From Tulle to Tweed

Months After Hurricane Sandy, The Shore Remains In Disarray

2013-03-05T11:52:00.001-05:00

These photos were taken during a recent visit to the New Jersey seaside resort town of Point Pleasant. Towns at the Jersey Shore continue to rebuild and recover from the damage that was inflicted by Hurricane Sandy, in Fall of 2012. Although,the sand has been removed from the streets and the water damage has been cleaned up,the scars of the devastation continue to remain present.

Bulldozers are being utilized to push sand, back into its rightful place. Large machinery has been comissioned to sift through the piles of sand for debris.

Besides being extremely cold, I could not bring myself to smile during this visit to the beach. The destruction of the boardwalk is very discouraging to those of us whose childhood memories are solidly entrenched in the Jersey Shore.

New regulations determined by the Federal government and FEMA, will aid in determining how houses should be rebuilt, as well as what areas are now designated as flood zones.

Songs For The Emergence Of Spring

2013-03-04T22:56:00.000-05:00

Even though the Northeast continues to be plagued by unseasonably cold weather,the tender buds of tulips have started to sprout.It is the perfect time to reflect upon some of the new music that is being released in time to create the perfect Spring soundtrack.

Indie rock is leading the pack, with strong new releases in time for South by Southwest. One of the most notable gems is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs with Sacrilege.Sacrilege is the lead track off the upcoming album Mosquito.The group with front woman Karen O,have been somewhat absent from the music scene since the 2009 release of the extraordinary album, It's Blitz. Although,their New York appearance recently sold out in record time, Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be performing in Delaware at the Firefly Festival.

Drake proves that he is much more than a former Canadian teen television star with the a song that is one of the most authentic portrayals of how a rapper can ascend from normalcy to fame in Started From The Bottom.Besides possessing a catchy hook and extremely danceable beats,Started From The Bottom forces listeners to confront the slightly novel feeling of empathy,for Drake.Although,the lyrics can come off as being consistent with normal hip hop swagger,Drake raps them with a naivete that would seem contrived if performed by any of his contemporaries.

KPOP group B.A.P evokes the signature yacht rap of nineties era Bad Boy Entertainment in their video for One Shot.B.A.P has perfected a harder hip hop sound,yet mixes this with the light vocals consistent with KPOP.Although, they are influenced by their predecessors such as the mega group BIGBANG,B.A.P incorporates elements of African American stepping to authenticate their presence in the scene.Besides,B.A.P makes way more believable gangsters than the members of BIGBANG, TOP excluded.

From Tulle to Tweed's Top 20 Songs of 2012 (10-1)

2012-12-11T20:36:00.001-05:00

As the list continues, female pop vocalists are heavily featured throughout my Top 20 picks. During my childhood I was an avid listener of pop music; my free time was spent listening to a mix of Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Huey Lewis, at the height of their careers. I continue to maintain a strong appreciation for synthesizers and pop ballads. 2012 was also a year where dub step gained more mainstream success. Artists like Skrillex, were headliners for major music festivals and were placed in heavy rotation on Top 40 radio. What once seemed to be a part of middle American fringe culture has emerged to become ubiquitous.

10. Too Close-Alex Clare
An interesting barometer for a successful pop song is to analyze how often it is being utilized in commercials. British vocalist, Alex Clare, was provided a jolt of worldwide recognition when Too Close was picked up by Microsoft for their re-branding campaign. Heavily influenced by jazz and soul , Clare delivers a powerful male presence in the dubstep scene. Contrary to his ingenue contemporaries, Clare's vocals strongly lead the listener from the start of the song to the triumphant drop.

9. Let's Go-Matt & Kim
Following the success of the bombastic album Grand in 2008, Matt & Kim returned to the scene in 2012 with a more mature and musically rich album. Lightning extends past college radio and embraces a sound that is much less disquieting to listen to. Matt & Kim are at their best with a drum set and vocals that are full of angst. However, Let's Go encourages listeners to sit back in their chairs rather than hurl them towards the stage.

8. Paddling Out-Miike Snow
Miike Snow is the moniker for Swedish electro pop artists Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg. With a background in music production, including a Grammy win for Britney Spear's Toxic, it is obvious that Miike Snow knows their way around dance music. Catchy pop music is what Swedes do best and Miike Snow is no exception. Paddling Out is off of Happy to You, the follow up to their 2009 self titled album.

7. Closer-Tegan & Sara
Artists Tegan & Sara fall into the category of musicians that listeners either love or hate with great intensity. Many of their songs are reminiscent of coffee house ballads that one would expect to hear within the student union of a Seven Sisters college, sung by a wispy, wannabe, counter-cultural, trust fund ingenue. Those statements aside, Closer is such a delightful anthem and a total antithesis of what one typically expects of Tegan & Sara.

6. Oblivion-Grimes
Upon first listen of Grimes, one undoubtedly mistakes her for any one of the numerous indie pop singers who possess similar voices. However, it is the playful nature of her voices that makes me return to listen. Grimes is the stage name of Canadian Claire Boucher. Grimes received widespread critical acclaim in 2012 for her album Visions.

5. The Chaser-Infinite
A personal favorite and one of the most underrated k-pop bands on the scene, Infinite was able to shine brightly through the jewel that is The Chaser. Known for their unique vocalization and harmony, this song is pure 1980's retro goodness. Produced by k-pop powerhouse duo Sweetune, The Chaser was certainly one of the best k-pop songs of 2012.

4. Constant Conversations-Passion Pit
Constant Conversations delivers Passion Pit away from the carefree, soporific days of 2008's Sleepyhead and into the soulful caverns of adulthood. Whereas Manners was the work of a group just emerging from anonymity, the desire to be rid of the trappings of celebrity is evident in Gossamer. Constant Conversations is poignant yet still maintains a sense of the electronic music Passion Pit has become famous for.

3. Get Free-Major Lazer (Minami of CREAM vocals)
I became enraptured when I first heard the original version of Get Free, which featured female vocals from the Dirty Projector's Amber. Recently, producer and EDM powerhouse producer Diplo released a cover of Get Free with vocals provided by Minami of the Japanese performance duo CREAM ,in a promotional video for his Asian tour.I am waiting with bated breath for when Minami's cover will be available for purchase.

2. The Only Place-Best Coast
Having grown up in the Jersey Shore area, I loved this song the moment I heard it. Admittedly, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast did not fare well during her short stint on the East Coast. In an interview with SPIN magazine, Bethany bemoaned her academic career at my husband's alma mater, The New School. Her time spent in New York City was fleeting and chock full of angst. That being said, it is implied that the best coast is the west coast. As a Jersey girl, I am forced to disagree with this statement. The Only Place is the perfect anthem to illustrate Shore towns prior to Hurricane Sandy. Most inhabitants could never imagine living anywhere else, but near the ocean, where their dreams were constructed like sand castles.

