Don't enjoy the silence

Only one day left until the notorious Black Friday gives us consumers sales we only dream of.  News reporters are already on line before anyone else, and normally I could careless. Usually Black Friday just means Buy Nothing Day to me, but I had a change of heart this year. It is not I've become a frantic shopper, or I enjoy supporting big evil corporations but I find the idea of Buy Nothing Day a bit useless. The only people I know who shout to buy nothing, turn off your tv, go outside and etc. are of the intellectual, sociopolitical kind. Those masses are nothing compared to the working class who could careless on what they have to say. 

Trying to convince my Latina mom to not buy anything on Black Friday is like trying to win any argument with her -- pointless. For example last night she couldn't stop complaining that I spent 15 dollars on Thai food. All I heard from her for the next half hour was how she would have gone to McDonalds and spent less or have gone out to eat at Olive Garden of course saying all this under her breath. Point is, there's nothing to change my mother's mind on saving money. Black Friday is somewhat of an assistant to the working class, and protesting to buy nothing is too idealistic, too radical for them. Although I do agree that we as a society should consume less, simply ignoring corporations and capitalism altogether in one day does not solve anything. I believe there are other alternatives that really need to be set in place instead.

Awareness for consumer to shop their local independent stores is one. The few records stores here in South Florida are having sales on Friday. Another thought is setting up workshops for people to create simple and fast gifts instead of buying gifts. These are ideas that need to be discussed, not just to buy nothing. We're long ways until us as a society begin to be more aware of where we buy our needs and how our consumer monies are actually being used/who it supports but I do believe as discussions arise, there will be solutions

Not enough coverage of the impact of BastaDobbs.com

BastaDobbs.com Announces Victory: Lou Dobbs to Leave CNN

NEW YORK – Responding to the news Wednesday that Lou Dobbs will leave his post as a longtime anchor on CNN, the leaders of BastaDobbs.com – a national Latino-led coalition that had been advocating for his ouster – released the following statement:

“Our contention all along was that Lou Dobbs – who has a long record of spreading lies and conspiracy theories about immigrants and Latinos – does not belong on the ‘Most Trusted Name in News,’” said Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Presente.org, a national online advocacy organization coordinating the BastaDobbs.com campaign in conjunction with more than 40 local and regional Latino organizations from across the country. “We are thrilled that Dobbs no longer has this legitimate platform from which to incite fear and hate.”

The BastaDobbs.com campaign launched in mid-September, and included online petitions, a viral YouTube video, text-message campaign, radio PSAs and a series of events in 18 cities – organized in conjunction with the CNN special Latino in America. The message to CNN was that courting Latino viewers while keeping Dobbs on the network would not win them favor with the fastest-growing demographic in the country. Since then, more than 100,000 people have joined the effort. The events and the campaign garnered significant press coverage in both Spanish-language and mainstream media.

Lovato said the BastaDobbs.com victory marks a key turning point for the Latino community, as it moved from marching in the streets in 2006 to mounting a successful, high-tech campaign against one of the biggest and strongest media voices against common-sense immigration reform.

“The community is newly empowered and energized, and we are ready to fight for a respectful and civil media discourse when it comes to immigration coverage on mainstream news,” Lovato said. “This is only the beginning of a much longer-term effort.”

To view the YouTube video, click here: http://bastadobbs.com/video

Ya Basta!

In an interview with Katie Couric, Glenn Beck did not define what is "white culture" in response of his belief that Obama has a deep-seated hatred for the white culture. First he failed by saying he didn't know, then doing his best Michael Scott impersonation by leaving you wtf?
Hm, since I had a difficult time figuring out what entails white culture, I headed over at Stuff White People Like to find out. 

The last entry (#128) in Stuff White People Like is camping. Does Obama hate camping? The woods are awesome with its creepiness and crisp wind -- how can anyone hate that? Jokes aside, why is anyone taking Glenn Beck serious? The dude is obviously a joke, but there is a factor in there that is quite annoying, he and Fox are making money. Color of Change's campaign to voice their (our) distaste with advertisers supporting Glenn Beck's program. Sixty-two companies have pulled out their support. 

Glenn Beck is not the only one getting a backlash from their negative view on people corrupting white culture. Lou Dobbs a "birther" has repeatedly reported lies about Latinos and immigrants which fuels hatred (with crime) towards my people. The website Basta Dobbs is asking CNN to stop Lou Dobbs with his extreme views on this so-called most trusted in news news outlet.

