A review of "Evidence of Things Unseen: A Novel"

Evidence of Things Unseen: A Novel

by Marianne Wiggins

Amazing. A book about light and science, love and friendship, big government and orphaned children, bombs and hope. Comes together beautifully.

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C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon!!!!!!!!

Flaming Lips at Boulevard Pool, Cosmpolitan Las Vegas, a photo by zenhikers on Flickr.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Wayne Coyle. I love you. What can I possibly say to describe the bizarro, joy-inducing, confetti-filled, ear-drum busting, force to be reckoned with that is the Flaming Lips?

I mean: "We have powerful strobe lights people". "We have a space bubble." Furry animals, dancing Japanese schoolgirls, megaphones. Bliss, I tell you.

And finally, I can honestly say Las Vegas has hit adolescence!!! We have a real venue that attracts interesting bands! The Boulevard Pool simply rocks as a venue. Light on the security, heavy on the views, you can get close to the band, and the sound is awesome. Beer is $10, but...actually I can forgive that. You're a dumbass if you pay for PBR at that price, but...

Thank you Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. Thank you old friends, The Flaming Lips. Thank you new peeps [shout out to the guy that doesn't know where he lives!] [fun, fun fun with crepe paper!] and thank you music gods for blessing me with a pretty freaking amazing summer of sound. 2011 is going well.

A story about "Trouble the Water"

Trouble the Water

by Tia Lessin

Just terrifying and heartbreaking. Impossible to comprehend.

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A story about "The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)"

The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)

by Juan José Campanella

Amazing! One of the best movies I have seen in a while. A story of passion/obsession expressed through two story lines of an unsolved crime and an unrequited romance. This film was a foreign film (Argentina); but, despite the subtitles, the action was fast-paced and unpredictable with beautiful cinematography and characters that were authentic and believable.

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2010 Year in Review Playlist

Here's the CD that sums up the year. You guys are dropping like flies. Any volunteers to join the club? Anyway, hints to why these got picked:

1. Sushi / Kyle Andrews - Because you have to kick things off with an upbeat track. It was a year of whistling and hand claps and moments.

2. The Ghost Inside / Broken Bells - Hostels in Scandinavia, Danish festival goers, open windows and iPods. Dance party.

3. Crash Years / The New Pornographers - Try not singing along to this one.

4. Heaven Can Wait / Charlotte Gainsbourg - Sexiest woman alive and a break dance champ.

5. Sunlight / Harlem Shakes - How do I explain? "We won't dance, we won't sing, we won't talk" and a Williamsburg wedding ending in a tawdry parking lot.

6.I Wanna Go Surfing / The Drums - Because I really do want to go surfing.

7. Say La La / Keegan Dewitt - la la la la la la la la

8. Could You Please Crawl Out Your Window? / The Hold Steady - You gotta lotta nerve to say you are my friend if you won't come out your window. Also the crazy cover slot.

9. Out of Place / Slackstring - I am too old to go to festivals.

10. Fire & Water / Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - Sometimes "heartbreaking" is the best adjective in the whole world. I want to park in a car and make out to this song. Maybe even with that trumpet player.

11. Congratulations / MGMT - Trippy and beautiful

12. Rollin' in the Deep / Adele - Motown lives. Sing it, girl.

13. In Sleep / Lissie Just hot. And it is no surprise that the singing reminds me of someone.

14. Aphorism / Collin Herring - I don't think he's from North Carolina; which makes this the first ever year-end mix without boys from NC represented. Wow. Yet, kinda, they still are.

15. Ahead of the Curve / Monsters of Folk - It isn't any trouble, if you want to come with me. I know it's out of the question, but I sure could use the company.

16. I'm Coming Home / Kathleen Braun Beautiful. Thank you, Robert.

17. Beauty in the World / Macy Gray Let's keep it real. Always.

18. Fafa / Vieux Farka Toure For my old transvestite friend from the L.E.S. and her immortal words.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a very Happy New Year. If you are so inclined, read our online holiday card and let us know what you have been up to!

A story about "The Possibility of an Island (Vintage International)"

The Possibility of an Island (Vintage International)

by Michel Houellebecq

This is one depressing, shocking, intelligent, fascinating book. It’s very French. Not for the weak of heart, but utterly compelling.

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