Being single is by definition, a very independent way to live one’s life. I like not having anyone to answer to. I like my life being all mine. I like that my friendships do not suffer because I suddenly start spending every waking moment with my boyfriend. When you enter into a relationship, quite often, your other relationships suffer because your attention is so focused on this other person. I get that. I’ve been there. I hope never to be there again, however. I think it’s so important, as with everything else in life, to have balance. Where’s the mystery if you’re always together? Sometimes it can be fun to miss that person. Sometimes it can be fun to just be with yourself and remember that you are good with or without someone else to tell you that they love you. Sometimes, it’s vital to remind yourself about the person you were before your significant other entered the picture. Of course this is all very easy to say, being that I am single. I may sing a very different tune when and if the man of my dreams suddenly appears through the ether of the internet…
Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for all of you, he still remains an anomaly. The last three dates I have gone on have been interesting, entertaining, even hot. But none of them have been the kind that stick.
Date #1) “Where is it???”
So, Craig and I met online and had a really nice rapport. He was sarcastic and charming. Upfront without being abrasive and very funny. There was just one thing about him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. He admitted to having a third nipple. Since he was so free about it, I felt that I could ask some questions.
Me: “Really? Is it like a little nubbin or is it like the other two…areola and all?”
Craig: “It looks exactly like the other two.”
Me: “Where is it?”
Craig:”I’m not going to tell you.”
Of course, this completely weirded me out while intriguing me all the more. I HAD to go out with this guy. If only to see the nipple. Friends challenged me to “take one for the team” and sleep with him so that I could see it and preferably, get photographic evidence. While I had no intention of taking things that far, I still showed up for the date, dreading it a little and wondering if I would cast my gaze on his oddity.
We met at a really great little art bar near my house. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. Craig was much better looking in person than in his pictures. This is very rare, so I was thrilled. He was very well dressed, smooth and we both ordered Jameson. Things were off to a good start! That nipple was as good as mine! (Out of context, that’s a pretty funny thing to say.) We found a spot in the back, settled in and started talking. We had a great time, quite a few drinks and lots of lively conversation. I almost forgot about the third nipple, but suddenly, the whiskey kicked in and my tongue got loose.
Me: “Sooo, wait…can we talk about your third nipple?”
Craig: *blank stare*
Me: “I mean, where is it?”
Craig: “I’m not going to tell you.”
Me: “Awwww…Come on.”
Craig: “No.”
It was time to go home.
Craig insisted on walking me home, which was very nice of him. We got to my door and proceeded to have a very hot make out session on the steps. I sent him home, alone, and went upstairs to curse the fact that I liked a guy with three nipples. He sent me a text to say thank you…and then I never heard from him again. I don’t get it. Did I ask too many questions about the nipple? Was he afraid that I was just another girl who wanted him for his nipples?
Date #2) “Oh hell, I’ll admit it. I’m a ho.”
Mike, as he will be known, was a good looking guy. The funny part is that we met on a dating site, but we had seen each other while I was on the date with Craig (see above). Mike had been at the same very small bar that night with some friends and we had each noticed each other. Strangely enough while chatting online, we didn’t recognize each other from pictures. But we eventually deduced that he was “the guy with the arms!” and I was the “girl in the black dress!” from the other night. We decided to meet at that same bar for a drink. When he arrived, he looked good but seemed kind of awkward. I soon realized that he was missing a tooth and had a pretty significant lisp. He seemed like a nice enough guy that these tawdry details were worth getting past. Eventually, he started to open up. He admitted to having a “stick up his ass.” He then volunteered that he was rather sexually experienced. “Oh hell, I’ll admit it. I’m a ho.” This admission was shortly followed by an even more puzzling one. “I was a virgin until I was 30.” I guess he felt the need to make up for lost time. When I asked him why he had been a virgin for so long, his answer was perfection. “Well, I haven’t always been this hot.” Charming. This date ended shortly thereafter, not surprisingly.
Date #3) Kid with a Car
Darren, as he will be known, is 26. I am 32. I’ve pretty much sworn off younger men, after two highly unfortunate experiences with two 21 year olds in the span of two weeks. A year ago. (I know. I know.) But, Darren was highly accomplished, well spoken, thoughtful and got my sarcasm. So, I figured it couldn’t hurt to give him a shot. The date itself was fairly innocuous. We had drinks at Docs Clock, he kicked my ass at Connect Four, and we talked. Really, he talked. A lot. But, the thing about Darren was his car. He drove a brand new Porsche. What 26 year old drives a Porsche? Not only that, but he had a matching Porsche visor and towel in his car. (See picture above). Are there women out there who find this sort of thing attractive? I find it hilarious.
