Bikes!

So Recently I have got into "Bikes". Not like any bike, like Lance Armstrong status (Road Bike) . Thats the comparison I always give to all my friends. It's actually a really cool hobby to have, it's healthy, it's pro green (for the environment) and you meet interesting people doing critical masses also its' a really open subject for all ages. But I noticed that I haven't been drawing or painting either, kinda hard to manage all my hobbies when a new hobby comes along your life. Ehhh what can you do? Just get back on that bike (Haha) meaning I have to start drawing again too! But anyways I didn't realize that it was so liberating, biking that is. I been to a couple of trails and let me tell you that its relaxing and you can get an adrenaline from it, depending what kind of trail you hit up. So yah! Thats whats been happening I recommend getting one! Not only for your health! It's for the environment!

Volume VIII - Summer '08

Volume 8

Volume 8 Features: Femke Heimstra, the art of Robert Hardgrave, the gigantic wooden onslaught of Mike Rea, McBess, Esao Andrews, the maniacal Victor Castillo, Oksana Badrak, artist Barnaby Barford, and an in depth interview/ feature with cover artist Camille Rose Garcia. Plus, the Unorthodox Taxidermy of Dr. Seuss, Yoskay Yamamoto, Ferris Plock, and the legendary Eyvind Earle, a Spotlight on Scott Musgrove's latest show and much more of the sweet contamination from us at Fructose.



-Rei

Another One for the U.S.A...

Again! America invents another way to make overweight Americans more lethargic.

Careful What Happens...

Hello guys!

Sooo... Right now I am saving up to get a car. And it's pretty difficult when your life style is consistently spending money, going out with your friends every day drinking, eating, buying random stuff etc. Thinking on getting a Mini Cooper, if i can't afford that I'll probably on getting a Honda, Fit. So hopefully all goes well for that. And interesting thing that just happen. My aunt reads cards, and I never believed in but when my aunt read my future and what I was thinking. ON POINT! I was surprised. CRAZY! But anyways my aunt told my girlfriend that if I don't look out for my savings carefully, I'm going to lose it and I will be very sad. I found out just when I typed up "I'm saving up for a car". Now I'm going to be more careful. It was pretty freaked out because the reason I save is to just have money when some thing unexpectedly comes up.

I decided to become a Physical Therapist. Reason why? Well the reason why is because I was always fond of getting massages. And it'll work out my hands, help out my grip when I break dance. So I hope that comes along well and I commit to it. Wish me luck!

Bboyin is good! I got some new moves I can add to routines and for myself. My realization was that I need to do my other sets in battles because it's just good exposing them to let the bboy world what you have. Working on that right now.

Thats about it so far with my life... LATER ALLIGATOR!

-Rei

Systema Naturae 2...

Following the success of the first Systema Naturae exhibition, Gallery Nucleus is proud to present Systema Naturae II: Submerged. The show features new and original work by Michael Brown, Frieda Gossett, Andrea Offermann, Ver Mar, and Jaime Zollars.

Systema Naturae II explores the link between human beings and water—the essential source of life for all living organisms. As both the root of human origins and the inspiration behind the artwork for Systema, water is the visual and thematic starting point in creating an exhibition as varied and complex as the natural world itself.

Please join us for the opening reception on July 12, 2008 where we will have refreshments, music, and several artists in attendance.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

As a prolific painter, Michael Brown has shown in galleries both nationally and internationally. He has been featured in various publications and is currently residing in Atlanta where he is a professor of painting for the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Frieda Gossett is known for her beautifully crafted leather works, in addition to her paintings and drawings. She has shown in various galleries throughout Los Angeles.

A welcome new addition to the Systema roster, Ver Mar is a versatile artist whose artwork extends across mediums. She has done illustrations, graphic design, metalwork, and sculptures—just to name a few.

Along with being an established illustrator well-known for her fine details, Andrea Offermann has also been published in the graphic novel anthology Flight, and is a freelance illustrator residing in Germany.

Jaime Zollars is an award-winning illustrator whose work can be seen in various children’s books and publications. She has shown in galleries throughout the U.S. and is currently working as a freelance illustrator.

-Rei

...

F@#K man!

Bad Hair Day...

Usually dogs have maintained straight fur, I mean for the most part. So I thought what if they have naturally "chaotic fur". That would be a different change huh?



-Rei

CRAZY GOOD!!!

Going to Las Vegas! Enough said!

=(...

Not as good as I thought I was and plus I'm going to stop taking protein shakes. I heard since I break dance while taking it, it's going to make me buffer. And thats what I don't want to happen. I need to train harder more then I did before. Not a good realization for my bboy career but it's good that I feel this way, it will get me to pick and choose what I really need to work on. Hopefully it works out.

p.s. I LOVE MY G/F! lol

-Rei

Sweet!!!

My back is getting better! I still have that stiff feeling in the morning. On the upside I don't have to stretch that long. So I will sessioned hard with my new healing back, so I'm going to rest some more and try it out Tuesday! I hope it's less achy after the session.

-Rei

Thats what happens...

Well people, I'm starting to feel the tole of aging. I am 22 1/2, probably alittle more then that but it is not "cool". Also I'm not able to heal as fast anymore or lose weight as well. Recently I started to do new moves and combos for new sets. I guess I didn't realize I been straining my back. So when I wake up it's not really easy for me to get up like before. It's all stiff and I have to stretch it out, move around so my back get loosen up. It's probably from break dancing and all the abuse I done to it for the past years. But whatever! I'm still going to do whatever I love to do. Thats not going to stop one bit, unless I hurt it really bad. At that point I would really have to stop. BOO! So, as of right now, I'm just going try to heal it and rest it as much as I can so my break dancing career can last a bit longer. =)

-Rei

Drug Fest...

