Audacious

Sorry for the delay of new posts. Forgive me? You definitely be overcome with amnesty after you read this post all about my new obsession: Synthesized-Electronica!!! As you can tell, I am über excited to elaborate.

A synthesizer is defined as electronic instrument (usually played with a keyboard) that generates and modifies sounds electronically and can imitate a variety of other musical instruments. One of the first synthesizers, and my personal favorite, is called a Stylophone. Consider the following:



Ha! Brett Domino is such a nerd. I think I love him. ANYWAYS, the historical factuality of that video may be a little whack. Okay, a LOT whack. The TRUE facts are these: the Stylophone was 1967 by Brian Jarvis and manufactured in the UK. Essentially invented for child’s play, the handheld synthesizer has evolved from a toy to popular musical instrument. Yes, it even has its own dictionary definition. Can you say AWESOME? By itself, the synthesized sounds may be migraine-inducing, but when mixed with some bass and background music, you could essentially get your Stylophone to sound like this.



Little Boots is really something isn’t she? You may be wondering what that little lighted square that beats along with her tunes is? That, boys and girls, is called a Tenori-on which is an electronic music creator invented by Japanese artists Toshio Iwai and Yu Nishibori. It has two sides, one where the musician can control the pitch and timing of sounds, and the other to display a lightshow that responds to the sound. The lights flicker on and off in a four four timing with endless combinations. The best feature of the Tenori-on is that it was made for the musically-challenged. It doesn’t take a genius to play around with some LED buttons.

The third stop on our Synthesized-Electronica tour is in fact the Theremin. You may recognize it as the high-pitched background melody on the Beach Boy’s “Good Vibrations” or Star Trek theme song. Although we all may categorize the sound of the Theremin to themes that are futuristic or unknown, the Theremin has been around for quite a long time. In 1922, Russian scientist Lev Sergeyevitch Termen was working in St. Petersburg for Lenin developing ways to locate enemy radio transmitters for communist Russia when he stumbled upon the realization that by moving his hands between the antennae of the transmitter he was working on, it would create an eerie and intriguing sound. How does the Theremin work? The two frequency oscillators produce a sound that is normally higher than the human’s range of hearing, but when interrupted by your hands’ capacitance, alters the frequency thus creating a sound. Super flash right?



Well! I hope this information has been valuable and to your benefit and next time you hear eerie sounds in a science fiction movie, or the synthesized droning of a Stylophone, you’ll say, “Hey! I read a tremendous and outstanding blog post about synthesized-electronica.” All your friends will think you are so smart.

Information Compiled From:

http://www.tompolk.com/Tannerin/Tannerin.html
http://www.theremin-saw.com/theremin.htm
http://www.moogmusic.com/history.php?cat_id=2
http://120years.net/machines/theremin/index.html
http://www.retrothing.com/2006/06/stylophone_odd_.html
http://www.stylophone.fsnet.co.uk/
http://www.shinyshack.com/product.php?prid=211615
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/06/whats-that-sound-stylophone
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/this-gadget-rocks-the-worlds-newest-musical-instrument-791234.html

P.S. If you didn't know what "flash" meant, that's probably because it's part of my new aussie slang I've been using because I'm that cool.

Flash: Adj. Showy, ostentatious.

When you think of the word "mutation" what comes to your mind?
Spiderman? The Hulk? A cow with two heads maybe?

Truth : genetic mutations exist all around us.

If everyone had exact copies of DNA from their parents, think of what life would come to! Everyone would look, act, and be the same. Thankfully, genetic variation exists, causing each and every organism to be completely different to one another.

Fundamentally, we are all genetic mutations, adapted to fit our environments. Research proves that all blue eyed people are related. One person was born freakishly with blue eyes, passed the gene down to his or her children and started a whole new generation of blue eyed mutants! That means that every single blue eyed person in this world is related to Brad Pitt.
Wow! That's a real eye opener. (No pun intended.) (Okay it was intended.)

Let's refer to some everyday mutants we all know and love; starting with Lance Armstrong.

