I notice this trend with me. I re-launch my blog. Attempt to get it back to its greatness that it was when I started it on Blogger 2 years ago. And then I get busy. Here are a few updates:
The GOODIES Blog is up: Click here (must be age 18+)
The digital magazine is underway (big shout outs to Ellen Stagg Must be age 18+ to enter her site)
This blog may get redirected to the GOODIES site at one point
Until then I want to explore more pop cultural concepts
I went through a lot of old magazines the other night. Many of them were from my formative years, and were close to 10 years old. I happen to come across what I was looking for–an issue of Mass Appeal I had purchased due to my interest in the underground hip-hop scene. I can’t lie I was an unadmitted backpacker at the time (note: when someone tells you their not a backpacker there’s a good chance they are), and would routinely go down to Fat Beats to buy vinyls of songs I already had on CD or on mp3 OR couldn’t find on the internet or couldn’t buy anywhere (Disc-O-Rama doesn’t always sell underground music). I was that much of an enthusiast. As ass-backwards as it might sound, there is a comfort in purchasing a vinyl over a CD, but that I’ll go into in another blog entry.
It doesn’t just stop at Mass Appeal. Buried in my collection of old magazines are issues of Vice (back when that ish was raw–and I mean RAW[II]) and yes even Complex (I also have old issues of Don Diva and FEDS, but just like the aforementioned vinyl, I’ll save that for another entry). Perusing the pages of these magazines took me down memory lane . It was magazines like this that influenced me to move towards writing. More importantly they conjure up a feeling of nostaligia that defined pre-and-post 9/11 New York for me. As weird as it sounds but there is a driving connection that I have with these magazines. These magazines were my introduction to underground culture, which as it evolved has turned into the present streetwear/hipster culture and essentially become mainstream. It’s here in these pages that authentic street culture and art is documented, unadultered and accurately presented by those who were genuine gatekeepers.
I read a NY Times article a few days ago about several international non-profits trying to make affordable glasses in developing nations. I thought this was great.
I think if they were able to work closely with another international non-profit with a cause like (RED) and get a few celebs to take part in an advertising campaign this would really take off. Cool looking glasses look even cooler if there’s an admirable cause behind it. Although these glasses don’t look like they are being sold in the US (after all they are non-profits), I can imagine some type of deal being worked out, where you could acquire a pair and donate a pair too.
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Went on a 9-day pre-holiday vacay. I know, I know–a bit random but I finally got out of the country. Pics coming soon. DR was great.
Pardon the blunt title, but as a Bronx Science alum, I must say it speaks volumes to me that DJ Neil Armstrong, a decorated DJ and turntablist (who happens to have a degree in chemical engineering), is also an alum. I wish the admin would push stuff like this more. Instead they feel compelled to either push Nobel prize winners that you’ve probably never heard of as the face of Bronx Science. Don’t get me wrong winning a Nobel prize is a notable thing and an undeniable achievement, however I do sometimes feel that promoting awareness of a school and it’s accomplished alumni involves delving past the most prominent names.
