Missy | April 30, 2003
Beck’s got a blog. (Thanks Catherine.)
Joss Whedon’s top ten favorite Buffy episodes. Pretty uncontroversial, for the most part. (Thanks Fresh Hell.)
I’ve got more to say, but I’m working on it…
Missy | April 26, 2003
Looks like my web server was down for a bit.
Anyway, what a day I had! I went to the American History Museum for the jazz film series, which were televised recordings from the early 70’s on French national television. First, Earl Hines: one of the greatest pianists I’ve ever seen. I got in a just a bit late (I walked there, and then had to wait in the security check line behind lots of strollers) but got in just in time to catch his rousing “Slaughter on 10th Avenue”. The audience was wildly enthusiastic, clapping after every number. The film included wonderful overhead shots of his hands, and the word “daunting” can’t even begin to describe his talent. He had an amazing left hand, and the last piece (which I’ve forgotten…shit) featured the longest, most even tremolo one could ever imagine. Next was Thelonious Monk. The crowd was slightly less enthusiastic, to my surprise. I personally find his playing engaging, his phrasing remarkable to the point of breathtaking. And every version that I’ve heard of him playing “Round Midnight” varies from the one before, which I find especially cool. That he plays it each time as if he’s telling a new story reflects his astounding musicality. I had to leave through part of Bill Evans, which was unfortunate, because he is every bit as good, with an evident classical background. I wanted to stay for the whole 5 or so hours of programming (including four Duke Ellington features) but I had to leave to catch a thief.
The Good Thief was not what I was hoping for, though I think it could be upon rewatching. I feel like I was missing something from the get-go. I liked the dark lighting mixed with vivid colors, and the well-placed humor….but I could hardly hear some of the dialogue, and as such, it felt disjointed. I’m holding out final judgment.
Then I caught Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary as part of Filmfest DC. I adored this film. It was a nostaligic throwback to silent films, and that it was a ballet (but not a stage-y filmed ballet) was a perfect fit. Ballet dancers–especially those who work in story ballet repertoires–are excellent at pantomime, which is an essential component of silent film. The Mahler score is exhilarating, and despite the melodramatic nature, it was pretty funny at times. I was snickering throughout, to my surprise. But it worked within the exquisite flow from sensual to dark & creepy. (Also, I counted three people who walked out within 10 or so minutes, which I found disappointing, since the film was reviewed, and I’d imagine people going in knew about the silent film & ballet aspects. If you’re not into that, why’d you come? Assholes. Oh, and also, the artistic director of the Washington Ballet was sitting across the aisle from me; if I’d any nerve, I would’ve caught him & chatted about it.)
Tomorrow: Sweet Sixteen.
Almost forgot…yesterday I saw the anti-Kids film Raising Victor Vargas, a funny & sweet film about Dominican American kids on the Lower East Side of New York. I read in WaPo that the kids created their characters through improvisation, and the realness of their vulnerabilities was charming & poetic.
And another thing: The Guardian lists 300 Reasons why they love The Simpsons, though they kinda cheated on the numbers. (Found via a small victory.)
Missy | April 25, 2003
Since I wasn’t seeing the Delgados last night (because I am dumb), I thought about catching a viewing of The Good Thief. Nope, ended up working too late. (Actually, I was hoping to pair it with Bob le flambeur–there’ve been a couple of Melville films at the AFI, and I’d already seen one of them. Plus Thief is a loose remake of Bob. But Bob has since left. And I don’t think it’s available on DVD.)
So yeah, none of that happened. Then I couldn’t sleep. And I ended up chatting with my friend Josh on IM til 3 am. IM is addictive, you know, and don’t tell me you don’t know. Anyway, I’m barely functioning today, as I can’t remember the last time I saw 3 am. Perhaps I’ll slip out early. And buy myself a new dress.
