When are you most relaxed? What soothes your body and puts your mind at rest?
Ever since I have been a little kid riding in the car at night has been my niche. Being able to sprawl out in the backseat, looking out the window at the dark background whipping by is the most peaceful feeling. A little light music fits perfectly with the sleepy atmosphere. The car ride has to take place in the rural countryside, preferably in the mountains where you can get gorgeous views of the terrain.
The car is my bubble of safety. It is warm and comforting, whereas the woods around me are dark and somewhat ominous. With not a care in the world you can fall asleep or if you prefer you can reflect while looking up at the bright stars. The stars have mesmerized me many a time in the back of my mom's saturn. I have been blessed enough to make several peaceful trips through the Applachian Mountains with my head tilt back blankly staring at the world.
Monday, November 23, 2009
11/16
While all the interviewees of the documentary were vital to the overall piece, there was one star of the show. Henry Rollins was that star. Perhaps it was his charming favorite one-liner, "fuck" that grabbed my attention. For whatever reason, Rollins is just an angry individual and you can tell by his demeanor. Everything from his posture to the tight black shirt he wears screams attitude. His presence is commanding. If I was not scared to death of the man, I would want to meet him. Black Flag is one of my favorite punk bands and I respect them and Henry Rollins for their hardcore roots.
11/13
The documentary Punk: Attitude gives great insight into the true depth of the genre. Several of the bands highlighted in the film I have heard of before like the Clash, the Ramones, Black Flag, the MC5, the Velvet Underground, the Sex Pistols, the New York Dolls, and Sonic Youth. There were also several bands though that I have never heard like the Slits, the Heartbreakers, X-Ray Spex, and Siouxsie & the Banshees. The title sums up all that is punk. Punk is truly just attitude. As Henry Rollins stated, "Punk is a state of mind, not a type of dress." He was referring to all the wannabe punk kids who purposely ripped apart their clothes just to safety pin it back together. The movement got somewhat of a bad reputation for the misrepresentation of their interests. True punk rockers disapproved of these young teenage kids calling themselves punk just because they spiked their hair. And parents disapproved of their kids' rebellion.
But parents would never understand it. Punk is doing whatever the fuck you want to do, when you want to do it. It was about paving your own path and speaking up for what you believe in. Don' be afraid to be controversial. The MC5 was insistent upon "kick out the jams MOTHERFUCKER". The New York Dolls were unphased by people bashing them for dressing like women. And the Clash were always itching to express their political opinions through songs such as "Rock the Casbah". Unabashed, raw attitude and the f-bomb make punk what it is.
But parents would never understand it. Punk is doing whatever the fuck you want to do, when you want to do it. It was about paving your own path and speaking up for what you believe in. Don' be afraid to be controversial. The MC5 was insistent upon "kick out the jams MOTHERFUCKER". The New York Dolls were unphased by people bashing them for dressing like women. And the Clash were always itching to express their political opinions through songs such as "Rock the Casbah". Unabashed, raw attitude and the f-bomb make punk what it is.
11/11
Rupert Murdoch is a name that I hear quite alot. And until now I never really understood who he was. Upon googling him and looking through this article, I have found out that he is just another rich snob trying to get money. Murdoch was the founder of News Corp. Through creating the media giant, he has benefited from much of its profits to the tune of a $4 billion net worth. The man is clearly well endowed yet he strives for more.
According to this article, Murdoch would like to file a lawsuit with companies like Google, Microsoft, Ask.com, and the BBC for using clippings from his newspapers. But really how does one not use stories from some of the biggest newspapers in the world? In all reality it really is unavoidable. Murdoch knows this, yet he holds the threat of a lawsuit over their heads. Murdoch is simply one of those wealthy men who gets too much attention because of his money. Like the article states, "Rupert Murdoch knows two modes: doing things and talking about doing things." Murdoch's age may be playing a factor in his stubborn appeal, but he should certainly never be considered down for the count. Even though Murdoch's investment in Myspace is failing rapidly, he is looking to liquidize his assets and start new.
According to this article, Murdoch would like to file a lawsuit with companies like Google, Microsoft, Ask.com, and the BBC for using clippings from his newspapers. But really how does one not use stories from some of the biggest newspapers in the world? In all reality it really is unavoidable. Murdoch knows this, yet he holds the threat of a lawsuit over their heads. Murdoch is simply one of those wealthy men who gets too much attention because of his money. Like the article states, "Rupert Murdoch knows two modes: doing things and talking about doing things." Murdoch's age may be playing a factor in his stubborn appeal, but he should certainly never be considered down for the count. Even though Murdoch's investment in Myspace is failing rapidly, he is looking to liquidize his assets and start new.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
11/9
John Swansburg opens up with a little constructive critism. He commends Richard Kelly's previous attempts at making a blockbuster, referring to "Donnie Darko" and some lesser known earlier films. His support of Kelly noticeably begins to dwindle as he rips apart the plot of "The Box". Swansburg states, "A simple premise and an avowed intent to make a crowd-pleaser-- this could have been the Kelly picture I'd been waiting for. Alas Kelly just can't seem to keep his imaginative id at bay." The inherently simple plot of pushing the button or not is cluttered with little side stories, according to Swansburg compareable to the plot of the televison series "Lost".
The situation the couple is placed in is quite perplexing, especially for modern society because we are so fascinated by wealth. But one has to ask themselves the moral question: Is it really worth it? Answers to this might include: yes, strangers die every day, so what's the difference? or no, I would never risk a life for money. If I were to be posed this dilemma there would be much debate. After a while sitting on it, I would not press the button. It is not simply because I would never risk a life for money. The problem lies within the amount offered. $1 million is simply far too little. Yes, I have morals. It's just that everybody has their price.