So, I remain committed to my independence, my singularly happy existence of friends and family, work and play. As for sex and romance, it’s back to the drawing board, people. It’s tough out there.
The funny thing about this message is that I feel like most people are doing this in life. Missing some really great things simply because they aren’t looking for them. The hard part here is to let a group of people knowing that they are missing something and getting them to go back and look again (that dancing bear just pops out at you once you go back and look).
So while your’e shopping this season remember to check for companies that are independent. Thanks
I put forth this question not necessarily about apples notebook but as something you should consider if you are a earth friendly individual. What you have to consider more than ever is language. You have to be aware that terms like “green” or “clean coal” or “organic” can be used just as much to sale a product as much as it can to tell you what the product or company is actually about.
With any company selling you “green” products have you considered that making you buy a new phone or notebook every year or two or even suggesting you should means you are contributing more waste then necessary. This is especially true when it comes to electronics that are hard to dispose of in a “clean” way that doesn’t affect the earth.
When you are considering “clean coal” you MUST consider the fact that making coal clean-er doesn’t not make it clean, it is a term made up to sell you on the technology and make sure that you don’t question what is going on.
I’ve seen cigarettes on sale as organic because the leaves harvested to make the cigarettes were grown organically. Does that make the cigarettes any less deadly or is it a way to “sale” you in this new sustainable world?
The essence of being independent is what we call “doing the work” translated simply it is thinking your way through and not being “sold” on what something is or isn’t. Cars should be built to last, the same is true of computers, cellphones, and any other product. A true quality product is the kind that hardly if EVER needs replacing.
Be sure you know what’s what and think past the products being sold and consider what’s being told.
Now that we’re done with all the political talk lets get down to brass tax. In this issue we include some tools to help with transparency in our government but what we’re really excited about is the best in independent news from Independent people like Next Legends features Gary VaynerChuk to independent companies like Etsy and JBClassics bringing you the best independents have to offer.
If that wasn’t enough already, we tapped our friends at Goorin to find out how you can find a great hat and our new Managing Editor Amber Milner helps you find your role as a patriot.
And for those of you who can’t get enough of politics and want to make sure you can hold your politicians accountable we have good news. There are so many tools we can use thanks to sites like opencongress.org that we can follow when a policy is introduced, when it passes, who voted for it, who gave money to help it pass and who the money was given to. Now that’s independent politics…transparency! And it’s only the beginning. You can read about this and much more in LEGENDmag print issue #23 at LEGENDmag.net
Features: Transparency is the new Democracy
The pulse of the election
A Presidential Beatdown—Choosing a leader
Next Legends:
Gary Veynerchuk—Viticultural Guru
Black Spade—Hip-Hop Innovator
Jay Duplas—Film Savant
Upsidedown—Musican Magicians
J Davey—Sound Pioneers
I was having a talk with kc! about buying independent, feeling independent, and how independent a person is or isn’t. I offer this for all to consider.
That fact that you buy a burger at Mcdonalds or a local burger hut isn’t what makes you independent or not. It’s asking yourself if you bought that burger based on lack of choice, a want of buying the best product, or because you want to support a chain or a local restaurant (insert a multitude of other reasons here). When you have answered these questions and choose to spend your dollar against your convictions, you choose to be more or less independent because you choose to be more or less yourself by choosing.
Fooling yourself by justifying a choice against your own convictions doesn’t assure your independent status. I must say here that because you choose to go against your beliefs of supporting a huge chain like Starbucks or Wal-Mart when you feel the need, isn’t going to bring the indies burning golden arches on your lawn, it’s not that black and white. We are the sum of ALL our choices and not just the bad ones.
I have yet to find a local independent who taste good, uses the same or better quality ingrediants, and is as price concious as Subway. I eat their often, does this make me less independent? I think not. I would argue that the fact I have actually thought about why I shop there is what defines me as being independent.
Don’t be bullied into always buying from Jack in the Box because it’s everywhere and there’s a lack of good choices and don’t shy away from buying at Taco Bell if that is what you’ve decided is best for you.
Be independent and know that when you look at yourself in the mirror you’ve made a choice, not been hoodwinked into thinking you had no other option.
The difference is vast, the choices are always up to you.
It’s our job to help you find the companies and people out there helping us to find independent thought, and we’re happy to report that we’ve recently linked up with another great group.
Project Censored has published (for the second year in a row) the top 25 stories to not be reported on by mainstream media. Check the list and see if you think anything was note worthy, I did! I mean who wouldn’t want to know hunger and homelessness in the us is on the rise, that there are health risks in genetically modified foods, or that Cheney’s Halliburton stock rose over 3000 percent last year. Talk about conflict of interest.
