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In honor of the Fourth of July, here is a list of random things that make me feel more patriotic and inhabit the kind of America that I like best.
Percy Jackson. These aren't great lit, but seriously, what is? Each book features a sort of road trip through different parts of America so every part of America is represented. And even though Rick Riordan doesn't have a very descriptive style, it's still vivid and ridiculously American.
American Wing Courtyard. If I am in a majorly patriotic mood, I come here to chill. It's full of crazy American art and stained glass and neoclassic sculptures. It makes you feel like we really do have something to be proud of artistically.
X-Files. Even though the whole point of the show is corrupt government men with power who want to kill us, sometimes it's just like "baseball!" or "sweet potato pie!" and you have to shed a tear for our nation.
Moby-Dick and other whale-inspired things. What's cooler than American nautical folk art? Basically nothing. And come on, it's the Great American Novel and that needs some respect.
Twilight Soundtracks. Because Twilight drips of American culture, so three albums worth of music written specially for Twilight has to be dripping with America too.
Luce Center. I like American art better than European now (Van Gogh, Lichtenstein and Klee aside) and I think it is because of the Luce Center. I've never seen folk art put together on display in such an invigorating way.
Bolt. You knew Disney would wrangle its way onto this list somehow. Bolt might not be Disney's finest achievement. But they travel across the country using a WAFFLE MAP and I am a sucker for anything with a trailer park.
Goldfrapp, Seventh Tree. Goldfrapp is a British artist who wrote an album inspired by the USA. Because of that it's really poignant and epic. And the music is beautiful of course.
So remember, even though we have a crap government, Americans invented like everything awesome. The government is only a small part of a country.
This is going to be slightly different from my normal blog posts... but three of my favorite songs all have a very similar message and I thought it'd be fun to post them together. They're about letting go and the need to have real, and sometimes scary emotions before you can truly live, love or be happy.
"O" iamamiwhoami
I thought I felt a spark. Thought I saw a flame. When something changed in you, who took the blame? My plan was foolproof as I became a fortress of your heart. Love, the kind that kills and scars, and make you kneel and crawl to hell and back. The sound of letting go. The sight of you that we all set aside when the world was new. Love, the kind that kills and scars, and make you kneel and crawl to hell and back.
"Fidelity" regina spektor
I never loved nobody fully, always one foot on the ground. And by protecting my heart truly I got lost in the sounds. I hear in my mind all these voices, I hear in my mind all these words. I hear in mind all this music and it breaks my heart. Suppose I never ever met you, suppose we never fell in love, suppose I never ever let you kiss me so sweet and so soft. Suppose I never ever saw you, suppose you never ever called. Suppose I kept on singing love songs just to break my own fall.
"Dog Days are Over" florence and the machine
Happiness hit her like a train on a track coming towards her stuck still no turning back. She hid around corners and she hid under beds. She killed it with kisses and from it she fled. With every bubble she sank with her drink, and washed it away down the kitchen sink. The dog days are done, the horses are coming so you better run. Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers. Leave all your love and your longing behind, you can't carry it with you if you want to survive.
Went to see Eclipse. The Deathly Hallows trailer made me cry, I think it needed a standing ovation. Eclipse itself was spectacular. It was so lovely my eyes could hardly keep up. Lots of Alice/Jasper moments! And With You in my Head was used so amazingly. The scene with the SLEEPING BAG made me think of this X-Files scene: "Mulder: I was told once that the best way to regenerate body heat was to crawl naked into a sleeping bag with some body else who’s already naked. Scully: Well, maybe if it rains sleeping bags, you’ll get lucky" But it was great. And then I ate an amazing, life changing sandwich which made we want to cry. The end.
Favorites meme from Tumblr! It's long, but I like it, so whatever.
T.V. show - X-Files. It has mythos and aliens and religion and science, but also vamps and zombies and cults and Mexican goat suckers. That plus A+ character development, heartbreaking deaths, phenomenal acting, lovable side characters and an unforgettable, unparalleled romance that gets its happy ending despite the looming end of the world? Flawless.
Book - Rebecca, The House of Mirth and Downright Dencey all tie for first. One is full of hope, one is about compromise, and one is just downright miserable. Nice balance. All written within like 15 years of each other though, lol.
Movie - Serenity. The little movie that could.
Color - Green, it's always been always will be. More than blue, I feel like it's the color that really represents nature and the earth.
Actor - Garret Dillahunt for pure acting talent. I am going to stalk him down and glomp him.
Actress - Carey Mulligan. I've been tracking this goddess' career for about three years now, I was overjoyed with the success of An Education for her sake.
Ice cream flavor - Mint Chip, so good I feel like a string of curse words needs to follow.
Drink - Lime Seltzer. It's my go-to beverage.
Animal - Snow leopards, hands down. Also my patronus, if you were wondering.
Band - Coldplay. (The Killers are a close second.) I basically like everything by Coldplay though, so I think that means they are automatically number one.
Singer - Regina Spektor, bless her soul. There is not a single song of hers I do not love with a deep and personally love.
Food - None other than steak. Good medium steak with mashed potatoes and broccoli and a coke. Parasitical.
Disney character - Cobra Bubbles. "Aliens are attacking my house."
Girl name - Penelope. It's a lovely name, and I also feel like it's a name with something important behind it, it means a lot. And I like that.
Boy name - William, an Anglo-Saxon name meaning strong willed warrior. Although I've been leaning towards Roranicus as of late, wink wink.
Happy Canada Day! Watch some season Vancouver X-Files! Listen to some Bieber! Read some Kate Beaton! Make maple flavored things! Celebrate!
Also this song is flawless and you need to love it: "T"