This is a piece I made like two years ago. And this piece is all about the whole deal with drug dealing and its endless cycle to be visible in our corrupt world. So I thought of a concept on how I saw it in the cartoon world. I hope you like it.

sold

-Rei

Into the Woods...

Gallery Nucleus presents Into the Woods, a never before seen collection of new original work by five masterful storytellers and artists. This is an all-ages show suitable for children.

Children’s stories are often much more than little tales of morality with neatly wrapped happy endings. What lurks beneath can often be sinister, and very grown-up indeed. Into the Woods features work by established visual storytellers Catia Chien, Chris Appelhans, Kazu Kibuishi, Robert Kondo, and Yoko Tanaka. Their work appeals to a wide audience--often whimsical, at times dark, and always more than a bit magical.

Several artists will be in attendance opening night to sign books, cards, and prints.

Featured Artists:

An award-winning illustrator, Catia Chien's work has been seen in children’s books, the Flight graphic novel anthology, and various exhibitions. She currently works as a freelance illustrator.

Chris Appelhans is a concept artist in the entertainment industry whose work can be seen in such films as the Oscar-nominated Monster House. He has recently published a collection of comics called Frank and Frank and is working as a freelance illustrator for several major motion pictures.

As editor of the immensely popular graphic novel anthology series, Flight,Kazu Kibuishi has also garnered accolades for his graphic novel Daisy Kutter: The Last Train. His most recently published work, Amulet, has been optioned by Warner Brothers to be made into a feature film.

Robert Kondo is a concept artist at Pixar Animation, where he has worked on such films as Ratatouille. In 2005, along with several other Pixar artists, he launched an imprint called E-Ville Press Comics to market and publish comics by Pixar artists.

Yoko Tanaka has illustrated several children’s books, and has done editorial illustration work for publications such as the Los Angeles Times. Her work has been exhibitied in galleries throughout the U.S.

www.gallerynucleus.com
210 East Main St.
Alhambra CA 91801
p: (626) 458 - 7482

-Rei

1988!

The LA gallery is about to pull off a June where we end up opening 2 shows in the month, making it 3 art shows in 30 days between May and June. Saying it's a lot of work is like saying that Shepard Fairey is kinda into politics. A bit of an understatement. But these two are going to be totally awesome, marking both the debut of Brandi Milne's artwork for her upcoming book and the solo show debut of phenom Matt Dangler.



"So Good For Little Bunnies" will be a weekend engagement at G1988: LA where we display all the original artwork from the upcoming book of the same title from LA artist Brandi Milne. This will open June 13th, with an opening reception from 7-10 PM. And the work will only be on display until the 15th. You'll be able to not only purchase originals of the work featured in the incredibly cute book, but also pre-order the book and reserve a copy for the minute they're available to the public. And if you order it that night, you'll get a pretty amazing surprise that night that you won't get any other way. But more on that later, and we'll be previewing some of the work here on the blog all week!



And then there's the Dangler. His debut solo show, "Matt Dangler's Treehouse," will open June 19th, and I couldn't be more antsy to see the over 20 paintings and 10 drawings he created for the show! The show will be focused around Matt's signature, and uber-detailed (bristles of hair, anyone?) creatures that seem to always be just hanging out in the jungle of the prolific artist's brain. The show will have a wide range of prices, as Matt wants to make sure everyone can go home with something. And go home with something they will, as this show is getting A TON of inquiry emails. Maybe some people are Google masters and found the blog of a certain celeb who just picked up his first Dangler. Or maybe they know that Matt likes making the process of buying one of his paintings a personal experience (and he'll be in LA for his show!) I don't know, maybe they just think these little creatures are cute... haha

-Rei

Recently...

Hello World! Whats going on with you? Well... with me, recently my crew and I entered B- boy jam called School Yard Scrimmage at University of Riverside. There wasn't too many crews that entered so it was not too competitive. But I couldn't have my guard down. The last battle was pretty intense. The other crew was WAY TOO AGGRESSIVE. They were all over our faces, talking constant trash at us, Which was annoying. The crew consist of Sam Panda from End the Cycle, Aaron from Hidden Characters and Stripes from Main Ingredients. So at the end of the battle it was a tie. Saul from my crew went out and the other side that came out was Sam panda. and unfortunately we lost the tie breaker. We did our best. But the jam was fun. The only thing I thought was weird, we got ipods for second place, I thought thats cool but the first place winners got 100 dollars. A 4g ipod is 150-160 dollars, around there and we got it. Ehh... whatever, WE REPRESENTED HARD. Thats all that matters. THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT TO MY FRIENDS, MY CREW AND OF COURSE MY G/F. Without them I wouldn't feel as confident. I love you guys! =)

-Rei

ART! TRA!

-Rei

Bits and Pieces...

I didn't realize that Pablo Francisco is this hilarious. This is his whole show in Irvine. The show is called "Bits and Pieces".






















-Rei

Madness!

Twin tornadoes touch down Thursday near March Air Force Base in Riverside. The funnels caused power outages, derailed a train, and flipped a big rig truck forcing the 215 Freeway to close, but no injuries were reported.

