Archive for November 2011

European Debt Crisis in Graffiti

 (Source)

The European Sovereign Debt Crisis is a bar of soap on a prison floor and the global economy is standing over it.

It has shattered the Greek, Spanish and Italian economies and threatens to debunk more.

However, all is not hopeless.


German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are working together going forward to keep European economies, like Greece, from defaulting on enormous sovereign debts.

These debts were accrued when bankers sold mortgages - for those little red hotels in Monopoly - that borrowers couldn't afford to repay.

Apparently the fix to all this is to "flush the problem out with more money".

 (Source)

Still in its infancy, the Euro currency is rapidly crumbling as investors around the world fear its toxicity.

Graffiti and street artists have hit the streets to voice their concerns - some are overtly political, anti-capitalist and some...dare I say it...involving VANDALISM.

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One argument is that the financiers, the wealthy elite - la bourgeoisie - , have failed to regulate their own business activities.

In handing out toxic loans, and depleting their cash safety nets, the rich have failed society, so the argument goes.

 (Source)

Another argument is that the regulators - governments - did not do enough to curtail the irresponsible business practices of those who caused the crisis.

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In these times of crisis, governments should look to their strengths. For a long time, the European economic powerhouse has been Germany. Each Eurozone member would learn from the example that it sets in financial resilience and rigor.

Perhaps now is the time to export one of Germany's most famous and lucrative industries around the entire world...

 (Source)

Oktoberfest! 6.9 million visitors, 7.5 millions litres of beer, copious amounts of fun!

If Oktoberfest was celebrated year-round in every European country...the debt crisis might be averted!


With the right economic model in the hands of European leaders - the debt crisis would cease and the global economy would rise from recession.

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European Debt Crisis Needs Miracle

little menu

you'd think if this cafe was going to be called "The Best Little Menu" that they would post the menu outside. but they didn't and it was closed, so I can't confirm if it really was the best. or little.

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Judgement

Judge: To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration.
Judgement: The cognitive process of reaching a decision.

"We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path." Paulo Coelho


I'm making a conscious effort not to judge others because I know what it feels like and it's awful.

Reminding myself that we are all mere human animals helps. Knowing that we are all a product of our experiences and nothing more. We are all just trying to survive as best as we know how.

I will make a conscious effort to offer something constructive instead of criticizing. I will try to be thoughtful and speak from a place of love.

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“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Carl Gustav Jung

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Mother Teresa

“Only the ignorant and narrow-minded gossip, for they speak of persons instead of things.” Lawrence G. Lovasik

“I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions.” Dorothy Day

"Who are you to judge the life I live?
I know I'm not perfect
-and I don't live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers...
make sure you hands are clean!"
Bob Marley

Synonyms: adjudicator, appraiser, arbiter, assessor, authority, bench, chancellor, conciliator, court, critic, evaluator, expert, honor, inspector, intercessor, intermediary, interpreter, judiciary, justice, justice of peace, legal official, magister, magistrate, marshal, moderator, negotiator, ombudsman, peacemaker, reconciler, referee, umpire, warden

Latest news from Taxwise on tax investigations

We continue to face challenging economic times and there are no signs of any good news soon. HMRC activity has been well publicised and unsurprisingly we have seen unprecedented levels of claims. In the 6 months to 30 September 2011 claims notifications are in excess of 50% higher than the same period last year. A third of claims are PAYE and VAT compliance checks, 2% are Schedule 36 interventions with no reference to statute and 2% are cross tax enquiries covering income tax, corporation tax, PAYE and VAT in one enquiry. We are seeing HMRC focus on records, systems and controls and increasingly these checks do not relate to submitted returns.

Perception

Perception: 1. Recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli based chiefly on memory. 2. The neurological processes by which such recognition and interpretation are effected.3.Insight, intuition, or knowledge gained by perceiving. 4.The capacity for such insight.


"All perceiving is also thinking, all reasoning is also intuition, all observation is also invention." Rudolf Arnheim


Altered Photo ~ South Florida Sunset 11.2011


I actually gasped while reading today's definition.  The fact that perception relies on memory which we already know is faulty because it's affected by our emotions means the world is indeed more fiction-like than I ever imagined possible.  It could be another reason why I find it easy to be creative. I find it easy to see things from different points of view.  It's funny in that it makes another great sentiment true = we create our own worlds.  I encourage you to go out today and create your own world.

I would also like to give a big thanks to talented Latino writer Phillip Velez for including my blog among so many amazing ones on his 2011 list of Favorite Latino Blogs.  What an honor.

