Buy-in has bee fairly hard to come by for me when it comes purchasing a home. Everything I’ve learned about buying a home has just never made sense to me unless you are looking to use the house as an investment or you plan for that home to be your biggest asset.

See the thing for me is that no one ever really talks to a family about how long 30 years of payments really is, and how those mortgage notes don’t include maintenance and energy costs you might not incur otherwise.

As an investment property I’ve always wanted a home. But in this case I would be using the house as stock, or high yield account, or anything else where I could claim more assets. Not something that would hold a family unit, nurture kids, and foster community.

Well with Bluhomes new addition to the home market, I can buy-in to buying a home as a product because to purchasing as they’ve reduced the cost, building time, and long range expenses.

Sincerely,
kc!

I had the pleasure of seeing two unconventional speakers give a lecture on China yesterday at the Berkeley Art Museum Theater. And I use the word unconventional, because they are white American men who have dedicated themselves to studying particular aspects of traditional Chinese life.

They spoke at length about misconceptions on either topic; the lack of research in each respective feild; a bit about the books they wrote on the topics; and fostered a nice debate after their presentations.

The first speaker, Michael Meyer, wrote a book entitled The Last Days of Old Beijing. During his discussion he detailed his life in one of Beijing’s oldest hutongs (mazes of lanes and courtyards bordered by single-story houses) as a teacher and citizen. He showed photographs of his students, neighbors, and local families that he followed in the book and discussed how modern conveniences (and Walmart) were affecting the area; as China significantly reconstructs itself by demolishing the old houses and installing brand new suburbs and roads in their place.

Next up in the series was David Spindler who, along with photographer Jonathan Ball, is documenting the Great Wall of China. He spent time dispelling myths about the Great Wall (such as the untrue “fact” that it can be seen from space); defining what actually makes a great wall (1000m, built for defense, and non-circular); and regaling us with stories from his 800+ days of hiking the local sections. In addition, he presented us with photographs from his book which showed modern-day photos taken at the exact time and day of ancient battles between the Mongols and the Chinese at various places along the wall.

Aside from the fascinating wealth of information they provided, it was strange to hear that the subjects they were both researching didn’t have a lot of true research done. But as China modernizes and grows it’s good that people like Mr. Meyer and Mr. Spindler are out there in the field making a mark on history!

—
For more about Micheal Meyer, visit his website (and especially watch the video).

For more about David Spindler, read this blog by a fellow American living in China.

And if you are going to be in the Bay Area sometime in the near future, you would be well to visit the U.C. Berkeley Art Museum’s exhibit entitled Mahjong: Contemporary Chinese Art, which runs through January 4, 2009.

Going to a friends house for dinner is my new favorite past time, especially when Melinda is cooking. Every time I’m at Melinda’s house she makes some delicious food and it’s also something that is good for you just by it’s look and smell. It’s hard to leave her home without asking yourself, why can’t I cook that way at home? Well this time I told her I wanted to start sharing some of he meal ideas and she sent me everything we had to eat and why it’s healthy!

So here you go people, next time you’re wondering if you should have brown or white rice, use vegetable or olive oil, or just need an idea of some great healthy things to eat, remember Melinda and this post (and don’t forget LEGENDmag).

LEGENDmag readers meet Melinda Penny-Washington

The first thing you should know is the less processed the better the food. All ingredients were fresh (ie, not canned or pre-cooked).

Salmon - Omega-3 fatty acids (polyunsaturated) help prevent blood clots, protects against irregular heartbeats, and lowers blood pressure.

Olive oil - (monounsaturated fat) Olive oil delivers valuable phytochemicals that help to protect against heart disease.

Sweet potato- (major vitamins) Vitamin C, Vitamin A, high source of fiber. Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Helps build collagen. Vitamin A promotes vision, maintains the health of skin cells. May act as an antioxidant which protects the body against disease.

Spinach / chard greens- (Major vitamins found in food source listed, many other vitamins are in greens, but in small amounts) Vitamin K, A and C. Vitamin K participates in bone building as well as blot clotting. May also protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases. Foliate is used in synthesis of DNA. Helps in formation of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Garlic – Excellent source of manganese,  vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium. Manganese aids in synthesizing important proteins in the body used to create energy.  B6 is used in the metabolism of amino acids in the body. Garlic is an antioxidant.  Studies have shown it may lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Sage - Holds volatile oils. Helps reduce microbes which cause gingivitis.  Indigestion, lack of appetite, oral inflammation, perspiration, rhinitis and sore throat are all ailments for which Sage has an application. The German Commission E approved internal use for stomach problems and excessive perspiration as well as for external use in conditions of inflamed mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

Brown rice - An antioxidant and an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps prevent colon cancer.
(information below was taken from The>www.WHFoods.com)
The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients.

