Nina Parks the "Designer" -- WhatTheFuck!

Pick up the June 2008 Juxtapoz Art and Culture Mag. There's a write up on the Lady Bird SF.Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I'm HELLA EXCITED!!!!!!!!! Ok, so it's weird; the paths that life takes you on. I remember before I left to boarding school my passion was in the arts, in words and in music. And when I was asked the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I had a list of goals, I wanted to be a rapper (LOL I know everyones a rapper), a graphic designer, and....a Super Hero (my cousin Lisa told me to say that one day when I went to visit her at her high school, when I was a kid. So I've been saying it ever since) But to have a write up in an art and culture mag... that through me for a loop.

There it was on the table the night I left for Costa Rica. An advanced copy of the new Juxtapoz mag with a spectacular write up on my creations. Although to say that my earrings are influenced by "Chinese" Astrology is an understatement. All Astrology is more like it. At any rate, PICK UP A COPY OF THE NEW MAG. There's also a dope feature on Toronto artist Ray Ceasar . Love the mixxed media and the fact that they are digital images. I do think that it's important to learn classic art as a base (which he has) but to be able to learn new and progressive techinques is the key to longevity in a trade... At least that's what I'm starting to understand.

Here's one of my many favorite images.

Has it already been writen?

After my 24th birthday was feeling an anxiety, not in fear of getting older, but a realization that I needed to get reaquainted with myself. I'm not the same person that I was when I turned 21 and at 21 I wasn't the same person that I was when I was 16. My interests are similar but my goals are different. At 24 I feel that I have a better idea of what kind of adult I want to be and what I would like to accomplish... but there were certain aspects of myself I still didn't/don't realy understand nor did I have the words to discribe what I was feeling or thinking in my head. 2 days after my 24th Bday which is on the 20th of April, I scheduled an astrological chart reading with my cousin Elizabeth Travelslight. We met in her cozy San Francisco appartment and over herbal refreshments and left over birthday cake, she drew up my chart based on the time day and location of my birth. She explained to me what the symbols ment on my chart and what that could mean for me and for others around me. She also explained that what the chart says doen't mean that it's all true, everyone is given free will and the ablity to change their course if they don't like where they are going. But, what she told me gave me the language and some insite into myself. My Sun Sign Aries/Taurus cusp with a Gemini rising sign. Elizabeth explained to me that looking into the other elements of my astrological make up could assist me in meditation towards growing and understanding myself as an individual.

Woodcut from William Cuningham The cosmographical glasse, 1559

So, I did a little more research because I was still having trouble understanding what it means to be an Aries/Taurus and this is what I found.

Aries/Taurus

The Aries/Taurus Cusp is from dates April 18 to April 22.

The term for the Aries/Taurus is bullies.

The Arian/Taurean is thought to be humorous

• sensitive
• money-oriented
• nice
• active
• dynamic
• talented
• quiet
• sensual
• strong
• opinionated
• bold
• flirtatious
• sexual
• eloquent
• stable
• dependable
• helpful
• practical
• hard-working
• extrovert
• patient
• athletic
• aggressive
• perseverance
• and initiative.

The Arian/Taurean is prone to aloof, quarrelsome, trouble-maker, phony, stubborn, hyper-sensitive, tries to fit in, jealous, easily influenced, high-strung, moody, changeability, fickle, head strong, and easily intimidated. (taken from wikipedia)

Notable people born under the cusp of Aries/Taurus: Adolf Hitler;Catherine the Great;Vladimir Lenin; William Shakespeare; Catherine de Medici;Barbara Streisand (taken from rainfall.com)

And even if some of them aren't the most favorible people in our history they are still great people in history. All of them obsessed with culture, and art and language

I found and even more in depth breakdown of the energies surrounding being born on this cusp here at Astrology.com

As for the gemini rising... I have to admit my gut reaction was, "NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!" but upon further thought and consideration I've come to realize that my rejection of gemini's was due to my strong dislike for an individual that has that astrological sun sign and I didn't really respect them as a person but maybe the problem was that I had those same traits with in myself . For my cousins ( Mr. Chucky is YOU LOL) Any how I strongly encourage individuals to explore their astrology, it's a wonderful tool for self knowledge. " The greatest journey in life is learning who you are."--- Nina Parks

Branded

Check out LEGENDmag.net

Ever since my 3rd grade class built a class display of a rainforest, I dreamed of being able to adventure through a real jungle, now 16 years later I can finally indulge in one of my many childhood dreams. I'm going where the Spider Monkeys swing freely through the trees and the three toed sloths drop from the trees and where the tree frogs do back flips on jet ski's. WHERE WILL I BE?

Be Smart, Go Dummy!

San Francisco DJ Scotty Doo done did it. The Musical Evil Genius has mixxed the melodic and almost entrancing Portishead album Dummy with Bay Slappers, SO ILL. Peep his myspace

Nina Parks's Lady Bird for the month of May---Binggirl Clemente of the Philippines

On my daily surf of National Geographic's website I came across this interview with Binggirl Clemente. She has found a way to educate, employ, and give back to her community and that is why she is my Lady Bird muse of the month.

Manila activist turns poll banners into schoolbags

Wed May 30, 2007 5:51am EDT

By Michaela Cabrera

MANILA (Reuters Life!) - When Philippine children start the new school term next week, many of them will be carrying what used to be a political message on their shoulders.

Binggirl Clemente, an environmentalist, has collected tarpaulin campaign banners used for congressional elections two weeks ago and fashioned them into mailman-style school bags.

"We cut and made a simple pattern that we made into school bags. We thought maybe those children who are going back to school in June right after the election may be able to use this," she told Reuters at a her workshop, surrounded by piles of banners and scores of newly made bags.

Philippine congressional elections are a massive affair and even two weeks later, the scars of the campaign are still visible. Tatters of election posters litter the streets, walls are painted with graffiti and campaign banners remain strung up across roads in Manila and other cities.

Clement's small-scale operation has produced 4,500 bags, employing a handful of residents of a poor neighborhood in a Manila suburb.

Pedro Oringo and his wife Lorena make 400 pesos ($9), sewing 40 bags daily, which they say will go towards their children's education.

"At least the one going to college can pay his tuition. We're happy because the income we get from this really helps," Lorena said.

Clemente is paying the workers but is giving away the bags to underprivileged children. Continued...(taken from Rueters)

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For bags recycled from pouches, call Amabelle Facturanan, sales & marketing officer, People's Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance (PREDA) Fair Trade, Kalaklan, Olongapo City, tel. (+63) (47)223-9629 to 30; Fax (+63) (47)223-96-28 or 29 or email pretrade@info.com.ph, predalex@info.com.ph or visit website http://www.preda.net/

Lady Bird SF Update