Human Racing

A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other. A solemn consideration, when I enter a great city by night, that every one of those darkly clustered houses encloses its own secret; that every beating heart in the hundreds of thousands of breasts there, is, in some of its imaginings, a secret to the heart nearest it! - Charles Dickens, in A Tale of Two Cities

I absolutely love this quote, not to mention this novel. I often think about how strange it is that there are SO many people in the world, so many that my mind can't even fathom the sheer numbers of them, and I will only know a tiny, tiny fraction of them.

I love people. I love our strange idiosyncrasies, our weird habits, our individual reactions to joy or disaster, and how everyone is vastly different from everyone else. Two people can look alike, even be identical, but their insides are still as different as night and day. Of course, everyone has similarities; there are just too many people for that not be. But I just think it is fascinating that there are millions and millions and MILLIONS of individual human beings living their lives on this earth. Everyone has their own beating heart, inflating lungs, blinking eyes, favorite breakfast food, private fears, sentimental memories, and preferred way of eating a taco, to name a few. Every person on this earth is worthwhile, and I agree with what Andy Warhol said: "I think everybody should like everybody".

One of the reasons I love being in cities so much is I love seeing the pure variety of people. Sometimes the place I live seems more like a loaf of Wonderbread than the "Great melting pot" America has been labeled as, so I love traveling and seeing cities for the new perspective it offers. Some people are short-tempered, some are spectacularly attractive, some are good with babies, some are shopaholics, some are great cooks, some lack any modicum of patience, and some are all of these things. But we are all people. We all came from the union of sperm and ovary. We all were born, and we will all die. We're all different, but we're also all the same. Like Depeche Mode said, "People are people." And I think that's beautiful.

Me + Andrew Vanwyngarden= Twins

So just now, I was surfing blogs, minding my own business, when I stumbled upon this picture of MGMT on Stereogum's "Most Overrated Bands of 2008" list:

I was about to leave the site when I took a closer look at what Andrew Vanwyngarden was wearing. It made me double take. Because the colorful vest he is sporting in that picture... I also own. I wear it all the time. Finding out you have a similar fashion sense to one half of the vastly overrated psychedelic duo that is MGMT is a bit like discovering an unlikely musical duet (Cyndi Lauper/The Hives, Jack White/Alicia Keyes, etc)- You are pleased, but also somewhat disturbed.

Things I Love

As of today, December 9th 2008, these are some things that I love:
Sushi
Road trips
Sprinkles
Lost
Lemon tea
Little cottages
Squash soup
Victorian architecture
Chap stick
Freckles
Cities/downtown
Tights
Rompers
Other cultures
Hats
The ocean
Majestic trees
Artistic fashion spreads
Foreign films
Raspberries
Weeping willows
Download: Stars-The Woods

I 8 Too Much

I love dumb surveys. And I think all this snow is Beautiful!!!
8 TV shows that I watch:
1. LOST
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
4. America's Next Top Model
5. Family Guy
6. Private Practice
7. Gossip Girl
8. The Colbert Report

8 Things that I did yesterday:
1. Went to Arabic class
2. Read my journal from 9-10th grade and was thoroughly entertained
3. Ate granola and had a supernerd Buffy discussion
4. Watched a girl make a big scene when one of the 5 guys she was flirting with spilled juice all over her
5. Watched the movie Closer, which was funny and sad and had Clive Owen (!)
6. Got depressed by the ending of the book Memory Keeper's Daughter
7. Listened to the album Sun, Sun, Sun by The Elected
8. Added approximately 1,000,000 old friends on Facebook

8 Things that I am looking forward to
1. Winter Break!
2. Andrew Bird/Loney Dear show in February
3. The LOST premiere
4. Going to the library downtown (I LOVE that place.)
5. Selling my books for money
6. Being done with my Arabic project and final
7. The Mirah show in March
8. Watching Prince Caspian tomorrow with my bf!
Download: Eisley-The Winter Song

My Blog Name

It took me a long, long time to decide on a blog name, but I finally decided on Selling Secrets to the Russians because Xmas Cake is one of my favorite Rilo Kiley songs. The first time I heard it, I was awestruck. It just floored me. I teared up. My heart was pounding. I still listen to it all the time, and it's been a good two years since I discovered it! It has beautiful harp, little touches like the "fa la la la"'s, beautiful beautiful lyrics, and Jenny's voice sounds wonderful.

