for you or me?

As I learned last week, it's all for you. Naive little me, I'm a first time blogger and newbie to the wonders of the internet, I just assumed that only I and a few incidental friends were reading this thingy. And in general, I have nothing to hide. But stick a couple googleable search terms in there and lo and behold, semi-complete strangers have access to my innermost thoughts (well, the outer layer of inner I suppose). Now that I've mentioned the words "Palestinian" and "Palestine" and even worse (note: not synonymous) "Hamas", I guess I should kiss my alleged right of privacy within electronic and telephonic communications goodbye, or at least, lila'liqa. If anyone of any securitorial importance should be reading this right now, or later, you should check out some of those filmmakers I mentioned in my previous entries. No, not in THAT WAY. I mean, just watch their films. And if there are parts you don't understand... like... "what's that funny language they're speaking?" or "why are those refugees so mad in the second half" let me know and I'll try to sort it out. Like I said, I've seen a ton of films over the past few weeks and I don't expect to lighten my load anytime soon.

behind

Not much time for blogging today. I'm behind in my work for a change. I'm still overdue about 90 pages of reading on French poetic realism and a short paper criticizing some essays and synthesizing some ideas of Palestinian cinema. It would also be nice to get some art done too.

Why is there only one Elia Suleiman?

Before I move any further, I should note that the title of today's blog is taken from a converation I had with my friend and colleague Tal Assif. This was originally her question but now it's mine too. After watching more Palestinian films than I would wish upon most Jewish, Arab, or Arab Jewish leftists (I can provide my list upon request), I'm left wondering where the other Suleimans are? After watching Chronicle of a Disappearance for the first time about 5 years ago (and about a dozen times since then), I've been hooked on Suleiman. But where are the others? Palestinians definitely have a lot to say. Within the next few months Tal and I will find the others and you're all invited to idyllic Ann Arbor to check out them out. We're putting together a film series to premiere next fall. Any suggestions are welcome.

as expected, not bad

After a 3am bedtime last night, I clocked in today around one. A bit of a late start, in fact, the latest start I've had in awhile, but the day turned out quite nice. I started it off with a strong coffee and a bit later, a smoothie. My new roommate just bought a blender which might end up changing my life. I headed to the studio and continued the project which was put off for too long, but is moving along ahead of schedule. There's a show coming up at the end of February that I wanted to finish it for but I think I'll have it done before then, which would be wonderful. I may make something else for the show then too. Then, my pal ol buddy on the other side of the world (i.e. Finland) was on skype, so I got my fix of transatlantic chit chat about, among other things, politics. At this point, the feds probably realize that I'm not really worth the wiretap even though it's probably tempting. My friend (i.e. Kevin) also called me "weird" but I'm not sure why. I really don't think I am. But after I got over it, it was back to work and then on to a lecture by glib political cartoonist, Ted Rall. Swell cartoons, but the guy.... Anyhow, then a nice introductory hang-out over coffee with all my favorite Israeli and Palestinian expats. I should mention here that even though "the world was stunned" over Hamas' victory today (or rather yesterday), I'm not. I'll leave my theories to myself (for now). Hamas used to have a website but as far as I can tell, it's now defunct. I'm suspicious, they seem to be the type of organization that would want to keep their domain name current, so perhaps the Israelis (or the Finns) are up to something. Till that matter is resolved, perhaps The Palestine Information Center is a good source for news on that end. And what better note to end on than a word of congrats to Hamas.

chocolate

I'm now back to 6 bars of chocolate in my studio, which is good. I've also decided not to be shy about turning the heat up in here. 69 degrees, the default setting, should be good. But it's not. Maybe it's the leaky skylights? The tall industrial ceilings? For whatever reason, 69 just aint cutting it but at 74, it's feeling great. In other news, I checked out a book from the library today by Emile Habiby and I'm really exicted about it.

stop being so negative

I can't get into the specifics here but feel free to send me an e-mail and I'll let it all out then. I feel like things are on the up and up though. There's Thursday to look forward to. Friday should also prove to be a good day. Saturday goes without saying, and Sunday, well, that's God's day so what could go wrong then? In other news, I'm all out of chocolate.

sleep

It's never enough.

I just woke up from a nap at the library.

...

