New Media Scav Hunt

I forgot all about this assignment and happened to stumble upon something that actually reminded me of it! I was at Meijer buying groceries and went through the self-checkout lane like usual - when it suddenly struck me this is New Media at work - but it really struck me when I pushed the button to signify that I was buying produce. It asked me for the code, and then asked that I place the bag on the scale - not only did it ask, but it showed a CGI animation of a woman shopper placing a bag of apples on the machine's scale to show you where to place the bag. Even though this is something menial and not terribly exciting, it made me realize that New Media is all around me and that I don't necessarily have to seek it out to find it...

10 Times the Trouble

So we had Susan sub for today, (Very sorry to hear the bad news, Beth, she will be missed). Because of this the class was a little more structured than usual which was fine, but since hardly anybody showed up so even though it was productive, it could have been more so... Either way, we talked about a lot of different topics and particularly discussed the actual definition of new media. Almost everyone in attendance participated in the discussion, and all and all it proved to be both a fruitful and entertaining conversation.

Eighteen is actually 9...

Missed getting this one done on time... again. Today we watched What the *Bleep* Do We Know?, this was a very inspirational film about the power of thought and positive thinking - and rather than giving a New Age-y or any sort of religious connotation - they use the opposite to prove it: Science! Which is very interesting, because I have never heard this approach before - it sounds very mysterious and mystical, but apparently it's backed up by facts... It's not necessarily "god" answering your prayers so much as your concentrative thought processes actually altering reality - fucking wild! I've always felt as though it is possible to alter your own surroundings by your attitude - but not to this sort of degree! With this sort of knowledge it becomes clear why certain people seem to possess "special powers" or "magical abilities." I've always been interested in the esoteric, occult, and magickical (sic) thinking - which it now seems like maybe explained as "real" by us of it's one-time mortal enemy, science. For a little while now I have been trying to make a concerted effort to use thought in order to change the outcome of situations and the way they effect and affect me and my surroundings - it seems to be working, not a huge night and day difference, but then again I've just begun. Will report back on this as more developements occur...

Jeep update forthcoming as well, as new pictures (and my belated tax refund!) have been recieved...

8-Ball Corner Pocket...

Once again I was kinda not impressed with what everyone did for their randomness assignment. More than half the class didn't even attempt anything. Now, look, mine was fucking lame... I won't lie, I did it right before class. I had no idea what to do with "pocket" and "apple." Other than put an apple in my pocket, which is stupid. So I printed out a bunch of different typefaces and fonts in different colors of the word "pocket" and glued them to an apple. I know, uninspired and trite, but building a tank is a long and arduous endeavor! Doing all sorts of work to a vehicle takes up a lot of time (especially if you enjoy it) - like time that you should devote to other things! So anyway, I had that stupid "Pocket Apple" and I brought a bag of apples to share with the class - but I didn't have enough money that I can spend $10+ on apples that I'm going to just give away! So I just brought one bag figuring that not everybody would want one anyway... but then I didn't speak up so I didn't get to explain myself, so I just looked insane saying "It's a Pocket Apple." (which amused me.)

So even though I didn't get to use the apples for my randomness assignment - they ended up being put to good use! Pat and I convinced a ((n) on duty!) police officer to drive over the apples with his lights and sirens going, haha! I said "I know, it's bizzare..." and he replied: "Yeah, sure, I'll do it" (followed by a chuckle). The best part of the whole thing was that he was on the sidewalk guarding the burnt down condos and people were walking by when he did this - and we had him do it twice!

I have to remember to make Pat upload the video to the web. When I do, I'll post a link right here.

P.S. : I have received more Tank pictures. I will post them and subsequent explanations soon, including a good story involving fire, gas tanks, and a crispy hand!

Why This? Why Now?

So, what if I DIDN'T HAVE TO REBUILD THE JEEP FROM THE FUCKING GROUND UP??? We'll never know because that's exactly what needs to be done - since pretty much the entire floor is rusted through!!!! In a word: AWESOME. So we start working on the Jeep and decide that in order to truly build an indestructible killing machine, structural integrity is key - so we start taking up the carpet in order to weld a nice steel bar internal roll cage - and discover that the carpet is the only thing holding the floor together in several places, on both sides of the front seats - further exploration yields the same results. "Fucking rednecks are laughing about this," I keep thinking to myself. Sheet metal is expensive as hell, about $20 for a 2x2ft piece. At that rate it'll cost about $100 just for the front floor... Not happening.




