I’m sitting here literally willing myself to not get sick. Those of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter saw yesterday that every year, about this time (end of January-ish), I start getting super paranoid about the potential illnesses lurking around the corner. I am by no means a germaphobe or hypochondriac, but I know that inevitably, I will get some horrible chills/fever/cough/energy-zapping sickness, and it’s just a matter of time before it hits. So every time I start feeling the slightest tickle in my throat, I am filled with dread. I guess I should be thankful that it tends to happen in winter, which is typically a down time for photographers. So if I do get sick soon, it probably won’t be the end of the world. I should probably follow Jamie’s lead. Everyday he gathers a cocktail of approximately 20-25 different vitamins and supplements, and pops the whole handful AT ONE TIME. This is particularly embarrassing when he does it in a crowded restaurant, making us look like certified drug addicts. However, he rarely gets sick, so I should probably stop complaining and start getting my Vitamin C on. Truth be told, I’m just lazy when it comes to things like that. Don’t worry, I already gave myself a lecture.
But anyway. To distract myself from my unnecessary worrying, I decided to take a moment and share some things that I’ve been loving lately.
First up: The Civil Wars. I stumbled across this lady-lad duo on Jamie Delaine’s blog and am in love. I already have a weakness for soulful Southern music that sounds like it should be played on someone’s porch way out in the country on a summer night, but I find Joy and John Paul’s sound and look particularly magnetic. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they come from Tennessee and Alabama, two places I call home. I will say that this music video for their single “Barton Hollow” is a visual stunner in addition to being just a really great song. Check it out HERE. (Sorry, I tried to embed it, without success!) One thing I love about it is how very “Southern gothic” it feels. This is a genre I studied a lot in college in my American literature and Southern literature classes, and basically it boils down to an exploration of the grotesque, flawed aspects of Southern culture (racism, religious self-righteousness, ignorance, etc.) and is generally very dark and very critical in tone. Think William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, Flannery O’Connor, Harper Lee, or movies like Deliverance and The Skeleton Key. But I think it also refers to the journey that many of us face, how we’re haunted by our demons and often feel we’re alone, unworthy, and beyond hope or salvation. Think Johnny Cash. So both from a content perspective, and from a visual perspective (abandoned country fields, old clapboard church, bowties and dark eye makeup, black and white), I think it feels very Southern gothic. And I LOVE that. Very inspired by it. Oh, and bonus! The Civil Wars will be playing at WorkPlay here in Birmingham February 4th AND 5th. I most definitely want to go!
On a much lighter note, Jamie and I have gotten seriously addicted to Arrested Development. I know, I know, we’re about six years late to the party. How did we miss this show when it was actually on TV?! I honestly didn’t think I would love a comedy series as much or more than The Office, but man. Michael Bluth is in close competition with Michael Scott. Thanks to my brother’s insistence, we bought Season 1 at McKay’s over Christmas break, finished that quickly, and then bought an Apple TV and renewed our Netflix account to find that ALL the seasons are on instant play right now! GLORIOUS! We’ve almost finished the last season now, and I’m a bit sad that it will be over, but I know that, like The Office, we’ll probably go back and rewatch these episodes over, and over, and ovvvverrrr again because they’re just that good. I have literally laughed so hard my sides hurt and I can’t breathe. The characters are hilarious, the writing is brilliant and original, the comedy is clever, and well…. what’s not to love about the Bluths? Now we know why all the cool kids love it so much. :)
Now I’m off to make another cup of hot tea with lemon and maybe take a DayQuil or two. Preventative measures, you know. Happy Monday, everyone!
Lorraine - I hope someday someone makes a followup to my “LOST” wedding photo tribute and does a Bluth Lineup wedding photo tribute. That would be awesome.
carly - Buster and George Michael are definitely my favorites but Gob has his amazing moments. One of my favorite things is when Buster joins the army and ends up missing the bus to camp, so he spends the whole day putting quarters in the claw machine and collects stuffed toys. When Lucille asks him what the toys are, he proclaims, “They’re my awards, Mother! From Army!” So freakin’ classic.
Gail - Arrested Development is one of my favorite shows of all time. I have a MASSIVE crush on Justin Bateman because of it. I also have it to thank for introducing the word “Never-Nude” into my vocabulary ;) If you haven’t seen the Godzilla episode yet, you may pee your pants when you do! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAwQFoQ6xQI