Landslides I Love

After a grueling hour sitting in Japanese class (writing letters to family and friends) I was delighted to walk into the cafeteria and hear "...presidential elect Barack Obama". The next four years will be smelly old person with only the rich and close-minded-ness in mind-free!

Good job America. And an extra special good job to Pennsylvania.

Now I can look forward to coming back to a better America. I do not look forward to hearing conservatives and right-wings and Elisabeth Hasselbeck whine for the next four years, but what can ya do!

Things I'm Missing: Vegan Holiday Treats

As Hannah pointed out, it's no roasted yam ( popular Japanese winter time treat ) but it still sounds delicious!

Also, go vote everyone! I voted a month ago and it's no where near as thrilling as going to the polls.

Off the Beaten and Bloodied Path

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you are enjoying it. If you are in Philly, I know you are. Soo many riots. Makes me nostaligic for the good ol' race riots of the sixties, eh?

Anyways, here are seven good movies to watch on Halloween night that stray a bit from the usual and more obvious films such as "Halloween" or "Nightmare on Elm Street" which are still classics none the less.

In no particular order, my suggestions for Halloween hedonism pregamery:

1. What ever Happened to Baby Jane?

While much of the horror lies in Bette Davis' face in this movie, the storyline is full of tension and just general creepiness. The plot tells the story of a former child star who quickly faded out of the public eye "taking care" of invalid sister who's brilliant career was cut short by an automobile accident that happened under curious circumstances. Quotable dialogue is croaked out by Davis while she tortures ( and basically acts out her real life hate towards ) Joan Crawford. Memorable highlights include rats, birds, gin, Bette Davis upskirt, etc. This "psycho-biddie" film teeters on camp but still remains more of a unnerving style of creepiness.

2. Rocky Horror Picture Show

Speaking of camp, RHPS is the King-dressed-as-a-queen of camp and cult cinema. Created as a spoof of science fiction films of the fifties, Rocky Horror has amassed a following of fans who act out the movie while it is being projected, usually at midnight shows. This is a good silly movie to get you in the mood for a fun evening but probably not good if you prefer movies that conform to what is comfortable for you to understand.

3. Freaks

Even if you do not watch this for Halloween tonight, GO see this at sometime in your life. Filmed in 1932, Freaks tells the story of love, friendship, and deception in the world of the circus. The film is highly notable for its use of real "circus" freaks that were popular and touring the country during the time of filming. This film quickly turns into a horror film at the end in the vein of German expressionism that was going on in (surprise) Germany at the time. If physical deformities make you a bit queasy, I suggest not eating candy before or after watching this film.

4. Sunset Boulevard

This film-noir gemstone is all sorts of crazy. The Gothic setting and general atmosphere of the film sets the unsettling tone for this tale of an aging silent film star. Sunset Boulevard can be seen as a precursor ( and far superior ) to "What ever Happened to Baby Jane?" and other films that explored the underbelly and effects of Hollywood. Enjoy Norma Desmond's decaying mind in a decaying mansion!

5. A Clockwork Orange

Science-fiction, futuristic Russian slang, ultra-violence, murders via phallic sculpture, iconic costumery, Kubrick etc. etc. I'm sure most of you have seen "A Clockwork Orange" but I'm putting it on this list as I am going as Alex for Halloween tonight ( again, for my 300th time ).

6. Oni-Baba

I saw this movie freshman year at a Temple sponsored event. This black and white Japanese film is a bit slow but the cinematography is beautiful. The story is interesting to boot and this is a good example of how awesome Japan is at creating horror through mood and story rather than sudden noises and "jumpy" moments. Also, I felt compelled to put at least one Japanese film on this list.

7. Blue Velvet

In accordance with my love of Twin Peaks ( and since there's not enough time to watch every episode on Halloween night ) I opted to put his famous "Blue Velvet" on this list. Again, this film is filled with disturbing scenes, dismembered body parts, and the dark underbelly of America suburbia ( no, I'm not talking about you suicide-inducer Lori Drew! ). This movie also features a pre-Green Porno Isabella Rossellini, pre-Jurassic Park Laura Dern, and a pre-pubescent pre-Twin Peaks Kyle Maclachlan.

Happy Halloween! Hope you have a good one. Also, be thankful you are not at Temple University Japan campus as all the anime-nerds, manga-weirdoes, and general otakus have opted to dress up in Kimonos ( so awkward when they are white ) and of course, as their favorite anime / manga / pokemon characters. Ugh!

Funny Because It's True

I miss America(n comedy news shows like SNL and The View).

Damn Fine Cup of Coffee

While I was only two years old when the show debuted, I've had no excuse for not watching "Twin Peaks" via DVD or online years ago.

