Bumper stickers are always fun. They can turn a shitty car into an even shittier one, a nice car into a more down to eart "look at me I'm not afraid to put a sticker on my car" one, and a college kids car into a stereotypical one. Personally, I really enjoy looking at them and judging the person driving the car accordingly, but some people take them too seriously and get all bent out of shape and disrespectful for no reason.
My friend Sarah and her whole family proudly display Darwin fish decals on their cars. If you know the family, it's so appropriate and hilarious. When I first saw it on her car I was shocked because I thought it was a Jesus fish, but upon closer examination, I was comforted by the little feet I saw jutting out. Most people, however, aren't comforted by the fish with feet and find it very offensive. She has told me several stories about people coming up to her and telling her to take it off, trying to take it off themselves, or just flipping her off from their cars (probably also attributed to her horrible driving). But, of course, these are the type of people who probably don't fully understand the Theory of Evolution and think it says that we evolve from monkeys... which it doesn't. This just goes to show how much a symbol, a stupid little decal on a car, can affect people; How much a picture or visual representation can still be powerful without the use of words. It also goes to show that images spark controversy in every day life and not just when a child is photographed nude or live animals are used in some art form.
Though I think the ubiquitous Jesus fish strikers are annoying, I'm not going to ask anyone to take them off of their cars. I mean, it's just a bumper sticker, look like an ass if you want to.
My favorite of all time... I see this one way more than I should. I guess they want to gun down the endangered bald eagle, planes, blimps, and sky divers, too!
I love creepily looking into other people's dorm rooms when their door is opened. From the rooms with Chi O signs plastered everywhere to the ones with posters of Bob Dylan and other music icons, I enjoy inappropriately staring into all of them, Seeing how other people arrange and decorate their room not only gives me ideas on how I could move things around in my room but it can also reveal a lot about the person in it. Initially, our rooms look disgusting and depressing with their white walls, cheep fake wood desks, and cold mismatched tiles. The first few weeks when my walls were bare it drove me crazy and made me even more depressed and homesick than I already was. Then, once I brought posters and little nick nacks from home to decorate with, the room took on a whole new ambiance. I felt much more conformable and the room was much more inviting for me and others. Unfortunately, however, some people's rooms still look pretty scary. My friend Lauren's room still has all of it's stained white walls and cracking tiles exposed. To top it off, her room has gross blue blinds that she hardly ever opens to let the light in. My other friends and I lovingly call her room "the cave" and frequently tell her how uneasy we feel when we are in it. Now, the really bad part about this is that I am going to be the cave woman's roomie next year. I have already vowed to get something on those walls if it's the last thing I do... but then again, nothing on the walls is probably better than the poster of puppies in a pot staring at me with their sad eyes that I have to look at now.
So, I just think it's pretty amazing how just a little bit of decorating can make our freakish looking plain dorms look so nice homely. Those bare walls are also a nice way to express yourself... and not in the Madonna way.
People put a lot of emphasis on others appearances, especially people in the public eye. The presidential candidates are no exception. When talking to my friend Jamey about who we thought we were going to vote for, Obama's good looks inevitably came up. "I don't remember such a good looking young president, and I think that would be cool." he said wholeheartedly. Of course, I reminded him of Kennedy's classic good looks and likability. One of my history teachers was oddly obsessed with him and his head full of beautiful red hair... he would also talk in detail about how ugly Eleanore Roosevelt was... and one class he got all emotional because "Robert E. Lee was such a good guy, but he was just on the wrong side!"... but that's beside the point. Anyway, looks really do count much more than they should. Their policies, promises, and plans seem to be overshadowed by menial outward appearances. Who cares about that stuff anyway! I mean, if Obama doesn't wear an American flag pin on his coat, he must be an anti-American Muslim! Oh, that crazy black man. Hillary looks like The Joker from Batman when she smiles! She must be crazy! Why would we want to look at her, that woman, for 4 years? McCain is too rotund and wrinkly... he'll probably kill over within a year of taking official!
Come on people, get it together!! This shit shouldn't matter. Find an unflattering picture about a politician and it could hurt them. Make sure they are photographed with their kids, at construction sites with hard hats on, and being normal people just like you and me. I don't know about what everyone else thinks, but I don't want someone like me running the country!
Maybe we just want an attractive leader to mask the ugly truths of politics and capitalistic society. Just slap a suit on them and at least they look competent!
Obama is adorable though...
Crazy bitch! Terrorist! Looks like that old bastard needs to be waterboarded!
When I heard Irish Folk singers were going to be performing in the shell, I was in! Though not many people showed up, it was a great show, and I really enjoyed myself.
