Wednesday, September 26, 2012
People Who Get It: Jens Lekman
Once, I was bored of studying for exams and decided to shoot Jens an email on a whim. I asked if he was allergic to nuts. He responded the following morning that he was not and wondered if Toronto was full of them.
I started to imagine the city sitting on top of a nut-mine... which would explain how the squirrels always manage to dig up nuts everywhere on the ground!
I actually told Jens that. I think it freaked him out.
Monday, August 13, 2012
summer ghosting
I've never really been much of a fan of summer. Every time I have to go out in the sun, it has always been greeted with dread. So much dread.
In fact, the only time I really enjoy going out is when there's a torrential downpour.
Slightly lower temperatures allow for layering, and the rain usually calls for welly-wearing -- which is always a plus in my book!
However, I figured complaining about the heat (which is all I do, apparently) is no fun. "Summer", and therefore the freedom it brings, is almost at an end, and I realize, I haven't really done much summer frolicking!
So one day, Myra and I decided to finally embrace this damned season, put on swimsuits and head to the island. But of course, it poured that day, so we scavenged the St Lawrence market for statement accessories and communist paraphernalia instead.
When it cleared up later that day, we basked in the usually dreaded sun at the manmade beach down at Harbourfront, where the above instant photos were taken. The camera's default setting had the tendency to make me look like a ghost -- a summer ghost.
In fact, the only time I really enjoy going out is when there's a torrential downpour.
Slightly lower temperatures allow for layering, and the rain usually calls for welly-wearing -- which is always a plus in my book!
However, I figured complaining about the heat (which is all I do, apparently) is no fun. "Summer", and therefore the freedom it brings, is almost at an end, and I realize, I haven't really done much summer frolicking!
So one day, Myra and I decided to finally embrace this damned season, put on swimsuits and head to the island. But of course, it poured that day, so we scavenged the St Lawrence market for statement accessories and communist paraphernalia instead.
When it cleared up later that day, we basked in the usually dreaded sun at the manmade beach down at Harbourfront, where the above instant photos were taken. The camera's default setting had the tendency to make me look like a ghost -- a summer ghost.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
This past Friday, I ended up at the Danforth Music Hall for Purity Ring and Dirty Projectors.
Purity Ring is what I fancy Tom Lowery and I would be like if we were to pursue forming a [real] band -- weird and dream-like (complete with grotesque, anatomical lyricism with a cutesy spin -- haha, what?):
Seeing Dirty Projectors live made me all nostalgic and sad-like (but not really, Melody and I were actually quite giggly but that's a whole other story). Nostalgia did hit me inside, though; it "cut open my sternum and pull(ed) my little ribs around," kinda.
"Bitte Orca" oddly served as the go-to soundtrack for afternoon teas in Oxford. Very atypical, but things that don't usually seem right or proper end up being so apt sometimes. Life is funny that way.
This is how my Oxford kitchen looked like in the afternoons -- with Marie as a permanent staple. (I could lie and say the minimalist look was deliberate but you'd see right through it, anyway.)
Today happens to be Marie's birthday (whose back I've photographed too many a time), prompting the following nostalgia/mush-fueled photo-purge.
Happy Sunday!
Purity Ring is what I fancy Tom Lowery and I would be like if we were to pursue forming a [real] band -- weird and dream-like (complete with grotesque, anatomical lyricism with a cutesy spin -- haha, what?):
Seeing Dirty Projectors live made me all nostalgic and sad-like (but not really, Melody and I were actually quite giggly but that's a whole other story). Nostalgia did hit me inside, though; it "cut open my sternum and pull(ed) my little ribs around," kinda.
"Bitte Orca" oddly served as the go-to soundtrack for afternoon teas in Oxford. Very atypical, but things that don't usually seem right or proper end up being so apt sometimes. Life is funny that way.
This is how my Oxford kitchen looked like in the afternoons -- with Marie as a permanent staple. (I could lie and say the minimalist look was deliberate but you'd see right through it, anyway.)
Today happens to be Marie's birthday (whose back I've photographed too many a time), prompting the following nostalgia/mush-fueled photo-purge.
