It Feels Good To Be In Love Again

A couple of weeks after having witnessed the Marlene McCarty exihibition, my mind still reels at the magnitude of it's awesomeness.

In the ArtWorld circa 2008 it has become increasingly rare to find an artist who combines technical prowess, contemporary themes, and extraordinary "vision". Seeing the work of Ms. McCarty literally renewed my faith that such talent still exists.

The works, in graphite and ball-point pen, tap into something very primal in the viewer. The beautifully rendered figures appear simultaneously realistic and other-worldly. It feels as though you are invading a very private moment, but you don't dare look away lest you miss out on the answer to a question too intimate to ask...

Dark Beauty

The origins of this old double-feature movie poster are unknown to me. All I know is that the graphic layout is so brilliant my mind starts to bleed.

For such "in your face movies", the amount of negative space is awesome. Don't even get me started on the use of color...Who ever is behind this deserves some sort of award.

...It's Coming...

Is it juvenile to admit that I am freaked out with excitement over the forthcoming David Sedaris book?

Right now I am desperate need of more of his skewed sensibility...

Foxy...Hot Number Live!

Men in hot pants, cowboy boots, proto-break dancing and disco without drum machines.

How can you not love this video?

Shout Out: Anti-Nowhere League

Of course, they were more cartoon-punk than "real" punk, but you have to give love to the Anti-Nowhere League.

Supposedly Elvis Costello started championing them when he saw them driving around London in a dirtball van spray-painted with their fist logo. What more of an endorsement do you need.

When I think of them I have flashbacks of being in college bars where a 40 year old is wearing a "punks not dead" leather jacket and talking about the good 'ol days of punk. It is so stupid it becomes genius.

There Is A Future In The Future.

Some of The Children just know how to deliver it. Why can't every young person have this much style instead of serving what the merchandisers at Urban Outfitters envision

Just Wait And You Will Fall In Love

Loosely translated, the French term jolie laide means "pretty ugly". In other words something that is so hideous that it becomes charming. That certainly applies to these Prada hi-steppers.

A co-worker turned me on to these shoes and was thoroughly repulsed. I have been around the block enough to know that there is nothing so disturbing that it cannot become iconic. Get ready for these to be in every Baker's Shoes in 2012.

Good News...Design Is Dead!

Philippe Starck flips out and declares his career a waste of time. If so, he owes some people some major coinage. Clear out your bank account Starck...give the dollars back.

The Suffering I Endure

After dinner with Cain on Friday night, I decided to forgo dessert.

From a normal person, that is not much of a statement, from me that is groundbreaking. It would be an understatement to say that I have a sweet tooth. Saying that I am literally addicted to refined sugar is closer to the truth.

I have now gone five days without a sugar-rush at the end of the day. In this miniscule bit of self-denial I have learned so much about my thought processes, my ability to justify 90% of my bad behavior, my lack of self-control regarding something that I tell myself is without consequence.

Over the course of my lifetime I have had many food-issues. Thankfully, this change in habit is at least leading in a positive direction.

Barack/ Jay-Z Mashup

There are plenty of reasons to want Obama to be our next president. But consider this...He is the only candidate that not only knows who Jay-Z is, but could reference his song "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" without looking ridiculous.

That is what we call a cultural shift, people. Get ready, the future is about to get interesting

Taking It From The Streets

The Haters are going to say that Shepard Fairey has sold out and gone too mainstream by endorsing a candidate, but "whatever". This graphic is absolutely perfect for the client.

The Streets Are Seein'

Had a super New York moment the other day while walking in the East Village. Came across mega-awesome photographer Sylvia Plachy taking a picture of her son, academy-award winning actor Adrien Brody.

Expanding The Market For Experimentalism

My girl Rei Kawakubo is teaming up with H&M to destroy American fashion. My prediction is that the line will be hyper-conservative so that the hoardes that wait in line to buy the limited edition clothes will be forced to justify their lemming-like behavior. Rei never makes things easy for the consumer. That is why she is a God.

On The Horizon

In order to keep my mental demons at bay, I constantly have to have something to look forward to. Usually it is an event in the near or far future. Currently I am super excited about the next Body&Soul event.

Last time around I was sick as a dog, but that unfortunate state of affairs will NOT be repeated. Plus, Memorial Day will be free of work obligations so there is no need to worry about aches and pains the following day.