Download Here: Rilo Kiley-Xmas Cake

Here are the lyrics:
"It's almost Christmas"
When I take off my make-up, I look old and defeated
I'm not so dangerous
Cry into my Christmas cake
Staring holes into me all night
You should just give up
Because our love's become
Selling secrets to the Russians
They don't need
The cold war is on between you and me

25 years old and a bachelor's degree
Your parents helped out with graduation fees
The loans were never enough
The credit cards are calling your bluff
Hold your hand, cut them up, move away
Or you'll be paying them off until your kids grow up
And do the same

There's no more running water
Wrapping presents in the dark
Move into your car
Change where you park
Too bad that job caroling department stores fell through
But the new year is right in front of you

Cry into your Christmas cake
Don't know what else to do
Don't know what else to do
(Fa la la fa la la la la)

I fear I'm going deaf
I've got some sense left
Give up some more to be with you
(Oh)
Because what good is seeing if love's not looking back at you?
(Ah)
And what good is feeling if my hands aren't touching you?

And another angel came down
He was wearing only a cloud
He said, "Sew up the bad that you've done
Tomorrow, Christmas day comes"
(Christmas day)

Cry into your Christmas cake
Don't know what else to do
Cry into your Christmas cake
Don't know what else to do
The new year's right in front of you
(Fa la la fa la la la la)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Trailer

This movie looks way cool! It's based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald book about a man who ages backwards. And... Arcade Fire. Enough said.

Omg! LOST Sneak Peek!

The chub at the beginning is dumb but the rest is way interesting! Time IS the essence.

And here's two minutes of the new season!

Envy

I wish I looked like Jenny Lewis. That's all.

My Favorite Albums of 2008!

1- Jenny Lewis- Acid Tongue.
As Jenny is my dearest hero, this probably seems obvious. But I truly, truly loved this album. Jenny has always had an incredibly versatile voice, whether it's screaming (A Town Called Luckey), yodeling (Gravity), singing barely above a whisper (A Better Son/Daughter), soaring (I Never) or aching (About the Moon). On this record she shows even more sides of her, from singing in a high, high key (Black Sand) to yelling out in a sultry manner (The Next Messiah). I REALLY want Rilo Kiley back, but this will certainly do for now!

2- Lykke Li- Youth Novels.
I first heard Ms. Li over the summer, and was instantly in love. I am a sucker for Swedish music as it is, but she is just amazing. Her songs are insanely catchy, and her voice coos and soars, sometimes a yelp and sometimes a whisper. This album never fails to put me in a better mood, and that's valuable.

3- She & Him- Volume One.
Ah, She & Him. Zooey and Matt are quite the dynamic duo on this album! Zooey Deschenal's beautiful voice (which everyone first heard on Elf), is the perfect compliment to M. Ward's lovely guitar. My favorite thing about this album is how old it sounds. I'm a sucker for retro music, whether it's 20s, 30s, 70s or 80s and She & Him have such a timeless sound.

4- Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs.
My favorite Death Cab album will always be Transatlanticism, but this album is really quite great. It isn't nearly as accessible as Plans, which I think is a good thing. It is more reminiscent of Something About Airplanes, which I also love. So that's good. More clever lyrics and metaphors abound this time around, from the symbolism of the remainder in "Long Division" to the sad metaphor in "Your New Twin-Sized Bed". Ben's voice sounds as good as ever, and the melodies are perfect. Seeing the album performed live was truly a treat.

5- Duffy- Rockferry.
Another thing I'm a sucker for is soul music (see Amy Winehouse, Nikka Costa, Adele, Ella Fitzgerald, etc) so I knew I would like this before I even heard it. Duffy apparently was a runner-up on Welsh American Idol, and I bet the judges are kicking themselves now. She has a great ear for hooks, and a great smoky voice!

6- Islands- Arm's Way.
The Unicorns (RIP) and now The Islands have always enchanted me, with their quirky songs and bizarre, dark lyrics, and this album didn't disappoint. I still like Return to Sea better, but Arm's Way was by no means a disappointment. My favorite song is probably "Creeper", with it's funky guitar and eerie vocals, but they're all good, really!

7- Kate Nash- Made of Bricks.
Another one of my vices is female British singers (Lily Allen anyone?) and I LOVE Kate Nash. She has really funny, honest lyrics. For example: "I use mouthwash, sometimes I floss, I've got a family and I drink cups of tea"- Mouthwash. She can be a little bitter at times, with songs like "A is for Asthma and Annoying" and "I Hate Seagulls", but I like a little bitter. I also love music I can identify with, therefore I love this.

