Dilemma? Really?

George Washington was a punk ass bitch. I don’t really care if you think different because you’re wrong. No offense, but let’s face facts. Yes he was the first president of the United States of America. The father of our great country, whatever. Someone had to do it and he was in the mix.

I mean, I don’t know about you but I don’t want to idolize the man who owned slaves and then refused to take a stand about it one way or the other. Much like Puerto Rico, he wanted it both ways, privately thinking that slave owning was wrong, while publicly owning fucking slaves! And when abolition came to the table during the first continental congress he was too much of a pussy to say, “Nah man this slavery bullshit right here is wrong. We should totally put a stop to it.” Probably kept that little gem inside because it would have meant there was no way he could of maintained Mount Vernon and the large piles of plantation money it generated. Instead he was more like, “Well how about I don’t say anything. Sound good to you guys?” The original don’t ask don’t tell. Bullshit.
And I know some of you are saying, “But he freed his slaves.” Nope! What he did was put it in his will that his slaves could go free after his wife died. Not even after he died, after his wife died! What a noble effort from the man who supposedly couldn’t tell a lie after he cut down a stupid tree. And by the way you know how many slaves he owned at the time? Over 300. He got his first 10 slaves at age 11. Who needs 10 slaves at the ripe old age of 11?
I hate the nonchalance at which people blurt out, “Well it was the way things were at time. Everyone owned slaves.” No not everyone: Adams never owned a slave in his life and actively denounced the idea. And let’s get it straight, slavery was not a “dilemma.” It’s not good for a country’s soul to compare one of the great atrocities humanity has ever committed to the inconvenience of running out of underwear. So stop right now and speak the truth, slavery is fucked up especially if it’s en masse and en vogue, and owning them makes you a punk ass bitch.

Arts & craps

When I was a kid my hobbies were: model car building, drawing and being awesome. These days I takey the pictures. It makes me feel good about myself that I too can look through a lens and press a button. I also watch television and breathe.

Here’s a list of hobbies I’m planning on taking up either sooner or later.

1. Getting to work on time.
2. Doing things my doctor says I shouldn’t do.
3. Inventing avant-garde jellies.
4. Perfecting the art of 18th century, revolutionary musket, silhouette drawing.
5. Deep sea giant squid obedience training.
6. Sleep blackjack dealing
7. Discovering a method for melting ice that doesn’t involve water.
8. Telekinesis
9. Making others believe I’m insane when actually I’m in perfect mental health; just to mess with their heads.
10. Push-up contest announcer.

I have many interests.

What a country!

In America you can always find a party. In Russia, Party always finds you.

In America you have McDonald’s. In Russia we have McDonald’s too except there it’s a little different.

In America, you have telephone poles. In Russia we have Poles who telephone.

In America your flag pin is red, white and blue. In Russia we have a different flag.

In America you cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like you. In Russia we really hate that about you guys.

In America you elect a president using a confusing system of delegates. In Russia we think that’s outdated and sometimes irrespective of the popular vote.

In America you deregulate your airlines only to have them re-regulate themselves into a lesser, more hazardous, more expensive conglomerate. In Russia we’re smarter then that.

In America marrying multiple underage girls and having large families with them all is an illegal act called polygamy. In Russia we have the same thing but we call it "Family Night at Chilis."

Cars (museum)

Here in the car (museum)
I see relics gone by
When the fuel was forever
And the ultimate status symbol
Was a car.

Here in the car (museum)
I walk through the halls
Meanwhile war wages on
Just to supply
My car.

Here in the car (museum)
I see gas prices rise
Maybe five bucks a gallon
Don't know how to afford
My car.

Here in the car (museum)
Thinking of ways to conserve
Gonna get me a Vespa
So I can replace
My car.

Working hard or hardly working?

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.

To that end I like to take a day off from work once in a while and do something I've been meaning to. My last work ditching adventure found me at the L.A. Science Center, to check out the Marvel exhibit. I was disappointed. It was kinda lame to be honest, but it's for kids so I didn't complain too much, but it sucks when you ditch and don't do something worthwhile. I did however manage to take an alarmingly high amount of self portraits (two!). It's a rare thing when I'm in a photograph in any form. So I hope you enjoy.

At day's end, Juan joined me to go see Monster House in 3-D. It really made the disappointment of the Science Center tolerable. If you haven't seen it, then go. Right NOW!

Dance and Music, In That Order.

Grand Performances has a really great lineup this year. I've already seen an act called Ska-Cubano who created an almost perfect fusion of ska and cumbia. I can recommend them whole heartily.

Last Friday I went to go see the Diavolo Dance Theater. They were part dance, part acrobatics (something in the vein of Cirque De Solie but with cheesier music) and all movement, sometimes with large heavy props! It's a good show, fun to watch.

Saturday I went to the Getty to go see a tabla player named Karsh Kale. The set was sick! If you ever get a chance to see the guy perform anywhere near you, make plans and go.

I really enjoyed both performances but to be honest I was mostly taken aback by summer in Los Angeles. I grew up here and she never ceases to amaze me. Here are some photographs I took over the course of the two nights.