Tornadoes in Riverside County derailed a freight train and flipped a big rig. Orange County saw massive mudslides, while L.A. County faced flash-flood warnings and closure of the 10 Freeway.

A tornado flipped a big-rig truck, derailed a freight train and clogged a major interstate for several miles Thursday as a wild spring thunderstorm hopscotched across Southern California dumping hail, rain and snow.

The most severe damage was reported in Riverside County, where dark, towering funnel clouds spun across the communities east and west of the 215 Freeway corridor. In Orange County, walls of water, mud and debris -- some 8 feet high -- battered eastern canyons that had burned in last year's wildfires, leaving behind a muddy mess but little major damage and no injuries.

The highly unstable and unpredictable conditions were expected to last through today, along with unseasonably cool temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday in Riverside County, one of two funnel clouds tossed a line of 30-ton rail cars off their tracks and overturned a tractor-trailer truck, blocking the northbound lanes of the 215 Freeway. Rush-hour traffic backed up for at least eight miles, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The truck driver was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

"It's quite large," CHP officer Jaci Parent said of the tornado as it churned west of the interstate Thursday evening.

The tornado then headed toward Perris, where it caused power outages and minor damage before dissipating.

"I drove through it and have never seen weather like this," said Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez, spokesman for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A blanket of hail turned neighborhoods white in Baldwin Park and Irwindale, drawing crowds of children into the streets to play with the ice. Snow dusted higher elevations and lightning strikes were reported in Mira Loma and other inland areas as the storm drifted south and west.

As storm cells jumped from place to place through the day, radio and television broadcasts were interrupted with emergency warnings for communities threatened by flooding and tornadoes.

Slush, flooding and rock slides closed sections of Interstate 10 in central Los Angeles County and the 60 Freeway east of Riverside.

There were reports of a tornado touching down near Interstate 15 in Corona on Thursday night. Parent said investigating officers found a severe storm and flooded freeway lanes, but no funnel cloud.

In Orange County, eastern canyons saw roughly 1 1/2 inches of rain in a half-hour period, authorities said.

Officials closed the roads to mud-swept Modjeska, Silverado and Williams canyons and worked to rescue residents stranded in two homes near the back of Williams Canyon. They were not hurt and were waiting for roads to clear so they could evacuate, said Mike Blawn, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority.

Authorities dispatched bulldozers and other heavy equipment to clear the roadways and stand by in the event of more heavy rains.

Two canyon residents barely escaped the avalanche of boulders, mud and tree trunks that went roaring at them in Modjeska Canyon.

"It was out of control," said Tim Adams, 56, a resident of nearby Silverado Canyon who went to help his brother-in-law, Bill LaBar. "It was like big chunks of chocolate ice cream melting, with trees and rocks flowing through it."

Adams and LaBar got into four-wheel drive vehicles and sped away, going around and over boulders and downed trees.

"I have always said when it got bad, I would get out," said LaBar, who usually ignored mandatory evacuation orders. "It's the baddest I've ever seen it."

At Cook's Corner, a roadside biker bar in Trabuco Canyon, about a dozen people were eating burgers and omelets when water and mud poured into the restaurant about 12:15 p.m.

-Rei

New Logo Design...

Like a week ago I thought of a concept for my crews mascot. And finally I started on it and finished it like in a hour or so...



I hope you like it!

-Rei

Sleeping...

Trying to get my sleeping schedule back in place but it isn't happening right now. It is 3:31 am right now, and I'm not tired! I will attempt this instant. Wish me luck!

-Rei

Acid Rain!

This is my second piece I made like two and a half years ago and the piece is called "Acid Rain"

Well... from what inspired me to start this piece is, I always wondered what started acid rain. I researched it and it was pretty boring. So! I twisted it up and added a squid holding a barrel of acid in his/her tentacles. Like the squid would be a squid god of acid rain. So yah.



-Rei

Whats going on...

yoooooooooooooooooooooooooo people! I have been chillin with my crew lately (Squishy Docious), more then usual. It's a good change but I haven't seen my high school friends lately, except for last week. Some of them at least. I mean it was good seeing them and fun but it's just a change for the mean time. Just waiting for the summer! They'll be all free and graduating, some of them. HAPPY DAYS FOR THEM!!!

And my girl friend started school. It's going to be a different transition because we usually hung out like everyday or every other day. But I'm trying to adjust to it. I think I'll have more more time to myself then usual. And miss her more.

Break dancing been good! I'm trying to think of different moves and smooth transitions to my blow ups/ poses. You know? "trying to be innovative or different." Like every other b-boy claims tries be. Also I been taking this protein shake to get more lean and get lighter, I'm getting more lean but getting lighter in terms of weight isn't cutting it. I think I gained 5lb., could be just muscle. Well as long I don't get buff. Don't want that look at all. And one of my g/f's from high school is interested in break dancing and one other that stopped is going to start again, So! More people to session with! More love! haha

Work is the same. Nothing different, still a whatever job and it still drags on every time I'm scheduled to work.

So... thats going on with my life recently.

-Rei

Straight B-boyin'

(Inner Thoughts:)

I need to get better.
I want to able to smoke whoever I want.
I need to train harder and better.
But be humble at the same time.
I want to be one of the best.
Creative is very important to me.
I love bboyin' to the fullest.

Thats what I keep on processing over and over in my mind. It is a consistent circle, all the time. Pain is the game, if you think about it. And once you over come that pain your going to come running back for some more. If you know what I mean.

