I just drank a few Coronas with a buddy of mine in Downtown Greenville (SC), and am currently lounging on his balcony overlooking the splendidly beautiful Reedy River while listening to the dulcet sounds of Johnny Flynn. I think this is as close to a truly modern Bohemian setting as I will ever get in my lifetime; that is, unless my novel becomes everything I dream it will as I drift off to sleep at night.
While I'm on the threshold of a gentleman's buzz (with the promise of more alcohol on the way and a night of artistic revelry awaiting the violet kiss of twilight), I thought it necessary to quickly check in with my few and honorable followers. I hope all is well with everyone and that I find you as relaxed and free of time as I find myself at the present. I also thought it prudent to fill you all in on what this blog may look like in the coming days and months.
I'm currently in the final stages of research for my novel. Some of the composition is complete, but the meat of the work is still on the back burner, whistling in the kettle and ready to be lifted and shifted to the front. While I'm doing my last bit of research, which is becoming more interesting than I had believed it would, I may transfer some of my notations to blog form. It may be interesting to some and dreadfully boring to others. I look forward to comments from the former and apologize to the latter. I'm becoming increasingly excited about the way my novel is turning out, and I hope I have the chance to share all of the upcoming hills and valleys of my journey to become published with you all. No matter what comes of it, this has been a truly life changing and affirming time for me.
The second round of beer has just arrived and my friend is beginning to pluck away on his mandolin. So, I will bid you all ado and hope to see you soon. I'm almost positive I will have more entries in my "Novel Journey" pictorial series to come that will accompany and help break up the possible monotony of the research related material. I will leave you with the working title of my novel. Take care.
Working Title: The Art of Melancholy
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
I'm Elinguis...
In DC, even the Spelling Bee draws protesters
If I didn't know better, I'd think this news article was written by The Onion. Unfortunately, it's all too legit. It amazes me that an "academic professional" would even consider partaking in something this absurd. The beauty of learning any language is discovering all the ins and outs of a word's meaning(s). The intrinsic cultural significance alone is worth the etymological journey. To attempt to devalue something as educationally significant to the advancement of literacy awareness as the Scripps National Spelling Bee is beyond ignorant. As I said in the title of this blog, "I'm elinguis."
If I didn't know better, I'd think this news article was written by The Onion. Unfortunately, it's all too legit. It amazes me that an "academic professional" would even consider partaking in something this absurd. The beauty of learning any language is discovering all the ins and outs of a word's meaning(s). The intrinsic cultural significance alone is worth the etymological journey. To attempt to devalue something as educationally significant to the advancement of literacy awareness as the Scripps National Spelling Bee is beyond ignorant. As I said in the title of this blog, "I'm elinguis."
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Bee All That You Can Bee
It’s that time of year again. Yep, you guessed it, the Scripps National Spelling Bee! I’ve been an ardent fan of the spelling bee for years now, way before all the bandwagoners via the wonderful documentary Spellbound. I tend to find myself in awe and somewhat envious of these kids – awestruck of their mad spelling skillz, and envious of the passion and camaraderie that comes with this thrilling event year in and year out. But no matter what, I always find myself cheering for every contestant to succeed and hoping that the dreaded bell never chimes.
This year 273 spellers invaded our nation’s capitol (where’s Jack Bauer?!) to flex their powerful hippocampuses in hopes of lifting the trophy, and winning that awesome set of encyclopedias and an ultra hot $30,000 (it’s all about the Benjamins baby). After the computerized spelling round, the kids moved on to two oral spelling rounds in the hot spotlight on-stage. The thing I love most about the enhanced interest in the Spelling Bee is that at least the third round of the preliminaries is broadcast live, albeit online. From these initial 273 spellers, the group must be cut down to no more than 50 for the semifinals, which takes place the following morning. Brutal, I know, but so goes the honorable gladiator sport that is spelling.
While I wasn’t able to watch the third round of the preliminaries in its entirety this morning, I did get through the first 221 spellers and would like to share some of my (hopefully) interesting insights and commentary. Here goes:
Speller #25, Jacky Kun Qiao from China, approached the microphone with a swagger and a profile stance a la William Shatner. Not only was Jacky sporting the stance, but he would also gesticulate with his left hand in a very...pronounced...and...Shatner...like...way. He also closely resembled the witty Canadian in an all too comical way. Unfortunately, Jacky didn’t advance to the semifinals, but that’s the beauty of allowing all of the spellers a chance to take the stage in the final two rounds of the preliminaries. They all get to enjoy the spotlight and the pride of making that far.
