Can I be electric too?

I love Oasis, especially their (What's the Story) Morning Glory album, it always cheers me up, makes me smile and want to have fun. It's perfect for a New Year's Eve party if you like this kind of music.

Merry Little Christmas!

Dear Everyone, I wish you all a merry Christmas!

Picture of the week.

Gemma Ward, a Taschen e-card

València, València.

So, as I already mentioned, I spent some days in Valencia witha friend. I must say it is a very beautiful city and the fact that it has a beach is also a plus. However, we went in December and it equals hardly any people on the streets after midnight (something that was extremely weird for us after Madrid, along with the timetables of the stores and pubs and restaurants - almost all of them closed at 1 a.m.!) and after you've seen the city centre and the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, you don't have too much to do. But I can imagine that during the summer, when you can swim and everything, it's something very much like Paradise Found.

What I really liked was L'Oceanogràfic, it was awfully beautiful though we could not get into the dolphin show because we would have had to wait about 1,5 hours in line... That part should be improved, otherwise, it was a great experience!

So, my adivce is that if you want to visit this city, a) you must go in the summer; b) you must accept it's not a big, ever-moving city, even if it is the third largest city in Spain and c) you must love the beach a lot so that you don't get bored, not even after seeing pretty much everything in the centre.

Ode to Madrid.

It is a weird thing to admit but it's true: once you lived in Madrid, it will be terribly difficult, if not impossible to live anywhere else. Or, and this is embarassing, even leave it for a few days.

We spent two and a half days in Valencia and by the end of the second one every third sentence that rolled out of our mouth was "I miss Madrid, when do we go home?". My friend went to Paris for almost a week and decided she had already seen enough to come home - after her first day in the French capital.

But what is it about Madrid that is so mesmerizing and unique that you get addicted to it? Well, it's maybe the fact that you can get anything, anywhere, anytime here, the fact that people are always happy-go-lucky, the fact that this indeed is a city that never sleeps (maybe except for Sundays).

However, Madrid is not perfect either (after all, I've already seen testicles on the subway and many, many other rare things all over the streets) but this is exactly what makes it so fabulous - it comes with shortcomings, yes, but every single one of them is entertaining.

Madrid might not be a tourist paradise (there are many more beautiful cities out there) but it definitely is a wonderful city to live in.

Picture of the week.

Medusas in L'Oceanogràfic, València. Aren't they just beautiful?

More on the city later...

In the Shadow of the Valley of... Music.

Apart from being an extremely influential musician, Brian Warner (or, if you like, Marilyn Manson) is also a talented painter. His works are mostly less shocking than his music is considered to be, yet they are equally thought provoking. His intelligent and sincere artistic approach is impossible to miss if you look at his paintings and this is something that makes me respect Mr. Warner a lot, in addition to his many songs I happen to love.

Here's to you, Mrs Robinson...

I really don't know what is with this song that it always cheers me up. Of course I knew it way before I watched The Graduate - this song actually made me watch it... Needless to say, the movie impressed me as well. I also like the Sinatra version, although it's not as happy-go-lucky... Also, he changed "Jesus" to "Jilly"... What can I say, so Sinatra!
Simon and Garfunkel:



Frank Sinatra:

Picture of the week.

I seem to have a thing for the DKNY - Be Delicious ad campaigns, and one of the latest one is no exception. I like it that - just like most of the others - it is very, very similar to the previous ones yet it's different in a way. In this case, in a Lichtenstein way...

The post of shame.

I am so sorry for not posting for such a long time, my life in Madrid is either superfast or superlazy, shame on me.
Anyway, today I have a book recommendation: Seen Behind the Scene. The author is photographer Mary Ellen Mark and the book features her photos of various celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Nicole Kidman and Johnny Depp on the set of their movies.

This book is on the list of those I find a bit expensive but a great investment if a) you like famous and talented people; b) you like photography.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

I've been looking forward The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus for a long, long time and last week I finally had the opportunity to watch it. Movies like this don't come around often - in fact, I could not compare it to any other film, except for maybe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the Johnny Depp version) or Big Fish. This comparison is true if I think of the colours, the special world that was created, the omnipresent humour and the brilliant acting and directing. But it's not true because there is something else that makes this film special and that is solidarity, since this great picture could not be in teathers right now without the help of three A-list stars, Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell, who all decided to play a double-sided game: on one hand, they contributed with their talent and on the other hand, they agreed to somewhat hide in the dark as doubles for the late Heath Ledger, instead of being the major names on the cast list. And then, of course, there is Lily Cole, who was surprisingly good.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is something you'll remember for many time after seeing it - not particularly because of the story but because it's so out-of-earth, so rare that it eats itself under your skin and keeps returning in the mask of an emotion - an emotion filled with affection and heartache for a massive talent who could have become one of the greatest.

Picture of the week.

From V Magazine

Source: Fashionista

Picture of the week.

Kate Moss, David Bowie, and the very well-known Antonioni pose.

The original:

In the Name of the Father...

In the Name of the Father is a movie I rarely watch because of the effect it has on me - I practically cry and cry while watching it. Yet, it's so beautiful and despite being overly shocking, so encouraging that I can't keep myself from sitting down with some handkerchieves and watch it. Also, the opening music is fantastic and mesmerizing. It is performed by Bono but it's quite different from what you'd expect from him, I would say it's darker but the lyrics are superpowerful here as well, as always. Whenever I listen to this song, I think about Daniel Day-Lewis and whenever I think about him, the first thing that comes to my mind is that he is such a good actor he might be too good. Really. If you don't believe it, watch In the Name of the Father and you'll understand everything.

Picture of the week.

I found this at a website and couldn't stop smiling...

Media of the week.

When Queen had a concert in Budapest in 1986, Freddie Mercury surprised fans with performing a Hungarian folk love song. The lyrics are something like "when spring comes, my dear, all the birds choose love, my dear".
It's precious.

In pictures: Irving Penn (1917-2009)

Picture of the week.

I just like this picture, I don't know why...

Source: Audrey Hepburn Complex

In the mood for love... street.

The music of The Doors describes my mood nowadays. Even if it's dark, even if it's not so much, I can't get enough of it. This music always mesmerizes me, I can relate to the lyrics and when I'm in love, listening to The Doors, it's like falling a little bit more in love. Perfection.

Buen Retiro.

I went to Retiro Park last Sunday and I must tell you, it's even more beautiful than I expected (and I expected a lot). It's huge and every little park in the huge park is a different world, not to mention the fountains, the lakes, the gardens... I think I'll go every Sunday, I still haven't seen most of the park, I want to discover, to picnic, to read... I want it all.

Picture of the week.

I know many people say Sofia Coppola is rather and out-of-the-world beauty than a classical one, but still, I find her more beautiful than most current starlets. This is why I chose this photo, featured in Another Magazine, this week's Picture of the week.



Source: Fashionista

Life through a lens & Picture of the week.

Sorry for the week-long hiatus, as my internet connection gets more stable and my life starts to get some balance, I will try to post more and more. I promised in my last post that I would write a little bit more about Annie Leibovitz and now is the time. There was an exhibiton about her works here in Madrid and it was quite successful - no wonder.

I have to admit, even if I have always liked her works, I wasn't really familiar with those of her photos that did not depict famous people. However, I did know about her relationship with Susan Sontag, therefore I was moved by the huge amount of photographs she took of her during their happy days and during the time of Sontag's illness and dying. Yet, the pictures of her family - and here I should write the very same words, the happy days and the dying of her father - were even more touching, if it's possible.
Now I no longer just like Leibovitz, I admire her. Not only as a photographer, but also as a person who is so sensible and pays so much attention to those around her, she is capable of taking photos so beautiful that they say more than a thousand words.

Picture of the week: Leonardo DiCaprio with a swan, photo by Annie Leibovitz

Picture of the week - part 14.

Johnny Depp and Kate Moss, photo by Annie Leibovitz. More on her later.

Oh happy day.

Finally we found a flat so I'm not homeless anymore. I haven't seen the city so far but I'm trying to do so in the nesxt few days. I went to the university, it's amazing, with fountains and lots of green. Here's a picture, but in reality it's even more wonderful.

Greetings from Madrid.

Hey everyone, I'm still alive and still homeless, currently living in a windowless little room and yesterday had to take a shower in socks to avoid infections... Yet, the city is beautiful, I hope I'll be able to post soon and more.