The situation the couple is placed in is quite perplexing, especially for modern society because we are so fascinated by wealth. But one has to ask themselves the moral question: Is it really worth it? Answers to this might include: yes, strangers die every day, so what's the difference? or no, I would never risk a life for money. If I were to be posed this dilemma there would be much debate. After a while sitting on it, I would not press the button. It is not simply because I would never risk a life for money. The problem lies within the amount offered. $1 million is simply far too little. Yes, I have morals. It's just that everybody has their price.
Monday, November 9, 2009
11/6
Is it so bad not to give money to a homeless person? But what if they ask for it? Do you feel inclined to for moral reasons? Or perhaps for safety reasons, in the event that they follow you or hassle you in a threatening way?
Panhandling is a huge problem on the streets of Atlanta. I'm quite sure that all of us have had our own personal experiences with this living downtown. The police have recently illegalized such actions, but perhaps I have not lived here long enough to notice a difference. I am still getting hassled walking to class nearly every day. Now I do not mean to turn a cold shoulder to the huge population of homeless people Atlanta has. The overcrowded homeless shelters have already done that.
I mean to target the panhandlers. You know, the ones who go out and hustle blue-collar people out of their hard-earned money. These panhandlers are not the ones who truly need the money. This is just one of their hobbies after a day of work in the office. I have heard such horror stories in which people pretend to be paralyzed in a wheelchair just to sucker others into handing out donations. As I was saying, these monsters are giving the true homeless a bad name. The people that need it the most are the ones who do not ask for it. The person living out of a ratty old blanket under the highway overpass needs the money. The nice old gentleman who holds the door open for everyone at the Shell needs it. Several of us are guilty of often confusing the two, so next time you see a panhandler asking you for money on a street corner, leave that dollar in your pocket and take it out the next block for that lonely man sleeping on the church's stairs.
Panhandling is a huge problem on the streets of Atlanta. I'm quite sure that all of us have had our own personal experiences with this living downtown. The police have recently illegalized such actions, but perhaps I have not lived here long enough to notice a difference. I am still getting hassled walking to class nearly every day. Now I do not mean to turn a cold shoulder to the huge population of homeless people Atlanta has. The overcrowded homeless shelters have already done that.
I mean to target the panhandlers. You know, the ones who go out and hustle blue-collar people out of their hard-earned money. These panhandlers are not the ones who truly need the money. This is just one of their hobbies after a day of work in the office. I have heard such horror stories in which people pretend to be paralyzed in a wheelchair just to sucker others into handing out donations. As I was saying, these monsters are giving the true homeless a bad name. The people that need it the most are the ones who do not ask for it. The person living out of a ratty old blanket under the highway overpass needs the money. The nice old gentleman who holds the door open for everyone at the Shell needs it. Several of us are guilty of often confusing the two, so next time you see a panhandler asking you for money on a street corner, leave that dollar in your pocket and take it out the next block for that lonely man sleeping on the church's stairs.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
11/4
What is the one thing that has sustained humans for thousands of years? What provides us with comfort when we need it most? What would we not be able to live without?
Fire is the root of our beginnings. Cavemen used fire to cook their food, warm their bodies, and secure themselves from dangerous predators. What else is it about fire that makes it so moral lifting? Is it the fact that once you spark that flame there is hope immediately restored to your possibly dismal situtation?
This past weekend I went camping and upon arriving at our campsite after dark we realized that we had misplaced our tent. It was supposed to drop down to a cool 35 degrees that night. We got to setting up an A-frame structure with wet firewood. It took a while but once the smoke came we knew there was hope. Soon the twigs set ablaze and the larger sticks caught thereafter. Everyone was chipper. A simple thing as fire uplifted all of our moods and we soon forgot about not having the tent. We sat fireside and stared at the fire, mesmerized by the embers for 5 hours.
Fire is the root of our beginnings. Cavemen used fire to cook their food, warm their bodies, and secure themselves from dangerous predators. What else is it about fire that makes it so moral lifting? Is it the fact that once you spark that flame there is hope immediately restored to your possibly dismal situtation?
This past weekend I went camping and upon arriving at our campsite after dark we realized that we had misplaced our tent. It was supposed to drop down to a cool 35 degrees that night. We got to setting up an A-frame structure with wet firewood. It took a while but once the smoke came we knew there was hope. Soon the twigs set ablaze and the larger sticks caught thereafter. Everyone was chipper. A simple thing as fire uplifted all of our moods and we soon forgot about not having the tent. We sat fireside and stared at the fire, mesmerized by the embers for 5 hours.
11/2
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/shel_silverstein/poems/14836
Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a poem that has always left quite the impression on me. The content of this poem suggests that innocence is something we are all searching for. We all want to live carefree lives like those of children. Some may consider this a cop-out, arguing that adults need to stick to the sidewalk, the agenda. But I understand Shel's logic regarding a more liberal lifestyle. The average adult NEEDS to stray from their routine every once in a while.
Children in all their glorious innocence harbor no fear towards the real world. Some would say it is ignorance, I would say it is intelligence that they know where the sidewalk ends.
Poetry is still a very important art form. I just believe that with the recent advancements in technology its form of media is changing. The internet, of course, has played a major role. Perhaps it is because I am fresh out of high school, but to me it seems that there are less poetry books being published in the past couple of years. I am not sure whether that has to do with more being documented online or not. Also music, the most prominent source of poetry, is a rapidly growing industry online. These recent changes factor into the evolution of poetry.
Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a poem that has always left quite the impression on me. The content of this poem suggests that innocence is something we are all searching for. We all want to live carefree lives like those of children. Some may consider this a cop-out, arguing that adults need to stick to the sidewalk, the agenda. But I understand Shel's logic regarding a more liberal lifestyle. The average adult NEEDS to stray from their routine every once in a while.
Children in all their glorious innocence harbor no fear towards the real world. Some would say it is ignorance, I would say it is intelligence that they know where the sidewalk ends.
Poetry is still a very important art form. I just believe that with the recent advancements in technology its form of media is changing. The internet, of course, has played a major role. Perhaps it is because I am fresh out of high school, but to me it seems that there are less poetry books being published in the past couple of years. I am not sure whether that has to do with more being documented online or not. Also music, the most prominent source of poetry, is a rapidly growing industry online. These recent changes factor into the evolution of poetry.
Friday, November 6, 2009
10/30
Halloween is awesome. It is complete bullshit that anti-establishment advocators would even protest such a harmless holiday. Halloween is a holiday for all ages to go out and have themselves a good time. It does not have to be expensive. Costumes can be homemade and candy can be recycled. C'mon, you know you have some Halloween candy left over from last year. That is what you give to the trick-or-treaters. You then go trick-or-treating yourself and get the good stuff.
For slightly more mischeivous teenagers there are always more fun events to get yourselves into. Tee-peeing that bitchy girl in your class is a must on this joyous occasion. And no one can pass up the chance to egg underclassmen.
Oh and Halloween in college is even better. You get to do all of these things while sipping on some drank... This year I went as a boxer. I was somewhat unprepared. I regret not getting a better costume ahead of time. It is okay though. I have already gotten a headstart on next year's costume... cupid.
For slightly more mischeivous teenagers there are always more fun events to get yourselves into. Tee-peeing that bitchy girl in your class is a must on this joyous occasion. And no one can pass up the chance to egg underclassmen.
Oh and Halloween in college is even better. You get to do all of these things while sipping on some drank... This year I went as a boxer. I was somewhat unprepared. I regret not getting a better costume ahead of time. It is okay though. I have already gotten a headstart on next year's costume... cupid.
10/28
For today's blog, I would like to discuss sarcasm. Personally I am a big fan. But oftentimes I find myself being sarcastic in inappropriate situations. For example, it is never appropriate to be sarcastic with one's parents. They do NOT find it funny. I can attest to this personally. My sarcasm has gotten me nowhere in arguements and it is currently the reason my mom has cut me off. Do I take it too far? Possibly.
On the other hand I am very critical of other people's sarcasm. I like to think of myself as the king of sarcasm and angst builds up inside of me when I am outdone. My friends have witnessed my aggression when they try and joke. Maybe its a different kind of humor that I harness, or perhaps I have no tolerance for other people's jokes. Narcissistic? Probably.
Sarcasm is a tool we all utilize, teenagers probably too much. It is most certainly a defense mechanism and a way to make people feel better about themselves. Now is this necessarily a bad thing? Not if used with discretion.
On the other hand I am very critical of other people's sarcasm. I like to think of myself as the king of sarcasm and angst builds up inside of me when I am outdone. My friends have witnessed my aggression when they try and joke. Maybe its a different kind of humor that I harness, or perhaps I have no tolerance for other people's jokes. Narcissistic? Probably.
Sarcasm is a tool we all utilize, teenagers probably too much. It is most certainly a defense mechanism and a way to make people feel better about themselves. Now is this necessarily a bad thing? Not if used with discretion.
10/26
I certainly do not doubt the insanity of said musical geniuses. They are crazy about their love-music. Bichet nearly killing a man just to prove that he was confident in his musical ability cannot be overlooked. All the great artists are known to have an unmatched passion for their work. If anything should come in between them then there shall be hell to pay. Oftentimes this is misconceived for being clinically insane.
While some may want to discharge or downgrade the correlation of insanity and talent, they would be sorely mistaken. Abstract minds such as those in the music industry have experienced troubling issues not only feeding the talent but also the insanity. For instance, Biggie (a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G.) rapped about growing up a "fucking screw up", referring to his impoverished, drug-trafficking, hood. He used his personal experience to make it to the big time, but at the peak of it all he was gunned down by the very subject of most of his songs. Okay so perhaps that is not the best example. But how then how do you explain Kurt Cobain? He danced the line between talent and insanity nearly all his life, often mixing the two with the help of his drug addiction. He was known for using LSD and more infamously heroin, which eventually killed him.
History has proven that musical geniuses and geniuses of any kind for that matter are extremely gifted in their art, but also have considerable trouble in other aspects of their life.
While some may want to discharge or downgrade the correlation of insanity and talent, they would be sorely mistaken. Abstract minds such as those in the music industry have experienced troubling issues not only feeding the talent but also the insanity. For instance, Biggie (a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G.) rapped about growing up a "fucking screw up", referring to his impoverished, drug-trafficking, hood. He used his personal experience to make it to the big time, but at the peak of it all he was gunned down by the very subject of most of his songs. Okay so perhaps that is not the best example. But how then how do you explain Kurt Cobain? He danced the line between talent and insanity nearly all his life, often mixing the two with the help of his drug addiction. He was known for using LSD and more infamously heroin, which eventually killed him.
History has proven that musical geniuses and geniuses of any kind for that matter are extremely gifted in their art, but also have considerable trouble in other aspects of their life.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
10/23
I want to fly. I want to jump of a cliff and fly. No this is not a pcp-inspired dream. This is on my bucket list. Before I die I will fly.