Enough is enough, Ya Basta!

Kanyegate meme

Sorry, I had too.

edit: Joe Wilson'd on his own entry!

Next new indie hit: Phillip Garrido

As always, it seems I write too much about waking up to the Today show. I was struggling to fully wake up when I heard that Phillip Garrido recorded music back in the late 70s or early 80s. From the little clip I heard it actually sound decent. The lo-fi quality and its quite psychedelic feel made think about other musicians who suffered from a mental illness -- Brian Wilson, Daniel Johnston et cetera are deemed as a genius. 

News reports have addressed the ominous lyrics:

“For every little girl in the world, they want to be in love, you’re just the same, go play a game, just tell me that you want me, c’mon babe, I’m just insane, I’m crying out to you.”

Words like "babe" and "girl" have always been a part of pop music. Should we be worrying about every lyric that is written now? 

I'm in no way supporting what Phillip Garrido has done, but heck that music is okay. I'm sure his music can easily be featured in a psych/garage compilations like Nuggets or Pebbles. So here's your new indie blog hit sensation:

Today is the day I think of you

There's a certain musical excitement I haven't felt in awhile. Yo La Tengo holds a dear place in my heart. Their music doesn't remind of one person, but everyone I know. Although they are my favorite band, I was not looking forward to the "Buy Early Get Now " pre-order of their new album Popular Songs. All I really want is just the album (okay I also want the original score to Adventureland by YLT on vinyl) I don't need an mp3 code for the album, a poster (I have quite a few YLT posters) or an early listen to the album. I know what I'm gonna get from a Yo La Tengo. They've been together for 25 years and have managed to create strong releases. 

I miss the excitement of an album release. The internet has spoiled us with leaked albums and killing excitement. Tomorrow will be the day -- although I have my 9 hour work day tomorrow and will not have the time to get Popular Songs at the record store, I have trusted person on getting me the best gift.

The "quintessential critics band" will never fail in my eyes. Album sales maybe down, and digital sales might be up but Yo La Tengo fans have always remain true to the band.  

Let's get the real important issue straight

These town hall meetings are getting pretty insane. I'm just happy to see people care about real issues like how awesome Arrested Development (the sitcom and show but not the medical term usage) is. I wonder what would happen if protests for pop culture justice starts occurring frequently, but now that I think about it, it does happen but not for political reasons.

The Lebanon, PA town hall meeting with Senator Spector about the health care reform stirred up a laughfest for myself. These people are a passionate bunch, but I'm not sure if they have a gasp of this deep issue (heck, even I don't know). Katy Abram was one of the people that asked a question to the Senator (she's the one who doesn't want this country turn into Russia, turning into a socialized country). I watched her talk, and through her sighs, I knew she really has no idea what going on. Her interviews after the meeting still more sighs with no actual meat on what she was saying. This dude in the photo most likely wouldn't sigh if he was interview about why protest on bringing back Arrested Development. He's as passionate as everyone in these town hall meetings, except he knows his issues. But seriously, let's get Arrested Development back.

An Eternal Snooze Fest

Earlier this year, a friend was telling about a new art group/organization at FAU -- The Miami Stuckists. She asked me if I've heard of Billy Childish (yes) and slightly told me what stuckism was. When I got home I did my research on it. The basic summary of stuckism:

Stuckism is a radical and controversial art group that was co-founded in 1999 by Charles Thomson and Billy Childish (who left in 2001) along with eleven other artists. The name was derived by Thomson from an insult to Childish from his ex-girlfriend, Brit artist Tracey Emin, who had told him that his art was 'Stuck'. Stuckists are pro-contemporary figurative painting with ideas and anti-conceptual art, mainly because of its lack of concepts. Stuckists have regularly demonstrated dressed as clowns against the Turner Prize. Several Stuckist Manifestos have been issued. One of them Remodernism inaugurates a renewal of spiritual values for art, culture and society to replace the emptiness of current Postmodernism.

I was completely annoyed that such a group exist, especially on campus. The idea of artists coming together is wonderful and I encourage that, but I thought this group will only segregate the art students at FAU. Why not start a radical art group that actually DOES something then make manifestos or protest something worth protesting about.

