Love & Magic in the Future & Japan

First things first, you gotta watch both of these movies if you haven't already. Watching them is like being spooned by the universe. If I was a useless doctor I would prescribe these movies like a tonic for the sad and lonely. I sometimes want to be a doctor, for the money mostly, but also because I like helping people and stuff. Anyway, this is my contribution to the happiness quotient of the world. Watch these two movies and feel better. 

But why?

Well, they are both ridiculously good, like ten-outta-ten vibes. They are also both deliciously life-affirming which is strange given the presence of a Catbus (see here) and an intelligent operating system that with the perils of Vodacom shitty network coverage and airtime, seems maybe more unbelievable than a fucking Catbus. 

"Her" the top one if you didn't already know, is so beautiful to watch that it falls into the category of movies that you can absolutely enjoy on mute. But that doesn't mean that the dialogue isn't amazing, because it is... Intelligent, interesting and beautiful, the dialogue is still swimming in my brain, albeit bastardized by my poor memory. Also, I really, really loved the colours in the movie, rich hues of orange and brown, and the notable absence of the colour blue. The future according to Spike Jonze is actually a 1930's throwback with the presence of "close", intuitive technology. I kinda hope that he is right, I personally cannot wait to wear Opening Ceremony like it's a uniform. A movie about love. A movie about death, transience and high-waisted pants. I loved everything about it. 

Now on to "My Neighbour Totoro". Goodness! This movie just made me want to wash my mouth out with soap (in the best possible way). It presents a world that is so sweet, innocent and sincere that it made me feel like I've been a bad girl my whole life for thinking otherwise. I only wish that I had watched it when I was younger instead of being introduced to the world via the lunacy of Disney's scare tactics. Actually, just thinking about the movie makes me smile and roar "TOHHH-TOHH-ROHHHH!" 

In conclusion: now I really need to get to Japan and just get knee-deep in some Totoro merch. Also, I need to rethink my haters-hate-everything stance on Amy Adams given her great performance in "Her".

Fashion Mathematics: Witchery + Bey

This steez:

Plus this hurr: 

= The Heather that I have always wanted to be but have yet to become. Hopefully she will surface around June, for Youth Day and stuff. 

I'm growing my hurr as we speak.

P.S. I really scanned the Witchery lookbook, I know it's lame, I know. But that's how much I love it. 

Tavi

I've been running real low on blog inspiration lately. Truthfully, I'm just too busy having a quarter life crisis and all that good stuff. 

Then I saw this picture and here we are. 

I've always had a thing for Tavi. It's hard not to. She's the girl your grade one teacher always wanted you to be. 

Overachieving since birth (see here) and kinda like Benjamin Button (if you remember her as the kid dressed as a psychedelic gogo during her Style Rookie phase), she's pretty much the best. 

I have many What Would Blah-Blah do heroes. Y'know, that whole What Would Jesus Do thang but adapted for my heathen tastes. Oprah has been top of the list for longer than I can remember but I also throw in my bestie-best, Tumelo and sometimes Ali or alternatively Marlon Brando circa 1950 but now I'm trying out Tavi. 

What Would Tavi Do? 

Delphine Diaw Diallo

Delphine Diaw Diallo has been on my mind.

I am a visual person, my eyes and my heart are directly connected. 

My iPad is testament to this with hundreds of photos that I treasure like magic beans that are ready to sprout with inspiration. My extensive photo collection served as our "TV" in Paris since our apartment was without one. Good times people. 

There is one photo that stands apart from the sea of photos of pugs, ladies who don't smile and cutesy illustrations. It is this one bellow:

Doesn't your heart try exit via your throat? 

Well, mine does. 

This French-Senegalese photographer has me on my knees worshiping at the altar of her undeniable mojo. Can we all just exude this much sexiness, strength and whatcha-lookin'-at chutzpah? Can we puhlease. 

Brain Pickings!

This is my favourite website (click here). It is packed to the rafters with things that make my brain get juicy. 

I am an advice addict. I love reading how other people understand the world and their tried and tested theories of the best path to anything worthwhile. I don't generally mind where the advice comes from, I can ignore it after all, I just find it fascinating to hear or read, because really, in giving advice the person is actually just doling out a slice of nostalgia or regret dressed up as an instruction. 

This website is filled with advice and I am a sponge for shit like this. I especially like this from Zadie Smith (click here) and this from Neil Gaiman (click here).

I tried to think about what advice I have to give to anyone and I pretty much drew a blank. It is strange since in my day-to-day conversations I often say things that must sound like wanker advice but really I'm just bullshitting, I have no idea. I just like to talk, too much and too often. 

Apologies to the countless victims of my ramblings, I am unlikely to change but hey, you never know. 

Cold is Cold as Ice is Ice

I've always had a thing for Elizabeth Taylor, she just seemed like a firecracker of a woman. This letter from her husband/ex-husband/tormentor/lover is a knock-out. 

June 25, 1973

So My Lumps, 

You're off, by God! 

I can barely believe it since I am so unaccustomed to anybody leaving me. But reflectively I wonder why nobody did so before. All I care about—honest to God—is that you are happy and I don't much care who you'll find happiness with. I mean as long as he's a friendly bloke and treats you nice and kind. If he doesn't I'll come at him with a hammer and clinker. God's eye may be on the sparrow but my eye will always be on you. Never forget your strange virtues. Never forget that underneath that veneer of raucous language is a remarkable and puritanical LADY. I am a smashing bore and why you've stuck by me so long is an indication of your loyalty. I shall miss you with passion and wild regret.

