the Kingdom of Leisure

Tuesday

Mark Notes

"Has anyone noticed how shitty the Chargers are doing?

Two words:

Norv Turner

(and I called this a long time ago)"

Local Election Followup

Mark notes [I annotate]:

Gaithersburg has 55,000 residents? Jesus. If I lived there, here is who I wouldn’t vote for and why:

Ahmed Ali

Defense contractor says it all. Down here in San Diego, small defense contractor = likes to bribe congressmen.

Exactly. Besides, in my humble community, do I really want--as government--someone who is, in essence, a self-proclaimed war monger? I don't like war. I don't like the concept of profit from war which equals profit for killing. He wants to run my city. No thanks.

Jud Ashman

His name is Jud.
He owns direct mail company (AKA creator of all that is junk mail; purveyor of shitty coupons for local dry cleaners, hack dentists, and companies that clean your tile grout).
Did I mention his name is Jud?

Yes, his name is Jud. So funny. Doesn't necessarily resonate with "strong, competent leadership," huh? Same problem Mike Huckabee has encountered. He's smart, good conservative cred, etc. But that name polls poorly. People think of Camaros on blocks and washing machines in front yards. Same with "Jud."

And in my previous Local Election commentary (part two of this post: clicky), I completely failed to mention the direct mail spin. No shit! When I initially found out that Mr. Jud Huckabee was the owner of a direct mail company, it automatically made me hate him. Not only does his business create the junk mail that solicits scam carpet cleaners, unlicensed landscapers, and awful Chinese food, the poor letter carriers (like my man, Marcus Espo) have to lug that shit around all day with full knowledge that 99% of it will be trashed. Junk Mailers are essentially eco-terrorists. Jud puts the "H" in "hate" and the "R" in "recycle."

Cathy Drzyzgula

Home schools daughter—should I say more? Montgomery county schools are some of the best in the country, clearly the home schooling is to counteract those secular Jesus haters in the school system.
Her last name is too hard to pronounce (i.e., too many consonants in last name syndrome).

Yeah, Cathy of "Jud & Cathy." I was trying not to go too personal, but yeah, from a communications-meets-politics perspective that last name doesn't fly. On one hand they figured that out by using "& Cathy" on the signs. But, it still looks like "Dracula" on the ballet.

"Home school" is red-state red-flag code for crazy-ass kook. 'Nuff said.

Shawn Ali

What I also failed to mention previously is that Shawn Ali looks like a Muppet. Not to be mean, but this is fact. He looks like a Muppet. It's true! He lurches forward, has a slim face, an exaggerated, squared chin, and an upper lip that doesn't move (which is why he looks so unreal).

[Mark continues] By the way, when did Gaithersburg become East St. Louis? The next time I visit, I’ll remember my flack jacket, 9mm and hollow-point bullets for my trip to Whole Foods via the Lakelands ghetto.

Yeah, it's sad. But, with all the drive-bys, helicopters, and sirens....it's just a sad shame here now.

Monday

A Prediction

Just heard Blue Magic, from Jay-Z's new record American Gangster.

I predict...uh, monster record. I'll tell you tomorrow.

Rabbi

Why Do You Hate So?

Why am I such a hater? Me? A Hater? Please?

I'm not a hater. Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal is a hater. Why? Because he's no fun. In fact, he's anti-fun. And, what's the matter with Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie, anyway? It. Was. Fun. Here's what Morgenstern said:

""Bee Movie" isn't a B movie, it's a Z movie, as in dizmal. This animated feature might have been tolerable, though for what demographic I'm not sure, if its hyper vocal star, Jerry Seinfeld, had chosen to drone. Instead, he delivers every line -- every stupid bee joke that he and his cronies could cook up -- with a pounding, punishing triumphalism that recalls not the Seinfeld of "Seinfeld" but Milton Berle on a really bad night."

That's not nice. Not only is it not nice, it's just wrong. Oh, what do I know, right? I'm no fancy movie critic. I took my 5 ("and a half") year-old offspring. I laughed aloud. I slapped my knee. I shouted, "..ain't it the truth." All the while, I was mesmerized by the beautiful visual aspects of the motion picture and playing along with the jokes. Shit was funny, dude.

