Sunday, February 28, 2010

James Cameron's ex-wife on 60 Minutes


60 Minutes is reporting on the lady movie director who made Hurt Locker for "a measly $11 million."

Measly, eh.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. She shakes the camera around. How terribly original.

If the movie's any good, it's a fluke. This is from the director of Point Break and K-19: The Widowmaker.

Aanchal Embroidery Silk Saree

Photoshop art of Indian Model
posing in Silk Saree
Aanchal Embroidery Silk SareeWISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND COLOURFUL HOLI

FAMOUS ART QUOTES, MUSIC QUOTES, PAINTING QUOTES, FILM MAKING QUOTES, PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTES:

If I ever die of a heart attack, I hope it will be from playing my stereo too loud.
~ Anonymous

Art is like a border of flowers along the course of civilization.
~ Lincoln Steffens

I think the best pictures are often on the edges of any situation, I don't find photographing the situation nearly as interesting as photographing the edges.
~ William Albert Allard, "The Photographic Essay"

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.
~ Ansel Adams

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Fan Videos


One interesting thing. Andrew Koenig appeared in a Batman fan video. It's short. About 8 minutes. Very well made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYHieJQKZd8

Would it have been more interesting if it had been less stylish? How would a comic book movie like this look if it were filmed in a cinema verite style? Like an episode of Cops.

Let's see Batman as if Werner Herzog directed. As if Pasoloni directed. As if Jim Jarmusch directed.

Well, of course, this Batman video was done for the filmmaker's own purposes. People have made fan videos simply as fans, or to show what they can do technically and artistically to promote themselves as directors. Like any other short film.

I watched one feature length fan film on You Tube. I don't know if I could find it again. It was Star Trek. It had some of the original cast in it---Lt Uhuru was in it. Maybe Walter Koenig----I can't remember.

It was pretty well-made. They obviously spent a fortune on it.

It was also obvious that the guy who made it was an Ayn Rand nut.

The movie starts with Lt Uhuru talking to some Vulcan intellectuals. She tells them they should get rid of their motto, "The good of the many outweighs the good of the few," because it leads to genocide.

It leads to genocide, eh? So Hitler was just trying to help as many people as he could.

The Vulcans admit that, yes, their motto leads to genocide. And Ayn Rand was the most rational "philosopher" in the universe and was not at all weird-looking. But they explain that they pretty much ignore their motto, so it's okay.

Later, the commander of a star ship introduces himself before a battle:

"I am Captain Galt of the star ship Liberty."

I'm surprised there wasn't some Ayn Rand thing that would prohibit you from wasting tens of thousands of dollars and years of work making a movie you wouldn't exactly own the rights to, that you couldn't legally distribute or make any money from.

On the other hand, if you make a science fiction movie costing, say, $50,000, what are your real odds of getting it into any sort of distribution? What hope do you have of making any money on it, or even making your money back?

At least with a fan video, people will watch it.

For that amount, you can make an original science fiction movie and disappoint viewers with how cheap it looks, or make a "fan film" and have them marveling at how much money you spent.

It does seem like, with a Star Trek fan film, that it would be more within the reach of the filmmaker to make it a fan film of the original series.

For costumes, men would need a red, blue, or sort of yellowish tee shirt and black pants. Women would need mini-dresses and matching underpants in the same colors. Special effects would be easier. The scripts should be built around some Freudian Oedipal confict.

I don't watch any of the new Star Trek shows. But I was forced to sit through one episode. Had Whoopie Goldberg in it. They had children running around the Enterprise, they didn't have a single Jiu-Jitsu fight and the captain didn't sleep with even a single alien.

The old show WAS better.

I need some help figuring this one out...


Anyone able to help me out with the language/context on this one? 

Jennifer Lopez Biography

Jennifer Lopez
jennifer lopez biographyJennifer Lopez was born on July 24, 1970. Her parents came to New York from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Jennifer Lopez is the middle of three sisters.

Jennifer Lopez went on her first tour - around New York City with her dance class at the age of 7. At the age of 16 Jennifer got a little break with a bit part in the film ''My Little Girl'' (starring Mary Stuart Masterson).

Her first love was still dance, and when she read about a scholarship to a dance school in Manhattan, she went down and grabbed the opportunity. At this time she was taking a full time course load at Baruch, working in a law office and taking her dance classes. Eventually this would lead to a falling out with her mother, who didn't want Jennifer to pursue dance as a career. When her mother gave her the ever popular ''you live by my rules as long as you live under my roof'' speech Jennifer took that as her cue to break out on her own. Not having anywhere else to live, she took up residence in the building where she took her dance classes. A year and a half of auditioning with no success brought Jennifer to the verge of a breakdown. But salvation would come in the form of a tour that sent her dancing across Japan. Before this, she had auditioned to be a ''Fly Girl'' for the show ''In Living Color'' but she had been turned down.