I watch b- boy's from different regions of the world become one of the greatest athletes, dancers, self expressionist of all time. I don't think you'll ever understand until you become a one. It's hard to explain, abusing your body sounds bad and not pleasing to the ear. Elbow drops, flipping, spinning on your hand etc. is the part of this culture/ sport. But really, its worth it. I been going through this amazing pain for four years now and still lovin' every second of it. And I'm not going to stop. I love it to the fullest.

-Rei

...Chueh!

Lukc Chueh! One of my favorite artist and he's going to be doing a solo exhibition on May 10th! Sweet... If you guys don't really know about his style you should check it out!

Name of the Exhibition: "She's my Heroin(e)
Location: CoproNason Gallery
Date: May 10th, Saturday
Time: 8:30 - 11:00pm



And also some Chet Zar and Mari Inukai.

-Rei

Fountain of Youth

Sure, you've heard about the benefits of olive oil as a source of heart-healthy fat, but could making it a part of your regular diet be key to living disease-free longer? Or, just plain old living longer? Well, if Mariam Amash, an Israeli citizen who reportedly drinks a glass of olive oil a day, is as old as she says she is (120 years, which would make her the oldest recorded living person) it may make you think twice about your own olive oil intake.

According to an interview the Associated Press conducted with her granddaughter-in-law, a typical day for Amash includes taking walks, socializing with family and friends, and drinking, yes drinking, a glass of olive oil a day.

Several studies have linked diets that include monounsaturated fats like extra-virgin olive oil to reduced risk of heart disease. And more recently, a study conducted at the University of Granada found that olive oil has been shown to contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant which may help prevent cell aging and osteoporosis. Polyphenols may also help to reduce risk of developing aging-related diseases, according to the authors of the study Professors Alberto Fernández and Antonio Segura, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes.

Before you go out and stock up on a case of olive oil, take caution. "We want to encourage people to use healthy fats, like olive oil instead of unhealthy fats, but it's important to watch how much you're adding because of the caloric content," says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD Director, Nutrition and Physical Activity at the American Cancer Society. Doyle explains that olive oil contains monounsaturated fats which is linked to reduced risk of heart disease because it lowers LDL "bad" cholesterol, while maintaining HDL "good" cholesterol.

So how much is a good amount to add? "Everybody's caloric need is different," says Doyle, but cautions that a glass of oil a day is an unrealistic and unhealthy amount. It would increase daily caloric and fat intake above recommendations, which can lead to serious weight gain or obesity, putting you at risk for cancer, high blood pressure, and heart diseases -- or, what you were trying to avoid in the first place.

Pick the purest olive oil. In order to maximize the health benefits of your olive oil intake, make sure you buy extra-virgin olive oil, with an acidity level of 0.8 percent at the highest, says Andy Bellatti, Masters candidate at NYU's Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health. The FDA does not regulate any labeling of imports, but it does regulate home grown olive oil. Check for the International Olive Oil Council seal on imports to ensure olive oil purity, says Bellatti. Though the olive oil will remain a monounsaturated fat no matter what acidity, or what exposure it has, higher acid levels mean fewer, or no antioxidant properties. Over time, exposure to heat, air and light can also diminish the antioxidant properties, says Bellatti.

Bellatti recommends buying canned olive oil that won't be exposed to UV light in the grocery store or in your home. Keep the container sealed tightly. Buy as fresh as possible in small quantities, so the olive oil isn't aged and depleted of antioxidants by the time you use it up. Also, if you want to have the most amount of antioxidants, use at room temperature or cook at low temperatures.

Do not go over board. If Miriam Amash really drinks an eight-ounce glass of olive oil a day, she'd be consuming 1900 calories and 200 grams of fat, without counting whatever food she eats, says Bellatti. Or, about her daily recommended calories, and 135 more than her daily recommended fat intake. "Use olive oil as a fat substitute," says Bellatti, not an additional source of fat.

By: Mary Kearl

-Rei

"SquishyDocious"

My Crew SquishyDocious! LOVE MY BROS!!



-Rei

"Smokin is Bad"

Here's a piece I made a year ago and this was one of our designs for CitizenFunk

Usually theres a story or inspiration behind it, so I never liked "smoking" and my dad smokes, been dedicated for years. I always thought "smoking" was nasty, dangerous, evil, just made you feel slow etc. anything negative. Well to me you know? By the way I mean slow is because I love break dancing and I don't want that reaction to take a toll on me. And what I saw from my dad, he kinda gets exhausted and starts coughing. Just walking up the stairs to his job(the reason why I know that is because I work with him). Plus carrying delivered boxes upstairs. So thats how I got to create this piece. Hope you like it!



-Rei

"I'M RIGHT HERE KILL ME NOW!"

Will Sasso's impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger are the epiphany of perfection! He exaggerates it well and keeps it going with punch lines. Watch!



-Rei

Bored...

So Right now I'm pretty bored. My schedule for work changed, I work in the afternoon now and I have more time to myself now. Anymore more time to myself, I wouldn't have a LIFE AT ALL! Just kidding but seriously, I can only do the same thing so much everyday. So now I get tired easily during the day because I'm not keeping myself occupied but WHATEVER! I'll think of something! NO WORRIES! But I figure this happens to everybody. EH!

-Rei

Gallery Nucleus

Description

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Gallery Nucleus is reprising the first Girl Show from 2005! La Femme is a visual celebration of mothers, daughters, and sisters everywhere—featuring a diverse and talented group of exclusively female illustrators.

