Got a light?

You have probably already heard of Ardi, the smoking toddler that the media has so affectionately nicknamed, the Marlboro Boy. I guess Indonesian names are too hard for them to pronounce...Well it turns out that we're from the same island - Sumatra represent! You see, I'm constantly being lectured about how much I smoke but hopefully my friends will now see that it simply cannot be helped. It's totally ingrained in my culture which CBS News has just confirmed in this oh so very informative news clip.



Thanks CBS News, you're so totally right about Indonesia's failure to educate it's population. Did you ever consider that maybe, just maybe, that's because they're too busy being one of the poorest fucking countries in the world? I'm not saying that it's right that this kid smokes, but this kind of "news coverage" is exploitative. It exists as a form of entertainment and to make white people feel even more superior than they already do. Is this what it’s gonna take to get Indonesia on the map? A smoking baby? For as long as I can remember people have asked me where I’m from. When I told them, they would always ask me where Indonesia was. This didn't only happen in Canada but even on my travels to the States and beyond. When the Tsunami hit and was all over the news, I thought I would never have to answer that question again. I was wrong. People mainly focused on India, Thailand and Sri Lanka despite the fact that far more people died in Indonesia. Then Obama was elected. Given all of his personal ties to Indonesia, I thought finally! Wrong again. I still had people ask me, “Did you say Malaysia?” or even worse, “Are you sure you don’t mean Polynesia?” Jesus fucking Christ, right? So then comes along tree man, this Indonesian guy completely covered in fucked up warts. Not a great thing to have your country associated with but it’s a hell of a lot better than this! A fat two year old who smokes 40 cigs a day…I would prefer that the country I am proud to say I was born in remain neglected rather than exploited in this way. Don't mistake patronization for genuine concern.

Fashion Icons

I'm pretty clueless/lazy/unoriginal when it comes to fashion but somehow I occasionally get compliments on what I wear. Instead of taking any credit, I just tell people who I copied that day. I have three fashion icons that I always refer to when I'm out shopping and I thought it was about time that I pay tribute to them. While one of them is a well known actress, a lot of people don't seem to know who the other two are whenever I mention their names. So here they are in no particular order!

Taylor Jacobson - Stylist

'I die' for Taylor! She's always rocking my favourites - flannel, denim, leather and leopard print. To add some tszuj to her look, she plays with gold jewelry. Her trademark accessories are her over sized ray bans and her gold rolex. She always looks effortlessly chic and edgy. I love her the most when she's dressed down but even when she dresses up she still somehow looks like a bad ass.











Rachel Bilson - Actress

Rachel Bilson makes a good fashion icon because her style is easy to follow! It also helps that she's short like me so whatever she wears will mostly likely look good on myself and other girls who are shorter or of average height. Her clothes are fairly basic so I'm constantly discovering new ways to wear what I already own. I especially love the way she layers with jackets and scarves. I would describe her style as casual chic.











Va$htie Kola - Fashion Designer, Music Video Director, Party Promoter, Downtown's Sweetheart etc...

While I love and copy all three of my fashion icons equally, if I had had had to pick a favourite it would probably be Vashtie. This is because her sense of style more closely resembles my own. Her fashion sense is all about balance. If she's wearing something tight, she will pair it with something baggy. She also shares my love for flannel and denim shirts, hoodies, ray bans, tennis shoes and biker boots. Her idea of dressing up is throwing a blazer or leather jacket over a t-shirt, which is exactly what a lazy tomboy like myself does!

It's Bigger Than Hip Hop

I am officially exhausted from this past weekend. I ended up destroying my regular sleep routine due to the NXNE madness. While I was happy to watch many of my friends play (shout outs to Action Makes, Drunk Woman and Another Blue Door!) I was the most excited for the free De La Soul show at Yonge-Dundas Square. Unfortunately, it was pretty disappointing. A lot of it had to do with the lame audience. People brought baby strollers and their dogs which made it hard for die hard fans to bum rush the stage and show their appreciation for such a legendary group. There was some hand waving and the occasional fist pump here and there but it was pretty pathetic and De La Soul definitely noticed. They kept stopping and restarting songs in an attempt to garner more energy from the crowd but it just wasn't happening, no matter how many times they screamed, "Come on party people!" Mind you, they did have to contend with the MMVA's taking place near by and sadly kids these days would rather see Justin Bieber and Drake. Anyhow, some highlights of the night for me included seeing one of my favourite DJ's Skratch Bastid in the crowd. I've met him in the past and he's a real nice guy, but I was too nervous to say hello this time around...Another highlight was when De La Soul gave props to local hip hoppers Kardinal Offishall and Choclair. I missed this part of the show but apparently Kardinal was hanging out beside the stage and poked his head out a few times but quickly disappeared. Too bad he didn't join them to drop a verse or two. And speaking of Kardinal, my other favourite DJ Willis (who also happens to my brother) is opening up for him this weekend in Timmins.
Hopefully the Timmins audience will know how to show their appreciation for some real hip hop and leave their fucking babies at home. On that note, here's an oldie but a goodie from 2004.

Drunk History

Last night my good pal Jesse introduced me to the Drunk History series which features inebriated people recounting historical events. The events are re-enacted by famous actors who actually lip-synch to the drunken narration! The brilliant concept came from Derek Waters who is the production assistant for the Sarah Silverman show. Speaking of female comedians, Jen Kirkman narrates volume 3 and 5 of the series and they are by far the best two! The historical accuracy is quite impressive but this should come as no surprise as Kirkman is a brilliant woman. Check out some of her stand up. I especially like her bit about female masturbation.

"Like jagged pieces of steel dipped in chocolate"

Check out Q-tip reminiscing about the recording of Scenario with Leaders of the New School. Best Charlie Brown and Busta Rhymes impressions ever.

Life is better

This video is so cute, it makes me sick. It's a perfect pick me up on a rainy day like today. I've never been a Norah Jones fan but after she made cameos on Andre 3000's The Love below and Q-Tip's Renaissance album, I decided to forgive her for that awful come away with me song. Enjoy!

ICONS

On a recent bizznizz trip to New York, I stopped by the Mr. Brainwash ICONS show in the Meatpacking District. I'll be the first to admit that I know nothing about art but I really liked this show despite some of the negative criticism it has received. Some have commented on the striking resemblance to Banksy, while others speculate that Mr. Brainwash is Banksy. Who cares, right? So as the name states, the show revolves around cultural icons. I scored some free autographed posters of some of my favourite pieces like Kate Moss, Charlie Chaplin and Eric Campbell and the Beatles with their faces painted like the members of Kiss! The show is up until May 31 so if you're in New York before then, check it out. If you can't make it, enjoy these pictures (taken by my friend and colleague Joey Ignacio)