...

was it?

Did the vast mail drop predict what was to come? Was it a good day after all? Did the fact that one of the books in the mail was the wrong translation have any ripple effect? There's still a half hour before the clock strikes midnight, and though it's not over till it's over, I think it's fairly safe to make an assessment on the day now. On a scale of one to ten, I'd say it was a solid 5 and a half. Maybe a 6. On the plus side, Inca loves me, Kat and I ate some good soup together, I dropped off work for a show and didn't have to hang it, I organized my backpack, and I started a long overdue project. But do you want to hear the negatives? I don't want to be a downer, but if you're still reading that means you're looking for them. Well... Inca is not my dog and she's still not a lab or a ridgeback, the soup cost over $10 with tip, the work I dropped off is ok but I have mixed feeling about it, and I'm not sure how this long overdue project is going to pan out. I feel funny about it. And then in general terms, I'm a little chilly, I miss my friend Catalina, and my landlord is raising the rent by $20. It could definetely be worse. All in all, I have it better than most. Still about a 6 though.

a good day for mail

Today I received 3 books that I ordered off of amazon (they arrived in 3 separate packages which sweetened the deal) and a poscard from Finland. No bills, no junk mail. Today is going to be a good day.

lost scarf

I lost an extra-long wool navy blue scarf somewhere between B109 in the Modern Language Building and the 2nd floor of the Frieze Buidling on UM campus on Wednesday. If anyone finds it, please let me know.

more on curtains

I ruined one of the beautiful curtains that Francie made for me. I'm very sad about this.

more on film

The first-ever sync-sound film out of Thomas Edison's lab/studio (called The Black Mariah). Ironically, I couldn't get the sound to work out of my laptop. But the picture alone is wonderful too.

speaking of Palestinian film

Rashid Masharawi made a film called "Ticket to Jerusalem" I haven't seen it yet but I can't wait. Here's an interview with him about it.

why do Palestinians pick Tuesdays?

I'm in the midst of organizing a Palestinian film series AND I'm doing an independent study on Palestinian film (along with my friend Tal)). AND, lucky me, it just so happens that there's a filmmaker, Jackie Salloum who will be in town, in the flesh, along with her films, TOMORROW! How lucky I am to have the opportunity to chit chat with a young chic filmmaker and see some films that ILL keeps cancelling on me. But no, I'm not that lucky. I have class then. Sure, class is great, I love class. And it's taught by another one of my favorite professors of all time, Phoebe Gloeckner. And my classmates are all totally awesome, and did I say how much I love class? What do I do? Skipping class in grad school is bad bad bad. But I want to see the movie and meet the hotshot and get some free advice on the film series... Why Tuesday? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Sunday

to do:

go to Home Depot (curtain brackets)
CVS (unmentionables)
Joann's (return curtain rings)
Michaels (mattboard & tape)


work on storyboard
drawings
FLAS proposal
Pal. cinema abstract

it's curtains

Today, Francie, the totally coolest comrade of mine, labored over her sewing machine all day so that I could have 2 beautiful curtains for an upcoming show. In (unequal) exchange, I did all her dishes. Yes, it was a lot of dishes, but I'd do even more if I could. The curtains are so beautiful and wonderful! And I really needed them. If you want to know why, you'll have go see my show in Detroit. Or you could ask me. In other news, I now have 5 and a half bars of chocolate in my studio right now.

goals and sleep

I'd like to see some quantitative data that relates goal-acheivement to quantity of sleep (or naps). I do best with 10 hours a night, or 8 hours plus a nap. But last night, I clocked about 5 hours due to late night work and and early morning meeting. Am I more productive since I'm logging (not blogging) more waking hours? Or am I doomed to fail since I'll spend the rest of the day overtired and slightly manic and will possibly go out of commission altogether tomorrow? These are rhetorical questions I guess.

By the way, my friend/collegue Chris Landau is on his way to fame and fortune via his awesome internet book. You can see it at www.theflockingparty.com

misadventure #1

Today I made a blog. Not so newsworthy I know, but I was a card-carrying luddite only a short time ago (even though the industrial revolution hit England way before I was born). Apologies to all who read this, it's really not worth your time. On the bright side, I have 6 chocolate bars in my studio right now.