Wednesday, May 31, 2006

A Million Bucks

So, its official, the AA online store made its first million dollar month. Not sure why I got soo into watching the numbers, but it was rather exciting. According to sources, last year we made around 450k on the same month. Thanks to anyone who actually made a purchase and congrats to my workmates. O.k., enough greedy capitalist banter.

A Quicky

Cool LA Crime Blog hosting a tour of Bunker Hill in all its seediness.

A Pathetic Sales Pitch.

I usually don't like to talk about work much. But today could be a big day for us in the Web Devision of AA. But only if we have a really great sales day today. So I encourage any of you who might need anything from American Apparel to go and buy it online today before midnight. We've got a sale on swimwear going on, and a great array of 3packs of T's and 4packs of underwear that land you a little secret savings of its own. As well, let me tell you that our new T's, the Summer T, the 50/50, and the Track Shirt all surpass our regular T's in comfort. Seriously, they're awesome. So go an buy a couple. This will most likely be the only sales pitch you will ever here from me when it comes to American Apparel.

I know I haven't been posting much. Things have been nuts. Jenny accepted an offer on her pad, and we're beginning full on house-hunting mode. The Rents are in town for the weekend. Plus work is nuts, and I've got some freelance to keep me busy. So unfortunately, I'm still hearing about cool stuff going on and the like, just don't have any time to post it. But i'll try and get back into the swing of it as soon as I can.

Peas.

P.S. Check the comments section for an extra special Stinks Good exclusive deal!

Friday, May 19, 2006

Desert Life

Since I've come out West, I've had a fascination with the Desert. Back east, there wasn't anything like it. Nature always meant an almost suffocating amount of foliage and trees. The desert is vast and sparse. Its like a giant japanese garden. Joshua Tree and the 29palms area is one that I've come back to several times. I find it incredibly relaxing. The heat forces you to slow down.

Up until recently, these towns catered to the Military bases nearby and those who worked and lived there didn't find much culture in their Oasis. But more and more, I've been hearing about some exciting stuff going on in these places. Coachella, a festival that has taken on a life of its own, may somehow introduced people to the areas potential. Recenty a club called Pappy and Hariet's Pioneertown Palace has been booking bands like Stereolab and Calexico. The latest sign of life in the desert I've stumbled upon is a project called High Desert Test Sites. In their own words, HDTS is:

A series of experimental art sites located along a stretch of desert communities including Pioneer town, Yucca Valley, Joshua tree, 29 Palms and Wonder Valley. These sites provide alternative space for experimental works by both emerging and established artists.

Pretty cool.

A little gem of desert space that I found a while ago is called Desert Christ. Read about it here.

21Sided Dice are Silly


So back in Junior High, I had two friends who were way into Dungeons and Dragons. Richard and Hanz. Trouble makers by nature, but they were also budding comic book illustrators and we used to hang out and draw funky characters. I was always the less intense and more conventional of the three and I just couldn't grasp the "seriousness" of DnD. One day they convinced me to play, and I made such a joke of it that Richard tried to beat me up.

Near our houses were a series of drainage sewers that we used to walk or ride our bikes down. We'd find ourselve piering out of sewer ways and taunting younger kids walking by. We even managed to meander our way 3-4miles to the local mall all underground. There was one fork in the path that was infamous. It was called Spic's Dungeon. It was exceptionally dark and many said that hard-core DnD players would go down there and reinact battles with actual weapons (LARP's to them). I never made it down Spic's Dungeon, again it all just didn't make sense to me and I'd rather go home and master my drawings of Andy Cap (everyone could draw Snoopy).

Well, Dungeons and Dragons is sort of a hip nostalgia these days, and many video games emulate its style and substance but without all the sheets of paper and 21sided die. It all just still seems silly.

Get Out of Gitmo!

So for the passed few years I've been amazed how the U.S. has been able to sweep the bullshit that's been happening at Guantanimo under the rug. How do we just sit here and allow, what in my mind can be equated to a concentration camp, slowly destroy all the basic morals that I've always thought this nation was based on. No matter who the people are being held there, I believe our pledge of allegience states "for freedom and justice for all". Literally cooping up humans (many simply picked up for no other reason then being in the wrong place at the wrong time) in giant cages for over 4 years with no resolution to their predicament is probably the worst of all the presumed tortures they have endured.

I recall a Sartre story called The Wall where a prisoner is held in jail with the idea of his death constantly looming over his head. He finally comes to terms with the idea of his imminent death, only to finally be set free at the last minute. He know longer knows how to face the concept of survival and life is his fear.