The sport is called wingsuit flying. Jumpers use a special wingsuit to glide through the air. It is different than your average skydive or base jump in the sense that the wingsuit slows you down so as to give you more free-fall time. The suit's wings catch the air and make it easier for you to control the direction of travel. I first saw videos of the sport a long time ago and ever since have been intrigued. Recently I learned more, when 60 minutes aired a piece on it. Apparently these divers not only have to be experienced jumpers, but also experienced climbers because oftentimes where they jump from is not accessible by automobile.
The dangers of this sport kind of go without saying. 200 mph freefalls only inches from death may sound intimidating to the average person, but to these thrillseekers it is just another day in the office.
The sport is called wingsuit flying. Jumpers use a special wingsuit to glide through the air. It is different than your average skydive or base jump in the sense that the wingsuit slows you down so as to give you more free-fall time. The suit's wings catch the air and make it easier for you to control the direction of travel. I first saw videos of the sport a long time ago and ever since have been intrigued. Recently I learned more, when 60 minutes aired a piece on it. Apparently these divers not only have to be experienced jumpers, but also experienced climbers because oftentimes where they jump from is not accessible by automobile.
The dangers of this sport kind of go without saying. 200 mph freefalls only inches from death may sound intimidating to the average person, but to these thrillseekers it is just another day in the office.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
10/21
While I have never heard of Stax Records, I have heard of nearly all the artists to come from their studios. The great Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. and the MGs are among the most prominent artists to come from this soulful record company. Stax Records took the once controversial work of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Solomon Burke and made their music more widely accepted by the masses. The Memphis laid back feel eased people's minds and broadened their horizons.
Stax Records helped bridge the gap between the races in the 1960s. White people were for the first time intrigued by what was widely considered African American music. The smooth sounds of this era soon spread amongst all races coast to coast. There is no questioning Stax's great influence on the present day music scene. As the article states there would probably be no rap or even some rock if Stax Records did not exist.
Stax Records helped bridge the gap between the races in the 1960s. White people were for the first time intrigued by what was widely considered African American music. The smooth sounds of this era soon spread amongst all races coast to coast. There is no questioning Stax's great influence on the present day music scene. As the article states there would probably be no rap or even some rock if Stax Records did not exist.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
10/19
This past weekend I went to go see what all the hype was about. Where the Wild Thing Are was awesomely indie. "The line for Where the Wild Things Are looks like Radiohead had sex with Urban Outfitters" accurately describes the people whom director Spike Jonze was attempting to attract. The commercials, while appealing to little kids, suggest a deeper underlying meaning. It makes those of us who remember reading the book as a child question why we are still longing to get away from it all. Why can't we live on an island like Max?
Author Maurice Sendak exposes the trials and tribulations of everyday life via this little boy who gets in an argument with his mother and runs away. An island with crazy looking "monsters" becomes his home away from home. But these monsters are not normal. They are mysteriously simplistic beings whose sole desire is to have fun. And so Max leads them in their carefree frolicks through the trees.
But all good things must come to an end. The stress of becoming a leader and having to please everyone can be come too great a pressure, especially on an 8 year old. Jonze's colorful cinematography and Sendak's blissful writing style were the reason for such an eclectic group of people who ordinarily would have scoffed at paying $10 to go see a movie.
Author Maurice Sendak exposes the trials and tribulations of everyday life via this little boy who gets in an argument with his mother and runs away. An island with crazy looking "monsters" becomes his home away from home. But these monsters are not normal. They are mysteriously simplistic beings whose sole desire is to have fun. And so Max leads them in their carefree frolicks through the trees.
But all good things must come to an end. The stress of becoming a leader and having to please everyone can be come too great a pressure, especially on an 8 year old. Jonze's colorful cinematography and Sendak's blissful writing style were the reason for such an eclectic group of people who ordinarily would have scoffed at paying $10 to go see a movie.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
10/16
Jon Stewart gives the general public knowledge of current events, whereas the basic news channels and shows do not. Glenn Beck was merely reiterating generic republican views on how he should keep his estate. The CNN video with Michael Moore was just an argument. It was clear that no progress was being made and watching the video any further would result in a migraine. Speidi is just a sad representation of where Americans views of "news" are today. Stuck up on celebrities, we have fixed are brains to believe that this pop culture crap is vital to our everyday well-being.
The Daily Show, while being biased at times, is an excellent source of current events. They have discovered a way to deliver the news to the average American without it being too boring. In this case a clever title: Rape-Nuts, drew my attention. This video was no different than what is expected of the Daily Show. The Republican target this time was Senator Al Franken and his anti-rape bill. Jon Stewart uses tidbits of newscasts to broadcast the "true" elements of the story to his audience, and he adds his two sense in at the end of each clip. While his delivery method may be biased, it does its job in generating viewers.
The Daily Show, while being biased at times, is an excellent source of current events. They have discovered a way to deliver the news to the average American without it being too boring. In this case a clever title: Rape-Nuts, drew my attention. This video was no different than what is expected of the Daily Show. The Republican target this time was Senator Al Franken and his anti-rape bill. Jon Stewart uses tidbits of newscasts to broadcast the "true" elements of the story to his audience, and he adds his two sense in at the end of each clip. While his delivery method may be biased, it does its job in generating viewers.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
10/14
Overall this is terrible for music. Artists will be far too concerned with making every song a pop hit that will make them rich. What makes music good is the classic album that we see little of these days; the album that maybe has one hit single that unfairly overshadows the genius of the rest of the album. I find that more and more greatest hits albums are being released, so as to generate more revenue by giving people what they want to hear. Even Radiohead, a band known for their extreme distaste for mainstream music, now has a greatest hits album. To me its like, what's the point? What makes music so good is the variety. We need music that downright sucks, so as to make other artists and tracks all that much more enjoyable.
