DAAAAANG!

CHANGE....

2010-03-31T14:51:00.000-07:00

Change is good....for the most part. Unless one of us updates this site, most of the blogging/posting/sillyness will go on below instead by one of our favorite peeps:

So go here, change your bookmarks and follow this HERE instead.

xoxo
MC

2010-03-15T15:58:00.001-07:00

fun at the studio!

2010-03-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

yes!

2010-03-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

drawing out loud while waiting for paint to dry:

and watching this:

70 Million by Hold Your Horses ! from L'Ogre on Vimeo.

soooooo good.

2010-02-25T18:19:00.001-08:00

coming soon!

2010-02-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

fuck the ocean:

but love the Liars!

2010-02-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

a dear friend to us, mr. free the robots himself is featured on We Are The New Standard:

can't wait to hear the new album!

2010-02-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

The Making of the 2010 Pirelli Calendar by Terry Richardson from Rafael Rubira on Vimeo.

2010-01-26T10:23:00.001-08:00

one of the family gets interviewed:

go emilio!

2010-01-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

2010-01-21T13:40:00.000-08:00

drawing while waiting for paint to dry:

2010-01-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

and we hope you are too.

2010-01-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

round table knights - calypso ep from Foederation on Vimeo.

2010-01-14T00:19:00.001-08:00

this is for Teddy P....

Rest in peace, brotha. Your music is forever.

2010-01-12T08:38:00.000-08:00

2010-01-12T02:02:00.000-08:00

2010-01-09T11:15:00.001-08:00

we are doomed as a society...

2010-01-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

We never thought a music genre would spawn out of 20-something year olds pretending to be 15 year olds pretending to be living in a time when 40 year olds were 15 (the 80s) influenced by 16 year olds in the OC who listen to ICP, metal, hardcore, auto tune, t-pain, goa trance, and music that sounds like it was written by 13 year olds:

Let alone have thousands of 15 year olds worshiping them. What....the......fuck.

2010-01-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

2010-01-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

we want these now:

2010-01-07T01:10:00.001-08:00

2010-01-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

2010-01-04T22:38:00.001-08:00

2009-12-27T02:06:00.000-08:00

2009-12-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

2009-12-27T01:53:00.000-08:00

2009-12-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

do not adjust your reality:

CHOP CUP from :weareom: on Vimeo.

2009-12-10T17:52:00.000-08:00

2009-12-10T04:09:00.000-08:00

CLOSING RECEPTION/GRAD PARTY THIS SATURDAY:

2009-12-09T01:46:00.001-08:00

with all that time used to make this, we would've done something else, in fact...we just might.

2009-12-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

rainy days always need a little bit of....

2009-12-07T10:50:00.001-08:00

2009-12-07T02:12:00.001-08:00

2009-12-06T21:22:00.000-08:00

2009-12-06T00:38:00.001-08:00

About DJing, Elephants & Termites (RIP Technics 1200s)...

2009-12-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

This just happened:

http://www.slashgear.com/technics-axe-1200-and-1210-turntables-2764581/

http://www.slashgear.com/technics-axe-1200-and-1210-turntables-2764581/

We found the above article online and immediately became heart broken. Suddenly, everything we thought about in terms of the state of DJ culture (and maybe the world) is happening.

There is something to say about the current wave of digital music technology, and we're not sure what. Sure, one can argue that it's going to potentially open up alot of doors and make people more interested in DJ culture, but just to complicate things, we might want to ask "For what?" DJs were never under the radar, everyone can understand the importance of one, so why do we need to have more running around especially if they are using newer technology that potentially lends to a destruction (or not?) to the culture of DJing (via turntablism, disco, house, etc) by eliminating the iconic tools they use to preserve them? On top of that, alot of these new DJs have forgotten something important about any kind of art form/preserved culture/subculture: You have to know the rules before you break them.

We were at a friend's party the other day and the kid who was DJing was using some new digital mixing system that eliminated the use of turntables, records, etc. He was playing some newer electro house/mashup/remix tracks and then he played a newer Daft Punk song. We then asked him which album it was off and he didn't know, then we asked him if he thought of Homework (Daft Punk's first lp) and if the song reminded him of something from Homework and he responded with, "Homework? I've never heard of them." then snobbily returned back to playing music, which by the way he didn't know how to actually mix/blend together. We said, "oh, thanks." then walked away. We were saddened and upset at the idea that he was playing music which he knew nothing about. Not to say you aren't allowed to do that, but one of things we remembered about DJs was that they really knew their shit.

That was one of the greatest things about discussing music with DJs, they could tell you everything from where the song came from, the vinyl pressing, b-sides, the samples, original versions, covers, etc. all based off one record that probably took him countless hours of driving, digging and requesting local record stores just to obtain. And if you were a Hip-hop DJ/turntablist, you would need doubles (2 copies), which was just as hard to do, while this kid who presumably was about 19 or 20 years old scrolled up and down on his laptop picking songs he downloaded in 10 seconds.

In defense of this kid, sure, maybe he was just playing music because he wanted to, which would have been fine. But he had the attitude of someone who was DJing in the hippest NY/Detroit/LA club for years, and on top of that had business cards spread across his setup, as well as walking around after his set telling everyone at the party to hire him ("schmoozing" for lack of a better term), and telling the DJ after him "is it ok if i leave these cards/flyers here?" by the next DJs set up! Innocent kid wanting to just play music, my ass!

There is a purist element to this i'm sure, but i guess the difference would have to be made and understood only through a certain kind of understanding. Someone who understands DJing the way alot of "true" DJs do. Even if it means the DJ at the punk club who just plays records to play great records, versus the Hip-hop DJ who mixes, cuts, rocks the beat, etc. Those two kind of DJs share a similar element: They both know their shit. The 30 something year old punk/dive-bar DJ is the guy who will talk to you about some shit you've never heard of before that will blow your mind if you are interested, and same with the Hip-hop DJ/turntablist. Which probably explains why we get along with both of them really well. But the kid at that party who didn't know what 'Homework' was? He just wants to be famous. Perhaps in the same fame as Lindsay, Paris, and some rich kid from some rich famous family wants to be 'famous.' And you would think after TMZ, no one would want to be famous anymore. Guess not?

Sure, one can say "we're in the 21st century now and we need to let go of the past" but what the hell is that supposed to mean when we're moving so fast in technology that the percentage of overweight kids is at its all time high, the population of humans seem to be decreasing at an alarming rate, everyone is stupid, the celebrity/movie star of a classy and smart past has been reduced to Paris/Lindsay/Kardashians, and no one is making love and communicating anymore? A handwritten love letter or birthday card has been reduced to a text message and twitter update and 12 inch vinyl records with beautifully printed and designed sleeves are now digital files that you can't even physically touch. Are we living in the 'I,Robot' age now? Maybe.

This might be just a rant, or something else. The main problem with this and perhaps the problem with the kid DJ example above is the same. Technology and that kid both wanted to be bigger and newer than what was already there, when the "already there" is maybe already big enough. They wanted to be the 'Elephant in the room' so to say. Meaning that everyone can see it, because its so big (not just scale, but what it's doing) versus the termite (the 'true' DJs) who gnaw away all by themselves at something they really love (in this case replace 'wood' for 'music'), in turn eventually bringing the whole house down.

With the production cease of the Technics 1200 now happening, alot of DJs who still use vinyl (even serato vinyl) will have a harder time keeping their turntables maintained, which will mean that it will be harder to get parts for their 1200s when need be repaired and more expensive. Sure, they might be behind on 'what's new' and not the newest mixing program, but they will still have their vinyl in the event that their computer crashes and they lose all the songs on their laptop. The Kid DJ on the other hand will maybe prosper because of his motivation for 'fame' but will be like everyone else who buys their vinyl & dj system from Urban Outfitters, with no sense of a 'termite-ism' (meaning 'being really into something so much that they invest so much time in it that it makes them a master and earns the respect of their peers/fellow termites). It's the classic "why is he so famous for being really horrible?" argument, and perhaps that will always be the case.