The artworks pay tribute to the complexities and joys of motherhood in addition to reflecting life from a woman's perspective. Pieces range from the serious to cute, and the provocative to chic—covering the entire spectrum of what it is to be a woman. Through its exciting roster of artists, La Femme hopes to showcase and celebrate women in art.

Artists include:

Adolie Day
Aline Yamada
Amy Sol
Annika Wester
Brandi Milne
Catherine Campbell
Clio Chiang
Elizabeth Ito
Emma Goo
Hannah Stouffer
Julie Nishioka
Julie West
Junko Mizuno
Kendra Binney
Kukula
Lulu *Plasticpirate
Marguerite Sauvage
Mari Inukai
Maria Vittoria Benatti
Miss Mindy
Stina Persson
Vera Brosgol
Yellena

-Rei

Joe Beats

I was browsing around I found this on Munky King's myspace, so here it is!



-Rei

Seven Stars!

This is the only seven star hotel in the world!

Name: The Burj Al Arab (which means The Tower of Arabs)

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Height: 1,043 feet

Floor Count: 60

Constructed: 1994- 1999

Companies: Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC

Use: Hotel and Restaurant

"Features"

Several features of the hotel required complex engineering feats to achieve. The hotel rests on an artificial island constructed 280 meters offshore. To secure a foundation, the builders drove 230 40-meter long concrete piles into the sand. The foundation is held in place not by bedrock, but by the friction of the sand and silt along the length of the piles.

Engineers created a surface layer of large rocks, which is circled with a concrete honey-comb pattern, which serves to protect the foundation from erosion. It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, but less than three years to construct the building itself. The building contains over 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel.

Inside the building, the atrium is 180 meters (590 ft) tall. During the construction phase, to lower the interior temperature, the building was cooled by one degree per day over 6 months. This was to prevent large amounts of "condensation or in fact even a rain cloud from forming in the hotel during the period of construction." This task was accomplished by several cold air nozzles, which point down from the top of the ceiling, and blast a 1 meter cold air pocket down the inside of the sail. This creates a buffer zone, which controls the interior temperature without massive energy costs.

Burj Al Arab characterizes itself as the world's only "7-star" property, a designation considered by travel professionals to be hyperbole. All major travel guides and hotel rating systems have a 5- star maximum, which some hotels attempt to out-do by ascribing themselves "6-star" status. Yet according to the Burj Al Arab's official site, the hotel is a "5-star deluxe hotel". It is the world's tallest structure with a membrane facade and the world's tallest hotel (not including buildings with mixed use) and was the first 5-star hotel to surpass 1,000 ft (305 m) in height.

I'll be saving up for this place! YEAH RIGHT!

-Rei

Lucky like the number 7...

So I just hung out with my high school friends, and they are my friends friends. You know? Like my brothers and sisters from another mother. I'm pretty much thankful to God or whatever, Faith! or like manifest destiny if you believe in that preordain stuff. But yeah I was talking to my good bud and he mentioned about his colleagues not being close with their high school friends anymore and their best friends are from whatever school they go to. I thought to myself "wow, that is sad." I mean thats your high school friends. Those are the years when you start good friendships with one another.
Well... at the time I didn't really realize what I really had, in terms of friendship. But I do now! I'm a lucky guy. Usually people my age don't really have their high school friends as close friends anymore. It's either they just grew apart or went to different school etc. That doesn't really explain the reason why, you know? Like I always thought, people in general are just getting weird these days, like even me in some occasions. I suppose individuals like those are not the people you should be making friends with or people of that sort, then again change is constant.
To sum it up right quick, my sister told me this and I didn't really think about it when I graduated from high school "brother, when you graduate your going to find out who's your true friends are." And thats going to stick to me forever. It just hit me on the side of my head when I graduated, "she was right." My true friends are from high school, and will remain that way. Well I hope to my ending days. So I'm just glad I'm still close to my high school friends because thats a long time line of priceless memories that no one can take away from you and that trust will always be there. Definitely that love for sure.



-Rei

Recent Piece

Heres a piece I made for my clothing line. I made it for a fashion show not too long ago.



www.citizenfunk.com

-Rei

Toys!

I found this, didn't really know the the brand too well but here it is!



-Rei

EW! Nasty Ass Germs!

Did you really think that by cleaning your cell phone with your shirt or a tissue would completely clean out the smears and dirt on your phone? Wrong!

Dangerous bacteria called staph, which can cause everything from pimples to pneumonia to meningitis.

In fact, the oft-used term “potty mouth” takes on a whole new meaning after finding out that some cell phones are dirtier than toilet seats

A Northern Ireland newspaper today has called for a ban on cell phones in hospitals there, because of the threat of germ transmission.

The Belfast Telegraph said a story it ran about bacteria found on cell phones carried by doctors, nurses, and even patients at Craigavon Area Hospital in Ulster, illustrated the need to keep the devices away from patients.

“Hand-washing must be increased, but until a satisfactory means of disinfecting the handsets is established, the only effective remedy is likely to be a suspension of their use by medics and patients in hospitals,” the paper editorialized.

In the British study, mobile phones were indeed found to be a technological Petri dish for tens of thousands of germs. Germs multiply in warm places, so between the heat the phones generate and the germs on face and hands, you've got yourself a dangerous breeding ground.

The filthiest phones, which can spread the dreaded staph bacteria, get the germs from your hands and face.