Big news and picture of the week.

So, everyone, the big news is I'm moving to Madrid for a few months to study journalism! Needless to say I'm scared to death, especially since I don't even have a flat yet... But on the other hand, I'm super excited.
Due to this, I don't know when I'll have an Internet connection, hopefully really soon, but here's the picture of this week anyway.

I found it at Instyle.com and it's a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker in the Sex and the City movie sequel. Although I do admit the first movie was a bit dumb (and here I am talking about the plot and nothing else), I did like seeing my beloved characters and their amazing outfits. As for this particular photo, I can only say I'm loving it very much!

Picture of the week - part 12.

A shot from Last Tango In Paris - my favourite movie ever and this particular photo has been my favourite for a long, long time. It says all that has to be said - without words.

Little Ashes, some words.

I had mixed feelings when I finally had the opportunity to watch Little Ashes. First, I was extremely interested since I like biopics and it was about artists I admire - Dalí, García Lorca, Buñuel... Yet, I also feared it would turn out to be a movie that wants to be so artistic it goes wrong (like Klimt with John Malkovich - not only it was boring, it was also confusing and, quite simply, a terrible waste of time). Unfortunately, I was more or less right - it could have been way better, more dynamic and less overwrought. I especially disliked the portrayal of Dalí - I understand it's hard to bring to life a man so extraordinary, revolutionary and weird, but it simply left me unimpressed. As for the actor playing Buñuel, I would say he was alright, nothing special though.

However, I do recommend this movie because of the depiction of García Lorca - Javier Beltrán was exquisite! With basically no experience in the film industry (prior to the film he only starred in one series), he managed to conquer all and played his teen idol co-star off the screen without making any efforts. You might say here that García Lorca is an "easier" character but then again, you should not forget he is a national hero in Spain.

Beltrán reminds me very much of Nacho Martínez; I hope he will get the roles he deserves because believe me, a talent like this does not come around too often.

Picture of the week - part 11.

Rachel Zoe's studio. All I can say is, if I had this amount of shoes I would definitely store them in a more safe place and way - then again, she maybe just likes seeing them around her...

Source: Huffington Post

Picture of the week - part 10.

It's not really the picture, it's the man - Hitchcock's birthday was this week (yesterday, to be exact). It would have been his 110th.

One plus one.

Many people seem to be reluctant to read classics - they are afraid the book might turn out to be hard-to-digest or they find it too long (think Russian classics or Joyce's Ulysses...). Yet, here are two classics everyone should read and I assure you they will be easy to read - and enjoy.

1. Hemingway - A Farewell to Arms

This wartime novel by the cultic author is extremely entertaining - my personal favourite is Rinaldi but the other characters and their thoughts are beautiful, thought provoking and witty as well. No wonder Hemingway is beloved all over the world thanks to this masterpiece, amongst others. Of course there were movie adaptations, too (the more famous one with Gary Cooper) and many consider this book an all-time favourite. It might not be a good choice for a casual beachside day, but it surely is a wonderful choice to read when the snow is falling outside.

2. Emily Brontë - Wuthering Heights

I don't think I exaggerate when I say this is the most famous work by a Brontë sister and it's uncanny that this is Emily's only novel. Again, I recommend it for lazy winter days when you have nothing else to do, especially because the characters and the astonishingly exciting writing will bewitch you so much you won't be able to put it down. One of the strange yet excellently working things about this book is the way the story is told - first, you have Lockwood, who is somehow the frame of it but he only has a minor role when it comes to the actual events - more than most of the time it's Ellen Dean who tells us what happened (and sometimes even her tells us what someone else told her) and this is what Lockwood is interpreting to us, readers. Yet, it's not only not confusing but it's quite simply phenomenal.

Just a minute.

I like references in general, especially when someone references an art piece. This is why I like this Audi commercial that references the best of the best - The Godfather. Not only because it's this film but also because it's this particular scene it references. I remember watching the film when I was little (the strange thing, I was not allowed to watch The Exorcist but I was allowed to watch The Godfather...) and this scene was the one I remembered the most. And even now, when I know all three movies by heart, I can't help but smile looking at this commercial since it makes me recall one of my dear childhood memories (regardless to the actual content of the scene).

