Happy Birthday Harry Potter!

On this day in 1980, the boy who lived, the chosen one, the Quidditch and Goblet of Fire champion, the destroyer of the Dark Lord, Harry Potter, was born.  He shares a birthday (although not birth year) with his creator, the magnificent muggle storyteller J.K. Rowling.  On this day every year, I like to give my own private thanks to Rowling and the extraordinary thing she has done for me, and for all her readers - she has given us THE literary classic of our time.  We all waited patiently at our local bookstores, just before the midnight book release, year after year, in anticipation of what was to come for Harry.  Not once did I expect to fall so hard for this series, or the characters within.  I celebrated Harry's accomplishments, and my heart broke with his during his most trying hours.  There is nothing that pulls at the heartstrings more than an orphan's story, and this young hero earned his place in both the magical and muggle worlds.  I can't thank Rowling enough, and my only wish is to one day have the opportunity to thank her in person...through a shower of overwhelmed tears.

From the bottom of my heart, and the depths of my bookworm soul, I thank you Jo.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 -M.

The magnificent genius.

This young, almost helpless image is what is in my head when I think of Harry.

I await a patron (protector)

Happy Birthday, you two!

Vacation Week One

I've been a very busy girl, and so has my Nikon.  First up, the Beatles art show at Gallery Nucleus - click on the link to see the many, many beautiful pieces in the show. Then, a hot day spent at LACMA, and another at the Griffith Park Observatory. Enjoy!

Always start Caturday the right way

Beatles cover band

Audrey and Levitated Mass, a.k.a, a big fucken rock

Anger

Miltonic art - I have so much love for this Fuseli piece!!!

If you look closely, you can see a pair of Storm Troopers

Inertia

I had to fight, HARD, to resist the overpriced donkey pillow <3

Umami trifecta - Truffle burger, truffle fries, and cheesy tots!

Union Station, Chinatown

 

 

New York City

In New York City, the people are not at all rude.  The boys wear skinny jeans and the girls wear braids. The city blocks are only a few feet long, and before you know it, you have walked from 40th street all the way to Central Park in less than half an hour. Contrary to what you may have once or twice been told, rats do not infest the city.  The only thing that does infest the city is the constant sound of rubber over gravel, which in itself is a pretty pleasant sound when you're walking down Madison Avenue by yourself at 2am.

In New York City, the buildings are older than you are, especially the gorgeous Art Deco ones like the old GE building.  You can be on your way to Starbucks and as you turn a corner, you find yourself face to face with one of these giants and instantly you are reminded that your body is just flesh and bone, and these giants will outlive you.  It is a great idea to get purposely lost, use these buildings as your guide, and make your way around the city with no specific plans. It will not disappoint you.

In New York City, the subway is not scary. Regardless of the time of night, Grand Central Station's heart is beating, balanced and in tune to the subway's steady breathing. Together they are a thing of irresistible beauty with its own heart and soul. I was fortunate enough to be a part of this living, breathing thing for a couple of days, and since leaving, I feel that some part of me is missing...left there only to wait for the rest of me to return so we can once again be whole.

-M.

At the New York Public Library, the lions keep guard over the books, even after midnight.

Chrysler Building

The Subway

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station

Life of Pi

I read Yann Martel's Life of Pi almost ten years ago.  I loved it so much I constantly think about it and recommend it to everyone who asks for reading suggestions.  Those who have taken my advice have loved it as well.

There was talk of a film adaptation for a long time but the problem was in directing: no one wanted the job (which would be daunting, as 90% of the book takes place at sea). Finally, after much speculation of Jean-Pierre Jeunet (!!!) heading the film, it was Ang Lee who got the job and things finally started happening.  Film production had been on hold for a long, long time but finally, the film is in post-production and due for release this December!!!

If you have no idea what the book is about, here is a quick summary:
Indian boy named Pi, after a horrific boat accident, winds up stranded on a life boat with a tiger named Richard Parker.  An incredible bond is developed between tiger and boy, out of mutual respect. Pi's story is not only intense, but also incredibly beautiful as he struggles with his own understanding of life and the philosophies of religion: he is raised a Hindu, but strongly wants to belong to many different religions and beliefs all at the same time.

