Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story

Openly gay, experimental filmmaker Todd Haynes burst upon the scene two years after his graduation from Brown University with his now-infamous 43-minute cult treasure "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story" (1987). Seizing upon the inspired gimmick of using Barbie and Ken dolls to sympathetically recount the story of the pop star's death from anorexia, he spent months making miniature dishes, chairs, costumes, Kleenex and Ex-Lax boxes, and Carpenters' records to create the film's intricate, doll-size mise-en-scene. The result was both audacious and accomplished as the dolls seemingly ceased to be dolls leaving the audience weeping for the tragic singer. Unfortunately, Richard Carpenter's enmity for the film (which made him look like a selfish jerk) led to the serving of a "cease and desist" order in 1989, and despite the director's offer "to only show the film in clinics and schools, with all money going to the Karen Carpenter memorial fund for anorexia research," "Superstar" remains buried, one of the few films in modern America that cannot be seen by the general public. Now finally you have a chance to see this piece.

Eight Months...

Eight months exactly to this day...I decided to look at some old posts, and see how much I've changed.

I've got updates too.

Well, you you remember reading way back when, I no longer have feelings for Tom*, nor have I really spoken to him since the end of classes. I saw him once or twice, and his immense love for his super nice girlfriend was something that I could do nothing but admire.

I envy her, I really do. Not for having Tom, but rather the fact that he loves her so much.

I'd love to love like that, and to be loved like that.

Like you, I am rolling my eyes at this moment! ah...

So yeah, Tom is out of my life---everything is just about the same.

"Coeurs Au Chocolat, Quel qu'un?"

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Twenty-Four Hour Lipstick and Whatnot.

Before you head out to purchase your favorite tube of long-lasting lipstick- Buyer Beware.

We all have grown fond of our long-lasting, million-minute lipstick. Resistant to kisses, drinks, foods, et cetera...However, according to a recent study from Doctor Nahid Neman [Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto] reports that long-lasting lipstick contains a significant amount of lead.

I do not want to spread false information, but if my understanding is correct, the longer the lipstick lasts, the higher content of lead. Of course, lead in this form causes cancer. Therefore, the higher the lead content, the greater the chance of causing cancer.

You would think that you'd boycott the cheapy, no-name brands, for overlooking such a dangerous substance? Well, I suggest you save yourself some big-time money and start looking for lip stick at your local drug store, for it was the big-name brands that had the highest concentration of lead. The study also suggests that the lead is closely linked to breast cancer.

Some lipstick brands [of which you will recognize] that have lead content are as follows.

1. Yves Saint Laurent- YSL
2. Christian Dior
3. Lancôme
4. Clinique
5. Estée Lauder
6. Shiseido
7. Red Earth [Lip gloss]
8. Chanel [Lip conditioner]

Out of these 8, Yves Saint Laurent's brand was found to have the highest concentration of lead. The things we do and buy to attain picture-perfect looks...

----Beauty Kills----

...and how to find out if your favorite lipstick has lead? Put some lipstick on your hand. Using a gold ring to scratch on the lipstick, if the color starts to turn black, you've got a winner-err.... lead-based lipstick. Sad to say, but if you are as health-conscious as myself and have no desire to get cancer, I highly suggest you throw that lip stick out, find a similar color and apply more often.
I know we sacrifice many things out fo convenience, but when you're overall well-being is at stake? I'd much rather apply the lipstick 10 times a day, rather than deal with cancer in the future.
With that said, it is always up toy ou what you do with your own body.
The Gomez is out.

Letter to the PreZ.

Dear Mr. President,
It is a disgrace that your country faces a moral dispute. I speak for those who have no voice, risking their lives in order to give their loved ones a future they never lived. The new, young children of these immigrants began their lives in a foreign country, completely unaware of their lack of identity. Like them, I've learned your language & history, implemented your values, and learned to love this country- yet we've maintained our unique cultural identity, for your country was founded on the blood and suffering of many different peoples. As children we assumed rights just like everyone else. Early on, we learned that all people are equal, especially in your country. Land of the Free...However, to find at that [no] we are different and lack rights only disheartens us. It angers us how we suddenly lost our identity, and during these few months, we suddenly became inferior criminals. I am unprepared to go through a hiatus in my education, just because your country and its people refuse to accept me. After years of an effortless attempt to fit in a country we call our own, we find ourselves crawling back to associate with a society that seems to turn its back on us. It is indisputable that we always contributed to the well-being and culture of our second homeland.
Centuries ago, your ancestors came to this land full of promises and hope for change. The new generation of immigrants deserve that same desire to succeed.
This country will never live up to is name if you allow such hatred and racism to proliferate your people against those who years [ and might I add, DESERVE] a second chance.
Sincerely,
The New American Immigrant.

Oi, Immigration.

Yea, it definitely is a racist issue. I read in some newspaper that cops would start detaining people according to their appearances. I mean, the odd are in my favor, I don't look Mexican...but how about all the countless American citizen indigenous-looking Mexicans? Must they face countless episodes of po-po intervention?
This is ridiculous.

I am out of here! ...and to France!

...or England...

point being, I am so sick of living in a place where I've no rights whatsoever!!!

Until then, The Gomez is out.

New and Improved [to be continued].

