Indian Princesses

the author, circa 1992

Britney: For The Record

I, along with (undoubtedly) a million other people, watched Britney: For The Record. 

And all I can say is that as much as I was waining being on the Britney "Comeback" Wagon, my faith in her has been restored.

Especially after she said she was like The Karate Kid. 

You go, B.

You go.

I've Found Jesus.

A while ago, I was involved in a conversation concerning Ryan Adams. I admitted to only having a few of his songs, so my friend gave me copies of "Love is Hell" and "Rock n Roll." Today of all days I finally got to sit down and give a good listen to "Love is Hell" and, well...

this shit is like taking a bullet. 

It is so good that its frightening. 

I honestly cannot remember the last time I heard an album that is so raw and real that you can actually feel something. 

Kudos, Ryan. I wish there were more real artists like you that can successfully evoke the same emotion in your audience as you had when you recorded it. 

(Key track: "This House Is Not For Sale")

Now, please excuse me while I try to pry myself off the floor and get to class...

Tegan & Sara

Tegan & Sara are, hands down, one of my top favorite artists of all time.

I love everything about them.

From them being twin sisters and both being lesbians; From their depth in their latest album, "The Con," to their shows that will blow any other artist that you've seen...out of the water.

Everything. I love everything.

I can't wait to see them on Sunday at Terminal 5 and dance the night away with all the lezzies.

Woot Woot!

And if you haven't listened to "The Con" or any of their other albums for that matter,

 I suggest you do so...

now.

Frida Kahlo

As an art history major, I am consistently inundated with different artists and their work.

But Frida Kahlo has always remained a favorite with me. 

Not just of her work, but of her as a person and everything she embodied. 

Through all of her physical and emotional strife, she remained a strong, brave and beautiful woman - and also knew how to rock the unibrow.

In my opinion, her work is far superior than that of her husband, Diego Rivera, and it is a shame how she was overshadowed by him for so long while she was alive.

Powerful, painful and hopeful - I'm glad her work is finally getting the credit it deserves.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces that I have been fortunate enough to see in person. 

If you missed the show that traveled to San Fran, Philly and Minneapolis...

well, you really really missed out.

"The Two Fridas" 1939

The scale of this is absolutely incredible and I cannot even begin to explain it.

"Self-Portrait with Chopped Hair" 1940

The inscription reads: "Look, if I loved you it was because of your hair. Now that you are without hair, I don't love you anymore."

They are lyrics from a Mexican folk song - I absolutely love it.

"The Dream" 1940

I have been trying to find a print of this for my room. I had never seen it up until attending the show in Philly. And though I love all her work, I may go as far in saying this is my favorite thing she's done.

Sweet Ups

During my Friday night drunken stooper, I ended up in Brooklyn.

And I ended up here.

Sweet Ups (277 Graham Ave)

The funny part is that we meant to go to Royal Oak, which is actually owned by the same people,

but my sense of memory and direction failed me.

Oh well. Close enough.

It was pretty slammin' though and the people were rather good looking.

I'm sure I'll be back again soon.

After I actually make it to Royal Oak, that is.

Hot Chip

I've been listening to this all weekend and it is goooooood...

Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

Yeah, it came out in February, but better late than never right?

I know they are the calmer tracks on the album, but I can't stop listening to "We're Looking For a Lot of Love" and "Made in the Dark." 

They are playing this weekend at Terminal 5 and I am highly considering going.

Even though when I saw them last year, their system was so loud my insides were rattling and I thought my organs were going to explode. 

But I think that is worth overlooking.

Louise Bourgeois

On Friday, I went to the Louise Bourgeois show at the Guggenheim for my Advanced Seminar in Modern Art class.

I was...errrr...shall I say...uneasy about it?

I have a pretty darn open mind when it comes to art, but I don't know...

I have never seen Ms. Bourgeois' work before and I can't say that I enjoyed it very much.

I found it to be rather violent, overtly sexual and at many times, grotesque.

Which is funny because now that I look at images online, it might be growing on me.

Maybe not.

I was going to say something, 

and now I am not even going to go there.

David Duchovny, why don't you love me?

If you don't already watch Californication on Showtime, I really think you should.

I finished watching Season 1 this afternoon just in time for Season 2, which premiered tonight.

Sweet holy hell.

David Duchovny can 

call.

me.

Fur

I don't care if PETA decides to stalk me after this post,

but I just thought I should mention (since it is getting colder)

how much I love fur.

Especially lynx fur.