At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients.

Our food ranking system qualified brown rice as an excellent source of manganese, and a good source of the minerals seleniumand magnesium. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. By law in the United States, fully milled and polished white rice must be “enriched” with vitamins B1, B3, and iron. But the form of these nutrients when added back into the processed rice is not the same as in the original unprocessed version, and at least 11 lost nutrients are not replaced in any form even with rice “enrichment.”

For those of you who have not yet seen the above video, let me start by pointing out that the overlay of “I Will Always Love You” is at once cheesy as hell and completely appropriate. There are so many things that we cannot explain or give a name to as we each stumble through this life, doing our best to make lasting connections and meaningful choices. These unquantifiable things and moments in our lives are the things that make each day so surprising and precious. Take a moment today to think of someone who you have loved, who you miss, who you may have hurt or been hurt by and reach out with an olive branch or a hug to thank them for helping you to create a moment you cannot name. There is no day other than this one.

In alphabetical order…

At the Death House Door

The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)

Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh

Encounters at the End of the World

Fuel

The Garden

Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts

I.O.U.S.A.

In a Dream

Made in America

Man on Wire

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Standard Operating Procedure

They Killed Sister Dorothy

Trouble the Water

Which films do think are the best in this bunch? Are there some that aren’t on the shortlist that the Academy should have included? Let me know your thoughts…

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We attended the Synthetic Biology Debate put on by The Long Now Foundation, and walked out scratching our heads… (in a good way). Drew Endy and Jim Thomas debated pros and cons of open source bio-engineering, and the social implications that it brings. Honestly, a lot of what they were saying went right over my head… however, it made me think about heavy topics that I hadn’t even considered before:

— As the world learns more about manufacturing biology, is it most responsible to contain knowledge to a small few restricted research teams, risking corporate control (or worse); or is it better to make the entire field open source, forego patents, and risk hostile world-powers gaining advantages!?

— How do we protect the existing world economy while encouraging advancements in bio-technology?

— How do we distinguish important bio-advances like malaria cures or insulin advances, from potential disasters?

— And furthermore, what needs to be done about updating our outdated patent system to encourage future advancements?

While there was no official winner or loser, just starting the conversation was an important step to the future of the field. And judging by the massive turnout this Monday, it clearly is a pressing topic!

—
NOTE: If you would like to be notified of future independent lifestyle events like this, make sure you sign up for our Twitter feed!!

Had the pleasure of attending this month’s Ask a Scientist lecture down at Axis Cafe in San Francisco where they were talking about surviving in space, and more specifically the tribulations of water reclaimation.

What impressed me the most about this discussion, was the simple terrestrial uses taken from current space technologies. Using the water reclamation membranes that astronauts rely upon (pee to gatorade conversion!), to repurpose water back here on Earth; Sherwin Gormly–this month’s guest lecturer and Water Process Research and Development Engineer at NASA Ames Research Center—presented win-win waste treatment plant opportunities. Such ideas were standard osmosis techniques which not only cleaned waste water, but also generated megawatts of power in the process.

It was a fantastic talk, in an equally fantastic setting. And if you ever have had burning desires to learn about science, Ask a Scientist lecture series is definately for you. Upcoming lectures include How computers look at art, and BIGFOOT!

Axis Cafe is located at 1201 8th Street (btw. 16th & Irwin) San Francisco.
You can find more information on the series at askascientistsf.com.

Now that we’ve dispatched this whole election business, I think it’s time we started talking about the revolutionary change that’s coming in 2009. No, no, no, silly, not the Obama administration, although that’s cool too. I’m talking about something really important, a revolution we badly need- the Great Rock Explosion of 2009. What, you may ask, is the Great Rock Explosion of 2009? Allow me to explain…

——
1955: Whole Lotta Shaking Going On

In 1955, Rock and Roll was born. Ignore, for a moment that the music that “burst” on the scene had, under the name of Rhythm and Blues, been played since the late 40s. Because 1955 was the cultural moment when the uniquely American fusion of Rhythm and Blues and Country and Western that had long been brewing finally hit the boiling point, and the teakettle whistled so loudly that the whole nation heard.