This is what most of the "floor" looked like right after the carpet was pulled up.





After a lot of hammering, cutting and grinding, we found that the only solid metal on the fucking thing was the frame - after cleaning up and removing all the rusted, frail metal - there was more ground visible than floor by far! In the end I said "Fuck it!" and stripped the entire interior, including the side molding. After all, tanks don't have carpet!

WHAT IF THE IRS DIDN'T LOSE MY REFUND CHECK?

Well, I'll never know - because they did.

So... not only did that happen - but I also had some minor hang-ups on the Jeep-Tank conversion project itself. I took a bunch of pictures before the project got really underway about a week and a half ago, and wouldn't you know it! - that damn camera walked out on me until last night when it magically reappeared! So here finally are the pictures I've been talking about for a few blogs now:















So this is my blank canvas, so to speak... A 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4x4, 2 door, Automatic Transmission, 4.0 High Output Inline 6 Cylinder Engine, Power Nothing, over 203,000 miles. While it has clearly seen better days - it is a very reliable daily driver, the body and paint are decent for being 13 years old and having the miles, the 4 wheel drive works well and I paid $650 cash for this thing. By the way, the steel wheels are of course not factory - I purchased them @ Goodwill for $40, the paint is brand new and high quality. The tires that came with the truck when I bought it were dry-rotted and pretty much bald, I bought new Off-Road A/T Goodyear Wranglers with road hazard package ~$400, ouch! I know, but they are very nice and will be replaced for free in the event of any flats. The interior is dank, dusty, dirty, decaying, decrepit, and in places downright disgusting. It smells like musty rednecks and gasoline (the latter of which being because the gas tank has a hole in it at about 3/4 up the side of the tank! Thanks for letting me know rednecks!). So this is my canvas and I will address some of the things that have been done/are going to be to it in the next blog.

Here are some photos of someone's Cherokee that originally served as an initial source of inspiration. As you can see it's definitely been built to go off-roading, that piping all around it is an external roll cage which is designed to keep the vehicle from being crushed and body panels being destroyed in the event of a roll-over. I really want one for my Jeep, we are kicking around the idea of doing both an internal and an external roll cage - which would make this thing damn near indestructible. I also really like his custom spare tire placement, mine is currently located inside the vehicle and obscures my rearview on the driver's side.

There is a

Pocket on my mirror.

The Word Is...

"Pocket"

What if I built a Tank?

Well, dude... we just don't know. But we will soon.

WHAT IF's:

What if I get a grant to build this stupid thing?

What if I get more money back on my tax return than I expect (to dump into this project)?

What if I end up driving through the post-apocalyptic desert world fighting people for fuel? (And more importantly: Where will I find football shoulder pads for armor?)

What if I end up designing some new vehicle armor that ends up getting me contracted to build for the US Army (or, a foreign army)?

What if I blasted political propaganda through the loudspeakers and showed subsequent visuals on the TV screens mounted in the windows and as a result I ended up creating a new political party? (WARNING: YOU DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.)

What if I build this thing and get harassed by the police more than I already do? (I bet I will!)

What if I go a rampage through the city upon completion of the project? (Or were you already thinking this!??!)

What if you help me build this? (Donations/workers and accepted/appreciated!)

What if I asked you what else a tank could benefit from having? (Suggestions welcome!)

What if someone gave me a shitload of money for a really nice, powerful winch so I could tear down trees and buildings? (You know you want to! ~$800'll do it!)

What if I painted it something ridiculous like: neon pink, purple, yellow and pink polka dots, or like some HELLO KITTY (ies) on all the sides? - next to the gun ports, of course.

What if this tank (which is built on a '95 Jeep Cherokee, which is owned by Chrysler - for those who don't know) design was so awesome that it saved Chrysler or GM liked it so much they bought it out from under them - and I got rich in the process?

What if I traveled around the country in the tank?

What if I traveled around the world in it?

What if I was thrown in prison because they thought I was doing something terrorist-related?

What if I go to sleep now and try to finish this tomorrow?

