The Tsaritsa Sez

What's in a name? On being Alexandra

2012-02-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

I like my name: Alexandra. I think it sounds regal and elegant-- two things which I am not, but hey a girl can have aspirations, right?

My mom told me that she named me after a character in a book she was reading. She doesn't remember which book, but I guess she liked the sound of the name and the meaning behind it.

From Wikipedia, which is always reliable: "Etymologically, the name is a compound of the Greek verb ἀλέξειν (alexein) 'to defend' and the noun ἀνδρός (andros), genitive of ἀνήρ (anēr) 'man.' Thus it may be roughly translated as 'protector of man.' The name was one of the titles given to the Greek goddess Hera and as such is usually taken to mean 'one who comes to save warriors'."

That's pretty badass, right? Yeah, I know it's a few syllables to spit out every time you want to address me, but it's only four. "Big Mac with fries" is as many syllables, and most people have no problem with that.

Some people call me "Alexandria," which is an entirely different name, and more suited to a physical location. I am not a city, I am not Alexandria. When you call me that you're only making it harder on yourself by adding that extra syllable. Just stop it.

Growing up my nickname was "Allie." In high-school, to sound more grown-up, I would introduce myself as "Alexandra," but would drop the airs with friends because they already knew that I wasn't an adult (though I was the one who everyone turned to when an important call needed to be made because I could sound the most professional over the phone).

I like Allie as a nickname because it's cute (it was also the name of Holden Caulfield's little brother), and definitely prefer it over Alex (which is a boy's name) and Al (who drives a taxi cab and smokes a cigar, as my dad would say).

In college, when I was using Alexandra exclusively (but still being called by my nickname by friends), a friend told me that Allie sounds like a girl who passes out at frat parties. I thought that was gross, and untrue (the only frat party I ever went to I was there for ten minutes, long enough to walk through the house and decide I had better things to do), and made me want to stay away from my nickname even more if it had that type of negative connotation.

Defender of men? How about Destroyer of men? hehe My favorite booth at MacWorld was the second floor display of original South Park cells and South Park fan art, like this sweet painting of Cartman.

The reason I wanted to write this post is because almost every time I introduce myself to someone here at this new job I get asked about my name.

"Oh, Alexandra... Are you Russian?"

"Alexandra, huh? Are you Greek?"

"Alexandra, interesting. You know in Spanish it's 'Alejandra.'"

"Alexander? Were you named after Alexander the Great?"

I'm not complaining, it's just funny to me. I guess chatting about the origin or meaning of your name is safe grounds for small talk. I am often asked where my name comes from, as the questions above will show you, and I sometimes tell the real story, and other times I say that I like to think I was named after the last Empress of Russia, even though I know this isn't true. It's a fantasy, and the inspiration behind this blog title. Let me continue dreaming about being elegant and refined and draped in velvet, like George Costanza.

What does your name mean? What does it mean to you?

VIP: Infected Mushroom at The (legendary) Fillmore

2012-02-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ben is friends with Erez of Infected Mushroom. Last time we saw him in Los Angeles he invited us to come see him perform the next time he was in San Francisco. The day before Christmas Eve happened to be that time and we were given four VIP passes for the Infected Mushroom concert.

I have to say that I'm not crazy about trance music-- it's Ben's thing. I have my hip-hop, he has his electronica. I can appreciate it for what it is, I just have a hard time dancing to it, and I love dancing.

Well, the latest Infected Mushroom album kind of puts a different spin on trance music. It still has that electronic feel, but it also has the dancey/fun qualities of a rock and roll album. I really like it, and I can definitely dance to it.

We had a blast at the show and took advantage of the VIP treatment we received by raiding the cooler in the Infected Mushroom dressing room (Infected Dressing Room?) and being able to sprawl out and relax and stare down at the groundlings from our balcony view. Check out the video Ben's friend Niko made, and the photos I took over a month ago at the show.

Modern Day Hustla & more #TsaritsaEP

2012-02-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am proud to offer to you a new song that I wrote, over the Rick Ross "Hustlin" beat, called "Modern Day Hustla." This little ditty embodies what I, and many others, have been going through during these tough economic times.

Click here to read about my goals for being an MC, and to hear my song "Baloney"

As I've written about on this blog, I was unemployed for eighteen months after being laid off from my job as a personal assistant, and in the interim spent my time applying for writing jobs and internships and basically anything else that I was qualified for.

I took some odd jobs, including working the busy phone lines at a nursery and spending my days at home building an online community for Monster's BeKnown.

It was tough, and for a while I was living strictly hand to mouth. I've always been frugal and this experience really put that skill to the test. Creativity proved to be a saving grace for me during this time, working on projects I created for myself (publishing zines, making music, writing and reading as much as I could) kept me motivated while I was looking for work.

I probably should have released "Modern Day Hustla" before I released "Baloney." The latter is more of a B-side, according to my friend Middle Class Musician, and I totally agree. "Baloney" is very goofy, while "Modern Day Hustla" has a more serious message. "Modern Day Hustla" is a motivator for me (and hopefully for others) but it is also playful, with lyrics like:

"I'm a go-getter, and you should know better / Fall back like a granny, knit a sweater"

Let me know what you think of the tune!

If you like, send out a tweet about it and use the hashtag #TsaritsaEP. Also, I got a few inquiries about appearing in the video for "Baloney." I'll post some more information about recording your own video to be used in my project. Yay! I'm psyched! Hopefully, I'll be able to release the EP in its entirety this month :)

How the Occupy Wall Street Movement is Impacting Students

2012-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

A little while ago I received an email from a lady named Alicia wanting to know if she could write a guest post for my blog.

She is a writer as well, and she told me that when she read my posts about the Occupy Movement she felt inspired to write an article of her own, with a focus on students. Please enjoy!

The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement has made a significant impact on students across the country.

In particular, issues of student debt, lack of job opportunities, and general income disparity have resonated strongly within the student community. As a result there have been a host of cases of student activism across the nation.

Since the beginning of the Occupy movement, student loans have been a centerpiece in the campaign’s arguments and one of its main focal points.

The increasing cost of college, combined with the lack of jobs available to college graduates, have led to a growing number of students defaulting on their loans.

Similarly, many students find the new student loan policies to be problematic. They cite large slashes in federal student and large grant cuts, and the handing over of student aid programs to private lenders (who might privatize the industry for profit) as major sources of contention.

In order to protest these loans, the students involved in OWS have banned them altogether. Additionally, they have begun an Occupy Student Debt campaign. According to Inside Higher Ed, the campaign urges students to default on their student loan payments as soon as one million students have pledged to do the same.

Some universities have gone as far as to integrate protesting into the college curriculum. As Online Teaching Degree points out, the role of teachers is to “inspire us; [and] fill our minds with logic and knowledge.” and by allowing students to partake in the protest while simultaneously earning class credit, Columbia University is doing exactly that. In order to receive credit for the course, students must attend both seminars and do field work in the Occupy Wall Street protests. Interestingly, Columbia isn't then only school incorporating OWS into its classrooms, as New York University and The New School are now also offering similar courses.

However, student involvement in OWS has not always mild. In UC Berkeley, a group of students were beat with batons as they attempted to set up tents in the local Sproul Plaza. Six students and an assistant professor were arrested in the ordeal. Similarly, another student protest in UC Davis turned violent after police pepper sprayed a line of handcuffed student protestors.

Such hardships have only thrust the issues of the growing disparity of income distributions, high default rates on student loans and a narrow set of available jobs into the spotlight. This type of national attention, along with education and reform, are precisely the goal of students involved with the movement.

Tuition raises, along with other hitches in the price of college education, have caused many students to join the Occupy movement in order to express their dissatisfaction with the current system. Tuition hikes upwards of 16 percent have been rumored across the country, effectively creating dissatisfied students everywhere.

In addition, many college students are beginning to question whether or not the government should completely subsidize education. Many Occupy protesters believe education should be a right, and as a result this belief has permeated unto many students not involved with the protests.

However not all students support OWS. For instance, when one NYU senior was asked to join the local Occupy movement, the student emailed the president of the university, describing the Wall Street movement as being filled with “criminals, drug addicts, [and] mentally ill people.” While this is a fairly isolated opinion, many students don’t approve of the ambiguous and unclear goals of the Occupy movement.

Despite some indifference to OWS, many students cling dearly onto the principals and ideals the movement pushes over education. The need for a cheaper, federally funded higher education system resonates strongly with many students, particularly those stuck with years of paying back staggering students loans and those struggling to become employed.

The OWS movement has undoubtedly made a large impact upon the country’s student body. A number of Occupy’s stances deal with major issues in education pertinent to students involved with higher-level education.

Many students have joined the movement, and many students have adamantly rejected it. Yet regardless of students’ stances, the movement has drawn national and international attention to the overwhelming student debt, income disparity and narrow job options for college graduates.

Haters are like crickets, crabs. Philosophizing Mob Wives/Wu-Tang Clan

2012-02-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

Drita's not my favorite character on Mob Wives. Renee is my fave, she's kooky and acts like a badass, even though she's completely neurotic. Drita, on the other hand, is mean spirited and controlling, but she did drop some truth on a recent episode which I would like to share with you.

She compared haters to crickets:

I agree. People who are overly critical of others who are trying to do something with their lives tend to only really voice their true feelings when you're not within earshot. But the moment you walk by it's all hunky-dory.

Wu-Tang Clan calls this type of person a "crab." You ever hear the expression about crabs in a barrel? If one crab tries to escape his fate of being cooked alive for dinner, the moment he starts climbing up the side of the barrel to freedom the other crabs will start pulling him down. "If I can't succeed, neither can you," is the mentality of a crab.

What do you think?

Get To Know Your Fellow Blogger vlog swap (the first, like, ever!)

2012-02-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

survey question (Photo credit: roboppy)

Remember those old Livejournal surveys we used to fill out when we were bored and pubescent?

Or perhaps you're like me and remember the old email surveys my friends and I would fill out and forward back in high-school, or the MySpace surveys that were plastered all over my feed (is that what that little box was called? it's been so long, I can't recall) my early college years.

Today, may I present to you a throwback vlog swap brought to us by Jas of Smile Big and Pretty. She rounded all of us up together to videotape ourselves answering some silly questionnaire questions.

Silly questionnaires-- what is the point of filling them out? Because they're silly, of course.

I guess maybe part of us thinks that we learn something about ourselves every time we ponder the notion of the proper way to eat spaghetti, or maybe we really do learn something deep about one another by going through a laundry list of nonsense?

Maybe we just like to hear the sound of our own voices-- we're Gen-Y after all, baby, and we tend to act like we're the generation who invented self-promotion. Well, we perfected it anyway.

Enough of my ruminations, here's Jas! Don't forget to check out my half of the swap on Smile Big and Pretty!

My sweet new office (and title of Office Manager)

2012-02-01T02:00:00.000-08:00

Quick photodump of views of my new office. I finally broke my unemployment streak a few weeks ago when I began working as the Office Manager for the San Francisco Elks Lodge, the oldest continuous Lodge in Elkdom.

The Elks are a social club for people who want to "invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, by undertaking projects that address unmet need, and by honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans."

It's a great organization and I'm very happy to be working for them. My duties include managing membership, helping to organize events, keeping track of the funds that we receive, and addressing any issues that the members have. The Lodge itself is historic (it was the third Lodge in the country to be established, just after New York City and Philadelphia) and beautiful with intricately carved wood paneling and heavily adorned ceilings. The Lodge is located in a hotel, which was formerly the Elks Hotel, and I've heard from numerous sources that it's haunted. I'm so excited to be working here!

Baloney, multiple personalities, and be in my video!

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Occupy This is the tentative title of the hip-hop EP I've spent the past few months working on (if you prefer any of the other titles I was considering, you can still voice your opinion here).

On Sunday, I uploaded a funny track called "Baloney" (what is it with me and baloney? I don't even eat it anymore). It's a rap over the Dead Prez "Hip Hop" beat and addresses the issue of rising up and going after goals even when others are trying to pull you down.

I hope you like it-- and if you like it enough to share, please include the hashtag #TsaritsaEP.

For everyone who shares the song and uses the hashtag, I'll send you a special sticker in the mail :)

I'm planning on making a music video for this song, and I need your help! All you need to do is download "Baloney," make a video of yourself making and or eating a sandwich (preferably baloney, but it can be any kind of sandwich) while playing the song (you can dance or not dance, just have fun with it), and then email it to me so I can include it in the final cut. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Before I release the album in full, I want to tell you more about my goals and the idea behind it. This was a suggestion by my friend, Middle Class Musician, who has insider knowledge of the music industry. So here goes:

What does music mean to me?

I am a writer. I love poetry, but I also love music. I see it as a vehicle for my thoughts, my rhymes, my words.

I've always felt passionately about music. I started writing my own songs at age nine and was involved in choirs and garage bands since grade school. Music is a love of mine and I hope that love comes through in this album.

What is this album about?

This EP is a compilation of songs I've written recently that reflect the current political and economical climate, a series of rallying cries encouraging people like me who are following our dreams despite any lurking obstacles. Some of my rhymes are funny, but the deeper meaning behind the lyrics are meant to be taken seriously. I hope that you enjoy them and find them to be inspirational.

Who is Malthus?

Malthus is a controlling personality. She's dominating and powerful. Her facade may seem evil, but she is actually a double agent working for the people.

Who is Tsaritsa?

Tsaritsa is the Everywoman. She faces adversity, but she is determined and fearless.

What inspires me?

I'm inspired by legends like the Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Blackstar, OutKast, Dr. Dre, TLC, The Beatles, and countless others. I like music that is fun to listen to but also has something to say. The message doesn't always have to be positive, but there should be substance.

I created this album because I feel like there are not enough lady MCs making records right now who have something to say, that is something more to rap about than what's in their pants. There are plenty of lady MCs who do have something to say, but they don't get the attention they deserve. I want to try to change that.

Hair done, nails done, errything did

2012-01-27T14:09:00.000-08:00

Jillian of Joules Jewels Vintage and I had a girls night last, which was very much appreciated on my part. Our evening included a fine red wine, some delicious cupcakes from Cako (they're a San Francisco bakery that was featured on Food Network's Cupcake Wars, and their treats are amazing), hip-hops, and nail polish! Check out my sweet nails, inspired by leopard rosettes.

Jillian's boyfriend, Elvis, asked me why I looked different, if I had done something to my hair. I told him that I brushed it that morning. A little brushing really goes a long way.

Collecting: Three pairs of shoes, three stories, three futures

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Three pairs of shoes sit patiently under a dust-coated coffee table. The shoes are all similar because they are no longer worn, being so worn out, sharing familiar holes in soles, scuffs, and run-down heels and toes. Yet they're all different.

I’ve tried wearing my favorite of the three, the pair sitting in the middle, deep forest green flats that I copped from some discount store in Brighton. They got me through last spring, summer, fall, and most of winter, before it became too cold to wear shoes with no socks. I hate just seeing them sit there. They await their sentence.

For a month I spoke of getting them fixed, but that was a while back. My new plan for them is to make something with them, some type of art or whatever. I want them nailed to my wall, but first something should be done to the inside of the shoe: photographs, decorations. I have a few ideas.

I will probably paint inside one of the shoes and paint on the sole of the other, probably the one with the hole that goes straight through. I want to paint in dark blue ink. And make it look messy, but clever. I think I can achieve that.

To the left of the green shoes are my old red vinyl shoes, my favorite dancing shoes, man-made in China. I want to draw two pictures of pinup girls and put them inside the shoe to hang up. It's appropriate. The shoes are not heels, but they are heel enough for me, with slip-slide bottoms that have become so worn on my outer edges of my heels (due to my supinating) that they make me walk crooked. I haven't worn them in six months because of that and the nagging of my mother, who fears I'll ruin my posture in wearing ill-conditioned shoes.

The third pair is quite unique: leather made, embroidered, and very colorful. I‘d receive so many compliments whenever I wore them: "Where did you get those shoes?!" "Oh my god they're so cute!" blah blah blah. I don't wear shoes, or clothing, or anything for that matter, to receive compliments. It's nice or whatever, but also kind of annoying. I must just have really good taste.

My plan for the last pair will include hot candle wax, white paint, and clear lacquer. I want them to look like I stepped in a puddle of indeterminate white goo on my way to school, and I just let it dry, not bothering to clean or even wipe it off. Apathy is so attractive.

I don’t know why I keep these shoes that I can no longer wear, other than my pipe dream of "making art" with them.

I don’t know why I keep most things, except it makes me happy for the moment that they are collected. It’s also fun to look back over the piles of kept garbage that have accumulated over the years and try to remember what I was thinking at that time. I guess I’m a pack rat, but not in the traditional sense. I don’t horde everything; in fact I’m quite fond of throwing out a lot of bullshit.

And I do, regularly. I have friends who are true pack rats, who keep their clothes from high-school that do not fit and aren’t worth saving, who keep stacks of old, water-stained magazines left to the devices of dust mites, with collections under their beds looking like a combination of what you'd find at a rummage sale, North Broad street, and the basement of the Mütter Museum. I like clutter, but not a lot of it. Not like that.

When I collect things (pieces of paper I find on the street, small toys, bits of cloth, lost things) I keep them laying around for a little while before I catalogue them in some way. Some found things get taped to my walls, others get documented into a notebook, others lay in folders, shoe boxes, coffee cans (like the old love notes I used to save, later burned).

I welcome the disorder, so long as I can contain it and personalize it. It’s just something to do, something like a hobby, making art.

Note: I wrote this in college. The shoes mentioned in the above story have all been thrown away, or are perhaps somewhere in the depths of the closet in my old bedroom in Philadelphia. I still want to do this shoe project, perhaps with some old shoes currently in my collection.

Tumblr, Pinterest, what's the difference? & micro-blogging burnout

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Image via CrunchBase

Tumblr is a cool microblogging platform that allows its users to instantly share their own original content (video, photography, quotations, text, links, audio), or reblog or "like" the content that other people share.

When I first joined Tumblr I thought that the user base seemed pretty young overall-- I noticed a lot of teenagers posting and immediately felt like a creepy old geezer. But after learning how to use the site and searching through scores of Tumblogs, I found a community of wonderful friends, artists, writers, and photographers to follow.

Tumblr has been great for me, personally, because it has brought new artists to my attention, kept me in tune with causes that are important to me (like the 99 Percent) it has enabled me to share my photography and favorite street art with others, and it has helped to keep me inspired whenever I feel like I need a visual (or audible) pick-me-up. There is also a chat function on Tumblr, but I have never had the chance to use it. Maybe I should? Do you use chat on Tumblr?

Pinterest is another fun microblogging platform, but it has its own unique twist. Users create virtual pinboards with various themes like "Things that inspire me" or "Recipes to try out" and add images to their boards by uploading or typing in the url of the site where the image was found so that the original content creator gets credit. Users can also repin and "like" the content that other Pinners share.

The point of the boards on Pinterest is so that you can organize your content so that you can easily find it. Some people even use their pinboards to plan their wedding or get ideas when the time comes to redecorate their apartment. It's like scrapbooking, except everything is online and accessible to anyone. I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but I should start a board to help me plan my first hip-hop music video. Sweet!

The result is a colorful collection of items curated by people all over the web. It seems to me that women are the targeted and actual demographic currently, but I'm sure more dudes will check it out as its popularity increases.

The reason I'm writing this post is because I've been contemplating my use (overuse?) of the multiple blogging platforms I've joined and wondering if there was any redundancy. I belong to a lot of social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, et cetera) and blogging platforms (Blogger, Tumblr, Pinterest), and I sometimes have the feeling that there is too much on my cyber plate.