The Miami Stuckist's Manifesto (which is based on the original of who cares) is a bit of a laughing fest for me. Two points that made me questioned their beliefs:

1. Stuckism is the quest for authenticity. By removing the mask of cleverness and admitting where we are, the Stuckist allows him/herself uncensored expression.
PAINTING (JUST LIKE ALL OF THE VISUAL ARTS) IS A MIMESIS OF NATURE/REAL LIFE -- there's nothing authentic about it.

8. Painting is mysterious. It creates worlds within worlds, giving access to the unseen psychological realities that we inhabit. The results are radically different from the materials employed. An existing object (e.g. a dead sheep) blocks access to the inner world and can only remain part of the physical world it inhabits, be it moorland or gallery. Ready-made art is a polemic of materialism.
PAINT IS ALSO AN EXISTING OBJECT, CANVAS IS ALSO AN EXISTING OBJECT. HOW DOES A DEAD SHEEP BLOCKS ACCESS TO THE INNER WORLD? WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN!!!!?


What got me over the edge about the Miami Stuckists happened a few weeks ago when I found out one of their members has been plagiarizing a former classmate/friend's oeuvre. There are many concerns on this serious issue. This person could get a BFA degree from plagiarized work, and that should not be accepted.

Borrowing in art happens a lot (e.g. ready-made) and that's a part of what Stuckism believes to be not "true art." A walking, breathing contradiction Stuckism is. All forms of art is a representation of life. These forms already exist, and making a rendering of these forms is a conceptual idea. When you start to think what color paint you want to use, what subject matter you want to paint -- all of those thoughts are concepts.

CityLink/Metromix recently reported on the Miami Stuckists "conservative" group. I read the article while the way leaving to work this afternoon and I couldn't help myself but laugh out loud. Stuckism -- based on the English artworld (Turner prize, artworks made over a decade ago) is all the Miami Stuckists could talk about. Really? What about the local art communities? What about art that has been made the last 5 years?

Interesting enough the article only mentions "4" artists for their group exhibition debut. The last time I counted there was 5. The fifth being one who plagiarized. (Strikethough -- cleared up that misunderstanding) Now, I'm all for artists coming together, being creative, exhibiting works, but attacking other art forms and calling those artists "not artists" is rather Childish (huh Billy).

Sunday's Favorite Selection #36:

Slap Chop Rap

Side note: I didn't see this version on tv, but I saw another one that killed me in the morning.

Hate on Today

I'm still not sure why I continue to watch the Today show. It's a routine I do in order to wake up. My alarm goes off, I turn it off, I turn on the tv (which is always left on the pervious channel -- Conan, Jimmy) and I go back to sleep. The nonsense that the Today show reports on always wakes me up. Something I disagree on or something I wonder the importance of the news they are reporting always gets me up in a fury. 

But today's interview with Michelle Malkin was awkward for Matt Lauer and wtf? to the sane Americans watching. Why give a right wing racial a slot at 7am? Why start off the today with hate? Malkin rambled about how Obama is a "racial opportunist" and her lame theories in her new book Culture of Corruption.

Even though I felt the hate through the television, I couldn't help but feel sad for her. She must have a lot of self-hate.

Sunday's Favorite Selection #35:


Illdoctrine

Side notes: I read/saw this video via Sociological Images and was touched by it. Pretty much what I've been thinking about MJ's death/life. Gracefully said.

That's a quitter's way out

(late) Sunday's Favorite Selection #34:

Sarah Palin--Every breath you take

Side note: Recently while listening to a recorded conversation I had with a friend-I noticed all the words I constantly repeat, nervous ticks and my total awkwardness. Not fun.

Tina gets down

Sunday's Favorite Selection #33:


Rosie Perez's dance routine on the opening credits to Do The Right Thing

Side notes: One of my favorite, and in my opinion one of the best opening credit to any movie. It captures the energy of Do The Right Thing and Public Enemy's Fight the Power. If you feel nothing from seeing this dance routine, film or song then you're a soulless person. 

click click click

For the last few weeks, I been obsessed with the photo of Megan Fox denying the yellow flower from "Sweet Boy" at the London premier of Transformer : A waste of time, apparently.  I believe it's an iconic photograph, minus the fact that Megan Fox isn't that famous. She looks highly overwhelmed from all the people and the camera flashes; the 11 year boy aka "Sweet Boy" giving her a yellow flower-the symbol of our Western culture who embraces not that famous people (or better stated, people clocking their 15 minutes of fame).

