Blake Fall-Conroy, “Minimum Wage Machine,” 2008-2010

This machine allows anyone to work for minimum wage for as long as they like. Turning the crank on the side releases one penny every 4.97 seconds, for a total of $7.25 per hour. This corresponds to minimum wage for a person in New York.

This piece is brilliant on multiple levels, particularly as social commentary. Without a doubt, most people who started operating the machine for fun would quickly grow disheartened and stop when realizing just how little they’re earning by turning this mindless crank. A person would then conceivably realize that this is what nearly two million people in the United States do every day…at much harder jobs than turning a crank. This turns the piece into a simple, yet effective argument for raising the minimum wage.

And, this:

Another member and I were talking about how sometimes being turned on is not purely touch based. The other person does not need to be anywhere near your naughty bits. Sometimes, it's hearing them tell you what they are planning to do to you, or smelling them next to you. Even little things that we sometimes take for granted, but that hit you right in the stomach and quicken your heart..and, the naughty bits really *aren't* that far behind.

Anyways, I came across this on tumblr, and that conversation came back to mind



The gasp in your ear *before* the first thrust.

The gasp in your ear before the first touch.

The gasp in your ear before the first word.

There are greater pleasures to be had before the purely physical.

-The Dirty Romantic
[url]http://youmakemeneedyou.tumblr.com/[/url]

So, this is a buddy I used to play pool with all the time, on omgpop. We haven't talked in forever, but it still stuns me when an awesome artist he is. So, I thought I'd share with you guys...I might have blogged one of his videos already..idk. If I did, here's another! lol

So, we are supposed to put up pictures of what we sleep in...I was going to do something a bit cuter, but I be lazy, yo. So, this is what I wear when I'm not alone. Otherwise, umm..it's a little less, lol.



Annnd, don't forget to check out every one else who is doing it!!
tight_wet_lips, Spicy_purr, Uschi, Safire13, onib28, Be4andAfter, nickey69, Cotton_balls, Whispermyname, Dreamingof_U, petiteprincess, GoingGreek, dziga, VTCali, avaitor757, MrCoverYou, kricket187, arabella_topaz, private parts, stardustdream, needsithard, lovemybabygirl, cub1112, RoxanneS.

And, a special thanks to tight_wet_lips...this was such a great idea!!

Okay, so I blogged this band before, because they are so insanely awesome. Last time the video I shared was of them covering Somebody That I Used to Know. And, this time it is their own song, Red Hands.

Now, not only is this a great song, but the video is really cool. They filmed it all in one take. Now, I understand that that is something that is difficult to do, even in a normal video. But, the way they did it takes awesome to a whole other level.


And, because it is neat to see how they did it, this is the unedited version

Back in August a friend and I started talking about photography. He enjoyed taking nude photos of women and asked if I would mind posing for him sometime (though this is not the point of this blog, I just figure I should share where I found everything). I told him yes, and tried to express the fact that I really am interested. The photos he showed me are all beautiful and tasteful. While I did want to let him know that I liked the idea, I didn't open up about NN or any of the other sites I've posted on, and so I think he was left with the impression that I might be unnerved a bit by the whole idea. So, one night, he sent me a link.

[url]http://www.chadestes.com/2012/04/the-fine-art-of-nakedness/[/url]

That is an article, written by a man who is a nude photographer. But, what is interesting is the face that the man is also a minister. And, in this article he is explaining why he takes the pictures he does. But then, he mentioned a book. And, this is the point of this blog.

The Scar Project.
When I clicked on the link provided, it took me to a page with a picture of a nude woman. She has the most captivating eyes..for a moment I did not realize that she had no clothes on. Once I left her face, my eyes traveled to her dark curly hair, and down the line of her arm, finally reaching her distended belly. And then it hit me that something was missing, something vital and important, and after realizing it I don't know how I could have been so blind. This woman had had a double mastectomy, and in the glaring beauty of the photo I missed it.

This is what The Scar Project is: Nearly 100 women have been photographed so far, women who have traveled from different parts of America and some from different countries. These women are mothers, daughters, sisters, soldiers, teachers and friends. I know that so often we think of scars as ugly horrible things. Things that remind us of our pasts and that warn us for the future. And it is so easy to look around the scar, to see the rest of a persons body and face and to know that they are beautiful despite the scars. But, that is not the case here. These women are not beautiful despite their scars, they are beautiful because of them. Women who are missing whole pieces of themselves, who have had to fight tooth and nail just to be here today. They are each strong and brave, and they are not living despite the problems that have had to face, but because of them. And, these pictures are not in mourning, they are not dedicated to the loss, to the defacement of what would have been a perfect body...They are in rejoice. They are in showcasing the beauty and the strength it takes to carry on, and to be happy.

These pictures, the whole project is absolutely moving, and so I figured I would come share it with you all.






[url]http://www.thescarproject.org/gallery/[/url]

And now, I have run out of steam. As I am sure you all know, it is breast cancer awareness month, and I need to urge all of you to please CHECK YOURSELF. There are so many misconceptions about this disease, that is only affects women, or people over a certain age, but that is just not true! Men are very susceptible, and quite often go far longer without treatment because they think it can not happen to them. And as for age, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40, and it will be diagnosed of over 10,000 women under the age of 40 in this year alone. That is some scary shit. So please, PLEASE, do your self exams. Go to the doctor double check everything..if you are scared or don't want to go alone, bring a friend. And, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Just don't take the chance.

Finally, to everyone on here that has gone through this, that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or any other form of this horrible disease and has won the fight..I am so very glad that you are here. I only know of a few people on here, one of which is a beautiful lady who is strong enough to show off her scars..and I feel absolutely honored to be able to call her a friend.

Now, as lovely as it is to admit that I am sitting here at nearly 4 in the morning bawling my eyes out, I am going to go to bed. Good night (or morning, depending on when this finds you).

This is so very sweet.