Mrmike's Journal
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04/29/2008 09:47 #44181
When the logo doesn't turn outCategory: funny
04/26/2008 16:22 #44157
We are a backwards thinking peopleCategory: random
I got into a discussion with one of my staffers about the racial state of Buffalo and how divisive this city can be. What got us on the topic was the latest production to come to the Zoo. For a few weeks, this guy had been pestering my staffer to come and shoot for a show he has on local access. He wanted to do a music video, conveniently sending the lyrics for an 8:30 shoot over at a few hours before hand.
It actually went pretty well. The song was a hip hop piece, pro conservation, ecology and education and was pretty good. I don't know if they will get anywhere truly, but it was fun to watch. I knew it was going to be problematic as their cd was corrupted and wouldn't play. So, for the sake of lip synching, the mc had to work with captured audio of a cell phone. Dude did pretty well because that had to have been tough. They staged the same thing a few times around the Zoo for editing sake. The shots at the gorilla pen had me in stitches as two of the gorillas sat down outside the glass as the music is playing, just chillin' watching the camera. Finally the one male gorilla threw himself at the window to announce his presence. Scared the shit out of performers and crew.
Anyway, they finished all the shots that they needed for the video and quickly worked up staged question and answer to help in promoting the video. By this time, the Zoo is coming alive with field trips and I saw these two field trip Moms watching us from a distance and both had tha t "omigod, theres ethnic folk there" looks on their faces. Like the playground wasn't safe. You like to think that we are beyond such expressions, but it was unmistakable that those folks that the playground area was something to be regarded with suspicion.
That kind of shit makes me a little nuts. Only parallel I can think of was a number of years ago. My ex (who's black) and I (who's so not) were in Sweet Tooth partaking of some of their gastrointestinal delights and we are getting looked upon with disgust by this septagenarian who just can't comprehend that the races could come together, especially over ice cream. She wasn't even being subtle with the dismay. Finally, my lovely spouse shouting "What are we naked?' and that broke the old bitty's concentration.
More thngs change, more some perceptions stay the same. We all just folks, wish more folks could see it like that.
It actually went pretty well. The song was a hip hop piece, pro conservation, ecology and education and was pretty good. I don't know if they will get anywhere truly, but it was fun to watch. I knew it was going to be problematic as their cd was corrupted and wouldn't play. So, for the sake of lip synching, the mc had to work with captured audio of a cell phone. Dude did pretty well because that had to have been tough. They staged the same thing a few times around the Zoo for editing sake. The shots at the gorilla pen had me in stitches as two of the gorillas sat down outside the glass as the music is playing, just chillin' watching the camera. Finally the one male gorilla threw himself at the window to announce his presence. Scared the shit out of performers and crew.
Anyway, they finished all the shots that they needed for the video and quickly worked up staged question and answer to help in promoting the video. By this time, the Zoo is coming alive with field trips and I saw these two field trip Moms watching us from a distance and both had tha t "omigod, theres ethnic folk there" looks on their faces. Like the playground wasn't safe. You like to think that we are beyond such expressions, but it was unmistakable that those folks that the playground area was something to be regarded with suspicion.
That kind of shit makes me a little nuts. Only parallel I can think of was a number of years ago. My ex (who's black) and I (who's so not) were in Sweet Tooth partaking of some of their gastrointestinal delights and we are getting looked upon with disgust by this septagenarian who just can't comprehend that the races could come together, especially over ice cream. She wasn't even being subtle with the dismay. Finally, my lovely spouse shouting "What are we naked?' and that broke the old bitty's concentration.
More thngs change, more some perceptions stay the same. We all just folks, wish more folks could see it like that.
metalpeter - 04/27/08 09:56
First of all I have an odd sense of Humor But I do find it funny that they where shooting the Gorillas for a rap video seeing as that is one of the many racial slurs for blacks. In fact there was some team in Buffalo that used to be called the silverbacks and the name got changed.