It's so iconic that Kodak was offering $5,000 to the first person who can give reliable information on who this boy was. His facebook profile was found blah blah, the rest of the story isn't that interesting.

What is interesting is this photo. It's all real, but for some reason it seems so staged. I'm not doubting Sweet Boy's feeling/want/need to give Megan Fox that flower, and I'm not doubting the feeling of disarray in Megan Fox's face but all I can feel when I see this photo is that I'm being lied to. I'm still struggling to figure out why I feel this way. I know it has to do with the stature of celebrities and the reasons why we hold them with an importance.

Fight the forces of gravity!

A Dream Come True
"A few years ago, I began to notice the appearance of wrinkles in my cleavage area. No matter how much I used creams or exercised, the creases didn’t go away. So I began to research the cause and learned a lot. Because I sleep on my side – like millions of women do – I learned that gravity and the pressure of my breasts resting on top of each other while sleeping was the culprit. I consulted several physicians and found that there were no products available in the market that support a side-sleeping woman’s breasts, without the use of a bra, adhesives or restrictive clothing. My quest had begun.

The more that I learned, the more I was inspired to develop a product that would not only offer beauty benefits, but support the needs of side-sleeping women. While health care professionals recommend side-sleeping for proper spine alignment, a woman’s breasts often make sleeping in this position uncomfortable. And women everywhere can benefit from a good night’s sleep!

After researching, designing and carefully testing my product, I’m very pleased with the results – and I hope that you will be, too. Not only does Kush offer more natural rest for the breasts for a more comfortable sleep, it helps to prevent the appearance of cleavage lines and wrinkles. I sleep better at night and I feel better about my appearance during the day. Kush is a dream come true."

Sincerely,

Cathinka Chandler
CEO Kush

Uh what? Why? I mean, she had to have known what her product looks like and the colors she produced them in the beginning. The Kush Support website offers different colors, and is cheaper than originally advertised, but I'm still confused about this product.

oh Heeey

Sunday's Favorite Selection #32:


Jurassic Park-Hey!

Side note: I'm not sure why this is so funny, but it is.

I'll be grazing by your window, please come pat me on the head

Sunday's Favorite Selection #31:

Jeff the Brotherhood-BONE JAM

Side note: It's been some time and I think it's about time to start writing again. Maybe that's why I got a new journal to write on. There are somethings I don't want to forget. Like last night when this song came on in the car and I said "You know what beginning of this song reminds me of?" And dead on, as I finished my sentence the correct thought was said. Tons of giggles was going on afterwards. Aside from that, if I were ever to make a film (that uses popular music) Jeff the Brotherhood's BONE JAM would be in the beginning of the scene when the main character wakes up and gets ready.

Time out

I'm taking a break for a bit. My mind is going bananas lately and my mind could hardly think of something solid to write about. Blogger's block, maybe. I'll still be using my tumblr because it's pretty mindless to post there.

It's made out of bronze

Sunday's Favorite Selection #30:

Side note: Seriously I love Jerry Saltz. I can hear him talk about art forever, and his silly stories. Oh and Roberta Smith too.  I secretly wish I was their child.

Female characters written by Pedro Almodovar

Sunday's Favorite Selection #29:


Penelope Cruz in Volver

Side note: I'm still upset that the one time I did not watch the Academy Awards was the same time Penelope Cruz won an award. I really wanted her to win Best Actress two years ago for Volver, but I knew that Helen Mirren was going to win (no lie that was an amazing performance). Though Cruz's performance as the hardworking and flawed Raimunda showcases complete honesty. Ernesto Acevedo-Munoz describes this scene:

Raimunda's rendition of the song 'Volver' gives the characters access to their real feelings. Raimunda's eyes well up as the lyrics refer to the anxiety and desire to return to and be reconnected with that which we have loved.

I cry every time I see this part. 

Designers vs. consumers vs. marketing at PepsiCo

Battle #1: Tropicana Winner: Consumers

Tropicana is now going back to its old design. Woopdeedo. I preferred the new design, it was clean and simple. People argued that it was too "generic brand" for them. I say wow, because last time I checked we're in an economic crisis and everyone is trying to save a buck.

Clear loser: Designers. 

Battle #2: Obama team's drink choice

Winner: Coke

TIME reports that Obama's team drinks Coke even though Pepsi's redesign looks a lot alike Obama's logo.