Deliver It!

If Anna Piaggi has a cult I WILL join it. Her level of stylishness puts the other 5 billion inhabitants of this planet to shame.

Roots Of Now

Although I had had my mind blown by exposure to essential Kraftwerk albums years earlier, this track destroyed my ears.

I was absolutely obsessed with "Pop Muzik". Back in the days of vinyl there was no "repeat" button to push, so I had to lift the needle again and again to bring joy to my mind.

There is something about the obvious catchiness of the riff mixed with the detached vocals that set a blueprint for less-popular, but equally beautiful music to come years later.

Rebellious Infancy

Supposedly this is the first mention of term "Punk Rock" in The New York Times. 1972 y'all.

All True

The aging homothug on the corner of Bleecker and Christopher "accidentally" voices his inner monologue:

"What do I gotta do to get some dick around here?"

Is it any wonder that I still love The New York...

Reminder

This quote definitely needs to be heard by my ears...

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are".
-- Malcolm Forbes

Mistake Making

Proof that even Style Gods can make mistakes.

Unfortunately, this mistake is so egregious that both collaborators will be issued infinite demerits until I receive a box full of swag from both artistes.

I Love The Rain...And The Memories Of The Rain

The metal plate in my skull forces me to listen to this track EVERY time it rains for a prolonged period.

The track comes from the gorgeous Cult album "LOVE". My girl Princess Stephanie really turned me on to that album when she brought the disc along on the 1992 roadtrip to Red Rocks to see Sonic Youth/Primus/Mudhoney/Pavement.

I am eternally in her debt for revealing such beauty to my head.

Virtual Memory Is Low: Reboot

During my last biennial visit to Lincoln, my nephew Cody and shot hoops at the YMCA. Since it had been a long time since we had seen each other, the topics of discussion were quite varied. In between shots we tried to catch up with each others lives.

At some point I remember saying that my only motivation to make new friends is that I need fresh people to listen to my tired old stories. I am pretty sure that when I made this statement it was half facetious and half pathetic honesty.

More and more frequently I find myself retelling the same stories over and over again to the uninitiated. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this situation, there is a little voice in my skull that pipes up and says "Are you telling that AGAIN?"

In an attempt to kill that voice in my head, I am going to start sharing more of these "Greatest Hits" from my past. Hopefully in releasing some of these anecdotes out into the ether, I will clear enough memory in my brain to refill my mental harddrive with sparkling new tired old stories.

Future Beauty

From the legendary David Morales' myspace blog:

It's 7:05pm and I'm in the studio w Quentin Harris laying down some tracks for Mariah's "TOUCH MY BODY"
it's coming out so funky! I'll be recording vocals w her at her house on friday I can't wait! I wish I had it for this wknd to play at STEREO. Oh well I'll have to wait to debut it at the WMC.

Get ready Children...Another Mariah/Morales collabo is enough to get the dancefloors hungry, but add Quentin Harris to the mix and you will have a track that does damage worldwide.

Black Celebration

Truth be told, until yesterday I was unaware of the existence of black carrots. Why have they not made it on to my plate previously?

Love On Wheels

...sometimes when life gets too serious you just have to roll on down to the roller rink and roller boogie.

Silent Lucidity

Although I thought I had acheived it in the past, last night I definitely had a lucid dream.

As with most of my dreams (and most of my waking life for that matter) I was running furiously from the demons that were about to attack and eviserate me. When inches away from certain death I consciously thought "Well this is just a dream anyway...why don't I just fly up to the roof and get away". It is impossible to describe the sensation of willing oneself to fly in dreamland. It was simultaneously difficult and easy...Perhaps the difficulty came from never having to really think about how to go about it in a literal sense. So, basically I just "decided" to flap my arms like a birds wings...and voila!

The lucidity probably lasted only about 3 or 4 minutes, but it is an experience that I will not allow myself to forget.

I'm Saying "Ouch!" In Advance...

Holy Damn!...This party is going to cause much harm to my delicate orchid of a body. Steve Travolta AND Danny Krivit playing a night of House Classix...Cielo is going to need to have stretchers at the ready to carry The Children off the dancefloor.

