COVETING/CYCLE

from Good Night, Day/Tara-Lynn Morrison



from Datter/Kaye Blegvad

I don't usually buy things new if I can avoid it, but there are a few exceptions I don't feel bad about making especially for items that are hand crafted with so much care. Above are two of those rare examples: I fell completely in love with this new sweater from Good Night, Day, as well as with the silver "eye" ring and the "hands" bracelet from Datter.
I have to admit, I don't post here as often as I could because I do feel uncomfortable sharing things I want or things I have bought--I often stop myself, forget those posts in the draft folder, and wait until I have something more substantial or less potentially commercial to share. I have difficulty with the consumerist fashion/living blogging cycle, and while I do enjoy having a look at what others consume, wear, and purchase, I'm unsure about how to deal with my responsibility concerning this cycle on this blog. I feel my blog should reflect my ideals, and that I should do my best to balance substance and inspiring imagery. Still, I sometimes consider trying out doing outfit posts, and then other days I feel like the only ethical thing to do is to write about music, films, books, and articles.
In this case, I decided to share with you those items I am coveting not only because I find them beautiful, but more particularly because I feel comfortable promoting the people behind them.

I thought I would share how I feel about the subject with you to make things clear between us, but also because I think you all have interesting opinions on the subject of the balance between inspiring imagery and consumerism when blogging.
Take care, and please feel free to let me know what you think.

BLANK GENERATION

From the write-up by Chale Nafus, director of programming at the Austin Film Society:

"Taking his silent 16mm footage and separate audio cassette recordings, Poe and co-director Ivan Kral (guitarist for Patti Smith) put together a documentary, "Blank Generation" (1976), that exemplified a punkish attitude toward film structure with handheld zooms, angled compositions, floodlight lighting, extreme close-ups, elliptical editing, flash pans, and a general in-your-face and “up-yours” stance. Sound and image purposely do not synch. In many cases music and image were recorded on separate nights more economical because of the high cost of raw film stock with sound, but also an aesthetic nod to Jean-Luc Godard who had slashed the umbilical cord uniting sound and image. Out of the French New Wave came the New York No Wave. Neither a collection of music videos nor a straightforward documentary, "Blank Generation" captures in embryonic form vital appearances of the Talking Heads, Blondie, the Ramones, Television, and, most belligerently of all, Patti Smith."

I watched it, and I think that you should too. Available at the ever-awesome UBUWEB.

"Feed your head!"

my photo.

I have shared this with you in the past, but I would like to reiterate my love for Miette's Bedtime Story Podcast. All the short stories the mysterious Miette chooses to read are excellent, and she is a very eloquent reader with a lovely voice. It's a bit of a shame that some of the earliest recordings's sound quality is low, but I was delighted when I read that she is in the process of re-recording some of those older pieces.

All of her stories are pure treats, and while I always long to hear her voice whenever she has guest readers, there is this one amazing story read by a guest reader I need to direct you towards, as it comprises amongst other things the best peacock song immitation I've ever heard: Feathers, by Raymond Carver.
Outside of her regular program, she has written and recorded a hilarious and fascinating piece on laughing tracks. Go have a listen here, if you'd like.

Growing up, I loved--probably like most children--to have stories read to me before bed, although I must admit that my wish to see the illustrations, or keep a close eye on the words actually destroyed the soothing effect the stories might have had. But here, there's no book to follow from, and as my days grow more and more busy with school, I always look forward to reclining in bed with a hot cup of tea, preferably this one, and to drift off to sleep with one (or two or three, I must admit) of Miette's stories.

What about you, do you listen to podcasts regularly? Please feel free to share any podcasts you enjoy, I'm always on the lookout for new ones.