Bacon. Brownies.

Most exciting things!

I made bacon brownies and Moutain Dew cupcakes!

The brownies turned out surprisingly well. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect so I just made a test batch of 4. I must say, they were quite good!
Bacon brownies with chocolate maple frosting. Its a wonderful thing.

The Mt. Dew cupcakes turned out alright too. They were kind of ugly, so I do have to work on the colors a little bit. But other than that, they were wonderful!

Just in case.

If you are interested in purchasing them, you can find them at www.pixelpastries.webs.com.

Now I just need to continue my quest for old action figures!
Yay!




Fun fact of the day:

The letter "e" is the most commonly used letter in the English language. The novel Gadsby, by Ernest Vincent Wright does not contain the letter "e" throughout the entire book.

Surprisingly Uncool

Today I would like to bring a sense of enlightenment to the seemingly very confused world. Perhaps its just Poughkeepsie that suffers from these horrible phenomenons, but just in case it is the rest of the world too, I will continue on.
Here I would like to remind people that just because you think something is cool, doesn't mean that it actually is.
Now, I by no means claim to be a cool person. I mean, honestly, I write a blog for Christ's sake. But still, there are some people out there that need to get a grasp on what is or is not socially acceptable. So, today I bring you:

THINGS PEOPLE THINK ARE COOL

1. Car-balls

I don't understand what makes these cool or funny. They're stupid and disgusting, plane and simple. Do you not have any of your own, so you feel the need to tack a set of fake junk onto your bumper? Come on, guys. Give it up. Neuter your pets. The last thing we need is a bunch of stray Hummers running around.

2. Tacky-ass Ghetto nails.

No matter what your occupation, if you have nails that are more than an inch long, you instantly look like you run the cash register at the local 7-11. And I am instantly going to assume that you're going to sell me a Slurpee. Wild Cherry, bitch.

3. Douche-Beard

Although it sounds like you might be a bad-ass pirate, actually HAVING a douche-beard simply makes you an ass. If you spent half as much time learning proper English as you did carving hieroglyphics into your head, you would be a much more respectable human being. Instead you look like you just allowed a lawn-mower to take creative freedom of your face.

4. Tribal Tattoos

Unless you're a Maori or fucking Tony the Tiger, you need to stay away from the tribal ink. You either look like a wrestler, or look like a frat boy. Neither of which are respectable personas for the day-to-day civilian. There is nothing else like having solid splotches of meaningless black ink over your body to say "I think I'm a bad-ass, so does my orange-tan girlfriend!" They're gggggggrrreat!

5. Plymouth Prowlers

A wedge of cheese on wheels. Enough said.



6. Keytars
Perfect for the kid whose mom made them practice hours of piano everyday before they could watch t.v. We all know that all you wanted to do was join a rock band. Just like we all know you will always be a total dweeb for the rest of your life. Keytar = significantly uncool.


7. 3-wheeled motorcycles

Too bad-ass for a 4-wheeler, too chicken for a chopper. Looking for the perfect balance? You didn't find it. Move along. You're a tool. Tack a side-car onto it and you'll be the whole hardware store.

Put It In The Pantry With Your Cupcakes

Cover songs seem to be one of the best things I have ever discovered. Sometimes. You can either find really good covers, or really really bad covers. Rarely do you find one that is just okay. It is currently 8:43 PM and I am going to go get food at approximately 9:15. Between now and then I shall compose a list of cover songs. the good and the bad.
GO!



