+guerrilla love nest+

GLN Discontinued

2011-05-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

[Untitled. Photo by Harvey Jackson. Spring 2011]

The time has come for this to end. Guerrilla Love Nest will no longer be updated. I will, however, be writing and posting pictures on two separate other sites. Their links and names are listed below. Hope you follow me there.

Until then, au revoir.

Ashlee

For updates on my life through photos, visit: A. Jewel's Archive (jewelsarchive.com)

For my memoir style writings, visit: Something Like Memoirs (something-like-memoirs.com)

Thank you.

KARMALOOP X GuERRILLA LOVE NEST//WeSC Graffitti

2011-05-08T20:27:00.001-05:00

[We are the Superlative Conspirators]

If you haven't figured it out yet, then I'm here to tell you-One of my most favorite things in the world is graffiti. Street graffiti, indoor graffiti. Graffiti on a canvas. Graffiti of all kinds. I developed this fixation my freshman year of High School when I subscribed to various Hip-Hop magazines. More specifically-The Source. At the end of each issue, there was a 2 or 4 page spread of train tags and graffiti murals. I wasn't quite sure what these images were at first (being that I lived in a rural area), but I was definitely intrigued. I caught on eventually, dabbled in tagging a bit, but found that I succeed more as an enthusiast more than an actual graffiti artist. I sucked so to speak.

Now the years have passed and I am a writer-of paper instead of walls-spending my time penning in on this blog. A blog which happens to be affiliated with Karmaloop.com-a retail site where you can get unique clothes and accessories from Lifestyle and Street Culture brands such as WeSC (as seen above), Alife, and Diamond Supply Co. A blog which happens to be able to give you a code that will earn you %15 off your next purchase from their online store...

When you spend over $75 at Karmaloop.com, you will receive an instant 15% OFF your purchase just by using promo code ROCKIT at checkout.

Offer valid now through May 31st.

Happy Shopping ^-*

Insomniatic Rant//Confessions of a Goofball

2011-05-05T15:21:00.003-05:00

[a cute little goof. taken with an android]

Some nights I don't sleep. Some days I don't sleep. Sometimes, the two are interchangeable-nights become days, and days become sweet. Salty dreams about the men I can't see. Waking life of mystery. I. Am a night owl.

Nate is my enabler. My wake enhancer. My dearest friend. Almost my dearest friend. I don't know . Do I have dearest friends? He's awesome. That's one thing I do know. He took these pictures with his camera phone. And I sucked them out with a cord. A U S B. Then spate them to my computer. A M A C. Now they're on my desktop. A combination of a variety of things.

But you don't care.

If you cared, you would have told me. Shot me a memo. And declared your declaration. A declaration of caring. For the words I mull over and the time I spend sober posting each of these posts. Where is the LOVE?!?!?! I ask you. Where indeed is it?

Is is in your Pride? Is it in your Pride that killed Bin Laden? Is it in your patriotic heart, beating like the metal between his carcass' eye?! Is that where the love is?

It must be. And below is where some music be. That I hand selected for my sleepless nights. It gives me comfort. I listen and sigh. More than happy to share it with you. Correction. Thrilled.

nightowl by la_lovenest

The Chalk Boys//Video X BBQ

2011-05-05T11:47:00.002-05:00

[St. Louis based rap group, the ChalkBoyz]

A couple Saturdays ago I went to a BBQ at ChalkBoyz "headquarters." They had just finished shooting a music video and were hanging out in the yard. A few people were inside watching tv and listening to music, drinking beer ect. An all around good time. It was fun hanging out there with Nate and a few other guys, including Rockwell Knuckles, Tef Poe, Tech Supreme, Justin, and Nato Caliph. Above is the video they shot and below are a few pictures pictures from the BBQ.

Drink à La Mode//Virgin Shirley Candy Buttons

2011-05-03T15:55:00.004-05:00

[Shirley Temple in a Scotch Glass, w/ a side of Candy Buttons]

Last week, Harvey and I had a 2 day work binge, making time for some research and our online projects (I mostly watched Project Runway). During his stay at my place, I was inspired to make Shirley Temples for us- a cocktail beverage served sans alcohol. Since we needed the extra "energy" to work all night, I added a pinch of Red Bull to the recipe. These drinks are so good we had them for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. The recipe is below.