Jennifer Lopez, on her way back from Japan, she received a call from ''In Living Color'' asking her to audition again. This time she made the cut and it was off to Hollywood. She didn't really enjoy her time on ''In Living Color'', as she longed for an acting career that would put her in the spotlight. Her first television job as an actress, on the Fox series ''South Central'' came her way because the producer of the show was married to one of the other fly girls, and he took notice of Jennifer during a special Fox aired about the Fly Girls. ''South Central'' only survived one season, but she quickly resurfaced on television screens appearing as ''Melinda Lopez'' first in the short lived ''Second Chances'' series, then ''Hotel Malibu.'' In 1995 she jumped onto the big screen in her first major role, opposite Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson in ''Money Train.'' She would go on to work opposite such talents as Robin Williams and Jack Nicholson, but it was her work with Gregory Nava, who directed her in ''My Family, Mi Familia'' that would lead her to the role that would make her a star.

Jennifer Lopez was chosen to play Selena Quintanilla Perez, in the official biopic of the life of the fallen Tejano star. Taking part in the production of ''Selena'' would impact Jennifer's life in many ways. On the personal side, Jennifer's fiancéé, Ojani Noa, proposed to her at the wrap party for Selena. The couple had met in Miami while Jennifer was filming ''Blood And Wine'' with Jack Nicholson. Ojani, a Cuban immigrant, was an aspiring model working as a waiter at Gloria Estefan's restaurant, Larios On The Beach. They were married in Miami on February 22, 1997, after knowing each other less than a year. Jennifer's sudden rise to fame with the release of ''Selena'' the following month would put an excessive strain on the marriage, and the couple filed for divorce just a little over a year after they were married.

After news of the divorce made headlines, the gossip papers quickly had her romantically linked to the likes of rap impresario Sean ''Puffy'' Combs, Sony Music President Tommy Mottola and Salsa singer Marc Anthony. Jennifer herself remains tightlipped - and rightfully so - on the subject of her personal life (although she has recently admitted that she is in fact having a relationship with Puffy). Back on the professional level, her role as Karen Sisco in 1998's ''Out Of Sight'', opposite George Clooney, has brought her into the major leagues, making her the highest paying Latina actress in history.

Playing Selena also brought back Jennifer's interests in being the ''all around'' entertainer, and she decided to record a demo of her singing, completely in Spanish. After a bidding war among a number of record companies, Jennifer was signed to Sony Music's Work Group label. Her first CD, a pop album with a Latin flavor (although mostly in English) was released June 1, 1999. Working with the likes of Emilio Estefan, Rodney Jerkins and Sean ''Puffy'' Combs, the music world is buzzing that Jennifer is ''the next Gloria Estefan'' set to become the mainstream Latin crossover star Selena herself surely would have been, had she been given the chance. That early prediction seems accurate, as her first single, ''If You Had My Love'' shot to 1 on the Billboard chart, and has been certified platinum (one million sales).

source

Friday, February 26, 2010

Have you ever seen a real Indian?: AICF's ad campaign


For some reason, this week has offered me a host of examples of insensitivity and ignorance surrounding Indian identity and identity politics. I've gotten in intense arguments and conversations in classes, I've confronted a colleague who told me, to my face, that the reason the US and Canada were different in terms of policies towards their Indigenous peoples was because "Well, I mean, in the US our policy was just to kill all the Indians. That's why there aren't any left, and we don't have to deal with them." I also overheard a student with whom I was discussing my research tell his friend: "I was like, Okaaay Native American, just talk about how we OPPRESSED you and your PEOPLE!"

So when I was deciding what to post today, I remembered these ads from the American Indian College Fund, an organization that provides scholarships and assistance to tribal college students. They're a little old, and their new campaigns--entitled "If I stay on the rez" and "Think Indian" are equally awesome and can be found here, but I think that these offer a powerful perspective that is rarely seen in print media.

After the jump, more of the ads and more discussion.


Judge Bill Thorne, Pomo. Judge for the Utah court of appeals, President of the National Indian Justice Center, skier, soccer coach for 25 years.

Hattie Kaufmann, Nez Perce, National network news correspondent, emmy award-winning reporter, traditional beadwork artist, marathoner.

Jarrett Medicine Elk, Northern Cheyenne/Assiniboine, business major, student  counselor, peer tutor, illustrator, public and motivational speaker

Rick West, Cheyenne, Attorney, founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, traditional powwow dancer (and I would add--Stanford Alum!)

There are also a few more on the AICF website. The whole campaign can be found here.

I love these. Every aspect, from the attention-grabbing headline that makes the viewer question their preconcieved notions about what a "Real Indian" looks like, to the captions that demonstrate the subjects academic and career success; but also highlight their community/cultural involvement, as well as hobbies and other identities. It directly confronts what most of mainstream America would expect of an "Indian"--these are strong Native men and women, and they don't need tipis or feathers to show it. It's amazing how something as simple as putting "soccer coach for 25 years" can completely turn a stereotype on its head.

In addition, if you look along the right edge of each photo, there is a fact about reservation life, tribal colleges, or Indian education, and a link for more information about the American Indian College Fund. 

The best part is, the ads aren't confined to Native outlets. These ads were (and the new ads are) featured in Sports Illustrated, Time, InStyle, the Delta Airlines magazine, Oprah magazine, NY Times magazines, and more. All major mainstream media outlets. That's awesome. 

So, in light of my identity challenges this week, I thought I would offer a counter-narrative (I love that term) to the stereotypes clearly held in the heads of many Americans. I only wish the images of Natives that most Americans see everyday were more like these, instead of the other images that dominate this blog.

Keep up the good work, American Indian College Fund! I am such a supporter.

