Amanda Propaganda

Wanderlust

Manda Bear — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:00:42 GMT

'When you travel, you experience, in a very practical way, the act of rebirth. You confront completely new situations, the day passes more slowly, and on most journeys you don't even understand the language that people speak. So you are like a child just out of the womb. You begin to be more accessible to others because they may be able to help you in difficult situations. And you accept any small favor from the gods with great delight, as if it were an episode you would remember for the rest of your life. 'At the same time, since all things are new, you see only the beauty in them, and you feel happy to be alive.' -taken from 'The Pilgrimage', originally released as 'The Diary of a Magus' by Paulo Coelho (Photo from Edinburgh, Scotland)

Coachella 2008

Manda Bear — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:40:33 GMT

The lineup is out! Friday highlights for me: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Fatboy Slim, The Breeders, Tegan and Sara, Spank Rock and Modeselektor. And even though I am not familiar with their music, I will have to check out Minus the Bear just on their name alone. : ) Saturday highlights for me: PORTISHEAD (yes, that's right...Portishead. We've been speculating on this one for years and I'm so excited it's finally happening!) Kraftwerk, Death Cab, Rilo Kiley, M.I.A., Cold War Kids, VHS or Beta Sunday: Roger Waters (performing Dark Side of the Moon. Can I get a what what?) My Morning Jacket, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Shout Out Louds So this years lineup looks pretty sick, even though there are several bands I have already seen before like Jack Johnson, Tegan and Sara, Spank Rock (who by the way is absolutely OFF THE CHAIN live. Highly recommended) Kraftwerk and Justice. But they are all kick ass so I'm still looking forward to it. Portishead, Death Cab and M.I.A. are also highly anticipated, been wantin to see them for years. And Roger Waters? You can bet that one will be amazing fer sure. Look forward to seein my peeps on that Polo Field a plenty. Since I'm passin on Burning Man this year I have to stick with my other favorite tradition, which is this festival. This'll be year 6 baby! Also can't wait to see what the Do Labbers will have in store for us this time around.

Billy Collins: from "Picnic, Lightning"

Manda Bear — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:47:30 GMT

This much I Do Remember It was after dinner. You were talking to me across the table about something or other, a greyhound you had seen that day or a song you liked, and I was looking past you over your bare shoulder at the three oranges lying on the kitchen counter next to to the small electric bean grinder, which was also orange, and the orange and white cruets for vinegar and oil. All of which converged into a random still life, so fastened together by the hasp of color, and so fixed behind the animated foreground of your talking and smiling, gesturing and pouring wine, and the camber of your shoulders that I could feel it being painted within me, brushed on the wall of my skull, while the tone of your voice lifted and fell in its flight, and the three oranges remained fixed on the counter the way stars are said to be fixed in the universe. Then all the moments of the past began to line up behind that moment and all the moments to come assembled in front of it in a long row, giving me reason to believe that this was a moment I had rescued from the millions that rush out of sight into a darkness behind the eyes. Even after I have forgotten what year it is, my middle name, and the meaning of money, I will still carry in my pocket the small coin of that moment, minted in the kingdom that we pace through every day.

Excerpts from The Complete Poetic Works of Michael Madsen - Vol. 1 1995-2005

Manda Bear — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:44:08 GMT

I've been reading this book since I've been home from the playa, and I'm enjoying it very much. Not alot of people are aware that this successful actor is also an accomplished poet, and I wanted to share some of his work with you. You may remember Michael Madsen as the guy who cut off the cop's ear in Resevoir Dogs? I find his poetry to be hilarious, witty and insightful. Here are a few of my favorites, hope you like.. WHATEVER, WHATEVER Some people have all the luck... Some others... Do not! Some people have all the money And all the time- And others... Do not! Some people are smart... and some are dumb... And still others... Are neither. Some women are evil... And some are lost. Some women are beautiful... But not on the inside- Rarely do you get both. Some men are lost... And some are found. Some are somewhere in the middle... that might be the safest place of all. SILENCE Thrill me in the morning Just one more time. I'm good in the morning And it'll be real fine. Thrill me in the morning Then get out! Get out before you start to Eat my head like that green bitch: The Praying Mantis- Chewing away while he fucks her Wherever you fuck a bug; In her bug pussy or Her bug ass. She sure looked good When she was crawling up that branch. Poor guy... Drops to the forest floor when he finally blows. Headless. Dead. She's done. Thrill me in the morning, honey Then get-the-fuck-out! Sometimes silence is the loudest sound. TRICK Life is made of moments, Short and long. They come and go. What we do with them is Anyone's guess, but One thing for sure is That they pass as fast as they come and Then that time is gone... Once and for all and Won't ever come back... Except in memory Which always plays tricks With what the remembered moment Was All About. OH TO BE A BIRD At "C" Having dinner In Vancouver, On the Second floor, Looking D O W N at people eating and talking... Man, they are some bunch. I guess that's how birds see us all, Most of the time, Looking D O W N from wherever the fuck they land or are flying over with their shit falling out anywhere it gets loose. Birds don't seem to really like people- As a rule, the ones in cages pretend Enough to get another bowl of nuts from the jailer. We look silly from above: Talking and gesturing And chewing and lying and laughing And talking too loud. It's a damn good thing we can't fly What a fucking mess that would be.

