Pink Moan

July 28th, 2008 by Gnat

So I’m headed off to Denver, aka the “mile high city,” for a few days this week for my job. I’m also planning on visiting a few old friends that I’ve known since high school who now call Denver home. My friend Matthew and his girlfriend Jamie own the Fancy Tiger boutique, which I hope to be able to stop by sometime this week as well. I prolly won’t be blogging much or at all while I’m away, so I’ll leave you, gentle reader, with a few juicy links to chew on. This first was sent to me by my friend Sue, and it’s a real doozy:

NASA astronaut Edgar Mitchell claims alien contact cover-up

Now it’s true that this article came out (coincidentally?) on the heals of the release of the new X-Files movie, which is subtitled: “I Want to Believe.” But just admit it to yourself, dear reader, didn’t you always know deep down inside that aliens were real? My friend Brian predicts that many aging baby boomers will start to come out about this kind of thing more and more regularly as they get older and less likely to give a fuck about the repercussions of disclosure. Whatever the case may be, this article about aliens being real made my week.

Now let’s get on to less celestial subject matter. More gossip, please. Here’s the buzzworthy, already much talked about article the LA Times did on Jay Babcock, Arthur Magazine founder:

Jay Babcock talks Arthur magazine’s Brooklyn move, L.A. as a ‘psychic death hole’

I’m on the Arthur bulletin email list, and last week Babcock sent a lengthy email explaining how misquoted he was by the LA Times in this piece, the real reasons he moved Arthur headquarters to NYC, how much he still really does like LA, and yada, yada, yada. He said he was also going to request that the LA Times print a formal retraction concerning his interview and alleged misquotations. Now I’ve met Jay a couple of times and he seems like a nice enough guy (although he does wear Birkenstocks). However my sources tell me that this latest rant is in true form for Babcock, who supposedly has a history of popping off at the mouth and being a tad elitist. I love Arthur, really I do, but Babcock sounds ever-so-douchey in his LA-bashing interview. Last time I checked, Brooklyn (Williamsburg), was all about commidifiable dissent wrapped up in an every-so-hip package. And Manhattan hasn’t been “edgy” in years. Here’s the Gawker article about the Jay Babcock NYC vs. LA rant, with some funny comments:

L.A.: Give Brooklyn Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Weary…

July 23rd, 2008 by Gnat

I got tipped off by a friend to this “killer” Radar magazine article shortly after it was posted online. The first paragraph of the story pretty much sums it up:

“In the late ’90s, pop-culture historian Bill Geerhart had a little too much time on his hands and a surfeit of stamps. So, for his own entertainment, the then-unemployed thirtysomething launched a letter-writing campaign to some of the most powerful and infamous figures in the country, posing as a curious 10-year-old named Billy.”

Thus you get the Billy Letters. Geerhart pens hilarious notes to everyone from Charles Manson to Clarence Thomas to Larry Flynt. To me, the Billy Letters are almost like pieces of Dada-infused happenings, but occurring over a number of years rather than minutes. The replies little “Billy” gets are wonderfully diverse. Check out serial killer Richard Ramirez’s custom letterhead:

Wow, it looks like Ramirez fancies himself a rockstar rather than a brutal killer. But I guess those two are probably the same thing in his (pathetic) mind. Speaking of rockstars, here’s an autographed glossy pic Billy received in response to a letter he sent to then Fed Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan:

Now THAT looks like a guy who knows how to party. Anyways, read the article. If nothing else it’ll give you a few laughs and help you avoid doing any real work for a little while longer.

July 21st, 2008 by Gnat

I’ve still yet to catch this LA-based punk/noise/pop duo live, even though they seemingly play every weekend here when not on tour. I showed up with my friends for the Central Library free daytime No Age/Mika Miko gig a couple of months back, but sadly the library auditorium was at capacity when we arrived. The fire department was there to turn us away along with a sizable throng of well dressed post-punk and new wave kiddies who were there to take advantage of the all ages activity. I dig this band’s new album Nouns and their previous collection of singles, entitled Weirdo Rippers.