I loved Bee Movie, son. [trailer here] Loved that shit. What does Morgenstern expect? It's a goddamn cartoon for crying out loud. A cartoon! All that was missing was a bowl of cereal (maybe some General Mills brand Honey Nut Cheerios?! It's packed with an irresistible honey sweet taste and it lowers your cholesterol. I mean, WTF, people?!).

------------------

Are they gone yet? The new and casual readers have probably checked out by now. Good.

OK, enough with that shit, let's get to the hatin'! So in my city, we're having a City Council election tomorrow. Three of the five seats are up. Typically, in our municipality of 55,000 only about 3,000 vote in a non-county, non-state, non-federal election. Six percent, right? Pah-thetick!

So, I'm a voting kind of guy, so I've been keeping an eye on the candidates. And, jesus, if they aren't the worst slate of candidates for any election I've ever witnessed. Seven so-called candidates are going after these three prized seats. Here's the breakdown:

One candidate I'll call "ambitious." Ryan. Young fellow, lawyer, likes Barack Obama for president [quaint]. Fairly new resident, lives in my neighborhood, newly married. Seems a decent guy. But, when asked questions in the "candidates forum" he calmly and eloquently gave time-filling non-answers that kind of sounded like answers except they weren't answers at all. Just a bunch of make-believe politician bullshit. Big on dropping his endorsements and "democrat" cred. Like democrats have cred. Kind of a know-it-all. Clearly has ambitions to bigger and better politics. Looks like a politician. I trust him as much as any politician. Very little. But, he'll probably be my congressman soon.

The next candidate is a home-schooling stay-at-home self-declared "civic activist." Cathy. Oh, god. We know where this is going, right? Most of her answers started with a long, smoky, "Uhhhhhh....." Clearly a Reagan republican. Not bright. Not optimistic. Not savvy. Not electable. Problem is, this candidate has pooled resources with the next candidate, Jud Ashman and visually and hurestically have the best signs. I wouldn't be surprised if "Jud & Cathy" win seats. No plan, good signs.

Where do I start with Jud? If I asked him the time, he'd answer that the sky was purple. Unelectable to the nth degree in any modern political race. Who are these people? Not bright, not insightful. Oh, but good signs. Yellow with blue stars all over it. Handed out balloons at Oktoberfest. Good for them. Me no likey Jud or Cathy. The red state leftovers from the 2000 Bush hijack attempt.

Ahmed is a two-trick pony. Security. Veterans. Would raise and spend taxes on building a huge police force comprised of veterans. Three-year resident of the city. Nope. No vote.

Shawn (no relation of course) is sneaky. Full of nonsensical non-answers, he has convinced himself he is somehow qualified to run a city. But, I just have the sinking feeling that he's in it for a reason that's not so altruistic. I think I'd vote him most likely to go to prison for taking bribes. Twelve year resident. Must know where the oil is buried. Just my gut.

OK, there are admittedly a lot of Hispanic residents in my city. That's great, but just because a percentage of residents doesn't mean that Carlos could be any damn good on the council. Seems to have limited experience, exposure, or formal education. I believe he is sincere and intuitive. But just because you've lived here for 20 years doesn't mean you have the answers. I feel he doesn't have a robust context for modern government. But I like him. That means something. He thinks crime is a big problem so I guess he doesn't live in my neighborhood. Granted, it might be. So, maybe I should listen to Mr. Carlos. I feel I actually respect Mr. Carlos. So, there.

Wilson is the most entertaining among the bunch. Clearly a libertarian, he AT THE VERY LEAST, answered every question with a degree of truthfulness (as any good libertarian) would. You may not like his answers, but you know that's what he believes. And, as any good libertarian would argue, term limits are the way to go. Let's not create dictatorships. Good for him. Check out his kooky ass blog: [clicky]. Bit of a kook and conspiracist, he's at least honest (especially with himself). Clear on what he doesn't know and what he does. I probably agree with less than 10% of his politics, but I have respect for him as a person.