1. Bad Boy-Big Bang
In April, following the release of Big Bang's album Alive, the hip hop blog World Star Hip Hop released what was supposed to be a hysterical video of an Asian pop band performing in hip hop wear. Although, some comments were insensitive, the resounding reaction was that the song, Bad Boy, was a really good. While it does channel images of '90s R&B groups like Bel Biv Devoe and Teddy Riley's New Jack Swing, this song is yet another one of G-Dragon's diamond compositions. Bad Boy is the song that solidified my place as a Big Bang VIP and is most deservedly my pick for the Top Song of 2012.

Leave your comments and tell me who you think either made this list or been left off of it.

From Tulle to Tweed's Top 20 Songs of 2012 (14-11)

2012-12-11T20:06:00.002-05:00

Without much fan fare, we are going to plunge into the songs that are in the middle portion of my list. In contrast with the previous post, there will be a greater emphasis on the some of the indie music darlings of 2012, with only one pop vocalist thrown in. As we are all entitled to our opinions and musical taste is subjective, please comment on my Top 20 list.

14. MAMA-EXO-K
SM Entertainment's EXO-K, the Korean branch of a k-pop mega group, is probably the most talented group currently on Lee Soo-Man's roster. Even though the group contains the general formula of rapper, vocalists, dancers, there is an absence of dead weight. One of my favorite aspects of YG Entertainment's Big Bang is their versatility regarding genres and a complete absence of talentless members. Exo-K replicates this sense of epic artistry, but is chock full of the weirdness (supernatural mythology created around one band) that one only sees with SM. MAMA was part of EXO's creation story; someone was definitely having delusions of grandeur.

13. Mercy-Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz
2012 was another stellar year for Kanye West, one in which he boastfully rapped about his exploits with Kim Kardashian while globetrotting on tour with Jay-Z. Mercy is as over the top is a hip hop anthem can be. The song showcases relative newcomers Big Sean and 2 Chainz while not over powering Kanye or Pusha T's star power. Mercy is a song best enjoyed straight, but for the sake of this audience, I will be posting the censored version.

12. Titanium-David Guetta featuring Sia
Titanium was released during the second week of December 2011, but didn't begin to receive wide airplay or criticism until 2012. The song transcends the dance tracks that define David Guetta, instead embracing the extraordinary vocal talent of Sia. Sia's vocal range is stretched within the work, well past the parameters listeners are accustomed to hearing. Overall, Titanium is a rare song for both artists.

11. Frank Ocean-Thinking About You
Frank Ocean emerged from experimental rap group, Odd Future, to be showcased on Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne album in 2011. While Frank Ocean may have appeared to be out of place in Odd Future, his vocals were the perfect fit for Watch the Throne's track, No Church in the Wild. With his debut album, Channel Orange, Ocean continues to woo the hearts of listeners with his tender crooning. Thinking About You is a song that was tailor made to fit all audiences.

From Tulle to Tweed's Top 20 Songs of 2012 (20-15)

2012-12-09T18:35:00.000-05:00

As someone who avidly consumes information from music blogs, I have always been a bit wary of 'best of lists'. Something about the format seems to imply neutrality, an objective ranking of one song as being above another. Rarely is my #1 anyone else's, and even when this is the case, #2-#10 may be contrary to my opinion. There is something self-centered about 'best of lists'. But I love the idea of sharing my favorite songs with my readers and so present my list. Agree, disagree, love it or hate it, I would love to hear your comments in the blog, as I certainly don't hold back from offering my own!

20. Purity Ring-Belispeak
2012 was the year of ethereal female pop vocals overlapping strong electronic sounds. One of the most understated acts of the year was Purity Ring. Considered by most to be part of the sub-genre witch-house, Purity Ring evokes images of a supernatural dance party.

19. G-Dragon-Crayon
While this year introduced the world to K-pop via Gangnam Style, Big Bang frontman G-Dragon was busy songwriting and performing. Named Korea's Star News's number one songwriter for 2012, G-Dragon penned 17 hit songs in one year. Crayon is from G-Dragon's second solo album, One of a Kind. Fans of hip hop and EDM should take note of G-Dragon, a bold musical pioneer who is creating a new frontier in Korean pop music.

18. Hot Chip-Night & Day
From the group that brought us the indie dance hit, Ready for the Floor, comes a science fiction inspired delight. With plenty of bleeps and samples, the song is just enough to make you rock on your feet without breaking too much of a sweat. Added bonus for the line: do I look like a rapper?

17. Twin Shadow-Five Seconds
Almost perfect execution of eighties A.M. radio from a Hispanic indie rock star. George Lewis Jr. is one of the most interesting indie rockers in the current scene, with his stint on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations being one of my favorite episodes. Five Seconds is a soaring, epic song. The guitar riffs inspire me to put on leotards along with my leg warmers and begin Jazzercize warmups.

16. Super Junior-SPY
It comes as no surprise to those who have read From Tulle to Tweed that I am a fan of K-pop. However, when it comes to the big three Korean pop music agencies (SM, YG, and JYP Entertainment), I have never been a huge fan of SM artists. I once read an article comparing SM artists (SM Town) to the popular girls and boys at school who you love to hate. Differences aside, I was pleasantly surprised by Super Junior's SPY. The song merges elements of electro-swing, sixties spy music, hip hop, and pop. Extra bonus for being able to see Leetuk, Siwon, and Donghae looking dapper in their vintage inspired suits and tuxedos.

15. Ellie Goulding-High for This (Weeknd Cover)
2012 was Ellie Goulding's year. The song Lights had been known by indie pop fans for some time but this was the year mainstream pop listeners heard her sweet, angelic voice. The antithesis of Lights is High for This, where Goulding maintains the cynicism that made this Weeknd song so eerily catchy.

Film Review: A Werewolf Boy

2012-12-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of viewing the most successful melodrama in Korean history, "A Werewolf Boy". Set in the Korean countryside of 1965, the movie's focus on the lives of Koreans is a complete contrast to the flashy images of cosmopolitan excess currently prevalent in popular culture. This is Director Jo Sung-hee's first foray into commercial cinema; before this movie, he worked on a number of art house films. Jo Sung-hee manipulates the pastoral setting to drive the viewer into a nerve wracking state of unease and paranoia. In "A Werewolf Boy", doors are both pathways to hope and portholes to unknown horror.

The movie's supernatural subject matter is treated with less of a sense of camp and frivolity than films like Twilight. Although there are comedic elements, the plot is driven by a sense of lingering doom reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock. The presence of an actual sense of horror makes "A Werewolf Boy" a delightful antidote to the comical, contrived acting and super budget CGI special effects that define most supernatural films. The script, which was written by director Jo Sung-Jee, conveys many of the same themes that were present in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: humanity's fear towards that which we consider outside of our species, the supernatural and the unnatural; but, like Frankenstein, we see the development of tender, even romantic feelings, between the social outcasts and the supernatural outcasts.

The movie opens with Kim Suni, who is residing in the United States, in the later stages of her life. This is a flash forward from the actual storyline. Suni is now an ahjumma (grandmother), who has the respect of her family members. As she inspects her wrinkled skin in the mirror, it is apparent that Suni valued beauty in her youth. Through the progression of the film, Suni returns to the village of her teenage years with her granddaughter. It is during this time that Suni begins to recall the strange events surrounding the time during which her family resided in the village.

