Music: Dangermouse and Cee-Lo

I am not really a big fan of hiphop music but Dangermouse is one of the hip-hop groups that I secretly admire. After two years in the making, the collaboration between Grammy-nominated artists Cee-Lo and Dangermouse, St. Elsewhere, debuted this week in the UK and comes out 9 May 2006 stateside. Already breaking records, Dangermouse blends diverse genres including soul, gospel, funk, and post-punk, with Cee-Lo's impressive vocals that hint at seminal crooners like Stevie Wonder. If you like Family Stone and Outkast, you will enjoy this CD.

Oh ! check out their VDO…its so groovy for Friday morning indeed.

Shopping: Dead men tell no tales, but they make a statement

Have you heard of Doom Stew? Well check them out! They also have some merchandise.

Which leads me to my next topic--You may have noticed that a skull fashion trend has been sweeping the nation. Is sporting human remains on your shirt too morbid? Not really. I once bought a pair of cute little skull wristbands at Disneyland.

I personally love this motif, because you can wear it in many different ways. There's the traditional goth-inspired skull imagery for spike-wearing rebels. But there are also more dainty and feminine options, like these adorable rhinestone skull earrings from fredflare.com.

The pirate angle never gets old either; this skull belt-buckle has a great vintage feel. Delias has a striped skull sweater that my partner in crime has been eyeing for quite awhile... LOVE IT!

The key to pulling off this trend is by keeping things subtle. Wear one skull piece at a time, and if you're a girly girl and it feels too harsh, try contrasting it with something more feminine like a hint of lace.

Whatever: Poem of the day

I have been away from my TV remote control for 2 full days. Yes, me who love to watch CSI reruns on Spike TV over and over. Me, who obsesses with Rachel Ray and her 30 Minutes Meal on the Food Network. Me, who spends almost $90 a month on cable TV bill. I decided to walk to my favorite coffee shop in the neighborhood right after work yesterday and ordered a small size of Mocha Latte and I got slap in the face with the power of little cup of Mocha Latte 8 hours later. I was wild awake in my semi-comfortable bed. I kept looking left/right and pretended that someone was really trying to break in to my apartment. 4 hours later I had to be up and ready for work. Almost 3 hrs later I arrived work. The traffic was mad and I could not believe that I did not have a heart attack on the way here.

I hate LA traffic….

Scanning Defamer and LA Times RSS feeds may qualify as reading the news, but it hardly qualifies as literature. In honor of National Poetry Month, the Knopf Publishing Group sponsors the Poem-a-Day program, sending bona fide verse directly to subscribers' inboxes, daily for the month of April. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Academy of American Poets'-inaugurated month, Knopf is expanding its website to include essays on the craft from authors including Franz Wright and Mary Jo Salter, and favorite poems read aloud by bestselling writers like Toni Morrison. Readers moved by the verse can also decorate desktop in- and outboxes with printer-friendly broadsides or send e-cards to their stanza-starved friends.

Thanks for Flavorpill.

Shopping: Why God, Why?

Style Violet is one of those sites that I wish I had not stumbled upon, because I literally want to buy every single piece of clothing it has. The dresses in particular are just killing me! The worst part is, their stuff is actually affordable. Alas, I have not a dime to spend.

Shopping: You know you're a nerd when--

--the Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection on Amazon makes you drool. Someday I will buy this! The collection includes 1,082 titles. Maybe I should start shopping for bookshelves now...

A reviewer who actually purchased the set said, "They arrived in 25 boxes shrink-wrapped on a wooden pallet, over 750 lbs. of books. It took about twelve hours to unpack them, check them off the packing list (one for each box), and then check them off the list we downloaded from Amazon.com. They take up about 77 linear feet."

Whatever: Daria's absurd rants

It's one of those days. I am so bored that I can hardly muster up the motivation to breath. So what's a blogger to do? Complain in an irrational manner.

