Friday Fun

Saw this and got stoked for summer cinema. With the Dark Knight AND Prince Caspian coming this summer, what more could I ask for? Aaahhhh, Christian Bale..... [sigh].

For some fun with a meme (from Emerging Pensees):

What is your _________ name?

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car):
Dido Mazda

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
Butterscotch Slide

3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal):
Blue Hippo

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name):
Woosa

6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
Green Tea

7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers):
Elmer Herbert Herbert Elmer [for real]

8. STRIPPER NAME ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy):
Chanel Chocolate

9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):
Mirizzi Morgantown

10. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower):
Midsummer Iris

11. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now):
Cherry Socks

12. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):
Toast Linden

And finally, it must be that time of year... or maybe because it's been a cool spring here in Philly, I am re-obsessed with the BBC production of Jane Eyre, and the splendiferous Toby Stephens as Mr. Rochester. [Angie needs to get my dvd back to me!] Again, with the [sigh].

Well, all, have a great weekend.

"Red Skies at Night"

Bear with me here, people, this will get twisty:

But today my mind has been bent around some great ideas that were brought to me by various bloggers [thank you!] and I am now reeling (and in one case swooning) all over again.

First, I visited (r)Evolutionary (neofauvist) Art, where Cristian René started out talking about a beautiful sunset he saw last night. Here in Philly, we also had a spectacular evening sky, sorta "Red Skies at Night." He made a beautiful picture, and then quoted Byron. Here's the poem:

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods
from Childe Harold, Canto iv, Verse 178

THERE is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.

- Lord Byron

Which immediately made me think of my most favorite Byronic Hero - Mr. Edward Rochester. What a dream-boat, especially as played by Toby Stephens (in the BBC 2006 version). [sigh]

I just want you all to know that I am not alone in adoring Mr. Rochester. I guess, (from this article) Charlotte Bronte was a huge fan of Byron's and so created Mr. Rochester as an homage. It says, "Jane Eyre is no ordinary romance, and it seems in keeping with the novel's gothic atmosphere that its hero should be decidedly Byronic."

And after reading Pruned, again this morning, I think that a there's an added dimension to Jane's character, that I never really saw before, or at least couldn't put into words. But I just learned this new word today: Phytoremediation.

Phytoremediation is a general term used to describe various mechanisms by which living plants alter the chemical composition of the soil matrix in which they are growing. Essentially, it is the use of green plants to clean-up contaminated soils, sediments, or water. The word "phytoremediation" is from the Greek prefix phyto- meaning "plant" and the Latin root word remidium- meaning "to correct or remove an evil". In soil, the "evil" could be anthropogenic (man-made) contaminants such as organic solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, or radionuclides.

Jane is "planted," by chance in Thornfield, a cold, barren place, (the name says it all!) and brings warmth and love to Rochester. She draws out the poison, the evil, and allows Mr. Rochester to be free of the horrors of his past. [The plant's name is "pennycress," isn't that appropes for Jane Eyre??]

Still with me? Yeah, it's a stretch, but it's what's rolling around in my head today.

the 3-piece suit

It all started with Lakshmi and me talking about my favorite male, red-headed thespian, and voilà, here I am drooling over Paul Smith's collections of two years ago! How does this happen??

I like some of the cuts from the `07 and `06 collections, but the muted tones aren't doing much for me.

I remembered this clip from Agatha Christie's "Five Little Piggies," and how awesome Toby Stephens looks in a 3-piece suit. Frankly, the scene where he's at the window makes me weak in the knees, but that's another story.

Seriously, when will the 3-piece come back as the staple of men's fashion? I can take or leave hats, but the put-together suit, with contrasting tie or shirt are just drop-dead gorgeous. When will they realize it?? And sweaters on men, just look fantastic. Again, see the Christie clip to see what I'm talking about.

Paul Smith's womens' collection is phenomenal too. I love the bold colors of 2005! And the tartan.... oh, to be independently wealthy!

Stop the World I Want to Get Off!

Lots has been happening in my life recently, and I'm feeling overwhelmed. And not in a good way, like Jane Eyre when Mr. Rochester asks her, "Well, are you OverWhelmed?" [sigh]

The last time I felt like this I made a plan to go to a monastery with my friend, Ladybird. I picked a place that would be relatively convenient for both of us, but far enough away to let us feel truly relaxed. We ended up going to Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY. We had a great, reflective, relaxing time.

I had wanted to visit and stay at a monastery for years. I love the idea of removing oneself from the world for a little while, and rejuvenating. I love the history and the tradition of hospitality and service at a monastery. The attention to the passing of time, the hours of the day. The nourishment of the body [the food was excellent!] and the soul. And being forced to acknowledge God every few hours, really brings life into perspective.

It made me realize very quickly that I could not be a monk or a nun. I need to live in the world. But I also need to get away from the world every now and then. I need to be forced to remember God.

We worked on praying while we were there, it became our main objective. There are little silent chapels in the "crypt" at Holy Cross. Ladybird and I went and decided to try meditation/prayer for half an hour before the vespers service. Neither of us felt very proficient at it beforehand. But we worked out a mantra, "God's will." Kind of like how you have a mantra in yoga, and it helped us to keep our minds focused. We didn't end up following each idea that surfaced like a rabbit down a hole. It was relaxing and uplifting at the same time.

I highly recommend it!