Batman and Banksy

I was going to write this entry solely on Banksy, the elusive street artist, when I found society6.com and saw probably one of the greatest paintings I have ever seen:

I didn't know whether I should burst out laughing or write a check to the artist, Jack Teagle.

Society6 is a site which, like hitRECord, features amateur and skilled artists alike.  The main difference is that Society6 is a bit more polished commercially; yes you do have to pay for the art, but you can buy it on a canvas print, clothes, iphone cases, laptop coverings, or simply as framed prints.  Of course, as a huge Batman and Star Wars fan, I was intrigued.  Even more so when I stumbles across this painting by Arian Noveir:

Now, I like taking walks while I think about my writing, and while I was doing this a thought came to me: aren't Banksy and Batman, in a way, quite similar?  Bear with me for a moment as this sounds a little far-fetched, but think about it: they're both mysteries, somewhat dark and broody, they have become cultural symbols, and they both have a point to get across to society.

I couldn't help but notice how banksyfilm posted this on my birthday two years ago.

The first time I came across Banksy was when I saw his documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, in my Arts and Society class.  After watching the movie and reading the question and answer section as well as the "regulations" on his "shop" (which isn't really a shop, mind you, he doesn't seem to mind it when people use his images) it became quite obvious that this man has an attitude. And by that I mean that he is a snarky, brusque, smart-ass.  I don't enjoy cursing, but there is simply no other way to describe it.  Not that I mind, he clearly likes to make sure his point is given and maybe he is a no-nonsense kind of person.  Honestly there is an amusing appeal to it, sort of like why people are attracted to Murdoc Niccals from the band Gorillaz (thank you, Phil Cornwell).

If you come across an image from Banksy's website that you like, I suggest you save it, as it may be taken down.

Banksy's secrecy is his strength and probably the source of his admiration.  I have no doubt that he has made quite a profit with his art shows, but his fame began with him leaving images on the walls for the public to see for free.  He's sending a message to society and actively campaigning for change.

Just like Batman.

Last Night with Jimmy Fallon

We tweeted, we posted videos on YouTube, set viral statuses on Facebook, and even organized a flash mob.  But it wasn't until a certain bulldog named Blue II sent a simple tweet did Jimmy Fallon from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon agree to return to my college, Butler University, in Indianapolis.  And let me tell you right now: I did not participate in any of it.
Personally I am not a night owl, I conk out at 10:00 pm like clockwork.  So I have never seen Jimmy Fallon.  Ever.  When the tickets went on sale my friends were jumping up and down squealing about how "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity" and "we should totally go."  Since I was the only one who was free on that day, I volunteered to purchase three tickets (one for me, one for my beloved roommate Diq*, and one for our friend) from the box office at Clowes Hall (it's pronounced CLUES, not KL-OWWS).  
Sexual references soar over my head like bluebirds unless they are blatantly waved in front of my face, and believe me: the sex jokes were loud and proud during "Jimmy Fallon and Friends."  The opening act was the host dancing in a Wonder Woman leotard and directing the cameras to project his "package" to the main view screen and suggesting the art students drink it in and create a coal-sketched portrait of it.
Mr. Fallon's writers each did their own brief stand-up routine to warm up the crowd.  The performances ranged from singing self-written lyrics to the Jurassic Park theme song and determining what qualifies as "sex" to talking about how he rummaged through the garbage for a plastic coffee cup just so that he could go to the bathroom at Starbucks.  Did I laugh?  Yes, they were very good at making fun of themselves.  Did I blush at the lack of censorship?  As red as a beet.
I'm not going to deny that although the writers had their moments, Jimmy produced the most laughs and was the most anticipated part of the show. (The writers were a good build up, however).  Just the energy released by the audience was impressive.  Fan loyalty is a very powerful thing and says quite a bit about someone.  No doubt it's because Mr. Fallon has a knack for staying in tune with what's happening in the audience: he cracked jokes about several people in the front row by name and major, commented when someone walked in late, and even acknowledged a sign made by a girl about her boyfriend.
And, although it was highly discouraged, my dear roomie filmed some of it on her iphone.  Not all of it came out clearly, but she managed to send me the cleanest videos (which I have taken the liberty of compiling together):

*For those who haven't read my last post, that is not my roommate's actual name.  She just wanted me to omit her real name and refer to her as Diq Ballz.

Sent from my sister and sister from another mister...

I can always count on my twin sister and my sister from another mister (also known as my roommate, Diq Ballz*) to cheer me up with something ridiculous.  So my twin (who speaks fluent Spanish) sent me a link to a site (en Español, of course) about Boots worn for Mexican Trival Dancing.  These things are amazing, I want a pair!

Not only is my twin there to help exercise my funny bone, but Diq has quite a lot of creative energy herself and sent me a few images she created:

*My dear roommie asked me to reference her as Diq Ballz, that's not her actual name :)

This Day in History: Elvis Presley checks into the Heartbreak Hotel

That's right, on this day in 1956 (56 years ago!) Elvis' first gold record, Heartbreak Hotel, was released by RCA records.  At that time the King of Rock was worth around $35,000...since he's still selling albums his worth today would be around, I don't know, $400 million? Whew!

hitRECord: Let's see where this goes

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has always struck me as a very genuine actor (not to mention he's quite a cutie).  When I decided to follow him on Twitter today I found that he also sponsors a type of haven for about 200,000 artists of all types: visual art, music, audio, film, etc.  One collaboration, a documentary on dreams, actually made it onto the Blu Ray for the movie Inception (the ever-adorable RegularJoe plays Arthur in that movie for those of you who don't know).  After perusing around the site I was impressed by the variety of what I would call "indie art,"which ranged from photographs, to vocal recordings, to mixes, to homemade videos.  And all of it is free to download.  I'll definitely be looking into this site a bit more...