In traditional Korean drama fashion, the viewer is soon introduced to Ji-Tae, the impractical wannabe chaebol who is the son of their landlord. Ji-Tae is arrogant and useless, at best, making him a prime candidate for a future love triangle. The werewolf boy, played brilliantly by Song Joong-Ki, soon emerges from the shadows. The appearance of this strange, feral boy initially evokes fear and loathing from Suni and her family. What begins as a very contentious relationship later grows into a bittersweet love story between the wolf boy (Chul-Soo) and Suni. The relationship that grows between Chul-Soo and Suni is much more like that of Belle and the Beast, then Bella and Jacob, and (for this viewer) seemed to strike a more meaningful chord in terms of relationship dynamics. Bella's complete lack of fear towards her supernatural suitors always seemed unrealistic to me. Wouldn't the typical reaction of any normal human be a little fear mixed in with her desire?

Viewers in the United States, as well as though viewing it after December 6, were treated to the extended version of the film. Included in this version are a magnificent alternate ending and deleted scenes that provide a better explanation as to how Chul-Soo and the villagers develop their fractured relationship. This film is definitely a must see for movie goers who are fans of international films, Korean drama aficionados, and those who are looking to witness genuine theatrical talent.

"A Werewolf Boy" will remain in limited release in select locations within the United States until 12/13/2012. See it!

Hurricane Sandy and a K-pop Concert or How Social Media Changed My Life Part Deux

2012-12-04T00:00:00.003-05:00

    When we last visited New Jersey post-Hurricane, I was stuck on a gas line that stretched from the local highway Route 22 to my apartment. Luckily, my little fuel efficient Volkswagen Jetta was poised to be fueled up, as I was number ten in line. This was two o'clock in the morning on day five. The aforementioned police officer who received a few of my choice words, North Jersey vis a vie osmosis, was breaking up the gas line. This gas station would not be functional until ten hours later.

   As I worry about having gas in my car, I am also concerned for people who are traveling into New Jersey for the Big Bang concert. The media is not covering the event from the perspective of fans, which is unfortunate. There are devout fans who are traveling by car, mass transit, and plane from as far as the west coast, as well as Canada, and Puerto Rico. Mass transit has gone into absolute disarray due to the storm and worse yet, there is a Nor'easter scheduled to arrive a day prior to the first show.

Through my anxiety, I continue to post mass transit updates and ways to travel to the state of New Jersey from various surrounding areas. What remains unspoken is that I still do not know the state of mother's well being. A breakthrough on that front, comes through my sister-in-law who disperses her father-in-law, a firefighter and National Guard member. Via communication from my sister-in-law, I discover that my mother is doing well and assisting others in her community. Within hours, I receive a phone call from my mom, solidifying that one of my last remaining blood relatives on earth has not yet perished.

When I receive the news that my mother is alive and well, I have the complete opposite reaction of what I normally would. Instead of being apathetic about the plight of people in New Jersey, I decide that something needs to be done. Within the Facebook forum community, I begin to organize a clothing and supply drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy. To say that it was difficult to organize a clothing drive surrounding a K-pop concert in New Jersey, is an understatement. With the assistance of members of Occupy Sandy New Jersey, I was given the contact information of a community organizer in Newark, New Jersey.

To be a community organizer in Newark in not an easy feat. In a recent Facebook post, Tobias Fox illustrated how his bike seat was stolen from his bike (his only means of transportation other than public transit) , while he assisted organizers of a rooftop community garden. Tobias is an awesome person, with much of the spirit of Morpheus from the Matrix. Community organizing in Newark is difficult for someone who is trying to unite what is viewed by outsiders as a downtrodden city, but Tobias does not appear to be discouraged.

     My entire family is from Newark. My mother and father met and were married within the city. My siblings went to school there; it is where my parents attempted to make their mark upon America. Unfortunately, this was prior to the riots of the 1960's that ravaged the city. After the riots, my parents and subsequently most of my family fled from the city. The last hold out was my grandmother, Nora Biera, who died living in Newark during the 1990s. In reality, my attendance of this concert was surreal because it would be the first time I had stepped foot in the city of Newark, since I was twelve years old.   I am a Jersey Shore girl, born at Jersey Shore Medical Center and raised in Manchester.

The inside of Newark City Hall can be as intimidating as the outside.

In my attempts to organize what should have been a simple supply drive, I discovered many of the obstacles both residents and politicians in Newark encounter on a regular basis. There is a sentiment of disdain towards the monolithic Prudential Center. In the largest city in New Jersey, the politicians had no knowledge of the magnitude of Big Bang or the amount of attendees of the show. 8,000 to 12,000 people would be in attendance, on two nights. This would be the largest show to be held in New Jersey, after Hurricane Sandy. Yet, no one from the Prudential Center was addressing the fact that there were thousands of people without power, food, and running water within miles of the stadium that was hosting the concert.

Hell's Kitchen Lounge was willing to help when other locations could not.

With the assistance of Tobias Fox and local politicians, I was able to hold a small clothing and supply drive. Hell's Kitchen Lounge, a local rockabilly bar, allowed us to store our donations. A fan of the band, Big Bang, Autumn Maura traveled from New Hampshire with her vehicle filled with supplies. Although, we were unable to collect at the Prudential Center, we were able to secure over a truck and a half load of donations. These donations were provided to the 24 hour Emergency Rescue Center at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark.

Donations from the clothing and supply drive, along with fan signs and our banner.

The concert was an amazing experience with one of the most diverse audiences I had ever seen in attendance of what was essentially a pop music show. Big Bang is comprised of consummate performers, who made the arduous trip that many concert goers made, worthwhile. As Spin magazine illustrated in their coverage of the concert, Big Bang used K-pop to heal New Jersey.There was a general sense of excitement; the electricity that emmanates from anyone who is performing before a very eager audience. In a darkened stadium, fans waved light wands that glimmered brightly like beacons of hope.


A banner was passed amongst fans to sign in order to get word about our supply drive out.

In a masochistic way, I am thankful for Hurricane Sandy, because she taught me about me about the triumph of the human spirit and the beauty of a city I had long forgotten about. Prior to Sandy, I would have hastily driven or taken mass transit into Newark, without a second glance. Now, I consider Newark to be a second home. I am looking forward to attending another k-pop show in Newark. I have spent the past few weeks proselytizing about the great architecture and wonderfully helpful people. Sandy may have taken away some of my childhood memories at the Shore, but she has assisted with the restoration of those that were within the city of Newark.

Hurricane Sandy and a K-pop Concert or How Social Media Changed My Life: Part Un

2012-12-03T22:51:00.001-05:00

This is the first in a series of posts:

As a New Jersey resident, the last week of October was definitely more of a trick than a treat. The Mr. (my husband, that is) and I traveled down to our ancestral Shore towns, the weekend prior to Sandy, to assist our parents in preparation. Little did we know, the shore from our childhood would cease to exist, days later. The night the storm arrived on shore, I spoke with my mother, who justifiably believed she was having her last conversation with me. Apparently, a tree had fallen against her window and she was awash with fear that the worst was yet to come.

