platonic fey

handy

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:12:31 -0400

handy

[BODY] Marko’s Tips: Beards.

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:19:07 -0400

In this day and age it seems that almost every man is wearing a beard of some form.

In the sea of facial hair there seems to be a lack of beard education.

Most men shave to look good from the front angle and don’t really see the rest.

This is the biggest problem.

The thing is fellas you see yourself from the front. The rest of the world ses you from other angles.

Most of you tend to shave up your neck right to your chin, while from the front you look clean cut, with sharp lines, but from the side view you are featuring turkey jowl (Gobble Gobble)

See image 1.

A simple solution to this is while shaving open your mouth and create a new guideline to follow.

This simple procedure changes up your whole look.

Just see what it did for him in image 2

The second biggest problem is the transition from beard to clean shaven head.

This one fellas I blame on the barber who is shaving your head.

The guy in image 3 quite possibly has the perfect beard.

The right amount of grooming to keep it shapely and clean but not so much grooming wear it looks like an etch a sketch drew it on.

The length is perfect giving him a masculine roughness to him, but not so long to give you that “I just got off the farm and probably have food in my beard and smell” look.

The only flaw here is that the drop off line is so harsh.

The simple solution is to have your barber fade your beard to your head.

If you are shaving your own head, well then you are probably not reading hair and beard tips, but if you are cut your beard slightly shorter towards the top to soften the line.

Harsh lines tend to draw focus and attention. You can see the subtle difference between image 3 and image 4 but what a difference it can make.

If you need more in detail tips on how to care for your beard you may want to look at the website All About Beards

Platonic Fey Contribitor Marko Tomassetti

When it comes to hair, Marko Tomassetti’s passion is working with natural pigment. He believes that hair color should be within two shades of its natural color. His philosophy is, “it may not be your natural color, but it should look like it is.”

Marko continued his career at the famous Privé Salon where he honed and perfected his color techniques.

He splits his time between Sally Hershberger Downtown in the Meatpacking District and Sally Hershberger Los Angeles.

Cut Me Some Slack (kennethinthe212.com)
2011 - A Cursed Year for Beards? (fernrocks.wordpress.com)
The Grooming Lounge (coolhunting.com)

[BODY] Marko’s Tips: Hair In Between Seasons? So April is...

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:43:21 -0400

[BODY] Marko’s Tips: Hair In Between Seasons?

So April is a weird season …

You’re over bundling up, feeling drab, and are just ready for a change, but it’s not quite warm enough to really switch it up and you’re not really sure if you’re ready to brightening up to full on Spring/Summer since it’s still Winter/Spring and your budget doesn’t quite allow you to go in for a little spruce up now and then again next month.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret to bump up your hair and give it a little pop to hold you over a few weeks until it really is season to hit that head with some highlights.

Warning:
Now you must follow these directions ultra precise or risk your hair turning ORANGE!
Only do this once in between professional color or you will turn ORANGE!
Not following my advice will result in ORANGE hair.

This is for ALL hair color and types.

Items Needed:
Get yourself a box of L’Oreal Dream Blonde; 8G (Sunflower Princess), 2 minute timer, shampoo, and conditioner

Mix the L’Oreal Dream Blonde; 8G (Sunflower Princess) (according to directions) … Then pour it into a bowl .. Add 5 tablespoons of shampoo and mix it up …. Now hop in the shower.. Wet hair… Shampoo your hair with the mixture … As soon as you apply it to head start the timer .. Work in into a lather for only 2 minutes .. Rinse thoroughly … Shampoo and condition as you normally do. Now you’re pumped up

Be sure to tell your colorist you did this, so they are aware of it and don’t run into any problems.

Platonic Fey Contribitor Marko Tomassetti

Marko continued his career at the famous Privé Salon where he honed and perfected his color techniques.

He splits his time between Sally Hershberger Downtown in the Meatpacking District and Sally Hershberger Los Angeles.

Fashionista Hair Day (limehappy.wordpress.com)
Dry Haircare (coolhunting.com)
Vidal Sassoon’s Bad Hair Day (kennethinthe212.com)

[BLOG] TRY STATE ART: 2011 Armory Show

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:13:00 -0500

Robert Greco from the leading edge men’s journal & online community Try State shares his impressions of the 2011 NY Armory Show.

Portrait painting with high technical skills ruled the interest level at this years Armory show.

Overall, conservatism is back, the wow factor is gone and there were no surprises. Gallerists were comfortable displaying work that cried economic doom “the end is near” or bold statements such as ” I LOVE YOU” in neon.

Upstairs, the modern masters, historically significant work of the 20th and 21st centuries showed little variety. There were fewer high end Galleries this year, some more noticeable than others, however, it was what was expected.

The staple galleries showed the safe works again, in less quantity. Rothko, Picasso, Rauschenberg, Warhol, Lichtenstein were less prevalent this year, a sign that the global economic temperature is at a stand still.

Last year, collectors bought up the blue chip pieces in bunches and reacted to the deals that were abound.

This year the smaller galleries and new work by living artists was more competitive.

Technical skills were in demand with less attention paid to experimental and avant-garde.

The standouts all seem to be realistic paintings.

The general consensus was there were more people from out of town and they were buying smaller works, in series.

Many of the visitors were looking to the Armory show as the art world’s economic indicator over the next year.

What did remain, is the sense of over stimulation.

Sensory overload as all mediums converge, political messages abound, the tension of what will sell and of course the fantastic people watching.

Galleries report that the biggest sales came within the first five minutes of the fair and others reporting sales as “good” and steady throughout.

The general feeling as that “contacts” were made which will help sustain the market the rest of the year.

Below are images of what I felt were the stand out pieces of the show.

This article is a special guest post by Robert Greco of Try State Magazine.

Armory 2011 (duncanroy.wordpress.com)
Performance Artist Crashes Armory Show (thedailybeast.com)
You: NY Armory Show showcases world art (france24.com)
Art Review: Free-for-All Spirit Breezes Into a Vast Art Fair (nytimes.com)

[BLOG] Doris from Rego Park: NPR, Ghosts & Cultural Myths

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:07:00 -0500

Growing up within literal earshot of I-95 may of created this need for background noise. I did experience several weeks of sleepless nights after my family moved out of the urban soundscape.

The silence that seemed to mark the nights in the rural area we moved to were deafening to this city kid. It was during those dark nights, with no cable, a handful of CD’s and my life in boxes I discovered the comforting power of talk radio & NPR.

Needless to say it started a habit of having the radio on the local public radio station when I am writing or working on my computer. That means most of my all week long & during any free time at home on weekends is spent with NPR on all day.

Most days I get to hear the programming twice and some of the best even three or four times.

The weekends are nice in that there is no repeat of programing for the entire day. On weekends though my laziness traps me with the musical curation of Jonathan Schwartz and his mythical American Songbook.

The guy’s an amazing resource and a true cultural icon don’t get me wrong. I just can’t stand most Broadway Musical songs.

My nana spoiled me by always having original cast recordings of the Broadway classics playing in her car as she ferried me & my sister places after school. Through the Pall Mall smoke she would annotate and pontificate upon the music playing drilling in a pretty solid musical education without us realizing it.

Jonathan Swartz likes to play everything Sinatra recorded or touched, especially the arrangements of Broadway musicals the crooner did, a lot.

Swartz’s weekly radio show is on BOTH Saturday & Sunday afternoons and in-between the boring Piano Bar Standards and Mandy Patinkin tributes the radio host unearths some great audio gems. The main reason I bear with this programing during my weekend is all the artistic & social history the host provides about what he plays.

When Swartz chooses a track he unpacks the who what and why of the music with his encyclopedic knowledge and detailed research abilities in a way that makes the individuals involved come to life.

One of the recent characters the radio show veteran has brought into my life & to the myth making machine of cultural history his quirky programing is a part of is Doris Bauer.

Doris Bauer was a long time caller to local NY Met’s radio shows who has been immortalized in the song ‘Doris from Rego Park’ by Don Rosler.

