New theme

It’s a bit darker in color, but i prefer it to the old one. Let me know if it’s hard on the eyes or anything like that.

I believe in the Devil and he knows my name

I think that’s a quote by Daniel Johnston. Either that or it’s a quote by me that i attributed to him on accident. It always made a lot of sense to me. Daniel Johnston’s a pretty interesting guy, too. Very cool documentary about him called, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. He’s a musician, singer/songwriter that’s been covered by just about everyone in the world, including Tom Waits, Bright Eyes, TV on the Radio, and Beck. When his songs are good, they’re pretty fantastic, but when they’re not good, they’re almost unlistenable.

None of that’s really important, though. Had a bit of a wild night last night and am feeling it today. The devil and the demons are hounding me today. Always do on days like this. A friend of mine has a standup show tonight, which i’m so very excited for. Should be exceptional.

In other news, been watching films and the like. Caught Watchmen a few days ago. I’ve not read the graphic novel, but will someday. It’s an entertaining movie. Zack Snyder pulled it off, i think. There are loads of problems with the movie and things i hated, but, overall, an entertaining movie that’s paced very well. Doesn’t feel like three hours. Terrible soundtrack, though. Or, well, more just terrible use of the songs used.

Last Life in the Universe, there. A fantastic film. I’d seen it a few years ago and could never remember what it was. After searching for the last two years, i finally tracked it down and watched it again. Just glorious. There’s a stillness, a quiet power to the film. The soundtrack is flawless in that every song is absolutely perfect for the scene. A complete contrast to the way Watchmen used the music. But, yeah, this is what i talk about when i talk about perfect cinema. I’ve a real fondness for Asian cinema, too. They do things right. They understand the importance of silence, the gravity of a scene without words. And this film, so much of it is never spoken. It’s glorious. Too, the camera work, so good. That’s another hallmark of Asian cinema, i think. Just beautully shot scenes.

Caught Andrei Zvyagintsev second film, The Banishment, which is as heartbreakingly perfect as his first film, The Return, which has my favorite scene to ever happen on screen in the history of everything.

Trailer there. The film’s flawless, truly. He’s a man who knows the beauty and glory of silence, too. So much of this film is just silence and stillness and you feel the weight of every movement, of every sigh. And i don’t think there’s anyone in the world who turns film into such a beautiful artform. Wong Kar Wai might come close for me, but Zvyagintsev is untouchable. And this is only his second film. So excited for whatever he chooses to make next.

Russians, man, they know things. They do everything so perfectly and so heavily. Speaking of Russia, i found out i can’t make it there. So frustrating. I need to get a separate visa just to enter the country and there’s all sorts of other difficulties involved. Very frustrated.

Something quite interesting happened last night. I fell into conversation with someone who was once quite dear to me, but has disappeared from me in the last three years. Or i disappeared from her. Hard to say for certain. But we talked till the sun came up over in this part of the world. I enjoyed it greatly. She’s a good girl, always has been.

St Patrick’s day starts today. Yeah, i know, but really, it does. Thursday to Tuesday. Gonna be a wild weekend, methinks. Too, been wandering about with Gordon lately and he’ll probably accompany me this whole weekend while i make a fool of myself and get into too much trouble. Wish me luck.

Another Voyage Northward

Spent the weekend up in Northern Ireland with the kids from IFSA Butler again. This time, though, i spent most of the time with the new kids who came in January. Most of whom i’d not really met, or at least talked to, until this weekend. Good kids for the most part, they be. But, yeah, the trip was much the same as the previous trip as far as activities and such. I skipped The Black Cab Tour as i had been on it only four months previous. I’d go on it again in another three or four years to check on things. If you don’t know, that tour takes you through the history of The Troubles, which is such an Irish way to refer to that period. I mean, people literally murdering one another in the streets and all they have to say is, ‘Yeah, there’s a bit of trouble up North.’ The cab drivers tell you the history from the Protestant and Catholic sides and drive you through the neighborhoods where it all went down and show you the famous murals.


Two photos there of the murals. It’s an intense part of the world and hard to take. Last time went through it nearly broke me down, cast a shadow all over my head.

We also went on a day tour much the same as last time. We went to most of the same places so i took far less photos, but this time i had my trusty companion, Gordon. He’s a dog who’s had a rough life. A bit of a vagrant, kind of like the tramp from The Lady and the Tramp. I thought it was time he needed to see the world, though i’ve only had him for about a week. Anyway, snapped him posing all over the place.

A nice view of him frolicking in the high, soft grass in front of a beauteous rainbow that appeared. He’s a good pup.

Not a whole lot went on up North. Mostly just shenanigans and hijinx as usual. Bought some new clothes and partied like i was in a different country. Twas a good time.

There were a few things i wanted to do today that i’m probably not going to do because it’s cloudy and cold. An unfriendly day. And Ian, worry not, i’m getting those essays in order. Thanks for the advice, too. Oh, along with that, i finally broke down and bought a mobile modem for my computer so i can actually have the internet whenever i need it and can stay out of the library. I really just can’t work in that environment.

All right, might post again later today as there are some other things i want to jot down, but it’s better to keep these posts focused on one idea rather than ramble in five directions.

House Pets

Been a bit sick of late and spent most of the weekend in my room watching House, which is probably my new favorite television show. Might even be up there with Top Chef, and don’t even try to tell me that show’s not the greatest thing to ever happen to your television set. But, yeah, watched two seasons of House in about three days. Basically a non-stop viewing frenzy. And the character House, man, just so great. Someone told me i look like a younger version of him. Maybe that’s true, either way, we’re both funny looking brutes. What i will say, though, is that he’s basically an older, more sarcastic–if that’s possible–meaner, and more drug addicted version of me. Some of you know better than others about my undue propensity to grow attached to people of the fictional type, but, man, House is just a killer. Fits right inside my head like a jigsaw piece. Probably not a good thing, but i like the guy.

But, yeah, i’m a lot like House, i guess. Or he’s a lot like me. Yeah, that way works because i came first and he’s imaginary. But, i mean, he’s really just all of my character flaws thrown together and amplified. The arrogance, the misanthropy, all of it. I’ve better legs, though.

Too, the beautiful miss Burton gave me Animal Collective’s new album, Merriweather Post Pavillion, which is just fantastic. You can really hear Panda Bear coming through on this album more than any previous. Gives it a more polished and dreampop-esque sound. And it’s just oh-so-right. Love it.

Anyway, this headache that i’ve no had for five days is growing increasingly annoying, and i’ve only two more episodes of House until i need a refill. Though, that’ll have to wait until after i get back from Northern Ireland. The headache though, man, these long ones always get me thinking too much. They depress me a lot and make me want to hide underground, away from people and sunshine. Just live in a cloud and float on by. They also make me think silly thoughts like these. Hopefully it’ll leave me alone soon, because, really, it’s hard for me to take these for very long. Makes a brute of me.

Oh, i found some wonderful pictures on the internet that i’m sure are illegal to post on here, but i did it anyway.

Just fantastic looking there.

Enjoy those.