Pinterest isn't too different from Tumblr-- both are highly visual, and both allow the user to post and reblog content instantly. The draw of Pinterest is the ability to organize your content on neat and pretty boards, while the draw of Tumblr is the community of artists, photographers, musicians and others who use the site to share their work.

I like both sites, but I don't want to get burnt out. Maybe I'm not using the sites correctly? I have no idea. Do you use Tumblr and/or Pinterest? Do you ever worry about micro-blogging burnout?

Art and activism, and "Look, ma! My face is on a poster!"

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yup, that's my face on a poster. How did it get there? I turned up on the first page of an image search for "shaking fist" and received an email from Nathan, who was looking to create a poster to spread awareness of an upcoming event at Lesley University.

Alexandra,

Any chance we could have permission to use your image of you 'shaking your fist' on a poster promoting an Artist & Activist conference at Lesley University? It would probably be altered to be high contrast or posterized with a Photoshop filter. Your image turned up on a google image search of "shaking fist."

The copy would read something like...
"Would you lift a finger to make the world a better place?"
"No, not that finger."
and then go on to ask people to click on "send" to forward information about the conference.

We want more people to attend this small event in two weeks and so I am proposing to raise the provocation level. It appears that activism itself needs to be activated, even at the epicenter of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Thank you for your consideration of this.

Nathan

Of course you can use the image, I replied, so long as my blog was cited as the source of the photo.

It's a pretty nice feeling to get random requests like this. To me, it says that I'm doing something right with my methods of blogging. Just last week I made some quick money by inserting a link to an online college into an article I wrote four months ago on the topic of students, entrepreneurs, and freelancers benefiting from using social media.

I guess this is how some bloggers make their living, which is pretty sweet. I hope to continue getting offers for linking and requests to use my photos. Who knows, maybe I can start making bank from blogging? That is every blogger's wet dream, right? To get paid for what we love to do?

I'm not a fan of writing endorsements, unless I'm endorsing something that I truly believe in. Sales isn't exactly my passion, but if I have faith in something, or I absolutely can't get enough of something, then I will stand behind it and write an endorsement. Link dropping is a little different because while I am somewhat endorsing the service or product that is being linked-to, it isn't the focus of the post. And as in the case above, the link is dropped ex post facto.

That being said, I haven't been paid to say anything about this event, but I think that it sounds pretty interesting. If you're a fan of the arts, are socially active, and want to learn how we can use the arts to make our communities better for everyone, and if you live anywhere near Cambridge, Massachusetts you should check out the conference. Read the blurb below (sent to me by Nathan), and go to the Lesley University to find out more.

This is the second annual conference focused on how the arts are used as social action and as acts of courage and vision. This year’s conference will look at the concept of public, private and community space and how the arts can be used to transform public, private and community space into thought provoking catalysts to address a wide range of social, political, and psychological issues.

This conference will feature local, national and international artists, activists, educators, and mental health care professionals presenting the important work they are doing to bring about change and awareness. Speakers will address issues such as violence, healthcare disparities, and other social inequities, to promote civic engagement, advance the health of whole persons and whole communities, address the healing of trauma, and utilize the arts to educate, to examine our world, and to envision future possibilities.

Photo-a-day challenge, week two [blue skies and douchey guys]

2012-01-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

Yay! Week two!!

Check out Week 1 of my January Photo-a-Day challenge here. If you're playing along, be sure to let me know so I can ogle your photos, too :)

Day 8: Your Sky

You don't see this color of blue just anywhere. San Francisco has the most gorgeous sunshine and the most brilliant skies, even in the wintertime (except right now because it's raining and gloomy, though we still get more sunshine than I ever did back in Philly).

Day 9: Daily Routine

I love my spiffy new office, and the spiffy view of Post street in downtown San Francisco that I have. When I need a moment of solace, I take a quick gaze outside then carry on with my work.

Day 10: Childhood

I used to sleep with Baby Donald every night. I remember once leaving him at my Aunt Brenda's house and being so upset that I couldn't sleep. My Uncle Bob ended up driving over to drop the stuffed animal off. I don't sleep with Donald any more, but I did take him back to San Fran with me the last time I visited my folks in Philly. For 26 years old, he still looks pretty good.

Day 11: Where You Sleep

Snuggle under the covers with my little Sook who likes to spoon.

Day 12: Close-up

This was going to be my "daily routine" photo, but it's also a close-up. I hate taking the bus, especially when I'm cram-jammed with a bunch of clueless people who don't understand the concept of personal space. This photo was taken just before getting pushed by a dude, who pushed me so hard that he knocked my coffee cup over, which incidentally spilled all over my jacket and pants. Nice one, bro.

Day 13: In Your Bag

Lots of lip gloss. There was more in my bag, but I didn't want to seem excessive. What?

Day 14: Something You're Reading

Yes, I do read my own zines! Actually, I have been meaning to start reading The Paris Wife, a novel by Paula McLain about Hadley Hemingway, wife of Ernest Hemingway, and her relationship with the author while living in Paris. I've already read this tale through Ernest's eyes, but it will be interesting to hear the other side. I've just been lazy since starting this job-- all I want to do after walking home from work is to crash and watch The Big Bang Theory.

Get ready for Azealia Banks...

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Image by pamhule via Flickr

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this video. I think Bossip posted something on Twitter about Kreayshawn dissing this new up-and-coming rapper named Azealia Banks by retweeting the link to her video "212," but with a link to a porn site instead. Pretty nasty.

Anyway, the drama flare-up inspired me to check out Azealia's video, and boy am I glad that I did! This song is so dope-- the beat is danceable, with that reggaeton vibe, and Azealia can really rap. And sing. And she's only 19 years old.

Damn.

Makes me really want to make this hip-hop EP that I've been working on as perfect as I can get it, and get it out there. Not that I'm anywhere on this lady's level, but it makes me want to do better. I'm so motivated-- maybe it's because I can't get this song out of my head.

Don't just take my word for it, listen to the song yourself (unless you're offended by curse words, because then you shouldn't watch this video at all. Unless you can block out the curse words and concentrate on the hot beat).

Hello 2012, I'm doing it "My Way"

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

This month our theme for Karaoke Ring of Death (by the way, that's the link to our new blog to serve as KROD's central hub be sure to check it out for the master list and important updates) is the new year, or as I think of it: "Hello 2012, Goodbye 2011."

I decided to perform a song that I wrote called "Fall Back / Stand Up" which brushes off negativity and calls for unity among the disenfranchised. You can check it out on Katie's blog, Struggling Single Twenty Something.

But before you do that, please check out Edwin's performance of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. I love this song, the meaning behind it and what it means to Edwin, and I love that Edwin went with an official karaoke track to sing over.

I usually rely on singing over the singer (to hide my creeky voice), but Edwin doesn't need that because he is awesome.

Edwin is a relative newcomer to KROD, and a total newcomer to this blog, so let's show him some love! Sing it, Edwin!

Help me name my first hip-hop EP!

2012-01-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I posted a question on my Facebook wall asking friends to help me name my very first hip-hop EP.

Twenty-seven friends voted for "Occupy This," four voted for "East to West," "Philly Weirdo" and "C Note Parking" both got two votes, while "Tsaritsa is Here" and "Spirit of the Times" got one vote each.

I'm thinking I'll go with the crowd and choose "Occupy This," but I also want to give my dear readers a chance to voice their opinion. Which title do you think is the most eye-catching?

You can go to Facebook and add your vote there, or leave a comment here if you're not on The Book. Feel free to leave your own suggestion, as my Facebook friends have done (see below).

"Naughton By Nature" is so funny, I love it. I may use it as a song title.

I'm so serious about the hype-woman thing. I am currently planning a video shoot for my "Crew Anthem (Gucci Gucci)" song with my friend, DJ Lil Elle. I want to get a bunch of my friends in the video, so if you would like to be a hype extra, let me know and I'll keep you posted. I'm aiming for sometime in February.

Martin Willitts Jr., who wrote some poems for the latest issue of the zine, Be About It: Triumph left me a super awesome comment. I have respect for him as a writer, but to know that he was also a freestyle rhymer really impressed me.

"Tsar Bomba" is another brilliant name. I'll file that one away for later.

What do you think? If you have a good idea for an EP title, please tell me in the comments below. And don't be shy if you wanna get HYPE!

Death is a part of life, but it's a shitty part of life

2012-01-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Ben is gone again. He was away last week for the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and now he is gone again.

He got a call while from his family he was away telling him that he should get back to Israel as soon as possible to see Safta, his grandmother, who wasn't doing too well. He booked his flight on Saturday, when he got back to San Francisco.

I was upset about Safta because I love her like my own grandmother.

When Ben and I visited Israel back in 2009 we spent a lot of time with Safta, and we grew a friendship. She was living in an old folks home, but she was still as smart as a whip. She was fluent in four languages and very well read. She didn't even mind my tattoos.

I had a dream about her on Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about her and thinking that I want to go back to Israel and see her again.

On Sunday morning Ben and I were on our way to brunch when he got a phone call from his mother telling him that his grandmother had passed. He made immediate arrangements to leave, and changed his flight to Monday morning.

I'm upset that his mother didn't get there in time to say goodbye, I'm upset that Ben didn't get there in time to say goodbye, and I'm upset that I didn't get to, either.

I think I'll call my Granny today and tell her how much I love her.

Photo-a-day challenge, week one [home is where the heart is]

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this photography challenge from Fat Mum Slim, where you take a photo every day based on the day's topic. How fun, I thought, and got my camera from my desk drawer.

I always have my camera with me when I'm out, just in case I catch a singing and dancing flash mob, or I see some amazing street art painted on an abandoned building. But I also like having assignments. I'll be posting these photos in weekly sets, so please stay tuned! Also, feel free to join in the challenge-- it doesn't matter when you start :)

Day 1: You

My new favorite tee shirt.

Day 2: Breakfast

I like fruit in the morning.

Day 3: Something You Adore

How can you not adore such a stunning kitty?

Day 4: Letterbox

Cool mail boxes.

Day 5: Something You Wore

I love these little slippers. I wear them when I'm at home.

Day 6: Makes You Smile

Seeing inspiring street art makes me smile.

Day 7: Favorite

Yes, Ben is my favorite.

Wanna play?
Use the list below as a guide, and as inspiration, and take a photo each day. You can take it with your point-and-shoot camera, your big, fancy-pants DSLR, your iPhone {or equivalent} or whatever photo-taking-device you own.

You can upload you photos to Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, Path, Facebook, your blog or just keep them on your desktop {and not share at all}. Whatever you want to do is totally fine. You can take the list above literally and stick to it, or take inspiration and go crazy.

If you're sharing them on Twitter or Instagram - you can tag them with the hashtag #JANphotoaday so that everyone can follow along with you.

How to relieve anxiety & stress, or TMJ disorder & the joys of being an out-of-work Gen-Yer

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Like many aspiring, up-and-coming young people, I have a lot of anxiety. It's actually something I've dealt with pretty much all my life-- I remember going to the nurse's office in grade school for "stomach aches" whenever I was worried about a test or if I was being picked on. In the past I have been able to take that nervous energy and transform it into constructive activity (like writing a story or composing a song), but recently the level of anxiety in my life has reached a tipping point.

I've had a lot on my plate this past year (unemployment, jumping from temp job to temp job, job rejection, unemployment benefit checks stopping, wondering how the hell I'm going to pay rent and buy groceries, contemplating signing up for food stamps, et cetera ad nauseam), and I'm still figuring out this being grown-up thing. Despite my best efforts in channeling that anxiety into something creative (with music, writing, drawing), I still have this horrible weight clinging onto my back for dear life.

Did I tell you that I went to a doctor recently? My neck was incredibly sore for months and I had no clear explanation why it was aching. It found out that I have a TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorder, an "acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull."

I already knew that I grind my teeth at night while I sleep (I've been doing it since I was 10 years old), which is why I sleep with a mouth guard, but the Ear Nose Throat specialist told me that sitting in front of the computer isn't helping, nor is the clenching and grinding that I'm doing while I'm awake. And he's right-- I've caught myself clenching my jaw at all times of the day. It's a problem.

To treat the symptoms I'm staying away from super chewy foods (like bagels and raw vegetables) and using an ice pack on my neck at night. It's helping, but I need to get to the root of the problem: the anxiety and buried anger. It's crazy that my worries and frustrations are actually causing me physical pain, but it's real. Real scary.

Ben suggesting picking up kickboxing again, as a way to release all of that pent-up energy. I think I will sign up for a class. I also might benefit from a therapist who can help me manage my anger and anxieties, but I don't have the money to start seeing someone like that regularly.

Besides, I've been to therapy before (for anxiety when I was in high-school) and I feel like they never tell me anything I don't already know. I don't want to sit in a room so I tell my problems to a stranger, I want solutions. Answers. Tips. If I want to hear my own voice for an hour I can sit down for a one-on-one with Sookie. She may not give good advice, but she does make me feel instantly better when she nuzzles into my face.

So, with kickboxing a "maybe" and therapy out of the question, I took to the internet to find some simple solutions to controlling my emotional wreck of a self. Here is a list I compiled of stress relievers:

Relaxing (breathe deeply and think of something pleasant)
Cognitive restructuring (logic defeats anger: replace irrational thoughts with rational thoughts)
Problem solving (don't stress on trying to find a solution, instead make a plan and focus on a way to deal with the problem itself)
Better communication (do I even need to explain this one? be clear, listen, and don't jump to conclusions)
Using humor (think of something funny when you feel stress start to flare, but don't laugh off the problem-- use it to make sure you're not taking yourself too seriously)
Changing your environment (give yourself some space, a quiet moment to reflect and cool out)

Okay, so that's a good start. I've written down these little pointers on a sheet of paper that I keep with me, just in case I need to remember how to chill out. I also wanted to get some perspective from my friends, real people, so sometime back in December, I also asked you all at home to chime in with your own methods of controlling anger and anxiety. Here is the list:

"I'm trying this new thing where I tell myself it really doesn't matter. I try to think about the big picture, I'm only here for 80 or so years, I want to enjoy them and not worry about things that don't truly matter. That doucher who was mean to me at work today, I won't and don't want to remember him later in life, so I try to move on from things quickly." - Jordan of Trailer Gypsy

"When I'm not sick or recovering from a lame arm injury, I like to play drums. Hitting things with stick is a great stress reliever." - MRanthrope of Jim's Fear

"When I am stressed, I find this has helped: Grabbing Jen and the kitties, getting under a warm blankie and cuddling with a comfort show on TV. Or laying in bed with Jen, dishing everything. Xanax - or if you'd prefer a natural route: St. John's Wort. Also a natural route, Celestial's Tension Tamer Tea. Taking my notebook, writing down EVERYTHING I want to accomplish and figuring out how I can turn whatever is stressing me out around and for the better. This can be goals, daily accomplishments, even just facts. Distracting myself with good music, a book or magazine or a walk around the backyard." - Angie of Lariats and Lavender

"When I'm feeling stressed, I like to take a hot shower or bath, drink hot cocoa or tea, and watch sitcoms on Hulu." - Jay of Notes From Undisclosed Location

"Here are some things to do to avoid having stress cause you to blow your cool at work: Never send a hot email. Sure you can go ahead and type it, and vent by all means. But then you might want to put it in your drafts folder. If, by the next day, you still want to say the same things you put in your email, then, by all means, hit the send button after updating your resume. Another thing: in the office, when you get bad news or a raft of undeserved aggro, just smile. Then mentally count to ten. Then speak calmly ("OK" is a fine response)... Last thing you want to do is blurt out 'Oh yeah? So's your old man.' Best workplace stress reliever is to imagine the day that the offender's shallowness and lack of imagination, creativity (or whatever) is eventually discovered and he/she is fired. Relieving stress at home: I like the shower and bath ideas above, and I like the alcohol thing too. A punching bag might help, or shadow boxing, or jumping jacks (while listening to DEVO) or perhaps a more fun physical activity which shall remain unspecified, but, hopefully, with a partner." - my dad of Rumpletweezers World

"I don't have one sure-fire method for dealing with my stress and anxiety, but it usually helps to take a walk, talk to a good friend, or put my favorite song on repeat and dance around in my apartment. It also really helps to immerse myself in a project or activity that requires a lot of focus and concentration. For example, I've been editing a few music videos lately and when I really get in the zone with that, I don't really think about all of the stuff that stresses me out so much." - Lauren of Lauren vs. Reality

"Save it for home. Not in a dump on your spouse/roomie/friends way. J&I like to sit around and vent by Whining 'I'm the booooooooooooooooooooss!' often followed by 'I'm the boss.' (serious nods) [there is an employer that says that a LOT/uses it as an excuse to verbally abuse and debase employees]. Also: 1) Beating the shit out of an inanimate object/heavy bag with feet&fists of fury. Seriously, martial arts/kick box/flailing at something until you are tired and spent is a great way to drain that negative energy. I'm not advocating bare knuckle brawls with people on the street, but a safe outlet (aka exercise to exorcise). 2) Scream yoga, if that's your thing. Alternatively, cranking up some good tunes (be they peppy, ragey etc whatever floats your boat) and cranking up your voice. Don't worry about your pitch or your tone, don't worry if you're off key, the more ridiculous the better. Laugh at yourself, laugh LOUD. Increase the ridiculosity exponentially and embrace the healing powers of laughter. 3) Tea, tea, tea [or comfort drink of choice] and the ear of a good friend. No one wants to be That Person who is constantly complaining about their workplace, but if you really need to get something off your chest there is nothing like the empathy and understanding of a good friend, as long as you don't abuse the privilege." - Martina of Adventures in Building Beauty

"I've been doing something that's a common thing pop psychologists talk about, but I didn't know it at the time I started doing it (I was doing it while it was still indie, dammit!) They call it "fast-forward." I imagine myself being over something until I am. Er... more like, I imagine myself doing something destructive and then not caring a week later. Then I imagine myself not caring as much as week later... but also having NOT done something destructive. And the idea of that is usually better, even when I'm really freaking out. In the moment, it always feels like that moment will last forever, so I say to myself, Maybe this moment won't last forever? Maybe it will be over and I'll continue to live long after it's over? Also fish oil (or the algae source of EPA & DHA which costs 3 times as much) and L-theanine. I'm not into prescription drugs, but I'm definitely into those." - Benjamin Schuman

"I mostly jut... don't deal with it? I'm not sure, actually. I don't really get anything done until I start getting insanely stressed out -- it's my motivator. When it gets cripplingly bad, though, I bake. The measuring and the stirring and all of that is so mindless as to not be difficult while still requiring enough focus to get my mind off of whatever is inhibiting my ability to function. (My most recent blog post regrettably omitted the essential role that cookies played in getting me through my brother's week in Egyptian custody.) I think it's also helpful to have a good support network. You have to know yourself and the people in your life well enough to know which person is the right one to call for your particular state of OH MY GOD I AM JUST SO FUCKING ANXIOUS, but I have several people -- again, depending on the mood -- that I turn to when I need to be talked off the metaphorical ledge." - Sweeney of Sweeney Says

"Beer. A shit ton of beer." - Natalie of Awkward Sex and the City

I thank everyone who took the time to share their advice with me. It was really comforting to read your words, and made me feel less alone. I feel a lot more confident that I can kick this anxiety in the behind.

If you feel like I left anything off the list, please don't be shy-- tell me how you deal with stress and anxiety in the comments section below!

[Note: when I started this post, I was still unemployed and feeling a bit hopeless. I just started a new job and it's temp-to-hire, so I'm hoping that I will soon have full-time employment. I'm not completely financially secure, but I can see the light at the end of the metaphorical tunnel.]