University of Arizona Microbiologist Chuck Gerba recently tested 25 mobile phones and found the staph bug growing on nearly half.

One of the results was especially shocking. Gerba picked up a phone and said, "This is the dirtiest phone I have ever tested. (It) has somewhere between 10 and 50 million bacteria… if there is ever a new life form on this plant, it will be on this phone."

If you're ever worried about germs making a home on your cell, you can clean it gently with a towelette dampened in soap and water (make sure water doesn’t lean into any openings) or use an antibacterial spray and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

But if that’s too troublesome for your busy lifestyle, Motorola has come up with a clever tactic. Some of their phones have an antimicrobial coating already on them to prevent bacteria from growing. And to keep germs from spreading, keep your phone to yourself.

Gerba warned, "You are not only sharing phones, you are sharing germs at the same time. So anything that becomes mobile, you take with you or you share with other people… [that’s] the way germs are shared with one another."

By: Cheryl Thomas

-Rei

Benefit of the Doubt...

I have a question for you guys. If you knew how to act and behave in front of people and know whats proper to say to people or your peers, you would be considered a nice individual right? Okie listen to what I have to announce. What if you met a person the opposite of that...

Why does this person have to be really... OBNOXIOUS!!! Not only obnoxious, conceded, bi est and not being respectful to others if that person thinks he/she is not worthy enough. I mean I might know why that persons personality is like that. Maybe insecurity problems?! Just wants attention?! or either parents just didn't give enough creditability when that person needed it when he/she was young or getting teased and getting called a "Muppet". Well everything starts when your an adolescent.

Like if it was any other person I wouldn't really not GIVE A F@#K! Not literally, but I wouldn't care too much. Since I kinda know where he's coming from and might know why that persons approach is that direction, I somewhat sympathize for that person(I really do, sometimes) . I try to give that person the benefit of the doubt. Like any kind hearted person would. But again that person keeps on having that DICK personality to others, I can't even fathom. Well good thing that person is bi est or else I'm going to call out this FOOL! (I break dance) Or either I wouldn't understand that person too much or else I'll be as worse as that person. But it doesn't change the fact that person is A OBNOXIOUS, CONCEDED, DISRESPECTFUL, etc. FOOL! That SMOKES!

Definition:

Ob-nox-ious - Extremely unpleasant

Have a good night people!

-Rei

Blaine Fontana

Hello people! I'm at work and I just wanted to show you guys one of my favorite artist Blaine Fontana...









If your interested to see more check out his website! http://www.blainefontana.com/

-Rei

Hey Jude!

This may be a little old, but! every time I watch it puts a smile in my face. I hope it does the same for you guys! Have a good day!

Rice Shortage...

MANILA, Philippines, The price of rice is skyrocketing all over the world. This trend will continue until the end of the year, and it is causing panic in many Asian countries, including the Philippines.

Why is rice getting more expensive? The rice supply is decreasing. Floods in many Asian countries have affected the rice output in the region. Rice exporting nations like Thailand and Vietnam have also reduced their exports to prioritize their local needs. On the other hand, demand for rice has been increasing, especially in India and China.

The Philippines is one of the top importers of rice in the world. Rice is a politically sensitive commodity in this country. It is not surprising that reports of a rice shortage have energized political debate and public concern regarding the economic policies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

If the global supply of rice is dwindling, what is being done to increase local production? In the first place, why is the Philippines, which is predominantly an agricultural nation, importing rice from other countries?

An article entitled "Food Security and Rice" by Dr. Onofre Corpuz provides some historical background on the rice shortage in the Philippines. The article mentions the policies of the government which have weakened the local rice industry.

According to Corpuz, the annual shortages in rice production should not be described as "crises." The Philippines has been importing rice since the 1870s -- this is more than 130 years. He blames government planning on food security for the shortages in rice production.

When Spain decided to open Philippine ports in 1835, it allowed its colony to trade non-rice products to other countries. There was a high demand for cane sugar, molasses, indigo, abaca, tobacco and coffee. Rice farmers began to plant these food items, and by 1870 there was already a rice shortage in the country. The Philippines began importing rice from Indochina. During the 1890s, the Philippines was importing 45,000 tons of rice annually.

-Rei

Quit Your Sobbing and Call Me in the Afternoon

"Quit Your Sobbing and Call Me in the Afternoon"
April 26 - May 31, 2008

Opening Reception Saturday, April 26 7 - 10PM



-Rei

Watch Out Kid!

The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate. On the whole, kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video-game console. And today's busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals, day in and day out. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy seems to be the mindset of many people, young and old, in the new millennium.

Since the 1970s, the percentage of overweight kids and adolescents in the United States has more than doubled. Today, 10% of 2- to 5-year-olds and more than 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. If you combine the percent of kids who are overweight with the percent of kids who are at risk of becoming overweight, about one out of three children are affected.

Preventing your children from becoming overweight means adapting the way you and your family eat and exercise and the way you spend time together. Helping your children lead healthy lifestyles begins with you, the parent, and leading by example.

Is Your Child Overweight?

A child with a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex is considered overweight. BMI uses height and weight measurements to estimate how much body fat a person has. To calculate your child's BMI, divide his or her weight by his or her height squared, or wt/ht2. (Important: To use this formula for BMI, the child's weight and height measurements must be in kilograms and meters, respectively. If you use pounds and inches, multiply the result by the conversion factor 703.)