Butterflies look pretty from away, but up close they are just as gross as flies. Seriously, look more closely next time. They are creepy crawly bugs!!

I've been told that working out can create a euphoric feeling due to the release of endorphines. That is a complete load of bullshit. If it were true, people wouldn't be injecting heroin, they would be running! Exercise makes me angry, not happy. It's a miserable experience that I loathe, and it never gets any easier or more enjoyable.

Soy milk is gross. Tofu is gross. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but they are disgusting.

KROQ needs to take Nirvana off such high rotation. I can't turn on that damn radio station without hearing at least three Nirvana songs on a daily basis. Yes they were amazing and blah blah blah, but their catalog is limited and I've heard each song so many f-ing times that now it just sounds like elevator music. I've had enough!!!!

This is a lame post. I would apologize, but I'm too grumpy. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Movies: Why Cillian Murphy is the Sexiest Man Alive

Breakfast on Pluto

Call me crazy, but some guys look damn fine in drag. Cillian Murphy (which I just learned is pronounced Killian) is one of those guys. Then again, he can pull off anything with sex appeal-- from zombie-fighting hero to scheming villian, and everything inbetween. His eyes are mesmerizing. And the Irish accent--dreamy.

But my Cillian obsession aside, Breakfast on Pluto was a delight to watch. It tells the story of a young man's journey to find his mother after being abandoned as a baby, and it's set against the backdrop of the IRA conflict in the 60's and 70's. Through all of his adventures, good and bad, Patrick "Kitten" Braden is a unique individual who remains true to himself in an admirable way. He is able to face any situation with an innocence that seems to radiate hope. Plus, the costumes, locations, and music are all very groovy.

Now, more Cillian. I can't get enough!

Whatever: Cubicle Fever

The downsides to working in a cubicle:

1) When your cubicle is near the kitchen, random fishy smells waft in your general direction between the hours of 11:00am and 2pm. Once the fumes travel within your cubicle walls, they can't seem to escape. Do this many people microwave fish on a daily basis? Or do all leftovers end up smelling like rotten greasy fish??!! Either way, I suppose the upside is that it causes me to lose my appetite.

2) Being surrounded by pasty gray walls. I can't see the trees! Where have all the squirrels gone?! Take away the computers and what have you got? A mental institution.

3) No windows = Poor ventilation. (See #1)

4) Constant silence, punctuated by the sounds of furious keyboard typing. No one wants to talk because it's so quiet that EVERYONE would hear, and yet everyone would appreciate some background noise so the room wouldn't feel like a damn museum. It's a vicious cycle! You end up sending instant messages to people sitting right next to you.

5) The cubicle walls create blind spots, making it easy for others to sneak up before you have time to minimize your innappropriate website.

Art: Douglas Gordon

Douglas Gordon is an interesting artist. His website is so strange..I got a chill after viewing it. It reminds me of the Donnie Darko official website.

Whatever: Hitch Hiker Beware

I have been away from my beloved Blog for almost a week now. I am overwhelm with all the information that I have been receiving for the last week or so. I like internet and what I am doing, but sometimes information overload can totally tear you apart.

Watched Crash for the second time last night, and again I cried while having my delicious dinner. There is one scene where one of the characters is hitch-hiking on some little street. From the conversation, he is in the Valley somewhere. I'm surprised that people still aren't afraid to hitch-hike, especially in Los Angeles (I am referring to the movie). I mean when was the last time hitching hiking was safe?

5 Things We Should Never Buy

5 Things We Should Never Buy From Bestbuy.  Thank goodness I haven’t bought any of these items.

Whatever: Californication

Before I leave California this summer, I absolutely MUST:

1) Go to Disneyland. First of all, It IS the happiest place on earth, I don't care what anyone says. Secondly, I've been going at least once a year my entire life, and I don't want to break the streak if at all possible. I'll need to get a park hopper pass because even though California Adventure kind of blows, they serve alcohol.