The story behind her late night call in sports advice & the reaction by the community to her passing began her legend. The story was covered by the NY Times and other papers at the time but this simple song about her will be her true cultural legacy.

The track is available via the musician’s website and a video version is on YouTube.com

About Justin Stone-Diaz

When Justin is not correcting people, relatives or online services on what his name is, how to spell it or explaining how hyphens, like bacon can make anything better he spends his time reading, writing pondering media in all it’s forms.

An attendee of Ben Jerry’s Scoop U, Reed College The School of Hard Knocks, Justin Stone-Diaz has contributed to various print, trade technical journals under his or some version of his name.

That’s code for he’s a ghost writer. Wink Wink.

He is one half of the media duo working under the moniker ‘Toonmonk’ and the pixel pusher behind this and many other sites.

This is NPR: The First Forty Years (coolhunting.com)
Podcast: The College Years: Literary Magic (maximumfun.org)
Is Instagram the Next Big Distribution Platform for News Media? (mashable.com)

[BLOG] According to G : Olek's World

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:08:00 -0500

Last summer, Polish born and New York based artist Agata Olek had an exhibit at the Christopher Henry Gallery in Manhattan entitled “Knitting is For Pus***.”

The exhibit featured a miniature apartment in which every object inside was crocheted! You can see a bit of the apartment in the picture below.

The exhibit was supposed to last for one month and due to overwhelming demand it kept getting extended. In fact, you still have a chance to see the exhibit (so go to 127 Elizabeth Street in Manhattan ASAP!).

As the exhibit gained popularity, Olek and her unique art have been featured in magazines and on TV channels across the world.

And then she went viral. On Christmas Eve, Olek left a gift for the citizens of New York.

If you haven’t seen this video of Olek crocheting an outfit on the bull that presides over Wall Street, you’re about to fall in love….

I had the great fortune of wearing Olek’s crocheted outfits on two occasions last year (one of those occasions resulted in a really cool photo shoot for an article that appeared in Paper Magazine) and 2011 marked occasion number three.

Olek did an interview for Polish TV today and I was there not only to catch the action, but to be the action!

2011 is looking extremely bright for Olek and I am so pleased for her.

She’s tremendously talented and she’s one of the coolest people you could ever hope to meet. Just remember, this is Olek’s world and we are just living in it!

Olek’s Artist Statement:

I am crocheting a sculpture for my body, the ready-made. The “cover” completely redefines my movement and my identity – sexual, personal and cultural. Then I take the end of the twine and by ripping it apart, I start remaking it.

When the “new” suit of armor is ready I am being exposed as an object. Then I put this hand-crocheted wearable sculpture onto my body and take the end of the cord and undo the ‘cover’ again and again.

The artwork is destroyed as it is created, and created out of its own destruction.

About Platonic Fey Contributor G

Geoffrey Dicker was born with the gift of creative randomness. His writing career has seen the release of a book of abstract poetry called “Sketches of Verbal Alchemy,” and 2 albums of pop music by singer Jim Emmons that he penned the lyrics for. He has also designed a line of American Apparel “G-Shirts,” and when he is not attending art openings, meeting the rich and famous or standing in the front row at Rock and Roll concerts, he makes surreal paintings.

Dicker’s limited edition photography prints are for sale via IGNITE Licensing. On the corporate side, he has worked for MGM Studios, where he managed the ultra-prestigous James Bond film library (for international TV licensing), has worked on the production side of a hugely successful reality TV show and even picked out all the tracks for “Ultimate Prince,” a 2 disc greatest hits set by one of his favorite musicians. He recently completed his first coffee table book of photography entitled Take It With Your Hand, and a second book of poetry called Unfinished Lyrics and is hoping to release both books in 2011

Check out Geoffrey’s amazing site A2G for great updates on the music culture that is NYC.

[MUSIC] According to G: Music Top Tracks for 2010 (billyburgwick.org)
[BLOG] According to G: Music Top Picks for 2010 (billyburgwick.org)
Maria E Pineres & Walt Cessna (dianepernet.typepad.com)
[VIDEO] Agata Olek: DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival NYC 2009

[BODY] Marko's Tips: Olive Oil Is For Salads

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:02:00 -0500

Every so often a client comes in with a big smile on her face. She claims she has found a cheap miracle hair treatment. Meanwhile back on the ranch her hair looks the driest I have ever seen.

So curiosity always gets the best of me, so I ask:

“Tell me girl, tell me about this wonderful new treatment that is gonna to change the world of hair?”

Then she’ll respond ecstatically ”Olive Oil!” That’s usually where I make a disapproving face.

To be honest with you I’m not 100% sure on what the olive oil does for your hair besides making it greasy and then that is where awfulness of this at home treatment happens….

People tend to wash their hair 2-3 times after they put this oil in to get the greasiness out … That’s where all the damage comes ..

So the slight amount of conditioning benefits they made of had are now reversed and moved into the damaged hair arena …

Not Cute ….

So if you want to really give yourself and oil treatment that works, I suggest you get yourself a bottle of Moroccan Oil … Now this stuff is a miracle treatment….. I tell my clients to use anywhere from a nickel to quarter sized dollop of this oil …

The thing that is amazing about Moroccan Oil is that it is a dry oil … So it is pretty hard to put too much in….

I recommend that you only apply it on mid-shaft and ends as to apply it in your roots will make them soft leaving you with less body… You apply this to towel dried hair….

I put more on every time I wet my hair regardless of if I washed it or not .. I do love the smell and shine my hair gets!

Recap: Mix Olive Oil with Balsamic Vinegar, apply to lettuce, and Eat!
Apply Moroccan Oil to towel dried hair, comb through, and style as usual.

Platonic Fey Contribitor Marko Tomassetti

Marko continued his career at the famous Privé Salon where he honed and perfected his color techniques.

He splits his time between Sally Hershberger Downtown in the Meatpacking District and Sally Hershberger Los Angeles.

<iframe src=”http://foursquare.com/button.html?vid=118478&color=dark” allowtransparency=”true” frameborder=”0” scrolling=”no” style=”width:165px; height:25px;”></iframe>

Olive Oil Instead of Conditioner and Lotion? Give It a Try! (treehugger.com)
Cooking Oil Options (everydayhealth.com)
Why is olive oil so expensive? (greenanswers.com)

[BLOG] NOObasaurus Gaymer Breakdown: Fallout, WoW & Fable

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:53:55 -0500

That Time of Year Again.

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since my last post. Lots of things in my life going off like hand grenades of drama tossed into my little living room of productivity.

As the holiday that celebrates being 1/2 way out of the darkness of winter has passed, and the small fact that I simply can’t sleep, I decided what a better time than any to toss you all a delicious update.

Mmmmm tastes like chocolate.

Ok, this one’s a bit of a post as I’m reviewing 3 games back to back to back. I am going to throw stuff out there in the order of “completion” or what ever cause some games just don’t “complete.”

This review is on 3 RPG’s so I feel comfortable linking them in one post.

The games: Fable III, Fallout: Las Vegas, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

Let us put on our safety purple rubber laboratory gloves and get right down o business.

Fable III:

This was a little bit of a surprise for me. As it stood so far, my relationship from Lion Head Studios was that of a love/hate dynamic. They would throw out a game, such as Black and White, that I would love and then throw out, Black and White 2, which would be more of the same that I didn’t enjoy quite as much as the original. This was how it was with their flagship creation of Fable.

Fable 1 was a very nicely put together solid game. It wasn’t the best game of all time, mind you, but it was more than playable. The story was great, the options were dynamic, It had lots of little things to do and see. But here’s where we get to the biggest problem about the Fable series, hype.

They promised quite a great deal with Fable I, skills that changed as they were used (swing a bat for a long time, and your strength is based on the swinging) and levels that would manipulate in certain ways, boarder-less levels, and all sorts of fun little tidbits.

Hearing these, at the time Fable I came out, I sorta had a certain…. feeling that current tech wasn’t as good as they were letting us to believe. Well, the game came out, and I was both right and wrong at the same time. Although Fable didn’t do as much as was promised, It did do a great deal.

