Loved watching Chalet Girl!

I recently watched one of these movies, where by all means you know that the heroine will end up with the hunk but the journey until then makes the watching worthwhile.

These kind of movies, the well done ones, became a rarity in Hollywood. And so it doesn't wonder that the movie I recently watched and really liked isn't coming from the West Coast but from the UK, and boosts an English and American cast: Brooke Shields and Bill Neighy play the hunks parents, who is no other than Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick. Throw a couple of nice young women into the mix (Felicity Jones plays the female lead), good dialogues, nice setting and ready is a fully enjoyable movie!

If you're on Netflix, stream CHALET GIRL and enjoy it to the fullest!

My Favorite Top Ten Album Releases of 2011

1 - Early this year, I had a lot of free time, and was about to explore new music frequently. Never having heard of this Australian band, I immediately liked the cover of their album [don't judge a book by its cover, huh!] and fell deeply in love with Cut Copy. The year was not even half way through and I knew that Zonoscope (February 2011) would be my favorite album of 2011. Cut Copy and Zonoscope provided the backdrop for my newly discovered passion: painting. All the paintings in my blog here have been accompanied by Cut Copy and Zonoscope. I've seen Cut Copy live in August, at the Brooklyn Bandshell and their live show was nothing short but stunning. Would love to see them again!

2 - By selecting Cut Copy on Pandora, I got exposed to Holy Ghost, two friends from... Brooklyn! Their sound is similar to Holy Ghost and together they've sold out Terminal 5 three times earlier this year. I finally saw Holy Ghost in November, on their home turf at the Music Hall of Willamsburg. Their album Holy Ghost! (February 2011) is undoubtedly my number 2. Another staple when painting. Their sound makes me happy. Hands down.

3 - Remaining in my neighborhood, I make The Softest Glow (January 2011) by the Brooklyn trio Monogold my number 3 of 2011. Their roof top show in May 2011 will remain one of the coolest shows I've ever attended. It was amazing. Watch the video to see for yourself!

4 - My favorite number 4 album comes from a band from Denver with a pretty strange name but absolutely awesome sense for music: Gauntlet Hair and their debut album Gauntlet Hair (October 2011). I first saw them at the CMJ festival in October, and immediately liked their energetic sound. I saw them again in November, at the Mercury Lounge, same energy and awesome sound. [Watch my video from that show.] For the past two months, no day went by without me listening at least twice to their album. I also just learned, that they are only four for touring but that the actual creative heads are the drummer and singer/guitarist.

5 - Another band and album I came across thanks to a live show at Brooklyn's Union Pool is Disappears with their 2011 album Guider. This Chicago band blew me away and not just because of their well known drummer (Sonic Youth). They are another band I'd definitely want to see live again. Disappears mark the number 5 on my Top 10 list.

6 - Finally. The long awaited album of a really famous band. Nope. Not Radiohead, they didn't make my Top 10 cut. I add one more local band to my list. Alternative rock darlings The Strokes. I enjoy listening to Angles (March 2011) a lot, and that's why it's my number 6. Personally, I hope that Julian Casablancas releases a solo album again in 2012 maybe? I can't get enough of his voice and way of singing. I was also happy to having finally caught The Strokes live when they were playing Madison Square Garden in May this year.

7 - That's the keyword for another project - I am referring Slash's solo album Made in Stoke (July 2011). Head over heals I feel in love with Myles Kennedy's voice and this is what makes music so special, the inability to explain why something touches us so much. It's as if I understand Myles Kennedy's voice, as if it was my own. (It isn't, of course.) And Slash appeals to the "rocker in me", I could listen to his way of playing riffs all day long. And this makes Slash's Made in Stoke my number 7.

8 and 9 - Two other albums I listened a lot to are: Skying by the UK band The Horrors and Burst Apart by The Antlers, yet another band from Brooklyn. My number 8 and number 9. Another two bands whom I have not seen live this year.

10 - And last but not least, the number 10 from my Top 10 2011 list I have seen live, twice even. During their spring and their fall tour, while promoting their third album Death of a Decade. Ha Ha Tonka are a fascinating band. Their live shows are must-see events, and their latest album is one fine record.

I hope you enjoyed my personal 2011 top ten, let me know yours.

-- Elke

Grand Coup - Apple Store in Grand Central Station

Is there a product manufacturer more universally beloved than Apple?

