Please spare me all the bullshit about Ronald Reagan. From what I have
learned, he was probably one of the absolute worst presidents in terms of
issues that mean anything at all to me.
He fought to keep Apartheid in place so that thousands of blacks could
continue to have their land taken from them, forced into camps, and/or
murdered. He illegally invaded 3-4 central american countries including but
not limited too Guatamala, Honduras, and Nicaraugua. He sold weapons to
Iran. He approved Israel's invasion of Lebanon. He ignored the AIDS
epidemic and helped label it as a 'gay man's disease'. He started this
whole president as puppet thing that put W in the oval office. And they are
now talking about putting his face on the 50 cent piece instead of
Kennedy??!! Are you serious??!!
This Reagan shit has got to stop. I'm sorry the man died, but I think a
more important person died this week: Ray Charles.
That's right.
Ray Charles died today and this is a man who touched more people in a
positive way then Ronald Reagan every could have dreamed about. There will
be no state funerals, no people lining the streets in the sweltering heat,
no congressional speeches, no visits from British royalty, and no 24 gun
salute.
Ray Charles epitomized soul music. He was able to transcend rock, blues,
gospel, and country to become one of the most universally recognized figures
in music. Not to mention he was a helluva piano player. And by the way,
did you know Ray Charles was blind? Ray Charles' smile, his vigor for life
and general good nature came through whenever he spoke, whenever he sang or
performed. I ask if you knew he was blind, because I don't think he did.
He didn't live his life as if his inability to see was some sort of
deterrant to success. I think I have problems half the time, but I couldn't
imagine being blind, especially as an architect. Sight to me is one of the
most precious gifts you have and you should cherish the fact that you are
able to see the words in front of you.
What we can learn from Ray Charles is that we should all be thankful for
what we have and the little obstacles that we allow into our mindset that
prevent us from accomplishing our goals should be ignored. Our problems are
not as big as we think they are. So the next time you're down and think
about how much work it will take to reach the goals we've set for ourselves,
think of Ray.
~C
CD of the moment: Gonna go home and pull out some Ray Charles.
6.10.2004
RIP Ray Charles
6.01.2004
HGTV is the enemy
So in between golfing, high school graduations, dancing until the morning at a gay bar, and having my car broken into, I spent a lot of time watching TV this Memorial Day weekend and couldn't help but be fascinated by these home decoration shows that are on every other cable channel. Most of these home makeover shows only do one thing, prove that taste isn't always in the genes. They focus on how to take ugly rooms, badly decorated, and turn them into slightly less ugly, still badly decorated rooms for the enjoyment of people who don't know any better. Yes I am on my architectural soapbox right now. So what.
One of the most distressing things about the amount of insanely tacky makeover shows is the lack of any alternative. The US television audience is terribly underexposed to good quality modern design. This could be because 95% of modern design exists in other parts of the world, and sadly the high quantity of developer driven stickboxes in the US have force fed the public into believing that these new homes are really nice. It's kinda like pop music. Since people aren't given much of an alternative, they accept what they are told is 'popular' and internalize it as something that they like.
This is not to say that modern design doesn't have its share of Charles Jenks' philosophical nonsense or Philippe Starck recklessness (which I happen to like), but in no way does it compare with the wince-inducing jankyness of most design styles presented on television.
Where did we go wrong as a country set to embrace the modern world way back when? People like Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson were making products for the masses, who were embracing them. Somewhere along the way floral wallpaper, dull chairs and busy flatware -- not to mention McMansions and the influence of the Southwest -- took over, and we all found ourselves on Ugly Street with someone from television there to document our lack of curb appeal.
This is not to say modernism is the only way to go (well, it is, but who needs the e-mail?), just that it's about time some other perspective was offered. Maybe someone contemplating a remodel could be gently redirected away from generic appliances or poorly conceived, meritless architecture, toward something more uplifting, more design-conscious or environmentally friendly. How can we, as a country, learn about clean lines and the philosophy of less is more if the majority of what we see on television celebrates fat loungers and train station themed living rooms?
Maybe we're just a country that needs, not surprisingly, to be educated about design. Maybe we need to be told that, yes, vinyl siding sucks, that mirror is hideous and that's the ugliest "entertainment center" known to man. No, it isn't cool to have your house look like everyone elses on the same block, and red walls aren't as cool as you think they are.
Here's a Design Within Reach catalog. Sit. Study.
No, an EMPHATIC HELL no, two grand and 48 hours is not enough to redo your whole house.
and the design revolution will not be televised.