The biggest achievement for me, was the story line. It was a big and very epic story, and I loved it quite a bit.

Continuing on, Fable II….was rubbish. The story was poorly written, you stumble through it like blind person with no arms to feel out what’s in front of you, so you fall down the stairs.

The “big game changing choices” you had to make were either not important, or made redundant and obsolete later (the biggest end game one is done away with in the DLC). The last boss was, well, anti-climactic. Not to mention the most overlooked problematic issue of fable II of all time: Single slot auto-save. That’s right, the whole game resides over one save slot, which is an auto-save.

They wanted to make your choices feel more “permanent”, but what they didn’t realize, was that if your game has an issue, say a bug, you can’t “go back to an earlier save” and re-try it. Your either stuck, or you have to start from the beginning. And the BUGS!

Quite a large percentage of U.S. players couldn’t get the game to work, an even greater percentage had a game breaking bug, like a quest giver, one that’s NEEDED, to continue the main story plot, either wouldn’t be where they were supposed to be and just went missing, or would just smile dumbly at the player, not recognizing it needs to start talking again. And the hype continued: Cinematic fights, no real “one way to get places”, fence hopping, interactive dog companion.

The promises went on and on! Inclusive multi-player….ok the multi-player just wasn’t. Sure you could join some one’s game, but you get like 4 stock characters to choose from (no customization), and it’s 2 characters that share 1 camera, even if your over xbox live, 1 camera. Really really poor idea. About the only thing they did deliver on, was the dog companion…and even then, it was pretty annoying for upkeep.

Ok, so why am I talking about the previous games for Fable III?

It’s because Fable III is a sort of “apology” for the previous games, primarily Fable II. Fable III was EVERYTHING they promised for II, it’s what II should have been plus a little extra. It’s as if the media director looked in on projects, and hyped up the wrong game (hyping 3 when they were releasing 2).

The dog is less annoying. The guns work, the fighting works, the auto-saves stagger sorta. Enough that if something happens poorly, there’s a chance you can go back within a few moments to where it might not happen again.

The multi-player is great, and by great I mean right. Cameras are dynamic to playres (unless your playing on the same xbox, but that’s not that big of deal.) The characters are YOUR characters, not some ugly stock model like in the last game. 2nd player can customize options, just gotta coordinate who’s going to gun room when, lol.

Clothing looks, decent. AND THERE’S NO LUMBERJACK GIRL BUG! (lumberjack girl: In Fable II part of the story plot has you in a specific outfit.

Problem was, they made the outfit for a very specific male character model. When they put it on the player character, it over-rides what your character looked like, with what the male model looked like, even if you were female!

So you get wide shoulders, a stocky torso, and a big cleft chin, aka Lumberjack Girl.)

The most entertaining thing about Fable III is the evolving combat cinema kills. It’s random, it depends on how your killing and what your killing with, but every once and a while, your character will kill in quite the funny ways.

Level design needed a little bit of work in places. (invisible walls need looked at on some of the moving platforms.) I really liked the smooth level transitions, the loading times were not that bad really, if at all.

The elimination of the menu system was a GREAT idea. Loved outfit selection. Needed a bit better color selection and well “more”. It needed at least 1 other type of weapon in each category. The have heavy hammer, small sword, long rifle, dueling pistol, and that’s it. They just needed one more type of gun and one more type of melee and the game would have been greatly more “open” to style.

It needed a few more tattoo designs, and better collectible item rewards (about 4 chests or more give you gold. As not as redundant as the previous game, gold still doesn’t really matter that much in this game.) Some of the weapon designs were great, some of the armor designs were amazing.

The star power, as British star power goes, was phenomenal (only a little sad that a Dr. Who reference wasn’t used, oh well, lol.).

The characters were great, and wonderfully portrayed…though I wish your actions could decide if you could save 1 or 2. But yeah. (As a side note, so you all know this isn’t all just butter and kisses, is that the last boss was disappointing. It really felt like it should have been a multi-stage fight, with the first stage that you are given in the game now, evolving to either 1 or 2 more stages of increasing pace and difficulty.)

Overall I give it an 8/10: It’s got “That twinkle”. There is something a little special about this game that makes it pretty spectacular.

Fallout: Las Vegas

This was a game that I sort of had high hopes for. I was really excited when my roommate picked it up, and let me start playing. It took me a bit of doing and quite a bit of time, but I did finish it. Well, I finished as much as I wanted out of it. However, after a time…it started becoming, “not worth the effort”.

This review is going to be a little bit short but really, there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said elsewhere for Fallout 3. Basically the game is Fallout 3 with a semi-sorta new map, semi-sorta new characters, semi-sorta new weapons, a semi-sorta new plot, and most of all, new annoying “good idea, bad executions.”

The graphics aren’t much different, the guns aren’t much different, the game play isn’t much different, the story…..leaves a bit to be desired. There’s some funny and fun twists, but overall, it was…well….pretty restrictive.

That’s sort of the word of the game “Restrictions.” Apparently Bethesda studios decided that the players were given too much freedom in Fallout 3 and Oblivion, so they decided do away with that in a couple of ways.

The first was the largest restriction: quest and story. Sure you can choose who to ally with, your path of good or evil, but once you choose, your stuck. There isn’t any deviation, or unique changes, your given the objectives, complete or not finish the game. Your choice.

The 2nd way they restrict the payer is with faction. This was a very good “idea” but a very poor execution. The good idea was simple: you do good things for particular factions, they like you more and give you quests, items, houses, and what not.

The bad idea: faction is based on armor. What your wearing depends on standing and rep. This was a really poor idea for a couple of reasons. The first reason, most enemies you fight are faction related enemies. All gear from faction related enemies, other than guns, ammo, food, and miscellaneous items, is faction gear. Your items and gear deteriorate at astounding rates, you might be forced to run around naked even though there’s TONS of armor around you, you just can’t equip it cause your allies might open fire. your companions will not wear faction armor that opposes with their faction, even though it’s 100 times better than what they are wearing. And a personal thing for me, I can’t wear trophies of those I’ve slain.

The last way Fallout: Las Vegas is restrictive is invisible walls.

They really narrowed the playing field, quite literally, with these. Preventing you access to so many areas cause you just can’t figure out the “right way round” even though it looks like you could just “walk” to it.

I got very frustrated with areas I should be able to jump to, or even casually stroll too, but just simply couldn’t for some unknown reason.

And that’s pretty much it.

I give it a 7/10: So far so good.
The game is decent, not great, but decent.
Could really have used a more dynamic choice in characters, a drastic overall of guns, and a redesign in faction mechanics, as well as a demolition project against inviso-wall incorporated.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm:

To be honest, I’m just blown away.

I have not been able to put this down, and that’s saying something as I’m generally not a “massively multi-player” friendly kind of player. I tend to keep to myself, loathing the existence of other characters, wishing that this time would be the time that they broke their legs from jumping 1 too many times (I swear some keyboards have the space bar worn down to a little nub.) But yeah, this has been a very, very, delightful experience.

I have yet to play this fully, I have yet to get to the new end game content (levels 80-85), and I have yet to play the new Goblin race. I have been playing levels 1-65 on the werewolves side of things, and besides a few bugs here and there, minor graphic issues, really, or just wrong sound file put into to wrong emote, issues with animations not syncing and just little tid bits like that, overall, it’s great O.o. And that’s a lot for me to say, as a lot of you know how bad I find World of Warcrack. But Blizzard has made the game….enjoyable.

Questing, although still a burden some times, is easily accessible, you don’t have to run from one continent to the other to continue, it’s all a straight linear line of “if your on this land, go to point X, that land, go to point Y”. The random dungeon queue makes finding dungeons easier, gear looks decent so forth and this and that.

The werewolves, wholly crap the werewolves. It’s those little extra things that I so enjoy. The tidbits that have nothing to really “do” in the game, except sit there and be awesome.

