Keeping Myself Busy While "Nebulizing"

I finally caught the dreaded cold that has been circulating the city and as usual it hit me extra hard by causing an asthma attack. Ive been stuck inside for 2 days now, which sucks cause i actually enjoy my job. So while I get my lungs back to normal with a nebulizer and breathing treatment, I bring you "A Black Man in the Elevator".

Shoot Me

How is it that this guy (who's my age) has more money than I will most likely ever have, yet I invested $160,000 into my New York art school education resulting in a BFA? Not to mention that nobody I graduated with can get legitimate jobs and I am currently working part time to sell iPhones and the headphones being worn in this video. I think this is what they mean when they say life isnt always fair. 

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How Can Bicycles Still Be Fun? and Banksy Bitch Slaps the South

So, pretty much everyone I know that lives here in the city knows who Banksy is. If you arent familiar he is a famous world renowned British graffiti artist and is very mysterious. Not many people know who he actually is, where hes from, looks like, ect. His pieces are usually political and or based on popular culture.  

He seems to be here in the states right now and has put up some awesome pieces so far in New Orleans and Alabama. The best in my opinion was in Birmingham where he painted an image of a Klansman being hung at an abandoned gas station. It obviously pushed some buttons as most of his work does, according to Hypebeast (www.hypebeast.com) a convenient store clerk across the street stated that some local taggers came and covered it, and it was then

 removed completely. Too bad. Below are also some images he put up in New Orleans as well.

*Images from Hypebeast and www.banksy.co.uk

On another note, I think its really funny and interesting how fast bikes have become fun and popular again. The last few years the bike craze in new york as well as all over the world has taken off immensely, especially in the world of fixed gears. Here's a little video of people showing off on theirs at the recent Bicycle Film Festival in LA.

BFF Block Party LA 2008 from rossangeles on Vimeo.

Underoath

As previously stated in my last post, I have very eclectic taste in music. Putting my iTunes on shuffle around others is truly dangerous. Last time i brought you French artist "Yelle", but today I bring you one of my top 2 favorite bands, Underoath. 

They've been a favorite band of mine for at least 4-5 years now, especially after getting a copy of an album from Stuff Magazine while interning. The band originated in Florida in 98' and has been Grammy nominated which is kind of rare for a hardcore band. They are signed to Solid State/Tooth and Nail Records and are their best selling band. The last few years have brought them more commercial success with the release of "They're Only Chasing Safety" and "Define the Great Line"; which went gold and the highest-charting Christian album in the Billboard 200 since 97'. 

Did I just say Christian album? Yes, Yes I did. This is still a confusing thing with Underoath in a way. They have stated many times they are a Christian band, but as lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain explains:

 "[We are Christian but] in a different way. We’re not like your average Christian band." He further explains that Christianity is the "backbone of our lives, especially in the way that we handle certain things, but it’s not so much the backbone of our lyrics. It’s not like every song is a lesson from the Bible or something. It’s just normal life struggles."

Basically, they are all identified Christians but do not express that in all of their songs, although at shows there is usually at least one mention of God or Jesus which usually comes at the end. In any case, I do love them and Aaron Gillespie (drummer) inspires me to be a better drummer. Today a new Album was released, titled "Lost in the Sound of Separation", they have a new video which is by no means that great (many others are much better and have been Grammy nominated as well). But ill post it for the sake of posting along with some other good ones, they usually work with a Swedish director and company and come up with some interesting conceptual stuff video wise.  Im sad to be missing them playing here in the city tonight.

First video From the Latest Album: