"Plastic Change"

Here is a snippet of my original photography, involving a plastic Obama doll in real situations. Enjoy!

Coachella Sand

It's a few weeks after Coachella, but I love reflecting on my experiences. It was my first time I went to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. I saw my favorite artist, Thom Yorke, up close and personal. His set started at 8:30 PM, but I was at his stage at 4 PM. I enjoyed Pheonix's set right before, and would squeeze myself forward every minute. By the end of Phoenix, I found myself right in the front, directly behind the VIP section.

I saw Jay Z and Beyonce. Kate Hudson showed up. Rev Run came afterwards. Muse was also there. It was a pleasure seeing artists passively enjoying other artists. Jay Z was watching an alternative rock band: this crossed barriers constructed by musical genres, and brought them together. That was the feel of Coachella. People were friendly, they were nice, they were human.

Yes, we used this music festival and desert venue to attract over 70 thousand people from across the world. Yes, people in business suits sitting atop office suites in Downtown LA carefully constructed the details of the festival to attract the most people and manipulate the mind to scarf over $300 and camp out in the desert. Theoretical idios were in full effect, and hegemonic power was invisibly influencing this carefree environment. But no one cared, and that was the beauty of it.

People do not notice the commercialism, the hierarchy, the separation of racial class, or even the overpriced cup of beer. Coachella fans are fans of living a life full of love and unity, of harmony and peace, and if music was used as bait to bring these human values to the forefront, then so be it.

Uggs Uggs Ugly Uggs

You wear them, your friend wears them, your friends friend wears them. You wear them with jeans, shorts, and skirts. You wear them while walking out of your sorority house headed to class, or a frat house after a one night stand. You own them in tan, black, AND pink. You are tan most likely, in the middle of winter. But you don't only wear these in winter, they come out of the closet during summer too. Actually, they never go inside your closet....they're always out next to your door in arm's length reach. You asked for them for Christmas, your birthday, and Valentine's day (remember those three colors?).

You are a girl living in sunny southern California...so I ask you one question, WHY?

The UGG boot originates from Australia and dates back 200 years. These ranchers had too much sheep on their farms so they figured they could put the wool inside a pair of shoes and keep them warm, you know, so they could raise more sheep outdoors. But seriously, they used them to keep their feet worn, and were worn ONLY around the house or at work on the farm (tell Pamela Anderson who made the boot popular by wearing them during her photoshoots).

Then the boots were worn by WWI pilots in Australia, and finally surfers who would wear them to and from the beach.

There are two main theories for the origin of the name UGG....

The one I think that stands most true is that Ugg actually stands for "Ugly." Now it all makes sense ay?

Another theory is that the Ugg is meant to "Hug" your feet. I don't know where the H went either.

Now, how did this footwear make it's way to college campuses across the nation? I don't know, and it really doesn't matter. What matters is that I see girls on campus walking like they have cute little puppies instead of feet. No but really, these are BOOTS people...boots are made to be worn in horrible winter conditions, where you're 2 degrees away from frost-bite, not 2 degrees away from a record-breaking high.

Arlene Hacatoryan, a sophomore majoring in Architecture, wears Ugg boots because they "are like flip-flops for the winter. It feels like your not wearing shoes." Arlene says that as she is coincidentally sporting a pair of brown Uggs, which she purchased as a birthday present for herself. Mind you, a pair of Uggs start at about $140. "Emu," a popular Ugg imitation boot, costs only $40. Arlene-next time save yourself that $100 and send it to Haiti.*

So when are these boots gonna get out of style? Just like bellbottoms and Ed Hardy, everything must come to an end , and I'd rather put an end to this absurd fad sooner than later. Oh and ladies, if you're gonna disregard this and continue wearing your Uggs, at least remove that stain from last weekend.

*Arlene has actually donated $35 to Haiti.

The Amazon Failure

So upon opening my email this morning, I started my day with frustration. An email from Amazon.com was titled "Amazon Kindle: Free two-day shipping." Really? You think free shipping is your problem?

For those who are clueless about new media, the Kindle is basically an e-book, an electronic version of a book. I know, this was one idea not to be adapted for the technological age. It was released in 2007 - three years ago....and I have yet to see someone in public holding this e-book.

I'm not much of a reader, but if I was, I wouldn't be a kindle-reader. It's basically a 4x5 inch flat "pad", which is to be placed in the hands of a reader. I hate the concept. Why throw out the original book format...a tangible, tree scented, visually appealing, and magical format? As I stated earlier, I don't read much, but I really enjoy going to book stores and perusing around. Imagine if book stores seized to exist...the average reader would have to go on Amazon.com to buy "books" while trying to circumnavigate thru fake handbags for sale or the "speed bullet" food chopper. Each "e-book" costs on average of $8.00. Why buy something online when no one can see you when you can walk into a trendy book store and be seen buying books like an indie, Hollywood intellectual?

Amazon should drop this venture of theirs. Yea, they have spent millions of dollars on the Kindle, but obviously to no avail. The tangible book is here to stay.