is the truth really when mostly everything we are surrounded by is considered subjective. Everyone has opinions and will lead their lives based on those opinions. Basically, we're left in the same place, a fight for conviction, a fight of faith. But who is really right?

Watermark - Our Broken Garden

Here is a beautiful short film by Ben Briand called Apricot. The cinematography is just breathtaking and the music sets a perfect tone for such delicate yet strong characters. Here are a few still images from the short film.

R.Dearlove

get out of bedhead!

I wish I had dreams like this.

I've recently been obsessed with stop-motion animation. There's just something to it that makes me smile. Especially this video.. isn't it inspiring? Speaking of inspiration, I'm starting my artbook today. I'm determined to completely fill this new sketchbook with full, finished works, sparked from things I find inspiring. I'll be sure to post its progress!

Also, I think I've found the seed that sprouted all my problems ... it's my BED. It's way too comfortable. I need to start sleep on rocks. Because it's so soft, it's so hard to get out of. At least I don't have a temperpedic--then my life would be over, for sure.

To celebrate a happy Thursday, here's an Image Reel:








Get out of bed and live your dreams.

Inspiration is best applied when you're awake.

That's why we never close our eyes.

-- Ai

Everybody's starry eyed

Lately it's been hard to breathe.

I find myself absorbed in thought, a dream-like angst, where everything seems surreal. Sometimes it's so overwhelming, that my heart begins its irregular drumming beat and I just forget to breathe. This is what it's like when everything seems right and wrong at the very same time. We dream day in and day out for our lives to find a sense of stability, for our worries to take flight. Here is the truth; stability may just not exist and we might as well stop searching for it now before it's too late. So breathe... just breathe, and relax. Despite all the wrongs this world has created and encountered, despite uncontrolled existential angst, despite the simple wrong doings that break the heart, there is still so much to live for. Take a trip to Central Park during the day, lay in the grass with your friends, take in your surroundings, and you'll see...

My state of mind is an accurate depiction of this song.
Lately Troisieme - Memoryhouse

Read Pitchfork's review for this Ontario-based band here

Starry Eyed - Ellie Goulding

~And just if you want to escape

Hopefully reality will settle itself and give me a break. Enjoy a lovely day,
R. Dearlove

some people just don't belong in a small town

I think everyone should see this play at least once in their lives.

My friend Joe took me to see Our Town, a play at the Barrow Street Theatre [ 27th Barrow St., off Seventh Ave. ]. After perhaps an hour and a half of watching, I'd honestly begun to think that I was sitting through a play about nothing. A boring town, a boring life, with no climax--how could this possibly be a Pulitzer Prize winner?! The answer was thrown in my face in Act Three and let me tell you, it gave me chills. I won't spoil anything for you (if in case, on a ridiculously long shot, you actually decide to hike downtown to see it) but I will say that I didn't hesitate to join the standing ovation. Moral of the story? Don't live life like you've got a million years ahead of you. The clock's ticking, so make the most of your everyday.

Pre-play gelatos at L'ARTE del GELATO [ 75 Seventh Ave. S, Barrow Street ]. I got Coco and Nutella in a sugar cone. Love love love!!!

Joe being a self-proclaimed restaurant connoisseur ( 'That place has a pig lantern, it must be legitimate!' ) immediately spotted this Japanese restaurant, Hakata TonTon [ 61 Grove Street between Bleecker St. and Seventh Ave. ]. It may not be very impressive on the outside, but it's what's inside that matters. With a wonderfully chic interior, EXCELLENT service, EXCELLENT food, even an EXCELLENT bathroom (exfoliating lotion and mouthwash provided?!), you wouldn't think this place could get any better. Wrong. Their prices are excellent, too! Five stars in my book (and apparently New York Times agrees!). With a $20 tip, I certainly let them know that I'd be back for more!!

Cheers to PERFECT DAYS like this.

-- Ai