Other notable speller look-a-likes include: #52, Sabrina Smith (Emilie de Ravin); #77, Alexia Jade Zawadzke (Tilda Swinton); and #109, Ross Garrity (one of the Ramones).
One of the pit photographers positioned in between the stage and the judges table looked like Lionel Richie. As a consequence of this, I would break out in a brief serenade of “Hello.” I feel no shame.
One of the great things about watching the oral rounds of the spelling bee is reading the small snippets of information displayed about each of the spellers as they approach the microphone. You can learn a lot about a speller from their favorite kinds of music (which ranged from pretentious choices like Beethoven or Mozart to the more honest Lady Gaga and the Jonas Brothers) to their favorite movies (more on this later, but some of my favorites were Napoleon Dynamite, Hot Rod, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). However, one startling trend amongst all of the spellers was their choices of people they would like to meet – startling because the vast majority of people they would like to meet are dead, rotting, and pushing up daisies.
These dearly departed but obviously never forgotten souls included Handel, Caesar Augustus (I shit you not; speller #100, Faith Audreylee Ruppert, is one fierce young lady*), Shakespeare, the Red Baron (I honestly didn’t know what to think about this one, but who wouldn’t want to take a free ride with Snoopy? Oh wait, wrong Red Baron. We're talking about the frozen pizza guy? Gotcha), George Washington, Andrew Jackson (all the president’s spellers, holla!), and last but not least my personal favorite, Napoleon Bonaparte (because who wouldn’t want to spend a little one on one exiled with an overcompensating megalomaniac?). I have two bits of advice for all of these spellers in hopes that their dreams of meeting these people who cease to be: a) search out the whereabouts of a certain blue vanishing and reappearing police box and hitch a ride with the doctor, or b) get nice and chummy with speller #56, Ankush I. Bajaj, who simply wants to do what we all dreamed of as kids...win the Nobel Prize in Science. Make it happen, Ankush. You discover time travel and you’re golden Ponyboy.
Apart from the "obscenely obsessed with death" kids, the kids who are quit content to meet folks present in the here and now chose the likes of Tim Curry and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Seriously, these kids are beyond cool no matter what anyone says.
There are always some great light moments between the spellers and the head judge Dr. Bailly. The first occurred when speller #43, Tommy Foster, approached the microphone and greeted Dr. Bailly with a crowd pleasing “What’s up, Doc?” The second came when diminutive and cute speller #80, Modhura Chakravarty, came up to the microphone, pulled it down, and promptly said with a smile, “Holla!” The third moment came late in the second half of the third round when, after spelling his word correctly, speller #220, David M. Habibi, was congratulated by Dr. Bailly on being a new brother. Apparently, the stork dropped off his newly born sibling while he was off spelling. David’s reaction was priceless and one of those moments no one will soon forget.
There were two “wtf?” moments. The first was when I read that speller #130, Roshini Shreya Asirvatham, aspires to be a cardiac electrophysiologist. Honestly, I would have gone back to making my mud pie if you would have asked me if I wanted to be a cardiac electrowhatever when I was that age. The second was when I read that speller #175’s, Gage Phillip Greshaw, favorite movie is Scarface. I’m hoping it's the critically acclaimed 1932 version, and not the “I couldn’t count the amount of times they say ‘frak’” 1983 version. I’m just concerned, that’s all. Did I mention they delve into incestuous themes in the ’83 version? No? Well they do. You know, fyi.
Going back to the “what I want to be when I grow up...” theme, other notables were: #69, Matt Brucker (Lego Designer, how awesome is that?!); and #95, Bianca James (wants to be the first Native American president, I would vote for her).
Finally, no Scripps National Spelling Bee oral spelling round is complete without a few witty and geeky example sentences. Here were my two favorites:
“A word of advice, Cathy**, will not stop talking about the universe until you compliment her on her jnana.”
“Spock got tired of the suppressed laughter from the crew every time Captain Kirk would talk about his superaurale.”