Most Opinionated Blogger Award (validate me!)

2012-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Guess what?! I was nominated for "Most Opinionated Blogger" in the Twenty-Something Blogger Bootleg Awards {VOTE HERE}!

I'm up against some pretty stiff competition, namely Rachel G King of The Southified Masshole, so please send a vote my way. I love Rachel's blog, and she's a great writer, so if I lose to her I know that I'm losing to awesomeness.

I made a little video to announce my nomination (haha, what is this, the GOP race? I should have gotten the dude who directed Herman Cain's "smoking" video to help me!) during my daily constitutional on Friday.

Yes, I did walk around San Francisco holding my point-and-shoot camera in front of me while I talked to myself. You can catch me in the video checking around to make sure people weren't watching me act a fool on the sidewalk.

I ended up buying sunglasses, to replace the two pairs I broke/lost, after shooting this video. I got three pairs for twenty dollars. Not bad!

Witturwittout you... The Philly Stuff You Betta Know

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how I came upon this post on Osakabentures by OsakaSaul, aka Saul Fleishman, but I think I saw a link to it on Twitter from StumbleUpon. I'm really happy that I saw it.

As someone who was born, raised, and spent most my life in Philadelphia, a lot of the items on Saul's list of what makes Philly the way it is rings true: being spoiled by the best junk food and sandwiches (except no Geno's, this Sout Filly girls prefers a Pat's or an Ishkibibble's) in the world, having our own way of speaking, growing up among crack houses, and the lovely crime rate.

I plan on making my own list of the things that define my hometown, but for now please enjoy Saul's post (he was kind enough to let me repost it here), and be sure to check out his site!

The Philly Stuff You Betta Know

Steaks (AKA Cheesesteaks)

When you order your steak, da guy’s gonna say “witturwittout?” This means, “would you like your cheesesteak sandwich with or without fried onions?”
Be prepared to tell the guy which cheese you want in it. Be like us: go with Provolone. “Wit” (Like I tole ya’, dat’s duh onions, umkay?
Hoagies and steaks (AKA steak sandwiches) are supposed to start with an Amoroso long roll. Its a local bakery, and they’re just right. Subway will never understand. You will when you get a real steak at Pat’s – or just about anywhere else.
Jim’s Steaks on South Street are not bad at all. But they *are* for tourists. “Go down attaway, downnastreet,” as we say, “ova tuh Pat’s Steaks.” Or Geno’s, every bit as authentic and divine in quality. Get hot peppers and pickles “onnaside” (on the side).

FRIENDLY WARNING to fellow Philly buddies

Order anything BUT a sandwich when you’re out of Philly. You are spoiled, dig? You think our sandwiches are “normal.” You grew up on great $5.00 large pizzas at neighborhood joints, and $2.00 Italian hoagies and pizza steaks and lemmetellya’, even a tuna hoagie in Philly beats a Subway“submarine sandwich.” Subway produces abominations, and things that should not be: they’re too scientific and have no soul in their preparation – and the roll sucks dead donkey!

Junk Food

Tastycakes are our junk food. If you are under ten years of age and think Tastycakes are pricey, you eat Now ‘N Laters,” “Jolly Ranchers” and trade ‘em when the teacher isn’t looking in class. There even used to be a thing called “Chikostick” – a candybar that was chicken and peanut butter in theme – but actually worked out well. I am quite disgruntled that Chicosticks caught on but my Vagsickles (you know, popsickles for the vagina?) never made it to market. Back to Tastycakes: avoid the “French Green Apple Pie” thing. Other Tastycake pies are okay and heavy as hell, they really fill you up. Your basic and most important, traditional Tastycake-to-know is the Butterscotch Krimpet, however. (The Tastycake site shows that they make several types I have never even heard of; they two we actually live off are Jelly and Butterscotch.
Continuing with local junk food, I need to explain that “pressels” ain’t junk food, but rather a local staple of our street cuisine. They’re like Knishes in New York City. More on our beloved Philadelphia Hot Pretzel, later.

WuddurIce: Summer wouldn’t be right without waterice, our name for Italian Ice (“Ices” it is called in NYC). Guys scrape it out of big cans and pack white paper cones with it. You get the best in South Philly, and the flavors to know are lemon (with real bits of lemon) and bubblegum (without real bits of bubblegum).

Incidentally, an absolute must-know, particularly if you wish to pass under our stranger-danger radar: only in Phladelphia is water pronounced – correctly – “wudder.” For what its worth, to hear a lovely white-trash Philly accent, listen to Kevin Bacon in Sleepers. And then, Sly Stallone can do an Italian South Philly accent, pretty much anytime (though he’s the product of money – from our “Main Line” area. Locals know what I mean, here. The Main Line: Will Smith, Sylvester Stallone, and lots of people who think they’re better than lots of people. Philadelphia old money.)

Downnashore

There ain’t no “going to the seashore.” That’ll get you doubting and glaring looks from us. We go “downnashore” (down the shore) = drive to any of the beach towns that are from 30 minutes to 60 minutes south of Atlantic City (a cesspool) for a cheap beach vacation. Margate, Brigantine, all the way south to Cape May, or, just above that, to Wildwood, where bars are open until about 4/5 a.m., beer and crap food is cheap, music is bad, but “innasummer” (gettin’ it yet?) “dese illegal chicks werkin’ az nannies ‘an shit’ from Ireland are downnere” (you catch “awn” quick!) and they like American guys. Pretty much ANY American guys. (Or, pay for the next pitcher of beer. They’ll like you then.)

Dag!

This we exclaim, to mean, “I can’t believe you would be so unreasonable!”

Stickball

New Yorkers play handball. Look it up; it is nothing like European handball, the Olympic sport. In Philly, weez (“we”) gots stickball for the kids. Yuh juss needuh broomstick widdout duh broom part and like, half or even a whole old tennis ball or pinkie ball. If the park’s too far, you play stick ball in the street. You can play until either dinnuh time or, pretty much, until wannaduh (one of the) kids messes up a parked – on worse yet, a non-parked car.

Pitching Pennies

You want to get as close to the wall to collect all duh udduh guyz pennies. Just play wit guyz from your own damn block so yuh don’t get punched in the head over a “stranger’s” penny. (A stranger lives a block away, and thus, isn’t a local, or “from your neighborhood.”

Pressels

Cheapest way to fill yourself up on the street: a hot pretzel. You can order ‘em without salt, too (we wont be offended, neither!) “Duh pressel guy’s” probably got both yellow and brown mustard, take your pick, there aint no right or wrong on this one. (Just don’t be a dipshit and ask for Grey Poupon, “uh kay?” (okay)

We Got Uhlotta Schools

Don’t say TOO much nice stuff about Temple University, Drexel, Villanova, LaSalle, St. Joseph’s, Textiles & Sciences, or my alma mater, Penn State; most of us did a degree – or a “coupluh yeehz” (couple of years but no degree) at “wannadem” (one of them). They ain’t no big deal to us, as such. We even got an Ivy League one, University of Pennsylvania (AKA “Penn”) which attracts rich brats from out of town. In Philly and even within “jussah” (just a) 30-minute driving radius, we actually have another dozen or so full fledged universities and a good number of two-year schools, like CCP (Community College of Philadelphia).

Just TRY Settling for a Sandwich After You’ve Had a Hoagie

An Italian Hoagie will make a wonderful lunch. “Dey got” lots of meats and also lettuce and raw onions in ‘em. Real men’ll say “extra mayo.” If you are health-conscious, fine, go with the alternative to mayo, oil and vinegar. That’s legit, and one of the two normal choices. If you’re going local, though, say “Gimme Italian Hoagie, light awnna onions ‘n lettuce, throw in some hot peppers ahn heavy awnna mayo. Ahn on her’s, no onions or peppers, ahn she sez oil ‘n vinegar. Which wayzuh (way’s the) can(toilet)?”

Broad and Market

We ain’t got no 14th street. What would be 14th Street is Broad Street, and unlike most of the other numbered streets, it goes two ways. Its busy, though, so take Second Street one way / Fifth Street the other way to go “innanouttah da city.” Be careful when driving drunk and horny “arrown” (around) Broad and Market Streets. You’ll see skank “broads” young and old and very old (and very skanky) who are clearly up for “market.” And bored, head-cracking a-hole Philly cops, a leftover remnant of the (former Police Commissioner) Frank Rizzo era, who seem more interested in you and your driving than the prostitutes.

Connoisseurs of Heroin Know us too

The Kensington/Frankford section of Philly, AKA Badlands, AKA Zombieland: this is where white trash are created, for generations and generations, and raised and rarely escape and tend to get into forties of malt liquor and good ole’ Philly heroin.

Scoring smack under the “El” on “Frankford Av” predates me, going back well over fifty years, maybe a hundred, even, and though you’d think they’d go straight to New York, drug-buying tourists drive up to three hours to get to Frankford Avenue, under the “Frankford ‘El” (our elevated subway line) to score “H.” There seems to be a well-trod pipeline supplying Philadelphia with heroin, and for some reason, though the Badlands are only a couple square miles, Philly’s Finest (police) can’t reign them in.
Don’t call it “heroin,” “China,” or “smack”; The French Connection was made a long time ago. You’ll soon figure out if what they have in stock is “brown” or “white” (What little more I know I know from documentaries).
For crack, you’ll want to venture to North Philly, AKA The Jungle, where I went to high school. If you are low on melanin, a stroll through the Norf Philly could be quite an adventure. Again, harping on the utter worthlessness of the lackadaisical police force of Philadelphia, I recall seeing a photograph of a house that was identified in a Philadelphia Inquirer article as a crack house: I got to see it every day, clearly open for business throughout my four years of high school.

Have We Got Neighbors…

This is what is known about ‘em:

There is pretty much up and down, because across Pennsylvania you just drive through Philly’s ‘burbs, and then, run down formerly-industrial towns, hills and farmland, Amish communities, and mountains with only mediocre skiing/snowboarding. And when you stop at a tavern trolling for an easy local lay who you can ploy with Buffalo Wings and Yuengling Black and Tans (Yuengling: America’s oldest beer and a thing to know if you venture anywhere near the main campus of Penn State, is pronounced ying ling), the locals figure out you are “up from Philly,” and clearly think its, like, the place to be in Pennsylvania. (“Okay.”) Wanna act like you down? Jussay “yo’, kinnai get a cupla Porters downnere (“Pardon me, Barkeep, perhaps you did not see me. I’d like two Yuengling Porter beers, please.” The “downnere” (down here) provides a subtle and not-too-aggressive suggestion that you feel ignored or getting second-rate service.)

This is what we know of up and down:

Down (South of Philadelphia is pretty much South of Pennsylvania):

“Downnashore” is “off to South Jersey.” Other coastal towns even further South (NC, MD, VA, WV, GA, and all the way down to FL) are unthinkably far. If you really gotta go far “down South,” like to buy fireworks from VA, etc., where good ones ain’t illegal, you know duh I-95 goes all the way down, down to the Florida (we say “Flahrduh” / when you’re there, learn to UN-say that; they say “Floorduh”) annits free.

Up

New York: its mostly big and farmy, like PA, but NYC is a place to see, now and then. But everything costs a whole lot more there, so you don’t stay long. Annennere’s (“And then there’s”)… “Norf” Jersey: its got bridges and tunnels to New York City, its got oil refineries, factories, warehouses, highways, pollution, bed-towns for NYC commuters, it smells bad 24/7, and its got Triberr (where blogs get seen).

Act like you know it is rude – and could easily get you punched – to talk trash about Italian Americans or souqnd like Danny DeVito when you are in “Joyzee” (Jersey). A few Italian Americans are/were “Familia” (what we actually call mafia); most are everything but bad guys.

Further North, or, “even more up”: I guess dey got Boston and Rhode Island and other New England places (but we can’t name more than a couple places up dere ’cause its real, real far and for rich people ‘anyways’).

♥ Share this if you’re proud to be from Philly – or if we didn’t rough you up too bad when you were there last ♥

Get a friend for life: adopt a shelter pet

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

The other night I was watching a rerun of The Big Bang Theory (but it was new to me, as I just started watching the series) when this commercial for the Shelter Pet Project came on. I had never seen the ad before, so I wasn't prepared for the heart-sting pulling that was to ensue [damn, I even cried while searching on Youtube for this video].

When I see an ad about animals that touches me (and most of them do), I find wherever Sookie is napping and give her a little hug. This video touched me because despite the fact that the two cats have been in the shelter "for too long," they are still hopeful at the end of the day.

When Ben and I decided the time was right to adopt a kitty, we headed over to the San Francisco SPCA to take a look around. We came home with Sookie that afternoon.

We originally wanted a kitten, but we didn't come during kitten season. I'm so happy we didn't just leave then, but stayed to find an older kitty that we could take home to care for. Sookie's "apartment" was at the end of the row at the shelter and it must have been those big green eyes that told us she would be the one. We played with her in her apartment and instantly fell in love.

Sookie is my best friend. She loves to play, and hang out with me while I'm working. She knows when I'm not feeling well and when I'm upset, and comes over, purring, to comfort me. How can anyone feel bad when they're receiving kitty kisses? Sookie is proof that shelter pets are the most wonderful, loving and lovable animals.

Even though the ads make me weepy (not all, some of the ads are actually a bit humorous), I truly appreciate their efforts in inspiring more people to adopt and help dispel the belief that there's something wrong with an animal because it's in a shelter [I'm suddenly thinking of what one of the cats said in the above ad, "How come nobody ever picks me?," and feel tears welling].

Sookie was in the shelter because the family who owned her previously lived in a one bedroom apartment with two children and a dog and decided that having an adorable kitty was too much for them. We also found out at the shelter that the family kept her in a cage. Ugh. She's much better off with us now; she has all the space she could ever want, and two loving humans to give her all the attention she needs and deserves.

I wish more people would adopt instead of going to a pet store or a breeder. The fact that people are breeding animals when there are so many amazing pets waiting to be adopted really saddens me. At some animal shelters, if the pets aren't rescued after a certain amount of time, they are taken to a gas chamber and euthanized.

What a terrible fate for an innocent creature who wasn't lucky enough to beat the clock. There are plenty of no-kill shelters (like the SF SPCA), but as you saw in the animation, too many pets live out their lives waiting for someone to take them home.

In a strange story that has a happy ending, a shelter cat in Utah went to the gas chamber twice (because she wasn't adopted within the shelter's 30 day period), survived twice, and is now in the home of a loving owner.

If I'm rambling about this, it's only because I feel very passionately about animal adoption. I volunteered recently with the SF SPCA by helping to collect donations, and I feel like I want to do more. I'm attending an open house next week at their location to find out what more I can do to help.

As the Shelter Pet Project says, “A person is the best thing to happen to a shelter pet. Be that person. Adopt.”

Please "like" the Shelter Pet Project on Facebook and help more lovely animals find good homes.

Robot or human? Your choice at the grocery store

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

When you checkout your groceries at the supermarket do you go to a regular cashier, or do you opt for the self checkout lane? I only use the self checkout when I have a few items and there isn't a line of people waiting to use the robot cashier.

It's a lot easier and a whole lot faster to go to a lane where there is a real person behind the conveyor belt to scan your goods with grace and swiftness. I was once a cashier, I worked my way through college at Whole Foods, and while checking out groceries isn't a science, the people who do it for a living know how to do it much quicker and with fewer errors than the average citizen.

Even waiting behind someone with a full shopping cart at a regular checkout is faster than waiting in the self checkout lane. Take the other night, for example: Ben and I were walking home after eating a dinner of delicious burritos when we decided to stop in the grocery store to pick up a few things. In our basket was a bottle of sparkling water, some cans of cat food, and some other sundry item that I can't remember right now.

The standard cashier lanes were occupied with large orders and there was a robot cashier free, so we went over to that and I began scanning our items. The process went smoothly enough until Ben decided at the end of the transaction that he wanted cash back. He swiped his card to pay and selected the amount he wanted, fifty dollars, and the machine started to process it. It spat out thirty five dollars and started making funny sounds.

Over on another robot, two girls tried scanning something but it wasn't working. Instead of trying to type the barcode of the item in themselves, they had the cashier in charge of the robots over at their station who was busy typing in the item manually. We waited patiently for the robot master to finish helping the girls while a growing angry crowd of shoppers waiting to use the self checkout machines stared on from the queue.

The cashier finally came over, turned her key in the machine, typed in a few buttons and gave Ben the rest of his cash withdrawal, easy peasy. Well, it could have been easier had we went with a human cashier.

Personally, I like exchanging pleasantries with the cashier as he or she scans my goods while I bag them in the reusable bags I brought with me (just another easy way to go green). Yeah, you might have to remove your iPod headphones for a few minutes, but what's the big deal?

My question is this: is it so detestable in this day and age to have to interact with another human for five minutes while they process your groceries? Is it that awkward, that much of a hardship? What does it say about our society when we would rather deal with a malfunctioning machine than interact with another human for a brief moment?

What do you think?

HBO cancels three popular shows

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Well, apparently not so popular that cancellation is out of the question, but the shows were very popular amongst my friends. HBO, seriously what have you done? Why did you remove three of my favorite shows from your program schedule?

This season of Bored To Death was just getting good, as was How To Make It In America. And Hung? Hung was a show that I really didn't want to watch because of the gigolo story, but once I actually gave it a try I found that it was really funny and relatable (I shall miss you, T-brain).

Zack Galafinakis, Jason Schwartzman (remember when I met him?!), and Ted Danson were so funny on Bored, and I appreciated the literary/dying publishing industry backdrop.

America was also really funny, and Ben I liked it because the parallels between our company, Alphyn Industries and Crisp, the fictional company in the show: the story followed the lives of two young entrepreneurs living in New York City and trying to get their start-up clothing company going.

Apparently, viewership was low on the three 30 minute programs, so they were cut. Surprisingly, the new 30 minute HBO show Enlightened which received pale viewership was renewed for a second season. Love the logical reasoning behind that.

I don't understand the low ratings for the three that got canceled, though. Is it the same deal with Community (which just got weirdly shafted by NBC when the show ended mid-season but is slated to return in a different time slot in the spring) where the ratings were low, but only because the show was being recorded by their young fanbase on DVR?

Whatever the case, I'm really sad to see these three awesome shows canceled so prematurely.

This doesn't have much to do with this post, but I found my autographed copy of the Phantom Planet album (including Jason Schwartzman's signature!) in the cabinet next to my bed recently. I thought I had left the CD at my parents' house somewhere, but apparently I brought it with me when I moved to San Francisco. Score!

Wishes for 2012, plus more homemade cards and zines!

2011-12-30T13:06:00.000-08:00

That's Wednesday's stack of zines before heading into the mail, and right now I'm making another fat stack to take to the post office today. Don't wait to get your zine-- buy one for $3 while they're still around!

I'm so proud that this little literary zine of mine is still kickin, with old friends and new friends sending in contributions regularly. The whole idea behind the zine was to be able to publish my own work and the work of my friends to share and trade. I love independent publishing and the freedom that comes with it, and I hope we can keep Be About It going strong into 2012!

What else should we hope to see in 2012? Tell me your wishes for 2012 in the comments below!

My own personal wishes are:

I wish to see more people get serious about the environment and try to use less and waste less. It doesn't take a lot of work to be green, just a little bit of thought.

I wish to see less exclusion and more inclusion.

I wish to find a full-time job.

I wish for more fun artistic endeavors and collaborations.

I wish to perform my raps in front of a live audience.