The shell was a perfect place for the show. Being outside on that brisk windy night set the perfect atmosphere for the Irish folk music. Because of the outdoors, the performance felt much more folky, laid back, and personable than it would have if it was in one of the auditoriums on campus. Outside, the audience feels more comforatable getting involved and cheering. Of course, I am always comfortable shouting out a "Wooooo!" and did my share of it to my friend's protest. Being at a more open venue also makes me feel much more free- less trapped and more care free... but maybe that's just because I am an outdoors freak and hate artificial lighting. Inside of the shell, the musicians added their own flair with their fun personalities, cool instruments, and Irish pride. Though an awkwardly hung Irish flag was pitifully flaccid for most of the show, it looked great and regal when the wind wold pick up and make it wave a bit.
After the show, Libby and I went to Colombia Cafe-another place with an inviting and distinct atmosphere. The small building and chic furniture (glass top tables with coffee beans under them and colorful fabric draped from the ceiling) created a unique and cozy atmosphere perfect for conversation. Sitting at a table with Libby and Liz was also interesting. 3 socially awkward people = a memorable time. Acting as a buffer between Libby's sensitivity and passive aggressiveness and Liz's awkward inappropriateness and questions that rubbed Libby the wrong way was fun for me. You always know when I'm the best conversation starter that circumstances are unfortunately hilarious.
So, over spring break I went and visited one of my friends in Austin and discovered a wonderful musician who only plays in Texas named Doug Burr.
Though my friend is into mostly hardcore/punk music (which I had my share of during my visit), he humored me and took me to a folky show he knew i'd like. Thank god he did because it was amazing!
I wish there was a better video... it just doesn't do him justice.
With a beautiful voice, wonderful and thoughtful lyrics, and raw musicianship, Doug Burr blew me away. First I was amazed by the soothing melody of his voice and instrumentation, and then I started to notice what a great song writer he is
Burr played in a very small coffee shop that created a comfortable and homely atmosphere perfect for his music. I always prefer small venues for that reason. They really do create a completely different atmosphere that makes the show feel so much more special and intimate. The only bad thing about the small space was how much it amplified people's conversations when they would talk amongst themselves like assholes during the show (which really seems to be a problem with people these days). Burrs laid back aura made me feel like I was just watching a friend play some songs he had been working on with a group of close friends. His large rimmed glasses and white streak of hair in the front of his head made him look like that artsy guy he was. He had a weird little voice and accent that seemed awkward but fitting for him, too.
An inviting atmosphere, a great friend, a few drinks, and awesome new music... what more could you ask for?
Granitevill, Whippoorwill, Thing About Trouble, and Blood Runs Downhill were my favorite songs. Everyone should go buy his album On Promenade from iTunes(assuming you like this kinda of music)!!!
echoBOOM is a play about a school shooting and my generation. Of course, after hearing about all the controversy surrounding it, I wanted to go see it for myself. Though I could definitely see why it would be very offensive to some people, I just laughed, and though I wanted to like it, I really can't say I did. It was just alright.
Visually it was very interesting and cool, but the rest was just... eh. One of the visual highlights was the color lighted background and blackout that made the actors look like they were part of one of the iconic ipod commercial. Another was the actors actually playing the part of crosses burning and glowing in the dark with their neon black light colors. It was very appealing to the current generation and our fixation on pictures and color, as it was supposed to be. But aside from the cool contemporary/minimalistic setting, the plot was just a fucked up modern day Antigone... it just didn't do it for me. As I was watching the play unfold I kept on saying to myself "This is all really familiar... what is it?" and it wasn't until the part where the antagonist was thrown in prison and broadcast around the world live via webcam (yeah I know) that i really realized. After that I would just think "On no they just didn't!" I've even deduced that the Jesus character, who sells drugs to the kids, cusses, and snorts cocaine himself, is supposed to be Tireasias blinded by drugs instead of actually being blind. If that sounds lame, it's because it is.
I mean, I get the point of it and I get the themes, and they're all really relevant and important.... I just don't like how it was done. It just seems like one of those things that sounds good on paper, one of those good ideas, but once it's played out, it's not that great.
I have a personal problem with sunglasses. I don't know what it is about them, but every time I put on a pair they just fuck me up. The awkward brown or black tent to everything just confuses me and makes me feel uneasy... Yes, I know this isn't normal, but neither is my contempt for hot liquids. Weird, but that's just how it is. So, because of this, I'm always extremely confused with and hateful towards people who wear sunglasses all the time... day or night... inside or outside.... what's your fucking problem!?! For this reason (and many others) I really hate Bonno.