I only watched the pilot two days ago and I'm already hooked! I mean, I like David Lynch's films "Mulholland Driver" and "Blue Velvet" but I've never been one of his dedicated fans. "Twin Peaks" however, may be turning me into one.

Things I like about it:

-- Black coffee mentioned several times per episode
-- Kyle Maclachlan's acting
-- The pretty Asian woman
-- Noiseless shades
-- Mary Janes
-- Fresh-faced Lara Flynn Boyle

Also, when I used to work at Dorney Park during Halloweekends, they always played this one song I could never recognize, then a few years later I was sitting at my favorite Philadelphia coffee house and the song came on. I asked the mustachioed barista what it was and he said it was...

Laura Palmer's Theme

Truly a great song that I love even more after hearing it several times per episode.

Anyways, go and watch this show if you have yet to see it! I wish I could find the SNL parody clip of it from 1991 that was ALWAYS on TV when Comedy Central repeated SNL into oblivion.

What's in a Name?

Baked Alaska

Why America why?! I will not be coming back to America if this is what the future holds. I mean, differences in politics aside, she's absolutely terrible.

God Hates Katy Perry

Ohh Katy Perry. Real lezzies hate you and so do Christians. I despise your "gay-for-pay" antics as well, but I also hate close-mindedness. Either way, curiosity killed the cat ( and sent it straight to eternal damnation ).

Look Who I Ran Into!

Good ol' Barry McGee! Well, not him personally but his artwork. It was displayed on what looked like an ababoned store-front. His paintings and graffiti were all over it. As well as some other graffiti that I do not believe belonged to him. It may have seemed random at first but right across the street was a MoMA design store so there is probably some correlation there.

Neat stuff! I'll investigate more soon ( if there is an exhibit of sorts ).

Yay for Yelle!

Yelle just released a new video for my all-time favorite song ever (by Yelle or other artists) "Ce Jeu".

It features everything a typical Yelle video does: Shiny floor, black background, and fun / interesting lighting. Oh and course silly costumes that flirt with being "nouvelle-rave".

C'est tres tres bon!

Palin Drones (On and On)

Hi hello. Is it bias if I'm about to supply a bunch of links from Jezebel which feature videos highlighting why I do not like Sarah Palin?

Yes, if the word bias means "the right thing to do"!

Here are the worst highlights from her interview with Charles Gibson.

Here are the hightlights of the worst parts of Palin's interview Kaite Couric.

And a YouTube clip of Cindy "Botox and Vicadin Cocktail" McCain ( she has the best candy ):



Also, I read that Cindy McCain was giving a speech about how her and her husband were torn apart by The View panel. Juhs so you can see how savage they were, here is a clip from Gawker:

http://gawker.com/5049152/you-and-sherrius-white-folk-well-take-care-of-you

Oh The View!

How I miss watching you in between my classes. The Japanese View is no good ( it also does not exist.)

OH and of course, the soon-to-be legendary SNL season opener (in case you haven't seen it). Dead on impression that is also kind of depressing because of how much truth there is too it.

Another Sarah Silverman PSA

$$$

La Mere du Style

So Yves Saint-Laurent died a few months ago (making this post a little late) but his mother is still kickin'! I like how most old ladies from Europe still get fancy and take care of themselves.

Of course, she is super-wealthy, but ya know...

Mackin' on my Macarons

If you know me personally, then you know that when I watch a movie that I like, I usually become fairly obsessed with it.

Anyways, I watched "Marie Antoinette" the other day and pretty much loved Sophia Coppola's signature cinematography and story-telling.

The costumes, food, lighting, etc. etc. were all brilliant!

Naturally, the pastries were a highlight for me and as a result, when I come home from Japan (and if I still like the idea) I plan on making batches and batches of these:


There's one slight problem since these macarons (note the one less O to make sure you're not confused with a coconut macaroon) are basically like meringues which translates to "virtually impossible to make vegan".

But do not fret.

At my Christmas dinner party there will be plenty of vegan sweets like these to be passed around.

Bizarre Note: I live in Tokyo as of right now and I love the films "Marie Antoinette" and "The Virgin Suicides" yet Sophia Coppola's existentalists in Tokyo film "Lost in Translation" bores me to tears! I attempted to watch it again last night and I finished the first half and had no desire to wait 20 minutes to load the second half of the film. What's wrong with me?!

Hard drive Highlights

My Webcam Has the Weirdest Features

Paintings of Cakes ( 2.0 )

This one even features a Betsey Johnson dress.

By Kiersten Essenpreis.

