one of the best books i've read in the past few months is Netherland by Joseph O'Neill. and on my ipod, my latest "frequently repeated" item is Aimee Mann's new album, @#&%! Smilers. so when i heard the author and the singer-songwriter were doing a joint reading-and-concert, i called immediately to save a spot. how often do you get to meet two of your favorite artists/writers in the same room, even in new york?
joseph o'neill's book is about post-9/11 new york, and the subculture of cricket in the outer boroughs. he had some interesting things to say, referring to america's total lack of interest in cricket as a kind of metaphor for how little empathy it demonstrates on a different level.
aimee mann was witty and articulate and made for a good pairing. it's funny how she's always singing about quite sober, sad subjects, but is actually quite happy and well-adjusted in real life. she said people constantly ask her why she doesn't sing happier songs.
"as if any good songs are ever happy," she joked.
she's been calling for covers for her song, freeway, in a youtube contest. this compilation is @#&%! hilarious:
i love the grooving bee...
los angeles
i'd sometimes wondered if my memories of childhood and los angeles were a bit romanticized. swimming pools, ladybugs, palm trees and bougainvillea, big wide streets and bright sunny days... but a trip this past weekend proved i really did grow up in a bit of a magical place.
the city has such a different feel to new york. or anywhere else for that matter. i always thought that car dependency was a major downside to living in los angeles, but maybe it's not so bad if you can drive through palm trees instead of dodging bicycles and jay-walking new yorkers?
the highlight was meeting up with my friend jen from elementary school. she hadn't changed much, despite the 20 years and having two children. pam, another classmate who lived a block away, joined us and we all reminisced about our old school teachers and wondered what happened to the mean girls who ruled over the playground with their scary glances and shrugs of disapproval... ahh, so maybe growing up wasn't that easy. but they were still amazingly good times.
the city has such a different feel to new york. or anywhere else for that matter. i always thought that car dependency was a major downside to living in los angeles, but maybe it's not so bad if you can drive through palm trees instead of dodging bicycles and jay-walking new yorkers?
the highlight was meeting up with my friend jen from elementary school. she hadn't changed much, despite the 20 years and having two children. pam, another classmate who lived a block away, joined us and we all reminisced about our old school teachers and wondered what happened to the mean girls who ruled over the playground with their scary glances and shrugs of disapproval... ahh, so maybe growing up wasn't that easy. but they were still amazingly good times.
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