Shirley Temple and Red Bull

2 parts Ginger Ale

1 part Orange Juice

A splash of Grenadine

As much Red Bull as you want

Stir Ingredients. Add Ice. Then Serve.

*Note: I made the mistake of mixing these ingredients by shaking them in a container. Do NOT shake them in a container.

images: homemade

Tears Before Coffee//What We Can Learn From Dogs

2011-05-03T09:33:00.006-05:00

[source]

I'm nothing before a cup of coffee. Some days it's pointless to talk even to talk to me until I have a "sip of joe", cause chances are I won't reciprocate. After I have my coffee, I feel ready for life and ambitious. It's one of the few times lately I feel like whipping out some Top 20 and singing the lyrics till I'm tired and hoarse. In short, coffee makes me happy.

I used this to my advantage the other night after an "emotional breakdown". I had tears streaming down my face, red eyes, and a booming headache. I'd gotten myself all wound up from thinking about my past and current relationships-how they tend to be malignant and fleeting. I couldn't take my mind off of it, so I looked around the apartment for a distraction. Then I glanced over at Peter, my 6 month old Yorkie. Suddenly I felt better. Just seeing him cheers me up. I called him over to where I was sitting and he sat with me 'til I stood and walked away.

At that point I thought to make some coffee. I figured it would work as a quick "pick me up" or at least alleviate the "after crying" headache (my most questionable home remedy yet). It occurred to me then that, it's likely impossible to be sad after drinking coffee. At least sad to the point that I was. Perhaps there's something about the chocolaty notes and the warmth of it. Or the caffeinated jolts we get after consumption. Either way, I assumed it was true. Once I had the coffee brewing, I started to think about friends. What makes a good friend? And why do dogs seem to make such good companions/are consoling when we're emotional? I sat down with my coffee and considered these questions. The following are the answers I find to be true:

1. Making Eye Contact

Eye contact can convey a number of things: confidence, desire, boredom, or fear. When two pairs of eyes meet, a whole world of things can happen. But when two friendly and familiar pairs of eyes meet, there always seems to be a sense of ease. When we see a dog’s eyes (more specifically our pets') more often than not we see love. We see gratitude and attention. We feel a connection. That's one of the things I like most about dogs. You can look in them in they eye and try to guess what they're thinking (they have such expressive faces). The best part is they just gaze back, while most humans avoid eye contact completely. If I were to learn one thing about being a good friend to someone from my dog it would be to allow my friends and family to look into my eyes and to feel comfortable gazing back, just so I could feel at ease around them and show them that I’m willing to connect.

2. Showing Loyalty

[A Loyal Dog in Pixar's UP, one of my favorite movies]

Dogs are prehistorically wired to be loyal. They must be loyal to get what they need and survive within a pact. Without their pact, they are out to fend for themselves. At home we are the domestic dog’s pact. As pet “owners” we are the pact leaders, providing what the pact needs, and showing our dogs love. In return they give us life long loyalty.

It’s not easy to find a loyal friend these days. Most people seem to be looking out for themselves. Yet when it comes to dogs we can learn to be thankful for what we get from our friends without demanding or asking for too much and to be loyal to them in return. To be there when times get rough instead of being around only during the good times (fair-weathered). Although people will always be in the trend of “come and go" we can practice being loyal during that time friends are in our life.

3. Refusing to Judge

Dogs do not think the way humans do. They do not have critical eyes. In a dog’s mind, it does not matter how much money you have, what celebrities you’ve met, what kind of clothes you wear, nor whether or not you’ve made ‘good’ or ‘bad’ decisions. When mirroring our canine friends, we can learn to be better human friends by being less judgmental and accepting the people around us as they are.

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

— Mother Teresa

4. Embrace Affection

Peter does this thing where he sees me walking towards him, then rolls onto his back, paws up, waiting for me to pet him. I read once that this posture suggests he is comfortable with me and willing to show his vulnerability; that he is not in alpha dog mode. He’s simply being submissive. In our relationships with people (friendships or otherwise) it’s important to get to that point of submission; where we can be vulnerable, rather than guarded and doubtful about our friend’s intentions.