UPDATE: Michael Almereyda has a documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival featuring Sam Shepard rehearsing his newest play. I’m practically busting out of my skin here. I hope the film finds its way here to DC. I have a bit of a mini-obsession for Sam Shepard. Much like my mini-obsession for Steven Soderbergh.
UPDATE #2:
Have I put this up before? I cannot remember. Quicksand covering The Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now” (save to your hard drive, please). Play it loud! (Michele, I think I have you to thank for acquiring that one.) Happy Friday!
UPDATE #3:
I know what I’m doing tomorrow morning. Quoth Cherkis:
The Smithsonian is screening rare footage of Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson. You get to see old Duke (pictured) in Technicolor, mourning Billy Strayhorn, his rheumy eyes wistful against droopy bags, his old-man hands still slinking down the keys, introducing “Black Beauty” like this: “recorded in 1928 before black was beautiful.” Then you get Duke’s wink. You watch Hines spider up and down his Steinway, sweating through that huge-ass pompadour. And you get Monk, looking cool as fuck behind those shades, doing and redoing “‘Round Midnight,” his whole body jabbing into the piano. Try not to get chills. The program begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 26, at the National Museum of American History’s Carmichael Auditorium, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
I’m leaving shortly to catch Raising Victor Vargas. I’m practically shaking from all the film potential this weekend holds. Almost makes up for the fact that my lazy butt missed both All the Real Girls and Irr
Missy | April 23, 2003
This page needed a little color. That tulip you’re looking at was about as big as my head.
I left work today at 5 on the dot and caught both my trains as they were pulling into the stations. It’s windy and slightly cool out, but it’s so colorful outside that I had to go for a walk (across the street to the park). As Cube would say, today was a good day.
More here. (The load time will likely be excruciating for those on dial-up.)
UPDATE [4/24]: Boy did I screw up. The Delgados played last night, and here I was looking forward to “tonight”’s show all week. Damn damn damn damn damn….
Missy | April 21, 2003
This NYT piece on Buffy almost made my cry. (Thanks to Henry for sending it along.)
In the finale, I want to see Buffy give Spike the happiness he’s earned. And then I want my heart to be broken, because one thing “Buffy” does better than any show on television is break your heart.
I know this sounds corny, but as any fan will tell you, it’s going to be hard to let it go.
All the talk on Will’s site about moving to the ‘hood reminded me it’s time to hit the DC institution that is Ben’s Chili Bowl. So when I got off the ‘tro, I stopped in for a heartburn-inducing yummy dinner. If you’re ever in DC, you simply must stop in & see them. They’re all super nice folks.
Missy | April 21, 2003
[This post is a thank-you to Noel Murray, who told me what a good thing it would be for me to see the Flaming Lips right now.]
So the Flaming Lips finally made it to DC on this tour. I was the only person of my friends & acquaintances who actually got a ticket before it sold out, but I didn’t mind going by myself. It was 80% party, and the rest was me trying to suppress an irrepressible lump in my throat. After “Do You Realize” and “Waitin’ for a Superman”, Wayne said to the crowd something to the effect that this is a fun time, but there may be people who have a lot on their minds, and that this is a good place for them to be. So true, Wayne. I wish I could’ve thanked you in person.
Also, I got there purposely late to miss the opening band, but I got there just in
time to see a mere three song surprise (to me, at least) set by Sparklehorse. Sparklehorse!
On a related note, who knew that the walk to the 9:30 club would be more of an adventure than walking home (which isn’t too suprising, since when the club lets out, people are spilling onto the streets). When I went, it was like U Street after 9 pm on a Sunday became a ghost town, save for a handful of homeless people and ruffians. One crazy woman tried to chase me down the street for a cigarette. She called me, “Sir.” That’s the price I pay for short hair, I guess. Crackheads think I’m a man.