Loser: Marketing. 

Blank walls+label everything+put a spotlight on it=SO IMPORTANT!

We Love Museums...Do Museums Love Us Back?

This is too funny, cute, and smart not to post.

"Nothing is allowed to get old or fall apart, which of course is impossible and goes against the law of nature. But museum people fight nature everyday with the latest technology in order to slow down the effects of time as much as possible."

I died a little when this was said. That and a museum is basically a box and stimulates time travel.

This makes me feel a little less of an asshole when I tell people that I believe in preserving art not conserving art.

Tapes for playing

Sunday's Favorite Selection #28:

Tapes for Listening (Tapes for Dancing). from Michaelkelly Kelly on Vimeo.

Side note: I stop buying albums on tape in 2000.

The Rookies do a lot of poopies

I see what you're trying to do. A super cute little girl uploading pictures to see how simple it is. I have 2 problems with this.

1. Have an elder do the same and record. The result-not the same. Children now easily adopt to technology. By the time I had the internet in my house (I was in high school) within 4 months I had 3 websites. I learned html pretty quickly. If Microsoft really want to stand the test on how easy it is to operate Windows Live Photo Gallery have an elder do it. I'm also on your game to have someone way younger than the Mac dude, to have our 'future' on these Rookies commercials. I wonder how much money these kids are getting. I also wonder about their future. It will be a mess, everyone knows that. Child stars later become hot tranny messes. Avoid this. Avoid selling your kids to say they are a PC.

2. Why is she sending photos to her mom and dad? Where is she? She's obviously in a house. This is making me worry.

Is this real life?

Sunday's Favorite Selection # 27:

Kittens Inspired by David after Dentist

Side note: Kittens inspired by kittens is hands down my favorite viral video of all time (even more than hamster on a piano-eating popcorn). I think I've watched it over 100 times this past week. Though I gleamed when I saw this video because last week I couldn't stop watch David after Dentist. Kids sure say the darndest things. I think of David as a philosopher with his deep questions regarding life, and Kitten girl is a lot like having a conversation with my 4 year niece. Best of all, my friend and I are making a book about his cats and told me yesterday he thinks he has this now famous Kittens book!

You're scum between my toes

A very special favorite selection #2:

News worth obsessing over

Aside from Madoff and the constant up to date report on the Rose Museum at Brandis University, I've found other news report to obsess over.

1. 

The Sun reports on a 13 year old boy and his 15 year old mum girlfriend having a child. So no that photo isn't a photo of a 20 something mum and her 8 year old son and her new baby. I don't even what to think further than this photo because it's the biggest WTF moment I had yesterday.

2.

The New York Times reports on the Artist Shepard Fairey (you know the OBEY dude) files a lawsuit against the AP. The AP is saying that it owns this image of his work of Obama and the word Hope underneath. Fairey had used the photo taken for the AP as template for his work. The LOL part of this story is that the freelance photographer who took this photo Mannie Garica says he owns the photo not the AP and he's happy that the photo he took was the source of this now infamous image of Obama. I just find it a little odd that there's a dispute over an image of Obama and who owns it. I thought Obama owns his own image, right?

3.

If you even a little bit of tv you've most likely have seen a commercial to Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Fireplace. Once again The New York Times has an interesting article on it. When my brother and I first saw the commercial we were a bit confused so we pressed rewind to better understand how the Amish made this. If you're still confused read the article.

4.  There are few viral videos I'm obsessing over, but I'll post the ultimate for tomorrow's favorite.

Richard Halloran: Owns Home Computer

Newspaper on home computer? now that's the future.

I really do wonder though if the actual "newspaper" will actual die. It's dying yes, but will people just let it die? I don't think so well, at least in my life time. It has to slowly be forgotten, then die. It will make a comeback though either by a hipster being ironic or VH1's Remember When...

On a slight side note: Roger Ebert on blogging. 

edit: Not even 30 minutes later...on the Daily Show right now Jon is interview a guy named Walter Isaacson talking about how to save our newspapers. Jeeze I can tell the future just like this news report.

