March 31, 2009

ciao bella

ciao bella = hello beautiful

I enjoy the saying.
It is a beautiful day.
I am trying to learn Italian.
And Ciao Bella is the name of some wonderful gelato. Yum.

Unfortunately, even though it is beautiful day, it has been a tough week. Not only are midterms still lingering, but there was also a tragic hit and run accident involving two USC students early Sunday morning and the student body is filled with sadness and shock. The car hit two students; killing one and the other student remained on the car until the passenger and driver decided to remove the boy from the hood. I am utterly disgusted by their actions and I hope they get caught. My roommate got hit by a drunk driver last year, fortunately she was only bruised and we caught the guy. Hit and runs involving people are terrible situations, and it is heartbreaking that this one ended in death. Both students are in my thoughts and I wish their friends and families the best.

I wish more people would do good deeds in the world. Everyone is always so wrapped up in their lives that they forget little things that can be done to make things better. Compliment people, smile more, hug your friends... simple things like that can make you and other people happier.

I recently discovered freerice.com. It's an educational web game and for every answer you get right, 10 grains of rice are donated through the UN World Food Program. The internet is my favorite method of procrastination, so if I can claim I learning or doing good things for the world, I can rationalize my wasted time. Last night, while avoiding one of my research papers I practiced some math, geography, art history, and most importantly Italian. By the end of the night I raised over 1,500 grains of rice. Go me!



This summer I will be studying abroad in Rome for 5 weeks, so hopefully I can master some more Italian by then. When reading Time magazine this morning, I saw on their Pop Chart that "Rome plans Ancient Rome theme park. Get ready for Crucifixion Cove." For those of you that don't know about this Pop Chart, keep in mind that it is full of sarcasm. This theme park is not going to be like The Hold Land Experience. For example, under shockingly predictable on the pop chart, "Kiefer Sutherland to enter either season, second week of 24." (I thought that was pretty clever.)

Apparently, this theme park idea is inspired by the film Gladiator. (Great movie!! I remember being angry when it didn't get two thumbs up.) The city of Rome needs tourists and this is their solution to the Euro Disney competition in Paris. But I feel like this is the wrong solution...



"The planned park will strive for historical accuracy while offering family-friendly attractions based both on life during the Roman Republic -- which ended with the assassination of Julius Caesar and the civil war -- and during the Roman Empire."

It seems right up my alley, but it's hard to compete with Mickey...

"Mommy Mommy, can I see Caesar get assassinated again?!"

Bad.

March 29, 2009

i heart jamie

Hi my name is Katherine and I am a music addict. I have more music than I am able to listen to and I never refuse a concert unless it is way too expensive or the band is way too bad. Consider the mild hyperboles because a little expensive and a little bad are ok in my book. For example, I just bought two tickets to see Spinal Tap in concert. I have yet to find someone to go with me.

Given the size of my music library, artists often fad in and out of my listening patterns. I usually select a few CDs and genres to focus on at certain time. Currently, I spend most of my time listening to classic rock and alternative rock. I love oldies and jazz as well, but those genres were in hibernation until yesterday. Last night, I opened up my heart to Jamie Cullum again. I overdosed on Jamie Cullum for two years, beginning senior year of high school. I own all his CDs, even the one he released of music that inspires him. I have also seen him three times in concert, and one of those times I met him.

See the picture? He is obviously in love with me. Ignore my terrible outfit... he sees into my heart.


One of my favorite things about Jamie, (yes we are on a first name basis), is that he is very passionate about his music and in my opinion is a true jazz musician. He does his best without a set list. Seeing Jamie at the Wiltern was one of the best concert experiences I have ever had. Half way through the concert he split the audience into two with a casual arm movement. He gave everyone kazoos and assigned each side a unique scat noise to create with the kazoo. He then came into the audience with the sax player and began singing random stuff not found on his CDs. Also, I enjoyed that moment because I touched him... yes. The power Jamie exudes while performing is incredible. After seeing him live for the first time, I could'nt listen to his studio albums.