We all recognize Lance Armstrong as the greatest cyclist in the entire world; professional athlete at 16 with Olympic competition as early as 18. Revered founder of Livestrong, and I don't know anyone who doesn't have the yellow wristband. What's his real training secret? An amazing coach and fans all contribute, but the real answer is this: Lance Armstrong's genetic make-up. He has a heart 1/3 larger than an average human, and muscle that naturally accumulates very small amounts of lactic acid. He also has monstrous lung capacity. Twice the size as a normal person! These factors contribute to Armstrong's awe-inspiring endurance level.

Just looking at him through your television, you wouldn't expect something as drastic as a genetic mutation (gasp), but why is it that we all cringe at the name? Mutations are something natural that we shouldn't discourage. People scoffing at the bearded lady from the 1930's freak show. Eyes glued to the screen while watching the odd appearances of people in remote areas of the jungle. In some cultures, genetic mutations are considered punishment for wrong-doings from past lives. This is all terrible and inconsiderate. People have no control over their DNA. You can't wake up one day and say, "Hey I want to grow a tail today," and then poof! You have a tail. No, that's not how it works. In contrast, some people recently have shown the more heroic side of genetic mutations, showcasing peoples' stories, tribulations, and how they have become to accept and deal with their conditions. The television show Extraordinary People is one attempt.

All genetic mutations don't have to be bad though! There are some people who, today, have developed a natural resistance to the disease HIV AIDS. They are helping people with the disease with absolutely no risk of catching the virus themselves. Most Europeans have immunity to certain plagues that have previously killed thousands in their home-countries. I'll bet hardly any of them know of this secret kudo-point of genetic advancement, but it's there; hidden among thousands of other DNA combinations.

Essentially, what I am aiming to communicate is that genetic mutations are more common than we all realize.
They may even be hidden among your own individual genotype!

Information Compiled From:

http://casesblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/does-michael-phelps-have-marfan.html
http://www.biography.com/articles/lance-armstrong-9188901
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5278028/GT1/3584/#storyContinued
http://www.sentientdevelopments.com/2008/08/michael-phelps-natural-transhuman.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/08/can_anyone_spoil_phelps_pool_p.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Fitness-Cardio-Secret-That-Propels-Lance-Armstrong&id=53623
http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080103-hobbit-disease.html

Acupuncture is a system of using needles for medicinal purposes. It is an ancient procedure. By ancient I mean ancient. Specialized acupuncture needles have been found in parts of inner Mongolia that date to around 3000 B.C., but we know that the custom has been in practice since before then.

There are certain points or channels in which blood and “Qi” flow. Qi in Chinese culture is translated as "energy flow." Qi is supposed to pass through certain channels or meridians. These meridians can be reached by inserting severely thin needles into specific points along the body.

When you go to an acupuncturist for treatment, the doctor will ask you questions about your discomfort and conjure an analysis plan. This may include several different visits, or your visit may take only twenty minutes. After your acupuncturist has decided on a certain approach to your healing process, he or she will insert severely this needles into your top layer of skin. The needle's depth genuinely depends on your condition. The most common acupuncture points are located in your hands and feet.

I know what you are thinking, "Why would I want someone sticking needles in my feet!?!?!"

Well!

I have triumphantly interviewed a close family member who has gone through an acupuncture treatment while he was living in Korea. For weeks he had been experiencing lower back pain and had seen several doctors and gone through many medicines. All proved unsuccessful. One of his friends suggested that he visit a local acupuncturists. He told the man exactly what he was feeling. Surprisingly, the needles were small enough to go through his suit. The pricks didn't hurt at all! The two men casually talked for about twenty minutes before the acupuncturists removed the needles. Piece of cake right? That night all his pain had left.

Magic? Luck? Or science?

Acupunctures supports the advances of modern neuroscience. Doctors believe that the acupuncture points stimulate certain nerves that trigger the body's natural pain-killers and even increase your blood flow.

So is it really a bunch of ridiculousness? In my opinion, no. Acupuncture has been reported to cure conditions such as arthritis, pain, and allergies. The assumption that acupuncture can cure problems such as a terrible love life or depression is a little far-fetched though. Research before you get treatment. Ask for recommendations before you go, and always be 100% sure of your treatment before you visit an acupuncturists.

