Thursday, January 12, 2012

Liam Neeson is a believable character as Dr. Alfred Kinsey in the movie, "Kinsey". I watched this a couple of days ago. The movie itself seemed to fade in and out of being a movie and documentary- I would have preferred it to stick to one or the other.

Liam Neeson as Dr. Alfred Kinsey

In my opinion, I've never understood the controversy behind sexuality. It's something everyone does/is, one way or another. Taking advantage of others who do not have the capability to understand as in such cases of pedophilia or incest, for example, is where I find it to be a problem. In contemporary history, these things still come up. If people are willing to document sexual acts for research, on the level of higher education for The Kinsey Institute, it's for the better. Of us all.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want anyone publishing my sexual habits.:) I get that.

I may also have a biased opinion since I am from Bloomington, Indiana where this research takes place + has since Alfred Kinsey started it at Indiana University. It's a very small liberal pocket in a very Republican State.

Take the Kinsey Scale for instance, can you really argue with this method? Genius.

The Kinsey Scale 

It's 2012, the future is now, sexuality should not be a threatening subject. If it's understood, a more civil society should come of it. After all, if it weren't for education in this area, we'd still be walking around not knowing how to conceive.  Nuclear energy, melting polar ice caps or balancing a budget with a financial deficit is where we may have a problem.

Monday, January 9, 2011

As the new year begins, I reflect back on old friends and look forward to strengthening the friendships I have with hopes of making new ones as well.

A few of the friends which come to mind who have virtually (literally) gone 'missing' are missed. Great friends, some of the best, from teenage years to young adult- hope you are doing well + prosperous!:

Elliott Wilkinson
John Grote
Erika Hall

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

After a nice long Christmas + New Year's vacation back home- not had since 2009, along with the amount of prolonged vacation time, I feel great!
One knows they are back in Los Angeles with temperatures in the high 70's to low 80's in January & the addition of multiple star sightings before a full 24hrs has elapsed!


Eva La Rue of popular CSI Miami



Ty Burrell of hit show, Modern Family

Back in town and on-track, I'm able to reflect on my trip. Having made a couple of parties had by the folks old + somewhat legendary local party friends from years ago, I recall growing up. One thing that I remember is going to parties as a kid and they were always full of tons of people (many of the same I mention above), abundance of vegetarian food (think no Wholefoods or Trader Joe's) with lots of dancing. An album (recently downloaded from iTunes) that probably possesses much of that spirit was the release of Paul Simon's 'Graceland' in 1986.

A phenomenal album exploring ethnic sounds, rythym + danceable beats with a creative edge not found in popular music. A real treasure bringing back the party days of my youth.



+ the Talking Heads- to be undoubtebly
mentioned in a future post...

 H A P P Y  N E W  Y E A R  2 0 1 2 !

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The way it was done in the 7th Century, Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Holiday's & New Year are approaching! As humanity turns the corner of what is to be another exciting year on this Earth!, thinking of those less fortunate than us is something to take to heart.

Adopt a Family through the Salvation Army is something I've already donated to this Season..

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf

My extended family selects a charity every year for Christmas to give to instead of spending money for individual gifts for everyone. This year, 2011, the Patriarch and Matriarch of the Family chose a Navajo Techical College.


http://www.navajotech.edu/

  In years past, I chose:

http://www.bgca.org/Pages/index.aspx

And I advocate for:


http://hollyhockhouse.net/


My own Father & Mother have positively provided countless time, money + energy into these worthy causes: 

http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301295/k.BE9A/Home.htm

http://www.givingbacktoafrica.org/

  

http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5962335/k.BE16/Home.htm

http://lotusfest.org/


 Having known too many people with debilitating illnesses such as Cancer or HIV/AIDS and knowing stories of such hardships or death, it's hard not to want to give back. Just yesterday I learned of an acquaintance just diagnosed with bone cancer. It's not that I believe people ask for sympathy or to be felt sorry for, rather, I believe it's a responsibility for those who have more to help fight these unfortunate events with research, education + cures. No matter what the good cause may be, it benefits directly + indirectly for all.

Encouragement provided, choose one of these fantastic organizations or one that's closest to your own heart for donating your time or money.  

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Having the pleasure of viewing some thought provoking exhibits at LACMA during the not so distant past of Thanksgiving weekend- a new perspective was gained at the Museum during our 4-5 hour visit.The exhibit to see was, in conjuction with;

California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way" at:

Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art

"This exhibition is the first major study of California midcentury modern design. With more than 300 objects—furniture, ceramics, metalwork, fashion and textiles, and industrial and graphic design—the exhibition examines the state’s role in shaping the material culture of the entire country..."
 
The highlight for me was the re-creation of the Charles + Ray Eames House- pioneers in working with fiberglass, molded plywood, plastic resin, etc. & with accomplishments in architecture, short films, textiles + furniture design. These are the quintessential American Designers who have influenced the world round.

Eames Case Study House -actual



Eames House, on left, created for LACMA exhibit

 Of course other exhibitions were present at the facilities which proved to be a bit difficult in its wayfinding methods, nonetheless, a variety of art subjects were found as expected.
 

A few of my favorites- Contemporary Indoor + Outdoor installations

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

As the Holiday Season draws near with cheer in my mind, it wanders to childhood.

Akward!

A good sitcom really makes me laugh and one I remember is the blue collar, totally American adventures of Laverne & Shirley set in Milwaukee, WI. If you've ever been (which I have + my sister lived there), it's certainly capable of producing a pair like this!

The double trouble. No sense of entitlement without warrant, which I love.



One of the better moments for Laverne & Shirley. Sweet.