Unfortunately, the majority of the spellers I wrote about here didn’t make it to the semifinals. Even so, they’re all still winners in this blogger’s heart. Congratulations to all 273 spellers for making it as far as they did, and a huge pat on the back to the 48 spellers who advanced to the semifinals. You can check out the list of semifinalists by clicking this sweet little link ---> Spelling Bee Semifinalists
Don’t miss the final day of spelling tomorrow. Semifinals begin at 10am est. on ESPN, and the finals take place in primetime at 8pm est. on ABC. Good luck, Spellers! You can get this information and more at the official Scripps National Spelling Bee website.
*As fierce as she is, she did not make it to the semifinal round. Et tu, Dr. Bailly?
**I couldn’t remember the actual name used, so I substituted it with the marvelous Cathy, who runs the sweet little blog The Marvelous Mrs. E, because she has massive jnana. ;)
This year 273 spellers invaded our nation’s capitol (where’s Jack Bauer?!) to flex their powerful hippocampuses in hopes of lifting the trophy, and winning that awesome set of encyclopedias and an ultra hot $30,000 (it’s all about the Benjamins baby). After the computerized spelling round, the kids moved on to two oral spelling rounds in the hot spotlight on-stage. The thing I love most about the enhanced interest in the Spelling Bee is that at least the third round of the preliminaries is broadcast live, albeit online. From these initial 273 spellers, the group must be cut down to no more than 50 for the semifinals, which takes place the following morning. Brutal, I know, but so goes the honorable gladiator sport that is spelling.
While I wasn’t able to watch the third round of the preliminaries in its entirety this morning, I did get through the first 221 spellers and would like to share some of my (hopefully) interesting insights and commentary. Here goes:
Speller #25, Jacky Kun Qiao from China, approached the microphone with a swagger and a profile stance a la William Shatner. Not only was Jacky sporting the stance, but he would also gesticulate with his left hand in a very...pronounced...and...Shatner...like...way. He also closely resembled the witty Canadian in an all too comical way. Unfortunately, Jacky didn’t advance to the semifinals, but that’s the beauty of allowing all of the spellers a chance to take the stage in the final two rounds of the preliminaries. They all get to enjoy the spotlight and the pride of making that far.
Other notable speller look-a-likes include: #52, Sabrina Smith (Emilie de Ravin); #77, Alexia Jade Zawadzke (Tilda Swinton); and #109, Ross Garrity (one of the Ramones).
One of the pit photographers positioned in between the stage and the judges table looked like Lionel Richie. As a consequence of this, I would break out in a brief serenade of “Hello.” I feel no shame.
One of the great things about watching the oral rounds of the spelling bee is reading the small snippets of information displayed about each of the spellers as they approach the microphone. You can learn a lot about a speller from their favorite kinds of music (which ranged from pretentious choices like Beethoven or Mozart to the more honest Lady Gaga and the Jonas Brothers) to their favorite movies (more on this later, but some of my favorites were Napoleon Dynamite, Hot Rod, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). However, one startling trend amongst all of the spellers was their choices of people they would like to meet – startling because the vast majority of people they would like to meet are dead, rotting, and pushing up daisies.
These dearly departed but obviously never forgotten souls included Handel, Caesar Augustus (I shit you not; speller #100, Faith Audreylee Ruppert, is one fierce young lady*), Shakespeare, the Red Baron (I honestly didn’t know what to think about this one, but who wouldn’t want to take a free ride with Snoopy? Oh wait, wrong Red Baron. We're talking about the frozen pizza guy? Gotcha), George Washington, Andrew Jackson (all the president’s spellers, holla!), and last but not least my personal favorite, Napoleon Bonaparte (because who wouldn’t want to spend a little one on one exiled with an overcompensating megalomaniac?). I have two bits of advice for all of these spellers in hopes that their dreams of meeting these people who cease to be: a) search out the whereabouts of a certain blue vanishing and reappearing police box and hitch a ride with the doctor, or b) get nice and chummy with speller #56, Ankush I. Bajaj, who simply wants to do what we all dreamed of as kids...win the Nobel Prize in Science. Make it happen, Ankush. You discover time travel and you’re golden Ponyboy.