7 By 7 - They Came from the Sky...

7th Class meeting response:

Yeah, so I got there late (sorry!) and I walked in hear the class discussing Plato's Republic. Which was interesting - but I might have come in just a minute or two too late because I could tell there were two points being made and they were not reiterated - so I was somewhat lost to what the points from the original argument(s) were pertaining.

After we discussed Plato we went on to talk about class projects. Once again, I am disappointed in the creativity of this class - Beth said no one seems enthusiastic about doing their final projects. This is not entirely true - I for one cannot wait to begin mine. I would have already started if it weren't for two factors: weather, and money. Firstly, I can't get any painting done when it's freezing (or close to it outside) - I have a few friends who can attest to this. Secondly, I am waiting for my goddamn tax return for the small amount of capital I'm going to need - which was supposed to already be here by now! Now, this also wouldn't be a big deal - but I'm broke as a joke because of bills and rent - lame. I actually just got off the phone with the friend of mine who's going to be a major source of inspiration and motivation for this project: he just informed me that he has just acquired a light bar, lights and more scrap metal. So, quite the contrary - I can't wait to get this show on the road!

Pictures forthcoming.

"Plato's Republic"

A response:

Dear Glaucon, what say we stand here all day and use circular logic to confuse and mislead each other, then drag out the explainations and details until we both agree on each others points, yes?

True.
Very True.
Yes.

I am all for classic literature, I swear it! I like the cave analogy, it works and it's "very true." I agree with their many points about the governors and the State and find their subtle sarcastic comments about politicians' intelligence, "true," and amusing.

However... I also find many of their arguments boring, circular, unreasonable and almost pointless. Don't misunderstand, I think philosophy is important and I would like it gain more of a foothold in today's stupid fucking society. I know this won't happen because people are trained to be "L-moding" (using their left brain - the authoritative and puntual side; i.e.; the boring side) all day long. It's not their fault, necessairly, blame major corporations and media mogels who try to brainwash and control people with advertising and dead-end jobs.

Actually, now that I write this - I see it - we need philosophy, every once and a while we have to stop and think, to smell the roses, if you will. We need to ponder what we are, where we came from, what the future holds, what more can be done, etc... - this is what makes us human: if we can't do this... I think we'll die.

666

The Sixth Communion:

Today we met 6th time - We played with the singing bowl and I knew what it was, but I couldn't remember how to do it! Anyway, then we discussed final projects. I think it is lame that almost everyone in this "creative" class isn't able to come up with an idea for a final project. I'm somewhat disappointed that no one seems to be excited about what they are doing at all. Apparently, I'm one of the very few with an actual solid project idea. I had the idea of turning my $650 Jeep Cherokee into an off-road riot tank. I have a friend who is going to a be a room mate soon - he has just acquired a welder and we are going to weld armor plating, ram bars, and side steps. Either way - I had the idea to do this but it was always just an idea - now, hopefully I'll actually start working on it!

A Moment of Bliss

The assignment was to set aside a three hour block of time in order to let creative processes flow by way of doing nothing thought intensive - I had all kinds of ideas of thing that I wanted to do, but ladyfriend wasm't interested in helping (and get your mind out of the gutter if you are thinking what I think you are!). She said I was on my own for this one - damn! - I wanted her to give me a backrub for a while I had drank some beers and listened to music or watched a nice flick. I did just that - I spaced out for a about three hours while I drank beers and tried not to overanalyze the plot of David Lynch's Inland Empire - which in hindsight was probably a poor choice for mindless viewing! After that I put on some soothing ambient music and took a bath - which was weird because I haven't taken one since I was like 10. All and all I really liked doing all of this and I probably would have done it by itself but most likely not with the goal of getting creative ideas flowing.

5IVE (Fifth Class Response)

This week we did not meet in the classroom - and I had not read the chat room log or the assignment for next week - so, I didn't know... lame! I like the bliss assignment a lot - that is very cool. Hopefully, I can get my ladyfriend on board for it... That would be most awesome. Either way looking forward to doing enjoyable things for three hours and not just wasting time - but rather completing an assignment. Cool. I have already given some thought to my final project and I have some grandiose plans - I have a good feeling that at least some of it will come to fruition as I have a friend (soon to be a room mate) who has the same goal in mind and always is encouraging and helpful about any weird/ridiculous projects. Project: To turn my $650 Jeep essentially into a riot tank... Details forthcoming.

