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".

Let's Begin!

Happiest 2014! We're back babes! Dry your eyes and dance!

It's a bit late for a new year's hello but since the Parisian party we celebrated New Year's Eve at didn't even do a countdown, I feel a bit out of touch.

Homies did not give a hot damn about that countdown business.

This out of touch feeling was compounded by the fact that while everyone was returning to work (askies) and getting on the cursed resolutions bandwagon, Tommy and I were eating and drinking our way through the French capital with much glee, fuckery and remorse after excessive consumption. It was a three week long bacchanal that caused me to return a bit plump-y and useless but I loved it! We also managed to visit a whole bunch of museums so my brain is also plump-y with inspiration and wonder.

Paris is a wonderful place for people like me who become evangelical about tasty food. 

I can still remember with vivid, almost pornographic detail a grape that I ate three years ago... 

I am going to try to recreate some of the yummies that I had the pleasure of inhaling so that the good times can roll on throughout 2014. Hopefully I will not be rolling around too.

Anyhoo, we're glad to be back home, there's truly no place as great as this.

Everything is going to be amazing and there's gonna be a whole lotta posts coming up this week so come back and love us. 

Mpumalanga Loves You!

Weekends away are the business! 

While we spend most of our weekends hating on people at Kitchener's the rest of our country has been livin'! Lest us never forget. 

Three years and eleven months of love has never been celebrated in such splendor! 

All I gotta say is happiest anniversary to the best person I know. 

Frances Ha

If you veer on the hipster side of life, you most definitely know that Frances Ha is going to be thee movie to watch. Shot in black and white, this movie is said to be the cinematic lovechild of Lena Dunham and Woody Allen. Ah shucks, I just made that up but it seems pretty apt. 

I want this one moment. It’s what I want in a relationship, which might explain why I’m single now. It’s kind of hard to- It’s that thing when you’re with someone and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it- But it’s a party! And you’re both talking to other people, and you’re laughing and shining, and you look across the room and catch each other’s eyes. But not because you’re possessive or it’s precisely sexual, but because that is your person in this life. And it’s funny and sad but only because this life will end. And it’s this secret world that exists right there, in public, unnoticed that no one knows about. It’s sort of like how they say that other dimensions exist all around us but we don’t have the ability to perceive them? That’s what I want out of a relationship or just life, I guess.

Pretty wonderful, huh? After being forced to watch the latest Riddick movie, I need a palate cleanser. 

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. 

This

Cute man. 

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. 

This is Water

This has been playing on my mind since Friday. 

It is particularly sad (and interesting) that Foster Wallace killed himself in the way that he describes in this Kenyon commencement speech. 

A tad morbid, yes definitely, but the message, the "Capital 'T' Truth" as he says is so interesting. 

Really I can't stop thinking about his words. This is water. 

Listen here or watch the videos, just do it dammit. 

Three Things That I Love Right Now

1. This book. Sigh. Whelp. Smile. It has it all! Everyday is made better by this bedside companion. 




2. This in my belly. Banana bread is crazy underrated right now. See my love for banana bread here...

3. These words. So true it hurts. 

Neil Degrasse Tyson!

I love this man and he loves science. 

And whaddaya know he has an asteroid named in his honour. 

Letters To A Young Poet

“The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. A merging of two people is an impossibility, and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development. But once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.” 

Rainer Maria Rilke.

A.L.C!

Dang!

This just made me excited. 

Everyone shush. When I'm excited I always feel as though people are talking too loudly, like damn, can I just be excited in peace? 

Three Things That I Love Right Now

1. This man. Waris manifesting Sikh chic since '75. 

2. This site (Four Pins). The writing is ridiculously on-point. Plus, it features yummy stuff like this. I mean c'mon, how great is this Bleu de Paname jacket? 

3. This lovefest. Just in case you weren't sure. Yes, you...

He's Back!

Today has finally arrived! Tommy is coming home! I'm so excited, I feel like I look exactly like this. 

King Kenzo!

According to the Chinese calendar, 2013 is the year of the snake.

However, if fashion is anything to go by, 2013 is in fact the year of the tiger.

I just love, love, lurrrv Kenzo's fireworks-bright feline. 

Viva Le Tigre!

P.S. Isn't Ashley Madekwe (second last snap) just the best?! Girl has just got the full package dammit. 

Happy Three Years!

"Then, one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life… you give them a piece of you. They don’t ask for it. They do something dumb one day like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore."

Neil Gaiman 

Happy Anniversary my Tommy. 

Thursday Thought!

Pigs & Papa

For ten years photographer Toshiteru Yamaji captured this Japanese farmer's love for his dear piggys. 

I just love everything about this really. 

It kinda reminds me of the words of Abe Lincoln: "people are just as happy as they make up their minds to be”.

Big Kisses For Prada!

I just adore this bottle. 

Picasso!

'To draw, you must close your eyes and sing'. Pablo Picasso