Shout Out: Lou Dorfsman

If you grew up in the seventies or eighties you are probably familiar with the graphic design work of Lou Dorfsman. While definitely not a household name (at least not in my household), the influence of Mr. Dorfsman was all around.

We may not have been eating in the cafeteria at C.B.S. headquarters, where the attached wall project resided, but we saw the bastardized rip-offs of his genius on Dixie Cups or perhaps your fifth grade math textbook.

Maybe it was due to working in corporate America that gave his designs such solidity. Whatever it was shaped a major player in late twentieth century typography

Lift Off

The new theme for my life is DISCOVERY. All attention is going to be focussed on exploring the new, the unexperienced, the seemingly impossible.

Aquarians like myself are used to this side of human experience, but I desire to take it to unheard of levels in my mentality, my physicality and my spirituality.

Going OUT

Andre reppin' 210 in the current issue of OUT magazine. To think that a few years ago the New York Times referred to my beloved street as "dowdy".

Ironiconography

Is this an homage or parody? Does this desecrate the seriousness of MLK's legacy or introduce a cool image to a new generation? Are there cows so sacred that we don't want to see them in a different light?

These are questions that I don't have answers to....

Work Hard For The Opportunity To Work Hard

Having not conversed since the writer's strike began, chatted briefly with Kevin yesterday.

We were talking about the strike, the Oscars and the entertainment industry in general...He brought up his friend Miss Fey. Kevin stated that a person at her level of success has had to work for a long-ass time just to get to a point where she has to work extra hard in order to survive in the industry and be creative.

This was a real wake-up call for my mentality. So often I see an endpoint to working hard creatively...To phrase it another way I think the goal is to "rest on your laurels".

I really need to learn that hard work opens up another portal to more hard work...

Interesting Life Makers

Tonight, before you fall asleep, give a prayer to your favorite diety for the presence of eccentric people in our midst.

3 Dimensions

I don't know what drugs Miuccia Prada is feeding her hoard of underling designers, but I definitely want some to come up with similar geniousity.

At Work

Passed S. Epatha Merkerson in the hallway. Don't get too jealous, yesterday I saw the cast of the new American Gladiators, quite frankly, that scar may never heal.

Be Beautiful And Have Fun

...seems to be the message of this Pet Shop video. Is there a simpler formula for happiness

The perfect antidote to a 20 degree day

Undertaken

Earlier this evening I watched this PBS Frontline documentary on a funeral home in Michigan. It really presents another side to the funeral processes that was extremely enlightening to me.

The film follows a few people who have to make arrangements for loved ones. Some of the heartbreaking decisions that are encountered thoroughly reinforced my awareness of how detached I am from these situations. Thankfully death has kept it's distance from my adult consciousness.

Respect Is Due

As much as Gucci has fallen off since the departure of Tom Ford (and considering how much he has fallen off since his departure), you still have to give the company props when they come up with a shoe as sleek as this.

Kudos to whatever unknown is at the helm now...keep on deliverin'

Just Accept Beauty

Charlie Finch directs his venom towards the new Olafur Eliasson joint.

I think it is going to be rad...'nuff said

People Will Think You Are Dumb, But Whatever

I hereby challenge everyone to use the term PLUR five times today...and don't just say PLUR, be PLUR

Towards New Horizon

Dan, one of the most enjoyable co-workers I have co-worked with had his final day on the job this week. I will miss his intelligence, work ethic and clear-headedness.

It is rare to find someone who gets paperrad and Dimebag Darrell references.

Undestroyable

I posted a slightly different version of this clip before, but for some reason YouTube removed that one...whatever.

Only a fool would believe that you could thwart the power of Miss Labelle.

Trust...she will crush anyone who tries to stop her from delivering it to The Children

Someday I Want To Be This Great

Until my dying breath (54 years from now) I will be obsessed geniuses like the K Foundation I cannot wait until their self-imposed moratorium on creating art is lifted and they return with an exhilirating vengeance.

Pain Of The Real World

After having an amazing four day break from work, I have to face the reality of returning tomorrow.

There is nothing really tragic on my plate that is causing my discomfort, just the idea of going from a blissful idyllic environment to work. Needless to say the craziness that Mercury being retrograde inspires is aiding my apprehension.

Give me another week or two and I'll be back in the groove.

