harsh realities

As a high school student, I remember spending many an afternoon [and often an early evening] in my school's darkroom. When the time to figure out where I wanted to go to school came around, one of my good friends worked on a portfolio to submit to the Savannah College of Art and Design. My brother was already in college studying music at the University of Michigan. At the time I considered, ever so briefly, the idea of pursuing photography or art more generally. I never really felt I had the talent or skills necessary to become successful at photography, not enough so to make a living, support a family one day, and so on.

Because I saw as too risky it was something I ended up turning away from and failed to pursue. I do not regret that decision...in many ways photography is still a passion and hobby of mine, albeit one I need to spend more time developing [in all honestly, the thing I probably miss the most is all those hours in the darkroom...printing pictures is simply therapeutic for me in many ways]. But I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if I didn't have to worry about the whole economic side of things.

At the same time, I know how lucky I was to have all the opportunities available to me outside of the arts. I figure that I probably was not going to reach a level of achievement or accomplishment that I would have been satisfied with in the arts and so I'm OK leaving to be a hobby, an interest, a passion [altho who knows...maybe that's just a rationalization and telling myself what I need to hear to be OK with that decision from over 10 years ago now].

But while I likely did not have the talent and instead had other opportunities, there are far too many who do have the talent but who simply cannot pursue their dreams or fulfill all that potential because they are not so fortunate. I came across this article a couple weeks back and it really saddened me in many ways and reminded me just how important it is to support the arts and to support artists.

First, no teenager should have to face all that the young girl from that article has had to face...not by that stage in her life. But worse is the fact that pursuing her musical talents is simply not an option to her. It is clearly unfair to her, but it is also a travesty for the rest of us...as we lose out on all her ability and all she could potentially create. It is unfortunate that this young woman and many others like her face a world in which they may not even have the opportunity to discover their talents due to a lack of funding for the arts.

A society can be judged in many ways by its arts. A lack or creativity, especially when it is due to a lack of opportunities to discovery and explore one's creative talents, is indicative of a lack of culture and civility. Obviously that is a somewhat highfalutin statement that makes me sound somewhat ridiculous...but the arts are important on many levels. Most of all, the provide an important role for many of our nation's youth. They are an outlet to find oneself, to express oneself, to work through the many troubles of adolescence, and also an alternative to many of the ills that ail our youth. Further, the creative process allows for development and growth...not only on an individual level but also as a society and nation. Stifling creative also stifles innovation...something we are in need of more than ever in this time.

Personally, tho I didn't end up pursuing anything artistic in life, my brother has and that friend of mine did eventually end up S.C.A.D., and it's important to ensure that our society appreciates and encourages such pursuits. Such creativity needs to be nurtured...

[this post was originally intended to appear and does appear on my music blog.]

travel must

via hypebeast.

oooooooooooooh....i NEED this...except there's no news on it's release. boo. even so, just the concept of this is brilliant. depending on where i'm going, how long i'll be gone, and what i'll be wearing on said trip, sometimes traveling with more than one watch i s a must. and this is an awesome way to not have to worry about damaging said wonderful items. a sweet design to keep those watches safe as u travel the world.

The watch tube is made of an anodized aluminum exterior with a neoprene lining. The tube closes featuring integral locking pins and also features a tool for removing watch straps.

defunctatory

No...i do not think that's a word...but it sounds cool. And it's like the definition of my blogging. Defunct and perfunctory. It's sad too...i've got thoughts and links to share aplenty. But all too often it ends up forced or not happening it all.

It seems no matter what approach is taken, the results end up the same: infrequent and/or uninspired writing for the most part. The goal is some semblance of regularity and relevance. And so i renew my attempts yet again...but without really doing so. It's a blog...whatever ends up here will end up here...and I'm sure I'll continue posting random cool items [hopefully lots of art, shoes, and watches] along with substantive [or at least substantive for my goofy mind] thoughts and words as well.