2) Vegas, baby, Vegas! I need to see the flashing lights, hear the clink of the coins (even if they are sound effects now because of those damn tickets), and smell the sweet fragrance of indoor nicotine. What will I be drinking? A giant mug of Octane 190 with a few shots of everclear from Fat Tuesdays at MGM. WOO HOO!

3) Go beach hopping. Sun bathing might be bad for my fair complexion, but I need to soak up the rays and feel the hot sand in my toes so I can remember what that's like when I'm freezing my patootie off in real weather.

4) Binge at In N Out. I don't really go there that often, but I suppose that's because I take for granted the fact that it's just around the corner. I am suddenly very hungry.

Fruit Nazi Update: Oh well, I wasn't going to eat that anyways

Ahh Passover. Once again it's that time of year when our office is stripped of its soda and candy to make room for kosher snacks, available in an endless variety of hmm-that-doesn't-taste-quite-right flavors. My personal favorite-- the pastel chocolate covered lentils.

One would think that such unappealing snacks might deter the Fruit Nazis from ransacking the daily stock. But alas, the individual snack-size packages only seem to encourage their behavior. On a quiet morning, you can hear the sounds of rustling plastic bags as they rummage through the selection and pick out the rare treasures, like pistachios and dried apricots.

My inside source has reportedly discovered where the FN stash is being hidden! The goods are first amassed in an unmarked file drawer to remain unopened during business hours. Then, after the lights have dimmed and most employees have gone home, I have reports of an eyewitness account involving the transfer of numerous kosher snacks to a large black duffel bag.

The destination for this duffel bag of not-so-goodies? One can only imagine...

Shopping: My Imaginary Wallet

If I had money to shop today, I would invest in a classic shirt dress from DIANE von FURSTENBERG. But until I can afford to spend $300 on a single piece of clothing, my Target-knock-off wrap dress will have to do.

BEBE has some fabulous belts at very reasonable prices. I've already filled my soon-to-be-abandoned shopping cart with a few. Remember ladies! This season it's all about patent leather. I'm also digging the elastic belts worn high on the waist-- so slimming! And to complete the ensemble, funky wedges from Urban Outfitters should do the trick (this month Urban has free shipping on shoe orders!). Sigh...

Music: Random groovy tunes

Frontlines by Aphrodesia - Someone gave this album to me over the weekend, and I really like it. I'm usually not into bands that are overtly political, but Aphrodesia has a great sound. It has what I can only describe as a tribal/earthy beat, with lots of brass giving it a ska vibe. What can I say, it speaks to my inner hippie.

Movies: It's all about Films today

Woke up early this morning and planned to go to my local coffee shop and grab a cub of coffee but my plan failed because I over slept.

The week went by really fast. I saw Cats at  the  Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The show is ok. I like musical but this one doesn’t do it for me. It might be from a weak storyline (if there is any) and some guy in front of me are just too tall to be in the theatre ( his height and his spiky hair are so not cool!).

Looking forward to be on my vacation and see my family and friends again. It has been a while since I saw all of them 4 years ago. It will be a great trip.

Now let’s talk about movies. Hard Candy is a movie that I am looking forward to see along with Brick. I am not sure if I am the only one who noticed that lately dark teen movies have been coming out for our indie-hunger viewers. Some are bad and some are good. Some make their statements and some did not. Some make money and some you will find it right on DVD rank. I am not complaining. I like dark indie movies and  I am leaning about human and social behavior these movies.  I really do!

Film. Hard Candy. I must admit that the movie name remind me of nail polish. I watch the preview yesterday and I must say, it is going to be a wild ride for the viewers. Grab on to your seat and let’s go!


Musical. Hedwig and the Angry Inch the musical at The Roxy in Hollywood. I just complained earlier about how boring Cats the musical is. I still have faith in musical and I still have fait in Hedwig. Have you seen the movie? You have not? OMG go rent it! It’s totally entertaining and Michael Pitt is so hot.