American Indian College Fund website: http://www.collegefund.org/

Michelin Stars in London

London is absolutely faboulos for eating out. This cities can provide for anyone's taste : French, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Chinese, American and the best burgers, Asian....Whether you like fish or meat or vegetarian, there will be one of your best restaurants in London. But there is one list that's sure to make you salivate....and save up to enjoy on a special occasion : the Michelin Star London Restaurant List.



Three Michelin Stars

Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, Mayfair (New for 2010)
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea

Two Michelin Stars

The Ledbury, Kensington (New for 2010)
The Capital hotel, Knightsbridge
Le Gavroche, Mayfair
Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Berkeley hotel, Knightsbridge
Pied á Terre, Bloomsbury
The Square, Mayfair
Hibiscus, Mayfair
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Covent Garden


One Michelin Star

The Harwood Arms, Fulham (New 2010)
Bingham Restaurant (at Bingham Hotel), Richmond-upon-Thames (New 2010)
Apsleys (at the Lanesborough Hotel), Belgravia (New 2010)
Galvin at Windows (at London Hilton Hotel), Mayfair (New 2010)
Tamarind, Mayfair (New 2010)
Texture, Regents Park (New 2010)
Hakkasan, Soho
Rhodes TwentyFour, City of London
Club Gascon, City of London
River Cafe, Hammersmith (watch this one, the atmosphere is fantastic!!)
La Trompette, Chiswick
St John, Clerkenwell
Tom Aikens, Chelsea
Rasoi, Chelsea
The Ledbury North Kensington
The Glasshouse, Kew Village
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
Amaya, Belgravia
Nahm, Belgravia
Zafferano, Belgravia
Foliage, Knightsbridge
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
The Greenhouse, Mayfair
Murano, Mayfair
Maze, Mayfair
Benares, Mayfair
Umu, Mayfair
Kai, Mayfair
Semplice, Mayfair
Wild Honey, Mayfair
Nobu (at the Metropolitan), Mayfair

Salwar Kameez Designs Collection

Salwar Kameez Designs CollectionPrinted Salwar Kameez
Salwar Kameez Designs Collection
Salwar Kameez Designs CollectionDesigner Salwar Kameez
Salwar Kameez Designs Collection
Salwar Kameez Designs Collection
Salwar Kameez Designs CollectionSalwar Kameez Designs Collection

FAMOUS ART QUOTES, MUSIC QUOTES, PAINTING QUOTES, FILM MAKING QUOTES, PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTES:

Were it not for music, we might in these days say, the Beautiful is dead.
~ Benjamin Disraeli

What was any art but a mould in which to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself - life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose.
~ Willa Cather

Music is what feelings sound like.
~ Author Unknown

An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the actual world.
~ George Santayana

Nicole Richie's baby mocs


My fabulous little sister Michele found this from Nicole Richie's new baby clothes line for Kitson (called "House of Harlow"). Baby moccasins for $225?!

(Thanks Sees!)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Photoshop art of Indian Bride

Photoshop art of Indian BridePhotoshop art of a female model posing in Bridal dress and Bridal Jewelry.

FAMOUS ART QUOTES, MUSIC QUOTES, PAINTING QUOTES, FILM MAKING QUOTES, PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTES:

Art is spirituality in drag.
~ Jennifer Yane

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.
~ Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name

A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.
~ Eudora Welty

The camera can photograph thought.
~ Dirk Bogarde

Reflexes and instincts are not pretty. It is their decoration that initiates art.
~ Martin H. Fischer

Andrew Koenig found dead

CNN reports that Andrew Koenig was found dead in a park in Vancouver, B.C. His father said he committed suicide.

Koenig had suffered from depression. He stopped taking medication for it about a year ago, his father said. He enjoyed some success as an actor. Was an activist focusing on Burma and other causes.

Already on the CNN website, there's some of the predictable nonsense. People post comments, and half of them deny the reality of clinical depression. They talk about suicide as if it were simply a sign of weakness, as if suicide were perfectly rational act people commit after logically weighing their options.

Someone posted, "Money can't buy happiness." (I don't know how much money Koenig had.)

Someone posted a reply that said money could buy happiness but "it can't cure mental illness."

Spelling Mistakes in Tattoos


Tattoo artists are being asked to pay more attention to spelling, especially when it comes to Sanskrit tattoos. It seems that 2 of our favourite stars have had a tattoo done in Sanskrit...with a spelling mistake. Rihanna has 2 tattoos with spelling mistakes. and "Victoria" on the arm (left) of David Beckham is spelled like Vihctoria.



British footballer Theo Walcott is the latest footballer to join David Beckham to the “Sanskrit Tattoo Club”. On the inside of his right arm, he has a tattoo meaning "Beautiful, Blessed, Strong, Intelligent”. “Beautiful” is dedicated to his sister Hollie, “blessed” for his father Don, “strong” for his brother Ashley, and “intelligent” for his mother Lynn. Wow, he has a nice family !


Random Appropriation of the Day!



Today's random appropriation comes from Hipster Puppies, a pretty adorable tumblr feed playing off hipster stereotypes by captioning pictures of dogs.

The above image was posted with this caption: "lola got booted from the kickball team after just showing up every week and drinking"

In the words of tipster MK: "I'm gonna hope the caption about drinking has nothing to do with Native stereotypes. Coincidence?" Let's hope.

