who the he'll is that Fire who

Marlene

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:45:00 -0400

Marlene,

I never knew quite what you were, and for a time that you were at all.

I remember hearing of you, they said that you existed.

& I remember now him saying that you don’t.

I don’t know if you’re anywhere now.

I suppose logistically-practically it doesn’t matter.

I love a part of you that once loved my father.

& viche versa. My father once loved a part of you.

perhaps all of you.

I love the part of you that made my sisters, even if I may not love fully my sisters.

I love any moment that you loved at all.

And I despise every moment, every part of you that ever made my father feel any less than exemplary.

Because juxtaposed, he is.

And he was by your side. I hope you knew that. That there was a man that loved you as he hated so much of you, or loved you when he hated you once.

Goodbye phantom-woman-wife death. Mother of my sisters, once partner to my father.

—J

Seen.

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:17:00 -0500

I saw the minds of my

generation. Some of them.

I looked & some looked back.

Never, always temporarily.

Never like it “was”,

or some say “will.”

We sat around smoking cigarettes &

Marilyn.

We sat around & said yes to

this & that, more and more often.

Too much, which would increasingly mean

not enough.

We sat around telling stories, but

usually very little.

You can usually see in a thunderstorm

of hookah & ashen promises.

You can see what could be,

& you say,

“I wish I couldn’t see what could be.”.

It was harder & harder to live,

and easier & easier to live-half.

You could taste something,

in the air of groping & reaching & reaching

out. fingers would swipe eachother, connect for an

instant. And that would usually

be all, end all keep all sacred and inside.

Wandering, I guess, or

buckling down into night languid.

Something.

—J

The Tree of Life

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:10:59 -0500

The Tree of Life

displacemental: fave man

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:03:52 -0500

displacemental:

fave man

Photo

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:24:12 -0500

birdseyeslew: Cloud Atlas

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 22:25:44 -0500

birdseyeslew:

Cloud Atlas

Photo

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 22:21:36 -0500

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: sonder

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:51:50 -0500

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: sonder:

dictionaryofobscuresorrows:

n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate…

at Ortega Forest

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:38:08 -0500

at Ortega Forest

strangewood: Leos CaraxBorn November 22, 1960 “I’m not like...

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:15:32 -0500

strangewood:

Leos Carax
Born November 22, 1960

“I’m not like Fassbinder, who I envy—I could never write a film a year. I need to feel when I make a film that I’m not the same person who made the one before. I’ve made so few films in my life, it’s hard to consider myself a filmmaker although I know, even if it’s arrogant to say so, that I live in this place, in this island called cinema. I mean, you can inhabit cinema without making film. That’s why cinephilia and cinema are two different things in my mind. I’m not a cinephile. I saw lots of films when I was 16, 17, until I made my second film. I don’t really know much, but, I still inhabit cinema—the way I see things, the way I think. It’s somehow miraculous that cinema exists. It’s an invention. No other art has been invented. Painting, sculpture was already there. When I was 16, 17, I felt so relieved to discover cinema, like it was a place of my own. I call it an island, but it’s like a territory from where you can see life from many different angles.”

Photo

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:17:05 -0500

Photo

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 02:28:27 -0500

Marijuana is legal in Colorado

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:22:26 -0500

Marijuana is legal in Colorado.

"My mind fumbled with such enormity and dropped it; how could I understand such a limitless world?"

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 01:06:09 -0500

“My mind fumbled with such enormity and dropped it; how could I understand such a limitless world?”

- Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (via writerofinkandlight)

apoplecticskeptic: My take(s) on Cloud Atlas. Even the process...

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:26:54 -0400

apoplecticskeptic:

My take(s) on Cloud Atlas.

Even the process of finding a single image to respresent this film is a challenge… so I settled on the above which is as ~~good~~ relevant as any other image from within this insane cinematic quilt.