Good Covers

Boys Of Summer - The Ataris (Don Henley)
Astro Zombies - My Chemical Romance (Misfits)
My Sharona - The Number Twelve Looks Like You (The Knack)
Leaving On A Jetplane - MXPX (John Denver)
Mrs. Robinson - Pennywise (Simon And Garfunkle)
Come On Eileen - No Doubt (Dexy's Midnight Runners)
Ziggy Stardust - Bauhuas (David Bowie)
brown Eyed Girl - Reel Big Fish (Van Morrison)
Something - Radiohead (The Beatles)
Mad World - Gary Jules (Tears For Fears)
Mad World - Evergreen Terrace (Tears For Fears)
Zero - Evergreen Terrace (Smashing Pumpkins)
Video Killed The Radio Star - Amber Pacific (The Buggles)
Bring The Pain - Mindless Self Indulgence (Method Man)


Not So Good Covers

Landslide - The Dixie Chicks (Fleetwood Mac)
Leaving On A Jetplane - Jewel (John Denver)
Leaving On A Jetplane - Aerosmith (John Denver)
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Violent Femmes (Culture Club)
Nazi Punks Fuck Off - Napalm Death - (Dead Kennedys)
Uptown Girl - Weezer (Billy Joel)
White Wedding - Murderdolls (Billy Idol)
Paint It Black - The Black Dahlia Murder (The Rolling Stones)
Low - Brokencyde (Flo Rida)
I Will Survive - Cake (Gloria Gaynor)
Men In Black - Forever The Sickest Kids (Will Smith)
War Pigs - Faith No More (Black Sabbath)
Under The Bridge - Gym Class Heroes (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

And it's only 9:05, but I feel as though 13 of each is plenty. Maybe Ill put more some other time, why use em all up now.
But now, next time you're out looking for cover songs, there some you should get and some others you should avoid at all cost.
Unless of course you're Van, because I have a cover CD for you, so you don't need to download *COUGH* I mean, legally buy.... any of them.
THAT IS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!


see more Funny Graphs

At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.

-Salvador Dali

2 weeks from Friday I will be out of here. How exciting is this? VERY! I cannot wait. I've been living in a dorm room for far too long.

Yesterday my roommate and I discovered that you can change your language on Facebook to "Pirate". Its pretty funny, really, but gets kinds of hard to read and understand after a while. Requires a bit too much thinking for just looking on Facebook.

Salvador Dali's birthday is this Monday.

RANT

WHY IS ROBERT PATTINSON PLAYING DALI IN AN UPCOMING MOVIE?! This... is painful. It truly is. The guy that plays a dead wizard and a shitty vampire is casted to play one of the greatest artists of all time? Salvador deserves much better than this.

Little Ashes

Wretched...

The Best Thing That Could Be Happening

Here is my 50th post. Just to give myself a bit of a boost, I'm going to go through the goods and bads in my life. Lets check it out.

The Goods

1. 
   
   1. I'm actually doing well in school for the first time in a long time


2. I'm actually enjoying the time I have at school
3. 
   
   I have some of the most supportive friends I have ever had. We can just sit around and bullshit, talk about important things, or go out. Anything.


4. 
   
   My family and I are getting along really well, despite the stupid shit I sometimes do.


5. 
   
   I have an awesome boyfriend that treats me well


6. 
   
   I'm starting to realize that I deserve to be treated well. This is new for me


7. 
   
   I get along with all my roommates and we have so much fun together


8. 
   
   I'm starting to get my life straightened out


9. 
   
   I don't hate myself as much as I used to


10. 
    
    I make awesome angel food cake


11. 
    
    I wake up with a smile almost every day


12. 
    
    I;m learning to work around the big problems in my life


13. 
    
    I'm teaching myself guitar and I love it. I can actually play songs now!


14. 
    
    My health is in check. I'm not really ill or anything


15. 
    
    I've learned to ask for help when I need it, I've stopped trying to do so much on my own


16. 
    
    I've removed a lot of drama from my life, so it things are a lot less stressful


17. 
    
    I've learned to start taking more chances and live life a little bit more.


18. 
    
    I don't feel ugly all the time anymore.


19. 
    
    I haven't smiled this much in a long, long time.


20. 
    
    I quit smoking for the most part

The Bads

1. 
   
   I don't really eat as much as I should.


2. 
   
   I drink too much, but I'm trying to stop.


3. 
   
   Michelle lives far away.


4. 
   