8- Right Away, Great Captain!- The Eventually Home.
The RAGC! albums are a 3 part series that are basically the musings of a sailor at sea. I think when concept albums work, they REALLY work, and this is an example of that. The music is really beautiful: sometimes angry, sometimes lonely, sometimes light-hearted, and I think it probably captures the sea life well, not that I would know. It distantly reminds me of Bright Eyes, which is always good. (Note: This is the cover of their first album, because there are NO photos of the new one to be had!)

9- Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend.
Vampire Weekend is by far the most over-hyped band in the history of the world, or at least the blogosphere, but all that hype is there for a reason. Their tunes are insanely catchy, and even when I tried to avoid them... I couldn't. They write blissful afro-pop, with strings and yearning voices and references to the East Coast. I've lived in Boston, New Jersey and Virginia so it was fun to hear songs about Cape Cod, for example, and have childhood memories come to the surface of my thoughts.

10- Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago.
This album was written and recorded in a little cabin in the woods, and it shows. It is simple but it pierced my soul. The vocals are very nice, and I like to picture a little hut with smoke coming out of the chimney and a gorgeous male voice echoing out of it and through the surrounding forest, and little forest animals gathering around to listen. But that's just me.

Anyway, those are my 10 favorite albums of this year. 2007 was a better year for music, I'd say, but this one was still great.

I also loved these CDs: Honorable Mentions (In no particular order):
MGMT- Oracular Spectacular
Mates of State- Re-Arrange Us
Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
Tilly & The Wall- O
Coldplay- Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Department of Eagles- In Ear Park
Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning- Something for All of Us
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band- Conor Oberst
Hot Chip- Made in the Dark
Cat Power- Jukebox
Destroyer- Trouble in Dreams
Born Ruffians- Red, Yellow & Blue
Of Montreal- Skeletal Lamping

School Stuff

My classes next semester will be:
--Human Heritage, which is about strange things that people do, like cannibalism and voodoo
--Advanced Drawing, which I am nervous for!!! But the professor is very relaxed from what I've heard.
--Art History, which should be easy and delightful!
--Genetics and Society, which looks at how genetic research can affect people, like with eugenics, biowarfare, etc. It looks quite fascinating.
--Probably French, but I don't know yet!
In other news, I just finished an 8-page research paper for psychology and I'll finish my Arabic video by tonight. School is busy, but very fun.

Concert Review: Of Montreal

Yes, this concert was back on the 17th, but I've been busy lately! Of Montreal is one of the strangest, craziest, most flamboyant bands making music right now, and I knew their live show wouldn't disappoint... but I had no idea what I was getting into! This was seriously the CRAZIEST most dramatic performance I've ever seen. It wasn't even a concert- it was an extravaganza. The instruments and vocals and costumes and dancing were perfect. It started out with people in silver costumes dancing onstage, which was very Across the Universe-esque, and then Kevin Barnes was carried out in a curtained box. And the outrageous stage antics only escalated as the night went on. I was literally incapacitated the next day- I was so sore from jumping up and down and screaming that I could barely walk, I had a throbbing headache, and I was still in a delirious state of excitement. I had red paint rubbed on my face, feathers and glitter in my hair, my hair was soaked with sweat,and I smelled like onions and lettuce. Haha yeah. My social inhibitions usually prevent me from dancing at concerts, but this one was special. I was dazzled. Of Montreal= Pure Insanity.
Here are some pictures I took at the show:

LOST Season 5 Premiere!

Ok. I really have to compose myself before I start typing this, or else it will just be incoherent sentences and exclamation points. Ok. LOST, aka the best show on television, is finally returning on January 21st! There will be a one-hour recap episode, as always, and then a TWO-HOUR premiere! Hooray! Two hours! The season 4 finale was so intense, what with the island disappearing and whatnot, and this show only gets more exciting as it goes along! I watched a bunch of previews on youtube, and I kept getting chills. Over and over again. You can watch one of the "official" previews below. Needless to say, January 21st will be a VERY good day for me.

Top Model: 11/12

This week in Top Model, Marjorie was sent home! She is the awkward bony French girl with a bad case of the jitters. For a long time, she was my favorite model, but she gradually started annoying me. In tonight's episode, she "let loose" by drinking with some guys, kissing one, getting in the bathtub with her clothes on, and generally making a fool of herself. Her following photo shoot was just plain Blah. I wanted Samantha to go home the most, but I'm fine with Marjorie leaving. Only 3 girls left! Ah! Annaleigh is by far my favorite character. She's so precious and nice. And looks great in dramatic make-up. She's the only person on the show that is a REAL person and not weird, superficial, obnoxious, distant, robotic or hyper like some of the other girls have been. I really suspect that Mckey is a robot. She is so freaky. Ah.

