February 2007 Archives

I have long been a fan of Francis Ford Coppola's fiction and design magazine, Zoetrope All-Story. Chock full of some of the best short stories you'll ever read, this magazine is the perfect companion for morning subway commuting or downtime on the couch some winsome evening. Heck, it's fantastic company any time of the day (like right now with a biscuit and some tea)! Check out this month's issue featuring a new short story from the exceptional writer/director/performer/all-around-genius Miranda July. And if you live in New York, go get on the waiting list for one of Miss Miranda's rare performances this week at The Kitchen.

We live near an Italian funeral home that has a lovely fish pond out in front. Sometimes, depending on the day, there are ornate silver hearses parked along the curb. Always, there are men in suits out in front. The suited men seem nice when we pass on our way to the subway every day even though evidence of a nod or smile is rare. Words are never exchanged, but they respect the passersby as we respect them.

This morning, I had a particularly forceful spring in my step. I set off down the street guided by my clacking boots that seemed to march faster than I could keep up. I rounded the corner in front of the funeral home while passing a woman with a stroller. Directly in front of her was a tall gentleman in a black suit and hat. I recognized him from the funeral home. He stopped and turned to face me.

MAN: I hear you're coming.
ME: (Stopping dead in my tracks.) Excuse me?
MAN: I hear you're coming! (He gestures to the entrance of the funeral home behind him.)
(Pause. Pause. Pause pause pause.)
ME: Yes. (Pause) What?
MAN: I HEAR YOU'RE COMING.
(MAN smiles, turns, and walks inside.)

Baffled, I continued my trek to the subway and thought, "Did he just say 'I hear you're coming or I heard you coming?" Surely he meant heard! Surely. I reached into my bag, pulled out my iPod, and set it to shuffle. The first song?

"Soon" by My Bloody Valentine.

It's no secret that I big heart love Tatty Devine and the lovely ladies who create such whimsical accessory magic. Their new Spring/Summer Collection is here, so please pop on over to their online boutique or visit them in person if you happen to be skipping around London one fine afternoon!

p.s. Dear Hamish, I like wings. Just sayin'.

Fantastic new Mike Mills posters over at his Humans site.

I'm totally digging K. Cooper's blog Hoping for Happy Accidents. Impeccable taste, great interior/home links, and an "accidental interview" (love it!) with one of my favorite film directors, Michel Gondry. Oh, and if you haven't checked out "The Science of Sleep" yet, do yourself a favor and make it a Netflix night. Put together a spread of wine, cheese, and chocolate and lose yourself in some spellbinding incandescence. Easily the best film of last year.

Nice couch! Nice helmets!