It kicked off subtly enough, with Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock”. But the country soon faced the raw sexual energy of Elvis, the ringing guitar of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly’s song craftsmanship, Little Richard’s oh so queer wild sweat-soaked mania, Jerry Lee Lewis kicking back the stool and banging away on the piano until his crazy curls fell down over his face, on and on. Even now, fifty plus years later, the anarchic thrill of that music threatens to break through anew with each listen.

But by 1960, Elvis was drafted, Eddie Cochran was dead, Buddy Holly was dead, Chuck Berry was in jail, Little Richard had entered the ministry(!) and Jerry Lee Lewis had been ostracized from broadcast following his marriage to his teenage cousin. All too quickly, it seemed to be over.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the funeral.

——
1964: A Hard Night’s Day

Some British kids had been listening in the 50’s. Paul loved Little Richard. John said that, for him, Elvis was everything. George, for his part, thought Carl Perkins was amazing. By 1964, these floppy haired kids were writing their own songs and had grown into an awfully good band that seized the charts in the US. In the wake of the Beatles, it turned out that a lot of British kids had been listening. One after another, they arrived. The Rolling Stones. The Who. The Yardbirds. The Hollies. The Animals.

Meanwhile, a skinny kid with wild hair from Minnesota named Bob, who had himself been turned on by Little Richard, was making music that mixed the energy and irreverence of the Rock and Roll of the 50s with older American traditions of Blues and Folk. Along the way, he infused the songs with lyrical sophistication and social commentary.

The Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion revived Rock in the 60s. Bob Dylan challenged it to reach a new level of maturity. They spurred each other on, and people on both sides of the Atlantic started rocking. By the end of the decade, Rock and Roll had blossomed in multiple directions: the dark Nietschean poetry of the Doors, the political stridency of the Jefferson Airplane, the sweetly clanging pop of the Byrds, Cream and Jimi Hendrix taking heavy guitar and amplification as far as it could go, the Beach Boys and the Beatles out-competing each other into producing increasingly sophisticated psychedelic masterpieces, the Who turning out a rock opera (for Pete’s sakes!) and too many more happenings to mention here.

By the early 70s the brilliant flare had faded. One of the top songs that year was by the pre-packaged poppily cute and harmless Partridge Family. The production advances and psychedelia of the 60s spawned songs that were overly ornate, abstruse, and long. Very long. Singer-songwriters proliferated at an alarming rate, producing acoustic and quiet music. Rock as powerful, noisy, dangerous and vital as came from the outpourings of 1955-1959 and 1964-1969 seemed to be a thing of the past.

Then came 1976.

——
1976: Anarchy in the UK

A quartet of greaseballs from Queens donned leather jackets, renamed themselves the Ramones, and started writing Rock songs played as quickly and simply as physically possible— three chords in two minutes. Elsewhere in New York, a gaunt dark-haired girl named Patti Smith intoned, “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine,” as she proceeded to launch into burning intense poetry set to ragged music. A group calling themselves the Talking Heads produced quirky spare paeans to alienation.

Meanwhile, over in the UK, a group of Ramones fans led by some guys named Mick and Joe ripped through fast, noisy garage rock that took on neo-fascism, racism, unemployment and the other social and economic woes of the mid-70s head-on. At the same time the Clash were raising their White Riot, a pimple-faced seventeen year old with spiked red hair and torn clothes named John took on the last name “Rotten” and headed up a band called the Sex Pistols, singing with a snarl so unrehearsed and natural that it electrified everybody who heard it, “I am an antichrist. I am an anarchist!”

Gone were the layers of production, the attempt to be complex, the stifling sense of seriousness that had arisen from the 60s as they decayed into the 70s. The fetid stagnation was replaced by an attempt to be as loud, as shocking, as fast as possible, fueled by the fiercely egalitarian impulse that anybody could do this shit. And anybody did.

The Clash, Elvis Costello, the Damned, the Dead Kennedys, Joy Division, the Ramones, Patti Smith, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Stiff Little Fingers, the Talking Heads, X and literally hundreds of cohorts all over the world flared into being in the few bright, intense years that ran from 1976 to 1979.

A precious few managed to gain large followings. But most settled in to size niches, intensely, but not widely, loved.

The mass market was awash in synthesizers, slick pop production and an increasingly depressing lack of real emotional content. Even so called “Hard Rock” had become the neutered bubblegum of Hair Metal, with a flashy show of rebellion hiding the musically and socially conservative palp underneath. By the end of the 80s, many declared either with triumph or anguish that Rock was dead.