Mckey is seriously terrifying. I'll post more about her after next week's episode!

Veteran's Day! 11/11!

In honor of our brave men/women/animals who have fought in the armed forces, here is a commemorative photo and a great Rilo Kiley song involving Veteran's Day. Or at least 11/11 and war.
Love And War (11/11/46)
Enjoy!
PS: This song is available on iTunes or on the album More Adventurous! Buy it!

Music Shuffle Survey

Here's a tree-woman I drew back in the days when I didn't pay attention in History. Anyway.Put your music player to shuffle and answer the questions about the song.
Song #1: Two Cars- Death Cab For Cutie
What's the first line in the song?: "Try to scrape it off the thought of skin against skin"
How long has this band/artist been around?: Probably 12 years..
Do you have a specific memory associated with this song?: No
Can you relate to any of the lyrics?: Yes.
Do you like any other songs by this band/artist?: Virtually everything!
Song #2: Johnathan David- Belle and Sebastian
Does any part of this song make you laugh?: How silly B & S are..
What is your favorite lyric in this song?: There's still room in my wooden horse for two
Have you ever seen this band/artist live?: Unfortunately, no
What is the first song from this band/artist that you remember hearing?: "Take Your Carriage Clock and Shove It" Haha
What kind of mood does this song put you in?: It makes me feel.. whimsical!
Song # 3: On The Table- A.C. Newman
Does this song make you think of a certain person?: Yes, the person that burned it on a mix for me.
What is the last line in the song?: Now the plain blonds are playing along with you, on the table!
If someone just randomly said the above line to you, how would you react? laugh..
Are any lyrics in this song suggestive of sex in any way?: Sure, on the table!
Has any other band/artist covered this song?: Nope, its only sung by Carl Newman!
Song # 4: Sentimental Journey- Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
What is the 7th line in this song?: electrocute!
Does the above line have any special meaning to you?: No, besides the fact that I'm afraid of being electrocuted.
Would this song be suitable to play at a wedding?: I guess an edgy, dark wedding..
Have you seen the video for this song? If yes then describe it.: No.
What is this song about?: Surrendering to your feelings for someone
Song # 5: Drive My Car- The Beatles
Would you be embarrassed if someone caught you singing this song out loud?: No, because everyone loves The Beatles
What is the 4th line in the song?: But you can do something in between..
If you had to give this song a rating, what would it be: G, PG, PG13 or R?: PG, for innuendo
Would you be shocked if your parent(s) liked this song?: No, I was raised on the Beatles!
Do you find the singer of this song attractive?: Haha no.
Song # 6: Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis (Tom Waits Cover)- Neko Case
Can you play this song on any instrument?: No, not on a single instrument!
Have you ever seen anyone that looks like the singer of this song?: Yes, a red-headed family friend
What is the funniest or most clever lyric in the song?: I think about you
everytime I pass a fillin station on account of all the grease you used to wear in your hair
Has this song been in any movies?: Maybe the Tom Waits original..
Does this song make you think of someone?: Yes.
Song # 7: Temperature- Sean Paul
What kind of mood does this song put you in?: Hyper. R&B does that to me.
What is the chorus of the song?: I got the right temperature to shelter you from the storm.
Oh lord, gal I got the right tactics to turn you on, and girl I...
Wanna be the Papa...You can be the Mom....oh oh!
Replace the 4th word of the song with the word "Beaver".....: Well woman the Beaver..
Do you know anyone that hates this band?: I'm sure a lot of people are annoyed by Sean Paul haha
Song # 8: Teen Love- Peter Bjorn and John
Is there a certain memory that you associate with this song?: No.
What is the 12th line in the song?: Why is this so hard? I won't cry.
If this band came to a town near you, would you go see them?: Definitely! I love Swedish bands!
Have you ever kissed anyone when this song was playing?: No.
Is there anything policical about this song?: No.
Song # 9: Take Me To The Riot- Stars
What is your favorite lyric in the song?: The one with the empty looking eyes/Come closer, you’ll see me/The face that is used to telling lies
Replace the 2nd word in your favorite lyric with "toilet"...: The toilet with the empty looking eyes.. HAHA.
Is this one of your favorite bands/artists?: Yes! I love aching melancholy boy/girl harmonies.
Have you ever sang this song out loud?: Yes! Screamed it!
When is the first time you ever heard this song?: When I bought this album a year or so ago..
Song # 10: Does He Love You? - Rilo Kiley
What is this song about?: It's complicated. The narrator has a thing with a married man whose spouse doesn't love him and only married him because she was afraid of her time running out. Then when her husband actually goes to leave her for the narrator she realizes she loves him and he decides to stay and the narrator is sad.
Replace the last word in the song with the word "Sparta".....: Let's not forget ourselves, good friend/I am flawed if I'm not free/And your husband will never leave you/
He will never leave you for Sparta. Lol
Does this song get played a lot on the radio?: Maybe on cool indie stations that don't exist where I live..
Where is this band/artist from?: L.A.!
Would this song be appropriate to play at a funeral?: It is sad, but the content isn't right

