Thursday, October 6, 2011






Phenomenal people have lived and passed on like Steve Jobs and many people will write about him and wax nostalgic ( I've always wanted to use that phrase but now its anti-climatic) finding lessons and meanings for themselves in things he's said. I myself am not immune to the worldwide gasping and reflection. I never knew the man. Not in the remotest bit, nor his history, but I do remember being in grade school where we used an old dirty-cream Apple desktop computer with its rainbow colored apple symbol used back then. I also recall being somewhat reintroduced to Macintosh by a boyfriend in 1997 and that was the point at which I knew there was something special about a Mac. Not because of him but because using a Mac gives you a feeling, a feeling like you can do something. Like you can make something, like you, even you, are intelligent enough to use this. It's conscientious computing, with a personality, with a 'soul'. It is the innovator's computer - it thinks the way we do - full of ourselves and introspective, always searching for meaning. Although I wasn't wise enough at that young age to know that I should purchase stocks in Apple, I put stock in Mac as a computer I trusted to own.

At the time, I also was unaware that Steve Jobs had just been rejoined to Apple. Subsequently, the breakthrough came and suddenly Apple reemerged, shaking off the dust and back in black (white) like never before. Bringing out their Ipods, pads and aspiring to turn laptops into thin air. I was jealous, but only because they monopolized everything. I couldn't stand their Agreements and felt forced  like a captive slave to agree to their terms. I resented their order and know it all technology whilst everyone else was constantly trying to keep up. I grew suspicious of them and yet in 2009 I settled on getting a laptop and where else would I go for the simplicity of having a worry free computer experience? Apple of course! Even so, I can still see room for improvement. When something unimaginable is realized, the mind then becomes rabid with ideas and one is able to conceive of what seemed to be impossible before.

Now the task will fall on someone new. Some new innovator stepping in to fill giant shoes. Steve Jobs knew this when he said
"...Death...is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you , but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away."
I found a common thought process with the man, nothing special I'm sure many people do in that he used death as a motivator and aid in decision making. I found other thoughts in common with him now. When before, I never had the time to be interested in anything he had to say. But that's always the case with us fickle beings. I think part of the reason I looked at his quotes now was to see how he thought but that probably would just be one aspect of what everyone thinks he is. Thinking changes with time and I'm sure he'd be abashed to see some of the quotes being posted having fallen from his mouth. I enjoyed some of the quotes such as
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma."
Today we have coined a new job title - Innovator. I can see job postings now offering such position and a job description carved from the stylings of Jobs' workload. These are the people we 'hate' and admire -The ones who live, learn and work according to their own methods, unconventionally. They dare to be in your face whether you like it or not because they are out to make money and feed their families! Steve Jobs will be remembered by many not only in his creations but because after you realize 'the man' you realize he was, and will remain an inspiration to the not so mainstream thinkers and underdogs.

I have long held my jealousy and resentment for Apple since their resurgence, boycotting their products (as I type on my Macbook) and avoiding the pod crazes and appleworld media reports. Yet when I heard of Jobs' step down from his position in August, I knew something was up. Upon his death my reaction was shock and uneasiness of sorts, for what, I wasn't sure. But then uncertainty comes with change. I'm sure the people at Apple feel the same. No matter how much you dislike a person their taking the helm and steering the ship is respected and you follow, however grumpily. That uneasiness must have been what the masses felt when Alexander the great was killed and all the power fell to his generals. It is left to be seen what road Apple will take from here and what it will become, if anything else.





In the wake of his death I couldn't help asking the views of everyone I encountered what their thoughts were on his passing. Here are some of the varying responses I received:-


"He was truly an exceptional man. It's a great loss"
"Oh well, there will be more people like him. He was not the only smart person alive"
"What do you think about Jesus dying?"
"I just hope Apple can continue to make and sell the same great products"
"Like these chickens, he's just sleeping" 
"Sad...I think it's so sad. He was still young" 
"He was born the same year as my mom, so I think that is way too young" 
 "I just hope it will slow Mac sales. It's unfortunate but I'm not overly concerned"