Film.Kinky Boots. Want to watch feel good movie that involve drags? This is a movie for you. The movie might remind you of other drags friendly movies like The Bird Cage ( which I adore so much) or Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It is a feel good movie and  I can’t wait to see it!!

Shopping, Music: Jenny Craig, Jazz, and Sex

My shopping habit is on hold while I attempt to lose some extra pounds before the summer. After one week of avoiding temptation I have lost 4 pounds! Yay me. I've got the healthy food part under control, but getting myself to exercise is another story...

Lately I've been in the mood for jazz. My favorite Yahoo LAUNCHcast playlist is called Martini Lounge. It's so fabulous! I prefer the jazz vocals to pure instrumentals, which I'm sure would offend hardcore jazz fans-- but if I said I enjoyed John Coltrane I'd be a total poseur. Here are some of my favorite artists (complete with links to their myspace pages so you can sample the sounds):

Billie Holiday
Blossom Dearie
Astrud Gilberto
Diana Krall
Dean Martin
Rosemary Clooney

I'm about to start reading Jessica Cutler's The Washingtonienne, a blog-turned-novel recommended to me by a friend. It sounds like a juicy read, and I'm hoping it will spice up my Easter weekend.

Movies: Asian Art House on Sundance Channel

Recent years, more and more Eastern Asian filmmakers have invaded this side of the ocean. Ringu, The Suicide Club, The Eye I and II are among the horror/thriller films that captured American audience. As Daria mentioned on one of her posts, Korea and Japanese directors are some of many Eastern Asian directors that are trying to come out with more and more twisted plot, scene and storyline movies.

Now if you are a fan of indie movie and you have cable at home, Sundance Channel is an indie freak heaven sent for you. If you are a big fan of Asian horror film, like indie movie, have cable TV and have good memories, you are blessed. Sundance Channel presents Asian Extreme. Every week, a critically acclaimed horror film from a new generation of Asian filmmakers. There are innovative provocative and cutting-edge. This month you will have a chance to check out some of cool indie Asian films such as H, Phone and Bad Guy. Some of them might not be that original but it is good to step away from Hollywood blockbuster or Hollywood indie film and get a fresh air from the other side of the globe. A hint of fresh air is always welcome.

Dear Daria: Bar Bait

Dear Daria,
I'm a single gal with a pretty active nightlife, but guys don't really hit on me very often. I feel like man-repellent. What's the best way to make the first move on a guy without seeming desperate?

~Bar Bait

Bar Bait,
Don't despair! There are some simple steps you can take to make yourself a bit more approachable--and I'm NOT talking about dumbing it down in any way, shape or form. Most guys are just waiting for the green light before they take the plunge and risk public rejection. Is your body language giving off the wrong signals? Are you isolating yourself in a corner? Is your group of friends mingling with other people, or are they giving off a members-only vibe? Remember that if you are hanging out with guy friends or a co-ed mix, it might seem like you are taken.

Scan the room and briefly make eye contact with guys you find attractive. Eye contact is the key! You don't want to stare and point (think Swingers), but just let your eyes do the flirting. Start a conversation with a group of guys next to you.

If at this point you still haven't been approached, it's great that you are willing to take matters into your own hands. Perhaps you've been exchanging glances with a hottie, but he just won't make the move. Some might find this cheesy, but I've always found that sending my friend over first seems to work. We all have that one outrageous friend who is much more willing to approach random people. If the guy isn't interested, it's less embarrassing. More often than not, my friend comes back with the guy and he wants to hang. Of course, you are taking the risk that he will like your friend more than you, but for shy ladies this is the only way to go.

If you are the brave type-- or at least that last martini has made you brave-- then walk up to him on your own. You can play it cool by asking for the time, or you could be more straightforward and ask him to dance (there's the safe and ever-popular, "Why aren't you dancing?"). If you're looking for non-cheesy ways to strike up any sort of dialogue, just go with your gut. Ask him where he's from, if he's a regular there, what does he think of the place...once he sees that you are making the effort, he'll most likely be relieved and happy to converse. You could offer him a drink, if you are so inclined. If his reaction is to feel threatened, then IMO he's not worth talking to.