Apart from the "obscenely obsessed with death" kids, the kids who are quit content to meet folks present in the here and now chose the likes of Tim Curry and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Seriously, these kids are beyond cool no matter what anyone says.
There are always some great light moments between the spellers and the head judge Dr. Bailly. The first occurred when speller #43, Tommy Foster, approached the microphone and greeted Dr. Bailly with a crowd pleasing “What’s up, Doc?” The second came when diminutive and cute speller #80, Modhura Chakravarty, came up to the microphone, pulled it down, and promptly said with a smile, “Holla!” The third moment came late in the second half of the third round when, after spelling his word correctly, speller #220, David M. Habibi, was congratulated by Dr. Bailly on being a new brother. Apparently, the stork dropped off his newly born sibling while he was off spelling. David’s reaction was priceless and one of those moments no one will soon forget.
There were two “wtf?” moments. The first was when I read that speller #130, Roshini Shreya Asirvatham, aspires to be a cardiac electrophysiologist. Honestly, I would have gone back to making my mud pie if you would have asked me if I wanted to be a cardiac electrowhatever when I was that age. The second was when I read that speller #175’s, Gage Phillip Greshaw, favorite movie is Scarface. I’m hoping it's the critically acclaimed 1932 version, and not the “I couldn’t count the amount of times they say ‘frak’” 1983 version. I’m just concerned, that’s all. Did I mention they delve into incestuous themes in the ’83 version? No? Well they do. You know, fyi.
Going back to the “what I want to be when I grow up...” theme, other notables were: #69, Matt Brucker (Lego Designer, how awesome is that?!); and #95, Bianca James (wants to be the first Native American president, I would vote for her).
Finally, no Scripps National Spelling Bee oral spelling round is complete without a few witty and geeky example sentences. Here were my two favorites:
“A word of advice, Cathy**, will not stop talking about the universe until you compliment her on her jnana.”
“Spock got tired of the suppressed laughter from the crew every time Captain Kirk would talk about his superaurale.”
Unfortunately, the majority of the spellers I wrote about here didn’t make it to the semifinals. Even so, they’re all still winners in this blogger’s heart. Congratulations to all 273 spellers for making it as far as they did, and a huge pat on the back to the 48 spellers who advanced to the semifinals. You can check out the list of semifinalists by clicking this sweet little link ---> Spelling Bee Semifinalists
Don’t miss the final day of spelling tomorrow. Semifinals begin at 10am est. on ESPN, and the finals take place in primetime at 8pm est. on ABC. Good luck, Spellers! You can get this information and more at the official Scripps National Spelling Bee website.
*As fierce as she is, she did not make it to the semifinal round. Et tu, Dr. Bailly?
**I couldn’t remember the actual name used, so I substituted it with the marvelous Cathy, who runs the sweet little blog The Marvelous Mrs. E, because she has massive jnana. ;)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Dedication to an Inspiration; or, Happy Belated Birthday, Walker Percy
Not everyone has the unique opportunity and privilege to share a birthday with their favorite author; I’m one of the lucky ones. Walker Percy has shaped me in myriad ways. His writings, both fiction and non-fiction, have influenced me as an academic, as a writer, and more importantly as a man (or, specifically, as a twenty-something male). When I decided to start this blog, I found it only fitting to dedicate the title to my favorite Percy novel. Since I would be documenting my own Percy-esque journey into what it’s like to be a Southern Gentleman in the modern world, how could I title this blog anything else?
I first discovered Mr. Percy during the penultimate summer before I graduated college. The end was drawing near and the beginning of something new and beyond mortifying was growing over the horizon like an enigmatic fire, neither welcoming nor cautionary. Percy’s premier novel, The Moviegoer, was recommended to me by one of my professor’s before the close of the spring semester, so I decided to give it a go and bought a used copy to take on my family’s annual beach vacation.
The first few days of the vacation passed in a drunken and sun-exhausted blur. I had completely forgotten about the novel, which at that time was buried somewhere beneath my boxers in the zippered mesh pouch on the inside of my suitcase cover. Two to three days in, I happened to reach into the pouch and finger the somewhat ragged binding of the book. I had a free afternoon while my parents were out and about, so I decided to take the book with me down by the pool. There I would stay until I was forced to move to our condo’s back balcony due to darkness.
