Soft-Boiled Egg

This was only a part of my breakfast this morning. I got too hungry and ate the other accompanying toast and fruit pieces.
Photographed to scale. Isn't my egg cup so dainty and cute? And isn't the counter top spotlessly clean? I slaved away last night cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen since I baked salmon for dinner. I would've taken pictures of that too .. only it was picked clean almost immediately.

My Humblest Apologies

I couldn't resist the opportunity to show you yesterday's lunch (thank you, microwave oven). The cherry tomato in the center was just too cute, I had to share.

Memorable Mantlepieces

Carole Lombard elegantly posing. The bareness of her mantelpiece is balanced out by the painted brick hearth and tastefully decorated side tables. The woman herself is also the most fetching mantelpiece ornamentation in existence.
Vivien Leigh's majestic fireplace is probably one of the most elaborate. The stone carving, the candelabra, and the hearth gate is all rather becoming. I'm naming this particular style: Gothic-hacienda-chic (pronounced 'sheek').
And of course, Miss Alice Liddell's enchanted mantelpiece. No other rivals it because who else do you know of that has such charming creatures ready to quiz you with riddles and throw in some witty banter?

Make Use Of Your Mantelpiece

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's been a while. But I've been busy and this is a legitimate excuse because I have a part time job! Yay!

Anyways, I've always had this thing for opulent home decor and I enjoy perusing pictures of various interiors. Yet I draw the line at watching HGTV. This particular picture is of Elsa Schiaparelli's sitting room (she is reading serenely in what I can only assume is a chaise lounge). What draws my eye the most is the mantelpiece and the mirror above it (you may click on the image to enlarge). It seems if one actually has a fireplace in one's home (it's a rarity these days, which is quite the tragedy), the mantelpiece is so dinky there is no room whatsoever for items such as: pictures in decorative frames, statues/idols, tiny clocks, bud vases, books, candle sticks or candelabra, houseplants, or perhaps a collection of antique something or others to display. If you have a mantelpiece, please put it to good use. It's a shame to waste something that is so obviously ignored in the modern household of today.

Miss Me?

No worries, it's not like I died or anything. Just been busy is all.
This video clip comes from the movie Party Girl starring Parker Posey. It reminds me of my first job (I worked at a library). It can be this frustrating when you've just spent 2 hours painstakingly organizing ALL THE BOOKS (we call it 'reading' because we're reading all the labels, making sure EVERYTHING is in order according to the Dewey Decimal System) in one row and someone starts pulling books off the shelf and putting them back wherever they please .. and let me tell you, your eyes feel like they're bleeding after staring at miniscule label numbers for hours on end.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

This is German Expressionism in one of it's most stylistic horror forms. I really like the music too. It adds to the general creepiness.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was directed by Fritz Lang, who also did Metropolis. Fritz Lang did some seriously amazing stuff. Especially when film cameras were so limiting. There are only so many tricks you could do back then, but he really set the bar HIGH when it comes to inventing some crazy stuff. Metropolis is a perfect example of that, so if you ever watch it on DVD, invest some time viewing the extra features.
Anywho, back to Dr. Caligari. Pay attention to the sets and props. Are you as visually excited as I am?? This film really drives me nuts because it's so eerie. Everything about it makes you wonder how someone imagined it and what goes on in Lang's mind, how he wants to present all this to you, the viewer. Makes you feel special, right?
Although I DO understand, this may not be for everyone. Give it some time. It could grow on you.

Note:
If you're still interested in learning more, you can branch off into your own silent film interests. There's a lot out there so be prepared to spend some major time researching. A good way to learn some more about film is reading auto/biographies about different directors (Fritz Lang would be good to start out with) and actors. Also, keep open to suggestions. Maybe look around to see if there are any specialized theaters if you live in a large city; there are places that only show art films, places that only show foreign films, etc. Look in video rental stores under "Cult Classics". Look in the dollar bin at the crappy gas station. Be diligent, you'll eventually find what you're looking for.

David Bowie

Obsessed. With. This. Song.
SO PERFECT.