No Age have been getting lots ‘o’ hype lately and seem to have still kept their integrity and wits fairly intact. Read this cool LA Times article to learn more of their brushes with celebrity and staunch vegan ethos. Then watch the killer Eraser video:

No Age is at a DIY crossroads

July 18th, 2008 by Gnat

I just found a site that may be of interest to some of you (it sure interests me). You can download Podcasts of lectures on various Carl Jung topics, including interpretation of fairy tales, entering the Active Imagination and Jung’s model of the psyche:

Jung Podcast

July 18th, 2008 by Gnat

I grew up in suburban Houston from about ‘87-92, the years which spanned the end of junior high through my high school graduation. Ah Houston, a sprawling and lame megalopolis nested in the swamp-like climate of southeast Texas. Well, apparently Houston is still lame. Today I came across a great article summing up Houston’s lackluster music scene. I imagine this piece will bore the living hell out of you if you’re not from Houston or Texas, but I found it interesting, thorough and well-written:

Houston Has a Bad Reputation with Touring Indie Bands

Oh, and the title of this article alone should get you excited:

Why are ABBA songs so infectious? Science has answers

July 16th, 2008 by Gnat

I read about this the other day, how a parole board has denied compassionate release for former Manson girl, Susan Atkins. “Sadie,” as she was known by Charles Manson and the Family, was not a nice gal back in the day. She participated in both the Gary Hinman and Sharon Tate murders, and apparently also really enjoyed the Family’s “Creepy Crawler” escapades. Creepy crawling involved breaking into homes while the occupants were either away or fast asleep, and rearranging as well as stealing objects within the house. Pretty creepy, right? Susan also was the one responsible for writing “Pig” on Sharon Tate’s front door, with Tate’s own blood.

Susan Atkins has been in prison for 37 years, more time served than any other woman in the California prison system. She is ill with brain cancer and has only months to live. One of her legs is amputated and the other is paralyzed. Yes, I think Susan Atkins committed some unforgivable crimes. But what good does it do to show her the same lack of mercy she once showed? Does this really prove anything? I say let her out to smell the roses and experience free life in her final months. Then, before she does cross over, she may actually understand what a precious thing she snatched away from her unlucky, undeserving victims.

July 15th, 2008 by Gnat

I can’t believe this extensive collection of experimental film and video works the fine folks at UbuWeb posted. Streaming media and downloadable files too:

UbuWeb: Film & Video

I want to do subsequent posts highlighting a few select works, but there are so many to choose from! Hours of enjoyment and education, my friends. There is also a sound section that I’ve yet to peruse:

UbuWeb: Sound

In other news, I know it’s the lamest thing ever to update friends and acquaintances on your status via your blog, but fuck it. Friends if I’ve been a bit remiss at communication lately please forgive me. I’ve been slightly under the weather, both physically and mentally, but am now on the mend. I went to the doctor today, got some pillz and should be feeling better soon. Also as many of you know, I have a great uncle who was recently committed to the nursing home in Texas. He has the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease (among many physical ailments including lymphoma) and yesterday tried to escape from the home. It’s all pretty sad and I’ve been dealing with beaucoup de family drama lately. So if any of you out there believe in good vibes, please send some to my uncle Charlie. He could use it.

July 10th, 2008 by Gnat

Every time I pay a visit back home, I’m reminded of the history of mental illness in my family. It goes a long way back (at least a few generations) and is present on both my mom and dad’s sides. I’ve recently come to believe most (if not all) of the panic and depressive episodes I suffer from are a result of good ol’ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD is something I’ve had since I was a kid, when I performed various ritualized behaviors (like compulsive checking and counting) as a result of trying to combat intrusive thoughts. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as OCD until I was in high school and saw a late-night commercial. This commercial showed a man meticulously counting the windows of a multi-story office building, then advertised a number to call if you suffered from OCD. It was at that time I realized there were other crazies in the world like me.

