Gnarianna

My life just got 300X better

2011-01-15T18:54:00.000-08:00

2011-01-09T09:41:00.001-08:00

on a lighter note

2011-01-09T09:24:00.001-08:00

2011-01-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

I first learned about the shooting in Arizona last night when—oblivious to this event—I was discussing with some people what I would do with mad dough. I hesitated for some time because I really couldn't answer; most of my vision comes from an idea of the work I am going to do rather than the final product. I feel like I can visualize what I want through what I am going to do, but unfortunately last night, the means by which things are created when this question was framed at me—in accord to most people's perspective—gave money the instrument for accomplishment. but it's so fucking true, and this was what I was trying to say. My eventual answer was I wanted to find a way to dismantle the political system. You see the hard right (tea party and republicans) and the democratic party, comfortably doing insane things (sarah palin's targe map for example) because of their power.

Robert Reich wrote an an interesting article, but it's really long so here's what I think is essential:

It is difficult to hold people accountable for bad behavior while simultaneously asking them for money. In recent years Wall Street firms and their executives have been uniquely generous to both political parties, emerging as one of the largest benefactors of the Democratic Party. Between November 2008 and November 2009, Wall Street firms and executives doled out $42 million to lawmakers, mostly to members of the House and Senate banking committees and House and Senate leaders. In 2009, the financial industry spent $300 million lobbying members of Congress. During the 2008 elections, Wall Street showered Democratic candidates with well more than $88 million and Republicans with more than $67 million, putting the Street right up there with the insurance industry as one of the nation’s largest equal-opportunity donors.

These industries Finance Insurance & Real Estate make up for the majority of our $14 trillion dollar GDP. Millions of dollars in campaign contribution are pennies to these companies, yet they are also their lifelines. Say I had a couple billion in my back pocket...I would use half of it to combat the money flooding the political arena, and the other half to share for necessary infrastructure after it is dismantled. People are capable of getting up in arms for their flag and christian right for the same reason anarchists have historically taken arms. If you don't believe me..read the manifesto's of the militia groups or this article Up In Arms, you will see there are many similarities in both the left wing and right wing's motivations and actions. The problem is that the money funding the right wing ideologies come from people like the Koch brothers, and left organizers can barely get funding to xerox their black and white zines.

I realize that the funding for rightest propaganda is intrinsically more lucrative than that of the left, and that there is no money in leftist movements because its dangerous to use the means by which oppression is perpetuated (money) to achieve goals that run against them. Yet this may be key to understanding why you have psycho's killing politicians in the name of right wing libertarianism today, as opposed to attempted assassinations by crazy immigrants in the name of Anarcho-syndicalism (check out Alexander Berkman and his attempts at Frick).

Two other ideas that i promise to look into:

1. The transformation to the FIRE economy has directed more anger at the political arena, than big business. Poor people could easily identify their oppressors (their bosses) when they were working in factories.

2. Big business itself has lost power in the global market due to outsourcing, increased competition calls for any means necessary to gain an advantage (i.e infiltrate the government)

Fuck.

This is the sickest vid of all time

2010-12-12T14:32:00.001-08:00

Yo, you know what rational racism is?

2010-12-11T16:19:00.000-08:00

The Beacon School.

So i'm trying as best i can to integrate radical and provocative themes in my schools community service program. Already we have established youth facilitators, we read a letter from birmingham jail, talked about solidarity. thats tight i guess.

But I kind of felt kicking down the walls of my school friday when this happened to me. As a community service advisor i try to help kids find places to do their community service. I've been trying to convince all my kids to go out and work for rad organizations rather than housing works, or a middle schools. To get to the point, after advisory, i have this one kid telling me he doesn't have time for community service. so i'm all like: "o.k then fail".

Oh my god, this kid! Says he plays tennis for 4 hours everyday after school, and does homework all day on the weekends. Not only is it a problem that this kid is clearly lying, but how when i told this kid if he didn't do community service he was going to fail, he went and got his coach, coincidentally the admissions person at my school, and they both coerced me into allowing him to tutor kids spanish during lunch. Wow, so I'm asking everybody in my class to go outside of school, do some real work, look at problems communities are facing, and because your a privileged white kid who plays tennis, you don't have to?

Basically, thats what the dean of admissions/tennis coach told me. Right on!

It's the same guy who didn't allow students at my school to hold a forum on diversity in public schools. Its the same guy who teaches "american social history" and considers himself a progressive. What a rational racist.

support our troops?

2010-10-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

My knee jerk reaction: poor uneducated people who enlist in the military are not at fault for the atrocities of war, they are just pawns of the U.S's imperialist project.

I am not so sure of that statement anymore...

"Private Stoner said Sergeant Gibbs “associates with skinheads online.” Specialist Morlock said Sergeant Gibbs had “pure hatred” for all Afghans. Fingers he is accused of collecting are now part of the evidence in the case, as is a tooth he is said to have pulled from a dead Afghan and bones other soldiers said he dug up."
Truly Embarassing...

These people are evil, and i will no longer defend them on the grounds that they are influenced by things they can't control. I will no longer defend them just as i never defend John Ashcroft or Henry Kissinger, because arguably they could be "just influenced by the hyper-capitalist imperial economy they are surrounded by". I am sick of excuses.. I understand how offensive this may be..but i really cant support our troops after the actions at Abhu-Graihb (sp) and now in Afghanistan. You make choices on a daily basis that are intrinsically correlated to your environment, but that is no justification for being a neo-nazi, OK?

2010-09-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

I have read this man's name over 200 times in the last week. Hes in my book, hes in my history class, hes in my homework. So i just got so damn curious about this asshole, and googled him so i could put a face to the name.

Well, here he is...The Father of Global Misery

"Radical" Cigarette Smokers

2010-09-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Complaining about environmental destruction? count me in.

Complaining about environmental destruction, stogie hanging out of your mouth, count me out.

What a Rebel.

This has been running through my head for sometime now and I'm just going to let it loose. If you smoke cigarettes, bum cigarettes, roll cigarettes, engage in any activity involving tobacco from unknown sources, you should sit back, relax, and shut up about environmental destruction.

There are no statistics readily available to prove cigarettes are instrumental in deforestation, pollution, and other forms of oppression, but its quite simple:
Papers: trees
Butts: Landfill, Plastic, Fish Killers
Tobacco: chemicals, fertilizers, water, land (that could be used for vegetables). In the United States there are aproximatley 37,013 classified tobacco farms, All farms
producing tobacco averaged about 7.5 acres in 2002. That means that 277,500 acres of land in this country are used to grow tobacco, and not vegetables.

I just don't understand vegetarian, vegan, cigarette smokers...

And then there is another complication: Cigarettes are full of chemicals!

Benzene
(petrol additive)

* A colourless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture - and contained in cigarette smoke.
* A It known carcinogen associated with leukaemia.

GOOD JOB! The money going to abroad wars focused on securing petroleum, the oil spill in the gulf, they weren't just keeping in mind the millions of dependent cars, plastic products..ect. They were thinking about the Benzene chemical manufacturers, the industry that exists because of your cigarette and soda addiction.

Solidarity with North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia..whose former plantations that perpetuated slavery, now perpetuate slavery to cigarettes, inducing environmental destruction and social comfort.

2010-09-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

DOVER, Del. — In the bright light of Wednesday morning, Christine O’Donnell, whose Republican primary victory upended the calculus for future control of the United State Senate, became quickly known to Americans as the woman who once made dire warnings about the negative impact of masturbation.

Ms. O’Donnell has taken positions against federal financing for stem cell research, is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape and favors tough penalties against businesses that hire illegal immigrants. She has also suggested in past television interviews that evolution is soft science, and questioned the utility of financing AIDS programs.

(NY TIMES)

EYOOOOO!

This candidate is off the charts stoops.

40 oz Fail

2010-09-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

40 oz Bounce! In the Heights!

Obey Da Stoner

Ok so I thought it would be fun to take pictures with interesting looking persons. So i did like Reese Werkhoven and chose my favorite characters and took some flicks. Luckily i had my bro Alon taking the photos..here are some of many, starting with my boy alll the way from Staten Island!!!