Simultaneously, I was engaged in a conversation with some of my co-workers via iPhone messaging. The girls at work and I would regularly gossip about daily events and share relationship woes. On this night, however, the conversation had taken a dark turn towards that of fear for our well being and the safety of our loved ones. As we engaged in conversation, green and yellow lights flashed brightly outside our windows. We would later discover that this psychedelic light show had a direct correlation with the widespread power outages.

Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, my biggest concern for the month of November was attending the concert for one of my favorite Korean pop bands, Big Bang. Big Bang was touring in the United States with two shows at the Prudential Center in Newark. I had tickets for the second night and was sharing the concert with a fan whom I had met via a Facebook fan forum. The Mr. had suggested that I find people with similar interests in Korean pop music, which led me to actively engage in various Korean pop (K-pop) related forums. I had been enthusiastic about the show, for weeks, ordering my light stick and head band from retailers in South Korea. There were various fan projects surrounding the show, including simple crafts like the star below to display allegiance to the band.

Part of a Star for Big Bang Project

During the dismal days following the storm, my mother and my in-laws faced widespread power, phone, and cellular phone outages. Even in central and northern New Jersey, centralized locations like Bridgewater Commons Mall resembled refugee camps for the wireless and electrical challenged. Frazzled teens and businessmen, alike, could been seen squatting with their laptops plugged into any available power outlet. To someone who had lived in New Jersey and the tri-State area their entire life, it appeared as if the world was coming to an end.

Children playing on storm debris.

The Mr. and I were fortunate in that our power was restored after only twenty four hours. When our power returned, half of our apartment complex could be heard cheering. The other half of the complex would remain without power for four more days. In the midst of the power and communication black out, I was unable to contact my mother. My mother lives within a guarded senior citizen complex, where other slightly technologically challenged seniors were trying to figure out why their cellular calls were dropping. The fact that a cellular tower may have been destroyed by the storm went unnoticed and spoken by them. So, for five days I was not able to verify that my mother had fared okay through the storm.

By the second day, the Mr. and I were doing quite well. Our power had been restored, which meant that the adjacent shopping center was functional, as well. We were able to replenish our groceries, visit the liquor store for some potent potables, and purchase a hot cup of coffee. This, however, was all done with the knowledge that our family at the Shore was probably not faring quite as well. I should also add that we live in a town that was decimated in the nineties by a hurricane. The run on joke is that if you live in Bound Brook, you should own an inflatable boat. Our families, unable to gain access to information and without power, feared the worst for us.

As the days trudged on, with little word from our family members, we continued to care for our dog and ourselves. Having a shopping center within close proximity helped. On day three, the Mr. and I ventured out to Bridgewater Commons Mall to lunch with my two of my friends from work. The normally well-heeled patrons of The Cheesecake Factory looked absolutely bedraggled. Children were crying hysterically and stay at home trophy wives appeared to be absolutely unhinged. Within the area of Bridgewater, there were widespread power outages that extended into the tony area that is known as "The Hills".

By the fourth day, I had started to become more engaged with the online forum I had previously only been an observer of. Young people from throughout the country were planning to converge on New Jersey for the K-pop concert, which was scheduled on November 8 and November 9. Language barriers inhibited the concise production of travel advisories and official information from the management of Big Bang. Conservative Korean families were urging their daughters to remain at home and not to enter the disaster zone, as many were referring to it. As I read their posts, I scoffed at their concerns. This was because where I lived was not as hard hit and due to the power outages, we hadn't traveled too far. New Jersey didn't truly seem to be a disaster area, to someone like myself.

By the time day five had arrived, the realization that FEMA and the Red Cross were descending upon the disaster zone that was New Jersey, had hit. In a desperate effort to obtain gasoline for my car, I remained awake twenty four hours, following traffic trends and posts via the social media GPS application known as Waze. I had still not spoken with my mother and was concerned about my husband returning to work. I had been out of work since Sandy had hit, with little promise of power being restored to the school and work center. A lifetime law and order person, I was reduced to yelling at law enforcement officers who were attempting to control social order through monitoring gas lines.

Part Deux...

Herman Cain: The Fall of the Republican's Magical Negro

2011-12-06T22:38:00.004-05:00

Herman Cain, also known as one of the GOP's token black guys, has finally withdrawn from the race to become the 2012 Republican presidential candidate. His participation in the race, thus far, has been filled with one pratfall after another. To many African Americans, it is insulting that a self proclaimed pizza tycoon could even be considered a feasible presidential candidate. This ill planned decision reeked of the same backward thinking that occurred during the 2008 race; after all, the only commonality between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin was that they both have vaginas.

To say that Cain has added entertainment value to the race would be a gross understatement. The first "uh-oh" moment of the campaign was when,Cain riding on the magic carpet of his 9-9-9 plan, made his damning statement about the poor and unemployed. While some of his comments regarding the Occupy movement may have been true, Cain neglected to point about the obvious statistics that the lack of domestic manufacturing and skilled labor jobs are what has driven the unemployment rates of minorities and those with lower degrees of education to all-time lows. If the infant mortality rate of Milwaukee is now worse than areas in rural China, do we blame the citizens of Milwaukee or do we blame tax laws which make manufacturing in China and oversees more profitable?

Cain's inept interview comments regarding foreign policy and Libya further drive home the point that while he may have mastered marketing sub-par pizza, he is no Rhodes scholar. The Republican party allowed Cain to maintain a bumbling image which later dissolved into one of the philandering oaf. Ironically, back in May 2011, The Astute Bloggers, published a post decrying early claims that Herman Cain was the GOP's magical negro. Guess they need to watch the video for "The Song of the South" a few more times.

Have you seen her? Kamikaze Girls and the Lolita Movement

2011-12-04T21:52:00.004-05:00

In digging through my academic writing, I came across this review of the film Kamikaze Girls. I hope to be writing more about the Lolita movement, which has been around for sometime, but grew in popularity within the U.S. around 2008. This increase in popularity can be attributed to the Tokyopop release of a translated version of the Japanese publication Gothic & Lolita Bible. Baby, The Stars Shine Bright (which is prominently featured in Kamikaze Girls) can be found at many anime conventions and has a U.S. store at New People World in San Francisco. As Americans consume elements of this cultural phenomenon, much is lost in translation.

The notion of rebelliously embracing a hyper-sexual version of childlike femininity is traded in for costume play. The movie, Kamikaze Girls, explores the counter-cultural aspects of the Lolita movement with frank honesty and a warm touch. Kamikaze Girls is based on the novel Shimotsuma Story by Japanese author Novala Takemoto. Takemoto gained success in Japan for his witty stories that are centered on the street fashions and culture that are followed by Japanese youth. The story is a satirical analysis of girls from two Japanese subcultures, the Lolita and the Yanki.

