dance of a painted lady: video

Showing posts with label video. Show all posts

Not a single story

Oh to be so articulate! She so beautifully, perfectly, says what I think on this particular subject. Having found myself on both sides of the single story; judged by it and (shamefully) guilty of buying into it on occasion, I could not have put it better how dehumanising I think it can be and how ardently I believe it should be resisted.

I like to think that blogging, for those of us who are not writer's of books (yet) in some small way, breaks through this and allows us to experience each other's many and diverse stories (sometimes told in words, sometimes in images, often both). Although what we share in this space is still only a part of the picture, of course, I think it often affords a more accurate, multi-faceted glimpse of who we are and where we are than we might otherwise have of each other, spread across the globe. We cannot be here, doing this, without becoming more aware of how many, many stories there are and how very, very rich our world is because of them. Surely?

I was reminded of this great video by the wonderful miner of treasures, Stephanie at even*cleveland.

A wave hello, from down the rabbit hole...

At least that's what it feels like from where I am right now - in the dark, travelling full tilt down windy tunnels that lead to more dark and windy tunnels. Nothing exciting, nothing awful, just buried under work. But I'll be back soon and am looking forward to the light and catching up...

I'm listening to this Maggie Walters' song on my iPod as I travel on trains from here to there and back again - lots.

Also recently discovered Fringe (the two are not related, despite what this video suggests) and quite enjoyed the few episodes I saw so am thinking it might be on my viewing list for the weekend... I gather it's already in its second season in the States so that's good. If I like it, more to come. Very frustrating when I get into a programme (which doesn't happen often) and then it disappears mid-season or after only one. Don't you hate that? I watch almost no tv (actually can't remember the last time I turned it on) but I like to take things away to watch when I'm travelling or pop on a dvd when I'm pottering around at home and don't feel like music or silence.

Anyway, random rambling about tv programmes aside, really just wanted to share the song with you, say "Hi!", and whatever you're up to, hope your week's going well.

See you soon for a proper chat...

♥

Sweet Paul tries a little tenderness

I'm a big Paul Giamatti fan but I was unaware of this...

He can sing too.

Do you remember this movie? I missed it at the time but caught it at a friend's place recently on dvd and I'm thinking of ordering it to add to my dead-cert-feel-good-happy-ending movie shelf (oh yes, I really do have one) to sit alongside (amongst others) The Breakfast Club, Moonstruck, Fried Green Tomatoes, Monsoon Wedding, Mamma Mia and Amélie. What can I say? My tastes are eclectic and I have no shame.

Like several of those it would be joining on that shelf, this is cheesy in the extreme but it does makes me want to head out and find a karaoke bar, for some sing-along fun. Or to dance around my apartment singing at the top of my voice. I cannot sing. Truly. I like to sing but I am musically tone deaf and cannot carry a tune. It's a standing joke amongst the few family members who have ever heard it. And not without reason. My karaoke would be more in the style of Cameron Diaz. Almost too painful to watch and listen to. But don't worry, my singing is not something I'll ever subject you to. I promise.

But Paul can sing. And this is a classic sing-along song for me. I think it was banned from covers night at my university local, along with the likes of Piano Man and American Pie, because it was just done to death - mostly badly. But I like it. And I like Paul Giamatti and Andre Braugher's version.

Just what I need to get me through this compulsory Finance and Audit Workshop May Tuesday.

Dreamy voices

Perhaps in my next life, I'll have a beautiful singing voice. I'd like that.

In the meantime, I enjoy listening to those who do. These two made such an incredible, mellow, double-bill.

Sweet and soulful works for me every time. Reaches right inside and makes me cry. But in a good way.

Just what I needed.

Escape into fairytale beauty...

I've been looking forward to seeing this movie since I first saw it mentioned last year. Today I finally watched it on dvd. And I loved it.

At a Los Angeles hospital in the 1920s, a little girl called Alexandria is recovering from a broken arm. She befriends Roy Walker, a suicidal movie stunt man with legs paralysed after a fall. Roy tells her a fantastic story about five men of widely varied backgrounds: a masked bandit in a blue cloak, a highly fictionalised version of Charles Darwin (who has a monkey named Wallace), an Indian warrior, an ex-slave named Otta Benga, and an Italian explosives expert called Luigi. All of these men are on a quest to kill a corrupt provincial governor named Odious, who has harmed each of them in some way. And they unite forces to achieve revenge. Between chapters of the story, Roy persuades Alexandria to scout the hospital's pharmacy for morphine...

The story Roy tells is drawn in the images of Alexandria's imagination and the characters, including the heroes, are the people who inhabit her real life transported to a beautiful, colourful, stylised world. In this world a Native-American Indian warrior becomes an Asian Indian because the only Indian Alexandria has ever met is from the Indian subcontinent. The story also includes Alexander the Great, exotic cities, tropical seas, orange deserts, a swimming elephant, a beautiful nun... Who can resist?

The film contains almost no special effects, only clever cinematography, and was filmed in in 26 locations in over 18 countries (including South Africa).

If you haven't already seen it, you might like to. It's beautifully acted. And beautiful.

Escapism at its best.

Be here now

Don't let your mind get weary and confused

Your will be still, don't try

Don't let your heart get heavy child

Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child

It's only time, it will go by

Don't look for love in faces, places

It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now

Don't lose your faith in me

And I will try not to lose faith in you

Don't put your trust in walls

'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now

This is an old favourite and matches my mood perfectly today. As a Christmas gift I was given his latest album and tickets to see Ray Lamontagne live in February. I look forward to that. A good gig does wonders for the spirit don't you think?

Up, up and away...

Spur of the moment decision - I'm off to Wales for the weekend... Well, at least for tonight & tomorrow.

I feel like I need to escape the city for a bit of a breather and a lovely friend has offered me sanctuary in her semi-rural hideaway... Perfect! I've remembered to pack my camera this time so hope I'll have some pictures to share when I return.

In the meantime, I leave you with this delightful find via the lovely Stephanie, at even*cleveland, who always unearths the most amazing treasures. Check out the animation category under her post labels... Some real beauties.

When I saw this the first time I watched it again and again in quick succession. SO clever, so pretty, and I love the music... Quite apt I think for a week of uplifting happenings.