HAHAHA

Best Fwends

Unfortunately this party wasn't so Bouncin' because there was no music (deaded generator). But i had a grand time watching the crowd of 400 or so people run back and forth between the park because of supposed "cops". When the Cops finally did show, there were only two of them ......on Mopeds, and the 400 or so toughest looking heights dudes went running.

i miss these guys

2010-09-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

2010-09-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is what my brother did at a 1000$ p/ week summer camp called Woodward. WOODWARD!

Target Sucks

2010-08-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Our political system is inherently flawed, that is no news to me. What i continues to shock me is how blatant these flaws have become without any recalcitrant response from the public.

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission

The verdict of this supreme court case asserts that corporations are indeed entitled to the first amendment, thus allowing them to fund political campaigns without any restrictions. Considering the way that politicians are elected in this "democratic" system (whoever has the most money for their propaganda wins..), the verdict of this case basically allows for Multinational corporations to hand pick the people making decisions about who can marry who, how much funding goes into our schools, how much funding goes to war, how far the police and state can violate our bodies, and every other structure implemented by our government. Fuck, that is scary. I generally trust humans over corporations, but just like the supreme court said, the difference between the two is becoming fuzzy. I have lost all connection to any sort of decision making, having the power to decide is the "charm" of this country, where are my choices?

Shout out to these folks who showed their dismay at Target...A corporation that has activley begun to take advantage of this new priveledge by donating 150,000 dollars to an campaign based on Anti-Gay and Anti-Union/Workers premises.

If i would throw a parade it would be through the supreme court and congress, who made the ridiculous decision to allow this atrocity to occur, but you will not be seeing me shopping at Target. You would have never seen me shopping at Target regardless of this, but fuck Target twice over.

2010-06-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Gangsters? Film Class..

2010-06-14T20:05:00.001-07:00

2010-06-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Goldylocks

2010-06-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

If love does not know how to give and take without restrictions, it is not love, but a transaction that never fails to lay stress on a plus and a minus.

Free love? as if love is anything but free. Man has bought brains, but all the millions in the world have failed to buy love.

If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.

Merely external emancipation has made of the modern woman an artificial being. Now, woman is confronted with the necessity of emancipating herself from emancipation, if she really desires to be free.

The State is the altar of political freedom and, like the religious altar, it is maintained for the purpose of human sacrifice.

-Emma Goldman.

2010-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

i know my blog really sucks these days, but I am: finals, papers, SAT,and more crap, please forgive me, promise I will make it up to you at this show:

yeah dad!

2010-05-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

My dad was born and Raised in Uruguay, a country where you eat meat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Asado, chivito's, panchos, milanesa's, jamon con queso, the list goes on... Its semi-cool by me, because the animals raised for consumption in Uruguay, get to roam about the land all day (until well...). The beef doesn't just taste like beef, it tastes great. So i guess my point is, with this kind of upbringing, you can imagine the loyal meat eating mentality one might develop. So i want to give props to pops, for cooking the best vegan meal ever!
Quinoa, Brocolli, Cranberries, and Swiss Chard, Sesame! yumm

memories, words, from death row

2010-05-26T06:50:00.001-07:00

I appropriated some of Niccola Sacco, and Mumia's words to write a comparison of state oppression between the 20's and Today. Two men in prison, two men unwilling to relinquish their ideas even at the face of death.

Memories and Words from Death Row

They are friends, Friends of yours and mine
they are comrades that FIGHT

-His fight for freedom echoed around the world for it showed that the violence of slavery would be answered by the violence of the oppressed. How many of us actually celebrate his memory? (Nat Turner)

they Have fought and Fell yesterday, for the conquest of Joy. Yes they sometimes fall.

Its ancient history, and also as present as YESTERDAY

so, Who do we pledge our allegiance to?

The state, Death by state control

Cause comes along- you refuse to defend it_ at that moment you begin to die. And i have never seen so many corpses walking around talking about justice.

In the struggle of life, youll find more love, and in the struggle, of freedom for all. You will be loved Also.

haircuts

2010-05-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

Dito VS. Justin Beiber

2010-05-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

VS.

DITO's FANPAGE (aka his formspring) full of comments quite similar to the girls in the video above.

2010-05-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

These flyers are hanging up all around beacon. Can somebody please try to help explain the motive? so random. "please spread awareness about this issue, make a difference" WTF?

my history teacher is actually kinda funny

2010-05-03T06:50:00.001-07:00

2010-04-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

AJ on the Come Up.

2010-04-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

want this!

TF report:

2010-04-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

Jitu's

sick!!!

2010-04-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Trippin

2010-04-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Concrete wasteland, with no time to skate makes me wish for the woods and fresh air. Having the SAT in 1 week, and all my finals are starting to make me feel like im locked in the combine. Cant wait for this summer, cant wait to breathe. Green tea with Ginseng and Honey, 12th and A, I want to skate a mini ramp, i want to sleep next to trees and grab some dirt.

Chat Roulette,

2010-04-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

So...i actually have friends that i met on chat roulette. Everybody i meet seems to have a cat, or skate, making it quite easy. This is a tribute to all of those friends, you rule! Especially the dude with the snuggie, what a guy!

2010-04-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

Tried getting up for school this morning, didn't work out so hot..20 minutes late to first period PreCalc, looked something like this.

2010-04-14T06:32:00.000-07:00

2010-04-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

I guarantee that watching this video wont help you finish your homework, but it will make your life better once you finish your work.

2010-04-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

Fuck this propaganda, im glad somebody responded constructively. Everytime i saw one i just instinctively tore them down.

1978 - The Brookhouse Family Tribute

2010-04-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

Mad amounts of love!

this morning

2010-03-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

1 train commute, always a blast...145th st

2010-03-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

i love you

unbelievable

2010-03-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

BUY MORE SHIT SO YOU CAN FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR PATHETIC LIVES (watch this its insane):

The ubiquitous presence of globalization has created a monster. People fighting, trampling, killing, and screaming over cheap products seems pretty absurd to me. Although i guess like any drug, consumerism seems to have become the addiction of millions worldwide. What is most disturbing about this is the thought that the grand opening of a store can attract more attention in a community than lets say the grand opening of a garbage incinerator. If this much passion was shown last week due to the closing of NYC public schools, there might be some justice. We have allowed ourselves to avert our energy into environmentally and socially destructive illusions of happiness, which provide extremely ephemeral satisfaction. (i mean come on, those were last season).

The Beacon Photo Booth

2010-03-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in the 3rd floor mac lab at my school right now. I cant help but look through the images a variety of classes have produced through out the day and conclude that these intense "academic classes" that Beacon claims it offers are kind of a joke. Its last period, and i haven't done anything except for checked the weather to see when its going to be dry enough to skate... Here is me and Claudia during Film F14, getting syched.

I love it though, because it gives the Beacon photo booth models a kind of notoriety, i mean all these kids are probably famous by now...and its mad entertaining. Here you will find Beacons finest (otter!!!eyes low holler!) and Beacons biggest Sophmore synths. Soo..i present to you the Beacon Photo Booth, dont take anything too seriously. But granted. Some of these photos just naturally raise the question "are you serious?" or more like... why is beacon so full of goons?

your mine

2010-03-13T14:03:00.001-08:00

in the Times yesterday! wattup.

2010-03-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

Not Your Banks’ Bailouts: Stores Too Loved to Fail

Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times

BELOVED Ray Alvarez, owner of Ray's Candy Store in the East Village, is deeply in debt, and young people are trying to help.

The bike store had become a wine bar. The new apartments were breathtakingly expensive. Then kids from the neighborhood formed a protective guard around a gnarly old candy store on Avenue A and Seventh Street in Manhattan.

For the last month, a group of high school and college students has been running volunteer deliveries on Saturday nights for Ray’s Candy Store, an all-night chapel of East Village life packed with fond, fervent and freakish memories, but not exactly jammed with customers. With their deliveries — need an egg cream and Belgian fries at 3 a.m.? — the kids hope to drum up business for Ray’s until the spring, when more people are walking the streets.