And if that is the case, then maybe in due time, people will start to notice how big the elephant in the room is and probably want it out. But this might be for two reasons: Either the elephant in the room has taken a huge shit and no one wants it there anymore, OR the termites have eaten all the wood in the structure so the house is about to collapse, causing everyone to panic evacuate the house including the elephant, and when it's all done everyone will be standing outside asking themselves how something so small was able to do something so big.

xoxo
Middle Class Termites.

p.s. speaking of DJing, we're going to be DJing here tomorrow:

GOGOGOGOGO!

GO GO EMILIO!!!!!

2009-11-30T00:51:00.000-08:00

check out this interview by one of our very own, lovely and awesome boys, Mr. Emilio Santoyo for Royal Elastics:

yaay! Go Emiliofish! we can't wait to see the new project!

make sure to go HERE to his site, look at his art, read his comics and buy all his wonderful things!

Japan: Robot Nation...

2009-11-30T00:21:00.000-08:00

After watching that, we're now somewhat supportive of "Asiaphiles" (aka non-asian guys who are extremely into asian girls). It sorta makes sense that we meet alot of foreign Japanese women who want an American boy, especially if their men aren't putting out. They should make a cartoon about that, so Japanese men will encourage each other to start pleasing their women more often "before all the non-japanese men come and steal their girls." It sounds pretty apocalyptic to us. Guys, grab your jimmy hats (in this case, don't, so grab your passports instead)....girls, get your kneepads ready. haha Ok, we're thinking out loud now.

xoxo

on a totally unrelated note:

and just to balance out all the brains, here is peaches geldof further filling the stereotype of the 'rich girl who is famous for nothing but being stupid' thing:

Alive....

2009-11-26T01:57:00.000-08:00

Just today, we wondered how much electronic music now is in debt to electronic music then. We asked this electro DJ guy if he remembered the name of a song we forgot from Daft Punk's Homework album. It was right on the tip of our tongues, until we asked him when he said, "What's Homework?" Sort of stunned, we stopped and said "Oh, never mind. Thanks though." and walked away. A little disappointed, maybe. He did look a little young. Was it just plain unawareness (aka he didn't know his shit) or was it a moment of realizing we were just probably getting old? Then the moments of hearing 'Homework' for the first time occurred: Not old enough to drive, sneaking out to raves, watching mtv2 when they actually played music videos, frivolous behavior, the after-cigarette, girls' midriffs and beautiful boys.....

That's when we remembered the song title. It was "Alive."

Mark Leckey's "Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore." & Stevie Wonder Drum Solo

2009-11-24T00:29:00.000-08:00

LOVE THIS:

Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore (Mark Leckey) from Anon. on Vimeo.

and this:

mesmerizing.

xoxo

stuff 98318003

2009-11-20T00:10:00.000-08:00

brilliant. this is pretty:

and speaking of topless, we were on Topless Robot and this just blew our minds:

if it ever happened, we want to see a video of it badly. it would probably be the equivalent of watching Faces of Death or watching some traumatic car accident/breaking news suicide/shoot out.

time to stop thinking about death:

DROP YOUR PANTS.....

2009-11-19T00:15:00.000-08:00

come here and drop your pants:

Rockwell & Grnappletree Present:

The Hump

“Drop Your Pants Release Party”

Grnappletree has teamed up with creative minds alike to create a special edition Jean with one of LA’s top dj’s Them Jeans and a special edition T-shirt with MIddleclass, a collective of artists, musicians, dancers, party people, thinkers, creative minds, etc.

Location: Tony’s Saloon
Date: Wed. Dec. 2, 2009
Time:9pm-2am

Music Provided by:

Rockwell
Michah James
Them Jeans
The Bings

things we want/miss:

Guess Who??

2009-11-12T23:27:00.000-08:00

A Beatles shirt that hasn't been made? This is the one. Ash, no wonder we love you the way we do. If you want it, buy it HERE.

You should probably buy it now, and buy it fast, cuz it's most likely gonna be gone tomorrow.

xoxo
MC

Helmut Lang...

2009-11-08T21:36:00.001-08:00

beautiful. <3

xoxo
MC

p.s. you're welcome.

for our lovelies at Hellz Bells.....

2009-11-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

HELLZ HOLIDAY 2009 COLLECTION

Hellz is proud to bring you 'Cult Classic,' the new Holiday 2009 collection. While taking elements and inspiration from the film 'Heathers,' 'Cult Classic' seeks to personify the seemingly innocent girl with anything but innocent intentions. The collection creates a moody and subtle yet inspiring ambience through a darker holiday color palette with a sense of mischievousness throughout the collection, as well as a connection to every female's devious side. As always, witty design and intricate detail are a staple for the collection and only help further prove that volatile and sly girls will forever be 'cult classics.'

Love it, or leave it alone.

xoxo
MC

p.s. peep the Neckface reeeeeeemiixxxxxx:

hahaha

Don't Die Horny: A mixtape by The Bings..

2009-10-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

download this ish, for FREEEEEEE:

here too just incase...

http://www.zshare.net/audio/67713576cd0e99d9/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/67713576cd0e99d9/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/67713576cd0e99d9/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/67713576cd0e99d9/

hooray! bump this in your jeep/halloween party! it's gonna own/guaranteed panty dropper/head bobber! also, halloween party in Chinatown! go go go!

yaay!

DON'T DIE HORNY....

2009-10-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

Friday Oct 16th. 950 S. Raymond. Pasadena CA. Middle Class Art Exhibition. Horror Squad. Jeprocket. Part-Time Lovers. Sister Rogers. The Bings. Free everything. Drinks. Food. Art. Fun. 7pm til 3am or until Emilio throws up. Tell everyone, except for dummies. Bring a nice pair of undies. And a party hat.

All this, AND MORE! if you go to our show. Remember folks......Friday, Oct 16th! Don't Die Horny!

R.I.P. DJ Roc Raida (1972-2009)

2009-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

So it goes, we lose another great this year. It sucks that we heard about this late, but Roc Raida, a DJ of the infamous X-Ecutioners passed away last week due to health/surgery complications from a previous accident. He was a legend. RIP Roc.

This year is too much.

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

2009-09-15T02:57:00.000-07:00

Patrick Swayze died the other day. And since he played in an important role in making alot of us in that generation really love the characters he played in those now iconic films (Dirty Dancing, Ghost, Point Break, etc.) of our childhood, and not to mention making alot of us fall in love with the idea of love, he'll be sorely missed.

Thanks for the memories. <3

ROID RAGE.

2009-09-04T21:05:00.001-07:00

we just can't enough:

who wants to do a shoot this week? we have quite a few packs left before they become long gone forever. well, not really cuz word on the streets is Urban outfitters is buying out Polaroid film. which means it's going to be a bazillion dollars a pack, so yeah, they'll pretty much be long gone in a symbolic type of way. haha ouch.

xoxo

WTF?! Dwight made it to ROUND 5?!!!! (UPDATED)

2009-08-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

so we entered Dwight in this silly cutest puppy contest, and supposedly he made it to ROUND 5!!! and is on his way to the finals! so plllleease with a cherry on top vote for him? and we're not sure if it's real or fake, but if we do end up winning a bunch of money off this & if he wins, drinks & dinner are on us! love you!

..................

dwight says hi too!

p.s. updated:

Spike Jonze's new commercial with Brad Pitt....

