McSweeney's madness

I am pleased to inform you that I just decided to start collecting McSweeney's Quarterly Concern. Alas, I am the proud owner of only one copy but more shall quickly follow. For all those who are now thinking McWhat? Let me explain.

McSweeney's Quarterly Concern is a literary journal that came to life in 1998 and is edited by Dave Eggers who decided to bundle a series of short stories of that he liked but were rejected by other magazines. Since their immanent success, McSweeney's has counted on not only the support but also contribution of famous and established authors like Joyce Carol Oates, Rick Moody, Michael Chabon and Roddy Doyle just to name a few. Now, the Quarterly concern, is one of the most popular and respected literary magazines out there and has made it its mission to seek out and promote new and underappreciated talent like Stephen Dixon, Amy Fusselman and J.T. Leroy. Due to their excelance, McSweeney's, has already won various literary (The O. Henry Award, National Book Critics Circle Award,...) but also design awards (AIGA 365 Illustration Award, Print Design Regional Award,...) due to their magnificent covers and gorgeous artwork.

Besides the magazine, McSweeney's also publishes books that they personally vouch for as these books not only represent their own talented inhouse writers but it is also their way of distributing their literary vision in a more mainstream manner. Examples are Dave Egger's What is the What and a personal favorite, Nick Hornby's The Complete Polysyllabic Spree which is composed entirely out of his columns from The Believer.

The Believer, also worth collecting in my opinion, is their monthly magazine that combines short stories, literary interviews and book reviews with the ever changing world of art, politics and music brought to you by Nick Hornby, Amy Sedaris, Michel Houellebecq,...

And last but not least they also have a quartely DVD magazine named Wholphin with short movies, documentaries and animation from the likes of Spike Jonze, Miranda July, David O. Russell and Steve Soderbergh.

Now if that hasn't tickled your fancy, I don't know what will. What I personally love about McSweeney's is how every issue is so intricately created that it ends up being this amazing combination of stories, illustration and what not. Each issue is a little work of art as the cover and the layout are so lusciously designed that you actually feel bad opening it in fear of making a crease or, god forbid, stain. They are full of gags and clever little stunts like my own issue (Issue 21 and highly recommended) where every story is followed by a letter to Ray Charles.
Each McSweeney's has it's own theme like the now already infamous Issue 13 which was edited by Chris Ware and is dedicated completely to comics with a few essays inbetween to lighten the load. A personal favorite of mine and possible my next purchase is Issue 17 that oddly enough resembles a bundle of mail yet in each bill, letter and even catalogue a potential literary masterpiece is concealed.

McSweeney's I am you latest devotee.

Sugar and spice

I was thrilled when Waitress was released last year as it combines two of my favorite things: pies and independent film. Waitress, staying true to indie's quirky comedy / drama / romance genre, is a deliciously sweet film about motherhood, friendship and second chances that despite all its savory goodness doesn't leave you in a diabetic coma.

Keri Russell (who became famous thanks to her lovely starring role in the hit series Felicity) plays Jenna, a small-town girl with big dreams and uncanny pie making abilities. She dreams of opening her own pie shop (who doesn't?) and leaving her horrible husband. She inadvertently winds up pregnant and just when she thought her fate was eternally sealed, she encounters just the right ingredient, being a neurotic gynecologist (played by Firefly's Nathan Fillion), who transforms her bleak yet sensationally sweet existence.

Despite the themes Waitress tackles: unwanted pregnancy, domestic violence,... it ultimately ends up being an incredibly warm and uplifting movie filled with glorious desserts like "I-don't-want-Earl's-baby" and "Falling-in-love" pie combined with phenomenal performances by the entire cast. I personally thought it was an ingenious and whimsical idea to use Jenna's creative treats to illustrate her state of mind which also incorporates a perfectly dosed portion of comic relief even at the most darkest moments.

This poignant and heartfelt tale was created by Adrienne Shelly, a talented director, writer and actress (she also plays Dawn in the movie) who is sadly no longer with us. Waitress was inspired by her own feelings when she unexpectedly became pregnant with her daughter Sophie, who also plays Jenna's daughter at the end. Shelly often said that this movie was her "love letter to Sophie".

Shelly (middle in picture) began her career as an actress in Hal Hartley's The Unbelievable Truth. Later she turned to writing and directing. Her films won numerous prizes at several independent film festivals. Shortly after Waitress was accepted at the 2007 Sundance Festival, she was murdered in her own apartment after catching a burglar. The burglar tried to make her death look like suicide but confessed in the end. To honor her memory, her husband founded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports woman filmmakers.

Update

Four days have passed since the operation which went fine by the way, except for the fact that my wounds kept bleeding and I wouldn't stop throwing up but I'm OK now. My jaw still hurts a lot but that's to be expected and I also resemble a slightly bruised chipmunk but I can live with that.
As I predicted, I've been spending most of my days in front of the TV catching up on shows that I missed out on seeing as I don't have cable but luckily for me I can watch them all on DVD, a highly under-valued piece on technology if you ask me. I may still be a couple of seasons behind but now I know what all the fuss was about when it comes to Deadwood, Battlestar Gallactica, Desperate Housewives, Dead like me, Studio 60 and Californication.
I haven't spent much time in front of the computer or reading as a matter of fact. I think I started 6 novels the past few days only to tire of them after 30 pages or so. My lust for literature has been definitely dwindling these past few months but I'm sure it'll pick up again as soon as it gets colder. For some peculiar reason I can never concentrate when the sun is shining, hence my blossoming telly addiction.

