99 Problems and Mitt Ain't One

Blogeadership: Bracelets

I know this might not be the most important story to focus our attention on, but I've been fascinated with it for the past few days. And I early voted.

As I wrote to some friends in an email... I'm a bit of a dichotomous guy. I appreciate a good underdog story, but not the ones that get too much teleplay or garner a "blue collar" support. I equally appreciate eye-opening dominance, but not dominance that is impure or without integrity. Most of all, much more than seeing the little team that could or the undisputed champion, I've always felt most inspired by the toppling of the powerful. The crumble. The "too good to be true... oh, apparently it is" moment. The destruction and the chaos that follow. The gut check. This is because I believe in the power of shared reality. The thing that we all have to deal with, that connects us to each other and drives much of our social norms. What we're willing to put up with. The confidence in one's contribution.

I just simply love that Lance was a "hero" and now he's a former "hero." It's like he was nothing all along. But it's important to remember he wasn't nothing. He built a reputation of dominance in a particular sport that included a level of underdog-edness and come back-edness. With the help of his teams, he put up the numbers. He transcended his sport and began to pluck on the heart strings of the hopeful and possibly desperate. He did this by translating social momentum and awareness into an institution based entirely on a trending retail phenomenon of supremely defensible motives (both capitalistically and humanely speaking). Apparently, he even talked about running for office in Texas.

I do not suffer a fallen hero of this nature. But perhaps my sadistic enjoyment is really a form mourning. Because I do suffer the confusion of those who supported Lance and now must grapple with reality, where theirs was once blind monetary and philosophical support of a cause, is now just (hopefully continued) support of a cause. It must be difficult to support something out of the sheer kindness of one's heart, without figure for inspiration.

Lance suffered many things in his heroic trip which are far, far darker than his now exposure. Now, it's mainly reputational, the physical being trophy and possibly finance. His use of power is phenomenal, and even despite the measures that are place to check such power, we still remain so fascinated by heroes that reality became "Lance Armstrong" (which I just realized is too grossly similar to Livestrong). The ego is the icing on the cake.  Fortunately, the truth is far more fascinating and inspiring a reality.

The Rolling Stones - Doom And Gloom

I know it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it.

'Cept the Few

Duquesne Whistle

What do ya think of that video?  Seems like Bob is still hanging with a motley crew, even in his old age.  Bob Dylan, my Facebook friend, told me to listen to Tempest in its entirety for free at iTunes a full week before its official release. Visit http://smarturl.it/tempestitunesstream

Thunderbolts and Lightning, Very, Very Frightening

7/26/12 Williamsburg, Brooklyn

The Armpit Collection XLII: Medecinal

Originally announced in 2010: “Madlib is launching Madlib Medicine Show, a 12-part music series (12 CD's, 6 LP's) on his own imprint, Madlib Invazion. Odd numbers, beginning with #1 in Jan. 2010, will be original hip-hop, remix, beat tape and jazz productions; even numbers will be mixtapes of funk, soul, Brazilian, psych, jazz and other undefined forms of music from the Beat Konducta's 4-ton* stack of vinyl.

I originally came to this series through another Madlib release, Shade of Blue. I was really intrigued by the idea of a hip hop producer cutting up jazz recordings, and the album didn't disappoint. I started looking for other Madlib releases and found High Jazz, one of the installments in the Medicine Show. It was convenient that my search led me to this release, being Madlib's foray into jazz via his "Yesterday's Universe" band. Once I became aware of the series itself, I started snagging them up.

As I began to acquire the various Medicine Show releases and take them in, I was more and more blown away at how prolific of an artist Madlib is, and at how ideal and awesome of an undertaking a series like this is.

I listen to these a lot. I've had a lot of different reactions from various friends, visitors who've taken them in with me. It's not for everyone, but it's a deeply intriguing vantage point into the world of hip hop record creation, producing, and the world of music re-creation.

Joe's Apartment

...back when MTV was coooool, maaaannnn.

Heath Ledger's Inspiration For The Joker

source

Thirty Five

Press Release

(lame) First Listen

Bob Dylan - She Belongs to Me (Live 1966)

Blogvenience: Music

Healthy debate going on in the interwebs courtesy of:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2012/06/16/154863819/i-never-owned-any-music-to-begin-with

And then:

http://thetrichordist.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/letter-to-emily-white-at-npr-all-songs-considered/

Both are great reads (particularly David Lowery's piece).

Thoughts?

One of my take-away's was Emily's sad and ever-perpetuated indulgence of convenience. The technological changes that have swept mankind over the past 20-30 years (longer? always?) have largely been about convenience. And convenience is a sad way to make a decision. Is it too classic to say that just because something is easier, doesn't mean it's better? I'm deeply intrigued by the next generation's perspective. They are just coming into adulthood and power, and they are the first to have fully grown up with the internet. The idea that THEY are more willing to PAY for convenience over ... anything ... is disheartening to say the least. I always suspected that our parents' generation would be the ones to perpetuate convenience based on their fascination with our technology, as they faded away from society and relevance.

The Baby-Faced Assassin Is Dead.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/sports/johnny-tapia-champion-boxer-amid-chaos-dies-at-45.html

Behind the Shades?

I am guessing many of you have seen Mr. Dylan receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. My question: is he getting a bit chocked up as he receives the award? I can't tell if he is just incredibly uncomfortable or actually getting a bit emotional. 

Ripe for my iPhone

Apropos... given its syntax and definition.

This is in light of this, which is surprisingly difficult to Google. Guess Google's suggestion spell check has a streak of patriotism written into it.

We Don't Know Why

At the request of our esteemed host, I'm uploading some images that I've added text to. Some of them may not make any sense to you, so my apologies for any lack of relevance... but hey, our whole generation is one big inside joke of meaningless exchanges, isn't it... guys... isn't it?

How many can you remember?

Tell us what gets down into your jimmies and gives them a little rustle.

The great legend of my latter formative years.

“Dragan” Music Video

Lucas & the Lovelys

Live From New York, it's Mick Jagger

This is an EPIC episode of SNL, probably one of my favorites of all-time. 

Well, Your Sign Fucking Sucks

"Polling showed that feelings about the issue were divided in North Carolina as they are across much of the nation: along generational lines, with younger voters opposed to the amendment."

i pity this institution — as if the product of electoral democracy bore even a resemblance — but i also find an absolute anti-patience in being outnumbered in Good Idea by a showing-up-for-being-there group of old, tired people. if showing-up-and-being-there is all it takes to bear even a resemblance, well then . . . why is something that does well — like young people getting together to say that shit is bullshit come our time to say what is and ain't the shit — not be enough of what we need enough to be? why do we say no, ever? or yes?

we should instead, ignore it entirely and refuse the bait at the end of that quote. we've overstayed our welcome and these are not our feelings.