30 Years Ago, the Music Died.

On December 8, 1980 John Lennon was shot and killed outside of his home in New York’s Upper West Side, 6 months later I made my way into this world and my parents named me Julia.

Photo of The Beatles while in India

My parent’s were big Beatles fans, some of my earliest memories of music was of the Beatles and of course my parent’s named me after one of their songs, Julia.  It’s a beautiful song and apparently Lennon wrote while he was visiting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi‘s ashram in Rishikesh.  The song reminds me of many things, youth, my parents, school teachers when I was young and one man I loved, though it was unrequited.  The Beatles are at the core of who I am and I am sad John Lennon was taken out of this world before I was part of it.  He was an amazing musician and writer.  I figured I would share some of my favorite songs of his.

Of course the song I was named after:

The song my mother used to sing to me when I was little:

One of the best friggin’ rock ‘n roll songs ever written:

A song I loved to play on my guitar, very Indian inspired:

I could post these forever but I can’t, so I won’t.

In Treatment: Sunil

I decided to watch the HBO program In Treatment for the first time last night.  For those of you who haven’t seen or heard about this show, it’s a drama that follow several characters through half hour therapy sessions with Gabriel Byrne as the star Psychologist.  I’ve heard terrific things and also listened to an interview of Bryne on Fresh Air and have been wanting to watch.

I caught an episode last night about Sunil.  Sunil, played by Irrfan Khan, is a middle-aged Indian man living with his son and daughter-in-law in America.  He moved to US after the death of his wife about 6 months ago.  He is having some issues feeling alienated in his son’s home mostly because they live a very western life and his son is married to a white American, Julia, which obviously really grabbed me.  It’s a very complex story and I decided to go back and watch his first episode On Demand.  I would highly suggest anyone with access to HBO On Demand to watch all episodes staring Sunil.  The story seems true to the lives many of my readers lead a clash of cultures and generations plus some heavy story behind it.

Here is a character clip of Sunil:

Indian Inspired Decor

Well it’s been resolved, I signed a lease and paid for an apartment yesterday.  This is a first for me, I will be living on my own, no roomates, just me and the cat.  Its a cute loft in a not-so-amazing part of town, whatever, I can afford it!

So I am thinking I would love to decorate with some Indian inspiration.  The gaudiness of bright color and shimmering metallics suits me quite well, even if I don’t show it in my clothing in public! I have high loft ceilings and one big red brick wall.  I think orange would be the perfect color to accent.

Has anyone else decorated with Indian inspiration?  I am looking for some ideas because interior design has never been my strength and there doesn’t seem to be much out there!