I fell in love with the word 'stealth' when I first read it in an email in one of my old Yahoo Groups. It's the same kind of love I have for words like 'beyond' or 'passion' or 'horizon.'
'Stealth' spells like an old, rich European on The Sartorialist, sounds like a Margiela, feels like Godiva in the tongue, and conjures up a story all its own. I like my words that way - so much so that I look forward to using 'stealth' in my writing, even in passing.
Perhaps the reason why I adore (and am intrigued by) the word is because it is a juxtaposition next to the person I have been in recent years. I am anything but stealth, and hoards of people from university, church, family, and work can attest to that. There is nothing stealth in preaching, teaching, getting published, and yakking in front of kliegs.
Unlike 'beyond', 'passion', or 'horizon', however, my love for 'stealth' is aspirational. (I've seen horizons, looked beyond, fallen prey to or ignited passion.) Stealth is like saying 'I love Dior Homme' but never really having a thread of Hedi Slimane in your wardrobe or saying 'I heart Greece' without the passport stamp that galvanizes the experience.
Then, stealth happens. And hard. All of sudden, it is no longer that chain-smoking well-dressed man standing on a cobblestone street in Corsica, understated yet luxurious jacket, or designer candy. Stealth ceases to be an aspiration. Stealth becomes you, becomes your own story.
Music
The kids from 2007 are back. Mika and Paolo Nutini are back with their respective sophomore albums!
Mika's 'We Are Golden' remains true to the pomp and kitsch of earlier hits like 'Love Today' and 'Grace Kelly.' I can imagine the irrepressible singer belting the single on a pulpit, backed by a multi-racial choir. Epic, if you will.
If his new single 'Candy' is any indication, Paolo Nutini took a longer stroll down the folk route in his second album 'Sunny Side Up.' It has, IMHO, a love-it-or-hate-it type of sound. Music-wise, this type of an ambivalence gets my vote.
Movies
The latest crop of fashion-inspired movies seems deserving of all the hype. Audrey Tautou's take on the young life of one of the most influential designers of all time, Sasha Baron Cohen's lampoon of fashion journalism, and Anna Wintour's ice queen existence have me anticipating with delight!
Historical: Coco Avant Chanel (Coco Before Chanel)
Satirical: Bruno
Real: The September Issue
If you had one day to spend $100,000 - and you had to spend it totally selfishly - what would you buy?
That is big money in the Philippines. ('Round PHP4.7M.) Hmmm...what to buy?
Could be any of the following:
- Condo Unit - I've tried it before and I enjoyed it. If I had that much money, I'd love to get a unit in the building where I used to live, or anywhere in the same neighborhood. Corner unit, 1 bedroom. I miss the thrill of living independently and breathing on my own terms. Nevermind if I won't have any more money for furniture. I lived in a sparse unit before and still had a blast. Plus, minimalism (and the whole 90s ethos) will be back after all this 80s overkill.
- Car - Yeah, I ought to get myself a car by now. It's just that I have no mean adult savings account to boast of. It doesn't really matter what make or model, but I want it to be an SUV.
- Macbook and Airline Tickets - I'll bundle the two and plan the ultimate getaway. Been wanting to visit and blog from Europa and Latin America eversince I could remember.
- Retail Overload - I am so ready to buy all the clothes and accessories my $100,000 could get. That's truckloads of Paul Smith, Fred Perry, Lanvin, Etro, and Marc Jacobs already! There's H&M, Old Navy and Topman, too. I'll definitely get stuff made by local designers like Joey Samson and Ivar Aseron. And one item from Hermes for good measure.
Geez. Give me those dollars now!