I wish to see Obama keep his presidency and really use 2012 to show the country that we need him in office. What's not to like? He's cool-headed, thinks everything through, moderate, and works for the greater good. He got Bin Laden and didn't need a "Mission Accomplished" banner to flaunt it, and his American Jobs Act, if the Republicants ever stop stalling it, will put countless Americans back to work.[Frankly, all of the Republican presidential candidates scare the hell out of me and I can't stand to think what would happen if any of them took the White House.]

Enough of that, here are some more of the homemade greeting cards I've been making (and am still making). Let me know if you want to trade!

Cutouts: A turntable, a living room, an ancient can of beer, fingers playing the piano, a rooster, a kitty cat, ice cream scoops, and a polar bear pillow.

Cutouts: Snoopy, a boom box, a melting clock, outer space, a Charlie Brown tree, more kitty cats, buttons, more ice cream scoops, lava, and flowers.

Thoughts on "Afterbirth" & next season of American Horror Story

2011-12-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Did you catch "Afterbirth," the season finale of American Horror Story, last week? Wow, what an episode.

[Warning: spoilers ahead]

It was a little bloated, and I was surprised where the story went at times:

like when Ben decides to off himself so that he can spend eternity with the rest of his dead family in Murder House, but ghost Violet and ghost Vivian stop him before he can pull the trigger-- which we expected to happen-- but just after Viv and Vi told Ben to leave with the baby before disappearing, horrible Hayden-- with the help of the home invaders from the second episode-- strung a noose around Ben's neck and hanged him from one of the Tiffany chandeliers

I wasn't expecting to see a new family move in during the last episode-- this whole story line seemed a little rushed to me

it was odd how after so much turmoil in life, the Harmons ended up being so happy together in death. Is that what happened to the Montgomerys? We haven't seen them yell too much at each other in death, but perhaps that is because they spend their time separately. Conversely, death certainly didn't repair Chad and Patrick's relationship.

As a season finale, however, it worked for me. Even the title, "Afterbirth," worked as the entire episode dealt with the aftermath of the messy "Birth" episode.

Not all of our questions were answered (Here's one that bug me: if you die in the Murder House you're stuck there forever, so why was Moira so intent on pushing sexual favors to entice the men of the house to dig up her skeleton? What good would that do? Moving the Boy Dahlia's body to South Central Los Angeles didn't change the fact that his spirit is trapped in a Victorian mansion.), but that's just how it is sometimes. A better story line usually leaves the audience wanting more, which stimulates conversations and discussions about the show.

If the season had been all nicely wrapped up in a pretty little package it wouldn't be as satisfying-- like watching a saccharine children's show, we don't think about it once it ends because it hasn't provoked anything in us.

Life doesn't come in pretty little packages, so for a show like American Horror Story, where the mission is to show the darker underbelly of the average American family, having some loose ends makes sense. In fact, the writers could have left even a few more ends loose, but I'm not sure if the rest of the viewing audience would have loved that-- quite a few questions were answered, and the story kept pushing on, which is perhaps why it felt a bit bloated to me:

The Harmons have taken control of the Murder House and will do their best to save any family who tries to move in from the evil spirits residing in the house.

Constance has managed to elude the police and has raised Vivien's surviving baby as her own. And yes, he is the anti-Christ.

Tate still loves Violet, and he will wait for her forever if he has to.

Ben admits that psychiatry doesn't help people. He also kind of bonds with Tate over their shared evil side.

These stories did get tied up, but loosely enough for the audience to have something to ponder over until next season. Producer Ryan Murphy has said that he doesn't intend to carry on the Harmon's story for next season, opting instead to start fresh with a different house, a new theme (season one's theme was infidelity, so we're expecting season's two theme to be another everyday horror), and a different family. Some of the cast from the first season may return, but we won't know who (and if they're playing the same character *cough* Tate *cough*) until February.

Murphy says:

"Some of them will be coming back. There will be familiar faces and also some new faces. The people that are coming back will be playing completely different characters, creatures, monsters, etc. (The Harmons') stories are done. People who are coming back will be playing entirely new characters. I would have them all back in a heartbeat. I think we'll announce the full cast and what the new story line is going to be some time in February.

"This allows for those who haven't done television to step up and say 'let's do this.' I've been getting a lot of calls from film actors who have wanted to dabble in television but never could figure out how.

"There is a clue in the last three episodes where we resay what the next season will be about. I think the clues of all the deaths and everything that happened are always there right from the beginning. And there are certainly several references to Dylan and hanging and noose stuff throughout the whole season. I think that'll be fun for fans to go back and look at all those clues that we were planting right from the beginning." - source, The Daily Blam

This is sad, because we have grown to really know and love the characters revolving around the dark power of the Murder House, but it's good in a way. Quite honestly, I think the writers did quite a lot with these characters, as much as they could, maybe, and it's time to start fresh.

In the Harmon's last scene of the first season we see the whole family, including Ben and Vivian's non-demon ghost baby and Moira the maid, gathered around a Christmas tree while "Little Drummer Boy" is playing softly in the background. Hayden and Tate, unseen, look on jealously from another room.

Moira says something subtly remarkable to Vivian in this scene, as they're decorating the tree: "You'll come to understand that the word 'ancient' loses all meaning when your entire existence is one long today."

I think that's a nice way to think about the end of this season-- it doesn't matter what happened in the past or what happens in the outside world (beyond a new family moving in) because every spirit in the house remains the same-- no one ages, no one really changes. Death is stagnant.

Violet may end up forgiving Tate and Hayden may become less horrible-- and I'm sure someone will write some fan fiction with those ideas in mind-- but the fact remains that they're all stuck in that house forever and can't do anything about it. Time will weather the exterior of the house, but the occupants stay the same.

What did you think of the season finale? Were you satisfied, left wanting more, or were you disappointed? Personally, I can't wait until season two! Tell me what you think in the comments below!

The writers and artists behind TRIUMPH (get your copy now!)

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest issue of Be About It, my literary and art zine, featuring work by:

Brandie Harris, Kate Stone, Adel Souto, Martin Willits Jr., Norman White, Paul Martens, Kirrill Mazhai, Shawn Scott Smith, Theodore Ordon-Yaussi, and yours truly.

Click the button below to order your copy which I will personalize and send to you. I'm asking for three dollars (plus shipping) and every penny goes towards printing costs. Order now!

Also, check out the http://thetsaritsasez.com/2011/12/holiday-cards-when-you-care-enough-to.html holiday cards I made featuring Kermit the Frog, some leopard-print rollerskates, anime figures, a mosaic-inspired collage, and Beavis and Butthead figurines. Yes, I am still making cards.

These and the cards in this post have all gone out, so I'm working on new collages. Let me know if you want to trade holiday cards-- I just love making them!

A video of Sookie helping me set up the cards:

And here are some cards that I received from family and friends [not pictured: the card I received from Ben <3].

Video killed the radio star? Listen to me on Talk2Q!

2011-12-24T16:43:00.000-08:00

Image via CrunchBase

I recently was a guest on the Talk 2 Q Radio show where we discuss hot topics such as racism, tattoos, politics, Occupy Wall Street and "the man," and women in hip-hop music.

We really got deep discussing these issues and it was actually a lot of fun. I hope I can go on again in the future.

Check out the interview below, and be sure to tune in to Talk 2 Q every week!

PS-- to the people who have watched my "Philly Accent" video and don't think I sound like I'm from Philadelphia, you'll probably change your mind when you listen to this show. I'm listening to it now and I'm wincing at how strong the accent is coming off. Oy!

PPS-- when I spoke in the interview on the topic of "white guilt" I had a brain fart and did not communicate clearly my thoughts on the matter. What I think is this: feeling guilty because you have privilege due to your skin color is silly and counter-productive-- it does nothing to address or solve the real issue. Instead of walking around feeling guilty, why not join an organization that battles racism? Be a part of the solution.

Listen to internet radio with ThankQ on Blog Talk Radio

Hope you're all having a bangin Christmas eve! Planning on making some latkes and curried chicken tonight for dinner, mmmmm.

Holiday wishes from a wise guy

2011-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Check out this hilarious Christmas message I received from the notorious Luca Brasi, courtesy of my pops.

Yo Cuz.

We wanchouz shut have a Merry Chrismus an' all like dat, so accept evry pahty invitation youse get. Yez only lives oncet, capice?

Me? I'm goin' to some swank jernt on Chrismus Eve to meet a coupla wiseguys downtown. It's gonna be lotsa drinks, den the Seven Fishes… wit all da trimmins.

Your pal,
Luca

PS: Stay outta trouble and don't be no rat.

In other news, I've already sold five zines! This issue is a super limited edition, so don't wait around to get yours! Makes a fine holiday gift-- great for New Year's!

Speaking of New Year's, I'm not sure how much I'll be blogging between now and then, so let me wish you all a very Happy Hanukkah, a spectacular Christmas, a festive Kwanza, and a thrilling New Year's Eve! Let's all try to make 2012 amazing. Love you all.

Fresh off the press: TRIUMPH (nab yours today!)

2011-12-22T02:36:00.000-08:00

So I got TRIUMPH back from the printer and the zines look great! Thanks to 148 Print for doing such a great job, they're beautiful-- and this is the first issue of Be About It with a color cover. Gorgeous.

Get a copy today! This issue is super limited (only 50 copies), so if you want one you might want to act quickly :) I'm very proud that this little magazine is still kicking after more than a year, and I'm very appreciative of all the support from friends, fellow writers, and fans of small press publishing. Thank you all, let's keep this baby going!

Click the button below to order your copy which I will personalize and send to you. I'm asking for three dollars (plus shipping) and every penny goes towards printing costs. Order now!

Holiday Karaoke: Deck the Halls with Kooky Carolers!

2011-12-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

What time is it?!

It's time to present you all with another exciting round of the Karaoke Ring of Death-- this one with a holiday twist.

Today I am once again hosting the lovely Katie of Struggling Single Twenty-Something who is here to spread some holiday cheer with a tune in the style of The Carpenters wearing adorable light-up antlers!

I'll let her explain more in just a moment. Be sure to check out me out singing a Jack Skellington song from Nightmare Before Christmas afterward at Musings of Heather.

Hi! I'm Katie of Struggling Single Twenty-Something, and I'm excited to be hosted once again by the lovely and talented Tsaritsa! I adore Christmas music and have a Christmas playlist of 478 songs.

[shameless plug] You can read more of my opinions on Christmas songs here. [/shameless plug]

For KROD this time around, I am singing the cheesiest Christmas song known to man, which naturally I love: "Merry Christmas, Darling" by The Carpenters. How can you not love a song that turns Christmas into a verb?

Make sure you check out Dave from The Fiction Factory over at my blog, doing Christmas as sung by The Ramones!

Thanks so much! I can't wait to see everyone's videos!

Watch everyone's karaoke offerings this month:

Edwin – Oh Holy Night
Kanriah – Jingle Bells
Dave – Merry Christmas, I don’t want to fight tonight
Katie – Merry Christmas, Darling
Alexandra – What’s This
Heather – Silent Night
Jes – Last Christmas
Tabs – Grandma Got Run Over By A Raindeer
Carolina – Baby It’s Cold Outside

Philly street art and Thanksgiving fun

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Brace yourself for a photo dump of street art and random shots of spending time with family and friends in Philadelphia over Thanksgiving. I was happy to be able to spend the holiday with my peoples and I'm sad I can't make it back for Christmas, but I'll return soon enough. Love you all.

Holiday cards: "When you care enough to make them yourself"

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

My dad used to design and produce the Christmas cards that got sent out to friends and family every year, each year a new design.

One year, when I was five or six, he used a drawing I had made of a guy dancing wearing a court jester hat and point shoes adorned with jingle bells. The card that year read "Jingle bells" on the outside and on the inside "May Old Kris Kringle let your jingles tingle" or something like that.

Another year he put the whole family to work and got me, my sister, and my mom to individually stamp cards with potato stamps, hand-carved with holiday designs. The slogan that went on the back of every card each year read "When you care enough to make them yourself."

I feel the same way about greeting cards. I hardly ever will buy a card for someone, and the kind that I buy typically are not found at a Walgreens or a grocery store. I seek out quirky and unique cards, usually left blank on the inside, and fun postcards from the different places I travel to. I still have a whole score of postcards from my trip to Ireland back in 2004.

So I'm making homemade holiday cards this year, to be mailed out to family and friends. I sent Shalimar, who is currently traveling throughout Australia, a card the other day and feel inspired to make more. The card I made for her is a simple with a mini collage on the front and back, featuring a photo of a redheaded girl and a blonde girl standing and smiling in front of an explosion and a ghostly figure looming in the background, and a funny cutout of Miranda July being Miranda July on the back of the card.

Here are two abstract collages I made resembling a mosaic. I liked the bright colors and the beams of light in the first one, and the wintry feel in the second.

Two other Christmas cards feature some kitties I cut out from a British women's magazine called She (I bought a lot of magazines last year when Borders went out of business and I'm still using them for collages.

The card below is for my parents and my sister.

This card is for my friend back home, fellow blogger, and fellow cat lover, Annie.

I also finished another collage, this one is style centric.

And check out this birthday card I made for my friend, Evy. She likes her steak very rare, "cold inside" is how she orders it, so I decided to make that the theme for her card. I'm pretty proud of the knife I drew.

I plan on making more today. If you're interested in exchanging homemade cards, let me know!

Zine sample, font size question, & keep small press alive

2011-12-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

I got a sample of TRIUMPH back from the printer today. I really like the way it looks, especially with the full-color front and back covers. Very cool.

The only problem is that the font is very small. It's readable, for me at least, but it might be an issue for some folks (vote here and tell me what you think!) I'm going to increase the font size and give it back to the printer before the zines hit the presses.

Click the button below to make a donation now! I'm expecting the zines to cost at least a few dollars a piece to print, but please donate what you can. Every little bit helps :)

Cooking up some rap snacks for my new hip-hop EP

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday, folks. Today I want to share with you a track that I recorded yesterday. You might remember me mentioning on this blog that I used to be in a rap duo and have recently reignited that passion for writing and producing hip-hop tracks with my friend, DJ Lil Elle.

Well, I am now in the process of recording my very first hip-hop EP, which I am hoping to release early in the new year. The track below, "Fall Back, Stand Up," features a beat produced by my blog-friend and fellow MC, Vudukat.

It may or may not appear on the EP in an edited form, but I want to amp up the excitement about the upcoming album and figured giving you all a little taste of what is to come would be a good way to accomplish that.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think. FYI: ~~I need to change the levels a bit, one of the vocal tracks is a tad too loud.~~ Fixed the vocal tracks!

Fall Back Stand Up [edit] by theTsaritsa

21st century/first world/white girl problems

2011-12-14T06:09:00.000-08:00

You've seen the Twitter hashtags before: #21stcenturyproblems, #FirstWorldProblems, #WhiteGirlProblems, #CrazyCatLadyProblems. They're funny and they're fun to write and make you seem a little less whiney when tagged on to the end of a complaining tweet.

Erin, of A Post Modern Talko, took the hashtag a step further a few weeks ago and dedicated a whole post to the laugh-rant (I just made that word up, a la Community on NBC) in photo form, inviting others to join in and create their own. Here is mine:

Wireless internet with the lightning speed of dial-up.

Seriously, what is that file guy's problem? He should put on another layer.

Why do strangers feel the need to stop me on the street and tell me to smile? I'm not unhappy, I'm just trying to get from point A to point B and your dumb ass is slowing me down!

Comcast needs to get this sorted out. Three of my shows air at the same time, and I can only record two at once. Also, if two programs are being recorded simultaneously, you have to watch one or the other or choose something else from your DVR.

Sookie has the low down on all the hot spots in our apartment.

I took these socks out a week ago. They're still sitting in the laundry room. Claim your crap, dudes!

I have so much on my plate right now, and no time to do fun things like make collages and dye clothing.

My closet isn't that bad, but it could stand some deep organizing.

I know, I'm hella late on this one. Sue me.

If you have your own laugh-rants to share, please join us! Drop a link to your post here in the comments, link to me in your post, and we will have a nice little link up :)

Spotted! [SF Street Style] Bohemian Chic

2011-12-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

Spotted: Joecelyn, at the Moholy Ground Magazine release party at Photobooth on Valencia Street, sporting a chic braid in her hair and wearing a black peacoat, skinny dark denim, a flowy blouse, a colorful scarf with a unique floral/geometric print, vintage cowboy boots, and a pearl necklace.

She describes her style as being inspired by the Bohemians and France, and tells us that she absolutely loves pearls. Her go-to for one-of-a-kind pieces? The small shops of the Mission, of course.

Conversation: in which Ben and I discuss Jerseylicious versus Jersey Shore

2011-12-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

"You look like you just stepped out of The Gatsby salon," said Ben.

"Oh," I said, remembering my dark eye makeup from my zombie Amy Winehouse Halloween costume, "I forgot to wash this stuff off."

"Looks like Olivia gave you a smoky eye."

"Smoky eye-- I can't believe that you know their names and lingo," laughing. "I wish Olivia would do my makeup."

"She's like a better looking version of Snooki."

"Not really. Olivia has talent and actually works for a living. And by the way, everyone on that show really lives and works in New Jersey. It's way more authentic."

Ben shakes his head.

"Okay, let me get this crap off my face."

Art and anxiety: suffering for creativity

2011-12-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

Image by fresh888 via Flickr

Last night I attended a trunk show at Space Gallery on Polk street on behalf of SF Indie Fashion. It was a fun event with plenty of local designers and artists selling their wares, and decorated beautifully with a spooky/romantic installation by Bunny Reiss and Monica Canilao of lace, tree branches, quilts and other bricabrac hanging from the walls and ceiling. I'll tell you more about the event in my upcoming article, but I had an interesting conversation with a seller at the show that I would like to share.

My friend Jillian and I stopped at a booth where a lady was selling her handmade jewelry. I'm not exactly sure how the topic came up, but suddenly we started talking about art and the anxiety that comes when making it.

She told us that she is a dancer and related how taxing it is to perfect her craft because of all the emotion she puts into it. I understood. I told her that so many artists and creative types struggle with anxiety because making good art usually entails confronting deep (and sometimes scary) emotions head-on and using them to build a story. Dancers do it, writers do it, painters do it, and it can take a toll.

Think of all the artistic geniuses throughout the ages who also were afflicted with a bit of madness. I'm not saying that it takes madness to be creative, necessarily, but there is some sort of correlation. What do you think?

"I saw mommy kissing KROD-a Claus..." HOLIDAY RING o'DEATH

2011-12-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Image by Zellaby via Flickr

Hey Karaoke fans! We're gearing up for another exciting installment of the Karaoke Ring of Death and want to keep you posted on the details.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, let me break it down for you: the Karaoke Ring of Death is a monthly gathering of bloggers who record themselves singing a song which adheres to the chosen theme of the month. We all send our videos in to karaokeringofdeath@gmail.com and are then assigned video swap partners.

It's a fun way to meet new bloggers and have new visitors to your site. We'd love to have you join us this month, and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. If you want to get a better idea about how this group works check out:
this post,
this post,
this post,
and this post.

This month we're doing holiday songs, because it's December and tis the season, after all. So pick your favorite holiday song-- it can be a traditional tune or a funny one, just have fun with it!

We know it might be hard with Christmas being that week, but we're planning on having the videos due (that means, emailed here to us) by the 19th and posting them on the 21st. This gives you two whole weekends to work on your masterpieces.

Sound good? Got any questions? Email them here to us and we'll be happy to assist. Looking forward to seeing what you all cook up for December!

Alexandra the Tsaritsa :)

How do you deal with anxiety and stress, and avoid frothing at the mouth?

