My memory tends a garden plot,
But somehow sunflowers fail to grow.
The rose, of course, is everywhere: Continue reading
Author Archives: writewithlightning
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Tyr’s Day Music Review: Rogue Wave’s Permalight
Remember that really cute song from a few years ago by Rogue Wave called “Eyes”? I know, right!? Awesome. That’s these guys!
The above was what my brain told me when iTunes recommended Permalight based on my then-recent Athlete purchase. So I bought it at the same time not realising the cruel joke iTunes had played on me. It, in its infallible wisdom (praise be to iTunes), obviously thought that if I was buying one mediocre album that would make me crave similar works by better bands, I’d want another. Just a simple misunderstanding, and I’d be happy to forgive you iTunes if it had not cost me money.
Do you like Stars, the Decemberists, and Death Cab for Cutie? Continue reading
Sunday Morning Stranger in Your Bed: Jeon Do-yeon
At the 2007 Vancouver International Film Festival, the only movie that I bothered to see was the Korean film Milyang (Secret Sunshine). It was a good choice. Jeon Do-yeon had just won Best Actress at Cannes for her portrayal of a mother going through an existential crisis in this superb film, and oh what a well deserved award. Her performance is so unforgettable that after three years I still remembered to call her up to be this week’s Stranger in Your Bed. The film deals with faith, love, and philosophy during a tragic time in a mother’s life. I would tell you more about it, but I really don’t want to ruin anything.
Go find Secret Sunshine and share the love.
Cambodia: Darkness
This is an important but intense entry. Readers be warned.
From Oct. 15, 2009 (written in stages throughout the day)
I am at Tuol Sleng (Genocide) Museum in Phnom Penh. Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge converted the school into a prison where they tortured and killed political enemies and their families. The Khmer Rouge documented their crimes with mug shots and photographs of emaciated victims. The photographs now line the rooms of the school-cum-prison-cum-museum. The city has done an incredible job with this minimalistic approach. A brochure and a few signs are adequate for background, and guides are available if desired; however, the way in which I have silently roamed the “classrooms” is, I believe, the most profound. The eyes of the victims captivated me. Especially the eyes of the women. Continue reading
Tyr’s Day Music Review: (Sigur Ros’) Jonsi’s Go
Double dose of reviews today! I was just too excited about this album (released on April 6) not to post the review as soon as it was done.
Sigur Rós is on an indefinite hiatus, but fortunately their lead singer, Jón Þór Birgisson, has released a solo album in the interim. If you are familiar with Sigur Rós, then you are used to not understanding a single word sung. Their songs are either in Icelandic or in the band’s own made-up language Hopelandic. The vocals are just another instrument and you can let your imagine fill in possible lyrics. In fact, on ( ), you are supposed to do this and record what you want to hear in the blank liner notes.
In the first track, “Go Do”, on Jónsi’s solo debut Go, I immediately started imaging English phrases to fit the words he sings: “Go sing. Too loud. Make your voice break. Sing it out.” Wait. It is English. Aw, hell yes! Continue reading
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