The novel seemed to say everything that I longed to hear. It spoke to my apathetic heart and wrapped a conciliatory arm around the lingering malaise that set upon my shoulders like a brick foundation. And while it did all of this, in the end, it refused to give me any answers. The novel took me on a journey through the darkest depths of my emotional being and then, with a gentle pat on the back, set me adrift into the very horizon I was so desperately attempting to avoid. Just like the protagonist of the novel, Binx Bolling, I was brought to a crossroads with the ability to make a decision; it was up to me to decide whether that decision would be life affirming or just another step along the ever-evolving journey that is life, and the continuously complicated sub-journey of being a twenty-something male in the throws of becoming the man you’ve always hoped to become. More importantly, I learned that the answers had to be gleaned by me alone; to forever hinge on the values, opinions, and embrace of others would only equate to a life of stagnation. I was shown all of this and more in the brief span of a day in the summer of 2007, and since then (after working through all of Percy’s material that I’ve been able to get my hands on) I have had the pleasure of discovering more both personally and philosophically.
Walker Percy continues to be an inspiration to me, and I would be forever remiss if I failed to acknowledge this glorious talent on (or, in this case, somewhere thereabout) May 28th.
Thanks for everything, Walker Percy. Your talent is sorely missed as well as your gentlemanly sensibilities. Cheers.
I first discovered Mr. Percy during the penultimate summer before I graduated college. The end was drawing near and the beginning of something new and beyond mortifying was growing over the horizon like an enigmatic fire, neither welcoming nor cautionary. Percy’s premier novel, The Moviegoer, was recommended to me by one of my professor’s before the close of the spring semester, so I decided to give it a go and bought a used copy to take on my family’s annual beach vacation.
The first few days of the vacation passed in a drunken and sun-exhausted blur. I had completely forgotten about the novel, which at that time was buried somewhere beneath my boxers in the zippered mesh pouch on the inside of my suitcase cover. Two to three days in, I happened to reach into the pouch and finger the somewhat ragged binding of the book. I had a free afternoon while my parents were out and about, so I decided to take the book with me down by the pool. There I would stay until I was forced to move to our condo’s back balcony due to darkness.
The novel seemed to say everything that I longed to hear. It spoke to my apathetic heart and wrapped a conciliatory arm around the lingering malaise that set upon my shoulders like a brick foundation. And while it did all of this, in the end, it refused to give me any answers. The novel took me on a journey through the darkest depths of my emotional being and then, with a gentle pat on the back, set me adrift into the very horizon I was so desperately attempting to avoid. Just like the protagonist of the novel, Binx Bolling, I was brought to a crossroads with the ability to make a decision; it was up to me to decide whether that decision would be life affirming or just another step along the ever-evolving journey that is life, and the continuously complicated sub-journey of being a twenty-something male in the throws of becoming the man you’ve always hoped to become. More importantly, I learned that the answers had to be gleaned by me alone; to forever hinge on the values, opinions, and embrace of others would only equate to a life of stagnation. I was shown all of this and more in the brief span of a day in the summer of 2007, and since then (after working through all of Percy’s material that I’ve been able to get my hands on) I have had the pleasure of discovering more both personally and philosophically.
Walker Percy continues to be an inspiration to me, and I would be forever remiss if I failed to acknowledge this glorious talent on (or, in this case, somewhere thereabout) May 28th.
Thanks for everything, Walker Percy. Your talent is sorely missed as well as your gentlemanly sensibilities. Cheers.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me!
It’s kind of cool having a birthday close to a holiday. Well, unless it’s Christmas in which case it’s not so cool. Contrary to popular belief you do not get double the presents; I mean, you’re not like Jesus or anything. Only the lucky among us get to be mythical in nature.
My birthday was this past Friday (May 28th), and therefore landed – as it always does – on Memorial Day weekend. Now, first and foremost, I want to send my deepest gratitude to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. We greatly appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your families. Being a part of a military family (grandfather, father, brother, and cousins), I can understand the day-to-day that many military families go through. Thanks to all that are currently serving, and to the veterans who are with us and who died in battle.
