The Top 10 Arts Stories Of 2013
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/28/top-art-stories-2013_n_4476306.html

In addition to other things, I had a slice of pepperoni pizza for lunch today, my first in months. It came to my attention via a picture that was sent to me and subsequent texts, that a number of people whom I know very loosely had also had pepperoni pizza for lunch. In response, I was initially tempted to say that “great minds think alike”, but then it seemed as pointless to me as calling a person and leaving them a voicemail that simply says “Hey, this is me. Call me back when you have a chance.”; especially since I would rather receive a text. That is another blog for another time. Lo and behold, a text that I received in response to my own pepperoni revelation contained the “great minds” phrase (this is in and of itself was perhaps a pandora’s box of proof – from pepperoni to recap). In fact, it is such an accessible phrase, that that is literally all the text said: “Great minds.” But what about them?

Great minds tend to parse information, creating mash-ups of perspectives granular, even in the present, which are also partnered with other pieces of information gathered over time and forecasted. This information gathering is not only specific, focused, and granular; it is also broad and deep; far AND wide. It is massive in scale. Given that “mass”, given the almost infinite expanse of several such minds, great minds; what is the probability that they are thinking alike? Surely lots of great minds are occasionally fueled by pepperoni pizza; but so are many weak minds, perhaps more often. Naturally, this all extends beyond pizza. What does this phrase really mean? What could it mean, especially when followed by “..fools seldom differ”?

I looked it up, and it is attributed to no one in particular. Half-fullists might say that it is attributed to the particularly prolific and omni-present scholar and philosopher, “Anonymous”. In any event, how great was the mind that stumbled upon this phrase? Was it a mind that wrung itself dry in the creation, or was it dripping with excess? How many clever people want to be lumped with others? This phrase strikes me as more aspirational than collegial. Perhaps I will never say it again, lest I be judged too harshly. Perhaps I will simply enjoy the mental stimulation, then promptly forget all about it as I continue the lifelong search for my next meal.. and of course, the next similarity.

I’m back from the Bahamas as of yesterday, where I enjoyed excellent weather and interactions with friends and family. Sadly, in specific reference to wishing that I was still in the Bahamas, yet happily in general, I am on my way to work.

Most mornings, I stop at a pretty well appointed bodega by Yankee stadium for breakfast. A few weeks ago, I was at the register and needed 25 cents more, and started looking for a quarter. I simply didn’t want to break a dollar and have more change as dregs. It took a few seconds, and as I was rummaging, a guy behind me put a quarter in the counter and very pleasantly said, “Here you go.” He didn’t do it in an annoyed manner that suggested “It will cost me only 25 cents to get you out of my way”. He was really pleasant about it. For as small of an amount and simple of a gesture, it meant a lot and was a big surprise. I kind of felt silly at the time for how much I thanked him.

When I saw him this morning, which was easy because we were the only two customers in the place the day after Christmas, I decided to return the kindness by buying his breakfast. I would have preferred to simply pay for it “anonymously” and get moving, but this is still New York. I had to make sure that I was getting charged for the right thing and that he wouldn’t also be charged after I left, so I found out what he was having and let him know I was paying for it. It cost only a few dollars, but it felt nice and everybody won.

The point of this is certainly not to draw attention to myself, the point is that in the smallest way, you can move someone meaningfully. When I left, I simply said “Have a nice day.” He replied, “I will, it’s already off to a great start.”

Spread love.

“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field…. They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.” – Duck Dynasty Star

The Duck Dynasty controversy is overblown and has been whittled down to a specific agenda to the exclusion of others. Included along with what has been labeled as homophobic comments, were also racially insensitive ones. Probably even outright lies. Perhaps it is possible that he never saw ANY black people being mistreated in Louisiana decades ago before basic human rights were afforded to minorities, when mistreatment was likely to have occurred everywhere, daily. The likelihood of that, however, seems de minimus. “Not once”?? Not even in a place that is still in the middle of the biggest racial hotbed in the United States. YET, I have yet to hear any criticism of these comments, only complaints from gay advocates. The implication is that black people, at least the black people of today, are; entitled, whiney (singing the blues), and ungodly. Or perhaps the implication is that the black people of yesteryear, knew their place, were complacent, servile, and simple (they also sand “the blues” just to be clear).  To be fair, he is also engaging in self-deprecation, even if through the implied association with black people. In any event, how is this not worse than his other comments about gays? Where is the “outrage”, assuming that any is warranted at all?

Furthermore, his beliefs as stated, appear to be consistent with what most Christians believe, so an attack on him for what has been said is more about a disagreement with the principles of that religion. And many others. Additionally, there are tons of men and women alike, religious and not, who do not understand homosexual attractions when compared to their own. That itself does not make this a broader issue, because a lack of understanding does not necessarily mean “fear” or “intolerance”, certainly not necessarily “hatred”. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy with whom I would want to spend much time, and I have never even seen the show; but let’s put things in proper and reasonable perspective as opposed to the knee jerk, limitless outrage that feeds into the parasitic 15 minutes of fame that is all too prevalent on issues and non-issues alike. 