He enjoys covering popular songs and using any materials present to make music. His energy and creativity is inspiring. The following videos show Jamie covering some popular songs like Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes and Sexy Back by Justin Timerberlake. Usually I am scared of covers. I am a purist and respect the originals, but his covers are so unique and given my infatuation I actually really enjoy them. (Ahhhhhhh $@bfs^$&$%*&VDbvdab!!!! he is so talented, and his voice while singing Sexy Back is incredibly sexy).





I enjoy his covers more than his original music, but some of his own stuff is fantastic because he incorporates his humor and some musical elements that showcase his wonderful voice. In his song Photograph, a few of the lyrics were written for me (not really) when I died my hair auburn last year:

It was the same night that I kissed that girl,
the tall one with the auburn hair,
I remember laughing coz to kiss me,
she had to sit down on a chair!

Yes, Jamie is really short, but very cute. With his energy on stage he kind of reminds me of a monkey. He did a few jumping-off-the-piano moves when I saw him at the Wiltern. One of my favorite Jamie originals is Nothing I do. It is about a fight with his girlfriend but he intentionally wrote it upbeat so it feels like a happy song. Jamie enjoys irony and did a similar thing with a song he wrote about the "beautiful" London skies. Oh, I forgot, another reason I love Jamie is because he is foreign.



Here are a few other great Jamie covers, probably more for my enjoyment when I stalk my own blog. A great thing about these covers is that the artists that originally sang the songs, like Elton John and Pharrell Williams, really enjoy Jamie's interpretation of them. In the first video you can see Elton John enjoying Jamie's performance. When Jamie covered Pharrell's song, Pharell said that he was surprised to finally meet Jamie and discover that he wasn't black. (Frontin' is originally a hip-hop song).

Jamie is out of hibernation.







March 28, 2009

it's new math

Internet + Katherine = brilliant discoveries

Simple and direct mathematical equations that explain life.
(Ponzi Scheme = ROI - R - I)


Funny exams that result in not so funny grades.


Watch the following video to enjoy the inappropriate wit of Bo Burnham. He was born in 1990... makes you question your intelligence and daily word play.




March 27, 2009

kiss me, you fool

While in Europe, Becky saw Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. I have seen the painting before, so I should not have been jealous, but oddly I was. It is a beautiful painting from Klimt's gold period where he utilized a lot of gold leaf that adds a great deal of texture to his paintings. (I heart texture!) His style is unique and elegant. The faces of Klimt's characters are delicate and detailed while the clothing they wear is decorated with bold patterns and shapes. The combination of his style and the content of The Kiss makes this painting one of my favorite artistic works. It is graphic and romantic - truly lovely.


When Becky mentioned this painting, I immediately thought of a painting I saw in Ireland called, The Meeting on the Turret Stairs. The styles are completely different, but the content is similar. They both capture passion in a sweet romantic way. (Well, The Meeting on the Turret Stairs seems like forbidden love...) There is a delicacy to the interaction between the couples in both works that is heart warming. I am outwardly a realist - usually pessimistic about the world and human nature despite my personal optimistic outlook on life. I expect the worst, but hope for the best. That hope is part of my closet romantic side that loves these paintings.


Procrastinating as usual, my romantic side triggered me to search the internet for famous kisses. I have a magnet of the famous Victory of Japan Day kiss, but what else could I find? Some how my searches turned into movie kiss searches. I eventually found this bizarre site that didn't select best kisses because of passion or love but best kisses because they were "firsts" in some sort of category, like first vampire kiss seen in the movie, A Fool There Was. I love vampires, but that is not why I was drawn to this kiss. I was drawn to it because of the movie stills the website selected:


This vampire lured a married man away with kisses and the catch phrase, "Kiss me, my fool!" I love silent films and that classy line. I need to see this movie now. This kiss website also features the first "Shameful Dentist's Chair Anesthetized Kiss," aka Dentist rape, in the 1924 film Greed. Wow.

Ok, I can't reference movie kisses without mentioning my favorite - The Notebook. It isn't my favorite movie, but the passion of their rain kiss is amazing.


Allie: "Why didn't you write me? Why? It wasn't over for me, I waited for you for seven years. But now it's too late."
Noah: "I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you everyday for a year."
Allie: "You wrote me?"
Noah: "Yes. It wasn't over, it still isn't over." And Noah kisses Allie.

