So You Think You Don't Like Poetry

I'm feeling like a rebel today. I planned to do laundry today and then just totally didn't. SUCK IT, laundry!

In honor of my anti-establishment behavior, I give you "Punk Pantoum," by Pamela Stewart. It follows the rather strict rules of a pantoum just enough to count, but cheats just enough to make it, well, punk.

This is a tough form; the repeating lines are an obstacle to advancing any sort of narrative because the poem keeps circling back in on itself. Traditionally, the first couplet in each quatrain is an image and the last couplet, an explanation of the image, but Stewart plays with that balance and tweaks it to suit her poem. The end result is pretty f*cking spectacular. I hope you like this poem as much as I do.

Punk Pantoum

Tonight I'll walk the razor along your throat
You'll wear blood jewels and last week's ochre bruise
There's a new song out just for you and me
There's sawdust on the floor, and one dismembered horse

You'll wear blood jewels and last week's final bruise
I got three shirts from the hokey-man at dawn
There'll be sawdust on the floor and, ha, his dismembered horse:
Rust-stained fetlock, gristle, bone and hoof . . .

They'll look good hanging from the shirt I took at dawn.
Bitch, let's be proud to live at Eutaw Place
With rats, a severed fetlock, muscle, bone and hooves,
George will bring his snake and the skirt Divine threw out.

For now, I'm glad we live at Eutaw Place
Remember how we met at the Flower Mart last Spring?
George wore his snake and the hose Divine threw out—
Eating Sandoz oranges, we watched the ladies in their spats.

Remember how you burned your hair at the Flower Mart last May?
I put it out with Wes Jones' checkered pants,
The pulp of oranges and that old lady's hat—
I knew I loved you then, with your blistered face and tracks

That I disinfected with Wes Jones' filthy pants
There's a new song out just for you and me
That says I'll always love you and your face. Let's make
new tracks
Tonight, dragging the white-hot razor across our throats
and back...

Ten Great Make-out Songs

It's summer, which is in my opinion, the best season for making out. Not that making out is a seasonal pleasure, but there's something about sun and beaches and fruity cocktails that makes me especially keen to lock lips. So here's my list of all-time favorite songs that are well-suited for smooching. Feel free in the comments section to add in your own picks!

1. Crimson and Clover (Tommy James and the Shondells)
2. Succexy (Metric)*
3. Everybody Here Wants You (Jeff Buckley)
4. Father Figure (George Michael)
5. With a Girl Like You (The Troggs)
6. This is Not a Love Song (Nouvelle Vague)
7. Can't Stop Thinking About You (Martin Sexton)
8. Tear You Apart (She Wants Revenge)
9. I've Got To See You Again (Norah Jones)
10. You Know I'm No Good (Arctic Monkeys)

*Really, every song on Metric's album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now is great for making out.

The obligatory MJ post

Where were you when you heard the news?


I had just arrived to my 6 pm class and some girl was like, "Isn't it crazy, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, in the same day!"

And I was like, "blerg, what, huh, really?"

The girl showed me the headline on her iPhone triumphantly, clearly thrilled that she got to deliver THE NEWS to someone. When I checked my cell phone during a break in class, sure enough, I had 5 "Michael Jackson died!" text messages. I didn't understand until later that night, at a bar:

Me: "Guys, we should toast to MJ!" [cheers erupt]

My friend Claire: "Why are we toasting Michael Jackson?"

Everyone else at the bar: "BECAUSE HE DIED, omg, DIDN'T YOU HEAR???!?!?!??"

There is something oddly satisfying about being the bearer of important, internationally relevant bad news. Another friend told me he was walking down Boylston St. and a guy was slowly riding his bike, stopping everyone to tell them. My friend speculated that he wasn't actually en route to anywhere, but just wanted to be the guy who told people that Michael Jackson was dead.

How affected am I by the King of Pop's death? I am shocked and sad-- I would have liked to see him succeed in his latest planned comeback tour. Like everyone, I love his early hits and was obsessed with the "Black or White" video for years. I had the "Bad" album on cassette and "Dangerous" was one of the first CDs I bought with my own money (along with Madonna's "Immaculate Collection" and Paula Abdul's "Spellbound").

