Corporate Graffiti

Recently there has a been a hype over the removal of the extremely large, can-not-miss, horrendous, in-your-face, monstrosity of ads that have been surfacing up like rabbits throughout our City of Angels.

If many aren't aware, and presumptuously am certain many aren't, these "graffiti tactic" type ads are completely illegal. Yes people - ILLEGAL.

"OMG!! what are you talking about Galo? How can a billboard from a reputable company be illegal?" (in sarcastic tone)

Glad you ask. Well it's simple, their approach is pretty clever. A marketing type company scouts for a space (a building) to "hit up", once found they contact the realtor or owner, persuades them for X amount of dollars to rent or lease the space, generates a large ugly digital print known as "supergraphics" and has them installed, on the building for us to be bombarded with its imagery and be seen every morning while we either drive to work or every evening while we drive home. And just like graffiti, the larger the better and the more up the more seen.

"But Galo, these people are paying for this space! how can it be? and how does that make it illegal?" (in now inquisitve tone)

Well...that's a great question. Let me explain. You see young one, these ads are illegal because they are placed randomly throughout the city without the approval of Board of Building and Safety Commissioners hence without any approval - translation = illegal

Any kind of billboard ad(s) or sign(s) or even murals have to go through a very extensive approval process. The surrounding community plays a significant role as well. They have to be notified! very much so as a filming crew notifying you that they will be filming in your neighborhood. And if that was not enough, the ward councillor also needs to be notified and okay it as well. In addition, there are numerous other forms of approvals to go through through the city.

These companies simply found a new way to "get-up" while going or getting around the sign and ad law act. And it doesn't stop there! oh no no no no - it branches out to those poster type billboards you see on the side of stores or buildings. Those are...Illegal. Posting bills as those seen on construction sites those too are illegal. Even some of the billboards that are on top of some buildings are illegal. The owner just decided to build a billboard space and charge corporations for their ads. Ilelegal illegal illegal.

Very much like a graffiti artist defending their graff as free speech, these companies also defend them as free speech and say city leaders are discriminating against them by forbidding them from posting or installing these "supergraphics". HA! that cracks me up. I wonder what kind of punishment they receive. Similar to one as a graffiti writer? I think not!

All this sounds pretty much like graffiti to me. It has the same undertones, same principal, same tactic, same objective, same approach, same accomplishment. The only difference? one is "corporate" and the other?? well we know what is said.

Graffiti is always cast as an "urban blight" - but peeps, an ad where an almost nude 50 foot man in underwear advertising a cologne that I do not wear is an "urban blight" to me. Why would I want to see that? Do you enjoy it? I am sure most don't and like graffiti is to many a nuisance these corporate ads are a nuisance to many. To me at least.

Anyways - here's a little billboard for corporate America!!



have a great weekend all.

Sleep Troubled Nights

Well not necessarily

Troubled

I just couldn't think of another word that began with the letter T that can be used for STN while describing my Sleepless Nights. so many T's make it so negative. Sleepless Tough Nights, Sleepless Terrible Nights, Sleepless Turbulent Nights, Sleepless....eeeeh.

Anyways - I was heading down Sunset yesterday and saw Never Sleep written across a yellow truck. I should have taken a picture but when I read it - it hit me. yeah...Never Sleep!!...It inspired me! Funny how a simple "tag" a on a truck, a vandalized truck, something so looked down upon, can actually inspire you and motivate you.

So I just wanted to say Sleepless Nights for me this year. I am gonna be on Never Sleep mode for this year and hopefully for a couple more.

I have a lot of work this year, which is good, not complaining, but I want to do more and if I want to do more I gotta sleep less (and even socialize less) - screw it...I am almost hitting 40, yes people 40, and I have so many ideas, things I wanna do and accomplish, goals I wanna achieve that I just need to tighten my belt and grind on them. It may very well require Sleepless Nights.

This whole thing reminds me of a poem written by a great poet named - Mary Oliver

"The grass never sleeps.
Or the roses.
Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning."

excerpt from The Grass Never Sleeps

I am the grass. I am the ROSE - I AM NO SLEEP!!

peace

Breakin is not a memory

It's Saturday and I am ready for the weekend. Looks like it will turn out to be a great day but any day I am not pushing up Daisies is great for me.

So Ima try to get out, since I can now, and head to the theatre today, or some time this weekend. Not to go watch a typical blockbuster type movie that lacks substance, is overfilled with explosions, has unnecessary almost irrelevant sex scenes, has minimal mental stimulation, has no artistic creative flare or touch to it but to go watch Planet B-Boy a movie by Benson Lee.

