BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY
LOCATION: Tanon Phra Arthit
Soundtrack: English In New York - Sting
It is noon and the sun is scorching. There is a mix of lunch-breakers, tourists, backpackers, vendors and me.
This road runs along the Chao Phraya river so there is this sense of space and despite the heat, you can really breathe.
It may be next door to the infamous Kao San road but it is a whole different community.
Along with Thewet, they have fought against big evil cooperate shops to keep small local businesses alive.
Because they have intentionally preserved it this way, it does feel a bit like you've entered a fantasy land. Every shop has its place and its own character. Shop doors are still the traditional folded kind, though it is still quite common in this part of town.
There are 2 palaces on this stretch of road alone. It was like looking into a secret garden.
The nightlife here is something different too. A mix crowd of locals and foreigners. Blues, Rock&Roll blasting out of bars along with long haired-philanthropists.
You can spot the inner city ones straight away here.
This stew beef noodle shop is the best! Though I have no idea what it's called cause it's somehow written in Korean?!
As a Bangkoker, it feels weird walking into a park. We get our dose of nature when we leave the city.
So stepping into this little greenery felt really nice and you're instantly relaxed. Little breeze from the river, find a spot and try not to die from the heat.
A road that has graciously maintained the old and the new without it looking out of place. They cater both to tourists and locals. No weird pricing and I actually felt like I was in The Land of Smiles.
Every corner felt like a post card moment and I gladly took it all in.
Happy exploring!
Colour Box
: )
AN ARTIST IS WHAT AN ARTIST DOES
Soundtrack: Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Do you have an artist friend? If you don't, I recommend you to find one immediately.
It is quite amazing to have a conversation with an artist. The ones that live, eat and breathe it.
Go into with a wide open mind and you will discover all kinds of 'ish.
PROFILING
Artists have 2 star signs... The astrological one and the artistic one. Of course, as star signs go, it is not always correct and dead on.
Got Sagittarius friends? Are they fiercely independent and impulsive?
Like painters; when it comes to talking about their work, there aren't many words. Whereas photographers are quite confident and suave.
Musicians are a whole different breed. Jazz musicians are notorious. Their justified arrogance and the illusion of being unattainable is painfully seductive.
Actors, dancers, writers, sculptures... many many more 'art' signs.
SACRED SPACE
Aside from conversations, visit their studios or wherever they do their work. These are obviously a very personal realm so ask nicely.
You will be essentially entering their mind, down the rabbit hole.
MELANIE LOU
You know when you are in the presence of a great mind. Her artistic trail of thought is quite amazing if you learn to follow it.
Here is a link to one of her installation work
http://artistatworkbkk.blogspot.com/2010/11/conclusion-and-final-installation.html
Follow Mel and her work here:
http://www.facebook.com/MelanieGdelVillar
...Guess you had to be there
Happy searching!
: )
Colour Box
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Soundtrack: Regulate - Warren G feat. Nate Dogg
P Diddy once said; "No one ever told awesome stories of when they were at home and had such a great sleep" or something along the line that implies staying in means you live in loserville and are the mayor of it.
I for one kinda love being at home, though I will have to reassess that if the internet were down.
Aside from watching shows and movies, going through Youtube, Facebook and/or Twitter stalking (you know you do it), chat, read, playing games etc... There is this thing that no one really want to talk about and that is the fact that you take pictures of yourselves in different poses when alone at home. Now now, I'm talking about PG rated pics: "Selfies".
SELFIES
Face pictures taken by the owner
Apple products have made it 'selfy' friendly with a front camera and you can direct your photo shoot accordingly.
Photo applications like Instagram allows you to edit your pictures and effects which instantly beautify your pics. They also have a popular page which proudly displays professional selfy takers.
HOW TO
Find the right angle not like this obviously...
It is worth setting up lighting and then smile!
Or just hide...
MOVIES
Being at home and nothing to do is a great opportunity to check out movies that you may never really watch or that super arty film that you bought just because you felt like you should be cultural?
RANDOM WEBSITES
Now you can find all sorts of stuff on the internet, it's bloody awesome!
Here are a few if you're curious
For quirky cool illustrations
http://thisisnthappiness.com/
For a good chuckle
http://textsfrombennett.tumblr.com/
For breakfast ideas
http://simplybreakfast.blogspot.com/
For general designy ideas
http://www.designsponge.com/
SNACKING
Probably my favourite. I have such a weakness for crisps, I can't just have a few, I have to eat the whole pack no matter how big!
But my current obsession are these puddings...
YOUTUBE THIS
If you wanna see a bird in a bird in a bird in a bird in a bird in a pig
For good old Charlie Chaplin black and white movies
http://www.youtube.com/topic/V6m0y3aaJmY/charlie-chaplin
For discovering the amazing planet Earth
http://www.youtube.com/user/BBCEarth?feature=chclk
Happy boredom!
Colour Box