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Image by FlickrJunkie via Flickr

Stress. Anxiety. Frustration. Anger. These are problems that plague many of us, and I want to get to the bottom of it.

I'm writing a post about my battles with stress and anxiety and the different effective (and not-so-effective) methods I've employed in relieving myself from these afflictions and the problems associated with them.

Because I am only one person with my own personal experiences, I want to get some of your thoughts on stress, anger, and anxiety and different techniques you've used to cope.

I hope I can relate my advice and help someone out there, but I am also looking for other mechanisms to try out for myself!

Stress is a killer, baby, and it has a way of sneaking up in our lives. Let's talk about recognizing when that heavy feeling starts creeping up and the best methods of keeping it under control.

Naivete, nonsense, & Diane di Prima: taking home my thought books

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Cover of Dinners and Nightmares

It's fun to look back on old poems and stories I wrote back in high-school and college, interesting to see how I've developed as a writer, comparing old work with what I'm doing now.

A lot of it reads very naive and sophomoric, but some of it really isn't that bad. A few pieces I read and was surprised by the creativity-- a travel brochure for joining a cult, something I had written while sitting in class, bored. What led me to write something like that?

I re-read recently Dinners and Nightmares, by Diane di Prima, on the flight to Philly for Thanksgiving. [Side note: She's one of the few Beats that I have a lot of respect for. The last time I had to go to the doctor, the SF Free Clinic out in the avenues, one of the assistants told me that Diane used to be a patient there. I thought that was pretty cool.]

In one of her "What I Ate Where" stories, di Prima writes about going back to the house where she grew up for a family dinner:

You would come back in blue jeans and holes in your sneakers and everyone would look sadly at you... and then you'd go up to your room and look at it, the things in it untouched since your last visit, except the furniture escaping one piece at a time and going to make up the furniture of other rooms. and you'd putter with the papers and old letters and take out your files, just to see how they were all there, to know it. it gave you a good safe feeling to know that there was a place to send papers, a place to leave letters and books that you wouldn't be reading.

I already knew I would be doing the same, and it was funny to me how my life at that moment was imitating the art I was ingesting.

On Thanksgiving I took my cousin, Bobby (who is a bit of a brainiac), up to my old room and together we went through my bookcase. He had asked me about a book he had seen in there, and so I decided to give him a stack of books to read and enjoy. I lent him some Greek plays, philosophy books ("Here, take this Carl Jung... oooh, here's Sophie's World, you'll like this one..."). He seemed very happy to gain a few dozen pounds of reading material, and I was happy to hand it off to him. In the process, I also set aside quite a few books to take home for myself.

My mom took down all of the posters and bits of paper I had taped to my walls, but she saved most of it, including a Nerf Herder-autographed American Cheese ad and a Karen O-signed set list written on Ramada Inn notepaper. All of my notebooks from college and some from high-school were also saved, all stored in a large Rubber Maid box.

Before I had to fly back to SF I sat down on the floor of my old room and went through the huge box of paper. My dad joined me, taking a rest on the bed and looking up whenever I came across something of interest. Essays I had written, a report on In Re Gault, Blue Books from anthropology midterms and environmental studies finals, kept so I can reminisce about how good of a BSer I once was.

I poured over the container making three piles-- one for the recycling bin, one for saving, and one to take back to San Francisco with me. Birthday cards from family and friends, love letters from random Whole Foods customers who misinterpreted my friendliness for flirting, pen pal letters dating back to the fourth grade, all got saved at home. Dusty Blue Books from some of my not-so-favorite classes and letters from a pen pal who broke my stupid, 20-year old heart got thrown away (into the paper recycling, because I care about the Earth, yo).

I ended up packing my pen scribbled composition books, my thought books ("dag bok," a reference to the Ingmar Bergman film, Hour of the Wolf, that has always stuck with me for some reason), thinking that perhaps I will one day transcribe my pubescent rantings into electronic form, or use old poems and old raps as the basis for new poems and raps.

With all of these books, I have new inspiration. Reading old journals is bringing back memories, and with those new ideas for stories and blog posts. It's nice to build my library back up here, nice to have books at hand in case I need them, but also nice to know that my childhood keepsakes, wall decorations, and other miscellany have a safe home in the closet of my old room.

thoughts unreplied [poem from a long time ago]

2011-12-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

I found this poem when I went back to Philly for Thanksgiving. I spent a considerable amount of time in my old room, combing through old letters and notebooks crammed with my writing before heading to the airport (an experience I plan on expanding upon in a later post).

It was written on the inside of an envelope. When I began reading the poem after finding it inside a journal, kept flat between two pages, I wasn't sure at first who or what the subject was, but as I continued reading I remembered the inspiration. It's not a bad poem. Not bad for nineteen years old and completely confused about life. Here's the poem, which I couldn't help tweaking:

thoughts unreplied:
a half-friend from school who spoke wildly,
racing always, chain-smoking.
spinning tales of her voracious appetite,
swallowing boys whole.
I imagined her as a soap opera heroine/circus attraction
unhinging her jaws.

bowl of scarred tomatoes, too-full breadbasket, possessed
I envy her youth--
much richer than my timid hours, fortress blanketed--
not her self confidence, but how she exuded it.
her needs to feel, fill.

scattered newspapers, water stains keep time like fallen leaves,dead tree rings.
bare feet feel nature but I can't stop thinking about decomposition, as a drunk refuses water.
coffee stirs and sickens.
it's not even 8 and I feel like ending

Fashion+TechSF covers the latest in social media marketing

2011-12-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

Social media may seem easy enough, but if you’re a start-up fashion brand trying to carve out a space for yourself in the digital sphere, you already know that the process can be challenging. It was those very challenges that a group of social media aficionados and tech-curious entrepreneurs convened at Pigment Cosmetics to discuss during the most recent FASHION+TECH SF.

Online branding best practices and the complexities of internet marketing were hot topics, as were product presos from gift bag swapping phone app Swagg, Abrot Bags, talkTECH Communications and brand ambassador company RAF9.

The evening was engaging and informative with speakers Brad Carrick of Solz Shoes, Sabrina Bruning ofInternet Savant, Uduak Oduak of Ladybrille Magazine, Willo O’Brien of Willo Toons, and Vishal Kalia of RAF9, all of whom took part in the panel focused on topics such as “How do you build online influence?” and “How much time do you invest in managing your online community?”

Formerly known as Fashion Mash-Up, this workshop hosted and organized by San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance’s Owen Geronimo concentrated on the business of fashion and its growing relationship with technology. Local entrepreneurs, fashion designers, bloggers, retailers, startups, and tech-lovers interested in networking, brainstorming and sharing new business ideas are just some of the people who attended the event.

Experts spoke about their company’s histories with social media and discussed how they set up a strategy and got social media to work for them. A few highlights:

- Sabrina Bruning and Willo O’Brien had this suggestion for brands who want more online influence and followers: be proactive. If you want a response from someone, tweet at them first. Just make sure what you’re tweeting is relevant and not spammy.
- Another social media tip that’s easy and effective: if you see that someone you follow is going out to an event, tweet at them to have a good time or wish them good luck. A little kindness goes a long way, and can help your brand get noticed.
- In terms of online social marketing tools, Twitter and Facebook seemed to be the fan favorites amongst the workshoppers, though the merits of newer applications such as Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram for visual-heavy purposes were also noted by several panelists.

Ben and I posing with #sffama #fashiontechsf hashtag bubbles.

Originally posted on SF Indie Fashion.

Pop art, popping eyeballs, and pop fiction STREET ART

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's more of that street art that I promised you last week.

Has that #Occupy spirit

Lichtenstein at the SF MoMA.

Owlchild by Swedish artist, Klara Kristalova. I got yelled at for taking this photo. I didn't know photography wasn't permitted at this particular exhibit.

Lick and Lather, chocolate and soap busts by Janine Antoni at the SF MoMA. According to the placard: "Each head is a cast self-portrait, somehow deformed and misshapen, thus interrogating the idealism commonly associated with the traditional portrait bust. The chocolate version has been licked into a new shape by the artist, the index of her tongue visible in a brushstroke - - like lines across the surface of the form - - a trace of sensual and delicious consumption. Likewise, the forms of the soap piece have been lathered away, the softened features now referencing a process of cleansing. The work can be read as a metaphor for the two sides of the female self as it is often positioned in a culture that idealizes the feminine: seductive and desirous on the one hand, purified and pristine on the other."

At the Dieter Rams/Braun/bauhaus exhibit.

I agree, no one should ever be brutally beaten (except maybe rapists and other violent offenders), but people who don't recycle irritate me, especially when the resources are right at their fingertips.

Airport gawking/people watching, some thoughts at the gate

2011-11-30T07:00:00.002-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

People wear some crazy clothes for flying. I am sitting at my gate in San Francisco International Airport waiting for my flight to start boarding and passing the time by watching people walk by with their bags, on their way to some exotic locale, or coming back from one.

Tall brown boots and figure-clenching pants seem to be a favorite amongst the ladies, while jeans and sneakers are a hit with the men-folk. I see a uterus-flashing leopard print mini skirt pass in front of me and wonder why anyone would choose something as uncomfortable (and unflattering) as that for their plane outfit.

I see a bunch of sky high heels-- perhaps the preferred attire for Mile High Club members? Lots of Uggs, lots of branded bags, some flip flops here and there on sunburned and tan-lined parties. Lots of those dopey shoulder pillows that don't do much but give you a neck cramp.

I like to fly dressed as a bag lady, at least when I fly in the colder months. I wrap myself in pajama-like layers of jersey, in this case a tee, a sweatshirt, and yoga pants. I throw on a scarf and top if off with my long grey winter coat that I wore five months out of the year in Philly (but only five days of the year in SF), which also doubles as a blanket on the plane. I look like I just got off the boat from Eastern Europe, if a bag lady were prepared to take that voyage.

Sometimes I catch people eyeing me, trying to pinpoint my point of origin and intended destination, but I don't care. I'm relaxed, I'm cozy. My yoga pants are short, high-water style, and look silly with my boots, but they're less likely than a pair of jeans to ensnare my skin folds after a prolonged period of sitting.

Traveling alone sucks. If I have to use the restroom while waiting for my flight to be called, I have to take all of my belongings with me and try to balance them on the hanger of the stall door, lest they touch the dirty floor. Plus I may not have a seat to return to. If I leave my stuff at the gate I run the risk of having my carry-on ransacked or worse-- turned in to the TSA. "Attention, uh... we have a rogue pink Nike gym bag left unattended at gate 24. Please evacuate. The bomb squad is on its way..."

One solution is to wait until I've boarded the plane and everything is safely stowed in the overhead compartment to use the spiffy closet of a water closet. I suppose I could always ask another passenger to watch my things at the gate, but they say on the loud speaker to report if anyone asks you to do that. What a world we live in these days.

People used to get dressed up to fly, but that era is long over. Flying in this country is no longer seen as a once-in-a-while luxury, a treat reserved for the rich and famous-- pretty much everyone does it on a regular enough basis for it to be viewed as a hassle.

It's my opinion that people who get super snazzy to fly are crazy. Your clothes are going to get smelly and wrinkled anyway. Unless you're directly headed to an important meeting or event, why not fly in your PJs? My sister says she gets dressed up to fly because you never know who you might meet at the airport. There is truth in that, but I'd rather just be comfy. Bag lady style.

Style Update: Makeshift Hair Turban

2011-11-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hey all, hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving!

I just flew back from Philly on Sunday night and I've been temping at a job that doesn't have a computer for me to use on my lunch break, thus you will have to wait until tomorrow to get a real post out of me. In the meantime, please enjoy these funny photos of a wacky hairdo I created after towel drying my locks post-shower. Wish I could go to work looking like this.

"I only read the classics..." street art photo tease

2011-11-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

Prepare yourself for a full-fledged street art photo set coming soon to the Tsaritsa sez. This is just a sneak peek because I got called in by my temp agency to maintain the front desk for the day-- the assignment ended Wednesday, but the guy I had been temping for while on vacation called in sick this morning-- and I prefer to do my photo editing at home.

"Let's see, I've got books on geography, history, religion, the oppression of women, some Tolstoy, some Twain, some Coelho, and oh yeah, Sarah Palin's Alaska. I only read the classics."

Karaoke Ring o' Death: 90s Songs Redux

2011-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, karaoke lovers! Welcome back for another exciting installment of Karaoke Ring o'Death, the game where bloggers take sips of something boozy and then film themselves dancing and singing for the rest of the internet to ~~ridicule~~ enjoy. This month, to celebrate KROD's one year anniversary, we're going back to our roots and doing 90s songs again-- remember when we did it the first time?

I'm lucky enough to be hosting my dear blog-friend, lover of all things American Horror Story and hip-hop, and and fellow east coaster, Jes of Jes Getting Started. Jes is totally adorable in this video and gave me a major flashback to the simpler times, when playing with dolls all day was still socially acceptable. Please watch and love, and when you're done leaving your notes of praise be sure to check me out on Tab's blog, Geeky Ambiguous Me, getting down to some Kurt Cobain. Oh hell yeah. Enough said, here's Jes!

My name is Jes and I have to confess a year ago when all of this craziness started I was just some plaid shirt wearing, 20 something rocking out to Alanis Morissette on Wii Rockband. I was nervous, having only recently started doing video blogs and having never sang on camera. Fast forward to today and you would think I was filming myself singing in my bathroom all of the time. Well okay maybe I do. I had high self esteem before but being on camera has clearly given me a huge head and the need to document every single step I take. Hollywood here I come! Since its was Karaoke Ring of Death's birthday this month we decided to revisit the theme of 90's songs. My selection is a complete 180 from that very first selection and so is my performance. Make sure you stop by my blog, Jes Getting Started, to check out the amazingly cute Daniella from The Chronicles of a College Girl.

Karaoke Ring of Death - 90s/birthday from Jes Getting Started on Vimeo.

An Occupy Cartoon, fan art, and some unrelated updates

2011-11-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

There has been much talk about the Occupy movement since its incarnation in September. I've spoken on the issue multiple times in this blog and have had guests come here to share their opinions as well. I feel like most people give the movement its due respect, but I still hear some really horrible things about the protests and protesters on television, on Twitter, and on the street.

My above cartoon depicts the criticisms on #occupy I've heard from both people on the right and the left. It has less to do with politics and everything to do with disconnect. Condemning someone's ideas because of the way that they look or what they have? The term "flea party" is something I read while flipping through reader comments on an online article.

I was pretty grossed out when I read a bunch of conservatives dissing us and discrediting us based on looks. Same thing for the left, too. I've heard more than a few people try to discredit occupy by commenting on some of the more expensive tents at some of the camps. Who cares what kind of tent I own? How does that change my politics?

And now the occupiers are packing up all over the country, which in a way is a good thing. I think we got our point across and now it's time to actually make change happen, by becoming politically active and further spreading awareness (to places other than the financial district). Maybe we need to set up a traveling #occupy caravan and get the people in Kansas and Kentucky motivated? Maybe we should all pack our bags and head to Washington DC and occupy the offices of lobbyists and Congress? What do you think?

Unrelated Updates:

- I will be announcing the winner of the UPrinting business card giveaway this evening, so stay tuned! There is still time to enter and tweet about it, so get to gettin!

- If you're participating in Karaoke Ring of Death this month (the theme is 90s music), you still have time to make your video and email it to us at karaokeringofdeath@gmail.com. Should be a doozy-- who doesn't love the 90s?

- Less than twelve hours until the new episode of American Horror Story! Have I mentioned that I'm a total geeked-out fangirl for this show? Oh yes, yes I have...

- Speaking of which, I've been all over Tumblr recently posting my original fan art (god, I sound like such a loser for this show) and reblogging my favorite Tate gifs. Tumblr is the bomb for connecting with other AHS fans. I'm in heaven.

American Horror Story, "Piggy Piggy," & Richard Lawson comments

2011-11-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

As you may already know from my recent tweets and Facebook posts, I am obsessed with the FX show, American Horror Story. It's morbid, it's spooky, it's dramatic, it's well-written, the actors are amazing, and after every episode I'm left with something to chew over, a snack to quell my nerves overworked in anticipation, until the next Wednesday night.

Warning: Spoilers ahead. If you aren't watching the show, I highly recommend that you catch up on it with On Demand or by watching online, particularly if you're a horror fan. Man, I love this show so friggin much. Not only is it creepy with the ghosts and monsters, but it also serves to show the very real horrors we hear about on the news and face every day in this country.

image source

Last Wednesday's episode, titled "Piggy Piggy," was especially good because of the disparate emotions it managed to conjure, within myself and other fans. We got to see the dark side of Tate (the lonely ghost who befriends Violet, the daughter of the family living in the Murder House) in the opening scene, where we found that he really did commit the horrific school-shooting back in 1994. We already knew that this scene was imminent, after his victims (whom he did not recognize) came to haunt him while on his date with Violet in "Halloween Part 2," but watching it happen and seeing Tate as the shooter solidified that it wasn't a case of mistaken identity (or was it? like The Shining, the property is very powerful).

The scene, while disturbing, was important to the plot and to the character development of Tate. It also acted as a striking contrast to the more tender moments with Violet later on in the episode. In the beginning of the series, we're not too sure about Tate. He seems like he has issues and the way he talks about Violet to her father is cringe-inducing. But then he saves the lives of Violet and her mother, Vivien, (in the "Home Invasion" episode), and later saves Violet's life again in "Piggy Piggy," after her attempted suicide.

"Piggy Piggy" was a very pivotal episode and we are left with many questions. Had the first scene of the Columbine-inspired library shooting not been shown, we would have even more questions about what is going on in this show. We know that Tate did it, with or without help. And it tears us up inside because we have seen him in a caring and unselfish light in other scenes. The writers know what they're doing in creating this conflict of expectations and emotions with the audience. We don't want to believe that he acted alone-- we want to believe that the evilness of the house made him do it. And this, along with Tate and Violet's heartbreaking Romeo-and-Juliet relationship, is why I (and many others) will continue to tune in.

I'm bringing all of this up not only because the episode moved me (I've been playing the Tate/Violet scenes in my head repeatedly since Wednesday night), but because of a comment (well, actually a few comments) I left on a review (if that's what you want to call it) of "Piggy Piggy" by Richard Lawson (former Gawker writer and Real Housewives enthusiast) on The Atlantic Wire.

Lawson didn't like the opening scene of the episode, saying it was unnecessary and sensationalized the Columbine massacre for entertainment purposes. It was too close to the truth for him, which makes no sense. If he's seen any of the other episodes he would realize that much in the plot is borrowed from true crime stories-- Tate's character is even named after the victim of the Manson killings, Sharon Tate. I strongly disagree that the opening scene of "Piggy Piggy" in any way glamorized the killings-- for one, it was acted in almost complete silence, the only part spoken by Tate a whistle (borrowed from the film, Twisted Nerve).

So I left a comment telling Lawson that I thought the scene was not insensitive to the touchy subject, that it was integral to understanding the background of the story, and that just because something is raw and difficult to talk about doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about it. Additionally, I left a comment expressing that "Lawson should stick to writing typo-laden Real Housewives recaps." Of course I was joking, but it elicited a response from the writer, in the form of a tweet:

The comment in question can be found here, and here's a screen cap:

/ end Lawson nonsense.

What did you think of last week's episode? I have to say that I haven't cried that much during a TV show since a particularly touching moment between Oscar the Grouch and Slimey on Sesame Street. When Tate was screeching and dragging Violet into the bathtub to revive her, I really lost it. He loves and really cares about her, and she's in love with a ghost. It's all so tragically beautiful.

What do you think of the show?