Apparently even the hipster puppies are getting in on the tribal trend!


(Thanks MK!)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Andrew Koenig


Well, it's a sad thing. Andrew Koenig, TV's Boner, is missing. Suffering from depression. At this point, police in Vancouver think he is still in the city but doesn't want to be found. Extremely upsetting, obviously, to his family. His father is Walter Koenig, Ensign Chekov from Star Trek.

Koenig is 41. He played a character called Boner on TV's Growing Pains, a discipline-oriented family sit-com spawned by the popularity of The Cosby Show. I never managed to sit through an episode that I can recall, and my only knowledge of Koenig's character was when I heard a 12-year-old boy call a radio talk show to say that he thought his name was indecent. I wonder what Kirk Cameron thought about it. After he went through his religious conversion, he felt that Growing Pains was sinful. Alan Thicke says he told Kirk that if Growing Pains was "too blue" for him, he should try to put together a show for one of the Christian cable stations.

Andrew Koenig has enjoyed some success. More than I have, certainly. But there have been extremely successful people who have suffered from depression and there have been struggling people who have been happy but frustrated. There's no logic behind it.

Justin Bieber Will Perform With Rihanna | Kids' Choice Awards

Justin Bieber will make his Kids' Choice Awards debut on March 27, 2010.
The 15-year-old pop sensation – whose debut album My World went platinum within four weeks of its release last November – will be a featured performer, along with Grammy winner Rihanna, Nickelodeon has announced exclusively to PEOPLE.

For Bieber fans who want to see the young heartthrob up close, Nickelodeon is offering an All-Access Sweepstakes with Justin Bieber. Those wishing to enter the contest, which runs March 3-10, may do so at nick.com/kca10. The winner will receive a trip for four to Los Angeles, tickets to the show, an invitation to walk the famous KCA orange carpet, access to Bieber's pre-show rehearsal and a private meet-and-greet with the teen star.~source

Dartmouth Native Vigilantes?

(image via ivygateblog.com)

Last night several of these anonymous signs were posted around the campus of Dartmouth College on the lawns of greek organizations and in front of administration buildings. The text on the sign above, posted at the Psi Upsilon house, reads:
Dear Brothers of Psi U,
You have been charged with representing your brotherhood to Dartmouth as racist and insensitive. Your use of the Dartmouth Indian, which is a caricature of racist stereotypes, as well as the objectification of women on your other shirt send a message to campus that you as an organization are actively disrespecting the feelings of your peers. We are holding you accountable for your actions.
It is time you start doing the same. 
I'll admit that I'm not well versed in the intimate details of the ongoing issues surrounding the Indian mascot at Dartmouth, but I know that it has been a nearly constant struggle for Native students on campus fighting against generations of alumni who support and continue to use the mascot image. In addition to the mascot issues, there have been a series of serious incidents through the years directly targeting or affecting the Native community. Inside Higher Ed published an article in 2006 about some of the incidents, and can be found here.  I can only imagine, given the statement above, that the brothers of Psi U produced some sort of shirt using the mascot.

The Ivygate blog seems to think that these vigilantes are "anti-greek", but I think it's pretty obvious that's not the case, and that there are bigger issues at play here. In addition to the sign above, they also covered the porch of the house with ladies underwear and the words "this won't just go away". While the blog speculates this is a reference to sexual harassment, commenter "vigilante" sets the record straight:

The panties are not anti-sexual-assault or even feminist (god forbid), but rather refer to a Psi U’s response to concerns about the Dartmouth Indian tshirts about people getting their “panties in a twist” and saying the situation will just “go away” if they don’t address it.
The people behind the signs aren’t anti-Greek by any means, just looking to revive dialogue about some recent actions by various organizations that come across as racist/sexist/generally insensitive. These things are consistently dismissed and swept under the rug, so the signs sought to give voice to those who were affected, offended by, and/or silenced by such actions. Accountability and respect of others in the community are the main goals, but at the very least we hope people will start actually talking about these issues rather than blowing them off as usual.
I think this is definitely a voice that needs to be heard, and that the Dartmouth administration's track record of not taking action on issues affecting the Native community and communities of color in general is inexcusable. I hope that these "vigilantes" use this as momentum to keep the movement going and make their voices heard.

I know I've got a few readers from up that way, if anyone wants to give me more information, or wants to write a post about the issues facing Native students on campus, especially surrounding the continued use of the mascot, please don't hesitate to let me know. I am perfectly happy to keep you anonymous. nativeappropriations@gmail.com.

Dartmouth Apologizes for Indian Incidents--Inside Higher Ed (2006): http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/11/27/dartmouth

Anonymous Vigilantes Attack Dartmouth Frats with Manifestos, Women's Underwear--Ivygate Blog: http://www.ivygateblog.com/2010/02/breaking-anonymous-vigilante-attacks-dartmouth-frats-with-manifestos-womens-underwear/ 

(Thanks Scott!)