5. Willing to Protect

You don’t have to train a dog to protect you they just do it. It’s in their nature. When a stranger is a approaching the house you’re dog is there to alert you. Or if someone is trying to physically hurt you, a pet dog is almost always likely trying to come to the rescue. Likewise with people, a true friend will never intentionally put you in harms way. They will protect and caution you to danger in any way they can.

6. Love Without Condition

Dogs are stereotypically good companions for one reason-they love unconditionally. As long as you’re not throwing them around and raising them to cage fight, they have a pretty exceptional disposition. Unlike a lot of us humans walking around, dogs are not wishy-washy. They don’t love you one minute and then hate you the next. They don’t cause drama; they’re plainly just full of love.

Because dogs exhibit these traits, we feel good around them and are eager to show them tender affection. Even though it’s not easy to always trust a person, look them in the eye, or see the best in them, I believe it’s really worth the effort to try.

“We need [love]. We can [get] it through intimacy, through friendship, through prayer, through walking in nature. If nothing else works for you get a dog…cause if you leave for 2 minutes it’s like you’ve been gone for six months when you show back up again.”
–Tony Robbins

Lover Songs//Incubus-Stellar

2011-05-03T00:25:00.000-05:00

it's my blog and i'll talk shit if i want to

2011-04-30T01:52:00.001-05:00

you don't want me to be happy. you like it when i'm miserable. when i'm sick. when im crying. when i'm questioning your motives. you don't want me to be happy. you act like i'm suppose to cater to you and not focus on my life. like i'm suppose to surround myself with what makes you feel comfortable. i sense this when you critique my home, as if everything should be the way you like it: the temperature set to your favorite temperature. the dog's name as your favorite dog name. the dishes clean to your liking. and always your favorite food in my refrigerator. well guess what. this is my crib bitch. get your own damn home. swag.

22 Going On Six

2011-04-28T04:03:00.000-05:00

I'm perpetually 5 years old.

That's me with an Easter Basket. I asked Nate to picture me with it, the other night, before I ripped out its sugar pieces (plastic eggs filled with jelly beans + chocolate blue eyed bunny). The basket's from my mom.

Followed by our mini photo shoot, Nate showed me the pictures. The first thing out my mouth was, "I look 5 years old," and Nate agreed. It's amazing how youthful I look in the face. People tell me I should be happy about that. I suppose I am. But I'm worried that looking like a 5 year old is a poor indication of my maturity level rather than a trademark for "good genes". Could it be both?

Growing's Not a Problem

2011-04-27T04:15:00.002-05:00

Have you ever realized you are not who you think you are?

That for some unfixed time, you had walked with a

shoulder's chip; always, invariably feeling misunderstood.

Just to "wake up" and see that you simply didn't know

yourself. That all the criticisms you'd been chanting under

your breath towards people (all of various natures), were the kind

that could have easily been pinned on you. Did this realization

come to you at some wee hour of a calm morning, and if so were

you completely okay with it? If so, were you eager to move on and

assume a revived sense of self-awareness? Did you take a deep

refreshing breath, and find the ability to forgive (your past, yourself,

and your arrogance)?

Have you ever in your life experienced this? Or is the only one who

experienced this me?

Back from Hiatus//10 Cures for a Cold

2011-04-25T07:06:00.008-05:00

[self portrait]

I believe in big hair and I believe in obstacles. Last week, my obstacles were bad weather, allergies, PMS, TMJ, and the common cold. After much sleep and the use of home remedies, I'm starting to feel back to normal. I'm just sad that all that time spent in bed was time spent away from working. More than anything I wanted to unveil my surprise project/new series to you. But, that will just have to wait till later this week. This time, nothing's going to stop me.

