That's What I Like

This song defines my spring and summer of 2017. I never thought I'd love a Bruno Mars song this much. This music video makes me smile. I just want lobster tails now.

Hey, hey, hey
I got a condo in Manhattan
Baby girl, what's hatnin'?
You and your ass invited
So gon' and get to clappin'
Go pop it for a player, pop-pop it for me
Turn around and drop it for a player, drop-drop it for me
I'll rent a beach house in Miami
Wake up with no jammies (nope)
Lobster tail for dinner
Julio, serve that scampi
You got it if you want it, got, got it if you want it
Said you got it if you want it, take my wallet if you want it, now

Jump in the Cadillac
(Girl, let's put some miles on it)
Anything you want
(Just to put a smile on you)
You deserve it baby, you deserve it all
And I'm gonna give it to you

Cool jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Sex by the fire at night
Silk sheets and diamonds all white
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like

I'm talkin' trips to Puerto Rico
Say the word and we go
You can be my fleeka
Girl, I'll be a fleeko, mamacita
I will never make a promise that I can't keep
I promise that your smile ain't gon' never leave
Shopping sprees in Paris
Everything twenty-four karats
Take a look in that mirror (take a look)
Now tell me who's the fairest
Is it you? (is it you?) is it me? (is it me?)
Say it's us (say it's us) and I'll agree, baby

Jump in the Cadillac
(Girl, let's put some miles on it)
Anything you want
(Just to put a smile on you)
You deserve it baby, you deserve it all
And I'm gonna give it to you

Cool jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Sex by the fire at night
Silk sheets and diamonds all white
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like

You say you want a good time
Well here I am, baby, here I am, baby
Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me
Talk to me, tell me what's on your mind
What's on your mind
If you want it, girl, come and get it
All this is here for you
Tell me baby, tell me, tell me baby
What you tryna do

Cool jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like (that's what I like)
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Sex by the fire at night
Silk sheets and diamonds all white
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like (that's what I like)
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like

Your Name

As I'm writing this, I should clarify that it's actually Thursday, February 15th, 2018 today, but since I watched Your Name on Saturday, April 8th, 2017 at AMC Loews Kips Bays 15, I will be posting it as that date. I have a funny obsession with dates and time. I would go back and research to know when I did something, when I experienced something, when I discovered something. To me, these dates are meaningful to me. I want to remember specific details to make these memories more concrete. This is why I keep movie stubs. I keep a pretty thorough calendar. I would look at my YouTube/MoviePass/Seamless history and timestamps, just to go back in time to remember specific events in my life. That is exactly what Your Name captures...

When I first watched Your Name, I was not in a great place in my life. I was going through a very tough time by myself and I kept it mostly to myself. I didn't know how to talk to anyone about it, but I pushed myself through it. When you live alone (because none of your best friends are here) in a big city like New York, it feels very isolating. You fall into these habits and you can easily bury yourself in that state. I definitely fell really hard into this headspace and was stuck there for an extended period of time. So when I watched this film, I wasn't completely connecting to the story, but I felt the emotions through the beautiful visuals and music. The story covers a few too many themes, but overall, it tells a story of yearning. I think in life it's important to want something... it can be small or big, but wanting something gives us some purpose.

After watching it a second time in December, I felt more in tune with the emotions and the characters. It also brought me back to what I was going through in April. I remember that evening quite vividly. I remember where I had dinner beforehand. I remember that walk from Soba Totto to the movie theater. I remember texting my friend that I was going to see it. I hadn't texted this friend in a while, since I was going through something and he was going through something. But it connected us again. Also I remember I almost had to work that evening, but my boss went into work instead. I had worked so many weekends already, it was nice to just have an evening to myself and watch a film. How did I feel after the film? I felt... like the film captured so much magic, but it also made me question why there seems to be such a lack of magic in real life.

