Show Cave Presents the Work of Shannon Keller & AJ Liberto
1930 Echo Park Ave. – Los Angeles
5/23/09
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If you haven’t been to Show Cave yet, we highly recommend you to check it out.  To describe Show Cave is a tough one. Best to come out and see for yourself. →

Last March, 70-year-old Bernie Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 criminal counts for orchestrating a massive $65-billion Ponzi scheme. His max sentence: 150 years. What will be his sentence? This is the $65-billion question. Much of the discussion has centered around what would be a fitting punishment for Madoff. Many of Madoff’s investors were non-profits who could be characterized as victims of affinity fraud. Indeed, he was labeled by one writer as the “enemy of the Jewish people.” →

Ten years ago, most men would have laughed at the idea of flare-leg jeans and crystal-ornamented shirts. But, no one, besides the manufacturers, was laughing when they shelled out $90 for a t-shirt and $300 for a pair of jeans.  Economic booms are funny that way.  As our bank accounts swell, our discretion erodes at a similar pace.  Bad decisions proliferate, and we soon find our old selves almost unrecognizable.  Then, as is the destiny of all things that go up, it all comes crashing down just as quickly, and with a rather loud thud. →

Portraits of The Process is a new documentary project conceptualized and executed by Evil Monito founder, Rickey Kim and Levi Maestro of Maestro Knows.  A visual editorial film series set to debut in a few weeks.

What is the Value of War?

As of May 14, 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed 4,293 deaths in Iraq and 683 deaths in Afghanistan. June 6, 2006 was exactly 444 days after the second anniversary of the U.S. Invasion of Iraq, also known as “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. Coincidentally, this date falls on the 62nd anniversary of D-Day (“Operation Overlord”), which involved three million Allied troops invading Nazi-occupied France during World War II. →

Good morning LA and Good early Afternoon NY. Start your Monday right by watching this wonderful episode of The Facehunter Show. Yvan is a great interviewer and he is able to incite some great dialogue with the people he meets.

Photo by fishermansdaughter, licensed under Creative Commons.

Broke, unemployed and disaffected in this recession? You can help out in the growth of local and organic foods by volunteering your time on an organic farm in a distant country, all the while immersing yourself in a foreign culture, language and cuisine. In exchange for your labor, you’ll be provided with food, lodging and other accomodations. Sure, you can visit Paris, but not many people get to work the land and bask in the hospitality of southern France. Opportunities are available all throughout the world, so as long as you take the time to research and look into the region and program that best fits your needs.

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For more info, visit http://www.wwoof.org/ 

Magazine fetishists may appreciate Premiere Issues, an archive site featuring the first issue covers and opening statements of various stylepress/niche magazines. Fellow enthusiasts are welcome to contribute to the growing collection.

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For more info, visit http://www.premiereissues.com/

Lately, I’ve been accompanying my friend Dafne to her Wednesday morning radio show, Radio Cactus Cube, at KUCI 88.9 FM. She plays underground Asian music, mostly independent music from Japan and South Korea. If you’re ever awake at the ungodly hours of 4 to 6 a.m. (PST) on Wednesdays, tune in at http://www.kuci.org/.

One of the musicians she’s introduced me to is The Quiett, Seoul-based lyricist/producer. I don’t know much about him but I dig the production on the track. If you like Nujabes, you may enjoy this one.

Christiane Amanpour went to the S-21 Prison in Cambodia last year. During her visit, she found evidence of waterboarding as she interviewed a former prisoner. The paintings by former S-21 survivor, artist Van Nath, reminded Amanpour of the same techniques used to interrogate terrorists during the Bush Administration. Nearly forty years later, former leaders of the Khmer Rouge will face trial before the United Nations backed tribunal. Last month, CNN’s Dan Rivers profiled →