husband and wife collaborators

Recently I've gotten more intrigued by collaborative projects. Being a teacher can sometimes feel like such soul-crushing, solitary work (the grading, the lesson planning, the writing) that I forget that with just a little bit of effort, some planning, and the right partner - I don't have to do all of it alone. Yes, it is next to impossible for anyone to help me with the grading, but co-teaching? a conference? a co-written paper? Those are all possibilities to lighten the load and make the work of work a bit more fun. Anyway, I don't think my husband is game for this kind of collaboration, but I'm taking some inspiration from some pretty amazing husband and wife teams. I'm in awe of the beauty that a team of two can create.

One of my favorites: The children's book writing and illustrating team of Alice and Martin Provensen:

They made all of this: 

(and Martin was apparently responsible with creating an early version of "Tony the Tiger"!) 

And oh I cannot love the songwriting team of Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan enough:

They made this: 

(one of the greatest albums ever - I fight you to the death on this! And you need to read how he talks about her.)

And, of course, there is Charles and Ray Eames: 

They made everything you want in your house right now (I have these stamps so that's a start...):

And then there are the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude:

They made the world surreal and beautiful as a very large scale experience:

Christo and Jeanne-Claude images via christrojeanneclaude.net

girls just want to have fun

So, despite the fact that I am breathing down the neck of 40, I tuned into "The Carrie Diaries" the other night. I just can't pass up teen dream (teen dream= genre designed for young adults that is often found charming by those long past their sweet 16) television- especially if it might be halfway decent quality.
  After watching the pilot, I am not sure if I will become a loyal viewer, but I will always credit the show for introducing me to this cover of "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Greg Laswell. It is pretty fantastic.

Video: youtube

musical parody

Four minutes of musical parody is nothing to sneeze at....

video: youtube

sweet·heart /ˈswētˌhärt/ Noun: A person that one is in love with

I have always thought the term "sweetheart" was special. It sounds like a lovely, old-timey way to refer to your other. Maybe that is why I really like this tune from The Lumineers.

video: youtube

BSO at Tanglewood is 75

If that title sounds like nonsense to you, then you are most likely not from the New England area, but whether you are or aren't is not relevant- this is an interesting bit of information (at least I think so :)).

The Boston Symphony Orchestra plays summer weekends at Tanglewood in the Berkshires and this year marks the 75th anniversary of the partnership. The marriage between the beautiful natural surroundings and the scope of musical activities/performances makes Tanglewood an incomparable music festival experience.

The BSO performs in the Seiji Ozawa Hall , a 1200-seat concert hall with the distinct feature of a back wall that opens to allow for an additional 2000 lawn-seated listeners. Now, in 1937 the BSO played on the grounds of a Berkshires' estate to their audience of thousands, and I learned this from the comprehensive article on the 75th anniversary in this week's Boston Sunday Globe. If you can get your hands on it, it is a fascinating piece.
I am adding a trip to Tanglewood to my life's to-do list.

Images: William Rawn Associates Architects,Inc.

arts education

I am ashamed to admit that my town just voted on a proposition 2 1/2 for our schools, more specifically that we needed an override to save the arts programs in the elementary school. Because of various budget strains, numerous unfunded state mandates and a perfect storm of unforeseen costs in the district, the school was in danger of losing the visual art, music, library, computer and physical education curriculum they have in place now. It was proposed the arts program be cut to balance the budget and an override to save the arts was added to the town ballot.
I am proud to say that the town voted for the override, even in these difficult economic times, and the program will remain intact at the elementary school.....for at least one more year.
In working with the committee that was formed to support the override, I came across a very good article on Edutopia entitled "Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best" .  There is one quote in particular that I loved:

" 'When you think about the purposes of education, there are three,' Horne says. 'We're preparing kids for jobs. We're preparing them to be citizens. And we're teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty. The third is as important as the other two.' "

I love that my kindergartner can come home so excited to tell me that a mommy fox is called a vixen, that he learned about all sorts of different acts of kindness, AND that he painted a flag for the class's imaginary kingdom. I want him to always have the opportunity to be excited about all of those things.