I found this beauty on Ebay tonight and I cry on the inside because I lack the $cash moneyz$ to drop on this baby.

And I'm really into the fur vest thing lately too.

I also enjoy stoles, scarves and coats with big fur collars.

Oooo and hats!

Maybe when I'm 70 and don fabulous white hair will I rock the full length coat, 

but right now I am the more simple fur girl.

Poop.

Knowing that I cannot have this in my wardrobe makes me very sad just looking at it.

However, there is a lynx stole I found at a boutique out in Brooklyn that is in my price range.

Birthday present? Oh boy, do I hope so.

Currently Reading...

I finished my Brooklyn street book, It's How You Play the Game - A Novel by Jimmy Gleacher, in practically 3 days and it was fantastic. 

I could have ripped through it quicker if I had a little more "me" time, but oh well.

I have now moved on to this guy...

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

I've attempted to read it I don't know how many times and unfortunately always seem to put it down at a certain point,

only to never pick it up again. 

I'm determined to actually finish it this time around. 

The film is one of my favorites and already the book is riveting and chock-full of fantastic description. 

Mmmm yessss.

Wish me luck.

Central Park Lovers

As I strolled through Central Park today on my way to and from the Met, 

I realized how much I love the lovers of the Park. 

I know you've seen them.

And yeah, you've probably been one of them too 

(because I know I have.)

But there is something to be said about these love birds:

how they are absolutely and completely oblivious to the fact that even though they are laying in the grass...every passer-by CAN STILL SEE THEM.

I love it.

It makes me laugh a lot.

However, the couples that I enjoy the most are the ones who engage in heavy petting in plain view. 

They are by far the more courageous of the Park lovers. 

And for that, I give you horn balls major snaps.

Like Father, Like Son

Happy Birthday to two of the most ridiculous men I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

And loving, for that matter.

Happy Belated to my Faja (9.11)

and Happy 16th to my bro (today)

Love you both

Street Books

I found this sucker on the street today in Brooklyn for $5.

It's How You Play the Game - A Novel by Jimmy Gleacher

I finally finished Love the One You're With, (in one day), and I'm totally pumped to read this one.

catbird

I had the greatest thrill of going here today and thought you all should know about it...

It's called Catbird and it is full of trinkets.

I found the most incredible ring there, (among many other things), by the New York based design duo, Bing Bang. 

The label was started by jewelry designer Anna Sheffield and her brother. 

The ring looks like a belt buckle and comes in silver, 14k and 24k gold.

I'm after the 14k.

I've been having issues finding a picture, but when I do I'll make sure to post it.

But anyway, if you're ever in the area, check this place out.

It's right off of Bedford Avenue and N. 5th Street next to Fabiane's. (Hit them up while you're at it too.)

Modern Wing

Yesterday, I hit up the Modern wing of the Met for my Advanced Seminar in Modern Art class that I'm taking.

I have never really gone through the Modern wing and I'm really glad I did. 

I finally got to see some things I've been meaning to see.

Like this...

Jeff Koons "On the Roof" show

This picture doesn't really do the colors of the pieces justice.

His work is just so fun and playful to see.

And if I had a rooftop apt, I totally would want a "Balloon Dog" to go on it.

Damien Hirst "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living"

I am obsessed with sharks.

So obsessed that I basically live for Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and I have told my parents to not be surprised if I call them one day, at 45 years old, and tell them, "Family, I am quitting my job and leaving for the Caribbean to study sharks in their natural state."

So naturally, the Hirst shark has been something on my list of things to see.

And MAN, shit is WILD! 

My mouth literally dropped when I walked into the room where it was installed. 

It is SO cool, yet SO creepy that I felt as excited as a 5 year old on Christmas day mixed with the hee-bee-gee-bees.

I really didn't know what to do with myself.

I finally looked more into his work last night and it is just...out there.

So eerie. And I'm fascinated by it.

Tara Donovan's Untitled (Mylar) Installation

I really enjoyed this.

Donovan is known for using ordinary products to make something, well, extraordinary.

Here, she used silver Mylar tape that she made into connecting ringlets.

It reminds me of a pattern you see on crisp, clean, white, modern linens.

Yeah yeah, I know this isn't ultra Modern, but its Manet - who's work is said to mark the beginning of the Modern period. 

This hangs in the 19th Century galleries of the Met.

Its called, "Mademoiselle V...in the costume of an espada"

It dawned on me yesterday how much I enjoy Manet and large scale 19th cen. paintings.

