Garbage - I think I'm Paranoid

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

Fresh out of college, I recall purchasing Garbage Verison 2.0 and listening to the whole CD at least three times on my way to Austin, Texas.  What's more is that when I arrived in Austin and switched to the local alternative rock station, 101X, Garbage was playing.  I thought I was in paradise.  This was where I belonged.

The alternative rock band from Madison, Wisconsin hit mainstream alternative radio in 1995 and 1996 with hits such as Queer and Stupid Girl.  The rebellious Shirley Manson, lead vocal for Garbage, made many guys, including myself, drool for goth redhead rockers. 

The video below was directed by Matthew Rolston, who has also filmed music videos for Jody Watley, Salt-n-Pepa, Madonna, and many many others.

Summer is almost here! Yay!!!

Photography Appreciation



Collection of National Media Museum (photographer unknown)



"Good-night and big balls"

Art appreciation


Donald Lipski's The West is located on the University of Texas campus. 

We came across these humongous steel balls while walking the UT campus one spring afternoon. Of course, I had to take a picture with them.  And yes, these buoys represent more than just "big balls."   You can read more about the meaning of his sculpture at the following link: http://landmarks.utexas.edu/artistdetail/lipski_donald.

 

  Sources: http://landmarks.utexas.edu/artistdetail/lipski_donald; http://donaldlipski.net/

10,000 Maniacs - Candy Everybody Wants

Music Appreciation

Okay, I'll be honest.  I had -- and perhaps still have-- a crush on Natalie Merchant. 

10,000 Maniacs was introduced to me when I worked at SteinMart in the shoes department. 

The 22 year old girl in Childrens invited me over to her trailer and played Our Time in Eden.  I was hooked and became a Maniac; moreso after watching Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs on MTV Unplugged. 
So what do the lyrics mean? 

"If lust and hate is the candy, If blood and love tastes so sweet, Then we give 'em what they want."

The music video starts with an narration, "Living in Eden has its advantages. As a marginalized member of a spectator democracy, you choose your own dependencies. Lust, hate, blood, love.  Don't think of it as manufactured consent.  Think of it as the candy everybody wants."  The introduction ends with "Enforcer State Enforcer Taste."

Obviously, the music video and its lyrics speak of our dependency and reliability on everyday propaganda.   Industry sell their products by enticing us with glamour, popularity and false promises.  It still applies today.  But we has intelligent human beings can decide what to believe by researching and shopping before making our final decision. 




Sources: Wikipedia

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Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg

Art Appreciation

Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, considered the Father of Danish painting, is best known for his portraits of Copenhagen's middle class. 

His paintings and teachings influenced painters during the first half of the 19th century, known as the Danish Golden Age.

Interestingly, in his teachings, he suggested ignoring defects so that perfection can be fulfilled.  Similar to how photographers today photoshop to remove unwanted blemishes.


Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg Femme à sa toilette, 1841


Sources: http://www.answers.com/topic/eckersberg-christoffer-vilhelm; http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/eckersberginfo.shtm; Wikipedia

Radiohead - Creep

Music Appreciation

I remember first watching Radiohead on MTV Beach House Party in 1993--yeah, the one hosted by Bill Bellamy.  It was the summer before my senior year in high school, and this song seemed to define my life.  I was a creep and a weirdo in love with an "angel". Ah! Young love.  

Source: wikipedia; youtube

The Driskill Hotel in Austin

Designed by Jasper N. Preston & Son in 1886, Col. James Driskill's hotel is perhaps the finest in Texas.

The Romanesque style building, which is located on the infamous 6th Street in downtown Austin, is considered a political landmark where politicians congregate for events.

It's also said to be haunted by Col. James Driskill, who lost the hotel in a poker game to his brother-in-law, Jim Day.  George Littlefield purchased the hotel soon after.

Sources: 

http://www.driskillhotel.com/

Wikipedia