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The Broadwalk
“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” Aldous Huxley


“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” Edgar Allan Poe


“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as it is - infinite.” William Blake
Good Night Moon






“Your agreement with reality defines your life.” Steve Maraboli



"No great artist ever sees things as they are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist." Oscar Wilde






Synonyms: awareness, comprehension, grasp, idea, intellect, intelligence, judgment, knowledge, notion, thought, alertness, aliveness, appreciation, enlightenment, experience, familiarity, information, keenness, mindfulness, perception , realization, recognition, sensibility, sentience, understanding

Intuition

Intuition: 1.a. The act or faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes; immediate cognition. See Synonyms at reason. b. Knowledge gained by the use of this faculty; a perceptive insight. 2. A sense of something not evident or deducible; an impression.

"Knowledge has three degrees -- opinion, science, illumination. The means or instrument of the first is sense; of the second, dialectic; of the third, intuition." Plotinus


 "Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself." Oprah Winfrey 


We are presented with decisions everyday. How often do you follow your intuition?

I have a wild over active imagination. If I could visualize intuition I imagine I'd see random sparks of light. I think it would feel like having a magnet in the pit of my stomach and giving in to the phenomenon of forces they way we do on carnival rides and roller coasters.  And a blind faith that even though we are hurling through space there is something protecting us. I'm sure I've been saved countless times by following my intuition.


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“Intuition is the clear conception of the whole at once.” Johann Kaspar Lavater

“You must train your intuition - you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.” Ingrid Bergman

"Trust your hunches. They're usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level." Joyce Brothers

"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." Steve Jobs

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Synonyms: ESP, clairvoyance, discernment, divination, feeling*, foreknowledge, gut reaction, hunch, innate knowledge, inspiration, instinct, intuitiveness, penetration, perception, perceptivity, premonition, presentiment, second sight, sixth sense

Spirit of Nature


Lights, curtain, action

Jan compiling her lotus inspired book

Mixed media by Jooles

Vibrant abstracts by Mirella
A lovely little church hall in Milton was the ideal location for my 'Spirit of Nature' workshop held over last weekend.
While outside the weather turned on four seasons in one day, inside the ten creative students printed, painted, scribbled, pasted and the outcome was amazing.
It was a pleasure to guide such wonderful artists.  View some of Jans wonderful work at her blog.

www.meaganjacobs.com.au

F*CK plastic BAGS


F*CK plastic BAGS, originally uploaded by schnapper_j.

Free Calls to the Premier

(King St, Newtown)

Street art installations are interesting - it's odd to see them being installed yet they aren't as 'offensive' as aerosol work.

Fit for seniors. Now this installation, made of carved timber, cord and a can, was fixed onto a light pole in the centre of bustling Newtown.
The artist has written on it: "Free calls to the premier. This is an initiative of the state government of NSW".

A Greens voter perhaps? Look, if you talk into that can I bet you'll be heard.

As much as you are now.

Graffiti Alphabet Lazer - Graffiti Fonts


Graffiti Alphabet Laser - Graffiti Fonts Stack | Graffiti Alphabet Letters

Banksy Art Painting | Graffiti Banksy


Making graffiti on the wall with a paintbrush. Banksy Art Painting | Graffiti Banksy. Graffiti Street Art.

Component Stencil in Melbourne

(The Esplanade, St Kilda, Melbourne) 

Here is a stencil by New Zealand artist Component. The subject of this stencil is the theatrical poster for the 1979 film The Warriors.

Here is the original poster:


I like Component's stencils. His indoor ones are delicately layered and don't have much pretentiousness about them. Lots of late 1970s-early 80s cultural kitsch.

Graffiti Playdo: Graffiti Alphabet


Graffiti Playdo: Graffiti Alphabet | Graffiti Fonts. Graffiti Alphabet Letter PLAYDO Blue

X = Reactance

X: 1. The symbol for reactance. 2. denoting any unknown, unspecified, or variable factor, number, person, or thing

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reactance is an emotional reaction in direct contradiction to rules or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms.

Reactance can occur when someone is heavily pressured to accept a certain view or attitude. Reactance can cause the person to adopt or strengthen a view or attitude that is contrary to what was intended, and also increases resistance to persuasion. People using reverse psychology are playing on at least an informal awareness of reactance, attempting to influence someone to choose the opposite of what they request.

I've been resisting my entire life.

Psychological Reactance: an aversive affective reaction in response to regulations or impositions that impinge on freedom and autonomy.



I've had this attitude my entire life.  It's cool to name it and to know others feel the same.