In a perfect world's classroom, opportunities to create and imagine would never be on the chopping block, but in today's educational system the opportunities find themselves there all too often.

Image: Google

Flash Mob Revisited

I pretty much think that flash mobs are stupid. I know they are sort of a huge thing right now where everyone is getting married via flash mob or under threat of being swamped by one every time you ride the subway, but these are the exact reasons why they irk me so. Flash mobs are so prevalent that they have now become either boring or annoying or both. I just don't want to hear about another group of college kids swarming a library and calling it a "performance." With that said, I totally teared up at this flash mob of musicians who played classical music for passengers in the Copenhagen Metro. Maybe it's the reaction of wet-eyed old people or a rosy-cheeked baby that got to me or how even the filming of the experience met the music, but I liked it and I think you'll like it too.

"White Wine in the Sun"

I love cheesy, sentimental, and overplayed Christmas carols. I'm not going to deny it - I'm that square (see further evidence here). But as resistant as I am to changing my musical repertoire - I just discovered Tim Minchin's "White Wine in the Sun" and I'm adding it to my holiday mix immediately. It's not only a really lovely and clever song, but it can also appear to the agnostics/atheists out there during this time of the year. Who could ask for more?

Happy 50, too!

Image courtesy of pinterest

This fall marks the 50th anniversary of the film version of West Side Story, starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. There has been much written and done in celebration of this anniversary, including this feature in Life magazine, and a whole series of numbers on the show Glee.
My favorite song from the film and musical is the swoon-y "Somewhere", but I am posting the jazzy dance/song number "America" because it showcases the incredible talent that appeared in that production 50 years ago.....

Video courtesy of youtube

desperately seeking

I do not know about you, but I have a list of certain things I am always looking for online. Once in awhile I will find one of them, only to lose it in a bidding war or because I spotted it too late. It is so disappointing and now I can not imagine ever actually getting my hands on one of the things from my list. I suppose everyone has a list like this or maybe I believe that because then I can seem less obsessive.

In any case, I am sharing the three things I am constantly hunting for -so if you spot one out there -drop me a line! The first is the Secret Garden CD single from Bruce Springsteen circa 1995. I covet this particular disc because the "b-side" is the most incredible live version of Thunder Road I have ever heard and because I had this cassette and promptly wore it out on my long drives back and forth to college my junior and senior years.

The second item is the book Pippa Mouse: Six Read Aloud/ Read Along Stories, 1973 by Betty Boegehold. This was my very favorite book in second grade. I think I checked it out of the library half a dozen consecutive times before my mum gently persuaded me to give another book a try. Oh, how I loved this book though- multiple stories, perfectly penciled illustrations, and a sweet mouse protagonist.

I can't believe how difficult it is to track this down ( for less than 50 dollars and in truly "good" condition), but I probably scour the Internet twice a month with my fingers crossed anyhow!

The last item is an issue of the now defunct, but always awesome, Sassy magazine from January 1990. I always thought this would be a killer gift for Vivi - we were crazy about Sassy and this particular issue is her birthday month and from the time we were most dedicated to the teen periodical. How cool would it be to find it some 21 years later?

This may be the item I would like to get my hands on the most.

So there you have it- my quest for Bruce, Pippa, and Sassy continues.....I'll keep you posted :).

Image 1 courtesy of springsteenlyrics.com ; Image 2 courtesy of amazon; Image 3 courtesy of magazines2go

Florence and the fashion

If anyone is kicking butt and taking names during the fashion parade that is awards season - my vote is for Florence Welch of Florence & the Machine. She takes risks with color and retro detailing, but is still able to look utterly modern and beautiful. Such great style (whether it is her's or belongs to a stylist with actual style!).

 

Oscar red carpet dress via Lucky Magazine

Oscar performance dress via Toronto Sun

Grammy dress via FabSugar

P.S. And if you need another reason to fall in love with Florence or her music - check out this video of  a little guy dancing his heart out in his car seat to "Dog Days Are Over." Total and pure joy.

a cappella love

image via NewTimes

We've all got our secret television shames/pleasures, right? Well, my latest has been the a cappella show, Sing-Off. It's everything that "American Idol" is not - fun, incredibly earnest, and full of damn talented people who can actually sing (plus Nick Lachey is kinda amazing in his role as host who goes all out with his wall to wall punning). Anyway, the second season is now over (boo!), but watch on Hulu if you get a chance - it'll totally make your heart sing (was that a good one, Nick?)