Sachin Tendulkar - I'd like to bat another full 50 overs

sachin tendulkarSACHIN TENDULKAR
sachin tendulkar 200 runsSachin Tendulkar first person to score 200 in ODI Cricket match
sachin tendulkar master blasterSachin Tendulkar - Master Blaster
sachin tendulkar and mahendra singh dhoniSachin acknowledging the crowd after completing his double century.
Indian captain M.S.Dhoni along with the Little Master
sachin tendulkar indian cricketerSachin Tendulkar, who broke the record for the highest individual ODI score, overtaking Saeed Anwar and Charles Coventry on his way to the format's first double-hundred, has said his ability to bat the entire 50 overs was a testament to his fitness after having played the game for more than 20 years.

"It feels good that I lasted for 50 overs, a good test of my fitness. I'd like to bat another 50 overs at some stage and see that the fitness level doesn't drop," Tendulkar said after his effort helped India take a unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. "The ball was coming onto the bat and I was striking the ball well. So when everything falls into its place, it feels nice. It was one of the innings where I felt I was moving well. Since I was timing the ball well, I could be more aggressive and put pressure on the bowlers."

Tendulkar, while dedicating his feat to the people of India, credited coach Gary Kirsten for the team's success in both forms of the game after the debacle in the World Cup in the Caribbean. "I've enjoyed various challenges; after the 2007 World Cup things have looked different and I'm enjoying the game," he said. "The credit also goes to Gary [Kirsten], he has really held the team beautifully. It's about togetherness and playing for each other. You see during the practice sessions that Gary himself trains as hard as anyone else, or probably harder than anyone else as he's the one giving us practice all the time."

Tendulkar said he sensed an opportunity to break the record and reach a double-century when he had gone past 175 in the 42nd over. The record eventually came in the 46th over, and the 200 in the 50th. "When I was near 175-180, I thought I could get a 200 as there were quite a few overs left," he said. He added that he would prefer his achievement to be upstaged by an Indian. "I don't play for records, I play for enjoyment and play with lots of passion. That's how cricket started. I didn't start playing cricket to break all the records; it's happened along the way. The dream was to play for India and do my best.

"I don't think any record is unbreakable. Records are made to be broken. I hope that if this record is broke, it's done by an Indian."

This was India's third-highest score in ODIs, and Tendulkar said the 400-mark would not have reached if not for some big hitting by Yusuf Pathan and MS Dhoni. "I thought a target of 340-350 would be a good one, but Yusuf Pathan and MS Dhoni came in and hit the big shots and cleared the ropes consistently and helped us pass 400."

Tendulkar added that India were not relaxing despite having put up a mammoth score, for they were aware South Africa were the only team to have chased down a target in excess of 400. "This was the team that chased 434 against Australia. So we didn't get complacent and told ourselves that we had just got through the half-way stage by scoring 401. And what we did in the second half was extremely important. We were aiming at getting early wickets and putting them out of the game."

Dhoni, who witnessed Tendulkar surpass the record from the other end, said: "I think one of the best innings, you can say. It's always good to be on the other side, watching him score 200 runs. When he is tired and can't play the big shots, he was very clever to use the pace of the bowler and it's very difficult for the bowlers as they don't know where exactly to bowl."

India lost Virender Sehwag early, and Tendulkar was assisted in three sizable stands where runs came at a brisk pace, with Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf and Dhoni. "Once Viru got out, it was important to get some kind of a partnership going. They [Tendulkar and Karthik] went on with their innings, and they set a platform after which we were sure we would get 350-plus which would be a difficult target," Dhoni said. "Yusuf was sent up the order and with the talent he's got, he can be a great asset to the side."

Yusuf scored a quickfire 36 and was particularly lethal during the batting Powerplay, while Dhoni proved destructive at the death, bludgeoning 68 off 35 in a century-stand with Tendulkar in just 53 balls. "I have changed my batting a bit, but the situation demanded that kind [attacking] of innings," Dhoni said. "The ground is a small one, and we were a bit worried about the dew factor. But once they lost 3-4 early wickets, it was difficult for them to get back into the game."

For South Africa and their stand-in captain Jacques Kallis, it was a case of the basics gone wrong. "The toss was quite vital. Our basics were just weren't good enough today. We were outplayed," Kallis said. "We lost wickets at crucial stages, our basics let us down. A fantastic innings by Sachin; he took advantage of some good conditions and he played superbly. We let ourselves down in some areas."