Below are a few home remedies I used to overcome my cold and ease the discomfort of PMS and allergies. They are listed below:

1. Fast with Tea

Tea is a soothing drink for humans and can reduce symptoms of many maladies. This past week, I drank tea to sooth muscle tension, nasal congestion, and promote health. White Tea is especially good for healing from a cold due to its high level of antioxidants (higher than any other tea) and ability to kill bacteria and viruses. Read this article for white tea on Wikipedia for more of its health benefits and facts.

My current favorite teas to drink are Allegro Fine Tea Organic China White Citrus and Allegro Fine Tea Organic Queen Bee Balance.

2. Fast with Juice

While tea can kill a virus, juice can rehydrate. Although I put these two fasts separate on my list, I recommended doing them together by taking a whole day (or two if you're brave) to only drink tea, 100% Orange juice, and water. Orange juice in particular is filled with nutrients and minerals that improve our immune systems. I personally drink a whole jug within a short period of time to expedite the healing process, but how fast or slow you drink your orange juice is up to you.

I recommend Simply Orange with Pineapple, because 1.) I love Pineapple 2.) It's affordable, and most importantly 3.) Simply Orange has no artificial flavors and is not from concentrate, which means it is 100% fruit juice. When it comes to healing: the purer the juice the better.

3. Drink Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is considered a cure-all and especially good for yielding colds. It's taste and effectiveness however are curiously strong. Because of this, it's important to consume small servings over a certain period of time. I recommend sipping 1/2 teaspoon every 12 hours to kill your body's toxins, immediately followed by a tall glass of filtered water. Caution: too much ACV can cause you to feel even sicker than you were before you drank it (that's because it detoxifies and flushes all your toxins out at one time). So remember to drink small servings each time ACV is consumed.

4. Take Daily Vitamins

I bought a jar of Women's Essential Vitamins at Dollar Tree when my cold symptoms started to flare up. I wish I would have replaced them when I first ran out, because then I might not have gotten sick. It's important to have one essential vitamin per day to prevent illness and to [obviously] stay healthy.

5. Sleep and Rest

Sleep sleep sleep and more sleep. You can't underestimate sleep as a home remedy. It's simply one of the best things on the planet. Reducing stress is also important when getting rid of an ailment, and we have all heard that stress weakens our immune system. Thus sleep is a great way to reduce stress and strengthen our immune system. Dramatic audio, video, and images can also trigger stress. So try listening, watching, and looking at material that is as calming as possible.

6. Use Steam

According to The National Institutes of Health, humidifiers help relieve congestion from the common cold. Many of you may already have a humidifier at home. But I don't. I put steam in my face using the best resources I have. Last week, I used my clothes steamer. I filled it's tank up with water and turned it on before I took a nap. When I awoke, I could tell a 100% upgrade to my breathing abilities. In the past, I used a pot of water boiling on my stove, sprinkled with tea tree oil and cayenne pepper. Spices, steam, and essential oils are all great tools to relieve congestion with.

7. Groom Yourself

There are times when you are ill and the illness causes your body to ache. Yet regardless of all your discomfort, it is important to keep good hygiene a priority. Clean hands, nails, hair, and skin tissue will help your body heal faster and showering will wash away a lot of your detox debris (aka dried mucus and dried sweat). Also, change into a pair of clean clothes two times a day.

8. Clean Up

Having a clean environment is a safe bet to overcoming a cold. Having dirty dishes, placid pools of water, and bacteria build up in your bathroom will inhibit your ability to get better. So find some motivation in you to straighten up your living space or ask someone to help you clean so that you don't live in squander while dealing with flu or cold symptoms. This also entails having clean sheets for your bed.

9. Online Diagnosis

I found out I had TMJ because I had increasing discomfort in my jaw and didn't know why; I Googled my symptoms and viola, turns out I have TMJ. I recommend using online search engines and web forums to find out why you may be experiencing certain symptoms and how you can easily overcome them. I learned a lot about these 10 home remedies over the years simply by reading, asking questions, and using Google. Each of theses remedies I'm sharing with you work for me every time I get sick and I am confident that they will work for you. The goal with this tip is to promote self education on yourself, ailments, and natural cures. Many natural solutions that you find online prove to be good for the environment, our bodies, and our pocket books. And in the event that you do need to go to the doctor, at least you will be able to have a dialogue about your symptoms and what you think you may "have". That way you can avoid being misdiagnosed by a professional.