Relating to consumption of visual culture, I don't see how these people (Bono in particular) can function. While looking at art or screening a movie does he just accept the fact that everything has a purple(or whatever color of the spectrum his sunglasses happen to be) tint? Has he just gotten used to the distorted world his treasured sunglasses have created for him? Does he imagine what something would look like without the rosy tint, or is the tint just another part of viewing things for him? Does he get confused when he takes them off? Most importantly, does he really think they make him look cool? I really don't see how he can live with himself...
Bonno, you look like a jackass. Please take off your sunglasses so you can see the world how it really is, buddy. I'm sure you could also save some money from not buying sunglasses in every shade ever made.
UNOS, DOS, TRES, CATORCE!!!! Learn how to fucking count in Spanish!
So, I am going to talk about There Will Be Blood from a more visual standpoint. I watched it again this weekend, and it was even better the second time! Why am I so obsessed with this movie?! I think I'm just a sucker for Daniel-Day and his freakishness.
For about the first 15 min. of the movie, there is little or no dialog. No words are needed. Words would have detracted from the main focus of the film: Daniel Plainview and Oil. The greed and detrimental hunger for oil is made evident from the very beginning. For Daniel, oil (and the struggle to make money) is his life. It's how he makes a living, it's what he does all day, and it's all he thinks about after his work is done; it consumes his being. These opening scenes also kind of show Daniel's progression from a plain and naive oil worker to the fierce entrepreneur and later monster that he becomes.
The darkness of the scenes also give the film an eerie feeling. Most notably for me is the scene where Daniel's son H.W. tells him that he wants to move to Mexico to start his own oil drilling business. The dark intense lighting reflected and enhanced the scene. The only thing keeping Daniel sane (his boy H.W. who he loved regardless of what he said) is gone. This was his final breaking point for him and one of the darkest moments in the movie.
While recently channel surfing (not something I usually do with the exception of the 3 shows I watch religiously) and listening to the radio (also not something I usually do) I couldn't help but get the feeling that the big whigs in charge of programing and the mass media think that the consumers (yep, that's us!) are complete idiots.
I passed at least 3 shows about dancing that were basically the same, sitcoms about guys and girls getting into pretty much the same crazy predicaments, and reality shows that I don't even know what to say about. Is this the best they got, or do they just think that we'll just settle for shit? Oh... I guess we do settle for shit. But we only settle because we are so used to it. We're so used to low quality, mass marketing, and scarce choices.
Even worse than the TV was the radio and the songs I heard playing. It's obvious why people are quickly moving to satellite radio. Though we are used to the electronically enhanced and highly produced singles out today, I honestly think that if people were given more choices, just given the chance to listen to something that isn't the norm, it would catch on. The consumer might actually like something different, something with emotion, or something actually written by the artist if producers and record labels would be willing to take a chance... too bad all they care about is money! BUT It's happened before! It happens all the time. When a band like Modest Mouse gains popularity and is even played on TRL, there's hope for all underground bands out there. I mean really... Modest Mouse?... they aren't exactly what you think of as even remotely close to a main stream sounding band. They're what I think of when someone mentions a band you have to have an acquired ear to like, but more and more people heard them... and... they... they actually liked it!!!! Producers and heads of record labels need not scratch their heads in bewilderment; all they have to do is realize that people are more opened to new and different music than they think. We aren't stupid! Most of us just don't know what else is out there. Once people start to hear REAL good music, they'll realize "Oh, man, we have been listening to crap all this time!" Yes, popular music is damn catchy(obviously for a reason) and I thoroughly enjoy some of it myself. The worlds of pop and underground music can coincide, (unless you're a music snob an/or take yourself too seriously) and they have been for tons of people.
Call me crazy, but I still miss the good ole days (the good ole days that I never experienced) when an artist would just write their music, record it, say "Here it is!" and it's done! It's ready for radio without any restrictions or hired songwriters or digital modifications... and it's great! The artist actually had talent.
Basically, I just wish the public would stop giving money to support low quality things just because low quality is the most prevalent and sometimes the only option. If we stop buying trash, we will stop getting trash. We're not stupid, so let's show those big studios, labels, and networks and start demanding a much higher quality product! We have the money, so we have the power!
Si se puede!...?
I think we can all agree that the "Trapped in the Closet" thing that R Kelly did was one of the great low points in pop culture for so many reasons
ahahahhah who thought this was a good idea?
annnnd
here is a high point
hahaha i love him
It doesn't get any purer than this. I'm a maaayyynnnne!
Planet Earth is an 11 part mini series filmed by the BBC and now (well, it was) frequently playing on the Discovery channel. Needless to say, this series is about Earth in all of its glory, and IT. IS. AMAZING. It's probably one of the most visually stunning things I have ever seen, and now that I own the set of DVDs, I can't stop watching them.