An easier way to get your child's BMI is to use a BMI calculator. Once you know your child's BMI, it can be plotted on a standard BMI chart. Your child will fall into one of 4 categories:

• Underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
• Normal weight: BMI falls between the 5th and the 85th percentiles
• At risk for overweight: BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles
• Overweight: BMI at or above 95th percentile

BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and there are situations where BMI may be misleading. For example, a very muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (because extra muscle adds to a person's body weight - but not fatness). In addition, BMI may be difficult to interpret during puberty when kids are experiencing periods of rapid growth. It's important to remember that BMI is usually a good indicator - but is not a direct measurement - of body fat.

These days, you may be hearing more about BMI. Doctors are using BMI during routine check-ups and many school districts are including BMI in their annual health assessments.

If you're worried that your child or teen may be overweight, make an appointment with your child's doctor. If your child is overweight, your doctor may ask about your child's eating and activity habits and make suggestions on how to make positive changes. He or she may also decide to screen for some of the medical conditions that can be associated with obesity (see below). Depending on the child's BMI, age, and health, the doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian for additional advice. For some overweight children, your doctor may recommend a comprehensive weight management program.

The Effects of Overweight

Overweight children are at risk for serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol - all once considered exclusively adult diseases. But overweight children may also be prone to low self-esteem that stems from being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers. Overweight children are often the last to be chosen as playmates, even as early as preschool. Children who are unhappy with their weight may be more likely than average-weight children to develop unhealthy dieting habits and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and they may be more prone to depression, as well as substance abuse.

Overweight children are at risk of developing medical problems that affect a child's present and future health and have direct impact on quality of life including:

• high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal blood lipid levels, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes
• bone and joint problems
• shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity more difficult and may aggravate the symptoms or increase the chances of developing asthma
• restless or disordered sleep patterns
• tendency to mature earlier (overweight kids may be taller and more sexually mature than their peers, raising expectations that they should act as old as they look, not as old as they are; overweight girls may have irregular menstrual cycles and have fertility problems in adulthood)
• liver and gall bladder disease
• depression

Risk factors present in childhood (including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes) can lead to serious adult medical conditions like heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. Preventing or treating obesity in children may reduce the risk of developing these conditions as they get older.

What Causes Overweight?

There are a number of factors that contribute to becoming overweight, either alone or together. Genetic factors, lifestyle habits, or both may be involved. In some instances, endocrine problems, genetic syndromes, and medications can be associated with excessive weight gain.

Much of what we eat is quick and easy - from fat-laden fast food to microwave and prepackaged meals. Daily schedules are so jam-packed that there's little time to prepare healthier meals or to squeeze in some exercise. Portion sizes, in the home and out, have drastically increased.

Plus, now, more than ever, life is sedentary - children spend more time playing with electronic devices, from computers to handheld video game systems, than actively playing outside. Television is a major culprit.

Kids younger than 8 spend an average of 2.5 hours watching TV or playing video games, and kids 8 and up spend 4.5 hours plopped in front of the TV or wriggling a joystick. Kids who watch more than 4 hours a day are more likely to be overweight compared with kids who watch 2 hours or less. Not surprisingly, TV in the bedroom is also linked to increased likelihood of being overweight. In other words, once many kids get home from school, virtually all of their free time before dinner, doing homework, and getting ready for bed is spent in front of one screen or another!

And although physical education (PE) in schools can help kids get up and moving, more and more schools are cutting PE programs altogether or cutting down on the amount of time spent actually doing fitness-building physical activities. One study showed that gym classes offered third graders just 25 minutes of vigorous activity each week.

Genetics also plays a role - genes help determine your body type and how your body stores and burns fat just like they help determine other traits. Because both genes and habits can be passed down from one generation to the next, multiple members of a family may struggle with weight.

A greater reliance on "food fixes" to deal with emotions can also contribute to weight gain. Some people tend to eat more when they're feeling sad, stressed, or bored. People in the same family tend to have similar eating patterns, maintain the same levels of physical activity, and adopt the same attitudes toward being overweight. Studies have shown that a child's risk of obesity greatly increases if one or more parent is overweight or obese.

Overcoming Overweight and Obesity in Your Child

The key to keeping kids of all ages at a healthy weight is taking a whole-family approach. It's the "practice what you preach" mentality. Make eating and exercise a family affair. Get your children involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals, and take them along when you go grocery shopping, so they can learn how to make good food choices.

Avoid falling into some common food/eating behavior traps:

• Don't reward children for good behavior or try to stop bad behavior with sweets or treats. Come up with other solutions to modify their behavior.
• Don't maintain a clean-plate policy. Be aware of kids' hunger cues. Even babies who turn away from the bottle or breast send signals that they're full. If kids are satisfied, don't force them to continue eating. Reinforce the idea that they should only eat when they're hungry.
• Don't talk about "bad foods" or completely eliminate all sweets and favorite snacks from overweight children's diets. Children may rebel and overeat these forbidden foods outside the home or sneak them in on their own.

