Collection #2

Battle of Vukovar
Flickr yields some amazing pictures of this once war torn city. The water tower, left untouched since the war, is a symbol of the city's suffering. I find this image to be very powerful.

Our Messes = Art
Good Magazine has created a travel guide of man made disasters. Pretty cool to see how something labeled an "eye sore" or "blight" can take the form of art.

Funny or Die
You know, I never really got into this website until a friend of mine at work would show me these hilarious videos. If you don't take my word for it, let me put it this way, Funny or Die was created by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Enough said.

Little Paper Planes
Found this on Danny Nathan's new blog, AmongMany. Little Paper Planes offer a slew of products from t-shirts to art prints. Started by a small cadre of artists a few years back, this website has started taking off. Thankfully, though, their prices have not. Give them a peek.

Night: A Poem

Going to bed, closing your eyes
Letting yourself be whisked away
Into dreams, nightmares- the black

Why get a wink?
You're closing yourself off from the world
Isolating yourself, encapsulating yourself

Don’t let yourself go
There is more to do
Time elapsed, hours pass

Hands on the clock turn
Rapidly clicking as each second passes by
Click. Click. Click.

You don’t remember anything
You don’t experience anything
You are with the sandman

Lazy lands of wonderment and silliness
Non existent places of color
Nakedness, embarrassment, fear

It comes out here.
In a world that is none
In a world that is nothing more then fiction

Fiction of neither books or films
But fiction in your head
Fiction so fictitious is non-fiction

There is nothing to be remembered
Nothing to be gained
You have given in

Sleep is not what you need
Experiences and a drive is what you need
Go to sleep, you'll see

You are slowly dying
You accept this
You sleep yourself to death

Goodnight.

(Inspiration)

Ballonacy

I really don't know what the, "World's First Internet Balloon Race" is or the point or how to play exactly. I do know, though, I have a balloon named Sir Peckalot and he is going to travel the world via the internet. Before choosing a balloon shaped as either a Raccoon, Bird, Camel, or Dolphin make sure to analyze each their different attributes that can positively or negatively affect it's performance during the "race." For example, I chose the bird which has a bad temperament, but great aerodynamics. I did not choose the Camel which has a good temperament, but cuts through the air like a R.V.

After choosing a balloon animal, fill out its interests; Sir Peckalot, "enjoys flapping about, pecking at the greenery, eating berries, and hanging out down South during the Winter months." The way the entire process works is somewhat of a mystery, but from what I gather, the balloon animals that navigate the most participating websites (The World Takes being one of them) during the seven day "race" are entered into drawings for movie passes, show tickets, and phones. The grand prize is a seven day trip to Ibiza (someplace in the Middle East). I don't think I have the time or patience to navigate the web all day to rack up the most miles, but it will be interesting to see how successful the "race" works.

Even more interesting, the whole idea was created by Poke NY for Orange, a mobile company out of the U.K.

A Pact with Myself

The pact: do random things I would never normally think about doing, even if it means going it myself. Take the American Legion Chapter something or another in Berkley, Michigan for example. Every Thursday night from 5 to 8 they host a buffet dinner for six bucks. I might only have $40 in savings, but six bucks for turkey, dressing, rolls, vegetables, and dessert- come on now. Heck, if I bring in the listing I found on Craigslist I get a free fountain drink. Awwzzz Hell Yeah.

Other than the Legion event, I haven't found anything else really cool I want to attend. The only Craigslist events that look the slightest bit enticing involve a Euphrates Church Spring Bazaar and a Purse Party. Considering I don't know what or who a Euphrates is, I'll decline. Plus I haven't used a purse since my bi-curious stage in middle school.

I did, however, read an article in the paper about band of tweens who are playing gigs at local dive bars. I want to hit their next show, they sound pretty decent. Their name: Underground Sun. In the article I read, the band members stated the only good music came out of the 60's and 70's. Even more disturbing was when one member said if he had to choose a halfway decent band currently shredding his pick was Wolfmother. Shoot me in the face and call me Ted Koppel, these kids are idiots. Nonetheless, I'll be sure to see one of their shows.

Collection #1

I'm starting something new here in between posts and calling it a Collection. Here are some interesting links I have run across.

Huffington Post
Online news website that has some pretty interesting commentary. Read about it here.

Banksy
One of the most famous street artists. His work is incredible- look at some pictures here.

Tucker Max
This guy has made a living by getting drunk and somehow remembering everything that happens while being drunk. His book is titled I Hope They Have Beer in Hell. He's my hero.

Avant-Garde
No one really knows how to explain it, other than it is experimental art. It is a fascinating subject.

Sleeve Face
Step 1. Find an old album cover with a face on it.
Step 2. Use that old album cover with a face on it to cover your own face.
Step 3. Take a picture and upload it to the web.

CollegeHumor
I think it's funny, maybe you will too.

Take a look at all those clickables (links). Or, bookmark them and look later, you won't be disappointed. Well, some may not be as enjoyable as others, but nonetheless there is something for everyone. Kind of like a carnival or town festival in the form of links.

Paul Arden

My biggest inspiration is Paul Arden. Ever since I read his first book, It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be, roughly two years ago, my mindset has changed dramatically. He has helped me explore paths I would have never previously trekked. I feel a bit silly reflecting on the way a book has completely changed my life, but the insights of this guy are simply endless.

It recently came to my attention that Mr. Arden passed away a few months ago. I remember trying to get in touch with him via his production company, but really struggled in finding an e-mail address or phone number. Unfortunately I never got a hold of him, which kind of bugs me. For more information about the life of a legend read this article.

Here are some Arden-isms:

-Nearly all rich and and powerful people are not notably talented, educated, charming, or good looking. They become rich and powerful by wanting to be rich and powerful.

-Give away everything you know and more will come back to you.

-When it can't be done, do it.

-Whatever decision you make is the only one you could make. You are the person you choose to be.

-Knowledge makes us play safe. The secret is to stay childish.

-There is no right point of view.

-Don't go to university. Go to work.

-Being bottom or near the bottom has merit. It means you are not interested in the run of the mill way in which you are being taught. Your mind is elsewhere.