This is the Hubble Space Telescope view of a star dying 3,000 light years away. Star death happens in the planetary nebula phase, when it explodes into hot gases. I prefer the term "stardust." Scientists believe the sun will enter its own nebula phase and explode just like the Cat's Eye Nebula pictured above. And no, not in 2012, people. They're giving it a good 5 billion years. Either way, it will be breathtaking from this distance.
Boy, do I miss LA on days like today. For the past two hours I have been up and down my basement stairs, and back and forth from my office to the TV, and back to the office in a slow burning panic while listening to the foreboding tornado sirens in my neighborhood. We don't do twisters in LA and while the Wizard of Oz-induced wonder of it all has faded (this is the third one I've "lived through" since we moved to Minneapolis a year ago), it still saddens me to hear there are people at Juan's work downtown who haven't even gotten up from their desks. Apparently, tornadoes never really happen. The worst that happens is that someone gets a hubcap through the windshield or dislocates a shoulder jumping out of the way of flying debris- true story.
Anyway, I've clearly gone off subject, so speaking of great movies, I wanted to pass along Cinefamily's silent movie showing tomorrow:The Toll of the Sea (*jealous*) and tell you to give California a big hug for me. Although you may be bankrupt, you don't have flying hubcaps.
With this sensitive adaptation of "Madame Butterfly", Anna May Wong became known to the world as an actress of subtle skill and loveliness. This film belongs completely to Wong, who shattered convention and prejudice in a heartbreaking turn as opera's classic jilted lover. Up until this film, Asian roles were typically played by Caucasian actors--but with Toll of the Sea, Wong became the first American-born Asian performer to star in a major Hollywood movie. The film is also visually groundbreaking, as it's the first feature film shot entirely in two-strip Technicolor. Wong would spend much of her career crudely cast in "Dragon Lady" roles, but the film that made her a star remains a testament to her breathtaking range and iconic beauty. The evening's presentation comes from a gorgeous new restored 35mm print, courtesy of the UCLA Film and Television Archive! Dir. Chester M. Franklin, 1922, 35mm, 53 min. (Restored 35mm print courtesty of UCLA Film and Television Archive)
And here's a clip from this absolutely beautiful film. Thanks, Cinefamily!
Who ever plays 45s anyway? Aside from being thrown into the occasional DJ lineup, our stack of 7"s are grossly neglected. Yet they suspiciously continue to multiply. It's kind of like having too many children. You love them, but it's a big commitment to give each one the attention it deserves because there are so many more of them. Ok, maybe it's not anything close to the responsibility of having children, but it can be very overwhelming to think about, nonetheless.
This guy has it all figured out, though: ithinkihatemy45s.blogspot.com. He reviews each one of his 45s collected over the years in alphabetical order (a feat in itself to accomplish!), seemingly on a regular basis. He also scans in the cover art, which can be the best part of a record at times. And by the way, his record collection (so far) rules.
Here we are again and almost two weeks have gone by without a single blog. Yech. I'm stuck in a post-cold/flu daze and am hopped up on restless energy and Tylenol Cold. This always seems like a great time to figure out big life stuff.
I have fun blog things to post. Promise. Because how long will you really keep coming back to see Sleeveface? Stay tuned.
This is the Hubble Space Telescope view of a star dying 3,000 light years away. Star death happens in the planetary nebula phase, when it explodes into hot gases. I prefer the term "stardust." Scientists believe the sun will enter its own nebula phase and explode just like the Cat's Eye Nebula pictured above. And no, not in 2012, people. They're giving it a good 5 billion years. Either way, it will be breathtaking from this distance.
With this sensitive adaptation of "Madame Butterfly", Anna May Wong became known to the world as an actress of subtle skill and loveliness. This film belongs completely to Wong, who shattered convention and prejudice in a heartbreaking turn as opera's classic jilted lover. Up until this film, Asian roles were typically played by Caucasian actors--but with Toll of the Sea, Wong became the first American-born Asian performer to star in a major Hollywood movie. The film is also visually groundbreaking, as it's the first feature film shot entirely in two-strip Technicolor. Wong would spend much of her career crudely cast in "Dragon Lady" roles, but the film that made her a star remains a testament to her breathtaking range and iconic beauty. The evening's presentation comes from a gorgeous new restored 35mm print, courtesy of the UCLA Film and Television Archive!
Who ever plays 45s anyway? Aside from being thrown into the occasional DJ lineup, our stack of 7"s are grossly neglected. Yet they suspiciously continue to multiply. It's kind of like having too many children. You love them, but it's a big commitment to give each one the attention it deserves because there are so many more of them. Ok, maybe it's not anything close to the responsibility of having children, but it can be very overwhelming to think about, nonetheless.
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