Art Topic: Poseidon's Gift

Ooh, guess what I found?! Treasures nestled in the Grenadine sea while surfing the net! Much like a kid jumping up and down in excitement, anxious to belt out his latest discovery -- this is an impromptu post. 

All jokes aside. I came across this picture and was moved (for lack of a better term) by the sight of it; not only due to the history and implications it has for me in light of my African heritage -- this is simply striking and ingenious artwork. 

After a little online "research", I discovered this is one of many sculptures created by renowned English and Guyanese eco-sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor. Outside of being a gifted artisan, he's a professional scuba diving instructor, conservationist, and underwater photographer. It goes without saying, Taylor's trademark underwater sculptures celebrate his mutual love of art and marine life.  In polite humor,  I refer to his work as Poseidon's Gift because unlike the fate of underwater ruins, the artisan seems to rather "gift" such structures unto Poseidon as opposed to having them violently stolen by high seas. Nevertheless, Taylor does desire for nature to have it's way - albeit subtly. 

Personally, what makes these cool, aqueous structures unique beyond the obvious is how they're constructed with "environmentally-friendly materials that  actively promote coral growth with inert Ph neutral properties designed to last hundreds of years (www.underwatersculpture.com)". And secondly, how the most inanimate of objects become animated; essentially brought to life with movement and colors.  Gradually the sculptures are transformed over time as coral and other organisms grow on and around them. Therein lies the beauty of it. 

Museo Subacuatico de Arte (MUSA)
grand opening.

You can view Taylor's early work at the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park -- which he founded in 2006. The park is the first of its kind and listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic. However, his most recent work is his most ambitious; creating the world's largest underwater exhibit (pictured right) featuring a collection of over 450 sculptures submerged off the beautiful coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nicuz. For more on Jason deCaires Taylor visit  www.underwatersculpture.com.

Our Weight Gold

What do Madoff, cash for gold, and payday loan businesses all have in common? They're crooks. As many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck such businesses prey on hard-luck situations or plain out consumer ignorance. Cash for gold businesses offer up their solution touting, "No problem. Just sell us your used (or scrap) gold and we'll give you CASH!!!" By the way, what exactly is "used" gold? Intrinsically, there is no such thing. Nowhere in the foreseeable future will precious metals (or stones) have and ever will be dispensable or more importantly depreciate. It's like taking candy from a baby as cash for gold consumers are perpetually had for the actual valuable - the gold.  

Sorry, but I could not resist pointing out the blaring irony of this particular Cash 4 Gold ad. I have nothing against MC Hammer but inherently therein lies the punchline: "Nouveau~riche rap star infamous for his poor financial acumen promotes Cash 4 Gold!" It's almost poetic.  

Wake up America!  

The joke is on us! In fact, the U.S. dollar is fiat, affectionately known as "play doe" and holds no actual value. The million dollar question is:  Where is all this "used" gold going or rather, to whom or what? Seemingly, it is not headed to the Federal Reserve Bank as the USD is no longer federally insured by physical commodities such as gold, silver, platinum, etc. However, the Federal Reserve Bank frivolously prints money to compensate the national debt, fund wars and other affairs - a cataclysmic solution that only worsens inflation as the U.S. dollar is already stretched to the max. These factors coupled with an alleged fascist effort to systematically position the United States into a one world government (e.g. proposed North American Union and its Amero) has rendered U.S currency valuable in the free market ONLY because the U.S. government says so. In other words, our liquid assets ain't worth shit overseas (excuse my French). 

Paper or Plastic?

The real mccoy sort of speak are precious metals, gold bonds and wait for it...as you might have imagined; the buck stops at computer chips such as with everything else. Notably, proposals have been made to implant RFID computer chips into humans. These chips will contain all of the individuals' respective information from finances to health records.  And of course, be mindful that your VISA Debit Card has more juice than your cash-in-hand ATM withdrawal could ever dream of.  Why? Because the plastic is credit  backed by U.S. gold bonds which is backed by a precious metal. Cash alone is just monopoly paper.  Yet, its intrinsic market value was once more than the notion it has been deduced to today. Notably, coins are cut down to base metal(s) as inflation causes the value of precious metals to increase.  This is a prime example of Gresham's Law.  According to Wikipedia (not an academic source but whatever):

"Coins may be minted that have fiat values lower than the value of their component metals, but this is never done intentionally and initially for circulation coins, and happens only in due course later in the history of coin production due to inflation, as market values for the metal overtake the fiat declared face value of the coin. Examples of this phenomenon include the pre-1965 US dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar,US nickel, and pre-1982 US penny. As a result of the increase in the value of copper, the United States greatly reduced the amount of copper in each penny. Since mid-1982, United States pennies are made of 97.5% zinc, coated with 2.5% copper. Extreme differences between fiat values and metal values of coins causes coins to be removed from circulation by illicit smelters interested in the value of their metal content."

