Category: Uncategorized

Marge Makes Comics #9: Penny Stamps Lecture is Good Sometimes Also Cyborgs

MargeMakesComics Leave a comment

(Actually not The End!!!)

All in all, this lecture made me truly excited for the future of communication and connectivity between people and the Earth. Most of the time when we think of real genuine connections we make with others and the Earth we don’t think about technology, in fact we think of getting away from technology or taking technology out of the equation altogether. “Getting back to our roots” so to speak. But what Riba and Harbisson have done is show us a way to stay together by redefining our relationships to our bodies and the world. And that’s neat!!!

You can watch this lecture and other older lectures via this link.

And you can watch the Penny Stamps lectures in real time nearly every Thursday at 5pm at the Michigan Theater! Information about upcoming lectures here.

* This article from The Mary Sue puts the ablism of Cyberpunk 2077 in better words than I ever could

**Riba actually considers herself a “Phantom Cyborg”, due to the fact that she no longer has that implant in her foot but she still thinks of it like a phantom limb.

 

The Great Ann Arbor Boba War

vle Leave a comment

Amidst the arrival of yet another bubble tea shop in Ann Arbor (opening on East Liberty) despite two new ones opening last spring, I have decided to definitively rank the four Michigan boba contenders (based on taste, options, and overall vibe). I love bubble tea, and living in a small town before college made it infeasible to cure my boba cravings. At college, I was delighted to find bubble tea stores on campus, even if there were only two mediocre spots: Sweeting and Bubble Island. Last semester, two big boba chains opened up shop, significantly ramping up the competition among local businesses. CoCo and Chatime opened up a whole new world of tasty drinks and hangout spots. I even learned how to make my own homemade tapioca pearls and milk tea, but nothing can compare to plunging a straw into the plastic top of an icy bubble tea. Thus, being a proud boba enthusiast, I shall provide my opinions on Ann Arbor’s four premier boba shops.

Bubble Island – 3/10

Image result for bubble island ann arbor

Bubble Island is truly the OG of bubble tea shops, located on South University right across Sweeting. This is the spot for hitting those bubble tea and french fry cravings at the same time after a late night studying or going out. Unfortunately, the drink selection is somewhat limited, and you can’t change the sweetness levels, so almost every drink is too sweet. The tea tastes pretty artificial and unsatisfying and Bubble Island remains the lowest ranked contender in the Great Ann Arbor Boba War of 2019.

Sweeting – 6/10

Image result for sweeting ann arbor

Sweeting is a step up from Bubble Island, but its drinks are just average. There’s truly nothing outstanding about Sweeting bubble tea, maybe except for the strange collage of French posters, images of Che, and nonsensical pictures lining its walls. I’d go here if I were near the UgLi maybe, but would rather go somewhere else for my bubble tea fix. But, I give bonus points for a good selection of desserts and even rolled ice cream made in front of your eyes.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice – 10/10

Image result for coco bubble tea ann arbor

I was one of those people who waited in line for hours during CoCo’s soft opening–the wait was so worth it. Upon receiving my milk tea with pearls after waiting for two hours, the sweet tea and chewy pearls satiated my longing thirst. It was the most delicious bubble tea I had ever encountered, which is impressive for a large chain inundated by boba fans during its first weeks; my delight was probably exaggerated by the long wait and trip up to North Campus beforehand. The tea was perfectly sweetened, and the pearls supple and soft. If you don’t live on North, it’s a bit of a trek up to get this boba, but boy is it worth every minute. There are also a lot of promotions every month!

Chatime – 8/10

Image result for chatime

Finally, we have Chatime, a classic go-to. I find its drink menu also a bit limited in choices, but there is never too long of a line and the bubble tea there hits the spot every time. The bulbous pearls are cooked to perfection, and the modern purple aesthetic really enhances the atmosphere of the cafe. While it isn’t the best boba I’ve ever had, I definitely recommend it after a dinner date perhaps, or after a long day of classes.

“what is art?” Post #1 – Niki White Audio Interview

druzzi Leave a comment

Nicole Denise White, also known as Niki, is a sophomore within the Interarts Performance BFA program at the University of Michigan. She aspires to work with scenic design, theater, and film in the future. Take a listen to her thoughts on what art is, what kind of art she enjoys creating, and the importance of human connection through art.

website: https://nicoledenisewhite.com

Meditative Rose: A Hidden Work of Art

jushutch Leave a comment

The annual poster sale was going on these last two weeks, and I went, as many do, searching for a worthy poster to fill the barren spot on that one eggshell wall of my room. I flipped through the multitudes of posters, not really knowing what I was looking for, but keeping my eye out for something that would perfectly define the new academic year. There were a few notable works of art in the running, some Vincent van Gogh and Rene Magritte in particular, but one particular artist stood out, and if you know me then you won’t be surprised that it was Salvador Dali. I don’t love all of his art, but I can’t deny how unique his aesthetic is and how much it resonates with me. His interpretation of surrealism is so convincing and otherworldly, I just seem to get lost in the art and all of the tiny details he sneaks in. Anyways, I ended up with a 24″ x 36″ poster of Meditative Rose, and if you’ve never heard of this painting before, I’m honored to introduce it to you:

At first glance, it’s pretty straightforward: a solitary red rose, without a stem, front and center, with a pretty generic landscape background. The rose is beautifully done, intricate and detailed, giving it an almost hypnotic quality which draws the viewer’s focus. As a result, it can be easy to miss the bigger picture (quite literally), and upon closer inspection, a completely different work of art reveals itself. First, notice the two vague figures, standing underneath the rose, casting long shadows over a hard and barren desert. Then inspect the small town in the distance, which recalls images of vineyards in Italy, all under the orange glow of sunset. The sky is mostly blue with one, large white cloud, slowly floating across in the background. There is a single drop of water on the rose, closest to the foreground. The rose is glowing from the sunset. All of these little details turn a simple rose into a surrealist masterpiece.

