j'ai une ame solitaire - my habit of david lynch

Saint David of Lynch

Twin Peaks. Currently re-watching the entire series straight through with my new roommate, who has never seen them.


David Lynch has his own line of coffee and writes books on transcendental meditation. He makes some damn fine quinoa and started a foundation for kids with ADHD. He builds furniture, was formally trained as a painter, and has cut some really good music albums. He recently married a 26 year old (he's 65.) Oh, and he happens to be the finest film and television director that ever lived, is all.

Wrapped in plastic.

Watching through the series that singlehandedly revitalized the field of TV drama, I'm again struck by how excellent the first season is...and how terrible the second becomes. Twin Peaks sets up the lovely and divided Laura Palmer as the MacGuffin (fancy cinephile talk for the object of desire pursued throughout the plot) in the first few frames...as a dead body. The mystery surrounding her former double life and subsequent death drives the show  The solution to Laura's mystery happens early in the second season, which takes all the steam out of the plot and subplots...characters begin to play out unnatural scenarios that feel at best, desperate, and at worst...cheap. David Lynch only directed a few of the episodes himself, and left during the second season to film Wild at Heart. That explains it. Wild at Heart was worth it.


That's the only bad news. The good news is that Twin Peaks is one of the most unique, memorable and fascinating series ever to grace your home viewing box. The quirky, lovable characters, mesmerizingly eerie scenes, and symbolic plot devices twist and bend your mind at every turn. The whole thing feels very stream of consciousness...one of the things I love about Lynch films is his ability to embrace happy accidents and improvising. A flickering lamp on set is translated into a powerful symbol once the cameras are rolling. A set dresser accidentally caught in frame TWICE becomes an integral part of the plot of the show. Twin Peaks is chock full of these amazing little moments that you would never see in any other television show. It's like a puzzle you never want to be finished.

vivian maier, street photographer & nanny

Watch the full episode. See more Chicago Tonight.

five forgotten favorites: the kindly men of 80's t.v.

Sir Fred Rogers, Knight of Children's Television

5. Fred Rogers, a.k.a. "Mister Rogers"
Every time I smell crayons...I think of the awesome crayon factory segment brought to public TV by the unfortunately named Fred McFeely Rogers. Never was there a more gentle, good natured and completely harmless purveyor of wholesome, educational children's programming. 


Ironic for a television icon with over 800 episodes and more than thirty years of programming under his sensible belt, Mr. Rogers hated TV when he first saw it at home. He saw potential for television to be used as a tool for good (not just as a screaming corporate loudspeaker selling an empty lifestyle of indulgence and insecurity...my words, not his) and left seminary school to work in a television station. He was a religious, moral man, and though he left his proselytizing shoes at home, his ethical message of doing good by the world came through loud and clear in his long running program, Mister Rogers Neighborhood. 


On the show, Fred had all the makings of the one creepy guy you don't want near your kids...religious upbringing, into puppets, wore cardigans and especially quiet shoes, and created a make-believe land of imagination where he brought kids to watch him play. But Mister Rogers was nevertheless exactly the man who taught more than a  few generations of kids to be interested in the world around us, that it was okay to be to be creative and relaxed, how to authentically cope with our fears, and that we should love ourselves and each other. Fuck yeah, Mister Rogers.

Bob was a friend to the animals.

4. Bob Ross
If you were alive in the early Eighties and one or both of your parents were anywhere even slightly left of center, you remember the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. His Beatnik 'fro and stoned smile lovingly graced us with expertly daubed 'happy little trees' across the soft canvas landscapes of Public Television. Charismatic to almost cultish levels, his soft, encouraging words and gentle enthusiasm for painting nature made each 28 minute episode a meditation on creative expression.


Irony abounds in the bowels of public television, and Bob Ross was no exception. He served 20 years in the military as a medical records staffer, and claimed to be the kind of guy who yelled A LOT. So much so  that after his military career was over, he vowed never to yell again. And it is really hard to picture the dulcimer-voiced artist we know and love freaking out and screaming obscenities at peons in some gritty military camp. Actually, it's pretty damn funny to picture that.


Bob's happy little trees and calm abiding mountains may never be auctioned by Sotheby's, but he taught a simple technique that anyone could learn with a bit of practice. And even more so, he made a quiet, happy place on TV where you could simply watch a dude paint. And you didn't know you even needed that. 

3. David Leisure, a.k.a. "Joe Isuzu"
Why do I still remember Joe Isuzu? He represented, to me, the epitome of the smarmy, not to be trusted brown-noser you avoided at early 80's office parties or who followed you around the pastel adorned gym in loose jogging shorts that covered his balls not-so-much. But for Christs sake, you has to LIKE the guy. David Leisure (why'd they make up a character name, his real one is perfect) played a pathological liar who overinflated how great that year's Izuzu truck or car was, while at the same time making everyone else look like a complete ass-faced moron with how fucking cool he was. The slick, coke addled marketing execs who invented him may not have realized their audience barely noticed the crummy cars as the charming Joe Izuzu finagled his way into our hearts. He was the epic salesman who sold out his own dear mother, caught bullets in his teeth, and insulted an entire nation of Native Americans while grinning like a well-commissioned salesman who just did all of those things.  His playfully reprehensible, insultingly unbelievable sales pitches reflected a greedy, morally deficient, sellout, 1980's America back at itself in one of the most scathing allegories of these modern times. You have my word on it.

