Memphis Hi-Lites: Godias Interiors

Memphis is a city that has its share of problems, but if we always look at the dark then we can only see what is right in front of us. In order to be a visionary we must see miles ahead and use our peripheral vision to make an accurate analysis. I am going to start looking for the good in Memphis and publishing it here in the Memphis Hi-Lites section. I may not be able to change the perception of the city, I sometimes have the most negative perception anyway, but I can contribute something to the betterment of Memphis 10. Up first is not an eatery or party location, but a home decor store:
Godias Interiors
4780 Riverdale R. Suite 9
Memphis, TN. 38141
godiasinteriors@bellsouth.net
901-755-9315
Hours: M-F 12 noon to 7pm, Sat. 10:30-7pm


My family is built around the kids. Our house does not have any semblance of elegance or art. There are multicolored blocks all over the house, balls, dolls, and books everywhere. I have given up on the idea of a stately manor, but if I had my choice to furnish the house to have guests over or to hold literary workshops, I'd go to Godias. Godias has an assortment of brass, metal, and wooden furnishings that look like art from various cultures and regions: Asian and Indian influences are in abundance and African art, American paintings and carvings standout amongst counches with materials like suede, leather and woven fabrics.

The owners Reginald and Yvonne Douglas have created a cluttered slice of heavenly design that is nice to just walk through and admire and to purchase. The one slice of the good life I admired the most was a chess table and there was only one there. I think when time permits, I'll go back and try to grab it before some other chess lover gets it.

Slide through and check out Godias Interiors, I'm sure you will appreciate the service and your support will be appreciated.

Get To Know... Blitz The Ambassador

Every now and then there a no words needed when telling you about a music artist. While hitting up okayplayer I ran across this video and in a way the artistic value of this music and video can't be rated. So with no further discussion take a few minutes and listen to this. It's refreshing to have an emcee utilize his voice in this manner. The hook almost reminds me of Talib's 'Just to get by'. Dope track, very dope video.

Something to Believe • Blitz the Ambassador from MVMT on Vimeo.

Inception? Not Yet, but Nolan... Indeed

I've taught film study courses for about two years. In this process I have to admit I have forced my opinion and film choices on students. While I think I have great taste in films, my students didn't seem to agree, but I can't get enough of Slingblade, Ghost Dog, Eraserhead, which a few of my students yacked when they saw (you know the scene) and Ichi the Killer (Ichi was off the record and was not required viewing since I could have really gotten in trouble for the violence in that film.)

But when I got to my modern masters series and introduced Chris Nolan and Batman, we didn't watch Batman, but it was the only way to get the students interested initially, I didn't have to work hard at all to get the interaction level up. Above is the movie photo for Following. A very short Nolan film that I highly recommend. I was going to get all introspective and longwinded in this review but I thought that since everybody is now a bigger Nolan fan due to Inception, which I admittedly have not seen... yet, I think I just need to make the recommendation and get it over with. Following may one of the slickest films created, but while it has its own endearing qualities it is this film that I think makes Nolan one of the greatest storytellers of our generation:


Memento made me forget that Trinity, from the Matrix, was actually an actress and not just the really cool karate kicking chick in black spandex. Carrie Anne Moss, played Trinity by the way. Memento is a film that requires you to actually quit talking, quit eating popcorn and pay attention. But it is the film that I would guess led to Inception and while I haven't seen the movie yet, Guy Pearce probably would have been more engaging in the film than the perpetually young Leo Cap. But like I said I am making this a short entry and recommending for anyone who loves film to hit up Netflix and watch these two Nolan films and then tell me what you think.

"Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee" - book review

I just had to write a review about this book, Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee (Written by Rita Williams-Garcia, Illustrated by Mike Reed), because it has definitely become one of my two-year-old daughter's favorites.

It is a lovely story about a mother-daughter relationship that begins as sort of an adventure. Shemama has to capture the Wild Waiyuuzee and wet her with her jumbo sprayer, oil her with her nut-nut oil and tame her with her "piney pig's tail".

The story ends in a cute surprise that I don't want to give away. This is a story that mothers and daughters (or sons) will be able to relate to and will probably enjoy for years. The book has absolutely gorgeous illustrations that my two-year-old just loves.

I hope you get a chance to purchase and enjoy with your little one!

Purchase from amazon.com: Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee

Austin City Limits: Gnarls Barkley

I honestly don't know when this was shot (2008 it's on the vid duh), but I am really loving what ACL is now doing with the show. If you have not taken the time to support PBS please do so. In the meantime, check out this video of Gnarls Barkley(Theivery Corp. is up next and is definitely worth the time because of the collabos but this is all about Cee-Lo especially since his 3rd solo effort is about to drop). Cee-Lo is one of the most important artists we have right now. I don't think there is a single person alive who sings with as much conviction. Danger Mouse, while reclusiveness is not a precursor to talent he sure does play the role of the shy talent to a tee. His structure on that first Gnarls album is classic and timeless. Is that the same thing? Anyway, enough of me talking check out the video.

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.