Here are a few links to set you straight:
http://photos.innersource.com/group/6610
http://www.therme-vals.ch/?language=en
http://www.vongirsewald.com/schaulager/
http://www.dezain.net/2003/prada/
http://web.mit.edu/evolving/stata/photos/photos.html
http://www.objectsby.com/hudsongb.htm
~C
CD of the moment: Aya - "Strange Flower"
One of the most distressing things about the amount of insanely tacky makeover shows is the lack of any alternative. The US television audience is terribly underexposed to good quality modern design. This could be because 95% of modern design exists in other parts of the world, and sadly the high quantity of developer driven stickboxes in the US have force fed the public into believing that these new homes are really nice. It's kinda like pop music. Since people aren't given much of an alternative, they accept what they are told is 'popular' and internalize it as something that they like.
This is not to say that modern design doesn't have its share of Charles Jenks' philosophical nonsense or Philippe Starck recklessness (which I happen to like), but in no way does it compare with the wince-inducing jankyness of most design styles presented on television.
Where did we go wrong as a country set to embrace the modern world way back when? People like Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson were making products for the masses, who were embracing them. Somewhere along the way floral wallpaper, dull chairs and busy flatware -- not to mention McMansions and the influence of the Southwest -- took over, and we all found ourselves on Ugly Street with someone from television there to document our lack of curb appeal.
This is not to say modernism is the only way to go (well, it is, but who needs the e-mail?), just that it's about time some other perspective was offered. Maybe someone contemplating a remodel could be gently redirected away from generic appliances or poorly conceived, meritless architecture, toward something more uplifting, more design-conscious or environmentally friendly. How can we, as a country, learn about clean lines and the philosophy of less is more if the majority of what we see on television celebrates fat loungers and train station themed living rooms?
Maybe we're just a country that needs, not surprisingly, to be educated about design. Maybe we need to be told that, yes, vinyl siding sucks, that mirror is hideous and that's the ugliest "entertainment center" known to man. No, it isn't cool to have your house look like everyone elses on the same block, and red walls aren't as cool as you think they are.
Here's a Design Within Reach catalog. Sit. Study.
No, an EMPHATIC HELL no, two grand and 48 hours is not enough to redo your whole house.
and the design revolution will not be televised.
Here are a few links to set you straight:
http://photos.innersource.com/group/6610
http://www.therme-vals.ch/?language=en
http://www.vongirsewald.com/schaulager/
http://www.dezain.net/2003/prada/
http://web.mit.edu/evolving/stata/photos/photos.html
http://www.objectsby.com/hudsongb.htm
~C
CD of the moment: Aya - "Strange Flower"
5.17.2004
my di*k is pretty
My dick always looks prettier in the club.
Maybe it's the flashing strobes or it's ability to change colors from purple to green to blue with each ray of passing light.
Maybe it's the illusion that it is actually pulsing to the rhythm of the bass that makes jaws drop in amazement.
Maybe it's the alcohol
Maybe it's always a full moon when it happens and I just never noticed.
Maybe it's the cocoa butter. I don't know.
I always thought the darkness would make it look more skinny, you know, black makes you look thin etc.., but think about it... if you are in a dark room then your eye briefly catches a glimpse of light, once that light gets taken away, the thing that was bright has that lingering glow that makes it seem like it's bigger than it actually is. That's what happens when light hits my dick in the club.
Maybe it's the simple shock that when asked if they can "see it", (like it's some sort of rare baseball card) it doesn't take much swaying to get me to whip it out. Its almost like a dare on the playground when you're a little kid... once you get dared, you gotta do it.
It's not like she really EXPECTS you to actually pull it out. And more often then not, I really have no intention to. So after the obligitory "reach-for-the-zipper-and-act-like-you're-going-to-but-know-you-really-aren't" routine, that's when you get the "SEE, I knew you wouldn't pull it out."
That's when you whip it out.
Right when they're convinced you won't do it. And are mimicking you for being the chicken they are presuming you are. So it ends up being more like, "SEE, I knew you wouldn't... oh my......" It's the best way to express "shut the fuck up" without muttering a word.
But you have to put it away all quick like. Otherwise the lighting might shift, flash or make it seem all deformed or something. There has to be tons of people around to, because it makes it all the more dramatic that no one else around just saw you whip your shit out ya know.
It's not like I do the shit all the time, I mean I could count on one hand the number of times it has happened but it works.
trust me it works.
~C
CD of the moment: Amy Winehouse - "Frank"
Maybe it's the flashing strobes or it's ability to change colors from purple to green to blue with each ray of passing light.
Maybe it's the illusion that it is actually pulsing to the rhythm of the bass that makes jaws drop in amazement.
Maybe it's the alcohol
Maybe it's always a full moon when it happens and I just never noticed.