2009-08-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

love these commercials Spike did with Brad Pitt. Beautiful:

two of our favorite people ever, what could go wrong?

eighteenth.

2009-08-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

too much work. not enough hands.

zombies.....

2009-08-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

for life. and these looks awesome:

the return of woody & romero! haha oh, and look what we made:

zombies & mj forever.

THE BACKPACK FANTASTIC [SHOW 7.] !!!!

2009-08-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

So our boys Ramsey & Danilo are back with The Backpack Fantastic Show 7, aka the come back show aka you better listen to it, download it, spread it around and bump it in your jeep!

You know what to do.

p.s. extra incentive to listen to the show:

waiting for emilio to finish showering.....

2009-08-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

done!

yeah....

2009-08-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

that looks pretty amazing right now. a giant pile of money, a honey to make sweet love to, and some kind of loungey samba ish brazillian funk tune in the background. not to mention air conditioning, a bottle of Cris and room service at home at the touch of a button. it must be good to be a rapper right now...or austin powers.

or james bond. damn.

8675309!

2009-08-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

that song is stuck in our head right now.....& we're horrible at posting pics on time. which is why we need more people to come and hang out to help us blog, post, html, draw, paint, collage, model and eat pizza with:

say yes?!

p.s. more pics HERE .

xoxo

I'm a kid, that's my job. (R.I.P. John Hughes)

2009-08-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

John Hughes died yesterday. For those that don't know, he was responsible for iconic films of the 1980s that defined a generation of teenagers, as well as reinvented the coming-of-age film forever. He embraced teen angst and created a whole new kind of icon in the 80s. The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, Ferris Bueller, National Lampoons, Home Alone, Weird Science, and this classic:

Uncle Buck.

Here's a quote of his we found regarding his interest in teenage angst, "When you're 30, you forget that at 16, sex was not your primary motivation; you were much more interested in having a boyfriend or girlfriend."

It's amazing how the things you value the most are the things you didn't value so much when you were at that age. Being young is one of the most amazing things that happens to us, especially when you get older. You realize how great things were, wish you could do something about it back then, but can't, so instead the vitality of your youth decides to rebirth in your later years. 2009 has been that year for many of us. It is sort of the 1968 of our generation. All these amazing & important things happened this year, from the presidency of Barack Obama to the death of Michael Jackson, and the passing of many important people of our generation, it all seemed to strike a cord that reminded us that we might just be getting old. Maybe now is our time to do something great, something that we could be proud of. And it's a strange but beautiful reminder that we don't live forever, and that we should always live life like in the movies. For some, it might be the movies of John Hughes. And for others, it might mean living a movie of their own.

Either way, life should be like the movies, meaning a life that is full of content, where an intro happens, a character gets established and a story develops, a life where we learn about this character, know everything he does and everything he wants for the next two hours. Soon he runs into a problem and through out the film, the problem gets more and more difficult as all these twists and turns occur. But near the end he finds a way to solve the problem and in most cases the solution is one that involves a meeting a soon to be love interest who ends up being the support system throughout the film. He & her both embark on this journey and finally get to the problem that needs fixing, and somehow through an intense fifteen minute action sequence, blood, sweat and tears are shed and he & her emerge victorious and have fallen in complete love with each other. Then at the end of the film, life returns to normal until suddenly at the last moment, a new problem occurs which leads he & her (and in some cases a son or daughter) to start their journey all over again. The credits roll & the audience applauds and anticipates the sequel. This might be the cliche for any Hollywood blockbuster film, or not. It could be a comedy, or a drama, or a horror film, but in movies there are usually two kinds of stories, a love story, or a revenge story. In the rare cases, it could be both (see Oldboy).

We're not sure what we're trying to get at with all this, except for maybe the simple fact that we should live our lives to where we feel just as good as when we see a film we love. We should always strive for that feeling of joy in the 2 hours sitting in a theatre, because that's what it's all about. Feeling good. After all, every day that passes, we get old. So what's it gonna be after we finish writing about this, love or revenge? Maybe a love story that involves getting revenge, but with the use of comedy, a little bit of drama, and a good amount of action sequences. But less Rush Hour and more Point Break.

:)

music video boners......

2009-08-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

this is what happens when you wait for paint to dry and film to develop. pretty much one of the best things to do on the internet other than looking at porn or reading celeb gossip blogs. haha Look what we found:

Major Lazer - Pon De Floor:

Sequence from Funny Face:

The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother:

Wu-Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck:

Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll:

Nas - It Ain't Hard to Tell:

The Dance Of Bridgitte Bardot:

The Specials - Message to You Rudy:

k, back to work.

R.I.P. Cory Aquino & Baatin....

2009-08-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Maria Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino was a President of the Philippines and a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety. She served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female president of the Philippines and was Asia's first female president. A self-proclaimed "plain housewife", Aquino was married to Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. (1932–1983), a leading figure in the political opposition against the autocratic rule of President Ferdinand Marcos. After her husband was assassinated upon his return from exile in the United States on August 21, 1983, Aquino, who had no prior political experience, became a focal point and unifying force of the opposition against Marcos. She was drafted to run against Marcos in the 1986 snap presidential elections. After Marcos was proclaimed the winner despite widespread reports of electoral fraud, Aquino was installed as President by the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution. Aquino became an icon and hero for the filipino people. She died from complications of colon cancer.

She is survived by her five children.

Baatin was the founding member of the group Slum Village, along with J Dilla and T3. Together, the trio released two influential albums in Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1) (1997) and Fantastic, Vol. 2 (2000). In 2002, Dilla left the group to pursue a solo career, and lyricist Elzhi was added. Baatin himself left the group before the release of their 2004 LP Detroit Deli after being diagnosed with schizophrenia. The group experienced further hardship when musical backbone J Dilla passed away in 2006 following a long battle with Lupus. Earlier this week, T3 had confirmed with AllHipHop.com that Baatin had rejoined the group.

“The whole thing is I felt like the fans wanted Baatin to come back. And I felt like I really didn’t want to do another album without Baatin. I wanted his energy,” T3 explained. “I found him and he was ready. He seemed like he had his stuff together. So that’s how the whole wheel started spinning for this new Slum Village album because basically, for the last couple of years, we dropped an album but we were going through a lot of depression. Dilla passed and then Proof passed. I really didn’t feel like doing no music. I wasn’t inspired. I was really just going through my thing.” Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli was also at a loss regarding the recent passing, revealing that partner Hi-Tek was set to DJ for the group tonight. “I’m at a loss right now,” Kweli stated on Twitter. “Hi-Tek was set to dj for Slum Village tonight. RIP Baatin. More influential than you can imagine. Slum Village forever.”

Baatin was 35 years old at the time of his death.

it's 2:07am on a Friday.....

2009-08-01T01:56:00.000-07:00

and while we wait for paint to dry, all we can think about is romantic set ups in horror films, steve martin, ironing our clothes, girls with minnie mouse ears (ahem), warhol, cooking, the other girl from twilight, and this model that we keep seeing in all the magazines:

or things that are hot. anyone awake should say hi to us....please?

Catch Me If You Can: Bike Ride & Benefit Show this Sunday!

2009-07-31T08:55:00.001-07:00

So this Sunday we're doing this:

it's going to be a great time and we don't plan to ride super fast and get all sweaty when we get to the party. So if you want to cruise with us, holla! because we want to look hot at the party after haha. like this:

and we still can't get enough of young Debbie Harry looking super hot:

and yes, we still miss MJ:

alot.

Don't Die Horny.....

2009-07-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

love,

Middle Class.

the most expensive car in the world....

