A project came to light when nine Irish directors created ten music films for Aussie singer and songwriter James Coopers upcoming 2012 album, ‘Foreign Cities’. These directors were free to bring their own story to their chosen track or create a more traditional style promo. James also directing a few films himself. The official site http://foreigncities.tv/
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
-George Santayana [1863-1952]
It began with the announcement on Snoop Doggs page last night that he and Dr. Dre would be streaming live 10.35 pst at Coachella. Now considering I’m from the UK, that meant plus 8 hours, which in turn was a straight challenge [even coming from a nightowl] Believe me I tried, yet fell short by 2 hours. So imagine my delight when I found out it could be replayed today.
It was the very early 90’s and not many people listened to rap or hip hop where I was from. I had a few folk from London [where it was more in demand] send me through a few cassettes from time to time to keep me updated. I first began listening to people like Ice Cube, Naughty By Nature, Snoop, Ice T, Dre, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang, Biggie, N.W.A, and so on. Yet there was always one that stood out from the pack! Is this guy a rapper or a poet, or maybe he was both I thought.
I bought my first 2pac cd around that time too, before there was such a thing as a free download. Infact all my Pac cassettes/cd’s were purchased from a store and some even today still have their price tag on. It was alot of coins when you were just a kid, still at school and your pocket money didn’t cover it in one week. I didn’t complain though, I’d save and go without my usual purchases for however long, then hit the music aisle, leave the checkout with a smile and rush home to play it. Never was I disappointed. That didn’t happen until September 1996 [although ‘disappointment’ would have been an understatement]
Roll on 16 years later, I manage to access a site to the show Snoop was hollering about the night before. I press play, the music kicks in, and 2pac appears!!! Why has it sent me to an old video of Pac?
He hits the mic “Wassup Coachella?” I was totally confused, mind blown if I was being honest. When did he attend this show? Was it even around when he was alive! No. So what the hell was going on!! Still the confusion. It wasn’t until Snoop appeared half way in, that I began to try and figure out what I had just witnessed!! All along It turned out it was down to pure magic, genius infact in the form of a hologram. [no doubt props go to Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre for this too] Yes a little eerie, but spine tingling at the same time.
The poet was back on stage if only for a few minutes, but damn did I smile, just like I did all those years before when I first brought his music home with me.
Life is for Participating
I came across a segment earlier regarding Katherine Switzer and enjoyed it so much - decided to share.
For those who have not heard of the woman in question, the year was 1967, she had entered the Boston Marathon, five years before it became official that her gender was allowed to partake.
After realizing that a woman was running, race organizer Jock Semple went after Switzer shouting, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers” attempting to remove her. However, Switzer’s boyfriend Tom Miller sent him flying and with the aide of other male runners, provided her with a protective shield during the entire marathon.
Kathrine later went on to win the 1974 NYC marathon with a time of 3:07:29 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Thumbs up girl.
"The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives."
-Albert Schweitzer [1875-1965]
One of the acting and hellraising greats that is—-Dennis Hopper —-MADSTEEZ
"Rather than Love, than Money, than Fame, give me Truth."
-Henry David Thoreau [1817-1862]
Whilst some people’s God is way up in the sky, mine’s right here down on earth playing Gee-tar.
THE ALASKA INTERIOR
April 27th, 1992
Greetings from Fairbanks! This is the last you shall hear from me, Wayne. Arrived here 2 days ago. It was very difficult to catch rides in the Yukon Territory. But I finally got here.
Please return all mail I receive to the sender. It might be a very long time before I return South. If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again I want you to know you’re a great man. I now walk into the wild. —Alex.
[into the wild]