(e:MrMike) I mean no disrespect towards you at all, when I say what I'm going to say. It is my belief that more people in this country are that way then are not. It is just that the public displays of those views now are demonised. So in public you can't say the N word or call them any other term. I say this is the test you use anyone who says they are not raciest ask them well then why don't you live on the east side. Why not ask that of everyone. See then the line gets a little blurry and they might site crime or not wanting to be the only white family there or other bullshit. I think that everyone hates or has sterotypes about someone and most of them are based on race. I never get why people are shocked by this, Parents teach there kids this and they teach their kids the same thing why would it stop. Not to mention when you add in the media. Take the news for example you see blacks in two ways in some kind of crime or in sports and sometimes both. Look at Chad aka Ocho Cinco, I like the guy but you never hear (not saying it doesn't happen) [trick point really be cause there are no superstar white wide recievers in football really] about Star white players going if you don't give me more money I'm going to sit out the entire season. The point on making is that I think it is more about culture then skin color now a days. That is why someone who is white can work with blacks and have them as friends but not like when they see 3 guys with there pants sagging a hoodie and one of those winter face masks on. Yes you can have black friends who are kinda like you culturaly and still hate how blacks who dress like rappers. It sounds to me like this is what is going on at the zoo. Some all white family (hey maybe there are no blacks where they live or the ones that are, are a middle class traditonal family) is not expecting to see some rappers. It is very true that some rappers are up to no good and sell drugs (biggie Smalls, Old Dirty Basterd come to mind) and some are not. Well white family doesn't have the time to figure it out. If those guys are trouble then by the time trouble starts it is to late to get away, sounds cruel but it is simple survival. That is the same reason I won't hold a Boa if its owener forgot to feed it last month guess who is going to become its dinner that is a chance I'm not going to take.
Race is not as simple as people think it is culture, class, subarban vs city all play into it. I can't even get into the why a lot of blacks and hispanics (or at least from what I understand don't get along) . First of all sorry for my crappy spelling. Second I think it is important to judge each person by there actions and not by what group they are in but that is tough to do. Third I am all for interacial dating, this assumes it is for the right reasons and not so you can seem "hood" or piss of Dady and think as long as it is a healthy relationship then fine.
First of all I have an odd sense of Humor But I do find it funny that they where shooting the Gorillas for a rap video seeing as that is one of the many racial slurs for blacks. In fact there was some team in Buffalo that used to be called the silverbacks and the name got changed.
(e:MrMike) I mean no disrespect towards you at all, when I say what I'm going to say. It is my belief that more people in this country are that way then are not. It is just that the public displays of those views now are demonised. So in public you can't say the N word or call them any other term. I say this is the test you use anyone who says they are not raciest ask them well then why don't you live on the east side. Why not ask that of everyone. See then the line gets a little blurry and they might site crime or not wanting to be the only white family there or other bullshit. I think that everyone hates or has sterotypes about someone and most of them are based on race. I never get why people are shocked by this, Parents teach there kids this and they teach their kids the same thing why would it stop. Not to mention when you add in the media. Take the news for example you see blacks in two ways in some kind of crime or in sports and sometimes both. Look at Chad aka Ocho Cinco, I like the guy but you never hear (not saying it doesn't happen) [trick point really be cause there are no superstar white wide recievers in football really] about Star white players going if you don't give me more money I'm going to sit out the entire season. The point on making is that I think it is more about culture then skin color now a days. That is why someone who is white can work with blacks and have them as friends but not like when they see 3 guys with there pants sagging a hoodie and one of those winter face masks on. Yes you can have black friends who are kinda like you culturaly and still hate how blacks who dress like rappers. It sounds to me like this is what is going on at the zoo. Some all white family (hey maybe there are no blacks where they live or the ones that are, are a middle class traditonal family) is not expecting to see some rappers. It is very true that some rappers are up to no good and sell drugs (biggie Smalls, Old Dirty Basterd come to mind) and some are not. Well white family doesn't have the time to figure it out. If those guys are trouble then by the time trouble starts it is to late to get away, sounds cruel but it is simple survival. That is the same reason I won't hold a Boa if its owener forgot to feed it last month guess who is going to become its dinner that is a chance I'm not going to take.
Race is not as simple as people think it is culture, class, subarban vs city all play into it. I can't even get into the why a lot of blacks and hispanics (or at least from what I understand don't get along) . First of all sorry for my crappy spelling. Second I think it is important to judge each person by there actions and not by what group they are in but that is tough to do. Third I am all for interacial dating, this assumes it is for the right reasons and not so you can seem "hood" or piss of Dady and think as long as it is a healthy relationship then fine.
04/25/2008 15:16 #44138
Okay, I wasted my Friday per e:JimCategory: tgif
04/22/2008 14:47 #44100
The Upsides of DownsidesCategory: work
The winds can blow pretty fast around here. The Doghouse might just have a doggy door in back. With all the suburban kids on break last week, all hands were on deck. For parts of four days, I spent a good chunk of the day directing traffic, trying to get people into the Zoo a little faster.