Both subcultures are prevalent among middle class Japanese youth and consume the lives of participants. This divergence from societal norms is similar to the Gothic, Punk, and Emo styles common in the United States. Even though, Lolita and Yanki cultures are on opposite ends of the spectrum, each is representative of an attempt to defy the roles that young Japanese women are expected to fill. The Lolita culture is comprised of girls whose style of dress and lifestyle emulates a cross between Little Bo Peep and Alice in Wonderland. For these girls, every day is filled with the escapism of Halloween; Lolitas avoid contemporary styles of dress, music, and food. A true follower of the Lolita culture longs for the ornate intricacies of the Rococo Period in France. Girls who participate in the Lolita culture embrace infantilize themselves, as illustrated in the frilly bonnets and stuffed animals that are typical Lolita accessories.

The Yanki or Yankee culture is even more fascinating in that it closely resembles the style of dress and behavior that is typical in American lesbian and transgender culture. Yanki girls are generally members of female motorcycle gangs and wear masculine designer clothing. These young women have the tendency to spit in public and talk coarsely. Yanki culture is an exact opposite of the Lolita style, which makes Kamikaze Girls such an interesting film.

Momoko Ryugaski, played by Kyoko Fukada, is a Lolita girl who lives in the country, but longs for life in the city. She worships the clothing brand Baby, The Stars Shine Bright and only eats food that tastes sweet. Her idealized life is turned upside down when she places an add in the classified section of a popular magazine for black market Versace products, that were once sold by her father in street market stalls. Ichigo Shirayuri, portrayed by Anna Tsuchiya, answers the ad. Ichigo is a stereotypical Yanki, who knowingly purchases the counterfeit Versace items in order to fit in with the rest of the members of her gang. Soon, the two become reluctant friends and set out on various day trips with one another.

As their friendship evolves, each girl learns more about life than she was from her other peers. Momoko, who was accustomed to living a very solitude life, begins to embrace the concept that Ichigo is her friend. Ichigo discovers that you do not have to be part of a collective unit, but can share meaningful friendships with individuals. The director of the film utilizes animation, as well as a diverse color pallet to illustrate the world in which Momoko and Ichigo live. The members of the bike gang, The Ponytails, are portrayed as cartoons, whereas Momoko lives in a candy hued environment.

Although, Kamikaze Girls is a Japanese film, its messages are relevant to young people throughout the world. Momoko loves to be part of the counterculture, but is upset when she is invited to embroider dresses for Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. As part of their design team, she would be forced into maturity and would have to confront responsibility, things that can be avoided in the Lolita culture. Ichigo discovers that she is in love with a man and must place this love over the sense of solidarity she has with her sisterhood of bikers. Both girls are forced to encounter the realities of adulthood and is given a choice to remain part of counterculture or assimilate into Japanese youth society, making Kamikaze Girls a fascinating study of the “Other” in Japan.

From Charles Bass to Cha Chi Soo:The Reform of the Preppy Bad Boy

2011-12-04T02:30:00.002-05:00

When I last explored the subject of "The Preppy Bad Boy", the world was teetering on the precipice of the current economic crisis. The mainstream media's portrayal of fashionistas and trust fund babies at play continued to be consumed like a cotton candy confection. However, times have changed. The same aforementioned "trust funders" have joined the 1960's throwback Occupy movement and conspicuous consumption is just not that cool.   As the tide of wealth guilt grows, an interesting trend has developed within television dramas marketed to the ever important 18-34 year old female audience.

Charles Bass (or Chuck as he is affectionately known by his so-called friends), power mogul and hotelier, reforms his playboy persona to become the loving owner of a rescue dog.   Could it be that this personality evolution has another motive, other than the fact that he lost the love of his life? Perhaps the writers of Gossip Girl realized that by softening Chuck's personality, not only would Blair fall back in love with him, but their viewership, as well. Ratings for Gossip Girl have plunged dramatically since the strong debut the show made in 2007, having lost almost a million average viewers by Season 4.

Season 5 has brought out the lighter side of Chuck Bass. After trading his on-again, off-again girlfriend for a hotel, psychologically destroying the aforementioned girl, and committing physical violence against said girl, Chuck has finally seen the light. He is also facing the cold realty of losing someone he cares about much more than money to another man.   It is difficult to be nonchalant in such a dire situation.

By comparison, the Korean drama Flower Boy Ramyun Shop is much lighter fare. The story centers on Cha Chi-Soo, a flower boy, who falls in love with his student teacher (Yang Eun-Bi) under unusual circumstances. Within Korean culture, relationships that involve age difference are a taboo; the age difference between Chi-Soo and Eun-Bi translates to about six years From the start, Cha Chi-Soo is arrogant to a fault and behaves like a much older man. He flaunts his wealth gracelessly and has a flighty girlfriend, who also actively disregards the feelings of others.

Over time, however, Chi-Soo develops feelings for Eun-Bi. He is, as so poignantly stated by his father caviar to her "homemade rice". Rice is substantial; caviar is a delicious luxury that is frivolous and unnecessary. Over the course of the drama, which spans 16 episodes, Cha Chi-Soo transforms from a sniveling flower boy until a boy who sheds tears for his first love. The snarky personality trait that made you despise him in previous episodes, begins to endear him to you.

Viewers of both shows find themselves rooting for the "preppy bad boy" because everyone is allowed a second chance. Although Cha Chi-Soo and Chuck Bass both face challengers that have significant disadvantages, the reformed bad boy comes off as a knight in shining armor. There was a nice boy lurking within them, after all.

Season Five of Gossip Girl is currently airing on The CW, with a mid-season finale on Monday, December 5, 2011. Flower Boy Ramyun Shop is currently airing on the Korean cable network TVN, but can be seen with English Subtitles on Dramafever.

Beautiful Approach to a Commercial

2011-02-17T18:18:00.001-05:00

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Vocal Blanketing: Ethereal Music for Rainy Days

2009-04-06T15:08:00.009-04:00

Recently, during a rather frazzled moment of negotiating the vehicular nightmare that is Commercial Avenue in New Brunswick, I heard one of the most soothing songs to ever reach my ears. My radio was tuned in to 90.3 The Core (Rutgers University Radio) and the song that was playing was Generosity by Mirah. Not only was her vocal style an unexpected comfort as I weaved through traffic and random pedestrians, but the accompanying violins brought me to a place far from the industrial landscape. As a voracious reader of music magazines, I encountered articles extolling the wonder of Mirah, but had never actually given her music a listen.

Generosity is a stand out song from the March 2009 Mirah album, (a)spera. Lyrics such as We've eaten unrestrained but now, These green fruits will remain sour, These clouds we've made cannot make rain dramatically illustrate the tale of love gone awry. Gone Are the Days is a less dramatic track that showcases Mirah's jazzy vocals that are similar in style to Ani DiFranco. Although I am unfamiliar with her back catalogue, I am looking forward to more opportunities to listen to Mirah.

