Vampire Weekend, "Hey Ya (Paranoid Styles Mix)"

While I enjoyed Vampire Weekend's first self-titled album, I didn't like their second album "Contra" very much. It sounded as though the band had relished in fame and lost their distinctively rhythmic style to a more standard indie rock sound. I listened to their third album "Modern Vampires of the City," which was released last week, and I've got to say I was quite impressed. It sounded like a more mature version of their original sound, and it was infused with subtle religious overtones that were dramatic and powerful. "Hey Ya (Paranoid Styles Mix)" is hands down my favorite song on the album, and I've listened to it at least 56 times in the past few days. The tracks "Step" and "Don't Lie" are good too.

Wanderlust

I've lived in the U.S. and Germany; and traveled throughout both countries as well as Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Russia South Korea, Taiwan. There are still too many cities and countries to visit, although I no longer have the time to travel. I don't anticipate another trip out of the country until next year, but the itch to travel has been growing stronger and stronger. I've looked up plane tickets and planned imaginary vacations, and I finally decided to start hosting couch surfers. If I can't embark on adventures, I can at least hear about them from travelers. This month, I began hosting couch surfers in my living room. I also interviewed and photographed them for my Wanderlust project, which focuses on the travelers, not just the travels. If you're interested in visiting Los Angeles, request to stay with me here. My couch is already fully booked for this month and the next, but I'd be more than happy to host you if possible.

All Saints Spring 2013

I am obsessed with the All Saints Spring 2013 collection. It is perfect for city girls with an edgy, nonchalant and feminine look. The pieces are versatile and can be adapted for day or night, work or pleasure. I tried on a few of these items at their Beverly Hills store, and I wish I could have bought the entire collection. I picked up white and black tanks for summer instead. I particularly want the Split Lucille Leather Skirt, which is incredibly sexy with the high zipper split. If my wardrobe was this entire lookbook, I would be a very happy girl.

Urs Fischer

I recently visited the Urs Fischer exhibit divided between the two MOCA buildings in downtown Los Angeles. Fischer is one of my favorite contemporary artists, well known for his larger-than-life installations and sculptures. A few of my favorite works at Grand Avenue were a series of skeletons in a dance of death including Skinny Sunrise (2000), Violent Cappuccino (2007), One More Carrot Before I Brush My Teeth (2001), Paris 1919 (2006) and Undigested Sunset (2001-02); a pink, warped fairytale-like street lamp Frozen Pioneer (2009); an installation of giant falling raindrops Horses Dream of Horses (2004); a house made of different breads Untitled (Bread House) (2004-05); and a rainbow colored, collapsed bed Untitled (2011).

Fischer's work crosses the line between reality and surrealism, giving a breathe of life to inanimate objects or making us reevaluate what we think is at first obvious. "Fischer's world is fluctuating and unpredictable, and the pleasure that we derive from his sculpture and painting is based on our attraction to and simultaneous repulsion by the dreamlike appearances that he constructs," writes Jessica Morgan, the curator of the exhibit.

Music Mondays: Bach, "Air on the G String"

I grew up receiving instruction in classical piano and violin, and I developed a fondness for the orchestral suites by Johann Sebastian Bach. As a little girl, I listened to classical music during my sleep because my parents believed in the "Mozart effect." It is a concept with scientific evidence from French researcher Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis that listening to Mozart promotes healing and development of the brain. I like to think that this form of music therapy worked on me somewhat, but regardless, I learned to appreciate and enjoy classical music. Air on the G String is one of my all time favorite musical pieces, and I find it soothing when I'm feeling low. It sounds sensitive and melancholic to me, though I have friends who hear it very differently.

Cat Face Party

The week before last, a friend invited me to Cat Face in Hollywood. It is apparently the latest party trend in London, where everyone draws a cute little nose and whiskers on their face "with eye liner or something because everyone looks cuter with a cat face. That's pretty much it." The club rules are as follows: "No dogs. No acting like an actual cat. It's not a cat appreciation society - don't dress like a cat - it's about having a cute cat face but pretending you don't really." We walked into a roomful of people sipping on cocktails and conversing casually, but everyone looked ridiculously cute with their cat faces. I may have a lot of brilliant ideas, but I wish cat face had been mine. Meow! Don't miss out if you live in Brighton, Bristol, London, Los Angeles or New York, and I'm sure coming soon to other cities.

One Year Anniversary

It's been exactly a year since the day of my last relationship. I made the decision to be single indefinitely, and I would say it has been a relatively good time. Happy one year anniversary to myself! I don't like to admit this, but I am a relationship person. I feel more comfortable when I have someone who is emotionally supportive, thinks about me regularly and spends a lot of time with me. I didn't realize I had fallen into consecutive relationships with men whom I didn't necessarily have feelings for or who weren't a good match for me, all because I just wanted someone to be there for me.

A lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't have a lot of close people in my life, and I find that a significant partner can be friend, family and more. Hit three birds with one stone. I know now that isn't a good enough reason. Anyways, it didn't end well with most of the boyfriends. After the last one, I made the commitment to be single until I learned to make it on my own, until I met someone worth my time and effort. It hasn't been the easiest year, but I know I'm doing what's best for me.

Norwegian Wood

"April was too lonely a month to spend alone. In April, everyone around me looked happy. People would throw their coats off and enjoy each other's company in the sunshine - talking, playing catch, holding hands. But I was always by myself." - Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood.

Stuck in a Rut

It's been a full week since I've written here. It's been difficult for me to draw or write lately, which is unsettling because I consider those second nature. I've been all kinds of out-of-sorts in this prolonged rut. I've been trying to lift myself up by concentrating on my work, being very generous to myself and surrounding myself with those who know me best. I still haven't been able to shake myself out of "it," and I'm not even sure why I'm currently feeling this way. Everything seems to be going well externally, but a strange mix of doubt, melancholy and restlessness pervades me.

The Happy Show

This was the note I received yesterday when I pressed the button at Stefan Sagmeister's 'The Happy Show' at the MOCA Pacific Design Center (8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood). The gum ball halves were from machine #6, which is how I ranked my happiness on a scale from 1-10. I really enjoyed how the exhibit was curated as if we are glimpsing the inside of Sagmeister's mind. He reveals his ten-year exploration of happiness through interactive forms with the audience and the space, and he also emphasizes the importance of pursuing your own happiness. His thoughts are supported by social data and research on the topic, and he is also working on a related film to be released in the future.

The exhibit is free and open to the public; it will be on display through June 6. If the name Stefan Sagmeister doesn't sound familiar to you, he is an Austrian graphic designer "perhaps best known for his album covers for Talking Heads, Lou Reed, OK Go, and The Rolling Stones...as well as his innovative campaigns, for companies like Levis." I think 'The Happy Show' may be one of the most beautiful exhibits I have ever seen.

Peace, it's the Weekend

The exodus from Los Angeles to the desert at this time of year means that it's the first weekend of Coachella. I remember years ago when you had the option of choosing one day and paying some $100 for your ticket. I thought it was an expensive festival then, but now it costs around $800 for the weekend. I should have gone when I had the chance, though I really don't have an interest anymore. Coachella used to be compared to a modern day Woodstock, but now it's become a wild party rather than a grassroots music weekend. It was absurd that pre-sale tickets last year were sold out before the lineup for 2013 was even announced. Does anyone care about the spirit or music anymore, or just getting high and wasted in the desert? No thank you, though I admit I love festival style.

To a Boy

Ich vermisse dich.

Notes of an Artist

It's a rule of mine to not ever look backwards, if I can help it. It's usually not too difficult a task because I let go and forget easily. I believe the fourth dimension of time is relative, and it's as if a little white rabbit is always pointing to its clock and urging me to go on. By the time I remember to look back, I've forgotten what it is that I was looking at. For some reason, I'm only able to recount the details of the past when I sink into my regular bouts of depression. It's a common side effect of being an artist and intellectual, and I've been consciously struggling with it since I was thirteen. I've long since accepted that it is just a part of whom I am, and I honestly think I wouldn't recognize myself if it ever lifted. Sometimes, though, it really knocks the wind out of me. I hurt, I am.

The Most Romantic Non-Date

A few months ago, I met a male friend X who openly expressed his romantic interest. I was clear about wanting to be only friends, and he took it very well. Last month, he approached me and asked, "I know you already rejected me, but would you get dinner with me?" I clarified, "As friends?" He replied, "Yes, I promise." We had a lovely dinner, not quite as "friends," considering he made reservations for an excellent restaurant near the ocean, insisted on picking me up from my apartment, and paid for the entirety of the dinner. Then two nights ago, he showed up to my apartment with a gold box of Godiva chocolates and a single red rose. "Before we start our night, will you go on this date with me?" I sighed, "As friends." He nodded and explained, "I would have regretted it had I not asked you one more time. We'll still have a good night." And we did. It was my most romantic non-date.

Berlin, Meine Liebe

Berlin Skyline (2010)  © Jessica Hsu

Most young women dream of a love affair with Paris, but I am more intrigued by the complex layers of Berlin. I wanted to take French in my undergraduate curriculum, but the classes always filled up too quickly. I gave up on the language my second year and took German instead. It was one of my best decisions. I was an aspiring architect and planner then, and I was fascinated with the old and new architecture of the city. I was interested in film and enjoyed Lola rennt, Das Leben der Anderen, Good Bye, Lenin!, Die Fälscher, The Edukators, M, Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt, Der Himmel über Berlin, and Herr Lehmann, to name a few. I admired the works of artists Otto Dix, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Paul Klee and of architects Mies Van der Rohe and Walter Gropius. I studied abroad there in fall/winter 2010 and completely fell in love with Berlin. I think it returned the sentiments because I had a nearly perfect time then and much more since as a result.