Now, back to me. Because my birthday always lands on Memorial Day weekend there are always a bunch of cool events going on that I can claim as being in celebration of the glorious day of my birth. Lately, the local minor league baseball team has held a home series either just before or immediately after Memorial Day. The last two years it has been the former, and I have taken it upon myself to attend the home game closest to my birthday. After all, I have to attend a baseball game held in my honor especially when they work so hard to schedule the game either during “Fireworks Friday” or “$1 Drink Night.” The only negative to this whole “take me out to the ballgame” affair is that the local team has gone an abysmal 0-2 during my birthday celebration games. I know it can’t be me, so they better get their act together or I’m taking this show elsewhere.
The rest of the weekend went pretty much as planned: birthday dinner at Olive Garden (the new crespelle dishes are amazing, btw); the US Men’s National team defeated Turkey in an international friendly on Saturday; the St. Louis Cardinals won their weekend series against the hated Chicago Cubs (during which I had the pleasure of seeing the great Albert Pujols hit 3 Home Runs in the final game); and, finally, I wrapped up the weekend long celebration by devouring the new Chick-fil-a spicy chicken today for lunch (the spices had a good taste but it could definitely be spicier).
All in all, it was a great birthday weekend filled with fun and plenty of relaxation. I definitely needed a long weekend in which I could just lose myself. I want to thank all of my friends and family for the birthday wishes I received. I truly am surrounded by some of the best people.
[End narcissism]
My birthday was this past Friday (May 28th), and therefore landed – as it always does – on Memorial Day weekend. Now, first and foremost, I want to send my deepest gratitude to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. We greatly appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your families. Being a part of a military family (grandfather, father, brother, and cousins), I can understand the day-to-day that many military families go through. Thanks to all that are currently serving, and to the veterans who are with us and who died in battle.
Now, back to me. Because my birthday always lands on Memorial Day weekend there are always a bunch of cool events going on that I can claim as being in celebration of the glorious day of my birth. Lately, the local minor league baseball team has held a home series either just before or immediately after Memorial Day. The last two years it has been the former, and I have taken it upon myself to attend the home game closest to my birthday. After all, I have to attend a baseball game held in my honor especially when they work so hard to schedule the game either during “Fireworks Friday” or “$1 Drink Night.” The only negative to this whole “take me out to the ballgame” affair is that the local team has gone an abysmal 0-2 during my birthday celebration games. I know it can’t be me, so they better get their act together or I’m taking this show elsewhere.
The rest of the weekend went pretty much as planned: birthday dinner at Olive Garden (the new crespelle dishes are amazing, btw); the US Men’s National team defeated Turkey in an international friendly on Saturday; the St. Louis Cardinals won their weekend series against the hated Chicago Cubs (during which I had the pleasure of seeing the great Albert Pujols hit 3 Home Runs in the final game); and, finally, I wrapped up the weekend long celebration by devouring the new Chick-fil-a spicy chicken today for lunch (the spices had a good taste but it could definitely be spicier).
All in all, it was a great birthday weekend filled with fun and plenty of relaxation. I definitely needed a long weekend in which I could just lose myself. I want to thank all of my friends and family for the birthday wishes I received. I truly am surrounded by some of the best people.
[End narcissism]
Monday, May 24, 2010
Goodbye, LOST
We have the opportunity to see many good television shows in our lifetime, but it is a rare thing to witness a great television show. LOST was one of the greats. When I wrote those two sentences, I originally typed, “LOST is one of the greats.” The day after the day and I’m still finding it difficult to fully let go of a show that helped shape the last six years of my life, not to mention the profound affect the show had on my academic understanding of progressive television while in graduate school the last two years. LOST not only opened my heart, but it also opened my mind to intellectual possibilities I’d never thought of venturing into before the show began.
The series finale did not disappoint, and while I still don’t understand everything I know that a “complete understanding” was never the point. It was always about the journey and the deeply entrenched study of the human condition. That is what made LOST great. What better way, then, to end the show than by celebrating the community (both diegetically and non-diegetically speaking) so intrinsic in the progression of that journey. The care that everyone placed on the final moments was beautiful and breathtaking. My congratulations and immense thanks go to J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Carlton Cuse for giving all us Losties the gift of a lifetime, and an unforgettable journey that can be enjoyed over and over again for years to come.