To me the problem is already evident in hip-hop music. The focus has been centered on making a catchy beat and less upon the lyrics in the song. Artists like Soulja Boy and Travis Porter are perfect examples of this mass movement down the slippery slope towards "fake" hip-hop. Are lyrics gonna be thrown out all together? What's next?
I am also thrown as to what this will mean for heavy metal artists. Will their genre be abolished entirely seeing as they don't have as great a following as others? Or will they transform themselves into marketable, Metallica imitators?
I shudder to think about the future of rock. If rock looses its grit and attitude then it might as well be grouped side by side with pop or worse yet, country. Oh god!
To me the problem is already evident in hip-hop music. The focus has been centered on making a catchy beat and less upon the lyrics in the song. Artists like Soulja Boy and Travis Porter are perfect examples of this mass movement down the slippery slope towards "fake" hip-hop. Are lyrics gonna be thrown out all together? What's next?
I am also thrown as to what this will mean for heavy metal artists. Will their genre be abolished entirely seeing as they don't have as great a following as others? Or will they transform themselves into marketable, Metallica imitators?
I shudder to think about the future of rock. If rock looses its grit and attitude then it might as well be grouped side by side with pop or worse yet, country. Oh god!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
10/12
I chose the paradox video. The video changes my perspective on artists. I have always been under the impression that artists are just hipsters desperately searching for a way for their artwork to be loved by all, yet still considered indie. When I watched the video I soon realized I was sorely mistaken (or at least in the case of these artists). They seemed to thoroughly enjoy the medium through which they got to express their abstract pieces.
The first guy, Mark Bradford, is not your typical urban graffiti artist. He is a little bit more cutting-edge. His medium is recycled flyers posted up around the hood. He scrapes them off and sands them down and arranges them to tell a story. His labor-intensive work tells stories from a variety of cultures, from being an African American during the Civil Rights movement to walking the overcrowded streets of present day India.
While I am not a fan of theater in any way, shape or form, I found myself intrigued by Catherine Sullivan's artwork. She created plays that did not involve a normal type of actor. The acting required for her pieces can best be described as sporadic and impromptu. The result was actually quite terrifying. She herself explained, "(it's) meant to be scary because it's arbitrary". This did not calm my nerves anymore, but made me wonder why she would create such a shocking piece. She further justified her abstract thinking by stating she takes pride in simulating events she has no direct involvement in, purely to make her artwork unstable, and thereby more surprising.
Some might say Robert Ryman was more dull than the rest of the artists showcased here, but I call bullshit. Ryman's age is shown through wise words such as his personal philosophy: "painting something has to look easy, even though it might not be easy." Through his white artwork he solves problems and leaves his audience with a soft, quiet, and visually soothing experience.
The last couple, Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, caught my eye, not just because of Jennifer's beauty. They work on live-action symbolic structures. Both strong advocates of free speech, they display this in their structures. One structure was an enormous pieces of chalk which they placed in a square in Peru. Droves of people walked up and not only expressed their distaste for the political leadersip in Peru but also anything on their mind. It was cool to see something inherently considered juvenile to be used by people of all ages.
The first guy, Mark Bradford, is not your typical urban graffiti artist. He is a little bit more cutting-edge. His medium is recycled flyers posted up around the hood. He scrapes them off and sands them down and arranges them to tell a story. His labor-intensive work tells stories from a variety of cultures, from being an African American during the Civil Rights movement to walking the overcrowded streets of present day India.
While I am not a fan of theater in any way, shape or form, I found myself intrigued by Catherine Sullivan's artwork. She created plays that did not involve a normal type of actor. The acting required for her pieces can best be described as sporadic and impromptu. The result was actually quite terrifying. She herself explained, "(it's) meant to be scary because it's arbitrary". This did not calm my nerves anymore, but made me wonder why she would create such a shocking piece. She further justified her abstract thinking by stating she takes pride in simulating events she has no direct involvement in, purely to make her artwork unstable, and thereby more surprising.
Some might say Robert Ryman was more dull than the rest of the artists showcased here, but I call bullshit. Ryman's age is shown through wise words such as his personal philosophy: "painting something has to look easy, even though it might not be easy." Through his white artwork he solves problems and leaves his audience with a soft, quiet, and visually soothing experience.
The last couple, Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, caught my eye, not just because of Jennifer's beauty. They work on live-action symbolic structures. Both strong advocates of free speech, they display this in their structures. One structure was an enormous pieces of chalk which they placed in a square in Peru. Droves of people walked up and not only expressed their distaste for the political leadersip in Peru but also anything on their mind. It was cool to see something inherently considered juvenile to be used by people of all ages.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
10/9
What does it mean to have swag? I here people claim they have swag everyday, yet no one can give me a true definition. Some people say it means style, as in how a person walks, talks, and dresses. But if that is the case then can't everybody have a different definition of swag? I think my three year old tennis shoes are swaggerific. Others might frown at three day old Nike's. What specifically makes people so swagged up? Is it ones' shoes, hair, or physical attractiveness?
Generally speaking it seems as if swag is a shallow term. In that case let us turn to the celebrities. Does it refer to people who wear all the latest fashions? Paris Hilton? Or is it associated with the latest hip-hop stars? Soulja Boy? Or perhaps it's the money. But if that is the case, then does Bill Gates have swag? My best bet is all of the above. Lil' Wayne is so swagged out... or is it up... who really cares?