Movie Review: Ghost Town

Yesterday, I saw the movie Ghost Town. (Hooray for bargain movie theaters!) I ended up liking it SO much! If you love British Humor and awkward heart-warming moments, then you'll love this. It is about a dentist called Dr. Pincus who is basically a lonely jerk with no friends. He pushes away everyone that tries to befriend him and likes his job because he doesn't have to speak to people, just shove things in their mouths. Then, he undergoes a routine surgery and, due to an anesthesia foul-up, dies for seven minutes.

From that point forward, he sees dead people everywhere, who constantly badger him to do favors for them. He finally gets so fed up with them that he makes a deal with one of them (Greg Kinnear, playing his annoying but loveable self) to break up his widow's relationship in exchange for peace and quiet from the ghosts.

Of course he ends up falling for the widow, (Played by Tea Leoni) and what follows is a sweet, refreshing, awkward romance.

Go see this movie.

Oatmeal

There is nothing like oatmeal on a cold day. Especially Quaker brand Apples and Cinnamon flavor. It is so good. I really love oatmeal. And soup. I eat soup whenever I get the chance lately. What if all this soup-eating turns me into a gelatinous blob like the thing in Spirited Away? Oh well. It's worth it.

Concerts I've Attended

To give you a general idea of a small area of my music tastes, here is a list of bands I've seen live. The place I live isn't the best for concerts, but I do my best to see anyone good who comes! Note: I don't distinguish between headlining and opening bands...
My favorite shows are italicized.

Rilo Kiley (Twice)
Michael Runion
The Cassettes
Death Cab For Cutie (Twice)
Mates of State
Muse
The Like
The Shins
Silversun Pickups
Ok Go
Snow Patrol
Reggie and the Full Effect
Hellogoodbye (Twice)
Cute is What We Aim For
Get Him Eat Him
Matt Costa
Modest Mouse
Polysics
Young Love
Say Anything
Seve Vs. Evan
Mr. Fusion
The Brobecks
Regina Spektor
Only Son
Ours
Circa Survive
The Dearhunter
Fear Before The March of Flames (haha)
The Most Serene Republic
Datarock
I Hate Kate
Love You Long Time
Shiny Toy Guns
Victim Effect
Emme Packer
Atherton
Johan the Angel
Sea Wolf
Brooks and Dunn (Ew.)
Corbin Bleu
Tegan and Sara
Broken Social Scene
The Big Sleep
Neko Case
Crooked Fingers
Ssion
Tilly and the Wall
CSS
Matisyahu
Brother Ali
Shinedown
Nikka Costa
Pictures and Sounds
The Maine
Phantom Planet
Icy Demons
Of Montreal

...And a few songs.
Rilo Kiley: Portions For Foxes
off their album More Adventurous, which you can buy here: http://www.amazon.com
Nikka Costa: Stuck On You
off her album Pebble to a Pearl, which is available at http://www.amazon.com
Broken Social Scene: 02 marketfresh.mp3
off their album Bee Hives, which is also available at http://www.amazon.com

Pioneer Post!

Well, I've been meaning to start a blog for over a year.. but I was lazy and didn't know what to name it. But I finally got my act together! My blog name is from a Rilo Kiley song, because they are my favorite band EVER. They have saved my life, time and time again. I used to listen to The Execution of All Things every day on the way to school in 10th grade. Everyone should own that album.
Anyway, the purpose of this blog will be to:
1- Recommend Music!
2- Ramble about my life and and thoughts
3- Post the occasional artwork I do.
Have a wonderful day!