P.S.

Since I am in confession mode and have already shared my love for the show in general...

This cover of Coldplay's "Fix You" brought tears to my eyes.

And this group's cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" is everything awesome.

And, yeah, I know, I am a dork.

A very country Christmas

via pure country music

My mother, a seemingly very classic Northeasterner and city-dweller in both taste and style, has a major soft spot for country Christmas songs. I don't know how it fits into her love of Babs, opera, or weird European experimental music from the 60s, but there you have it.

Of course, whether genetically handed down or because my spirit was broken by its constant presence during my formative years, I too cannot get enough of Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers right now. As a kid growing up in New York, I loved all things related to the frontier life. I reread Laura Ingalls Wilder without pause, planned my Sunday afternoons around the two hour block of "Little House on the Prairie" and "Grizzly Adams," and, every December, made sure I did not miss "Christmas Comes to Willow Creek" (it stars Bo and Luke Duke, for pete's sake!) or Dolly Parton's "A Smokey Mountain Christmas."

And though I've always loved a country Christmas, now that I've married a Southern man - I've gone full tilt country. I'm openly listening to Dolly's "Hard Candy Christmas" on repeat (seriously, it's awesome and not only because it was sung in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas") and tracking Kenny's Christmas Tour even though, that Southerner of a husband of mine may now be at his country Christmas breaking point...

"sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”

So I got married last week and though I've still feeling the love and happiness of marrying such a sweet and wonderful man (blah, blah, blah) - there is still nothing that feels as good as a good song about heartbreak. For example, Adele's "Someone Like You..."

Oh, and thx to a dear friend of Lorelei's for posting this video to his facebook page from which I swiped it (by the way, LL's friend also has a pretty amazing blog - check it out if you can stand following a blog that is, like, 100 times cooler that this one: http://www.fiftyfivehundred.org/).

"First Day of My of Life"

I think this song by Bright Eyes should be played at every wedding, every baby's birth, every kitten adoption, every morning when you look in the mirror.... it's that great (and the video is pretty darn amazing too). Enjoy!

This Too Shall Pass

Remember that OK Go video on treadmills? Well, this one is pretty cool, too:



My five year old son's comment after watching it: Is he going to pick up all the stuff that fell down?

The Year in Lists

Image courtesy of strawberryluna

It's the end of the year, and so the annual "best of" lists have been written and spread across the world of information. I love these lists, comparing them to my own, arguing with them, using them to fill in gaps in my cultural literacy. Actually, I just love lists. Their orderliness gives me hope for my own cluttered life.

So please enjoy this list of my favorite 2009 lists:

Best Under-The-Radar Books of 2009 (part of NPR's comprehensive list of the Best Books 0f 2009)

The New Yorker Blog's Best Ten Films of 2009

All Songs Considered Reader's Poll Results for the Best Music of 2009 (where you can also listen to all the picks in their entirety)

The Chicago Tribune's Best TV shows of 2009

The People's Choice Awards for the Best Podcasts of 2009 from PodCastAwards.com (And if you'd like some personal recommendations, I consider myself a podcast connoisseur.)

And of course, PC Magazine's Favorite Blogs of 2009 (where sadly you will not find Hiving Out listed. Of all the nerve.)

Enjoy browsing and feel free argue with these lists in the comments. We'd want to hear your picks!

River

Music critic Christian Bordal did an interview on NPR a few years ago about how there is no good Christmas music (in the end he concedes there are "a few good" songs) and that the holiday music is simply background noise for shopping. It was all very bah-humbug and he basically framed his argument by saying:

"Seasonal music has to say Christmas trees, and eggnog, and mistletoe. Ergo, it can't be too artistically challenging, or emotionally tough, or the least bit dissonant. I mean, in short, it can't be any of the things that actually make music worth really sitting down and listening to."