Maybe it's the cocoa butter. I don't know.
I always thought the darkness would make it look more skinny, you know, black makes you look thin etc.., but think about it... if you are in a dark room then your eye briefly catches a glimpse of light, once that light gets taken away, the thing that was bright has that lingering glow that makes it seem like it's bigger than it actually is. That's what happens when light hits my dick in the club.
Maybe it's the simple shock that when asked if they can "see it", (like it's some sort of rare baseball card) it doesn't take much swaying to get me to whip it out. Its almost like a dare on the playground when you're a little kid... once you get dared, you gotta do it.
It's not like she really EXPECTS you to actually pull it out. And more often then not, I really have no intention to. So after the obligitory "reach-for-the-zipper-and-act-like-you're-going-to-but-know-you-really-aren't" routine, that's when you get the "SEE, I knew you wouldn't pull it out."
That's when you whip it out.
Right when they're convinced you won't do it. And are mimicking you for being the chicken they are presuming you are. So it ends up being more like, "SEE, I knew you wouldn't... oh my......" It's the best way to express "shut the fuck up" without muttering a word.
But you have to put it away all quick like. Otherwise the lighting might shift, flash or make it seem all deformed or something. There has to be tons of people around to, because it makes it all the more dramatic that no one else around just saw you whip your shit out ya know.
It's not like I do the shit all the time, I mean I could count on one hand the number of times it has happened but it works.
trust me it works.
~C
CD of the moment: Amy Winehouse - "Frank"
5.12.2004
apples revisited
Could you imagine if Congress spent as much effort trying to find out who really shot MLK / Malcolm X / Biggie / or Tupac as they have on how poorly our American soldiers are behaving in Iraq?
------
wow. I didn't realize all this talk of women being rotten apples would cause such a furor.... I've revisited my position and have come to a conclusion on the issue...
Those rotten apples on the ground were once on the top of the tree and the apples that were on the end of the low branches that were within reach got eaten. (They were shinyer then a MFer too.)
I truly believe that the crap that women go through on many level is of their own making. They have control over their most powerful possession. It makes men do all kinds of stupid things. The issue is women WANT men to think like women but we do not.
Also, the treachery that they practice on each other allows men to do their thing. Women are their own worst enemies. Granted men should have more integrity but generally we do not. Especially when there is so much tail floating about that is just handed to you. While all this is happening women become rotten apples. Then they tend to bring baggage with them into every relationship.
Relationships take work. All those bright shiny pure untouched apples are ALL the way up on the top of the tree out of reach, hiding out in their apartments going back and forth to work, church, or at the gym with headphones on, etc.... (like I ever go to the gym, but you know what I'm sayin'). If we knew how to reach those apples, we would but until we figure it out, we're going to stick with the ones that fall off the tree.
I probably just made things worse, but..... nevermind....
~C
CD of the moment: Louie Vega - "Elements of Life"
------
wow. I didn't realize all this talk of women being rotten apples would cause such a furor.... I've revisited my position and have come to a conclusion on the issue...
Those rotten apples on the ground were once on the top of the tree and the apples that were on the end of the low branches that were within reach got eaten. (They were shinyer then a MFer too.)
I truly believe that the crap that women go through on many level is of their own making. They have control over their most powerful possession. It makes men do all kinds of stupid things. The issue is women WANT men to think like women but we do not.
Also, the treachery that they practice on each other allows men to do their thing. Women are their own worst enemies. Granted men should have more integrity but generally we do not. Especially when there is so much tail floating about that is just handed to you. While all this is happening women become rotten apples. Then they tend to bring baggage with them into every relationship.
Relationships take work. All those bright shiny pure untouched apples are ALL the way up on the top of the tree out of reach, hiding out in their apartments going back and forth to work, church, or at the gym with headphones on, etc.... (like I ever go to the gym, but you know what I'm sayin'). If we knew how to reach those apples, we would but until we figure it out, we're going to stick with the ones that fall off the tree.
I probably just made things worse, but..... nevermind....
~C
CD of the moment: Louie Vega - "Elements of Life"
5.05.2004
I know I can do a backflip
How hard can it be to do a backflip?
For real, I think a backflip is 99% balls, 1% skill. I bet I could do one
right now if I just swallowed my fear of paralysis and went for it.
You don't even have to touch anything! You just jump up into the air
and...spin around backwards.
I'm gonna learn how to do a backflip, and whip it out at parties and
whatnot.
Deep down, I really don't think I could do it though, and I used to be a
pretty athletic dude.
I used to try to do one off of a springboard at this one cats pool back in
high school and would overturn it from time to time. Actually, it would
probably be easier to do a forward flip.