source

Indigenous Olympics Link Roundup Part 2



Here are a few more links examining the Indigenous presence in the games!
The argument I’ve been hearing is that with the “inclusion” of First Nations in the games marks the NEW start to a world wide relationship with us as Aboriginal Peoples living in Canada.  The term “unprecedented involvement” has been thrown around quite a bit and I wonder what that means exactly?  Are we involved because we danced in the Opening?  Are we involved because there is an Aboriginal pavilion at the games where “the world” can see us perform, sing, dance, rap, etc.?  Are we involved because we had to be because the Games were taking place whether we liked it or not and to be “a part” of it made more sense than not; at least we get to represent ourselves right?
To me, Canada had a chance to REALLY change the way the world sees “US” and how THEY (Canada) sees “US.”  I can’t help but go back to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and how Canada has participated in adopting (actually, NOT adopting) it.  Currently 143 countries have signed it and 4 haven’t.  The countries that haven’t signed are Canada, the US, New Zealand and Australia.  Australia has recently signed and New Zealand and the US are currently said to be close to signing. That leaves Canada.  To show TRUE appreciation for it’s Aboriginal Peoples and while on the world stage – could Canada have done more to let people know where they stand?  Should they have?  I mean, we did get to “dance” at the Olympics, but shouldn’t we ask for more?
Irniq is put off by the Olympic logo because of its human form. Its fat legs and outstretched arms make it look a little like a hockey goalie, and the head has a hint of a smile. Irniq says his people rarely stacked rocks to resemble humans.
"It's a symbol of the fact that someone may have, um, committed suicide or someone may have murdered somebody at that spot," he says.
If people are interested in looking at an example of an inukshuk that's not associated with death, he says, they should look at the flag of Nunavut, which features a more traditional inukshuk.
Alano Edzerza, owner of Vancouver’s Edzerza Gallery and the acclaimed artist who carved the 10-meter native art mural at Vancouver's GM Place (an arena to be used for the Olympics), together with ASICS, has unveiled their ground-breaking collaborative design for the Netherlands Olympic team uniform. 
The designs were unveiled at a fashion show hosted by ASICS at Arnhem’s Olympic Papendal Hotel and Conference Centre (Papendallaan 3, Arnhem, NETHERLANDS). The event was streamed via a feed and is available on demand at www.edzerzagallery.com and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-YYmIlJdrQ
(Thanks Marjorie, Ryan, and Leon!) 

Groupola.com - start saving!


Groupola.com is a new website with very convincing offers. It promises discounts of up tp 90% if enough people sign up for the offer. Currently on groupola.com, there is a great offer on Virgin Balloon flights in London, a really great offer for new clients only at a top London hairdresser's and restaurant and show deals for those in London. But the website has also a great list of cities catered for a a large list of offers for other cities. For instance, a great 60% discount on a make over in Cardiff or Pole Dancing lessons in Manchester! Wow, this new site sounds like lots of fun at a bargain price. Make sure to bookmark to benefit from this groundbreaking group purchasing site, promising up to 90% off retail price.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Anarkali Churidar

Anarkali ChuridarAnarkali Churidar

FAMOUS ART QUOTES, MUSIC QUOTES, PAINTING QUOTES, FILM MAKING QUOTES, PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTES:

It is frequently the tragedy of the great artist, as it is of the great scientist, that he frightens the ordinary man.
~ Loren Eiseley, The Night Country, 1971

He who sings scares away his woes.
~ Cervantes

Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.
~ Ansel Adams

I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.
~ Author Unknown

Monday, February 22, 2010

Indigenous Olympics link roundup


As promised, I've tried to pull together some informative links/articles/blog posts about the Indigenization of the winter Olympics. This is by no means exhaustive (not even close!) so if anyone has more, please send them my way!

(AK note: this is a fantastic, well researched, well written piece, I wanted to quote the whole thing here! definitely a must read.)
 Some have found the cartoonish Olympic marketing imagery to be a mockery of native traditions.  For example, critics have argued that the 2010 Olympics committee has edited and re-packaged native culture — which also has been ripped out of its traditional contexts. The Committee is highlighting Arctic indigenous imagery — yet Vancouver, the centre of the Games, is a temperate city.  Arctic indigenous peoples did not live there — or on the nearby Whistler and Cypress mountains, where some Olympic events will be held. Other indigenous populations who did live in that area of British Columbia also are not represented in the marketing iconography.
The Olympics branding denies noteworthy differences among native groups spread across these areas. Passing theatrical gestures to native peoples during the open ceremonies could be considered to be more respectful, but Olympics marketers otherwise have been mixing up North American native traditions into a soup-like caricature. Natives have been consistently oppressed, but the various peoples who are considered to be native (in some way, or to some degree) certainly are not ‘all the same.’ Tacking Arctic imagery on to Vancouver-area Games implies that there is only one native essence (in North America, if not beyond this continent).

"So when I watched the Olympics opening ceremonies after the original broadcast I did feel proud that Native peoples were being included and celebrated in the production. I also am happy that it is the first time Indigenous people have been recognized by the International Olympic Committe as official host partners in any games.

But I can't help feeling like it's a little token. There is not doubt that Canada doesn't want to share it's long legacy of genocide toward the Native people of this country. This is why many Native people are asking for attention to our issues today, especially our stolen lands. The effects of this colonization are very much alive today. We have so many health, poverty, education, social issues which have many people living in third world conditions right here in Canada, in our backyards."
During the games, the pavilion, an 8,000-square-foot building, will include entertainment provided by Native performers. There will also be plenty of aboriginal food and merchandise for sale. The pavilion will not be the only place in town with an aboriginal presence. In fact, there is no escaping aboriginal involvement and it will be rather prevalent in almost all aspects. For example, the games’ official logo is named Ilanaaq the Inunnguaq; ilanaaq is the Inuktitut word meaning friend.

Also, the games’ three official mascots – Miga, Quatchi and Sumi – were inspired by traditional First Nations creatures. Miga is a mythical sea bear, Quatchi is a sasquatch, and Sumi is an animal spirit. The athletes who win a medal will take home some hardware based on the designs of artwork of Vancouver-based aboriginal artist Corrine Hunt. And there are scores of other aboriginal designed products that are part of the games’ merchandising program.