Levels 1-13 are amazing as you follow the story of your dying people and their heavy “curse” (but as a furry, it’s not really a “curse” as much as a “better way of life” lol). The thing that kills me is that the werewolves are a Victorian age British civilization. Accents, architecture, culture, dress, and everything. Even greater, they have a werewolf only quest for top-hats.

Yes, only World of Warcraft werewolves get top-hats.

The level design for the re-imagined areas are pretty awesome, the big scars, burnt patches, and craters are interesting, as well as the big whirlpools of death spotted here and there (jump, it’s fun). I like that the biggest baddest monster (the big dragon called Deathwing, that’s the expansion’s mascot) comes into random realms, and torches them. I have yet to see it’s destruction first hand (I am always 2nd too late, but just in time to see the flames die down), but it looks spectacular.

I love the phase tech all over, it makes it seem like your quests actually “do” something rather than “oh, thanks for your time, bye now sucker!”

I like the battles all across the land, the Npc’s not really doing anything but it looks like they are battling. It adds a bit better air of conflict and a greater scope of what’s going on. I’m enjoying all the “underwater” shenanigans as I did play out the humorous ”sea legs” first part to the lvl 80 content.

Yeah, just enjoyment all around. Oh! And I like how they “specialized” the class talents. Each class gets a choice of 1 of 3 specializations, and depending on that choice depends on what bread and butter move they get. So you can just watch people play and say “oh, your this type of that class”. Just a bit of fun there.

Overall World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is getting a 9/10 a Diamond in the Rough.
I think that people should at least play the 10 day trial if they can, lol.
All in all the changes they have made are great, some refinement is needed but it doesn’t subtract much from the overall game. I like it a lot, lol.

So yeah, GOOD TIMES!

Oh and some movies I’ve seen, not really revies:

Tron was amazing, I nearly raved to the music right there in the theater, just needed glowsticks.

Harry Potter, was…ok, wish they wouldn’t do the Michale Bay shaky camera fights and do some choreography instead :( Wish the 2nd part was released at the same time, so you could just sit for 4 hours and watch it from start to finish :(

And there ya go. Enjoy.

How To Marry Another Gamer Online Via Fable III [Video] (kotaku.com)
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (go.theregister.com)
Fallout: New Vegas: There Will Be Vaults (escapistmagazine.com)

[FOOD] Naughty Confessions & Sweet Treat Bribes

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:29:00 -0500

While spinning round and round on a tire swing with an old childhood pal one summer in his grandmother’s backyard, I inadvertently ruined Christmas in July.

My friend Jake collected Star Wars action figures by the dozen and had carrying cases that looked like the torsos of the film’s biggest stars: C-3PO, Darth Vader and R2-D2 all opened up to reveal rows and rows of carefully positioned plastic miniatures of Chewbacca, Han Solo and any other character you could possibly think of from the original three films.

He had duplicates and triplicates of many of them - too many Stormtroopers to count, really. And I think I remember Princess Lea appearing in each case at least once sporting a new look and costume, including one in a bikini from Return of the Jedi that Jake was especially fond of.

He was a nice kid, that Jake, and from my vantage point an extremely lucky guy. His parents were still together and seemed to get along, despite the potty mouth Jake’s mom spewed regularly toward his dad, but that didn’t phase me any, as my own mom had many worse things to share with her husband - spouse number three by that time. Jake lived in a huge house with a pool and a big wrap-around deck and a game room and a ping-pong table and a mini basketball court and, well, as much as I enjoyed hanging out with him, which I did mainly at his grandmother’s because my own great-grandparents lived next door, I always felt very self-conscious and out of my element, like I was visiting Richie Rich or something.

Being poor while growing up around gobs of wealthier kids made me hyperaware of what I didn’t have, naturally. And while being friends with Jake continually poked at my ghetto buttons, he and I got along because he seemed innocently unaware of his fortunes and, like me, was physically awkward to the point where we both were tormented extensively by peers in our respective schools for being spindly and weird looking. While my own gangly outward appearance was primarily due to genetics and government food donations, Jake’s thick glasses, heavily wired jaw and spooky glow were granted to him the day he thrust his tongue into an electrical socket and was nearly fried to death when he was five years old. The incident caused him all sorts of bizarre chronic health issues that made his comparatively luxurious way of life much easier for me to swallow.

Still, there were many times where Jake just irked and poked at me with his constant banter that mostly related to shit he wanted, shit he just bought, and shit that - in the middle of fucking summer and in this squeaky, nebbish voice, “Santa is going to bring to me on Christmas.”

When poor kids feel cornered and insecure at the hands of people they deem to be more affluent than them, they’re going to do one of two things: they’re going to steal from you or they’re going to physically hurt you. And on that particular day as we bobbed back and forth on a tire swing while Jake invoked Santa in mid-summer to bring him fifty more Stormtroopers so he could complete his army, there was a part of me that wanted to pluck an armful of his Star Wars action figures from their shiny collector’s cases, run up the street to the railroad crossing, set them all out on the tracks and lay in wait for a train to flatten them.

But instead, without much consideration or hesitation, my mouth flew open and, in a similarly nebbish voice, I squeaked, “You know there isn’t really a Santa Claus, right? You know he’s your parents, right? You know they’re the ones who go out and buy the Star Wars stuff that gets put under the tree while you’re sleeping, right?”

Within the time it took for the tire swing to rotate towards the trunk and back out again, Jake’s eyes welled up, he dropped his jaw as widely as his wiring allowed, leapt from the swing and began shuffling toward the backdoor the best an electrical socket-sucking kid with partially cooked innards could. And in a disconcerted tone that was more harrowing than a doomed Taijii dolphin’s, Jake screamed.

I immediately fled the scene, scampering across his grandmother’s immaculately trimmed lawn before taking a frowned-upon shortcut through her rose bed and hopping a chain link fence to freedom, but not before hearing her door swing forcefully open and Jake wailing, “Grandma Harriet, is there a Santa? Are you Santa? Is Mama Santa? Who [sob] is buying [snort] the gifts [hysterics]?”

Harriet was not a woman you wanted to fuck with. She was a squat, mustached German immigrant who was built like a bowling ball and hated everyone who wasn’t white and Catholic and didn’t see eye-to-eye with her on every issue. Jake and I were both twelve - it was time he knew. I mean, how he went that far into life without knowing who’s wrapping up the entire Star Wars cast and extras and stuffing them under the tree each Christmas kind of defies any explanation; he wasn’t even home schooled. My great-grandparents quietly agreed with my defense and there wasn’t any real punishment following the dreaded phone call from Harriet shortly after I walked in the door that resulted in a forced in-person apology to a particularly traumatized and oxygen-starved Jake and Harriet.

Still, I worried the whole rest of the year about what, if ANYTHING, I’d get for Christmas, and it was that year that I began setting aside a few Christmas cookies to bait Santa with - or whoever was responsible for forking out my much dreamed-about loot.

Following are a trio of treats to bribe the Santa in your life with this Christmas. HO! [hack] HO! [wheeze] HO! [cough]

Red Velvet Brownies

These brownies are a brand new recipe for me - I’ve been experimenting with them for the past few weeks and, while I like them in their current form, I want to try making them with a dark chocolate glaze, or maybe a chocolate cream cheese frosting.

In their current holiday sprinkled state, they’re kind of sporting an ugly Christmas sweater, but they are easy to make, frost and (if you so choose) decorate with kids. Feel free to play around with them and let me know what you get.

Ingredients:

For the brownies:  1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 + 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter 1-1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon white vinegar 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 ounce bottle of liquid red food coloring (not paste, powder or gel) 3 eggs, well beaten

For the frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
1/2 cup 10X confectioners sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and center a rack. Butter and line the bottom of an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper. Melt 4 ounces of the chocolate and the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.

2. While the chocolate and butter are melting, sift the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder into a medium bowl and set aside.  

3. Remove the melted chocolate mixture from the heat and stir in the sugar with a rubber spatula. Add the vanilla, vinegar and red food coloring. Mix until well combined and then add the eggs a little at a time, mixing until fully incorporated before adding the next.  

