LUCHA

Rockin the purple & pink & black crackle & teal & gold & silver glitter & chipped nail polish today. It looked rad as a fresh manicure... now that it's "stale" I'm actually growing more in love with it, even though it's chipping away.

To you, it might look awful. To me, it reminds me of a sweet weekend I got to spend with my niece, hookin' her auntie up with a rockin' manicure while in the hospital!

We hung out alllllllll weekend in her little hospital room. By the time we arrived (me, my dad and other sixteen year old niece), she had already been there for ten days. (It's of the worst-case-scenario-you-don't-want-your-kid-goin-to-a-hospital-and-learning-of-a-disease sort). But she's one tough thirteen year old! This week, she got to go home, is able to eat, and continues to get better...in the company of her family and in her own bed, rather than being connected to machines in a cold hospital room. Thanks and much love to everyone for all of the ongoing prayers! She continues to get better every day and things are looking really good and positive. 

So... I LOVE my week-old, chipping, every-bright-color-there-is, glittery nails...

Tomorrow's mission: Actually get out of my  PJ's and to be at least 300% more productive.

Until then, I'll spend the rest of my day reading and drinking tea. 

It sure does feel good

getting out of a straight FUNK,

being in the sun,

Empire of the Sun.

Walking on a Dream. 

Is it real now...

Artificial Paradise.

To bad it's Fall and not Spring! 

Click me for "Don't Push My Buttons." Words by A-Trak.

I'm a big fan of A-Trak. He's talented. Smart. Knows what he's doing. And, knows what he's talking about. What a great piece. I honestly didn't know of him during the days he won the DMC titles when he was super young, but when I learned that later, it just commanded that much more respect--not in an explicit way, but in a way that honors his background and contribution to the music of our generation. Also, there was a recent piece in the NYT about siblings who are the movers and shakers of New York--he's on the list with his bro. They're effing amazing, yo..as artists, scholars, and overall people. (Read article here)

Music is an art form, and artists have always argued what is and what isn't art since the beginning of its introduction as an element/artifact in what defines culture. Some of these so-called artists get mass followers, and some of them let it validate that they must be doing something right--as a result, they might let it define them. I think it's good for people to come together, bringing new definition...but at the same time, I believe that we have to honor the work that our elders did that's allowing us to bring these new definitions into culture in the first place. In reality, today (and likely always), the majority of followers come from a place of unawareness and lack of knowledge. Not only is it important for these elders to pass on their knowledge from a place of experience and awareness, but it's important that we, as learners, fans, patrons, and yes, even followers, listen and learn from them and *many* other sources, allowing us to discern from a knowledgeable standpoint on whom we follow...whom we honor, as well as their roles and contributions... And, additionally...whom we dismiss.

It sucks when artists, or anyone for that matter, argue from a place of unawareness or to simply be defensive...or to cover up that they, in reality, don't even come from a place of awareness, experience and knowledge to begin with. It sucks even more when they have a large following, so their [unaware] followers continue to support them...it's a nasty cycle.

I guess all we can do is learn for ourselves and be critical, objective thinkers...and supporters... 

Eventually to become...

Elders ourselves.

What you wont do. 

Do for love. 

Don't forget to: Press play.

Listen for:  the way the lyrics become the beat at 2:13