Sunday, October 6, 2024
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Just so you know, I'm not really into pop music but Taylor Swift's Folklore album is something that made me into a TS fan. I've been listening to her music for years and enjoyed her popular ditties but never considered myself a proper Swiftie. Her previous albums were fun and catchy pop music memoirs about her love life and famous exes. Her cats fascinate me though and I hope she writes songs about them in the future.
So what's the backstory about my favorite Taylor Swift album? COVID-19 pandemic happened and Folklore was a by product of Taylor's time in isolation. As expected, the restrictions and boredom imposed by the pandemic forced her to turn her energy inwards and hence this hauntingly introspective indie-folk inspired album came into existence. The pandemic spurred a lot of creative innovations and Folklore is a brilliant example of that.
I listened to this album in its entirety while watching the Folklore Long Pond Sessions documentary on Disney+ where Taylor sings all the songs in the album while giving the audience snippets of her creative process. Recorded at Long Pond Studio in the forested area of Hudson Valley in New York, this album is refreshingly raw and heartfelt.
For a lot of musicians, the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time to make new music but not for Taylor Swift. In reference to her recent song from the Tortured Poets Department "I Can Do it with a Broken Heart" she sings:
I cry a lot, but I am so productive, it's an artYou know you're good when you can even do it with a broken heart.
Come hell or high water, heartbreak, pandemic, or an on-going world tour, Swift continues to do what she does best- write brilliant lyrics with an addictive and memorable hook.
As the cover of the album suggests, the loneliness, isolation and limited movement brought about by the pandemic inspired a creative cocooning in the woods (we mean this both literally and figuratively) that produced a beautifully bare boned collection of songs that relies heavily on minimalist musical instrumentation and soulful vocals. Proving her critics wrong, Folklore is an undeniable showcase of Swift's songwriting and storytelling genius.
I'm not going to dissect every line of her songs and its corresponding thematic interpretation but I will write about how these songs can feel better than therapy.
MY FAVE TRACKS
The 1 and Cardigan are almost on the same musical latitude in terms of tone and tempo. I suspect these are twin songs. One song is not enough to express the hurt of heartbreak, break-ups and what-ifs.
August is an upbeat summer anthem about a short-lived summer romance or fling. Sweet and bittersweet.
My Tears Ricochet- The saddest song in the album that will put you on an emotional wringer. Very cathartic.
Mirrorball- I love this song for what it is and what it is not. If only I can show you every version of yourself tonight.
Betty- Teenage nostalgia that you can look back to when you're 60. The sweetest song in the album.
Exile- A magical duet of Taylor and Bon Iver. Very therapeutic.
The Last Great American Dynasty- This is one of the more upbeat songs in this album. It is inspired by Rebekah Harkness, a Rhode Island socialite whose Holiday House (mansion) was purchased by Taylor. Fun song despite it's true-to-life inspiration.
Friday, October 4, 2024
Edinburgh, Scotland 2022
Ancient medieval buildings, English ivy, bare branches that reach up to the sky. Edinburgh is Dark Academia aesthetics personified. I miss this city this time of year.
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Wednesday, October 2, 2024
If you own indoor cats, it is an unwritten rule and obligation that you have to regularly clean litter boxes on a daily basis- once or even twice a day. Cats hate a dirty rest room, and they may hold their pee if their litter sand is not regularly cleaned resulting to a host of urinary ailments. Open style litter boxes in particular need to be frequently cleaned and emptied of any clumped poo or urine to control odor that may spread throughout the room. If you have multiple indoor cats like I do, more frequent cleaning is needed and it takes a considerable chunk of one's time to sift, dispose, sanitize and deodorize. If you are a fur parent who also loves short, occasional vacations and just can't leave the cats behind (because no one's gonna clean the litter box, right?) then an automatic smart cat litter box is for you. I got mine from Lazada PH after researching and comparing available brands and models. An automatic cat litter box may cost more than a manual washing machine but it is worth it in the long run. Imagine all the time and energy you can save!
Anyhow, it was only recently that I discovered the magic of automatic self-cleaning smart cat litter boxes! I could have purchased one earlier if I was aware such thing was available in the local online market.
Here are the reasons why getting a smart cat litter box is a good idea: The machine can self-clean for a number of days as per your desired setting in the smart cat litter box online app. The waste bin has a specially fitted plastic bag that's easy to dispose of. It has a deodorizing function as well. The litter box also weighs the cat every time it enters the barrel to do its business.
If you travel for a few days, you won't have to worry about stinky clumped nuggets that remain uncollected. Best of all, you can monitor all the excretion activities of your furry ones via the smart cat box app! Pair an auto cat litter box with a Levoit pet air purifier for extra clean air.
What I also like about the auto litter box is that the barrel can be detached from its platform. It can be washed and deep cleaned before putting in fresh litter sand. I do deep cleaning twice a month to keep bacteria and funky smells at bay.
