Sketchy Santas
The Neon Boneyard - Downtown Las Vegas
The Neon Museum in downtown Las Vegas held an open house at their Neon Boneyard yesterday. You could pay just $5 to take your time and wander through the boneyard looking at their collection of historic Las Vegas neon signs. I took lots and lots of pictures some of which you can see below. It was an overcast day but it didn't rain on us! Hurrah!
My 10 Most Favoritest Christmas Movies
It's a Wonderful Life
I fell in love with Jimmy Stewart quite young in life and I must have watched the scene where he as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary walk home from the dance and throw rocks at the Old Granville House a bazillion times. I adore that scene. It's so sweet and romantic and goofy and perfect. I know that once upon a time this film was played nearly non-stop on TV during the holidays, but now that they only play it once a year it has recaptured it's specialness. It should be watched as a family event.
I fell in love with Jimmy Stewart quite young in life and I must have watched the scene where he as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary walk home from the dance and throw rocks at the Old Granville House a bazillion times. I adore that scene. It's so sweet and romantic and goofy and perfect. I know that once upon a time this film was played nearly non-stop on TV during the holidays, but now that they only play it once a year it has recaptured it's specialness. It should be watched as a family event.
I love when Charlie Brown and Linus go pick out a Christmas tree. "I suggest we try those searchlights, Charlie Brown." Yes, Linus, you're so smart.
Some years ago watching this film together became a sorta Christmas tradition for me and my best friend Jen. I always moon over Christian Bale as Laurie, and she moons over Gabriel Byrne as Professer Bhaer. It's gotten harder in recent years because we no longer live in the same city. But I can always watch this film if I want to feel like she's near and it's great at Christmas.
I love how quickly this film has become a Christmas classic. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Buddy the Elf.
This film got terrible reviews when it came out in 2005 but I love it and now I watch it every year at Christmas. The cast is fantastic and it's such a great mix of comedy, drama, and romance.
I don't know why people don't think of this movie when it comes to the best Christmas movies of all time. It's perfect. Funny, sweet, romantic, and charming. I love the scene when Sandra Bullock as Lucy is at the Callaghan house while they open presents. She has no family and here she is thrust into this boisterous bunch and she gets quiet and wistful as she watches them interact and exclaim in delight and surprise over their gifts. And they give her a gift too! So sweet. Love it.
Judy Davis is genius.
Boris Karloff. That's all that needs to be said about this classic.
There is a reason TBS plays this for 24 hours straight on Christmas. No one ever gets sick of it! Personally I love the quiet scenes, like the opening one with all the kids looking in the toy store window and the parade, or the final scene when mom and dad pour themselves some champagne, sit by the light of the Christmas tree and watch the snow falling outside. I think I would love a Christmas in the 1940s.
Maureen O'Hara was definitely one of the most beautiful women ever. She's an uptight mother in this one, but she comes around. Who wouldn't with the wonderful Edmund Gwenn around?
Happy 235th Birthday Jane Austen!
Watercolor sketch of Jane Austen by her sister Cassandra Austen, 1804
Today is my beloved Jane's birthday. Happy Birthday Jane! Thanks for everything!
"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."
My Top 10 Albums of 2010
Volume Two by She & Him
I think I like Volume Two by She & Him even better than Volume One! Zooey Deschanel seems more confident as a songwriter with this second album and much more confident in her singing voice. It's still bright, bubbly, sunshiney throwback pop music just with a little more ooomph.
Contra by Vampire Weekend
Those "Ivy League" boys have done it again. I listened to this album non-stop for at least a month when it was first released. These are perfect pop songs with that strange yet satisfying world music edge, like some sort of Paul Simon afterthought.
Infinite Arms by Band of Horses
I love Ben Bridwell's voice. This album is super laid back and dreamy. Although Band of Horses do not push the envelope from album to album they do consistently make good music.
I'm Having Fun Now by Jenny and Johnny
I'd never heard of Jonathan Rice before he became Jenny Lewis' boyfriend and they started making music together, but I've loved Jenny in all her incarnations: Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lews & the Watson Twins, back up vocalist for The Postal Service, or just plain Jenny Lewis. This album does not make me want to run out and buy all Jonathan Rice's previous work, because Jenny is the star of this show. She's just got magic in her, you know? This is pure California pop music and they seem to make a good pair.
The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
A masterpiece. That is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.
The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit
Another voice that I love. I also love that you can hear Scott Hutchinson's Scottish accent when he sings. It's adds an authenticity to his singing. With this album Frightened Rabbit is definitely aiming to break through to the mainstream and there are some great singles here that could help them do that.
The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) by Janelle Monáe
Wowza. This girl has IT. You know what I mean? IT. This girl is 5'3" of pure rock and soul. And man does she have great personal style! This album is eclectic and conceptual and awesome.
Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom
This album is over two hours long and came on three discs. Yep. And guess what? Every minute of it is exceptional. No one makes music like Joanna. She weaves elaborate tapestries of song that you will always be finding new and wonderful things within on every listen.
Release Me by The Like
The Like seemingly reinvented themselves with this, their second album. Their lineup changed and so did their sound. But you know what? I love it. Their 60s girl group, British invasion-inspired sound is fun and flirty and catchy and addictive.
White Mystery by White Mystery
Thank goodness someone out there is still making straight up Rock n' Roll music! This Chicago band is a refreshing blast of loud, crunchy guitar and drums. You can't listen to this brother and sister outfit without tapping your feet or banging your hands on the steering wheel. Plus, they're REDHEADS!
And five honorable mentions:
Destroyer of the Void by Blitzen Trapper
Wreckorder by Fran Healy
Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
Write About Love by Belle and Sebastian
A Single Man Soundtrack score by Abel Korzeniowski
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