2009-07-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

text by Doya Karolini for Yatzer:

Legendary 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, the most expensive car and historically significant Ferrari racing cars ever will ve auctioned on May 17, 2009, at RM Maranello auction in association with Sotheby’s. The Ferrari 250 TR is not only one of the most beautiful cars ever built, with its stunning pontoon-fendered bodywork sculpted by Scaglietti, it was also one of the most competitive as well. Ferrari captured ten victories in nineteen races from 1958 to 1961, including a class win at Le Mans with Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien.
The experts said that 1957 Ferrari 250 TR can set a new world record for a car sold at auction, potentially exceeding the $21.7 million it took to buy a 250 GTO last year.

Wettest panties ever. Bonertown x 1000000000000.

Yone, we miss you....

2009-07-23T01:26:00.000-07:00

Yone is having a show that we can't make it to, because we aren't in Japan anymore:

but if you're in Japan, you should go, because Yone is a sweetheart and will take you to eat takoyaki.

it's like Showtime At The Apollo....

2009-07-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

We want to go to one now to see if it really works. haha

p.s. we cant stop laughing:

Raaaaaaaandy - Part 2 (Funny People) from Aziz Ansari

R.I.P. DASH SNOW aka SACER (IRAK)....

2009-07-15T15:33:00.001-07:00

Most people now knew him by his gallery art (via Peres Projects, Vice, etc.), polaroids, collages, installations and by his name Dash Snow. But before being gallery-bound, we knew him as the graffiti writer Sacer of the infamous Irak crew (Earsnot too). He had already earned his reputation in the graffiti world as "the crazy one" showing courage with height conquering pieces atop barely-there ledges on bridges, as well as his eagerness to just get up everywhere he could (His name was everywhere). For the graffiti scene, he had earned his props, for alot of the art world, he was a promising guy with a drug problem who exhibited his nights of frivolity, sex, drugs and danger via polaroids, that seemed to make for good content for an art world needy of the "bad boy" persona. For us and many others, he was the type of person you hear only exists through stories, myths and in photographs. He was like a ghost. It seems fitting, along with other unique individuals of the past (Hendrix, Basquiat, Joplin, Morrison, Cobain), that someone with an intense life like Snow would succumb to tragedy at such an early age of 27 (Hendrix, Basquiat, Joplin, Morrison & Cobain along with many others were 27 when they died), but we're never really sure why that has to be. You'll definitley be missed.

RIP Dash Snow (SACER).

shoe boners & camera boners..

2009-07-14T01:22:00.001-07:00

it's pretty hard to give us shoe boners, so when we get one, it's kind of a big deal.

since there are only 500 in the world, it will probably cost an arm and a leg ($500+), so please, if you really love us, buy them for us ?? we'll love you forever and ever and work really hard to pay you back. and that's our word.

p.s. size 43 please!

one more boner for the road:

and we thought the black version was amazing! if only we could blow $8000 just like that. that's right, $8K. ouch.

p.p.s. go to this:

MAN vs. PARTY

2009-07-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

in two weeks, a rooftop party will blow your mind:

go go go!!!!!

p.s. whoa! we used to have this skateboard:

and it was around the same time we all wanted to date this girl:

but dated this girl instead:

and skated like this:

just to get to her house.

Lily Allen forgot something....

2009-07-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

some of you will probably complain how she sucks and how Megan Fox is hotter and...yeah? and? Megan Fox never shows anything, and when she does, it's by accident with pasties on, so that doesn't count. and Transformers 2 sucked...not even the slow motion running scenes with her in it were worth the $10 we had to pay to see it. You could just google "Megan Fox" on the internet for free and find way hotter pictures and things of Megan than sit through 2 hours of slow motion robot running scenes with Linkin Park playing in the background. At least with Lily, we don't have to pay. Maybe. brb, snack time.

new favorites.....

2009-07-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

we made some friends the other day who made friends with people who took pictures of their friends:

pretty.

After Japan, After Michael.

2009-07-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

The date today is July 7, 2009. Today seemed like a good day to go back to normal for alot of us. We came back from Japan and back from being absorbed with Michael's death for the last two weeks or so, and it has been surreal. Sure, usually it is the case that everyone who comes back from a vacation long enough to absorb wherever they came from (if different from their usual place of stay) usually comes back a changed person with a different perspective on things. For most, it is the understanding and experience of a different culture. We all breath the same air and are on the same planet, but the difference in the way people live just hours away on a plane take us to what we like to call a "culture shock." The way other societies live, the way they walk, talk, eat, and socialize all become alien to us. But that's usually the case for travelers.

This time was different.

During a time when we've never felt so much life before have we felt so much death. Arriving in Japan and trying to absorb all the life that was going on around us was overwhelming, and we couldn't have been happier. Then we hear about legendary graffiti writer Iz the Wiz who passed away a few days into Japan (on the 17th). Growing up, idolizing and being influenced by him and his generation of graffiti writers was a big loss for graffiti culture. Days later, in the midst of enjoying ancient culture in Kyoto, we hear of Ed McMahon's passing. Visiting ancient temples and riding around cities on our bicycles in the humidity was enough to take our mind off the news. The heat, beautiful scenery and beautiful people were enough to distract us from what was going on in the rest of the world, but everyday we would check the news and internet just to see what has been happening back home. We would send emails to our friend, family and to upload the photos we took to share with everyone back home. The next two days of traveling in Osaka go by fast and we arrive on the 25th of June in Tokyo.

June 25th, 2009.

The night/early morning of the 25th we hear about Farrah Fawcett's death. We all sit around and ask ourselves why all these people are dying and how it usually is in threes (Iz, Ed & Farrah). That night, we all went to sleep ready to ride around Shinjuku looking for things to buy the next day. We always remember every detail on the day something big happens. A tragedy like 9/11 or a celebration like the Lakers winning or when Obama was sworn in. In this case, it was one of the biggest tragedies of our lives. The air was a bit muggy, but the air conditioning was on. The room was dark, because the window blinds were closed and the lights were off. Just a little bit of light came through the window and the light from the laptop and TV was enough light to know what was going on, and suddenly, the sad experience of visiting Hiroshima didn't seem as sad anymore.

The Death of Michael Jackson.

We remember waking up to the news. When you click the internet icon on your computer to use the internet, the first thing you see is the news via Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN etc. For one us, it was through an instant message from a friend back home. In disbelief, we immediately go to the news pages and see headlines that say "Michael Jackson Dies." Just like everyone else, we searched and searched via BBC, CNN, LA Times & NY Times. They all said the same thing: Michael Jackson is Dead. We turn on the TV in our hotel in Shinjuku. Everything is in Japanese and since we didn't really understand it much, it didn't really matter. We saw his name on the headline news and saw the live footage of UCLA medical center with fans crowding around. By then, we knew he was gone. We sat around for about an hour or so before saying anything except "No way." It was enough to not want to do anything and enough to lay off eating breakfast, sending emails, blogging and wanting to sight see.

We expected it to be a frenzy outside in Tokyo, but we realized how they didn't show much public emotion so it didn't feel that different. Except maybe for the fact that the next couple of days have been of Japanese business men reading newspapers on the train with Michael on the cover and kids with the occasional MJ shirt. Other than that, it was still surreal, and we knew it wasn't going to hit us until we came back home.

