The Rage Circuit

So I'm reading Steven Pinker's the Better Angels of Our Nature: why Violence Has Declined (2011). I come across the phrase "rage circuit." (P 485) I set book aside and share my exuberant joy with you now over this discovery. Details, or rather a review of this idea, forthcoming.

What is art? (Resumed)

Hello, I am blogging. This is not art. I do not plan to rehash the important argument that has been waging (itself) for ages, "What is art?" I daresay I am nonetheless interested in opening this box of contentious goodies, and so I continue this post with the following link:

Art Now:... by Leon Botstein

For those of you wishing for a summary in lieu of taking the link, I will offer one albeit based largely on the title of the talk. The man named above will speak on February 29 in one of New York's public libraries. The email bulletin I received claims that he will discuss various topics on the theme of aesthetics. These topics include

"Music, Painting, Architecture, Movies, and More."

Could all of these things be art? Which ones? How can one decide? I will weigh in on this or completely different questions after a bit more research and attending the dude's talk and question and answer session. It is my hope that those of you riled up enough to comment take a moment to do so. As for a hint on where I stand on some of these questions, I give you an image (used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2; obtained from Wikipedia) of Leon:

A Shakamak: Defined

Of course, I had to wait ages and ages before a fresh post such as this. Such is life when you've got nothing worthy of public blogs such as this one. At long last and with great anticipation, I give you a video taken from a journey of seven through Southern Africa in June 2010. This video, as you may notice, stars Dave with supplements from Ali. I'm doubly excited for you all to watch this, because I've finally cracked my way into using yet another social medium - YouTube! Without hesitation I remind you all that we must use these means to communicate merely due to their being available. I have another post regarding art that is soon to follow; I must first find the accompanying image of reference among my files...



My own comments on this video

As poster I will provide a few credits not given in the video. Vuvuzela performance provided by Matt. Voice Over/Narration by Tyler. Restrooms in the background provided by Seth Blotter and the rest of FIFA.

I would like to extend my apologies here to all those that we offended on the course of our travels, particularly while on buses getting from Joburg to the stadium. Apparently, I mispronounced (repeatedly and emphatically) Warsteiner while on the bus amidst leering German riders. To shed light on why Ali only played a minor role in giving the definition of a Shakamak: she had only a moment prior to filming injured her foot/ankle by stepping into a hole. Inebriation may have been a factor in the entire movie-making process, but this probably goes without saying. Now for your comments...

Dear my Pen Pal

This is the actual, word-for-word, typographical error-for-typographical error text of a letter a student at my school wrote. To properly appreciate this, imagine you are a prepubescent female from semi-rural Ohio. You like sports, and horses, and other things that members of your peer group take an interest in. In between Junior Model UN, volleyball, and riding the tractor around the yard, you've decided to dedicate yourself to brightening the dark, gray world of one of those poor teenagers in the land where life hasn't really seemed to improve after they abandoned the idea of helping each other completely. Of course, you know nothing about Ukraine, but you think the USSR was "kinda cool." This is your first sign that, even though it's cold, life continues on the other side of the world, and maybe it's not all that different from your own.

Dear my Pen Pal,

Hello) My name is Mary Kutnyk. I live in a very beautiful city - Brody.I go to school number 2.I am in 9th grade . So ,when I look at myself in the mirror I see a light brown girl with short long hair, dark eyes and slander figure. As to my appearance I’m rather tall and slim. I have never thought I’m a beauty I whish I were more beautiful. I think that I’m even tempered, rather reserved, calm and modest. But sometimes I can lose my tempo and become either angry or sad. I like staying alone and sometimes I retire into my shell. But at the same time I like my friends, I like to laugh and joke. I have got a sense of humor. It means I understand humor and appreciate it. I was born on the 12th of July 1995 in the town of Brody, where I live now together with my parents and my younger brother. My early years which I remember badly, were typical of a child living in a town. I was born in a family of a teacher and a priest . I was sent to a kindergarten at the age of three as both the parents were working. School for me was not only lessons and learning I had a lot of friends there. We organized extra class activities such as parties and other social activities. I actively participated in most of them. So , how are you ?What is your name? I was wondering if you could tell me a little about your country. I really read about it but I do not know much .Well, that is all for now .I will talk to you later.

Love your friend,
Mary Kutnyk =)

Is it spring yet?

First and foremost I hope you all had a fantastic facial hair february. I know I did, and those of you that saw me can vouch for the lumberjacktastic bush that was representing on my face. Which brings me to my next point, the hottest item to hit the upper lip since botox. Mustache March. Check out my annual attempt to look like a pedophile (2 years in a row) below.

On a completely separate note is it spring yet? I am completely over winter. And in looker forward to spring a camping trip is in the making. Initial thoughts were for the first weekend in may, but have now shifted to the second weekend in may. Input please?? Locale TBD. Smash! That will be all.

Psuedo-english pomposity with fake drama thrown in on the side... smothered in tico tico

Since stupid songs seem to be the hip thing right now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vmPwZT-9zY&feature=related

Sometimes this man's genius can only be expressed through sheer stupidity.

Poo Dollar