There are music documentaries that feel like homework, and then there are music documentaries that make you want to stand on your couch, point dramatically into the distance, and scream-sing about highways and destiny. Wings for Wheels falls squarely into the second category. This documentary follows Bruce Springsteen during the chaotic, obsessive, borderline-unhinged creation of Born to Run. And I mean obsessive in the way that makes you feel deeply reassured about your own questionable habits. You stress-bought lip balm at midnight. Bruce rebuilt a drum sound for six months. We all cope differently. The Vibe: Creative Chaos But Make It Inspirational Watching this documentary
Category: Pop Culture
Movie Review: Duel (1971) — The OG Road Rage Fever Dream
Let’s get one thing straight right now: Duel is 90 minutes of a man driving a red Plymouth Valiant and sweating so profusely it could qualify as an environmental hazard. It’s directed by a baby Steven Spielberg (like, still cutting his cinematic teeth), written by Richard Matheson of I Am Legend fame, and it’s essentially what happens when a Twilight Zone episode gets a driver’s license and too much gas money. The Plot (If You Can Call It That) A regular guy named David Mann (yes, Mann, because subtlety was apparently still on backorder in 1971) sets out on a drive through the California desert
The King Cole Trio: A Love Letter to Simplicity, Swing, and “It’s Only a Paper Moon”
by Kristen (your friendly neighborhood jazz nerd who still gets chills from a well-timed piano chord) There are albums that shout, albums that swoon, and albums that just quietly stroll into your living room, pour themselves a drink, and start humming something so smooth you forget to breathe. The King Cole Trio’s self-titled album (1944) is that last one. This record isn’t flashy. It doesn’t need to be. It’s Nat King Cole in his prime, before the string sections and the lush orchestrations..just his honeyed voice, a piano, a guitar, and a bass doing all the heavy lifting. Think of it as
The Life and Times of Kristen
It’s been awhile. It’s been hectic. It’s been life-changing. And I’m still recovering from it all. Once upon a time, a pandemic hit the globe. My man and I hid in our house and took walks at appropriately safe distances from other pedestrians. We planned. We enjoyed the small break from having to “head into the office”. We were both still receiving paychecks and felt incredibly blessed. I had chosen this most fortunate time to go back to school, to get my Masters. In the process I had quit my previous job and easily found a new one that aligned
Books: The Great Gatsby
This book is a tragedy. No, not because someone dies. It’s a tragedy because Gatsby lives a lie and loves a vapid gold digger. That, my friends, is how you waste a life. The story is told from Nick Carraway’s point of view–and what a view it is! F. Scott Fitzgerald’s power over description and the English language is a joy to read. Partially because he brings the roaring twenties to life and partially because he describes the characters just as they are. Whether they are brash, silly, insolent, or ignorant, he portrays them as just that and doesn’t faff
Currently Listening to: 25 by Adele
This album is a breakup guide to all the teenagers out there. I say this because from the sound of it, Adele has been dumped. A LOT. As a side effect, she’s learned to craft some ridiculously classy songs in response to breakups. Really, you could do far worse than to emulate Adele when your heart has been trampled on. And there are so many different types of breakup on the album. There is the regretful, I’m-so-sorry song of “Hello” that everyone and their pet cat has heard on the radio. It’s hauntingly beautiful. Although it’s clearly about her inability
Books: Emma
I’ve done the (un)lovely pleasure of reading this classic so you don’t have too! Aren’t I the BEST?! First off, Emma is the most hypocritical character you will ever meet. EVER. She thinks she’s a matchmaker that can best even Cupid (spoiler: she is terrible at matchmaking). Also: She thinks she is doing a service for her friend, Harriet, whom is, well, in a lesser place in society by trying to hook her up with men higher up the ladder so to speak. Why is it so important that Harriet climb the social ladder? Because Emma wouldn’t be able to
Books: Fahrenheit 451
I’m pretty sure this book is based on my nightmares. The main premise is that a fireman’s sole job is to burn any and all literature. You’re forbidden to read, your main source of entertainment comes from a room with four screens of televised content. Just the thought of it makes me want to scream. And you know what? When one fireman exposed himself to books for the first time, it turned his world upside down and made him realize that life as he knew it wasn’t living at all. The lack of books had caused technology to storm in
Blogs & Vlogs: I Covet Thee and Hunida
I’m a blog reading junkie and YouTube is my version of TV. As a result, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite things to watch and read over the next few weeks/months/FOREVER. Hope you enjoy some of my own finds! I Covet Thee – Blog & YouTube Alix Coburn runs the blog and YouTube channel known as I Covet Thee. There, she talks home & lifestyle, fashion galore, a little bit of makeup, and vlogs like a champion. Since moving, I’ve been devouring her own moving series, and taking notes of the small changes she makes to her place
The History of the Little Black Dress
The title of this post is a little misleading. It implies that you’re going to get a discussion on how the little black dress evolved, its origins, and how it became the iconic and timeless wardrobe classic that it is. But really, all you’re going to get is pictures, because I really like pictures and hate reading little museum placards. And that’s where I saw this, the Washington State History Museum where this was their current exhibit. My boyfriend, thoughtful guy that he is, knew that I’d enjoy the time warp back to the start of the little black dress.