mercury soapbox

MERCURY SOAPBOX MAGAZINE SOFT RELEASE!!

2011-12-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

I need comments on this magazine guys, you are part of the final product! please comment!

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

HAPPY HOLIDAZE TOMORO!!

2011-12-15T14:18:00.000-08:00

whats up everybody! Happy holidays! We’re back with more talent than ever before, and this time it’s for a few amazing causes. We’re having simultaneous food AND toy drives, for city harvest and toys for tots, respectively, and in addition to the live music, art and spoken word, orlando will be drawing us into the peoples army for a future t shirt and we’ll be debuting the first issue of Mercury Soapbox Magazine!

Live Music

Corona
Jay Spade (http://www.reverbnation.com/jayspade)
Art (http://deanmorelisart.com/)
Justina Soto + the Salvation Armband (http://soundcloud.com/salvation-armband)
Adrienne Mack Davis (http://amackdavis.bandcamp.com/)
Transit Venus (http://www.transitvenus.com/)
Science (http://science1.bandcamp.com/)

Spoken Word

Octavia Almonte (http://www.amazon.com/Tears-My-Pillow-Octavia-Almonte/dp/0595445675/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323640898&sr=1-6)
Lee Ann Irrizary (http://www.amazon.com/Indigo-theres-other-colors-rainbow-Poetry/dp/1466388587)
Poetic Dove (http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000246843/Poetic-Dove-Presents-Intimate-Sessions.aspx)

Art

Lauren Pasculli (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1256123820925.30650.1764481243&type=1)
JT Liss (http://www.jtlissphotography.com/)
Orlando Bartolome (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1157661188080.2025655.1424267334&type=1)
Josama (http://ripjosama.com/

$7 WITHOUT GIFT
$3 WITH A TOY OR 3 CANS OF FOOD

DECEMBER 16th, 8pm-12am
sandbox underground
257 grand st., brooklyn, ny

ALSO: Just because we end at 12, doesnt mean that the good cheer has to stop there! Our friends at No Man’s Land WILL BE CONTINUING THE FOOD AND TOY DRIVES AT THEIR BALKAN DE JANEIRO PARTY (http://www.facebook.com/events/251138464945740/) AS WELL AS LETTING OUR GUESTS GET A FREE DRINK TICKET AT THEIR PARTY!!!

2011-12-14T18:19:00.001-08:00

From the Creation show...

2011-12-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

This is a new band called LIFE ON IMPACT. Their sound is incredible, but my video sucks, lol so turn down the volume or you wont be able to hear anything....

CREATION SHOW RECAP!!

2011-11-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

WOW! The turn out was incredible! This event was at Sandbox Underground, a new community based venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (257 Grand St) and it was perfect for us. We had a bit of a hold up as the streaming performances we promised ran into some technical difficulties, but the crowd started to come in and walk around, checking out art by Patricia Koo, Errol Basdeo and Lee Ann Irrizary as DJ EUGENE started spinning some soul-touching electronica. When we kicked off the show, everyone was smiling and ready for the musical love about to descend upon them. Art, a terrifically prolific Washington Heights rapper, was up first with a few joints followed by (in rough order) lime- a poignant and technically strong rock band, corona spencer- young but talented musician rocking acoustically, Jay Spade- upcoming SWAGSTAR rapper, some spoken word by Lee Ann and Octavia Almonte a few choice pieces by Adrienne Mack Davis, incredible lyricist and singer, and finally a set by the Unstoppable Progress before DJ EUGENE danced us into the night. And all the while, live paint legends Cern, Marthalicia Matarrita and Sole Rebel painted beautiful photoshop pieces on our projection screen. It was such a great show! The Next one will Be on December 16th, also at Sandbox Underground. MAke sure to check out pictures from the show on our flickr and look out for video (being edited as we write) AND the FIRST EVER ISSUE OF MERCURY SOAPBOX MAGAZINE

Mercury Soapbox Artwalk: ArtCAr

2011-09-14T09:25:00.001-07:00

Really quick walk around this sweet looking VW Cabriolet. Paint job is fantastic, wish i could find out who did it...

Mercury Soapbox Artwalk: NoMAA Gallery

2011-09-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is a quick artwalk through the NoMAA gallery up at 189th street and bennett ave in washington heights. Their newest exhibit is El Museo's Biennial S Files featuring the work of Mare139, TOOFLY and others. I dug it, its a sweet exhibit and everyone there was very appreciative of the art. Special thanks to Kat, Salome and Shottie.

Mercury Soapbox Artwalk Urban Folk Art Gallery

2011-06-01T11:14:00.002-07:00

Mercury Soapbox Artwalk Episode #6

2011-06-01T11:14:00.001-07:00

Mercury Soapbox Artwalk Episode #5

2011-06-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

Artwalk episode #4

2011-01-10T18:12:00.002-08:00

Artwalk #3

2011-01-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

Artwalk #2

2011-01-10T18:11:00.000-08:00

Mercury Soapbox Artwalk Episode 1

2011-01-10T18:10:00.000-08:00

I know it seems like this blog is a little neglected, however, we've been doing a TON of work over at our new tumblr - mercurysoapbox.tumblr.com - on twitter - @mercurysoapbox - and on facebook so make sure to check us out!

The first step in a long battle...

2010-08-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've already heard, but a judge in California has declared that the vile referendum known as Prop 8 as unconstitutional.

But wait, this isn't the end of the fight. The religious right wing, who think that the Constitution should regulate morality is already greasing their wheels to appeal.

My feeling is that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals with uphold the Judge's decision. It's the Supreme Court that I'm worried about. If they choose to hear the case, the ideological imbalance could result in an interpretation that could make Prop 8 a federal base on which many states will make their laws upon. But I don't know if the Supreme Court will choose to hear the case. Especially since there is a court case in Massachusetts that would probably reach their bench before that.

We can talk about it we're blue in the face (and we have) but the fact that this issue is about civil rights and not the defense of a moral interpretation of "marriage" eludes many of our conservative friends. The ones who absolutely LOVE the Constitution except when it conflicts with their world view . I would challenge anyone to dispute that the vast majority of people who advocate Prop 8 or condemn homosexuality do so because they believe it's immoral on some or many levels. And of those people, many derive that feeling of morality from a religious view of some sort. Once you go down that road, you've already relegated our LGBT friends to second class citizenry in your own mind. It's no wonder that the Churches (specifically the mormons) came out in force to help spread propaganda in favor of Prop 8 (remember that next time you think of Mitt Romney or any of the evangelical politicians in Washington today)

But there is a silver lining. If you haven't noticed, it's the youth of this country that is defeating homophobia. With each passing generation, the bigoted way that our predecessors viewed homosexuality makes less and less sense to our young people. Will homophobia die all together? Probably not. But if we all open our eyes we can tuck it away so that you would have to look really hard to find it.

If you take one thing away from this writing, remember that this fight for equal rights is no different from other civil rights issues from the past. The Constitution guarantees a basic set of rights for EVERYONE straight, gay, bi, black, white, blue or yellow. Citizen, resident or illegal alien. Please remember that first and foremost, people are just that; PEOPLE.

Posted by Vinny Mongru

Corner

2010-05-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Little boy you don't even know. You can't see the years ahead of you. Enjoy this time while you can, 'cause it'll be the last time you'll have a leg to stand. They all look at you and take you apart before you can speak. Give you a number, label you into a color. So surprised on how little being older matters with choice. You grow up into these schools feeding you, forcing to keep up. New numbers, tests and standards every year. You wonder how you can ever keep up. They say you got something in your mind stopping you from reaching, except that everyone has the same thing, how is that right?

Give you pills, you refuse to take them like all the rest. You can see color and know the difference as the world has become mechanized. Rejection, expectations, you threw them out. A wagon of paint and pens you drag with you. Show them under night until the next morning they came. They saw what you meant on the wall. The lose their pills. Men and women come out of their offices screaming unfair. Boy goes on to another wall. He doesn't get too far. Oh no.

Men in uniform, scared of the change. Wanting the change take orders and raise barrels to his head. He won't drop the brush. He won't drop the brush. Crimson splashes go on brick. He falls to the ground. The men stop and cry, on their knees wondering why. On this wall was the change, a truth far from fear. Yet the fear crumbled the messenger into the corner he painted. His own end.

2010-04-29T21:14:00.001-07:00

Ny Daily news pg 18 is showing me the ugliest thing i could imagine happening in that space. It's like the futureprojects #uglybuilding

XPOME ARTIST FEATURE

2010-04-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

XPOME ARTIST FEATURE

2010-04-29T19:50:00.001-07:00

Beautiful might for a harlem stroll...

2010-04-29T19:23:00.001-07:00

Tonight's gonna be a fifty post night, kids, so get ready to hear some stuff and maybe see some things. #Walking in riverdale.

100_1922

2010-04-24T12:21:00.001-07:00

100_1922
Originally uploaded by Mercury Soapbox

100_1928

2010-04-24T12:18:00.001-07:00

100_1928
Originally uploaded by Mercury Soapbox

100_1939

2010-04-24T12:10:00.001-07:00

100_1939
Originally uploaded by Mercury Soapbox

Struggle by Harus

2010-04-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

So much defeat pounding on asphalt. Resignations of complacent drones litter compose most of the city's air. There is outrage in their hearts and they have no will to act upon them. How can you have a voice if you never dare to? Schemers, plotters and manipulators behind every brick and screen gaining profit from these fearful. All of it happening right in front of you all. You all know it very well, yet let it comes to pass like your own disappointment. You turn, shun those who do what they can in your place and in their own as the villains. Doing this without knowing how you all have become a source of evil. Infecting with every inaction and dismissal. I walk on by helping no one and doing something. I cannot allow myself to lured into the trap of the current state of despair. Breaking through even with shattered knuckles I can see my blood flow. I live, I hurt, I am and you are left undefined.

Keeping Company by Harus

2010-04-13T23:28:00.000-07:00

Small room in my home. I sit with my back against the wall. Looking into the corners of this night. I come to face the sum of my life looking down at me. Possessions, comforts and photographs, all of them, the gargoyles of the towers I have built. I hear a sigh high above me. These fingers playing with taut wire on wood, hums becoming a whisper of things yet to come. Take my eyes today and I can still see you in nothing. Rose and fall against the coming light, you preformed a private sonata just for me. Too tired to reach you, trying too hard not to slip away. Please don't let this dream end, the dream of knowing you.

2010-04-06T12:28:00.001-07:00

Mercury soapbox presents the acoustic jan show- hosted by the #Trypitonekings 4-23-2010 scrt loc tba...

92780030

2010-03-15T17:45:00.003-07:00

92780030
Originally uploaded by Nelly Nell

92780026

2010-03-15T17:45:00.001-07:00

92780026
Originally uploaded by Nelly Nell

92780018

2010-03-15T17:44:00.003-07:00

92780018
Originally uploaded by Nelly Nell

92780011

2010-03-15T17:44:00.001-07:00

92780011
Originally uploaded by Nelly Nell

2010-03-02T14:39:00.001-08:00

FW:|Rt @snoopdogg: got a free download for ya.. We Da West Mixtape!!! http://bit.ly/c0k64z

2010-03-02T11:26:00.001-08:00

The pain shows on your cheek yet you bury it down deep, our love for you can set you free but only if you see what our eyes see...

2009-11-19T23:53:00.001-08:00

I am the broken masses working days for pennies, beat down and pushed out. I am the cry of an unused education, wrecked in the wake of my hands' not so idle wor

2009-11-11T00:34:00.001-08:00

From random places: psyches crossing, wrong time right place, light reveals differences between gaga and gillespie, between choice and

2009-11-11T00:33:00.003-08:00

chance, yet still, as always, without definitive end.

2009-11-11T00:33:00.001-08:00

From random places: psyches crossing, wrong time right place, light reveals differences between gaga and gillespie, between choice and

Whew! Big moves and small moves...

2009-11-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

A few things going on right now. Mercury Soapbox hasn't had a show in a little bit but we're about to change all that. I want to go back to my element in free shows with art music and a good crowd, but its hardly sustaining because art supplies, transportation, duct tape, light bulbs, etc cost money. Sucks right? But the american capitalist system is so, lol. But walking among my fellow unemployed artists, I find many artisans! People creating beautiful pieces for your to loft above your couch and know what it feels like to live in that piece of art. Ok, getting off track, sorry. Here's what we want to do, followed by what we need to do it. If you can help with anything contact us at mercurysoapbox@gmail.com or find us on twitter or facebook.

Things we want to do:

Multiple video game tournament: SF4, Madden 10, Fight Night 4, and UFC. Money raised in the tournament can go to a charity, preferrably Fighting For Futures.
Black book show: several artists will submit their respective black books and have sit and draw sessions with ppl in groups. Prints of pieces can be made to order.
Short screenings: party at a movie theatre and screen short films by talented artists.
mercury soapbox book club: a collection of writers and readers, who'll read vaguely connected books and help one another via debate and discussion

things we need:

VENUES!! We're always looking for venues with a good location and a heartfelt penchant for art. if your venue has a specific specialty, please let us know and we'll cater to your niche.
VOLUNTEERS! we might need to borrow something so we don't have to buy it, you know? for example: having 4 friends volunteer their ps3's so we don't have to rent or buy 4 ps3's really helps to keep shows free. I'm just sayin :)
CREATIVE TYPES! I didn't want to capitalze that one but for the sake of continuity, i did. Anyway, you know we're always looking for interesting and fun creative people to spotlight at shows, expose to new friends and show work to their biggest fans. That includes you, musicians.

Alright kids, thats all for now but let's link up soon. Peace y'all!

PS: if anyone needs a photographer to take candid photos (cause i hate to pose ppl, but i have to sometimes), let me know- i am available :)
PPS: if anyone knows of a chinatown bus connection to chicago, let me know.

2009-10-27T20:23:00.001-07:00

Script's gettin hot! Got a few dp's interested, sending out copies tomoro...

2009-10-16T14:31:00.001-07:00

Shooting a short film and looking for talent! Check out nell's facebook through ours!

2009-09-16T16:17:00.001-07:00

Heading down i95 towards philly. Things gray and wet. Wonder what jazz clubs rockin tonight...

2009-08-26T12:33:00.007-07:00

be shooting digital portraits of each other (think fun, funny or funky or anything at all!). At about 830 we'll make our way to club

2009-08-26T12:33:00.005-07:00

bedford entrance of mccarren park- bring your photographers, models, make-up artists and friends because EVERYONE IS PART OF THE ART! We'll

2009-08-26T12:33:00.003-07:00

Mercury soapbox presents the photo stroll & sho- where you and your friends are the artists! This thursday aug 27th we'll be meeting at the

2009-08-26T12:33:00.001-07:00

europa-97 meserole ave- where we'll print out select portraits and put them right up!

2009-08-12T11:55:00.005-07:00

@mercurysoapbox on twitter for door buster discounts. BRING YOUR MARKERS AND SPRAY PAINT FOR the i.a.p. Redux! It's going down tomoro night,

2009-08-12T11:55:00.003-07:00

thurs aug 13th, 9pm on, club europa 98 meserole ave, bklyn. $7. 18 to party 21 to go hardy Lol!

2009-08-12T11:55:00.001-07:00

Mercury Soapbox presents Another Urban Art Show- featuring art by ENJOI, RALPH NIXON JR, music by DJ E MONEY & FREESTYLE BATTLE! Follow

Mercury Soapbox Presents AUAS:Another Urban Art Sho

2009-08-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday august 13th

Mercury Soapbox presents

Another Urban Art Sho

Featuring

Artists: Enjoi, Ralph Nixon Jr

Music: Fly Machine, DJ E Money

The Interactive Art Redux!

$7/$5 more details coming soon...

eco360: A Night of Hot Tee's and Cool Drinks!

2009-08-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Come and enjoy the winding down of summer! Grab your friends, kick back with a drink and take in the cool wearable art of Jakob Hostetter (http://www.openeverysense.com) and Curtis Franklin (http://www.fashionhurtz.com), the acoustic stylings of Nick Zakharov and Ian Ferry, and the frenetic spinning of DJ E Money!

AND WAIT..... There's MORE!

Even if you can't make it (I know you have a curfew or your fake ID doesn't work, lol!), you can join in the fun LIVE through twitter (http://twitter.com/sos_eco360) and on facebook (http://tr.im/tKCL)!!

Thanks to a sponsorship from Air Dye, we're having a collaborative design experience and details on how it works are forthcoming, so stay pruned and stay tuned!

This event is made possible by our generous sponsors:
The Institute for Sustainable Communication: http://sustaincomm.org
SOSreach: http://sosreach.org
AirDye: http://airdye.com

Attendance: Free

Bursts of Reality (Quick hit of fiction from Isaiah Os a.k.a. Harus)

2009-07-29T00:23:00.000-07:00

Everyday the mornings on these urban streets seems the same. Uniform, routine rituals of the underpaid laborers litter the streets. Shambling off the wilted dreams of youth for pieces of metal and paper. I am awake on this street from the lack of sleep I am privy to. People pass practically lifeless by me without real regard for anything. It is not without incident that I have discovered an after effect from these poor saps. I succumb in serene silence to their discarded hopes. Seeing their futures play out as they thought it would be; I feel the laughter, happiness, accomplishment, the general feeling of being complete. It was wonderful for the crashing waves of temporary bliss, but the more I took; the hollower I became.

I sun rose up as the street began to live again under the orange glow of daybreak. The emptiness of the morning denizens nearly gone. I panicked to find myself slip, fading from anything solid. No voice, no sound could come from me, nor could I hear any. In this despair, I turned to my home for sanctuary and there I was coming in down the steps. I was one of them, slaves to the routine. I tried in vain to stop myself and became a victim to those dreams discarded.

Skin by Isaiah Os (Harus)

2009-07-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

Morning comes so soon. The days have grown thin with the thoughts that thickened our fears. Men and women on the television make the business of crafting our lives before we live them. Popular trading of despair is hawked in front of children. I see the serrated scars made by the belief of what the normalcy of today is. I see this grotesque being of expectations. I scream, curse and charge at it. Each of my hands burrows in this flesh fortified by slander. Tearing, clawing, ravaging this thing in aggressive glee, I soon see what has brought me terror. Under it all, there's a rusted mirror distorting the image of ourselves. Neglected because of our own ideals.

--Woke up today and decided to pay attention to the mass content of things on the news and the media and general---

2009-06-21T06:08:00.001-07:00

Another fare hike from the mta? This is getting ridiculous.

2009-06-20T15:42:00.001-07:00

A few things in the news this week. Most important! While everyone fawns over obama's 'coolness' and yuks it up at the correspondents dinner, he approved another HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS IN WAR SPENDING! Now, mr. Obama, you are exactly like the war mongering presidents who preceded you. I hope you can sleep knowing many of us have totally lost faith in you.

In Question

2009-06-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

Why is everyone so distracted by what is happening outside of the U.S. these days when things are far from fine? I can still walk around and hear the bullshit on how we are still good in the world. Has the public become to accustomed to the swagger of the media? Seriously, I think we all need to pay attention or just drug up on ritalin.

New Great sponsor and partner!! SOSREACH.ORG!

2009-06-08T18:35:00.001-07:00

Yo check it out guys! Sosreach.org is an awesome nonprofit dedicated to the awareness of global issues, climate change and health care, and now Mercury Soapbox's eco-friendly sponsor, offering scholarship opportunities to socially conscious artists/students! Find them on facebook and check out the site for contests, giveaways and future events and collaborations!

ppl understanding ppl

2009-06-08T18:34:00.005-07:00

How totally strange to hear the exact words you would have chosen, given the chance and sobriety, coming from someone you just met, just happened to come across and fall into a coversation with. They tell you things about yourself, seem to anticipate your responses and
understand the truth of your intended statement to the point of nearly sharing a brainwavelength. i know its not a word. yet.

capitalist idol

2009-05-19T17:53:00.001-07:00

Wait a second. Everyone knows that both contestants on american idol are getting record deals, right? Ya know why? Because they know you'll buy the losers album too! call it sweeping up past profits. also the reason for the american idol tour...

fleet week

2009-05-19T10:11:00.001-07:00

Fleet week is starting in nyc again. Ladies, i know this is one of your favorite times of year, like when they release the firefighter calendar. But seriously, keep some condoms handy- this ain't the fifties.

Can't sue the feds for unlawful detainment?

2009-05-19T10:07:00.003-07:00

Apparently the supreme court has decided that ppl wrongfully imprisoned after september eleventh, alleged to be suspected terrorists, cannot sue the feds. I think thats bullshit. How about you?

Something before I sleep...A thought

2009-05-16T00:19:00.000-07:00

Every single day I open my eyes, the gears moves inside my head rapidly developing the image which govern my writing. Then there is the time where I am in and out of sleep like now. In this twilight hour, I am propelled constantly in between the fiction and facts of reality. Within these walls, I experience the full comforts of delusions. The feeling of identity slips past my hollowed grasp. I can hear the notes of unwritten music resonating as my gaze is fixed on the unknown lover singing each lyric that has been familiarly foreign to me. I blink and I am at war, tasting the dried blood in my cheek and the smell of burning bone. On my knees, I take hold of the fought over earth and feel it warm among the surrounding shrapnel. From these hands, I see the ghosts of the children that I have never fathered. One breath and I am home again, in my skin still shaking. Just knowing where my mind goes from time to time, I wonder if I am real before I sleep.

Short Story, work in progress- please comment!!

2009-05-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

There's a boy that delivers food to me everyday from the local diner. He's not a boy really, more a man with boyish charm, a light air that seems to follow him around. I've never told him my name and i don't know his, but what i know is the look that is in his eyes for the brief moments he is standing at my door watching me count money in my translucent robe. Sure i have other robes, but this one shows off my nearly naked form best.

I asked him to come inside, once, under the guise of finding my money, seizing the opportunity provided by sheets of rain crashing down. He thanked me in a politely reserved, deep, strong voice as i sauntered into my bedroom and moved things around, just to keep appearances and my hands steady. I watched curiously through my mirror as he took off his hat to wipe his brow, searching and finding his pensive and thoughtful eyes, his strong and stubbly jaw.

'i just,' she starts, and falters slightly, as she walks into the foyer. She walks right into his space, nearly striding comfortably into his sweet imaginary embrace but stopping short of attempting it. She took a good look at his face, its early creases rising with his natural smile, encouraging her to continue saying what she was afraid of saying, what she'd been afraid of saying before, not just for the act itself being terrifyingly self-revealing but also for the grabby assholes she'd gotten when she's judged wrong about someone.
'it's just that I've seen you a few times and you seem, what i mean is, i haven't really been with a man in a while.'
'in the presence of a man,' his deep, confidently intelligent voice rang,'or with a man like that?'

Help out a great cause and have a great time @ once!

2009-05-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

check out www.feliciacruz.com for more details on how to help or participate.

Hi Lena!

2009-03-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

Mercury Soapbox Presents The Crossing Bridges Art Sho!!

2009-03-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

Featuring the photographic art of Nell Hernandez (www.flickr.com/nellynell) and Lucas Nowakowski (www.flickr.com/omgitslucas), the musical stylings of hip hop messiah brokeMC (www.brokeMC.com) , DJ E-Money and inviting all freestylers, mc's and beatboxers to throw it down in a freestyle jam. Don't forget about our trademark interactive art pieces...
$5 cover
18 to appreciate
21 to inebriate
Mercury Soapbox Presents the Crossing Bridges Art Sho
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 9:00pm
Club Europa
98 Meserole St.
Brooklyn, NY

IT's Also Nells Birthday!!

New disgusting police brutality! click link for video...

2009-03-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

thanks for the tweet alison!
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/402005_schene03.html

The 15-year-old girl might have been sassing the officer, and the sneaker she kicked off could have hit his shin. She might have, as accused, even stolen a car.

As interest in the case builds, the girl and her father appeared Monday on a CBS morning news show.

Malika Calhoun said during the interview on "The Early Show" that she screamed as the deputy kicked her, shoved her against a wall and tossed her to the floor.

"It was horrible, like my head hit the wall when he first came in and kicked me," she said, appearing with her father, Curtiss Calhoun of Covington. "And then he ... threw me to the ground, was pulling my hair constantly."

Octo Mom Is Bat-Sh*t Crazy

2009-02-10T08:44:00.000-08:00

Childbearing is awesome. I love babies and children - it lends hope that there is a future and it can be bright.

Then I read about Nadya Suleman.

And I decided to revise my previous fuzzy feeling.

Because she's fucking crazy. And if I ever met her, I'd be inclined to punch her in the face, and I mean that.

Nadya is single, unemployed and still in school. She has 6 children....and just gave birth to 8 more. (But wait, there's more!)

She conceived these children...drum roll please....via in-vitro fertilization.

TADA!

Did I mention that she was selfish?

This is wrong on so many levels. SO MANY. I am a pro-choice woman, although the thought of aborting a child would put me in a place I'd rather not be, I believe that women should have a choice what happens to AND inside their bodies.

Of course, Nadya has the right to have IVF done; it's every woman's god given right to house her offspring. However, it's socially irresponsible.

She now has 14 mouths to feed and she's single and unemployed. How she afforded the procedure in the first place, I'm not sure.

But how selfish could you be to subject your children to potential danger. Isn't it instintual to want to shed your children from all possible dangers. So how could this woman openly throw them to the dangers, of oh say...STARVATION.

Not to mention, the possibility of developmental problems that come along with multiple births.
Raising a child who has a mental or developmental disability costs money, a lot of money. How does she intend to raise them with those kinds of odds? Oh, she said that she's planning on finishing school and that will enable her to provide for her children.

Right, she's going to finish school while taking care of 8 infants and her 6 other kids, on her own.

I'm all for having kids, I can't wait to have my own. And I respect any woman who goes through the process of carrying and raising children. But there comes a point where you have to ask yourself, "will having this child inhibit my ability to provide for them fully?"

How can you have a child and not have the means and resources to raise them? That's irresponsible parenting. It's much more than the 9 months that you carry them. It's a lifetime's worth or work AND money.

I feel physically ill thinking about the futures of those 14 children. I come from a huge family and I'm well aware of the intrinsic value of a big family but I'm also aware that it costs a lot of money to maintain and sustain a healthy lifestyle. What's going to happen to these kids if she can't do that? Foster care? Adoption?

As a woman, I strongly feel that this is wrong, morally and ethically. I don't get it. She wanted to be a mom, that's great, how about you be a mom to the 6 children you already had? Was it necessary to implant 6 embryo's? 1 of which split into twins.

I would love to be a mother one day and I empathize with those who try and cannot. But I feel nothing but sorrow for the children of those women who are entirely selfish, delusional and just plain irresponsible. I hate you stupid women who are selfish. You take away the real meaning of being a mother and substitute it with something to fill the gap for your lifetime of "not being loved".

Just because you have a uterus - doesn't mean you have to use it.

AUAS Jan 30th Recap!

2009-02-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

A huge thank you to Bazooka Falcon and Sauce for rockin' the joint hard! Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in our collective art pieces. Sorry that security was kinda dickish but the next event will probably be at a new location.
Remember guys, i'm always looking for people to show or play and we are movin on up Y'all, so look out!

Changing Names, Static Faces

2009-01-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

Posted by Calculating Condor
For all those opposing, recently betrothed to and indisposed of by our fair state: we have a new face for freedom. Our new man, new management has an oddly clean history. Barack Obama has had several homes in different nations over his lifetime but he is about to encompass the very helm of Western Civilization, as we know the term. No doubt, this man’s attributes and actions will be the prime focus of the watching world, wondering how he plans to depose our Texan oil baron brand of despotism and employ a formative approach towards governing our yet-to-be sheared bleaters.
Despite the man’s blood relation to two of our former administration’s executives, set back about nine generations, he is seen as the glimmer of hope in modern politics. And by bringing him to this seat, we are yet again instrumental in our own fate. I felt him to be the clear cut choice early on, forecasting Hilary’s deliberate departure from the eye of favor with her oddly ominous comparison of Obama’s then lead to RFK’s commanding lead in 1968 immediately prior to his assassination. These politicians don’t just say these things, their rhetorical intent always seems to be met and their meager promises to us take their lonely back seat.
But we know Hilary’s sordid past. The string of deaths connected to her and her slick and slippery Willie during their decades in politics. (http://www.ssqq.com/ARCHIVE/intern03.htm PLEASE READ AND SPREAD).
But what does our Kenyan joy boy have in his past? Not as ugly of one as virtually every single one of his predecessors, an apt prescription for a power-weary populace that sees fit only an alignment of private and public interests. Here, we demand not a uniform standard of life since we only know the damaging effects of socialization but at least a fair view, an equal shot whether in business or politics, but more importantly, a fresh start.
God knows we need it. At this stage, with our leading economic experts assuring us the worst is yet to hit us, the public has no will to crowd and clamor about our war fueled economy and how its certain progression can only have the exact same effect it has had for centuries, a perfect transfer of wealth from the unwittingly indentured debt classes to the iniquitous intelligentsia of global industry.
It did not take too long but following the past century’s great equalizer- WWII, US might allowed us to form the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These institutions and their management has single handedly put the developing countries into an apt iron vice grip from which the only relief remains an assurance of servitude to the debtors for all foreseeable future.
But that prospect of progress urges us on, right? This hope that the future could be better has been misplaced into the hands of those who see their resolutions coming to fruition beyond that of their wildest dreams, and this new age’s constituency sees Obama as any sort of a departure? In a time when all of industry is at the mercy of the Federal Reserve, our idea of nationalization, instead of reaping the benefits of our regional fruits, is to further tarnish our collective credit with grab bag style gift packages allotted not to the most faulty businesses, but the most favored and obedient.
Take the case of Goldman Sachs, making the right maneuvers before the subprime mortgage crisis you’d think that they’d have no right to claim any of the 700 billion dollar package awarded by congress. This company had netted a 4 billion dollar profit by expecting a market collapse and then receiving even more from the 85 billion that went to AIG(http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093881/posts).
Now these sort of actions that warranted no investigation on the part of the SEC, shit, they understand the fiscal prudence of the decision, these actions should certainly be condemned by a leader that has pledged to repair the cracked and crumbling gears of the American machine run ragged by republican ruin.
Unfortunately, Barack Obama has received close to 900 thousand from Goldman Sachs(reported,) his second top contributor. Now a mere million, even less is a marginal figure compared to the four billion gained from the mortgage-backed securities in addition to whatever part of that 37 billion dollar bundle went to Goldman, but it may have been just enough to keep the most credible law man in the eye of the public, the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, the first black president of the United States with his lips firmly sealed, smiling at the public his demagogy so fiercely empowers.
When you judge a candidate, as you must, just consider their motive at every step. From every sight, every standpoint. Now Obama mentions nothing of this unbelievable racket by which Goldman Sachs scours our pockets, can he be trusted with the control panels of our military?
One massive conflict zone that Obama has a root in is Africa. Now one word that has been absent from his speeches is AFRICOM. Its installment came at a timely month before Election day and was the pet project of Donald Rumsfeld, you remember him. Well, Obama fully supports AFRICOM as well as this idea of creating a Shared Security Partnership Program, a means of international and regional alignment on American terms with the common goal of combating our enemies. Not only is this out of touch with the American people, based on both recent and distant military history, this is far out of line with moral decency. He vows to close Guantanamo Bay detention facilities and act where Bush has failed, by focusing on the real targets. In the case of Iran, he contends that their nuclear development has to subside and their counter-position to Israel may decide their fate and in a detailed interview
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/02/AR2008030201982_pf.html)
he outlines how our efforts at diplomacy with only one obvious tyrant must end and be replaced with a stronger pursuit, with the hopes for their people almost at the priority our inexorable quest to root out the fabled danger of the middle east, Al Qaeda. Now with the cases of Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, countless other nations and even Al Qaeda, we always seem to have a strong bond in their upstart and then a sudden backlash against them, citing their crimes as independent when we maintained strong strategic with such terrorist organizations and financial support on record.
Clearly such a massive conflict of interest should be investigated, at least mentioned, something, man! But, no, no such luck. Obama is ever vigilant in reassuring America what side we’re on and why we’re there. And his position on human rights seems an echo of pretty much all of our past presidential candidates before winning and right before every fucking war they start. Strategic revision must be done on a broader scale and claiming that these international standards do not hold us in far heavier contempt than the smaller states we tend to demonize is enough reason for us to question Obama’s credibility and his devotion to substantial peace.
One organization that always seems to have ideological leverage on every presiding seat since its creation in the early 1920s is the Council on Foreign Relations. This think tank wrought from the spoils of the first major world even of warfare, following the biggest flu pandemic since the black plague, gave way to the build-up of wealth known as the roaring twenties. But the purpose of this non-partisan spoiled brats’ club has always been to find a comfortable place to take over the world outside of the glare of the media. The founding member of the CFR was the personal attorney to JP Morgan who, himself with the Warburg and Rockefeller clans, sought to finalize a true economic hierarchy for the world.
Well, this hierarchy is currently in top form, feeding on the defenseless bottom. And it is barely surprising that Barack’s wife is a member of the Chicago chapter of the CFR or that his two head picks for the Treasury department are a man directly from the Federal Reserve and one from the legendary Skull and Bones society, which may have certainly propelled the Bushes, John Kerry and Bill Clinton, among others, well into political prominence.
Two weeks after the election of Obama, I attended a conference, Transition 2008: Advising America’s Next President, held in the Schimmel Auditorium of the NYU Stern School of Business. On the panel were: the executive editor of CFR.org, Michael Moran, international correspondent Lane Greene for The Economist, and an NYU professor of financial institutional history Richard Sylla. Their moderator was a writer for Slate Magazine, Alexandra Starr, who focuses on South America. The entire time, the vision portrayed was grim and heavily reliant on a vamped approach towards those recurrent evils. The threat of an escalating conflict with China or Russia was noted. The most dissenting voice on stage was that of Lane Greene, while he expressed not a single qualm with the impending administration. One audience member asked what else could be done to revitalize the economy along with the recently passed stimulus package. Professor Sylla assured him that similar packages are on the way. I decided to ask about the creation of AFRICOM three weeks prior, and how the American people should expect a different tone from Obama when his support for this early and aggressive military project is hidden from most media outlets and from his own lips yet certainly not from his thoughts. The moderator decided to refer to her experience with SOCOM, the South American military apparatus, claiming they are very effective in handing out aid to people in the countries they feel the right to inhabit.
Michael Moran, the CFR website editor then took the question, stating that this is a chance for America to change its image broadcast around the world by taking charge in a volatile region. He delivered this in a tone of assuming international complicity with America’s new impulses, as if everyone is ready to trust us again.
At least Lane Greene echoed my concern for allowing the management of such a rich and struggling continent to a country with so dirty and dismal of a track record, our footprints fading far from memories as we approach a more local, a national struggle. Well that last part wasn’t said by Greene, considering he knew right away what I was talking about yet doesn’t seem to mention it in his articles.
My question was followed by a young woman asking if due to Obama’s popularity, could we lift the two term limit on the office of president to which the economics professor answered “Well, the country isn’t New York.” This was followed by roaring laughter of a public misunderstanding the grave necessity of such a law. The twenty second amendment is very much in honor of George Washington who refused to run for a third term despite such popular support. Thomas Jefferson followed his example, implying that the most effective governance is the limiting of power, to be able to spread it out amongst a larger part of the country. But in trying times, New York changed the laws in order to allow Bloomberg to reign for another term. It comes as no surprise that a New York representative introduces a bill aiming to repeal the 22nd amendment. (http://ppjg.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/representative-serrano-d-ny-wants-to-end-term-limits-for-presidents/)
Now how many people do you know that would support the passage of this law for Obama? If you still aren’t convinced of Obama’s true approach at navigation of our feeble vessel, take a look at Obama’s pick for deputy secretary of defense William J. Lynn III who was the chief financial officer of the Department of Defense 1997-2001 and the appointment of Robert Hale, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force from 1994-2001 concerning financial management.(http://solari.com/blog/?p=1983) Under these men, 3.3 trillion dollars went missing from the Department of Defense, 2.3 trillion of which secretary of Defense under W., Donald Rumsfeld admitted to in a press conference on September tenth, 2001.(Just type in the words RUMSFELD 9/10/01 into youtube or googlevideo.)
It is hopeful that Barack Obama wouldn’t allow such an act of piracy of the tax payer’s money, but if such actions warrant a promotion in Obama’s cabinet, rather than a deep investigation into government actions surrounding the attacks of 9/11, then there is clearly no distance drawn from the tactics of former administrations.
The beauty of ideology is that it can distance a person far from their actual position, their coordinates of character. But every one of us is a product of a typhoon of trails, myriad in number, genetic projections bringing about the most applicable attributes and we need not deny a single integral member. Who knows what characters comprise our family trees? All their exploits and triumphs, buried beneath, yet being the perfect precursors to our own minutiae. The problem is, our most powerful politicians are in a family, carrying on royal roots through the most dismal future possible, making damn well sure that the right strands survive. Well, the plebeian, the proles, breed of banality, whatever you want to call us are the purest and proudest part of society, never mind our size. There is no reason that the seed of kings still have a central role in politics. While we have the will to change, being led astray in order to impose regulations by the actual arbiters of our own downfall must stop. And the most destructive agencies to our world, our welfare and our wallets must go. We cannot remain placid in the presence of an altered expression on the face of an eternal wretchedness.

It's Only The Beginning

2009-01-20T06:32:00.000-08:00

Today is inauguration day. Coincidentally, it follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It's almost kismet.

I've been reading countless headlines, blogs, editorials, articles for the many weeks leading up to this historic day. The consensus is the same and most Americans are feeling the way I feel when I think about what today represents.

And while my heart is full of hope and pride at the thought that today could be the changing day for all of us, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed and embittered by certain things that are happening that surround this seemingly fanaticized event.

Firstly, I do want to say that I recognize this to be a milestone for us as a society and people. It lends optimism that maybe racism is facing its demise. Yes, Barack Obama will be the first non-caucasian president; at least that's how I see it. However, I keep reading and seeing "THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT" in almost every article- I will reiterate that this is a great stride for us as a people and society - but race WAS NOT the centerpiece of this election and campaign.

Wow AMERICA! Shocker; you did it yet AGAIN! You took something COMPLETELY out of context. Have we all forgotten that we are in probably one of the worst economic crises we've ever seen since probably the Depression? Have we forgotten that Gaza and Israel are at it - yet again? Have we forgotten that our foreign policy was completely muddled during Bush's occupation? Parts of New Orleans are still in complete shambles.

Yes, Obama is black. We all can see this. But, I can't recall one occassion where he flat out said "I will be the first Black president". Obviously, it was implicit in his campaign that being half-black was something to set him apart from McCain - but he NEVER flat out said it. Even in his victory speech; not one mention of being black. Actually, what he did say was this:

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America."

And just in case you wanted to read his speech to get some clarification, here's the link: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/obama.transcript/

This was a victory for all of us. Everyone! Not just for one group. We are all suffering. I'm sure that in one point or another in our lives we've been overlooked or taken advantage of or punished for something we had no control over. We are meant to be a united people. Our race should not be what seperates us but what brings us together in understanding one another.

That is Obama's message and I believe that is his purpose; bringing us together as a nation so that we may face the future together. (I know, it all sounds so "Cumbaya" - but w/e, a little never hurts)

Secondly, Barack Obama is only a man. Flesh and blood. He's human. He is not God nor the Second Coming (Although, his eloquence is worthy of some Christ-like comparison)
He hasn't even taken office yet and we're all weepy-eyed and joyful that our trouble are over. We don't even know how he's going to be once he's taken office and gets into the swing of things.

Production houses are already planning movies and speculation about who will be cast as Obama is circulating all the celebrity and enterainment websites (I know this because I spend a better part of my evening after work checking these websites out - it's a guilty pleasure).

Pump the brakes. Didn't momma ever tell you, "don't count your chickens before they've hatched"?

We all needed a change and hope - but we cannot rest ALL of our hopes and dreams on this one man.

Hello America...Obama's job is to help us get our sh*t together. That's what we need. We don't need a savior. We need a guidance counselor.

You ever heard the saying, "teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime".

Well, Mr. President [as of noon on 1/20/09], teach me how to fish.

Who's coming with?

First Events Of '09

2009-01-09T15:15:00.000-08:00

What's up Y'all? Happy New Year to all, just to start off. I wanted to try and post a giant thank you to everyone who performed or showed with us in our first year. It wasn't always very easy but we all tried to have a good time and support each other and the arts, and I, for one, am so very happy that we did.

I'm going to start checking everybody's page soon, hoping to find a Mercury Soapbox banner or link, thats the only way to really spread this thing and help each other. If you need a banner or want one customized just email me at mercurysoapbox@gmail.com.

I'm still looking for artists that want to show work, so if you're interested or have a friend who might be, please hit us up.

With out further ado...

DJ E Money- who djed many shows with us, has his own night at club europa, so make sure to check that out.

AND NOW!

The next Mercury Soapbox Event!

If This Isn't Irony, I'm Not Sure What Else Is

2008-12-29T09:23:00.000-08:00

Submitted by OhSnaps!

So, the government in the end decided to bail out the Big 3 motor companies of the US: Ford, GM and Chrysler, with a nice, ripe figure just shy of $17 billion. Fantastic; people still have their jobs, social security isn't losing a massive amount of depositors, and the American Dream is still alive.

I wish the government had done a little market research before they decided to gift a federal loan to these companies. For the last...umm...I don't remember how many years now, Toyota has been the American favorite brand of car. And though the American car companies produce a seemingly viable product - who really drives Fords, Chrysler's and GM's?

American cars brands have been fighting tooth and nail for marketshare in the modern world since "imports" were introduced to Americans. Since then, the American car companies have sought after to acquire or merge with non-American brands to expand marketshare and what I'm assuming was a move to make themselves look prettier to Americans. Daimler-Chrysler was a merger between Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz (a German based car company) in 1998. Ford owns brands such as Aston Martin (English based car company), Jaguar (English based car company), Land Rover (English/Welsh based car company) and Volvo (Swedish based car company).

While I will note, in fairness, that American car companies have done their share to stay in the spotlight alongside the import brands and have gone to great lengths to make their cars economical and environmentally resposible - they're still second best, if that.

So when I came accross this article today [follow the link: http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/23/news/companies/auto_stocks/index.htm?postversion=2008122312] , I wasn't suprrised to read what it said.

I am appalled, however, that the government chose to prolong the inevitable - which the cost, would inevitably come out of MY pocket (and yours too).

I think that the American car companies are experiencing the ebb and flow of capitalism and big business. Nothing lasts forever - we all know this. Businesses come and go - and while its normal to compete for your place in the world, particularly in business, the day will come when you must close that file and move on, cut your losses - that sort of thing.

It's natural - I think. Like Darwin studied and theorized, it's survival of the fittest. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and if you can't hack it, maybe you should rethink what you had planned because it obviously isn't working. So maybe that should've been the fate of these 3 car companies. Don't get me wrong, I'm very patriotic, I love my country and love the American dollar. While, it sometimes burns me to see my hard earned money going into some Japanese dude's pocket (because I happen to really like Nissan's) they, at the end of the day, provide a better product.

Will the bailout help prevent these companies from going bankrupt? I highly doubt it. Would the benefit outweigh the cost? Don't think so. It seems as the years go on, these companies are doing progessively and consistently worse in their annual reportings. (To be fair, Toyota is anticipating reporting a loss for the first time since 1950 in their upcomping reporting period.)

It's a lost cause!! Why, oh why, goverment, would you help this already painfully sinking ship? Could the money have not been better invested elsewhere where the return was almost gauranteed and not at a diminishing rate? Look at our economy!!! Don't you realize how we GOT HERE? Borrowing money isn't FREE!!!!

Fund our future, please! Stop trying to preserve the past. Our children will lead us out of this, if only we give them the opportunity and tools to do so.

You're shooting us in the foot, I hope you realize.

Mercury Soapbox Benefit Sho!!

2008-11-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

Mercury Soapbox Presents The Benefit SHo!!

Raising money for Transitions Cambodia, a non-profit that builds homes for sexually trafficked teens and kids, through arts and music! Come hang with us while we take in the artistic wonderment of Raquel Manuela, Jana Gouchev and Amanda Perez AND musical guests Sauce, Mala Reignz and many more!!
$5 Donation
18 to appreciate
21 to inebriate

Asking questions...

2008-11-17T18:01:00.000-08:00

What's the council on foreign relations? what is AFRICOM and why isn't anyone talking about it? Why are there so many military installments of the US around the world? maybe we're in such a financial state because of so much military spending?

has obama spoken about any of the things on his agenda? what are those things? can he put dates on any of these key items? can we ask him questions about stuff? is he as accessible as his campaign made him to be?

what questions do you have?

Mercury Soapbox Banner!!

2008-11-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

Please post this on your page guys, show your support and help us spread the word. ALSO!! If you've shown with us, you'll notice a link to your page along the right side here. If you guys could do us a big favor and return the love, we'd really appreciate it....

if you have to change it, make sure that the link goes to
mercurysoapbox.blogspot.com

let me know if you have trouble posting it on your page, i'll give you a hand...

T-Shirt Fashion Show Recap!!

2008-11-14T10:39:00.001-08:00

Oh man! Once again, thanks to everyone who came out and had a good time with us. I'm still going through some of the pictures and posting them, but for the time being enjoy these pics!

BIG SHOUT OUT to Curtis "Fresh" Franklin from Fashion Hurtz who came thru strong with mad tee's and let most of us take one home!! I'll definitely be buying more....
ALSO BIG THANKS to Lady Potential who showed us some great works of art, which you can find in our slideshow as well as at her website.

Keep your eyes peeled for the other shots, coming soon and ALSO-

MERCURY SOAPBOX's Benefit Show, December 3rd!

Mercury Soapbox Presents The T-Shirt Fashion Show!!

2008-11-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

YES YES Y'ALL!

Mercury Soapbox Presents

The T-Shirt Fashion Show!

Free Show!!

Be a Model! Be a Photographer!

Amazing T-shirt designers Fashion Hurtz, Wildcat, and Mike A. will be providing samples of tees for YOU to wear at the show! Photographers will shoot our impromptu models and trade pictures with designers and models for web sites, portfolios and more. Also featuring the art work of Lady Potential and the musical freshness of DJ komon, DJ E Money and guest MC's!

(be sure to bring ID to trade for t-shirt, if you want to kick some rhymes, contact DJ komon @ http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=75265220)

Wednesday November 12th
Club Europa

98 Meserole Ave

Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY

18 to appreciate

21 to inebriate

10pm-1am

Craigslist link: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/eve/909506155.html

Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=45517517574

--
MercurySoapbox.blogspot.com

It's a soapbox. People say if you have something important to say, you stand on top of this and say it.
- Huey Freeman

Go 'Bama, but wtf happened to Prop 8?

2008-11-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Obama got elected! Terrific, great job getting the vote out. But what happened at the booths guys? i don't think everyone took a good look at the voting booth, because we slept on a few important propositions like Prop 8, a gay marriage ban that won 52 percent of votes yesterday in California and now threatens to nullify some 18,000 same-sex marriages. Another Prop that went the wrong way was Prop 5 (which would've allocated 460 million a year towards rehabilitation of non-violent drug offenders, freeing up prison resources, creating jobs, and giving people a chance to find their way out of a bad situation) voted no by 59.8%.

take a look, leave a comment:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gaymarriage6-2008nov06,0,2331815.story?page=1

from the LA Times

Hip Hop Halloween Photo Recap!

2008-11-04T07:51:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to our photographers for the night, Joe and the ever-lovely Tina!

VIVA LA HOVA

2008-10-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Viva La Hova (or Coldjay) is a mixtape by Mick Boogie and Terry Urban that mashes up Coldplay songs with Jay favorites. Cookin' Soul has been known for their awesome mixtapes recently, and this is no exception. This tape is seriously well done. It definately tops the oJAYsis (Jay Z and Oasis, if you uh... didn't catch that) mixtape they dropped not long ago.Be sure to check out Never changing and a spy's prayer (tracks 4 and 9).

Grab the mixtape over at it's site- www.vivalahova.com

Another wonderfully joyous night of art and music...

2008-10-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Oh, man what a night! We had a blast and as the pictures come rolling in, i'll be editting and posting them. Really quick, i want to shout a few people out for comin thru...

Big props go to Gully, Rabbi Darkside, Raquel Manuela and Jon Axelrod for doing their respective thing. There was a lot of talent in the room and everyone in attendance had their wigs blown back by the art and music.
Of course big shouts to the Mercury Soapbox family (including but not limited to): Komon, E Money, DanSke, Kenneth, Tina & Tania! You guys make it work, and i thank you from the corazon.
Big ups to Cathleen, who kept the drinks flowin and volume turned up, lol.
oh yeah, A GIANT BOO! to the douches smoking in the bathroom. According to several sources a trio comprised of cops and soldiers swaddled into our spot, burned up some pot in the bathroom and then did the quick dip when Cath brought it to our attention. My peeps know when and where to burn, and we don't shit where we eat...

I'll be updating soon, so stay tuned.

oh yeah- danny, that mortician line killed 'em!

Peace Y'all!

HIP HOP HALLOWEEN PARTY!!

2008-10-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mercury Soapbox Presents
Hip Hop Halloween!!

Featuring:
Art by Raquel Manuela Colon, Jon Axelrod and Kasso
Music by DJ Komon, also DJ E Money and guest MC's spitting freestyle
Fun stuff like mini pumpkin painting, gift bags with candy and toys, and a prize for best costume!

October 29th
9-12 midnite
CLUB EUROPA
98 Meserole Ave
Greenpoint Brooklyn
18 to appreciate
21 to inebriate
FREE!!

BRING YOUR FRIENDS! WE'RE GONNA HAVE A GREAT TIME!!

Great Historical NY

2008-10-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

just found a couple really awesome pics and some cool blogs. when you can, try searching flickr for old pictures by tyonig in something like "new york 1920" and you find some great stuff.

These are from bobster1985's photostream:

Auas Recap

2008-10-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Y'all!

Man this turn out was great, so great that we have to post 4 separate slide shows to show how much fun we had. The first two are courtesy of Tina :) our ever-present ever-awesome family photog and the third is courtesy of Jeanette L. Thanks y'all and please keep sending in your pics!

I'll add the third one this afternoon...

DON't FORGET- Mercury Soapbox's Hip Hop Halloween Party featuring art, music and interactive fun OCTOBER 29TH!!

AUAS: A Smashing Success!

2008-10-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Whew! That was crazy!! The night started off very stressful because our live band, GIC & FunkFace, flaked out last minute and we had promised everyone live hip hop. Well instead we ended up inviting MC's in the crowd to jump on stage and take turns beating down the mic and it rocked!! The crowd was going, people were dancing to the phat beats, courtesy of DJ Komon and DJ E Money, and just generally having a great time! Our featured artists, Seanne Catedral and Amanda Perez, hit it off and checked out each others work while the crowed browsed they're inspired works and bobbed their heads to the tasty tunes in the air.

All the pictures are going to come soon, i'll start posting them as early as this afternoon. A few things to remember -

PLEASE, if you have pictures, email them to mercurysoapbox@gmail.com, that way we can post them and everyone can enjoy :)
If you showed at a Mercury Soapbox event or freestyled or performed- please send us a link at mercurysoapbox@gmail.com so ppl can check out your page. I'll put a link right over here ------------------------------------------------------------------------->
in the buddy blogs section or in the ms family links. I only ask that you return the love and post a link on your page.
Next few events - Oct. 29th>Hip Hop Halloween Party, November 12th>Kick and Tee Fashion Sho (if you know t-shirt designers or kick customizers, tell them to please contact us), November 26th>Grateful and Giving Charity Party (still working out details, but will be showcasing many bands so please contact us if you want to play)
If you guys have any ideas for events, please hit us up and let us know...

Ciao for now Brown Cows!

Peace

Nell

Horrible happenings, must help change things

2008-10-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

I was going to wait until tomorrow...

2008-10-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

after the AUAS event, but a few things need to be addressed.

THE DEBATE - The last Presidential debate is going to be held tomorrow night. It looks like most people i've spoken to either already know who they're voting for or have decided not to vote. Strangely enough though, the people i know that are not voting are the ones doing research on both candidates, the last three administrations, and the patterns of political (and thus) world history. It seems that many voters are listening to only their party's words, promises and excuses and not actively seeking the truth from their candidates. In one of my first posts, i asked for a time specific result from Senator Obama and i have yet to hear a promise for one. Just do your research, learn who your candidates are, how they got to be where they are, double and cross check your references (dont get everything from cnn.com but dont get everything from prisonplanet.com either) and make your own decision when you vote. But please vote.
THE SHOWS - The shows are doing pretty well right now, we're very happy with the crowd and their enthusiasm for our interactive fun at the events. We've done collective art work (a personal fav), body and face painting, polaroid shooting and more. BUT we want to expand into other medias like sculpture, glass works, jewelry, clothing, sneakers, metal work- we have dozens of direction to go but we need your help. Soon we'll be taking donations, nothing's obligated but every bit helps, to help us keep new, interesting and fun events coming to you and keep helping all artists get the exposure they need and deserve.
THE LINE-UP - The next few shows are as follows: October 29th>Hip Hop Halloween Party, November 12th>Event TBD, November 26th>Untitled Thanksgiving Eve Party

Till next time, hope to see you tomorrow!

Nell

Public Litmus Lists...

2008-10-10T09:54:00.001-07:00

Ten Movies about Crooked Cops

Street Kings
The Departed
Dirty
Corky Romano
Super Troopers
Colors
Dark Blue
Bad Lieutenant
Beverly Hills Cop

Best Place you've had sex in

Central Park
7 Train
AirFrance
Roof of University Student Center
Boat
Your Mom's House
Bathroom at Burger King
In my car with my friend driving
just now in the bathroom

Ten best Musicians of our time

Trent Reznor
Nas
Notorious BIG
Miles Davis
Bjork
Daft Punk
NinjaSonik
Brad of Sublime
Stevie Wonder
Shyne

Ten Movies with War

Saving Private Ryan
Black Hawk Down
Full Metal Jacket
Thin Red Line
Apocalypse Now Redux
Forest Gump
Tropic Thunder
Pearl Harbor
Gone with the Wind
Atonement

Ten Best Characters From Books

Juice Terry from Glue
Harry Potter
Sookie Stackhouse from Dead Before Dark
Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's
Edward Cullen from Twilight
Kilgore Trout
Tyler Durden from Fight Club
Emett Cullen from Twilight
Pip Longstocking
Holden from Catcher in the Rye

Feel free to comment on any of these, they're no in any kind of order, but think about how they relate to each other and wht these lists might have to do with one another.....

Mercury Soapbox Presents Another Urban Art Show!

2008-10-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

Mercury Soapbox Presents
AUAS
Another Urban Art Sho!
Featuring: GIC and FunkFace performing live music, Artists Seanne Catedral and Amanda Perez and Dj Komon on the 1's and 2's.

411:

Club Europa

98 Meserole Ave

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

18 to appreciate

21 to inebriate

9pm to 12 midnite

SO heres the fun and crazy:
The Mercury Soapbox Collective Grafitti Piece - Calling all spray can artists, creative types and fingerpainters, lol, we need you to help us create art. Our last piece is amazing and we're gonna make more.

ALSO!
A live band freestyle jam: This ones for the MC's, lyricists and beatboxers - we're gonna jam out and fill the night air with sweet delicious tunes.

(if you want to sign up for a crack at the mic, contact mercurysoapbox@gmail.com with oct 15 in the subject)

A Whirl of Colors Recap

2008-10-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!

We had a freakin' blast as usual! Unfortunately we have to move to Wednesdays for a while, and we hope that still works for you because we have great events coming up.

The moving art show was a smashing success! We had Hope Spithaler showing her amazing pieces of work and creating new ones by body and face painting our crowd, Carlos Sebastian Guzman hooked up our eye-grapes with two of his short films (albeit without sound) and FatTricks flipped us out with his twisting aerial maneuvers. Check the pics in the slide show!

Mercury Soapbox Update!

2008-10-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

First of all I want to thank all of you for coming out and continuing to support Mercury Soapbox, free art and expression. I'm getting closer and closer every day to establishing Mercury Soapbox as a First Amendment Platform, meaning that we are here for you to be able to express yourself freely. Ok , now some quick updates:

First of all a HUGE THANK YOU to our featured artists from the "Whirl of Colors" event, Hope Spithaler, Carlos Sebastian Guzman and FatTricks. We got started a little late but we got it in, got it done and had a lot of fun. Hope canvassed peices were amazing and full of color, Carlos' work inspired a different view of things we see everyday and FatTricks wowed us with his graceful explosions of human flippery! It was insane, make sure to check out the pics and comment.
Let me take this chance to introduce DJ Komon, who courageously djed the "Whirl of Colors" event with shaky equipment and burned-a-second-ago tracks. He still managed keep our heads banging and bodies moving all night, and now he's going to be Mercury Soapbox' resident DJ!

NEXT EVENT!! Mercury Soapbox Presents AUAS Another Urban Art Sho Featuring GIC and FunkFace, a live hip hop band, doing a few bangers to rock to, another public collective graffitti peice, of course free art to see and (what!?) a live band freestyle jam! If you rock the mic or want to jam with pro's hit us up asap, theres a list growing...

And lastly, the next 2 events are the "Hip Hop Halloween Party" on october 29th with scary goodness, zombie dance offs, face painting and a haunted house for your hands, and an untitled interactive literary event november 12th (still working out deets on that one)

We're always looking for artists that want to show or or musicians that want to play. If you have an opinion on something, comment and lets chat. We'll be posting public opinions lists, just fun little lists people at the events fill out together. You'd be surprised what pops into your head, lol!

Hilarious Palin Flowchart...

2008-10-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

I wonder what George W. Bush's looks like...

Weekend Update!

2008-10-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

What's up Y'all? Buncha stuff going on this weekend so let me get to it real quick likes.

I'm still booking artists for "Auas" (pronounced ah-whass) - Another Urban Art Sho, so far i have 1 definite, 2 possible artists showing for that event which will include a live band, a freestyle session and another collective art piece, so please if you want to show or if you know someone who should, holla at a brother lol!
I'm also booking things for our first non-free event :( but charging a tiny tiny cover is the only way we'll be able to afford all the cool stuff we want to do for this party. Its gonna be the Hip Hop Halloween Party (october 29) and it'll feature, amongst other things, a zombie dance off, a haunted house for your hands, goodie bags, face painting and possibly a polaroid station. If you can give us a hand with this event, we'd really appreciate the help, just let us know in what capacity you can pitch in...
I want to have a literary event soon and include some slam poetry, a short story reading, maybe even a table read of a play or screenplay. if this is up your alley, feel free to contact us.
Sunday! is the Atlantic Antic, a festival in brooklyn that has good food, free music, bar specials, artists and designers showcasing their stuff, so if you get a chance I'd recommend checking that out.
{EDIT} The pictures and recap from this weeks "Whirl of Colors" event will be up by monday (hopefully ;) ).

anything else? did i forget something?

Oh yeah, if you want an authorship so you can write stuff on the Mercury Soapbox Blog, just let me know and i'll shoot one over to you rikki-tik. (lol, komon thats the last time i'm gonna use that!)

Have a great weekend y'all and remember:

Express yourself freely and safely!

Nell

good words from craigslist...

2008-10-01T06:59:00.001-07:00

Found this on craigslist it raises an interesting point...

"According to the authors of He’s Just Not That Into You, the only reason a man doesn’t approach a woman is because he doesn’t want to. “If he likes you, trust me, he will ask you out,” they write. Mason Grigsby, co-author of Love at Second Sight, agrees, to a certain extent. “If a guy doesn’t feel there’s an attraction, he won’t ask,” he says. “That’s just human nature. But historically, men have always had to approach women. And if you talk to men about how often they get rejected, they’ll tell you—it gets wearing after a while.”"

"So wearing that they’ve simply given up asking? “Maybe men are afraid of rejection,” he says. “They’ve lost confidence. Their egos aren’t that good. My number-one dating tip for women is to be proactive about meeting people. If you’re in an elevator with a guy with a nice-looking tie, comment on it. It lets the man know you’re open to a conversation. Most men think women are not open to conversation, they’ve been shut down so much. You’ve got to let people know that you’re open and friendly.”"

Sam Harris on Sarah Palin...

2008-09-30T06:53:00.001-07:00

I just came across this, its an excerpt from an article written by Sam Harris, supposedly a noted provocateur, who talks about Sarah Palin and elitism in this country. Excellently written, check it out (also a link to the full article at the end):

"The point to be lamented is not that Sarah Palin comes from outside Washington, or that she has glimpsed so little of the earth's surface (she didn't have a passport until last year), or that she's never met a foreign head of state. The point is that she comes to us, seeking the second most important job in the world, without any intellectual training relevant to the challenges and responsibilities that await her. There is nothing to suggest that she even sees a role for careful analysis or a deep understanding of world events when it comes to deciding the fate of a nation. In her interview with Gibson, Palin managed to turn a joke about seeing Russia from her window into a straight-faced claim that Alaska's geographical proximity to Russia gave her some essential foreign-policy experience. Palin may be a perfectly wonderful person, a loving mother and a great American success story—but she is a beauty queen/sports reporter who stumbled into small-town politics, and who is now on the verge of stumbling into, or upon, world history."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/160080/page/1

playing with pictures

2008-09-28T11:53:00.001-07:00

another logo idea...

Danny McBride saves the summer.

2008-09-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

I know what you're thinking. 'But dudeman, it's like October WTF!'. To that I say shutup! Anyways this summer saw a lot of action at the movies. Comic heroes, comedy heroes, and the rest.... Batman made a huge splash, but the real hero this summer is the incomprable Danny McBride.

Let's start with Pineapple Express. The stoner 'bromantic' comedy featured Seth Rogen and a scruffed up James Franco as a smoker and dealer bonding over the course of several action packed scenes. We are introduced to Red (McBride) a sniveling, spineless, ex-hooker with a heart of gold. It's hard not to love him as he lay bleeding on the floor- 'Guys, I got your back' he says. Not a minute later the villains enter, at which point he instantly rats his friends out. His delivery was top notch the whole way through. As the shit hits the fan, a battered and bloody Red comes to the rescue of Rogen and Franco.

Now onto a lesser known movie, Tropic Thunder. In this McBride plays Cody, the pyrotechnic with a missing ear and finger. This was clearly McBrides time to shine and I am soooo grateful for Ben Stiller giving him the opportunity. In Thunder, again McBride comes to the rescue when the shit hits the fan. Spouting one-liners left and right -"Mother Nature just pissed her pantsuit!'- it became clear to me that McBride is on the way up.

'Fist Foot Way' is McBride's vehicle. And for all

the praise I give him, I haven't seen it. Though word on the street is, it is awesome. I highly recommend you look up this genius, before they say you're just jumping on the bandwagon.

Big Ass TITTIES!!!!

City Nites and lights slide show!

2008-09-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you guys for coming out, i had never really shown my pics and i had a blast at this event- only cause almost everyone went home with a piece of art, and that's what its really all about.

If you have any other pics of this or any event, please email us at mercurysoapbox@gmail.com

Hey guys! New logo idea/tiny flyer

2008-09-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Whats up y'all?

I was working on this last night, just because hand-to-hand promotion is tough when you don't have a card or hand outs, so this tiny flyer will be going all around the city. This is the front side and the back side is basically going to say "free art sho". If you want to hand a few out or just have some handy to give to friends who are artists trying to show work or get involved, feel free to email us at mercurysoapbox@gmail.com or comment and make sure to leave your email so i can send it to you.

Have a great weekend, and remember the moving art sho "A Whirl Of Colors" is on tuesday and we're looking forward to a great time with all of you!

Peace!

Nell

a moving art sho

2008-09-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!
It's my pleasure to present to you the next free art sho from your champion of free expression,
A Whirl Of Colors
a moving art sho

The essence of this art sho is "moving art", which really includes all art because it moves us, but we will be taking a look at some art forms that really involve movement. We'll be showcasing video works by Carlos Sebastion Guzman and painted peices by Hope Spithaler, but that's not all. For your enjoyment, we will also have the musical stylings of DJ Komon holding us down, an acrobat displaying his skills, and body painting stations so we can all becoming moving art. As always the sho is free and at Club Europa. Here are the deets:

Mercury Soapbox Presents
a moving art sho
"A Whirl Of Colors"
Tuesday September 30th 9pm-12am
Club Europa
98 Meserole Ave.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Featuring: Carlos Sebastion Guzman, Hope Spithaler, FatTricks and DJ Komon!
FREE- 18 to Appreciate, 21 to Inebriate
Bring your camera and help us capture the magic!

image link: http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d15/Elchu/movingart.jpg
CraigsList link: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/eve/854647677.html

FORWARD TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND ART LOVERS!

SEE YOU AT THE SHO!
Nell Hernandez

Weekend Update

2008-09-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, hows it going? Just want to get to a few points really quick before i have to run out for the weekend:

STOCKS SOARING ON FEDERAL PROMISE- Come on, you should know better. This country is in a terrible financial stat and the feds can't bail us out of anything. They certainly can't afford to keep printing more money.
NYPD REPORTS BLACKS AND LATINOS LEAD CRIME STATS - Apparently 88% of the people murdered in NYC so far this year have been black and hispanic. WTF? Why is that number so high? And the NYPD is saying "anecdotally... black and hispanic victims tend to be attacked by black and hispanic criminals." I dont know, sounds like something a racist white cop would say...
DUDE KICKS CAT - and for some reason, that's major news. Fuckin media is ridiculous ~~sometimes.~~
WORLDS SMALLEST MAN VISITS NYC - and the pictures are awesome. Supposedly this guy is quite the ladies man.
MOVIES TO CONSIDER CHECKING OUT - Ghost town, Lakeview Terrace, Appaloosa. If you happen to catch one of these, write a review and we'll post it here :)

Peace y'all and have a great weekend.

Nell

DONT FORGET "A WHIRL OF COLORS" ART SHO SEPT. 30TH!!