How do the delivery teams get around? “Skateboards,” Arianna Gil, 16, said. “Scooters, bike and feet. All will be utilized.”

Already, friends and neighbors have run two fund-raisers to help the candy store’s owner, Ray Alvarez, pay thousands of dollars in overdue bills; another is planned for Monday night at the Theater for the New City.

In the age of bailouts, it turns out that not all rescue operations involve numbers ending in “illions.”

Last month, Bread Stuy, a coffee house on Lewis Avenue in Brooklyn, was padlocked by marshals because it owed back taxes; neighbors helped pay off a $10,000 penalty so it could reopen.

When the Pink Teacup, a soul-food fixture in the West Village for more than 50 years (“Take two pork chops at the Pink Teacup and call me in the morning,” the Newsday critic Sylvia Carter once advised) was collapsing late last year, its fans raised money through social media. Then the filmmaker Lawrence Page agreed to buy it, and he plans to reopen it this spring.

In Rockefeller Center, Jerry’s Barber Shop was about to close last month after 31 years when a customer — David Rubin, a real estate lawyer — volunteered to negotiate a better rent.

At the other end of the economic food chain, shares were sold last year to rescue the chronically in-hock Vox Pop Cafe, a coffeehouse-art gallery-bookshop on Cortelyou Road in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, making it into a collective.

Thanks to taxpayer-financed bailouts, big banks and insurance companies were spared the harshest judgment of the marketplace over the last 18 months, exempted under the doctrine of “too big to fail.”

On that scorecard, places like Bread Stuy and Vox Pop and Ray’s would be doomed. Banks in; egg creams out. But when someone has been running a little business for 37 years, as Mr. Alvarez has, he can build up a big head of social momentum.

One recent blustery night, Maria Musial stood behind the counter at Ray’s, where she has worked since arriving from Elk, Poland, in the early 1980s.

“When I came, he was nearly the only store on the block,” Ms. Musial said. “The squat people was here. Now it’s young customers, new people.”

A friend, Bozenna, chimed in.

“They don’t like egg creams,” Bozenna said.

In rallying people, some of Mr. Alvarez’s supporters have blamed his landlord, but the store’s problems are far more complicated than his monthly rent of $3,500.

“The landlord is not trying to throw him out,” said Bob Arihood, a resident of the area who has been working for the last year to untangle Mr. Alvarez’s chaotic financial life and who writes a blog called Neither More Nor Less. “Ray’s on a month-to-month arrangement. The landlord could have thrown him out any time he fell behind, but he doesn’t want to do that.”

Although he is 77 and paid Social Security taxes for decades, Mr. Alvarez has not yet drawn any benefits, because, he said, he immigrated from Turkey under a different name.

“They told him to go to a hearing,” Mr. Arihood said. “Ray didn’t go.” Mr. Alvarez said that students from Cardozo Law School were working on that problem. Then he recited an impressive catalog of debts. “The workers’ comp insurance is the worst,” he said, displaying a bill for $84,000 in back premiums.

Another pressing matter is the vat of boiling oil that he uses to fry potatoes, his best-selling product. The shop has no grease hood and an inadequate exhaust system. “The insurance company wants to cancel the policy,” said Barbara Chupa, the building manager. “But I’ve heard that Ray has someone willing to do the labor to put it in.”

The equipment, Mr. Alvarez said, would cost about $20,000.

His friends see injustice, not debt, and will fight. As the menu for the new delivery project says: “How could we sit idly while Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks slowly killed everything we cherished about our community?”

And there is a matter of loyalty to someone who was willing to cut kids a break on a plate of fries, said Arianna Gil: “He’s an icon of our childhood.”

Purity?

2010-03-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

Last week i went to see Jessica Valenti speak about her new book, The Purity Myth:

In Valenti's book, she discusses how the social construct of virginity and purity is promoting patriarchy and furthermore hurting young women. STI's, Teen Pregnancy, Vulnerability, these are all products of abstinence education by day and Gossip Girl by night. Its an extreme dichotomy that sends all kinds of dangerous mixed messaging. I kinda laughed when i heard that these christian girls, are more likely to have anal sex and get STI's because they don't use condoms. But its not really funny, its fucked up, and a direct product of right wing manipulation. It isn't encouraging safe decision making, its encouraging fear and ignorance.

Some of the anecdotes she shares in her book make me laugh out loud but cry inside. She quotes right wing abstinence activists who say things like: "Guys will do anything for homemade baked goods." Wendy Shalit, author of "Girls Gone Mild" WTF! It is insane how this trend has picked up so much coverage, and on top of all of its grassroots christian support it has also picked up a significant amount of federal funding. The biggest advocates of "The Virginity Movement" are propagating a world (with federal funding!) where women are in the kitchen, married, and only have sex at their husbands disposal.

There are so many factors responsible for the conservative spectacle right wing America has imposed on sexuality, i don't know where to start. I would say it is epitomized through the federally funded purity balls. These take place in 48 states and are downright creepy. Its a dance in which your dad literally locks your chastity, and then promises to pass on the penis to the girls future husband. Kind of paedophilic, blatantly paternalistic, and scary.

The worst thing about these balls is that it directs all this energy into preventing something hypothetical. These fathers are not focusing or celebrating a girl's ambition, skill, moral judgement, or general humanness they are investing energy and money into fear and passivity.

Ambivalence

2010-03-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

Ambivalence is a word i learned today because i finally agreed to take the SAT, which has 100000 words on it you've probably never heard of. If you would have asked me last summer if i was at least going to finish high school, i probably would have said no. This idea of dropping out/ getting out ASAP was inspired by my hatred for the insidious passivity that accompanied going to school for 7 hours a day + 2 hours of homework etc. This idea/hatred, if your familiar with my blog as been expressed more thoroughly in previous posts, but it is reoccurring and present every day of my life.

Today i am really feeling the wrath of Ambivalence. My ideas are screaming in and out of my head" Fuck you!!! Fuck you!, Fuck you!: Teacher, SAT, Homework, College, Patriarchy, Racism, Capitalism blah blah the list goes on"...but now i find myself here...

And this book isn't just filled with every tip you need to "ace" the Sat, its filled with every step you need to uphold your privilege. I really think the SAT no matter how they much they try to deny it, isn't a test of your intelligence. It tests your ability to jump through a hoop, this hoop has many factors that make you more able or less able to jump through it. If you come from a privileged family you are likely to take a course, or get a tutor etc. This can be more than 500$...so while the back of my book advertises that it "tests your skills in reading, writing and mathematics- the same subjects your learning in high school" it is really full of bullshit you have to learn how to do. Lets not forget also that an exhausting number of low income neighborhood based schools are having difficulty passing REGENTS exams, which are far less rigorous tests. Some people are "learning" in high school, some are passing without knowing how to read past a 6th grade level. True story.

so the in short SAT really sucks and Ive been sucked right into it. Which makes me feel like a tool, and a poser, and depressed..I guess
Where i am torn is between everything mentioned previously and the two reasons i decided to take it.
1. If i do well my Mom is taking me to India with her in November
2. I will be "keeping my doors open" which is not a bad idea, but then i ask myself where does the suffering and treason stop? Do i have to compromise all my ideals and conform to standardized methods of valuing education to continue to keep options open. in the name of success? its all very narrow and subjective.

peace.

2010-02-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight

2010-02-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

I am going to pitch a few scenario's to you guys right now:

1. Your about to go to this party in Brooklyn. You guys are about to leave but your mad hungry, nobody wants to go out to get food because you said you would meet someone and your already by the L train station. Someone picks up their phone and says
"oh shit, its Saturday night right?" somebody replies, " yeah so what".
"We could order some fries from Ray's!"
"Word i am actually craving a milkshake"

Then someone takes out their phone and dials 1718 473 9636, and its there in a jiffy.

