jeffrey + upstairsloft

Gnarls Barkley drops Tuesday. Better cop that. It’s pancakes. They hot. Lorda mercy.

Something I concern myself with is my responsibility as a graphic designer. As I learn these visual language tools, I must keep on my toes to communicate responsibly and not contribute to trickery.

Another thing I concern myself with is making an effort to aware myself other current events and not segregate myself from the rest of the world. Living in America, many of us are bombarded with excess consumerism while half of the world pinch for dimes. What can we do? We can spend responsibly.

I was conflicted with my role as graphic designer and being socially responsible. I reflected for a moment and that word just hit me right over the head. RESPONSIBILITY. I guess a rule-of-thumb is in need here. Avoid excess. How would you know what excess is? Awareness. Keep aware that American government officials are raping the rest of the world and corporate moguls are doing nothing but contributing to this chaotic excess.

The news reports shit. MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, ABC, New York Times, SF Chronicle all report the same old shit. It seems we have to read foreign newspapers to see what is going on in our own land because we are shunned from truthful reports. The US media contributes to irresponsible reporting.

I understand that keeping aware is hard work. How can we possibly judge what is good news and bad news? Well, not all hope is lost. There are always decent, prudent people amongst the throng of selfish, global rapists.

Question the news being reported to you. This doesn’t require cynicism and behavior typical of grumpy, senile elders (though I agree this approach in thought is more effective than accepting all information being presented to you).

I don’t even want to immerse myself in this bloody mess but I don’t want to be so deep in the shit that I have no clue of what is going on beyond my neighbors’ whispers and the gossip that circles through my friends.

US mainstream journalism only presents the tip of the iceberg—and even I think that is overstating it.

Whenever I feel guilty about what my country is doing, I remind myself to keep aware and be responsible with the decisions I make. Donating $5 to the Katrina fund doesn’t make us philanthropists, nor does sticking a yellow “Support Our Troops” ribbon on our cars. Let the power of knowledge kick-start our way through humanitarian efforts.

Kate and I logged in at least 36 hours of working on our projects, each. 36 hours divided up in 4 sessions. As the semester winds down, I find it hard not to stay focused. Again, too much focus can distract you from what is going on around you.

For example, after the Common show, midnight, we all decided to get some grub at a Pita joint in Davis. The cook wanted to know what I wanted in my philly cheesesteak pita. I felt rushed so I looked at the menu and muttered honey mustard. I realized all my pita had was meat, grilled onions, honey mustard and a pita.

I was too focused on remembering an idea I had while I was browsing through Paul’s New York Olympus XA2 developments. I’m spacing out more than usual, ideas are like farts, but time is not a luxury I have right now.

During summer break, on top of working at my regular job, working on a book with the director of the design program, designing an identity package and summer school, I will paint, photograph, draw, nap, sleep, ride bikes, swim, and just let myself go on a creative spree. I cannot afford to let summer strip me fresh from this creative high.