While in the midst of that crush, I got what I assumed to be a sales call from a guy wanting me to create a special discount. I thought it might have conflicted with an existing discount and politely declined. Turned out it was the pet project of a board member so, of course, it was turned into a thing. I hear my boss defending me to said board member, only to come tear me a new one for not talking to her first. I still kick myself pretty hard when stuff like that happens. That combined with the boss asking somebody else about the website when I’m sitting right there left my self-esteem eagerly awaiting the end of the week.
I come in yesterday determined to turn things around with a memo of proactive suggestions for the gate staff and show it to the boss for her blessing. Suddenly, I’m smart again. I guess you got to enjoy the moments for what they are. I just had a newspaper salesperson in my office, telling me I should approach corporate partners for more money after they have already given money to advertise with her paper. The way she talked down to me was like I was a little kid caught joyriding in Mom’s car. A little patronization goes a long way.
Anybody else get caught up in the traffic stop at Delaware and Forest last night. A bunch of the local gendarmes were checking license, registration and inspection last night on the right home. Weirdness. I’ve seen those types of stops before, but they are usually on one of the toll booths. I’m not sure why Delaware was picked other than it is a popular escape route for the suburbanites.
Thanks to a clueless landlord, I had to hightail to the laundry mat at Elmwood and Auburn and caught a look of the flashing blue light of surveillance shining down on us from the light standard near Willy Farms. Do I feel safer? No, not really considering the fact that I wasn’t thinking I was in much peril before the hanging of the new strobe light. All these high end stores and we still have blue light specials.
Nice day outside.
While in the midst of that crush, I got what I assumed to be a sales call from a guy wanting me to create a special discount. I thought it might have conflicted with an existing discount and politely declined. Turned out it was the pet project of a board member so, of course, it was turned into a thing. I hear my boss defending me to said board member, only to come tear me a new one for not talking to her first. I still kick myself pretty hard when stuff like that happens. That combined with the boss asking somebody else about the website when I’m sitting right there left my self-esteem eagerly awaiting the end of the week.
I come in yesterday determined to turn things around with a memo of proactive suggestions for the gate staff and show it to the boss for her blessing. Suddenly, I’m smart again. I guess you got to enjoy the moments for what they are. I just had a newspaper salesperson in my office, telling me I should approach corporate partners for more money after they have already given money to advertise with her paper. The way she talked down to me was like I was a little kid caught joyriding in Mom’s car. A little patronization goes a long way.
Anybody else get caught up in the traffic stop at Delaware and Forest last night. A bunch of the local gendarmes were checking license, registration and inspection last night on the right home. Weirdness. I’ve seen those types of stops before, but they are usually on one of the toll booths. I’m not sure why Delaware was picked other than it is a popular escape route for the suburbanites.
Thanks to a clueless landlord, I had to hightail to the laundry mat at Elmwood and Auburn and caught a look of the flashing blue light of surveillance shining down on us from the light standard near Willy Farms. Do I feel safer? No, not really considering the fact that I wasn’t thinking I was in much peril before the hanging of the new strobe light. All these high end stores and we still have blue light specials.
Nice day outside.
fellyconnelly - 04/23/08 07:32
its true she IS a bitch! in fact the last time i was there i was wishing i could post from my phone so i could tell everyone how much ofa bitch she was. GRR!
its true she IS a bitch! in fact the last time i was there i was wishing i could post from my phone so i could tell everyone how much ofa bitch she was. GRR!
paul - 04/22/08 21:00
That would make me crazy if my boss asked someone else about the website when I was there, if it was my thing.
I have so many memories of doing laundry at that laundromat. The desk woman was such a bitch back when I went there. I wonder if she is still there.
That would make me crazy if my boss asked someone else about the website when I was there, if it was my thing.
I have so many memories of doing laundry at that laundromat. The desk woman was such a bitch back when I went there. I wonder if she is still there.
04/17/2008 15:30 #44037
How it looks after last night's debateCategory: politics
awesome!
And recently the British Office of Government Commerce simply rotated their logo 90 degrees. Making it a great disaster
:::link:::
These are great.
Where did you find these, they are insane? You have to think they were semi intentional - as it would be hard to not look at them, the way you are "not supposed to."
wow.