Personally, I find all of this intriguing and disconcerting all at the same time which is why I thought to post a brief about the harsh reality behind cash for gold commercials. America is neck deep in a national debt crisis with no plausible way out. I'm a realist. Citizens must be smart and proactive. Interested in doing your own research? I recommend starting with the National Inflation Association, "an organization that is dedicated to preparing Americans for hyperinflation and helping Americans not only survive, but prosper in the upcoming hyper-inflationary crisis." My only caveat is that the rhetoric provided by NIA, though highly informative is at times bias. In other words, discretion (common sense) as with all matters is advised. However, NIA does uphold a compelling argument predicated on historical economic patterns coupled with current events affecting today's U.S economy. Bottom line, the organization's agenda is well-intended and overall their message is keen and fairly substantiated. 

Get Back Up!

So, last night after coming back home from a party the bestie puts in her favorite 80's movie, Flashdance. A movie, I hate to admit I'd never seen before...yet, won't soon forget. I truly believe God speaks into our lives and in a number of ways. Well, as I'm sitting there on the couch, half-baked and heartbroken, there's a scene that became my everything...

"Jeanie", the ice-skater fell...not once, but twice. I watched helplessly, as a small group of fam 'n friends cheered her on to no avail. Get up Jeanie! You can do it! They shouted, but on the second fall she was so embarrassed and filled with disappointment that she didn't have the heart to get back up and face the crowd. Her loved ones came to her side...lifted her from the cold, hard ice and carried her backstage. Feeling disillusioned, she turned to her best friend and said, "All that time and practice. What a waste...gotdamn waste of time." Her friend replied, "It wasn't. At least you had the guts to try." 

It's not a matter of if, but when we do fall short and make mistakes in life (big or small). All the practice and preparation in the world does NOT make one perfect or rather exempt from faltering, pain, or misfortune. Ironically, just when we think we've done everything right, took our time, or simply learned our lesson, life will throw a curve ball. However, I think these are growing pains and maybe it's a good sign...a sign that we're evolving and life is not through with us yet.

Whatever the case, or how bad setbacks or disappointments hurt, we must push through the pain and get back up. And if you simply have not the strength to get up today, dust yourself off and try again tomorrow...and the next day, until you do get back up! Never stop believing in yourself and do not forget to forgive yourself. IT WILL BE OK just as long as we trust in God and get back in the fight! Today, I'm encouraging myself because one thing is for sure...life goes on whether we make it or break it. Best to make it the best you can. I've loved, lost, and damn near fell apart but this chick refuses to stay down! Victory is still mine. We deserve to be happy and see our dreams come true. I owe it to myself and you owe it to yourself to GET BACK UP. No matter what.

~Peace and love, Bornscorpion.

Day 11,892

Dear Father,

Through the porthole of ages where space and time have no dominion my spirit was made flesh. Your breath filled my temple and opened the chambers of my heart. Seems like only yesterday I cried. Touch my crown and each day I wake...ongoing is the journey toward my fate. Father, this is a mysterious place so if I make it back unlock the gates from afar! I want to see the look of defeat upon the morning star. Meanwhile, I will ever write my heart though the watchers record my every move, my every scar.

Funhouse

Funhouse, funhouse, funhouse....runs 'round rampant like a broken recording. A constant reminder of all the world’s ills outside this windowsill.  Vivid in my mind like flashing neon lights, running mascara, and warped faces in the frothy swirls of my morning coffee creamer…but I’m a dreamer steady hoping against hope, against ticking of the tock as people beating the clock, crawling up and down these inner city blocks…it’s a minstrel show. Aye, turn that conscious shit down and turn up! Lo behold there goes Sambo on yo' radio but like LL I can’t live without it. The beat hits them chakras...surrounded by show stoppers and pill poppers –  I call ‘em Lohans. Meanwhile, Sam I am in these trenches steady Willy Lynchin' next to booby traps promising the biggest booty so niggaz be like I got mines…clowns don't realize the jokes on them.  Signs of a time when children kill, grown men squeal and women endure madmen for rent money and cheap thrills. Blind leading the blind so the love is lost but fuck it I’mma BOSS! It cost to be. Funhouse, funhouse, funhouse…her nose is red like October with lashes longer than her lies, meanwhile his heart is in the trap steady laughing hysterically at their own demise. Huffin' and puffin' running through this maze just to huff an puff after a long day in a purplish haze. Yet, the shit got me wound up….so I pops up outta this box and startle everyone passing through. They told me keep calm, relax, and pass the time away...ignore the view. Snatch the needle off the wax.