2. You are at a party and all your friends are super hungry but too drunk to leave the house, you all decide that some Belgian waffles and fries would hit the spot; in which case you all come to a consensus that your going to order from Rays. Someone whips out their phone, dials 1718 473 9636 and all the problems dissipate.

3. You get home blazed out of your mind with the munchies. Obviously too lazy to go out and buy some food... and with the cupboards being empty, only one option remained. You slowly crawl to the nearest phone and dial 1 718 473 9636, and order to your hearts content. Its there in a jiffy and you are satisfied.

what a good night huh?

Anti-Routine

2010-02-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

We shouldn't feel confined by routine everyday of the week, in fact it feels unbelievably great to break it. Monday nights in NYC have the potential to be full of art if you have the energy and maybe a skateboard. On any given Monday night you could.. write a paper, play drums really loud before your neighbors get home from work, fold a hundred ray's menus, go to a Trade School Workshop, visit your "grandpa", get free artichoke pizza, hop the train, and go to the Tank in midtown. This is all possible without a dime, and before 2 am. new york is a crazy place but i cant keep still anyway.

so..I created a monster last night:
I come out in awkward silences. I will scream Big L and Minor Threat lyrics at any given appearance. I am an awkward monster but its not my fault it is just my hate for the damn police; their guts fried is what i eat for dinner usually, but if I'm unlucky ill have to chew on some auxiliary fools, or politicians. I cant fit my skinny jeans anymore from eating so many so i just kick it nude.

we can feel alive everyday of the week.

Weekend Shennanigans

2010-02-21T16:33:00.001-08:00

This weekend me and my brother came across an interesting character at the gas station upstate. We didn't exchange any words but through a conversation on the phone we were enlightened with her plans for the week, which although i dont remember specifically, probably included Botox, and spray tan, appointments.

2010-02-18T13:21:00.001-08:00

Vancouver Olympics Suck!

2010-02-15T18:26:00.001-08:00

All the things about the Olympics that suck, as well as why the Vancouver Olympics realllly really suck.

First off, the events are so boring...

I bet you didn't even watch more than the first 20 seconds of that.

Second and most importantly, the events are taking place on stolen aboriginal land. The Olympic spectacle seems like just another manifestation of colonization. Canada is this years Culprit, literally flaunting their association with aboriginal populations; calling the nations that had their land stolen "the four host nations". They have gone so far as to try to sell baseball hats off of it.

Its ridiculous to me how it could be aboriginally themed, with no participation from the aboriginal populations whatsoever. I haven't personally seen one athlete who wasn't white. There is a lot of resistance to this, i found information on it from a group called NO 2010. According to their website,"The Olympics are not about the human spirit & have little to do with athletic excellence; they are a multi-billion dollar industry backed by powerful elites, real estate, construction, hotel, tourism and television corporations, working hand in hand with their partners in crime: government officials & members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)."

Vancouver is an especially oppressive case, which draws attention to the mistreatment of native populations. "BC remains largely unceded and non-surrendered Indigenous territories. According to Canadian law, BC has neither the legal nor moral right to exist, let alone claim land and govern over Native peoples. Despite this, and a fraudulent treaty process now underway, the government continues to sell, lease and ‘develop’ Native land for the benefit of corporations, including mining, logging, oil & gas, and ski resorts. Meanwhile, Indigenous peoples suffer the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, imprisonment, police violence, disease, suicides, etc."

So while Suzy Suzanne and Abrdsamenkoo Olesskandderrr are giving the "performance of their lives", and MCdonalds and Visa are making millions of dollars. The Forests, Indigenous populations, and Communities of Vancouver are suffering. RESIST THE EXCUSE TO WATCH TELEVISION,SPREAD THE WORD, and Maybe you could blow up a McDonalds in solidarity!!!

( FROM NO 2010)

"We Are McLovin Anti-Olympic Action!

Valentine's day 2010, Calgary's finest Anarchists smashed up a local McDonalds establishment in solidarity with comrades in Vancouver. Olympic sponsors all over Calgary have been targeted in acts of comradeship with the protesters in Vancouver. At approximately 1:30am at 4th street and 23rd ave NW, a group of Anarchists ran up and destroyed the establishment leaving it in shambles. We're McLovin it on Valentine's day!

Important Things Going Down Tomorrow

2010-02-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the Ray's Delivery Service Team's first night on shift. I am thrilled and nervous. My shift starts at 12AM and goes through 5, it will definitely be an stretch as far as my ability to stay awake goes but the good news is that Ive been sleeping in class all day so I'm preparing. I spent time last week setting the whole thing up and looks like tomorrow's operations will definitely be smooth. I have to say setting it up with him was a blast, in the process i handled bills, made change, milkshakes, Belgian waffles, and a swirly cone. People are really eating ice cream still, that's how good it is!

[photo credit Bob Arihood]

I encourage everyone who reads this and is located in lower Manhattan to take advantage of tomorrow night's services. The Belgian Fries are unlike anything you've ever tried before, and you can enjoy them in the comfort of your home. Instead of ordering from chipotle or some other characterless franchise, when you've got the munchies hit us up. This food is made with LOOOOVE. The menu below holds all your hearts desires.

1718 473 9636

you gotta plan?

2010-02-04T16:51:00.001-08:00

Fuck Outta Here!

2010-01-31T19:51:00.000-08:00

When your bike is getting stolen in front of your eyes, what would you do? I'm on Ave. A tight as fuck because my knee has swollen to the size of a grapefruit. My bike is laying next to me on the ground and this crusty just walks up and starts to mount it. I pushed that fucker off the bike and grabbed it back. The world gets up in arms because a "lady" just defended herself. He starts yelling don't leave your stuff around, obviously embarrassed. Two women walk up to me and say "Wow, you are so brave". Well i guess, but this guy was about to steal my bike, what would you do scream for help? Well, this isn't the first time its happened, I had to tackle a guy going through my bag while trying to skate Cooper Unnnion. Cliche like my critics have stated, but I will not stand for this standard of idleness that has permeated female identity. fucking stick up for yourself. Well, it doesn't end there, Saturday some fifty year old asshole who cant play soccer for shit gets angry at me for being overly aggressive, and pushes me; both hands on chest. "Wowwwwowowooo there buddy, (i am 40 years your minor, I'm not interested in fighting you, or getting groped). so what do i do, only what any human with more sentiments that a doormat would do. I called that mother fucker out, " You are a fucking asshole" i told him and a whole lot more.

Well after all the bullshit the whole male court is looking at me like i am insane. My dad disregards my attempt to call him out and tells me to go home, and i am still fighting the right to make a deal out of this. Why is it so hard for women to get support when they've been harassed? Even from their own families. Well my friends...I propose you read this book. Maybe then you can understand where I'm coming from when i get upset when i am groped and pushed on the soccer field and then victimized for standing up for myself. I am sick of moderate reactions. You know something like..."Shit, the chemicals from our coal burning plant are giving people cancer and polluting the air. Somebody even reported the car paint being deteriorated by the wind blowing all the chemicals around it. (!true story!) So..lets put scrubbers on our exhaust pipes (chemical catching devices) and then throw the trapped chemicals into the river. Where no one can see it" That's what your asking me to do if you say i should have calmly responded in a diplomatic manner to harassment. It may be less embarrassing for you and your company dad, but its against my principles to let people get away with bullshit without screaming FUCK YOU.
.

2010-01-31T19:43:00.000-08:00

So much stress..i just want to say to everyone "LA CONCHA TU MADRE" like my cousin/little uncle Lucca (left) would say.

LaPiztola

2010-01-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

LaPiztola is a street artist from Oaxaca, Mexico. This notorious city which I spent a month in several summers ago, is full of political graffiti.

