Things I Think Are Cool » Joy

Diego Gravinese, Wei Koh and Coincidences

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:21:11 +0000

I was in New York a few weeks ago and went to the Greenwich Hotel to meet up with my friend, Wei, who was in town for a few days. Wei and I met in college and have remained friends ever since despite dating for three years, a breakup and distance (he now lives in Singapore). Anyway, while we were catching up, Wei mentioned how he’d just been to Argentina on business and had a meeting with an artist there he really likes, Diego Gravinese. At which point I got really excited, because I really like Diego Gravinese’s art a lot, too. So much so that I wrote about him in this blog in the spring. Cllick here to read my pithy blog post.

Coincidences are a little magical. So are Diego Gravinese’s paintings.

Gravinese was born in La Plata Argentina in 1971. He is a wonderfully talented photo-realistic painter, combining consummate skill, a unique perspective and a quirky sense of humor, to create paintings you wish you could visit. I especially like his work from the 2009-2010 and 2000-2001 time periods, some of which are featured to the left. I hope you like them, too.

Emily Garrett Yoga

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:13:29 +0000

Lately I’ve been distracted by all the things I dislike about Vermont and not focusing on the positives. Good and even great things do exist here. Take Emily Garrett Yoga, for example. I’ve been practicing yoga with Emily off and on since 2006 and consider it one of the nicest things I do for myself.

Emily is certified in both Kripalu and Vajra Yoga. She is currently on maternity leave, but offers both individual and group classes, privately and at local yoga studios such as Yoga Vermont in Burlington and Winooski. If you can, go and check out one of her classes.

Nutella

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:17:54 +0000

I was just an empty shell, a body walking around without a soul, until I found Nutella. It’s ambrosia; the perfect snack. Nutritious (kinda) and delicious.

The fact that Nutella is not the most popular sweet treat in the United States or probably even in the top 50 is an indication that something is very wrong with this country. In Europe kids eat it for breakfast, women take baths in it and lovers smear it all over each other.

The guy to the left is clearly European.

Top of the World

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:31:39 +0000


Back in the late 1990s, Shonen Knife, Japanese girl band extraordinaire, made my favorite cover song ever. They took The Carpenter’s slow and folksy 1973 number one classic “Top of the World” and sped it up; popped it up; making it irresistibly jumpable. I defy you not to jump (or at least think about jumping) when listening to it.

Shonen Knife – Top of the World

The Carpenters – Top of the World

Battlestar Galactica Rocks

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:57:15 +0000


I cannot frackin believe it’s taken me this long to post something about Battlestar Galactica. It’s only like one of the coolest things EVER. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Chillin’

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:25:50 +0000

This is an example of how the remix of a song can be way better than the original. Wale’s “Chillin’,” featuring Lady Gaga, is an ok tune (check out the video to the left), but the Knocks Remix (click below to listen) is effervescent and contagious. I’m not a big Lady Gaga fan, but I really love this.

Wale – Chillin’ ft. Lady Gaga – Knocks Remix

Happy Happy Happy

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:26:36 +0000


This video remake makes me smile from ear-to-ear. I am sure it’s better than the original. If you don’t find a little piece of joy in this then I don’t understand you.