Generally speaking it seems as if swag is a shallow term. In that case let us turn to the celebrities. Does it refer to people who wear all the latest fashions? Paris Hilton? Or is it associated with the latest hip-hop stars? Soulja Boy? Or perhaps it's the money. But if that is the case, then does Bill Gates have swag? My best bet is all of the above. Lil' Wayne is so swagged out... or is it up... who really cares?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
9/30
Like the article concludes, people do not want to be isolated from their friends or family because of their varying political views, so they side with a more neutral opinion. I sympathize with this situation, but at the same time would never vote a different way just because someone told me. I voted differently in the 2008 presidential election than my friends and family. Your vote, just like your religion does not have to be a big deal. You can keep it a secret. And that is where I believe this article is wrong. I don't necessarily believe that more Americans are classifying themselves as atheists, but rather not siding a particular way on a religious issue or strongly identifying with a party.
I, for one, was baptized in the Catholic church. I went to church until I was seven and started putting power rangers action figures in the collection box. Ever since I have slept in Sunday mornings at home. Now would it be correct to say that just because I have ceased going to church I am atheist? Probably if you ask the Catholics. But logistically speaking I have not picked up any other religion. I personally do not affiliate with any sect and I am okay with that. So when America calls me atheist when I should be placed in that "other" category, I do get offended.
I, for one, was baptized in the Catholic church. I went to church until I was seven and started putting power rangers action figures in the collection box. Ever since I have slept in Sunday mornings at home. Now would it be correct to say that just because I have ceased going to church I am atheist? Probably if you ask the Catholics. But logistically speaking I have not picked up any other religion. I personally do not affiliate with any sect and I am okay with that. So when America calls me atheist when I should be placed in that "other" category, I do get offended.
Monday, September 28, 2009
9/28
I am sitting in my room thinking how I am going to start this paper. My eyes narrow. I'm really trying to focus... on the reflection of sunlight shining through my blinds onto my computer screen. Dazed and confused, I feel so out of it. My mind is elsewhere. After narrowly escaping academic suspension or worse yet expulsion, I find my mind racing. What could have happened? And then like a lightswitch, a great idea pops into my head. I should watch a movie. What movie should I watch? Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? Too trippy. The Departed? Too long. The Boondock Saints? Too violent. Jackass? Too stupid. Better yet, maybe I should go watch television. But what is even on at 4 in the afternoon? Oprah?
I am hungry, but there is nothing substantial to eat in my room. I mean we have the quintessential college foods: ramen and cereal; but i want something hearty. If only I had the energy to pick myself off of this chair and walk to the dining hall. Instead of finding something entertaining to do and/or pleasing my hunger pains, I will most likely awake at 8 o'clock from a glorious 4 hour nap and question what I got accomplished today. But I'll be able to cross the blog entry off the list. Great. Now there is only 48,000 other things to do before bed.
I am hungry, but there is nothing substantial to eat in my room. I mean we have the quintessential college foods: ramen and cereal; but i want something hearty. If only I had the energy to pick myself off of this chair and walk to the dining hall. Instead of finding something entertaining to do and/or pleasing my hunger pains, I will most likely awake at 8 o'clock from a glorious 4 hour nap and question what I got accomplished today. But I'll be able to cross the blog entry off the list. Great. Now there is only 48,000 other things to do before bed.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
9/25
Reuters is a reliable world news agency. They report on everything from the stock market to the latest headlines of Iran firing nuclear missiles. Their stories are used by websites such as Yahoo to display accurate information to the world at large. Reuters is more reliable than the Atlanta Journal Constitution because it not only reports on the world's events but it also utilizes sources from all around the world. All these sources mean less room for falsification of stories.
Another house-hold news site is BBC. Like Reuters, they are concerned with reporting on current issues that affect the world at large. The AJC, however, is focused on reporting bullshit like the five most haunted hotels in Atlanta. Now to the AJC's credit, they try. They try to survive. They do everything they can to hold onto the few readers they have left, and its unfortunate that the editors believe people are actually interested in such shallow stories as the ones they report on. They simply cannot compete with these international news companies that not only have a bigger staff, but also a bigger budget. Money is what makes the world go 'round.
Another house-hold news site is BBC. Like Reuters, they are concerned with reporting on current issues that affect the world at large. The AJC, however, is focused on reporting bullshit like the five most haunted hotels in Atlanta. Now to the AJC's credit, they try. They try to survive. They do everything they can to hold onto the few readers they have left, and its unfortunate that the editors believe people are actually interested in such shallow stories as the ones they report on. They simply cannot compete with these international news companies that not only have a bigger staff, but also a bigger budget. Money is what makes the world go 'round.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
9/23
Knock, knock, knock. My door is being assaulted by someone who desperately seeks entrance. You, a person who does not pay 3k a semester to live here, have settled yourself down onto my couch every night. You eat my food. You leave your dishes scattered everywhere. You invite your friends, because a dance party sounds like a good idea at 3 in the morning. You act like this is all cool, and I do too at first. But things are changing. Don't be surprised if you find yourself sleeping in the shell gas station bathroom soon, because you are about to get kicked the fuck out.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
9/21
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/health/policy/23fda.html?_r=1&hp
The New York Times has posted the news of the year with this one. Its relevance is obvious to college kids like us. The article reports that flavored cigarettes have now been banned by the FDA. The intent is to stop children and teens from smoking. Apparently we are enticed by flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and clove etc, and thereby lured into this harmful habit. But what about those kids who just want a Black & Mild every once in a while during their study breaks? Well, the letigation is unclear on what is considered a cigarette and what is considered a cigar. I believe the relevance of this story goes without saying, but if i need to spell it out for you... the New York Times reports on stories that are appealing to the national general public. Since smoking is such a widespread activity they will most definetly give America every detail of this developing story as it goes further into legislation.
http://www.ajc.com/news/health-officials-assume-floodwater-144414.html
The Atlanta Journal Constitution is pretty clear on the intended audience concerning this article. They are telling everyone affected by the flooding that happened yesterday to be cautious, especially if there is any possiblity the water near your residence is contaminated. "Wash your hands" is the theme that appears in every other sentence. It is one of those common sense articles that the AJC is notorious for.
