MorningRailway

Since it appears The Specials have been making a bit of a...

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:27:00 -0600

Since it appears The Specials have been making a bit of a comeback, I decided to post this old photo. I probably got this album 3 years ago at a book store. I jammed out to it today while I was working. Really helped keep me quite productive. :)

"I know how to do it now. There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people..."

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:03:51 -0600

“I know how to do it now. There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra. They’re all the leads of their own stories. They have to be given their due.”

- Caden Cotard in Synecdoche, New York

Just finished watching Synecdoche, New York last night. It was...

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:59:51 -0600

Just finished watching Synecdoche, New York last night. It was pretty extravagant and I was so frustrated. That being said, I sort of liked it. I mean, what else should I have expected from Mr. Kaufman?

I suppose I just hate being thrown into a spiral. It’s like we make fun of the fact that soap operas love the technique of “It was all a dream” but I guess it works here. I don’t know. This has so far been the worst Library Rental Film Review yet (OK, I’ve only done one other so far) because this was a difficult one. As much as I’ve enjoyed most surrealist films, they tend to be hard to follow the first time around. You really have to dissect it and honestly, this is a film I couldn’t give another go at.

I did fall in love with the madness of it all. The intricate set, the intricate relationships. And there were parts that stood out stronger than others. Such as others playing the part of other people. I suppose you could compare it to when you leave a message on the machine or hear a recording of yourself. You’re shocked to find out that is how you sound. We sort of make up in our minds who we may be but what if we had a shadow mimicking our every move? Would you be disgusted by yourself or would you try to stand up a little straighter or would you stay the same? I think I would feel like it is not me at all. It’s so easy to analyze others but not so much ourselves.

I’ll say once more that I probably couldn’t watch it again. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind I’ve seen a few times. I wasn’t thrown for a complete loop in that film. Synecdoche however, left me defeated. I don’t regret the battle though. If you’ve got two hours to spare, I highly recommend it.

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-3-7)

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:48:33 -0600

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-3-7):

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

I think Clutch Is Wrong on This One

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:22:00 -0600

I think Clutch Is Wrong on This One:

I really enjoy reading Clutch Magazine as it is an online magazine for women of color & offers really thought-provoking articles. However, as with most things pertaining to Black America, we call out racism too early. This article was about how when Black actors win Oscars it’s only when they play a negative role. I left a comment on the site disagreeing because villains and victimized characters are always praised no matter what color they are. I wrote:

I think there are many reasons to snub the Oscars to be honest. And I feel like a lot of good points were made here. But sometimes I’m really perplexed about the situation. Mostly because I think the Academy likes to award any film that has a shady character or when they are victimized. There’s always those jokes being thrown around that, “if you play a downtrodden prostitute, you’ll win an Oscar.”

Consider Charlize Theron gaining nearly 30 pounds and making herself ugly in “Monster”, is she a misinterpretation of white trash America or gay women or mentally unstable women? Is it any better because it’s based on a true story? Or how about “The Godfather”? Lord knows the Italians are often in an uproar about always being portrayed as mafia-types and yet it is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Kathy Bates wins it for being absolutely crazy in “Misery” and Michael Douglas being slimy and ruthless in “Wall Street”. I cannot say that it’s about how the Black community receives these awards when the problem with Hollywood is that they love to praise ANY film and ANY actor that shines a negative light. They feed off that and, in most cases, so does the public. For good reason too; it’s good entertainment.

Are there more positive representation in films with white actors at the Oscars than in films with Black actors? The answer is a resounding YES, but then again there are more films with white actors (directors & production too) each year and that’s what we should really set our minds on. There is no range of roles because we haven’t told enough of our stories. I really enjoyed this article and loved the snippets from Donald Bogle but I can’t say that “Precious” isn’t someone’s story. Abuse crosses all races. And I can’t say that the rogue cop (Training Day) is a new idea. It’s always being given different layers which Denzel knew how to work and thus deserved it. There are many reasons to snub the Oscars. Number 1 being that it’s a self-congratulatory, nationally televised event. But I don’t this is one of them.

Look, I hate the Oscars but we can let them slide on this one. People want the crazy and it doesn’t matter who it’s coming from. Read the article and tell me what you think?

i'm finding all of this oscar fashion stuff especially useful, because i attend so many self-congratulatory, nationally televised events.

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:14:25 -0600

(via theblueprint)

(via scientistbros) Yep, that’ll do.

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:30:29 -0600

(via scientistbros)

Yep, that’ll do.

Mint Green Bicycle Plate-$16.00 Renegade Handmade designer...

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:02:00 -0600

Mint Green Bicycle Plate-$16.00

Renegade Handmade designer Little Korboose is selling these cute little plates. They come in orange, pink, and purple too but I think the mint is especially adorable. Must. have.

One of the greatest groups on Flickr. If the photos don’t...

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:24:00 -0600

One of the greatest groups on Flickr. If the photos don’t do it for you the comments surely will. I’ve just spent a good 30 minutes laughing myself to tears.

GPOYW So this would be going on week 3 of my hair being locked....

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:19:00 -0600

GPOYW

So this would be going on week 3 of my hair being locked. I keep going on Youtube and read blogs about how folks find it a trying time for their hair to come into its own but I don’t think I’ll mind much. First off, I like my hair short and second, I don’t have to comb it and crap. Everything’s all together up there and all I have to focus on is awesome fashion. So I’m super happy with it so far and I am excited for when the day comes when it’ll be completely locked and a little longer.

I’m glad I did this during the winter months. Summer in Texas will be hot as usual, I’m sure. It’s good not to worry about having to wash my hair all the time due to sweating to death. Possibly by summer, it’ll be locked up a bit stronger.

SA Current: Best of San Antonio 2010 Readers Poll The last time...

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:21:48 -0600

SA Current: Best of San Antonio 2010 Readers Poll

The last time I checked my Google Analytics, I get a lot of readers from San Antonio. And although I don’t talk much about SA, I am a local blogger so how about putting me in that category? Yay for self-promotion!

9gag: The Past

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:07:52 -0600

9gag:

The Past

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-2-28)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:50:53 -0600

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-2-28):

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

(via scientistbros)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:08:50 -0600

(via scientistbros)

"…Audrey decides to do her Comp II paper on famous people who are celibate: Morrissey from The..."

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:01:50 -0600

“…Audrey decides to do her Comp II paper on famous people who are celibate: Morrissey from The Smiths, the Pope, Michael Stipe from REM. In the paper, she argues that people who are not worried about always having sex have time to do more things. When she writes this, she suddenly realizes she has yet to finish any of her art projects or any of her zines.”

- Joe Meno from “Art School Is Boring So”

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-2-21)

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:49:23 -0600

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-2-21):

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

(via laylur) Cuteness.

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:43:00 -0600

(via laylur)

Cuteness.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job: The Artist in the Office :: Etsy...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:40:00 -0600

Don’t Quit Your Day Job: The Artist in the Office :: Etsy Blog

I loved this little article mostly because I kind of want a normal job at a cafe or at a little clothing store but I’d love to have art outside of that. This was really enlightening and I hope to get that book.

via thedailywhat

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:43:00 -0600

via thedailywhat

chachachuy: Rules Don’t Stop - We Are Scientists New...

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:34:23 -0600

chachachuy:

Rules Don’t Stop - We Are Scientists

New Stuff.

Hooray, WAS lives!