Des Temps

The only blog you’ll ever need.

  • Unquestioned Dogma

    You probably saw this… Anderson Cooper interviews Cam’ron on 60 Minutes.

    “If there’s a serial killer living next door to you, though, and you know that person is, you know, killing people, would you be a snitch if you called police and told them?” Cooper asks Cam’ron.

    “If I knew the serial killer was living next door to me?” Cam’ron asks. “No, I wouldn’t call and tell anybody on him. But I’d probably move… But I’m not gonna call and be like, you know, ‘The serial killer’s in 4E.’”

    Granted, that is kind of a dumb question (and you didn’t think there was such thing as a dumb question?) and Stop Snitching has complex roots in tough and often unfair relationships between communities and police. However, I think we can say that at this point, it’s not very productive. There is a similarity here to the testimony of Alberto Gonzalez. Are these people that stupid? Or are they protecting something they think is important? (AG = his boss, Killer Cam = his sales)
    Full 60 Minutes report

  • Flash Photography

    a lion of judah

    Learning to shoot better is, moreover, a part of learning to see the world differently — through more analytical eyes. Which brings me to Don Imus. This will all make sense, I promise.

    My first reaction to the Imus comments was the kind of weary, jaded amusement that I take from everything that seems hopelessly unfair, crude, utterly unremarkable and American. In a word, my reaction was cynical.

    (more…)

  • To Wit

    Old People.
    Reds, a 1981 film by Warren Beatty.
    Many reasons to watch. Or 1.
    The long lens of experience gets close up on the living faces of history.
    Old People.

  • Been Places

    pearls

    purple

    During a general meeting a couple of months ago the Desedo team discussed the possibility of filming a few shorts involving old people. A few topics were kicked around vis-à-vis our elders including dating, advice, and storytelling of course. Though no plan was decided upon, discussion of the topic concluded with the dictum, “old people are good.”

  • The Elephant Goes to India

    ganesh.jpgJust spent 10 amazing days in India expanding the reach of the Desedo Dropsquad. Rolled with ECDs, diamond dealers and Bollywood starlets. Saw that our fellow pachyderm Ganesh rides loud as a motorbike and won’t be surprised when Western women begin rocking kajal. It’s 1 billion people 9.5 hours in the future from NYC.

    kajal.jpg

    —-
    4/17/08: MySpace India goes on smash

  • Quality:Quantity

    A raging fire of criticism grows out there.

    Evaluation, minus opinion, is harder to come by but much more rewarding.

    This approach pays me dividends, with more pleasure and more insights from what I see read and hear. That even goes for movies that suck, like Eragon. Plenty to think about there.

    Last night I saw The Lives Of Others, which has a lot to offer in the way of insights. I don’t know if it’s any good, but it’s certainly worth your time and your $10.

  • Upset the Setup

    neutral mute in action

    For the past couple of weeks we’ve had the priviledge to be invited into rehearsal rooms and backstage to shoot some of our favorite bands. We’ve climbed onstage at shows and lugged equipment up and down stairs. All that to say… we’se been shooting. Clips to follow soon.

    Upset the Setup t-shirts available here.