So my recent trip back home has inspired my latest bout of self-help. Whilst perusing the internet for resources on combating my OCD (and avoiding work this afternoon, yes), I came upon the most fabulous term that I have to share with you all. It’s called Scrupulosity, and it’s the religious manifestation of OCD. My intention isn’t to make fun of people with this disorder, because that would be mean and make me a hypocrite. I suppose I just find it fascinating such a condition exists. Here’s a brief definition of Scrupulosity:

“For a certain individuals, religious beliefs become compulsive, joyless behaviors. The individual may constantly worry that he or she might say or do something blasphemous. He may fear that he has committed sin, forgotten it and then neglected to repent for the sin. He may spend long hours searching his mind to try to ferret out evidence of un-confessed sins. He is unable to feel forgiven. Specific obsessions and compulsions vary according to the individual’s religion.”

I think I have figured out the direct result of Scrupulosity when this condition is projected outward and filtered through a political lens — it’s called Republicanism. They don’t yet have an entry in the DSM for Republicanism, but here’s to hoping.

July 8th, 2008 by Gnat

I’m back from Tejas, as of about 4:00 pm yesterday. Can I just say it’s good to be back in CA? Well, it is. It was great to see my family, but it was also a difficult time as my grandparents just had to put my great uncle in the nursing home. He’s 92, kind of out of it, swollen with lymphoma and mad as hell for being put away. He can afford home care, but alas there is no 24-hour nursing/home care service available in Crane, the tiny west-Texas town in which my folks live (and where I grew up until age 13). I made calls and tried to get my uncle back home, but nothing panned out. I think my folks will be transferring him to a nicer nursing home facility later this week. He’s not going to like it I’m sure, but hopefully he’ll be happier than he is in his current situation.

Marfa was fun! But you know you’re still in Texas (even in an “artist community” like Marfa), when you see pro-life signs around town and bumper stickers that say things like “Babies are not spare parts!” That was sort of depressing, as was the $20 tiny bowl of fettucine w/olive oil I was served at one hip restaurant in Marfa. I guess even in the middle of the desert one isn’t immune to overpriced cuisine.

Oh and upon my arrival in Midland, just after leaving the airport, I saw a bumper sticker on a big-ass redneck truck that read: “Just say NO to Osama, Obama and Chelsea’s mama!” Yup. That was almost enough to make me want to turn around and immediately high-tail it back to the lovely blue state of California.

July 1st, 2008 by Gnat

On a personal note, I’ve been recently trying to trap a couple of stray cats in my neighborhood to get them fixed. The crazy old drunken Cuban man across the street just loves to feed the kitties — of course without taking one iota of responsibility for their health care and general upkeep. Yes, some people just love to see the miracle of nature at work: lots of cute stray kittens running amok that eventually end up ravaged by fleas, half-starved and teaming with infection. I was actually astonished to hear an acquaintance remark over the weekend: “what’s so bad about having lots of stray cats in your neighborhood?” This person seemed to think the scenario on my block was Norman Rockwell-esque, with scrappy yet fun-loving hobo felines trailing little Johnny as he trots off down the block, perhaps with fishing pole in tow.

This ain’t the case, folks.

So I’ve had a couple of trapping mishaps befall me the last couple of days. The first was when I caught the wrong cat on Sunday morning. Whoops. But no harm was done, I released the kitty and tried again last night. This morning I checked the trap and had caught a gray stray. Upon attempting to transfer the stray to my carrier, the damn thing bolted right over the fence. Whoops again. I’m giving this thing another shot today after work, so wish me luck friends.

Oh and I’ll be going to Texas for a few days this week. Leaving on Thursday and returning Monday. My mom and I will be spending July 4th in Marfa, and we will get to see cool things like this:

And this…

And finally…

First image: Prada Marfa storefront installation; second image: still (from gallery site) from the Hello Meth Lab in the Sun exhibit at Ballroom Marfa gallery; third image: the mysterious natural phenomenon that is the Marfa Lights (flashes on the horizon).

Hopefully this trip to Tejas will be good and maybe even help me get a fresh perspective on things. Lately I feel like I relate less and less to people and the world around me…