10. Decongest

Many illnesses are caused by internal congestion. Either there is too much phlegm in your respiratory system or undigested waste in your colon. When this sort of debris builds up, it's forced to come out through your pores, your nose, or your bottom. So the best thing to do to heal from a cold (an experience caused by congestion) is to decongest. Natural ways to decongest include:

using neti pots
sitting in saunas
fasting from sugar
fasting from meat and dairy products

Drinking Kombucha helps also.

Thy Thoughts be Fruitfall Seed

2011-04-17T03:29:00.016-05:00

[source]

Not everyone will taste greatness. Not everyone wants to. Anyone who ever chose to meet their goals, made success their obsession. That's how I am now: obsessed with success. I breath, dream, and sweat about it. Speak, crave, and ask about it: How does it happen? Who will go there with me? and, How will I know when I arrive? I could ask and search for these answers all day, but the truth is the answers are already in me. They're in each of us who dream, crave, and breath success. We make success happen. We take whomever we want with us to our destiny. And we will know the exact moment when we arrive, because we painted our future with our thoughts in our dreams. And success never is a fate, it's a journey! So let's take this journey together, and paint a road for the world to walk on. A road where no one goes hungry, grows tired, or raised uneducated. Lets crave our world's success in addition to that of our own, and gather the tools to build it today. This means unite! Using the tools were born with-Our thoughts. Our words. Our actions.

Think truly, and thy thoughts shall the world's famine feed;

Speak truly, and each word of thine shall be a fruitful seed;

Live truly, and thy life shall be a great and noble creed.

- Horatio Bonar

Regional Love//Chicago and G.O.D. Jewels

2011-04-17T00:28:00.000-05:00

Ran across this video a year or so again. Been meaning to post it for a while. Maybe there never seemed to be a "good" time to post it. But. As they say. It's better late than never.

This edition of Regional Love is devoted to the Windy City of Chicago. I particularly like it for two reasons. 1. I used to live and attend school in Chicago. My time there yielded many great experiences, and even though I haven't returned to visit since 2009, I can't wait to go back. 2. The Sufjan Stevens sample is undeniably contagious making the song nostalgic, catchy, and "trans-genre," if you will. I've been a fan of Sufjan ever since I saw him live at Mississippi Nights in the mid-2000s. So, much respect goes out to G.O.D. and his team for sampling him.

If you're proud of your region and have a video that supports your pride, shoot me an email with an embed code and I'll post it as soon as possible. Images are also welcome.

-b

C O N F I D E N C E

2011-04-12T01:47:00.279-05:00

[photo credit: The Moptop Maven]

[Update] It's all in the body language. A confident woman. An arrogant man. The general image of what's self-assured. All these things are described by posture, and everyone can use posture to their advantage. Above is a picture of confidence, or the epitome of a modern confident woman. Everything about her says Hello. I'm daring. Everything from her shaved head to her shear top. But you don't have to wear see-through tops to show confidence. And you don't have to shave your head to be eye-catching. You also shouldn't copy her look, verbatim. I would never endorse that.

Now you may ask, "So, what should I do to seem more confident?" Well, the answer is simple. BE AWARE of your POSTURE!!!

In the picture above, the inspiring woman has her chin up, her shoulders rolled back (not slouching), and she has casually placed her hand on her hip. Each of these subtle adjustments in her body language (posture) have made her instantly more attractive. The combination of her unique style, beautiful clear skin, and awareness of posture make her appear to be a dynamic unstoppable beautifully confident woman. The same can be done for you!

YOU can seem confident, flawless, and even thinner in your pictures. All you have to make are a few minor adjustments in your stance.

Below is a list of tips to help you pull off confidence in your photographs and social interactions. If you exercise these tips everyday, you are sure to see a difference in your interactions with people, as well as having flattering images to post to on your websites or social networks.

