The Return of Red

So it's been a long long time, and for a while it seemed like .Big Hair, Small Hips. might have come to an end. But I think what I really needed was a long breather. Before my hiatus I had been blogging almost everyday for over a year. It didn't feel like I was out of ideas per se, but more like my ideas needed to fester in my mind for a few months before finally being unleashed. So I think their good and ready now.

In mid-October I had the pleasure of visiting London for the fifth time, but instead of roaming the streets like a clueless tourist I got an insider's look into the Big Smoke. My host was none other than ex-Tracer Phoebe Lovatt, a born and bred Londoner and in many ways a long lost sister. With her superpowers at my disposal my tour of London was unlike any of my previous visits. I saw the real London: a community of vibrant, creative, impassioned individuals from every background imaginable. I realized that New York City really is a city of foreigners, a city where everyone is clawing their way to the top. Londoners are just as ambitious as New Yorkers, but have a different connection to the city since it's more often than not their hometown. All that to say as an antsy New Yorker, walking the streets of London felt like a traipse through Candyland. Not one person exuded that anxious, go-go-go undercurrent that is felt in New York. It was as if I had stepped into a parallel dimension where impatience had been replaced with spirited understanding. And I liked it, a lot.

Now with that inspiration in mind, it's time to get my creative juices flowing once again.

Dude, Hawaii Is Totally Sweet!

I'm lucky to say that I've been able to travel to many places throughout the world, thanks to the kindness of friends and family. Even so, the most satisfying vacation I've ever experienced took place within the United States. Hawaii is by far the most scenic, accessible, and invigorating place I've ever visited. Maui's biodiversity is incomprehensible - in a few hours you can travel from arid desert, to lush jungle, to frigid mountaintop. It's no wonder that Americans have been seeking adventure, and love in this real life paradise for decades. My interest in Hawaii was first stirred by Elvis' idealistic romper films, but I have to admit that that interest flew into overdrive once I became addicted to LOST. Hawaii truly is the perfect backdrop for the show, with its awe inspiring views, and untapped mysteries. Every time I set out on a hike while in Maui I couldn't help but whistle "The Good Shepherd" from Season 3, and this week I found the perfect fix to satiate me until LOST is back in January: Jorge Garcia's blog! Yes, Hurley from LOST has a blog, and it's called "Dispatches From The Island." It makes me love him even more. He writes about everything from going to the Emmys, to his latest Halloween costume. Jorge is just as lovable as Hurley; he even posts an address on his blog so fans can send him letters. I wonder if a couple of cases of Apollo bars would sweeten him up enough to spill some secrets from Season 6...

Photographs copyright Laura E. Marcus

And The Beat Goes On...

Yesterday I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to check out an amazing new exhibition displaying photographer/filmaker Robert Frank's famous 1958 book The Americans. Frank counted Walker Evans, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac amongst his friends, so I expected big things from his black and white snapshots. I was not disappointed. The Swiss born photographer's ability to move in and out of every stratus of society was unmatched. In 1955 he traveled across the country by car, visiting every nook and cranny of American society. From bikers and nomads, to politicians and bankers, Frank captured thousands of faces along the way. When looking at all of his images side by side, what struck me the most was the power he was able to evoke by capturing a split second in time. Whether it's a look of desperation, or one of rebellion, The Americans is the quintessential accompaniment for anyone who relishes in the Beat Generation, and their unique view of the world.

Off To Montréal!

I have a horrible secret to admit... I haven't stepped foot on Canadian soil in over a year! The horror! So I'm off to Montréal tomorrow to spend a few days in my hometown, and reconnect with my Canadian compatriots. I have many lovely activities lined up, but the most important of all is diving into Québec's national dish: Poutine. What is poutine you ask? Well it's crispy Belgium style french fries, with cheese curds (or "squeaky cheese" as I like to call it), topped with gravy. It sounds gluttonous because it is, and I promise you it's worth every calorie. To get an idea of all the fun that goes down in Montréal, check out my Citiscape article from TRACE magazine. Until my return, I bid you adieu!

Just Dance!

Since those iPod dance commercials came out, I've often daydreamed about busting a move in a public place. Every so often when walking the streets of NYC, the music in my headphones sparks something within me - a guttural reaction to a beat or a lyric - and I just wanna dance! Thank goodness I now have someone to live vicariously through: the amazing David Fishel. In the past two years, Fishel has traveled the globe and danced in over 50 sites across Europe, and the United States. As a dancer, Fishel has no professional training, but for a dorky Brooklyn dude he's got some impressive moves. Fishel is a filmmaker, and an employee of CollegeHumor.com, so it's easy to see how a project as uplifting as this could take off. His videos are goofy, fun, set to great music, and showcase the beauty of many historic sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and the Golden Gate Bridge. I'd take one of Davey's videos over a postcard any day.

Via FlavorWire