Going Away Cake and Haircut

I keep wanting to call this a birthday cake, but it was for my going away party. Anyways, it was a delicious vegan coconut lime cake with a sweet lime buttercream icing. My mom iced the cake beautifully and we tinted the piped icing green by adding a tiny bit of matcha powder. Organic food coloring!

Then also I got my hair cut and that pastel plaid button-up and that blazer. Hurrah.

Japandrew

CLICK THE PHOTO FOR MY NEW BLOG!!!

Dolce & Gabbana is so Clueless

Not to make another post about plaid (we'll say this is more tartan than plaid) BUT I watched Clueless four times within in the span of two days. As always, I was impressed by everyone's crazy plaid outfits and I guess D&G was as well since their AW 08 line is chock full of it.

I plan on wearing head to toe tartan while in Japan because I feel like I can truly dress outta control there.

Ya dig?

A Photograph of Terrible

This photograph represents what I hate about Heidi Montag and also American Apparel. It's a very good example of someone who thinks they're totes zany and original because they bought Vegas and / or lamé leggings. You can witness this type of girl shopping around American Apparel these days in Philly and especially in King of Prussia mall. Maybe this will help get rid of the head to toe AA trend that was acceptable 1.75 years ago but is now a bit lazy, eh?

Wrappin' It UP

Hey-o.

Going-away party was a big success. Friends and family blended smoothly. Food was delicious.

I've been in Philly since yesterday and now I am still here for my final night.

Still need to pack, print out stuff, and get a converter.

Hi-yo.

Goodnight.

Where Was This Gem Hiding?!?!

So basically I was going to blog about all these movies I watched with my step-mom and one of those movies was 'Clueless'. And then I found THIS:

Accidentally Vegan Obsessions

Two things that normally are never vegan: Skittles and (most commercial) chocolate.

And bam. When combined, they somehow transformed into a vegan delight.

Anyways, I had my first taste a half hour ago. So delicious. Gave me an instant headache though... but regular Skittles always did that too. I hope they have them in Japan. Actually, I guess it doesn't matter because I'm sure they'll have more delicious candy over there.

Hurrah!

Pack it Up

I am not getting very far with my packing. Tomorrow is my going away party with the family followed by my final visit to Philly for a bit. Should be fun / sad.

Don't Get Me Started About the History of Plaid

Every single item in this photo is spot on.

Photo from Jezebel.

Pencil Dilemma

How hard is it to find the above items?! I've been everywhere. I guess it's not as hard as trying to break some weird OCD where I can only use those specific items (brand AND style) to do my school work and what not.

New Japanese Friends

I leave in a week.

Making up for Lost Time

A Message From Sarah Silverman
by SU2C

A Yuppie Once More

Remember my birthday post in which I wanted my car to work again? But then my parents ended up selling for scrap, scrapping my dreams, and causing me to barter and argue for use of my mother's Passat.

Well anyways, my dad is currently engaged in a ferocious war for this car:


Unlike my other car it's from 1968. I'd prefer one from the eighties, ya know, with a cassette player, power steering and windows, etc. but I suppose I should not be picky eh? I believe my dad likes the idea of me driving it. My mom (another avid supporter of all things from the 60's / 70's in terms of cars) loves it as well.

Does not really matter since I will be abroad for about a YEAR and will not need a car for a bit.

Oh wells.

Where the heck did summer go??

The Ronson Tenenbaums

This photo is topical because the similarities between the two families are sort of neat / apparent and also, Kristina and I watched the movie while eating Gianna's last night before we went out for a (somewhat sloppy) night.

Connie Francis Said it Best

Sorry for the lack of updates; I have been in Philadelphia for a good number of days now.

Parties, Honey's, shopping, Hannah, Kristina, houses, Rittenhouse, etc. etc.

Be back to the valley whenever.

Cupcake News

I did not use food dye in these! The organic matcha powder turns them into a brutiful Nickelodeon green.

Tiramisú cupcakes for Yasmin!

L'Orange Mechanique

Oh oh oh I love these.

Photos by Max Vadukul.

Do You Think the World Owes You a Favor?

What the heck are you even talking about?

After this weekend I will officially be ready to go to Japan aka I do not feel well and work just vastly compounded everything today.

In other news... I'll try to be more uplifting!

Tokyo Slumbers V. 2.0

Noticing anything different?!

That's right.

Half of No Nastie's BBFF (blog BFF) Throw a Hand Up will be living in the same building as ME this upcoming semester in Tokyo.

Hurrah!

Give Her a Hand Ladies and Gentlemen

Keep Miss Tina Serge in your prayers.

She recently had major life-altering surgery to her hand.

Photos of her SERGE-cally (thanks Claire) enhanced hand:

See you Friday deary!