With state of the art high definition cameras and years worth of footage of the worlds most amazing animals, it really couldn't have been bad. Slow motion shots that stretch a shark attacking a seal from a few seconds in real time to a few minuets is really awe provoking. Though the slow and fast motion scenes(of flowers blooming and things that take a long time like that) are the most talked about and probably most stunning ones, every second of this series is worth watching. It really opens your eyes to the the cosmic power and majesty of nature, how beautiful and valuable the world we are destroying is, and just how good technology is getting.
Everyone should see at least some of this wonderful series!
The Oscars were wonderful this year! I am actually happy with all of the winners!
Visually, the actors in their designer outfits and the formal nature of the ceremony portrays the glamor and glorifies the film industry as a serious and honorable one. It's the big event of the year for those involved in the industry, and it's the time of the year when the best are honored and the privileged former nominees and winners are present. The video montages and the host are to entertain and the high tech fancy stage decorations are to make everything aesthetically pleasing for the viewer, but the night is all about the winners; the actors, writers, directors, film makers, cinematographers, composers and everyone else that makes movies possible; everyone who makes movies extraordinary. The night is in honor of the greats who are voted the best in their field and get their few minuets of honored and coveted time behind that podium to thank whoever they want and bask in their glory. When looking back on award ceremonies, the memory in the forefront of people's minds is not how great the stage looked or the award presenters but the award winners, what they are wearing, and what they had to say. The Oscars, and all award shows, are meant to entertain the viewer who is watching for hours while more importantly honoring the honorees and making the night about them and their victory. Everyone likes to see people's reactions when they win big!
"There Will Be Blood" was INTENSE! It was so freaky!!! But considering who was involved in it, I wouldn't expect any less. Paul Thomas Anderson + Daniel-DayLewis = inevitable weirdness and awesomeness
The music really made the movie and accented all of the actions perfectly. It was so CREEPY and made me feel uncomfortable and suspenseful the whole movie. Without any actors speaking or knowing much about the movie, the music told the viewer all they would need to know. It said "this is going to be a scary/creepy ass movie." and it was right.
Daniel Day-Lewis scars me more than I thought possible. He freaks me out both as an actor and as a person. He was amazing in this movie and is well deserving of all best actor awards he should be nominated for. He played the extremely disturbed and evil character of Daniel wonderfully. What a freak.
Another wonderful performance was also given by Paul Dano who played Eli an evangelical nut job who should have never gotten on Daniel's bad side. A personal highlight in his performance was when he was was sucking on an old womans fingers to get the "devil" out of her arthritic hands and shouted "I WOULD FUCK THE DEVIL OUT OF YOU!" or something along those lines. He. went. crazy. when he was yelling at demons to "GET OUT!" of the church. Such a great job done by the "Little Miss Sunshine" boy.
The last line of the movie was so haunting and ambiguous to me! Just the way it was delivered and the music that fallowed it was delightfully disturbing!
With quotable lines that we were already reciting right after the movie on the way to the car like, "You're just a bastard in a basket!" and "I. drink. your. MILKSHAKE! I DRINK IT UP!" you really can't go wrong with this film.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!! Don't watch this if you haven't seen the movie!
Best scene to reenacting to creep people out!
All I have to say is go see the movie, it's worth the money.
I went into the movie theater expecting great things from "The Great Debaters" but came out of the movie wishing I would have just waited to rent it to save a few dollars. Maybe I was expecting too much. Though the true events the movie is based off of are amazingly inspirational, the movie was thing but.
The main problem I had with the movie was the little boy, James, who was supposed to be a loved character that kept the audience rooting for him. He was EXTREMELY irritating to me, and by the end of the movie I only imagined how good the last debate would have been had he not debated. Though the scene was meant to be touching and triumphant (as I'm sure it was for most viewers) I was thinking about how much I disliked the character and imagining the more skilled and powerful voice of Henry in my head. Henry was who I was rooting for. With James comes his family, which I also felt no emotional attachment to. I simply didn't care for James or his family. Words can't express my frustrations with James.
Wilson, though I understand his purpose in the movie, was hilarious to me and completely unnecessary. One liners like, "I am Wilson." had me and my friends laughing out loud. With every scene he was in, the more ridiculous (and almost creepy) I thought he was. Why?? Just why? Things like Wilson just made me realize how much I didn't like the movie.
Of course Denzel was great and in the movie. He still has that sex appeal after all these years as well. Both he and his character were strong and effective.
The plot, though slightly uplifting, was extremely predictable. I can't believe it was nominated for best motion picture at the Golden Globes. But, I still love Denzel and applaud him on his great job acting and directing the movie.