The textbook committee part 2. (decided to leave you out, not even mention)

Sunday's Favorite Selection #26:

LCD Soundsystem-Someone Great (directed by the great Doug Aitken-one of my favorite artists)

Side note: This song and video makes me feel so depressed, but I love it like no other. Over a year ago I made a mix for a friend who was leaving town. All the songs were about getting psyched, but the last two songs I couldn't help myself and get serious. I put Someone Great, and ended it with Guided By Voices' Smothered In Hugs. These songs at first didn't seem like they would fit well together, but not true. Both amazing songs, both about (well to me) people who you love/once loved leaving/left your life and/or you're planning to leave with them. Your memories of them will always remain with you until the end, even if everyone has forgotten them. I was so struck with these two songs together after I made the mix that I googled it and this came up:

There was a moment at an ACL afterparty when the DJ followed by Guided By Voices' Bee Thousand jam "Smothered In Hugs" with the Silver sounds of "Someone Great." Doesn't sound like it should flow, but somehow it was perfect, prompting us to say something intelligent like "this song's fucking awesome" to nobody in particular. But three kids around answered back and started a discussion in which all agreed -- "Someone Great" is something 'fucking awesome.'

-Stereogum

I wasn't the only person who had thought of these two songs together. Since then I'll slip one of these two songs to people who I will never forget in a mix. Even if I want to forget them now.

G with the P

I have a new daily route, which is put on the Today Show to fully wake up. This caught my ear:

President Obama knows about Jessica Simpson's weight "issue". I would love to know if our president not only gets foreign policy news updates 7 days a week, but also gets celebrity news. In this post modern western world it's equally as important. Or that's what we're suppose to know? But really Matt Lauer, Us magazine? I guess fluff is good for Super Bowl weekend. 

I do have to note-I hate the Today Show and I'm not sure why I tune to it every morning. It creeps me out. Good Morning Matt, Good Morning Meredith, and Good Morning to you America now for today's top stories. 

Those creepy stares to the camera from the people who about to get interview haunts me for the rest of the day.

While you're out being a hot tranny mess

Sunday's Favorite Selection #25:

Miller High Life's outtakes of their one second commercials.

Side note: Eels (you know the band) made a one second commercial for Super Bowl last year, but the NFL rejected it because 29 other advertisers had to fill in the spots for the typical 30 second ad. To buy a spot during Super Bowl is about $100,000 per second. The real genius here- Mark "E" Everett.

It's called Preserve

Art Museum rule # 1:

Do not sell anything from your collection to make a buck.

Art Museum rule #2:

Look at Art Museum rule #1.

Since Monday night, I've been closely reading about Brandis University's decision to close the Rose Museum and sell off (some of) their collection due to their budget deficit. Their collection includes works from modern & contemporary artist such as Williem de Kooning, Nam June Paik, Helen Frankenthaler and Andy Warhol. 

I've been baffled for awhile about this new trend. Just last month I've been keeping my eyes on the National Academy Museum to deaccession works of art from it's collection to pay off their expenses. The museum is currently blacklisted in the art world now.

A statement recently released from the American Association of Museum about this ordeal:

The American Association of Museums is alarmed and dismayed at the decision by Brandeis University to close the Rose Museum and sell the objects from its collection. Such a drastic action would be an irreparable loss to the university and its community. Present and future generations of students and the public would be deprived of a priceless educational experience.

Museums hold collections in the public trust. These collections are a part of our common heritage and belong, in a moral sense, to all of us. It is the museum’s job to preserve them for future generations.

By selling its art collection for cash to the highest bidder to erase a temporary deficit, Brandeis University is in fundamental violation of the public trust responsibilities it accepted the day it founded the Rose Museum. Such a sale is also a betrayal of the donors, who generously gave art for the benefit of the students and the public, not for paying bills. This is a direct violation of the AAM Code of Ethics for museums.

If it cannot afford to maintain and exhibit its collection, we urge Brandeis University to seek another steward of it. There are many fine museums in the region capable of caring for these works, even on a temporary basis, while the university explores other options. In choosing an alternate solution to the sale and irrevocable loss of the collection that was entrusted to its care, the university would serve as a role model for its students, faculty and community.

Ford W. Bell
President
American Association of Museums

Jehuda Reinharz, the president of Brandis wrote an email that can be read at Modern Art Notes, which is basically blah blah blah, wah wah wah.

This is all making me think of my application to an art museum's summer internship. One of the essays I had to write was what is a museum? What is it's purpose and it's future? I'd written rambled about preserving and public responsibilities. Responsibilities.

Self pick me up

Sunday's Favorite Selection #24:


Mates of State-Goods (It's All in Your Head)

Side note: All I want is a guy to dance with. Silly dance is a plus.