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"You can't always get what you want . . .
But if you try sometimes
You just might find
You get what you need." The Rolling Stones




“What is happiness? The feeling that power increases - that resistance is being overcome.” Friedrich Nietzsche




 






“The path of least resistance makes all rivers, and some men, crooked.” Napoleon Hill





“As much as I live I shall not imitate them or hate myself for being different to them.” Orhan Pamuk, Snow







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Synonyms: battle, blocking, check, combat, contention, counteraction, cover, defiance, detention, fight, friction, halting, hindrance, holding, impedance, impediment, impeding, intransigence, obstruction, parrying, protecting, protection, rebuff, refusal, retardation, safeguard, screen, shield, stand, striking back, struggle, support, warding off, watch, withstanding

Artistic Style in Photography

Artistic style: 1. the style of a particular artist or school or movement. 2. how something is done or how it happens

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” Gore Vidal

 In art we look at form and method to describe an artists style.  An artistic style is a combination of equipment, genre, subject, place, motivation and skills.  It's the expression of theme and concepts.

Subject is what you photograph.
Style is how you photograph it..



Photography style examples: Photojournalism, Black and White, Digital, Nature, Portrait, Fine Art, Documentary, Classic, Fashion, Commercial, Sports, Landscapes, Macro, Panoramic, Nude, Food, Abstract, Illustrated,




Fine art is the expression of an artist's perceptions and emotions.




 All of my art is an expression of an emotion.




“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” Yves Saint Laurent

"Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality." Shawn Ashmore


“Style is what unites memory or recollection, ideology, sentiment, nostalgia, presentiment, to the way we express all that. It's not what we say but how we say it that matters.” Federico Fellini


“Style is the perfection of a point of view.” Richard Eberhart



Synonyms: ability, accomplishment, artfulness, brilliance, craftship, creativity, finesse, flair, genius, mastery, proficiency, style , talent, taste, touch, virtuosity, workmanship

Back to the 1980's with YTS??

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15878796

Interesting that youth unemployment has been relentless rising under New Labour since 2001, so its not a recent problem

Banksy Graffiti: Writing Graffiti Peace

Banksy Graffiti

Banksy Graffiti: Writing Graffiti Peace. Art of painting with a brush on the wall that contains the meaning of peace

Graffiti Street Art | Graffiti Alphabet Letters American Union Flag

Graffiti Street Art

Graffiti Street Art | Graffiti Alphabet Letters American Union Flag

Banksy Graffiti On Paper | Painting Art Banksy

Banksy

Banksy Graffiti On Paper | Painting Art Banksy. Art painting connotes cool

Green Taxes - a con?

Under Gordon Brown’s stewardship as Chancellor, the tax burden on us all rose by about a third in real terms. Many of these tax rise were the so called “green taxes” designed to tackle the alleged problem of man-made climate change.

Of course, if the object of this tax strategy was to reverse the effects of man-made climate change, it was fundamentally flawed from the beginning. Unless every single nation on earth followed exactly the same strategy and it produced exactly the same change in behaviours then its impact on the climate would be precisely nil. Recognising this weakness (albeit a bit late) today Mr Huhne has called for a global legally binding climate change deal by 2015 (like that’s going to happen).

This week Mr Osborne has announced an extension of Mr Brown’s strategy and a whole series of new green taxes are winging our way. Quite apart from the weak logic of green taxes, new scientific research has emerged that virtually destroys the whole notion of man-made climate change.

New research by London’s Natural History Museum has shown that:

·         2 million years ago climate change caused East Africa to dry out and forced our ancestors out of the trees and made them walk
·         450,000 years ago climate change saw an Ice Age and it split human populations. In the north Neanderthals evolved while in the south Homo Erectus (our ancestors) evolved
·         55,000 years ago climate change caused Africa to be dry and forced Homo Erectus to migrate to Europe
·         25,000 years ago climate change saw another Ice Age. Sea level dropped 330 feet as a result and humans were able to walk to North America and populate it
·         14,000 years ago climate change saw the end of the last Ice Age and erratic weather patterns and caused humans to develop farming to stabilise food supplies

What is clear from the above (and conveniently ignored by the climate change proponents) is that:

·         Climate change has been a regular feature in the past
·         It has been caused by entirely natural events

There is nothing to suggest that any change in climate that may or may not be occurring today is man-made.

Of course, if climate change is NOT man-made, then the green taxes will have absolutely no impact on the climate and so are a “con”!


R2D2 Stencil, Melbourne

(Brunswick St, Fitzroy)

I've been clearing out the closet recently...and in the process I found a few photos from my time in Melbourne (town).

You might have noticed it with the past few updates on this blog. I hope you like them, and I hope you have a nice weekend.

Fin.