Here are some additional recommendations for children of all ages:

• Birth to age 1: In addition to it's many health benefits, breastfeeding may help prevent excessive weight gain. Though the exact mechanism is not known, breastfed babies are more able to control their own intake and follow their own internal hunger cues.
• Ages 2 to 6: Start good habits early. Encourage kids' natural tendency to be active and offer children a variety of healthy foods. It may take 10 or more tries before a child will accept a new food, so don't give up.
• Ages 7 to 12: Encourage children to be physically active every day, whether it's an organized sports team or a pick-up game of soccer during recess. Keep your kids active at home, too, through everyday activities like walking and playing in the yard. Let them be more involved in making good food choices.
• Ages 13 to 17: Teens like fast-food, but try to steer them toward healthier choices like grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and smaller sizes. Encourage them to be active everyday. If they are not into organized sports, suggest intramural programs, fitness classes such as yoga or pilates, or alternative sport like skateboarding, inline skating, or mountain biking.
• All ages: Cut down on TV, computer, and video game time and discourage eating while watching the tube. Serve a variety of healthy foods and eat meals together as often as possible. Try to include 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day in their diet, plan healthy snacks, and encourage kids to eat breakfast every day. Encourage your children to try a variety of activities. Don't force any one sport or activity - and help them find what they enjoy and then support them in their efforts.

If you, as a parent, eat well and exercise regularly and incorporate healthy habits into your family's daily life, you're modeling a healthy lifestyle for your children that could last into adulthood. Talk to your kids about the importance of eating well and being active, but make it a family affair that will become second nature for both you and your children. Most of all, let your children know you love them - no matter what their weight - and that you want to help your child be happy and healthy.

-Rei

Radition Just Smoked You!

Cannabis is often compared to tobacco, with the damage caused by smoking tobacco given as a reason to prohibit use of cannabis. Yet most of the harms caused by tobacco use are due not to tar, but to the use of radioactive fertilizers. Surprisingly, radiation seems to be the dangerous and important factor behind tobacco lung damage.
Radioactive Fertilizer
It’s a well established but little known fact that commercially grown tobacco is contaminated with radiation. The major source of this radiation is phosphate fertilizer.
1). The big tobacco companies all use chemical phosphate fertilizer, which is high in radiactive metals, year after year on the same soil. These metals build up the soil, attach themselves to the resinous tobacco leaf and ride tobacco trichomes in tobacco smoke, gathering in small “hot spots” in the small- air passageways of the lungs.
2). Tobacco is especially effective at absorbing radioactive elements from phosphate fertilizers and also from naturally occurring radiation in the soil, air and water.
3). To grow what the tobacco industry calls “more flavorful” tobacco, Us Farmers use high - phosphate fertilizers. The phosphate is take from a rock mineral, apatite, that is ground into powder, dissolved in acid and further processed. Apatite rock also contains radium, and radioactive elements lead 210 and polonium 210. The radioactivity of common chemical fertilizer can be verified with a Geiger - Mueller counter and an open sack of everyday 13-13-13 type of fertilizer (or any other chemical fertilizer high in phosphate content).
4). Conservative estimates put the level of radiation absorbed by a pack- and- a- half a day smoker at the equivalent of 300 chest X- rays every year.
5). The Office of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Safety at Michigan State University reports that the radiation level for the same smoker was as high as 800 chest X- rays per year.
6). U.S. Surgeon General C Everett Koop stated on the national television in 1990 that tobacco radiation is probably responsible for 90% of tobacco related cancer. . Researchers have induced cancer in animal test subjects that inhaled polonium 210, but were unable to cause cancer through the inhalation of the non - radioactive chemical carcinogens found in tobacco.
7). The most potent non- radioactive chemical, benzopyrene, exists in cigarettes in amounts of sufficient to account fro only 1% of the cancer found in smokers.
By: David Malmo



-Rei

Joe Ledbetter!

Too bad I wasn't there =(









-Rei

Power in Numbers 3

Power In Numbers 3

April 12, 2008 - April 28, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday April 12 2008, 7:00PM - 11:00PM

Please join us in a celebration of art and the creative spirit as we gather talent for our 3rd annual benefit art show, Power in Numbers 3! Our biggest event of the year, Power in Numbers features artists creating 5″ x 7″ postcard-size artwork in any desired medium and themes of their choice. All works will be priced at $100.00 and 20% of all artwork sales will go towards a benefit of choice. This year’s benefit of choice is the Make-A-Wish foundation.

This show will also mark our official homecoming party into our new space so join us opening night for the festivities!

Buying Instructions for the Opening Night of POWER IN NUMBERS are as follows:

1. Attendees will be given a ticket with a number at the door starting at 6pm. The first 50 will be allowed into the gallery at 7pm. afterward we will be allowing one person in for each person leaving. Those waiting to get in the gallery can wait in the store until your number is called in sequence.

2. After entering the gallery, browse until you have decided on your purchases, take a pen and write your ticket number underneath the piece on the label: “sold to____”. Each person can mark up to 5 pieces. Mark only the pieces you will buy and pay for the artwork immediately after you mark your label.

3. You may pay for your artwork in cash or credit. We will record your name, and contact info, and the piece you purchased on a list for record keeping purposes.
4. Buyers may pick up their purchases the following week when the show ends (May 28). We will also call buyers for pickup after the work is taken down. No artwork will be released without full payment.

If you want to purchase a piece come early to reserve your number.
We start handing out numbers in the store at 6pm the gallery opens at 7pm.

RANDOM...

so... This is my first blog entry ever! And I'm bored right now... The reason why I wanted to make a blog in the first place was because I always wanted to talk about random subjects about the world and how different cultures is now a days, art work, events, etc and there probably is a site or blog that has the same purpose but I wanted to start my own! Right now I have no clue what to post or really what to say besides winging it like right now... And so I'm going to end it like this!


-Rei