ato-h

sketchbook entry

Wed, 02 May 2007 20:23:22 GMT

this is today's image in the sketchbook. and sometimes, I guess, I get in a sharing mood! i call the image "the less room you give me, the more space i've got." well, I don't know that I call it that or that the line just stuck around while I was drawing. it's a bjork lyric.
anyway, nothing too complicated...

Vagina Power...Penis Power?!

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:04:00 GMT

I'm just gonna post this shit, cause I don't think a description could ever befit the experience. My girlfriends and I just exercised some abdominal muscles cracking up over this. This woman is a talk show host on a public access channel in Atlanta, and I warn you, she is insane.
Additional Warning: this is not for the faint at heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqg_ceFM30I

um, yeah...

These Things We Call Trees

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:55:54 GMT

I haven't posted for a really long while so thought I'd input some input.
At the moment I'm reading Stephen Hawking's 'A Brief History of Time.' Absolutely awesome book. Although, I don't think he's opposed to the idea of God - a God...etc. Which is an interesting fact for another day. I mention it though because I've begun looking at this planet with new eyes. It's kinda like I was asleep for a long time and he kicked me in the head with a boot of ultra consciousness. I mean, I knew lots of physics prior to picking up the book, so maybe it has to do with timing. Maybe it's just time for me to wake the fuck up.
This evening I stopped by a lonely park on the way home. It was drizzling, and since it's been sunny for the past month, I relished in the grey skies and just kinda loitered about in the rain. And as I walked into the park, I got entranced by the trees. Every single one of them. The first one, I call 'Her Majesty'
Think it's obvious why. She's beautiful and strong. Her trunk was pretty gynormous at the base.
This one's called 'A Negative Monkey.' The tree's common name is monkey puzzle and is indigenous to South America. They're just as beautiful up close; their leaves form concentric, natural spirals off the branches.She's named 'Lipstick Lesbian' because, although I anthropomorphized them (and promised myself I wouldn't), this one was the most female of them all: She was so delicate looking, and light and smooth - which gave her the lipstick look. But her bark was a bitch to touch --> hmm, possible undercover dyke!
This one is called 'Ever-growing.' (nicknamed '70's porn' for the light quality). She's ever-growing as her spikes/branches protrude off a never-ending spiral.
Then there was 'Tattoo Tree.' Not sure what species this is, but someone felt it necessary to tag her, which has me leaning toward the negative to have a tattoo imprinted on my own body.
And finally,

There was 'Spiderpuss' and 'Octo-puss,' respectively. They appear to be the same image but appearances only get one so far! Save from the difference of infra-red intensity, 'Spiderpuss' came to me whilst on the edge, whereas 'Octo-puss' is more about comfortability!

So after this tree-hugging session, I've decided the next book I will venture to thumb through will be Darwin's 'Origin of the Species.' I've never actually read it...aaannndd, as a planet allegedly similar to Earth has been spotted outside our galaxy (20+ light yrs away), I think I should really understand how this life thing really came about...a/c to us! (it'd be wicked if we did find life and a whole other theory came into being -- crazy crazy universe)
Guess that's it for now. Over and out!

Living WAY longer

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:18:45 GMT

For a brief introduction into the progress of gerontology and the mounds that can be achieved through the coming scientific methods, check out this short presentation by Dr. Aubrey de Grey.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=3847943059984264388&q=TED+Conference

Transhumanism thru to Posthumanism

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 19:26:51 GMT

I'd like to announce that I am now a declared transhumanist. You shall now refer to me as sci-ato. No just kidding (...and that's the best I could come up with!) But I'm not kidding about being a transhumanist. Lots of chronological steps have got me here: death of my grandma, whose mind was still intact but her body rotted away; death of my friend, Ryan Barnes, who was only 29 and killed by cancer; technological progresses in physical and biological science, nanotech, neuroscience etc; and the basic fact that I want to live as long as possible. I want to make it into space, and I want to experience the world of improved virtual reality, where I can simulate my artistic creations and introduce people to 'my world.' I think the only hindrance to be the philosophical question of consciousness. What is it? Can it be simulated? And can they do it quick so I can upload some shit, step into a different world, and start creating!
Ah, in addition, all art created by me henceforth, shall be transhumanist art and will no doubt continue to be affected by my philosophies on life.