4. Fold in the dry ingredients just until combined. Stir in the remaining 4 ounces of chopped chocolate (or chips) and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until the center is somewhat firm to the touch and a knife inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (brownies should be very moist, but not too underdone). Allow to cool to room temperature in the pan on a rack.  

5. When the brownies are completely cooled, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in the lemon juice and vanilla and mix to combine for another minute on medium speed. Turn the mixer to low and gradually add in the powdered sugar until everything is well incorporated and a spreadable icing forms, about another 2 minutes.  

6. Spread the frosting in an even layer over the brownies and then place the frosted brownies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up the frosting before cutting them.

Add festive sprinkles if you’re making these with kids or for a holiday party.
Cut into bars and serve. Any remaining brownies can be stored in a covered airtight container and refrigerated, but the brownies are best enjoyed if they are allowed to return to room temperature before eating them.

Reindeer Bites

These treats were everywhere around the holidays when I was growing up, but they have mostly disappeared it seems, at least from my corner of the world. Some people call them haystack or Chinese noodle cookies, but in my family they’ve always been called Reindeer Bites.

They are super fast and easy to make with kids and they keep for over a month sealed at room temperature. You can add butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, use milk or dark chocolate, add a sprinkling of sea salt before they are set … the sky’s the limit with these classic no-bake drop cookies.  

Ingredients:

10 ounces milk, semi or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or use chips) 
2 tablespoons butter 
2 cups Chinese (chow mein) noodles 
1 cup salted dry roasted peanuts (I use Planters)  

Directions:

1. Melt the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.  
2. While the chocolate and butter are melting, place the Chinese noodles and peanuts in a large mixing bowl and toss. 
3. Take the melted chocolate mixture and pour over the noodles and peanuts. Mix thoroughly to fully coat everything in chocolate. 
4. Using two teaspoons, scoop out bite-sized portions onto wax paper, carefully guiding each piece into a clump of noodles instead of letting it fall flat.

Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature.
These can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for more than a month.

Judy’s Eggnog

Judy Pillsbury introduced me to her eggnog years ago in Paris, and I haven’t been quite the same since. She starts drinking wine by 11AM each morning, so I was expecting her eggnog to be effectively sauced, but nothing will prepare you for this. It’s potent, to be sure, so adjust the cognac to your liking. Also, you might want to check out Melissa Clark’s excellent New York Times article on eggnog.  

Ingredients:

12 eggs, separated 
1-1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon + a pinch salt 
2 teaspoons vanilla 
4 - 6 cups cognac (you can start with 4 cups) 
4 cups whole milk 
4 cups heavy cream, freshly ground cinnamon and grated nutmeg for dusting

Directions:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the yolks, 1-1/2 cups sugar, salt and vanilla and beat on medium-high speed until thick and all of the sugar has been incorporated into the yolks, about 3 or 4 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the cognac and whole milk.

2. In a medium bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks and set aside. In a clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg white whites with a pinch of salt until foamy, then gradually add 2 tablespoons of sugar until the egg whites are soft peaks.

3. Pour the yolk mixture into a large punch bowl and fold in the whipped cream, followed by the egg whites. Dust the top generously with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Serve immediately.

Platonic Fey Contributor Nathan Noland:

Baker, tweeter, blogger, animal lover, worrier foodie living in The Big Apple.

Follow his Tweeter: @NewYorkNate

More Info to Follow, in the mean time check out his blog.

Easy Cranberry & Apple Cake from Barefoot Contessa(wnyc.org)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe (averagebetty.com)
12 Days of Christmas Cookie Recipes: Ginger Brownie Buttons (blisstree.com)

[MUSIC] According to G: Music Top Tracks for 2010

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:45:03 -0500

You might recall that in July, I listed my 10 favorite songs of the year up until that point. This has been a great year for music and I have 10 more songs to add to that list. See my additional picks after the jump.

”Bang Bang Bang” by Mark Ronson, Q-Tip and MNDR.

It was actually hard to select just one Mark Ronson song off his wonderful new album “Record Collection” because I love the entire record, but I looked at the counter on my Ipod and I’ve listened to “Bang Bang Bang” the most, so it’s making the list.

The track features rapping from A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip as well as soon-to-be-megastar MNDR.

”You Gave Me Nothing” by Andrew Wyatt, Rose Elinor Dougall, Mark Ronson.

I told you it was really hard to name one great Mark Ronson track off his excellent “Record Collection” album, but this track, which reminds me musically of Blondie’s “Call Me,” also had a ton of listens according to my Ipod, so it’s making the list. The Ronson/Wyatt/Boy George collaboration “Somebody To Love Me” has almost as many listens, so I would like to mention that as another standout track of 2010.

“Born Free” by The Rassle. I’ve blogged and gushed to the entire band how much I love this song.

It’s almost embarrassing, but when you love a track that much, I say shout it out from the mountain top! “Born Free” has a super catchy chorus and for the millionth time, I’ll say that I can totally picture a stadium full of people singing this song.

The Rassle are set to release their debut record in 2011 and I can’t wait to hear it.

For a very limited time, you can download “Born Free” for free on their official site.

I cannot recommend this highly enough!

“Watching Birds” by Stornoway.

Stornoway’s music is usually quite mellow, but this track “Watching Birds” is a fast alt-country rocker.

It features one of my favorite lyrics of the year, “I’m making money watching birds, but I don’t feel no richer.”

Definitely track this song down if you can, and watch videos of the group too because they are all really good looking!

”Who Makes Your Money” by Spoon.

I love this track! It’s so funky. Using the title as a Facebook status update is guaranteed to get you lots of people responding too.

“Enter The Ninja” by Die Antwoord.

There’s nothing else to say about Die Antwoord except, they fokin’ rule.

Yo-Landi Vi$$er’s voice is sped up so she sounds like a cricket and the rap by Ninja is what you’d hear if Borat decided to make a rap record.

Love!

”Echoes” by Klaxons.

This song sounds like a lost 1980s classic and I love it!

The chorus sounds so good to my ears that when the song comes on, I usually listen to it multiple times in a row before moving on.

“Against the Wall” by Young Empires.

When I saw Young Empires live, it was a case of the opening act being way better than the main act, which (take it from me) is SO rare.

“Against the Wall,” is responsible for me losing a lot of calories because when I hear the disco-punk track, I can’t help but dance my ass off.

I am really looking forward to the debut album by Young Empires which should be out in 2011.

For a limited time, you can download a demo of this track for FREE on their official website. Highly recommended!

”Barricade” by Interpol.

This track features the chorus “It starts to feel like a barricade to keep us away,” and in this crazy year I’ve had in 2010, the lyrics really resonate with me.

Though most Interpol fans feel like the band has jumped the shark, I am loving their ever evolving sound.

“Golden Train” by Penguin Prison.

2011 is going to see the release of Penguin Prison’s debut album as well. I am really looking forward to that! Lead singer Chris Glover is so talented! He plays many instruments (including guitar that would make Jimi Hendrix proud) and he’s a great producer/remixer who’s already done tracks for Kylie Minogue, Goldfrapp and Jamiroquai.

The single “Golden Train” has many remixes and I like all of them. They range from dance to funk and I recommend you check them out.

I am so grateful to have met all of these singers who’ve really rocked my world in 2010 and I cannot thank them enough for all being so cool and for the countless hours of happiness they’ve given me! Thanks again!

What are your favorite tracks of 2010?

About Platonic Fey Contributor G

Geoffrey Dicker was born with the gift of creative randomness. His writing career has seen the release of a book of abstract poetry called “Sketches of Verbal Alchemy,” and 2 albums of pop music by singer Jim Emmons that he penned the lyrics for. He has also designed a line of American Apparel “G-Shirts,” and when he is not attending art openings, meeting the rich and famous or standing in the front row at Rock and Roll concerts, he makes surreal paintings.

Check out Geoffrey’s amazing site A2G for great updates on the music culture that is NYC.