::Techniques I Use To Display Confidence::

1. ALWAYS Stand Up Strait

While growing up, my mother always "gave me shit" for slouching. "Stand up Straight" she would say, while tapping me on the back. Sometimes she would put her hands on my shoulders and say, "Roll your shoulder's back!" I resented this pet peeve of hers until I went to High School. I recall my very first day at Hazelwood Central High, looking around at all my classmates as we marched packed like sardines up a west wing stairwell, and thinking to myself I'm so glad my mom taught me to stand up straight. I thought that because everyone was slouching. People who slouch will grow old with poor and irritable posture, as well as display low self esteem even if they feel good about themselves. So as best as you can, remember: Stand Up Straight!

Naomi wouldn't slouch,

she knows it's taboo.

2. Keep Your Chin Up

Keeping your chin parallel to the ground is a great way to keep your eyes looking forward. Nothing about your body language will say confidence if you're caught with your eyes down, or wondering around in each-n-every direction.

Not quite a parallell chin, but definitly

up high enough to show confidence.

3. Show Fearlessness Towards the Camera

The easiest way to do this is to simply look straight into the lens. It also helps to squint a little, so that you don't look like a "deer in headlights".

In this picture I am am using a prop to tell a

story/set a mood. I am also looking directly at the

camera and have my eyes slightly squint.

4. Take a Deep Breath

Breathing deeply (for taking pictures or "real life") broadens your chest. Once the chest is broadened, attention is drawn to it and thus can attractively display the breast. This triggers a subconscious arousal in men and can appear to be romantic in photographs. It also displays confidence. Likewise, men broaden their chest to display dominance, strength, and self assurance.

5. Hands on Your Hips

As I mentioned before, placing your hand on your hip can definitely give your pose poise. Traditionally, a hand on the hip suggests dominance and power.

Me photographed at Michael Drummond

Trunk Show in St. Louis. Notice the hand

on the hip.

6. Hold In Your Stomach

Make your waist seem proportionate to your body by subtly holding in your stomach. Ignoring this can cause your abdomen to seem larger on camera than it actually is in reality. Avoid photographing an unflattering midsection by "pulling" your stomach in. This task is made easier by following tips 1 and 4.

7. Play with Your Shoulders

Shoulders play a major part in body language. We are either shrugging to suggest clueless-ness, or lowering our shoulder's to prove we are relaxed. In photographs, it is good to have the shoulders angled in various directions. Sometimes, I like to point mine towards the camera, like so:

Photo of me taken by King-Yella at Home Night Club

8. Thumbs Up and Out

Advertisements often use thumbs to display confidence. Women will be seen with their hands tucked in their pockets, while leaving their thumbs out. Men in advertisements will be seen with their arms folded and their thumbs up towards the sky. Both these cliche poses are gestures of confidence and "cool".

Kate Moss poses her thumbs, for Calvin Klein.

9. Pucker Your Lips

Puckered lips show desire and therefore are pleasant to look at. To make a puckered shape with your mouth, say the words "you" or "too" when being photographed. This technique also helps (consciously and subconsciously) when showing flirtation. So make sure to be conscious of your mouth in front of the camera and among friends.

Blake Symphony and I at 2720.

Notice the pose in my lips.

This is something I picked up "along the way." I pucker my lips often when being photographed, because I found that it works for me- meaning that it's a technique that is flattering. Knowing what "works for you" and flatters you is very important. Finding your most flattering pose might take some time. Yet is worth the effort. Which brings me to my next and final tip: Have a "Blue Steel".

10. Have a "Blue Steel"

"Blue Steel" is a term used in the comedy Zoolander by the main character (who happens to be a super model). It refers to his signature facial expression, which he attributes to his success. If you are going to have successful portraits, then you are going to need a Blue Steel! Practice various posses in the mirror to figure out which pose best flatters you and shows a successful degree of confidence. The video below shows Zoolander and his Blue Steel in action.

Each of these body language tips are things I leared to be conscious of over time. They have proven to be helpful around event photographers, scheduled photo-sessions, in candid shots, and in social/ business settings. Using these tips will help you alleviate fear of the camera, enjoy having your picture taken, as well as display confidence in social settings and in front of a camera!