It all depends on what you feel comfortable with, although sometimes you just need to step out of your comfort zone and take a chance. Most of the time you'll find that guys are receptive to this. Just have fun and relax! And martinis help, too!

One more piece of advice-- don't lower your standards just because the cuties that night aren't into you. You don't want to end up like these chicks.

Best of Luck,
Daria

Whatever:Kinky Drugstores Near you

Kinky Drugstores Near You

Condom-makers are bringing the sex shop to your local drug stores, so now you don’t have to be shameful when you want to shop for something kinky.  These condom makers start bringing some super-discreet condom + sex toy boxes. Trojan Elxa condoms come with a vibrating ring ( what the hell is this V ring do , I have no clue). The Lifestyles 4play series features condoms with your choice of edible body powder or paint, warming lube, body shimmer lotion, massage oils or a Vring.

Movies: Mountain Patrol -- what the hell is Tibetan Antelope?

I got an invitation to go see a free screening of a film called Mountain Patrol in Santa Monica. I am so excited to go see a foreign film movie about the endanger species called Tibetan antelope. Mountain Patrol is about Kekexili, the largest animal reserve in China, is home to many rare species, including the Tibetan antelope.

Prized for its skin that is used in making luxurious, albeit illegal, shatoosh scarves, the Tibetan Antelope's numbers have been dwindling drastically in the past 20 years as poachers slaughter the animals, often hundreds at a time. In the 1990s local Tibetans formed a volunteer patrol to try and stop the illegal poaching and sometimes at the cost of their own lives.

Whatever: Wicked Good Fun

Our little west coast blog may very soon be bicoastal. The countdown to Boston University for fall 2006 begins! In light of this news, I have been busy researching the metropolis of Boston and all it has to offer. This has led me to some fascinating discoveries.


Dane Cook is a Boston native. This isn't really fascinating, but he is yummy-- n'est pas?

Apparently, Bostonians speak their own language.

Boston Duck Tours are quite popular-- who knew?

Also -- New England has this thing called winter, which I'm not totally familiar with, having grown up in SoCal. According to what I've read, these winters can be unpredictable and bitterly cold, and from time to time they involve something called snow...which I think is that white stuff I can occasionally see on far off mountain tops. It does have me a bit worried; however, the fashionista within me is also very excited at the chance to actually wear scarfs, heavy jackets, and strategic layering. On that note, I should get started shopping immediately!

Art: Photography, Gallery Visit and Hang out with the Dead

Spring break is over and rainy week is almost over. Now it is time for us to come out of our shell and enjoy the Sun under California blue sky. Check out Consumerism and Product by Katy Bowen and YaYa Chou at Gallery Revisited in Silver Lake.

Incorporating pom-poms and felt into her paintings, Katy Bowen combines a DIY aesthetic with colorful abstraction. YaYa Chou, meanwhile, infusing familiar objects with charming whimsy, constructing a luminous chandelier and a "bear"-skin rug made out of gummi bears. Now through Saturday April 22nd.


Hang out with the dead

The Ouija Board may be a classic, but sensing dead people is still second to seeing them. In this First Fridays event, the Natural History Museum offers a way to brush up those extrasensory abilities (and stop mourning the end of Six Feet Under) by communing with the dead. In addition to getting in tune with DJ sets from dublabers Derelict, Frosty, and Morpho, attendees can spend their evening channeling the bog mummies and age-old artifacts in the museum's Mysterious Bog People exhibit. If that's not enough death for one night, you can also learn about the wonders of forensic science during a panel discussion in the North American Mammals Hall with LA county coroner Dr. Judy Suchey and others. Check out the dead at the Natural History Museum on March 7th from 7 pm to 10.30 PM