But something was going in Seattle.

——
1991: Here We Are Now, Entertain Us

A whole generation of kids who felt alienated by the conformist 80s was forming bands. Loud bands. Bands that took something from the Punk explosion, something from the critically unregarded but musically untamed Metal of the 70s, brought in a strain of the melodic from the 60s and maybe even from the synth-pop 80s, and fused it all together with an intensely personal emotional content that the 80s had forced underground. An astonishing number of these bands were crushed into the mid-sized city of Seattle: Alice in Chains, Hole, the Melvins, Mudhoney, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden.

Oh yeah. And some guys who called themselves Nirvana.

In the wake of the unexpected breakout success of Nirvana’s “Nevermind” (which knocked Michael Jackson’s “Bad” from the number one spot late in 1991), new, hard-edged and emotionally dangerous music sprouted up all across the country. It turned out that there was a vast Alternative Nation that had been desperately yearning for something real throughout the 80s and now had a lot to get off of their chests. Not all of it, to be sure, followed Seattle’s Grunge musically. But the emotional intensity that Kurt Cobain and company had brought back to Rock was apparent everywhere you listened: Bjork, the Breeders, the Cranberries, Greenday, PJ Harvey, Alanis Morrisette, Liz Phair, Radiohead, the Smashing Pumkins, Veruca Salt, and more, in a hundred directions at once.

——
Numerology Lesson

Some might date the demise of Rock’s last great explosion to Kurt Cobain’s 1994 suicide. I don’t agree, but his despair at the commercial machine that was co-opting the music surely played a part in his end. It is true that one can’t find a decent Grunge album after 1995, although many other strains carried on. Radiohead’s OK Computer in 1997 was thought by many to signal the end of Alternative Rock and the rise of Electronica. True or not, Rock radio over the next few years was quickly reduced to droning bleary emo, monotonous post-grunge and watered down commercial Punk.

On top of that, Gen-Y’s hideous revenge on the Alternative Nation of Gen X arrived in the form of Britney Spears. Britney’s number one “Oops, I did it Again” seems almost to be the voice of commercial pop triumphantly telling us it has once again overcome Rock. After all, she did tell us she was not that innocent.

So is all hope lost? I think not.

Nine years elapsed from the initial outbreak in 1955 to the first wave of the British Invasion in 1964. Another twelve passed from the halcyon days of 1964 to the noisy outburst of Punk and New Wave in 1976. And then fifteen from 1976 until 1991, when Grunge, the bastard child of Punk and Metal, reminded the world that Rock could still be dangerous and interesting. Are you starting to catch on to the periodicity? 1955+9=1964. 1964+12=1976. 1976+15=1991. 9, 12, 15. The next entry in the sequence is 18. 1991+18=2009.

And there you have it. The coming Great Rock Explosion of 2009. Stay tuned…

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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

LEGENDmag 23 “Transparency is the new Democracy”
>> DOWNLOAD ISSUE 23

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

Branded Independent:
Etsy—Handmade ecommerce
Thread—Indie fashion brand incubator
JB Classics—Footwear/lifestyle brand
Blank Blank—Furniture/lighting/interior design

Brick ‘n Mortar:
Subtext—San Diego, CA
RIMENYC—Brooklyn, NY
True Sake—San Francisco, CA

…and much more!!

As featured in the latest issue of LEGENDmag, this Sunday at The Galleria in San Francisco, THREAD will having a big show!

WHAT IS THREAD?
* A Fashion Incubator Since 2003

* A fashion + art shopping event open to the public

* Massive Discounts : Up to 80% Off!

* The top 100 Men’s & Women’s Fashion Designers

* Clothing : Denim : Sneakers : Jewelry : Street Wear : Accessories : Bags : Cut n Sew : New Contemporary.

* Limited Edition + One of A Kind + Samples + Vintage + Brand names + New Label

Come one, come all. This is not to be missed!!!
Purchase you tickets HERE

Peace!

Squarepusher–who was recently featured in LEGENDmag 23’s We Heard Section (p10)–has taken over the UK Gaurdian’s music page, and is running rampant with insightful commentary and straight-forward music review! Check it out to see how a revolutionary musician regards the current state of music!

Upon returning from a weekend of sun and sand in the Caribbean, I have given in to one simple, but hard truth: I’m out of shape.  In fact the phrase “out of shape” is too nice, as are analogies like “spare tire” and euphemisms like “my metabolism is slowing down”.  Plain and simple: I’m fat.

