THE WEAKERTHANS - OUR RETIRED EXPLORER
(DINES WITH MICHEL FOUCAULT)

Just one more drink and then I
Should be on my way home
I’m not entirely sure
What you’re talking about
I’ve had a really nice time
But my dogs need to be fed
I must say that in the right light
You look like Shackleton

Comment allez-vous ce soir? Je suis comme ci comme ça
Yes, a penguin taught me French back in Antarctica

Oh, I could show you the way
Shadows colonize snow
Ice breaking up on the bay
Off the Lassiter coast
Light failing over the pole
As every longitude leads
Up to your frost bitten feet
Oh, you’re very sweet

Thank you for the flowers and the book by Derrida
But I must be getting back to dear Antarctica

Say, do you have a ship
And a dozen able men
That maybe you could lend me?

Oh Antarctica
Oh Antarctica
Oh Antarctica
Oh Antarctica

I’ve said it before; if not on this blog, then elsewhere …

I love chick flicks, especially of the romantic comedy sort. Perhaps it comes from being raised by women; or perhaps I just have a keenly defined sense of the aesthetic and am not afraid to let my self experience emotion (except in terms of my own relationships, in which I’m deathly afraid to do so).

I just finished watching The Jane Austen Book Club. The Netflix blurb has this to say about the film:

Six book club members find their lives resemble a modern-day version of Jane Austen’s novels in this drama. Sylvia’s (Amy Brenneman) husband of 20-plus years has walked out; Jocelyn (Maria Bello) breeds dogs to escape loneliness; Prudie (Emily Blunt) dreams of other men; Bernadette (Kathy Baker) hopes to find Mr. Right; Allegra (Maggie Grace) has issues with her girlfriend; and Grigg (Hugh Dancy), the only man, wonders why he’s even in the club.

It’s so much more, actually … for one, it’s not truly a drama, although it has a few dramatic moments, the film is presented with much more of a light note, showing the humor that can be found in even the most difficult of situations.

It’s a complex exploration of relationships, not only romantically, but betwixt the characters of the film itself. The sole male member of the club cannot make the first move on the woman with whom he is in love, even though she (in complete denial of her own feelings towards him) pushes him towards another member. A teacher, whose own marriage is falling apart, finds herself falling for a student … will she be able to resist the temptation?

Perhaps I should pick up one or two (or all six) of Miss Austen’s novels to find out what so captivated the characters in the film, as well as the novel on which it was based.

Sascha

Illy

Sascha & Illy

Utah State Capitol

Funky clouds over the Wasatch

Clem and JEM are both out of town this weekend, so I’m taking care of the pooches … took them out to Tanner Park today with a friend, after spending an afternoon doing a mini gallery stroll (including the purchase of three small bits of artwork by Steven Sheffield [the other one]) at Local Colors at Trolley Square.

Sascha

Illy

Ellie

Sundance

Almost a month since I moved out, and I’m still trying to get settled. That will be easier once I get the last few things of mine from the house, and can finish unpacking at the new place up on Capitol Hill.

As living spaces go, the only thing that would make this one better would be if I weren’t sharing it with anyone … although as housemates go, Clem and Joanna are probably the best I’ve ever had (save one I was sleeping with, of course), at least thus far.

And the dogs rock.