Thrift-Monster

There is nothing like spending a free afternoon digging through the trash to find treasures in my neighborhood thrift shops.  Thrift shopping was one of those things I'd get cravings for while I was abroad for the past two years, but with no way to alleviate.  The overwhelming delight in finding a great pair of boots, lightly used, and in my size, is truly one-of-a-kind.  I may have spent $115 in just one afternoon at one store, but the 11 darling items I found that will most likely last me the next ten years makes those precious dollars worth it.  Three pairs of boots may seem excessive, and I could feel my conscience rebel against such extravagance, but how can you resist Entienne Aigner tan riding boots in my size, no scratches, and the soles already replaced for 15 freaking dollars???  I am sorely tempted to post pictures of my fantastic finds to brag what a few hours and discerning grazing can produce, but that does seem a bit narcissistic and show-offy, so I will try to refrain.

This is an open invitation:  anyone that's interested in a thrift-shopping-spree is welcome to come with me!  I have to admit, thrift shopping is not for everyone.  There are people who will feel overwhelmed by the racks and racks of duds, and end up feeling too discouraged to really find anything of value and walk out after a pathetic hour with only an ugly belt they will never wear because it was only a dollar, and sucking in the fresh air outside because they were sick of the musty smell of used clothes inside.  For me, its the thrill of digging out those great finds that makes the things mentioned above worth enduring, but be aware that you may not enjoy it or be as fruitful as I have been.

On an additional note, thrift stores almost always use their profits to benefit some worthy causes; Salvation Army is a Christian organization that has many community and rehabilitation programs; Goodwill is a non-profit that also does similar projects in community and rehab; Out of the Closet helps especially in AIDS programs, and is non-explicitly related to the LGBT community.  Also, buying used is completely GREEN, in both the financial and ecological senses of the word.  You save tons of money buying clothes for usually 25%-1% their retail value (Seven, Citizens, and R&R Jeans for 10 bucks, anyone???).  And buying thrift is environmentally-friendly, because you're not buying new clothes that use up more resources (cotton/manufactured materials/factory emissions/transportation emissions/stores located in shopping malls that are energy-suckers).  I am the first to admit that I am not the greenest person out there, I mean, I love my shopping malls and sales at Madewell, and going shopping with my mom when she's buying; but it's also good to be aware that for every thrift item I buy, it's one less thing I buy from a regular retail store, and decreasing my carbon-footprint on earth.

To "green" or Not to "green"...

One of my favorite parts of living where I do now, is my main mode of transportation: my bike.  The convenience, the extra bit of cardio I get everyday, the advantages during rush hour, and the self-righteous pleasure of knowing that I'm helping to save the planet one drop of liquid-global-warming at a time, are definite pluses to me.  Thankfully, the city where I live is relatively flat, which helps when I ride my gear-less bike to and fro from my daily activities.  And the motivation for riding your bike to help out the environment is easily maintained by the ability to see the haze of air pollution affect your vision as close as 500 feet... every day.

I am curious to see what it will be like when I return home, with the convenience of my sleek luxury vehicle only a garage-door opener's push away, and the commuter culture of my hometown to influence the everyday decision of how to get to school/work/store:  foot, bike, public transportation, or car?  I wonder how much the pressures of daily chores, familial expectations, inconvenience, and pure laziness will ultimately determine the fate of the new bike I plan to purchase upon my return to Los Angeles.  Also, my usual adversion to the views of myself as a hipster cliche cringes with the proclivical prediction that others would assume that I was getting caught up in the "green" trend that seems to be sweeping across our ever-enlightened nation.

I don't want to let go of this bike-as-primary-mode-of-transportation lifestyle when I get back home, but I'm afraid of what life may throw in front of me to jam up my spokes and fizzle the air out of my tires... I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

(By the way, I have these daydreams of myself riding my bike early Saturday morning to the Virginia Ave. Farmers' Market, buying up some fresh organic veggies, and cruising back home with a full bike baskets' worth of oh-so-typical "green" goodies.  I am so doomed.)

Bzzzz...

4) The Secret Life of Bees

I just read this book a month ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was really excited for the film version, and was not disappointed: the adaptation for the silver screen stayed for the most part true to the original novel. I've seen some criticisms for the film, that it was too slow-paced and therefore boring and unenjoyable, but I think in some way it was deliberately written that way by the writers to echo the slower pace of life during the summer months of the sweltering south. The acting was well done; May and June were exactly as I had imagined them, though I always imagined Rosaleen played by Jennifer Hudson as little more comelier than she appeared in the movie. Dakota Fanning is growing up, but she's still in that awkward pubescent age, and though she had her moments where she looked almost pretty, it will take a few more years for her to grow into her face and body. Other than that, she did a good job of portraying Lily, though I felt the Lily in the novel was a bit more "desperate" feeling than the Lily in the movie. Overall, a sweet, uplifting, sisterly-bonding type of film.

