Relevant.Phx: A Billboard I wouldn't hate

A lot of times billboards are sloppy, ill-conceived printed versions of brands shouting at us, conditioning us to believe that society says we need to spend our money on their product.  The worst are when I see a billboard so low that it blocks part of a building from view, thereby adding to the crowded sense of the city and removing most options for great street art.

However, today I stumbled across a blog post by none other than Shepard Fairey, one of my three favorite street artists ever, discussing a social movement very dear to us citizens of Phoenix: SB-1070 (or as I like to call it The “hey, want another reason to hate AZ” Bill)

(For previous blog about Street Art and SB-1070, see here)

Whatever your stance on 1070, anyone who disagrees with the basic Americana of political discourse is a liar or a dullard.  It speaks to our roots as a nation that we want to be represented, we want our voices to be heard, we want government “of the people”.

It is impossible to be more American than to form an opinion and express it loudly, clearly, and concisely.

So you should see why I really liked the idea presented below.

We can’t stop now. We must keep fighting this unjust law that will effectively institutionalize discrimination against the Latino community.  Proceeds from the “We Are Human” print go to immigration reform organizations such as the one below!  Please take a second and support.

Brave New Foundation’s Cuéntame asks:
If you can help us raise $10,000 by Monday, July 26, Cuéntame will purchase a billboard on a populated street in Phoenix showing the law for what it really is. The powerful line for the billboard has already been chosen on Facebook by the members of Cuéntame. Now all we need is your support.  Please help us in our next step to send a giant message to the Arizona government.

Brave New Foundation’s Cuéntame, has made major headlines this week for its video interview with Arizona Police Officer Paul Dobsonspeaking out about draconian Arizona anti-immigration bill, SB1070. Officer Dobson is now under investigation for exercising his first amendment right to speak freely about the real effects of the law:

“I know people will not call the police in case of a real emergency. This law is purely racist and solely focused on Latinos. In my opinion, SB 1070 violates equal protection under the law.” Paul Dobson, Patrol Officer, Arizona

We are making a difference and our voices are being heard by hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Cuéntame’s work with Officer Dobson has been featured in USA Today, Arizona Republic, New York Daily News, FoxNews and more!

Revelant.Male: I endorse this message

Happy Saturday Ladies.  And thank-you.

Obsession, the dark side of nerdiness

I thought this was especially valid during Comicon Week.  (which, admittedly, I am jealous I am not attending…)

Folks, learn to love creative license.  In truth, on my desk I have a Spider-Man bobble-head holding a fortune cookie slip that says “Welcome Change”, just to remind me to always look for the bright side, or at least look for the positive ways in which this change can allow me to control the situation while everyone else panics.

Five Things: Habits I Wish I Didn't Have

I saw a Venn Diagram that indicated that Habit is where Skill, Knowledge & Desire overlap.  Well, that doesn’t explain these habits that I wish I could get rid of.

In no particular order:

1.) Nail-biting:  As near as I can tell, this is a combination of stress and perfectionism that leads my mind to wander off of whatever I’m watching/thinking of and finds some menial task that must be done before I forget about it.  Forget the financial situation or huge work project on my mind, when the hell did this damn nail get extra long? It’s not clean, I wish I had stopped years ago when my mother threatened to put Tabasco on my nails. (I knew it was a bluff because she never bought hot sauce)

2.) Always having to be Right: Various reports have told me this is one of my most annoying traits.  Supposedly, people don’t like to you to remind them that you have the right answer.  I’m not quite sure why this is, but I am willing to accept the theory.  I have yet, however, to come up with a way to keep my mouth shut when I hear someone saying/doing something #FAIL.

3.) Eating Junk Food:  I know how to cook.  I enjoy cooking. I know what healthy food looks like, and I enjoy the taste of loads of healthy food.  So then why do I eat so many cheeseburgers and tacos and pizzas and fatty fat shit?  Don’t give me the whole “culture of obesity” bit, this is my failed life choice and it’s time to turn the ship around, damn it!  Right after I finish the left over pizza in the fridge…

4.) Awkward First Impressions:  (See here)

5.) Procrastination:  Prime example, I was supposed to write this blog, along with 6 others, last night.  Instead, I put it off and now I’m jamming it out before work while my shirt & pants are in the dryer (because the dryer is how you de-wrinkle clothes when you’ve put-off hanging them up nicely).  How much more could I get done if I just hopped to it?  Years ago, when I was first living alone, I intentionally did not have any television signal, and got load of stuff done.  Bills paid on-time and filed away, books & magazines read faster than I could acquire more, took random trips exploring places in the city just to see what was there.  It’s miraculous what we can get done when I just unplug and go live.

Steve Jobs, this is not a bad idea….

Carfree: Now with less cars

This weekend began a new chapter in my carfree lifestyle.  Or rather, revisits a chapter I haven’t encountered in a few years.  Running all my errands without borrowing a car or tagging along with someone going to the same place.

Of course, this doesn’t sound like a horribly large event, except that it is currently 2467 degrees Fahrenheit outside and exposure to the sun for more than 35 seconds has been proven to actually melt your face off.

So, with this in mind, I woke up early on Saturday (or rather woke up at more normal time and declined sleeping in) and set out to run a few errands before the Sun knew what I was doing and could exact it’s vengeance on me.

With the help of FourSquare, my trip went a bit like this:

9:30am    -    Iced Latte & Lola
9:45am    -   just miss Light Rail train at Roosevelt/Central Station.
~10:00am    -    board Light Rail, latte already drained
~10:15am     -   get off at Central/Camelback Station, get haircut at Central Barbers
11:00am     -    Grocery Shopping at AJ’s
11:45am    -    just miss Light Rail train at Central/Camelback Station
12:30pm    -   arrive home, staved off further melting
1:30pm    -    walk to Verde for a breakfast burrito

So, it’s not much, but I did manage to secure breakfast, lunch, a haircut & groceries using only mass transit or walking.

As much as I gripe about some of the poor planning around town, I do say I always appreciate the small business owner’s ability to pop up shop exactly where I need them.

I imagine the next step will be to buy a bike (and a pretty good lock) for bigger trips to the store, and hopefully to intersperse along with my rail commute to work.

".. her love, it nursed him back to life.. "

This is pretty much all I’ve ever really wanted.

You’ve given me two years that I could not have imagined.

Thank-you Anie.

High-five.