What can I possibly say about this movie? Smarter men than I have tried—and similarly “failed”—but I if you’re thinking about seeing Cloud Atlas I urge you to read Roger Ebert’s excellent write up, as it’s less a review dependent on his thumb pointing up or down and more about the mindset one should take into the theater for an experience such as this. Reading his take on things, and a subsequent article he hosted at his blog (Six Keys to “Cloud Atlas”), really really put me in the right headspace to truly enjoy seeing this movie last night with Tha Kate.

But where to begin?

I assume you already know the basics… that this is an interwoven collection of tales that span hundreds of years… a blend of romantic fantasy, historical drama, dystopian apocalypse, futuristic sci-fi with lasers and “fabricants,” etc… utilizing actors in many roles that may be connected (or not), three different directors and three different film composers.

It makes no sense. It totally shouldn’t work. I have a few movie-loving friends who swear it’s one of the most pretentious and horrible movies of all time.

I think I loved it.

I think it’s less about reincarnation than karma and connectedness.

I think it has elements of The Wire (an intricate multi-level story arc that is, at first glance, not obvious) and Moulin Rouge (visually jarring, breathtakingly beautiful, chaotic, Jim Broadbent, the triumph of love). Of course, these elements aren’t direct or universally obvious (other than the fantastic Broadbent), it might just be me that sees things this way. I think that peculiar and pliable individuality is one of the lovely things about cinema that Cloud Atlas got so right.

I think if you enjoy philosophy or participate in the creative arts you owe it yourself to see this film.

I think there’s a very good chance you’ll still hate it, though.

I think it moved me to tears three times.

I think people left too early. I don’t say this because there’s a gag reel following the credits—there’s not (h/t themattsmith for that one)—but because if you don’t need at least a few minutes to absorb what you’ve just taken in then I don’t understand you and I don’t respect the way you watch important/challenging movies. I don’t care if you end up hating it, but dammit take a couple of minutes to let it swirl in your skull and heart, you know?

I think I love M83’s Hurry Up We’re Dreaming even more than I did last year.

I think any controversy surrounding the supposed racism and yellowface in this production is baseless and total bullshit.

I think I was completely enthralled by this movie from start to finish, but I understand those friends of mine who claim to have checked their watch multiple times and thought the end was unmercifully long in coming.

I think this is a movie about choices, destiny, humanity, slavery, joy, tyranny and freedom, fear and love.

I think, just like life, it’s a beautiful mess… and I ~~want~~ need to see it again.

kingawkqueered: MY FRIEND LILY JUST TAUGHT HERSELF THE CLOUD...

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:02:38 -0400

kingawkqueered:

MY FRIEND LILY JUST TAUGHT HERSELF THE CLOUD ATLAS SEXTET

"I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney..."

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 00:43:59 -0400

“I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney because of his economic policies (tenuous and ill-formed as they are), and that they disagree with him on gay rights. Fine. Then look me in the eye, speak with a level clear voice, and say,” My taxes and take-home pay mean more than your fundamental civil rights, the sanctity of your marriage, your right to visit an ailing spouse in the hospital, your dignity as a citizen of this country, your healthcare, your right to inherit, the mental welfare and emotional well-being of your youth, and your very personhood.” It’s like voting for George Wallace during the Civil Rights movements, and apologizing for his racism. You’re still complicit. You’re still perpetuating anti-gay legislation and cultural homophobia. You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you “disagree” with your candidate on these issues.”

- Doug Wright, Pulitzer and Tony Award winning playwright (via bookoisseur)

Social issues matter because they are human issues

(via chopdawg)

readyokaygo: Photos like this are being spread across the...

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 00:42:49 -0400

readyokaygo:

Photos like this are being spread across the internet lately, and they are dangerous for a few reasons. If you’re too lazy to read below; basically ignorant Americans are blaming other people, governments, and religions for problems their own nation caused.

First, here is a history lesson on Afghanistan. From 1933 until 1973, Afghanistan was ruled under a man named Mohammed Zahir Shah. While he was a devout Muslim, he had a Western education in France. His reign marked four decades of peace and stability. With the introduction of a constitution Afghanistan progressively developed into a modern democratic state with free elections and a parliament, as well as a massive push for women’s rights, universal suffrage, education, worker’s rights, and civil rights. So yes, Afghanistan was doing well in the 60’s as this photo suggests. However, the photo doesn’t give you context for what went wrong.

