People write what they know. That's why novels are often about writers. That's why operas are frequently about artists, musicians, etc. Musicals are often about the singing and dancing professions: Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago...

Anyway. Someone should write a tragic opera about a singer who suddenly loses her hearing in one ear. Not so much "loses" hearing but worse. She has her hearing altered in such a way that the world sounds distorted and dissonant. Sort of like the way they make robots sound in movies. It's a fate worse than deafness. She was normally quite the reticent one to begin with, but now her own voice is the most excruciating to listen to because it's closest to her inner ear.

"Diplacusis" I was able to google out yesterday.

This sums it up

Everyone at work is being really high-maintenance.

In response to latest Style Rookie post...

http://tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com/2010/02/blowing-every-time-you-move-your-teeth.html

Although I have not read the articles Tavi is alluding to, I feel for her because 1) she is 13, and it can't be easy to be openly criticized at that age, even if she does dare to stick her neck out by finding success, 2) she isn't a journalist and accepting gifts should be fun and not unethical, 3) anyone who's read her blog will know her sincerity, 4) anyone who's read her blog will know that her head is screwed on tight, 5) she is 13! When Michelle Wie said something silly two years ago that stirred up controversy, I was like, uh she's 19, give her a break. It's easy to forget Tavi is just a kid because she's such a genius. It's just a blog. And it's a great blog that has some great pieces of writing. It's scary that she has to fend for herself against these professional, adult egomaniacal writers (because all writers are egomaniacs).

Some of fave lines in fave movie of the decade

Beatrix Kiddo: You pretty good with that shotgun?

Karen: Not that I have to be at this range, but I'm a fuckin' surgeon with this shotgun.

B: Well, guess what, bitch? I'm better than Annie Oakley. And I got you right in my sight.

K: I could blow your fuckin' head off.

B: Not before I put one right between your eyes, so let's talk.

Shoot. Me. Now.

Frankly, the February issue is quite good, despite January being kind of shitty. But given that January is ancient history and I don't see why anyone should dwell upon that, let's focus on the February issue, which is actually also history. It's somewhere between not bad and good. So f--- the HK T---ism B---d! And people who are all like, "can you not make any mistakes at all ever when it comes to freaking museum opening hours, lone writer/editor/gatekeeper between correct and slightly incorrect information?", fuck you! GRR! F--- museums!

Suddenly it's February (but of course).

I really should be getting work done right now, but I really wanted to make a list of my 10 favorite movies of the decade before it's suddenly July. Which might be thought of as a lame reason for skipping lunch, but that's exactly what I'm doing now. Funny thing is, I quickly wrote down four movies just off the top of my head:

-Kill Bill Vol. 2

-In Bruges

-Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

-The Departed

The phrase "off the top of my head" is rather apt, seeing as how these four movies all feature a lot of gratuitous violence (and rambly dialogue). Well OK, I would describe it as "hilarious violence," but that's because I have a warped mind.

Then with the top off, I decided to dig deeper into my brain's archives of pleasurable movie experiences, as well as take a quick look online to check what movies came out over the decade, just to make sure I didn't forget ones from earlier on. Here's what I have in no particular order (warning: I am lowbrow): M:I:3, X2, Waitress, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Gladiator, Amelie, all three Bourne movies, Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Star Trek, Casino Royale, Atonement, Catch Me If You Can. It surprised me that Amelie only came out in the noughties! And I must note that I haven't seen many movies that would be classified as late 2009. Anyway... by no means definitive and final, but my 10 Favorite Movies of the Decade:

1. Kill Bill Vol. 2

2. Amelie

3. In Bruges

4. Lost in Translation

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

6. The Departed

7. Waitress

8. A Very Long Engagement

9. The Dark Knight

10. Catch Me If You Can

Honorable Mention for most played DVD: Mean Girls (half-kidding... a small half)