It hasn’t always been this way.  Ever since high school, I have been strong and lean.  Going to the gym, getting exercise, and playing sports weren’t something that went on a to do list, they were just a part of everyday life.  Exercising or choosing the right foods were no more an inconvenience to me, as say breathing was.  Fast forward to 2008, it’s safe to say that my fitness train has derailed.  It’s time to get my fitness train on the right track!

This return to fitness got me thinking.  I’ve already signed up at my local independent gym, what else can I do to ensure I stay on the right track?  Below (and in no particular order) are the top five independent online fitness training and tracking sites to aid us on our path to fitness.

• Customized workout given to you over your iPod or mp3 player.
• Integrate your favorite workout tracks with the trainer’s workout.
• It’s like having your personal trainer with you no matter where you workout.
• Great for those who want the instruction and encouragement of a personal trainer at a better price
• $19.95/month.

• Creates a customized workout.
• Creates customized nutritional and meal plans.
• Gauge progress in five areas of fitness with one FitScore number.
• Great for those who workout in the gym and focus on strength-training.
• $14.95/month.

• Applies the same detailed charts and graphs, like like those in personal financial programs.
• Compare your fitness rankings to your friends, or to everyone on Fitness Journal.
• Helps smokers kick the habit by tracking cigarette use.
• Great for those who want to keep detailed fitness data… also great for iPhone users.
• $7.95/month.

• Uses online communities for encouragement and accountability.
• Join groups of up to four people based on different criteria or create one of your own.
• Broad motivational network.
• Great for those who have good workout/diet routines, who also want social web aspect.
• FREE.

• Diet finder allows you to input what you want from a diet, then makes diet type suggestions.
• Includes many essential health trackers including exercise, water intake, and sleep trackers.
• Social community allows you to track your progress against others in your group.
• Great for those who want detailed tracking of every detail on the way towards fitness goals.
• FREE.

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Last year, my roommate Jeff sported a killer mustache (which I miss, by the way, bring it back!) and a button that read “Ask me about Mustaches for Kids.” It was a great fundraising effort where instead of running a marathon or having a bake sale, Jeff and other men grew sponsored mustaches to raise money for kids. This year, my friend Ryan is doing the same, but in the name of Prostate Cancer research. This is a great grassroots movement with a sense of humor that not only raises money, but spirits as well. Viva el Mustachio!!! Guys, I know it’s not comfortable, but go get your prostates checked! We girls go to the “Lady Doctor” once a year and let me tell you, it’s NO fun, but it’s SO important for our health. So, get ready for the lube, the glove and the “funny feeling” in your bum. It could save your life. Oh, and go donate to the cause, ya’ll!

The money raised by Movember is donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation which will use the funds for high-impact research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.

Did you know:

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the US with one in six American men developing the disease and more than 28,000 men dying of the disease every year.

African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease and should have regular annual testing starting at 45. All other men should commence testing at 50.

*Prostate cancer is 90% curable if detected and treated early.* WOW!

To donate, go HERE

OR
Write a check payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Foundation’, referencing my Registration Number 1375306 and mailing it to:
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Attn: Movember
1250 Fourth St
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Thank you and PEACE!

A story worth reposting. We urge that you do some research on who you recycling with.

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There is a great debate happening over at Create Digital Music (of all places), regarding the complete failure of Google AdWords during the past week.

For those who didn’t know, the internet was ablaze in the last week (especially on Monday) with Yes on Prop 8 ads—popping up in completely inappropriate places. We too were bombarded here at LEGENDmag, and chose to remove the ads and instead promote our amazing new issue 23 instead.

The thoughtful conversation CDM embarks on is very poignant for those of us who care about independent thought!! And although it’s a little on the long side, it’s an important one.

UPDATE: The CDM site has a follow-up post talking about what Google is doing to rectify this situation… still doesn’t really ensure trust like it was before however…

I would really like for everyone to embrace this new time that we live in. It’s a time to evaluate the values we love so that we can keep them and purge the values that will do us no good in our new future. We have to starting thinking in ways that include both the rural and the urban, the elite and the common, and red and the blue.

I received an email today that talked about the blue states forming a new america and leaving the red states behind. The email was funny, I’m always up for a good laugh but the email address a real issue going on right now in America that this election has really brought to the forefront. People really believe that we are less alike. They believe we have more differences then similarities and that’s a shame.