During this period in time the Soviet Union had a strong influence in Afghanistan. They supported modernization and education in the Afghan state. The United States, not wanting to risk their hegemony in the region, clearly had a major problem with this. They were terrified of the spread of Communism and quickly developed a plan. Afghanistan would become the Cold War’s chessboard. In the late 80’s, the Saudis, Pakistanis, and the Americans brought in radical Islamists from around the world. They armed, trained, and directed them into a militant force, and they were called the mujahideen. They became the US’ main offense against the Soviets. It wasn’t to defend the Afghans against the Soviets who were ready to pull out, but to deliver as much harm against them imaginable. Carter wanted Afghanistan to be the Soviet’s “Vietnam”. And it was. When they finally retreated Afghanistan spun into chaos and a civil war ensued under the militant mujahideen warriors. Within this framework we saw the rise of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and of course Osama bin Laden. All under the auspices of the United States security forces and American tax-payer monies. Clinton’s bombing of Sudan and Afghanistan was directly responsible for their rise. Oh, and then in what was most likely the greatest immoral injustice of the 21st century the United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 only further driving the besieged nation further into turmoil.

What does this mean? The mujahideen, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda do not represent thousands of years of Afghan culture and Islam. They are a direct reaction to Western imperialism. The root cause for the disparity between the two pictures is foreign intervention. Not Islam, and certainly not Arabs.

Second, here is a history on Iran. Before 1953, Iran was ruled under a democratically elected man called Mohammad Mosaddegh. Under his reign Iran saw a progressive movement of social and political reforms. During this time Britain tried to establish an oil company (British Petroleum) on Iranian soil, and promised to share profit and technology with the Iranian government. However the British, as usual, didn’t honor their agreement. They, and the United States, began to steal Iran’s oil. Prime Minister Mosaddegh would not stand for this and demanded the seizure of the oil fields and the ouster of the British. In response, the British and the United States overthrew him in a coup and installed the Shah who was a brutal tyrant and ruled the nation under an absolute monarchy. The women in this picture did live well, but that was because they were members of a very small minority and in the Shah’s social circle. Everyone else in Iran lived under harsh conditions. The economy was failing, education was abysmal, and the entire nation was rural and very religious.

Today, Iran’s health care is better. They have more political freedom. Education is improving, and the country is slowly globalizing. The economy is slightly better off, however that is quickly changing with the Western world’s sanctions against Iran in midst of their nuclear propaganda campaign at the behest of Israel.

What does this mean? Essentially, the Islamic Revolution had little to do with the rise of an Islamic state; rather the resistance of Western imperialism. Almost every social and political group was united in resisting the Shah, from the communists to the secularists to the Islamists. They demanded Iranian sovereignty and political freedoms. Is the current regime in Iran perfect? Absolutely not, and I’m passionately against it. But this picture is extremely distortive of the truth.

Unfortunately, we have gone full circle. Today, the United States is supporting terrorist cells in Iran in an attempt to oust the current Iranian regime. They want to establish another pro-Western government like the Shah and “try again” where they failed. They have been doing this for decades and it hasn’t been working well. That is why we are now seeing media hysteria against Iran, and their false quest to achieve nuclear power and bomb Israel. Iran is a peaceful nation, and always has been. They have never attacked another nation, and have absolutely no intention of attacking Israel or anyone else for that matter. The United States’ war against Iran is rooted solely to seek revenge for their failed foreign policy in the 70’s and to once again take control of their natural resources.

In conclusion, if you think you can understand decades of history in the Middle East, or anywhere for that matter, by looking at a photograph you are a fucking idiot who has no right to engage in intellectual discussion or give your opinion on anything other than what you watched on TLC last night.

“People tell you that there are other girls out there, you...

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:01:35 -0400

“People tell you that there are other girls out there, you know, and it’s not just about a girl, it’s about… it’s about a time and a place.”

Photo

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:45:39 -0400