Information Compiled From:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142119.php
http://http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/SA00086
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=256417&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies
Personal Interview

What do you think these totally cutetastic jackets are made of?
Any guesses? Australian wool? Egyptian cotton?
How about recycled umbrellas recovered from New York’s trash bins.

Melanie McClintock is an independent fashion designer based in New York. Her shop, Ai Ai Gasa, is completely eco-friendly. They make all of their items from umbrellas thrown out after a heavy storm. McClintock tries to communicate the urgency of global warming and keeping the earth clean through alternative routes, such as fashion. Her store went on the road last summer with a mobile pop-up shop. Ai Ai Gasa bought a bus to use as an on-the-road boutique, get this, run entirely on recycled food oil from fast food restaurants. Talk about environmentally conscious!

She is definitely a wonderful, kind-hearted person. You would wonder why I would say such a thing right? Well that’s because I’ve met her. Okay not personally but during a pre-fitting for the VCUQ fashion show, she shared dounuts with me. I know right! McClintock was admitted as a teaching assistant at the design school. At the moment, I had no clue that she was a real fashion designer from New York, and now I wish I’d talked to her more.

You are probably asking yourself “How the heck do you make clothes out of umbrellas!?!?” Well let’s go back to square one. During rainstorms in New York, street vendors sell these cheapo five dollar umbrellas to naive tourists. After about fifteen minutes, the wind has torn the poor things apart, forcing the buying to chuck that umbrella and purchase a new one. Completely wasteful, I am horrified. After the storm has deceased, Melanie goes umbrella scouting in the glorious trash cans of New York. There she finds all sorts of trendy umbrella designs. Hauling her possessions back to her apartment, she dismantles, cleans, and presses the umbrellas until they are suitable for clothes-making. After taking them apart, the umbrellas are used just as ordinary fabric to sew and shape as she pleases. Her signature design is the basic bomber jacket, but she also makes handbags, skirts, and even dresses. The leftover bits of the umbrellas are then used to make characterizing jewelry. The best part is, her clothes aren’t outrageously pricey! The next time I am strolling down 5th Avenue on Park Slope, Brooklyn, I’ll be sure to stop by. Hint: You should too.



Information compiled from:

http://www.aiaigasa.com/ <- Ai Ai Gasa Online Store
http://www.handdrawnheart.blogspot.com/ <- McClintock's Personal Blog
http://styledefined.blogspot.com/2008/12/melanie-mcclintock-from-style-defined.html
http://vimeo.com/2528859?pg=embed&sec=
http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/output/page478.asp
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/fashion-foraging-umbrella-apparel.html
http://www.fashion-overload.com/my_weblog/2008/08/bomber-for-a-ra.html
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=local_news&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2009&file=Local_News2009042965849.xml http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/instInfo/inst/14562/contentType/news/nID/4818/lang/1

FASHION!!!

Just hearing that word kind of makes me want to barf a little.
Okay where do I begin…

Every year, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar puts on an annual fashion show, displaying their students designs.
Every year I attend.
Every year I have to laugh at how ridiculous the whole thing is.

The clothes are utterly ludicrous, bedazzled with sequins of every color imaginable. Fake fur, feathers, and spandex litter the dressing rooms. There was even a line of clothes made entirely from umbrellas! As I mentioned before: ridiculous.

Amidst all the tacky glitz and glamour, I have to confess: I kinda sorta love it.

This year, instead of quietly snickering in the audience, I volunteered to work backstage at the fashion show, dressing child models and keeping them in line while they wait for their five seconds of fame. It was honestly a babysitting job but hey, I got paid! All the kids were adorable, with their little purses and glittery eye shadow. Most were fairly polite; either polite, or scared, I couldn’t differentiate. I made a few friends, as much as my meager Arabic could, and hope they weren’t traumatized.

Okay, story time.