There’s no room in our evolution for that kind of thinking. We don’t have the luxury to not be one nation. This art by Diem Chau is a great example of the subtle things we can do to make ourselves question what the norms are (the piece is called American Girl) and move forward as one nation, one people, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The morning after Halloween, I headed down the block to the grocery store to pick up some bacon. (MMMMM….bacon.) Before leaving, my roommate warned me that I would be in for some audio bombardment over the speakers in the aforementioned store. Upon arriving, I discovered that she was right. Christmas has come early to San Francisco! Typically, you don’t start hearing Christmas music piped into every available store, dentist’s office, cab, or department store until after Thanksgiving, but there it was. We have hit a new low in consumerism. Christmas is no longer about a specific season or a day of religious significance. It’s about buying as much as you can for as many as you can, even if it means the rent will be late. I was absolutely horrified to see candy canes for sale at the check-out and Santa hats for sale in the wine aisle (why there? They should sell lampshades in that aisle all year round!). Thanksgiving has been totally overlooked here! Where are the Pilgrim lollipops and Turkey aprons? Where are the Native American corn holders and Smallpox hand towels? Have we all forgotten that there is an order to things? Or are we simply overlooking Thanksgiving because it does not involve present exchanges?

Christmas means different things to everyone, but I think we can all agree that there is a time and a place for the Christmas Spirit. It is not on November 1 in my local chain grocery store. It does not come before Thanksgiving. We are in a staggering economic crisis, the last thing we need is a reminder that soon we will need to find a way to spend more on crap no one needs. Call me Scrooged, but it’s true. I am sure my tune will change as we near the actual day and I become filled with good will toward men, hope for the future and peace in my heart, just like I do every Christmas. But don’t rush me!

It’s funny… as someone who doesn’t subscribe to any particular religion, I’m a big believer in one’s own power to create their own destiny (which is why fate has always been a tough pill for me to swallow).  Whenever in a “Why are we here?” or “What does it all mean?” discussion with those abreast in philosophy, the existential label isn’t far behind when they comment on my thoughts.  This is a label that I wear proudly.  So it’s all the more curious to me (if not a bit hypocritical) that I’m going to get a bit metaphysical on you.

Since today is my birthday, I’m a little more focused on the date of today than I am most other days.  As such, there is something that I’ve noticed over the years that seem a little more than coincidental.  Many people, that I know, who have similar birthday’s in either year (dragon) or time of year (scorpio), have similar characteristics to those I possess.   Now, I am the LAST person to identify with Astrology, especially when used to predict the future (quacks!).  But I have noticed that other scorpios, dragons, scorpio-dragons, or, my particular fave scorpio-firedragons (those born in ‘76) tend to have similar personality traits.

Of course my existentialism grounds me in the fact that there are over 6 billion people on this floating rock, and these simple, broad descriptions will not describe everyone within the category, especially when the discussion goes deeper into the backgrounds and upbringing of these people.  But, nevertheless,  it’s fun to speculate, make comparisons, and draw conclusions.

Scorpio traits:

Dragon traits:

How do you stack up? Have you noticed any similarities? Thanks for indulging me, out here on the deep end.  In the future, I’ll try to keep the crazy to myself!

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I was watching this video from Gary Vaynerchuk and it occurred to me that you guys have no clue why we do what we do. I mean Gary is feature in this issue and I was thinking you guys don’t know why he or anyone else is in our magazine (other then the fact their independent) and wouldn’t know why because we haven’t told you…until now!

Gary Vaynerchuk is in LEGENDmag issue23 and is also covered multiple times on this blog.
I’m starting with Gary because he’s one of those people I feel a connection too. He would have you think it’s because of his energy or that I’ve met him personally, but what even Gary doesn’t address is the fact that our DNA while making us who we are also draws us to others. I’ve been watching his show Wine Library TV since maybe episode 100 and something or maybe 200 and something but a long time. I was told by Billy Lane (DJ extrodinair) “there’s this guy who will talk about wine like it’s a sporting event and really bring it down to earth for you”. This is obviously before the speaking engagements and tv appereances but the cool thing is that he was the same guy then that you see now, period.

He’s genuine and that’s what makes him independent. That’s why he’s the poster child for being independent because he is one of the few people that understands this simple idea. Being independent isn’t about how and where you shop, it’s about knowing EXACTLY what you want and letting that determen where you shop.

Here’s the thing…what we’re betting on here at LEGENDmag is that the more you discover yourself the less you’ll be satisfied with anything that’s made to appeal to millions people. It just doesn’t fit right, why? It wasn’t made to fit you.

So when it’s all said and done we applaud Gary and everyone like him (they’re the people and business’ we cover in every issue of LEGENDmag) and we hope that you are less like them and more like you every single day.

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Even if you haven’t already registered, head down to the local voting place and cast a provisional ballot! Show up! Make your voice heard! You still have time, and your vote is important!

And, if you are having a hard time falling off the fence, we have provided a handy Presidential Beatdown for you (courtesy of LEGENDmag issue 23!):

( click here to download the printable PDF version )

Happy Halloween LEGENDmag readers! Tonight’s the night! You’ll eat more candy tonight that all the days of the year put together; you’ll make choices that you might not have if you hadn’t been wearing that wig or that mask; you’ll take too many pictures; or maybe you’ll have a nice quiet evening at home, passing out candy to cute kids and obnoxious teenagers. If you’re heading out and dressing up like a wicked witch, slutty nurse, drag queen/king, superhero or Barak Obama and Sarah Palin, be careful out there! Things are not always what they seem! I share with you the following cautionary tale! (Thanks to my girl Maria Romero for the heads up!)

A cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won’t stop staring at her.

She asks him why he is staring. He replies: ‘I have a question to ask, but I don’t want to offend you.’

She answers, ‘ My son, you cannot offend me. When you’re as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I’m sure that there’s nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive.’

‘Well, I’ve always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me.’

She responds, ‘Well, let’s see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic.’

The cab driver is very excited and says, ‘Yes, I’m single and Catholic!’

‘OK’ the nun says. ‘Pull into the next alley.’

The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush.

But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.

‘My dear child,’ said the nun, ‘Why are you crying?’

‘Forgive me but I’ve sinned. I lied and I must confess; I’m married and I’m Jewish.’

The nun says, ‘That’s OK. My name is Kevin and I’m going to a Halloween party.’

Happy Haunting, ya’ll!
Peace!

Attention: If you don’t RSVP you will not get in. When you do try to RSVP, if it says SOLD OUT, do not go to the theater in hopes of grabbing a seat, because you won’t. An RSVP does not guarantee a seat, as they always take more RSVP’s, than seats allow. They want the house packed, no matter what! I would recommend getting there at least an hour early to be ensured a seat.

Screening cities and dates:
New York, NY - Monday, Nov 03 7:00 PM
Los Angeles, CA - Monday, Nov 03 7:30 PM
Seattle, WA - Wednesday, Nov 05 7:00 PM
Boston, MA - Wednesday, Nov 05 7:00 PM
Edina - Wednesday, Nov 05 7:30 PM
Dallas, TX - Wednesday, Nov 05 7:30 PM
Santa Monica, CA - Thursday, Nov 06 7:30 PM
Georgetown, Washington - Thursday, Nov 06 7:30 PM
New York, NY - Thursday, Nov 06 8:00 PM
New York, NY - Monday, Nov 10 7:00 PM
San Francisco, CA - Monday, Nov 10 7:00 PM
Bethesda - Tuesday, Nov 11 7:30 PM
Seattle, WA - Wednesday, Nov 12 7:00 PM
Brookline, MA - Wednesday, Nov 12 7:00 PM
Dallas, TX - Wednesday, Nov 12 7:30 PM
Greenwood - Wednesday, Nov 12 7:30 PM
Tempe - Thursday, Nov 13 8:00 PM
Denver, CO - Monday, Nov 17 7:30 PM
Dallas, TX - Monday, Nov 17 8:00 PM
Houston, TX - Tuesday, Nov 18 7:30 PM
Scottsdale - Wednesday, Nov 19 7:00 PM
Philadelphia, PA - Wednesday, Nov 19 7:30 PM
Aventura - Wednesday, Nov 19 7:30 PM
Boston, MA - Thursday, Nov 20 7:00 PM
Philadelphia, PA - Thursday, Nov 20 7:30 PM
Houston, TX - Tuesday, Dec 02 7:30 PM
Austin, TX - Tuesday, Dec 02 7:30 PM
Orlando, FL - Wednesday, Dec 03 7:30 PM
Ft. Lauderdale - Wednesday, Dec 03 7:30 PM
Tampa, FL - Wednesday, Dec 03 7:30 PM
Austin - Tuesday, Dec 09 7:30 PM
Henderson - Wednesday, Dec 10 7:00 PM
South Beach , Miami - Wednesday, Dec 10 7:30 PM
Houston, TX - Wednesday, Dec 10 7:30 PM
Altamonte Springs - Wednesday, Dec 10 7:30 PM
Houston, TX - Monday, Dec 15 7:30 PM
Orlando, FL - Monday, Dec 15 7:30 PM
Miami, FL - Monday, Dec 15 7:30 PM
Tampa, FL - Monday, Dec 15 7:30 PM
Hartford, CT - Wednesday, Dec 17 7:00 PM
Warwick, RI - Wednesday, Dec 17 7:00 PM
Winter Park - Wednesday, Dec 17 7:30 PM
Boca Raton - Wednesday, Dec 17 7:30 PM
Aventura - Wednesday, Dec 17 7:30 PM
Providence, RI - Monday, Dec 22 7:00 PM