But my life proceeds pretty normally minus Michael. I do feel a bit bad for Farrah -- until 2:26 pm PST on Thursday, she was definitely going to be on the cover of People this week. Now I'm guessing she'll get a sidebar photo.

Dining table in pink

Our heavy gorgeous dining table from Myers was very dark Martha Stewart-y. I loved it when I bought it off eBay about 4 years ago. Little did I know it was poorly made. The frame of the top was in good wood but the middle was plywood. Through years of use, the wood has warped/grown at different rates so the frame is detaching itself from the middle. I am dying to change it. And I know exactly what I want... getting there, however, is going to be a real challenge in these times, especially when our current dining table isn't collapsing everywhere... yet.

But allow me to dream. :)

I fancy a striking highly lacquered hot pink table. In a pretty grown up pink, almost magenta, much like this gorgeous side-table.



But in this simple, strong shape. And to seat 8-10.



So I went Flickr walkabout for some pink tables. Not many, but what I found really inspired me to go for this when we do need a new table!

Flickr Tony Hanna

Flickr Miss DK

Pink chairs look striking too! :)

Flickr alanakdavis

Flickr ayeupmeduck

Flickr Gabri Le Cabri

But I do want these Chinese Chippendale chairs in (gloss white, please?) to go with my pink table:



These retro ones will do too...



And I'd like the seats upholstered in a happy bright fabric, one of my favourite Manuel Canovas fabric (the shades):



But for now... we deal with this:



I've been eyeing this fuschia block printed table runner (pictured on left) from fab Etsy designer, by HomeSweet. Against my dark wood table, it would be so pretty as placemats arranged like the photo on the right from This Young House.



Update:

I just found this picture bellemaison that totally KNOCKED my socks off. thanks Julie!!



Another one I like that I have to add here (blogged here):

Via Australian House and Garden

Elegance...

I recently joined the local library and found this small nondescript book written by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, A Guide to Elegance. I love it! It's a hoot! :)



"... it would be ideal to have each set of accessories in 2 different versions: one for sport and the other dressy. And in this regard, I cannot restrain myself from expressing the dismay I feel when I see a woman carry an alligator handbag with a dressy ensemble merely because she has paid an enormous sum of money for it. Alligator is strictly for sports or travel, shoes as well as bags, and this respected reptile should be permitted to retire every evening at 5 P.M."

"...aside from a plain or beaded white satin evening purse, I dislike the white handbags that some women cannot resist carrying as soon as there is a ray of sunshine."



"And speaking of the little objects we carry in our handbags... they can be charming, even more so if they match. So decide upon a colour and a material and little by little try to acquire a complete set: wallet, change purse, comb case, key case, eyeglass case, etc. The style of your compact will depend upon the depth of your wallet.... try to have a matching lipstick case... a clean handkerchief every morning... prefer white ones, of very fine linen, embroidered with my initials."

On Accessories

Menupages FAIL, Child Trafficking WIN

From menupages.com:

As my friend Dave surmised, "In this tough economy, exotic kids have to be priced to move!"

Special thanks to Tim Cooper for LOLgraphics assistance.

Grey's Anatomy Face

First, let me start off by saying that I regularly watch Grey's Anatomy, despite the fact that it's a ridiculous, wildly unrealistic and emotionally manipulative soap opera. To quote Bill Murray from Tootsie, "That is one nutty hospital," that Seattle Grace.

Still, I've come up with a fun new game relating to what I consider to be one of the more absurd elements of the show: its soundtrack of treacly, twee indie-hipster rock. To see what I mean, check out this list. Now, not all of the songs/bands featured on Grey's suck -- I'm very fond of Tegan & Sara, whose music has apparently been featured in numerous episodes. But Grey's Anatomy also ruined the band Keane for me -- between Grey's and that sappy trailer for The Lake House, I just can't listen to them anymore.

But I digress. The game is simple. Whenever you're out and about with friends and you hear a song that qualifies as Grey's Anatomy music, you have to make your best Grey's Anatomy Face. What is a Grey's Anatomy Face? Let me give you some guidance:

You have to look intense but also sort of vacant. Like you're thinking about something really important, but also maybe about what you had for breakfast. Like this:

You can look a little surprised and trepidatious, like you've just been asked to perform an extremely risky surgery involving adult conjoined twins who share a heart and are in love with each other's spouses. Or you can look a bit forlorn and vulnerable:

See what I mean?

