aesthetic of self denial: environmentalism/anti-consumerism

environmentalists and the whale., originally uploaded by aloverstryst.

Why is environmentalism so not fun? Because, at some level, it preaches a message of self denial. Drive less, consume less, change the way you live. In this way, environmentalism and the larger "anti-consumerist" movement represent a modern, non religious variant of the aesthetic of self denial in the West.

I think the weakness of this whole version of the aesthetic of self denial is that it fully enclosed by capitalism. It is, in fact, a critique of the natural and probable results of industrial revolution and as such only retains it power so long as those excesses are present.

Any extension of these idea to the time before the industrial revolution is ridiculous, so that limits the power of the idea as well. But, on the other hand, it's lifestyle is more relevant to the problems of today then sitting in a cave in the Sinai Desert and not eating all day. So it has that going for it.

hear ye, hear ye! the golden hill block party is dead, long live sessions fest!!

hear ye, hear ye - the golden hil block block is forever 'more - long live sessions fest! (said in ol'timey voice in preparation for ye' olde renaissance faire -
San Diego Renaissance Faire ------there are few things I enjoy more than faux old-timey speak)

thanks to all who attended the golden hill block party, like 5 years now(?), but as all things must end, so must the golden hill block party (at least under our auspices). if anyone wants to pick up the torch (house party ladies?) for halloween weekend festivities, it's all yours.

sessions fest - golden hill park - Sat Sept. 15th, noon to 10pm - see you there!

Hot Right Now: Monks, Monasticism, Asthetic of Self Denial

icon, originally uploaded by catdirtrecords.

Man, there is no denying the significance of the "middle ages" in modern culture. Peep comic con, peep heavy metal, peep... um... harry potter? THE MIDDLE AGES. One of the coolest aspects of the middle ages in my mind were the monks. And I'm not talking about druids here- I'm talking about monks. Christian monks.

The real ill shit when it comes to monks is not the peeps everyone thinks of- the Sean Connery, castle dwelling 14th century italian monks- no no- those monks are wack. The real monks are the one's from the near east before the adoption of Christianity as the official faith of Rome. They were straight up gangsters- and the practiced a strict, strict version of christianity that is more like a vibe you would equate with eastern religions today- mediation, self denial- that kind of shit. And they lived in caves in the middle of the desert. Hell yeah.

Amplify Music Fest - catdirt + sesac in vegas....

cat dirt doesn't just make radio stations mad or alienate people, we also put on shows - like...... sessionsfest (start saving your money for cotton candy now) - and catdirt dunking booth??

and this one in vegas, with our performing rights organization of choice - SESAC - (ascap? cricket, cricket)



so excited - golden nugget? el cortez? we're talking downtown vegas - not that strip nonsense - save your halter tops for another weekend - i'm a member of jackie's club - are you?

Cincinnati - Home, Sweet Home?

Know what $200,000 buys you in terms of a house in Cincinnati? A very cool looking 3 bed, 2 bath mid-century home designed and built by local modern architect - view of woods etc...sigh - cincinnati...!!


Cincinnati - home sweet home?

get ready for full cincinnati coverage

Cat Dirt Expeditionary Forces: Las Vegas/Columbus/Cincinatti

Got uh- Fifty on Their Heels, Swedish Models (members of), The Atoms- Beauty Bar Las Vegas on 8/9/7 (thursday). Little- SESAC/San Diego/Cat Dirt showcase there. Should be good.

Bought plane tixs to Columbus Ohio- little trip to Cincinatti while we're out there. That's Mid September- the week after Sessions Fest- 9/22-9/25 like.


Review of History of Ohio Book