Missy | April 20, 2003
Spending this beautiful day cleaning out my walk-in closet–no easy task. But in the process I found some old CDs stashed, including stuff I thought I sold a long time ago, like DAS EFX and Black Sheep. Needless to say, I’m spinning lots of hip-hop today. I also found my ratty old Ohio Northern Petit College of Law (I grew up 15 minutes from ONU) sweatshirt that I’ve had since I was 16. Excellent. Mihow called a couple of times and she & Toby are tattoo bound. I’ll be holding off on that front for the time being.
UPDATE: When I clean, naturally I need a good beat to listen to, because after all, what is cleaning if you’re not singing & dancing you’re while doing it? I was pulling out old stuff left and right….and then I did the unthinkable: I put in Jets to Brazil’s Orange Rhyming Dictionary. If your fondness for and memories of this record are like mine, you don’t listen to it anymore. At all. I’m sure that makes no sense, so let me explain. This record came out during a time when I was, in theory, supposed to be an adult. I’d finally left years & years of school behind, I was living in a new city, with an actual disposable income. And yet, by all accounts I was still very immature (long story short). And I listened to this record over & over again. (I am dreaming of a life, I am dreaming of waking up…) I practically wore it out, if that were possible for CDs. I’m sure you have records that strongly represent a time & place in your life (Jane’s Addiction’s entire catalogue is another example for me). Let’s just say I can’t imagine returning to that place I was in four years ago. Does the record still hold up? Sure; it’s a solid one. But I don’t get nearly the same enjoyment out of it, you know? And it’s not worth the memories, because even the fond ones make me sort of cringe.
Missy | April 18, 2003
There are a handful of dance pieces that I could watch a hundred times over: Paul Taylor’s ebullient and brilliantly simplistic Esplanade, Antony Tudor’s airy yet penetrating meditation on love in the (main) pas de deux from The Leaves Are Fading, Bob Fosse’s quietly rhythmic “Cool Hand Luke”. And now, I add Alvin Ailey’s spiritual “Revelations” to that list. It is his signature piece, and watching it is one of those rare elating, inspirational moments.
Seeing the Ailey dancers tonight made me realize how difficult it is to move. What I wouldn’t give for an ounce of the expressiveness found in their torsos alone. Their staggeringly articulate technique is rooted in the Horton codification, and while I personally have had a blend of dance syllabi in my own training, I’ve had a fair amount of Horton. I’ll try to explain key features: very sweeping with lots of laterals and arabesques; the legs & arms are very important, but they stem only from a very strong center. The thing to emphasize is that if one is not adequately warmed up, or if the vocabulary is not approached correctly, it’s a hamstring or other hip-related injury waiting to happen. I felt my old tendinitis in my bottom flare up just watching them. (Must. work. harder.)
[Side note: many, many thanks to the sweet Tom B. for sending me a gift from my wishlist. You've made my weekend, kind sir.]
Missy | April 17, 2003
Todays’ pet peeve, of which I am guilty: uncommented code.
I’m not a programmer. I’ve done a bit in my day in GAUSS and in SAS, the latter which I use here & there at work. Of course, like any language, if you don’t use it regularly, you lose it. And as any programmer will tell you, even if you can understand the code itself, it doesn’t mean can look at it and immediately know what the code is doing.
A research project of mine (well, not strictly mine) is moving into development, and some adjustments need to be made to SAS code that I wrote a couple (few?) years ago. Let me emphasize the word ‘years’ again. I commented my code, but not nearly enough. Also, we obviously weren’t thinking in a RUP frame of mind at the time because I have no formal or informal requirements to guide me along.
What the f***, Missy.
UPDATE: Okay, it’s not as bad as I thought, but I wish I’d held my own hand a little better. Some of my comments (where they exist) are pretty cryptic.