Yes, yes. I know. I have not posted anything up for a while. I have been way too busy to even come up with anything clever. I have yet to come up with something cheesy and thought provoking, so I thought I would post up some not-quite-finished-paintings. One original, and one not-so...I hope ya'll enjoy.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

[My own painting, taken from Caravaggio's great "Flagellation of Christ". 2006]

[detail of my father's portrait. 2006]

You're really awful!

I hate you! Whoever you are.

How dare you send me such terrifying and tragic pictures.

...I did not expect to see XXXX's lifeless body.

You are cruel beyond words!

...and you disrespect the dead!

I am still in shock that I received her pictures in my e-mail.

In pieces, I was bawling in front of the computer.

Lame, I am- but my heart sank- she was my friend, and you knew that~

I HATE YOU!

until then, The Gomez is out. I need a tissue.

Plain Ole Day.

[Escuela Hispana en el Condado de Orange. Fullerton, CA.2006]

I received my test scores. Pathetic. I think I should've actually studied. I feel like an idiot because I did STUPID MISTAKES! Dumb math.
I had a pleasant ride on the bus today though, I wasn't harassed too much or felt degraded by the Lollipop gang [that story to come soon].

Great, I just discovered that my little sister has just dedicated a spider to me. The little creature's name is Carla.
She HATES spiders.
I guess now I know how she feels about me- this is just as bad as when she comes up to you and sneezes at your face, releasing her disgusting mucous upon your make-up [as is always my case].
I don't know why the hell she does that.
It must be her autistic-silent boyfriend, for they share a common bond of silence.
Ah, children- please God, don't curse me with a batch of my own.
But I do like taking pictures of unsuspecting people on the bus.

'Cept for that guy on the left who did not want his picture taken- my stealth skills are alright.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Oh, have I said how MUCH I hate Bendy buses??? ugh.

Exams.

They're the reason why I haven't posted anything juicy as of late. So 'til i finish up on these exams/projects- the posts will be menial.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Golden Spoon:Delicacy.

I finally got to hang out with my cousin today. She had to run a few errands, and she took this opportunity to have me go along with her. It was nice. I miss those good ole days. We went around, and we both have been craving Golden Spoon for the longest time.
It is some of the best frozen yogurt I've had in ages.

Doesn't it look marvelous? It felt even better as the delicious taste of vanilla and boysenberry [yum] melted in my mouth. Ok, almost too sexual. Haha.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Photography Gone Wrong [but cool].

Today, I was going to take pictures of my horrendous koi pond, so I could share with the whole world the horror on L.A. ponds. The pictures were really ugly, but I did not get the desired effect- so I will not be posting those.
The koi pond is set in front of my brother's place, so I decided to play spy and take pictures of him and his girlfriend in action.
That means he is playing Warcraft and she is sorting her Mary Kay stock, you sickos.
Since I know I am building up tension [not] here are the pictures:

The pictures look they're Photoshop-ed, but without Photoshop. Fantabulous.

Maybe I should be doing work like this.
Like my shirt??? It's from London :)

Until then, The Gomez is out.

It Sounds like a Good Plan.

Well, a GREAT PLAN.
You would never expect it. I think I will move to London and open a Mexican restaurant.

Possitudely [Positive + Absolutely] Genius.

Gotta get those Londoners accustomed to spicy, good food. I little bird told me that people over there are all about "ethnic" food. What could be more ethnic than Mexican?! Come on.
Haha.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

El Papichis.

Mon Pere [Incomplete. 2006]

Mon Pere,detail. [Incomplete, 2006.]

I have progressed alittle more on my father's portrait.
I hate it when I get worked up about a piece of mine and then it'll go through a LONG period of nothingness.
Bad artist's habit. Ugh.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Not a Perk.

I really can not stand living in a religious household. Right now, I'm having to go through a stupid fast because God-knows-what is today.
I just want to dig into the shrimp....but my ole lady practically lives in the kitchen.
Ugh.
Hungry.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

NO!

No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
No!
How can this be?!
I didn't know the Routemasters cease to exist!!!

No!!!!!!!! How am I supposed to have fun now!?!?!?!?!?

IM SO MAD!

fuming..................THE GOMEZ IS FUMING!

Canvas Backs.

...are a really fun surface to entertain and express yourself, especially when you are sitting in a four-hour painting class. These doodlies are from high school [oh, so nostalgic] but i think I should get back to moving forward- I just haven't made a lot of noteworthy work as of late, because of Caw-lej and all the shit that goes along with a shitty school.
Anywho, yes the picture is small, but that is why you click on it....it SHOULD work.
Okey.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

I've Got Problems

...with blogger right now! I have posted like two other posts, and they won't show up. I bet this one won't either.
What the fuck.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Scaley, Raspy...

Disgusting voice-o-mine.

I sound like an elephant with lung cancer.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Oh boy!

Yes, it IS my third post, but if you've read my past entries.. you'll know why I've spent my whole day at home. Anywho, I am excited because my best friend is coming for the week...or three days.

Woohoo!

Is she for a surprise...

I have burned a CD with Raghav songs.
He's a Canadian Indian hip hop kid with a flair of classical Indian beats. I like.

I totally love his style. Of dress, I mean.

Until then, The Gomez is out [for sure].