   I'm running low on cash.


5. 
   
   I wish I had better relationships with my siblings.


6. 
   
   I've lost quite a few friends recently due to arguments and dramatic situations.

Over all I would say that things are going very well. I'm happy with where I am in my life right now. Things really look like they're turning around for me. And, when it comes to the bad things, I can fix most of them with time. I can't control when Michelle comes back, but she will, I can't do a whole lot about the not having money, but I can try, and if those friends don't want to be friends with me anymore, there isn't anything I can do about that either so I just let it go. But, I can stop drinking, with a little help, I can talk to my siblings more, and I can start eating more, which I have already done. I get up and eat lunch with my roommates almost every day now. So it's all going to be okay.

Woohoo!

I'M SO EXCITED!

I got accepted into SuicideGirls and I had a friend of mine do a shoot for me when most everyone was in class the other day. I didn't really mention it to anyone because I didnt want to make a huge deal. We just took a few pictures for the photoset to submit and I'm really happy with them. I'm not going to post each picture on here because there are too many, so I'll post a link to the album that I have.
You're going to have to type in a password to get in because it's private.
Password is Glitter


Album here.

"Chemicals, Man, They'll Fuck You Up."

After watching SLC Punk a few too many times, I found the need to buy ridiculous clothing. Patterned sports-coats in assortments of colors, the brighter the better, pants of unusual hues, tshirts with horrible sayings, and fantastic shoes and hats. Top it all off with a bandanna around the neck. This has been a habit of mine. My wardrobe looks something like:

Black, black, black, black, black, SHAZAM!, black, black, black...

Its freaking awesome.

Just thought I would mention that.

Clashing colors might be my favorite thing ever and I really do love to look like I jumped right out of Wonderland. Gotta love making everyone around you feel like they just dropped acid.

I have a poster for the band The Clash next to my bed.
Every day I roll over and see it
then obey what it says:

CLASH

"Don't be so humble - you are not that great."

I've come to realize that the people I admire most are complete assholes. For my writing class we have to write two papers on a person. One with good things about them, another with bad things. We had to pick three different people then narrow it down to the one that would be the best. My choices were:



Jimmy Urine
Marilyn Manson
Andy Warhol




Now, if those people aren't a couple of the biggest assholes you've ever heard of, then I am sorry that you have had to deal with more. Let us observe.



Jimmy Urine, who is known for kissing his fans for money, asking them for cash, and also for them to buy him things. Jimmy knows, and uses to his advantage, the fact that his fans will do just about anything. While I was at an MSI show, he took his microphone and claimed it to be magical because he could use it to make people do anything. And he proved his point by getting the entire audience to bark like several different sized dogs, meow like cats, and make buffalo noises, later says "Ah! So that's what those fuckers sound like!" He has admitted that his blatant disrespect for the crowd is simply for his own entertainment. Firing strings of insults into his screaming audience seems to get them more fired up. Perhaps "Mindless" really is a great word to used. He truly is an asshole and an amazing con artist. Though he seems to be lacking in intelligence, that is quite the misconception, considering that he has successfully gotten millions of people to practically bow at his feet, despite the distasteful things he does. And THAT is why I find him fantastic.

"Buy lots of our stuff. Give me some money, stop making more bands. Make an animated series I like to watch instead."

Marilyn Manson is an asshole on an entirely different level. Manson has an intimidating intelligence that give him the ability to put almost anyone in their place. His sense of humor is one that is undetectably sardonic. He tends to take the anti society route other than the anti-musician route. His way of going about things is incredibly offensive in a way that somehow manages to make the ones who are offended look bad. His words and actions reflect his dislike of society, the American way of thinking, and the general monotony of the public. He is an asshole, but for the right reasons.

"Anybody intelligent enough to realize what America is, is not going to sit
around and do nothing about it. They're going to be the same way that I am.
They're going to be the same way our fans are. They're going to be pissed."