After two intense weeks of traveling, biking and sweating, we were ready to go home (some of us wanted to stay, haha). It was safe to say that for the two weeks we spent there, we fell in love with Japan. The culture, the simplicity and the people became home for two weeks and never in our lives have we been treated so kindly by strangers. The times when we got lost, we were able to make new friends just by asking people how to get places. They went out of their way (unlike alot of people in America) just to show us how to get to a certain store or district, even if it meant they had to walk us or bike with us two or more miles away from where we met them. Sure, some can argue that they might have been treated differently, so maybe we got lucky. But without hesitation, we were shown the way. These small experiences were enough to make us not want to return back to normal life, because it was just too good. After two weeks, we had already become familiar with the train system so we were ok without having to have people show us the way to the airport. Lugging around our bicycle boxes, duffle bags, backpacks and the extra weight of souvenirs for two weeks was enough for us to finally just call for a taxi to take us to the station. We were tired.

The plane ride seemed a lot faster this time. This might have been partly due to us being overly fatigued and relaxed to get back home. On the way to Japan, we were excited and anxious and the plane ride felt a lot longer, so that must've been it. We missed the California weather. Japan was humid, although it was bearable. Everything was overcast in Japan which made everything seem a little gray. Maybe that's why all the buildings have bright colorful lights and signs everywhere? Who knows. We knew that we missed the California sun.

And maybe because of Michael's death, we wanted to be closer to home to be closer to him. Overseas, we only heard through friends, family and the media what was going on back home, and that made us a little more homesick than some of us might have been. So finally, we make it home safe. And we talk with our friends, and family and it all starts to really hit. All the news on TV, the newspapers and everything else start to make it even more real, and the reality of it is that it really sucks that he's gone. For many, Michael was their biggest inspiration and idol. For us, it was the same. Us, just like everyone else, seemed affected just as much by his death. We always saw his fans before who would cry and faint and yell at the sight of him, and we understood it. He had the power to make grown straight men cry at his shows, and that was magical. For most of us, he was magic. He made us believe that we could do anything. He was the American dream in every form possible, and that was more than enough to believe in some kind of magic. He was our generation's version of JFK or Lady Di when they died, but bigger. Americans loved JFK, the Beatles and Elvis, but everyone in the world loved Michael Jackson. And now he was gone.

Alot has happened since Michael left. Intense media coverage, scandalous stories, shitty tributes by shitty musicians (see Chris Brown and Ron Artest, yes the basketball player.), and that shithead congressman Pete King's bash on Michael seemed not to be enough. But we think after today's memorial at the Staple Center, it felt ok to finally go back to normal. A lot of us didn't go back to work, called off or just stopped doing things because of Michael (and even some fans killed themselves, crazy), but after today it finally felt like he got the respect he really deserved. Today was a good day for a lot of people. Everyone it seemed was a lot happier and content with it, at least everyone who cared. We don't really know what's going to happen after Michael, and we doubt that in our life time (maybe) that any pop star/entertainer will be able to do what Michael Jackson did, but that's ok. Because after big things like this happens, whether it be the best vacation of your life, the biggest celebration or the biggest tragedy, we have to go back to normal when it passes. And today felt like a good day to do just that.

Rest In Peace Michael. Just like the fans in his shows shout and cry out "We love you Michael", we can only do the same.

Japan: week 1.

2009-06-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

Soooo, the reason why we haven't updated this blog in about a week is because the majority of us has been in Japan. We were in Tokyo for 3 days, now we're in Kyoto. Then off to Osaka today, then back to Tokyo for the last 4 days. We'll be here for another week, but until then, this is a small taste of what's been happening the last six days:

Hope you all are doing great back home! See you guys in a week!

xoxo
MC

p.s. ride Singapore Airlines. it's AMAZING.

it's a good time for late night tv....

2009-06-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

You know, normally we would say Jimmy Fallon isn't that funny, which he really isn't (via post Conan/late night set bars). Though he seems like a fun guy to hang out with. Partly because of the fact that most of his humour in early SNL episodes was based on the fact that he couldn't keep a straight face which was funny to see. Sure, he talks funny, he's handsome and has awesome guests, but he isn't really funny. But that's not the point we're trying to make. We're actually not sure if we are trying to make any point about him, aside from the fact that one best things he has going for his show right now (aka the only thing that makes us watch his show besides The Roots & really good guests) is this:

that's right. a Saved By The Bell reunion. which is pretty amazing to attempt to pull off, and you know what...he's totally gonna do it. the fact that did the dialogue/scene word-for-word was the best. Sure, we're suckers for childhood memories and nostalgia, but shit....that was seriously the best show growing up, and to see that scene happen blew our minds. and better yet, last night, he came through with this:

Zack Morris & Zack Attack. he only has two left to go, so let's hope Screech & Kelly come through (which i'm sure they will), because this is an event not to be missed. the Saved By The Bell class reunion! this year will mark the official 20th anniversary of the show, which is a great thing to celebrate. so Jimmy Fallon, if you're reading this.... you're not bad, you're an ok guy. in fact, we always thought you were charming and wanted to hang out with you. we were just being elite movie assholes who hated your movie about a taxi driver and the same shit everyone likes to complain about you. we were just a little jealous that you got to kiss natalie portman during the mtv movie awards. but you now have permanent cool points because of the soft spot in our hearts for Bayside's finest. so we take it back, and wish you the best.

...friends?

friends forever.

xoxo
MC

p.s. you can sign the petition for a reunion HERE.

making things with other things....

2009-06-08T23:33:00.000-07:00

sorta:

and this one is for ramsey:

happy graduation this weekend to ramsey & edcarl! wooooo! in other news, did anyone see Brett Michaels get dropped at the Tony awards?! it was hilarious:

hahahaaa oh and this is dwight's new best friend:

this looks amazing...

2009-06-02T00:50:00.001-07:00

Nintendo makes the best games. EVER. This game is called "Muscle Koushinkyoku," and it's coming out for the Japanese Wii, and hopefully for the Wii here. Maybe we'll get it in Japan when we go in 2 weeks.

In other news, Conan is back and the episode today was awesome. The universal studios trip was hilarious and as usual Will Ferrell made things funny. also andy richter is back, which should be good, even though he didn't get enough air time, but will most likely later. it was also great to see Max and the original crew there with him. can't wait to see what happens.....no matter what, he's making LA a better place to live, and we're just glad to have him back.

we're suckers for black and white films. and even more, suckers for Coppola's films. Francis not Sofia much, considering how much most of her films sucked. This should be good, even though Gallo can be really douchy especially in those stupid Belvedere vodka Terry Richardson ads, he's still a good actor and can be funny. Anyways, we gotta go and figure out some get-rich-quick schemes. brb.

forgetting to post photos....

2009-05-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

we might be the worst at that, which is why alot of the photos are from months (or years) back that we recently stumbled upon. horrible, we know.....which is why we need interns and people to come in and sit around and blog for us. but we can't pay, because...well you know, recession. but we can give hugs, draw you pretty pictures, paint your picture, take your picture, and buy you smoothies. say yes?

yes! oh, and if there are repeats from previous blogs, our bad. this has alot to do with that lack of intern problem. see the rest of them HERE.

PAINTING....

2009-05-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

is a winner. <3

p.s. we miss you, so much:

please come back to us so we can play video games together. or just sit around and oogle hot boys.

qwerty...

2009-05-27T01:44:00.000-07:00

windows are the best things to look out of. they frame the best things, and mostly everything they frame turn into live tv shows or moving photographs. or you can use them to spy on your neighbors. maybe it's just the fact that when light goes through them, and if there's a person standing by it, it always makes one of the best pictures you can take.

p.s. THIS SATURDAY:

90's party! 400 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA!

Bruce La Bruce Lecture/Artist Talk TONIGHT.

2009-05-26T09:46:00.001-07:00

Bruce La Bruce Artist Talk/Lecture today @ Art Center College of Design.