It's crazy how hard I'm fan-girling over this series and I'm going a little nuts because I want to gush over it out loud, but I have to gush over it through the FX fan forums because none of my friends are as obsessed as I am.

More thoughts on Occupy: love and humility [guest post]

2011-11-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

Today we have a guest post by my good friend and one of the most interesting bloggers I have come to know, Charles. His blog, In Review: Stuff and Things always has some thought-provoking insights to share, so I thought it would be neat to get his take on the Occupy movement. This is the first time he's written on this topic. Please watch the video, and the outline of the video follows.

1. Occupying is good. Occupying, protesting, and creating a ruckus draws attention to the discontentment of the world, which seems nearly universal. Making a ruckus and occupying, even without a coherent message, at least lets the brainwashed masses see that, perhaps, not everything is as it seems.

Perhaps reality isn't as pretty, today, as advertised on Comcast and Direct TV. Occupying also drains the resources of a government which puts its resources into weapons of death that are used against its own citizens, it's so-called enemies, and innocent non-combatants in far away lands. It may seem counter intuitive to some, but draining the resources of the government, straining it financially and otherwise, are good ways to slow down the machine of war and oppression.

2. Humility is key. I find the rhetoric that proclaims "We are the 99%" to be a little arrogant, in a world of 7 billion people. World health statistics indicate that there are one billion people in the world who are starving or malnourished. Some of those people exist in America Most do not. Most Americans, no matter how they compare to millionaire and billionaire bankers, have a world of abundance and plenty when compared to truly impoverished nations.

America is, more or less, the world's 1%, and as such, I believe it would serve the occupy-wall-street movement well to incorporate as much humility as possible into their activities by acknowledging what they DO have. I am a person who does not have a lot compared to many Americans. But I am a person who can look at what I have objectively, most of the time, and see that I really do have way more than enough. I am warren buffet's 99%. I am the world's 1%. I am not in danger of starvation.

3. Corporate greed fills a very real void, and reflects my own greed as a citizen. I do not mean to absolve of wrong-doing the people that run destructive corporations or peddle their phony market derivatives in order to make millions, here. I mean to simply say that the wall-street system, the banking system, the credit system and the corporate infrastructure of America all seem to be a reflection of either my own greed or my own inability to stop from being indoctrinated by advertising.

I walk into Target and I see that they are selling about twenty different kinds of hair dryers, and approximately 500 different kinds of shoes and a preposterous array of food, much of which is inefficient and unhealthy. I know that for most of my life, I thought: "wow, how nice that there are so many hair dryers to choose from," or, "how nice it would be to have some more shoes, since there are so many kinds to choose from," or, "wow, this fruit by the foot candy looks like a good purchasing decision." Then I planned my life accordingly and over extended myself into the world because I had allowed the culture of consumerism to teach me that happiness was always right on the other side of that next purchase. I ran up credit-card debt buying iPods and iPads and TV's and eating at Chilli's, which doesn't even taste good.

My greed, my urgency to spend money on credit, and my belief that my self-worth could be wrapped up in the objects I owned, is ultimately what powers the entire system that is now so tremendously unbalanced. Corporations are, by and large, collectives of people under the same illusion I was. That illusion is that "more stuff equals more happiness." Come to find out, more stuff does NOT equal more happiness. More stuff equals more stuff. I can stop powering the system by first looking at my own greed and gluttony and trying to mitigate their influence on my actions. The fact that "more stuff" is not equal to "more happiness" can be taught. Most powerfully by example.

4. Minimizing is good. This plays off of point 4. If greed and over consumption power the system, and that greed and consumption has been relentlessly sewn into the fabric of my own world-view and my own sense of self, then to minimize my life will certainly kill two birds with one stone. First bird: I have minimized by getting rid of my TV, my iPods, iPads, the guitar I never played, and a whole mess of other stuff. I have minimized by simplifying my diet. This doesn't mean that I go pay inflated costs for "organic" food at "Whole Foods."

This means that I have stopped eating at chain restaurants as much as I can. I have stopped buying as many processed foods and meats. I cook simply, and at home. I am by no means perfect with this stuff, but there has been improvement. I am in the process of attempting to pay off my credit cards. As I get them paid off, I will be closing the accounts, to the detriment of wall street. I ride my bike or walk almost everywhere I go, not because I want to "watch my carbon output," but because the compulsion to drive somewhere when I could as easily walk or bike is a form of greed, and is what large violent corporations are counting on. They don't care about anything else except to keep me over-consuming. I am attempting to consume, then, as little as possible. THIS is the solution we seek.

Without my willingness to sit glued to my advertising machine, also known as a television, and without my willingness to buy 20 pairs of shoes when I only need two or three, the empire built of greed will crumble in upon itself. The second bird I kill here is a philosophical bird. Hyper-consumption blocks me from objectively seeing and experiencing happiness, because hyper-consumption DEPENDS on me being unhappy. At least, it depends on me being unhappy enough to believe that I need to buy a product I have no use for in order to attain happiness. I bought and I bought and I bought and attained no catharsis. Then, I tried giving. Holy shit…. let me tell you…. giving brings HAPPINESS.

5. Those who stand to make a profit beyond modest self-sustenance are suspect. Here I am referring to the media. This is key. Any for-profit corporate media outlet, no matter what they are saying, is going to spin the message of love and of modest living into a grotesque charade of itself. Their interest is not in the success of the occupy-wall-street movement, but in the profit that they can make regurgitating the most sensationalized garbage related to the movement that they can. I mean to say that the more someone has, the less valuable their words are. Just as Rupert Murdoch and Bill O'Reilly are suspect, so are Michael Moore and Keith Olberman. These are men who have over extended themselves into the world.

A millionaire who says "sure, tax me more, it's only fair," does not absolve himself of the misdeed of hoarding substantially more than he needs to sustain himself merely by offering to a pay a tiny fraction more on next year's taxes. I'm not saying that no person ought to be worthy of some luxury here and there. I am saying that, in a world where one billion people are starving, sitting on TV spouting liberal politics while wearing a suit that probably cost $1000 and then going home via a limousine to an estate that could house dozens is, objectively speaking, an act of violence.

I have come to the realization that, indeed, the less I have, the more meaningful my words become. When O'Reilly or Moore give up their fortunes, I'll be willing to listen to them. Subvert the corporate media by staying informed online with twitter and other such services. You can start by reading the Tsaritsa's blog. She be occupying. We no longer need the goings on of the world digested for us by men with money. The internet is here.

6. Love. This part is simple. Love every single day. Love every single person. Don't coerce people, and don't think that a movement that leverages a broken and violent government into coercing the rich into giving up more of their money will ever fix the economic disparities or the social ills of the world. Government can't redistribute the wealth of wall-street through taxes nearly as efficiently as we can by no longer using credit, by not driving our cars as much, by not buying a new car just because the old one is old, by living modestly and by turning off our cable or satellite services.

Turning off the TV is, in a sense, the ultimate act of love. Only by means such as these can we gently deflate the insanely ballooning machine of indoctrinated hyper-consumerism. It starts in the home, loving one another and helping one another. Then locally, finding those in true need and loving them and helping them. Then nationally we can love ourselves by learning how to see fellow people as people, and not seeing them merely as a dollar figure related to their fancy clothing. Then we can love on a global scale by feeding the unfed and by not shoving our guns in the faces of people we don't even know.

Love is about forgiveness. We can, and must, forgive everyone, even the people at the top of this economic disaster. After all, the people that caused this, like the men who run our government, and like the talking heads on TV, are children. At least psychologically, they are children, hoarding as a child hoards toys in a play pen. I was like a child, hoarding. I have found, though, the value of sharing. The value of making myself small. If I can learn it, anyone can. Even Warren Buffet. Although he has the mentality of a child, he is still human, and that makes him like me. And I love me. So I love him. And I love you.

Sick, greedy, altruistic, indoctrinated, smart, confused, giving, impoverished, loving or hating, we are all humans and we are all worthy of love. We are all, then, truly and simply, the 100%.

TRIUMPH: Submit now [to my zine] or forever hold your peace

2011-11-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

It's time to send in your submissions for the fourth issue of Be About It, my semi-regularly published independent literary magazine. I'm closing submissions on Monday, but that's still plenty of time to get your cameras clickin, your fingers typin, and your creative juices flowin.

For more info, check out this post. And If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me in the comments or send me a tweet.

I have already received a bunch of great pieces for this issue, but I always want to extend a hand to the lollygaggers and get them on board. So submit now!

And remember, zines and original artwork and writing make great holiday gifts!

GIVEAWAY: your very own business cards from UPrinting

2011-11-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

A company called UPrinting, specializing in custom business cards, contacted me recently wanting to know if I would host a giveaway here on this blog. UPrinting.com is one of the versatile printing companies who offer business cards online. Not only do they print affordable and quality business cards, they can also customize them according to your specific needs and offer custom business cards.

"Why not," I thought, "Everyone loves business cards, right?" I know that I do. They're an essential aspect of networking. I even have a little metal case, akin to an old fashioned cigarette case, in my purse where I store my Alphyn Industries cards. It keeps them nice and neat and makes a polished impression when I attend events for Alphyn.

So here's how to enter the giveaway:

1) Giveaway ends November 15, 2011. That's next Tuesday!

2) For one entry, send out a tweet about this giveaway with a link to this post (tag me at the end of the tweet @theTsaritsa)

3) For one entry, like the Tsaritsa sez and UPrinting on Facebook
4) For one entry, follow this blog with Google Friend Connect
5) For two entries, write a post on your blog about this giveaway

The more times you tweet the more entries you will receive, and more entries means a greater chance of winning. To pick the winner, I will write your name on a slip of paper (one slip per entry), put them all in a hat, and will randomly choose one person.

Don't forget to leave me a comment to let me know that you entered!

Super easy, right? ONE lucky winner will take home a set of 250 custom business cards, a must-have for every young professional and entrepreneur.

The winner will be announced Tuesday, November 15, so get to getting!

Business card choices are:

2 x 3.5" Rounded Corners

2 x 2" Rounded Corners

1.75 x 3.5" Rounded Corners

2 x 3.5" Leaf

2 x 3.5 Rounded one corner

2 x 3.5" Half Circle Side

2 x 3.5" Oval

2.5" Circle 14pt Cardstock Gloss/Matte/High Gloss (UV) or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated

FYI: this giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, but no monetary compensation was given. I will, however, receive my own set of business cards for hosting. SCORE!

UPDATE: We have a winner! Jordan from Trailer Gypsy has won the 250 free business cards of her choice. Congratulations!

Urban ants, American Dream, Zombies and Skulls [photo walk]

2011-11-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

Is the American dream dead?

"I fell down by myself, I was not cut down," so says the tree stump.

Mmmm, sugar skull...

Mmmm, teardrop tattoo...

In Nob Hill, a swanky San Francisco neighborhood.

Eeek!

A colony of urban ants, living inside a parking lot.

Not sure what this is, but it looked cool. In the Tenderloin.

Payphones, now used as urban art vehicles.

"If you think hip-hop music is all about how much money you have, how big your rims are, and how much your chain costs then you need to WAKE UP." << I completely agree.

The Tao Of Wu by the RZA [book review]

2011-11-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Looking for a great book to read, or perhaps you have an awesome recommendation-- take a look at my reading list and leave a comment.

Last week I picked up and read a book that has been sitting around in my apartment for over a year. Ben gave me The Tao of Wu last year as a birthday gift, and though I started reading it just after receiving it, I paused after ten pages, put it on a shelf, and forgot about it.

For whatever reason I wasn't ready to read it then, but after going back to the book when I needed some waiting room reading material, I soon realized I couldn't put it down.

The Tao of Wu is kind of like the sequel to RZA's first book, The Wu-Tang Manual, but it goes a lot deeper. RZA talks about his experience growing up in poverty in the housing projects of Staten Island (where he shared a two-bedroom apartment with eighteen other family members), explains Wu-Tang's metamorphosis from catchy street slang to global hip-hop domination, and does all of this while detailing his spiritual journey.

I love the RZA. He's a musical genius who forever changed the face of hip-hop and music production by creating a sound that was all his own, a style that people are still trying to emulate today.

Being a total Wu-Tang head, I knew a lot of the history of the group and the basic beliefs held by group members before reading this book. But reading Tao gave me a new appreciation for the RZA and everything he's been through, not to mention I felt a kinship with his worldview and thoughts on spirituality.

The RZA grew up going to Christian churches with his uncle in the south, the type of churches where grown men and ladies get "the holy ghost," scream and yell and throw themselves on the ground in a so-called spiritual fervor.

Even as a child, RZA saw through this unsightly display, realizing that god is inside everyone, not just those who go to church regularly. That's why members of the Wu call each other "god," because every person is a god-- they just to find it within themselves and tap into that potential. He realized this idea through his studies of the Bible, Koran and teachings of Buddha, but even more when he started learning the Lessons of the Five Percent Nation.

The Five Percent Nation is based upon the notion that 85% of the world's population is deaf, dumb, and blind to the very real problems in our society, the problems that the wicked 10% create and try to keep the 5%, who are fully aware of the disproportionate power this group has, from unearthing and revealing to the 85% who are content just to watch reruns of Toddlers & Tiaras in the safety of their sheltered homes.

If you really think about it, this notion is completely true. How much wrongdoing is going on in this world that most people simply tune out and turn away from? And although the numbers may not be exact, it's an illustration of how the powerful few have complete control over the ignorant many. The point of the Five Percent Nation is to wake people out of their self-inflicted cocoons, spread knowledge, and get the masses to reach self-actualization. To take a stand for what is right and not just accept the status quo.

Usually, after reading a book, I am left with something or a few things from the book to ponder over, which is one of my favorite aspects of reading a good book-- having an idea to turn over in my head. With that said, I usually do not feel compelled to write anything about the book afterward, which is why there are scant book reviews to be found on this site. I'll recommend a good book I've read to a friend and provide a few key details or reasons why they should read, or maybe even write a short blurb, but doing a review like this is rarely on my agenda.

This book, however, made me want to share. I really enjoyed RZA's take on spirituality, showing that one can tap into godliness without being religious:

"I'm not a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Christian, a gangsta, a thug, or a prophet. I'm not any one of these things, although in a way I'm all of them," says the RZA . I agree. The things we learn in our days become a part of us, but not any one of the things you've learned or experienced in life can define you as a whole. People are too complex.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes the Wu-Tang Clan and hip-hop, and also to anyone who is interested in religion and spirituality. RZA writes this book in his own voice-- while reading, I heard his distinct dialect in my head, pointing out bits of wisdom and uncovering his humanity. Check out this book at the library or if you'd like to borrow my copy to read, just let me know and I'll lend it to you.

Recycled fashion: tips on buying vintage clothing

2011-11-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

I went to the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire, a two-day shopping fair at The O Club with timeless looks from the prim Victorian-era to the day-glo 1980s on display in 50 booths selling a wide array of clothing for women and men, couture, jewelry, accessories, textiles, fine linens and more.

It was a great show, and I got to meet some awesome people (like Jillian of Joules Jewels Vintage, who I had Happy Hour drinks with last week-- she is new to the Bay Area and started her shop selling jewelry, but has now incorporated retro threads into her line).

Annie, my friend and fellow vintage-lover, was visiting me here in San Fran for my birthday so we went to the show together (and hitch-hiked back to BART afterward, but that's another story for another day). Before going to the show I picked up some serious vintage shopping know-how from expert and event co-founder, Sandra Michaan. Read on for her tips on buying vintage, choosing the right era and mixing vintage and modern pieces.

What is a good way for someone to get introduced to buying vintage?

A good way for someone new to get introduced to buying vintage is to attend a vintage fashion faire or expo event. There are dozens of professional dealers vending all in one place. Many have been in the business for years and own shops. They are experts and can find the right styles for you to try and are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to eras, inventory and sizing. It’s like having a mall of personal vintage shoppers who hand pick and select merchandise that is right for you. Also, if you don’t have a stylist, you can enlist a stylish friend who already wears vintage to go shopping with you. I always help my friends find pieces for their collections and show them new ways to mix vintage.

Any ideas for beginners who aren’t sure how to wear it?

Look at magazines and browse the internet to see how other stylish folks are wearing vintage. You can be inspired by style blogs, since many bloggers are savvy to mixing vintage with modern pieces. Also many celebrities are wearing vintage and they have stylists who are vintage collectors so they style them for appearances and photo shoots. I recommend starting with accessories like vintage scarves, hats, belts and jewelry and working your way into more adventurous looks as you get more confident with wearing vintage.

Can anyone wear any era of vintage or are certain eras more appropriate for different body types?

I believe you can wear any era of vintage and look fantastic, but certain eras have cuts that are more flattering to different body types. It’s all about finding the style that feels right for you.

How can one identify different eras of vintage? What distinguishes one era from another?

If you’re new at collecting vintage there are books to guide you. Also, at vintage shows, dealers can assist you with their knowledge. Watch TV and films from different eras. They depict very specific time periods and the costumers get it right. They win awards for their expertise. I’ve studied fashion history and it’s fascinating to go to fashion exhibits at museums. What distinguishes one era from another is fabric, length, fit, etc. and it will be easy to determine once you get the hang of it.

Is it ever acceptable to wear vintage from head to toe? What about mix-matching eras?

It is acceptable to wear vintage head to toe if you are re-enacting an era. Some people are vintage lifestyle enthusiasts and even wear authentic undergarments. They belong to vintage societies and are passionate collectors. If you do choose to wear vintage in that way you will look as though you stepped off a movie set and you will get noticed. However, a more modern approach is to mix modern and vintage. Also, it’s perfectly fine to mix vintage eras. I like to mix Victorian lace and 60s styles with modern pieces. It’s how you mix it that matters. Try to find eras that echo each other in tone. It’s an advanced styling technique but it looks fresh and unique when you see it.

How do you feel about recycled fashion (modifying a vintage piece into an updated or different look)?

Recycled fashion is an art form. I’ve seen some pieces that have been destroyed by time restored into a fabulous new garment that looks new and modern by some of my dealers at my shows. I have myself done this. Sometimes, an old garment just doesn’t work in it’s original form and needs a fresh update. Often, moths destroy sleeves, or silk disintegrates. Embellishments can be added to revive a tired gown. I love to recycle fashion that way and reinvent something. Even broken jewelry can be made new again and many dealers at my shows have achieved this beautifully.

Why are fashionistas drawn to vintage?

One of a kind looks are always a strong way to make a fashion statement. Stylish types love to go for fashion that they know others won’t have. No one wants to walk into a room and see another person wearing the same outfit! Not to mention that vintage garments are often couture quality for much lower prices.

Who are your favorite vintage designers?

Halston, Yves St. Laurent, Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar De La Renta, Pucci, Lilli Ann.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Flea markets, books, magazines, film, museums, art, nature, travel, music, the internet!

What are your tips for buying vintage: what should one look for, and what not to buy?

When buying vintage always look for good condition. If you buy something that needs restoration, take that cost factor into consideration. Don’t pass on vintage items if they aren’t current designer names. Sometimes, lesser known labels can become collectible in the years to come. As for size, it’s always a good idea to go up in size since you can always get larger items altered to fit. Don’t rely on modern sizing since old labels have different sizing standards. Sizes vary from decade to decade and from manufacturer to manufacturers since they are from the past. Try every item on or get measurements to ensure a proper fit. Lastly, always buy what you love. Vintage is a good investment and is always in style.

Originally posted on SF Indie Fashion, words and photos by yours truly.

My Sookie kitty is super stylish meow

2011-11-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Mommy's shoes smell good after a long day of work," says Sookie.

