I JUST PAID MY TAXES

IT SUCKED.

STAR MAPS

A few looks from my stay in LA last week... Ugh, LA is the best. New York is so stupid by comparison.

Sky & J.

Niko, Matt

J's cool crocs.

Musical Interlude:

OK, more pictures:

Phil works at this place that includes a room with 100 pinball machines. There was a party.

Lacey

Phil!

brunch tastes better with the Scientology Center looming in the near distance.

Kate came down from San Luis Obispo, Phil, Amanda.

Besides taking in all of these views and lovely people, I did all kinds of productive activities like visit the roadside shrine to Whitney Houston in Beverly Hills, as well as the one to Mike Kelley in Eagle Rock. Needless to say the entire town is sadder than is considered normal, having lost two legends in the span of a week. Life is hard. I mean that.

LIN TOPS HIMSELF

What's now known as "Lintercourse," a groundbreaking achievement in the history of sexuality.

RIP WHITNEY HOUSTON 1963-2012

I'm taking this whole thing personally, which I know, not the healthiest reaction to bad news, but here we are. I'm going to write more about Whitney Houston's death later, but while trudging through the immediate media aftermath and emotional clean-up, here are a few thoughts:

1. Don't pretend that the narratives of celebrities' lives don't affect those of the non-famous. It is archly cynical to treat this kind of tragedy like it can't possibly matter, to go on living as if you never had a meaningful moment in the grip of popular song, as if the concerted effort in bringing talent to bear on worldwide audiences was in vain. As if feudalism wasn't the pervasive reality of everyday life. As if you shouldn't be thankful that someone's voice made it more worthwhile. "Sophisticated" people willfully believe that it's absurd to allow a pop star's death to resonate emotionally if you did not know her personally. These people are losers. Is it not equally absurd to disregard the fact that her songs trade in emotional resonance, that this was her product, and when consumed seriously these products work marvelously?

2. The drug abuse shaming and finger-wagging among spectator plebeians is the definition of vulgar. If you can't understand celebrity (which who can? It gets weirder everyday), you probably can't understand addiction, anxiety, performing under pressure and the attendant joys of misbehaving and disabusing bad publicity. Unless you do, at which point the self-righteousness is not only in poor taste but also hypocritical.

3. Just for the sake of experiment, behold the Whitney Houston reportage under a feminist, anti-racist, anti-ageist lens. Most of what you'll notice deserves serious reproach. These despicable peasants make my stomach turn.

4. If you never liked her music, then how about we refrain from passing judgment, and respect the rights of others to practice Diva Worship as their chosen religion? In the 21st century, you heathens.

SKYS PARTED

So, as a teaser to my California Dream starting next week, I noticed that Ross took this picture of Skylar descending into Joshua Tree from Heaven just this past December. Have you ever seen a more uncanny resemblance to Jesus Christ? I'm born again, basically.

A FEW CHOICE WORDS

Quick, here are some spots around the 'net where I sneak up and get a few choice words in. For a few weeks now I've been at my computer writing, listening to Mariah Carey and dreaming about a day in the future when I might actually paint again.

1. Please read this interview I did with Jayson Keeling, a photographer whose work I totally adore. I first saw his work at Real Art Ways in Hartford, and then this summer we were in a group show together that Visual AIDS did at La Mama La Galleria. But whatever, we met, we hang out, we had a cool convo and Eastvillageboys published it. Paul Mpagi Sepuya took his portrait for the feature, beautiful.

2. Here's this review I wrote of Isaac Julien's filmic installation Ten Thousand Waves, which I saw at Boston's ICA. I didn't like the show really, although it is supremely gorgeous. This new art magazine called Pastelegram published it, and I hope they make a huge success because they have good people writing and its designed well.

I'm going to LA next week to hang out with my friend Niko Solorio. If we don't do anything but cruise La Cienega in his VIDEO ART TAXI, it's fine with me. Although I really want to hold J Trag and Sky Hughes in my arms for a few hours...