Since the late 1980s, Bruce LaBruce has worked in a variety of media, including artist publications, photography, film and cinematography. LaBruce's most recent film project, "Otto; Or, Up With Dead People," which premiered at the Sundance and Berlin film festivals, and went on to be shown at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and other prominent venues around the world, introduced the public to a new genre in the already-expansive vocabulary of LaBruce: horror. With his latest project, "Untitled Hardcore Zombie Project," just opened at Peres Projects in Los Angeles, LaBruce has marked a path to uncharted territory. In his own words, regarding this latest exhibition:

"Zombies and porn. What a beautiful combination. I have been dealing in both genres since the early nineties when I made No Skin Off My Ass, my first sexually explicit feature film, and co-starred in my friend Candy's short film Interview with a Zombie, in which I played a gay member of the undead. Against all professional advice, I've been making porn movies ever since, albeit reluctantly. (I'm not a particularly avid consumer of porn, and I don't follow the industry; not unpretentiously, I consider myself not so much a pornographer as an artist who works in porn.) After making three sexually explicit feature films (NSOMA, Super 8 1/2, and Hustler White), in 1999 I wrote and directed my first "legitimate" porno film, Skin Flick, made under the auspices of the German porn company Cazzo Films. The subject was neo-Nazi skinheads, characters that, one could argue, have a certain zombie-like quality. The hardcore version, released under the title Skin Gang, was a full-on pornographic product, shot in a relatively conventional porn style, and packaged and promoted with an adult entertainment industry audience in mind. (It was even nominated for nine gay adult video awards in the U.S.) My following film, The Raspberry Reich (2004), about a gang of extreme left wing would-be terrorists – another zombie-esque bunch – was also conceived as a porn product, although the softcore version, which nonetheless contained sexually explicit material, managed to play at over 150 film festivals worldwide. (The hardcore version, entitled The Revolution Is My Boyfriend, was released by the porn company Wurst Films.) In 2008 I finally stopped pussyfooting around the living dead theme and made an actual zombie flick, called Otto; or, Up with Dead People. Another of my sexually explicit art films, Otto also played at more than 150 film fests despite, or perhaps because of, the infamous gut-fucking scene, in which a gay zombie penetrates a hole in the stomach of a fellow gay zombie with his undead cock. While touring the world with the film I found myself in interviews making the lofty pronouncement that I believe zombie porn is the wave of the future, and that we will soon routinely see porous, corrupted flesh being penetrated by legions of lascivious zombies. (Zombie porn is practical: you can create your own orifice!) So by way of a self-fulfilling prophecy, and to get the ball rolling (or, I suppose, balls), I have pulled together the funding for an Untitled Hardcore Zombie Project, to be shot in LA in August, and starring one of the biggest names in the adult entertainment industry. The title of the film and the identity of the featured star will be announced at the opening of my Peres Projects show on May 23rd. I will be sneak previewing screen tests of some of the special effects that will be used in this splatter zombie movie, created by LA-based FX whiz Joe Castro. I will also be showing a variety of zombie material that I have already made, including hardcore sex out-takes from Otto, and images from a wild Catalonian separatist zombie orgy photo shoot taken at the opening of my show at the Antigua Casa Haiku Gallery in Barcelona last autumn, as well as a recent photo shoot/installation featuring revolutionary IRA zombies at the performance event Visions of Excess that just happened in London this April. I will also be showing my debut as a zombie in Candy Pauker's Interview with a Zombie. So get ready for a revolutionary zombie porn extravaganza!"

Bruce LaBruce lives and works in Toronto, Canada.

7:30pm.
Los Angeles Times Theater (LAT)
1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, CA

p.s. Bruce recommended that we watch this:

haha

Eight Falacies About Contemporary Art...

2009-05-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

More than in any other field, misperceptions about contemporary art keep audiences from effectively engaging it. Even within the art world itself, I see people buying into myths that cloud the viewing experience. In an effort to give the gallery-goer a few more tools to make sense of what they see, this week’s column compiles many common and useless contemporary art misnomers.

This work generated so much discussion, it must be good!
Everybody talks about Lindsay Lohan, but this doesn’t lead people to conclude she is an excellent actor. The same rationale needs to be applied to art. Media starlets Damien Hirst, Banksy and Vanessa Beecroft generate media spectacle around their personality and art designed to elicit base response. Unfortunately, it works. None of them however, have made anything in recent memory worth the chatter their work produces.

Anything can be art!
Duchamp didn’t make every shovel art, just the one he labeled. In other words, while context and intentionality can earn a work the title of “art,” residual creative impulse does not.

Value is completely subjective.
No it’s not. There are methods of evaluating art, and just because viewers respond differently doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Unresolved aesthetic choices and lazy conceptual practice won’t receive a pass from me.

Anyone could do that.
A sentiment typically refuted with the argument, “But you didn’t.” A more common version of the myth circulating art circles, “It’s too easy” completes itself with “to take a compelling photograph,” or “to make a good collage.” In each case, the viewer’s actually complaining that it’s too hard to separate the good from the bad. There’s no easy answer to this dilemma, except to look at enough art to develop a mature eye.

Elitism rules the art world.
Actually, this one is true, but the unspoken fallacy here, is that it doesn’t also rule every other field. Class is far less permeable than we care to believe.

Pioneering artists are “ahead of their time.”
The idea that the art world understands something regular folk do not is patently false. Artists don’t have any special vision into the future; a few talented individuals will simply earn the unique burden of representing a strand of visual culture for the generation. I don’t believe in the concept of genius.

I don’t know enough about art to talk about it.
Anyone can discuss art well, few of us however look at it long enough to be able to do so. Trust your instincts, talk about what you see — don’t be afraid to be wrong. The beauty of an opinion is that you can change it as your response evolves.

Art professionals wear black.
Unless they wear pink.

-Paddy.

p.s. Let's hope for this:

p-p-p-p-prrreeeeeeaasssseeeeeeuh!

Congrats Conrad!

2009-05-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

One of our lovelies, Mr. Conrad Ruiz graduated recently from California College of the Arts in San Francisco, and we went up there to visit him and had the time of our lives. He's now Mr. Conrad Ruiz MFA! Well now, Mr. Masters of Fine Art....it's time to rape the galleries, curators, collectors and critics with your awesomeness. Don't forget to share the money to our broke asses. haha Thank you for being in our lives:

and yes, you won grad school. haha just don't fall asleep first next time. haha

xoxo
MC

p.s. ummmmm, this needs to happen where we are:

Make The Girl Dance "Baby Baby Baby" ( official video )
by placeblancherec

in fact, we want to figure out how to top this, that way....we can top it. who wants in?

p.p.s. did someone say Feist nude:

huh?!

GO or DIE!

2009-05-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

it will be fun, and after come hang out so we can take naked pictures of you! hooray!

xoxo
MC

p.s. we can't stop laughing:

panther!

the word swagga = the new bling bling = swine flu.

2009-05-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

Is it us, or is the word "swagga" the new "bling bling"? In fact, it's official. it most definitely is:

The short lived slang word to describe fresh and unique style/flavor/attitude/etc. has now become the new soccer mom/old/white people friendly slang term. In fact, as soon as that MIA sample got whored to death via the Kanye, JayZ, Weezy, TI song "swagga like us" the term caught on like the swine flu. Other than hearing it from the brits, and from "swag bags" given out at all the great parties, the only person we heard use that word to annoyance was Lil Mama during America's Best Dance Crew. she's annoying, which automatically destroyed the term "swag" for us. We're pretty sure someone back in the 70s or something used it, but we're talking about right now. don't get us wrong, we still like MIA and maybe (just maybe) she might be the only one who can say it and not sound like a doofus, but we'd rather not hear anyone say it at all. There's nothing wrong with the word itself, it's just the abuse the word has gone through in the last year, and possibly its association with wack ass emcees (see Lil Mama, Soulja Boy, newbie MCs who depend on their BAPEs as swag) highlighting their appearance rather than their skills on the mic. And since no one wants to kill the use of the term, we might as well start now.

