Here I am again, trying out something different–a monthly magpie post. Above is a video of an Australian magpie (Sqwark) and a pup (Whiskey) playing in the yard. Irredeemably cute. Many thanks to Laura, who recently re-linked to this video on Facebook and reminded me of it.
I had no idea people confused Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain so much (I see some similarities, but not so many as to confuse them). Musical writers Jon and Al Kaplan, to “put an end to the confusion,” wrote Jessica Chastain: The Musical (Bryce Dallas Howard), which is both hilarious and frightfully catchy (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself singing “I am not Jessica Chastain / I am Bryce Dallas Fucking Howard / Hear me roar!”). Check out this article on The Mary Sue for more information, plus a funny tweet from Jessica Chastain about the musical.
Speaking of musicals, the adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s sublime graphic novel Fun Home took home five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (the show received twelve nominations in total). (via The Beat) Honestly, I never seem to want to live in New York City more than when I read about the Fun Home musical. Check out this incredible performance by nominee Sydney Lucas at the Tony Awards (I also find myself singing this song):
The Onion is indeed America’s finest news source, and here are some recent articles that tickled me:
- Fed-Up Employee Just About 14 Years Away from Walking Out Door (who hasn’t been there?)
- Self-Deprecating Man Just Scratching Surface of How Pathetic He Actually Is (you never really know, until you do)
- I’ll Tell You Waht I’d Do If I Were Gay (he would be the Über-Gay, basically)
- First Orgy After Brian’s Death Very Solemn (though by the second….)
- 48-Year-Old Still Unsure What He Wants to Do With His Life (too close to home)
From Cracked.com, five helpful answers to society’s most uncomfortable questions—funny and insightful!
Old news now, but David Lynch is directing the new Twin Peaks after all, which makes me happy. I recently re-watched the entire run of the original Twin Peaks, and I was pleased with how much still felt fresh twenty-five years later. I also realized how much I’d forgotten that I would have preferred to have kept forgotten (the most obvious for me is James’ solo storyline).
Very relevant to my interests as I’m working on a murder-mystery short story myself, so this advice is both incredibly timely as well as useful—do I really need five butlers after all?
Some other recent writing articles I found interesting:
- Nick Mamatas has some thoughts on short stories captured on Storify.
- At Electric Literature, Alice Bolin examines Miss Marple as a Feminist Detective Hero (and made me want to read more Agatha Christie).
- Is it time for literary magazines to rethink the slush? asks Lincoln Michel (also from Electric Literature). I started submitting again after a long break, so I’m always thinking about slush.
- A great interview with poet Mark Doty at The Guardian.
- At The Pale Rook, Johanna writes about valuing your art. Definitely give it a read! (hat tip to Delia and Ellen for linking to this post on Facebook).
- The Toast is really irreverently hilarious, especially Mallory Ortberg’s Women in Western Art series (like women trying to politely end conversations with men or women having a terrible time at parties). Check out Ortberg’s Sad Queer Classics, Fixed for more educational fun (warning: terrible spoilers for all the novels listed).
- Over at The Huffington Post, Sara Boboltz shares Six Curious Things about Emily Dickinson. Reading this article—and finding out about Lifetime’s series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles around the same time—made me want to write a story wherein a Holmesian Emily Dickinson pursues the Moriarty-esque Lizzie Borden for her crimes, except Emily died six years prior to the axe murders.
- My friend Jennifer sent me this link about The Mystery Mailman of Omaha, which I found appealing on so many levels. If you love the mail and/or mysteries, do give this article a read.
Naomi Shihab Nye reads her poem “How Do I Know When a Poem Is Finished”:
If you know a teacher (which is all of you), please read this wonderful poem by my friend Marnie Bullock Dresser, “Every Time You Thank a Teacher.”
Here’s another poetry video recently recorded: Ashley Mardell reading “We Get It, You’re Gay”:
Book Riot introduced me to the Belmont Public Library for the Birds, which is just about the best thing ever. I’ve included a picture below, but do click through to read the whole article about Rebecca Flowers and Kevin Cwalina’s project, as well as see more pictures and a video.
The Belmont Public Library for the Birds
Tom Downey writes about how the Tokyo bookstore Tsutaya made him fall back in love with print at The Medium. Wonderful photographs by James Whitlow Delano, too. (via)
Mark Manson educates us in the subtle art of not giving a fuck, something at which I need to improve.
One of the sexiest things I’ve seen lately (ymmv), and I’ve seen some sexy things: Daniel and Desirée at BNF Dubai Latin Festival 2015 dancing the Bachata to Beyoncé’s slowed-down version of “Crazy In Love”:
Ukranian artist Alexey Kondakov coverges classical art and contemporary photography for images that are fun and provocative in his series Art History in Contemporary Life. Below is one of my favorites, but you can see many others at the gallery on Supersonic. (via)
Alexey Kondakov
Midori Snyder writes about the Women’s Regatta in 18th-century Venice, inspired by the painting below:
The Women’s Regatta in Venice by Gabriele Bella, 1730-1799
Artist Nicolas Knepper creates miniature movie scenes with food in his series Hollyfood, reinterpreting Breaking Bad, Kill Bill, Friday the 13th, Lord of the Rings, and others. Below is the Hulk smashing a pistachio macaron. Ah, such a waste of one of my favorite types of macarons! (via)
Les macarons, ça m’énerve by Nicolas Knepper
I’m a huge fan of the Lucifer comic series written by Mike Carey, and while the upcoming TV adaptation has received a fair amount of skepticism (particularly the police investigation angle), I’d still like to see it. You really cannot deny how charming Tom Ellis is as Lucifer. (via)
Relatedly, finally an update on The Sandman movie! Check out this MTV News interview with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, where he reveals, among other things, why we won’t see punching in The Sandman.
No, I haven’t read Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, but I have to say I’m definitely interested in the TV adaptation coming from Syfy. I am a sucker for magic schools. Plus, how can you not love this exchange: Quentin: “Are you guys trying to take over the world or….” Dean Fogg: “We don’t teach that, but give it a go.” Check out a short trailer below. (via)
I’m ready to be scared, Mr. Hiddleston. (via)
If you’re done, Frazey Ford’s “Done” will be your new anthem (thanks to Marnie for posting the link on Facebook). I thought Ford sounded familiar, and then I found out she was part of The Be Good Tanyas!
The Black Hours, according to The Morgan Library & Museum, “is one of a small handful of manuscripts written and illuminated on vellum that is stained or painted black. The result is quite arresting. The text is written in silver and gold, with gilt initials and line endings composed of chartreuse panels enlivened with yellow filigree. Gold foliage on a monochromatic blue background makes up the borders. The miniatures are executed in a restricted palette of blue, old rose, and light flesh tones, with dashes of green, gray, and white. The solid black background is utilized to great advantage, especially by means of gold highlighting.” You can see the entire virtual facsimile at The Modern Library & Museum, and it’s well worth the time. I don’t remember ever hearing about The Black Hours before, but it is breathtaking. (via My Ear-Trumpet via Eden Workshops via Erzebet on Facebook)
The Black Hours
Something really sweet to end on, from AARP!