[BLOG] According to G: Music Top Picks for 2010 (billyburgwick.org)
Quincy Jones (wnyc.org)
Christina Aguilera Gets Dirty With Sam Ronson In 3 Way [Dirtbag] (jezebel.com)

[BLOG] STYLE EXILES: Tobie Giddiom McQueen Tribute:

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:11:54 -0500

Shocked, stunned, saddened. Yet intrigued, inspired and still interested in continuing the discussion known as McQueen.

Like Christian Dior, his legacy was short but the two have become the most important designers of the past century. Both focusing on proportion in forms both subtle and radical.

A designer legend in his own lifetime, a forever icon after his death. One of my favorite artists, Tobie Giddio, herself known for abstract shapes and whimsical proportions pays tribute to one of our favorite designers.

A talent so pure and vision so extraordinarily balanced between the future and the past, McQueen never turned in a so so collection. Everything he did was graced with a Midas touch so wicked and warped yet influential and ultimately wearable. Bumster pants anyone?

Like when Kennedy was shot, I truly believe that news of McQueens death took most of us by surprise, yet so many have been able to express their sadness through inspiring work and homages to a creator who ultimately inspired all who came across his work and strict design aesthetic.

Giddio’s drawings perfectly capture McQueen’s powerful take on proportion, texture & pattern.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DRAWINGS

Why McQueen? Sum up how he inspires you.

McQueen’s forms have always had a genuine other worldly quality - the feeling that these figures in his incredible forms were entering our world from the “other side”. I am inspired by an artist who is clearly creating from this place, who’s work is purely about bringing us something completely new - composed from the past and the future, totally relevant in the present. This is true inspiration. It strikes a cord. It is beyond the mind. It takes us higher, and deeper into our own process. After every collection I felt compelled to work.

His impact on the last 15 years of fashion. Comparable to Westwood?

When I think of McQueen in relationship to Westwood I think - rebelliousness with the outcome being extreme beauty - rebelliousness plus maturity. With this you have mastered something. Everything with McQueen had such incredible discipline, skill. It was always clean, all that wild energy and emotion contained and directed even if it was completely out of this world and when it went to a dark place.

Can the brand live on without him?

I really hope so. Yes, I think McQueen set something in motion that will continue and evolve. His death still stings but when I get really farsighted about it I see the manifesting continuing in his name. His successor Sarah Burton is an incredibly talented and courageous woman.

Favorite McQueen moments.

I think I drew them. I went through every piece of every collection and these were what stood out for me. But also the shows themselves were so memorable. They were a blast of creative power like nothing else really.

Explain the uniquely abstract yet fluid approach to your work in general and how you incorporated it into these homages to McQueen.

Either I am drawing totally from the minds eye or I am pulling from a designers work. When I am working directly with specific clothing, I go back and forth between the two. My intention is to keep the integrity of what was made and then at some point leave the reference completely in order for something completely new to emerge. A lot like the remaking of a song. For me this is the ultimate liberation of drawing fashion. It’s fair to wonder why anyone would spend their life deconstructing and abstracting fashion. But for me, like McQueen, fashion isn’t really about the clothes - it’s about our inner worlds being expressed in shapes, lines, form and color in the most beautiful and modern way possible.

About Platonic Fey Contributor Walt Cessna

Walt Cessna is a correct creative and my personal muse when it comes down to all things proper. A socio-cultural barometer in all respects. To list his past works, projects and professional associations would be a primer in the history of the ever changing New York underground culture

Walt Cessna is an avid photographer, writer & Social Media pioneer. Seeing all people, places & things as a potential playground for creative expression his current projects range from being a regular contributor to several print & online magazines, curation of a group show at Splatterpool in 2011, creation of a new print magazine & completing his current book.

Walt Cessna’s work can be seen live and in progress via his highly popular Tumblr stream.

Tribute - McQueen by Tobie Giddio (dianepernet.typepad.com)
McQueen’s New Designer: “I Can’t Try And Pretend To Be Him” (jezebel.com)
Knight To Debut McQueen Film At British Fashion Awards (style.com)

[BODY] Marko's Tips: Gift Of Smooth Hair

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:09:00 -0500

Frizzy hair can be such a bummer, and the alternatives can be frightening.

While the fact is Keratin Treatments are a god sent, there are a few treatments out there that are not Just like any products.

First let’s take this back a step and talk about what keratin is.

Keratin is hair protein.

So there are many treatments that contain keratin from masks to shampoos.

The Keratin treatment I’m talking about is the hair smoothing treatment who’s street name is Brazilian Relaxer … The way it works is it”s a hair coating system that smoothes the hair …

So we all know that hair has a cuticle layer.. It’s the outer layer that looks like shingles on a roof… In frizzy hair this layer doesn’t lay smooth causing the hair to be wild and unbehaved… What a Keratin Hair Smoothing system does is coat the hair and force the cuticle to lay smooth .. The smoother it lays the smoother/straighter the hair is… That is why there are different strengths of the treatment ….

So if you want to keep your curls and just have less frizz I would use the weakest one on you. If you’re looking for a straighter look then we would go with a stronger formula … A smoothing treatment should not make your hair straight .. It should make your life easier .. Such as your blow dry time should be cut in half and they should be easier to do and should last longer.

Now the process itself takes about 2-3 hours depending on how dense your hair is… And has a 72 hour processing time … The reason being is the Keratin has to cure and harden to your hair …

Naturally occurring keratin in our hair takes weeks to cure so if a product that does it in an hour, it scares the hell out of me…. I suggest ONLY using the Global Keratin Hair Taming System™ with JUVEXIN™ … Not only do I think this product gives the best results, is great FOR the hair, and safest, it’s also the one that I use on almost a daily basis …

I love their whole theory of hair .. I love that they give you the list of ingredients .. I love that there are no hidden surprises .. In the past 3 years I have used an array of Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatments and none compare to this one… Some have made me cough, eyes tear, and/or lightheaded to the point I had to sit outside … Global has a patent on their raw Keratin which is what makes this treatment so genius .. Raw Keratin means less product to use .. Less fumes .. Less toxins … But the best results … It’s a no brainer …

So if you know someone who is in need of or is using a different system I suggest you go to Global Keratin Hair Taming System™ with JUVEXIN™ , look up a salon in you area and get them a gift certificate …. With most service gift certificates you can add the 20% gratuity so your gift doesn’t cause the giftee to have to pay for anything … But hey to get your hair to look amazing and just having to tip is not a bad deal either!

Platonic Fey Contribitor Marko Tomassetti

Marko’s professional career began in 1996 at the age of 19 when he apprenticed under Louis Licari at his eponymous NYC salon. He then moved to the Jose Eber Salon where his hard work earned him the honor of becoming youngest colorist in the company’s history. Marko continued his career at the famous Privé Salon where he honed and perfected his color techniques. He splits his time between Sally Hershberger Downtown in the Meatpacking District and Sally Hershberger Los Angeles.

A Safer Way To Use Brazilian Hair Treatments (amominredhighheels.com)
HAUTE HAIR: Rehab Dry and Brittle Hair (hellobeautiful.com)
A Bearded Woman And The Politics Of Hair [Hairy Situation] (jezebel.com)

[FOOD] Holiday Exibitionist: Pastry Whore does Barney's

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 03:11:47 -0500

Even though we’ve already trudged through Halloween and Thanksgiving, I’m finding it hard to believe that we’re entering the thick of the Christmas season, but here we are.

New York City completes its twinkling transformation tomorrow night when the switch is thrown on the Rockefeller Tree.

I love the look and feel of NYC during Christmas, and my favorite part of living here this time of year are the spectacular window displays. Each year I walk with a group of friends in a winding path from Macy’s all the way up to Barneys to view all of the major windows.

A few nights ago I skipped past the other displays and went straight to the Barneys windows - I couldn’t resist given the theme: Have A Foodie Holiday! While I wasn’t as blown away with the scenes as I was with their Cher windows from way back in 2002, it was fun to see caricatures of culinary stars past and present.

For me, the most successful window was the one featuring a giant boiling pot of “revolutionary stew,” which had culinary legends such as James Beard, Jamie Oliver and Julia Child simmering away inside of it.

