The Extraordinary Tourist
The Bikini Proposal
Thursday, August 28, 2008
As the war on terror drags on America looks to the humble bikini for a new way to minimize troop casualties. I'm experimenting with animation on Go!Animate and this is just a bit of fun I wanted to share. Hope you enjoy it.
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Is Tom Cruise the New Michael Jackson?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
 Ever since Tom Cruise Jumped the Couch (a phrase he inspired) on Oprah it has been pretty much a free for all on implying he's some kind of whacko. Granted Tom Cruise was pretty outspoken before the couch thing with his Scientology views but is he really the new Michael Jackson?
I've nothing against Michael, I'm a fan of a few of his songs, but the media and his own odd behavior, sent his career down a path that he may never recover from. Michael still has a strong fan base but the 'whacko Jacko' moniker will probably never leave him.
However Tom Cruise seems to be taking over as the media's main celebrity to target for bizarre actions or 'out-there' views. Hence whenever anything goes wrong or he happens to express a view that is a little less than media mainstream it gets reported widely. Particularly if it has links to Scientology thinking - like that's some kind of crime?
I haven't heard Tom express any Scientology view that couldn't be transposed to many other religious ideals. 'Scientology can unite cultures' according to Tom. Yes that is 'whacko' thinking right there... oh wait, isn't that what Christianity tries to do - unite people through religion?
What's worse is that the media extends it's coverage to Tom's partner, Katie Holmes, whom seems to get a whole load of bad press just because she's Mrs Tom Cruise.
This is particularly true of her performance in Batman Begins, which I thought was at least comparable to other supporting actors in that film and by no means so poor as to say she was miss cast. In fact I preferred her performance of Rachael Dawes over Maggie Gyllenhaal's (who felt a little too 'old' for Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight).
Tom isn't that whacko and really doesn't deserve all the bad press. As a Scientologist, expressing the views of his church is no different from a Christian, Catholic or Muslim doing the same. That's not crazy behavior.
Jumping on Oprah's couch was a little crazy but in a fun, good natured way. The guy was, at the time, in a new, head over heals in love, relationship. He was simply expressing that in the irrational, silly way that most people do when they're deliriously happy. Like you've never done something nuts to express your joy?
I think the media is trying to manufacture Tom as another 'whacko Jacko' to sell content, magazines, pictures or whatever else it is they're pushing as 'news'. The fact is, he's still a great actor with a catalog of fine performances under his belt. The constant focus on his problems is unnecessary.
It seems like the media are reporting on every bit of bad publicity they can find related to Tom in the hope that it will paint the 'whacko' picture for them.
With any luck Tom is smart enough not to feed the media with any more couch like jumping frenzies. He isn't the new Michael. Not even close.
Blaring Out Michael Bublé
Sunday, August 24, 2008
 Blaring out Michael Bublé's rendition of 'For Once in my Life' is not my partner's idea of a relaxing Sunday morning but apparently it's good music to wash your car to. At least that's what our neighbours across the street were doing.
I'm not a particular fan of big band music or Michael Bublé but being able to hear this style of song, perfectly clearly in my lounge room, when it's blaring from a car stereo system across the street makes for a refreshing change. I mean it could be worse and at least it's not doof, doof, doof.
Maybe there is hope that one day they'll be washing their car to Björk's rendition of 'It's Oh so quiet'. That would be Sunday morning comedy gold!
Back Off, I’m an Artist!
Friday, August 08, 2008
 “Back Off, I’m an Artist!”
This stern warning sent a shiver down the spine of customers who minutes ago had been patiently queuing for the next available teller.
“Careful he’s got a brush!”
Would this be the day that someone suffered for art? Paint splattered everywhere in an artistic massacre of modern art?
“Let me paint a picture for you.”
It was getting serious. It could only end in critique.
“I’m an artist… and a good one!”
How could anyone know that for sure? By who’s definition was this artist ‘good’? The way things were going it looked more like a confrontation with a bad artist. One with a disposition for performance art.
“I should be able to make a living from my art. I should be raking the money in!”
There’s nothing worse than a starving artist cornered.
“Why do people not buy my art?!”
A pathetic performance by any standards. Clearly no one understood. Letting art speak for its self is no way to put on an exhibition. One and a half stars. Stay away from this one, it’ll only disappoint.
I told you it would end in critique.
Note: The above text is a piece of my own 'free form' writing that first appeared in my Red Bubble Journal on July 6, 2006. Good writing tends to get forgotten on Red Bubble so I thought I'd reproduce it here as a way of drawing attention to my Gallery Shop, Slogans Section which includes the Back Off, I'm an Artist! design.
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