These people haven't the luxury of knowing their fate. So many of them have decided to take it upon themselves by committing suicide. Today, they rebelled, and the US attempts to use this event to demonize the prisoners further. I certainly don't mean to suggest that I perceive all of these people as saints who haven't potentially done great harm. I'm sure many of them have. And the US has every right to keep us safe from tyrants. But if they have, then lets prosecute them for their crimes. And if we've made a mistake, we should let them go.

My god, even the humor found in the fact that this place is located in Cuba (those evil cigar smoking communists) seems lost on most of us.

Wars against concepts that can't be won. Force feeding Democracy. Jailing those who haven't been tried. Invading the privacy of our own citizens under the guise of protecting our freedom. Man, its all just exhaustingly absurd.

What do we do about it. I haven't a clue. But if we don't all recognize the problem, we have less of a chance to create the solution...and someone else just might find one for us, and it’ll just end in an ugly circle of destruction.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Coyote Sighting

Coyote's are almost as plentifull as skunks in these here parts. Well, until recently it seems. This morning I spotted my first of the season. Usually, by now I've witnessed the sunning of the pups in meadow next to the resevoir and morning coyote sightings would be standard. But since the renovation of the lake path I haven't seen many and certainly haven't seen the pups this year. It's a love/hate thing with the little mongrels. They kind of freak me out and fascinate me at the same time. The skunks, the coyotes, and the hawks all make Silver Lake seem a little further away from the stench of downtown or the sleeze of hollywood.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Jurassic Lecture

Tonight at the Pasadena Museum of History:

"David Wilson is founder and director of The Museum of Jurassic Technology, a unique museum in Culver City that chronicles the history of human curiosity and ingenuity, focusing on the restitution of decayed intelligence and examining cross- sections between art, science and natural history. The Museum, in its enduring interest in “tiny things,” features several exhibits of, or relating to, art and technology on the microscopic scale. Mr. Wilson will present a lecture on the topic of microminiature art and technology, highlighting the work of the three acknowledged masters of Microminiature Art, Nikolai Syadristy, Hagop Sandaljian and Edward Kazarian."

Starve The Beast

An interesting documentary called Sir, No Sir will be released soon. From the tone of the trailer/mini-site for the film, its about a movement (silenced from history by The Man) of soldiers that refused to serve in the Vietnam war and how we may learn from these brave and rebellious soldiers on how to address our current issues with an unwarrented war.

Scanlon Watch

Even after duping Native Americans out of millions and creating a highlife lifestyle, Scamlon couldn't forget his wild spring break days in Rehobeth. Milking Indians during the fall and winter months, "life-guarding" during the spring and summer. The Delaware News Journal has the scoop on Sean's plethora of properties in Dewey and Rehobeth.

Thanks Spence, for the tip.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

The Go-Betweens

The Go-Betweens are a band that I rediscovered about 5 or 6 years back. Highly under-rated in my opinion. If you don't know their recent albums, you might remember the hit from the 80's "Was There Anything I Could Do?" Just perfect pop songs with great melodies and lyrics. Pick up any album and you wont be dissapointed in my mind. Sadly Grant McLennan, one of the core duo of the band, passed away on May 6th. All that has been said is that he died in his sleep.

My Ex, Sally has a sister who was living in a group house in Australia with one of the members (I can't recall who). If I were on better terms with her, I'd try and get the scoop.

Kiefer Watch Round Up

So there are those of you that come to my blog because you're friends and interested in what i'm up to, and then there seems to be those of you who find my blog by your fascination with Kiefer "too cool for sobriety" Sutherland. For those of you, I now give you a rundown of all of my previous posts and a few new ones.
1. Tree Incident Video
2. Trending Kiefer
3. Kiefer and AA
4. Best Of (Kiefer sans Briefers)
5. Kiefer Sighting (The Beginning)
6. Like a Rolling Sutherland
7. The Wide World of Kiefer
I think I'm unofficially knighting Kief as the patron saint of Stinks Good.

Friday, May 12, 2006

It's Raining Kiefer.

So the infamous tackling of the christmas tree no longer needs to be an entertaining day-dream. It's more surreal then you could imagine and it was caught on film. Defamer has the scoop. Thanks Rob for the heads up.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

WeHo Condo Fo Yo

Jenny, my fiance (still can't get used to that phrase), is putting her condo on the market this weekend. If you or anyone you know is in the market, check it out. She's put a good amount of work into it, with lots of brand spanking new amenities including oak floors and a new stove and dishwasher. The place is pretty swank and the area just keeps getting more marketable. See for yourself. Open house is this sunday between 2 and 5.

Who Loves You Kiefer?

