Blue

Figuratively blue, read below.

ZINE IN THE WORKS

I’m putting together a literary/visual arts journal that will feature works by aspiring/professional writers, photographers, illustrators, musicians etc. Each issue’s theme will relate to understated (and sometimes overstated) human experiences. It’s a cognitive examination of how we feel and why we feel. It’s an opportunity to commiserate and celebrate with others creatively (and anonymously, if you’d prefer…)

The first issue is called “How to Say Goodbye”. It is inspired by stories of loss, regret, guilt and the emotional implosion of break-ups and unrequited love. Fiction/non-fiction/funny/sad all apply. The main criterion is that your work is your own.

Please pass this along to interested parties and other creative minds. Contributors will receive a free copy of the zine/journal (sorry I can’t monetarily reimburse your for your contribution! How recessionista of me…) Deadline will be: April 6 (Monday), deadline extended.

Thanks so much!

Diane /  Phishsos@hotmail.com

Yellow

Lovett/Codagnone I Only Want You To Love Me, 2004

The complexity of human relationships spelled out in neon. I wish my feelings could be transcribed in neon too. Instead, they seem to gravitate towards invisible ink.

-
via Sarah Meltzer Gallery
DC

Brown

In three weeks, I’ll be at a new place, trying to adapt to a very new living situation. I’m pretty excited! It’ll be nice to have my own bathroom again. I currently live in pretty tiny perfect square of a room, and my new place will accomodate the loads of bullshit I’ve acquired over the years, like my babushka collection, all of my church hats, and my clothes (tearing up right now, folks). The new apartment feels palatial compared to my current home. Of course, I’m been on the hunt for new furniture. The Craigslist gods answered my prayers and delivered this perfect (and cheap) dresser to me.

To paint? Or not to paint? That is the question.

DC

Green

by 914k aka Franco Roncoroni

Every toddler to adolescent girl or boy who was exposed to the inviting- almost too inviting- world of Sanrio, had to have had a Keroppi crush. I know I did. By age 7, I had amassed quite a collection of Keroppi paraphernalia, from pencil boxes to lunch boxes to pencils to bath towels. I was always slightly bitter that Keroppi didn’t have as large a display area in the store as Hello Kitty.

via Sanrio
Keroppi loves adventure, and his bubbly personality makes him popular around Donut Pond. He has a brother called Koroppi and a sister called Pikki. Keroppi is a fantastic swimmer and singer (but not at the same time!)
Real Name Hasunoe Keroppi
Birthday July 10th
Hometown Donut Pond

DC

White

Having grown up in Southern California, specifically the San Gabriel Valley, I have had firsthand experience with “white flight”. This social phenomenon apparently happens in most major US cities when densely populated, middle-class “White” neighborhoods become “overrun” with various minority groups. Historical evidence demonstrates that when urban and sometimes suburban areas are desegregated, the White inhabitants often relocate to other suburbs where they belong in the dominant ethnic make-up.

The San Gabriel Valley is a very interesting example of this demographic turnover. The region was never an urban area and has always been, categorically, suburbia (and prior to, a migrant-worker community). Yet over the course of a century, the demographic transformation happened pretty rapidly, comparable to the one that took place in South Los Angeles in the 60s after the Watts Riots. And while white flight is usually determined by the departure of White inhabitants from urban dwellings to suburbia (because of crime rate increases, desegregations of schools) Susie Ling’s research tells us that the one that took place in the SGV is from a suburb to another suburb, mainly because a new major ethnic group was introduced into the region. .

Growing up, I watched my neighbors change from being mostly Caucasian to mostly Asian. School was the same way- my elementary school experience was dramatically different from my high school one. My social network went from being somewhat ethnically diverse to monoethnic.

As I head east (on the 10 or 60 of course), the evidence of white flight is apparent. The 2000 census tells us that Pomona (about 40 minutes east of the SGV) is comprised of 41.76% White people and 7.20% Asian people (the numbers have shifted by now, of course) to the 21.29% vs. 61.82% respectively (see: Wikipedia). At some point, there will be nowhere for people to “flee” to. But then again, in today’s changing world, people are slowly (SLOWLY) coming to grips with well, the changing–and now very multiethnic–world. Or at least, I hope.

Original art (not sure why it’s relevant, other than the fact that it’s mostly white)
DC