Sookie is seriously the best cat, ever. Not only is she so loving and fun (when I come home from work or wherever she's always waiting at the door for me, and then when I walk in she starts pouncing me and running around, wanting to play.

She's kind of like a dog, but much smarter. And much more stylish. You know she would look smashing in those red heels (which I only wore to work for my Zombie Amy Winehouse costume on Halloween Monday) and carrying that vintage Dooney & Bourke bag. Chic kitty.

Are your pets super stylish? Do they like to snuggle up in your shoes after a hard day's work?

Bloglovin and BILFs (bloggers I'd like to... forever enjoy)

2011-11-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Just joined Bloglovin after attending a Blogging Seminar hosted by Lorraine (my boss) of SF Indie Fashion. Another blogger at the conference uses it and recommends it, so I figured I'd try it out. Do you use Bloglovin? Do you like it? Are there any other networking sites for blogs that you use and love? Tell me about them!

In other news, I just got a tweet from Q of Thank, Q For Common Sense informing me that I was chosen by him to receive a BILF award. His reasons for giving me the award are that I am "open-minded, intelligent, and comfortable in front of a camera. 'Nuff said."

*blushes* Geez, Q, thank you! I'm flattered, truly.

Now to pass this award on to five lovely and gorgeous bloggers. The following I have picked because I love their blogs, not because I want to do anything dirty with them (for the record). I have a boyfriend, so my recognition of these bloggers is strictly platonic:

- Ashley of Beyond Passing Time has a unique viewpoint and always has something intriguing to say, like in this satirical guest post about Julia Roberts.

- Claudia of Molto Fashion because she's got great style, takes amazing photographs, and is a total sweetheart.

- Hipstercrite is a hilarious blog and also totally relatable to all us self-aware twenty-somethings out there trying to find our place in the sun.

- Charles of In Review: Stuff and Things has a knack for writing and is an inspiration to me. I am humbled by his empathy and understanding.

- Donald of Up In The Clouds keeps me entertained on Twitter and has impeccable musical taste (and I'm not just saying that because we did a hip-hop related collabo-post before)-- check him out!

Hope you're all having an awesome weekend! Don't forget to pass this award on.

I want a job, I want a good job

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

"I want a job

I want a job

I want a good job

I want a job

I want a job that pays

I want a job

I want a real job

One that satisfies my artistic needs"

- song from the movie, Sid & Nancy, one of my favorite movies when I was in high-school

I can't believe it's been over a year and I still haven't found full-time employment. Lord knows I've been looking. Right now I'm temping, which is something, but like the name implies it's only a temporary solution to my ongoing problem.

I had a three-part interview this week with a popular and growing social media company. I thought I made a really good impression and hoped that I would get a call back telling me that I got the job-- like what happened when I was hired to promote Monster.com's new app, BeKnown (I actually cried out with glee over the telephone upon receiving that news). Instead, I got an email this morning regretfully informing me that I had not been chosen for the position, but they will keep my resume on file in the case that another position opens up.

I started to feel hot tears forming in my eyes after I clicked out of the email, I had been so sure of myself. I emailed my parents and told them what happened. Then I called Ben and told him. Then I snapped myself out of it. It's just a job, I told myself, and there will be more opportunities. As a consolation, my friend who works at the company (and got me the interview) told me that I was well-liked and actually the number two choice. That made me feel a bit better. If it doesn't work out for number one maybe I'll get a call back?

My story is not unique. I know that there are many people like me who have been searching high and low for gainful employment, but that doesn't keep me from feeling a little sorry for myself when I get those rejection letters. Gosh, I really hope things turn around for the better soon, but in the meantime I'll just have to keep sending out resumes, keep networking, and try to keep my chin up.

My dad sent me this little pep talk after I told him the unfortunate news:

"Bloodied but not bowed.

I'm sorry honey. The company that hires you will be getting a bargain... a hungry, smart, intelligent, savvy, industrious worker....

I am always in your corner, killer. Lace up those gloves and come out swinging."

I love my parents <3

You Say You Want a Revolution (guest post by EmDottie) #ows

2011-11-03T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hey, all! Today we have a special treat, a guest post by my blog-friend, EmDottie, on the Occupy Wall Street movement that's been sweeping the nation. You all know how I feel about #OWS (though I haven't said it all yet), so I am looking for others to share their thoughts and feelings about the Occupation. If you would also like to guest here on this topic, please don't be shy-- hit me up!

Allow me to reintroduce myself. It’s the ever so elusive EmDottie. I know y’all missed me.

The lovely Tsaritsa has let me guest blog to sound off about this movement/madness that is Occupy Wall Street.

Before I start, here’s a little bit of background info: I am an economics major. I study markets, money, fiscal and monetary policy for a living (pretty much), so I can actually look at this Occupy Wall Street movement objectively. I can explain it to you, but it would take more than a blog post.

I digress…

image source

So. We’ve all seen (or even participated in) the Occupy Wall Street movement. Let’s be a little more specific, the Occupy Wall Street Banks movement. (It would make no sense to ‘occupy’ the New York Stock Exchange which is located in the same area.) Now, let’s see where your bank falls into the Wall Street category.

We have Merrill Lynch (bought by Bank of America), JP Morgan Chase (who bought Bear Stearns and Chase), Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank. Maybe (like me) you don’t bank with any of these banks and you take care of all your business at a credit union. If you don’t do business with any of these companies, perhaps you participate in the movement because you’re just tired of being taken advantage of. Well, whatever the reason, we can all empathize with the OWS movement.

Let’s be real, unemployment is ridiculous, people can’t feed their families, can’t pay their bills, and are getting foreclosed on. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel for many of us. Meanwhile when banks can’t balance their damn books and don’t pay their bills they get saved by the government and/or the Fed. What type of shit is that?!

What I find disturbing about the whole thing is that nobody has uttered a word about occupying Washington or the Federal Reserve which is headquartered in New York City. Who votes to swoop in and save these jackasses with tax breaks? Congress. Who saved AIG? The Fed. Who are we too busy occupying? Wall Street.

Now, because of this fancy little degree I’m paying about $37,000 a year for (racking up hella debt, but that’s neither here nor there), I can understand why the government and the Fed do what they do, but my question to you is: are you holding them accountable for their actions?

I dig OWS, don’t get me wrong, but let’s not forget the ones who want to play Captain Save-A-Bank. Make them do their job. Do some research! If you find out your Senator voted for tax breaks for the rich and an increase on taxes for the poor, fire their ass in the next election! Contact the Fed and let them know that they need to become stricter with their monetary policy if they’re going to continue to bail these fools out! Write your representatives and tell them they need to move their asses on this Jobs bill or propose something better. Tell them to get their petty differences out the way, and if they don’t WE THE PEOPLE will find someone who will! Plain and simple.

The moral of the story: the banks only act the way they do because they can. It’s up to us to hold EVERYBODY accountable. That includes holding ourselves accountable too.

[A quick note, if you want a safe place to put your money, put it in a credit union. I refuse to put any of my money in a BANK account. I have three separate credit unions I do business with, and two share branch. Do your research people. Move your money. Banks will pay attention when a large amount of accounts end up being closed.]

If you have any questions, comments, concerns or if you just want to have some friendly banter or an econ lesson, email me at emdottie@gmail.com

Thanks Tsar…

You're very welcome, Em! Thanks for guesting :) I appreciate your informed opinion on the matter.

Style Update (Halloween edition): Zombie Amy Winehouse

2011-11-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is what I wore to work on Monday:

- shredded stockings

- Black widow sweater by Betsey Johnson

- floral print dress with a 1950s feel

- crapped-out red Ralph Lauren party shoes

- blacked-out eyes

- oh yeah, a big beehive wig

I was the only one in my office who dressed up. I'm temping right now for an internet company and we had a party here on Monday, with cupcakes, balloons and Halloween candy. We were told we should dress up, so I did. Truth be told, I probably would have donned a costume even if we weren't told to. What? I love Halloween.

I didn't want to do a repeat of my Courtney Love look, so I pulled my Winehouse wig from the depths of my closet, threw on some clothes the crooner could have worn, and slapped some dark makeup around my eyes. Costume!

I got a lot of compliments from co-workers and people on the street, but it would have been more fun if more people had gotten into the Halloween spirit. Oh well. I'll never get tired of celebrating my favorite holiday.

First day of NaNoWriMo-- time to pound some keyboards

2011-11-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. I had heard about this annual event when I was still in college, living in England. Some people in the Poetry Society, to which I belonged, were participating and seemed really wrapped up in it. The challenge? To complete an entire novel (50,000 words!) during the month of November.

So I signed up this year, which is a little crazy seeing as how I've never come close to writing anything of that length before, nor have I tried. I want to push myself, and I've had an idea for a story brewing in my head for quite some time, so I'm hoping I can crank it out. If I don't finish my "novel" in the allotted time, I'll at least have something to work with for later, and it's good practice now matter how you slice it.

My blog-friend, Emmy, is giving plenty of advice and helpful tips for NaNoWriMo on her blog, which I recommend you check out if you're also signed up this year.

I should probably start working on my "novel" now (it's in quotes because I can't take it too seriously yet), but I just had to blog first. I find that if I need to do something important it's better to blog first, so I'm not distracted by constructing a post when I should be doing something else.

All right, I'm going to start brainstorming in a minute. Let me finish my coffee first!

Did you sign up this year? Maybe we can chat about our story ideas and the best way to tackle this beast of written words. Tweet me :)

Halloweekend: Smells Like Teen Spirit!

2011-10-31T06:48:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Ben and I were inspired by colorful musical figures from the 1990s for our Halloween costumes.

It wasn't a difficult look to put together, as we just wore our own clothes. The only extra accessory that we needed were wigs. Blonde wigs.

You know how much I love dressing up like a trainwreck-- there's just something really fun about pretending to be someone who is out of their mind, also I have an excuse if I happen to go a little nuts. Luckily, I took it easy and the only wackiness I got into was overindulging in the free snacks at an airbnb event late on Saturday night where my friend, DJ Lil Elle, was spinning.

Anyway, on to the costumes!

My inspiration:

source

90s vintage dress (can I even say "vintage" if it's from the 90s? If 90s is vintage, what does that make me?!) that I bought a while ago but have never worn. It had the Courtney Love vibe going on, so I pulled it out of the closet for the occasion.

The "Heiress" wig I picked up at a Halloween Spirit store for $12.99. Not too bad, though the quality was very poor. I knew I would have to cut it.

Posing in a wig cap and holding the bleached-blonde wig. It was super long and gross and reminded me of a dime-store Rapunzel.

After giving the wig a first cut, I took a photo and posted it on Tumblr and Facebook asking if it looked all right and if I should cut it more. I knew it needed to be shorter, but I didn't want to go too short and risk the synthetic hair falling out all over the place. It had already started to fall apart when I began trimming the length.

After I felt satisfied with the styling of my wig (which I had a hard time stuffing all of my hair underneath), I threw on one of Ben's plaid shirts over the Valley Girl dress, added some torn stockings and boots, and voila!

Doing a dazed face while waiting for pizza at Little Star, where we dined in costume and felt eyes darting over us as we relaxed and dined.

Ben, with his grandpa sweater and Kurt Cobain wig:

After a deep-dish pizza debacle (we mistakenly ordered Chicago style by not specifying when I wanted thin crust-- the only real pizza is thin crust pizza, IMHO, but we ate it anyway!) we stopped by Solstice and sat at the bar with Juv, dressed as a zombie Raggedy Anne, and her banana-friend:

The happy couple:

Getting photobombed by a Vendetta/Occupy dude while making my gangsta face:

Saturday night was a lot of fun-- it was nice to get dressed up and go out, even though I was still trying to fight off this cold and wasn't feeling 100%. My nose looks super dry in the photos from all the tissues I've been going through since Tuesday (the same day I started my temp job, coincidentally), but I guess it adds to the Courtney Love look.

Did you have fun over the weekend? What did you dress as, and where did you go?

Also, do you think I look good as a blonde? LOL

Halloween Costume Ideas, 2011

2011-10-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Still wondering what you're going to be for Halloween this year? Fret not, the Tsaritsa is here to help!

Last year, I predicted that the Lady Gaga meat dress and Christine O'Donnell "I'm not a witch" witch costume would be popular choices amongst the big-kid crowd. I actually did see a few meat dresses and some witches when I went out to celebrate, so hopefully my costume-picker is still on for this year!

- Canceled Playboy Bunnies. Throw on some lingere, bunny ears, and string a sign around your neck that says "canceled." Perfect!

- Charlie Sheen and his goddesses. I've seen masks with his likeness in Halloween stores, and they're actually branded "Charlie Sheen." He's certainly not one to shy away from capitalizing on a meltdown.

- Zombie Amy Winehouse. Is it too soon? I still have my wig from two years ago, all I need is some zombie face paint and a raggedy dress. So, not that different from dressing as regular Amy Winehouse. [Sidenote: I actually like her music, and no disrespect is intended]

- Bridesmaids, from the movie Bridesmaids. I'm picking this because I just watched the movie while Annie was visiting (and LOVED it). I've actually never been a bridesmaid, but I feel like everyone has one dress in their closet that is ugly enough for this costume! Add some Jello Pudding splatters if you feel like recreating the scene where the girls get sick from food poisoning while trying on dresses at a bridal boutique.

- Got a big blonde wig? Are you partial to making creepy facial expression using mostly your lips? You could be Courtney Stodden, the young girl who got married to some former child star, now in his fifties! Just print out this mask, courtesy of Pop Dust.

image source

- A "pretty girl," a la American Horror Story. Are you watching this show? Why not? It's kinda like The Shining, but with more murders and sexual situations. I love it.

image source

- Steve Jobs/Apple/iPhone related costumes. I will be surprised if I don't see any turtlenecks cruising around this year.

image source

- Boardwalk Empire characters. Because who doesn't love Art Deco glam, booze, and gangsters?

What are you going as this year? What do you think other people will be?

How Clothes Are Made: Garment Manufacturing in San Francisco

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Garment manufacturing is quietly thriving in San Francisco, thanks to a plethora of local designers producing handmade clothing here in small batches and independent companies like SJ Manufacturing.

“SJ” stands for Seymour Jaron, the president of SJ Manufacturing, whose 55+ years of experience in the garment industry have granted him living legend status in his field. We recently went inside the SJ headquarters, located in a South of Market warehouse full of local start-ups and sewing machines, to find out how clothes are made in San Francisco.

When most people think of America’s fashion epicenters, either New York City or Los Angeles comes to mind, but San Francisco is currently experiencing a mini-manufacturing renaissance that’s worth noticing. In many ways, the rise in local manufacturing makes sense: San Francisco has both design talent and a long history in the apparel industry forged by household names such as Levi’s, Dockers and Gap.

It’s more expensive to produce clothing in S.F., especially in large batches, largely because the minimum wage is higher here than in New York or Los Angeles. It’s even cheaper to manufacture a clothing line in China (though usually impractical for small companies unless the quantities are in the thousands), but more and more designers are deciding to produce locally, for reasons ranging from quality control to civic pride. So the thinking goes: when you build a relationship with the people producing your garments and actually see them being made, the process becomes more personal.

For many start-up designers needing small batches, the San Francisco garment manufacturing scene is just the right fit. In recent years, SJ has worked with numerous emerging Bay Area apparel labels, including Chi Wear, Hip-T, Alphyn Industries and Janine Marie Handbags & Accessories.

SJ specializes in sample making and small to medium runs, which range from as few 50 pieces and up to 1,000 pieces in a production. Hong Ning, SJ’s Production Manager, uses her over 40 years of experience to create the sample, as sample making requires a higher level of expertise to resolve any problems within the garment and find the best method for mass manufacturing.

Designers who are ready to manufacture come to SJ with sample garments and paper patterns (if they have them). Once the pattern is set, SJ will make a duplicate sample for approval.

With the approved sample, the pattern is then graded, or scaled into various sizes, and becomes ready for manufacturing.

After the pattern has been graded, a process that involves software, and printed onto paper in different sizes, fabric is stacked on a cutting table and cut into the necessary shapes and sizes. At this point, some pieces of the unfinished garment may be sent out for embroidery or printing before assembly.

The assembly process requires various machines specific to each task at hand– there is a machine for bar tacking, a machine for sewing buttonholes, a machine for lock stitches, just to name a few. The finishing touch? The labels. In order for a garment to be produced and sold legally in the United States, the designer must provide a label describing the fabric composition and care instructions.

Next stop: a store near you and – many designers hope – ultimately your closet.

Photos and words by yours truly. Originally posted on SF Indie Fashion.

Karaoke Halloweenies!

2011-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. So sorry for the delay in this month's Karaoke Ring O'Death. I could create a list of reasons why we're a little late this month (or I could be low brow and insert a period joke here), but instead I'll just introduce the wonderful Katie of Struggling Single Twenty-Something, and direct you to view my KROD contribution on David's blog, The Fiction Factory, afterward. Enjoy, and HAPPY HALLOWEEK (yes, it's a week-long celebration)!

Hi everyone! I'm Katie from Struggling Single Twenty-Something. I recorded this video on Monday, which, believe it or not, was a fantastic day- I got a new job, got a new haircut, and then went home and recorded my video for KROD!

This year for Halloween I'm going to be Minnie Mouse, and I was all set to do the Mickey Mouse Club song for karaoke, since I figured all of the songs I associate with Halloween- "Monster Mash," "I'll Put a Spell on You," that song from The Nightmare Before Christmas- would be taken pretty quickly.

Then I stumbled upon the 90s classic "Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground in my iTunes and thought, "Hey, that song works for Halloween!" And there we have it. Thanks, everyone, for keeping this ring going! And be sure to stop by my blog to see Jes from Jes Getting Started singing one seriously creepy song.

Taking it to the STREETS, participating in our democracy! #OCCUPYSF

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Are people bored of hearing about the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Everywhere Movement that has been going on for over a month now? I surely hope not, because I still have plenty to say about it.

If you're still confused as to what everyone is so jazzed-up about, please read my piece describing the message of the movement, or check out this eloquent letter reposted here from the Daily Kos, but really, all you have to do is read the signs people are holding (or read a newspaper) to understand why most of the country is voicing their troubles.

Campaign finance reform and income equality are two of the hot-button issues.

Average household income for the wealthiest in this country has gone way up, while most of us are left out in the cold.

So many people gathered in support of the 99 percent.

"When you get the money, you get the power..." a quotation from Scarface appropriated here.

Masses outside the San Francisco Federal Reserve building.

Overturn corporate personhood. Yes, please. A non-living entity is not a person! What's next, tax breaks for ghosts?

Corporate oligarchy is not a product of freedom! Get off the couch and PARTICIPATE in your democracy! It's our country, too!

Young and old, people from all backgrounds flocked to downtown SF to support the cause.

"There Must Be a Strict Supervision of All Banking and Credits and Investments.There must be an end to speculation with other people's money..." Uh, yeah. FDR had it right the first time, in 1933. Why haven't we learned?

"My bank went to bailout-land and all I got was this lousy recession." I got an account with the unemployment office as a souvenir! And yo, please give us our schools back. So many problems within this country could be solved easily with a better education system (but the people in power don't care because they send their kids to private school, anyway).

Joining a credit union and taking my money out of the bank... I'm working on it.

America seriously needs to wake up. I pray for the 85% who don't have a clue.

Seems logical enough to me. Instead of bailing out big businesses (who clearly were making terrible decisions), why not bail out small businesses? Hmmm?

We are the American people. There are too many of us to fail. We cannot fail.

We're fighting for freedom, we're praying for peace.

"Democracy, not just for the 1% anymore!!"

Let's legislate without the prodding of private enterprise and lobbyists.