We care about Obama & iPods

I was not shocked that Kanye said this. He's probably going to get a lot of crap for comparing Obama's elected presidency to iPods, but like all Kanye's ridiculous sayings-he has some truth to it. Aaron wrote a comment a few posts ago on how Pepsi's new design looks like Obama's logo. I thought for a while about Obama's "logo". I've only been alive for 23 years so I can only recall a few president elections and I don't think any presidential candidate had an impacting logo. Slogans yes, but logos? Perhaps it's something that pops out, because I'm interested in this stuff now. The blue O with red stripes.

What a genius idea-maketing! Heck you can even go to www.logobama.com and create your own Obama logo. And what about that oh so famous Obama Change image? Completely literally changing how an amazing marketing tool can help out a presidency.

This is a historic presidential election yes, but I don't think I've ever seen so many Obama shirts being sold on my way to Philadelphia Museum of Art one afternoon. I remember when iPod first came out and even its ads on magazines, but it wasn't until that famous shadow dancing in front of a bright color backdrop that made iPods as iconic as it is now. Kanye, as silly as you are, you are always onto something.

Previously on Lost

I can barely watch TV anymore, with the except of news programs at night and a few other channel surfing programming. I mean I used to watch hours upon hours of crap on TV all the time. Now sitting down for an hour to watch anything gives me an attack of anxiety. I get up, walk around, get a drink, pee, check my emails, eat cookies then fall asleep-all within 20 minutes of any show. But maybe finally I can sit still because LOST is back on air. I have to not even blink for 2 hours tonight. I have to go to my second job tonight and might miss the first few minutes of the show, but I think I'll survive.

LOST is possibly the only pop culture phenomenon that I'm obsessed with, though I've been obsessing over Bernard Madoff but I'm not sure if I'll categorize him as anything related to pop culture or a phenomenon. I've become some sort of Star Wars spazz but replace Star Wars with LOST.

I just wished more of my friends watched it so we can discuss theories.

I don't put out

Late Sunday's Favorite Selection #23:


Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains-Do You Wanna Be A Professional?

Side note: Jeff and I's new favorite movie.

Rebrand everything

Literally right after I posted about the new design for Tropicana, I opened my refridgerator to see a new design for Sierra Mist which also means Pepsi has a new design. Makes senses seeing that Tropicana is also under PepsiCo.

Once again a very clean, simple design. The tree for Sierra Mist made me giggle, but I think it works well. The font for Mist looks like it's misting away the product-clever PepsiCo. 

I've become quite obsessed with design and layout. I have to accredit my awesome friend Monica for making me like this and also working at the University Galleries. Which brings me to the  conversation we had last night. Grad school, and moving away from Florida. I told her about SVA's new program Design Criticism and how I keep thinking about applying to that Master program. Frankly I don't have the money for it-so it's a thought for the future. It's also a bit scary because it's a new program, and no other school that I know of actually has a program similar to this. 

The nice thing about the conversation-none of my friends actually knows what they want out of their life. Everything is open ended, which makes me feel a bit relax that I am not going crazy.

Now if only America can start working on their own design...(infrastructure anyone?)

Hippie Yuppie Hipster

My bible. Or at least that's what I used to say. Being a quasi sociologist (that is I thought about getting a minor in sociology) made me realize that most of what is written in this book is true. Or at least holds some truth. First off I'm actually in the book as the Loner. Or at least me in the past? Well the drawing looks a whole lot like past me-big curly hair, cat framed glasses, looking very pale and a "duh" face at a lot. Okay so maybe that may still be me, but I'm not that nerdy-though I do tend to over pluck my eyebrows (how did the writers know!?)

As obscure people try to be I think well you're not all that different from everyone else. You look silly, you sound silly and 'cool' is dead. It died when hippies started taking over. Punk was never cool but dirty. New Wave was a "clean" punk but never cool. Artists (visual, written, film) in the 1960s were the last of the 'cool'. And lets face it everyone should know the origin of cool comes from black culture. Everyone should know this. This is explained in John Leland's book Hip: The History. I couldn't read more than a chapter before getting really bored by it. It was too American-centric so it didn't capture my full attention.