So there was this little girl and she was extremely shy. Like so shy that she never talked to anyone and when people would question her name, she’d just like run away or something. That was on the first night. The next day, she was sitting alone watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I plopped down by her and began watching the 1971 movie. Soon, the room was spinning. No! I didn’t pass out or anything, but the painfully shy girl was spinning my chair. I was like “Whoa!” and then I tickled her. After that, we were friends, I held her hand before she was about to go on, and gave her smiles, and helped her find her mommy at the end of the show. I was sad to see her depart, and even sadder when she gave me a final hug. I probably won’t ever see that little girl again, but I think the stress of backstage madness was worth it.

So here are some of my favorite pieces from the fashion show. I hope you don’t get the wrong impression; I love clothes and all that girly crap, just the word “Fashion Show” brings back appalling memories and a gag reflex. It’s sort of a love-hate relationship….with clothes…fashion…whatever.

Credits:
I have received my pictures from either
Here
or
Here

“I hate my hair.”

“Ew, my pores are huge!”

“Do these pants make me look fat?”

All phrases spoken daily in our school’s locker room. I don’t think one of us looks in the mirror thinking, “Oh I look just fabulously attractive today.” And don’t misinterpret, I’m not too squeaky clean either.

The truth: All of us dislike ourselves in one way or another.

Who’s to blame? Hmm...could it be THE MEDIA!?!

Well!

I personally am glad that I live in a country where we don’t have deceitful television commercials. I seriously prefer ones about little cheese triangles and magic potatoes that give you the strength to clean your room. Don’t get me wrong though, we still get our fair share of physical appearance brainwash. You can’t go ten meters of the mall without being coerced to buy perfume that will drive boys crazy or enchanted cream that will give you perfect skin.

Recently I read a teen magazine. I know right? I never do that. But I did.

Oh my goodness.

It was all about how this eyeliner will make you prettier, these shoes will make you taller, this hairspray will give you “to die for” curls. There was even an article about how “everyone needs perfect abs by June.” I just had to stop reading because the only thing it did to me was make me feel depressed, and believe me, that is a pretty hard thing to do.

Now back to the Onslaught video. Wow! At least some people have the right idea! Girls Scouts of America teamed up with Dove to establish a Campaign for Real Beauty. A few years ago American Girl founded on a similar idea when they began to make beauty products for Bath and Body Works. I think it’s great to get the message out and spread the news that our media is affecting little girls. I remember my friends asking me how much I weighed and comparing waist sizes in first grade.

But wait! There’s more:

Now Dove mostly sponsored the ad, and it’s their name on the commercial but Dove soap is manufactured by the Unilever Company. Axe, Sunsilk, Lux, and Slim-fast are all other brands owned by the Unilever Company. All these products use the media in devious ways to persuade you to buy their products.

Examples:

Slim-Fast

Lux Soap

Axe

Sunsilk

All these pictures make you feel like you are not good enough as you are now, and should buy their products to become as perfect as the people in the pictures. All these photos are clearly edited. For one, that picture of Delta Goodrem is very false. Here is a true picture of her.

Now I do admit that Delta Goodrem is an attractive person and a freaking musical genius, but how do you think she feels? How would you like people editing your pictures because you aren't pretty enough for their advertisement?

I could seriously write for hours on this topic but what I'm really trying to say is that all of us girls, and guys, need to stop obsessing over our physical appearance. Everyone is beautiful in their own way.

Credits:

The Dove Onslaught ad was developed at Ogilvy & Mather, Toronto, by creative directors Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk, associate creative directors/copywriters/art directors Tim Piper and Mike Kirkland, art directors Stuart Campbell and Sharon Lee Pan, executive agency producer Brenda Surminski, agency producer Jeff McDougal.

Filming was shot by director Tim Piper with director of photography Marc Laliberte-Else and Ray Dumas via Steam, Canada and Worldwide Productions, Miami. Photography was taken by Mark Belvedere, Tim Piper and Mike Kirkland.

Post production was done at Soho, Toronto and Rogue by online editor Kevin Gibson, editor Tim Piper and producer Stefani Kouverianos, assistant editor Mark Sheehan. Sound was designed at Vapor Music and Sound Design.

The spot features the track, La Breeze, recorded by English electronic rock group Simian.