The New York Times has posted the news of the year with this one. Its relevance is obvious to college kids like us. The article reports that flavored cigarettes have now been banned by the FDA. The intent is to stop children and teens from smoking. Apparently we are enticed by flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and clove etc, and thereby lured into this harmful habit. But what about those kids who just want a Black & Mild every once in a while during their study breaks? Well, the letigation is unclear on what is considered a cigarette and what is considered a cigar. I believe the relevance of this story goes without saying, but if i need to spell it out for you... the New York Times reports on stories that are appealing to the national general public. Since smoking is such a widespread activity they will most definetly give America every detail of this developing story as it goes further into legislation.
http://www.ajc.com/news/health-officials-assume-floodwater-144414.html
The Atlanta Journal Constitution is pretty clear on the intended audience concerning this article. They are telling everyone affected by the flooding that happened yesterday to be cautious, especially if there is any possiblity the water near your residence is contaminated. "Wash your hands" is the theme that appears in every other sentence. It is one of those common sense articles that the AJC is notorious for.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
9/18
I chose the picture of the little boy pushing a life-size chess piece, on a grandiose chessboard. The glossy finish on the white, black, and gold pieces allows the viewer to see the reflection of the crowd gathering to watch the match. The board is nearly overshadowed by the presence of a very important building that looks an awful lot like the white house. But then again this chess set is clearly the subject of the picture. The intricately designed pieces are too engaging to the human eye.
Monday, September 14, 2009
9/10
The content of these two articles confirms my beliefs of Mississippi. While it is the modern age, people are still racist in this backwoods state. The sad part about it is there is no huge city in Mississippi, like there is Georgia, where people have the opportunity to become more open to all cultures. It is very rural. The very first thought that comes to mind when I think of Mississippi is inmates chained together busting up rocks on a steamy railroad at high noon.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
09/09/09!!!
Not really sure why this is such a big deal. To me it seems anything our president, or any president in the past, has done gets scrutinized. All Obama was trying to do was light a fire under the lazy asses of the American youth. In order for our nation to remain number one we need to get out of our economic downturn. He was merely encouraging the youngsters to stay in school and do something with their lives for their own good and the good of the U.S.
Monday, September 7, 2009
9/4
I was at the East Lake Marta station and it was Saturday night. The air smelled like any other marta station does, piss and liquor. Accompanying me was my 6'5" bodyguard. He can tussle with the finest. We were waiting for the train for 20 minutes. And let me tell you what a twenty minutes it was. Labor Day weekend equals Dragoncon. No parking in the city means hundreds of people dressed up in various entertaining costumes riding Marta. I saw Quailman from the cartoon Doug get off the eastbound train with his buddies, Nacho Libre and Jack Sparrow. Jack Sparrow reaked of rum. Nacho Libre was fat and sloppy. So yeah, their costumes were right on point. Right after they exited the train, what appeared to be a drunk man stumbled towards the stairs. He was being escorted by a fellow who looked 50 years younger. Everyone stared at this inebriated guy. A police officer traded spots with the younger gentlemen. They walked to the top of the stairs when I realized that this man was not drunk but blind. He had no walking stick and no friends to guide him. I turned to my friend and asked, "Why would a blind person ride Marta?" He replied with, "Well he can't drive".
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
9/2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec0XKhAHR5I
Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" is one of my many favorite songs. Whenever I hear it I automatically get in a more cheerful mood. These southern rockers really turn it on in this 2 minute 19 second masterpeice. The song is about the less fortunate going to war and them getting screwed over by the rich. It is stating how messed up this reverse robin hood system of war is. Not certain if this is why I like it so much, but all I know is I could listen to it endlessly.
Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" is one of my many favorite songs. Whenever I hear it I automatically get in a more cheerful mood. These southern rockers really turn it on in this 2 minute 19 second masterpeice. The song is about the less fortunate going to war and them getting screwed over by the rich. It is stating how messed up this reverse robin hood system of war is. Not certain if this is why I like it so much, but all I know is I could listen to it endlessly.
Monday, August 31, 2009
8/31
I would like to take this opportunity to complain about laundry. I hate doing it. Currently I am sitting on top of a washer, doing nothing, bored out of my mind. The laundry room is 99 degrees and I'm stuck in this inferno. I could leave my clothes behind and go to my room, but I am always afraid that some j will come along and steal them. And then there is the awkward moment where you feel forced to make conversation with the only other person in the room. It often involves "How do i turn this thing on?" or "I am using that dryer" or "Can I have a quarter?" and then after that you sit there in silence with them much like I am doing right now. And so I shall sweat for another two hours wanting to get some homework done, but realistically playing computer games.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
8/28
My birthplace is Dover, New Jersey and I will rep it until the day I die. But unfortunately I moved from the armpit of America when I was two to Decatur, GA. Back in 1992, there was not anything to do in Decatur. There were no restaurants or bars of any kind, like there is now. The single place to eat was an Atlanta Bread Company in the center of town. Over the years, Decatur began developing and more and more businesses took advantage of the large amount of foot traffic it gets.