Thanks to this wonderful invention I now have more time to play with my furry babies! Smart cat litter boxes are available on Lazada, Shopee and Amazon.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
YouTube, Pinterest and bookstores (Fully Booked and NBS) are my little oases of mindful distraction. When things get unbearably boring and uninspired, I reach for a cup of peppermint tea and escape into the rabbit hole of cottage core lifestyle videos, dark academia music playlists, classical literature and aesthetic Japanese cakes and cookies on Pinterest. Sometimes, I go on a bookstore run to get intentionally star-struck by famous or popular books that I see online. I often wince at how expensive imported books could get. Books at Fully Booked are quite pricey but if you understand the economics behind having to buy a hard-to-find title at Amazon and paying for shipping fee that's more expensive than the book itself, you'd say buying from a brick and mortar store makes more financial sense. Books don't come cheap these days but inspiration is priceless. Anyway, I digress.
Last weekend, I was on the hunt for Lucius Seneca's Letters from a Stoic. It's a book club recommendation from this Youtube channel that I follow. Luckily, I did find the paperback version at a student-friendly price. I have a Kindle version of this book but like any bibliophile, I want the paper version in my hands. Seneca's Letters from a Stoic is a must-read book for a philosophy inclined soul or for a drifter lost in the limbo of life. If you find your moral compass weakening, this book will straighten you out and give you that much-needed whack in the ass.
Inspired by the works of ancient philosophers, Accepting the Universe is a vlog that explores philosophic ideals that resonate with the modern world. The person behind the vlog is handsome, nameless intellectual reputed to be a talented film maker. I am drawn towards his refined, soft spoken demeanor and sharp intellect. He has explored a myriad of topics of life changing implications. Devoid of any annoying life coach sensibilities, he simply speaks about wisdom distilled from the ages and shares them with viewers. He is heavily influenced by Seneca and Epictetus, ancient philosophers whose writings I need to get re-acquainted with. Somewhere in his talks, I was able to remember a couple of quotations on the meaning of life and how to remain simple in world awash with materialism and excess.
1. "The meaning of life is to give life meaning."- Viktor Frankl2. "Hunger is cheap, the palate is expensive." -Seneca
I have never been the type to ruminate over the profound sayings of dead, white men (especially those German dudes). However, in this age of anxiety and confusion, their wisdom and precepts reassuringly hold water than silly Internet rhetorics that poke fun at postmodernist ideals.
Accepting the universe is just what the doctor ordered. Take the good with the shitty. I've officially reached mid-life and whether I like it or not, I get hit with existential questions bouncing from all directions. It's reassuring to know that despite my erstwhile mid-life angst and existentialist whinings, there's something like Letters from a Stoic to provide perspective and guidance.
Saturday, September 28, 2024
My potting shed or the Shed Shed as IKEA succinctly puts it is my little refuge from the world. A tad bigger than a phone booth, it houses my gardening tool and my revolving collection of knick knacks that spark joy. Men may have their man caves to retreat to when they need to lick their wounds. Women on the other hand have their "she sheds" to recharge and nurture their souls.
September has arrived and the "ber" months are my favorite time of the year. I may live in a quintessential tropical world but I'll always be a four season kind of girl who loves to change along with ebbs and tides of nature. Autumn will always be the coziest season of the soul and women will always be drawn to this season whatever latitude they are in.
My mini pumpkin decors are out again and my soul is happy.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Aside from Spotify, I love YouTube's extensive seasonal music playlist. It's September and what comes mind are pumpkin pie lattes, hot chocolate and everything warm and cozy. Would you like to get into that autumn frame of mind? Check out these beautiful playlists for pure relaxation. Click on the image to access. Happy September!
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
It seems like it was only yesterday that I visited Sanrio Puroland to visit Hello Kitty for her 40th birthday and this year she's already celebrating her 50th anniversary. How fast time flies! I may be getting older but Hello Kitty will always remain the cute anthropomorphic cat that she is. We won't be able to fly to Tokyo this year but we can celebrate Hello Kitty and her Sanrio pals with a box of Hello Kitty x Krispy Kreme! Very cute and yummy donuts that are a delight in every bite.
Get these cute Sanrio themed donuts at your nearest Krispy Kreme store. These are limited edition donuts so get them while you can!
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
I believe in the adage, Mother Nature knows best!
All the while I thought my Monstera Deliciosa acquired during the pandemic would wither and die. I placed it indoors for a year and sadly noticed its stunted growth. One morning I decided to bring it out in the garden for it to bask in warm sunshine. The rainy days came and its daily bath of monsoon rain surprisingly nourished its roots. Soon I started to see leaves unfurling. In due time, it bloomed to what it is today--a beautiful plant with luxuriant leaves.
If you have an indoor plant that's struggling to bloom, take it outdoors and let nature do its magic. You'll thank me later.
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