Ernest was...kinda hot...before Ernest.

2. Jim Varney, a.k.a. "Ernest"
Jim Varney, this wonderful cartoon of a man, simultaneously stereotyped and made adorable those Americans unfortunate enough to be from the outer limits of civilization (i.e. The Ozarks, the deeeeep south, or the state of Missouri.)  In 1980, the first Ernest commercial was born in front of a handheld camera somewhere near Nashville, to advertise the appearance of the Dallas Cheerleaders at a local amusement park.  Soon, dairy farms and natural gas agencies all over the Gulf South were clamoring to have the lovable  yokel tell his imaginary friend, Vern, how great their products were on camera. You may first remember him as the star of the Mellow Yellow soda and several car dealership commercials once he made the trek across the states to LA (presumably on the back of the same open-faced roach coach that brought Granny and Jed to Beverley Hills.) 

The Ernest character and his catch phrase "KnoWhutImean, Vern?" became so popular amongst kids and Nascar fans that Ernest soon had his own TV show and several low-budget but surprisingly high-grossing movies. At this point, I need to recommend the wildly unpopular "Ernest Goes to Camp" movie, where Ernest is a maintenance man at a summer camp who dreams of someday rising through the ranks to become a counselor. In a nutshell, his infectious Southern enthusiasm and quirky antics earn him the respect of the entire camp, which he ends up saving from an evil corporate takeover. In a pivotal scene replete with Oscar-worthy pathos, Ernest sings himself into the lowest point in the movie with a little song called "Gee I'm Glad It's Raining," because only the rain can hide his tears of sadness at the threat of losing his friends. And there simply is nothing, I tell you, NOTHING sadder than a sad Ernest (except maybe the "Bluebird of Happiness" song by Jim Henson's Big Bird in a much better kids movie, "Follow That Bird"...but I digress.) His goofy but hopelessly lovable naivety and charming characture-osity? make Ernest a steaming number two on my list of outstanding 80's male television personalities.

1. Milton Teagle Simmons, a.k.a. Richard Simmons
How does one describe a man whose primary uniform throughout his lifetime was a diamond-studded tank top and matching pair of short short Dolfin shorts? I guess...that pretty much describes him. Richard Simmons was and is a funny, flamboyant, family friendly, not-openly-but-obviously gay personality who helped millions of people lose weight in a fun, self-accepting way. He appeared as himself in hundreds of television shows and commercials throughout his three-decade career. 

Legend has it that little Milton started out a chubby kid who got picked on a lot back in his home town of New Orleans. When he got to LA in the 70's, he struggled to find a gym for people who weren't already fit, so he opened one himself. He has since written many popular books, had his own tv show, and developed tons of fitness tapes and DVD sets. 

Yet, even the sunshiney Simmons has his moments of darkness. 

MARCH 25--Richard Simmons was arrested yesterday and charged with assaulting a Harley Davidson salesman during a confrontation at a Phoenix airport. No, that is not a joke. The 54-year-old fitness guru (5' 7", 155 pounds) laid the smackdown on one Chris Farney, a 23-year-old Mesa man (6' 1" and 255 pounds) who happens to cage wrestle in his spare time. According to the below Phoenix Police Department report, when Farney spotted Simmons (whose real first name is Milton) walking through the Sky Harbor International Airport, he said, "Look, Richard Simmons. Drop your bags, let's rock to the 50's." Farney told cops he was referring to an old Simmons workout tape. The diminutive star responded by walking over to the strapping Farney and saying, "It's not nice to make fun of people with issues." He then slapped Farney's face. The motorcycle salesman, who was not injured, called cops, who cited an "emotional" and repentant Simmons for assault.

 And, he had his own line of dolls, but nevertheless, remains a cheerful, unafraid icon of being true to yourself. For that, Richard Simmons comes in at the top spot in my disjointed little list of the 80's most memorable men. Thanks for playing. <3

cemetery culture of la superba

Boccadasse, a visually famous suburb of Genoa

I always knew my grandma and her family were from Genoa, Italy, but I realized only recently how kind of awesome that is. Known regionally as La Superba (The Superb One,) the birthplace of a saint and few popes. Genoa is a bustling port town on the northern Mediterranean coast, and is perhaps known best as the origin of that infamous explorer-slash-genocidal maniac, Christopher Columbus That reluctant acceptance aside, Genoa turns out to be this really amazing town, a crossroads of culture for northern Italy. 

Pesto, I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
So I love you because I know no other way.
(I'm pretty sure Pablo Neruda was talking about Pesto.)