Not Want...NEED

You pretty much have to own this disc or your life will suck.

Metal Gods

Sometimes after a hard day at work you just have to strap on the iPod and blast a little Priest.

Sin-joy!

Way Back

...taking a mental walk down memory lane. Thinking about late nights/early mornings spent with my friend Brian at the Mr. Donut in Lincoln.

Whoever said "youth is wasted on the young" sure knew what they were talking about. What I wouldn't give to have back the carefree-ness and open-ness that I had then...

Beautiful Thievery

...people hate on Malcolm McLaren. They say he didn't create anything, merely stole other people's ideas. True, but he knew which ideas to steal and which not to...an underappreciated skill.

Plus, anyone who brings fame to a legend like the one and only Willi Ninja deserves all my praise.

Disheartened

Of course my first weekend without any social or work obligations and I am sick. The illness has been with me for about a week and seems to ebb and flow. One moment I feel normal and then fifteen minutes later I am in tears from extensive coughing.

Worst of all, tomorrow night is my beloved Body&Soul reunion party, and there is no way I can justify such a soul-enriching excursion in my current physiological shape.

I am realizing that I have a difficult time when I am forced to do nothing. If "doing nothing" is of my own choosing I am at ease with it. But tell me I can't "do nothing" and I resent the cosmos.

Mercy Rule

This video brings back so many vivid memories of my time in Lincoln. Of course nostalgia factors into the equation, but Mercy Rule live was an absolutely devestating aural experience.

The single factor that put them head and shoulders above other bands with a similar sound was their sincerity. Every note jarred your skull and your heart.

Sad

Is it possible to be angry and boring at the same time...Tom leads the way. This video is so KSW it is crazy

End Of The Week (Finally!)

Hung out with some of the Beautiful People after work last night.

Jameson had to make me jealous by telling me about the Turner Prize Retrospective that he just saw at the Tate London. I am distraught anytime I miss out on seeing artwork by the likes of my boys Gilbert&George.

After a couple of cocktails I headed home and crashed hard. The lack of sleep this week, while not hitting previous highs, definitely did not help the pressure I put myself under at work this week.

Let Me Dream In The Forest

If there were any justice in this world...I would be living in this ridiculously gorgeous house in the forests of Japan.

Sadly, there is no justice in this world

Breaking A Commandment

I covet this objet d'art so much it hurts. How can a human creation look so divine?

Killing Idols

Hollywood is going to attempt to destroy another icon by doing a biopic of Germs frontperson Darby Crash.

The film is called "What We Do Is Secret". Do yourself a flavor and ignore it...Instead just watch the legendary "Decline Of Western Civilization" and call it a day.

Mind Boggling Creativity

When you come across design as fundamentally genius as this it truly takes your breath away.

Bring On January

Could I be more excited for the arrival of the 2008? A brand new special edition of the incomparable Body&Soul party...what better way to celebrate than with a couple of thousand people dancing to spiritually uplifting music.

Balenciaga Does It Right

Kudos to the Children over at La Maison Balenciaga. They truly prove they have "it" with this masterpiece of design

The first person I see delivering these on the streets gets a personalized kiss from moi.

The Definition of Serving...

Do not front on Tramaine Hawkins. She can crush 90% of The Children just by walking on stage.

Serve!

Devastating

In general I think Oprah is pretty overrated. But anyone who can gather such true legends to deliver it to the Children must have my respeck...

Closing In...

This store is only 3.5 blocks from my apt., which means the odds me coming across a line of sheeple waiting to buy shoes is that much greater.

God forgive me if I am forced to lash out.

Real Beauty

I forgot to write a post about this when it happened a year or so ago, but this is one of those stories that is so gorgeous it blows your heart and mind away.

Nimrod Nation

This show is so great it kills me. Basically, early David Lynch without the irony.

Partial Luxury

Half day of work...great work out at the gym...semi-professional massage...food ordered online delivered to my front door...chat with sister...a bit of TV, then early to bed. A refreshing end to a stressful week.

Too bad a new stressful week begins tomorrow.