2011-04-11T04:38:00.002-05:00

[film still of Basquiat tagging. credit: Edo Bertoglio]

SAMO© (meaning Same Old Shit) was Jean-Michel Basquiat's graffiti tag in the late 1970s and early 80s. He shared it with a teenage collective comprised of himself, graffiti artist Al Diaz, and Shannon Dawson. Under a strong presence of anonymity, SAMO© was blazoned through the downtown neighborhoods of Manhattan NY and created a lyrical, endearing, satirical experience for serendipitous viewers. It also targeted the "American new-commodities version of happiness" (with graffito like: MICROWAVE & VIDEO X-SISTANCE "BIG-MAC" CERTIFICATE" FOR X-MAS...SAMO©...) and stood for a broader substantial cultural awareness.

In the large perspective, SAMO© scolded the average person’s (or average bohemian’s) willingness to be hustled—the longing for salvation from a drug or a guru. It scolded the average person’s willingness to measure happiness in new commodities. It was alive in the midst of numbing artificiality. Taking the message as a whole, what I found in it—aside from the ebullient mockery—was clarity and compassionate reason.

--Henry Flynt

Photos by Henry Flynt

4 10 2011

2011-04-11T03:08:00.001-05:00

[source]
Intimacy is: a molded melon in a styrofoam cup.

Kids Rock Cancer//Music Therapy Helps Kids

2011-04-08T00:46:00.015-05:00

[source]

The Maryville University of St. Louis has started a Music Therapy Program, called Kids Rock Cancer. This program enables local pediatric cancer patients to channel feelings through song:

For a child, illness can unleash a range of emotions they are not always able to express, or which they may simply choose not to. Kids Rock Cancer provides a creative outlet for kids to convey whatever is on their mind, and give voice to their feelings (via kids rock cancer blog).

This program is of no cost to the patients or their families. It is offered at several cancer treatment centers around St. Louis. These centers include SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and Cardinals Kids Cancer Center at St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital.

My heart goes out to these kids and their families.

Electric Love

2011-04-07T23:55:00.008-05:00

[source]

This GIF makes me think of a lot of things, meaning I associate many unspecific ideas, object, and notions with it. Perhaps that's because beauty is unspecific. It is big, simultaneously small. Unfathomably wide, and insatiably far. It is cold. It it warm. It is electric.

Green Heart Photography//Tragic Lindsay-Pt. 3

2011-04-05T19:31:00.005-05:00

[Ashlee B. and Sarah S. for Green Heart Photography]

Here it is. The last installment of Tragic Lindsay. The shoot was fun. The energy was good. etc etc etc. More photos after the jump.

“You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.”

More Green Heart Posts:

Tragic Lindsay-Pt. One

Tragic Lindsay-Pt. Two

Vintage Summer-Pt. One

Vintage Summer-Pt. Two

Stylings

Ziezo Boutique St. Louis,

Ashlee B, Sarah S,
and Jessica Moore.

Models:

Ashlee B and Sarah S

P.s. First person to comment, is a rotten egg.

Guerrilla Goals//Before I Die by Candy Change

2011-04-03T19:42:00.001-05:00

Candy Change is the new black. Their Before I Die project reminds me to reassess lifestyle so that I focus on what's most important: living the fullest of a finite life.

For more images of this inspiring project and other clever community motives, visit CandyChange.com.

P.s. What do you want to do before you die?

Meeting GLC

2011-04-02T06:29:00.007-05:00

[G.L.C., Ashlee B, and Tef Poe at Headquarters]

[Note: I am not so savvy when it comes to remembering faces and names. I just want to make that clear so offend anyone.]

Nate's been hooking be up lately. Taking me to shows (just winding down from being backstage at Mike Epps Comedy Tour) and teaching me a lot about music. A couple Mondays ago, for instance, we went to The Headquarters to hear GLC rap. At the time I thought I wasn't familiar with GLC's name, and honestly I didn't know what he looked like. With that being said, I walked up to him before the show thinking he was my friend Tef Poe (pictured to the right of me in the above photo) and started joning on him; cracking jokes as if I knew him. Once I realized he wasn't Tef, he told me that making a mistake was okay and that his name was GLC. He complimented me on my style, telling me I was looking good, repin' St. Louis, and then asked me for a hug. I didn't really feel like a moron for jonin' on him the way I did, but I could have. He was sweet.