Now I know I am risking labeling myself, but I figure, technology's not moving backwards and this is how I regard my future. Besides, only a hand-full of people actually read my live journal anyway!

satisfied cravings

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:28:44 GMT

I wanted cookie dough (which they don't sell here in ole blimey), I wanted brownies and I wanted ice cream: so I landed some ben & jerry's half-baked ice cream and stuffed the whole pint into my mouth and I feel like the better woman for doing so.

four points to the fam is back in down

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:14:11 GMT

man, this passed weekend was insane. Runnin round the city like a mad woman with two 2'-by-3' canvasses under my arm. So mad that on Sunday, after a long night of drinking, eating and being merry, I went to meet a friend for lunch and jumped off the tube one station early, as I thought I'd take a walk along Hyde Park; soak in London's rare sunshine, and just as the train was rolling away, "holy shit," I'd forgotten my rucksack on the train. Luckily there was nothing in it that caused the longing of loss in me, it was kinda an extra thing I was carrying home with muddy clothes, as I had gardened the day before. But even luckier I asked the Underground folks to call ahead and they got it and held for me in White City..bout 5 stops down. Of course I was reprimanded - bombs on trains etc. But you know I am very aware of how enclosed the London Underground is...not much in the lieu of escape routes.
So with that secured, I went on my walk and to a lunch of roasted vegetables and buffalo mozerella on foccacia & tiramasu for desert. Yum-mee!
I got home, satisfied and exhausted to a comforting call from a good friend who's coming to see me next week. Hell YEAH! MuHnkee!
And a nice long chat with big bro.
Oh yeah, and my family's back from Uganda..the craziness resumes.

grabbed ahold of my baby

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:27:19 GMT

I chipped my enamel on a molar.

Today I sat down with my laptop and realised how much it means to me!
I got an incredibly enthusuiastic response to my next exhibition which I hope to hold here in the UK, from an organisation that deals with educating girls in northern Uganda. I am proposing they extend their opportunities to an education in the arts. I've already done quite a lot of the leg work and plan to do more.
You know, I'm sitting here, satisfied after a whole hearty vegetarian meal, with a glass of some nice Chilean pinot noir, thinking how genius Weezer was. I used to really dig them. There's something to be said about a man telling it like it is. Or anyone for that matter.
Imagine with all the shit that needs to be released from a young woman of our generation who has been raised in northern Uganda, where all you know are war camps, ravages of men determined on nothing but hatred and violence -- what would you say with such simplicity? I'm not sure, but I think it my responsibility to give them their chance. ..that sounds somewhat righteous, but in no way is intended to be. In fact , I'm excited. Can you imagine what may come out of such a venture - I can only think; incredible art.

success

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 20:56:54 GMT

i have signed over the livejournal addiction to my older brother.
if one is ever looking for inspiration:

balmoi

'night to all.

UG

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 18:50:58 GMT

Please
Go to www.youtube.com
and watch Diamonds in the Rough

I'm out on a limb. I'm so not cool..anymore. Think I was once.

loss...is loss?