Some automobiles and wrist watch brands maybe but among every day goods Apple stands out. More so now with the newly opened store at Grand Central station. It's huge, and it's packed with people, and you have a great view from it.

If in New York, definitely check it out!

Amon Tobin Live: Stunning Feast for the Senses

On Thursday, October 27th 2011, Oliver took me to Mesonic Temple in Park Slope, to see Emika who was opening for Amon Tobin. I knew Emika from a couple of videos that Oliver showed me but in regards to Amon Tobin I was totally blank. Quite a mistake I have to say! To change this, here an excerpt from Wikipedia:

Amon Adonai Santos de Araújo Tobin (born February 7, 1972), known as Amon Tobin, is a Brazilian musician, composer and producer of electronic music.^[1] He is described as a virtuoso sound designer ^[2] and is considered to be one of the most influential electronic music artists in the world ^[3]. He has released seven major studio albums since 1996 under the London-based Ninja Tune record label.

While Emika's performance was absolutely amazing in itself, I have to say that Amon Tobin blew me away. What craft! What a mind blowing vision! I am not so sure if I'd simply listen to his music, and I don't even remember if I liked it, but the evening was certainly extraordinaire - also because we got to have a lovely chat with Emika as Oliver blogs about here.

When Designer Fashion Goes Mass Market

Target recently announced to offer the Italian designer Missioni in their stores with an especially created line to affordable prices. The items vanished from the shelves in no time!

Certainly, some of these designer items might have been bought by people who never intend to wear any of these goods but hoping to re-sell them with a good margin. Others are wearing the bright colored, un-mistakenly Missoni knitwear and I have yet to see somebody who can pull it off...

Living in New York City, and working in the Fashion District, I see a lot of fashion and many interesting interpretations of it. For the most part, I find it highly intriguing and welcome whatever novelty I see. I prefer uniqueness. Putting on a Missoni sweater though, one that got acquired for cheap at a discount retailer chain, is simply not cutting it for me.

Nothing changes just because one puts a famous label on. Does it lift your confidence? Maybe. Does it make you look any better? Not necessarily.

You can get a cool look for free, by mixing compelling items, but you don't get it for cheap.

-- Elke

Bibs Crashed on the Steps to Times Square

Tonight.

My Love For Quotes

Ever since I was a young teenager, I loved quotes. To this day, I am always impressed how a lot of thoughts and ideas can get compressed into just one small, meaningful aphorism.

That's also Twitter's biggest appeal to me: Editing myself down! Say it in 140 or less characters or don't say it at all.

I enjoy starting into a new day with some wisdom, something to meditate over throughout the day. There's for example HeartMath that sends one email per day with a beautiful landscape photography together with an interesting quote.

Tying in with yesterday's movie theme, I'd like to close with one of my all time favorite movie quotes. It's from A Walk In The Clouds a romantic drama starring Keanu Reaves as the unhappily married salesman who falls passionately in love with a Mexican immigrant's daughter - a wine maker. In the movie, her father furiously says the following:

Just because I speak with an accent doesn't mean I think with an accent.

Musing over "accents" is something I'd like to do tomorrow, so stay tuned.

-- Elke

When Did Watching A Movie Become Such A Treat?

Watched King's Speech Tonight - almost one year after its initial release. I wanted to watch it for so long and just didn't make it happen!

I decided to dedicate two to three hours per week again for watching a movie. I've no longer been doing this and it saddens me. I love being transported into a different world, caring about somebody else's life, and forgetting all what is keeping me busy. Going to a show, seeing a great band perform, has the similar effect. Forgetting what is currently going on but immersing in somebody or something else. Very refreshing and inspiring!

As for the movie itself: what's not to like? It showcases some of the finest actors - Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pierce and the man-overcomes-hardship-story is always compelling.

I truly enjoyed it.

-- Elke

This has not changed in the last 10 years

I moved into a freshly remodeled building with view of the World Trade Center on September 2nd, 2001. My experience, in an article I wrote in German in Fall 20o1. My sister was kind enough to provide a translation for it all.

Here it goes:

The city where the Kindness never sleeps

Die Stadt, in der die Hilfsbereitschaft niemals schläft

-- Elke

Waiting for the Storm...

... to hopefully not come or not as heavy as predicted.

We took all the precautions suggested. Our building management asked us to remove all flower pots and furniture. It looks like a jungle now in my living room. Little bit like Christmas with the pine tree, but overall very pretty with the many zinnias.