Take What Is Given

Even though it is an aquarian horoscope from an astrologer that I have never met before, the following is exactly what I need to hear right now:

Quick, contact the authorities. You’ve surely beat the world record for holding your breath. How long’s it been since you took in a proper lungful of fresh, cool, clean, refreshing air? A few months, at least. Whatever constrictive force has restrained you from truly breathing and relaxing is about to let up, whether it’s a self-inflicted emotional corset or a predatory metaphorical boa constrictor. Your ribs might crack, and it might hurt to draw in that first delicious breath—but you’ll know it’s the good kind of hurt. Yawn, gasp, sigh, and pant—and know that things will have to be at least a little easier from now on.

Even if it is just self fulfilling prophecy leading me in the above-stated direction, I will take whatever release that the Universe has to offer.

The Return

This is the best album title in forever. And the music taint half bad either. Believe it.

Computers Do Not Give Justice

Only two weeks left to see the Ben Grasso exhibition at the Thierry Goldberg gallery. Although Grasso content is visually exhilirating, it is his use of color that will blow you away.

In the painting above he mixes some very fresh greens with some other-worldly purples and lavenders that create an amazing lightness and depth. These are paintings that have to be seen to be appreciated. No computer can mimic the colors that he communicates.

Damn Her!

I can't believe Vanessa Del Rio had the cojones to steal the title of my future autobiography for her own high-end art book.

I shall have my revenge...

Higher (And Lower) States Of Consciousness

Leave it to Billy Beyond to harness the power of music to cleanse the mind and the body.

The AMA better watch out.

Poem Du Jour

Saw this on one of those MTA poetry posters on the subway.

Tell All The Truth

Tell all the truth but tell it slant,

Success in circuit lies,

Too bright for our infirm delight

The truth's superb surprise;

As lightning to the children eased

With explanation kind,

The truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind.

Emily Dickinson

That last line absolutely destroys me...I have been blinded many times by both the unfiltered beauty of "The Truth" as well as being blind-sided by the ugliness of a truthful revelation.

Let's Get Down To Business Indeed!

If this is what life was like back in the repressed 1950's...then I say lets go return!

The Inspiration For The Now

If, as you claim, you are actually a man AND you want to know the look of the season, here it is.

So you think that denim hot pants are a bit feminine...I will give you 500 dollars U.S. to watch you tell that to Lemmy. He would crush the skull of anyone who dared make such a suggestion.

"Ace Of Spades!"
"Ace Of Spades!"
"Ace Of Spades!"

Insight To My Way Of Thinking

The other day I was in my office when I began singing two-hit-wonder Monica's 1995 hit "Just One of Them Days (Don't Take It Personal)". A seemingly normal response to a stress-filled day at work.

My co-worker Miguel was within earshot and said "Oh no!...now you are going to have me singing that song all day"

"What's wrong with that...it is a great song" I replied.

"Yeah, but everyone will think I am crazy for singing it" Miguel responded.

"That's your problem Miguel, you have everyone thinking that you are normal and then you don't want them to find out you're insane...I let everyone know I am insane from square one, then they don't raise an eyebrow at anything I do after that"

Going Internationale

Congrats to my neighbor Andre for making the current cover of Vogue Francais avec Miss Murphy photo'd by the legendary Bruce Weber

Give it to the Children!

The Look Of The Moment

If you are a female, either biological or post-birth-modified, this is the Look that you should be delivering right now.

Think cool-high-school-guidance-counselor en route to the local discotheque.

Past Advice

An old Arabic parable that I truly need to incorporate in my life:

"Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble."

New Self-Improvement Plan

Apparently my decades of introspection have been in vain. This advertisement is guiding me to the clear path to happiness. Who knew?

Blurred

With increasing frequency, I am one of those people who keep saying "I can't believe it is already (insert today's date)". It seems like the past few months have just flown by, which is kind of strange as stressful periods often feel like they go on forever.

Carol called earlier this week regarding coming up from D.C. for Thanksgiving. I was finding it hard to fathom that Halloween was upon us, now I am shocked that T-Day is only three weeks away.

I am fully aware that this happens every year, but my perception is that life is on hyperdrive. Perhaps it is because I have little time to really come to a full stop and smell the proverbial roses. Even when I am away from work or other obligations I feel like I always have something in the back of my head gnawing away at me...Is this what a 21st century adulthood feels like?

Sunday School

They simply do not come more legendary than Miss LaBelle.

She can destroy The Children in any era, in any style.