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THREE PUDDLES AND IT’S TROUBLE BY JESSE BYRD
When you’re faded and you need to relieve yourself there is nothing more important than that quintessential tinkle. I’ve seen people stooping to unimaginable new lows to get a better spot in the bathroom line: Tappin’ people on their right shoulder then slippin’ round the left, passing gas, sneezing on people’s neck… just to name a few. But the question is: is it really that serious to do your business in the bathroom? At least for men, we can rest easy knowing that any patch of pavement is a plausible place for a piss, but in a capitalistic country, is anything ever truly free?
I MADE MOST OF THIS SHIT UP BY DAN ATTOE
Books like these make me believe that we can all become authors. In school we’re led to believe that many things have to be done in a certain way. Paragraphs are three to four sentences. Run on sentences are bad things. And we must underline the titles of all books. Why? Who said so? I like to believe that if you get what I’m saying, you get what I’m saying no matter how it’s written. Writing is about communicating thoughts, not about meeting a certain criteria. I suppose the best writing does both. Feel free to disagree.
Dan Attoe’s new book, “I Made Most Of This Shit Up,” relates this concept well. Using visual imagery alongside simple text, Attoe has created a body of work that is deliberate yet unexpectedly whimsical. You don’t know if he wrote this in 5 hours or 5 years. And that makes it icy.
WHO’S GONNA MAKE IT? BY STEVE DIUBALDO
I once gave fifty cents to a homeless man on the street, despite my private wishes that he just let me “be.†He thanked me, praised the lord and the day, and I walked away. “Hey kid!†He hollered back at me and I turned around. He said, “To be is to be fearless for a moment in time.†A moment in time. A second, a minute, two months, or ten years… they’re all just moments. In between those moments are the doubts, the second guessing, the bullshit. But those moments of being are more than worth waiting for. Those moments are the “making it.†Those moments are the “being.†America gives us the opportunity to dream. But Goddammit, we’re the ones dreaming. No excuses, only the pursuit of a full soul.
THE STORY OF CAP & TRADE
One of the major changes Barack brought to the White House was a firm stance on controlling climate change and reducing carbon emissions nationwide. Which is a good thing. Unfortunately, the proposed system of cap and trade has its critics, and with good reason. The notion that a market-based approach like the one on the table, is the solution to our ecological woes just doesn’t seem plausible. I’m not an expert on the subject, but Annie Leonard is. The Story of Cap & Trade is a simple and informative video that breaks down exactly what cap and trade means, offering other possible solutions to the looming problem of climate change.
NELSON MANDELA ON PASSION
in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.â€
WHY AMERICA NEEDS HUEY FREEMAN
You’d be hard pressed to find a show realer than The Boondocks. In just two seasons, the comic-strip turned cartoon show has already made a lasting impression with some of the sharpest satire on TV. Whether tackling the R. Kelly scandal or the Iraq War, featuring guest appearances from Katt Williams or Weezy, Aaron McGruder’s series held no punches, and offered valuable perspective with each episode. After spotting this over at Clutch Magazine, I thought it was only necessary. If Zettler Clay’s piece is a touch preachy, it’s also extremely relevant. There’s no doubt in my mind that we could all benefit from a third season, and a much-needed dose of reality.
A LESSON ON COMFORMITY
Conformity is so crucial. What is it that gives us the desire to act or be like everyone else? What gives us the desire to fit in? We’ll save that one for Danny. Maybe humans just have a desire to be a part of something. Honestly, I think we were all born to stand out. It’s already a miracle that we’re living. Out of the millions of sperms just swimming, ours just happened to be the one to penetrate the egg? Come on now. We’re out here. Literally. This one’s jokes though. Experiments reveal some geeked up shit. We’ve gotta step our experiment game up in the 2010. It’s coming soon.
IS THERE LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS? MOST LIKELY…
Often times, when I look into the stars it helps me deal with the trivial shit going on in the day to day. To keep it real, looking at the stars is damn near therapuetic. When I look into the stars I realize that nothing really matters. Unless it does… In my humble, there is no way we “humans” are the only living beings out here. There’s just no way. Let me drop some knowledge: According to Rebecca Sato of the Daily Galaxy there are an estimated 250 billion stars in the Milky Way alone. And 70 sextillion (7 x 10²² ) in the visible universe. Please take a moment to consider these statistics. Meanwhile, our 4.5 billion-year old Solar System exists in a universe that is estimated to be between 13.5 and 14 billion years old. Experts believe that there could be advanced civilizations out there that have existed for 1.8 gigayears. FYI, one gigayear = one billion years. Hit the MORE for more reasons why it simply can’t just be us out here.
NIETZSCHE ON HAPPINESS
And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh…”
BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES (DOCUMENTARY)
Never have so few companies controlled so much of the music played on the radio and for sale at retail stores. At the same time, there are more bands and more ways to discover their music than ever. Music seems to have split in two – the homogenous corporate product that is spoonfed to consumers and the diverse independent music that finds devoted fans online and at clubs across the country.
This one’s for the music fans. An important film to say the very least. If you’ve ever wondered why you always hear the same shit on the radio, this film will answer your questions. Exploring the development and progress of American music, filmmaker Andrew Shapter unveils the realities that currently plague the record industry and American music at large. Featuring interviews with artists from the likes of Erykah Badu to Elvis Costello, the documentary provides viewers with an accurate portrayal of where the music business has been, where it’s at, and where it’s going. Whether you’re an artist, a producer, a businessman or a fan, you need to full screen this shit and just let it rock. Trust me.
THE GLOBAL ONENESS PROJECT
I think most of us have a lot to be thankful for. If you’re reading this post, the odds are that you own a computer, and have access to the internet at the very least. In all likelihood, you’re about to grub out with some folks you love too. I think during the best times though, it’s important to stay mindful of the many folks in the world who haven’t been quite as fortunate. The Global Oneness Project offers some insight, calling attention to the problems of hunger and poverty, and the ways in which ecological crises will exacerbate these problems in years to come. At the root of their philosophy is the simple idea that we all live in an interconnected world, and that we each have the ability to help in solving the problems we face together. Much thanks to Samra for the valuable perspective.
THE POWER OF A NAP
MORNING JUKES
Consider this. Every day we wake up and we have an infinite amount of choices we can make in regards to how to spend our day. What we wear, who we talk to, who we don’t talk to, where we go and where we don’t go? It goes on, and on, and on, and on. A lot of shit that happens in our days are outside of our control. Simply circumstance. However, one thing we do have control over is our happiness. Think of these jukes as a metaphor for sidestepping that negativity. Unfortunately it will always be present, but it’s up to you on how you wanna deal with it. Shoulder shake? Stutter step? Spin move? Shake the haters off and do you. The end zone awaits.