The Merchant of Venice

When I saw it earlier this year and when I originally wrote this review the production was a modern day version of Shakespeare's play refurbished with jocks, blondes, 5 inch heels, cell phones, Macbooks, flat screens and arcade voices. The stock-market tickers they used were actually more fitting than all of that. The only thing that kept me in my seat was the dialogue. I love reading and hearing the sweet speech of Shakespeare. People knew how to express themselves back then - 'If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes' palaces'. Seeing the words and scenes in action was also a bit of a plus but I expected lavish sets replete with Ivory columns and victorian bannisters not wrought iron scaffolding and costumes resplendent in royal reds, lace, jeweled pastel frocks, fringes, emerald greens, gilding, curled leather shoes and gold buckles and hats with feathers. Not S and M looking strappy heels and a Filene's basement recall linen sheath. Oh well, oh well... Nevertheless the acting was humorous and attentive. I'd like to make an argument however, that if the play was so brave as to bring a modern spin on the issue then why not do away also with the stereotypical social casting of black servants? I have an acquaintance who talks about nothing else than how much the issue of race still hangs heavier in Boston than many other US cities and I usually tire of the squawks but I have to say the more I see things like this it makes me ponder the truths in the squawks and psychological roots of the problem that persists (see Shades of White Ray as a non-partisan reference)
I know I've seen the play before but this time as if for the first time I felt torn between reproach and pity for Shylock the evident protagonist played by F. Murray Abraham. The harsh treatment he received was not tempered in any way in this play. It really felt like he was an outcast and even cast aside by his daughter which I thought strangely how for the casting of characters she looked more like the blonde set than her Jewish father. Overall the Emerson filled and staffed theatre and play appealed to the cyber age. People who get excited when they see apples and xboxes. In the end I wished I went to a real play.








Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Un an! et plus

So my blog hit a year without an audience or at least one that shows itself. I only just noticed and I don't mind really because it's like that feeling of freedom when you think no one is looking. You sing loudly and dance, furtively swaying your hips and head wildly. Although I have been trying to learn more from veteran bloggers and surprisingly they are all extremely young, I dare say babes! A little late on the bandwagon I discovered Tavi Gevinson 15 year old blogger of the style rookie and rookie. She  has effortlessly shot up the popularity ladder. After pondering her success I am more convinced that life begins, crests and recedes before we turn 30... and there it goes. See it in the sunset? Missed like a shooting star.
Equipping our kids with a good start is extremely detrimental these days, heck, their competition is lying right next to them in the nursery at birth. In fact from the time they roll over they should recognize that the other kids in daycare are their potential customer base and their audience. But seriously, kids like Gevinson have adapted to their surroundings and learned to market what they know to who they know, doing what comes naturally and accepting who they are (at least in the beginning). I was never a business woman in my early years but I was always an innovator style wise by necessity. I always thought I'd be in music and fashion and so it comes out in my topics a lot. In the meantime hats off to Tavi and her ilk. May they take advantage of these years to benefit themselves. I will clink my champagne glass to myself -because I'm older than 21 and will find any excuse to drink champagne- for continuing the bollogness!
When you get here you can celebrate with me although it's nice to know you work alone!

Music by mood

Someone needs to invest in marketing music by mood. I would do it, except the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world are the ones who really benefit from these ideas. Isn't it true that depending on your mood you'll have a bout of motivation to purchase a collection of music? With my vastly varying degrees of numbness it happens infrequently but it happens nonetheless. I recently purchased Jesca Hoop's Hunting my dress and paired it with Brandi Carlisle's Give up the ghost and Jessica Mayfield's Tell me. They're experimental, inventive, reflective and slightly melancholy bordering on Kate Bush. That's about my second general mode, my modus operandi usually being that of angst but there have been occasions facilitating the purchase of Black eyed peas or Sean Paul numbers. It would be easier  to visit Amazon and step into a music genre if you're feeling happy, jilted or on a world deterioration rant for example. In the meantime I am determined that I want to remake this inspirational Kate Bush song - Cloudbusting into something with more angst-like beats.



And why is it that these days most music lack that feel good rush of excitement and adrenaline? Think  


I guess what could be more adrenaline inducing than jumping out an airplane than sex right? Apparently it sells. I know that mood genre would be flying off the shelves anytime all the time. Well if they at least took the time to stop and consider what music they wanted in the bedroom.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Shades of White Ray

tt0886531.jpgI recently saw a movie called Shades of Ray in which the writers tried to make a plight out of young americans of Paskistani and caucasian heritage trying to deal with traditional expectations while wanting to fit in. After watching it I would say there are more strongly held reservations preventing socializing to the point of commitment between caucasians and other races than I'd like to think but for some reason this movie felt it was ok to continue the idea and embellished upon it that somehow the main character should have been more acceptable being half white while he was told by his Pakistani father not to marry "Blacks", Chinese or Jews. The movie was funny as hell but maybe it was too lopsided in its views. Plus it addressed a minute group of cultural issues. Note I did not say insignificant. I did like the fact that in the end he embraced his pakistani side for monetary gain and career advancement because in the end capitalism wins out.