The lesson for now is that this is my space and it's about enjoyment, growth, and really whatever else i need it to be at the time that i'm sitting in front of a computer writing here...and it's nothing more than that...it certainly isn't work or a chore or something i need to do when i'm not really feeling it.

Now...off to attempt some writing on music...

ooooh...purrrrrrty

via hypebeast

a white version of the Leica M8. look pretty while taking pretty pictures. wOOt wOOt!!!

juice!

via GEEKOLOGIE

And now it comes in packaging that makes it clear just what kind of juice it is! No more reading labels [reading is overrated...wait...or is it fundamental?]. All i know is these look awesome and i love all things awesome.

Desiged by Naoto Fukasawa, a Japanese industrial designer, i hope to see this in grocery stores across the nation soon...altho i really doubt that will happen.

some catching up

Aight...been slackin' and so i'm going with an oversize post tonite...

Money bear.

via Like cool

A teddy bear made from dollar bills? Awesome! You can even up him [or her] up and replace the filling with your own crumpled dolla dolla bills. Awesomer! Price = $1,250.00. NOT AWESOME.


An Imaginary Life

A short film about what happens to the imaginary friends we all end up leaving behind. It's a sad part of growing up...and this just makes it sadder. All the more reason to refuse to grow up and remember that age ain't nothing but a number and a state of mind.



Ghost in the Machine

via iri5

A sweet collection of works by iri5, an artist whose specialty is non-traditional media. These works are made from old cassette tapes...impressive.




Your Inner dj.

Learn to dj in a few short classes [or even just one extended session]. DJ 4 Life offers classes in dj'ing and will teach u all u need to get those wheels of steel spinning. Hot ladies interested in you as the pictures below display not guaranteed. At least I assume they're not guaranteed. But if they are, sign me up!

Editorial update [4.25.09]: the nyTimes is biting my style!

Checkout this article.

Hotel in the air.

via Limited Hype

The world's first flying hotel, also the world's largest helicopter [to be expected when it doubles as a hotel] is set to take off this summer.




Mmm...BACON!!!

via Bacon Salt

I'm sure you know I love bacon. Well...many of us have heard of Bacon Salt:


Some of us are lucky enough to know about Baconnaise:

But the real question is, do you know about Bacon Lip Balm?

Air Yeezy's...the making of...

via complex

Article on the process behind the hyped Air Yeezy shoe. Let's of sweet pics to go with.

weekend diversity

Time for another weekend recap...lots of fun without the exhaustion some weekends come with...and tho it was another weekend in the City [not the greatest example of diversity], it was full of some adventures outside the ordinary...

• doing basketball drills [OK, I have NO idea what this refers to...but it was on the list of highlights i put on my phone as the weekend went by and so it appears on this list...no questions asked]
  
• new keys
• oversize sushi
• a whole bunch of the high school crew reunited
• old skoll chillin
• getting proof
• finally seeing what bubble lounge is all about
• analyzing the guys at the club
• back to old skool chillin
• late nite pizza with the boys
  
• no 2 stop cabbie
• brunch @ La Boulange
• watchin' hoops
• playin' hoops
  
• 2 blocks
• Gym up!
• watchin' more hoops
• NOPA
• angry Los
• good laughs
• Los and his sweating out fat theory
• back to the old skool
• Corona in cans [ughhhh...]
• girls from Arkansas
• effing people up
• finding a good place to stand
• poking and ass slapping
• the "Live Your Life/Let's Get It On" mashup
• cupcakes!
  
• Crab Benedict - a different approach to brunch
• seeing the new pad
• mini-golf!
• trophy [pictured above] and prizes
• time in the South Bay
• another ride to the airport [thanks!]
• the note [pictured below] i found on milo when i got back to Los Angeles

Sadly, I must list a couple of downers:

• doods standing on the dance floor
• delays at the airport

But all in all a great weekend with a variety of experiences and friends...definitely reminded of what's so great about the Bay...not that I needed it. And once again, Happy Birfday to B. Chan!