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| walking back to Worcester after the usual afternoon jaunt around Oxford (not without getting dinner at Jericho first, obviously) |
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| Edinburgh |
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| Rough Trade photo booth |
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| Stratford-upon-Avon |
Happy Sunday!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
daydream delusion
Whenever I feel like I am in a rut of some sort, this poem usually takes me out of it:
Thursday, July 5, 2012
(would have been) summer staples
summer staples by garbledupwords featuring ray ban shades
With the passing of seasons, it's difficult to ignore wardrobe planning. I made this set in spring on the cusp of summer -- when it seemed like it was going to be 25 degrees every day. Hence, the long-sleeved Marc by Marc silk blouse. Unfortunately, things don't always turn out the way you imagine. I finally tried on said blouse after months of thinking about it, but the sizing was off. Something is always off.
I've looked for mariniere shorts similar to the above, but the search also turned out futile. As for the Chloé flats, I haven't quite committed to them. They are lovely, but I don't really need to have them. On the other hand, the Wang "Diego" bag is something I've coveted (secretly, at first) for months.
And now, it is mine -- eep!
Monday, July 2, 2012
more NXNE '12 photos...
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| The Dead Ships at the Static Launch |
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| from Of A Kind |
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| at the El Mo |
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| Army Girls |
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| Zulu Winter at The Rivoli |
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| Zulu Winter at Urban Outfitters |
Remember when I tried to photograph musicians' footwear and said something about the guys from Zulu Winter all having shoes with a lot of character?
The English weather isn't very kind to shoes. I can vouch for that, for sure. Will's kicks above almost resemble my trusty oxfords from Oxford (which I might end up featuring on this here blog, maybe).
Here's Morgan photographing the band in an alley. (Photos of polaroids here.)
DIIV being filmed:
The final product; see if you can spot me:
Urban Outfitters x NXNE: Live @ UO part II from Sean L T Cartwright on Vimeo.
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| David's mismatched socks at Dundas Square |
Monday, June 25, 2012
garble
When thoughts rush out and spring new tributary-thoughts with them that ultimately generate a thousand more streams can be frustrating. Sometimes it seems like things are turning out to resemble a Godard traffic scene in the middle of nowhere where the road is narrow, and there's simply no way for you to turn back and the truck in front of you is carrying livestock, and you're top is down and broken, so there's no way of blocking the stench, and the humidity is making it all worse...
You're watching this whole thing as if in a dream sequence, and you have no idea what is going on and where this scene is going to lead to, and there's no way of finding out because the dialogue is unclear. Everyone is talking at the same time, and even the subtitles aren't helping. The scene goes on for days, ages, until you feel so sick, you don't even get to see how it all comes together in the end - if it does.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Pocket Diving: NXNE Day 5
-- reposted from Static --
Sunday was a good day for winding down. I got to Bellwoods just in time for Gregory Peck and His Problems, and did some more pocket-diving:
Feurd, The Elwins: phone, wallet covered in paper, cleaning cloth for this glasses, guitar pick, and keys attached to his favourite key chain ("It's a cash register from the '80s!")
Spencer, The Fabulous Yawn: artist badge, notebook with his setlist, wallet, and lighter
Bobby, Young Lions Music Club: loose change, phone, wallet, keys attached to a broken keychain, lighter, and someone else's phone
Annie: Her dress doesn't have a pocket, but Annie was holding on to this paper airplane.
Erika: twizzlers, sunglasses, Djuna Barnes book, wallet, cigarettes
Mitch, Born Ruffians: earphones, wallet and loose change, phone, keys, faded Canadian passport, a transfer ticket, and an airport receipt from Florida, where he went to recently
And here's Luke.
Sunday was a good day for winding down. I got to Bellwoods just in time for Gregory Peck and His Problems, and did some more pocket-diving:
Feurd, The Elwins: phone, wallet covered in paper, cleaning cloth for this glasses, guitar pick, and keys attached to his favourite key chain ("It's a cash register from the '80s!")
Spencer, The Fabulous Yawn: artist badge, notebook with his setlist, wallet, and lighter
Bobby, Young Lions Music Club: loose change, phone, wallet, keys attached to a broken keychain, lighter, and someone else's phone
Annie: Her dress doesn't have a pocket, but Annie was holding on to this paper airplane.