To some, this means the Olympics are being held on stolen native land. But Phillip says if the Four Host First Nations want to allow the games on their land, that's their right. Not that he's happy about it. His organization has kept its distance from the Olympics, and he's even refused to take part in the tribute to native culture in Friday night's opening ceremony, which he calls "Disneyesque." "I don't think it's proper for me to stand there and hold hands with government officials and be part of the misrepresentation of the well-being of our people," Phillip says.
Canadian aboriginals eager to promote their culture at the upcoming Winter Games on their ancestral lands lamented on Wednesday that some "authentic First Nations" souvenirs were made in China, Italy or Thailand. These include native art and traditional clothes.
Tewanee Joseph, director of the Four Host First Nations, representing area aboriginals, says it is not a problem. "The design was created by authentic First Nations," he told AFP. "The Four Host Nations created the whole aboriginal mark of the Games and we are truly authentic aboriginal people."

There are so many more, but I didn't want it to be too overwhelming. Maybe I'll do a few more roundups throughout the week.

(Thanks Nancy, Sociological Images, Lisa Charleyboy, and anyone else who gave me links!)

Jessica Alba is all about the Pendleton

Thanks to @lanova33 for pointing me to these pics of Jessica Alba sporting the pendleton jacket and braids in Texas last week. A couple more below:



 

All pics are from her twitter feed, and can be found here: http://tweetphoto.com/8721265

(Thanks Lanova!)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

John Cena WWE Superstar

WWE Superstar John Cena
john cena wwe superstar bio
John Cena WWE Superstar Bio: Let’s be honest: hailing from the rolling hills and broad valleys that constitute West Newbury, Mass., will likely never earn you “street cred”--unless, of course, you’re John Cena. Then again, it didn’t happen overnight for him, either. Long before he became the Dr. of Thuganomics, young Cena had to endure the neighborhood rocker kids’ taunts about his baggy pants and rayon Kwamé shirts. His love for freestyling lyrics about rebellion and individualism just didn’t fit within the small rural community. By the time he turned 15, however, those same kids would stop teasing him, for it became apparent that Cena had been developing another passion: hitting the gym.

After applying to more than 60 colleges (and being accepted by 58), Cena attended Massachusetts’ Springfield College, where he excelled as a Division III All-American offensive lineman and team captain for the Pride. But as much as he fondly remembers his college football accomplishments, he’s equally as proud of earning his degree in Exercise Physiology, which he attributes to making him a smarter, more durable performer in the ring today.

Though a huge WWE fan since childhood, rooting for heroes like Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Shawn Michaels, Cena had honestly never even considered a career in WWE. Instead, he flew out to California in 2000, to pursue a profession in bodybuilding (a move he now admits to making simply because his father had told him he wouldn’t make it out there). But while working behind the counter of Gold’s Gym in Venice, a discussion with a wrestler-in-training encouraged Cena to enroll in classes at Ultimate Pro Wrestling. He was instantly hooked, and became motivated to learn everything he could about his newfound craft. He obviously proved a quick study; within a year, World Wrestling Entertainment signed Cena to a developmental contract to train at Ohio Valley Wrestling. By June 2002, he had joined the SmackDown roster, and less than a year later headlined the first of what has since become countless main-event matches.

That said, Cena has never forgotten his roots. In fact, remembering where he came from has helped him evolve into the man he is today: a well-versed hip-hop artist, a successful movie star and a blue-collared Chain Gang Soldier who’s always ready to fight. In his jean shorts and Under Armour Proto Power sneakers, he leads his WWE fan-based army into battle with the mission statement he’s been down with since Day One: hustle, loyalty and respect.

source

FAMOUS ART QUOTES, MUSIC QUOTES, PAINTING QUOTES, FILM MAKING QUOTES, PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTES:

Art is the struggle to understand.
~ Audrey Foris

Why waste money on psychotherapy when you can listen to the B Minor Mass?
~ Michael Torke

As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.
~ John Lubbock

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Day Is Done

Friday, February 19, 2010

Beautiful Party Wear Dress

Beautiful Party Wear DressFashion Model posing in a very beautiful Party Wear dress.

FAMOUS ART QUOTES, MUSIC QUOTES, PAINTING QUOTES, FILM MAKING QUOTES, PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTES:

Art disturbs, science reassures.
~ Georges Braque, Le Jour et la nuit

There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.
~ Ansel Adams

The world just does not fit conveniently into the format of a 35mm camera.
~ W. Eugene Smith

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.
~ Gustav Mahler

Looks like Rachel Zoe was right...

(image via The Sartorialist)

Remember back in January when I posted the Rachel Zoe report about Lindsay Thornburg's Pendleton cloaks? Looks like they've invaded the NY fashion scene. I found this picture this morning on The Sartorialist, one of my favorite fashion blogs of on-the-street fashion, by photographer Scott Schuman. He tends to have his fingers on the pulse of fashion (look at me use a metaphor at 9:30 am), so we'll see if this is a trend with staying power.

I'll keep my eyes open for anything similar coming out of NY fashion week right now.




Animated Tattoos?

Animated Tattoo? Can it be done? Yes, it's been done.


Random Appropriation of the Day!


My friend Yve found this Hermes scarf online.  Called "Pani La Shar Pawnee", it retails for $420, and features a border of feathers and a vintage-looking Native photo. The image can be clicked for a bigger version, or the website has a zoom function as well. The scarf can be found here.

