I helped Kate E. paint paint display on the windows at Waxman Candles (where she works). I think it was a success, however her manager was a little concerned that there weren’t any candles represented. We didn’t bother to explain that Waxman is a “lifestyle brand.

Saturday night Humble Empire attended a literary reading featuring 4 authors. The only one we’d heard of was Ben Marcus. Overall it was pretty cool, a bunch of people sitting around on the floor of this gallery listening to confusing people talk. I had the feeling that I wasn’t really supposed to be in on something like this. They had free beer and people could smoke cigarettes inside—a feature Sam took advantage of and appreciated. After the reading we went out and got drunk. Then to Hollywood Grill, where Chicago eats, to get some delicious toast.

Been spending most my time at home on the internet, and working on things to be put onto the internet. Notably the cute show web site. I am happy with it overall, although there are some problems with the table breaking up on some browsers. I don’t think I will try and fix it though—mostly because I am not sure how… I am getting nervous about the show. What if they don’t like me? I t should be alright though, I don’t think anyone is taking us serious, and they shouldn’t.

I am getting desperate to design. Feeling the itch to make something that will be printed. Next week I may go pounding on the doors of some design firms demanding that the give me a desk. If it is as cold as it was today, that probably won’t happen.

I do this instant message thing now, it is like talking, but with typing. I had a really good IM Convo (instant message conversation) with my friend Shawn Lane last week. On the whole, consumerism is one of the subjects I am sick of thinking about. Surpassed as to whether or not we should go to war (39% yes, 60% no at the time of press), but this one was pretty good. Here is an excerpt:

Matt: …I think that is a part of me that has changed a lot ( I am talking about the consumer attitude) I see kids come into the museum head to toe in logos and I had forgotten I used the be just like that. For a while I just thought that was a phase people go through and get over, then I started noticing the adults coming in and they are just the same. I guess that is not really related to what we are talking about, except that my attitude has taken a big turn regarding what is important. And sometimes I forget that it hasn’t changed for other people too.

Shawn: I wish I practiced what I preached more. Like I don’t care much for SUVs at all but I wouldn’t mind having a full size pickup with a v8 in it. I don’t need. I’d be fine with a small S10 pickup that gets 25 mpg which I like just as much but stuff like that.

I wear Tommy jeans, yes partly because of the name and also because I prefer loose fitting stuff and ether’s is among those that are the loosest. I don’t know. It’s like I’m being hypocritical to myself because I think sweatshops are bad but yet I still wear the clothes that come from them.

M: I know. Right now I am having serious issues with Nike Presto shoes. There is a section in Naomi Klien’s NO LOGO called No Choice. That may be a cop-out, but I really feel like “what should I buy then?, they all use sweatshops. Nike, Adidas, Reebok. But Nike has the biggest reputation and has profited the most off of sweatshops, so I don’t want to advertise for them, but I need sneakers!

I am not going to get them, mostly cause I can’t wear them at work… but it is still frustrating. Even if you get the brand that isn’t known for sweatshops, you are still buying into another marketing scheme somehow.

S: It’s as if it’s no-win situation

M: Like organic grocery stores. People pay 3x as much for their food cause this nice store tells them it is good for them. I don’t need to pay extra to have someone tell me what to do.

S: That’s what I don’t get, there’s one in Manhattan too.

M: All these “hippies” in Lawrence would drive their Range Rovers with some sort of environmental group sticker on them to the organic grocery store, spend $200 on a cart of groceries to feel cool. How is that different than the alternative?

…I am thinking about doing a resume that says “willing to sellout” b/c in my “industry” it is pretty hard to have conscious and make a living.

S: How true is that. You and I can see these things and realize the hypocrisy but it’s unbelievable how people don’t have a conscience and see what’s really going on.

Like the people in SUVs with a flag from each window being more patriotic than the person with flags on all but one window.

M: It is good to be able to see through the bullshit. And a bit of a burden

S: For sure because then I feel guilty for not doing something about it.

M: Absolutely. I haven’t figured out what to do either. I gotta get away from the computer for a while, the hum is getting into my brain…