Andy Warhol could almost be called an anti-artist. Though not part of Dada, Warhol had a way of showing people that everything could be bought, that money could fuel anything, and that to him, art was unnecessary while being completely necessary. No only could his painting be considered ridiculous and boring, but also his films. Warhol's film Eat is a 45 minute film that consists of nothing more than a man eating a mushroom.
Warhol took polar opposite things and made them equal. Two of his most famous paintings are a picture of Marilyn Monroe and a picture of a Campbell's soup can. Both vastly different, but both made equal. Andy Warhol considered money to be incredibly important. To him, making money was art and having a good business was the best kind of art. He admitted to being a 'deeply superficial person" and wanting to be "plastic". His vain love of money, his infatuation with the boring, and his ability to con people into eventually thinking that something as simple as a soup can could be art is really what made him an artist. And an asshole.

"I'd asked around 10 or 15 people for suggestions. Finally one lady friend asked
the right question, 'Well, what do you love most?' That's how I started painting
money. "

Now, these people are not the typical kind of asshole that just cut people off while driving or don't tip (though I wouldn't put it past some of them...), they're the kind of people that others see as assholes because of how they blatantly surface controversial and dist respectful viewpoints simply to stir other up. Each did it for his own separate reason, and each reason has a lot of truth behind it. Whether a pop artist, musical artist, or performance artist, each is a con artist and in the end, a brilliant, brilliant asshole.

"Wasn't That A Stardust Fantasy?"

Again, with the Little Miss Sunshin-ery.

I forgot about the actual beauty pageant part of the movie, and how they have actual pageant girls.

Can I just mention how absolutely horrifying pageant girls are?

The ones that are six or seven years old and they have more makeup on than a drag queen.

The fact that these parents dress up their little kids like rodeo-princess Barbie and make them sing and dance and brainwash them into thinking that what they're doing is truly what they want to do is sickening. Being told from that young of an age that they need to wear make-up, they need to be skinny, they need to look perfect and beautiful and that they need to win. What miserable life are they going to have to live because of their mothers what want their daughters to be something they could never be. What kind of irresponsible parent would try to live vicariously through their child? They couldn't achieve their own goals, so they push their children to live an unhealthy lifestyle. It makes me truly and honestly ill. People wonder why anorexia, bulimia, intentional self mutilation syndrome, depression and anxiety and suicide are so common. It is because of things like this:

"To be a total package child, you must make sure ever part of your look is prefect."

-http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/282237/tips_for_childrens_beauty_pageants.html

They are expected to be a "total package child" and live up to impossible standards. Each one trying to "out-pretty" the other, because that is what their parents want them to do. It is so unnatural for a child to act the way they have to act and dress the way they have to dress. Turns out that aliens really do exist.

Though I did love "Who Wants To Be A Superhero..."

The television these days is really going down hill. Last night it had me in tears.
Reality TV is by far one of the worst inventions of all time. Not only is it addictive, it is completely useless. See, at least there used to be some good reality TV, back in the day. We had Survivor, Big Brother, The Mole, things like that. Nowadays we have A Double Shot At Love (as if A Shot At Love 1&2 weren't bad enough) Charm School, From G's to Gents, and I don't even remember the one I saw yesterday. It was something horrible. This girl had the most atrocious black, blond and blue hair and she was making a fool of herself. It had something to do with singing. Now, on top of all of those, you have Celebreality. Rock of Love with Brett Michael's, Surreal World (Or is it Surreal Life?), Celebrity Fit Club, then the ever loved Let's Snoop in Celebrity's Houses So We Know That Their Lives Are Just as Fucked Up as Ours As We Invade Their Families Privacy And Watch Their Rather Staged Family Crisis. All While Being Envious of Their Large Sums Of Money. Such as Run's House and Hogan Knows Best. And I'm pretty sure that Salt n Peppa had something like that. But really all they're doing is taking D list celebrities and sticking them on suffering networks to try to make the ratings go up. Sounds like a great plan to me. The reason these shows are so horrible is because they're just desperate for desperate, scummy people. They can have a television show with Tila Tequila (whoever that is...) because someone like Bono is: 1. Worth too much; 2. Smarter than that; 3, Actually cared about.
Please, lets up Oprah on a celebrity dating show.
Talk Show Of Love with Oprah Winfrey!
FANTASTIC!

