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December 30, 2005

New Year, New Meaning?

As the New Year approaches, I started thinking about the different ways people change within the time frame of a year. Of course, there are the drastic modifications to our exteriors: different haircut, new wardrobe, reshaped bodies. But there are the more subtle changes: a renewed perspective on life, perhaps, a reassessment of your personal priorities.

In my case, I noticed how my interpretations and reactions to books changed. There are a few books which I go back to when I feel scattered and need anchoring; the familiarity of the story, language and setting comfort me, acting as a security blanket. Quite simply, they renew and replenish me because I know that in the end after countless suffering and misunderstanding, the world rights itself and our heroines find personal happiness.

That is why I could never part with my copies of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. I lose myself in the language and manners, inhaling every consonant, vowel and punctuation mark as if it were nourishment for my deprived psyche.

I remember vividly the first time I met Jane Eyre. It was first period study hall in seventh grade and I had just sat down at a table in our school's library, trying to decide what to do. It was an overcast day, and soon I heard that pattering of rain against the closed windows, drawing my eyes toward the shelves that ran along the window. And then I saw it, on the third shelf from the top, fourth range in from the left, and I succumbed to the siren's call. It was an old hardcover from the seventies, the cellophane yellowing the white, blue and black abstract print on the book jacket.

Jane called out to me, and before I knew it, I was listening to her story and could not put it down. I checked the book out and reluctantly put it in my locker, because the temptation would have been too great that I could not ignore her during class. The next few days were spent in states of agony and ecstasy. My school schedule was a major hindrance, interfering with my precious time at Thornfield and the blossoming relationship between Rochester and Jane.

When I finished, it was bittersweet. Jane left me to live happily ever after with Rochester. She abandoned me to my own devices, even though all I wanted was to remain a part of her life. As the years passed, I realized that Jane had not abandoned me, but that she decided that she would live within me, listening to my story for a change.

Obviously, the story itself hasn't changed as the years passed. However, I am the one transforming because I experience a little more each minute of the day. As I read passages, I gain a new understanding about Jane’s feelings. In no way am I saying that my life is as hard as Jane's, but I feel that I have a more mature insight than that of my 13 year old self, who wore rose-colored glasses. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the life we choose to live enriches our appreciation of everything, be it the little things or the big things.

So on that note, I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year! May you enjoy everyday to the fullest and revel in the new challenges you may face in the coming months!

Posted by eva on 10:00 AM

December 22, 2005

Songs of the moment : Sounds of the Season.

I have bemoaned the sounds of the holidays, namely the canonical nature of Christmas carols. However, as the festivities approach, I, the hardened cynic, become a softie, and revel in the sounds of the season. These are a couple of my favorites. Enjoy! Seasons Greetings!

Traditional Category:
1- Let It Snow
2- Winter Wonderland
3- The Christmas Song
4- Jingle Bells (This one brings back memories of my mom yelling at me as I kept singing the Simpsons version ...Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg, the Batmobile broke a wheel, the Joker got away! Yay!)
5- Have Yourself a Merry Christmas

Modern/Non-Traditional Category:
1- Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
2- Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl (Nothing like a drunken Christmas carol)
3- All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey (I channel the inner diva and lipsync away in front of the mirror)
4- Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid (This one brings warm tingles to my heart.)
5- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2 (I really like the original version by Darlene Love, but this version balances hopefulness and longing beautifully. Reminds me of Elvis.)

Wild Card:
Christmas Is All Around - Bill Nighy - This is a reworking of the Troggs' classic "Love Is All Around" done for Richard Curtis' film, Love Actually. To me, Bill Nighy played the washed out rocker seeking UK Christmas single redemption exquisitely, and I can't help singing along with it.

Posted by eva on 9:06 PM

December 21, 2005

To crop or not to crop...

If only common sense were alive and well... According to a BBC article, health experts are saying that wearing crop tops and backless outfits is a health risk to young women as it may induce hypothermia.

Thank you Captain Obvious! It doesn't take a scientific study to deduce that wearing summer clothing in wintry months will more than likely get you sick.

I'm sure that all of us at some point or other have forgotten a hat, scarf or pair of gloves on one of those blustery winter days, and cursed our sieve-like memories for such a lapse after enduring the painful nip of the near arctic weather.

Now girls, I know you probably think you won't look cute if you are not out there showing off your toned midriffs and backs, but shall we put things in perspective. Imagine yourselves at that party or in that club, having stood outside in the cold for a variable amount of time. Now when you start flirting and chatting up perspective partners, how attractive will running noses, sneezes, and wind burnt body parts be? Ladies, it's the winter, so bring out your figure-hugging sweaters and make them use their imaginations for a change.

Don't despair though, it's only another four or five months before you can safely bring out your cropped wares and flaunt what your mother gave you.

Posted by eva on 8:19 AM

December 20, 2005

Déjà Video

For the last few days, I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my first rental from Netflix. After the obligatory routine of reading terms and conditions and filling out online forms, I perused the immense online catalog, and (to my heart’s content) found Fellini’s Satyricon. I have searched high and low at various rental places and never found it. And now, after a few points and clicks, I wait for the bright red rectangular envelope to appear in my mailbox.

When it finally showed up, I was excited. My curiosity was about to be sated and after months on the hunt, I could not get to my DVD player fast enough. As the opening credits played, I knew I was in for a treat. It is visually stunning and interesting, a constant playing with shadows, colors, and editing. I started watching the movie at around 9:30 PM, all the while sipping a strong cup of coffee, reveling in my first experience with Fellini's cinematic magic.

Boom...mental blackout... last images in my head are of Encolpius waking up on a beach and getting wrangled onto a slave ship. After that it's just fuzzy darkness, brought on by deep slumber.

I was so annoyed with myself. I had been looking forward to this movie for the longest time, yet I could not stay up. The next evening, I started watching the movie again, hoping that I could make it all the way, but, alas it was not to be. The next morning, I woke up with a start at 4:30 AM, still wearing my glasses and my TV screen black with blinking lights. Foiled again!

Third times the charm, as I finally viewed the Satyricon, enjoying it thoroughly. But I have come to realize that no matter how badly I want to see a movie, read a book or watch a TV show, my body is the one running the show and if it says it wants to sleep, nothing, not even Jedi mind tricks, will stand in its way.

Posted by eva on 9:37 PM

December 19, 2005

2005 Christmas Survival Music Mix

As the holiday season swings into high gear, we will soon be overwhelmed sonically by Christmas classics and various modern renditions of these songs as we hit the local malls and megamarts, hunting for gifts and spreading seasonal expletive-driven cheer while searching for parking spaces. In an effort to save our collective sanity this holiday season, I put forth my humble musical selections as an alternative to the repetitive and often irritating Christmas catalogs that exist out there. At least some will make us think of warm weather ;-)

1- Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder
2- Ray Charles - What'd I Say Parts I & II
3- The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
4- Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Mas Que Nada
5- The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
6- The Beatles - Getting Better
7- U2 - Yahweh
8- David Bowie - Starman
9- Björk - All Is Full of Love
10- Nas - I Can
11- Beck - Mixed Bizness
12- Madness - Wings of a Dove (A Celebratory Song)
13- The Killers - Everything Will Be Alright
14- Oasis - I Hope, I Think, I Know
15- Outkast - Hey Ya!
16- Madeleine Peyroux - Don't Wait Too Long
17- Franz Ferdinand - Jacqueline
18- Bodyrockers - I Like the Way
19- Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At
20- Bobby Darin - Beyond the Sea

Posted by eva on 8:03 PM