LOL. What do you say to that, Rick Perry?

The cutest sign of the day. It really is ruff out there.

I testified, my mama cried, poor people died when the other man lied...

2011-10-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Rewording a Public Enemy song for my own purposes. I hope Chuck D doesn't mind.

Video of the October 15, 2011 Solidarity March in downtown San Francisco for Occupy Wall Street.

The video is a compilation of shots I took while at the March. It's funny to watch it and see how many people pointed and smiled at the sign I was holding: "Broke, but not broken."

I made this myself. Feel free to share, just please cite the source :)

Photos are coming soon, I've been busy this past week with running all over the city with Annie, my friend visiting from Philadelphia. Let's bet on getting the photos posted this week-- they're edited, I just need to write captions.

Any way, I'd love to hear any stories you have about the Occupy Movement, or any thoughts or opinions. Please share them here!

Prize collages, winners of the Passion Giveaway

2011-10-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to announce the winners of my PASSION GIVEAWAY!

The lucky ones, and their respective blog entries are, Charles of A Real Good Blog, Annie of Re-Make/Re-Model, and Chemgirl of it's so FUZZY!

Please send me your addresses (except Annie, who is currently staying at my house) so I can mail you your prizes! I want to give you a little preview of what I'm sending over, so for your enjoyment here are the collages that I personalized for each of you. Hope you love them, and don't forget to tell me where you live so I can ~~stalk you~~ send you presents.

Happy birthday to me!!

2011-10-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

This arrived in my inbox this morning. My dad is awesome. I know I promised photos from the Occupy Solidarity March, but it's my special day so I'll get to it later. Maybe later this week, though I shouldn't make any promises because one of my East coast besties is flying in tonight. Just wanted to let you know so you're not hanging around in anticipation of awesome protest photos, but I will get to them. Eventually.

<3

#Occupy DOES have a message-- clearing up misconceptions

2011-10-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Is America the only country where people vote against their best interests?

Maybe, or like my friend James said, we're the only free country where that occurs, all the others are dictatorships where the people don't have a voice, thus laws are passed against their interest without their two cents ever being taken.

In the United States, we have a voice. We can vote. We can demonstrate our frustrations with the way government is being run by organizing and vocalizing. We can boycott. We can participate in our democracy, and that is exactly what we're doing.

I want to take a moment and clear up some misconceptions people seem to have about the #Occupy movement.

1) Our message is clear: we are sick and tired of not being represented by our government. We do not believe that corporations and wealthy special interest groups should be allowed to buy elections, nor should they be allowed to determine how our laws are made, yet this is what is going on in our country right now. The needs of the people are not being heard nor are they being met, as children, schools, the poor and other underrepresented communities do not have lobbyists working Congress, nor do they have the spending power that political action committees, or PACs, and other questionably-ethical bodies have.

2) We are not against corporations, but we don't believe that they are people and we don't believe that they should be granted the same rights as a person. Many of us have worked for corporations and would accept the next opportunity to work for one. What we don't like seeing is corporations sending their jobs off to foreign countries (where they can save a buck by not paying their workers as much) and leaving thousands jobless here at home. We also don't like seeing corporations funnel money into politicians so that they can exploit their workers and the environment.

3) We don't think the "rich" should be taxed exclusively. We, the 99 percent, don't mind paying taxes because we like having amenities such as pothole-less roads and bridges that aren't about to collapse. We like contributing to the hiring of police officers and fire fighters who keep our communities safe. We believe that everyone deserves a great education and therefore don't mind paying taxes so that our public schools can afford enough teachers. We don't want the rich to be taxed exclusively, we just think they should pay their fair share.

4) We are not trying to ruin Wall Street or ruin American businesses. We believe in American business and we understand that Wall Street plays a crucial role in our economy. We believe, however, that companies who make very poor business decisions and engage in predatory lending should be punished accordingly. We believe in accountability. The people, the 99 percent have been left holding the bag after Wall Street fat cats recklessly gambled with the economy. We, the people who have the least, are still feeling the hurt from that event.

5) We are not disorganized, and we're also not funded by a pair of billionaire brothers *cough* Koch *cough* Maybe if we did have a bunch of super-wealthy benefactors funding us we would be able to rent port-a-potties and have the neatly printed signage like the Tea Party does, but this is an actual grass-roots organization, not a fabrication. We grew this movement by standing up for what is right and passing that enthusiasm along through our blogs and word of mouth, without the support of the mainstream media. That is just one of many things that distinguishes #Occupy from the Tea Party. We are not the liberal version of the Tea Party.

6) We don't hate capitalism, in fact we (for the most part) like capitalism. What we don't like is seeing corporations who make billions of dollars in annual revenue get away without contributing a dime to our government (sometimes even taking handouts *cough* GE *cough*). We want to end the tax loopholes for the incredibly wealthy. No one should be able to get out of paying their fair share.

7) We can vote, and we do, but the power structure in this country needs to be changed, and not just by voting people out. We need to reevaluate just how elections are held in this country. The ability to get elected should not be based upon how many rich donors one can scrape up, it should be about the issues. Elections should be publicly funded.

Did I miss anything? Please, if you have anything to add to this manifesto, leave a comment and let me know! And stay tuned ~~tomorrow~~ soon for photos and a video I made of the Solidarity March that happened this past Saturday in San Francisco and all around the world.

Open Letter to that 53% Guy, repost from Daily Kos

2011-10-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

I don't usually repost articles I find on the internet (in fact this will be the first time) as I usually try to write my own take on whatever issue is currently on my mind. However, the following article I read by Max Udargo on Daily Kos was so eloquent and so on point that I decided to not even try to one-up it.

If you are confused about the Occupy Movement and want to know why we're demonstrating, this article will give you a clear view of our purpose. Also, it is a wonderful response to Erick Erickson's ridiculous attempt at a social movement. Dude, we have the numbers on our side, and the country is finally waking up. We're not going to let you scam us anymore.

Hello,
I briefly visited the “We are the 53%” website, but I first saw your face on a liberal blog. Your picture is quite popular on liberal blogs. I think it’s because of the expression on your face. I don’t know if you meant to look pugnacious or if we’re just projecting that on you, but I think that’s what gets our attention.

In the picture, you’re holding up a sheet of paper that says:

I am a former Marine.
I work two jobs.
I don’t have health insurance.
I worked 60-70 hours a week for 8 years to pay my way through college.
I haven’t had 4 consecutive days off in over 4 years.
But I don’t blame Wall Street.
Suck it up you whiners.
I am the 53%.
God bless the USA!

I wanted to respond to you as a liberal. Because, although I think you’ve made yourself clear and I think I understand you, you don’t seem to understand me at all. I hope you will read this and understand me better, and maybe understand the Occupy Wall Street movement better.

First, let me say that I think it’s great that you have such a strong work ethic and I agree with you that you have much to be proud of. You seem like a good, hard-working, strong kid. I admire your dedication and determination. I worked my way through college too, mostly working graveyard shifts at hotels as a “night auditor.” For a time I worked at two hotels at once, but I don’t think I ever worked 60 hours in a week, and certainly not 70. I think I maxed out at 56. And that wasn’t something I could sustain for long, not while going to school. The problem was that I never got much sleep, and sleep deprivation would take its toll. I can’t imagine putting in 70 hours in a week while going to college at the same time. That’s impressive.

I have a nephew in the Marine Corps, so I have some idea of how tough that can be. He almost didn’t make it through basic training, but he stuck it out and insisted on staying even when questions were raised about his medical fitness. He eventually served in Iraq and Afghanistan and has decided to pursue a career in the Marines. We’re all very proud of him. Your picture reminds me of him.

So, if you think being a liberal means that I don’t value hard work or a strong work ethic, you’re wrong. I think everyone appreciates the industry and dedication a person like you displays. I’m sure you’re a great employee, and if you have entrepreneurial ambitions, I’m sure these qualities will serve you there too. I’ll wish you the best of luck, even though a guy like you will probably need luck less than most.

I understand your pride in what you’ve accomplished, but I want to ask you something.

Do you really want the bar set this high? Do you really want to live in a society where just getting by requires a person to hold down two jobs and work 60 to 70 hours a week? Is that your idea of the American Dream?

Do you really want to spend the rest of your life working two jobs and 60 to 70 hours a week? Do you think you can? Because, let me tell you, kid, that’s not going to be as easy when you’re 50 as it was when you were 20.

And what happens if you get sick? You say you don’t have health insurance, but since you’re a veteran I assume you have some government-provided health care through the VA system. I know my father, a Vietnam-era veteran of the Air Force, still gets most of his medical needs met through the VA, but I don’t know what your situation is. But even if you have access to health care, it doesn’t mean disease or injury might not interfere with your ability to put in those 60- to 70-hour work weeks.

Do you plan to get married, have kids? Do you think your wife is going to be happy with you working those long hours year after year without a vacation? Is it going to be fair to her? Is it going to be fair to your kids? Is it going to be fair to you?

Look, you’re a tough kid. And you have a right to be proud of that. But not everybody is as tough as you, or as strong, or as young. Does pride in what you’ve accomplish mean that you have contempt for anybody who can’t keep up with you? Does it mean that the single mother who can’t work on her feet longer than 50 hours a week doesn’t deserve a good life? Does it mean the older man who struggles with modern technology and can’t seem to keep up with the pace set by younger workers should just go throw himself off a cliff?

And, believe it or not, there are people out there even tougher than you. Why don’t we let them set the bar, instead of you? Are you ready to work 80 hours a week? 100 hours? Can you hold down four jobs? Can you do it when you’re 40? When you’re 50? When you’re 60? Can you do it with arthritis? Can you do it with one arm? Can you do it when you’re being treated for prostate cancer?

And is this really your idea of what life should be like in the greatest country on Earth?

Here’s how a liberal looks at it: a long time ago workers in this country realized that industrialization wasn’t making their lives better, but worse. The captains of industry were making a ton of money and living a merry life far away from the dirty, dangerous factories they owned, and far away from the even dirtier and more dangerous mines that fed raw materials to those factories.

The workers quickly decided that this arrangement didn’t work for them. If they were going to work as cogs in machines designed to build wealth for the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Carnegies, they wanted a cut They wanted a share of the wealth that they were helping create. And that didn’t mean just more money; it meant a better quality of life. It meant reasonable hours and better working conditions.

Eventually, somebody came up with the slogan, “8 hours of work, 8 hours of leisure, 8 hours of sleep” to divide the 24-hour day into what was considered a fair allocation of a human’s time. It wasn’t a slogan that was immediately accepted. People had to fight to put this standard in place. People demonstrated, and fought with police, and were killed. They were called communists (in fairness, some of them were), and traitors, and many of them got a lot worse than pepper spray at the hands of police and private security.

But by the time we got through the Great Depression and WWII, we’d all learned some valuable lessons about working together and sharing the prosperity, and the 8-hour workday became the norm.

The 8-hour workday and the 40-hour workweek became a standard by which we judged our economic success, and a reality check against which we could verify the American Dream.

If a family could live a good life with one wage-earner working a 40-hour job, then the American Dream was realized. If the income from that job could pay the bills, buy a car, pay for the kids’ braces, allow the family to save enough money for a down payment on a house and still leave some money for retirement and maybe for a college fund for the kids, then we were living the American Dream. The workers were sharing in the prosperity they helped create, and they still had time to take their kids to a ball game, take their spouses to a movie, and play a little golf on the weekends.

Ah, the halcyon days of the 1950s! Yeah, ok, it wasn’t quite that perfect. The prosperity wasn’t spread as evenly and ubiquitously as we might want to pretend, but if you were a middle-class white man, things were probably pretty good from an economic perspective. The American middle class was reaching its zenith.

And the top marginal federal income tax rate was more than 90%. Throughout the whole of the 1950s and into the early 60s.

Just thought I’d throw that in there.

Anyway, do you understand what I’m trying to say? We can have a reasonable standard for what level of work qualifies you for the American Dream, and work to build a society that realizes that dream, or we can chew each other to the bone in a nightmare of merciless competition and mutual contempt.

I’m a liberal, so I probably dream bigger than you. For instance, I want everybody to have healthcare. I want lazy people to have healthcare. I want stupid people to have healthcare. I want drug addicts to have healthcare. I want bums who refuse to work even when given the opportunity to have healthcare. I’m willing to pay for that with my taxes, because I want to live in a society where it doesn’t matter how much of a loser you are, if you need medical care you can get it. And not just by crowding up an emergency room that should be dedicated exclusively to helping people in emergencies.

You probably don’t agree with that, and that’s fine. That’s an expansion of the American Dream, and would involve new commitments we haven’t made before. But the commitment we’ve made to the working class since the 1940s is something that we should both support and be willing to fight for, whether we are liberal or conservative. We should both be willing to fight for the American Dream. And we should agree that anybody trying to steal that dream from us is to be resisted, not defended.

And while we’re defending that dream, you know what else we’ll be defending, kid? We’ll be defending you and your awesome work ethic. Because when we defend the American Dream we’re not just defending the idea of modest prosperity for people who put in an honest day’s work, we’re also defending the idea that those who go the extra mile should be rewarded accordingly.

Look kid, I don’t want you to “get by” working two jobs and 60 to 70 hours a week. If you’re willing to put in that kind of effort, I want you to get rich. I want you to have a comprehensive healthcare plan. I want you vacationing in the Bahamas every couple of years, with your beautiful wife and healthy, happy kids. I want you rewarded for your hard work, and I want your exceptional effort to reap exceptional rewards. I want you to accumulate wealth and invest it in Wall Street. And I want you to make more money from those investments.

I understand that a prosperous America needs people with money to invest, and I’ve got no problem with that. All other things being equal, I want all the rich people to keep being rich. And clever financiers who find ways to get more money into the hands of promising entrepreneurs should be rewarded for their contributions as well.

I think Wall Street has an important job to do, I just don’t think they’ve been doing it. And I resent their sense of entitlement – their sense that they are special and deserve to be rewarded extravagantly even when they screw everything up.

Come on, it was only three years ago, kid. Remember? Those assholes almost destroyed our economy. Do you remember the feeling of panic? John McCain wanted to suspend the presidential campaign so that everybody could focus on the crisis. Hallowed financial institutions like Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch went belly up. The government started intervening with bailouts, not because anybody thought “private profits and socialized losses” was fair, but because we were afraid not to intervene - we were afraid our whole economy might come crashing down around us if we didn’t prop up companies that were “too big to fail.”

So, even though you and I had nothing to do with the bad decisions, blind greed and incompetence of those guys on Wall Street, we were sure as hell along for the ride, weren’t we? And we’ve all paid a price.

All the” 99%” wants is for you to remember the role that Wall Street played in creating this mess, and for you to join us in demanding that Wall Street share the pain. They don’t want to share the pain, and they’re spending a lot of money and twisting a lot of arms to foist their share of the pain on the rest of us instead. And they’ve been given unprecedented powers to spend and twist, and they’re not even trying to hide what they’re doing.

All we want is for everybody to remember what happened, and to see what is happening still. And we want you to see that the only way they can get away without paying their share is to undermine the American Dream for the rest of us.

And I want you and I to understand each other, and to stand together to prevent them from doing that. You seem like the kind of guy who would be a strong ally, and I’d be proud to stand with you.

ORIGINALLY POSTED TO MAX UDARGO ON WED OCT 12, 2011 AT 09:01 AM PDT.

Okay, Tsaritsa back. Time to sound off. What are your thoughts??

Style Update: Velveteen, macrame, and bare bellies

2011-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Haven't done one of these in a while, things are kind of crazy lately and I've been doing a lot of running around. This is what happens when the air is crisp and the sun is out and I feel like dragging an old blazer (that I've had since I was 19, and is what I have on in my passport photo) from the back of my closet.

The Tsaritsa Sez

What's in a name? On being Alexandra

VIP: Infected Mushroom at The (legendary) Fillmore

Modern Day Hustla & more #TsaritsaEP

How the Occupy Wall Street Movement is Impacting Students

Haters are like crickets, crabs. Philosophizing Mob Wives/Wu-Tang Clan

Get To Know Your Fellow Blogger vlog swap (the first, like, ever!)

My sweet new office (and title of Office Manager)

Baloney, multiple personalities, and be in my video!

Hair done, nails done, errything did

Collecting: Three pairs of shoes, three stories, three futures

Tumblr, Pinterest, what's the difference? & micro-blogging burnout

Art and activism, and "Look, ma! My face is on a poster!"

Photo-a-day challenge, week two [blue skies and douchey guys]

Get ready for Azealia Banks...

Hello 2012, I'm doing it "My Way"

Help me name my first hip-hop EP!

Death is a part of life, but it's a shitty part of life

Photo-a-day challenge, week one [home is where the heart is]

How to relieve anxiety & stress, or TMJ disorder & the joys of being an out-of-work Gen-Yer

Most Opinionated Blogger Award (validate me!)

Witturwittout you... The Philly Stuff You Betta Know

The Philly Stuff You Betta Know

Steaks (AKA Cheesesteaks)

FRIENDLY WARNING to fellow Philly buddies

Junk Food

Downnashore

Dag!

Stickball

Pitching Pennies

Pressels

We Got Uhlotta Schools

Just TRY Settling for a Sandwich After You’ve Had a Hoagie

Broad and Market

Connoisseurs of Heroin Know us too

Have We Got Neighbors…

This is what is known about ‘em:

This is what we know of up and down:

Down (South of Philadelphia is pretty much South of Pennsylvania):

Up

Get a friend for life: adopt a shelter pet

Robot or human? Your choice at the grocery store

HBO cancels three popular shows

Wishes for 2012, plus more homemade cards and zines!

Thoughts on "Afterbirth" & next season of American Horror Story

The writers and artists behind TRIUMPH (get your copy now!)

Video killed the radio star? Listen to me on Talk2Q!

Holiday wishes from a wise guy

Fresh off the press: TRIUMPH (nab yours today!)

Holiday Karaoke: Deck the Halls with Kooky Carolers!

Philly street art and Thanksgiving fun

Holiday cards: "When you care enough to make them yourself"

Zine sample, font size question, & keep small press alive

Cooking up some rap snacks for my new hip-hop EP

21st century/first world/white girl problems

Spotted! [SF Street Style] Bohemian Chic

Conversation: in which Ben and I discuss Jerseylicious versus Jersey Shore

Art and anxiety: suffering for creativity

"I saw mommy kissing KROD-a Claus..." HOLIDAY RING o'DEATH

How do you deal with anxiety and stress, and avoid frothing at the mouth?

Naivete, nonsense, & Diane di Prima: taking home my thought books

thoughts unreplied [poem from a long time ago]

Fashion+TechSF covers the latest in social media marketing

Pop art, popping eyeballs, and pop fiction STREET ART

Airport gawking/people watching, some thoughts at the gate

Style Update: Makeshift Hair Turban

"I only read the classics..." street art photo tease

Karaoke Ring o' Death: 90s Songs Redux

An Occupy Cartoon, fan art, and some unrelated updates

American Horror Story, "Piggy Piggy," & Richard Lawson comments

More thoughts on Occupy: love and humility [guest post]

TRIUMPH: Submit now [to my zine] or forever hold your peace

GIVEAWAY: your very own business cards from UPrinting

Urban ants, American Dream, Zombies and Skulls [photo walk]

The Tao Of Wu by the RZA [book review]

Recycled fashion: tips on buying vintage clothing

My Sookie kitty is super stylish *meow*

Bloglovin and BILFs (bloggers I'd like to... forever enjoy)

I want a job, I want a good job

You Say You Want a Revolution (guest post by EmDottie) #ows

My Sookie kitty is super stylish meow