Then on top of that, you start with something like..oh... I don't know... America's Next Top Model. Good idea, yes? Then you have America's Next Top Model 1-35. How many Top Models do we need?
But wait! All of these Top Models need clothing to wear. So hurry! Make up a new show! This is when all of the producer scramble and come up with Project Runway. Brilliant.
Wait...it needs a host...hurry...who is desperate for drug money so they'll do anything now, even though no one cares about them anymore? Oh! How about a slightly-too-old underwear model? Fantastic!
Hold on! We need someone to do all their hair...lets get some no names to compete in Shear Genius, while all the frantic culinarians on Top Chef make food for their lunch break. It's okay, we only need one winner for that. The models will just throw-up the food anyway. And of course they all compete on the latest reality show about interior decorators. Ten points if anyone can name what it is! Because I sure as hell can't remember.
There is nothing to fear though, because if you're mean, loud, and obnoxious enough, MTV will contact you with a contract to find your true love on one of their many shows. As long as you're somewhat attractive or bisexual.
So, by the look of it, as long as you are:

Skinny
Mean
Loud
Bitchy
A back stabber
Hopeless
A chef
A designer
A model
An interior decorator
A hair stylist
Not straight
Black
White
Remotely attractive
Single
Kind of single
Almost single
Willing to pretend to be single
Cheating
On drugs
Fat
Or have appeared on American Idol at least twice;
You have a chance to be on reality TV!

Congratulations, you have succeeded in life.



Next time on Skellyton's Top Blog

Made, Parental Control and Celebrity Rehab spiral out of control. Will our Blogger, with the help of "The Pick-up Artist's" Mystery, be able to successfully handle them? Will True Life: My Life Sucks be able to compete with the ratings of Laguna Beach 12? And finally, will there ever truly be Shalom in the Home?
Find out next time, on Skellyton's Top Blog!

On The Road Again

Long ride home today. Lots of snow. Ian was nice enough to drive me home. We were doing great for about an hour then all of a sudden we got enveloped in a whirling cyclone of frost.

Alright, that was a little bit dramatic.

But I think you get my point. It was a really dangerous drive. Lots of snow. New York to Philly. Quite the adventure. It took HOURS. But we did eat at the Eveready Diner today. yum. Aaaaand... get Starbucks. shhhhh... But honestly, it makes me feel like a spoiled, pretty Cali girl or something when I drink starbucks. Especially when I wear my white coat, sunglasses, or if I'm texting on a phone. I just feel like a shitty person.

But I got home and we went to eat at a grody Texmex place. It was kind of sick. And I went to the bookstore. The bookstore really is an enjoyable place. I enjoy hanging out there.

We then came home and watched Hellboy 2. Abe is such a great character. He's my favorite. See? Isn't he cute??

Anyway.

I'm sleepy. Goodnight.

Ps- Totally saw the 30 Days Of Night graphic novel in the book store today.

MUST. HAVE.

"Antichrist Superstar" vs. "Queen Of The Internet"

"Just as the industrial goths followed NIN, the scene kids follow Jeffree Star,
who really is just a pink-powdered, ultra-femme, sparkles and frosting covered
version of Marilyn Manson."

A quote from my last post.


In this post we will observe the few similarities and vast differences between the two teen idols that both have been noted as "before their time".


Let us observe the physical.
*insert slide-show click here*

VS.

See what I mean when I say "pink-powdered, ultra-femme, sparkles and frosting covered version of Marylin Manson." ? The similarities between Mr. Manson and Mr(s?). Star are striking. Though, it seems as though Jeffree is simply a silicone-sealed generic Manson knock off.
Fascinating. I feel as though nothing more needs to be said about the physical appearance.