Erika: twizzlers, sunglasses, Djuna Barnes book, wallet, cigarettes
Mitch, Born Ruffians: earphones, wallet and loose change, phone, keys, faded Canadian passport, a transfer ticket, and an airport receipt from Florida, where he went to recently
And here's Luke.
Pocket Diving: NXNE Day 4
-- reposted from Static --
My brain has turned to mush, no thanks to Redbull and… life, I guess.
Saturday at Urban Outfitters on Yonge & Dundas was the first daytime event I’ve attended this week. I arrived just after 2, in time to catch Zulu Winter for the third time. Their set was a little different from the last two I saw at the Rivoli and Lee’s, which I think further proves their range as musicians. It was great, albeit very short.
Obviously, more pockets were looked into.
Sophia: empty pockets!
Josh, Urban Outfitters: various camera gear, wallet, phone, keys, and $1.01
Morgan, Urban Outfitters: US passport, Urban ID and various cards, phone, and polaroid snaps of bands in the yet-to-be-released film with coloured frames from The Impossible Project
Iain, Zulu Winter: artist badge, guitar pick, gum wrapper, earphones, gum, Canadian change, wallet, phone
At Dundas Square…
Jen: cards in a clip, $10, keys and earplugs
Max: sunglasses that Max purchased recently for $5, paper with party info, keys, phone, media badge
After Of Montreal’s set, I left the mess that was Dundas Square and headed to the Garrison…
Stefan, Topanga: phone, keys, loose change, multiple guitar picks, wallet and an envelope of money from the show they did the night before in Buffalo
My brain has turned to mush, no thanks to Redbull and… life, I guess.
Saturday at Urban Outfitters on Yonge & Dundas was the first daytime event I’ve attended this week. I arrived just after 2, in time to catch Zulu Winter for the third time. Their set was a little different from the last two I saw at the Rivoli and Lee’s, which I think further proves their range as musicians. It was great, albeit very short.
Obviously, more pockets were looked into.
Sophia: empty pockets!
Josh, Urban Outfitters: various camera gear, wallet, phone, keys, and $1.01
Morgan, Urban Outfitters: US passport, Urban ID and various cards, phone, and polaroid snaps of bands in the yet-to-be-released film with coloured frames from The Impossible Project
Iain, Zulu Winter: artist badge, guitar pick, gum wrapper, earphones, gum, Canadian change, wallet, phone
At Dundas Square…
Jen: cards in a clip, $10, keys and earplugs
Max: sunglasses that Max purchased recently for $5, paper with party info, keys, phone, media badge
After Of Montreal’s set, I left the mess that was Dundas Square and headed to the Garrison…
Stefan, Topanga: phone, keys, loose change, multiple guitar picks, wallet and an envelope of money from the show they did the night before in Buffalo
Pocket Diving: NXNE Day 3
-- reposted from Static --
Day 3 of NXNE slackened a bit for me. By the time I finished work and was ready to show-hop again, there were very little options for daytime events. Either they had already finished or were just about to. (My luck with day shows hasn’t been so great, so far.)
Naturally, a Redbull was downed. The Friday line-up at Lee’s won me over when I was planning my schedule, so I planted myself there all night. Too bad Aviva and I missed 2:54. Oh, well. Life goes on. Arrived just in time for DIIV’s set.
I didn’t get to bug very many people for pocket investigations, sadly. So this will be a short (but a good) one:
Yahlehly, Static Zine: hair tie, lipstick, melted lolly that was actually stuck to the fabric of her pocket (we struggled in the girls’ washroom to pull it out and failed quite miserably; I’m sure we raised some awkwardness in the air for the people around us, but whatevz), ticket stubs/receipts, transit pass, and a necklace
Brad Oberhofer: random papers, one of which included the name of a girl from a deli he ate earlier that day (he invited her to the show; she gave him free coffee — win-win), some change (Brad collects lucky pennies from everywhere), and krazy glue to protect his fingers while playing ze guitar
Day 3 of NXNE slackened a bit for me. By the time I finished work and was ready to show-hop again, there were very little options for daytime events. Either they had already finished or were just about to. (My luck with day shows hasn’t been so great, so far.)
Naturally, a Redbull was downed. The Friday line-up at Lee’s won me over when I was planning my schedule, so I planted myself there all night. Too bad Aviva and I missed 2:54. Oh, well. Life goes on. Arrived just in time for DIIV’s set.
