Lou Doillon for Vanessa Bruno S/S 2010

I could've sworn I'd posted this video before. But I guess I haven't. I saw this way back when it was first released. It's a very beautiful fashion film. The music is perfect (YACHT and Chilly Gonzales!), Lou Doillon has got such a great personality, and the aesthetics are impeccable. This is just a very lovely short film ad.

Bon Accord

Bon Accord classifies itself as a chillwave/dreamwave/shoegaze group. That's right up my alley. But I didn't really get chillwave vibes. I got more dreamy vibes. Listening to this puts me in a dream. It's very soothing and unobtrusive. I love "Lopsided."

cvlt classics

Just listen. It's got great vibes. #1 by CVLT CLASSICS

You are never far from adventure.

AUGUST 19, 2011
Lessons learned from traveling with Frankie:

Today I did the usual: cycle between 30 minutes to an hour.

 And I changed my route up.

As usual.

It’s not like I am especially bent on changing my route up; but I’m not opposed to it either. But invariably, something always happens on my runs that prompts a change. It’s usually pedestrians who get in my way when I’m trying to coast down a sidewalk.

That was the case today.

So instead of turning back home on my preferred route, I went the opposite direction—all the way to a supposed dead-end. There’s an area that is fenced off. I have gone out of my way to pass by that area, but I have never actually gone through it.

Of all days, I didn’t bring my camera today because it was out of batteries. And I didn’t want my aunt getting on my case (she always asks me why I have to bring a camera even when going for a ride).

I really regret not bringing my camera.

I got around the fence (which was pretty easy) with Frankie and headed down the sidewalk…only to find that it ended and fed onto a very uneven, paved asphalt path (like the highway roads).

It curved to the right, away from view.

I know an adventure beckoning when I see one.

So I coasted down the curve…

and suddenly found myself coasting downhill; down a very long and very straight (and empty) road adjacent to the highway.

Route 66.

Damn it was an unbelievable experience.

The sun was on its way to set. Its rays beat down on my back. I loved the warmth of the late afternoon light. And what I loved even more was the way the golden light fell on the path, illuminating it.

I loved the contrast.

The warmth of the light and the emptiness and desolation of the once-worn road.

It was hard to believe that this empty road was right next to a highway filled with cars streaking by.

I’m always afraid that I will run out of places to shoot at (given that NOVA is an area that gets quite repetitive at times), but today it occurred to me that I am never far from adventure no matter where I am.

So I have listened to this song 60 times between yesterday and today...

It's been on repeat. Non-stop.

Clara Klein - "Madman"


It's beautiful, simple, and I get this quiet vibe from it that I love. I would like to use this song in a film someday.

dope music

You should probz listen to TOKiMONSTA's entire EP Creature Dreams. It's very chill and dope. Here's one of my favorite tracks from the album:

"Stigmatizing Sex"


This is also pretty dope. And cosmic. Love:

NOIR CŒUR - “TOTAL NIRVANA”



And also I must confess that I love Kylie Minogue's music. But anyway.

the brothel

Du Juan by Vincent Peters for Numéro China September 2011 (via FGR)

I love this photograph because it brings back a memory about Taipei.

One night, my cousin (who is approximately thirty years old) took me out for the first motorcycle ride of my life.

It was the most exhilarating and liberating experience of my life. I still remember that ride vividly—lights and all flashing by, us leaving it all behind in a trail of darkness, cool wind whipping past, the throaty roar and rumble of the motorcycle tearing through the quiet night, the thrill of being caught in a throng of motorcyclists waiting side-by-side at a red light—I remember everything.

But when we got off the motorcycle at this village, my cousin took me through this alley to get to a little shop. We passed by a very dark and quiet alley. There were women loitering around outside the alley (which was lined with adjacent little shacks/inns) next to each doorway. As we passed through the alley, I peered into each doorway (they were all open) and interestingly enough, all I saw were women in rather vibrant dresses and Buddhist altars/shrines in every single one of those inns. I thought it was very curious to see a shrine in all of them.

As we got out of the alley and headed onto the main street, my cousin asked me if I knew what I had just passed through. I didn’t know. He thought for a moment as we walked, trying to search for the right word in English. And then he said one word:

“Brothel.”

Our walk dissolved into silence.

I think this photograph captures my memory very well.

Those women would just lean against the wall; some dressed more provocatively than others; and their glances would linger on us as we passed by them. I could feel their eyes on us as I walked by.

Sometimes, my cousin and I would pass by a businessman or two, outside. And sometimes, when I peered into the inns, there would be a man or two in the lounges/foyer.

One brothel stands out in my mind.

I peered into it and saw this gigantic wooden staircase that wrapped around the foyer like a serpent, and it was lined with beautiful women every step of the way.

It wasn’t till I had walked away from that alley and found out what it was that I wondered, very pensively, if those women had chosen to be there—if they were there of their own volition—or not.

Pumped Up Kicks (Foster The People cover) - Owl Eyes by melcrawford

Growing is Forever

I often think that it's a little clichéd to use The Album Leaf's songs in nature-y/quiet films like these, but this was thought-provoking and compelling.

the benefit(s) of being young

Although I would love to grow up so I could pack my bags and get on with my life in a big city, I do believe that being young has its advantages. (Or you can make it work to your advantage.)

1. People don't take you seriously. It sucks sometimes. But this is good in case you ever need to break the law or do some shady stuff. If you get in trouble, people will tend to punish you less harshly (compared to an adult/"grown-up" breaking the law or doing something wrong). They're more dismissive because of your supposed youth (which guarantees ignorance, apparently). Speaking of ignorance...
2. People think you're ignorant because you're young. You can prove them wrong. They won't know what hit them.
3.  I dunno. There are plenty more benefits to being young (aside from the obvious--health-wise, etc.), but that's all I can think of for now.