You just sprint about 20 yards, throw your feet in the air and BLAM! I'm
sure the forward thrust would probably send me tumbling forward, but I bet I
could at least get my feet all the way over my head.
My landing would be pretty shitty though.
I remember back flips being status symbols during childhood. Being able to
do a back flip made you distinguishable among the other local kids, who
could only manage a horrible "back twist" or something. It was always that
bitch-like dude that could pull it off too, and then all the lil third grade
hoes would think he was so cool.
There was this kid named Brandon that could do them off of buildings and
shit. I can't lie, I was jealous of the lil popularity boost it gave him.
I used to be able to do that certain Kid N Play dance. You know, the "hop
over your leg" thingy. I broke that shit out at Homecoming back in '91 and
all the white folks were in a circle cheering me on. What a fucking herb
move..... I swore I was the shit to with my polka dotted skidz and shit....
I'm going to pass on the flip thing. I'm too old to break my hip and ruin
whats left of my fuck game!
~C
CD of the moment: Miguel Migs - Southport Weekender
5.03.2004
forwards, apples, etc..
a chronicles bonus......... two in one day!
I hate forwards...
My lovely cousin bless her heart forwards me shit like the following almost
every day:
> > >Women are like apples on trees: the best ones are
> > >at the top of the tree.
> > >Most men don't want to reach for the good ones
> > >because they are afraid of
> > >falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get
> > >the rotten apples from the ground
> > >that aren't as good, but easy... So the apples at
> > >the top think something is
> > >wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing.
> > >They just have to wait for
> > >the right man to come along - the one who's brave
> > >enough to climb all the way
> > >to the top of the tree.
> > >
> > >Share this with other women who are good apples -
> > >even those who have already
> > >been picked!
> > >
> > >And remember... Men are like a fine wine. They
> > >start out as grapes, and it's
> > >up to women to stomp the crap out of them until
> > they
> > >turn into something
> > >acceptable to have dinner with.
> > >
To this I say, GTFOHWTBS!!! ("get the fuck outta here with that bull shit"
for those in the cheap seats.)
See shit like this is what's wrong with hoes... er women these days.
Reading this kinda crap every day breeds thoughts of grandeur and
untouchableness. Then all the girls get together and complain about men and
look around at themselves as apples at the top of the tree.
As I get older my fellow single men and I have it all figured out. We could
easily go and act like we're supposed to and be that ideal man that you'd
love to take home to momma. Really, we can turn that shit on in a
heartbeat. But why? Then all we've done is breed expectations that we have
no intention on living up to. So you tell us, would you rather have us act
a certain way just to make you feel like you've snagged a 'good man' only to
later find out that he isn't all you thought he was, or just be real from
the jump and turn it on around moms?
Sure I can do the occassional romantic evening with rose pedals on the bed,
a bottle of Vueve and shit just to keep you happy, but that shit is not the
norm so quit acting like you expect it to be. We are not highly emotional
and romantic beings by nature. We can be when we have to, but our normal
existence doesn't operate like that. We are not thoughtful, considerate, or
keep your best interests at heart 90% of the time. We do what we gotta do
to stay outta trouble. But it's not because we don't care. We really do.
We just have a difference of opinion on what we should spend our energy
caring about.
get it?
~C
5.02.2004
community service my ass
It doesn't pay to try to reach out to your community. You go out of
your way to teach these young'uns the right way to live, and they don't
appreciate shit... take this recent transation between me and a young
high school student that I felt could use some of my tutelage....
Curtis walks into McDonalds... "Can I get a number 5 with a Sprite."
........ pause..... presses 18 buttons.... "what kind of drink?"
"Sprite. And can I have BBQ sauce with that."
........... pause........ "you said number 10?"
"No, number 5."
"with a Coke?"
"No a Sprite."
".... and Sweet & Sour Sauce?"
"No, BBQ sauce."
.......... pause, presses more buttons.... "$3.29 "
.............. pause, "..... how can a number 5 possibly cost
$3.29??? when it clearly says, a number 5 costs $4.99?"
"...... um, ion't know......... just give me $3.29."
"No, how about you learn how to ring it up right?"
...... rolls eyes.... sucks teeth........"so you want a number 5,
with a Coke......."
"sure, Coke is fine."
......"with what kind of sauce?"
"BBQ"
.............. presses more buttons, "um..... $4.37"
......"$4.37?"
"yep, $4.37.................. no wait........."
"try again."
"okay, we got a number 5, with a Coke........... and BBQ sauce."
"yep."
"$5.53"
"now see was that so hard?"
"whatever......."
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