Morning at Bedlam

Nothing (temporarily--I'm talking 40 minutes) alleviates heartbreak like a change of scene. Thank goodness another Whittie was Seattle-bound this weekend. Now I get to sleep in my own bed for three whole nights, cuddle with my fat as shit cat, eat my dad's cooking, see Blitzen Trapper by myself (tonight at the Showbox at the Market), and generally bathe in nostalgia of earlier years. I am currently sitting in a mustard velour chair at Bedlam Coffee in Seattle. It is a beautiful space. It is one of those darling alternative coffee shops I have driven by daily for the past several years yet never had an excuse to stop in. Well today, I did. Madame Bovary came with, and we, along with an attractive twentysomething hipster to my right, had a lovely morning sipping hot beverages and catching up on our cleverly-named blogs.

To summarize: heartbreak kills, funky art distracts, chamomile-honey tea calms, hipsters browse, life goes on.

Courtesy of FreeCrappyPortraits.com

My unicorn summer, 2009

Clever Phrasing of the Day

"I got shot at the doctor's."

--Mabel, age 3.

Best Chemistry Between Two Actors in a Movie

James Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window

It isn't yet the twenty-first century, so we can't show any nasty business nor naughty bits, but that makes it steamier. Grace Kelly--what can I say. Flitting in and out of the claustrophobic apartment in her streaming see-through nightgown... it's a wonder Jimmy Stewart even glances at Ms. Torso across the yard. Don't even get me started on the tender cuddling... it is just too much. And the incredible chemistry is only the cherry on top of this classic.

James McAvoy and Keira Knightley in Atonement

Library scene. A personal inspiration even, one could say.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johansson in Match Point

It's forbidden, so it's going to be hot. And Rhys-Meyers has always irritated me, but Johansson's raspy, overflowing bosom--er--sexuality makes up for his uncomfortable, squinty moments. Also--throwing yourself at your lover (under the pouring rain) in a field of wheat...best thing ever. Wait, what?

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

You wouldn't expect such a heartfelt, well, normal portrayal from Carrey, but he delivers in Eternal Sunshine. This romance is anything but formulaic. The whole point of this movie is that there exists a certain chemistry that binds one human being to another, and that nothing--time, memory loss, obstacles--can change that. I like to believe that.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook

My argument: the amount of longing in Gosling's gaze at any given point in this movie. And also the whole "we-haven't-been-able-to-have-each-other-for-so-long-and-now-we-can-like-whoa" factor.

Tommy Wiseau and Juliette Danielle in The Room

Have you seen The Room?

Wise Words of the Day

Jett, 4, screwed up his face into a thoughtful grimace, even though he seemed to be having the time of his life on the teeter-totter with his good friend, Cody.

Jett: I don't like girls.

me: Oh yeah? Why not?

Jett: They fight.

Blood Simple

To be succinct, this movie rocked. It was hilarious, disgusting, hilariously disgusting, and well-acted. Marty is a suspecting (with good reason) husband who hires a private eye to investigate his unfaithful wife, played by an unbelievably young Frances McDormand. This was actually McDormand's first feature-length film, and I was astounded by her performance. Anyway, things turn bloody and downright silly (if you watch it in the right mood, that is) and I was overall incredibly pleased with the result. As the final scene cut to the credit roll, accompanied by a becoming upbeat melody, I looked at my friend and exclaimed: "Yes! That was awesome." Now if only every director's first effort was so rewarding to watch...

Pizza yo

Nick and I made pizzas-from-scratch for dinner. It was perfect. Nick prepped the dough while I was at work and then we topped em to our personal liking (just basil, cheese and sauce for him, artichoke hearts, fresh sliced tomatoes, basil, cheese, and sauce for me) and tossed the babies in the oven for fifteen minutes.

A couple of Harvest Moons sealed the deal.