"We tell ourselves that we need the right setup before we finally buckle down and get serious. Or we tell ourselves that some vacation or time alone will be good for a relationship or an ailment. That is self-deceit at its finest. It’s far better to become pragmatic and adaptable—able to do what we need to do anywhere, anytime. The place to do your work, to live the good life, is here."
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We need things that last
Yesterday my wife went to a party organized by the people who run the kindergarden class my younger daughter is attending. When she came back she texted me that we got a picture of Eve (our girl's Internet nickname). I shrugged, another picture - photographed poorly, in a cheap frame that we will hold for some time and then I'll throw away because I will hate it.
I hate cheap things. My house is filled with stuff - figurines, and statues, and books, and gadgets, but I try to collect and buy things that will last. Cheap things break and are thrown away. Until they do they take space, a space that you could enjoy, or fill with something better. They feel cheap, they are meaningless, and they annoy me. When I came through the door my wife held the picture we received. it was framed in a heavy, tacky frame but it was gorgeous. For the first time I received from school/kindergarden a picture I wanted to hang. The photographer they chose, you could see she loves what she was doing. everything about the image from composition to the processing after it was classy, pleasing to the eye. It was not a cheap mass produced (in the bad way) picture. This was art.
I love ThoughtFull Toys, and they way they think. I love them because, like me, they hate cheap things. They don't want to make a toy you will use and throw away because it broke. They want to create something that will last. They are creating a toy that has a meaning.
I'm supporting The Moddari project, not only because the toy is cool, but also because their toy can really last for a long time. Toys, and any other product should last. There will always be something better, cooler and faster, but that is not the problem. The problem is when the current product is made poorly, created from the get go to be cheap and expendable.
There is no reason to buy cheap toys or any other cheap items. There is too much crap on the planet as it is. We can buy things that will last, that will be great for us, that we will like to show off. Take the time to invest in things that matter, to you, and to the world.
Kickstarter roundup: women, they destroy everything
I got you some fantastic things to look at Internet, and perhaps you will even want to back them. let's go...
KATABASIS by Menton3
KATABASIS is a 9.25x11" 72 page hardcover art book based on my solo show at Last Rites Gallery in NYC opening April 19, 2014.
What is it?
"In Greek mythology, a Katabasis was the journey to the otherworld and into one's interiority to confront elements of one's psyche." Says Menton3, and it looks like this book is going to be Menton3's own journey, one that he will share with all of us.
The limited run Katabasis hardcover book will be put together by Menton3 and the people from 44Flood, the atists collective they created to launch these really special art projects. The book will be 9.25x11" with 72 pages and will include all the works presented at the Last Rites Gallery show that will take place in April. the book will also include preliminary sketches, drawings, oil paintings, and other developmental works that were part of Menton3 "inward journey to draw forth the images for the gallery show". The book will also include information about Katabasis from mythological tales, especially the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as experiences and understandings from Menton3 own Katabasis and how the pieces created relate to them.
As always with 44Flood artists, this project will include a special ultra-limited slipcased edition of the book that will include an exclusive slipcase cover image, as well as a special signed/numbered plate, prints, original art and more.
Why do I like it?
As I mentioned, Menton3 is one of the artists who created 44Flood - a collective of artists that back in august 2012 had put out the TOME: Vampirism project on Kickstarter. 44Flood turned kickstarter into the destination for people who are looking for a new kind of art, and a new kind of democratization of art. Their projects include Tome: Vampirism, Tome Melancholia, The Squidder by Ben Templesmith, and Lust.
I baked up many projects, but once I received the first Tome I understood how amazing these guys are, and I started collecting many of the works Menton3 had produce. My house has a few prints hanging from the wall, and a few others are on their way. He evokes powerful feelings with his painting, there is a really powerful story that each piece tells.
If you are interested in special items, if you are looking for quality, and if you want to be moved and taken to a journey that only few can guide you through - you should back this one and do it now.
WOMEN DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION!
Women Destroy Science Fiction! is a special issue of the Hugo Award-nominated magazine LIGHTSPEED entirely written—and edited—by women.
What is it?
From the the campaign page:
"LIGHTSPEED was founded on the core idea that all science fiction is real science fiction. The whole point of this magazine is that science fiction is vast. It is inclusive. Science fiction is about people (roughly 50% of whom are women), just as much as it’s about ideas. Science fiction is about us, our perils and our promise; it’s about our collective future. LIGHTSPEED has also been committed to gender parity from the beginning, and we have achieved it consistently for nearly four years now. But looking around at media at large, it’s clearly just not enough—and thus the Women Destroy Science Fiction! special issue was born."
And:
"A regular issue of LIGHTSPEED contains an equal mix of science fiction and fantasy short fiction, consisting of 4 original stories, 4 reprints, plus a novella reprint (exclusive to our ebook edition). Each issue also includes feature interviews, an artist showcase, and spotlights on the authors who appear in the issue.
The special issue will contain the following:
- All science fiction (no fantasy)
- 5 original, never-before-published short stories
- About 10,000 words of original flash fiction (about 7-10 flash stories)
- 2 previously-published short stories
- 1 previously-published novella
- Author Spotlights on our authors in this issue
- Assorted nonfiction features
- An original cover by Hugo Award-winning illustrator Galen Dara
- Some super snazzy title design by Jenn Reese of Tiger Bright Studios
If we successfully fund, the special DOUBLE issue will contain the following additional material:
- 5 original, never-before-published short stories (for a total of 10)
- 3 previously-published short stories (for a total of 5)
- 1 previously-published novella (for a total of 2)
- Even more assorted nonfiction features and author spotlights
And naturally, all of the above will all be authored entirely by women."
Why do I like it?
Because some people are still idiots. it pains me even more when these people are "my people", people who read science fiction, people who strive on ideas about the future, people who are suppose to be better than the general population of Internet denizens who roam the land and say things like "gay is against god" or "women can't do..." or "Firefly was bad".
This week I got to talk about the fact that things are changing in the world of Science Fiction. The BSFA, for example, is looking into ways of bringing more women to the front and the center of readers awareness. We need to do more on this front and this kickstarter project is another step in the right direction.
There are some really solid rewards there on top of the special issue, so go check them out.
SHE MAKES COMICS
A documentary film about the untold history of women in comic books, celebrating female creators and fans alike.
What is it?
From the project's page:
"While women have made significant strides in the medium over the past several decades, it's still not easy to be a woman in comics. Female readers fight to be recognized as legitimate fans in an insular and sometimes sexist community. In mainstream comics, there remains an unequal balance of women in creative and business roles, and some publishers have been criticized for misogynistic portrayals of women in their titles. The pessimistic question is often asked: is there a place for women in comics?
In spite of these issues, our project intends to emphasize the valuable contributions women have made since the Golden Age of comics. They may not be as recognizable as Will Eisner or Stan Lee, but we hope to make some of comics' most prolific women into household names by showcasing their talents and contributions."
Why do I like it?
First of all, this goes great with a project about women contribution to sci-fi, so why not put both on the same post? more importantly, this project comes form a group of people who created some really nice documentaries about the comic book industry, including Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts, and Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods.
This project has the potential of bringing an important issue to the general public, and inform us all about the history of women to this industry. This is not something that can be overlooked.
They need $41,500 to make it, and the pledge so far is at $8,325. This project needs you - back it!