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From Sequential Art: OMG PWN!ES

November 29, 2009 4:46 pm

by Lauren Hudgins

For Sequential Art Gallery’s second annual group show, artists from a range of backgrounds have submitted My Little Ponies (and a few very special “fakies”) that have been painted, carved, sculpted, bejeweled, and–well, you’ll see…

With a predominantly female bill of artists, both local and out-of-state, we are excited to bring you these reinterpretations of the popular childhood toy. Artists have had complete freedom in how they modify their pony because this show has absolutely no affiliation with the Hasbro corporation. And yes, we have been accepting “NSFW” submissions. Welcome, fans of all that is cute and twisted!

The show will open during First Thursday on December 3, 6-10p. “OMG PWN!ES” was conceived via Twitter and is being co-curated by Kaebel JK Hashitani of Sequential Art Gallery and Indigo Kelleigh of Lunarbistro.com.

Sequential Art Gallery + Studio
328 NW Broadway #113
Portland, OR 97209
www.sequentialartgallery.com

I Was Holidazed And Confused

November 22, 2009 4:56 pm

by Lauren Hudgins

I am not the intended demographic for Artists Repertory Theatre’s Holidazed. I am not married. Therefore, I do not have in-laws. I do not have three children eagerly awaiting the holidays. I don’t balance a job, home, and kids. I have gay friends (and not so gay friends) who like to dress in drag, but it’s nothing special, and certainly nothing even slightly scandalous. My gay friends (unsurprisingly) aren’t married either.

The plot of Holidazed is fairly typical. A mother defaults on her picture perfect life in order to bring a homeless pagan teenager inside to share the holidays with her family. The kids love their new friend, but disaster ensues with the stodgy rest of the family. The bright and resourceful girl proves herself to be brave during a family crisis and finally wins the trust of the harried mother’s husband.

The second year of Holidazed opened to a nearly full house this December 20th. I enjoyed the show; it was charming enough. But it obviously wasn’t for me. Sure, I have some difficult family members who make every holiday awkward, but most of the jokes went over my head. Towards the end, the husband says “It’s better to be with you on your worst day than to be without you,” to his wife. The older majority of the audience chuckled. Mirthfully? Ruefully? I couldn’t tell. I didn’t realize it was a joke.

If you are settled enough to have a family and in-laws, I believe you will enjoy Holidazed. Otherwise, you are not the target audience.

Through December 20, 2009
Artists Repertory Theatre
1515 SW Morrison
Portland, Oregon 97205

Excessive Use of Non Lethal Force

November 20, 2009 3:07 pm

by Lauren Hudgins

Officer Humphreys has been suspended with pay by Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman for shooting a 12 year old in the leg at close range with a “bean bag gun.” Humphreys is also one of the officers involved with the in-custody death of mentally ill James Chasse. For more information about the situation please read the Mercury Blogtown’s post.

Here is a video of the incident. Humphreys is the officer with the gun.

The suspect is on her back on the ground by the time that the bean bag gun is deployed.

On the advice of a blogtown commenter, I emailed my opinion to Commisioner Dan Saltzman and Portland Police Association president Scott Westerman.

I have just viewed the video of Humphreys using a “bean bag gun” on a 12 year old girl. It is clear to me after watching the video that the girl was already subdued by another officer by the time that Humphreys uses his gun. It is an act of anger and revenge and not an necessary use of force at all. I am horrified by his actions.

I received a response from Westerman this morning.

I disagree with your assessment. In the video, the girl is on her back repeatedly punching and kicking Officer Dauchy when Officer Humphreys fires the bean bag after giving her repeated warnings. Immediately after firing the bean bag, she instantly stops resisting.

What a surprise. As Jason Renaud, from the Mental Health Association of Portland, says:

These aren’t beanbag guns, these are lead-pellet bag guns. They’re filled with the pellets that you would put into a shotgun shell, except they are wrapped in a Nylon sack. Being hit by one is like being hit by a line-drive baseball at 90 miles an hour. It’s not like sitting in a beanbag chair.

Questionable Question On Race and Cycling

November 19, 2009 2:20 pm

by Lauren Hudgins

From the Mercury:

“There’s a racial gap,” says CCC Community and Programs Director Alison Graves, who laments that the overwhelming majority of her bike shop’s customers are white despite its location in a neighborhood that is nearly 50 percent non-white, according to the 2000 census. “Why aren’t there young people of color on fixed gears and older people of color commuting? There’s some diversity, but it isn’t like the whole community is riding bikes.”

Good question about race and cycling: Why aren’t there older people of color commuting?
Questionable question about race and cycling: Why aren’t there young people of color on fixed gears?

Being smug and pretentious on a bike isn’t a right; it’s for the privileged.

Not everyone believes in spending more money for less bike. Gears, brakes, and not grinding down the joints in your legs seem like good ideas.

Cycling can be practical and a good investment. However, it can also be for pleasure or sub-culturally specific social status.

Yes, I’m hating on fixies. I have bad joints.