Finally Saw the New Mad Men

Thoughts:

1. Shut up, Pete
2. Shut up, Freddie
3. The stress is getting to Harry
4. Peggy and I have the same coat
5. Sally and Glen are going to start punk rock
6. Sally and Glen are going to have the creepiest babies
7. Work that red dress, Joan!
8. My heart giggles every time Don calls Peggy "Sweetheart"
9. Lucky Strike Lee has a power over Santa fetish
10. Thanks for all your hard work, Allison!

Hopefully next week's episode will have enough Joan (there's never enough)

Merry Christmas, Sweetheart!

So Much Love

CONAN

Three Little Devils

Last night I went to see Trash Humpers at the Belcourt. I was a little pissed at myself for buying the wrong ticket, because Harmony Korine did a Q&A after the 7 o'clock showing and I went to the 10 o'clock. He did however introduce the film and kindly offered to answer any questions we might have despite not having seen the movie yet. A few people asked about general filmmaking and working with VHS. Korine was very funny and as he left, he made the cackling laugh I would come to recognize from the film while passing by my seat. He was wearing red sneakers. They were neat. I had been in a crummy mood all day, but Trash Humpers cured me.

From the Scene interview I thought it was going to be disturbing, especially since it was all filmed in my neighborhood. I spent a lot of time squinting to see street signs and hoping my trash can might be the next victim. It was possible, but my house was not included. Instead of being bothered by absolutely any of the vile acts, I found myself thoroughly enjoying every scene. I laughed more than I did in The Hangover and the characters in that movie did more damage aside from the occasional murder. What I really liked about the movie though was that it made me feel less weird. I doubt on any account this was Korine's intention, but that doesn't matter.

Last year I had a job at a clothing store, where mothers would often drop off their kids. Left on their own, the pre-teens would run and scream and giggle. Playing with, and often breaking, whatever they could reach, completely disregarding any normal public behavioral restrictions. There was no use trying to help them. They didn't want anyone to pay attention to them. It was uncomfortable, but only because I know I did the same things. Seeing little girls be so weird reminded me of the videos I made with my friends from fourth through seventh grade. In my adjusted memory, these were spoofs of popular movies and music videos with a few original shorts featuring a character named Betty Sue with pursed lips and a nasally southern accent.

When we found these tapes again, I was sixteen. After skimming through hours of weird games and dancing, I almost wished I hadn't looked. The characters in Trash Humpers could have easily been the girls in those videos if they'd continued to film their boredom as age only made them stranger. The humpers' bodies deteriorating along with their mind or any sense of embarrassment.

Playing with a doll that sings, they squeal and replay its song over and over. When forced to listen to an adult tell any story about their life, the humpers slouch in their seats and jump at the chance to laugh when the time comes. Ungrateful for the care given to them by the siamese twins who shelter, feed, and try to entertain them, the humpers resemble those children left alone at the store. Equal parts silly and sadistic, it should be scary. The lack of narrative or even names, made it easiest to just laugh.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

SOMEONE MADE MY DREAMS COME TRUE

Are you in a bad mood?

Party Time, Excellent

i got this

first i felt like this

the tea made me feel like this

now i use the teacup to do this

followed by this

It is flying by

I am so thankful for my life right now. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to live here and work with these people. I have spent more time watching movies and television than anything else. This is not sad. It is what I know and love. I am so happy; I cannot screw this up. I will not. Everyone has been so helpful and supportive, and still are.

I am watching Devil Wears Prada for the parts that remind me of my life now, but the people I work for could not be less like the Runway staff. They are all friendly, smart, funny, and unbelievably kind. I cannot wait to be at work again, and I want to be better every day. I wish I could put this semester in slow motion.

This

is my life now.