**Romantic sigh**

March 25, 2009

design + function = good

I have always been a fan of products that are both practical/functional and designed. It can add delight and beauty to the monotony of some products, and in my case often humor as well. I believe it makes life fuller and more enjoyable. And as Oscar Wilde so brilliantly stated, "life is too important to be taken seriously."

For example, I own a Das Kapital safe and a tape dispenser man.


I don't claim to only own designed items that are functional because I do have perfectly useless but INCREDIBLE items like my Mickey Mao (I have it in red).


But there are certain items that everyone needs, like ice trays. So why not buy an Ice Invader Tray? The only reasons not to is if you don't know what a space invader is, you don't like space invaders, or style scares you. My point - if you need it why not go a little farther and make it special? Being a designer, I am all about personalization. It's great for self-expression.


Now on to totally worthless designed items (excluding my Mickey Mao, because it really is brilliant). This Monday, the HRP-4C humanoid robot was revealed at Japan's fashion week. Yes, not a tech conference, fashion week, because this robot has been designed to be a runway model. According to the director of the humanoid robot engineering, "Our robot can't move elegantly like the real models that are here today." No kidding, that half squat below is really sexy... However, Darth Vader would totally buy what ever clothes are going to be modeled on that rigid metallic frame.


With 2 million dollars in production it is a little disappointing, actually no, really impressive, but why for fashion?! Sometimes I feel people develop technology just to say they developed it, but it's totally unnecessary (kind of like the new shuffle). There are some things that artificial intelligence can not replace. The research director says that another 20-30 years is needed before this robot is perfected. I think that is science wasted. However, it can easily be applied elsewhere and I never like to frown on research because any progress in science is fantastic.

The only thing this "model" could possible wear is this new clothing line that was inspired by the recent UFO sightings in China...


If I was an alien, China would be the last place I would land. Plus with all their surveillance projects I would be quickly discovered and destroyed. Unfortunately, You-Tube is banned again in China, so my brilliant alien discovery would never be broadcasted and poor Moulder would still be left believing.



March 24, 2009

musings of a giant


Last night I skyped with Becky, one of my oldest and best friends. She is currently studying abroad in Europe. We have gone to school together since kindergarten and because she loves me so much she followed me to 'SC. Actually, no. She "begged" me to go to USC. I was set on the east coast and the only school I was considering on the west coast was USC. I eventually narrowed down my choices to Tufts and USC. Considering both programs, I got over my stubbornness and picked 'SC because it had everything I wanted and needed. Tufts was only a finalist because of its location.

Despite being best friends, Becky and I are always in competition. As lame kids, we would compare our grades in math, our drawing skills in art, and even the size of our calf muscles. Yes, I know - absolutely bizarre. I still claim I won the calf competitions. However, I did have an advantage because of my height. Becky still defends her calf victory based on the fact that she was active in karate, tennis, and a few other things and I was just a defensive player in soccer. My job in soccer was to intimidate other young children with my height and nothing more.

I was a giant in elementary school. My friend Whitney was also tall, but now, she is just average (only in height). Her mother loves to tell the story about how happy she was to find out Whitney was not the tallest girl in elementary school. Below is part of a newspaper clipping that covered the 5th grade Eco Hunt that Becky and I participated in. The Eco Hunt was basically a daylong scavenger hunt in the Arboretum. They gave us compasses and dumped us in the pseudo-forest. I think we came in third. I am a nerd and would probably post this photo because of the subject, but I just wanted to showcase my 5th grade height. Unfortunately, this is the best elementary photo I have right now in my apartment.



I am still tall, but no longer beastly in comparison to other people my age. I don't know how I sprouted so fast! My family is not particularly tall, but as a child, I did cry when we were out of milk. No matter the cause, I think my height, though responsible for many of my insecurities, helped me develop my confidence, independence, and emotional strength. (Who knew blogs could be so deep?!)

Today I love my height, well, most of the time. It can be a downer since I am taller than the average guy height, but then taller women are more successful... Some of my closest girl friends joke that they are my children because of the height disparity among us. Becky is always amused when I stand on my knees... because it makes her feel taller? I don't know. Either way it's funny. In NY this past week, my teacher so kindly named me monster woman when I emerged wearing heels.

March 22, 2009

you-tubular

enjoy.


