Bliss

When I saw NEnz, a Dutch blog and a definite favorite of mine, held a "bliss" photo contest, all the gears in my head started working. Creating things makes me feel most blissful, so I made something that combines a lot of what I love.

It turned out to be a winning picture too! And I'll show you my lovely prize very soon. Anyway, I really enjoyed making this and hope to continue making similar things. Possibly even turn it into a nice blog project. What do you think?

Finding Vivian Maier

The story of Vivian Maier is extremely interesting, as is the story of how her work was quite recently discovered. I was very intrigued by the documentary about her stunning work and the unusual circumstances of her posthumous fame.

Eight years ago John Maloof found a random box of negatives in an auction. He was blown away by what he found and ended up tracing the rest of Vivian Maier's pictures, her life's story, and bringing her work to the public.

I was very sad to find out I actually just missed an exposition of her work in my city, but I only found out about her after that had closed down. Either way, this documentary was well worth watching. It has it's darker moments as well, but it was just incredibly captivating to hear all about such a complicated and solitary photographic genius.

Circle Songs #54

"Yes, she knows from peace of mind to be not sinister in purpose, and to never be unkind…"

Berkeley Girl - Harper Simon

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Continuing on my Jena Malone-appreciation digression. She features in a beautiful video for a beautiful song by Simon Paul's son, Harper. I might never have found his music if it wasn't for her. So thank you, Jena, once again.

Circle Songs #53

"I didn't know my name, didn't know my heart,  didn't know if I could stand…"

Paper Cup - The Shoe

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I've always been very fond of Jena Malone and my love grew even deeper when I found out she is releasing a cd. And not just this crappy actor-goes-singer cd... An actual cool one! With a partner and an actual band name: The Shoe.

Circle Songs #52

"Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from, I'm just trying to make you see that I desire the simple things…"

I'd Like To - Corinne Bailey Rae

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We are having a few days of summer. It will only last for about two more days so I'm trying to make the most of it. Which means: spending time at parks, eating ice cream and doing absolutely nothing except for chatting or reading.

Circle Songs #51

"After all that we've been through, there ain't nothing new, in the calm after the storm…"

Calm After the Storm - The Common Linnets

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I can not believe I'm blogging about Eurovision. Most years I don't even watch any of it. However, Holland had a very decent song this year -in fact, the first time I heard it I thought it was Gillian Welch-. They almost won even. However, I can't say I'm sad that the bearded drag queen won. If that isn't progress, I don't know what is. She totally had my vote as well.

Circle Songs #50

"Your feet, they never found a firm hold on the ground…"

To the Bone - Bombay Bicycle Club

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A few weeks ago I picked up a 7". I try to be really critical when it comes to buying records, but this was a great choice. This song... It's so magical, so honest and actually very refreshing. It's not often you hear a love song quite like this.

Circle Songs #49

"See the blue pools in the squinting sun, hear the hissing of summer lawns"

The Hissing of Summer Lawns - Joni Mitchell

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I've finally started listening to Joni Mitchell. On the one hand I wonder why I didn't earlier, on the other I feel like this is the right time. Now that I'm so busy with music, I'm glad there are some lady musicians left to still explore.

Circle Songs #48

"Everybody's moving so fast, makes you feel like you're already part of the past…"

Airwaves - Ray LaMontagne

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I was so excited to find out Ray LaMontagne is releasing a new cd soon. Some songs are already out, and judging by those, Supernova will be a perfect summer record! It makes me want to do some impromptu outdoor jam sessions too.

Circle Songs #47

"Could I make it more clear? Could I give you more time?

Did I say enough or did I say to much?"

Too Much - Pale

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This song was a very lucky random find. Gotta love that YouTube sidebar! Anyway, it really fit my mood and it's exacty the kind of electronic music I somehow do love. In fact, I love this song so much I ordered it on vinyl.

Circle Songs #46

"I swear I will make myself tiny. I just have a guitar and a suitcase with me…"

No More Home, No More Love - Soko

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I'm suffering from terrible wanderlust all of a sudden. I haven't decided whether or not to act on it yet. Somehow I have the feeling that traveling elsewhere will make me feel more grounded. Also, a trip is always nice of course!

Circle Songs #45

"I think that somehow, somewhere inside us, we must be similar, if not the same…"

Left of Center - Suzanne Vega

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Since I've moved I've been doing a lot of things that are very different from what I'm used to, yet I keep meeting like-minded people wherever I go. Perhaps that's where they've been hiding, or perhaps I did the hiding all along...

Wise Words

  {picture from here  - quote from Henry David Thoreau - merged by me}

Circle Songs #44

"Today is the day that I threw out everything that I wanted. I was scared but that's alright..."

Yeah Yeah - Win in Alaska

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Nothing shows you how much stuff you actually own like moving does. So I've been letting crappy things go to give the good stuff room to shine. I'll always be a collector, but I'm hoping to be more sensible and organized about it.

Circle Songs #43

"I can tell you how it'll go down, but only you can tell me how it will end..."

It's Quite Alright - Maia Vidal

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Cold weather always makes everything harder, slower and much more uncomfortable. I'm trying to get as much done in a day as possible -so I can finally move!- but I still feel like I'm falling short. I'm also still very excited! So that's good.

Tara McPherson for Lomography

Lomography releases some very nice limited editions sometimes. The Japanese collection for instance, from which I got my very own Diana F+ Kirameki. And now Tara McPherson -an artist I love!- has designed a beautiful Diana Mini.

It's adorable, isn't it? I love the pink flash on it! And even the button that forwards the film is cute and has stars on it.

Of course it won't be around for ever. So if you plan on treating yourself to one, I suggest you don't wait too long...

Circle Songs #42

"But I cannot turn around, the angels hear me now, go where I'm bound..."

 

Gold - Wake Owl

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My place is nearly done! Yes, there's still stuff to do, buy and move, but it's almost looking like a home now. I even had my first guest over for tea today. Hopefully I can finish all these remaining tasks soon. Fingers crossed!

Circle Songs #41

"When he woke up with nothing, he said let me tell you something. When you've got nothing you got nothing to lose."

Holes - Passenger

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I've been so busy building something out of nothing in my new place, and it won't be long before I can move out and start my own life. I know it will be very different from how things are now. Different, but good!

Circle Songs #40

"One minute there was road beneath us, the next just sky..."

Falling is Like This - Ani DiFranco

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New things are happening. New hobbies, new people, new situations. And I'm really enjoying it. I'm not worried about safety nets, I just take it as it comes. I'm sure more new things will come, and I'll be there to welcome them.

Greek Dogs

I've been a bit slow with my posts about Greece, but I really needed some time to sort through my hundreds and hundreds of pictures. Anyway, here are the dogs. The whole island was swarming with the cutest strays.

They had programs that would help you adopt one and get it to your country. I was very tempted to get this black one. And I have to admit that seeing the picture again made my heart break a little. Alas!

The other dog I'll always remember is this tiny old lady. She was so old she didn't even have teeth anymore, but she was still extremely promiscuous. Also, she had a radar for cars. Whenever one came she'd get in front of it.

Prepare to let out a very big "awwwww!" now. Puppies are always adorable of course, but they really are especially irresistible when they cuddle up like this, aren't they?

The rest of my pictures from Greece will follow soon. So much more to show you!