Here is an article written by my friend and fellow University of Denver alum, Alanna Kaivalya excoriating Lululemon. I believe that a number of her points comport with the idea behind my blog from a couple weeks ago “Massaging Our Social Consciousness”. Her article goes beyond that though, and I found it to be thoughtful and the tone conversational.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alanna-kaivalya/chip-wilson-can-kiss-my-f_b_4415790.html

I may have just been introduced to my new favorite poem this morning, courtesy of this article about the first known letter written by a black inmate in the US. The story of Austin Reed and the poem are both great reads.

http://www.luminarium.org/eightlit/cowper/morningdream.htm

Last night my buddy Rich saved the day. What had been a decent day at work was followed by packing for an upcoming trip. The sun had long since set and it promised to be as uneventful a night as the ones before it, but in gallops Rich, riding high on a winged creature, heralding some unexpected and exciting news. It came at almost literally the eleventh hour. The annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show would be on at 10, Channel 2. To have missed it would have been awful; not actively so, but in the omission. The fact that I’d only ever seen one previous show years ago that I can’t remember, and never bothered to plan for future ones, is beside the point because now I’m friends with Victoria’s Secret Oracle, Rich.

One of my favorite parts of the hour-long winged prophecy and unveiling, came with the performance of A Great Big World’s “Say Something”. I had never heard it before, but I am listening to it as I pen these words of gratitude; yet, foreboding. The pianist and singer’s voice was appropriately angelic, his words filled with melancholy and longing. Perhaps ironically, though perhaps not at all, he poured his bruised heart out as some of the world’s most famous models strut and swiveled their scarcely concealed bodies and glee. Perhaps it was a joi de vivre that is painted and pinned on, but it’s convincing enough at the moment. The thought that it would have to be fabricated and attached, makes this sorrowful song bird begging her to “say something” lest he give up entirely, all the more pitiable. If even she is sad, what could she possibly want? What could possibly be done, and by a guy like him? How much greater the gulf
between his longing and his dismal reality? I got a glimpse of this at the end of the show backstage when a brunette model seems to have forgotten her smile onstage, and that the cameras were still rolling. That look, followed by her startled realization and the camera cutting away, was the Nephilim bridging heaven and earth.

This song served as an amazing contrast between the worlds. A reference to “stumbling and falling” in the song was punctuated by the certainty with which the models moved. It was a figurative slap across the face, with clicking heels softened only by flapping wings. The wings sometimes seemed more substantial than the angels themselves, giving the illusion of lightening their load. The crooner soldiered on as the angels glided unabated along the sliver of runway, through heaven’s gates with all the confidence of belonging, hardly paying attention to him at all. As if to acknowledge his and the world’s longing, one model ran her fingers across the top of the piano, emphasizing her fleeting presence and unattainability. His eyes cast down upon feet and ivory, perhaps blurry with wet emotion, he could not have been expected to notice. I don’t know that any song or scene could have been more perfect. Winners and losers, their bridges and broken bonds, were thoroughly and lastingly represented by those with wings and without.

http://jezebel.com/this-commercial-totally-nails-the-double-standard-for-m-1478197103

This is an interesting commercial that was shared by one of my friends on Facebook (and in real life;). I am just moderately skeptical when companies selling products veer so blatantly into the social realm, because their agendas are so unclear. Are they truly using their platform for good, or are they pandering to the desires and frustrations of their target markets in the hopes of building the brand and expanding its base? Dove yielded huge dividends in the goodwill department by employing so called “average” women in their commercials, which barely, if ever, discussed the benefits of their products.

Selling products by focusing on the merits of the product in absolute terms, and in contrast to the competition, is often a thing of the past. Nevertheless, I believe this approach to be a slippery slope that threatens to turn consumers into pawns. Pawns that fiercely defend the agendas of their kings and queens whom they never actually see, who reside so far away from the fight and benefit so richly.

I think that those who are too eager to jump on the social agenda bandwagons turn the wrong questions into war cries. To do so is to move from one powerless and abused state to another. The answer to this riddle and the intent is in the hearts and minds of those who produce these pieces. Which of us can truly know their goal, but the question is worth asking. In the meantime, I suppose that all we can do is hope for the best and engage in the dialogue that it inspires one way or another. Perhaps this is our reward. Either way, as you ruminate, please massage your social consciousness with Pantene.

NB: I think that Jezebel.com is too often the “girl” who cries wolf.

I just read an article about the Knicks who are currently 3-13. Of all people, it’s Metta World Peace waxing philosophical and extending a great life lesson through the lens of the sub .300 New York Knicks. In addressing continuing (and seemingly ludicrous) aspirations for a championship, he said:

“It’s like when you’re home and your son is doing bad in math class, and your goal for him does not change, right?” he said. “You still want him to be a really good kid, right? And good at math. ‘Go do it, son!’ That’s how we are here: ‘Do it, Knicks! Do it!’ ”

In the face of adversity, are your goals changing?