The Image above depicts some sort of bio-engineer taking corn samples from a campesino's crop. Shes holding him up with a gun. "No Monsanto i will no longer take your bullshit, i dont know how your fucking patents got into my crop but if you dont leave in 15 seconds i will shoot you in the face."I think it is fantastic and powerful work, a relief from all the bullshit we see here. Where the only art that is able to get on the walls is made by a marketing executive from some shitty company, who probably looks like this:

Democracy is struggling people, in art as well as politics! In New York City its fact that a large portion of ad's we see every day are illegal. Ironically, we also have one of the most notorious anti-graffiti police forces, the one and only Vandal Squad. This bureaucratic paradox makes it is easier for Nancy (see pic above) to cut a deal with NPA to put up hundreds of thousands of Pepsi advertisements without paying the city a thing, than for a kid with a can of spray paint to throw up an ! (STP) !

Some people have taken in their own hands to challenge this, such as the Anti Advertising Agency , A story i heard from a close friend was that when she and another friend confronted a NPA employee he threatened them and then proceeded to punch this kid in the face. Resistance isn't easy, but imagine, what these guys are doing is actually against the law. There are so many things that are deemed legal that are far worse..For this battle we actually are partially on side of the law; although in my opinion i would like to see non-consensual advertisement banned, paid for or not. Soo.. about spraying pesticides, bombing countries, and suing indigenous people in mexico for growing Monsanto patented corn, these things are actually legal, id say there is not more time for loosing. crazy what money can buy you.

Watch this movie

2010-01-24T15:44:00.000-08:00

This movie is temporarily on Netflix Instant Watch, if your cool at all you will watch it. It blew my mind, so fucking fantastic..! Anticipate a huge discussion (whether its with yourself or your best friend) about Violence; if it is subversive to a movement or progressive. All i know for sure is that i took pleasure in seeing politicians and policemen in a state of fear for once, rather than them being the perpetrators of it.

in the name of appropriation

2010-01-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

lucca zeray, guest update

2010-01-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

I clicked the button, so its mine.

2010-01-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

Neighborhoods Rule

2010-01-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

1. i saw a white woman with juicy couture socks and uggs on carrying a brand new 45'' inch plasma flatscreen t.v to her house today, in Harlem.

2. I am feeling angry as ever about white entitlement. You think this city is just something you can buy? Fuck off, you stupid kids who come here and go to school so that you can get a job that upholds your supremacy. Your not artists, and your not real. You want to make shallow movies and "conceptual"/ Crap art? take a look around. You hate your Puerto Rican neighbors and you have never eaten maduros in your life, i bet you dont even know what that is . You support the local drug and alcohol economy but you never thought that you might have been moving into a real fucking neighborhood. You want truth, lets talk about eviction and tenant abuse in the lower east side. About asthma rates in the south Bronx, about the fucking drug cartels in the heights, strategically placed garbage incinerators and power plants. Yeah this city isn't just somewhere you can drop your white dough and it becomes yours. This city is full of class divisions and racism open your fucking eyes, your propagating it everyday. I am talking about everyone here, myself and you. I might have started this rant with a sense of superiority, like i know what a maduro is therefore i am aloud to hang out in the lower east side. That isn't really the goal, i just am angry about the lack of consciousness i have been observing lately.

i don't know what i can say yet about Washington heights, i have collected some things. I have sat and listened to Jehovah's witness's preach the bible for longer that bearable, at my door. In the end they gave me a pamphlet about who really runs the world government (god, as seen in the pamphlet as a white man).

Lurked at Jhood,and seen shit like this go down...

Found weird things like this... and erotic porn on the entrance to riverside park, which i unfortunately don't have a photo of.

And..contributed heavily to the rice and beans economy. Fantastic... but I would really like to participate in something more substantial.

Fung-Wah Bus to Rarry,NC

2010-01-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

Go To Bus to “Raarry”

So where was 59 Canal Street anyway? It wasn’t on the main drag of Canal Street, but down that creepy part farther east that was all dimly lit and a bit seedy. I was looking for a quasi waiting room/space with some dumpy chairs as part of a throw together waiting room, I was shocked to find 59 Canal an electronics store, entirely covered with Chinese characters. This was my first inclining the “Go to Bus” might not be all that its website let on it would be. Heck $30 ($60 roundtrip) from Chinatown to Raleigh North Carolina, I was down.

I said to myself this must be the place, the address was correct and there seemed to be an offal lot of people milling round outside. It was very dark and 27 degrees outside when I approached the small beat-up storefront. As I tried to push open the door I was struck by a scene of complete chaos. I pulled back a bit and thought --this can’t be. I’ve just spent more than an hour to get here on the subway from Washington Heights and as Margo was waiting for me the next morning, there was no turning back. As I forced open the door, which was stuck due to people and jammed bags up against it, I climbed over a huge plastic zip-up style Chinese bag and made my way into number 59.

As I made it in I was greeted with shouting people waving dollar bills at a counter with 3 Chinese guys behind it. “Ohio” shouted one, “Where do I go” shouted another. “This is fucked up…I bring my people down here ---give you business—and you treat me like this—this is fucked up” yelled a huge African guy, towards the counter. Between this guys heavy African accent and the Chinese guys lack of English, I realize that in all my worldly travels, and believe me I’ve been in some funky places in Latin America, I had never seen anything like this. I did the only thing I could do, laugh.

I couldn’t drag my bag too far into the store and getting in that line/sea of waving dollar bills was not going to happen. So I got stuck and tosseled around about a bit until I landed a few feet from the famous 3-manned counter. I start to shout, “Where do I pick up my ticket for the Raleigh bus” but no one responds or even looked at me. Again I start to laugh but this time even louder and the crowd start looking at me. Some with faces of rolled eye expression, but in a good way, and some started to look at me like I was the new “New Years Eve” terrorist. I also got the attention of the 3 guys behind the counter who didn’t know what to make of this crazy white lady. So I took out my Internet receipt for a round trip to Raleigh and started waving it around. One of the guys behind the counter motioned me over to give him the paperwork. I had to leave my bag behind, crawling over several feet of stacked bags and plenty of yelling people. The guys starts yelling at me in Chinese, so of course I was lost, so I said “Raleigh, North Carolina” he then held out one finger and I say “yes one” it didn’t seem to be what he wanted to hear, but after a few more times of that back and forth he handed me a ticket that was 90% Chinese characters and the word “Raleigh” along with a few roman numbers, so I figured I was good.

Now there was the issue of finding the bus. At this point a nice Hindu looking guy offered to help me as I was falling trying to gather my bag and simultaneously exit the mad house. There was a moment when I thought… what was better to wait outside in 27-degree winter weather or wait in the mad house. I chose to freeze. As I stumbled out, literally, I saw no bus and just hundreds of people milling about in the cold. Again I had to laugh, what else could I do, Margo would be waiting. There was no getting on Amtrak now.

The wind was blowing and I tried to huddle close to an older Chinese lady who just dragged her huge plastic zip bags away from me. Then I tried to befriend a younger woman and talked to her about her work in NC, but her English was pretty bad, but at least I was close enough to her for it to help us both from becoming icicles. She also seemed to know the ropes better than I and explained that the bus would be coming fairly soon.

45 minutes later a very modern looking tour bus comes charging up the block towards us and just about crushes a few eager people waiting too close to the curb. By now you think I’m exaggerating, I’m not a writer but I had to write this down because this seemingly fictional piece is nothing but the absolute truth. I’m even leaving out the details about the funky smells that were coming from all around me, but I will get there in a minute. Anyway I’m serious the horn was blowing and three foot tall wheels practically crushed this guy as the driver didn’t stop just slowly inched his way to where he had to stop and the guy had to climb back over the now famous hugely stuffed plastic Chinese zip bags.

I’m frozen now and wondering how this will all work. Of course the huge swell of people have now surged towards the bus, and being a New Yorker I took the queue, this was the way this “go to Bus” works. I started to yell “Is this the bus to Raleigh?” No one said anything; well at least in a language that I spoke, so I trusted in the gods this was the Raleigh bus. I crawled over bags towards the bus, slinging my wheeled duffle bag towards the now opened luggage compartments. No one helped me with my bag, so I literally climbed into the compartment and found a safe place for my bag; Little knowing the zip bags were now flowing in behind me and I had to kick my way out. I stumbled out and there was my friendly Hindu guys offering me a hand and yelling to me to “let’s go” we stumbled (well mostly me) towards the front door of the bus. I’m still laughing because this is the most absurd thing that has happened to me in a long time.