Picture of the week - part 9.

James Dean.

Horror of the day.

Even if some consider this stylish (but admittedly a bit too much), I think this instead is the proof that no matter how much money you have if you don't have a good taste when it comes to style. I think an outfit like this can not be saved by the cliché-like "this is her personal, unique style" brand, this is, quite simply, tasteless, ridiculous and a no-go.

Photo by The Sartorialist

Picture of the week - part 8.

Robert Capa in Spain. Photo by Gerda Taro (1937)

I couldn't tell you why I love this photo but I can tell you why I love Robert Capa - he was a genious, an outstanding personality in photojournalism and photography, not to mention the fact that he was Hungarian.

In love.

I read many blogs (thank God for Netvibes and easy-organizing, I can read them all without moving from my homepage!) and one of them mentioned EmerJa. Checking out the website/blog, I fell in love with the very original and a bit whimsical pendants - this meeting of talent and creativity is personalized/unique accessories heaven!

I truly don't know why I have a thing for birds - it all started with doves, then went on with a swallow pendant and now it's basically every kind of birds - like this one. The final version can be seen below, but I think I just prefer it in black and white.

Another design I am desperately in love with is the cat-pendants. Maybe because they remind me of a ceramic wall decoration (also handmade) I got in Assisi, Italy.


For other designs, check out emerjadesign.blogspot.com!

Metal heart.

There are certain performers I do not like, but some of their works I find masterpieces. Metallica is one of these performers - they have two songs I love and even if I normally don't listen to them when I listen to music, I am glad when they are on the radio or when I run into them somewhere else.

The first song is, unsurprisingly, Nothing Else Matters. I think everyone who doesn't loathe this genre likes it and it's so popular maybe even they like it without knowing about it - it's a song you can't avoid, a song that has themes you can hear in films, TV shows, anywhere else. It's probably one of the most famous rock songs ever, even if it's a bit softer than what you'd expect.
I chose this video because it's the most well-known version (therefore the one I like the most) and the lyrics are shown as well.

The second song is Unforgiven. It's also something very much like a ballad, and it's the refrain that makes it unforgettable for me.

Picture of the week - part 7.

A still from Ingmar Bregman's Summer Interlude.
Photo by Louis Huch

Impressions - Rome.

So, about my week in Rome...
The first thing is, the means of transport are incredibly crowded. I've been to some metropolises in my life but none of them seemed to have this problem. All this due to the fact that there are only two metro lines. The reason, as I hear, is obvious - under the current streets there are so many treasures from the ancient Rome that it slows down the construction of basically anything in the city. The incredible number of tourists are also a factor in the crowdedness that is a perfect place for pickpockets - it was only our first day there and we caught one!
All that I mentioned above makes me not want to live there - it's quite frustrating even as a tourist, I can't imagine experiencing it every single day. Another thing is the heat. It unbearable, the means of transport or the stations lack air conditioning and no matter how many green fields are, the massive amount of concrete makes it worse.
On the other hand, Rome is a shopping paradise and we somehow found a cheap yet excellent pizza place with a really nice owner. Not that it's a surprise that Italian people are marvellous - I've onl had a few bad experiences and that was not in Rome anyway.
The city itself is, of yourse, unbelievable and magically beautiful. There are countless things to see, you need at least one month there to see everything you want, not to mention those you don't want... This is why I found it annyoing that to get to the Sistine Chapel you have to walk around almost all the chambers of the Vatican Museums, first because if you don't want to, it takes a lot of time and second (and this is my case): everything is breathtaking there and you feel guilty not looking at them. I understand the logic behind it though; without the Sistine Chapel the number of the Museums' visitors would radically decrease.
However, what I liked the most was the Trevi Fountain. You really can not imagine what it's like until you see it - gigantic and fabulous. I could sit there and watching it for hours - the only problem is that that's how most tourist feel and this is why you find them hundreds of people fighting to get there and see it in all its glory, even if for a couple of minutes. I wonder what it's like in the night, but I doubt it that it's significantly less crowded...

Picture of the week - part 6.

Théodore Géricault - Raft of the medusa


A study for the above painting


Tadeusz Kantor's version of Raft of the medusa (it was a seaside happening)