I hit the Grey's Anatomy Face jackpot with this rejected headshot:

My friend Monte describes my expression here as "surprised-yet-confused-yet-curious," as if I were starring in a musical entitled "I'm Sorry But I Don't Believe You're Who I Think I Am."

Anyway, I find this game highly amusing, especially after a few glasses of wine. Feel free to e-mail me (katievagnino@gmail.com) your best Grey's Faces and I'll post them on the blog!

Katalog kreasi apiq..berupa kerajinan tas handmade khas kota jogja...
segera order..
dipastikan dapet diskon...
info harga : apiq.kreasiapiq@yahoo.com
YM : dez_zoechroe@yahoo.com / evan_phe@yahoo.com
CP : 081931958053

mari lestarikan kebudayaan daerah Indonesia...

Tas Bunga...

tersedia dalam 3 ukuran...
kode : T-Bg03
Harga: Rp.75.000 (harga bukan merupakan harga pas dan bukan merupakan harga minimal)
order via email :apiq.kreasiapiq@yahoo.com
YM : dez_zoechroe@yahoo.com
Cp : 081931958053

No One Called Jones

No time to write today (or this weekend most likely), so I'll just post this hilarious Rowan Atkinson clip. Should make your rainy day a little more tolerable!

Vintage Suitcase DIY

Image from Flickr user m.bibelot

I LOVE vintage suitcases. I wish I had space for them and uses for them... but this place has quite a few built-ins... I actually wanted to organise my craft and stationery supplies into suitcases... but I do like to see my craft and stationery on show like a store!! (But behind glass so dust collection is minimised.)

Stowaway Hannah



I guess I wanted to explore what others have done with vintage suitcases and inspire us in our constant need for more storage, more style and more chic-ness in our lives. Of course, we can't do a post on vintage suitcases without addressing the more usual ways like

sewing supplies

Image from Flickr user little pink studio

coffee table

Image from Country Living

keeping off-season clothes

bedclothes

or past years' tax files...

Christmas decorations

Wrapping paper recycle!

Now, a peruse on the Internet and reading around.... I found these great ideas :)

Filing organiser and noticeboard:
Tutorials and information on Design*Sponge



For something less usual, less humdrum Etsy seller VanityCase can turn a vintage suitcase into a vanity cabinet. I bet you can even select your own suitcase.



I do love this one... keep my writing supplies and bits and bobs in a little vintage suitcase via Craftzine

Image from designer emporium

Side tables and ottomans. Simple instructions on DIY Maven on Curbly.

Image from Ready Made Mag

Create a chic pet bed for your pooch or kitty. Of course, this was a huge hit on design and DIY blogland. First appeared in Apartment Therapy and then on Design*Sponge



I love Design Sprout's version for her teeny tiny pooch. Quick and easy for human sleepovers!



What about carrying small pooches around? Via Retro To Go



Turn an aluminium suitcase into a storage area with custom shelves... Install a few MDF shelves with some brackets... and it can be vanity storage, bar storage...



A collection of suitcases make a great table base... Like this foyer in the Oakland's Waterfront Hotel.




Personally, I find these vintage suitcases very useful. Now my one-of-two sits on a dresser in the guest bedroom holding guest toiletries. It has held important documents and vintage purses.

I use a pink metal suitcase that was 75% off at a local organisation store (a bowl was missing) to store Hannah's jigsaw puzzles. It keeps the pieces all in ONE box.



Course, I actually use a vintage vanity case for toiletries etc when I travel.

I did put on my thinking cap... Some other ways to use these cute vintage suitcases or vanity travelling cases:

1. New mother kits! A friend giving birth soon? Want to be in a small way involved? Most new mothers walk around the hospital after the birth looking like wet rags... (I know I looked worse!). Scour eBay or vintage stores for a vintage travelling bag... and fill it with thoughtful, girly, just-mums things... like:

-mints
-chocolates
-calcium tablets
-new hair brush
-some pink hair rollers (while she breastfeeds!)
-facial wipes
-lip balm
-hand cream
-magazines she loves
-a romance novel (all those hormones, you know??)