Although I can somewhat understand being irked by the monotony of some Christmas tunes, I certainly would not denounce the whole genre. There are songs I need to hear every Christmas season for it to truly feel like the holidays and many of them are probably the stuff that drives Mr. Bordal crazy (oh, how he would hate the Sleigh Ride Jingle Bells album by The Caroleer Singers that I adore). If I really wanted to refute his argument though, I know a song that could do it. I remember thinking immediately about "River", originally recorded by Joni Mitchell in 1971 and covered by dozens and dozens since. Technically the track is set during Christmastime and not about Christmas, but it is still a holiday tune and I think "emotionally tough", as well as lyrically beautiful and poignant.

So for Monday, some "River" for everybody- three different versions, but they are all captivating to me. 

All video courtesy of youtube.com

a confession

via weheartit

Are you ready to be shocked? Brace yourselves, faithful readers.

Alright, here it is... I adore Taylor Swift.

Now, I know that this news totally blows your mind because you think of me as so incredibly edgy with my many posts on poetry and cats, but you are just going to have to believe it.

This confession is also major because I don't want it to reflect upon and embarrass the two dear friends that I share this blog with and who are both the epitome of hip (what with Mae's concern about archiving her children's school work for the long hall and Lorelei's near mania for children's libraries - there is a real chance that these ladies are going to cut me loose!).

via weheartit

Alas, I kid. Those two are as dorky as I am (thus my love for them), but loving Taylor Swift is still a goofy thing to admit to since I am not 15 (I'm more like two 15 year olds and a first grader).

Other celebrities her age annoy me to no end (cough, Miley) so I'm as surprised as anyone as to how much I enjoy Ms Taylor. Sure, she has cute style and is up for anything (check her out on SNL), but I think the heart of her appeal is that there is a real sincerity to her songs about young love.

Her songs are, yes, simple and sweet, but in that way they are also able to capture an earnestness and vulnerability that reminds me how it felt to be in high school when every emotion was so new, so heightened, so raw - even when you were happy.

via weheartit

Anyway, I sent the acoustic version of Taylor Swift's Fifteen to my friend Ruby who, because she is such a beautiful writer, knew exactly how to express how this teenager singer taps into a thirtysomething's nostalgia:

"It makes me remember the first time I ever held hands with a boy. It makes me remember the first time I ever got caught kissing a boy. Joe Silvio. Italian hunkahunka, football player, Catholic, older brother to a new born baby sister. It makes me remember the poem I wrote in high school about all those people there. I memorized a bit of it...In a place of jagged edges, may our circle of light shine through. In a place where there are no benches, tell me where to sit, to read, to believe what I say I believe. It reminds me of my dramatic nature, my mother's dramatic nature:-), a smug teenage self rolling my eyes. I'm with you, friend. That kinda shit does all sorts of things to you. It's really nice to be all ages at once, as Madeleine L'Engle says we are."

Doesn't Ruby just nail it? Taylor Swift's songs totally speak to the inner geeky teenage girl and it is nice, every now and again, to feed her needs too.

P.S. Oh, and I am so outing Lorelei... she loves herself some Taylor too. So does her 1 1/2 year old daughter who is obviously already laying the groundwork for her future teenage soul...

Songbook

Image courtesy of postmodern.com

You know how you have that one mix tape, well now I guess it is a mix CD, where you just love every song and you have a compulsive need to explain why you have chosen each one and you want to share this incredible compilation with everybody because it is just so perfect? Well, author Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity) does just that in Songbook and the result is pretty amazing.

I am not saying this because he picked all the tunes I would have (I was actually unfamiliar with about a third of them), but it is how he talks about song writing, music , and how a musician can tap into something within you. As you get lost in his pondering about these 31 song choices , you also wind up thinking about the music that has punctuated your life and why. Sometimes it is more than just the catchy tune that makes a song linger in your mind and nobody explains that better than Mr. Hornby. This "music as memoir" publication is difficult to find in hardcover with the 11-song CD inclusion, but if you are able to find it- it is definitely worth a read and listen.