I'm voting for Ryan (reluctantly, but he's smart and savvy), Carlos (sincerity and work ethic), and kooky ass Wilson (honesty). Then, I'm watching every city council meeting on the TeeVee, popcorn at the ready. If Jud & Cathy win, I'm never voting again (well, they do have the best campaign signs).

Hoop Dreams

Light Check

Friday

So What Do You Do?

State of the Art – A Manifesto Lite®

the highest level of development achieved at a particular time
kind of a public declaration of principles and intentions

I took a day to think about the arts and my love-hate relationship with all things arts.

"Why are you always so contrary?"

- Shobnam

Let's start here: “So what do you do?” Given the frequency of its occurrence, SWDYD? has to be this region’s (Washington, D.C., United Sates, America) most important question. One’s “do” is so obviously essentially urgent to this population’s everyday cognitive processing, sorting, and management that it’s often the very first question asked upon introduction. Often you are even introduced as [name], [do] at [organization]. What is that, anyhow?

I have never really played along with SWDYD? and have never been easily up front with my “do.” It's always been a bit.

Old paradigm:

Scene: D.C. cocktail party

Question: SWDTD?

Answer: Hi, I’m Ty and I’m the fifth floor janitor here; just started. Nice party, huh?”

Generally this is received with a flat “nicetomeetyouTy” and a quick exit. It’s a filter for me. The Ninjas get it though. But, digressively there is a point (because I’ve told this story a million times). The point is, I realize that I may have to finally face the facts, don’t you think? Maybe I can let myself be me. Even me with an answer to some questions.

I am an artist. A “lifestyle artist” is the term I’ve previously used. I follow my nose. I take some photographs, I record some things, I produce some things like music and challenging shows, I sometimes display some things, and I nudge, shove, convince, and prod others to do the same. Generally I do the prodding, nudging, shoving, and coercing in order to keep me working.

But! The problem is I still really hate the title/term, “artist.” What is “artist?” Well according to the Wiki:

The definition of an artist is wide-ranging and covers a broad spectrum of activities to do with creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. Debate, both historical and present day, suggests that defining the concept of an artist will continue to be difficult.

Artist is a descriptive term applied to a person who engages in an activity deemed to be an art. An artist also may be defined unofficially, as, "a person who expresses themselves through a medium". The word also is used in a qualitative sense of, a person creative in, innovative in, or adept at, an artistic practice.

Most often, the term describes those who create within a context of 'high culture', activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, acting, dancing, writing, filmmaking, photography, and music—people who use imagination, talent, or skill to create works that may be judged to have an aesthetic value. Art historians and critics will define as artists, those who produce art within a recognized or recognizable discipline.

The term also is used to denote highly skilled people in non-"arts" activities, as well—crafts, law, medicine, alchemy, mechanics, mathematics, defense (martial arts), and architecture, for example. The designation is applied to high skill in illegal activities, such as "scam artist" (a person very adept at deceiving others, often profiting (semi-illegaly) from other people) or "con artist" (a person very adept at committing fraud).

Often, discussions on the subject focus on the differences among "artist" and "technician", "entertainer" and "artisan," "fine art" and "applied art," or what constitutes art and what does not.

New paradigm:

Scene: D.C. cocktail party

Question: SWDTD?

Answer: I use my imagination, perceived talents, or skills to create works that may be judged to have an aesthetic value (if only to myself).

Good.

What I do is the stuff I actually love doing, things that make me feel satisfied, connected, and complete (and this discussion is limited to non-family stuff but some would argue that is part of the art too). That's pretty damn cool, huh?

So what do I do:

Photography – I’m sure there are a lot of people I know rather well that have never seen me without a camera. I only recently realized that. Some people have even indicated that they like some of my work. Others have asked me to display it; to sell it. Now, I know that I'm being humble or downplaying the reception of my work, but I've never been good with praise. I'm skeptical of praise. I'm as skeptical of praise as I am of criticism. It's all noise to me. But, I'm starting to listen to people whose work, aesthetic, or output I appreciate. I'm not talking mutual admiration society, but there are voices I hear.