Especially portraiture.

The day I can have a house full of these...

boy, that will be the day.

Dislike Post #2

After sweating all the booze out of my system via my 7 am run in the park, I went to Whole Foods to do a bit of grocery shopping. 

And much to my dismay, one of my biggest pet peeves occurred while waiting to order my Jamba Juice...

having someone stand too close behind me in line. 

I HATE this. 

To the point where sometimes I feel like asking, "will standing unnecessarily close to me REALLY make the line move all that much quicker?"

Because as far as I have been informed, 

IT DOESN'T.

It just makes me crazy. 

And its an even better experience when the person who does this to me is a Manhattan Mom.*

Why are you in such a rush? 

You don't have kids to pick up.

You don't have a job to go to.

Unless your rush is your mission to find out if your husband is cheating on you with his secretary. 

THEN, I will understand.

Bahhhhh.

*Note: I actually LOVE Manhattan Moms and the mythical, magical creatures that they are. Really, I do.

Hot New York Dads

What makes me break out in a sweat faster than sitting on Sheep's Meadow on a humid New York summer day, you ask?

Hot New York dads.

Or just hot dads in general. 

I don't know what it is about them, but...DAMN!

Here, I leave you with a picture of Aidan a la Sex and the City.

Because does anyone remember the episode when Carrie runs into him and he turns around and has a kid strapped on the front of him? 

And the first thing out of your mouth was, "O.M.G."?

Because not only was he even sexier than when she dated him, but he transformed into a hot dad?

Yeah. Hot dads. Snaps for you.

Mental Vacay

For the few of you who check this for updated witty banter, I apologize for the obvious gap in my posts. I was too busy drinking, smoking, straight west coasting, etc. 

(And I can say that because I am from California and that is actually where I have been.)

But now I am back in New York and back from my mental holiday, ready to whip myself into a verbal frenzy. 

And I hope you are ready too.

Enjoy.

xoxo

AK

Crash

Congrats to this sasquatch...

Yes, that would be my 6' kid brother who just got his permit.

He looks like he took a roundhouse kick to the face in his photo.

Mother was pleased.

We are one step closer to him being able to pick up my inebriated ass in the middle of the night.

Weeeee!

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Woody Allen films are usually a hit or miss with me,

but this looks soooo good.

If I weren't going to the Padre game again tonight, I'd be having a date with myself.

Kicks

I really want a pair of these bad boys...

Zapato del Barco by Vans

They are like Top-Sider boat shoes, but the west coast Vans version.

I just can't decide...navy or white?

I kind of want my brother to get a pair with me so we can match. Hahaha

Dislike Post #1

I just finished watching this with my brother and I am not okay with it AT ALL...

I never saw it in theaters and now I know why everyone who did, was cursing its name and telling me to stay away from it. 

For those of you who haven't seen it, I'll give you the snub of it:

Its about "growing up"/leaving your 20s, emotions/emotional breakdowns and ultimately... forgiveness. 

Right now, I can't even forgive myself for not turning it off after 30 minutes because I knew where it was going, let alone forgive myself for renting the damn thing. 

The only reason I kept watching was because Casey Affleck makes for some amazing eye candy.

It leaves you with that heavy feeling in your throat, as if you are about to cry, but you don't because secretly...your blood is boiling.

All I can say is: if you still really want to see it, just make sure you are mentally prepared. 

Book Lovers Never Go To Bed Alone

I just got back from Barnes & Noble - one of my favorite places on the planet.

I love books. I love bookstores. And I am a really big nerd.

The problem is that I don't set aside enough time to read, but I'm working on it.

Anyway, I saw these two and they looked like some winners.

My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates

Schooled by Anisha Lakhani

(apparently a good read if you are fan of Gossip Girl, like your's truly)

But I'm hoping to get to them after I finish up these babies...

The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem

(recommended by my friend Larry and I must say it was a good call)

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

(totally in love with it and got Mother into it. we are now in a race to see who finishes first)

Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin

(so predictable, nauseating, causing me to hate my life and tempts me to set it on fire...yet I still keep reading it)

Azn

One of my really good friends left for Tokyo and Beijing/Shanghai yesterday 

and well, 

I'm super jealous.

I'm really fascinated by Japan and have always wanted to go. 

Another friend of mine, Caitlin, has been their all summer as a swim instructor to the kids on the Navy bases. 

I seriously considered going there for semester to study abroad, but unfortunately, things just didn't turn out. 

I really want to venture to China as well. 