Now it is important to note that I live in the City of Decatur, not the 50 square miles that people think includes all of southern Dekalb County. The City of Decatur has its own police department. Why? I do not know. They only have to patrol 4 square miles, so mostly they just hassle teenagers for the most minor of infractions. While Decatur is so close to Atlanta it has got that small town, almost Mayberry, type of appeal to it. Everybody knows one another and word gets around pretty quick.
Decatur is also very diverse, in every sense of the word. There are half a million dollar condos right down the street from hundred year old houses. Gays and trannies walk the street without being stared at (well maybe Coco attracts a few stares). Decatur's only high school is split 50:50 blacks to whites. Everybody is cool with one another, but the fact that there are 800 kids tops in our school, 200 in each grade, and only 25 of which you chill with every weekend gets very monotonous. The weekends used to involve walking around with nothing to do as underclassmen. As upperclassmen, they involved driving around with nothing to do. It was time for a change. College could not have come any sooner, and even though Decatur is only six miles down the road I don't think I will be visiting that often.
Now it is important to note that I live in the City of Decatur, not the 50 square miles that people think includes all of southern Dekalb County. The City of Decatur has its own police department. Why? I do not know. They only have to patrol 4 square miles, so mostly they just hassle teenagers for the most minor of infractions. While Decatur is so close to Atlanta it has got that small town, almost Mayberry, type of appeal to it. Everybody knows one another and word gets around pretty quick.
Decatur is also very diverse, in every sense of the word. There are half a million dollar condos right down the street from hundred year old houses. Gays and trannies walk the street without being stared at (well maybe Coco attracts a few stares). Decatur's only high school is split 50:50 blacks to whites. Everybody is cool with one another, but the fact that there are 800 kids tops in our school, 200 in each grade, and only 25 of which you chill with every weekend gets very monotonous. The weekends used to involve walking around with nothing to do as underclassmen. As upperclassmen, they involved driving around with nothing to do. It was time for a change. College could not have come any sooner, and even though Decatur is only six miles down the road I don't think I will be visiting that often.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
8/26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFruQ410o9E
Okay, so this is a second attempt at a joke that my friends and I made up over a year ago. We recorded one of my friends juggling footballs, and titled it "Jessica Alba Getting Banged". We were curious to see how many idiotic perverts there were left in this world because you have to be a person of extremely low intelligence to search for nudity on youtube. What we did was insert a still frame picture of jessica alba in a bikini in the middle of the video because that is what will show up when you search the video. We threw some super mario bros. theme music in there and at the end we made it so "you are gay" flashed across the screen.
To our surprise the world proved us right. Within a couple weeks the video had thousands of hits and several disgruntled comments. People were saying things like "you are gay for juggling balls" or "i hate you" or the personal favorite of mine "damnit, I had lotion and three-ply toilet tissue at the ready". Some people even praised us for our originality. We were after all the pioneers of the fake video. The comments and the views kept rolling in until we got flagged too many times and got taken down. The video ended up obtaining something like 1,100,000 hits in a year.
Okay, so this is a second attempt at a joke that my friends and I made up over a year ago. We recorded one of my friends juggling footballs, and titled it "Jessica Alba Getting Banged". We were curious to see how many idiotic perverts there were left in this world because you have to be a person of extremely low intelligence to search for nudity on youtube. What we did was insert a still frame picture of jessica alba in a bikini in the middle of the video because that is what will show up when you search the video. We threw some super mario bros. theme music in there and at the end we made it so "you are gay" flashed across the screen.
To our surprise the world proved us right. Within a couple weeks the video had thousands of hits and several disgruntled comments. People were saying things like "you are gay for juggling balls" or "i hate you" or the personal favorite of mine "damnit, I had lotion and three-ply toilet tissue at the ready". Some people even praised us for our originality. We were after all the pioneers of the fake video. The comments and the views kept rolling in until we got flagged too many times and got taken down. The video ended up obtaining something like 1,100,000 hits in a year.
Monday, August 24, 2009
8/24
My roomates and their friends decided to have a party last night until 3 am. At which time they told me they were going to go bum-bashing. I tried to use the hour they were gone to make significant headway on the narrative essay. I reached about the halfway point when the party proceeded to file back in the door. I stayed up until 5 finishing the thing. And today I am not a happy camper. In fact I am about to go to sleep right now.
8/21
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090824/ap_on_re_as/as_malaysia_caning_for_beer
This is an interesting nonfiction piece about a woman who got her caning for drinking beer postponed. What fascinated me is that someone could get caned for drinking beer. Maybe its just me being ignorant, but I was not aware that Muslims cannot legally drink alcohol. It says she will be the first woman to be caned for said crime.
This is an interesting nonfiction piece about a woman who got her caning for drinking beer postponed. What fascinated me is that someone could get caned for drinking beer. Maybe its just me being ignorant, but I was not aware that Muslims cannot legally drink alcohol. It says she will be the first woman to be caned for said crime.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Journal 8/19
The one thing I have always wanted to write about, but never really gotten the chance to is 90's cartoons. I have always reminisced about the good ol' days where shows such as Angry Beavers, Hey Arnold, Ah! Real Monsters, and Wild and Crazy Kids dominated Nickelodeon. These shows brought a whole unique style of childhood entertainment that cartoons today lack. I am curious as to why all of our favorite shows as kids have gone extinct in exchange for this modern-day garbage.
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