And it happens to be the local origin of pesto sauce, which, to me, makes Genoa pretty much one of the happiest places on earth for that reason alone. Genoa also boasts the largest aquarium in Italy, the Acquario di Genova, which elicits all sorts of The Life Aquatic type fantasies for me. It's also home to some of the most amazing architecture, fine art and sculpture in all of Europe. So now I have reason to believe some of my deep and lifelong interests are genetically linked to Genoa, however not scientifically possible that may be. :)

The Angel Of Resurection, sculpted by Monteverde, Staglieno Cemetery

While I was flitting around online looking into my ancestral origin story, I came across some images from the Monumental Cemetery Staglieno (Cimitero monumentale di Staglieno,) one of the largest, most breathtaking cemeteries in Europe, which rests on a hillside of Genoa. The teenage, Anne Rice reading, all black wearing, clove smoking part of me rose up in angst like some Gothic vapour from deep within the murky depths of my soul...(actually I keep that locked away in the "embarrassing momentary fashion trends" part of me,) and I scoured the net for photos of the amazingly lifelike sculptures meant to commemorate what could possibly be a few of my ancestors. Designed in 1851, this cemetery is host to the finest outdoor collection of late 19th and early 20th century Italian marble sculpture by artists like Leonardo Bistolfi, Giulio Monteverde, and Edoardo Alfieri, and even sports a mini version of the Parthenon. Angsty 80's teen band Joy Division featured one of the sculptures at Staglieno on the cover of their "Love Will Tear Us Apart" single...that's how Goth it is. 


Check out these photos of the monuments at Staglieno...even if you're not into sculpture, you might be after you see these sensual, lifelike statues.

• Flickr Photos of Staglieno Cemetary
• Google Image Search for Staglieno
• A Nice Set of Large Statue Images
• Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno - Wikipedia

I researched a bit into my family tree to find out if one of these artworks might be dedicated to a genetic ancestor of mine. Sadly, it seems the majority of my relatives were poor, and quite likely buried in unmarked mass graves used many times for peasants due to the lack of land space in Italy. Not very romantic, but hey, as far as depressing burials go, that's kinda Goth too. <3

obento obsessed

My first bento

I had a Japan infatuation before it was cool. I read Japanese fiction (and non-fiction,) I swoon over tea ceremonies, Kurosawa films, and Kanji, I fold every receipt I get into origami...and I practice Zen. The classic Japanese lunch tradition of O-bento, or boxed lunch, is no exception to my obsession. Lunch in a Box, a great site for bento beginners, says that "a bento lunch is a compact, balanced, visually appealing meal packed in a box." It's also a nifty, creative way to teach myself portion control (heh,) and it encourages me to attempt making my own Japanese culinary delights, which are traditionally healthier than the good ol' American diet. (Check this "meal" out from one of my favorite cult movies of the 80's, UHF.)


My week may include a trip to San Francisco's Japantown, so I'm making a shopping list of fun bento-related items. Bento boxes come in lots of shapes and sizes, from traditional wood and lacquer works of traditional and modern art, to colorful plastic gems featuring every kawaii (cute) cartoon character under the sun. Many Japanese moms pack bento boxes for their kids (and sometimes, husbands) lunches every day, but some take it up a notch, creating wildly complex and adorable kyraben (character bento) which turns every edible part of the meal into a plant, animal, flower or delicious reference from pop culture.

OMG KYRABEN!

Any food grade container with a tight sealing lid can be used as a bento, but there are many places where you can get the real thing. To buy your first bento box, try the kitchen section in your local Asian market. Bento boxes made specifically for that purpose can be deceptively tiny, as most are made with young girls or dieting women in mind...here's an easy way to help you pick the right size for your caloric needs. The milliliter capacity of your box is roughly equal to the amount of calories it can hold if tightly packed. So, a 350ml. box can hold about 350 calories of food if packed tightly. 

Even though there is definitely no limit to what you can put in your bento, there is a traditional method that is helpful (and healthy) to abide by. Your bento should contain 3 parts carbohydrates like rice, pasta or grains, 1 part protein (meat/fish/cheese/nuts) and 2 parts vegetables or fruit. Since part of the purpose for bento is constructing a balanced meal, the amount of candy, sweets and oily or greasy foods should be limited. And there are TONS of adorable, awesome ways to keep it all neat inside the box...from tiny plastic sauce bottles shaped like animals, to skewers, cups, fake grass, seaweed punches for putting faces on your food, flower and leaf shaped food cutters and more little tiny things to get truly obsessed over.

Even though bento is traditionally Japanese, it has lately become an international hobby too, and there are some excellent English language sites out there to help you develop your bento habit. Just Bento and Lunch in a Box are great to start with, with everything from beginner basics to traditional and experimental recipes to try and tons of helpful tips. J-List is a great site for Japanophiles and has a truly amazing selection of bento boxes and accessories. A dangerously amazing selection. :) And if you wanna get competitive about (or addicted to) bento, just take a look through this Flickr photo sharing group, Bento Boxes, a great way to see what other people are creating and get ideas for your own.

So wish me luck on my trip to Japantown to buy my first real wood bento box! The wood ones can be pricey, but I know I'll put it to good use. And go try making your own bento, you probably have enough stuff in your kitchen to try it right now! <3