"Wonderful Chaos" uploaded by xobreexo23

Gordon-Levitt states in the site's introductory video that most of the work is incomplete, but has potential.  The site seems to encourage multiple contributors to work on a single piece together, therefore establishing a network of artists to bounce ideas off of each other.

"A Mistake" uploaded by taylorcaudle

By no means are these artists restricted to the visual, there are places where writers can post their work (words) for the world to see.

The Magic isn't in the star shooting across the velvet night.

It's in the little girl's ability to hope.

"The Magic" uploaded by anothermeghanne

Fortunately there is a way to view the site's work through the publication of RECollection, a book encasing artwork, writings, and even a CD and DVD that showcase the artwork of 471 collaborators.  It's fairly cheap, (around $30.00) and all of the profits go to the site and the artists.  

So if you have a neat hobby that may or may not be profitable, hitRECord is a good place for inspiration!

The Mixmaster...or should I say Tweaker?

I've been a fan of Damon Albarn since I first heard of Gorillaz (How long ago was that?  2005?  Maybe longer?) and I've always been amazed by his ability to mix up song genres.  Just listen to any Gorillaz song and you'll see what I'm talking about.  The man has done it all: two bands, an opera, a novel, and now he's remixing Lana Del Rey...

How to Gain the Freshman 15

Behold an insightful video in which I explain one of College's most famous side effects.  Hopefully you will learn something from its message. :)

Dorm Elephants and How to Deal with Them

As an enterprising future billionaire and double major, I cannot stress just how much I cherish sleep.  Not only me, but every college student cherishes their sleep time like it was sent directly from God.  So you can imagine how startled I was during the first few weeks of college when I was awakened by loud noises from the floor above.  At first I didn’t mind it because I figured that there was a bowling alley on the second floor of my dorm, but soon grumbled and realized that it was actually some late-night partiers.  Not that there's anything wrong with going out and having a good time, mind you, but not all of us are night owls and some of us have classes at 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning.  It's really a pity that some people aren't considerate enough to recognize that.

            Such people are what I like to call “Dorm Elephants.” Unless you attend a school that only enrolls the strictly academics who believe social lives are out of the question, you probably have the same problem if you live on campus.  Dorm Elephants can act differently, but you know they affect you if the bumping, thumping, and heel-clicking lasts more than an hour at a time and happens only at night.  But no need to worry fellow sleeper, I’ve been experimenting with a few ideas on how to deal with this issue:

1. Invest in a Broom

If you live on the first floor like me, you’ll have to deal with the upstairs elephants as well as the ones in your hallway.  I cannot tell you how difficult it was for me and my roommate to take flying leaps off of our beds in an attempt to hit the ceiling with our fists (although it was a very good workout).  Fortunately we discovered that if one of us held a broom handle in both hands, kept both feet planted on the ground, and raised our arms up and down in a steady motion, we would achieve the same effect without breaking something.  (NOTE: Broom handles are interchangeable with hockey sticks, baseball bats, tree branches, or throwing shoes)

2. Think Happy Thoughts

The Washington Post recently released an article stating that the Freshman 15 is a myth for most college students except those who are heavy drinkers.  So when you hear those drunk girls laughing a storm immediately after the phrase “OHMYGAAAAWWD!” or “SHUT UP!” you can rest easy knowing that by the end of the semester they won’t even be able to squeeze their heaving butt-cheeks into their skin tight, hot pink booty skirts while their stilettos break under the weight.  

3. Rally Others

Odds are there is a silent majority of people in your dorm praying for someone to rescue their sleep.  If you can find at least three or four other people who are bothered, form a plan of action.  I don’t mean writing “Quiet Please” on all of your white boards, I mean a synchronous, direct approach.  Try this: get a group of non-elephants in your hallway to get into their pajamas and mess their hair into frizzing masses of bed-headedness.  If you want, take some purple or brown eye shadow and give each other sleep-zombie eyes.  When the elephants are in a nice huddle down the hall, have everyone open their doors and stare them down at the same time (Since elephants are unpredictable, you’ll probably need to time this out via text on that night).  Not only will this get your message across, but it will freak the living daylights out of the elephants.

If you prefer the indirect approach, simply pass around a petition and ask them nicely “please quiet down because look at all the people you’re disrupting,” but where’s the fun in that? 

4. If someone you love is a Dorm Elephant, SAVE THEM!!!!

You know you all complain to your friends because they agree with you most of the time.  But what if your friend agrees that Dorm Elephants are indeed a huge nuisance, yet she is one?  There’s nothing harder than telling a friend that their actions bother you, but if they were REALLY your friend, they wouldn’t get angry at you for telling the truth.  Touch on it lightly; there’s nothing wrong with going out, just please remember that not everyone does it and try to be considerate.  What’s more, if you get them to stop being so loud, they’ll probably tell other Dorm Elephants.

Sleep is "Chief Nourisher in Life's Feast", helps us keep our beauty, and most importantly: our sanity.  It is a luxury that everyone deserves no matter if they do it best with the lights turned off or when the sun is shining through your classroom window, do your best to respect it.