Outside, it looks very bleak. But it's not about the looks anyway. It's about safety and I hope we'll stay safe here. The building I'm living in is massive and sturdy. We should be fine.

I'm just not good in dealing with any nature events, big or small. Thunder and lightning already makes my heart beat faster...

We'll see. Wherever you are, stay safe!

Totally in Love with Disappears

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to not only see Disappears live but also The Psychic Paramount Expect and both were really fantastic!

The opening band, The Psychic Paramount were super loud, melodic, rhythm. just three guys doing their thing without vocals.

Whereas the vocals for Disappears are kinda import because they are so raw and dirty that it almost hurts! And the lead guitar... Well, have a look at the picture and tell me!

Yeah! :D

June 2011, Williamsburg when Elena, Fiona and Andrea were here...

Buenos Aires in Pictures and with Cool Music

Before I'm heading to Brazil, I'd like to share Oliver and my "video" from Buenos Aires. We created this video with our photos from our trip in March 2010 and the software Animoto. The music in this video comes from our friends in Buenos Aires, Tercer Sueño.

Let me know how you like it. :)

The Real Tree Huggers

:)

Close Encounters

Great Video from Monogold's Rooftop Show

I'm still in awe having been part of this amazing rooftop show. There were a couple of bands performing, but Oliver and I just came to see Monogold - a three piece band from Brooklyn I fell in love with last fall.

To get a taste of their subtle energy, awesome sound and just fantastic setting, watch this video that Oliver took.

Enjoy :)

You find us on YouTube as NYDiscovery.

Monogold - Amazing Rooftop Show 05/29/11

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Check it out. It's not your ordinary consumer review site. It's actually pretty cool :)

Final Destination: Bedroom

Patience and Persistence - Two Job Hunt Key Talents

I think there are hardly any other challenges in life that require

that much patience and persistence than landing the right job.

Certainly, a serious illness demands a lot of patience, persistence

and hope. Such tough fates aside though, looking for a job is all

about patience and persistence!

The patience to keep on looking, to keep on believing, to applying

again and again. To go with an open mind into each interview, hoping

for it to be THE ONE! Patience to know that eventually IT WILL HAPPEN.

There's no other way around. It. Just. Takes. Time. And sometimes a

lot of time, and that's why patience is so important!

Persistence is the other key characteristics because you must not give

up, but keep on trying, giving your best. To do everything you can to

stand out from the crowd. Not being afraid what the answer might be

but listen and learn. And go for it. With all your heart. You must get

it yourself because - nobody else will. Keep on trying, give your best

and fear not.

And if you're currently also looking for a new challenge: best of

luck, patience and persistence!

--

Experience

There are experiences in life that we need to make and learn ourselves. We need to live and breathe that insight.

Recreating

More Suns And Guitars

I think, they're improving...

Anchoring in St. Thomas

It's not possible to figure out WHERE this picture was taken, if you don't know it but I remember it, of course. The lovely harpist Chiara took it for Oliver and me in the harbor of the US Virgin Island St. Thomas, where we visited the really nicely done Coral World.

Getting from and back on board is always such a wonderful feeling. It's hard to describe. It's just poor happiness. My heart always makes a little jump. It's like what flying used to be, this excitement about what's "next".

Can't wait to go on another cruise. Again with Cunard of course!

Ha Ha Tonka Live At Mercury Lounge

In June 2009, I fell in love with Ha Ha Tonka's two records Buckle In The Bible Belt and Novel Sounds Nouveau South and shortly there after was fortunate enough to experience one of their dynamic and upbeat shows at the Bell House in Brooklyn.

From then on, I tried to make it to any of their shows, whenever they played in New York City. And yesterday, they passed through New York again, making stop at the legendary Mercury Lounge.

Although not the headliners of yesterday's show, the buzz certainly belonged to Ha Ha Tonka. More than two hundred fans gathered at the sold out show to hear the new album Death Of A Decade live.

There was lots of anticipation and excitement all around, and we got not disappointed! Brian, Lucas, Brett and Lennon were as skilled, joyful and convincing as always.

Something important has happened yesterday and I can't help thinking of that evening in April 2003 when Kings Of Leon opened for The Strokes.

Sadly, I wasn't part of that legendary show back then, but luckily, yesterday's night belonged to Ha Ha Tonka and I could be part of it!

Watch HERE some official band videos.