Brutal Winter Wonderland

Kiss Kiss

James Franco can't get any hotter. Love the moustache.

When This Is Over

Yes to all of it...except I would return, at least for lil bit.

Chilean Street Art II

I'm curious about the story behind this one...






Not sure if these are supposed to be cancer related...probably not but couldn't help but think it.

See You Soon

There was a time way back then when Coldplay was my favorite band of all time. Haven't really dug their latest efforts, more into the minimalistic, acoustic, intimate sound they started off with before the tried to become the next U2 and just became plain silly.
Nevertheless this is still one of my favorite songs.

Cazuela Para Todos

I'm often asked what a traditional chilean meal consists of. I have to think about this for a bit. Most dishes are heavy on the potatoes and meat. I think that the most distinctive for me at least is the Cazuela. The cazuela is kind of like a stew. The typical cazuela in one dish contains: a piece of meat (beef, chicken or rib), potatoes, pumpkin, and the stock from boiling this all together. You can also add rice, green beans, celery, sliced carrots, garlic and a big piece of sweetcorn all cooked in the same stock. Garnished at the end with chopped up cilantro to your liking. Makes for a rather hearty dish. Kinda the equivalent to chicken soup in that it's recommended if you have a cold or feeling down. My favorite, the cazuela de pollo:

Empanadas Fritas

I recently went to Chile to visit my lovely family before I started my latest round of cancer treatment. It was a wonderful trip where I got to reconnect and see family and friends I hadn't seen in years. A chance to reenergize and get away from the current nightmare that cancer has made my life. A chance to nurture and love and feel loved from those who inevitably will always be far away.
A chance to stuff my face with as much tasty food as I possibly could.
Case in point one of my favorites, empanadas fritas de queso. Simply, a wrapped pastry stuffed, well... with whatever you would like. My favorites are the ones that are deep fried and stuffed with cheese. Simple and soooo good.

Black Swan

Right now I can't post about anything related to my ongoing cancer battle, my recent stint in the hospital was excruciating and the thought that this is only the beginning and I have long road ahead of hospital stays and chemo is overwhelmingly terrifying.
But I will post about this. I just saw Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan and it was beautiful. Dark, uncomfortable, visually enthralling, creepy and thrilling to watch Natalie Portman's performance and her psychological unravel as the movie progresses. A must see! Definitely one of this year's best movies.
But also...how cool are these posters? Haven't been able to find out who the designer is but I could definitely see the last one on my wall.




Also...go see it!

The Killer in Me

Bring on the Drama

The other day friends and I saw this devastatingly beautiful movie, which I recommend. It's based on a novel and called Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and stars the ever enchanting Carey Mulligan. I'm going to read the book next as it left me wanting to know more.

John Cameron Mitchell, of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus fame has a new movie coming out...Rabbit Hole. Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart are parents grieving the loss of their child.

From the director of 21 Grams, Babel and Amores Perros comes Biutiful with Javier Bardem. Alejandro González Iñárritu definitely know how to deliver when it comes to powerful and thought provoking stories.

I have to say I love these films that are often quite yet heart wrenching. Movies that touch on themes of love, life and loss. Ordinary people living through extraordinary circumstances. As perhaps one of those people, I noticed yesterday that when you are in the middle of it, it often times doesn't feel so big as it becomes your day to day. Only when viewed from a distance can you realize the intensity of what happened and go WTF?!
You do get little moments here and there that are very surreal. Life can be many times equal parts beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Stop Motion Magic II

"Apparently the * in the name of The David Crowder* Band represents a LITE BRITE peg. The group used nearly three-quarters of a million of the little plastic pieces in 1,200 LITE BRITE images in its new video for “SMS [Shine].” The self-made video also took 2,150 man hours from 83 friends who consumed 148 pizzas, for those keeping stats.

All effects in the video were hand-done using stop motion, including plants growing out of the LITE BRITE, monkeys dancing and frogs jumping. " from Paste Magazine



so awesome!