According to the new Google Trends tool, Austrians, Finns, and Canadians LOOOOVE their Kiefer. Or at least that's where most of the google searches for the local seldom sober celebrity come from. Why? Who knows.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Welcome to Our World

So I went to Disneyland for the first time ever the other week. That's correct people, I'm 35 and have never been to any type of Disney themed place EVER. Did my parents rob me of my childhood by locking me in a cellar. No, they just took us to the country during the summer and made us swim in rivers and hike mountains. I certainly can't blame it on them. I've been in LA for at least 10years and just never made it. I'm not terribly fond of disney the company, but they make a damn fun theme park. I'm a big baby when it comes to rides, but the stuff I did at Disneyland was moderate in dips and climbs and packed with weirdness and novelty. Lines suck, and I don't care to wait in them. But when you're with friends you find ways to pass the time. I can't wait to take my brother' kids there. It'll give me an excuse to go on even wimpier rides. I also left at dawn so I didn't get to witness the freaks that come out at night. One complaint; I didn't see ONE SINGLE Mickey or Goofy or even Buzz. What's up with that?!

Monday, May 01, 2006

Giddy Up

While we're at it, on my way home today I finally snagged some pictures of this enigmatic horseman painted atop a crappy building on Glendale Blvd. I have no idea what the story is behind it, but I really like it.

Burgers N Crack

Walking back from the demonstration today I passed Burger's N Sh t. This joint is located right across the street from where my friend John shared his studio space with me for a while. Just on the cusp of Gentrified downtown BNS caters to the Crack addicts and Prostitutes that wander the blocks near by. I never braved actually trying to eat there. Way too scary, and I wasn't really interested in the appetizer of Crack Pipe that seemed to be an essential element. Regardless, the name is hilarious and needed to be documented.

Burgers N Sh t is located on Main st. downtown between 4th and 5th. My friend Heather took the pict at the bottom with the creepy dude standing outside, I took the image at the top, walking back today.

A Day With Alot of Immigrants

So today, I biked into work, met up with some work-mates and then walked to the first of two marches starting downtown. We walked up 7th to Broadway and entered the crowd marching to City Hall. The streets were packed with mostly hispanic people all wearing white shirts and either carrying American or Mexican flags. Its been ages since I've been in such an impressive showing of solidarity.

The sun was heavy in the midst of soo many bodies. We made it to city hall and listened to a few speakers although the destination certainly wasn't as exciting as the journey. I was happy to be a part of it all. I'm not sure if I have any solid theory on how I think the whole immigration/illegal immigrant issue should be solved; but I definately think the people demonstrating have a right to make themselves heard and are an itegral part of this city.

Nairobi Bound

My friends Kelly and John embark today on a month long vacation that takes them from Kenya to Spain to New York. I want to wish them a safe and enjoyable trek.

They will first visit their friend who works in Kenya. I'm sure they'll go on Safari and whatnot. But one part of their trip that I feel personally invested in, is their stop at a small Orphanage outside of Nairobi. Their friend Talon has befrended the Nun who personally manages this facility. Last week, Kelly and John asked me if my work would like to donate some clothes to the children there. They could personally hand this over to the kids (unlike some larger organizations who's intentions may be good but you never really know where your stuff is going). Well, I talked to someone at our company and unfortunately the timing was a little to quick to get anything through corporate channels. So instead, I took up a collection among the Graphics and Web department and in the matter of a few hours collected enough to buy over a hundred dollars of stuff at our Close-out store. At 4 or 5 bucks a T, we managed to get over 2 dozen pieces of clothing. I feel really good about this, and hope all my work mates do as well. Kelly and John promised to take pictures so that we can directly see who we've given our gifts to. As well, she mentioned doing periodic fund-raising for this facility which I'm totally into. I hope it all goes well and I'll keep you updated.

Immigrants Rights and Bomb Pops.

Hope I run into a few of you at one of the Immigrants Rights marches decending upon Los Angeles today. In another stroke of coolness, my work is encouraging all of us (including us Graphics people this time) to show our force of unity on this issue. This thing stands to have a huge impact on the city today and hopefully on the actions of our "leaders" in days to come.

If you're down there, keep an eye out for the Tactical Ice Cream Unit. In their own words the TICU are:

"The ice cream vendor has long been synonymous with a roving oasis - a well-spring of refreshment; a reprieve from the heat; a cool intervention. In this regard, the Tactical Ice Cream Unit (TICU) is no different. The TICU emerges at a time when most channels of distribution, communication, and social interaction are mediated and constrained by the fervor of financial exchange. Incorporating an alternative strategy of utopian potlatch, the Tactical Ice Cream Unit is envisioned primarily as a mobile distribution center for ice cream and information."

This is a great idea and I see these protests to be a perfect venue for the truck. Although not originally from LA the truck has arrived to the city for a Spring of activism. They were on Alverado on friday night, but i missed it. Hope to run into them soon. I think the Ice-Cream truck is a resource that shows incredible potential for commerce and education communicating with the community in a really interesting way.