ten decisions shape your life, you'll be aware of five about.

as i sat watching sofia coppola's new movie, somewhere, i could only imagine the redundant criticism the film will be getting when it opens in wide release. but it won't be completely her fault. you shouldn't walk into a sofia coppola movie expecting to be blown away by quick-draw dialogue and out-of-this-world characters. her films are filled with maximum silence. plots burn slowly through beautiful cinematography, lost looks and lingering camera snapshots. character dynamics are developed through actions rather than words and it's never obvious and sometimes painfully vague.

per usual coppola standards, somewhere relates themes of loneliness, an inability to communicate and the complexity of relationships, all while sedating such shortcomings through the abuse of an onslaught of vices. while definitely not her best, i did enjoy the film and a week later, am still contemplating what i think the ending means.

elle fanning > dakota.

everyone's well dressed, everyone's a mess,

-t

at the end of the day, all you have is tomorrow morning.

what solidifies a vacation, besides a lack of funds upon return and a possible head cold, is the photographic evidence. whether captured on your phone, a lomography camera you thoughtfully once got as a gift, or even that beat up old digital you managed to pack, it's how the trip is presented to others is what ultimately wraps up the experience. while all stories cannot be re-told, the photos speak volumes alone and allows people to make their own assumptions about what (or whom) you did while you were away.

check out london duo, mount kimbie's impressively thorough photo set in their new video for "before i move off".

move it,

-t

you won't need me where i'm going.

when i visited new york in 2008 i actually walked into the tiny east village radio space and watched a dj thumb through a crate, make his selection and drop the needle, before i mumbled "just having a look around".

i guess thats why i decided to press play and learn about EVR dj crew, chances with wolves. of course wowed by their clever name, i was even more impressed how they articulated their outlook towards their craft and i can only image how many golden goose records are hiding in their basement.

wolf hunting,

-t

there i go again. wishing never solved a problem.

there are three key highlights that came to mind after i watched the new yours tru.ly x twin shadow collaboration.

besides the fact the song is pretty rad and the lighting is equally notable:

1) the drummer and his crazy mane remind me of my good friend byron (whose birthday is today by the way)

2) the bassist gives the camera his best blue steel face

3) the usual promo-photo 'stache of frontman george lewis jr is now just another piece of a bearded puzzle.

check out "shooting holes" below. and yes, happy birthday children man!

-t

i only know, what i know now.

the first time i heard about james blake, i was cooped up in a scion xb somewhere between california and oregon. the sun was starting to peek its way through a road that seemed to lead nowhere. i was half asleep and my two guy friends were pleading their case for their favorite james blake remix. they were so hyped and i didn't know why, so i went back to sleep.

upon my return, i downloaded a few EPs and understood. blake's own creations teeter on the edge of vulnerability with hints of jittery long nights. you can feel his anticipation through repetitious lyrics, syncopated sneers and the dwelling echo of lonely piano notes. it's a balance of heartache and subtle hope that doesn't need an immediate answer to provide an undercurrent of odd comfort.

check out this three song sample of tracks recorded a few weeks ago at BBC's maida vale studios.

like a map with no ocean,

-t

i'm building a still, to slow down the time.

i've been told that sentimentality is my achilles heel. memory lane is a great place to visit, but it is no place to make yourself a home. what really makes me sentimental, is whenever i recall the first time i crossed paths with someone. my memory tends to impress myself more than others and i love remembering how a friendship began.

my friendship with strange didn't actually blossom until after we were already coworkers for over a year. in fact it only really gained momentum when i coincidentally moved down the street from him in silverlake. i asked him for advice on local places to indulge in a few drinks and cheap eats. i guess that's why i enjoy this video spotlight on my friend so much. because it was his knowledge of our neighborhood (as a new orleans transplant) that was the key that ultimately forged a connection, not just forced coworker dynamics. however, since this video was shot, strange has moved to brooklyn and now i fondly think back to our weekly friday lunches exploring the zagat guide he edited and the occasional carpool.

check out the first installment of "smile, you're in los angeles" about my friend strange created by our buddy andrew.

-t

rule number seventeen.

2010 has definitely been the year of the unpredictable. filled with sacrifice, adventure, apologies, gratitude and imagination, this year put me in situations i'll always remember and others i'll never shake off the feeling of regret. with only a few hours left, i felt the need to look back fondly and to thank my lucky stars for not totally abandoning me.

my favorite record of the year was lcd soundsystem's this is happening (kanye you only lost out by one point), my favorite movie was split between black swan and the social network, my favorite songs featured either guest verses from drake or nicki minaj, i rediscovered how enjoyable it was to come home to a roommate (or house guest), i learned to appreciate walking around LA and it's various modes of public transportation, i drank more coffee in the past 12 months than i probably had in 12 years combined and after rent and bills were paid, the most important thing in my life remained hundreds of inside jokes and the people i shared them with. my favorite concert was sxsw day 2, my favorite location is "pizza joint corner", i customized almost every present i made, mad men's "the suitcase" was the best hour of television all year and when i care about someone, loyalty and going that extra mile are essential ways to show it.

with each year comes change and this year's challenges has left me even more obsessed with the notion of trying to become a better person. don't let me let you down 2011.

love always,

t

everything you own in a box to the left.

my wonderful mom thinks that curly hair is supposed to be called 'kinky'. we could be anywhere and mommy dearest will whisper to me, "look at her. she's so kinky".

so, if you're a fan of the kinky (don't worry, i won't tell) and good music, i suggest pressing play below.

tennis - "pigeon"

-t

worse comes to worse, my people stay first.

in 1996, there were 15 songs that changed my life and they all happened to come from the same album. i can still remember the day i bought beats, rhymes & life - the fourth studio opus from a tribe called quest on CD. in fact i still have it. scratched and scarred, it's outlived my entire collection of music from that era and once was the subject of an A- english 260 paper.

actor/white boy funny man michael rapaport, has just released the trailer to his highly anticipated documentary about the legendary queens trio called none other than beats, rhymes & life: the history of a tribe called quest. with mad cameos, behind-the-scenes goods from the past two years and a stones throw supervised soundtrack, it's tailor made for longtime fans and young turks who need more than a history lesson via wikipedia.