Missy | April 16, 2003
Buffy:
*sigh* This episode was more interesting than those of late, but a new character, Caleb–ooh, a preacher! whatever–that once again kicks the snot out of Buffy felt a little tired. Xander losing an eye was a big Ick! but for the most part the show has been plodding along until who knows what. Good to see Faith again, as always, and her and Spike’s flirtation dance was, um, nice. I’m guessing that perhaps Buffy will harness all of the potentials’ as well as Faith’s & Willow’s powers, maybe with the ultimate sacrifice being that she then loses it all (thereby bringing the series to a close), so that Caleb will be defeated and then the Hellmouth closed. I’ve seen some speculation that Dawn, being the Key, will be sacrificed as well. I don’t know.
Angel:
The goofy birthing of an adult black woman was….odd. I just started back into this series when Faith showed up, so I’ve just been catching up in the meantime. But this episode was very funny. “What’s a Houdini?” Har. Connor, you’re a dork. When that guy caught on fire I was yelling, “stop drop & roll, dude. Stop. Drop. Roll!” Okay, that doesn’t sound nearly as funny now as it did to me when I was watching it.
Missy | April 15, 2003
Good lord, my allergies are driving me bonkers. DC and your trees of the world, damn you to hell, I say. I avoid the regular doctor unless something is deeply lacerated, broken, or otherwise making me cry from unbearable pain, but I wonder if prescription drugs aren’t in my future. I’m even skipping class tonight because I feel cruddy.
I went to the newly repopened AFI theater in Silver Spring last night to catch Le Cercle Rouge. I wish it was closer because I plan on going there quite a lot. On the long subway ride home (only because I took the Red Line the whole way to Dupont instead of waiting for another non-rush hour Green train at transfer point Fort Totten), some poor dude was fast asleep in his seat, with drool stringing out of his mouth and onto his shirt.
This weekend: Alvin Ailey and the Flaming Lips! (Not together.)
Missy | April 13, 2003
I guess there are protests going on. They must be across the street at Meridian Hill Park (or, as locals call it, Malcolm X Park) because I can hear drums and yelling. Plus, as I was taking a post-dance class hot bath, there was a helicopter at a standstill directly above my window for five minutes, and as I peered out of my window, I was thinking, “I hope the chopper dudes can’t see me naked.”
So in the past two days I’ve been back in class for the first time in about two weeks. I hurt, but I feel good. A little off-center, not knowing where all of my limbs are at any given time, but it feels great to be not lethargic.
I think it’s time for more spring cleaning. Being a bit of a packrat, my closets are a mess. (You know how anal Monica Geller on Friends is about cleaning, but she has that closet that she kept locked & secretive because it was packed full of crap? That’s me.) It’s time to donate all those old, but nice J Crew sweaters that I haven’t worn since I was in school. I also save old magazines, but the only ones I really want to keep are Dance and Film Comment. And, I brought back about 60 (yes, 60–the Willie Nelsons, the Leonard Cohens, the Neil Youngs, etc) of my father’s CDs, and I’m not sure where I’m going to put them. I’m beginning to think I’ve outgrown my tiny apartment.
UPDATE: Got the CDs put away, and pretty much nothing else got done, particularly since I found myself watching Legally Blonde for the second time because it happened to be on Showtime.
Also, a couple of finds on greg.org: Roger Avary has a weblog. And, an interview with The Thin Red Line DP John Toll.
Missy | April 10, 2003
Hey, remember back in the day when I wouldn’t shut up about the play Topdog/Underdog (which I never did get to see in New York)? It’s coming to the Studio Theatre next season. I’ve been not so good about play-going of late. Who wants to go see Richard III? I had to miss the Washington Ballet this past weekend. Here is the WaPo review. I’ll have to wait and see “Rubies” another time.
I got in really late today. My co-workers really are a super bunch of people. I’ve got two cards to read, but I’ll save them for later and then pass them on to my mom, whom I worry about constantly. I can only assume that that worry is what’s causing my feelings of impending panic attacks, not to mention my four-day heartburn. *sigh*
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Listening
Unmap
Volcano Choir
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Reading
A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again
David Foster Wallace
