Running and Passing.

Print media still very much alive. However, I’m definitely printing more of my own media.

Web based articles and essays printed for personal consumption.

Amount paid directly to content producers and media sources? $0.00. Who receives my payments? The printer manufacturer, paper company, and my Internet Service Provider. Somewhere down the line advertising likely supported the distribution, but by utilizing an Adblock plugin or a tweaked HOST file I can keep online marketing to a minimum.

I consume a majority of my written media online. For long form online reading, I’d highly recommend the Readability script from Arc90. It removes clutter and provides a tweak-able, more direct online reading experience. You can use the Readability script in any browser, but a Firefox Add-on and Chrome Extension are also available.

Also, lookout for content option+sharing boxes such as the one of the right courtesy of the New York Times. Some sites provide printer-friendly versions of their content, which can be just as beneficial for streamlining screen based consumption. Clicking the print option won’t actually cause the content to be printed, rather it will apply a print friendly stylesheet to the current page, effectively clearing it of header, footer, sidebar and any extraneous graphics.

On Black Friday, 200+ animal right supporters rallied in Portland, OR calling for an end to animal cruelty in the fashion industry. Organized by the Portland branch of In Defense of Animals, supporters followed a police escort through the downtown streets making brief stops Nordstroms, Unger Furs, Macy’s and Sac’s Fifth Avenue. At each stop, Matt Rossell, of In Defense of Animals, spoke briefly on the plight of animals and the businesses involved in furthering their suffering.

60 dead minks, one fur coat.
20 dead beavers, one fur coat.
30 dead raccoons, one fur coat.
10 dead foxes, one fur coat.

I am proud to support the efforts of In Defense of Animals, Mercy for Animals and other organizations promoting a vegetarian/vegan diet and bent on ending the mistreatment of animals.

This past Thursday, I participated in a free vegan Thanksgiving dinner aimed at feeding those in needs as well as supporting the local veggie community. The event was hosted at the Trinity United Methodist Church in SE Portland. We had a great volunteer turnout and the community was very receptive. The main course consisted of Seitan “Turkey”, a killer sweet potato casserole with pecan topping , and the usual array of holiday fixings. The event was hosted in conjunction with Northwest Veg and received sponsorship/donations from Bob’s Red Mill, People’s Co-Op, Limbo Market, Stash Tea, VegFund, WayFare Foods, and Herbivore Clothing.  Some leftovers went home with volunteers and diners, but the majority of the remaining food was donated to the Portland chapter of Food Not Bombs.

I’ve discovered that I’m a big fan of time-based and location sensitive creative works.  The idea of ouside restraints and the potential for psychological (and physical) isolation elevates the senses to extreme levels. The following is an excerpt from an article about musician Phil Elverum and this residency / production at the Portland White Stag building.

“Elverum, the Anacortes, Washington-based songwriter who records a kind of haunted folk music as Mount Eerie, is in Portland for the second day of his week-long residency at White Stag to write and record a piece of music about the building…”

“Even when I’m on tour, I’m always trying to recreate this feeling [of my home],” he says. In fact, in 2004, Elverum shed his previous moniker, the Microphones, for Mount Eerie (adding an extra “e” to both his last name, formerly Elvrum, and the mountain’s in the process). “I realized I was writing so much about a specific place that I finally said, ‘Fuck it—I’ll just embody it.’”

Read the full article @ Portland Mercury – Grave Architecture : Mount Eerie Writes the Myth of White Stag

Lens Culture just posted a revamped version of their photographer interviews that date back to 2004. From the site… “Since 2004, Lens Culture has recorded audio interviews and conversations with some of the most interesting and thought-provoking photographers around the world. It’s great to hear these articulate artists speaking directly about their own work — and sharing their ideas about photography in general.”

As part of the Spring 2009 Photolucida in Portland, Oregon, I had opportunity to hear Abelardo Morell talk about his work, life, and influences. I recommend listening to Morell interview, as well as the Joan Fontcuberta interview.

Freelancin’ Noise Pop courteous of Impose Mag. With the first couple days behind us, we lie in wait for a big Saturday night and the grand finale on Sunday await. Best band thus far?Afternoons followed by Odawas.  Both played the Cafe Du Nord on Friday night, opening for Port O’Brien. I mugged one of those star-shit-grins throughout the Afternoons set.  They were very high energy, but I don’t know if they are able to translate that in the studio.  I may have to search out a some live recordings.

The first couple posts from the festival are up.  We live blogged the Apple Store show, which was a blast.
Peep it….. more to come.
Thursday, Feburary 27th, 2009 – Noise Pop: Kool Keith at Mezzanine, San Francisco CA (NSFW)

Saturday, Feburary 28th , 2009 – Noise Pop: Live @ the Apple Store