The Cool

Lupe Fiasco's The Cool is source for a pretty good time. I'm not a big rap or hip-hop listener, but I was drawn to Fiasco's political and mostly substantial lyrics (compared to the bitches & hoes, big money, nice cars and killing people lyrics that other rappers seem to be so fond of). In his song "The Coolest," Fiasco takes on the personality of a corrupt authority figure, bragging of his violent and greedy tendencies, obviously calling them out on their ethics and behavior. In "Little Weapons," Fiasco tells stories of the younger generation influenced by our violence-saturated culture and acting on aggressions. He directly compares a child playing a shooting game to a soldier in Iraq. Most of his lyrics are evidently passionate and driven by slower R&B beats; however, some of them fall into a seemingly, very long chapter of an audiobook when Lupe's monotonous rapping is droned by such slow and repetitive bars. I also have no idea why Fiasco had Pete Whatshisface from Fall Out Boy produce one of his tracks.

Paola came over for dinner last night. Good times.

I made toasted garlic bread with mozzarella (pre-melted mozzerralla):
To dip with bruschetta (it was good I swear):
And eat with salad:
Yumness. I'm hungry.

The day before, Alex Ho and I went shopping where he bought a pair of Miu Miu moon shoes and I got a pair of fishing boots; we love:
Around the tree-house:
I watched a documentary on a pastor named Fred Phelps today. Showtime has the movie "Fall from Grace" on demand. Anyway, Phelps is notorious for his sermons and picketing on anti-homosexuality, hateful interpretation and exploitation on the Bible, and his Cryptkeeper-like appearance. Some of his signs carried by his family members and grandchildren at pickets read "god hates fags" and "thank god for 9/11." The documentary was incredibly fascinating, and even though nobody should pay his ignorance any mind, it was shocking to learn that there are people like this are living in our country; they're absolutely awful. I've attended Catholic school for 7 years and Christians are not like this at all, and the Bible was certainly NOT meant to be interpreted that way.

On a lighter note, Happy 2008! Here's to a new year of goodness, happiness and self-improvement.
Love to you all!

Currently Listening to:
Michael Cera & Ellen Page in their Golden Globe Nominated Film, "Juno" - Anyone Else But You
Philip Glass - Violin Concerto with the Ulster Orchestra

New Camera

The fun begins!

I'm sitting at home watching Art School Confidential on Showtime. I think anyone in art school would find it really amusing.

A Happy Christmas

This Christmas was spent in snowy Newton, MA with family. I forget how quickly kids grow; the 3 baby boyz of cousins Steve and June are now screaming, kicking...angels. With the youngest at 2, the eldest at 5 and the oldest at 7, Cameron, Brian and Andrew are fully engaged in video games, food and endless conversations on video games and food.

Description of events through Christmas List:
1.) Super Mario Galaxy: Way too much Wii time. Way too much talk about Mario, repressed urges to bury Wii console.
2.) Mario Olympics: Way too much promotion for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. My body still aches from the simulated swimming, fencing and running. Family's favorite event: ping pong.
3.) Razor scooters: Resulted in Cameron's hurt toe, thanks to his older brothers.
4.) TouchPods for everyone: money for me.
5.) AquaDoodle with Thomas the Train: Perhaps the coolest present of all. Drew stick figures with a water marker and track stamp, which Thomas magically followed with its humidity detector.
6.) Remote controlled helicopter: Provided about 3 minutes of entertainment until I piloted the chopper straight into the wall and cracked the propeller, whoops.
7.) About 32 other wrapped presents: Demolished Mommy and Daddy's effort and time in wrapping and hiding the presents.

June and I playing with crawling baby Cameron. My sister Camille testing out the effects of a water felt-tipped marker on cardboard:
Cameron in his early modeling stages; me confused at what family's yelling about (ping pong) and Camille rubbing her eyes as the result of poking herself:

Christmas was lovely and I got everything I could ever ask for: time with a full-house of loud Chinese family members, the company of the cool new Swedish nanny who's actually my age, Ida, and an AquaDoodle Set with Thomas.

Hope everyone's Christmas was everything you wished for too.

New Year's Resolution: Get lipo or drop 20 pounds.

Currently Listening to:
Lupe Fiasco's the Cool - Lupe Fiasco
I like it so far, and will tell you exactly why after a few days of digestion.

Unravelling

My last blog has clearly caused much controversy and scandal...among all...2 people. SO much controversy that they had to go out of their way to make blogger profiles to share their thoughts. There have been an incredible 50+ hits since then. (As opposed to the usual 1) Hey, any opinion expressed will always have some disagreement--well, those who understand what's being said anyway.

After this sleepless week, which might actually seem like one long night, the semester will be over and our class will be split up. I've grown to really love my section (mini-family omgz) Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for meeting and learning with such a lively, intelligent group. Sappy sap sap. Barf. I've accepted my emotional attachment to these darlings.

I'm ready for winter break and for Christmas. In fact, SO ready for Christmas, that Nicky and I gave our house a makeover. I wish we had a tree!

Nicky working on her masterpiece with trim and staples and clear scotch tape:
Finished masterpiece:
My living room piece, which turned out looking like a Christmas display for elves/midgets/children:OMGZ so CUTsEyZ!!

Currently Listening to:

Lip Gloss and Stockings

In response to an empowering and inspiring blog I recently read, I've decided to rekindle the Thanksgiving spirit and take time out to give thanks for 21 things in my life:

1. My money and my Brooklyn house: duh.
2. Fashion: my passion.
3. Lip gloss: the key to flawless beauty on Glamour Shots.
4. Audrey Fuckin' Hepburn: need I say more?
5. Art and all that shit in the N-Y-Shizzle: a playground of inspiration.
6. Corporate brands: where else can I present shit on a dish and have thousands of middle-class people buy it to pool in millions of dollars?
7. My cat, Charlie :)
8. God: for my looks and talent and intelligence.
9. Mary: for God.
10. Ruben Toledo: the man with a hand for style.
11. Stockings: for keeping a sexy woman warm in the winter.
12. My vintage Roberto Cavalli leopard sequined dress: again, duh.
13. J: truly defining the word "fab" and staying by my side through thick and thin, rough and smooth, easy-sailing and tsunami, paved road and no road.
14. Funny things: things that make you laugh outloud, even to myself, even if it makes me look crazy.
15. Music: for blocking out the crazies begging on the subway.
16. My friends outside of NYC: for being the stepping stones I needed to get to where I am now.
17. Tory Burch: for designing the most innovative pair of flats womankind has ever seen.
18. White wine: because I'm not perfect and sometimes need help unwinding :)
19. Summer, fall, winter, spring: it's nice to have a change.
20. My friends in the city: Stephen, Spencer, Lauren, Heidi, Lisa, Whitney, Jordan, Brian, Audrina, Elodie, Jennifer, Colton, Jennifer for being my posse.
21. Oh yea, and like, my family.

:)