It is beautifully written by Martel, so much so that it remains one of my favorites after so many years...and will continue to be for many more to come.

This is the FIRST PEEK at Pi and Richard Parker on film! I am majorly nerding out over this!

Go read it.  Now.

Pottermore

The answer to my absence here is simple: I finally got access to Pottermore.  I am in Hufflepuff and my wand has a unicorn core.  I intend on not reading any new books for the duration of my exploration on Pottermore, which may take a few months.  This is the BEST thing to come along for HP nerds like myself since the publication of The Tales of Beedle the Bard.  It only took me 5 months to get in, but I'm in...and I'm not leaving until I've scored some MAJOR house points for Hufflepuff.

P.S.
I have no shame in admitting my never-ending love and devotion to all things HP.

P.P.S.
My user name is PhoenixPurple13738, just in case you wanted to hang with me at Hogwarts.

:)

Nyan Cat

I don't think Nyan cat is funny, but I do think it's adorable. Now, Nyan cat with Mexican pointy boots? Now THAT'S hilarious!

 

 =^.^=

Fabulous Friday - Bookworm Edition

I've been thinking a lot about books lately, and have decided to give myself a bit of a challenge.  I used to read a book each week in the past (ridiculous, but true - I'm a fast reader), but since I got my iPhone (the ultimate time-suck), I've neglected my reading habit.  What has happened is my to-read pile has grown...a great deal. This is my current to-read list, and I will do my best to update this blog after each completed read.

The challenge: read these books before purchasing ANY NEW ONES.

The current list:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky (this is first on my list because Hermione Granger will be starring in the film version, out later this year - I will also be forcing my 12 year old niece to read it)

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame-Smith (film out this summer, and I met this author at school - he signed my copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, nice guy)

One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (many years on this list)

A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness (for a good cry, so I hear)

Poems, Ballads - Rudyard Kipling (found a lovely oriental edition of this at a swap meet and couldn't pass it up)

My Mother, She Killed Me, My Father He Ate me - Short stories collection edited by Kate Bernheimer (my last purchase at Borders before they went out of business)

On the Road (the original scroll) - Jack Kerouac (there are no paragraph beginnings or endings in this one, so I will save it for last due to its difficulty factor)


CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

-M.

Oscar Sunday

I know I'm pushing it on time here, but just before the show begins, I want to share my picks for the gold:

Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain
Best Actress:Meryl Streep
Best Actor: Gary Oldman
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris
Original Score: Hugo
Make Up, Art Direction, and Visual Effects: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 (Here's hoping!)
Original Song: Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Choncords!!!)
Best Picture: Hugo

Let's see how well I do.  Enjoy the show!

Remedios Varo

Saturday afternoon was spent at LACMA (what has now become my home away from home) with my cousin and my nieces.  We went to visit the In Wonderland exhibit: women Surrealists from America and Mexico. 

DO NOT MISS THIS EXHIBIT! http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/in-wonderland

Frida Kahlo: The Two Fridas

This painting had a surprising effect on me (and I later found out on my cousin as well).  I don't know if it was the large size of the painting (4'x8') or the beauty of it in person, but I was overwhelmed with awe and I will admit, I got a bit choked up.  I felt so proud, both of Frida for having accomplished such a wonderful painting during the oppressive time in which she lived, and also for her ability to wholeheartedly expose herself in her art.  There are several of Frida's pieces on display, but this one is exceptionally special.

I dare you to stand in front of it and not feel it tug at your heartstrings.  I double-dog dare you.

***

The exhibit also includes pieces by Remedios Varo, my new favorite artist:

Creation of the Birds

Mimesis

Antique Row

As a spur-of-the-moment decision, we spent Saturday afternoon in Pomona.  I did more shooting than shopping, which turned out to be a wonderful thing.  We got caught in the rain and decided to skip the Pomona Art Walk and instead came home and watched Twin Peaks. It was a great day.
-M.