2. In Australia, if you decide to give birth in a public hospital, even spouses are not allowed to stay past visiting hours. So if you're a new dad, why not outfit a small pretty vintage suitcase with a small laptop, like the Asus eee pc so your wife can diary out her first days as a mother. Pop in her digital camera and the USB cable so she can upload photos.

3. Lunch bag for a friend starting a new job after a long wait. (I'd say children too, but more kids prefer the popular kids shows themed bags...). Get a few colour themed things like:
-Pink Thermos only US$9.99
-Tupperwares with sticks of celery, carrot, fruit
-Candy
-Chips
-Chocolates
-Teabags (Lipton Raspberry)
-Pink chopsticks
-A novel by her favourite author for the lunch hour break
-Some pretty pink serviettes

4. Ya know, a metal one like my pink one could well serve as a great now-you-see-it-now-you-don't spice rack! Just get one deep enough for some straight, small glass bottles... Mount the deeper end on the wall. Fill the glass bottles with your chosen spices and label the lids. Just stack them one on another.... After cooking, close the lid. I do like that idea...

5. If you're messy but want to hide the clutter by your bed and hate the look of your continually messy bedside table, find a stand lamp and place it above a cute vintage suitcase (better yet, get a pair) mounted on vintage feet. Place your precious things inside the suitcase and when you leave for work the next day, close the cover and then you have it all neat and tidy!!!

Image from A Cottage Industry

6. Got a special person coming to visit for a few days? Want to get them a special guestroom welcome? Fill a vintage suitcase with towels, soap, shampoo, small box of tissues, a book by a favourite novelist, chocolates...



I'm toying with the idea of purchasing more suitcases and pile them on as storage for Hannah's different toys sets... and pile them up in the living room... maybe attaching a photo tag of the contents...

What do you do with your vintage suitcase?

So You Think You Don't Like Poetry

Today's selection is by a poet I discovered last semester: Dean Young. Young's poems are often experimental and surreal, and yet they do not alienate the reader as one might expect. Former Poet Laureate Charles Simic said of Young's work, "The language, the invention, the imagination and the sheer fun of his poems is astounding. It's not all dazzle either. The poems are also moving. This man reminds us that there is nothing more serious than a joke."

The poem I chose for today is indicative of Young's humor and style -- and from a craft perspective, there is a lot of internal rhyme that is very masterfully done. Finally, as someone who often struggles coming up with good titles, this is one of my all time favorites. It suits the subject matter and launches the reader (no pun intended) right into the heart of the poem and its meaning.

Thrown as if Fierce & Wild

You don’t have a clue, says the power drill
to the canoe hanging from the rafters.
Is life a contest everything plays
by different rules for different prizes?
You’re really worthless, aren’t you?
barks the cherry tree covered with eponymous
fruit to the wagon lying on its side.
Unfair! Wasn’t that wagon not two days ago
leading the parade, the puppy refusing
to wear her hat? Can’t you just leave me
alone? says the big picture of Marilyn
Monroe behind her nonreflective glass.
Is the universe infinity in ruckus
and wrack? The third grader loose
in dishwares, the geo-tech
weeping on the beach. Mine, mine,
says the squirrel to the transformer,
unclear on the capacities of electricity.
String of Christmas lights tangled with
extension cords, can’t you work things out?
The young couple takes a step toward the altar,
increasing the magnetic force that sends
ex-lovers whirling off into nether nebulae
but attracting mothers-in-law. In one wing,
the oxygen mask taken from the famous writer
of terza rema glee while in another
an infant arrives, loudly disappointed
to have to do everything now himself,
no longer able to breathe under water.
Will we never see our dead friends again?
A motorcycle roars on the terrible screw
of the parking structure, lava
heaves itself into the frigid strait.

Caravan dreaming

Image from Flickr user stevehoad

Hut. Caravan. Spare room. Hideout. What a great way to signal to family and the world that you just need some time out... Or a place to define "working from home".



I saw the above image on ebay and I started dreaming of course.







It reminded me of the few files I've saved... and a blogpost from blogger friend Casapinka on boler campers.

I'd paint this dream-camper-caravan-hut bright glossy yellow, black glossy window trim, glossy green lime doors.

Or raspberry red exterior and white window trim and glossy black door.

Like this article in a magazine I have long discarded but kept these few pages...



A shepherd's hut two ways...

As a guest-room


A study away from the frenzy of family...


How great is the ability of ours to dream!