Scream Again

Gotta admit, getting kinda excited about this.

Blue Valentine

I'm avoiding writing about the cancer that has invaded my body. I just don't even know what to say or feel anymore. But the trailer for this movie finally came out. I heard about this a long time ago and is probably the one movie I'm most excited about this winter. A gritty indie drama about the struggling relationship between to lovers...who happen to be... Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams! Hell yeah! Hats off to real actors, not celebrities. The real deal.



Also looking pretty good in the W spread.

Down the Hallway

One step forward.

Hi. I'm here for an appointment with the doctor.

Two steps forward.

Sit down we'll call you up in a few minutes.

Several paces down the hall.

Waiting. Fidgeting. Reading. Playing Angry Birds. Waiting some more.

Hesitant, you keep walking forward.

The doctor will see you now. I'll take your vitals first.

At the end of the hall. After a walk that's mysteriously short as it is long it's time to push through the doors...

Sitting in the small doctor's office, it's frighteningly familiar. There's no comfort in this familiarity. More waiting. Finally there's a tap on the door and the doctor comes in...


Living with cancer is living with anxiety. Never knowing. The unknown is often times exciting. In this case it's terrifying. This cancer, my cancer, isn't going to go away any time soon it seems. There's been an adjustment, a shift in the mindset that has helped. After several weeks of miserable hopelessness I realized people live with cancer for a long time. They bounce back and forth from remission. This is a reality I have to accept if I can get through this. And I know I haven't had it nearly as bad as some people, yet anyway.

Just as I was settling into this train of thought, of becoming somewhat ok with my condition I find out that I have 2 more tumors on my liver. The cancer is spreading throughout my body faster than radiation can do away with the already existing tumors.

What now? I don't know.
More radiation? more chemo? more medications? more doctors? more side effects? more of your life being at a standstill, stuck in this limbo, while you watch your friends and family move forward?

Less nights of peaceful sleep? less time to move forward? less time to enjoy hot days? less income? less hair? less possibilities?

Less hope. Less to look forward to.

Ok Too Cute

As soon as I saw this I had to post this immediately. So ridiculously great. Go Ok Go!

Animal Style

Beach Sunset

New

There's More

This fall movie season looks promising! Clint Eastwood's new movie looks pretty intense...

Somewhere Sexy

Oh Stephen Dorff, you've always been super hot, haven't seen you in a while and now you're gonna be in Sofia Coppola's new movie. I'm excited.

The City

Nature Time

Going the Distance

So I just have to say, my friend and I weren't expecting much when we saw this last night, but we were pleasantly suprised at how good it was. It was hilarious, sweet, touching and clever, kind of in the vein of 5oo Days of Summer. Romantic comedies these days suck and are completely unrealistic with stupid people making ridiculous choices and are over the top cheesey...this would be the exception.
Yeah...I loved this movie...kinda wanna see it again. Plus, ever since I met Drew Barrymore I like her even more.

Which Way?

Results will be in this week, most likely today. Potentially more cancer, more treatment. A turn for the worst or a turn in the direction of some hope. I could use some hope and good news.

Always Lost

Months later, I can't sing enough praises for an end that was completely satisfying. Completing character arcs and finishing on more of an emotional, spiritual note rather than answering every little question was the way to go, for me at least. But gotta say...still suffering from withdrawal.

The Sky and The Earth

Exceptional Work...Check it!

I just came across my friend Francesco's blog and website showcasing some of his amazing work. Originally from Italy, now residing in the Mission this talented guy is definitely one to look out for. This was evidenced recently at show at 111 Minna that I got the opportunity to attend and witness the sales of most, if not all of his work, which was by far some of the best and most intricate work in the gallery. The work above speaks for itself. Go Chiste!

Pot Bear

Someone made these deliciously enhanced lollipops for Pride this year. Lickable.

The Tendernob