For my English class, I am to do a research report on an author from our literature book. I was going to do Sylvia Plath as I've already read The Bell Jar and Ariel, but she's not in our book (i know, what's wrong with our literature book). I flipped through the book frantically and came across F. Scott Fitzgerald. I didn't know much about him or his work but I knew that everyone seemed to love The Great Gatsby and I had wanted to read it so I picked Mr Fitzgerald. I knew at some point I needed to read some of his work; those are the requirements of the assignment, so I picked up The Great Gatsby. Another assignment came up: read a book, write a five paragraph essay on it and present it to the class. Perfect. The Great Gatsby is just inching it's way into my life. I read it in two weeks flat. So now I am slightly obsessed with F. Scott's work, I read parts of Winter Dreams in my literature book when I was supposed to be reading some other work. I think it's the magnificent imagery that Fitzgerald supplies and how I can easily sit myself next to whomever character in the story that makes me so addicted to his writing. That and how most of his stories revolve around high class, beautiful people in beautiful places. I love how my U.S. History teacher briefly explained The Great Gatsby: "He wrote about the Paris Hilton's and Lindsay Lohan's of the 20s." However, they were more glamorous and well spoken back then with better (and more) clothes.
2. blue velvet
It's a deep, calming and sexy color. Not to mention it feels great. Although, sometimes it reminds me of cheesy Halloween costumes.
3. Tamara de Lempicka paintings
Loads of references to my literature book, geesh. I was flipping through the book and I stopped to read Winter Dreams by Fitzgerald and featured in with the story were these three painting by Tamara de Lempicka, who was a Polish art deco painter from the 1920s. I'm not sure what it is about these, that I like. I'm sure it's mainly just the 20s vibe it gives off. And the chunky colors.
4. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
Getting ready for Anthony Bourdain's The Layover (which aired last night and was really informative. i now want to go to Singapore) the Travel Channel has been airing load of his first show No Reservations. I've been hooked on it since I first watched the episode where he went island hopping in the Caribbean. He's very funny and witty and not only does Tony show you what to eat in No Reservations but he tells you more about the city/country he's in. Whether it's architecture, the people, places to visit that the guide books don't show you, he's informing you on more than what you knew before on that specific place.
5. Tom Ford's A Single Man
A few of my favorite bloggers had been posting stills from A Single Man and I loved the photos but had no idea what is was about, let alone who directed it. I wasn't aware that designer Tom Ford directed a film in 2009 until I watched this on TV last week. It's a great story about a gay man who looses his lover of 16 years and has come into a deep depression and attempts to kill himself. Colin Firth plays the main character and his expressions through the film are so heartbreaking. It's very beautiful, how everything is shot. The camera movements are slow and focus on detail. After a while, you start to notice that whenever George, the main character, is feeling a little happier, the colors enhance a little. When he's down, the colors turn back to a grey scale. For example, when Nicholas Hoult's character is around George, the colors become brighter as George and Kenny seem to really enjoy each other's company. I recommend this film not only for Tom Ford's great debut directing skills but also for how visually stunning the film is. It has this great 1960s minimalism trend that I'm obsessed with. I'm sure GQ magazine had a fit when watching this film.