As I enter the bus I’m struck by a strong smell of armpits, I start to look around thinking “Oh shit this is going to be bad” The funny thing was the bus itself was in pretty good nick, baring a few seats that looked broken, you know the kind, permanently in the recline position” But the smell was pretty bad. I start to see all the Chinese people who have taken the front seats and start looking for a good seat. Some lady starts shaking her finger at me when I try to sit next to her and my friendly Hindu guys points out that I actually have a seat assignment on my ticket. Number 28, that’s way at the back. Shit I hope it’s not too close to the toilette. I notice that the back of the bus was specially reserved for non-Chinese. Thinking about pulling a Rosa Parks I decided against it as this was what I got for jumping at $30 to Raleigh, and that I was going to kill my friend for telling me it was the next best thing to sliced bread. You know the expression in Spanish “Lo barato sale Caro” well this was the best case I had ever experienced of this.

I plunked down in my seat and the lights were on so I pulled out my book, my seat was fine and thank god not next to the bathroom, thank god double time a nice Puerto Rican family was sitting next to me and we joked about our circumstances. They told me of their trip up from Raleigh on the Christmas holiday and that I have to say is another completely compelling story that I will have to skip. Just let me say that at one point on their journey, due to lack of seats, the chauffeur asked them to stand between Raleigh and Fredericksburg Virginia, which is about 3.5 hours and they refused, only be have to be driven in a passenger van to Fredericksburg.

By now I was feeling a bit more at ease, I was warming up and I had a seat. Next the bus was full and we were on our way, but wait, why were we going around the block? Did we forget something? No we were picking up 3 more people who were told to move down to the next block and there they would be picked up. Woops they over sold the bus and these three were lucky enough to be brought to another boarding spot a block away, so they could avoid the mass of yelling people who missed the bus.

As we approached the Holland tunnel, the lights in the cabin went out. There were no lights, so forget reading. Then popped down the video screen and on came the bad kung-fu movie. It was in one Asian language and subtitled in, yep you guessed it.. Chinese. This was a really bad movie, I do remember one moment when I caught out of the corner of my now trying to sleep eye a giant rutabaga with someone trapped inside, flying all around attacking kung-fu experts who where “crouching tiger” style flying away. I tried to fall asleep but the African American guy in the back was yelling that he would pay extra for them to turn it off. These guys were goofing around and testing their knowledge of world geography until about 1am. They were so bad at it that I was intreged. Also the ADHD kid’s mother behind me, gave him some candy (great, just what a 3 year old kid needs at 11pm—candy) and he was twisting and flapping the wrapper for an hour.

Somehow I managed to dose off, until I heard us run off the road a bit. You know those grooves they cut in the side of the highway to let drivers know when they have gone too far off the road. That is what woke me up! Shit I looked outside and I realized it was rain/ sleeting very badly. We were some place in Marylyn or Virginia and we were hydroplaning big time. This Chinese driver drove that bus like it was a 90-degree sunny day. He was passing everyone on the road and I could feel the back of the bus slipping and sliding. Right about now I was thinking, ok the “cheep may have been expensive”, but this is now dangerous. I could see the time was 4:40 and the tempature display said 32 degrees, wow it could have been ice. I was the only one awake in that bus, I even worried if that were true for the bus driver at times, he was swerving so much.

At about 5:30am we took a gas station brake, again no one said anything to us. At this point climbing my way from the back of the dark bus, I had the sick feeling like we were cattle and no one gave a shit whether we made it or not. They didn’t even care if we had all the people back on the bus when they took off again. You can bet I was yelling at the ladies in the restroom to hurry up, since I was at the end of a long line.

It had stopped raining, so I feel asleep. I woke up to find our bus stopped in front of a CountryInn someplace in Durham, NC. As I shook my tired self awake, I thought “OMG have I missed my stop” No one said anything to you, so how were you to know. I asked the nice family next to me where we were, thank god they knew. We had apparently stopped in Durham, no one knew why, and the bus driver just left and left the bus running. That was 45 minutes before I woke up. Finally another Chinese guy shows up with more passengers that were made to stand in the iles while we drove the final half hour to Raleigh. Of course by this time I’m a bit miffed as I was suppose to meet Shelly (Margo’s husband) at the Curry Asian Market in Raleigh at 7am and it was now 7:45. So not laughing this time, I told his sorry ass, that we better get going because I was now late 45 minutes and this was getting bad. There was a small cheer from the non-Chinese contingent in the back of the bus.

Finally we made it to Curry (an area of Raleigh) and thank god Shelly was watching the general area, because we didn’t exactly stop at the Asian market, but about a half a block away. As I was finally leaving and saw Shelly’s smiling face out the window, I said to myself “hey maybe it wasn’t all that bad after all” until the man 3 seats up started puking in a plastic bag.

Needless to say I never did use that round trip back, instead I purchased the most expensive last minute holiday season JetBlue seat ever, but as the Mexicans’ say “Lo Barato sale Caro”

Just in case you need some adventure in your lives please visit,

www.gotobus.com/bus/ (Of course just typing this makes me laugh my ass off)

By: Lyndell Brookhouse (ari's mom)

Mental State

2010-01-06T19:39:00.001-08:00

If i had to explain my mental state after a 2 week long trip to Uruguay in 7 minutes of your time, here is what i would come up with. More later because if uruguay does anything to you it slows you the fuck down. Anyways, my uncle shot the footage for this short, it is fantastic all my family is in it. "I am resisting the life of the square mind" - JAVIER GIL.

collection of invented curses

2009-12-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

uaputa, puteta, chicharon, cabroneta, soretongo, soreteta, chicocobaron, mamaguevo, sorete

-dito(ari's bro)

2009-12-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

tomando cerveazas en la rambla.

From an Angry Black Anarchist

2009-12-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

http://angryblackanarchist.blogspot.com/
The Sliding Scale of White Privilege

I've gotten through the hump of generalized theory, and today resolved to sit down and sort out the minute trappings of this menacing shadow we know of today as "white privilege".

Remember, we know that all privilege is insidious, as it places an advantage or disadvantage upon a person or group simply for being born a certain way. But what is it in particular about the system of white privilege that makes it so utterly absurd, but only if you can even get your mind wrapped around it?

Unlike hetero-male privilege, white privilege is not based on any solid, definable characteristic that makes it simple to discern. You're easily quantifiable by gender, less so by sexual identity, but with race, the definitions become considerably more hazy.

What is "whiteness"?

Whiteness is the degree of race privilege you have in Western society. While not expressly based on skin color (it can also be bought, to an extent), it follows the guideline of what I like to call "Anglo-Normativity", which is the specific degree to which you appear similar to the "white" ideal - blond, straight hair, blue eyes, and, of course, pale skin.

This creates an unwritten and unspoken-of hierarchy that has permeated into every facet of our social interaction - from labor to government, in nearly every country (including those where no "Anglo-Normative" people exist), people have ranked themselves according to this sliding scale of white privilege.

In Latin America, those with lighter skin have more, and can do more than those that look more indigenous.

In East Asia, those with lighter skin have more, and can do more than those that look more Indonesian or Guinean.

In North America, there are "whites" -- which includes everyone that isn't visibly African to any degree (including some Arabs and "Latinos"), and there are "blacks"; and within black culture there still exists a white privilege, as those with lighter skin and "better" hair are simultaneously rewarded and envied by other black folks, and enjoy favorability among whites as well.

It doesn't take a sociologist to see the same recurring pattern of unexposed and institutionalized white power, among people who have less to gain from being considered "white" in the first place!

So, what do we do about it?

Regardless of how Anglo-Normative you are, it is your responsibility to actively seek out and expose all manifestations of white supremacy in our society.

Regardless of how much intensity you are comfortable with in resisting white power, you, and everyone else, have to do something; whether it consists of forcing liberals to talk about race and their appropriation and tokenization of minorities, or it consists of getting a crew to spread literature, single out and beat down Nazis and Klansmen in your area, something needs to be done.

