HOTTEST SUMMER EVER

It's been a trip, but it's time for September. Killing off my summer with a new fall playlist! Art Class by Superchunk is a front runner to being my theme song of this year. Other songs included on my personal soundtrack of my life list are...It 'Aint Gonna Save Me by Jay Reatard, No Hope Kids by Wavves, aaaand of course Sticks and Stones by Jamie T. It's been one of the hottest summers ever, both figuratively and literally, but lately I just want to wear a sweater, finally drink some tea again, learn new stuff, and stop being so generally lazy.

[Julian on cover of NME]

WAYS TO BE COOL

This one goes out to all you crazzzy kids. Like Nathan Wavves Williams, I too would like to meet Dave Grohl. Especially after he told rowdy concert goers to "use their feet for dancing, not kicking." Whatta cool guy. The 'ways to be cool' list below should have a bullet for "is Dave Grohl."

Can't really picture myself as not being in high school anymore..time to relive my glory days while watching too much Freaks and Geeks!! Tryin to find a nice floppy toque like Daniel Desario's (see below) that can cover up flat lanky hair days. Fashion icon status feshaww.

[Rafa Castells, Freaks n Geeks basement chilling, Thurston Moore's rad grad write up, Elephant, all the ways to be cool, Paul Smith fw 11, James Franco as Daniel Desario]

CRAAAZY

Just returning from the wesside of North America (Calgary, Portland, Seattle), this music brings back not so distant memories from my trip. I can't get enough of these songs aaaand I'm pleased to see they all have interesting videos: Male Bonding is a live video promo for their new album, the Breeders one is directed by Spike Jonze, Kim Gordon and Richard Kern, and the National video features a man who looks quite similar to John Lennon which is always a plus. Speaking of Male Bonding, their new album "Endless Now" is out August 29! And they're playing in Toronto September 2nd!! CRAAAZY*

*I've been over enthusiastic about my new stovetop espresso maker today. There is such a thing as TOO much coffee.

girls girls girls

You can dress like a boy if you want to. Boys reading this can just dress like a Stroke. "Boys want to be them, girls want to date them.." Win/win situation I guess.

[Where I got these pictures.]

Throwing things

Crazy about this song. Learn to play it on guitar here!

Invisible Monsters

"The most boring thing in the entire world is nudity. The second most boring thing is honesty."

[Kate Moss, Chris Scarborough, Vivienne Westwood fw 11]

Invisible monsters by Chuck Palahniuk was the most fun I've ever had reading a book. I highly recommend it if you're find yourself in a reading block this summer. Currently reading the Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton, which I recommend as well!

Ceremony

I'll break them down no mercy shown, heaven knows it's got to be this time.

I love car trips..I love being the passenger. That's probably why I haven't gotten around to getting my drivers license yet. Listening to music and watching light and trees and cars flash by is the most relaxing thing for me. I feel like my brain becomes clearer and more in tune with everything that's going on in life. Perfect for when I just want things to stop for a few hours. Just slow down. Time to think, reminisce, zone out and a chance to really listen to music. Top song to listen to while the sun is setting: Ceremony played by either New Order (hopeful- for the car ride there) or Joy Division (wistful- for the trip back home).

Kim and Mark in the red car, Newton, Mass. 1978

Sun hits the road, Shandaken, N.Y. 1983

[Both photographs by Nan Goldin]