But I'm not a hipster...

A lovely response to Adbusters increasingly inflammatory, negative and conspicuously researched editorial. They take on hipsters "The Dead End of Western Civilization" this month and it's kinda horrendous. Allow the quote to explain itself:

Take a stroll down the street in any major North American or European city and you’ll be sure to see a speckle of fashion-conscious twentysomethings hanging about and sporting a number of predictable stylistic trademarks: skinny jeans, cotton spandex leggings, fixed-gear bikes, vintage flannel, fake eyeglasses and a keffiyeh – initially sported by Jewish students and Western protesters to express solidarity with Palestinians, the keffiyeh has become a completely meaningless hipster cliché fashion accessory.

The long and short of it is that Adbusters has, in a desperate gasp, decided to eat it's own. As basically the premier lifestyle magazine of the trendiest of hipsters ("But I'm not a hipster!") Adbusters has been a barometer of style for the cool kids for close to a decade. Now by deriding the progeny of their varying po-mo ideologies Adbusters once again foresees the death of western civilization. Who knew the horsemen of The Apocalypse would come clad in gold lamé and cheap Italian sunglasses from the 80s? I suppose the second time is a charm.

It's a monthly occurrence for Adbusters to conflate their anti-capitalist anarchist agenda with something unrelated, usually something joyful. This time they're up against youthful pursuit of identity and space. Using unwitting pariahs such as a 17-year-old "hipster" who likes mugging for photos at parties. Clearly it's because he is a symptom of end-stage culture that he enjoys being adored. Not because he's an insecure teen looking for his place in the world as an adult.

The same argument is and has been easily made for hippies, yuppies, hipsters and probably back throughout the ages. What I still can't comprehend is Adbusters alternative to hipsters. Some sort of dour survivalist netherworld where we gather around the fire after a hard day of organic farming and parade around in our hemp leg warmers drawing heartfelt impressions of each other. The overall "GIT AWFF MY LAWN YOU [HIPSTERS]" tone of the article more accurately predicts the end of the magazine in question as a particularly insightful guide to much other than the expressions of jaded hipsters.

A Natural Curiosity

A Natural Curiosity, originally uploaded by nfotxn.

Note the elephant's toes. We submitted this poster announcing the showing of the first "Elephant" to come to Ontario and possibly the east coast of North America to the PBS show "History Detectives".

Did you know that there are actually many Circus Museums? Because most of the history in the circus is oral it's one of the more fascinating places archives wise. You get to read a lot of personal letters and connect the dots with theory.

Food Worth Blogging

Sammich, originally uploaded by nfotxn.

Warm Montreal Smoked Meat, slightly melted swiss on light rye with Dijon mustard so spicy it clears the sinuses. Two big salty brine pickles and a home made butter tart.

Tentacles

Tentacles, originally uploaded by nfotxn.

Watching some movies on the wall at home. The latest Futurama movie is pretty OK if you're kinda baked.

Grass

Grass, originally uploaded by nfotxn.

On my lunch breaks I like to lay in the grass and listen to music. Now that it isn't raining every day I can do that.

Daddy

Daddy, originally uploaded by nfotxn.

I skimmed. It's about girls :(