Listening to Radwimp's soundtrack, I feel like I'm frozen in time. If I'm perpetually stuck in a certain time, how would I want to be feeling? Ultimately, I just want to feel connected to something. Over the course of the last few years, I keep falling into a pattern. I feel numb, empty and disconnected. Everything seems fleeting. Nothing is concrete. Nothing is tangible, except the loneliness feels so palpable. This is why I watch films to feel connected to something. I'm yearning for security and stability and somehow I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. It's a constant struggle and I'm having a hard time dealing with it. But I need to remind myself to take it day by day.

These thoughts are really scattered... It's like the needle in my internal compass is going haywire. Maybe certain things come into our lives when we're feeling most lost. If they manage to make an impact when you're feeling the lowest, maybe I wasn't that numb after all. I'm learning to come to terms with that... I need to learn to help myself understand.

The Crown

This trailer still gives me the chills. So incredibly well acted, written, directed, executed. Such a thrill to see such a beautiful and melancholy portrayal of the Royal family. Can't wait to watch season 2.

God Save the Queen!

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen.

Call Me, Elon Musk.

Space just gets me.
The universe gets me.
I could live on Mars.
I would be honored to go there.
Call me, Elon Musk.

Dear Universe,

Some days I want to escape from here. I believe we are so tiny and insignificant. We are just a speck in this vast universe. I also believe in alternate universes, so there's a version of me out there with a completely different experience. Therefore, I feel thankful. I may not have certain things in my life in this universe, but maybe in an alternate reality, I have an abundance in that certain thing. How beautifully reassuring is that? Just think about it.

Yes, I'm a poet by night. Today is known to some as "Desperation Day". You know, I'm not desperate to meet a man or fall in love or whatever... but I would be quite happy to meet Elon Musk or Neil deGrasse Tyson. My heroes. And Roger Federer, of course. And Stephen Hawking and Russell Brand. And then Woody Allen. Man crushing to the max.

💌 It's February 13th, although it's "Desperation Day", I'm feeling super blessed by my "singledom". I feel so much love and gratitude for the amazing people in my life, the amazing things that happen to me on a daily basis, I have my limbs, my sight, ability to hear, sense of smell and taste. Life is sweet! I feel gratitude for my ability to laugh and cry and feel. I'm riding this emotional roller coaster of life and I'm acutely aware of this journey. I have passion, drive and motivation to be this version of myself. I had a crazy January, but February is a new month to be a better version of myself. Tomorrow is a new day. So what that it's Valentine's Day?! Tomorrow is going to be awesome, regardless of my relationship status.

P.S. I'll be wearing black tomorrow, like the color of my soul! Have a beautiful day/evening wherever you are in the universe!

Much Love and Always,
Avalonne

📸: @WorldAndScience Pluto's moon, Charon, at highest resolution yet and in color. 🌕🌕🌕

How To Combat Shyness

Russell Brand has rapidly become a great source of information and inspiration for me. I've always appreciated his outlook and sense of humor as a standup comedian, and he has always been very intuitive and fascinating. He is an articulate, eloquent and well informed individual, who happens to have had a crazy past. But that is why I have such a huge admiration for him, because he really turned his life around. That's when you have to acknowledge someone's desire and motivation to get back on their feet and make their life better.

Russell may come across as loud, brash and vulgar, but that's part of his on stage persona. He's also very insightful, introspective and observant about the world and its happenings. Some people brush him off as a news source, but I would stand up for The Trews as a great resource. He also responds to his viewers' questions and gives thoughtful advice and responses. I truly admire him and I hope to meet him one day, just to say "thank you, you are wonderful."

On a side note, it's funny that this episode's first question is "how to combat shyness?", because my first short film that I wrote and directed is called Shyness. It's still in post production and I have every intention of finishing the film this year. Luckily, I work in an environment that has taught me how to finish a film (amazing!), so I will absolutely finish it. No excuses. And that's a story for another time.

Now go out there and combat your shyness, because shyness is nice and shyness can stop you, from doing all the things in life you'd like to.