Once the music started and GLC rapped his verse from Paul Wall's "Drive Slow, " I realized that I was actually familiar with his work. And that I actually love his work. Come to find out I like him as a person, too. He's a real gentleman, intelligent, and a philanthropist. Here is a link to his recent talk with Vocalo Radio about street organizations and spreading positively through music. He started a movement called ISM that you can catch updates for on Twitter, and released his Debut album last October titled Love, Life, and Loyalty. You can cop that on his website GLCitymusic.com.

	Paul Wall - Drive Slow (Feat Kanye West Glc)

	Found at Drive Slow (Feat Kanye West Glc) on KOhit.net

Graffiti Artist Swoon does Murals for St. Louis

2011-03-31T21:09:00.001-05:00

I really would like to have heard Swoon speak for the SGCI Conference, here in St. Louis, Missouri. Too bad I was in Austin that weekend (having the time of my life). On an up note, Swoon was rewarded the Community Engagement Award during her time in town. Below is a video showcasing her contribution to us.

Information courtesy of St. Louis Art Map.

Works by Swoon

[source]

Green Heart Photography//Tragic Lindsay-Pt. 2

2011-03-31T18:59:00.005-05:00

“I don't at all like knowing what people say of me behind my back. It makes me far too conceited.”

More Green Heart Posts:

Tragic Lindsay-Pt. One

Vintage Summer-Pt. One

Vintage Summer-Pt. Two

Stylings

Ziezo Boutique St. Louis,

Ashlee B, Sarah S,
and Jessica Moore.

Models:

Ashlee B and Sarah S

Reached out to Apricot Tea

2011-03-30T04:23:00.005-05:00

[source]

The other day, I was told that my blog was similar to Apricot Tea-a memoir blog run by a woman named Ev'Yan. Intrigued by her and her huge following, I reached out to her and asked for some feedback on GLN. I hope we make a good connection.

Check out Ev'Yan's newer project Sex, Love, and Liberation, where her mission is to liberate others into loving themselves, owning their sensuality, and encouraging them to be beautifully conscious creatures. Om.

P.s. I say "om" because it is the sound of vibration, is soothing, and is defined as 'yes' in Dravidian.

TED with JR//Changing Perception

2011-03-28T14:05:00.000-05:00

I first heard about JR in 2007. That's when I spent a lot of time looking at various work Online. From the first moment I saw his large scale street installations, I knew that he was doing something innovative, freeing, and captivating. It didn't occur to me then, but his work is also quite political-a fact about his work that I never heard him discuss. Until now.

Below is a video featuring JR as a guest speaker at TED-an intellectual conference held to highlight new measures in Technology, Entertainment, and Design. In it he tells us about the history behind his street art and exposes how to do what GLN strives to do: using art to turn the world inside out.

+guerrilla love nest+

GLN Discontinued

KARMALOOP X GuERRILLA LOVE NEST//WeSC Graffitti

Insomniatic Rant//Confessions of a Goofball

The Chalk Boys//Video X BBQ

Drink à La Mode//Virgin Shirley Candy Buttons

Tears Before Coffee//What We Can Learn From Dogs

Lover Songs//Incubus-Stellar

it's my blog and i'll talk shit if i want to

22 Going On Six

Growing's Not a Problem

Back from Hiatus//10 Cures for a Cold

Thy Thoughts be Fruitfall Seed

Regional Love//Chicago and G.O.D. Jewels

C O N F I D E N C E

I Heart Basquiat//The SAMO© Tags of The 70s

4 10 2011

Kids Rock Cancer//Music Therapy Helps Kids

Electric Love

Green Heart Photography//Tragic Lindsay-Pt. 3

Guerrilla Goals//Before I Die by Candy Change

Meeting GLC

Graffiti Artist Swoon does Murals for St. Louis

Green Heart Photography//Tragic Lindsay-Pt. 2

Reached out to Apricot Tea

TED with JR//Changing Perception