So unless you're an old white republican (or not), you should stay away from the word "swagga" or else you may be get the swine flu, turn into vanilla ice, soulja boy, adam sanberg or fall under some kind of category like this:

this guy might be the only one allowed to use it too:

hahaha here come the "you guys are racist" comments.

2Pac IS alive!

2009-04-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

at least according to TMZ:
Tupac Resurrected (MySpace Exclusive)

haha usually TMZ is there to end the life of celebrities (or the spectacle of celebrity), but this time it's to bring back life to an old (or dead) one! woohoo for Tupac being alive again (for the 131230912 time)!!! it's about time for a Juice sequel, and the return of East vs. Westcoast beef!

p.s. here's more pics we found laying around the office, with a few easter eggs:

anyone wanna buy any of the art/paintings in those pics? they're for sale and super cheap! recession! it's from a recent show we did. also, did anyone spot the easter eggs? weeeeeee!

johnny utah + susan boyle =

2009-04-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

we love keanu. my own private idaho, bill & ted, speed, point break, and whatever shitty leading love interest he played back then, he still wins. all hail keanu reeves and his forever-undercover cop/surferness. forever.

h 2 ohhh yeah.

We're sure you know about her, but since most people here dont know about Britian's Got Talent, last week (or so) THIS happened.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Susan Boyle, who recently performed on the U.K. television show "Britain's Got Talent," has captured the world's attention.

In case you've missed it, she's a 47-year-old unemployed charity worker who lives with her cat in a small village in Scotland.
As soon as she walked on stage, the audience began to snicker and roll their eyes. Simon Cowell, the show's host, asked her some pre-performance questions in his famously condescending style, and to the audience's enjoyment, she answered awkwardly. She was painfully ordinary, and everyone was prepared, looking forward even, to see her fail.

By now, if you don't know the story, you could guess it, right? She more than wowed them. She opened her mouth to sing, and, as judge Piers Morgan later said, she had "the voice of an angel." She wasn't painfully ordinary; she was amazingly extraordinary. The audience immediately jumped to a standing ovation and stayed there until the end of the song. The YouTube video of Susan's performance has, as of Tuesday, received more than 35 million views. Watch her interview on Larry King here.

We are riveted, and a recent article in USA Today does a good job of cataloguing all the reasons. We prejudged her by her looks and were fooled. We experienced the gamut of emotions in a few short moments: guilt, shame, vindication, hope. She's a modern-day Cinderella, and these days, it's a wonderful distraction and inspiration to witness the triumph of the human spirit. But there's something else Susan Boyle awakens in us as we watch her come out of her shell: our own selves. Who among us does not move through life with the hidden sense, maybe even quiet desperation, that we are destined for more? That underneath our ordinary exterior lies an extraordinary soul? That given the right opportunity, the right stage, the right audience, we would shine as the stars we truly are? That promise underlies most successful advertising campaigns: the desire to transform from caterpillar to butterfly. Maybe if you buy that (fill in the blank), people will see you for the sophisticated, cool, gorgeous, talented, lovable person you know you really are.

But in our less desperate moments, we know we can't purchase that transformation. Although Susan Boyle became an overnight sensation, hers was not an overnight transformation. She's been practicing singing since she was 12. In her case, overnight was 35 years. It's easy to admire Susan. But it's far more interesting to be transformed by her. "There is grace," a friend recently wrote to me, "in being molded by your own gifts."

To allow yourself to be molded by your own gifts takes courage. You have to be willing to stand there, exposed and authentic, while the audience rolls their eyes at you and sneers, expecting failure. And then, of course, you have to fail, laugh or cry, and keep going until, one day, they stop laughing and start clapping. But you can't do it alone. Susan Boyle didn't; she had a voice coach, Fred O'Neil, who worked with her for years and encouraged her to audition. And she had her mother.

"She was the one who said I should enter 'Britain's Got Talent.' We used to watch it together," Boyle told the British paper The Times of her mother, who died in 2007, "She thought I would win. ... I am doing it as a tribute to my mum, and I think she would be very proud." If we're lucky, we have parents who encourage us. Nothing really replaces a mother or father who believes in you. But even if you don't have parents who believe in you, it's important to have someone. Someone you trust, enough that when they offer criticism, you know it's to draw you out more fully, not shut you down even partially. iReport.com: Have you been judged on looks?

And a good supporting friend even sees through the talent, right through to you. With her mother gone, Boyle still has O'Neil. And recently he said to The Telegraph that he was worried all this attention was obscuring "the real person" he knew.
"I am concerned about her being surrounded by all these PR people," he said, "that she will not be given the time to sing."
Susan Boyle is a phenomenal role model for all of us, not just because of her talent or her courage or her perseverance or her supportive friends. She is a phenomenal role model for us because she is us, in all our awkward ordinariness and amazing extraordinariness.

susan boyle > everyone.

oh man...

2009-04-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

as usual...we take too many pics, way too many to try to blog. also because we dont have enough time or enough hands. so we kinda need some interns/bloggers to do that for us. we dont really pay, but we do buy pizza and booze and slurpees. as well as take fun pics of you and make drawing and paintings of you while you sit around. soooooo who wants to come and hang out and blog for us once a week?! now taking applications:

like we said...we take too many pics when we go places, this is just a fraction. and some of the rest are HERE. so click away, you're most likely in it.

xoxo

the hot school nurse...

2009-04-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

we clearly remember the hot nurse in middle school, and that all the boys would go out of their way to fake sick just to see her. it must be funny to be a hot 20-something year old nurse and have 12-14 year old boys come to check you out. all the girls would hate on her, or want to be like her. she probably went home to her hot fireman husband and had showtime porn love making sessions and told stories of how little Joey faked a stomach ache so she could check his pulse just so he could touch her, and probably imagine her naked:

at least that's what we all talked about. all after a long day of bustin scams (haha), tater tots and playing pogs at school.

(and yes, we know that she's a dentist in that photo, but you can project your fantasies of the hot dentist just as much as the nurse.)

p.s. fuck you hot fireman husband! we'll poach you!

instead of waiting for paint to dry...

2009-04-22T02:03:00.000-07:00

we were talking with Amy about Madlib...

MC: what do you think is the worst way to die? we used to say being burned alive or drowning, but we would say burning. a friend said being torn apart and peeled. which sounds great.
AMY: being burned alive. ima cancer so were like one with water beings haha. fire, not so much.
MC: do you wear watches? we hate getting watch tans
AMY; i used to, but now i depend on my cellie for the time. i just wear bracelets. most of mine are friendship bracelets.
MC: we dont think we've ever gotten a friendship bracelet.
AMY: well dont feel too bad all the ones i wear are made by myself...so i have essentially imaginary frienship bracelets haha
MC: our friends make us friendship $100 bills.
AMY: oh whattt!
MC: we wish we could say what we just said in real life. "oh my friends give me $100 bills as a sign of friendship instead of bracelets."
AMY: hahha i was gonna say.
MC: or would that make us hookers?
AMY: nah not if they're your friends... haha psh those are the types of friends one needs. who cares about loyalty and trust...
MC: ....when you're ballin
AMY: exactttttly. we should just be friends with rappers haha they have all the dough. somehow it just happens that way. rappers get it made.
MC: if you could be any rapper right now, who would you be?
AMY: psh id be my own rapper but unfortunately asian girls dont get a lotta street cred.
MC: we said Nas.
AMY: ohhh nas is dope.
MC: hes rich, hes dope, and he looks young still haha.
AMY: id be madlib.
MC: madlib is dope. we wish he was still in lootpack. we wish lootpack still existed!
they were one of our favorite groups. we wish Quas would do a show!
AMY: haha don't we all
MC: madlib should just come out in a quas suit
AMY: i know right? or do what the gorillaz do when they perform. it should and could be done
MC: we can def see that happen. if only...he should just come out in a quas suit, and then on the screen he should have madlib pop in every now and then with his face showing but with prerecorded vocals and movements so that madlib can just switch his voice in the suit to match the screen. seriously, we're gonna propose it. then, we're gonna make a petition and you can be the 2nd one to sign it after us.
AMY: well i was gonna be the one providing signs and gather mob support. but petitions are just as fun haha
MC: ok, well if all else fails, we can do the mob thing. without the whole burning down the building and lynching thing.
AMY: it will not fail!

who wants to sign the petition?

going vegan is Hip Hop.