“23 – As Jack is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
The series finale did not disappoint, and while I still don’t understand everything I know that a “complete understanding” was never the point. It was always about the journey and the deeply entrenched study of the human condition. That is what made LOST great. What better way, then, to end the show than by celebrating the community (both diegetically and non-diegetically speaking) so intrinsic in the progression of that journey. The care that everyone placed on the final moments was beautiful and breathtaking. My congratulations and immense thanks go to J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Carlton Cuse for giving all us Losties the gift of a lifetime, and an unforgettable journey that can be enjoyed over and over again for years to come.
“23 – As Jack is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Dance Me to the End of Love
I am a firm believer of slow dances. The intimacy of holding someone close to you and swaying to the soft cadence of a song is a feeling hard to replicate. And the lovely thing about a good slow dance is that it’s a moment that can be shared with anyone: a lover, a friend, a parent, and even a pet for as long as they’ll allow it. Regardless of whom you dance with, it’s a universal symbol of trust; a trust rooted in the depths of a comfort with the person you’re holding that can never be matched in the arms of another. Not to mention, when done at the right time and in the right location, an impromptu slow dance to the right song can be intensely romantic.
I’ve become a fan of slow dances in the kitchen with a soft light from a dying day leaking into the room through the slits of partially opened blinds. Timing is everything and nothing at the same time. Sometimes the dance needs to be scheduled, and sometimes the dance will prompt you. Either way, it’s a sensual moment that will live for a long time in the subtle sway of your hips, the shuffle of your feet, and the faint trace of lightly sliding fingers along your back.
So, since I’m a music fanatic and I can’t go a moment without judging whether a song is slow dance worthy or not, I will now present to you my Slow Dance Song Selections (in no particular order and in no way representational of the full body of worthy songs to slow dance to):
1) “All My Mistakes,” “40 East,” “Laundry Room,” and “Swept Away (Sentimental Version)” by The Avett Brothers
2) “When the Night Comes” by Dan Auerbach
3) “Love and Some Verses” by Iron & Wine
4) “Here We Go Again” by Justin Townes Earle
5) “Hold On,” “You Ain’t Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You,” and “You and I” by Michael Bublé
6) “Let it be Me” by Ray LaMontagne
7)”You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Got Me,” and “I Should’ve Known Better” by She & Him (honestly, they have some the best “goofy after you’ve both had a few” songs to slow dance to)
8) “With or Without You” by U2
9) “Taxi Cab” by Vampire Weekend
10) “I Found a Reason,” “Pale Blue Eyes,” and “Coney Island Baby” by The Velvet Underground/Lou Reed
11) “You’re an Angel and I’m Gonna Cry” by Chris Thile
12) “Dance Me to the End of Love” by Leonard Cohen
I’ve become a fan of slow dances in the kitchen with a soft light from a dying day leaking into the room through the slits of partially opened blinds. Timing is everything and nothing at the same time. Sometimes the dance needs to be scheduled, and sometimes the dance will prompt you. Either way, it’s a sensual moment that will live for a long time in the subtle sway of your hips, the shuffle of your feet, and the faint trace of lightly sliding fingers along your back.
So, since I’m a music fanatic and I can’t go a moment without judging whether a song is slow dance worthy or not, I will now present to you my Slow Dance Song Selections (in no particular order and in no way representational of the full body of worthy songs to slow dance to):
1) “All My Mistakes,” “40 East,” “Laundry Room,” and “Swept Away (Sentimental Version)” by The Avett Brothers
2) “When the Night Comes” by Dan Auerbach
3) “Love and Some Verses” by Iron & Wine
4) “Here We Go Again” by Justin Townes Earle
5) “Hold On,” “You Ain’t Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You,” and “You and I” by Michael Bublé
6) “Let it be Me” by Ray LaMontagne
7)”You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Got Me,” and “I Should’ve Known Better” by She & Him (honestly, they have some the best “goofy after you’ve both had a few” songs to slow dance to)
8) “With or Without You” by U2
9) “Taxi Cab” by Vampire Weekend
10) “I Found a Reason,” “Pale Blue Eyes,” and “Coney Island Baby” by The Velvet Underground/Lou Reed
11) “You’re an Angel and I’m Gonna Cry” by Chris Thile
12) “Dance Me to the End of Love” by Leonard Cohen
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