Platonic Fey Contributor Nathan Noland:

Baker, tweeter, blogger, animal lover, worrier & foodie living in The Big Apple.
Follow his Tweeter: @NewYorkNate

More Info to Follow, in the mean time check out his blog.

Upcycled Haute Couture - The Barneys New York Espresso Foil Gown is a Green Luxury Icon (GALLERY) (trendhunter.com)
Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Windows Unveiling Cocktail in New York. By Glenn Belverio (dianepernet.typepad.com)
Nigella’s Food ‘n Sex Strategy Sparks Ire [Food Tv] (jezebel.com)

[BLOG] STYLE EXILES: ROBIN LAVERNE WILSON, WILLIAM SPANGENBERG & MATTHEW MONOHAN

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:25:07 -0500

- text & photographs by Walt Cessna NYC 10

Superb gallery daze in Chelsea yesterday at the Art Walk where I stumbled upon the beyonder sculptures & paintings by artist Matthew Monohan at the Anton Kern gallery. Also taking in the correct visuals were performance artist Robin Laverne Wilson sporting a mad plaid pant-suit & blue eyed ginger sculptor William Spangenberg, whose recent work is documented from it’s start to finish process in his new book HEARTS.

Monohan’s show is a rare treat combining several mediums in a fluid presentation of well executed abstract & surreal ideas. My favorite is his screaming chair sculpture, which Spangenberg just couldn’t help taking a peek through:

Platonic Fey Contributor Walt Cessna:

From teenage wunderkind model, club kid to being the head of his own Fashion House by age 21 his education in aesthetics is both traditional & unexpected. His eye for the eclectic & the sincerely fierce has led to a career in most aspects of fashion, design, fine arts & photography. Walt Cessna is an avid photographer, writer & Social Media pioneer. Seeing all people, places & things as a potential playground for creative expression his current projects range from being a regular contributor to several print & online magazines, curation of a group show at Splatterpool in 2011, creation of a new print magazine & completing his current book.

Walt Cessna’s work can be seen live and in progress via his highly popular Tumblr stream. His use of this new cloud based microblog platform is breath taking and forward thinking. Check his archive every couple of days, take a screen shot. Come back in a week and do the same. Compare. Using Tumblr’s ability to be peer reviewed & edited makes for an interesting peek into the creative process. Microblog as look book & crowd sourced editing dialog.

Style Exiles Robin Laverne Wilson, William Spangenberg & Matthew Monohan (dianepernet.typepad.com)
Style Exiles : Barnaby Whitfield (dianepernet.typepad.com)
The House Of Delicious Presents The Salacious Salon (waltcessna.blogspot.com)

[BLOG] A2G: Music Top Picks for 2010

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:30:00 -0500

I’m happy that 2010 was a great year for music! Last year, I struggled to find 10 albums I liked enough and this year, I had to stop myself at my favorite 12. I was fortunate enough to meet 11 out of the 12 artists in 2010 (Arcade Fire being the exception) and I saw 11 out of the 12 albums performed live (with Kele being the exception) and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the artists again for making my ears so happy in 2010. I’ve listened to all of these albums so many times this year and I love them all dearly.

“Congratulations” by MGMT. In hindsight, it makes me laugh that I initially gave the album a “B” rating. I was obviously half expecting and half hoping for a sequel to MGMT’s brilliant debut “Oracular Spectacular.” Instead of giving the world a second album of pop perfection, they jumped the shark and delivered an album with lots of hook free songs and tunes that change genres in the span of sometimes 12 minutes in length. I admired that from the get go, but I initially wasn’t blown away. After more listens than I care to admit, I finally get it now. This album is a work of genius! I’ve decided to not really order these top 12 albums, but by far my favorite album of the year is “Congratulations” by MGMT. I definitely recommend checking out the title track (which sounds unlike everything else off the record) as it sounds like a lost T. Rex classic.

“Record Collection” by Mark Ronson and the Business Int’l. This album has it all: Funk/Rap (Bang Bang Bang), Soul (Somebody to Love Me) and Simon LeBon (Record Collection). Mark Ronson is turning into the world’s greatest producer as he has made a solid album from start to finish. There are so many highlights. Aside from a few brief segues and one full length instrumental, I can see every track on this record being a hit single. Ronson has enlisted heavy hitters such as Boy George, Simon LeBon (of Duran Duran) as well as D’Angelo and Q-Tip. Also featured are voices you might not be too familiar with but all are great: MNDR, Andrew Wyatt (of Miike Snow), Alex Greenwald (of Phantom Planet) and Rose Elinor Dougall.

“Acolyte” by Delphic. If you are a fan of later era New Order, I think you’ll love Delphic. Lead singer James Cook’s voice is nice and smooth and the electronic dance beats the band has put together are undeniably groovy. A lot of the songs run on, which is how their live shows tend to be and this album is made to be a party classic. For a debut album, it sounds like the band has been around for years and I am really looking forward to seeing what Delphic come up with next.

“The Arch-Android” by Janelle Monae. I will have to admit, I haven’t given this record the same amount of airplay as most of the other records that have made the list. I will tell you this though – this album from start to finish takes you on a journey that most artists these days are way too afraid to take. Janelle Monae pretty much covers every style of music in this album. She can sing, she can dance and she can put out a hell of a record. The problem I think is that we live in a Rhianna world where you work with an “it” producer and marginal talent rises to the top. Janelle Monae is trying to sell a concept record to teens in the land of Gaga. Definitely a ballsy move and I commend her for doing it.

“Transference” by Spoon. So many bands seem to hit a creative peak and keep releasing records long after they should call it a day. Not the case with Spoon. I think they continue to get better and more interesting with each album they release. This album came out at the beginning of 2010, so I’ll bet it’s forgotten from a lot of year end lists. This album has so many great tracks on it from the ultra funky “Who Makes Your Money,” to “Nobody Gets Me But You,” a track I can imagine being a lost outtake from Queen’s “Hot Space” era. I’m not just saying that because I am in the video either!

“Night Work” by Scissor Sisters. As much as I love the Scissor Sisters, and I love them a lot, their albums typically have a few tracks I am not too crazy about. “Night Work” breaks that pattern and I love every track! They initially scrapped the entire album they had been working on and started over. Obviously that plan worked. The lyrics are playful, sexy, dirty and all the songs are up beat! This album is a non-stop dance machine that doesn’t let up from the opening notes to the title track to the Ian McKellen guest spot on the final song “Invisible Light.” In defense of the original version of the album, I heard most of it performed live at a secret show and I remember liking almost all of what I heard, so perhaps the Scissor Gods will smile upon us and release the material.

“The Boxer” by Kele. The lead singer of Bloc Party decided to make an album of dance music and I love it! I never followed Bloc Party when they were around (and I don’t think they’ve disbanded), so I heard Kele’s voice for the first time on this record. It of course made me go back and pick up all the goodness that I’ve missed out on all these years, but I have to say, I like Kele’s voice with a dance beat a bit better than with a rock band. Kele had visa problems during his tour and as a result, I was out of town when he came to visit New York. I was very sad not to hear live renditions of the tracks on this album and seeing youtube clips only made me more jealous.

Dan Black “Un” by Dan Black. There was so much buzz on Dan Black as the year started, I went to see him live the first chance I got. I’d never heard his music until he walked out onto the stage and by the end of the show, I was the first person in line at the merch table to buy his album. His voice is soulful and his beats are funky. If you can track down his EP “Weird Science” which is a collection of covers (including a slowed down take on Bruce Springsteens’ “Dancing in the Dark,” Madonna’s “Into the Groove,” and Missy Elliot’s “Pass that Dutch,”) I recommend it. If you like Mika, you’ll like Dan Black, though Dan’s music is not as whimsical as Mika.

“Interpol” by Interpol. A lot of die-hard Interpol fans dislike their 4th album. Bass player Carlos D has left the band (though he still appears on the album) and that has embittered a lot of fans. I am not one of those people. There are a lot of strong tracks including the ultra addictive “Barricade,” and the album features some very dark moments. The song “All of the Ways” is really creepy, but I love it. They even flirt with new sounds in the experimental (for them) tracks “Try It On” and “Summer Well.”