This cannot be put more simply: Systems of power and privilege need to be countered at all turns. Don't let anyone get away with "nigger" and "bitch" and "pussy" and "fag", it is in your interest not to participate in that nonsense, and silence IS participation.

And if you really think about it, it really is very, very absurd.

My initial thoughts, everything in school is propagating whiteness, and that might attribute to the standards so heavily present. I agree with Sox. There is no cultural exploration for the most part other than that of Whiteness. The foundation of our education on the most basic level is how to be white and how to embrace whiteness.

Machop, Machoke, Machamp!

2009-12-18T06:24:00.001-08:00

I am coming up on my Pokemon game so hard! Reese whips me everytime with his fucking Garydos but Machamp might bring up the competition. I love Reese Werkhoven, thanks for the upgrade deck.

so syched.

2009-12-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

Room is turning into an epic practice space. Drum Machines have no soul, but they are super fun. The fucking old school synth! I feel like its the 80's and I'm jamming with Siouxsie.

the developments of a manifesto for that photo essay.

2009-12-15T08:09:00.000-08:00

In the words of Jay: Racism in NYC is really shitty. People think that you have to be a white kid to learn how to skate. Skating has no skin color. Just boards trucks barings and wheels.

Racism in NYC is really shitty, but i don't think it is necessarily true that this city breeds it through skateboarding. If anything it defies it. Truth is skating here you will encounter probably one of the most diverse communities in the city, I guess. Where the racism really stems from is MTV, Toys R Us, Zumies, Woodwards, and the whole institution for the matter. The image created by commercialism, the tony hawks and shecklers. Yes racism is present in all of our classrooms, shops, law enforcement units; all part of NYC naturally. But maybe here in NYC skateboarding has become a form of defiance to this fucked up system that reeks of institutional racism, classims, sexism ect. We don't have perfect spots, good parks, that many pro's, but what it is, is real.

When was the last time you saw a black kid at Woodward, only about 9 the whole summer and they were all sent through the Harold Hunter foundation. That's my point, I mean Harold Hunter, that dude was New York.

Maybe this sounds cliche, like "skateboarding rebellion, up the punx!" but i think it is, its freedom, its anarchy, its defiance, and it should never become a sport and never should be in the Olympics, or it will become an institution with unwritten rules like everything else.

Haile Selassie mother of mother [fuck!]

2009-12-14T17:54:00.000-08:00

Grandma said the dreadlocks had to go. RIP.

short manipulated progression of life's ambition

2009-12-13T17:13:00.001-08:00

THEY SAY JUMP, YOU SAY HOW HIGH?

THEY SAY JUMP, I SAY GIVE ME AN A!

THEY SAY JUMP, YOU SAY FOR 100K.

Burnin Night

2009-12-12T09:56:00.001-08:00

On The Road

2009-12-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

"What's your road, man?--holyboy road, madman road, rainbow road, guppy road, any road. It's an anywhere road for anybody anyhow" Jack Kerouac, On the Road

You know that nostalgic feeling you get when you think back on your summer, or a really great trip to New Orleans. Its un-tangible but i would associate it with the feeling of not carrying anything with you, being somewhere new, and having no commitments; three of the greatest feelings in the world combined into a sweet sort of haze. I picked up this book and it all came back to me. The road has been lost in my routine and I'm trying to find it again. Be the Mississippi, North St. Claude, Ave. C, Ft. Wash Ave., Eldridge St., im thirstin for an adventure...

Fun at Band

2009-12-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday Alex Goldman, Burnin'.

Lost in the Folder, Where are We?

2009-12-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

Down By Law

2009-12-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

One of the best films i have seen, i miss New Orleans. I feel like screaming, for ice cream, its like im in a box sliding off the walls.

Feedback

2009-12-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

I keep getting emails from Barack Obama and friends. Today i thought i would experiment with some responses.

1.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden,

As a concerned citizen of the United States i will have to express my disbelief at your actions. You tricked the people of America with hope that you were bringing fresh ideas and policies into the government. Instead you are leading another war campaign into Afghanistan, under the illusion of national security. Thank you for attempting to reform the health care system, maybe you should focus more on that. Seeing as it has not passed, and there are still 47 million Americans without health care. As of now i have no faith in government and you have assured me that even the most progressively packaged liberals from the democratic party cant make change in a system that inherently prioritizes war and corporations. I oppose your military proposition and i suggest you rethink your diplomatic skills.

Skeptically yours,
Rob Shnyder

2.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden,

Fuck U yo,I am mad upset. U r a lying piece of shit. Stop sending me emails, bcuz im sik of hearing your shit. Mayb if U told us the truth about your bitch-ass plans for Afghanistan U wldn't hav gotten elected LoL. I am goin to take you and your dumbass friends out.

Suck a Dick,
Lil' Wayne

3.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the whole damn system for the matter,

If you think all humans are just brainwashed worshipers of your government's lies you will have to think twice. I fully oppose any military action by the United States because it propagates further hatred of our country and will result in the death of thousands of innocent people. If you want to stop the disease don't fight the symptoms with the root of the problem. The Military and Government should be completely dismantled. Our imperial incentives in the Middle East are only so that the white man can continue to dominate. You are all just as white as Dick Cheney's ass. Did you sign weapons contracts with Halliburton yet? I'm sure Dick Cheney will want to talk to you about where the American Tax dollars are going to go. OH right, his back pocket? You and your government are not going to get away with this shit, soon everyone will realize you are just a neo-con trying to pull some sneaky illusion of a peoples president.

Viva la Revolucion,
Jesus

2009-12-02T11:22:00.000-08:00

click to enlarge.

Buy Nothing

2009-11-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

I find it ironic that we allocate one day a year to giving thanks for our privilege, and then use the next to compensate for all that we don't have. The ultimate American paradox, carefully designed by the Walmart,Target,and Bestbuy's.

Musics Rocking Good

2009-11-25T22:10:00.000-08:00

But instead, saturated with garbage, airways discredit this art and separate people from the power and meaning of music. Rivers of meaningless puke are poured into ours ears on daily basis and many forget to even think about music as of a major source of energy, joy and inspiration... and fucking heat, too!

As a matter of fact, it has been turned into something that steals our energy and replaces it with stress and discouraging examples of what making music leads to. All kinds of false notions of joyless, artificial, pseudo-mythology are now firmly attached to it... Celebrity lifestyle, VIP status, acting like an asshole - all these notions seem to be inseparable from music making these days. Many fall for it just to be spat out with a raped and destroyed sense of self-worth. Kids start bands often motivated by fame alone. Of course, many great famous brothers, like Stravinsky or Josef Boyse, for example, succeeded in turning fame into a vehicle of positive energies and spreading great progressive shit. But it is perhaps, worth to mention that mechanics of modern fame have changed from its original oral tradition drive, which produced legends, anecdotes, good word, etc... Mechanics of modern fame are fueled by media and media alone and nobody in their fucking right mind, of course, would start passing legends about, for example, The Strokes... or their twin sister Britney Spears.

But getting back... it is as easy as one plus fucking three. The more sources of inspiration you have, the better off you are; the happier you go through your day towards a more enjoyable night; the better you generally walk through the fire; and so on life-ward to the next drink (Russell's 'Strategies of Being'). But economics these days so strongly rule the arts, and for obvious reasons favor English-speaking product, that it does not provide you with any info on actual real music at all. Even if you are a curious soul and ventured out to get something different, you very well end up with Buddha Bar or Putamya record products which promises you something exotic but basically are traps for yuppies who would like to fancy themselves cultured. That is basically like attending a belly dance class in Wyoming with the hopes to understand Muslims. Even if a good artist shows up on a compilation like that, after a label's re-mastered his work he comes across as nothing but an ass-licking background singing for Starbucks coffee shop. This situation also prolongs total ignorance and confusion. You'll find millions of people not knowing if they support or oppose Globalization simply because they dont know what it means, or, thanks to great products like Global Lounge compilation, you will find people who celebrate Globalization. And you’ll think, "Wow, man, I never thought that new Colonialism can be such a great cause for a party..."