2009-04-21T18:23:00.001-07:00

just when we thought vegetarianism was only for pansy hipster art nerds and anthropologists alike, Masta Killa from the Wu went ahead and proved us wrong. well, we already knew he was veg, now it's official. but yeah, just incase you feel embarrassed by stereotypes of vegs being gangly art nerds (which isn't necessarily a bad thing. i think), you can just look at Masta Killa and this ad and feel ok. in fact, go ahead and put on your timbos, polos, and karl kani. but then again, Masta Killa might be the wackest of the whole Wu. thanks emilio.

who wants to go eat bacon pie?!

p.s. remember these:

where the front was them on the front and:

the back was them from the back! as Kris Kross! there was a whole spawn of shirts like this except with Bulls jerseys, Lakers jerseys and a whole list of sports teams back in the day. we want ALL OF THEM. so, note to self, win this item on ebay (which ends in a few days) before the other guy does.

unbelievable.

2009-04-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Untitled from lookatthisfuckinghipster on Vimeo.

That just blew our minds right now. we can't believe that someone would actually think this is good. wow. just....wow. and did he just say "motha fuck the taliban, go green nigga what?!" and "what the fuck you wearin, dolce and gabbana?" dude. solid. new lyrics for 2009! woop woop!

"some people say hip hop is dead. we just do this to make sure." haha from this funny guy . thanks whomever you are. you just made mondays great again.

also, thanks to The Kim for showing us one of the best videos of 2009:

AKIRA!

2009-04-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

LET'S GO!!

just incase you don't know, you should....so go!

things we make when we don't want to go to the DMV.

2009-04-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

so we have to go to the DMV later aka the worst place on earth. we don't want to go, so we just stuck around here to feel busy:

why aren't there hot girls at the DMV? secretly, there is a DMV where all the hot people go to get their license renewed. because every time we visit the DMV, there is no hot people, just old people and crack babies. WTF yo?! i bet there is a secret DMV out there, with girls like this:

and we're gonna find it. but first we have to look as hot as we can so we can get invited to this potential "secret" DMV. before we go, we must draw our friends:

serina & sarah....we love you, forever.

Did he just say "poonani?!"

2009-04-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Steven Seagal, aka:

aka Shoulder Pads Rock. aka I will break your neck with my pony tail has an album, if you didn't already know. Yes, he's a musician/singer/songwriter. And you wonder, does he play blues, soul, world music? All of the above? Yes, yes, yes, and yes...and to top it off, he also makes dancehall. We aren't quite sure what to do, other than be potentially grossed out, laughed out loud, or giving props for things other than music (aka scoring hot models, and never really having to kick anyone, because his shoulder pads do all the talking)....we definitely fell out of our chairs just now listening to this song:

WOW. we just....WOW. and did he just say "poonani?" Yes...because we just googled the lyrics, and here they are:

Girl what you really want all night
Me want the buddy, make me feel nice
Boy what you really want all night
Me want the poonani, see for make nice
She want the buddy
Him want the poonani
And me know it nice

When the girls start to strut
you could look at her butt, you shouldn't do that
Think about just that because her clothes are just as pretty
They're not just to cover her kitty

Girl what you really want all night
Me want the buddy, make me feel nice
Boy what you really want all night
Me want the poonani, see for make nice
Baby the way you waik is so hot
Let's have a shot of rum
Then I can make you cum, with me
To the ocean
That would be phat
You can be my bow cat
Nice ital breeze
Bring you to your knees
We're jammin

...............................................................we'll stop there. We should probably consider all the hot girls he scored to make up for this song, and those lyrics, more specifically this girl:

Kelly LeBrock aka the girl from Weird Science. the girl on the left is Olivia Munn (ramsey's girl) recreating Kelly LeBrock in Weird Science (on the right). It still doesn't make us forget how grossed out we are because he said "me want the poonani", "that would be phat", "make you cum" and "kitty." ew.

YOKOO!

2009-04-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

Yokoo just got interviewed for Vice magazine, which is great for Yokoo! Congrats! She also wanted to tell you to buy her stuff, because like everyone else in this "economic crisis", she needs $$$$ too. She wants a real dookie rope chain, but since she can't afford to buy a real one, she had to make one of her own:

she makes other great things, like this:

and this:

So buy here stuff HERE. and yes, that's her in the pictures. and no she isn't single, because she's married to us. maybe.

xoxo

Art Center Open Studios 2009!

2009-04-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

THEY ARE THE FUTURE.

Friends, Family, and Colleagues. Please join us for our annual open studio festivities with art, food, and music.
Twenty-seven graduate students in the Art Center MFA program will present work in a variety of media at the 2009 MFA Open Studios. This is a once-a-year opportunity for visitors to get a firsthand look at what is being produced by students in one of the most prestigious graduate art programs in the country. Artists will be available to answer questions.
In addition to the work on display in individual studios, a continuous program of video and film work will be screened for the duration of the event.

MFA candidates Matthew Grover and Greg MacLaughlin will have work on view in the South Campus graduate galleries.

Maps of the studios will be available to visitors upon arrival. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Bands start at 8:00 beginning with
Pacific Trim & more TBA
with DJs The Bings!

The MFA candidates are: Bernard Chadwick, Lara Cho, Eamon Conklin, Mario Cutajar, Alan Duke, Andy Featherston, Anne-Charlotte Finel, Steven Gavenas, Matthew Grover, Brianna Gorton, Jeff Grifﬁn, Rachel Kessler, John Kuhl, Lauren King, Sho Youn Kwon, Justin Lowman, Greg MacLaughlin, Quinton McCurine, Rebecca Norton, Matthew Paweski, Sarah Rose, Kristofferson San Pablo, Amy Sharp, Nora Shields, Emily Steinfeld, Anna Takahashi, and Katy Zaugg.

Art Center College of Design, South Campus is located at 950 S. Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105. Free on-site parking is available.

For more information please visit www.artcenter.edu or call (626) 396-4222.

p.s. watch:

The BackPack Fantastic Show 6: When East Meets West.

2009-04-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

CLICK on the pic to hear the show (or download it!)....hooray!

p.s. (peep)

Dwight got snipped.

2009-03-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

it must suck to think that you're going somewhere great, when you're really being dropped off to get your balls cut off. you end up falling asleep, then waking up feeling dizzy with stitches on your groin, with a cone around your head so you can't lick where it irritates you, and accidentally run into things because all you see is tunnel vision.

Dwight deserves a steak...and a beer. cheers buddy.

p.s. don't forget to go to this, next monday:

p.p.s. remember Punch Out?! peep:

for the wii! a;lskfdja;lskdfja;lskdfja!

back from Korea....

2009-03-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

just coming back from korea, and we didn't really do any site seeing, so this is kind of, sorta, pretty much the gist of things:

that's hasisi. say hi to her.