There are a plethora of social media tools available, to maintain an open dialogue with us, your potential customers. As such, there’ s no reason that any of you (who want to stay in business) should be talking AT us anymore! We consumers demand a two-way interaction with potential vendors. And no, that doesn’t mean that we’ll be fooled just because you have a MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube account. We demand non-objective engagement! It’s about relationships and community… How long will it take for you to figure this one out? Here, maybe this will help:

If you still don’t get it, that’s ok… there’s someone, who does, that will gladly take your place!

The nominees for the 18th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards™ which will take place on Tuesday, December 2nd at New York City’s Cipriani Wall Street, have been announced. It also announced the new name for the awards, making the subtle shift from the Gotham Awards to the Gotham Independent Film Awards™.
Presented by IFP, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers, the Gotham Independent Film Awards™ is one of the leading awards for independent film and the first major honors of the film awards season. Many look at it to be the start of the Oscar race.

Best Feature

Ballast
Lance Hammer, director; Lance Hammer, Nina Parikh, producers (Alluvial Film Company)

Frozen River
Courtney Hunt, director; Heather Rae, Chip Hourihan, producers (Sony Pictures Classics)

Synecdoche, New York
Charlie Kaufman, director; Anthony Bregman, Charlie Kaufman, Spike Jonze, Sidney Kimmel, producers (Sony Pictures Classics)

The Visitor
Tom McCarthy, director; Mary Jane Skalski, Michael London, producers (Overture Films)

(no trailer available yet)
The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky, director; Scott Franklin, Darren Aronofsky, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Best Documentary

Chris & Don: A Love Story
Guido Santi & Tina Mascara, directors; Julia Scott, Tina Mascara, Guido Santi, James White, producers (Zeitgeist Films)

Encounters at the End of the World
Werner Herzog, director; Henry Kaiser, producer (THINKFilm / Image Entertainment)

Man on Wire
James Marsh, director; Simon Chinn, producer (Magnolia Pictures)

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Marina Zenovich, director; Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Lila Yacoub, Marina Zenovich, producers (THINKFilm in association with HBO Documentaries)

Trouble the Water
Tia Lessin & Carl Deal, producers/directors (Zeitgeist Films)

Best Ensemble Performance

Ballast
Micheal J. Smith, Sr., Jim Myron Ross, Tarra Riggs, Johnny McPhail (Alluvial Film Company)

Rachel Getting Married
Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Tunde Adebimpe, Mather Zickel, Anna Deavere Smith, Anisa George, Debra Winger (Sony Pictures Classics)

Synecdoche, New York
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis, Tom Noonan (Sony Pictures Classics)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz (The Weinstein Company)

The Visitor
Richard Jenkins, Hiam Abbas, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira (Overture Films)

Breakthrough Director

Antonio Campos for Afterschool
Dennis Dortch for A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy (Magnolia Pictures)
Lance Hammer for Ballast (Alluvial Film Company)
Barry Jenkins for Medicine for Melancholy (IFC Films)
Alex Rivera for Sleep Dealer (Maya Releasing)

Breakthrough Actor

Pedro Castaneda in August Evening (Maya Releasing)
Rosemarie DeWitt in Rachel Getting Married (Sony Pictures Classics)
Rebecca Hall in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (The Weinstein Company)
Melissa Leo in Frozen River (Sony Pictures Classics)
Alejandro Polanco in Chop Shop (Koch Lorber Films)
Micheal J. Smith, Sr. in Ballast (Alluvial Film Company)

Something about screaming “VOTE!” and telling me to spam my friends is not my idea of motivation… but maybe I am just not in touch with the youth of this country anymore. Are they acting? And what is up with the Spielberg-ian attempts at jittery cameras and dialogue. And who is that one guy with the beard anyhow? (…you think I should dres