I love Gummo. I really do. As someone who grew up in a weird, poor, Midwest town - I think that the mise en sine is spot on. Folks who think that Gummo is garbage on film have probably never came close to any of the characters or places in the movie in real life. But I ran across a movie on Demonoid by accident that seems to be Gummo's retarded cousin. And yes, that is a slight compliment.
Psychedelic Glue Sniffing Hillbillies is by...um, you know I'm not sure. Google searches return little more than out-of-date indie-screenings and torrent sites. I believe it is in the credits. I'm pretty sure that this was a student film - and well done considering the special fx from the time.
This movie is about 39 minutes of insane imagery, rad music, and inspired characters. I can't even explain more. But I've uploaded it for you! If you download it and watch it - lemme know what you think. And if you wonder what is going on in my brain most of the time - just put this movie on repeat and smoke a pack of smokes.
I was hard-pressed to find a way to integrate my new found love for The Fine Brothers comedy with my other new love, Artgaragesale.com. And then I discovered this: The Fine Brother's hilarious spoof on reality vote-off shows, Garage Sale.
I discovered these guys when my boyfriend tipped me off on the Fine Brothers' LOST Parodies. The LOST Parodies involve the LOST action figures with surprise guests including Darth Vader, Jack Sparrow, and Harry Potter. Hurley dies at the end of each episode - which is a great homage to Kenny. If you happen to be a LOST-nerd with a sense of humor - you HAVE to watch these.
And onto my newest favorite art-sale site: http://www.artgaragesale.com/. This place smells a lot like Etsy, but is centered more on "art," as opposed to vintage and handmade items. I am very happy at Etsy - but I do have some "art," I want to list. The website is pretty much a digital version of Yart, an annual art-yard-sale held here in Muncie, Indiana each spring. But the prices range between $5 and $500. Yart was capped off at $30. For a larger community (the whole internetz), $500 bucks seems like a good limit. This will bring higher-end buyers into the spectrum who might sniff out the inexpensive treasures that this site promotes. The product is sparse right now at artgaragesale.com right now - but they are promoting FREE LISTINGS until JUNE!!! I think this is a great way to get artist populating the site which will, hopefully, bring in the buyers.
I leave you with the latest song I've been obsessing over. Its the kind of song that you listen to in private and someone walks in and says "what the hell are you listening to - a fairy orchestra?" And you say, Fuck you, man. Fuck you.
Fleet Foxes - Mykono Click the record for the track, dummy.
When you were younger, did you sort your Valentines based on appropriate messages reaching the right people? I remember being so embarrassed for giving my teacher (a female), a Donald Duck Valentine that said "Kiss Me, Baby." Donald Duck was puckered up with big yellow lips on the front. I was sure that my teacher thought I was a total lezzie.
Here I have some vintage Valentines all from the collection of my late mother. She was a popular gal.
And to get your Valentine in the mood - why not throw on some Bobby Hutcherson? Xylophones=romance, friends. Its like Roophies for the ears.
Bobby Hutcherson - Love Song Click the record for the file
I inherited a bunch of great stuff from my family. There were not any jewels or expensive valuables. But after three generations of artists, chefs, packrats, and general collectors-of-things, there were many wonderful things to cherish. When my now-late mother and I had to make a hasty skiddoo from our family home on the West side of Anderson, Indiana - I scooped up every treasure I could get before the sheriff came to lock the doors (back-taxes were overwhelming). A modest collection of antique and vintage cookbooks made it out of the heap, and I am thrilled every time that I leaf through them that I got them out of the house. The pictures, above all else, are invaluable and entertaining. They depict a time in America when cooking was very important to families - especially the women. The irony is that almost every cookbook I have was my grandfather's. He served in WWII on Christmas Island as a cook. Before that he owned and cooked for Klusmeier Cafe in Terra Haute, Indiana. When I was growing up, every night he would have different recipes and books spread out in the kitchen - cooking up a new and delicious meal. So I have decided to share some of the neater selections from the cookbooks here. This particular cookbook is from Spry shortening. To see the pages in their entirety, check my flickr.
The look on Calvin's face is unmistakable: it is the look that every housewife dreamed she would see on her own husband's face as she presented him a meal. Or at least - that is what this picture implies.
Last night I listened to my friends do a radio show at the BSU station WCRD.net and I remembered why I am lucky to have them - even if we don't see each other that often. Rik Henry's radio show (which hasn't been named yet - I suggested Roarin Rik Radio) could very well evolve into a cult sensation...if people listen. On the show Rik and James discussed Frank Black, points for and against the new Metallica album, and how hard it was to navigate the station's control panel.
As Rik attempts to get the track to play-
Rik: There are so many buttons!!!
James: You're ruining the Butthole Surfers! You're ruining the Butthole Surfers!
And with that perfect introduction, the song roared forth.
I asked myself, "would this be as endearing and entertaining if these guys were not my pals?" As I pondered this - James was arguing against the new Metallica album before launching into a great Stone Roses song. And that sums it up. I can't covey with words how funny, informed, and uniquely strange these guys are - between the both of them their knowledge of all quality music is massive. Both are self-admittedly socially awkward, old music geeks. To me, this makes for a great late-night radio show. Think Mark Borchdart and Mike Shenk from American Movie, but not really at all and on the radio. For fans of rad and widely unheard music and unscripted radio hilarity - definitely plan on tuning in. The shows air Fridays at midnight on www.wcrd.net. Just click "live stream," and an in-browser player will pop up with an accompanied instant messenger for requests or "hollas." The guys plan on archiving their shows via podcasts soon...but they probably need me to record and post them. Will do!
As an animal lover and adorer of cats, I know how hard it is to not just take in every single stray one finds around the neighborhood. A friend of mine has taken in several cats - I think 7 altogether - and though some might snicker at what this suggests (lunatic cat lady), I get it. I grew up with grandparents and parents that were animal-nuts. Feeding and taking care of strays was a rewarding and arduous way to spend summer afternoons. The sad truth is that most people who undergo the task of taking care of neighborhood cats are not equipped to do so in a healthy manner. There are lots of things to consider: spaying and neutering, basic veterinary care, and providing more than just a place to congregate and eat. For all of you stray-lovers out there - take note of this wonderful woman. I would say she has it all covered. And I wish there were about a thousand more like her across the U.S.
Just outside of Los Angeles, Cat House on the Kings is a 6 acre, no kill, no cage cat-land. All the cats there are up for adoption - but no pressure on the kitties - they get to live out their lives on the ground if no one picks them. The woman who runs the sanctuary, Lynea Lattanzzio, was nominated for the 2007 Fresh Step Litter Cat Hero award. She lost to this lady, who helped rescue cats from the San Franciso bay area. If Lattanzzio is nominated again - my vote will go for her.