We know you’re looking forward to Lalapalooza, Rock the Bells (if you haven’t been already), and the rest of the festivals left for the season. What we want you to take note at (and make sure you check for even more next season) is the smaller festivals with great line ups and LESS PEOPLE!
I don’t have a problem with people but I would like to be up close towards the stage sometimes. Well here’s your chance if you’re in Portland or NY!
ATP New York Sept 19-21 (Upstate New York – 90 mins from NYC)
http://www.atpfestival.com
There is still some ticket availability for this awesome 3-day weekend in the mountains with MY Bloody Valentine and other amazing bands
Music Fest Northwest Sept 3-6 (Portland)
http://www.musicfestnw.com
4 days, 50- bucks. Best deal in America with bands like TV on the Radio. Vampire Weekend, Battles, Deerhunter, Mogwai, The Cool Kids, Polvo and just tons more.
We know it’s a little late but hey better late then never! The first 10 people to email us at humpday@legendmag.net with the word you associate most with LEGENDmag (only serious answers will receive a cd) will receive one of OM’s newest releases, Black Spade! This cd is absolutely amazing an we’re happy to bring you more goodies in the name of spreading indie goodness.
Ok one more time. Email word you associate most with LEGENDmag to humpday@legendmag.net and receive Black Spades To Serve With Love (CD with cover art and all).
Get your (fire) engines started!!! The Crucible is kicking off their Fire Arts Festival today, and it is HUGE!! Don’t sleep on this one, you will hate yourself for missing out. (If you ride the BART through the West Oakland Station, I am sure you have seen the crazy parking lot filled with metal sculptures, well thats it… only tonight, they set it all on fire. FIRE!)
We weren’t able to attend but that’s why we visit Supertouchart.com so that we don’t have to be everywhere at once in the progressive art scene. It’s hard enough keeping up with what’s going on in our own back yard but I digress. If you haven’t heard of Banksy well we’ll just say you’re way behind the curve and that he’s definately someone you can mention in urban art circles around the globe. Here’s a glimps into the festival via supertouchart.com
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And as always, we love to hear from you, so drop some comments below, or send us some email!
The Crucible is gearing up for their 8th Annual Fire Arts Festival, happening July 9-12, 2008 (nightly from 8pm - Midnight)! This one-weekend-only event is not to be missed. They take over the huge empty lot across from their building/workspaces, create a city of machinery, and basically set everything on fire!!!
It’s a spectacular open-air exhibition with nearly four acres of fire sculpture and interactive art, amazing fire and dance performances, great music, food, libations, and more. This annual celebration showcases the largest collection of fire and light sculptures in the West Coast, like the gigantic sculptures by Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito, and the fabulous Steampunk Tree House, making its Bay Area debut.
We were out at the Haight Street Fair in San Francisco last Sunday and BOY it was a doozy! I don’t think they could have crammed one more person onto that packed street. And the best thing about it? Independents EVERYWHERE! So many street vendors in fact that most of the normal shops were closed for business! Talk about the indies taking over!!
At either end of Upper Haight, there were stages set up with rotating live acts. The schedule went DJ, band, DJ, band… so no matter what type of music you were into, they were delivering. Everyone was as polite as could be expected, given the massive crowds that showed up, but one thing was sure… people were really there for the fantastic independent booths!
Hopefully you made it out too!! We would love to hear your thoughts on the day!!
The new issue dropped yesterday and we’re loving it more then ever before. The LEGENDmag website is getting way more hits than we thought we’d be getting at this point, and we thank you for making it as successful as it has been.
With the mellow sounds of typically-good Bay Area DJs… instead, playing uncharacteristically boring, crowd-friendly 80’s hits, the Diggmeet-up was a bit like a Junior High School dance. It was a veritable who’s-who of internet-famous nerds, geeks, and dweebs standing around awkwardly talking amongst themselves as a few intoxicated girls boogied down. And although the bar was packed, a Digg-sponsored bar tab was no where to be found, leaving most of us that attended with a dry mouth and empty pockets.
But it was not all bad music taste and rarely-used sportcoats. LEGENDmag met a bunch of great people in the crowd, including iJustine, Sebastian from Solidground, Glen at Abrahams Design, and Troy from Workhabit. Additionally, we saw a few old friends like Ryan from Viddyou, Min Jung, Jason from Joyent, and Kevin from Raptr. And to top it off, we found a real-live mythical unicorn amoungst the partygoers… so that has to count for something, right?