You may rest assured that I will not have affairs with any other female. I shall gloom a lot and stare morosely into unimaginable distances and act a bit—probably on the stage—to keep me in booze and butter, but chiefly and above all I shall write. Not about you, I hasten to add. No Millerinski Me, with a double M. There are many other and ludicrous and human comedies to constitute my shroud. 

I'll leave it to you to announce the parting of the ways while I shall never say or write one word except this valedictory note to you. Try and look after yourself. Much love. Don't forget that you are probably the greatest actress in the world. I wish I could borrow a minute portion of your passion and commitment, but there you are—cold is cold as ice is ice.

Phiney Pet!

I've always wanted to wear doughnuts. Just eating them is not enough. 

My eyes get happy-drunk looking at this collection and I'm in good company too, Topshop has brought the technicolor brains behind this London label into their trendy embrace. 

I don't know why but I like imagining Sir Philip Green wearing Topshop. 

Naturelle, Peanut Butter & The World!

This peanut butter is the champagne of the peanut butter world. Straight outta the fridge and straight outta my dreams, I want to eat this with everything. But actually, I like it best on its own. This terrible (beautiful) habit stems largely from my favourite movie during high school, 25th Hour. 

To bring you up to speed: Rosario Dawson's character, Naturelle made me consider homosexuality. But more importantly, in the movie she eats peanut butter fresh from the tub and it just looked so damned good. So that's where my love affair with the always claggy delight began. At the time I really hated peanut butter, so you can perhaps grasp the intensity of my affection for Naturelle Riviera. Up until then I had always associated peanut butter with grade one boys' breath. But Naturelle ushered in a new phase of peanut-loving that has served my belly well. 

This book is not at all related to my useless homage to peanut butter and the seemingly ageless Rosario Dawson, but it is my reading matter right now and it pretty much has me captivated. The title alone is gold. Plus, the colours of the cover reminded me of the peanut butter tub. Yup, I'm in that deep. I see it everywhere. 

A Love Like This

On their wedding anniversary in July 1979, Walter writing to his darling wife:

Darling

I think this is the date on which we got married 35 years ago. I was certain of this date until I slid my pen on the paper when I began to have some doubt whether it was the 15 or 17 July. All these years I was sure, but now?

Your welcome and most moving letter has had the desired effects ... It was not the volume that mattered, it was the quality, deep emotion and sincere expression of love which left an everlasting impression and kindled the fondest memories. I shall forever treasure it. I shall always imagine you in that excellent and fine spirit which it so vividly depicted ...

Concerning the progress you have made with regard to family matters and the manner in which you have handled them, I can only repeat what I have said in the past - absolute superb. I have never felt as comfortable as I am. I am really happy about all the children. It is true I would we wanted the highest possible education but I think they will certainly make up for it. I was happy when there was a re-union of the children four years ago and now with Lakhe and Lindi all seems to be very well.

Now darling, let me have the photos of the two girls at least, you know in fact that I want the photos of all of you, including ' bakhozi (in-laws). Your last photo was taken by Mthetwa or Cuthbert Mawana 12 years ago. Can you believe that? Have you any photo of Max there? Please send me a duplicate of it. I know you would not want to part with it.

What are your plans about Nkuli? ... Let her not miss the chance of a university while she is still interested. By the way, Tinie, she needs your attention and guidance on her love affairs. I know you think she has no boyfriends. She has told me that she has one.

We ought to know what kind of boy he is even if there is nothing serious at this stage; at least it is a way of educating them.

With love to you and the children and million kisses to my beloved Ntsiki.

Don't tell me that love cannot persist when supreme love like this exists. 

Seventeen streets in Johannesburg are set to be renamed after Albertina Sisulu, with the former Market street already proudly bearing her name. This couple dedicated their lives to ours and with their names emblazoned on the streets of Johannesburg I hope that their magic seeps into the city. 

Well I'll Be Damned

If this isn't the most interesting thing that you hear all day. 

Jindřich Štreit

My life is made better because of things like this. 

I've looked at these photographs quite often since I've found them and each time I can feel my heart stir. 

To be a witness to this world is a beautiful thing. 

The Greatest

I'm so glad that I have eyes to see this.

Cape Town!

KAAP Stad!!! Cape Town, Ape Town, Mother City, Little Europe... Whatevs you want to call it, we were there. 

And boy oh boy, it was good. 

We laughed, we laughed alone, we laughed at each other, we smiled, ate, ate some more, complained about eating too much and then ordered some more, drank milkshakes, downed shots, got drunk, danced, kissed, watched two seals, got watched by the lecherous eyes of the chauffeur, jacuzzi'd, searched for our doppelgangers, sang, harmonized, repeatedly said 'hallo' in a German accent, wore each others clothes, bought some more clothes, watched reality TV late at night, watched Man of Steel, drank too much coffee with cream, walked in the rain, waited for the rain to stop, played games, played "what if", got sky high, did things for the first time, got lost, got lucky, ran out of luck, ran out of money, found more, found happiness again and always. 

When you find someone that you think is literally the best person on this planet you plan a holiday and instead you get the most delicious and juiciest slice of happiness. 

Mike Brodie

"There was nowhere to go but everywhere"

Photographs are moments frozen in time. 

Unlike film or any other medium that captures reality and then plays back an imitation, photography captures seconds. 

The brief spark of a feeling on a face, the daily clash of desire and despair behind eyes; photography can capture and keep them free from time and decay. 

I stumbled on Mike Brodie's photography and was amazed at the rush of feelings that ran through me. 

I've always thought that the point of art was what feelings it arouses in you, independent of what the creator's original intention was. These photographs are beautiful and although the Kerouac quote is cliched and a bit of a cop out, I can't find any other words to capture what I feel.

See more here:

http://mikebrodie.net/

Fail Safe By Debbie Millman

I love this.