Photography : Duane Michal - Past and Present

This exhibition offers two distinct photographic projects by Duane Michals, each reflecting the artist's exceptional narrative style. In The Adventures of Constantine Cavafy, Michals uses his trademark format of serial black-and-white images to capture fictionalized episodes from the life of a Greek poet. Applying documentary precision to playful scenes, he blurs the lines between experience and imagination. His newer series, Ukiyo-e: Pictures from the Floating World, ventures into the world of color photography, incorporating handwritten, diaristic text to communicate a more romantic, personal, and warmly pensive tone. It could be that this legend is mellowing with age, but his insights into the complexities of the human heart are as keen as ever. The exhibition starts from April 6th from 7 to 9 pm at Fahey/Klein Gallery. The event is free so bring your own hot date.

Whatever: It's only Wednesday!!!?

I have been neglecting Borderlinefemme Blog for almost a week, and I feel terrible. This week started well but I can’t wait for Friday to be here.   I haven’t been checking out any new movies or CD lately. I am not myself and I can’t blame anyone. No I don’t have substances abuse problem and I am not depress. It has been raining on and off for the last 4-5 days. I live in California and I am used to Sun and breezy air.

On the other hand, I have been looking forward to my long vacation in Thailand and to see my family and friends again after 4 long years. It is going to feel so nice to finally be home and see them again.

If you won’t be taking a vacation or a small little nice trip for a while, you should check out Soundwalk. The sites have wonderful tour options for New York, Paris and India. It costs less than an order of small Mc Donald’s fries that they sell at the airport. You really got nothing to loose…This is my favorite tour so far.

I have been staying away from online shopping for last couple of weeks. I broke my lent  when I found out what woot has to offer for today. I break down and cry myself to sleep.

Sorry that I have to jump back to my vacation topic. Since I will be flying with EVA air for the first time, I was looking around and see if I can find out about seating chart of the airplane. I have a right to be picky for this trip. I will be sitting in little seat next to an old man for 20 hrs! I checked out seatguru and they don’t have seat info for EVA air. Now I am really going to cry myself to sleep.

After find out about Apple launches software to run Window XP, I might have to save some $$$ and own one of those sweet Apple laptops.

Movies: Cheese, Murder, and Romance

I have mixed feelings about Nicolas Cage. Sometimes he picks crappy parts and all I can see is a cheeseball with bad hair. But then comes along a movie like The Weather Man (or Lord of War, or Adaptation), and I find myself impressed with his ability to become a character. It just so happens that in this movie Cage's cheeseball-ness came to his advantage-- because no one is cheesier than the local weather man. This film was a pleasant surprise; it was subtle, humorous, and endearing. I don't think any other actor could have pulled it off. But that doesn't mean I forgive him for naming his son after Superman's Kryptonian birth name. Ass.


Capote was great, as expected. Philip Seymour Hoffman truly deserved the Oscar, but he has always been a brilliant actor so this came as no great shock. What I found most intriguing about this movie was the story of the Kansas Clutter Family murders. I'm obsessed with crimes and criminals; I can't even flip my remote to A&E because I will undoubtedly become entranced with the latest edition of American Justice or some similar program. Truman Capote seemed interesting and all, but the film mostly made me anxious to read In Cold Blood and get even more details about the killers. What I also love about this movie was the fact that Dan Futterman (you may know him from The Birdcage) wrote the screenplay! Way to go Dan!


I actually went to the theater this weekend and saw V for Vendetta. It had many political themes--with obvious contemporary implications-- but not in an obnoxious way. In fact, I felt that film's underlying message really rang true. When the government starts monitoring and controlling peoples' lives in the name of national security, totalitarianism is only a few steps away. It's eerie to think how easily the government can play upon the public's fear of terrorism these days. But on another note, V had a very romantic feel as well. I loved the Phantom of the Opera-like romance between Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving's characters; it gave the film another dimension.