Well it's more a documentary than an actual film. A documentary that focuses on the ever evolving movement and current scene of breakdancing mostly known as B-Boying. Yes people, breakdancing!! Please don't call it a comeback!! because it's been here for years. Just cause it is not in

"THE LIMELIGHT"

of the media attention like back in the 80's does not mean it's a fad that came and is now gone. It just went back to it's natural roots.

Anyhow - Planet B-Boy combines breaking scenes with interviews and some old-school footage that I anticipate will be nostalgic for me. The film goes throughout the "planet" to capture the phenomenon of breakdancing and how it has advanced from its early stages of breaking on street corners or cardboard boxes.

If you go watch this film, I am sure you will get an eye treat full of power moves, complex freezes and pozes, amazing acrobatics and fancy footwork that I am sure will leave you mesmerized and will have you going back home trying to break.

Here's a little trailer of the film. It has a couple of scenes of one of my favorite breakdancers from Japan in t he begining. Love the scene. I also dig the train scene too.



here's a little something something too.....



yeaaaaah...ya'll didn't know I can bust huh?

alright ya'll gotta go - Hannah Montana is on.

places to go watch it:

Laemmle's One Colorado
42 Miller Alley
Old Pasadena, CA
www.laemmle.com

Imaginasian Center
251 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA
www.theimaginasian.com

FRIENDS

I was about to log off, drink some hot chocolate and watch Seinfeld when I thought of this song. I was like yeaaaaah. So I thought I'd share it with you. Great lyrics and great beats.

I remember seeing Whodini at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles. It was for The Raising Hell Concert 1986. On the bill: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Ice T, Whodini and some others I don't remember - The Beastie Boys were supposed to be there but was a no show for this part of the tour.

I went with friends Easie (R.I.P) and Minus (R.I.P) I couldn't find a good video for the song nor any footage of the concert but here is a video of live performance of the song. CHECK THE LYRICS BELOW



Friends
Is a word we use everyday
Most the time we use it in the wrong way
Now you can look the word up, again and again
But the dictionary doesnt know the meaning of friends

And if you ask me, you know, I couldnt be much help
Because A friend is somebody you judge for yourself
Some are ok, and they treat you real cool
But some mistake kindness for bein' a fool

We like to be with some, because they're funny
Others come around when they need some money
Some you grew up with, around the way
And you're still real close too this very day

Homeboys through the Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall
And then there's some we wish we never knew at all
And this list goes on, again and again
But these are the people that we call friends

"Check Is In The Mail"

They say that the “root of all evil is money” but that is a misquote. It’s actually “the love” of money that is the “root” of evil. And not that money itself is evil but the love of it may lead to evil actions. There are two things in life we love most Self and Money. They pretty much go hand-in-hand and we are willing to do anything for both.

Now - I’ve lost many friends over money as well as have had many relationships tarnished over petty amounts. Whether it’s been friends promising to pay me back and not paying me or lack of fulfilling and/or honoring their half of our verbal agreement. Some being evasive, not returning calls, screening calls etc. Some of them that have owed me money have blatantly sported new threads in my presence, bought fresh new phones (i.e. IPhone), had lavish parties and BBQs while still having the audacity to invite me.

Now is this necessarily evil?…I don’t know – but it sure makes me think it can be. Think about it. One who doesn't pay lies and deceits a friend. Betrays trust. Not only that, but opens the doors for anger and resentment to give birth. In addition, not paying back as agreed may very well place the loaner in a bad financial situation because he or she may have been counting on that money. Which, dependent on the amount, can have a detrimental domino affect on their life.

Now I ain't saying to not lend money to friends or family members. Sometimes friends or family are in a financial jam and are actually good for the money. But I am referring to those that aren't or may not be.

If you do decide to lend money - make sure you can afford to loose it. If you have a verbal agreement, make sure you articulate well the payment arrangements.

All I know is that when I have borrowed money – I come through. I make sure I pay. If I owe someone 100 bucks and all I have is a $100 then I strap myself and pay those $100. I believe being a man of your word determines who you are and really measures you as a person as opposed to the level or amount of money you have or make. That to me is the world’s system. In addition, coming through with your word nourishes a relationship and strengthens trust. THAT? money cannot buy. This is also in light of "loving thy neighbor" - putting them before your own selfish needs or desires.

On that note I leave you with these:

A modern day proverb says: “Want to never see a friend again? Lend them $20”

Another “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend.” - by the great W. Shakespeare

And for you Bible readers out there (clearing my throat):
Proverbs 6:1-5

I also leave you with this great song by Divine Sounds -



And remember – “the check is in the mail”