As you’ve probably seen in various photo collections of mine—particularly on Rhinosnort—I have noticed that lots of people have lots of cameras and lots of people with lots of cameras take a whole lot of pictures. Photography is not a selective activity as it was, say, in the day(s) of Stieglitz, or Steichen.

Unfortunately most images turn out pretty poor. And, I'm not just talking about the technical aspects. I'm talking about the feeling, meaning, composition, depth, and intention of photography. What does it mean? What can you learn?

I feel that since most photography is cheap, tired, and awful, that I’m – by association – pooled into the same tank of crap. If you ever hear me call myself a photographer (unless I’m lying my way into a good shoot), please punch me in the face. Then spit on me. Thanks.

This kind of bothers me though. If everyone is taking photographs does that make mine more or less important? Maybe important isn’t the right word. Relevent? Dunno. But, I'm tempted to give up photography every day. But I don't.

Music – Most people make some sort of music too. Not only does everybody have a band, but also everybody finds a way to publish his or her own half-assed attempts at rock and roll glory. Mostly I want to not hear it. Jesus, where to start with music? I’ve done it for a lifetime. It’s part of the DNA.

Unfortunately most music turns out pretty poor. I know, it’s a niche world and there are pockets of support out there somewhere for everyone. But art ain't democracy. When I’m making something I still use my “nobody will understand this” filter. I think that’s a good thing somehow because I'm expanding, reaching, and growing the medium. The result is that very few humans understand my music though. So! Fortunately I’ve worked with great musicians who understand that my filters are limiting. Good to work with quality people. What's good with working with quality people (Rich, Dan, Marcus, Jason, and others) is I have had opportunities to do good things that more than two people get.

Poetry? Please? Where could I possibly go with that?

All poetry sucks
Mine is not an exemption
Like drowning puppies

See?

I can’t write or make films or TeeVee shows so I really cannot comment too much there. Except, since film, TeeVee and writing are not my mediums, I can have a somewhat healthy appreciation of good work there. I am still critical, judgmental, and opinionated, but it doesn’t sucky TeeVee, film, and writing doesn’t hurt me in my soul like sucky photography, music or the conceptual arts. I can just pass without regret. I have read some good stuff this summer too. Not really much good TeeVee, but I tell everyone I know when I see something good. Haven’t seen a good motion picture in a while.

Conceptual Art – I'd have to say that most of my artistic pursuits are herded in some sort of "conceptual" pen (uh, this statement was some sort of "concept," see?). It's all about concepts. That's why I've never been a gearhead. I know I can't mix, record, focus, or bracket. Don't you think I realize this? But, who cares, really? Megapixel? Who cares? Chorus? What? Who fucking cares what lens you used? Levels? Typos? I. Don't. Care.

I was raised, educated, and formally trained on several principles:

1. It looks/sounds like art because it is.
2. If that’s what you want to do…then do it.
3. You can do anything you want.
4. Be your own arbiter.
5. Art involves a great deal of suffering.

So I suppose I can now make the declarations:

My State-of-the-Art:

Yep. I am an artist. Thank you (or fuck you, as it may apply).

My manifesto is:

I'll always try to make some things. But, sorry, it may never be "within a recognized or recognizable discipline." It's not for you or your disciplines. It's too late for that. Maybe it'll never be art either. The quantity may decrease over time, but hopefully the quality will increase.

But you are welcome to enjoy it if you want. You're just as much welcome to hate it. That's not something I will ever be able to control, so I cannot really make stuff that you won't hate.

If you want (and here's what's really new and improved) I'll even attempt discuss some of my so-called "art" with you if you want. Even the difficult, "what does it mean?" questions. I'll try.

Whatever. I can do whatever I want.

-ty

Note: Ty Hardaway is an employee of Middlespace Industries of America (MIOA) and all comments are of personal commentary and do not necessarily represent the entity that is Middlespace Industries of America. All correspondence with regard to State of the Art – A Manifesto Lite® may be sent directly to Mr. Hardaway at ty[at]middlespace[dot]net.