This video beautifully captures extreme sheep art. There are some equally extreme claims that it is fake, but I have been to Ireland, I know what sheep can do. Either way, this video is very entertaining. It is up there with the LEDs of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra videos. Ohhhh brilliant idea for extreme sheep art 2.0...




Freetranslation.com now offers hip-hop jargon as a translation option.




Sesame Street is still keeping the kids informed.




Crispin Glover frightens me away.




I saw the new promotional posters for Nora Robert's Lifetime series in NY. I made an effort to identify and call out every one I spotted. I was obviously entertained by the over the top romance novel like posters, but where is Fabio? The trailer below confirms my expectations...




"Panelists dismiss the notion that something could go wrong with the 75-foot-tall crabs that shoot acid from their mouths."


Experts Agree Giant, Razor-Clawed Bioengineered Crabs Pose No Threat

March 21, 2009

back to school

I returned to USC last night after a spending a week in NY with the Roski Study Tour class. It was an incredible trip!!! I wish I could have recapped the trip more on the class blog, but I did not have any time. I slept very little because I worked hard and played hard.

Some highlights:

+Being in NY
+Visiting a bunch of design firms, several that I would love to work at
+Bumping into a few USC friends outside of the class - both randomly and planned
+Learning how to enamel at the Museum of Art and Design
+Going out on St. Patrick's Day
+Meeting Martha Stewart
+Shopping
+Staying at the Roommate Grace Hotel - I love the design and location
+Eating incredible food
+Seeing the musical, In the Heights
+Visiting some museums and galleries


During this trip I had a lot of fun but I also learned a lot. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have had while going to USC. I now want to move to NY!! And perhaps work at some of the firms we visited, like Siegel + Gale.


Some pictures from the week:


My hair and Martha Stewart. We visited Martha Stewart Living and bumped into her by accident.


The great entrance display of Bendels. We went on an exclusive early morning tour!


Me and a Rothko painting. I took this for my teacher.


My hotel. We spent several late nights in the pool.


Me enameling at the Museum of Art and Design.


The class at Grant's tomb.


Being productive at Toys "R" Us before our meeting at Nickelodeon.


Drinking huge frozen hot chocolates at Serendipity.


Me at Martha's. I wore pink for her. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. It was not as corny as I expected the tour to be.

I miss NY already.


March 15, 2009

design in NYC

Today is my third day in New York with the USC Roski NY Design Study Tour class. Things have been moving so fast and I would love to recap what we are doing but I just don't have the time. However, part of the requirements for the class is to blog, but on the class blog. If you are curious about why I am in school on spring break, just read the blog. It sounds a little sad at first, but this is an incredible opportunity for any design student.

Here is a picture of me with the devil in Hell's Kitchen yesterday:

March 13, 2009

1, 2, 3, BREAK!

Spring break has officially started, woooooooooooooooooooo... oooohhhh... yeah.

Actually, not really - no trips to Florida or the neighboring narco state for me. For my break I will be going to NYC with the USC Roski Design Study Tour class. Yes, it is a little sad that my break will not consist of hours wasted on food, TV, and sleep, but I will be visiting 12 design firms. For the class, we also have plans to visit several museums, see a musical, eat dinner with some USC alumni and designers, and enjoy New York! So actually, wooooo-ing applies.

Since I will be gone all break, I do not have time to finish up some school work for my other classes. This morning I was on campus at 8 am in order to have breakfast with my parents and finish a painting before I leave. The painting is not too exciting, a simple still life of random objects, but despite the particularly boring content of the painting I am proud of it considering it is my first color still life in oil. All my high school paintings were abstract and acrylic. I also took a snapshot of my palette mid-clean-up because I love the texture and colors paint creates when blended together plus I already had my iPhone out to photograph the painting.

Check out the "masterpiece" and the paint smear below.




Other good news besides my NY trip:

"ScarJo & Mickey Rourke Help Raise Iron Curtain"


I am so excited for Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke to join the already incredbile Iron Man cast! But what a terrible headline!

I do not spend time reading Perez Hilton or other celebrity gossip sources, so this is the first time I have heard the nickname for Scarlett Johansson - ScarJo. I get the abreviation thing, but ScarJo is the worst nickname for Johansson who is refined, talented, and gorgeous. I could easily create some witty hick jokes with the name ScarJo. Terrible.