Another female vocalist that can provide solace on a rainy day is Bat for Lashes. Natasha Khan who goes by the moniker Bat for Lashes has recently been featured in numerous magazines including Foam, Bust, and Nylon, in promotion of her upcoming album Two Suns. When an artist is as uniquely beautiful as Natasha Khan, it is often easier for her label to devote more time to marketing her persona than her music. Such was the case with her debut album, Fur and Gold.

Fur and Gold featured the single What's a Girl to Do?, which helped to propel Bat for Lashes to her current status as indie darling. However, the style of the album did little to help solidify Bat for Lashes from as a serious artist. With Two Suns, Bat for Lashes accomplishes the difficult feat of creating art that is as gorgeous as the artist. Upon first hearing Traveling Woman, listeners may mistake Natasha Khan's vocals for the more mature sounds of an A&E era Goldfrapp. As someone who fell in love with A&E, I find Traveling Woman and Sleep Alone to be two of my favorite tracks.

Today, on this particularly yucky April day, I will find solace in the comforting voices of both Bat for Lashes and Mirah. Rather than shudder at the fluctuating weather, I will continue to basque in the warmth of these particularly unique voices. Bat for Lashes' album, Two Suns, will be released on April 6 and (a)spera is currently available.

----------------------------------------
Traveling Woman-Bat for Lashes
Generosity-Mirah

That's So Jersey! Going Down to the Shore

2009-04-06T14:44:00.004-04:00

As the weather grows increasingly warmer, citizens of the Tri-state area (New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey) begin to plan trips to visit the Jersey Shore. Having spent most of my life living in Central New Jersey, within close proximity to Seaside Heights and Great Adventure, I am well acquainted with tension that exists between shore locals and tourists. As a teenager, I worked as a costumed character at Great Adventure, which helped me to develop my unique relationship with Shore tourists.

One on hand, as a "reformed" sorority girl, I can relate to people wanting to claim their "right to party". On the other hand, I have first hand experience in the visitor take all attitude that often accompanies shore tourists. Like anything, one bad apple can spoil the bunch. Locals develop this sense that everyone who travels to the shore is a meat head character from an Mtv documentary. The guys portrayed in the "Jersey Shore Time Share" episode depict the stereotype that many Americans have of New Jersey. Check out a clip, after the jump, of the guys who give Jersey "a bad name".

After spending time as a resident of Middlesex (and soon) Somerset Counties, I have worked and played with many of the people I would have once mocked. Residents of Northern New Jersey aren't bad people; they have just been stereotyped that way. When my co-workers state that they will be visiting "Bar A" or Jenkinson's, I just give a little smile. What they don't know is that while they will be in Belmar or Pt. Pleasant, I will be enjoying a cocktail at a bar in Asbury Park (far away from funnel cake). However, during my time spent in New Brunswick, I have learned one important lesson. When the day is over, we are all still from New Jersey. Perhaps, Rodney King said it best: can't we all just get along!

Monkey in the Middle

2009-03-24T17:17:00.005-04:00

In Issue 1075 of Rolling Stone Magazine (otherwise known as the Gossip Girl issue), the leading men of Gossip Girl give what could be considered a thumbs up recommendation of Victory Brewing Company's Golden Monkey. Ed, Chace, and Penn provide some details about the beer during their interview, however, one does not know Golden Monkey until they have truly experienced it. At 9.5% alcohol by volume, Golden Monkey can pack quite the punch. Whenever the monkey rears it's ugly head, within my circle of friends, we know we are all in for quite the night.

Victory Brewing Company is a microbrewery located in Downingstown, PA. Admittedly, Golden Monkey (with its spicy and bold flavor) is an acquired taste. Fans of Belgian ales will like it; it is certainly not your father's Budweiser or Stella. Residents of Central New Jersey can find their beers in most fine liquor stores, as well as at the New Brunswick favorite, Stuff Yer Face. Kudos to the Gossip Guys for name checking something other than Patron. Perhaps this is one Gossip Girl trend that many guys will latch on to.

Biting Eighties Style: Whitney, You Were Robbed!

2009-03-21T17:32:00.005-04:00

As a child of the '80s, I am often amazed by popularity of Reagan-era fashions that produced by American Apparel. American Apparel relentlessly co-ops what is often bad style, which has become a source of amusement for me. On an entirely different tangent, I am also fascinated by the way that American Apparel has become increasingly sexier. However, that is another post all together. At any rate, I was just watching the tube, when I saw this video by an emerging girl group called Electrik Red (it is nice to know that they are following the nu-metal trend of replacing a "c" with a "k").

What I found most astonishing about their video, "So Good" was that it immediately made me think of Whitney Houston's break out video "How Would I Know". The frizzy perm, spandex, and splashes of paint! As much as I hate to admit it, I miss Whitney Houston. Not "crack is cheap and I don't do cheap things" Whitney, but a younger, gentler version. Well, I guess we should be thankful to Mtv and the eighties music video revolution. Otherwise, gems like this one wouldn't be preserved on youtube, so some nice media specialist to use as their video foundation.

From Princeton to Virginia Woolf

2009-03-21T11:25:00.008-04:00

When driving on the crowded roads of Middlesex County, I often seek the solace of music that allow me to reflect on simpler times. Growing up on the Jersey Shore, some of my best memories occurred during spring visits to the seashore. This winsome feeling is encapsulated in the carefree sounds of the indie pop trio Princeton. Hailing from Los Angeles, Princeton is an aural fix for the winter blahs.

Twin brothers Jesse and Matt Kivel, along with their childhood friend Ben Usen, bring their unique instrumentation and sense of humor to Princeton. Princeton’s sound, which includes keyboards, ukuleles, and the harpsichord is like a mash up of Vampire Weekend and Of Montreal. Their musical style has given Princeton the opportunity to provide support for bands ranging from Brooklyn based synth pop trio Au Revoir Simone to My Brightest Diamond.

During the summer of 2008, Princeton released the well received EP, Bloomsbury. With a nod to academia, the Bloomsbury EP is filled with lush orchestral pieces inspired by Virginia Woolf and other twentieth century British intellectuals. While the world of indie pop is inhabited by many classically trained musicians, their combination of intricate lyrics and upbeat music is what has set Princeton apart. Stand out tracks on Bloomsbury include the gems Ms. Bentwich and The Waves. In preparation for the South by Southwest Festival, Princeton has also released a live Daytrotter session. Princeton is currently on tour in the West with nationwide dates soon to be announced.

The following post was cross posted on Princeton Record Exchange blog.

---------------------------------------

Ms. Bentwich-Princeton

The Waves-Princeton

Welcome to the Freak Show

2009-03-20T11:06:00.006-04:00

As someone who works with the developmentally disabled population, I have always found the concept of traveling circus' and freak shows to be a bit disturbing. Recently, however, I developed a renewed interest in the phenomena after my boyfriend and I engaged in a marathon viewing session of Seasons One and Two of the HBO series Carnivale. Carnivale, which aired from September 2003 through March 2005, focuses on life during the Great Depression. Series creator Daniel Knauf illustrated the trials and tribulations of carnie folk who find themselves emerged in a battle of good verses evil. Unfortunately, the series was discontinued after two seasons due to the massive amounts of funding required for filming.