Favoring of white, English-speaking product is often explained by patriotic or simply stupid arguments like, people can really understand this song. This is total fucking bullshit, for every scientist will tell you that sound is the purest form of information. The language barrier in the context of music does not exist. And majority of power is contained in fingers of a player and in the tone of his/her voice. This is why the emotional message of music is so instant and human. That's why the voice of Johnny Cash or Vladimir Visotsky goes unstoppably through anything to anyone, and meaning of music stands up in its full pride. Of course, lyrical content of a song may take it much higher, but not knowing English never stopped millions around the world (including myself) from growing up on rock 'n roll. - Eugene Hutz

2009-11-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

in photo class doing 30 things at once.

"This Is Halloween!"

2009-11-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

Isaac killing it as an Emo kid. The whole night he was in character.

Tristan Reginato Yes!

Odd, OD, ridiculous, amazing, indescribable.

Wu-Tang!!!

2009-11-22T06:02:00.000-08:00

My friend Nick made this clip, i think it was one of the funnest days of skating I've had in a while. Thanks Lurker.

2009-11-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

Old School 12th and A.

This is what Feminism looks like

2009-11-19T17:51:00.000-08:00

This video is one of the most ridiculous things i have seen in a while. I love it and I hate it. I always liked Le Tigre because of their singer Kathleen Hanna, who was involved in one of the best music scenes Riot grrrl. But i can see that her audience has changed drastically. These girls are preety punk though, i love the girl rocking out under the American flag.

Riot grrrl was an underground feminist punk movement that started in the early 1990s, and it is often associated with third-wave feminism (it is sometimes seen as its starting point). Riot grrrl's emphasized on universal female identity and separatism. Riot grrrl bands often address issues such as rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, and female empowerment. Some bands associated with the movement are Fifth Column, Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Jack Off Jill, Excuse 17, Heavens to Betsy, Huggy Bear, Adickdid, The Third Sex, Sleater-Kinney, and also lesbian queercore like Team Dresch.

2009-11-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Beacon will never escape Radiate.

2009-11-17T07:52:00.000-08:00

12,600
hours i have spent in school during my life so far. My aunt always tells me that if you spend 10,000 hours doing anything you will become an expert at that. I am becoming an expert at doing what the fuck I'm told to. I cant concentrate in school, I cant concentrate on something i don't care about. I have been playing games with myself for 10 years trying to trick my brain into doing something it doesn't want to. It is carefully designed so when i get older i am conditioned by these exercises to continue to do work without thinking twice. The more you practice the less you think about it. I practice listening to what people tell me to do regardless of whether i want to do it or not 7 hours a day. I have my manners so ingrained in my conscious because of this practice i get at school, that i sometimes follow the rules outside of school. I feel like painting on the walls all the time and dancing on the train and skating wherever the fuck i want I want but my muscle memory has got me following the rules everywhere i go.

Otter guest update.

2009-11-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

I woke up at 7:44 and was like "Oh crap," so then I just threw on what looked pretty and bright and went for walk in the chilly November air and people were staring at me on the subway but I knew that they were only looking at me like that because of my effervescent personality... not 'cause I
m crazy or anything haha.... SERIOUSLY!

Its November and Otter is dressed for a luao in sandals and shorts.

Dick Chicken

2009-11-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

I found this on the L train, not sure what to think about it. I can tell you something about Chicken Mcnuglets though, they are sprayed with a preservative so toxic that it's actually lethal in higher concentrations. Now i am contemplating the ideal diet, morning 40oz's and Dick Chicken Mcnuglets, sounds good.

Neighborhoods Rule!

2009-11-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

I am feeling angry as ever about white entitlement. You think this city is just something you can buy? Fuck off, you stupid kids who come here and go to school so that you can get a job that upholds your supremacy. Your not artists, and your not real. You want to make movies about your friends smoking cigarettes? take a look around. You hate your Puerto Rican neighbors and you dont even eat real Chinese food. You support the local drug and alcohol economy but you never thought that you might have been moving into a real fucking neighborhood. You want truth, lets talk about eviction and tennant abuse in the lower east side. About asthma rates in the south bronx, about the fucking drug cartels in the heights, strategically placed garbage incinerators and power plants. Yeah this city isnt just somewhere you can drop your white dough and it becomes yours. This city is full of class divisions and racism open your fucking eyes, your propogating it everyday. I am talking about everyone here, myself and you.

I just moved to washington heights and i am struggling with feeling as though i am participating and giving back to my nieghborhood. So far ive made a connection with the skateboarding community, naturally. So ive hooked up some kids with boards and had some ill flat ground sessions and games of old school skate.

That song stuck in your head

2009-11-15T20:01:00.001-08:00

HILARIOUS, The anthem of my morning! So sick... check the Nawlins footage, damnnn i miss NOLA so much.

Last Night

2009-11-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

was strange and beautiful. Sebastian and Antonia Perez; laying down the truth. By: Me

5 minute edit this morning whattup

Very Lazy, just eats and sleeps.

2009-11-13T06:17:00.000-08:00

Just my kind of Pokemon. My new deck is poppinnnn, im readyready for battle. Many thanks to you Reese!

Freedoms

2009-11-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Epic Mission.

Last Night's Parties

2009-11-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Best

2009-11-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

These two status's are probably the best things i have seen on Facebook in a while.

Hard at Lurk

2009-11-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

FatBill

2009-11-07T06:22:00.000-08:00

sweet film bill, as always.

have you ever heard of this?

2009-11-07T05:55:00.000-08:00

Biorhythms,

Biorhythms are inherent cycles which regulate memory, ambition, coordination, endurance, temperament, emotions, and much more. We each have three fundamental biorhythm cycles. Each biorhythm cycle has a particular function, and a particular life cycle.

Our physical biorhythm cycle completes one life cycle in 23 days. Our emotional biorhythm cycle lasts 28 days, and our intellectual biorhythm cycle lasts 33 days. At mid point and end point in each cycle, they sharply move back to zero point and change polarity. The day a cycle changes polarity is called a transition day (also called a critical day, or caution day).

Who knows how legit this is but my Dad is a neuro-biologist (PhD) and he says they exist without a doubt. My chart seems pretty on it. A few days ago during my "emotional transition" i felt like i lost something. That feeling is so confusing and it has persisted for the last few days.

2009-11-05T17:49:00.001-08:00

"Increasingly, we are becoming a society in which who we are is less important than what we do. We define ourselves by our occupations, and calculate our value based on our proffesional success. Gone are the days when students were advised to follow their passion. Now we live, and die, by the bottom line."

"Fuck The World"

This Morning, Everyday.

2009-11-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

Last night i had a dream that i walked into my 7th grade history class with two 24oz of Coors Light. I then proceeded to yell and spazz out and slam the keyboards. Everybody seemed pretty calm around me and then the Dean came in. She had an inch of make up on her face and hairs coming out of a mole under her lip. I threw my clothes at her, and ran around the school..Naked. When i left i ran into Tristan and it was his birthday. I was so excited to see him and thats about when i forget what else happened. Maybe i woke up, maybe it was a dream but this is what happened next.

I walked into the living room and NY1 was on, apparently the Yankees won the world series! YAY!!!psyche. The story was about sporting goods stores. How the second after the Yankees won, they had to scramble to supply Yankees Memorabilia to the raving fans. How New York pride manifested into a huge shopping spree at Modells. It was retold completely subjectively as if people were really interested in the demands of stores because of consumerist fervor rendered from the world series. This got me really mad, NY1 was trying to sell me the world series, through Matsui T-Shirts, and World Series 09' caps. This is when i concluded for the millionth time that Mainstream news is actually just a slightly longer commercial that is advocating your stupidity and passiveness.

The combination of these two dreams/ the reality of the situation at hand made me loose my mind for a good 10 minutes. So Ive decided to take a mental health day off, and try to get the fuck out of here.