Also, did E! really use the phrase Iron Curtain? I am pretty sure the difficult negotiations that occur when establishing acting contracts for movies is not comparable to the Iron Curtain that divided Europe from 1945 to the end of the Cold War. What curtain was even raised? I am so confused.

March 12, 2009

thank you Obama

Obama recently released a logo for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This logo will mark all works funded by his stimulus plan. Obama explained that this logo will make "it easier for Americans to see what projects are being funded with their money as part of our recovery."

As part of the branding package, Obama also released the new DOT Tiger (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) design.


I just finished a midterm on international security so I do not have the energy to rant about the stimulus package or the design of the logos, but I do have to say thank you Obama for making my double major in International Relations and Fine Arts (Graphic Design emphasis) seem less random. Job opportunities for the politically active designer are growing! WOOT.

March 11, 2009

all that jazz

blog assignment 3

I know it's a cliche title, oh well.


My sister suffers from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Even after living on the East Coast for two years she is still struggling to adapt to the changing seasons. She is quite envious of me because I remain in sunny Southern California. So, a few weeks ago I flew out to New York to visit her and perhaps share the spirit of vitamin D through association. While in the city, we decided to see a Broadway show because I had no desire to let my sister drag me to Twilight again. Like other forms of entertainment, Broadway provides a unique escape from life's monotony, but Broadway has the extra allure of impressive live productions. After considering the shows with available tickets we selected Chicago.

Chicago is a unique Broadway revival that has actually run longer than the original play. Chicago opened in 1996 and won several Tony Awards including Best Revival. When I saw the musical in February, the packed house revealed that Chicago is still running strong despite the effect of the economy on Broadway, which has resulted in the closing of several musicals including Spamalot, Hairspray, and Spring Awakening. I may be too kind considering that Chicago is now located at the Ambassador Theater, a smaller location in comparison to other musical venues in the theater district; but as a result of the location, the performance was strong and intimate, like a 1920s cabaret.

I did not know how to prepare myself for the production. I had seen the movie Chicago many times and could practically perform it myself, but comparing different artistic mediums usually results in inappropriate symmetrical comparisons. I eventually decided to refrain from referencing the film, but it still remained in the back of my mind. When the performance began, I was confronted by a minimal set filled with a chorus dressed in tight sexy costumes performing a smooth rendition of "All that Jazz." I then knew that this was NOT the film, and all my assumptions left me.

The minimal set, though sometimes a disappointing aspect for new theater goers, was appropriate and successfully utilized by both the band and the actors. The newest revival of Sweeney Todd must have considered this Broadway success when establishing their set, which is presented in similar manner. In Chicago, the performers made smooth transitions between their musical numbers and acting sequences with minimal set adjustments that often just included chairs. As a result of this, the musical required strong performances from all the cast members, and they delivered.

Charlotte d'Amboise gave a stellar performance as Roxie Hart. D'Amboise was both comical and sexy, presenting a refreshing perspective of Roxie Hart that was personable despite her character's manipulation and self-interest. The other performers were not as strong, but still gave wonderful performances, most notably Velma Kelly played by Amra-Faye Wright. Wright, though older than the rest of the cast, stunned the audience with her powerful yet sultry voice, which has helped establish her independent career as a cabaret singer.

I remained completely engaged during the first act and was actually disappointed when it was intermission. I usually anxiously wait for intermission and bolt for the restroom to avoid ridiculously long lines. But this time I stayed in my seat, excited and ready for the rest of Chicago...

The dance performances were dynamic combining both sharp and fluid movements, capturing the music.

The set, though minimal, was easily transformed at the will of the cast through their strong stage presence.

The band, elevated on stage, added to the entertainment factor but also provided some comedic dialogue.

The monochromatic costumes increased the power of the performance and the sexuality of the cast.

This review may sound a little redundant - powerful, strong... but it was a powerful performance of Chicago, and the intimate environment of Ambassador Theater intensified everything. There is no doubt about why this revival has run longer than the original.

This Broadway classic really did "razzle-dazzle" me.



(In this video there are lots of celebrity cameos, like David Hasselhoff... luckily I did not see one of those nights.)

