Pardis Parker

Louis CK, acting badly

pardis — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:59:32 +0000

Louis CK’s bad acting promo for his FX show, Louie, featuring the incomparable Matthew Broderick (I challenge you to compare him).

FYI: FWIW, it’s way funnier if you just listen to it radio-style.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks to Dylan for the tip.

Commuter and Scooter, a photo exhibit from Shehab Illyas

pardis — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:33:04 +0000

Friend and frequent collaborator Shehab Illyas, a fellow Sri Lankan, one third of Halifax alt-pop trio Mir, and one half of the Halifax duo who run recording studio The Shire, also happens to be a talented photographer.

This collection, Commuter and Scooter, is a byproduct of his passion for Italian scooters, his preferred mode of transportation:

I have always had a fascination with the design aesthetics of Italian scooters. With the environmental realities city dwellers face in the present day, a growing number have turned to riding scooters as an alternate means of transportation to the four-wheeled automobile. Having acquired a scooter a few years ago, I discovered a small but tight-knit “scootering” community in Halifax. Although the people themselves came from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles, they each formed strong connections with their scooters. To these people the scooter represented an expression of their identity; every subtle design nuance communicated a facet of their own personality and attitude. Riders of vintage scooters in particular went through great lengths to keep what to some may seem an impractical vehicle in good working order. A subculture of riders has emerged in pockets all over Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia. For these people, their vehicle of choice influences what clothes they wear, what music they listen to, amongst many other aspects of their daily lives.

This presentation explores the connection between classic Italian motor scooters and the people who ride them, and focuses on capturing the very personal bonds riders have with their scooters as an extension of themselves and their personality.

I had the opportunity to check the entire collection out in person at The Gallery at Fred (2606 Agricola Street in Halifax) a few weeks ago. It’s pretty great. The exhibit’s been extended for a few more weeks, I believe, so if you have the opportunity to check it out, I strongly suggest you do. If not, here’s a taste of what you’re missing:

From TED: Maz Jobrani

pardis — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:13:57 +0000

Maz Jobrani, talking about how he uses comedy to address racial stereotypes, from his presentation at the TEDGlobal 2010 Conference in Oxford, England, this past July: Related posts:Best. Thing. Ever. Puma – Hardchorus – Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply” Kevin Spacey, Impersonator Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps looks pretty outstanding Related posts:Best. Thing. Ever. Puma – Hardchorus – Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply” Kevin Spacey, Impersonator Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps looks pretty outstanding

Part of me thinks I would have been good at this if it had been a thing when I was growing up

pardis — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:14:42 +0000

The parkour stylings of Phil and Kie, as captured by Ampisound (aka Scott Bass):

Click here to view the embedded video.

And seriously, I totally think I would have been good at this. Totally. Totally seriously. It just wasn’t a thing when I was a kid. Only reason I’m not good at it, now. Can’t be good at it if it wasn’t a thing…as the saying goes.

Friend and photographer Jarnah Montersino in Cambodia

pardis — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:57:57 +0000

I’ve known Jarnah for years. We first met about…12…13?…years ago, in Phoenix, I believe. Since then we’ve run into each other in Australia, Israel, and I’m fairly certain at least one city in Canada.

These are a few photos from her time in Cambodia. She was working there about a year ago with ChildSafe, a child protection project, providing training and capacity building for local staff.

Lucky for us she brought her camera.

You can see more of Jarnah’s work at her website, www.jarnah.com, where she has photos from her time in Honduras, Samoa, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, and China that “capture and reinforce my understanding of the oneness of the world and mankind.”

Enjoy.

Unreleased Lauryn Hill joint – Repercussions

pardis — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:44:25 +0000

The world can never have too much Lauryn Hill.

Repercussions, an unreleased song by Ms. Hill, which was leaked online about a month ago:

And, for good measure, my favourite Lauryn Hill song, To Zion, from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill:

One more? OK. War in the Mind, from MTV Unplugged No. 2.0:

Mallakhamb: Indian boys are better strippers than you are

pardis — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:14:03 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

So apparently this is a thing. Extreme pole dancing. Makes sense, I guess. When your country has a billion people, you’re bound to find a few gymnasts who look at a tree trunk and think, “I could dance that.”

House with a view

pardis — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:48:23 +0000

This is the Iseami House – a completely energy self-sufficient residence in Playa Carate, Costa Rica, designed by Juan Robles and his team at Robles Arquitectos – courtesy of ArchiDaily.

I’m not super crazy about the house itself, but the way it’s positioned in the mountainside and takes advantage of both the valley and ocean views is breathtaking.

If you really want to have fun, slowly zoom out on the map below to see where it’s located in the world. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Method Actor

pardis — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:51:33 +0000

The poster for Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix’s mockumentary, I’m Still Here, about the year Phoenix spent pretending that he retired from acting to pursue a career as a rapper.

You can’t pretend it doesn’t at least look a little interesting.

The Ooks of Hazzard cover MGMT’s Kids…with ukuleles

pardis — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:59:01 +0000

There’s something particularly heartwarming about this video. I can’t put my finger on what, exactly, but it’s the type of thing that makes you feel good as you watch it.

The Ooks of Hazzard is a nine-piece ukulele ensemble from Los Angeles. This is their version of Kids, originally from MGMT.

Enjoy:

Click here to view the embedded video.