The Others--the LOST Band

You're probably not surprised to hear that there's a LOST tribute band who writes a new song for every episode of Lost and then posts them on their MySpace page. But, did you know there's one here in our own Pioneer Valley? My friend Mark told me about these guys called The Others (it's their joke band, they're really the Thungs). They're a riot because you have no idea what they were talking about unless you are a LOST fan like me and my crew.

Their sound is actually pretty good considering and I'm even more into them because they're local. I find that crazy random. Apparently they don't alway perform as The Others, more as the Thungs, but I can't wait to see them live soon and talk LOST with them because chances are they're more into the show than me and have some pretty good theories.

Trimline

When I was in Atlanta earlier this month, I tried really hard not make any crazy purchases, but I couldn't resist getting this 70s burnt orange phone (in the center of the photo). It was only $10 at the vintage store Nineteen71 on Euclid in Little Five Points. The owner was really cool and let me take these photos in her shop. It still works--yes, I am one of a hand full of people my age I know that still has a home phone line. It took a little extra time in the security line at the airport, and the NSA guy joking commented on it's randomness. That's me, random!

I found the same color/style phone on Oldphones.com in the original box for $100. Do people collect these things or something? I wish new electronics came in retro colors...I would love an avocado green ipod and I would have been into a wood paneled flatscreen.

Last weekend I was watching movies on Hugo HD, and I painfully sat through Running With Scissors, Augusten Burroughs' book-turned-not-so-good-film. But it did have a really awesome production designer and I was excited to see my phone -same color and style- used as a prop in his character's mother's ultra-swanky 1970s living room. I think when I grow up i want to be a production designer for funky movies with big budgets.

New to Me

I always feel cool for 5 minutes when I think I discovered new music, but I should know by now that I never have, and never will have any idea of new and awesome--especially not music. I wait until everyone else has discovered it first, and about a year and a half later I'll finally catch on. Well, today I felt really excited about some stuff that appeared on my Pandora mix.

The Weepies

It was the first whole album I've purchased from ITunes and I've been listening to it all afternoon. It helped me feel a little less bitter about the snow that dusted my yard and car--at least if I couldn't run around outside I could shut myself inside and listen to something awesome.

Regina Spektor

I knew Regina existed, I just didn't realize how many songs on her album(released in 2006, this is how withit I am, everyone, trust me) were so good. I'm not completely living under a rock, my friend Cate had Regina's music video "Fidelity" on her Myspace page last summer (the one that starts out all edgy and B&W with the creepy mime mannequin and then they throw paint at each other at the end). BTW, On more than one occasion Cate's Myspace song has exposed me to what's awesome and hip, another example being the now infamous what's-her-face junky brit Amy Winehouse's "Re-hab." When I heard that song on her page i was like WTF does she like this song for? Little did I know.....

Jillian Tamaki

I fell in love with Jillian Tamaki when I saw her illustrations for an article about Children's Books in Cookie Magazine last month. (Even though I'm a bigger fan of Wonder Time Magazine than Cookie, I still dig their commissioned illustrators) Go to Jillian's website and I think you'll fall in love with her work too. It really draws you into the dream state she creates with her soft, inky lines and soothing color palette. The imagery and style have a nostalgic quality that is comforting but still contemporary. I'm eager to check out her book Skim that will apparently be out this Spring. She was gracious enough to give me permission to write about her, so thanks for the okay Jillian!

You should all subscribe to her online sketchblog. Here is another one of my favorites from her site:

Whole Foods Appreciation

I just want to give a shout out to Whole Foods for being open normal hours on Easter. {happy easter BTW} I was one of the many people who still had to work today, and while I understand why many places had limited hours or were closed in observance (i.e. my gym, trader joe's, barnes and noble, the gas station) I appreciate being able to hang out in Whole Foods and drink chai, shop for my weekly sundries and get a good bottle of wine. . .not to mention check out the handsome WF fellas.

My Ridiculous Purchase of the Day

Today I bought a new TV set. It's ridiculously huge but my friend Josh talked me into it and I saved random loot. So maybe I don't have cable, but now I can watch movies from anywhere in my apartment, which makes it worth its weight in gold (all 27.7 lbs). That's my style-- all or nothing, baby. So, wanna come over and watch a movie?