Sunday, August 31, 2008

Epoch Cafe

Is the hang out.

Seriously? They're playing Marvin Gaye right now. It's open 24 hours. It's not shady. They have great coffee. They have free internet. There's some white chick wearing a rice hat, but otherwise she looks completely normal. Yeah.

Loveyyy.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Kehinde Wiley @ AMOA

So today I was flipping through the Chronicle and I saw that the Austin Museum of Art is having this exhibition called, "Where Are We Going? Contemporary Artists Address Issues of the 21st Century"...

Anyhow, one of the artists that caught my eye was Kehinde Wiley. I first learned about him through Vanity Fair magazine. He brings modern and traditional together. He definitely has a particular style... traditionally featuring African Americans in heroic...jesus-like... louis xiv...madonna...-like poses against patterned backgrounds. Anyhow, I feel like he could appeal to a lot of people. It's not blatant abstract expressionism that people either love or hate... it's not traditional Renaissance style paintings... or landscapes... it's fresh. it's so sweet... haha. I don't know how much of his work is really featured in this exhibition, but I really want to go and see it anyway.

Here are some of Kehinde's pieces if you're unfamiliar with his work:






Pretty amazing, right?

Let me know if you want to go. :) It goes from August 30 - November 2.

BTW, my Flickr has been updated with tons of fisheye pictures from China, Rachel's 19th Birthday Party, and TX4 Karaoke for Mickie... :) Check it out.

<3 Frances

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Marc Jacobs and t.a.t.u.

Marc Jacobs has chosen lesbian pop duo, t.A.T.u. as the newest subjects for his latest ad campaign. He's already gone a little risque by using a somewhat feminine guy for his Marc by Marc Jacobs ad campaign. And then he had Victoria Beckham popping out of a big shopping bag.

I'm not going to lie, I tried to find his residence in Paris when I was there in June.

They're a strange target, I think. But I mean, it's not like it's Tom Ford's perfume bottle in a hairy ass crotch. If you know what I'm talking about, you probably work with me.

Sigh. Thoughts?

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The National @ Fun Fun Fun Fest

This band is probably my favorite discovery of the year. If you know them, you know the lead singer's voice is hauntingly amazing. They're so good I have to make up words to describe them.

Tickets went on sale today for $59.99.
There's even a student price for $50.99!

I'm wondering if there are day passes. That'd be spectacular.

The National - Fake Empire

Sigh.

Alexander McQueen for Target.

Alexander McQueen is rumored to be the next Go! International designer for Target. Um, this is beyond crazy! I hope it's true. His name would definitely be the biggest out of anyone who has designed for the line yet... which includes Luella, Proenza Schouler, and Rogan. Le sigh.

And now I have to walk back to work. And block girls chanting sorority songs out of my ears with a great song...

El Guincho - Palmitos Park

<3 Frances

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Cool Kids.

The Cool Kids tonight.

It was pretty interesting in the fact that there was probably a million different kinds of people there. I was so surprised by how packed it was! It was pretty crazy. I think the second opening act was a little long, but DJ Mel was good. I think he played what everyone wanted to hear. I'm not sure if that's what his goal was, but hm. I saw some dancing that I wish I had never seen. Haha. And Zainab should never take 5 shots in 5 minutes ever again.

It was a fun night. I've been needing to clear my head. Not that I want to, but I guess if it has to happen... hm.

"Emotions are bubbling underneath the surface of your relationships and now is a great time to watch closely to see what's really going on. You may find that people are willing to talk openly later." ... Libra.

<3 Frances

Monday, August 11, 2008

Sigh, Restaurant Week.

So tomorrow I had a reservation at Abacus at 8 pm for Dallas Restaurant Week. Now, for all those who know anything about the fine dining in the DFW metroplex, you know that this one is a winner. Known for it's amazing cuisine and service, I was dying to try their sushi and main courses. The chef who created Abacus and it's sister restaurant Jasper's... beat the Iron Chef. Sigh, you may say pish posh, but I say woe is me. What I would do for fine dining!!!

Anyhow, Austin is reported to have it's own restaurant week this year on Oct 12-15 and 19-22. So, you can bet I will definitely be taking part in that.

On the topic of food, I've been looking for good authentic Taiwanese food here in Austin. The closest I can find is CoCo's... but even so their bubble tea is merely sub-par. Tapioca House is so much better, which is next door. Le sigh. If only Dallas was closer... just for the sake of food. And the cheaper gas prices, ha.

<3 frances

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Contrast.

I was lucky enough to go to 2 of the most famous cities in China. Shanghai and Beijing. What I noticed was how different they are. They are literally the complete opposites. I felt this the most the day I left Shanghai and arrived in Beijing.

So, ok, we're on our way to the domestic airport in Shanghai. It's on the other side of town and halfway there I'm like... oh shit, do I need my passport? Now, don't ask me why I didn't bring it. Idk... it just didn't occur to me, ok? We're traveling within the same country! I already feel dumb. But anyway, I mention this to my mom and she kind of smirks and is like uh... duh... guess you can't go!!... and then we keep heading towards the airport. I'm sitting there, like, what? maybe she's just exaggerating. So we get there and I'm like ok maybe I should mention something to my dad because we definitely need to move fast if I need it... so I say, " Daddy.... I forgot my passport ...." ... and he explodes with anger. He unleashes the dragon. Ok. So they exchange our tickets for a later date. I'm bawling, feeling so stupid... climbing into the taxi with my dad to take the hour trip back to the apartment to get my passport. I think the ride back was enough punishment. I probably felt like I was going to die every 30 seconds. Shanghai taxi drivers drive as if there are no traffic rules. As if there are no lanes. As if their cars can fit in spaces they can't fit. As if people are transparent. BUT. They never get into accidents. EVER. (I could elaborate on this... I have a theory this is why so many asians are bad drivers because they come from the mainland and think that driving like this is normal everywhere. wrong.) Anyway. we finally get it. and I am like oh shit, now another hour BACK. Sigh. Eventually, we make it to Beijing. Ok.

the great wall of china.

So, the minute I step into the airport... omg spotless. Everyone thinks China is dirty. Well, in some places it is. The cities are fucking huge, what do you expect? But this was ridiculous. It was SPOTLESS. And we get into the taxi and the taxis are all nice and new and clean with new linens... what is this?! And the roads have no trash. And there is barely any traffic at all. Everybody stays in their lane. The driver tells us they've cleaned up a lot because of the Olympics. I believe it. For sure. But at the same time, you could just tell they were a much more reserved and disciplined population. Beijing had police and government officials everywhere. The city looked so old-fashioned and ... old. The buildings are nothing in comparison to the skyscrapers that are everywhere in Shanghai. It's more of a city full of history. The streets aren't as crowded. The food isn't as good, sorry. The weather is SO much better, though. It was just interesting. It was like old vs. new.

little man at heaven's temple

I'm just surprised Shanghai isn't more polluted than Beijing. Why IS Beijing so polluted anyway? Shanghai is so much more congested... in every way. Maybe cuz it's by the water, who knows?


smog.

All I know is, it was an interesting experience. I just saw the opening ceremony for the Olympics on the TV. I got goosebumps... it was so amazing. So many people don't understand our culture. I don't even really, but at least I don't feel as estranged. I think it will be hard to underestimate us now.

Anyhow, pictures should be on flickr soon.

<3 Frances