take away 4

It was really hard to understand the contemporary art by the dude who wrapped silk around the island.  I'm glad you summed it up by saying that wrapping the items like the telephone makes people see a different object with a new purpose or utility.  Because I was looking at and wondering how much money that must have cost and, "was he born to wealth in order to carry out his artistic endeavors?".  He may have saved a small village in Sri Lanka by employing them to make all that silk.  I guess I like art that matches the flooring more than the couch and a song in my head as I'm looking at it!

altered book

This is a picture of my niece, Clara.

take away 3

Paul Mcarthy's ideas of creating something and deconstructing the creation is helpful especially the part where he seen breaking the mold of his sculpture with a pipe.  It would have still been art if he hadn't damaged the sculpture.  In some cases it may have been better, but that is not the idea he was going for.  Sometimes the hard work of making something look great can be  sacrificed to the overall idea and outcome

class take away 2

I think it is an exciting time to be on the planet.  Fashion is cool, music is cool, skateboarding is rad.  I think Mr. Schwartz has a good argument, but I don't think he takes into consideration that we make informed decisions at a fast rate.  Like when he was talking about getting a pair of jeans.  He is out of touch with how the world of jeans has changed.  I know what I'm looking for most of the time through all of the overwhelming choices I have.  That goes for just about all products.  I have a computer to help me educate myself on the decisions I make.  I like the idea that you tube has given a platform for everyone who has a talent.  It seems like everybody on the planet has something that they are exceptional at and worthy of posting a video on you tube.  Knowing what to look for and and where to look is important to not get overwhelmed with footage and product info that is a waste of time.  I agree with lowering expectations.  Even though I'm not a rock star, that doesn't mean playing music is not fulfilling to me.  I didn't start playing music to be anything but expressive and learn cool music.  Everybody needs to keep on finding things they love and enjoy and grow with those things.  And we need to start farming organs on people who open fire on others.  Those killers should be organ donors and kept alive to take parts that can help other people who need a kidney or arm or eye or skin.

rules Is gOOd

Rules are good.  They help establish a foundation for creativity and expression.  The song I played is based on ragtime music which has a strict rhythm and chord progression.  Within those constraints I still improvised the solo, chose a vocal melody, and chose the words I wanted to say.  I feel like a lot of modern music is lacking the discipline and skill that older music has.  I learn older music by using the rules already laid out for me and then put my own modern approach to it, whether it be retro metal, bluegrass, or blues.  I feel free when I can play something structured and find my own way through it.  Even when I disagree with rules in front of me, it feels good to break them and go against the grain. So, speaking in a creative sense of what rules mean to me; I think they are a good thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byUlk-mn2S0

class take away

When we were discussing rules and freedom I thought of an example but didn't have time to share it.  I play blues music and most of the songs are very formulaic.  This may seem to be restrictive to creativity but I find it to be inspiring as well as evocative of freedom.  Having rhythm and song structure that is strict and disciplined allows me dance and open up in the expression of the formula.  I find this to be true of the banjo as well.  It takes a lot of discipline and pattern repetition to roll pick and make it sound like it is soaring.  The payoff is in the ability to soar.  It takes a lot of patience and time and frustration to get to the point of being free but it sounds great when you hear it.

Eggs are awesome.  When I saw that you were giving us eggs, the first thing I thought of was, "I'm hungry."  I read an article in GQ years ago on pasta carbonara.  Being a big fan of eggs and having a history of eating them raw, I was stoked to find that using a raw egg for sauce was an acceptable form of cookery.  It seemed every person I knew was grossed out when I told them I liked raw eggs at times.  Rocky did it.  Me and my brother drank raw eggs when we were younger to be "real men" like Rocky.  Then later on in adulthood, a raw egg was something quick and easy to compliment a fast lifestyle.  The article had a little history lesson on the origin of the meal and more complicated ingredients.  I've used bacon, jowl bacon, lunch meat, canned ham, and pancetta.  Anything that leaves a little grease behind is fitting.  I've also used fresh mushrooms, fresh spinach, red peppers, green peppers, and diced onions in this dish too.  It's good to saute the veggies in the animal fat and stir it in after mixing the pasta and egg mixture.  This dish leaves a lot of room for creativity.  Cooking is an art, everyone does it different, and wasting food is a sin!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/mighty-appetite/2008/01/buona_sera_spaghetti_carbonara.html

My video recipe

I expect to get some songs recorded and some video's shot.  I write songs and play guitar.  Songwriting is all about growing and learning for me, so I would like to apply that to this class.  There are plenty of chances I could take that I have not taken with song writing such as writing a soul song or something like a ballad that leaves me exposed and vulnerable.  I'm open to anything, but I don't want to fake art or emotion that isn't in me.  I'm also down for doing something different, like making pies.  I don't enjoy video games, I don't watch t.v., I don't watch movies often, I like checking out the news.  I watch video's on you tube of skateboarding and musicians.  I learn songs and different styles from watching talented people.  I expect to learn from the people around me and to give some effort toward growing.