Point is I read this really good article a while ago called Hipster: The Dead End of West Civilization at Adbusters. It gave me a better reason why I really dislike going to Miami, and why I feel so empty and disillusioned when I go Miami, art shows, music shows-anything involving young people my age. The last paragraph pretty much sums up my generation:

We are a lost generation, desperately clinging to anything that feels real, but too afraid to become it ourselves. We are a defeated generation, resigned to the hypocrisy of those before us, who once sang songs of rebellion and now sell them back to us. We are the last generation, a culmination of all previous things, destroyed by the vapidity that surrounds us. The hipster represents the end of Western civilization – a culture so detached and disconnected that it has stopped giving birth to anything new.

BTW-I'm not a hipster...according to the Hipster quiz in the back of the Hipster Handbook. I failed it.

Design taking over

Google has a new favicon. I'm very lukewarm about it. The colors remind me of a multi-cultural design which I like, but I think it's too much.

Tropicana Orange Juice has a new design as well, which I like a lot more. Simple, clean very "now" which I dig. It's to the point too. Orange juice. That's all, but the 100% orange pure & natural is a bit silly, because well duh but yum! Though I do have to say it does remind me of a store brand-example Target's brand. It has a cheap and healthy design to it.

Now I wonder who's next in redesigning...

Blog the planet!

Sunday's Favorite Selection #22:

Doogie Howser, M.D.

Side note: First blog? Neil Patrick Harris hosted SNL last night, which wasn't funny at all. That bummed me out because I love Neil Patrick Harris and I think he's an awesome actor. Talking about awesome...

Though SNL heard my request for Rachel Maddow impersonation! But I only caught the ending to it, which also wasn't very funny.

2012: Total eclipse of the heart

Armageddon Week on History channel! I was excited but after 20 minutes of watching Nostradamus: 2012 I started playing some vinyls and singing very loud. Pretty much this 2 hour special, which is still playing is repeating everything that was said in the first 20 minutes. Images of chaos is taking over, Nostradamus "look a like" blah blah blah. Maybe I'm a bit old school, but I want to hear/see interviews not this over the top graphics of the end of time. 

I found myself being obsessed with 2012 a few months ago. About a year a friend became wildly obsessed with 2012, kept talking about the end of time, but I didn't care. It wasn't until another friend found out how about this obsession of 2012 at my job. She actually went into depth what 2012 means (in the Mayan calendar sense) and I of course became fascinated. A few months after that we talked about it again and this time a new light came to me. It was more of a personal conversation and wondering of a global change.

I'm not sure why Nostradamus is all up on this 2012 special when it really should be about the Mayans, but I guess for viewership throwing in Nostradamus is a good marketing tool.  The next 4 years should be very interesting. 

Pack my things and say goodbye

Sunday's Favorite Selection #21:


The Bodines-Skanking Queens

Side note: On New Year's Eve I was waiting for the train which was extremely late, but I didn't mind. I was blasting the CD86 cds on loud volume, singing and dancing around the station. It was the first time in a very long time that I felt completely free. This song isn't featured on the compilation, but Therese is (and in the actual C86 tape) and jeeze how I long to learn how to play the guitar now. The only sad thing about this song is that I can't help but think how much I want to leave South Florida, and how I won't be missed. On top of that someone I barely even know who is a friend of a friend keeps telling me I should move to Philly. It's odd to feel wanted somewhere you've only been to for a few days, and not somewhere you've lived for 11 years. I really do think it's time for me to leave. I want to feel like I did the other day.

Cycles of blame

Ted Leo is my Bob Dylan, my Bruce Springsteen, my Joe Strummer and pretty much any other "great" singer songwriters who were frustrated, disillusioned by what they saw and who led their generation. The sad thing though is that I don't know many people who are Ted Leo fans. I know for a fact that Ted Leo rules all corners of this world, has more passion than most musicians now and well cares for this world-as much as he is worried and upset at it.

Whatever happened to that one singer songwriter that everyone looked up to? I have to be honest I'm not a fan of Dylan or Springsteen, but I will not deny their importance. Are these people dead in a metaphorical sense? Or we just don't care for it anymore? I think someone like M.I.A. is more of the front runner now, but is no where near close to being a "great" singer songwriter. Yeah she has amazing songs, but I feel her depth is only skin deep. Which is a just another reflection of our society, our generation. Sad huh? Is it so bad to want change?


I'll keep listening to Mr. Leo, because no one can make me feel as empowered, safe and happy when I listen to the man.