I didn’t get to bug very many people for pocket investigations, sadly. So this will be a short (but a good) one:
Yahlehly, Static Zine: hair tie, lipstick, melted lolly that was actually stuck to the fabric of her pocket (we struggled in the girls’ washroom to pull it out and failed quite miserably; I’m sure we raised some awkwardness in the air for the people around us, but whatevz), ticket stubs/receipts, transit pass, and a necklace
Brad Oberhofer: random papers, one of which included the name of a girl from a deli he ate earlier that day (he invited her to the show; she gave him free coffee — win-win), some change (Brad collects lucky pennies from everywhere), and krazy glue to protect his fingers while playing ze guitar
Pocket Diving (and shoe-snapping): NXNE Day 2
-- reposted from Static --
NXNE Thursday began with me wandering around like a stray cat. I was turned away from the Smith Westerns/Dusted island show, which I later discovered meant missing out on free backpacks. My plan B was Julie Doiron at Trinity Bellwoods, which I also found myself too late for.
Before the festival started, I thought I created a pretty pared down schedule, with deliberate overlaps meant for changes of mind, heart and whatever else. Anyway, I ended up at the El Mo a lot earlier than planned. After a few minutes in the downstairs room, I already wanted to go home, take a nap, then curl up and watch Buffy… or you know, write my damn essay. But the misery didn’t last, thank goodness.
Upstairs, Boxer the Horse were being delightful and fun. My only regret was not going up sooner. I only caught the tail-end of their set.
Then, I asked a few more people to empty out their pockets:
Joe, Mechanical Forest Sound: notebook, camera, wallet, recording gear
Pete, Sticky Magazine: earplugs, phone, Sticky Magazine stickers, cards, keys, camera gear (in bag)
Aaron: keys, loose change, wallet, pills, phone, contacts
Andy, Army Girls: keys attached to an awesome keychain and a drink ticket
At the Rivoli...
Will, Zulu Winter: a 4-month old guitar pick, which Will was particularly proud of, wallet, lighter, and loose change of different currencies; He was in the UK, France, Ireland, America, and now Canada all in the span of a week, he explained.
Throughout the night, I also ended up taking photos of shoes.
This guy from Jane’s Party had these really striking red moccasin loafers, which I tried but failed to capture.
Rituals at the El Mo
I particularly liked that the guys from Zulu Winter all had English weather-beaten footwear. Too bad the lighting/photos didn’t capture all that character.
And saving the best for last…
Carmen Elle from Army Girls’ shoes. I’ve had terrible timing and have always missed the opportunity to see them before. I had Red Bull just before their set, so I was ready for them to melt my face off.
I was thinking of maybe altering the spelling of my name. Instead of Carmel, I could be Carmelle… then maybe I could be closer to being almost as cool as Carmen Elle.
NXNE Thursday began with me wandering around like a stray cat. I was turned away from the Smith Westerns/Dusted island show, which I later discovered meant missing out on free backpacks. My plan B was Julie Doiron at Trinity Bellwoods, which I also found myself too late for.
Before the festival started, I thought I created a pretty pared down schedule, with deliberate overlaps meant for changes of mind, heart and whatever else. Anyway, I ended up at the El Mo a lot earlier than planned. After a few minutes in the downstairs room, I already wanted to go home, take a nap, then curl up and watch Buffy… or you know, write my damn essay. But the misery didn’t last, thank goodness.
Upstairs, Boxer the Horse were being delightful and fun. My only regret was not going up sooner. I only caught the tail-end of their set.
Then, I asked a few more people to empty out their pockets:
Joe, Mechanical Forest Sound: notebook, camera, wallet, recording gear
Pete, Sticky Magazine: earplugs, phone, Sticky Magazine stickers, cards, keys, camera gear (in bag)
Aaron: keys, loose change, wallet, pills, phone, contacts
Andy, Army Girls: keys attached to an awesome keychain and a drink ticket
At the Rivoli...
Will, Zulu Winter: a 4-month old guitar pick, which Will was particularly proud of, wallet, lighter, and loose change of different currencies; He was in the UK, France, Ireland, America, and now Canada all in the span of a week, he explained.
