Really? Well I happen to do my fucking taxes on top of the Grand Canyon as well!

Global Economy

Needless to say, I don't think it's too surprising to see that World Bank predicts the global economy will shrink this year. It's been contracting for the past year, and all efforts to "restore" it are, for the most part, pointless. As we've all learned, the economy is directly affected by psychological, social, and environmental influences. One of those go, the other two curiously seem to follow suit. Unfortunately for us, all three seem to be atrophy-ing, and any hope to bring the market back to pre-housing crisis levels is fruitless.

So, I depicted a homeless person commenting on the quote from World Bank, because who more directly feels the pressures of an ailing economy than those who have been laid off or had to foreclose on their home?

Powershift 2009

Thus far, 11,000 people are attending, making Powershift 2009 the largest youth congregation for renewable energy and sustainable resources in history.
When I signed up to go a couple months ago, there was an expected 5-7 thousand people, and now it's just ballooned. The coolest part is that I only had to pay the 35 dollar registration fee and food, everything else was paid for by fundraisers through the Student Environmental Association, which I'm a part of.
I really don't know what to expect. with 11,000 student organizations from all 50 states roaming around capitol hill, it should be just ridiculous.

In any case, here's the site. Check it out. These are exciting times.

Is This Cartoon Racist?

The New York Post ran this cartoon, and it's been received with quite a lot of heat. Is it odd that Rupert Murdoch, the many who owns the Post, is both conservative and runs a racist cartoon, clearly implying that the Chimp in question is actually Obama?
The cartoon itself seems to be referencing this awful story of a chimp shot and killed by police after attacking and seriously injuring the owner's best friend.

Only In Alabama

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/02/26/dnt.body.found.car.wmba

Seriously. What the fuck.

Bathroom Philosophies

I recently went to do some paperwork in the upstairs bathroom of the Fine Arts Building on campus to find some lesser-seen-or-appreciated art forms. I don't know if low art gets much lower, but it definitely gets more enjoyable. I've gradually seen these drawings and writings pile up over the 4 years I've been a student here, and I finally got the incentive to take some pictures to preserve these timeless art forms.
What's great about it is that no one is striving for excellence. No one is seeking approval. People express ridiculousness or they regurgitate the only one-to-two dimensional things they know, such as a racist comment or greek letters signifying a fraternity.
It brings everyone down. It brings everyone up. I love it.

This Guy Steals(borrows?) Your Shit.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/14/na-usf-dean-admits-role-in-bike-theft/

When you're an associate dean who works in the College of Medicine at USF, don't you think you could afford to blow 100 bucks on a new bike? I can almost understand the motives of a thief going after Armstrong's bicycles, he's famous. And his bikes are worth a lot of money.

But some random mountain bike? Come on. I think we can do better than this, folks.

Today, Rao resigned.He apparently makes 384,000 a year, and was offered a 60,000 dollar severance pay for 6 weeks. Shit, I don't make a thousand bucks in 6 weeks.

But, seriously? USF dumped him for this crap? You know he didn't resign. He was asked to resign. Anyone who lists their accomplishments in a resignation letter is saying "Hey bitches! I did a lot of crap and you're being stupid! Nevermind I'm making it seem like I'm doing this for my own reasons!"

I wonder what he'll be doing after 6 weeks. When you wipe your ass with money, it goes pretty fast.

Maybe he'll resort to selling "borrowed" bikes.