Weekend

Free music, enjoy! I especially like Megan Washington’s song Clementine. The photo below is one of my favorites by Helen Levitt. There are brilliantly funny photos of New Yorkers in her book Slide Show.

Untitled, Helen Levitt (c.1942)

Clam Magazine

When I picked up Clam at the magazine store on 3rd Ave this July, I immediately noticed the front cover.

It is very similar to a photo of the famous model Grace Jones I found at the blog created by designers of Miss Bruno. The cover model’s pose also reminded me a photo of Sessilee Lopez from the Italian Vogue “Black Issue.” You will notice a pencil instead of a cigarette is used in the top photo. I love the balance between sensuality and attitude and the use of black and white film.

I visited Clam’s site and found that they promote artists not only through their magazine but also events for creative professionals and films they produce. It has a global perspective and spotlights African artists and fashion. I’m interested in learning more about them.

Addy & Ferro

Recently discovered Addy & Ferro, the photos on their blog are fantastic and I especially like their dresses.

Natural Beauty

Reading Hair matters : beauty, power, and Black women’s consciousness by Ingrid Banks today from New York University’s electronic library I was struck by the irony of this quote:

Although “natural” relates to ideas about purity as well as being an act or is a state that is “normal,” it takes on different meanings when it is cast against straight or straightened hair. The cultured nature of relaxed or permed hair is seen as “natural,” whereas natural or unaltered hair is seen as “unnatural.” That is, the ways in which black women are barraged with representations of beauty that are in opposition to natural, tightly coiled black hair often result in an internalization of images of beauty that in effect rejects natural hair as “natural.” (24)

If you are transitioning and looking for some sites with insightful posts about natural hairstyles visit Keep It Kinky, Motowngirl, or Afrobella.

Laura Izibor

I found out about Laura Izibor, a talented R&B artist from Dublin, Ireland signed with Atlantic Records from an interview at the blog Beautifully Human, which I recommend. Already popular in the UK one of her songs appeared on the P.S. I Love You soundtrack.  I like her song From My Heart to Yours (already available on I-Tunes) which according to The Guardian will officially be released November 10 and then followed by her album Let the Truth Be Told in the beginning of next year.

Band of Outsiders

I went to the Outsiders : NY exhibit yesterday and loved it. Go see it on 3rd Avenue before October 26.

The Secret Life of Bees

It was beautiful out this weekend. The Secret Life of Bees coming out October 17th looks sweet.

Plant Trees.

BBC News posted an article today stressing the negative effect of deforestation on our global economy. According to a study funded by the European Union it is surpassing the losses resulting from the credit crisis.

Visit Roots and Shoots and  Forests Now

SNL: VP Debate

Queen Latifah as Gwen Ifill and Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

The New York Times just did a great piece on Queen Latifah, read it here.

Past is Prologue,

Watching the Vice-Presidential Debate.

I’m excited to hear Joe Biden speak directly about health care. He had a great line about McCain’s plan being one of the biggest bridges to nowhere, with one hand giving as another takes benefits away. Which got a brief response from the audience. Here is an excerpt from the New York Times transcript of tonight’s debate:

BIDEN: Now, with regard to the — to the health care plan, you know, it’s with one hand you giveth, the other you take it. You know how Barack Obama — excuse me, do you know how John McCain pays for his $5,000 tax credit you’re going to get, a family will get?

He taxes as income every one of you out there, every one of you listening who has a health care plan through your employer. That’s how he raises $3.6 trillion, on your — taxing your health care benefit to give you a $5,000 plan, which his Web site points out will go straight to the insurance company.

And then you’re going to have to replace a $12,000 — that’s the average cost of the plan you get through your employer — it costs $12,000. You’re going to have to pay — replace a $12,000 plan, because 20 million of you are going to be dropped. Twenty million of you will be dropped.

So you’re going to have to place — replace a $12,000 plan with a $5,000 check you just give to the insurance company. I call that the “Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere.”

IFILL: Thank you, Senator.

Now…

(LAUGHTER)

I was also happy to hear his ideas about taking a tougher stand against the genocide currently happening in Darfur, Sudan. Concerning the economy, my impression is that a middle class person will have a better quality of life under the leadership of Barack Obama and Biden whose ticket offers reform balanced by prevention and bi-partisan cooperation.