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 11:30:42 GMT

I have nothing profound to say
when you lose a mate
when you lose a smile

...sometimes you gain an understanding of self
around a corner you hadn't looked before

...sometimes you drop a note
in a melody you didn't know you were singing

but if, all in all, you come out even
maybe you should look at the necessity of sweet conclusion

Uniting Old Friends Thru Fiber Optics

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:16:24 GMT

From the age of about seven to ten, I had this Japanese friend named Nobuko. We both went to The British School in the Netherlands and for those three-four years we sat next to each other during classes, inspiring the other. I remember being the crazier one though; head banging to Guns and Roses with the boys during recess, throwing the middle finger around behind "evil" men's backs!...once I got caught and had a good telling off. Nobuko would always keep me tame though. When I left Holland and headed for boarding school in Africa, we kept in touch. Eventually she moved to Saudi Arabia and then to a boarding school in Japan. Her letters were always utterly enthralling. I could never grasp what she must have been experiencing. This feeling may have been mutual of course. Unfortunately when I moved to the US at the height of my adolescence, all caution seemed to have been thrown to the wind and we lost touch.
A couple of years ago I found all her letters and longed for the correspondence. I searched for her everywhere I could think but the last address I had was dated 1995.
Ok so now we know where this story is going... No? Of course, I've finally found her - through ussearch.com - in none other than California. (I swear everybody goes to California) I can't wait to get in touch. Let's hope for a happy ending.

...I wonder if she likes manga

First Fill

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 20:22:40 GMT

I have decided to take up this hobby on the web as per suggested by a friend of mine who has his own live journal that is highly informative, even if it is unintentional...he's just being Chris I guess. But his site is http://cnorwood19.livejournal.com

Anyway, I used to be quite dedicated to a diary I started way back in '99 until it was rudely snatched from my possession by my father in 2004. It was a disappointing event, as it's always interesting to watch your mind grow. Especially from adolescence into adulthood. Not sure if he read it or not though. Luckily my story of how I lost my virginity wasn't entered, or anything else too incriminating that a daughter doesn't want a father to know. Nevertheless, albeit censored, I will endeavour to keep this interesting. I don't think I will have to try too hard as London is a city of events and therefore stories.

Today's been rainy but I like it. I walked to a library about thirty minutes away from my Grandma's house; gave my legs a stretch and my mind a walk. That's what I do these days - spend hours at the library looking for ways to fund my degree. It's a bitch but let's hope worthwhile. Today was the proposal writing session. Let's see if I can put what I learned into play.

On the way back my thoughts were disturbed by a Middle Eastern man...possibly drunk? He asked me for a cigarette. I stopped smoking, for all that's holy in this world, a while back. Although moving to London pretty much made that redundant. EVERYBODY smokes. I swear you walk down the street and you feel like you've just had a pack. But about this guy. Lately, well actually for the last three years, as I'm so far away from the folks I consider to be friends, I've developed this running, somewhat entertaining commentary in my head about my environment as I venture from place to place, from country to country. What upset me about my encounter with this man today was that after replying "no," my brain cynically added, 'please don't blow me up.' Just so there is no confusion, I wasn't actually scared that he would. You see in England there's got to be hundreds and hundreds of thousands of arabic and muslim immigrants. Loads of them. (keep in mind how small of a country this is) And most of them are second or third generation. But they are being attacked left, right and centre. On the BBC the other day they were interviewing a couple of boys from northern England, middle eastern and educated. These boys blatantly and openly to the whole nation, said that they would blow people up because the treatment they are receiving as minorities and in their home countries were a justification. Now what do you think? You think, 'man, that's some sh*t.' How do you reason this one out for the salvation of humanity. Let's think. The prejudice is reminiscent of black boys in northern America in the mid 20th century. Where the oppression created characters I like to call 'Bigger Thomases.' These are young black men with so much pent up aggression from such ill treatment and mental abuse that they turn on society. I developed this analogy from a book I read by Richard Wright called 'Native Son.' It was about a black American boy who headed on a steady decline of reclusion in the 1950s because..well, because sometimes, society's a bitch. Tupac Shakur was the classic Bigger Thomas. Even with all his talent, poetry and beauty, a rose from concrete needs greenery. A human soul needs respect and love to survive. But now the human race has decided to oppress people who are prepared, will and can continue to blow up unprecedented numbers of innocent people. Well actually it's been going on for awhile, they just decided to make it global.

Have you watched 'Paradise Now?' I wonder, are they reading Noam Chomsky, or is it just us?