Knauf used Depression era carnivals as his back drop, due to the juxtaposition between innocent carnival goers and the magic that appears to lurk inside the dusty tents. Besides common sideshow acts such as a bearded lady and snake charmer, Knauf explored the complexity of how society treated those who were considered different. In a pivotal scene, Ben Hawkins (a character who is representative of the Biblical paradigm of salvation through redemption), is sent forth to find a girl with deformities known as the "lobster girl". It is apparent to views that the girl has been shut away from society; as a sideshow freak, she is able to earn wages and emerge into the world.

As the series progresses, viewers learn that Ben Hawkins is the adversary of Brother Justin. Brother Justin, who is excellent portrayed by Clancy Brown, is a Methodist minister who initially believes he was intended by God to bring forth His message. As time progresses, Brother Justin turns from the more conservative views of the Methodist church towards the fire and brimstone message associated with the Evangelical branch of Protestantism. Brother Justin's massive appeal evokes images of the historic Azusa Street Revival, a Pentacostal revival which took place in California from 1906 through 1915. As his movement grows, Brother Justin begins to receive criticism that is similar to what was given to participants in the Azusa revival.

However, as time progresses, it is apparent that while Ben Hawkins heals the ill and disabled, Brother Justin is intent on propegating his own agenda. Throughout the series, Ben is drawn to those are disabled or injured and attempts to aid them. Through Ben, Daniel Knauf conveys the message that Depression era society sought to either fetishize the disabled or exclude them. Other than Ben, no one truly attempts to help society's disabled. In the clip below, Ben attempts to heal carnival goers who are in need, while Brother Justin has his own plans.

In a more contemporary spin of the side show, Asbury Lanes will be hosting the act Freaks of the 999 Eyes on April 9, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. The show consists of acts such as the Lobster Girl and Elephant Man, who have chosen to use their disabilities or conditions as part of an old-fashioned sideshow. Coming on the heels of my non-stop Carnivale marathon, I am excited to see what Freaks of 999 Eyes have to offer.

As an advocate for individuals with disabilities, I must add that all members of this modern day performance have willingly chosen to participate. Do you consider sideshows to be a tool for exploiting people or do you think that our politically correct society can use a little stirring up? Leave your comments, as I will continue to explore this topic, after the April 9th show.

Dark was the Night: Indie Rock's answer to "We are the World"

2009-03-11T10:57:00.008-04:00

One of my favorite bands that are currently active in the market is The National. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend their show at Messiah College. It was worth the four hour trip through Pennsylvania and was one of the best live shows I have ever witnessed. The album Boxer is amazing, which helped to propel it to the top of many Top 10 lists.

Since the release of Boxer and the Messiah College concert, I have waited with bated breath for The National's next release. Although, Dark was the Night is not exclusively a project from The National, it features their newest single So Far Around the Bend. Check out the Pitchfork.tv video for So Far Around the Bend, below.

Dark Was the Night is comprised of thirty two exclusive tracks, with contributions from artists such as The Decemberists, Feist, The National, My Morning Jacket, and Sufjan Stevens. Under the production of Bryce and Aaron Dessner of The National, each artist brings their unique flavor to an album that will probably be one of the best compilations of 2009. The proceeds of the album benefit the Red Hot Organization, an group that is dedicated to raising funds for HIV and AIDS.

Besides The National's single, stand outs on the compilation include Feeling Good from My Brightest Diamond and Knotty Pine, a collaboration between The Dirty Projectors and David Byrne. Feeling Good is a sultry song that evokes images of supper clubs, Josephine Baker, and speakeasies. In contrasts, Knotty Pine is a delightful tune that makes you want to go camping in the mountains with a hefty bag of granola. Over all, Dark Was the Night is a solid album and is a must have for any indie music fan.

--------------------------
Service Bell--Feist f. Grizzly Bear

Pop! Straight Out of Scandinavia

2009-03-09T23:27:00.018-04:00

When it comes to our choices of music, we all have guilty pleasures. During my formative years, I was a huge New Kids on the Block fan. I tortured my parents to purchase every poster, cassette tape (yes, it was that long ago), and piece of merchandise I could get my hands on. My love of NKOTB even helped me to become elected to my intermediate school student council. However, as time moved on, so did my taste in music. By the time high school arrived, I had abandoned pop music in exchange for alternative bands like Nirvana and Depeche Mode.

As Disney powerhouses The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and the High School Musical gang take the youth by storm, I often wonder what type of music their listeners will tune into next. Not being a huge fan of the “emo” genre, I hope that many reformed Radio Disney listeners will turn to the sweet sounds of indie pop. Independent pop music is steadily trickling into the mainstream, with exposure ranging from iPod commercials to prominent spots in teen dramas. Leading the charge of the indie pop invasion is a group of artists who have descended from the North with world domination in mind.

With increasingly more complex lyrics, catchy hooks, and hand claps, Scandinavian pop artists are taking the musical world by storm. The infectious beats and joyous refrains that have infiltrated the contemporary Scandinavian pop world is reminiscent of disco favorites Abba. The trademark sound of Abba consisted of cheesy, synthesized melodies that were infused with slightly ominous lyrics. Following in their footsteps, artists such as Alphabeat, Lykke Li, and Peter, Bjorn, and John are creating the soundtrack for a new generation of dancing queens.

As a sucker for hand claps and whistling, I could not resist the Peter, Bjorn, and John gem Young Folks. Young Folks, like many great pop songs, makes me want to jump out of my seat and start dancing. After listening to the album Writer's Block, it is easy for me to see that they were able to achieve what many pop artists' continuously strive for. Many critics, however, have viewed Peter, Bjorn, and John as a one hit wonder that has yet to deliver another song as successful as Young Folks.

With a co-opted eighties sound, Alphabeat is swiftly becoming one of my favorite pop groups. Their debut album, This is Alphabeat, features songs that would set the perfect backdrop for the upcoming revival production of Fame. The single Fascination brings to mind crowded school halls, acrobatic dancers, and bespectacled schoolteachers. Although the song Public Image is intended to be a commentary on the trappings of stardom, it is easy to envision a cheerleader who longs for life after secondary education. The icing on the cake is Fantastic Six, which features an enthusiastic chorus and handclaps. Check out the video for Fascination and more about Lykke Li, after the jump.

My boyfriend has a word for female artists with voices like Lykke Li: precious. Upon hearing her breakout song, Dance Dance Dance, I was quick to dismiss Lykke Li as just another cutesy pop star trying to coo her way to the top. Then, I heard the single Breaking it Up from the album Youth Novels. Dark and filled with edgy lyrics, Breaking it Up sets the tone for other songs on the album. As demonstrated during her mtvU performance, Lykke Li is perfectly capable of playing a woman on the verge of self destruction. Hailing from Sweden her quirky style is more remisicent of German electronica artist Ellen Allien.