-t

open your eyes and there was someone else.

the name body language implies a certain amount of movement. luckily the brooklyn four piece oblige with more than enough layers of funk fueled by moments of disco and indie-pop characteristics. their latest four song release, social studies EP, is available for easy freezy - a recession obsession to kick off the holiday gift giving season.

besides, who doesn't enjoy a good boy/girl harmony here, there and everywhere?

body language - social studies EP (via bandcamp)

eyes off the ground,

-t

crossing paths like an intersection.

perhaps i'm still on a post-sabio-nuptials love high, but enjoy the last day of november with the perfect balance of cheese and sticky notes.

-t

if you can't get what you want, then come with me.

i have personal reasons for not really loving the band gorillaz that actually have nothing to do with their music. they just happen to bring up old memories that don't need to be given anymore attention. so when their latest record dropped earlier this year, as usual, i didn't give it too much undivided attention. but i did happen to fall in love with one song that ironically sums up why it just won't work out between me and the animated foursome.

check out the bright lights of the big apple collide with the track, "on melancholy hill", directed by chateau below.

-t

let's go to sleep with clearer heads and hearts too big to fit our beds.

after starving myself for a month with a strict no-carb diet (well...90% of the time), the time finally came to attend the wedding of the year. the story of anne and erich is quite a tale, that started when she was 14. they've battled long distance and a bout with cancer and the better half of thirteen years later, they are now husband and wife. it was great to see old friends from elementary school and indulge in the all-you-can-eat dessert buffet and count them - two wedding cakes.

congrats again my old friends. you make love look easy.

-t

no i'm not lucky. im blessed. yes.

obligatory thanksgiving post.

this year im so very thankful for the essentials and the small fortunes - all of the things that money cannot buy and the thoughtfulness of the people i love. of course it all starts at home and trickles down into unique friendships. im also especially grateful that after so many adventures (big, small and potentially illegal), the worse consequence has only been a broken apartment window. so this year, instead of writing a novel of sentiments, i will let the photos speak for themselves.

happy day of gluttony my lovers.

-t

you might as well waste your time with me.

as an unapologetic lover of all things pepper, i must admit that i kinda feel bad for his +1.

-t

i don't want to be your friend, i just want to be your lover.

i made a conscious decision to not make any posts about kanye till after his fifth album studio album officially saw the light. so i sat patiently each week, as one masterful G.O.O.D friday track hit the internet and became a sensation - until the next week's song. i sat on my hands when the exquisite 34 minute short film, "runaway", went viral and even when the record leaked, i listened but didn't say much.

now the day has come and it's official, my beautiful dark twisted fantasy is without a doubt one of the best records of the year. in terms of lyrical content, kanye has never been the most prolific, but what makes him so entrancing lies in his delivery and bravado. perennially fueled by pure energy, he can transform even the dumbest lyrics, into sensible and forgivable gems. the arrangement of the record hits a variety of feelings - love, hate, lust, addiction, anger and better-late-than-never apologies. it showcases the journey of a wild card and like the title suggests, it's one hell of a life.

he might admit to falling in love with a porn star, talk about jesus occasionally and call you bitch for short, but with this masterpiece now a part of his roster, no one should doubt his heart and ability to create the amazing.

extra bright, i want ya'll to see this,

-t

filled with meaning, sip the riesling.

it appears that the phrase 'flying overseas' in steezy brooklyn emcee, theophilus london's latest video of the same name, is a euphemism for a love drug.

while there are no actual planes in the four minute plus clip, there's a ton of blurry camera angles and spacey special affects that seem to offer an altered personification for love's sentiments. check out theophilus groove across the sand to the bald beauty waiting for him on the other side of the beach below.

on a substance, on a place to your heart,

-t

some people cling to what they know. but i woke up and now it's time to go.

what keeps me intrigued with aussie trio, cut copy, is amidst the new wave and pop synths, what always shines brightest is the melodic charm of lead singer dan whitford.

with insatiable pop rifts and 80s island grooves, their percussion-heavy new single, "take me over", off their forthcoming third record will certainly answer the call of all future dance party invites. zonoscope doesn't hit the US till early february, so you might as well keep this one on loop.

through the jungle, through the night,

-t

baby you’re a challenge, let's explore your talents.

a week of celebration for a variety of reasons culminated in a sunday afternoon in santa monica with patfish and ni hao kai lan.

we checked out the sanrio 50th anniversary exhibit: small gifts @ the barker hanger and enjoyed a contemporary take on a team of familiar faces (hello kitty, pochacco, keroppi). my favorite reinterpretations belonged to kozyndan, jesse ledoux and buff monster, but it was an all around ace event that really made me relive how i often spent my money throughout my brace-face adolescence.

to a successful and memorable third week of november,

-t

you're original, cannot be replaced.

yesterday i was presented with the most random opportunity that i just could not pass up: second row seats to the LA opera at the dorothy chandler pavilion in downtown. ive never attended such an elaborate event, but i followed along to the best of my ability, the german opera 'lohengrin'.

despite only making it through two out of three acts, it was definitely an interesting place to people watch and outfit evaluate. will i ever make a return appearance to the opera? who knows, but free tickets with a view of the orchestra was definitely a great debut into such an illustrious stage tradition.

-t