Pre-op ponderings

I'm having surgery tomorrow and I'm really really nervous. This will be the first time that I'm anesthetized and to tell you the truth, that's what scares me the most. You know, the possibility of not waking up, ever.
I've probably seen way too many movies and medical drama's where they naturally emphasize what could go wrong instead of showing you how routine a procedure might be. But then, where's the fun in that? Damn you TV! Still, the suckers are lodged deeply in my jaw and if that wasn't bad enough exactly under my joint, so joy!

They've prescribed painkillers that are supposedly strong enough to take out a horse so pain shouldn't be an issue. I especially loved the part when the nurse said I should be careful not to take too many or mix them with any other kind of medication without consulting a doctor first in order to prevent Heath Ledger-type tragedies. Gulp.
I'll probably spend the next two weeks in a blissful haze of indifference while I read, blog or watch non-stop TV as my face deflates and returns to it's usual milky white color.
Although I have to admit, besides the anesthesia, the staying in part is bugging me the most. Despite that I spend a lot of time at home now, I'm definitely not a homebody. Spending prolonged periods of time indoors have a rather, how shall I say, depressing effect on me. And that is why I ask you, dear reader, to be my prozac seeing as actually taking it would probably kill me right now.

The book of other people

Last year, I can't believe it has already been that long, I was making my weekly visit to Fnac to browse through the new book releases when a certain book caught my eye. It had an interesting cover and when I picked it up I realized that it was a collection of short stories by various authors. I was rather skeptical at first since I don't really like short stories (except those of Truman Capote, J.D. Salinger and Dorothy Parker) as they are ultimately too short and fragmentary to tell a good tale or create a rounded character but the latter was exactly the goal of The Book of Other People edited by Zadie Smith.

Authors like Dave Eggers, Jonathan Safran Foer, David Mitchell, Nick Hornby and personal favorite Miranda July, just to name a few, were asked to create a character whose story they will tell by selecting a crucial point in their lives. A wide variety of styles and modes of creating character are presented in this unique and entertaining volume of stories that is also beautifully illustrated by Chris Ware and Daniel Clowes who have also contributed in their own personal way. The royalties finally, will go to Dave Eggers' non-profit organization, 826 NYC, dedicated to helping children with their reading and writing.

I initially liked the concept of the book otherwise I would never have bought a collection of short stories and although some are great, others once again confirmed my beliefs about the genre. A collection that contains various authors also functions as a wonderful introduction (and in some cases even warning) to the work of lesser known authors and in the end, it is definitely worth the read.

The Book of Other People is now available in paperback and even in Dutch.

I'm hot, blue and sexy

I had my job interview today and it turned out far less exciting than I'd hoped. Firstly the job and job description didn't match, talk about false advertising! And secondly, they made me do tests! Tests people! Which I sooo wasn't expecting especially when the job description said editor of English weekly and they make you translate a French text about oil drilling into Dutch. Needless to say, not exactly what I had in mind. Another equally unnerving little experiment was: write the introduction of a pamphlet about gas cylinders and make them look sexy. No matter how you spin it people, you can't put propane and sexy in the same sentence without expecting some Scary Movie gag which is not only an intellectual faux-pas but just plain wrong! And so my quest continues...

Nerves...

I have another job interview tomorrow and I'm really nervous because it's a job I'd love to have, I think. Luckily I made some cookies and cream cupcakes to calm me down.

The Joy of organizing

I have a confession to make, I'm addicted to my diary. I've always loved to plan and organize, it's usually half the fun, so that's why buying a new diary each year is a tantalizing experience that I always look forward to. Usually I'm able to contain myself until November or December (but that's already a stretch) before I buy one but this year I just couldn't resist the exuberant colors of Joy by Paulo Coehlo.

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian author and that's all I really know about him, shame on me. I've only read his most famous novel namely The Alchemist which was short, sweet, philosophical and hence, not really my cup of tea but I was once again blinded by the lush cover.



The diary is filled with quotes from Coelho's novels and luxuriously illustrated by the talented Catalina Estrada whose drawings are not only fun and colorful but literally exude joy as was intended.

Needless to say, I can't wait to start 2009!

So far, so good?

I have to excuse myself, I've been a terrible blogger of late. The only upside to keeping schtum for all these months is that I can now embark on new horizons, new themes and new thoughts but with the typical Jonesian twist. The downside ofcourse, is that I've probably lost my entire "fanbase", so if you are reading this; atta boy!

Since my last excursion into cyberspace I have graduated (finally after eight gruelling years), given my beloved's apartment a desperately needed yet not officially completed re-vamp and embarked on the long and winding road of jobhunting. Oh, and I've also found a hairdresser who doesn't make me want to get out my voodoo dolls which is always a plus.

Finding a job isn't easy, especially if you have studied English literature and don't want to become, god forbid, a teacher. I have been looking for about two months now and except one horrifying interview, not much has turned up yet but I am hopeful since I finally had a great interview on monday. As I am lacking experience, the standard excuse, I probably won't get it but fingers crossed because I don't know how much longer I will be able to handle all this spare time, seriously. I know I will regret saying this one day but someone please give me a job!

Besides filling my days with waiting, sending out resumes, listening to my mother whine about my (hopefully) soon to be ex-stepfather and Facebook, I've once again turned all my attention to ol' faithful namely baking. What would life be without sweet, moist and mostly chocolatey goodness?

If I haven't already convinced you of all the joys of being me, I'll now seal the deal by adding that in exactly two weeks time I'm having my wisdomteeth removed. Alas, it won't be your standard pull 'em and weep procedure as mine are lodged in my jaw which will have to be slightly broken in order to extract the suckers. Needless to say, lots of pain, swelling, black cheeks and a liquid diet to look forward to.

But rest assure, from now on I'll keep you up to date, even to the last excrutiating detail.

Bigger, Better, Bolder and even Beautiful

Get ready for a whole new City

Coming soon