Quite Fitting, Actually

3) Slumdog Millionaire

What can I say about a movie that just won eight monumental Oscars on Sunday night? Overall, it was a brilliant screenplay beautifully executed by an engaging cast and a visionary production/directing team. All to say, I don't think it was thaaaaat great. Yes, it was a good movie, and had some memorable moments. Kid jumping up and down covered in excrement with an Indian movie star's autograph in hand, anyone? Found out later on IMDb that the fake poo mix was made from chocolate and peanut butter... yum. I think possibly the answer to why this movie has been a critical as well as audience hit is because the competition has not been very fierce in the last year. Also, I think the appeal for specifically American audiences is the sheer novelty of the fierce juxtaposition of Americanistic affluence (I hesitate to use this type of imagery, with the States' current financial situation -_-;) apparent in the scenes on the "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" set, and the drudgery of living and surviving as an orphan in the slums of India. I think this is globalism working in reverse, where the poverty of one nation begins to influence the ideas and thinking of another. Anyways, I'm starting to go off subject. This was a good film, but not worth the amount of attention and praise that it has garnered up to now.

By the way...

It is your birthday.



THAT PARTY WAS THE BEST PARTY EVER. PLEASE MAKE ME A SIGN LIKE THAT ONE FOR MY BIRTHDAY PLEASE. I WILL LAUGH MY HEAD OFF IF YOU DO.

Ick and Orah.

2) Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

No surprise here, awesome soundtrack with less well-known indie underground (5 adj.) artists. Near the end of the movie, I realized I was watching the "16 Candles"/"She's All That" of the 2000's. It's cleverly hidden behind the exterior of an indie-feeling alternative teen movie in the mode of "Juno" and "Superbad"(Michael Cera's presence in all three films is duly noted), but these are all prime examples of what is clearly becoming the new 21st Century teenage flick. A little less fluffy (pun not intended), and a little more "underground"-feeling, but "Nick and Norah" still had the tricks more traditional teen movies most readily employ. For instance, the "pretend you're my boyfriend and kiss me oh wow we felt a nice connection there" plot line is easily identified in other types of teenaged romantic comedies. Others just as easily recognizable are the "jealous evil ex-girlfriend/beauty queen/diva", the "mini-makover" Norah receives in the van from a gay guy, the "gay guy" (but in this case a nice trio of them), and the "all-night driving around town doing crazy and ridiculous things, but having the time of their lives" themes. There are plenty more, but I'll leave it at that. I think you get my drift. Other than the generally predictable plot themes stated above that made this movie feel a little too prosaically familiar, it was a fun ride with some really interesting and funny supporting cast and characters. The most memorable characters for me were the drunk friend who picked her gum out of the nasty public toilet water (disturbingly reminiscent of "Trainspotting"), and the gay Asian friend played by Aaron Yoo (only because he's Asian, and any sort of representation in the entertainment business delights me). Oh, and the Yugo. Oh, how I desire one now. Oh, and getting to see the inside of "Electric Lady Studios". WOW MOM I'M PEEING MY PANTS RIGHT NOW THAT WAS SO TOTALLY AWESOME. The end.

Next up: "Slumdog Millionaire"

The Secret Life of the Hours' Slumdog Playlist

I've seen some really good movies in the past few days, and feel the need to post about them.

1) The Hours

I was afraid this would be a slightly creepy moderately depressing movie about depression and suicide, and on the most part I was right. There was some incredible acting here, especially on Nicole Kidman's part, and according to the Academy as well (she won a Best Female Actor Award for her role). For some reason, though she looked less classically beautiful, I really really loved her with the prosthetic nose. It was strangely attractive, and I almost prefer her with it than without. I wish I had read Mrs. Dalloway before I watched the movie, but I'm kind of intimidated by it now. I was vaguely uncomfortable with the lesbianic themes throughout the film, but there weren't any graphic scenes, so I was able to stomach most of the kisses. I didn't understand the whole "water engulfing Julianne Moore's character in the hotel room" until the end, when I was reminded of how Virginia Woolf commited suicide. One pleasant surprise was Claire Danes' role (I'm kind of a fan), though it was small. After finishing the film, I recalled that Claire Danes and Meryl Streep were in "Evening" together, though they never shared any scenes. Overall, though I haven't read The Hours, I was convinced with the acting (effortlessly executed by seasoned professionals), intrigued by the stories and how they were interwoven with each other, and inspired by the simple beauty of the visuals of the film.

My reviews of the other films will follow soon.