easthampton.

last night.

small gems.

Have you discovered Lena Dunham's site? The shorts are freaking brill, real diamonds in the mumblecore rough. Not Oscar winners exactly, but some pretty great quarter-life crisis gems in there. I'm sure it's getting a fair amount of web traffic since Tiny Furniture's festival hype and IFC "put a ring on it". I've heard mixed things about her first feature but either way looking forward to the BAMCinemaFEST screening in June. Until then please see highlights:

- Dilusional Downtown Divas series

- Dealing

- Hooker on Campus

journaling.

Just had an insane conversation with Robert Haller. Those usually tend to begin in one place and just kind of end in a different universe. He told me about something interesting he's been doing for decades. He keeps a journal and writes in it EVERY SINGLE DAY (what?!). They all focus on very specific feelings and thoughts he has throughout the week while just living his everyday life. He then prints it out and distributes it weekly to about 5 people. I have no idea who these people are but apparently they are "trusted". His purpose is to be a part of history even if it is just a personal history or a history among a small group of individuals. Since he doesn't trust computer memory everything is written on paper. Typewriter until the 90's and now computer which then gets printed. He now claims to be addicted to writing in the journal because it's an obligation, which is okay. It's a responsibility to record the way you remember the world so people who know you can actually understand you. Woah. "Keep the journal and the journal will keep you", he says.

He now has thousands of pages which i will eventually see if I stay cool.

It was a little too charming to interject so i held back from telling him that it's the same thing as a blog.


He also told me some interesting stories about shooting his first nudes. Really great photos.

*Photos Robert Haller

wildlife.

If you think you want kids, you should probably go to the Bronx Zoo first, just to make sure. I promise by the time you leave, you won't want them anymore. We learned this the hard way. It's also not just children, apparently humans of any age are the biggest animals in the place. Some screamed "throw feathers from your butt" at a frightened peacock and "look, pink goose!" at a flock of flamingos. Mauri heard an adult shriek "WHERE IT WENT?" as a monkey scurried behind a branch in fear. Besides all that though, everything was pretty awesome. All animals put on an a great show, highlights being lions, gorillas and tigers.



Check out the Serengeti where giraffes roam free! gorg.

the lady don't tek no.

Behold Derek Gabryszak's beautiful new work. Designed by the man himself and printed in scenic Bushwick, Brooklyn. If you can't buy it, you can visit it on the wall of the new neighborhood wine bar Bodega (officially opening March 30). Also check out Derek's other posters for sale on his website: That's the Way It Goes.

joanna newsom live in ny.

After I learned that Joanna Newsom's show at Town Hall was sold out, I posted this creepy ad on craigslist:

Please, please, please 1 ticket for Joanna Newsom at face value. I need a hero.
A nice girl needs a nice ticket.
Town Hall 3/18.

Since everyone who cares about music is in Austin, someone actually replied (?) and KW and I were on our way to what turned out to be the best live show of our lives!

When we got to our seats we felt sorry for our Craigslist angel because she had accidently sold us the best seats in the entire venue, front/center balcony! Town Hall is comparable to The Orpheum in Boston (also amazing)!

If you ever have a chance to see Joanna Newsom live, THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CANNOT MISS. It was an absolutely beautiful show start to finish. Before Have One On Me I always saw her a very polarizing musician with brilliant lyrics but tough vocals but she really does have a much softer sound now. The 90 minute show was a pleasure to watch. I have no idea how someone can play the harp and remember lyrics to 12 minute song. Man, that takes concentration. For some reason I expected her to be a shy and freaked out Fiona Apple type. I was surprised at how bouncy and excited she was to let everyone in and share her music. I felt like a guest in her house. Fans were equally grateful and silent.

The rest of her band was incredible. Neal Morgan on drums actually functions like a surgeon, laying out tools I had never even seen, and doing weird things to drums I never knew existed! Ryan Francescon arranged the new album and played a different instrument for every song. I forgot my camera so I guess I'll just have to remember it all forever.

Sometimes I get bummed out that I don't get to see the amazing live acts my parents used to see. This show really restored my faith in the music of my generation! Yeah, I said it! So listen to Have One On Me, read her lyrics, watch her play live! Don't miss this incredible talent.

Read this article about Joanna getting her face licked by wolves!

Watch these videos of her "shredding ethereally" in Toronto: