The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

– Eleanor Roosevelt, and BangBang

The Old Battle of Venus and Mars

We've all seen When Harry Met Sally a hundred times. I'm pretty sure you're lying if you say otherwise. If you're like me, you had a mother who hated Meg Ryan so you didn't watch that film until you went off to college, where you watched it like all the time just to catch up. This movie is crucial to everyone's lives because it discusses the only thing anyone cares about: whether or not men and women can be friends.

Fancy Footwork

[Editor's Note: The following post was written by guest blogger and friend, BangBang. Please give her a warm welcome!]

On this perfectly rainy Friday, I decided to accept the offer of writing a short piece as a guest blogger on MindMedley. Little did I know, the task before me would not be as easy as I imagined. It took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to write about until I finally decided to stick with something I am passionate about, DANCE. So let me just give you a quick little glance into the dancing world. I tend to get overly excited when it comes to all things dance so I will do my best to keep it short and sweet for all of you MindMedley 

                                                                                 readers out there. 

Literary Doubles

Writers publish under pen names for many reasons, whether it is to conceal gender, hide political or religious affiliation, or to avoid the pressures of an overbearing audience. I too began this blog under the name "Basket Case" so I could write whatever I wanted without it getting back to me (you know... to avoid a spandex fetish scandal when I'm the first female president of the Moon). The only problem with this is that my nom de plume is pointless-- the only people who read my blog are my friends who have been instructed to read this OR foreigners who mistakenly wander across these pages after googling strange things like "linen sheath condoms" or "fuck gay vintage" (true story, unfortunately). And to them, I am but a mere speck in the universe. So, I have since changed my pen name to simply "KT" which rings a little closer to the truth of who I am.

Readership aside, blogging on the internet is a curious phenomenon, especially for the writer. When I was first starting out, I was both overwhelmed at the thought of putting myself out there for any and all strangers, and relieved to know that most likely no one was reading this. It's an odd feeling, having an imaginary audience amongst a few real ones. There is also the pressure to be incredibly witty, funny, or interesting. Sometimes, I think I pull this off, but mostly probably not.

Taste the Explosion!

Today's long-overdue post is going to be about Pop Rocks! Why? Because this blog is dedicated to the issues and asking the hard questions. The current events. Investigative journalism. I'm Linda Ellerbee and you all are a  group of teenagers and this is Nick News. Gather 'round and let's discuss.

Actually, Pop Rocks were brought to my attention because some jokester thought it would be funny to have his 82 year old grandma try them for the first time and record her reaction for all the youtubers to see. It was pretty funny! I'll post it at the bottom. Thank you for the inspiration!

Pop rocks were invented by a General Mills research chemist in 1956. Let's stop here. Are most candies invented by scientists? I guess I've never really given the birth stories of my favorite candies much thought. I know that Willy Wonka has oompa loompas and a chocolate factory and that's where Nerds and Nerd Rope come from, but my knowledge stops there. But really, scientists? "Once I get the results back from the boys at the lab I'll know once and for all if my Sour Grape Chocolate Chews are ready for the world's consumption!" - A "White Coat" at the Hershey Factory.

"I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself."

- Rita Mae Brown

But is it Art?

 Ever since Marcel Duchamp submitted a urinal as a piece of art in 1917, everything has become art! I mean, I love you, Marcel. You did some really cool things. And you were the original bad ass. What you did was CRAZY for your time! Snaps! But today, things have gotten a little out of hand. Is that apple art or is it just an apple? Can I still eat it if its art? These are the questions I am faced with on a daily basis. Below are some crazy art forms/ pieces of art. Is it all art? Are we art?

Scott Wade
Dirty Car Art
He brushes away bits of dust with a paint brush, using gray scale values to make his images. The medium is unique but the technique is very traditional. ART!

Bryan Berg
Cardstacker
Oh, boy. I'm going with a definite yes on this one. It may possibly take more skill to stack and balance cards than it does to brush away dust. The best I can do with cardstacking is a modest three-card shack. I think building anything from anything is definitely art. Building requires skill. Reminds me of the guy who made a ship from like a billion toothpicks. Do you know what I'm talking about? Click here to see pictures because it really is amazing.

For Use/ Numen (A Design Collective in Vienna)

Tape Installations

Another example of making something from something. Right, right, right.

I wonder what that all that tape smells like after so many people run and crawl through it. 

I feel like tape gets funky after awhile, you know?

BUT! (here's the big butt) I would definitely say that this is not art. What do you think? These guys walked into a New York convenience store and purchased EVERYTHING! They then took some of those convenience store items, placed them in clear cases and called them art. An upside down coke can, for instance, is selling for $150. I hate that. I hate them. Just because you give something a ridiculous price value doesn't mean it's art. I don't know why anyone would buy a $50 Bic lighter. There is nothing unique about it and you can pick up regularly priced lighters everywhere. Sure, sure, it's for charity--for the owner of the convenience store. Great! Raise those funds but don't you dare trample on the meaning of art in the process.

It's not art, it's just shit. Thoughts?