I had a friend from high school who randomly went with her grandma a few years ago and the pictures she brought back were ridiculous. 

This is the Donghuamen Night Market in Beijing. 

They sell the strangest foods you can find on a skewer 

and it sounds like a total adventure to me!

Seahorse or scorpion, anyone? Haha!

Padres

Last night, I went to the Padre game with Ellen and new friend, Shadi, and three things I have always wanted to have happen/witness occurred:

1. Seeing three shirtless guys leap over the left field wall and run across the field. (One actually slid into home plate, the crowd went nuts.)

2. Making it onto the jumbo tron. 

3. (ALMOST) catching the ball. 

I love baseball games and even though we lost to the Brewers last night, I believed it to be a perfect Tuesday evening. 

Death

I woke up this morning and mother told me that there was a dead crow in our backyard...

I called the bird people and they are supposed to come take it away and test it for West Nile Virus.

I just hope my cat doesn't get to it before they do. 

That, and I can't really figure out if my cat brought it down,

or if it just keeled over. 

Girly Girl

When I was in grade/middle school, there was this stupid rule that forbid the wearing of nail polish.

But being the smart ass 8th grader that I was, I refused to believe this rule applied to me. 

So every day, without fail, my P.E. teacher would send me to the nurse to remove it.

And day in and day out, I would still apply it only to take it off around 9 AM the next day.

Even my old boyfriend from 8th/9th grade, (who is now one of my great friends), freaked out recently,

"Oh my God! Ali King! Are you NOT wearing nail polish? But you ALWAYS wear nail polish!"

Response: "Oh, don't worry, I have some on my toes."

O.P.I "Bubble Bath" is a staple. 

Yet, ironically enough, it just flew off my bathroom counter and smashed/splattered all over my legs and not to mention on mother's tile. 

Let's just say, mother was not pleased.

(Hey, at least it wasn't black like last time...)

O.P.I "Vodka & Caviar" is another staple.

I like to call it my "Tranny Red."

These last three are some other favorites, but maybe not staples.

Well, maybe the black is...

(And if you haven't guessed, O.P.I is the favorite brand)

O.P.I "Russian Navy"

O.P.I "Lincoln Park After Dark"

O.P.I "Onyx"

Besties

When I think about it, 

(even though I don't really have to think about it), 

I have some really amazing friends.

One of them is Miss Ellen Maureen Marks. 

Ellen Maureen Marks was born on September 6, 1987.

We met in Spanish class with Señora Jonés 7 years ago, were on the swim team together and got yelled at together by the Dean of Students when our first published "Flip Side" article was deemed offensive. 

We've pulled a lot of crazy stunts.

We've encountered a lot of awkward things.

And sometimes people say she looks like Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Which I don't think is a bad thing.

But what I love about Ellen is her humor. 

And she humored me greatly today at lunch with this...

"You know what you say to people asking you out via Facebook?

No.

Sure, I've tried it. But try it once and then never again.

Once a boy asked if he could cook me dinner.

I told him, 'My stove is broken.' 

When in reality, it was only one burner.

Another boy said, 'Hey you could stick an envelope of anthrax under my door, or you could just come by to hang out.'

Now that one, he was asking for it.

So, I got an envelope, filled it with baby powder, and, well..."

Basically this girl is amazing

and I doubt that you need any further explanation since you now have the real Ellen M. Marks above. 

I love her greatly and am really glad she is my friend.

And not just a friend, but a best friend.

Bathrobes

Anyone who knows me, lived with me, dated me...

knows how much I love my bathrobe. 

And not only do I love my bathrobe and being in my bathrobe,

I love passing out in my bathrobe.

Saturday night was no exception.

Sure, I had a hell of a time at The Faint, but what I forgot to mention in that story was how I came home feeling not so hot.

After I vomed (even though I was sober), I decided to take a shower to cleanse myself from the sweaty dance party and also in effort to make me feel better and maybe even relax my headache. 

As you can now guess, post-shower, I passed out* sideways on my bed in my beloved bathrobe. 

(*Lights still on and hair still in a towel turban of course)

Too much drinkin', smokin', straight west coastin' I guess.

But if you had either one of these beauts below, you would be passing out in your bathrobe too.

This one by Frette is similar to the ones my mom has at the house.

And this one by Coyuchi is the one I have at my apt. in the city.

Its 100% organic cotton and I got it for free when I worked at Bazaar. Sweet deal, huh?

Mmm, bathrobes. You make everything better.