"...But He Don't Even Look Like Me!"

Ok, for this assingment we were told "document the time spent the bag." I was immediately pissed because I don't know why I should be responsible for this bag - I'm always responsible for my actions in this regard and I GUARNTEE this bag isn't mine! I ain't paying no "bag support" for him! I ain't doing it! But because I'm a nice guy I took care of the little dude because I knew his real father isn't gonna be around:

First we watched TV together. Then I let him listen to some Slayer. Because I know his mom won't let him!

Then I let him have some drinks even though he's a little underage - it's cool, I'm in charge.

It wasn't all just fun and games though - there was learning! I also taught him about nature!

Then we finished the day with a little geography. He told me he thinks that I'm cooler than his mom... I agree.

4x4 (Fourth Class Meeting Response)

So today was bag-head day... That's right, we put plastic bags on our heads. No one died though. I really like Evelyn Glennie's approach to sound and music - there is more than to just hear it. I have done some things like this before (www.myspace.com/algiztribe) with my experimental music project. Check it out if you are into neofolk-experimental-ritual, ambient-electronic-industrial pagan-psych-martial music just like everyone else... I think it's cool as hell that Evelyn is mostly deaf and is still able to do some of the things that she does - she is obviously very talented and very "rhythmically aware" - even though I have hearing, I can't keep a beat to save my life - so that alone is astounding to me. My only qualm with her approach is thus - if I were her I would want to be WAY MORE EXPERIMENTAL with my sound and overall technique. For instance I realize she was trained on actual instruments - but why wouldn't she want to make something more unique like hitting the girders of a building with hammers or something along those lines? Look at this for something similar to what I mean:

Apologize? ... For What?

In regard to the question of whether or not we should apologize for the desks - I say nay. If these people have that big of a problem with something so stupid and ordinary - they aren't going to make it very far in life. They need to learn to get over the small shit, and treat it as it is - small shit! I don't understand why something like this would've set someone off - I would've thought it was pretty funny...

What's all this Senseless Violence?

So for the assignment about not using one of our senses I chose to lose my hearing for a few hours. I started off by putting in earplugs and then wrapped my ears in gauze and finally used a set of lower quality noise cancelling headphones. I could still her a little of course, but it was dramatically dulled and nothing was clearly audible. I was hanging ut with a ladyfriend and we watched a film that I had seen before, but she had not... It was a confusing film so she kept wanting to ask me questions about it - well, of course I couldn't hear her very well at all. So... finally frustrated - I got out a notepad and begun to scribble information to her - then she'd take it and write back to me. The weirdest thing about all of this whole situation is that she is an ex that I haven't seen in about 2 years and this is what I have her do the first time I hang out with her! Hopefully I didn't ruin it! Anyway, after the film she starts teasing me and whispering things to me - and I try to write things back but she keeps grabbing the notepad and whispering just to confuse me and trying to get me a little mad. After a while I just stop trying to talk back to her and she just kept talking - luckily, this was near the end of the three hours. It was very frustrating - but kind of funny.

For my new sense I chose a sense that allows you to detect when people you know are around. I would like this sense because I find it annoying when you are somewhere and you know that there must be at least one or two people you know somewhere nearby - but you'll probably miss them.

Time for Current of the Ninety Third...Third... Third

(Class for the third time)

This class is starting to get more interesting every time we meet... people are beginning to open up more and more every meeting. I didn't say anything today because I felt really sick and my voice was nearly gone. Hopefully I'll feel better soon, I didn't know quitting smoking would actually make me feel worse for such a long time! I really enjoyed the end of class today when we messed up our desks and left them for the other class - wish I would've had more time to come up with different and unique things to put on the dry erase board. By the way - when we left the room, a girl sitting outside the room asked (rather rudely) why we hadn't put the desks back in order - mike told her it was part of an assignment and she responded "Bullshit, that ain't no assignment!" and I lost it and laughed in her face! Whoops.

Don't You Wish That We Were Dead... Second Time Around...