March 8, 2009

my day of rest


So, a few Catholic bishops want people to give up technology for lent. According to the Associated Press, the Modena diocese stated, "It's a small way to remember the importance of concrete and not virtual relationships." Their argument is completely understandable, but I am going to follow the Pope and continue YouTubing. Apparently Benedict updated his YouTube channel this past Wednesday. I guess he prefers virtual relationships. Maybe he finds it similar to his connection with God...

Gizmodo phrased the contradicting request quite well, "The bishops stated that they hoped a ban on text messaging would "draw attention to the conflict in Congo, which it says is fueled by a struggle over mines that supply minerals used to make cellphones." That's sort of reasonable and at the same time also totally unreasonable, in that nobody is going to make that connection unless their phones are inscribed with 'MADE WITH THE BLOOD OF CONGOLESE MINERS" on the front.'"

If anything just give up Twitter. In the spirit of God and worthless tech applications.

With Lent in mind, or really genius publicity stunts, Vanilla Ice recorded an apology video stating, "I'm sorry for the hairdos, baggy pants, the scandals, the lies, the gangs, and I am sorry about the music. I was young, manipulated and I was a puppet."



I am sorry this video came out 20 years too late.

I am sorry he is a poor actor.

And I am sorry he didn't apologize for sampling Queen's "Under Pressure."

My photo of the week:

Sorority artistic appropriation at its best! I know I was a creeper for taking this snapshot with my phone, but I could not resist, it was too good! Viva USC.

March 5, 2009

midnight tonight =



I am so excited!

I have not decided whether to watch the movie as a fan of the graphic novel or watch it as if it is a separate entity. There is no doubt that the film will be visually spectacular, and seeing it on IMAX will surely blow me away. But the real question is if the movie can capture the complexity and power of the novel. I also heard that there were some changes to the plot... No matter what, I am excited and it should be a fantastic experience.

March 4, 2009

(not so) fun facts

The top 10 in demand jobs in 2010 did not exist in 2004.

1 of every 8 couples married in the US last year met online.

If MySpace were a country, it would be the 5th-largest in the world (between Indonesia and Brazil).

India has more honors kids than America has kids.

Scary, right? I am preparing for jobs that don't exist yet. Social networks will rule the future. I will probably marry someone I meet online. And my job security is threatened by China and India. Ohhh globalization.

My conclusion - don't go to school, buy a super computer, and don't bother talking to people because you can always meet them online. :)

Ok, not really. But read Thomas Friedman's book, The World Is Flat. It is an essential update on globalization.

It is funny considering all this as I write on my blog...

March 2, 2009

carpe diem

Oh man, what a week. I definitely seized a few days.

Monday - John's 23rd birthday on the 23rd
Tuesday - Trojan Idol and Date Auction
Wednesday - LA Opera
Thursday - USC vs. UCLA men's club volleyball game
Friday - Red Cross recognition dinner and DChi Party
Saturday - DTD Philanthropy and Crew-a-palooza
Sunday - Dinner with my Dad

And because of all that I am up late doing homework.

I just finished a painting for class. I am in painting 1, not because I haven't painted before but because I haven't painted in about 4 years. I thought I could use a good refresh and I miss painting. Also, this is the first time I have painted with oil. I only used acrylic in high school because it was cheap and readily available.

The painting I finished is for an assignment where we had to copy a famous painting. The purpose of this project is to help students with recognizing/creating colors and also to help with drawing what is observed. It is a valuable assignment for any artist. It is like a good warm-up.

For the assignment, I picked Georgia O'Keefe's "Oriental Poppies" (below). I like the painting and I thought it would be a nice gift for my mom. She always asks me to paint something for her, but I haven't had the time until now. Also, I have been to the Georgia O'Keefe museum several times when visiting my grandparents in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I appreciate the delicacy and texture of O'Keefe's paintings and I wanted the challenge of recreating her work.


My paintings in high school were usually mixed media and pretty abstract, so it was nice to paint something a little different. Below are two of my high school paintings and my completed O'Keefe painting. The copy is a little "squished" in comparison to the original because of the canvas proportions, but other than that, I am pretty happy with it.





...I should really stop procrastinating with my blog. Back to homework!