“Tourist History” by Two Door Cinema Club. This album truly does not sound like a debut record and instead, it plays like a greatest hits album. Every track is upbeat and there are so many songs (“Something Good Can Work” and “I Can Talk,” for starters) that I listen to over and over again when they come on my Ipod. I have compared their sound to the band Phoenix (but with better lyrics). I am really looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. In the course of one year, they’ve gone from playing tiny venues to places that hold 3000 people (in the US, any way) so the future is very bright for TDCC.

“Travelling Like The Light” by VV Brown. Another debut record that sounds like a greatest hits album. VV Brown’s voice is so soulful. She’s sort of like Amy Winehouse-ish, but without all the problems. I am so disappointed that her album didn’t do very well in the US because I think every track is great. I am hoping that her promotions team regroups and does a better job for her next album because I see no reason that she shouldn’t be a big star. She’s got the look, she’s got the voice and she delivers live. It makes me mad when people haven’t heard of her because when I play her music for friends, they like it instantly.

“The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire. Arcade Fire has been around for almost a decade, and for some reason, I had never heard their music until this year. When I was talking with someone about early picks for best albums of the year (luckily for me, a week before Arcade Fire toured New York), they couldn’t believe I hadn’t mentioned “The Suburbs.” I made a mental note to check out the album, and I am so glad I did. I heard it for the first time as they performed it in front of my eyes! This record is great from start to finish with so many songs having a really epic feel to them. Of course, part of the reason is that the band consists of no less than 8 members. I don’t know why I want to compare their sound to Tears for Fears, because I think the music is much different, but I guess my brain makes the comparison due to the fact that in 4 or 5 minutes, you feel like an entire story has been laid out for your ears.

So what were your top picks of 2010?

Top 10 Twitter Tips for Bands, By Bands (mashable.com)
Of Montreal + Janelle Monae at the Riviera: Photo gallery (timeoutny.com)
Arcade Fire ‘dominate “Top Albums+Songs of year list” (hipsterrunoff.com)

[BLOG] STYLE EXILES : BARNABY WHITFIELD

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:56:00 -0500

Fresh Horses. Pastel on paper. 50 X 70 inches

NYC may be in the grips of a seemingly never ending recession, but it also in the midst of a fantastic and ultra inspiring revitalized art scene that is less 80’s East Village cool and more 2011 Brooklyn bombastic.

One of the most stylish fellows I’ve encountered in ages, artist Barnaby Whitfield is arguably also one of the most talented painters currently working.

His intoxicating images mix the lush and the louche with exhilarating effect, casting his subjects into an almost surreal yet at the same time brutally haunting world of visual wonder - WC

Barnaby Whitfield wears a Scooter LaForge tee in front of two of his recent paintings photographed by Walt Cessna Bklyn 10

Circle Hook Light (coolhunting.com)
In The Footprint (wnyc.org)
Bravo! ‘Housewives’ Help Raise Money for GLAAD’s Art Auction (kennethinthe212.com)

[BLOG] Simon Seyz: Matthew Brindle, One to Watch

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:53:00 -0500

I first became aware of Matthew’s work around 5 years ago. I was in my own little love affair with photography and I remember reading his blog and seeing how much fun could be had behind a camera.

I’m not the only one who’s been inspired by his imagery, and it’s hard not to be, his portraiture alone is always fresh and interesting.

Covering his face in glitter and drag artists rolling around the floor was a far cry from everything else I was seeing.

He’s been working professionally as a photographer in portraits and fashion, documenting the London club scene with MegaMegaMega and had exhibitions in London and Berlin. As well as all this ongoing work, he has had guest appearances on Britain’s Next Top Model, opened Studio Key in North London and has an upcoming book of portraits.

It’s safe to say Brindle’s a busy boy, check out his clients & publications his work has appeared in:

Attitude, AXM, Britains Next Top Model (TV), BUTT, BUCK, DIESEL, Dorkzine, E4, i-D, Gazzelleland, Timeout, The Guardian, Gay Times, MixMag, LONG Clothing, SUPER SUPER, London College of Fashion, The Times, TIMM TV (German TV), Blu Magazine, Stonewall, Sheigressien.

Platonic Fey Contributor Simon Crawford

Simon Crawford was born in 1985, in a military hospital in Cambridge. At the age of 5 his parents decided to bring him and his older brother home to Northern Ireland. Spending most of his childhood daydreaming and drawing complete nonsense, he found himself suddenly all grown up and with not much to show for it. After failing to get a place at Kent Institute of Art and Design, he discovered, almost by accident, a love for photography.

He moved to Belfast, completed a degree in Visual Communication and is now trying his best to become a (half) professional, photographer. His work has been featured on many European & American Fine Art & Photography Blogs and can be found in the current issue of Pink Mince.

http://matthewbrindle.co.uk http://megamegamega.com http://studiokeylondon.com

Interview with Desktop Magazine

Matthew Brindle (simon-crawford.blogspot.com)
Big Gay Fundraiser @ Black Box (simon-crawford.blogspot.com)
Postcard From London (kennethinthe212.com)

[VIDEO] Ben Franklin, Ross & Turkey/Eagle Drama

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:27:25 -0500

“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.”

“With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country…

I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”

-BEN FRANKLIN

How many bald eagles are said to be left in North America? (greenanswers.com)
Ben Franklin, Semiotician (semionaut.net)
Holiday Cooking at Rikers Island (wnyc.org)

[BLOG] Techdeco Tooners: Jacopo Camagni & Marco Felicioni

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:59:00 -0500

Also known as part of Studio Dronio, this hot Italian couple are both talented and inspirational illustrators and photographers. They live and work in Bologna, Italy and have been published internationally with clients and collaborators that include PSM magazine, Belfe Sport, GOLPE! and Marvel.

Their combined body of work varies from cute ‘chibi’ portraits, through hot fashion and portraiture photography, right up to zombie-infested scenes like the one bellow:

Platonic Fey Contributor Simon Crawford

TECHDECO MUSES text & photos by Walt Cessna (waltcessna.blogspot.com)
Matthew Brindle (simon-crawford.blogspot.com)
Jacopo Camagni & Marco Felicioni (simon-crawford.blogspot.com)

[VIDEO] Muppet Viral Plea: Biting Betty White

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:16:33 -0500

The book Jim Henson’s Designs and Doodles explains Cookie Monster’s origin as follows: “In 1966, Henson drew three monsters that ate cookies and appeared in a General Foods commercial that featured three crunchy snack foods: Wheels, Crowns and Flutes.

Each snack was represented by a different monster. The Wheel-Stealer was a short, fuzzy monster with wonky eyes and sharply pointed teeth. The Flute-Snatcher was a speed demon with a long, sharp nose and windblown hair. The Crown-Grabber was a hulk of a monster with a Boris Karloff accent and teeth that resembled giant knitting needles.

These monsters had big appetites for the snack foods (like cookies) they were named after. Each time the Muppet narrator, a human-looking fellow, fixes himself a tray of Wheels, Flutes and Crowns, they disappear before he can eat them. One by one, the monsters sneak in and zoom away with the snacks. Frustrated and peckish, the narrator warns viewers that “these pesky monsters could be disguised as someone in your own home”, at which point the monsters briefly turn into people and then dissolve back to monsters again.

As it turns out, these commercials were never aired — but all three monsters had a future in the Muppet cast. The “Crown-Grabber” was used in a sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show, in which he ruins a girl’s beautiful day. Known from then on as the Beautiful Day Monster, he made a number of appearances on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. The “Flute-Snatcher” turned into Snake Frackle, a background monster from The Great Santa Claus Switch and The Muppet Show.

Image from aka-damien

5 fun facts about Cookie Monster (holykaw.alltop.com)
Cookie Monster Wants to Host ‘SNL’ (artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com)
I Already Loathe Smurfs 3D [Film Schooled] (jezebel.com)

platonic fey

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