Back To Haunt You With Our Sound... Second Time Around...
(A Response to the second class)

As far as this egg project went, I was really stressing about doing something really unique and over-the-top (as I am going to try to do for all these projects because that's the point and that is where I feel I'll grow and learn the most - shooting for something ridiculous!) it turns out I may have been in a smaller minority of people in the class than I originally had postulated. I'm guessing that maybe several people did actually have had problems and maybe not known what to expect/what they were "competing" with.
Some people had really cool and far out ideas and... unfortunately, honestly, a few were pretty lame. That's ok though, hopefully the class made them realize they've got to step up their thinking a little and get more creative. There were a few stand outs that started with great ideas and that returned cool results, in my opinion: the "crucified egg," the "apple egg," and the "egg sperm" animation. These really stood out to me as projects that evocative and different - and somewhat bizarre. I really thought the idea of the "Jesus Egg" was fresh, strange, perversely fun and totally different. I also thought that the fact that he was willing to extend his obvious opinion (which I'm sure many did/would/will find offensive) so easily and openly on the second class meeting is really brave, so I applaud him for that.

Honestly, I am a little disappointed in our second assignment: 50 "what if?" questions... I was hoping for something a little bit more physical that I could create or do. And I was thinking of a way to incorporate something physical into these questions, I have a few ideas, but I don't know if I'll have time - as I work two jobs on top of going to school. But, that's ok... the class is yet young and they'll be other opportunities.

"What Do You Want, Egg in Your Beer?"

Maybe you are familiar with this saying/expression, "What Do You Want, Egg in Your Beer?"

If not, there are numerous websites explaining the concept; such as:
http://www.answers.com/topic/egg-in-your-beer
(courtesy of Beth herself).
It basically means "What more do you want?," anyway given that we had received the instructions to do something related to an egg, that I have been homebrewing for a few years now, and that the newly added "Intro to Microbrewing" and the Wine Tasting classes were mentioned - it only made sense: I was going to brew a beer using the egg!

Now, let it be known: I am not some alcoholic fratboy making toilet wine just to get drunk - as there seems to be some sort of stereotype that if you say you like beer, you like bunge drinking 50 " 'stones" and doing kegstands all night/day long. How were it not so! I am, first, and foremost a industry professional who promotes the furthering of imported, craft, and microbrewed beer. That is to say experimental, interesting, and flavorful ales and lagers that are either completely one of a kind or harken back to centuries of brewing tradition.

Now with that out of the way - I had heard of strange brew recipes from Victorian-era England such as "cock ale" (yes, rooster beer) and "oyster stouts" (with actual oysters in them!) So, these being noted; an egg beer isn't really all that strange. I became worried about the sanitation of the egg - as most germs and beer do not mix well. So rather than opt for putting the egg itself in the beer I found an alternative that many people on the web said they've heard of - but don't know any further info nor have they tried it themselves. That is, using the egg white and shell as clarifiying agents - like in a beef stock. This is what I chose to do as it made the most sense and would probably return the most favorable results. I must say, I was surprised that it worked as well as it did!

First, Last, and Always...

(A response to the first day of N485, "Seeing Sideways")

I really wasn't quite sure what to expect on the first day - what kind of a class is this exactly? After a quick rundown I can tell that I am really going to enjoy this class... my problem with many other classes is that while you might create things in them there are almost always lots of rules, limits, guidelines to outline each assignment. For instance, the last video class I took had very strict time, story, and content limitations. I like being given very loose instructions and then total freedom... It just so happens that is a lot like the first real assignment in the class: "Do something with this egg." Right up my alley. I can also tell that this class is going to be a lot of fun and unleash some real creative forces (in myself and the class as a whole) that might otherwise lie in wait... maybe forever. I am really excited to see what future assignments are going to be and I am really looking forward to hopefully be able to find a project that will allow the creation of at least one very wild art film without the stipulations of a normal film class.

Even during the first day people were starting to open up a little more and it's easy to tell who isn't going to have to be prompted to participate. Generally, I'm not very good in these types of settings without feeling really comfortable (i.e. : small class, knowing almost everyone, etc.) but I think this class is going to be much easier than a traditional setting and hopefully become much easier to communicate in a "roundtable" class such as this. Either way, I am looking forward to the endless possibilities and freedom this class should bring!