Apparently there were earlier, limited editions as well. This one had a limited run of only 200 scarves, and was based off a 1984 version:


I found a blog that gives a little background on the original design and the artist, Kermit Oliver, if you're interested. Apparently this is one of the most complex designs Hermes has ever done, because of all the color tones in his face.

Pani La Shar background info: http://codexcostinianus.blogspot.com/2010/01/pani-la-shar-pawnee.html

(Thanks Yve!)

Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Vancouver opening ceremonies: honoring Canadian First Nations?

 

I didn't get to watch the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver games live (I didn't have a TV-until today!), but I was getting constant text message updates along the lines of: "girl, tell me you are watching the opening ceremonies! hella First Nations!" So I finally got around to watching them online and capturing some screen shots of the best parts.

I have very mixed feelings about the opening ceremonies--on one hand, it was fantastic to see the extensive Native presence (when has the US ever done anything like  this?) and a lot of it was culturally sensitive and true portrayals.

But, on the other hand, there were a few cringe worthy moments playing into stereotypes, and the involvement of the First Nations in the games masks a lot of the ongoing issues in Canadian Government/Native relations. 

After the jump, a bazillion more screen shots (once I figured out how to do it, I got a bit over eager) and analysis. 


The First Nations "welcome" was very early on in the ceremony, and it started with the four "host Nations"--the four tribes that are indigenous to the Vancouver area welcoming the crowd and the athletes. The image above shows the Lil'wat nation seal--the floor changed as each community said a welcome in their language. The four host nations are the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples.

As each community did their welcome and raised their arms, these big 'ol "totems" raised their arms too. I thought that was a little silly. 

This is a shot of one of the "totems" raising its arms. 

Dennis Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. This one is nice. haha.

 
After the four Host Nations welcomed everyone, they introduced the other Indigenous groups in Canada: The Metis, First Nations of the Prairie, the East, the West, and the Inuit...am I forgetting anyone? Each group came in wearing their traditional regalia (with a little powwow regalia thrown in there) and dancing more or less in the styles of their communities. 


Fancy Shawl dancer (First Nations of the Prairie)
 

The various groups dancing together after they were introduced


Everyone dancing together, kinda cool. 


Loved this woman, she reminds me of my Grandma and Aunties. 


As the athlete procession began, the First Nations participants continued to dance throughout--talk about some endurance! 

  
Notice the beanie of the Canadian flag bearer--it was given to her by the leaders of the four host nations, and has the symbol of the four tribes. 


After the parade of Nations, Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams came out and sang a song called "bang the drum", and the Native participants danced along. The audience was also given cardboard "drums" with First Nations designs to bang along. Sorry I didn't get a shot of them. 


during the song they did "spotlight" dance breaks with fancy dancers and hoop dancers. 


So, this is where it gets a little questionable. After the Nelly/Bryan performance, the arena floor was transformed into the "North" and this actor dressed up in roughly "arctic" regalia began trekking across the floor. 


Then he started to bang his staff on the ground and waves of "electricity" started radiating out. 


causing all the people to scatter. It just felt a little stereotyped--mystical Native guy tied to nature brings magic to the "normal" community


oh look, his magic created the constellations in the night sky! 


 After the Arctic, they transformed the stage into the ocean (pretty cool effect, actually) and had Indigenous images of Orca whales.



After the ocean, they moved to the forest, with these large "totem poles" rising up, which then transformed into trees. 


Finally, a shot that I loved--the First Nations leaders sitting with the Canadian government officials. I am fully aware that it was completely symbolic, but I liked it nonetheless. 


Whew, so that's a quick version of the opening ceremonies. The whole thing is on NBC.com, in three parts, and can be watched here.

So, what does this all mean? Like I said at the opening, I am very happy that they decided to include the First Nations in the games overall--it's rare, even in 2010, to see such a strong Native presence in a national event. I liked that they acknowledged the communities indigenous to the Vancouver area, even calling them the "host nations", which is something we as Native people always make sure to do at events and gatherings--honoring the peoples whose land we stand on. I liked that I could sit and watch real Natives on TV, in traditional regalia, getting down to Nelly Furtado. It made me happy to think that for one night, Natives were in the minds of millions of people, and in a positive light. I felt proud to be Indigenous.

HOWEVER. The extensive involvement of Natives in the games in the ceremonies gives off the impression that Canada has a equal, open, and strong relationship with its First Nations communities. Most outsiders would think that Canada is an indigenous Nation, with its peoples having equal recognition in government (see last screen shot), practicing their sovereignty, etc--when this is not the case. At all. Canada, like the US, has not signed on the UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Rights UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (oops) , Natives peoples in Canada continue to be the most impoverished communities with highest levels of unemployment (also like the US). 

I admit that I am not as knowledgeable about Canadian Indigenous issues as I would like, but the bottom line is that the olympics are giving off the impression of an equal, happy relationship between the Canadian and First Nations; when in reality, First Nations communities still live in a colonial state, with constant affronts to their sovereignty and autonomy as Nations. 

In the next couple of days I'm going to pull together some great articles, op-eds, and blog posts about these issues. Stay tuned. 

If anyone more versed in Canadian issues wants to write a post on all of this, please let me know!



(Thanks to Michael, Jenny, and all my texting friends!)