Taggin along

Manda Bear — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:54:08 GMT

So I know alot of people are probably running around like crazy gettin ready for the playa, but I wanted to take the time to respond to Mary's tag in the midst of all the chaos! I think it's really cool to get to know things about people that you might see around alot, but don't know jack about when it really comes down to it. So here goes... 1. I grew up in Cypress, California which is in Orange County. That's right, I grew up in the OC for real. My house was two blocks away from the Los Alamitos Race Track... I would slip off to dream land with the all too familiar sound of a bugle blaring that annoying race track song (I kinda got used to it after a while). 2. I moved from the OC to Sherman Oaks when I was twelve (so I'm an OC AND a Valley Girl. How's that for a double whammy). I moved there because I was pursuing an acting career and it was closer for auditions. The closest I ever got to getting any parts was I got called back several times for a role in the movie Evita... it was between me and another girl, and I didn't get it. Rejection can be hard at any age, let alone for a twelve year old. After trying for awhile after that, I later decided that acting wasn't really for me. 3. I have a huge fear of needles and I'm not particularly fond of heights either. As a child I used to have to be held down when given novacaine at the dentist because I would buck like a wild bronco. 4. I am fascinated with the guitar, especially the sound of an acoustic. I have one and know a few chords, but when I see someone who can really play I am mesmerized. 5. I am the daughter of a fireman. Two weeks after I returned home from Burning Man in 2004, my dad passed away very unexpectedly from a heart attack. My last year on the playa was very important to me because it gave me a chance to say goodbye in my own way...I brought some of his ashes with me and I left them in the Temple. As I was leaving my offering, there was someone on a loudspeaker from an art car who introduced a very special guest, Joan Baez (most true hippies know she is a very famous folk singer from my dad's era). She sang Amazing Grace. It was one of the most meaningful moments of my life. I know he would have loved it. 6. On a lighter note...I think that when certain people wear glasses, it's really hot. I've got a thing for nerds. 7. I think that chocolate covered raisins are just about the best goddamn candy on the face of the earth. 8. Some examples of my dream jobs: 1. Being on SNL 2. Doing voiceovers for cartoons/etc. and most of all, 3. My greatest dream is to become a fiction writer. Who knows, maybe one day I will write something inspired by you! So now you know a little more about me. Can't wait to see many of your beautiful faces in BRC...when you see me give me a big hug and maybe a box of Raisinettes! : ) I tag...Oski and Pollo. Come on boys, you can find the time... xoxo

Thought for the Day

Manda Bear — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 19:01:06 GMT

The Power of Attitude "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst...a spark that creates extraordinary results."

Come to Life

Manda Bear — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 20:44:11 GMT

In this moment is everything you need to live with richness and joy. Can you see it? If you use this moment to merely wish for more, you'll miss out on most of the value that could be yours right now. If you fill this moment with worries about the problems you face, you'll miss out on the opportunity to transcend those problems. Instead, find as much as you can about this moment that you can genuinely appreciate. And as you do, the real value of this moment will become more and more available to you. The options open to you in this moment are more numerous than you can imagine. Find a few of the best of those possibilities, and bring them lovingly to life. In this moment there is real magic. For in this moment your precious life is lived. Let all the anger, the worries, frustrations and distractions fall away. And let this moment come to life. --Ralph Marston

I'm just a Space Wench

Manda Bear — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 21:14:46 GMT

So we've been back from the playa for about two weeks now, and I am still adjusting. Hard to get back to your responsibilities when all you want to do is go back and play... I just have to say how much I enjoyed my playa adventure this year. Definitely my best burn so far. I feel blessed to know the people that I do and share the connections that I have with them. Space Island is such a wonderful group of peeps...I love them for all their craziness and limitless creativity. The Space Wench was absolutely amazing this year. Thanks to the boys (and everyone else who participated) for all their hardwork and dedication they put in to make sure we all had a kick ass time. You really went above and beyond the call of duty and we are all so grateful to you for that. Here's to new friends found and old friends reconnecting in the beautiful playground that is Black Rock City.