[tell me what you know about dreaming.]

have you ever noticed that your music taste changes based on who you spend the most time with? when i was spending time with javin, my spirits were uplifted by rock music--seriously considered indie rock, alternative rock, etc. he even reintroduced me to soul (sam cooke) and brought me more in touch with previously loved classic rock (the beatles, big star, the doors).

now with ben, hip hop is back in my life in a big way. for a while, i dismissed it as a cheap and tasteless genre--forgetting the genius of tupac and biggy (even jay z) in the color-grey swirl of popular, sell-out, "hip hop" artists. but ben reminds me that there are many who keep the true spirit of hip hop alive--those who respect the movement as one stemmed from intelligence. it's an infiltration of knowledge into the masses (and there are masses).

unlike tupac and b.i.g., artists like kid cudi, kanye, and drake deliver more concentrated messages. departing from the ways of their rhetoric-filled predecessors, modern hip hoppers dare to boil it down.

apart from loving kid cudi's song (feat. MGMT), Pursuit Of Happiness, i love the video.

here 'tis:

[yukon blonde. i wanna be a yukon brunette.]

this week has been beautiful and wonderful on every level.

for those of you who do not meditate, start now. it is a magical experience to calm the mind...awaken the soul.

the weather has been perfect. spiritual.

my days are filled with tiny miracles. i am grateful.

my grad school program started on monday and life has been busy, but in the best way. benjamin moved to california recently...he is the object of my most current and furious affection. he understands me, he appreciates me--he is good to and for me. ah, love love love.

in other news, my sisters have left for their respective coasts: tatiana in the bay area and krystal holdin' it down in bean town. as consequence, the house is quiet and significantly less enjoyable. but mommy dearest and tonton are still here to love and support me :) plus ben.

olivia (miss tiny kitten) is growing in strength and confidence. she is smart--i love watching her figure out how to do things. hard things, like climb the fence dividing our kitchen from the rest of the house, or retrieve her treats from places i store them.

otherwise, i'm listening to a lot of music and missing my volleyball girls as always.

oh, and painting. lots of that.

farewell, my loves.

yours,

f.f.

[treat parade.]

my mother's health improves.

the little sister is still around for a few more days--each is a blessing.

tomorrow is my birthday.

benjamin arrives in california the day after tomorrow.

perfect weather, as always in southern california.

sold 2 paintings yesterday.

and to soundtrack it all, yo la tengo:

[arrivederci, italia.]

finally home from italy.

we went from vatican city, pictured above, to downtown florence, chianti, then venice. rome was magnificence in absolution--an entire city in accordance with a passionate frequency. florence was the source of the most artistic inspiration for me--a place whose charm rested comfortable in subtlety rather than spectacle...and, of course, her hilltop tuscan vistas. venice was fully unique, providing us with several fresh horizons.

of the three, i cannot decide which i prefer. italy proved to be as various as it was beautiful. despite its age and repertoire of established trades, it was fresh to the core. new in an elevated way, above the realm of time.

having read three books this summer, i'm going to endeavor to transcribe all of my favorite quotes from each into separate blog posts. my hope is that you'll get some of what i did from each word.

with love,

your favorite fish

photo credit: tatiana michelle iskandar