ProleBlogThreat

{ths} - Can't give this artist enough props

{ths} is still my new artist hero. The work on (his) website is, well, awesome. Full of texture, random gesture and popular culture (out of) context and juxtaposition.. Check out the site here.

New masthead coming this week

Been poking around in the template for this site and and I will be adding at least a new masthead that uses the space a little better.

Also been modifying style sheets, but I like how this one is set up, so not going to change it much.

One other thing I am going to explore is adding advertising and how to do that on TypePad. Just need to know for future reference. No need to worry - this site will not be bogged dow with ads. Chances are, most of the ads that would appear on a blog site of this type will probably be designed by me anyway (the good ones at least).

Last shot of last game looming

For those of you that don't know yet, I am a big Miami Heat fan. For several years there was the drama of losing three series in a row to the hated Knicks on the last shot of the last game of the series. Total heartbreak. Then came Zo's illness...

Not that I'm giving up on my team, but damn. Tonight was a letdown that reminded me of those years. I'm hoping it doesn't happen again...

pBt mission statement - posted again in a new format

I have been spending time trying to figure out blogging technology. In order to do that, I have started a blog to keep me interested in the process. So, I started one on blogger.com and am now trying TypePad.

Here is what this blog is about: The goal is to make this a place to come to discuss/learn/pontificate about art, music, community and direct action.

Defined as discussed on this page:

Art - painting,photography, multimedia, design, events. In short anything that is a creation that describes the world around us as a unique expression or seeks to create a new world by communicating a new idea. In other words, don't come here to talk about Thomas Kinkade or Anne Geddes. This is a place to be challenged and inspired, not drugged into a stupor by formulaic decoration.

Music - if there's anything positive to be gained in the blogosphere, it's the fact that the people have taken back control of what can be listened to. Rail against the system here or write about the indie stuff/unsigned bands here. And, I don't mean Good Charlotte or your nephew's cover band. Some of the best music I've heard recently has been recommended by the online community, not the record labels or Rolling Stone. If you've heard a good band that you think we should know about, write about it here.

Community - let's face it, where's our sense of community? Cell phones and ego-centric supporting media has made it so that most people behave as if the world is an extension of their living rooms. Enough. Let's talk about ways we can bring people together and take back our community streets from the self-absorbed white metrosexuals, the "damn the environment as long as I get mine" SUV drivers and chain coffee shops. Remember - the hidden powers win if they "divide and conquer".

Direct Action - hey, there are groups out there doing stuff. They're writing Congress and their local leaders, taking to the streets in protest and trying real hard to change the world. Here's a place to link up and take the fight to a higher level.

I know, I know. lofty goals. But, the longest journey begins with the first step.

Photos - Dresden Dolls, Black Cat, WDC

One amazing band is the Dresden Dolls (hailing from my temp. stomping grounds of Boston, Mass.). I have seen them a couple of times and live, well... amazing. Their recordings don't come close. See them if you can, but see them in a small venue. b and I skipped their recent show in WDC at 930 club because of lack of intimacy in that venue. Check out some photos from their previous appearance by clicking the Photo Album link to the right. Here's a quick sample:

Photos - The Fall, Knitting Factory, NYC

I just started exploring the photo album feature of TypePad. You can view the photos here

Here's a sample:

I posted a review in March. I will find it and repost if anyone cares.

What's my art look like? Well, let me show you.

Some people may wonder what my art looks like. Hard question to answer - that is, without the ability to post examples. So here is my attempt to post some work (and see how TypePad handles it).

I am a painter, printmaker, designer. I earn a living as an Art Director for a political media consultant. I have also recently begun to take some of my painting into my design work to add texture and depth. Here is an example of my painting:

Here is an example of my design work:

This should give you an idea of some of my work. I will post more when relevant. For now, I hope I will see some participation in some art issues I will raise over the next few days. If I receive 1 comment, that will be more than all the comments I received on the Blogger version of this site.

Ta

First Direct Action post: save Social Security from Wall Street!

(Originally posted on Blogger - March 29, 2005)

OK...the cool folks at Wellstone action are asking for people to host/facilitate town hall meetings regarding the current efforts to reform SS. (Who misses Paul? Raise your hand. Now...both hands back on the keyboard at 2 and 10. The Information Superhighway can be dangerous if you're not careful.)

You can get the info and sign up to host here. Or you can sign an Internet letter from Act for Change here. Note: I personally find the rhetoric leading up to this letter to be a little strong. Come on..."unholy alliance!?" But the letter itself is OK.

I actually appluad certain efforts to review/reform some government programs (this type of activity could lead to things like universal health care, more affordable college education, maybe a more equitable Affirmative Action).

However, this effort is not one to get behind. W and this Congress simply want to pump more money into Wall Street. That will make only W and this Congress and Wall Street happy. Everyone else will see cuts in benefits, a rise in poverty rates and trillions more $$$$ of debt.

There. I said it. Now I'm off to work...but not before I sign a few Internet letters...

Today's Soundtrack

(originally posted on Blogger - April 5, 2005)

b recently reminded me of how good Snow Patrol is. I know they're getting a lot of attention because they're really accessable, but they're also damn good. And they're sincere. Saw them on their last two DC appearances and on the second go around - after they got some press - the crowd started singing back to the band (totaly unprompted - not a Bono "Here's your chance to pump up my ego while I hold out the microphone" moment). Any way - the band was thunderstruck. They actually stopped playing for a bit and sat down. It was a great rock 'n roll moment.

So...today's soundtrack is going to be dedicated to great new britpop (sorry Snow Patrol lads - for ease of use that also includes Ireland).

I'm gonna load up some:

Snow Patrol
Apartment
Art Brut
Graham Coxon (hush - he's growing on me)
Blur (to even out Graham)
Ian Brown
Wedding Present (been a Weddoe for over 15 years now)
and The Fall (name a better song than 'Blindness' from this decade so far. And, it's not britpop, I know. More like an exposure of pop lies)

Also, gonna throw in some Kinks to take me back to where it all started. Little bit of Prole Blog Threat trivia - the Kinks were my first ever concert as a wee lad of 13. oh no, my little bruva discovered rock n' roll.

A Quick Post - still learning TypePad

Hello.

Still on this thing. Hope to have how I want this new version of pBt to look and feel on TypePad. I have been looking at what others have done. Some of it's impressive, some of it is no different than what you see on Blogger.

My goal is to have this thing fully set up by some time next week. In the meantime, you can also look at the Blogger version of pBt here.