Grateful

Grateful: 1. Appreciative of benefits received; thankful. 2. Expressing gratitude.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust




“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.” Sarah Ban Breathnach


"The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low." Richard Carlson


“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” Frederick Keonig




Synonyms: beholden, gratified, indebted, obliged, pleased, thankful,

Sharing with:
Live, Love, TRAVEL

Graffiti Fonts: Graffiti Alphabet Letters | Alphabet Lettering Styles


Graffiti Fonts: Graffiti Alphabet Letters | Alphabet Lettering Styles

Stack Graffiti Alphabet


Stack Graffiti Alphabet

Alphabet graffiti design with bright colors. Amazing design looks like a life. Graffiti in blue and pink. How to make with spray paint.

MELBOURNE: Shepard Fairey Obey Sticker

(St Kilda Beach, Melbourne)

Here is one of street artist Shepard Fairey's cool Obey posters on a light pole in Melbourne. I noticed heaps of these popping up in Sydney last month. You know, I see Sherpard Fairey as a sort of Jack Dawson from James Cameron's film flop Titanic. He's a real 'everyday' hero, don't you think?

I had a dream last night that Fairey was on the sinking Titanic with British artist Banksy. And here's what they said (don't tell anyone):

Shepard Fairey: I'll never let go Banksy. I'll never let go.
Banksy: Mate, stop rubbing that f-cking car window. You'll leave streaks on it.
SF: This is a special moment. Do you want to draw me without any clothes on?
B: Er, no. I want to punch you in the face. You have a nice nose.
SF: Have you ever read the street art blog Acid Midget? There's some cool sh-t on there.
B: I've heard about it. Seems like a hipster fag blog.
SF: It is, but aside from that there's lots of...oh wait THIS SHIP IS F-CKING SINKING.
B: What ship?
SF: The metaphorical ship of the street art movement! We need to get as many headlines in The Guardian as possible before everyone realises street art is no longer cool unless it's in a 450-page coffee table book!
B: You have nice breasts.
SF: Oh, thanks. You can touch them if you want.
B: Mate, what's are you sniffing? If you're not going to be printed on page one I can't touch you.
SF: One last hurrah before we drown?

Scene ends with gushing water enveloping our two lovers. Fade to black.


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Shepard Fairey, Obama and the Obey Sticker

3 Letters Graffiti Fonts


3 Letters Graffiti Fonts

Graffiti Alphabet
3 letters. Graffiti writing letters to the NSA

Graffiti Alphabet Happy New Year 2010 - Graffiti Fonts


Graffiti Alphabet Happy New Year 2010 - Graffiti Fonts. Graffiti alphabet letters in the new year. Graffiti alphabets new year with a new spirit

Handy answers to some topical tax questions

http://www.peninsula-uk.com/july_to_sept_2011_qas.pdf

Proposed changes to employment law

http://howespercival.cmail3.com/t/ViewEmail/y/53E9657CEE3574B8/5E8B42580143BF63A29558A201773426

Useful summary of the proposed changes to employment law. In the view of many, the proposed changes do not go far enough to balance the equation back to to an equal balance between employers and employees. All the rights still remain with the employees.

info

Tourist information sign in Gananoque

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Anarchy

Anarchy - a state of lawlessness and disorder usually resulting from a failure of government.



I've been hearing this word used frequently and incorrectly lately. While I agree with liberating ones mind and body we still need some sort of system to help the world run smoothly. Up till now none has been a success and all have been subject to corruption. It's pathetic to cling to theories that are over 2,000 years old and have never worked. We must take responsibility for our actions and encourage one another to think. It would be wonderful to live in an era where ideas were appreciated and treasured. I would love to witness the advancement of human intellect.


  
"There is more than one kind of freedom... Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don't underrate it." 

MARGARET ATWOOD, The Handmaid's Tale





“Anarchism, really stands for the liberation of the human mind from the dominion of religion; the liberation of the human body from the dominion of property; liberation from the shackles and restraint of government.” Emma Goldman




“Anarchists know that a long period of education must precede any great fundamental change in society, hence they do not believe in vote begging, nor political campaigns, but rather in the development of self-thinking individuals.” Lucy Parsons



"The fear of freedom is strong in us. We call it chaos or anarchy, and the words are threatening. We live in a true chaos of contradicting authorities, an age of conformism without community, of proximity without communication. We could only fear chaos if we imagined that it was unknown to us, but in fact we know it very well." GERMAINE GREER, intro, The Female Eunuch



Synonyms: chaos, confusion, disorder, disorganization, disregard, hostility, misrule, mob rule, nihilism, nongovernment, rebellion, reign of terror, revolution, riot, turmoil, unrest