As eighties music makes a huge comeback, I realize that I have missed listening to The Right Stuff while jumping around in Wigwam socks. Although, Scandinavian pop is not New Kids on the Block, it satisfies my craving for pop. As for my transition to Depeche Mode, my love of Dave Gahan and company inadvertently led me to my current boyfriend. Upon seeing him in a black Violator tee shirt, I knew I needed to talk to him. Afterall, we shared a guilty pleasure.

-------------------------------
Fantastic Six-Alphabeat
Public Image-Alphabeat

Textual Harrassment: Rumors, Techonology, and the Gossip Girl Generation

2009-03-09T15:17:00.009-04:00

When I was a catty, teenage girl the greatest threats to my social life were the vicious rumors that were often spread by my so-called friends. Such rumors would distributed through the simplest of technologies, notes passed in class or every one's favorite game, telephone. By the end of a particularly difficult day, Tommy So-and-So would finally know that I had a crush on him, even if he was dating Mindy the cheerleader. Such events could be temporarily damaging, but generally faded after a few days. Today, teens are facing an ever changing environment in which even they do not have complete control.

Social networking sites such as facebook, which I joined with great reluctance, allow for ordinary citizens to become mini-celebrities. People you haven't talked to since elementary school are suddenly your best friend. Actual friends are provided status updates; photo galleries allow for nights of drunken debauchery to be encapsulated in cyberspace for all eternity. While technology such as Twitter and Flikr have viable applications, they are often misused or abused. For today's teens, a brief moment of indecision towards a supposed friend can lead to what may seem like a lifetime of misery.

Technology, while convenient, has created a world in which abusive relationships can thrive in unprecedented forms. As a teen in the nineties, I was witness to friends and boyfriends who were overzealous with instant messaging, phone calls, and even beeper pages. (Yes, prior to the proliferation of cell phones high school students carried pagers). While receiving repeated pages or phone calls was annoying, the person on the other end had no way of tracking your location. Global positioning technology that is currently available in many consumer electronics has paved the way for abusive partner to maintain constant location some one's whereabouts.

During the past month, the airwaves have been jammed with fans who were horrified at domestic dispute between musicians Chris Brown and his girlfriend, Rihanna. Apparently, the incident, which led to extensive injuries and a blood spattered car, was precipitated by Rihanna intercepting a text message that was intended for Chris Brown. Art often imitates life, but in this instance, Rihanna's concern over the female sender of the message led to a period of violence. What fans are finding most disturbing, however, is that she has not public renounced domestic violence or issued some form of statement that is seeking assistance. The fact that both artists maintain a youthful fan base is what I personally find most disturbing.

The Chris Brown and Rihanna incident has sent a very dangerous message to young women who may need to seek help for domestic violence. Thanks to the piranhas at TMZ, police photos of a horribly battered Rihanna have been leaked to the press. The anonymity that is normally afforded victims is apparently forgone when a victim is famous. Thankfully, there are various efforts that are being made to counteract bullying, domestic abuse, and technology abuse.

In an attempt to draw awareness to technology abuse, domestic abuse, and gossiping, The Family Violence Prevention Fund and The Ad Council have launched the website, That's Not Cool. That's Not Cool is a clever site that has provides free e-cards for teens to send to their friends, gossip mongers, and partners about actions that are just not cool. Included in this list is the abuse of instant messaging, posting damaging information on social networking sites, or stalking. This humorous take on these often illegal activities is intended to help create a dialog amongst teens regarding abuse.

As a fan of Gossip Girl, I often marvel at the over-the-top plots, dialog, and wardrobe. Is Chuck Bass really wearing a pink ascot? However, I must admit that I was horrified at a plot that unfolded during Season One of the series. During the episode, Poison Ivy, Blair Waldorf and her cohort Chuck Bass, spread the nasty rumor that one of their flock was absent from school due to stint in a rehabilitation facility. Complete with photographs that are distributed throughout the school faster than a snow chain, this rumor has devastating effects on both the subject and her family members. In true Gossip Girl fashion, there are no negative consequences for Chuck or Blair. It is not until an entire season later that all of the rumor spreading finally catches up with Blair. Perhaps, someone needs to send her character a That's Not Cool message.

-----------------------------------
The Mean Girl Playlist:

Hot and Cold-Katy Perry

Wikked 'Lil Girls-Esthero

Kiss Me Thru the Phone-Soulja Boy

Diva-Beyonce

Frito Lay's Female Specific Ad Campaign

2009-03-06T11:45:00.002-05:00

Apparently, the downtown has led marketing firms to sink to previously unseen lows when targeting the female demographic. In a new campaign called Only in a Woman's World, Frito Lay utilizes the ad firm Juniper Park to create one of the most disastrous, sexist campaigns I have ever seen. Utilizing a technique called "neuromarketing", Juniper Park claims that this campaign is a reflection of scientific data stating that women react to different marketing techniques than men. Supposedly, the average woman should be able to empathize with the simpering, stereotypes that are portrayed in the cartoons. Be forewarned, these videos are not for the faint of heart.

----------------
Now playing: No Doubt - Just a Girl
via FoxyTunes

Silver Lining

2009-03-04T19:18:00.003-05:00

I seem to have fallen behind in my blog posts; I guess the failing economy has had a lot to do with it. However, it appears as though the sun is about to appear from deep within the dark clouds. I am going to be one of many recently chosen bloggers to write for the Princeton Record Exchange blog. PREX is one of the best independent music stores in NJ! They are one of my favorite places to find great music at awesome prices. At any rate, the incredible "goodness" of my day makes me think of the song "Silver Lining" by Rilo Kiley. Oh...and the song "Good Day" by Nappy Roots.

----------------
Now playing: Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
via FoxyTunes

Studio 360 visits Japan

2009-02-10T17:48:00.003-05:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with all things kawaii. I am in love with the Japanese concept of cuteness. It is great to see that Studio 360 is covering this phenomenon. Kurt Andersen visits the "land of the rising sun", along with Studio 360. This amazing broadcast has been made possible by a grant. Below, you will find a video of Kurt Andersen, in the Shibuya district, along with the creator of Tokyo Mango. Tokyo Mango is one of the most authoritative blogs regarding an American perspective on Japanese culture. Besides the video footage covering the Studio 360's visit, you can follow along with the corresponding podcast.

Kurt Andersen visits Tokyo's exclusive sticker picture booths from Matthew Cavnar on Vimeo.

Taking it off at Asbury Lanes

2009-02-09T09:15:00.002-05:00

Burlesque performances are making a splash at Asbury Lanes, the bowling alley/performance venue in Asbury Park. This Sunday, the legendary Pontani Sisters will be performing, along with Murray Hill. Tickets are $12 for pre-sale and $15 at the door. The Pontani Sisters' claim to fame is a unique burlesque show that brings back the sweetness of yesteryear. In time for Valentine's Day, it is an excellent alternative to the usual celebration. Check out the video, below, to get a preview of the girls' nifty dancing.