Throughout the night, I also ended up taking photos of shoes.
This guy from Jane’s Party had these really striking red moccasin loafers, which I tried but failed to capture.
Rituals at the El Mo
I particularly liked that the guys from Zulu Winter all had English weather-beaten footwear. Too bad the lighting/photos didn’t capture all that character.
And saving the best for last…
Carmen Elle from Army Girls’ shoes. I’ve had terrible timing and have always missed the opportunity to see them before. I had Red Bull just before their set, so I was ready for them to melt my face off.
I was thinking of maybe altering the spelling of my name. Instead of Carmel, I could be Carmelle… then maybe I could be closer to being almost as cool as Carmen Elle.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Pocket Diving: NXNE Day 1
For NXNE, I decided to stick my nose into people's pockets... figuratively, of course.
-- reposted from Static --
My NXNE Wednesday started with pushing against elderly theatre-goers while lugging a pile of books on Albert Camus on King W on my way to the Hyatt to pick up my badge. (The Camus books were borrowed from the library for an essay I am working on for class, and not some over-the-top way of accessorizing. Though lugging it with me all night reminded me of that episode of Daria where her sister Quinn asks her what goes with the existentialist because she wanted to coordinate her outfits.)
After badges were picked up, I squeezed in some time to work on my essay before heading to the Static launch. (The essay is due Monday, and it is not going to write itself! I also have a presentation to prepare for, but NXNE is already draining me up inside already. We shall see if this spiralling will lead to madness later. Will keep you posted.)
Anyway, academic stuff aside, I’ve decided to photograph the contents of people’s pockets throughout NXNE, and here’s what people have shown me:
At the Static launch at Of A Kind…
Melody, Static Zine: earplugs and a phone
Aviva, Static Zine: anxious hands and crumpled transit tickets/transfers
Wini, Singing Lamb: 2 lip balms, phone, keys, and a reusable bag
[BAG EDITION]
David: Because, why wouldn’t you carry around your friend’s graduation photo?! –and sundries
Rochelle: essentials
[back to pockets...]
Felizia: a hair tie!
Brandon: the usual phone, keys, wallet trifecta + ipod, gum, loose change, a pull tab, and a map
Brian: cards stored in a tin cardholder!
Alex, Braves: smoothie bar business card
At the Meligrove after-party...
Travis, The Elwins: a copy of Static and a rock
Heather: a candy wrapper
Katie: vintage earrings and a Werthers Original!
Matthew, The Elwins: loose change, a lip balm and a card
-- reposted from Static --
My NXNE Wednesday started with pushing against elderly theatre-goers while lugging a pile of books on Albert Camus on King W on my way to the Hyatt to pick up my badge. (The Camus books were borrowed from the library for an essay I am working on for class, and not some over-the-top way of accessorizing. Though lugging it with me all night reminded me of that episode of Daria where her sister Quinn asks her what goes with the existentialist because she wanted to coordinate her outfits.)
After badges were picked up, I squeezed in some time to work on my essay before heading to the Static launch. (The essay is due Monday, and it is not going to write itself! I also have a presentation to prepare for, but NXNE is already draining me up inside already. We shall see if this spiralling will lead to madness later. Will keep you posted.)
Anyway, academic stuff aside, I’ve decided to photograph the contents of people’s pockets throughout NXNE, and here’s what people have shown me:
At the Static launch at Of A Kind…
Melody, Static Zine: earplugs and a phone
Aviva, Static Zine: anxious hands and crumpled transit tickets/transfers
Wini, Singing Lamb: 2 lip balms, phone, keys, and a reusable bag
[BAG EDITION]
David: Because, why wouldn’t you carry around your friend’s graduation photo?! –and sundries
Rochelle: essentials
[back to pockets...]
Felizia: a hair tie!
Brandon: the usual phone, keys, wallet trifecta + ipod, gum, loose change, a pull tab, and a map
Brian: cards stored in a tin cardholder!
Alex, Braves: smoothie bar business card
At the Meligrove after-party...
Travis, The Elwins: a copy of Static and a rock
Heather: a candy wrapper
Katie: vintage earrings and a Werthers Original!
Matthew, The Elwins: loose change, a lip balm and a card
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