My Girl

 

  

#93

04.03.10

  

Photo

This is my dearest girl-cat Abigail.  I've introduced her in the past, but will give her more press today. 

We rescued her from a pet shop in Cherry Hill, NJ in the summer of '96 while we were living in Philadelphia.  She was the first pet we had adopted, and she changed our world immediately.  We currently have two other cats, and love them equally.  But this girl, this Abbie Cat, well... she has my heart.

On paper she is a purebred flame-point himalayan; though we think she's probably more of a cream-point.  Her fur is so extra fine and soft that it gets matted very easily.  T spends a lot of time each day making sure that doesn't happen, but everytime we go on vacation we can count on her suffering with them by the time we get back.  Poor girl!  So when that occurs, we take our petite little Grandma Abbie to the veterinarian's for a "lion cut"... which should be self-explanatory when you see the photos.

She has the energy of a kitten; the wisdom of an elder; the attitude of a Chow Chow; and a frame as slim as a dragonfly's.  She weighs less than 7 pounds, and that's before the lion cut is performed. 

I really like how the background fades to black with the bright subject in the foreground, bathed in natural sun light.  It worked so well with the tulips from a few days ago, and worked again to great effect with Abigail.

 

 

  

   

 

 

Music

 

My Girls - Animal Collective

 

AC are an exceptional progressive / experimental / psychedelic indie band out of Baltimore.  Though the group has several talented writers; in my opinion they are lead by Noah Lennox, a.k.a. Panda Bear.  I love his solo stuff (released as Panda Bear), so the Animal Collective stuff that has his signature sound are the tracks I most connect with.  This track is just such a song.

CCE

 

The Happy Stage

  

   

#92

04.02.10

   

Photo

   

How I adore the happiness and innocence of my boy experiencing early-kindergarten.  

 

I don't really remember being 4 or 5 years old in Baltimore very well.  Now as I see the world through the 4-5 year old eyes of my heart-shaped box Q I'm getting flashback-feelings of what I likely experienced Once Upon a Time, A Long, Long Time Ago. 

 

Perhaps one day he'll not have remembered being 5 very well either, and then relive the joy through the eyes of his own daughter.

  

And that thought, too, makes me very happy.

  

    

  

  

    

Music

   

I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star - The Boy Least Likely To

 

This is one of my favorite songs from the Twee genre.  

 

The lyrics really have nothing to do with the bouncy music, and I chose the song for the bouncy music (i.e. please disregard the lyrics entirely).

    

CCE

 

Neighborhood Pizza Parlor

   

   

 #91

04.01.10

  

Photo

  

Support your local pizza joints.

  

Mine?

   

Uncle Joe's Pizza - Huffman. 

    

   

Music

 

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire 

 

If Radiohead are The Art Band of the past 20 years; then Arcade Fire must be The Art Band of the next 20 years.  

 

Check out their albums 'EP', 'Funeral' and 'Neon Bible', and be amazed.  

 

You'll be able to tell your grandkids "Yeah... I knew 'em back when they were just comin' up."  

When they doubt you, just show them the tattoo on your wrinkly sacrum that reads 'Arcade Fire Rules - 2010', and that should pretty much settle it.  

 

Oh, and have an answer prepared for Child Protective Services when they show up to your door wondering why you're exposing your sacrum to children...

...and by the way, remind me why you're exposing your sacrum to children?!

{Creep.}
      

Last Flowers

  

   

#90

03.31.10

 

Photo

  

T's birthday daffodils.

  

Not quite the sharp focus or contrast I achieved with the tulips post from yesterday; but I was still pleased.

 

Music

Last Flowers - Radiohead

 

At some point I posted the Thom Yorke track Atoms for Peace from his solo album 'Eraser', and likely apologized for not yet posting a song from Radiohead proper.  Well, today that finally ends!

  

If you were to ask me "What current band will stand the test of time and be revered forever?", I wouldn't hesitate to answer Radiohead.  

  

Artistic, musical, lyrical, poetic... stunning.

  

Now, I know good and well I'm not introducing hardly anyone to Radiohead (I try very hard to only post music from lesser known bands), but this track is off the beaten path in the Radiohead catalogue.  

It was recorded during the brilliant 'OK Computer' recordings, but didn't make the album.  It was later released as both studio and live versions in bonus material for the most choice 'In Rainbows' album; so perhaps even Radiohead fans have not heard it yet.

 

It is, in a word: Superb.

 

Incidentally, when I purchased the daffodils for T's birthday I was told by the flower seller that "These are the last daffodils of the season... so enjoy!"

 

Last flowers happily granted digital immortality in a stray iPhone photo blog.

   

CCE

   

Spring Has Sprung*

  

  

 #89

03.30.10

    

Photo

  

Ah, yes.  Anchorage, Alaska in March.  

  

70 degrees above zero.  

30% fixed humidity.  

Tulips in bloom.

  

Spring has sprung!*

  

*Well... inside, anyway.

  

Outside?  

  

38 degrees above zero, 35 degrees with windchill.  

68% humidity.

2+ feet of snow languishing on the yards.

Forecast calling for 2 inches of fresh white stuff overnight. 

    

Ah, yes.  Anchorage, Alaska in March.

  

I positively could not be any more pleased with these shots of my wife's birthday flowers.  My little 2 megapixel iPhone camera never ceases to amaze me; even at the 89th consecutive post.

    

     

    

Music

   

Flowers in December - Mazzy Star

 

Hope Sandoval... thank you for your patience.  

I adore all musical endeavors of Hope Sandoval; whether that be with the band Opal, or Mazzy Star, or her solo project Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions.

Brooding, dark, and slow psychedelia... my preferred cup o' tea.  

The fact that it has taken me so long to feature her is a crime, and I shall accept full punishment so long as that includes a plane ticket to see her perform live, permission to go backstage and grovel at her feet to beg proper forgiveness.

  

And 'Flowers in December' everywhere else does indeed equate to 'Flowers in March' when considering Alaska, I'd dare say.

 

CCE

   

Air - the Owls

   

    

#88

03.29.10

  

Photo

  

Hand painted owl, purchased at the Phoenix Zoo.  The artist paints his own portrait on the bottom of the figurine, along with his initials J.A. and the year created, 2009.

  

 

Music

 

Air - the Owls

  

Yes, this is another case of the "tail wagging the dog", or the song inspiring the photo. 

Don Quijote

   

    

 #87

03.28.10

    

Photo

    

My Man; el Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha. 

 

The most sane and wise of all men.

He knew what he wanted, regardless of what others thought, and he lived true to his heart and his ambitions.

 

Interesting, isn't it?  The first modern novel has really never been surpassed, all these centuries later. 

 

  

Music

  

Crazy - Ray Lamontagne 

(a cover of the tune by Gnarls Barkley)