Suddenly there is something foreboding about the rose, as it looms over the small figures and town, similar to how a U.F.O. might appear, and also glowing as if otherworldly. The palette of muted tones, complemented by the bright red of the rose, make the rose feel as if it doesn’t even belong to the same color spectrum of the universe it inhabits. The single drop of water raises many questions as to the origin of the rose, and creates endless little mysteries. The entire aesthetic bleeds surrealism, a haunting and desolate place of mystery. In this way, I think the name is apt: Meditative Rose, a rose that is so unexpected, out of place, and otherworldly, that it requires deep meditation and contemplation. As such, I found it perfect for my college dorm; now, in-between EECS projects and reading for Latin, I can take a break to study this strange rose, and slowly unravel its mysteries while appreciating the aesthetic that I love so much.

The Case For Packing

sarahshu Leave a comment

Three pairs of socks, two pairs of pants. Easy. The real dilemma are the scarves and tops. 

Here, my existential crisis and questioning of beliefs begin (or at least it did whilst I was packing). What do I want to look like when I travel? Do I want to plan my outfits to look cute/pretty? Do I want to stick to my usual outfits? Why aren’t all my clothes prayer-friendly? Prayer friendly clothes are supposed to be full sleeves, no sheer clothes and are long enough to cover everything except your face, hands and depending on a Muslim woman’s personal beliefs, feet.

I interrogate myself in these moments. Firstly, who am I wearing nice clothes for? To please people or to please God? And secondly why can’t all my clothes be prayer-friendly without requiring another cardigan, under sleeves or extra garments in general? I have to pack scarves on top of that too.

Mostly I am furious that I have to bring more clothes. If I were a guy, I would have not needed to bring so many of them.

These are struggles I still have to come to terms with as a Muslim woman wearing a scarf. I remind myself that I chose to put this scarf on. And because I chose this, I have to be okay with the other things that come along with it. I still whine and whinge especially in 80 degree summers but above all, I still want to stay true to my faith.

When I find my faith wavering, I remember these verses;

“By the morning brightness and by the night when it grows still,

your Lord has not forsaken you[Prophet],

nor does He hate you,

and the future will be better for you than the past;

your Lord is sure to give you [so much] that you will be well pleased.” (Quran 93:1-6). 

And it brings me comfort.

 

(Picture: Google Images)

Senior Year Echoes

Corrina Lee 1 Comment

I am rumbling down the grey corridor that suctions the plane to the Detroit airport. I say rumbling because my stomach is empty and because my carry-on suitcase is far too full. So, they fuss in harmony as I make my way to the baggage claim. It is a ritual now, a process that almost happens outside of my mind entirely. For there is no mistaking the direction I am heading. One last year. Two last semesters. And at the end of the tunnel, a graduation with silly hats and sillier robes. These thoughts, too, exist without conscious prompting. They occur to me as flitting imaginings. Simultaneously as I walk towards Ann Arbor, I am walking away.

I am sitting in the bus, snugly tucked into a seat and an audio book. The man sitting next to me is thankfully engaged in talking to another. A younger man, his son perhaps, listens while fiddling with the edge of his Michigan Engineering t-shirt. The shirt fits well, I wonder if the degree suits him too. For me, at least, it is much too late. Decisions made years ago have snowballed into inevitabilities by now. Maybe that is why I feel so snug in my seat. There are no more choices to make. Instead, I roll forward with the bus, predestined by my previous decisions to choose a certain major, to choose a certain path.

Even my bedroom, when I finally find the energy to arrange it, settles into a familiar shape. The drawer is filled with the same melange of forgotten cables, packets of tea, and Tupperware. There are some informational pamphlets that have accompanied me all the way from Freshman Orientation. I have never read them, and I never will. Still, I find a place for them in the same folder. Everything in its place, including myself. Right now, my place is here at the University of Michigan. Next year, it simply won’t be. And after four years of doing slight, though definitely improving, variations on the same theme, I am not sure how it will feel.

I remember flying into Detroit alone for the very first time as a freshman. With no parents within questioning distance, I was set adrift in the airport, attempting desperately to find the bus to Ann Arbor. Even successfully boarding the bus did not entirely overcome my anxiety. I insisted on tracking our long, winding journey on Google Maps. I watched our moving blue dot to make sure that I was in the right place. Heading into senior year, there is much less doubt. Much less eager eyed anticipation too. Many things have become expected and predictable. Certainly, I can now point to the exact date in October where the ever-accumulating pile of homework will finally topple and crush me. It is comforting and nostalgic, all at once, to recognize these routines and habits. Picked up and collected, like so many little treasures, these are the experiences that have built up, experiences that have become harmonies. Each year as we complete these rituals, they resonate a little bit differently. Together, they form some sort of pattern, some sort of song.