Let us observe the musical
*slide change*


Marilyn Manson

Manson is well know for his anti religious, anti society lyrics, attitude and behavior. Songs such as This Is The New Shit, Antichrist Superstar, Disposable Teens, Heart Shaped Glasses, and The Beautiful People have clearly communicated a dislike for the standstills in society and conformity.
Here is a sample of lyrics from Marilyn Manson's song Are You The Rabbit?:

So ask your self before you get in,
I know the insurance won't cover this.
Are you the rabbit or the headlight,
And is there room in your life
For one more breakdown?

You can't escape,
Can't escape
All your demons.
All you demons,
"Watch out, watch out, for your lovers."



This song is from Manson's latest album, which was release in 2007. It relates to strong human emotion, life situations, and relies on mental visualization. These common themes in Manson's songs are part of what has kept his music popular over the years.

Jeffree Star

With songs like Heart Surgery (Isn't That Bad...), Miss Boombox, Cupcakes Taste Like Violence, Plastic Surgery Slumber Party and We Want Cunts, Jeffree Star has made it clear that his focus will be on things such as glamor, "scene", trends, fashion, and elitism.

Here is a sample of lyrics from Jeffree Star's song Eyelash Curlers and Butcher Knives (What's The Difference:

Spit on the dance floor to know where you are
Slip to the beat drivin' in my pink car
Know you love
And I love that I'm Jeffree Star

Cameras are flashin',
everyone's askin' what I'm gonna do tonight..
Who I'm gonna do tonight..

We have our haircut, eyes shut we're already there
Don't know their names an I dont really care
Cuz I only suck dick and just to be fair,
You're not on the menu, you'll never compare

Songs such as this appeal to the newest trend wave of the 2000's. Glamore, sex, and vanity. This path has been taken by artists before, but never to such an embarrassing extent. Jeffree Star's music focuses entirely on trends and his attempt to be something new and 'scary' to the public.

Here are two photographs of each artist's live performances:

Let us observe the artistic
*slide change*

Marilyn Manson is not only known for his musical career, but also his artistic abilities. He has a vast gallery of watercolor paintings that he has done. His recent art show "The Golden Age Of Grotesque" sold over 30 pieces. Here are a few examples of his artwork.

Jeffree Star shows his artistic ability through fashion and makeup. He is a well known MAC makeup artist in California. He was discovered at nightclubs.

"Star was able to mollify his obsessive compulsive disorder with his mother's makeup and fineries and eventually this quiet desire for beauty got louder and louder; from this grew his unnatural and many say unholy desire to take over the underground. On weekends, Jeffree hit the Hollywood clubs, where he would dress in outlandish mini dresses and 9 inch high heels. This is where he met Celebrities that loved his makeup work and tapped his number into their cell phones. While other kids where studying and doing homework, Jeffree was in mansions and music videos, doing makeup and making tons of money.
Eventually, his club going discipline worked to his advantage; suddenly everyone knew his name. Everyone was everywhere, claustrophobic, smothering, and strangely and perpetually, comforting. Everyone wanted a picture taken with him and everyone wanted to know where he was going next. He now attends shows and kids maul him. He gives out more autographs than bands, and he spits more profound makeup advice than MAC or Revlon."

Example of his makeup work here.

and finally

Let us observe the intellect
*slide change*

Here we will observe the intellect of our two musical artists simply be the things that they say. I will show each of their quotes one after the other.

Marilyn Manson

“When you're taught to love everyone, to love your enemies, then what value does that place on love?”

Jeffree Star

"My life is just another reminder that I'm the reason
teenage girls shove their fingers down their throats and little boys question
their sexuality."

Marilyn Manson

“I never said to be like me, I say to be like you and make a
difference.”

Jeffree Star

"sorry if we can't all be unoriginal, but I have a
mold to break."

Marilyn Manson

“A lot of people don't want to make their own decisions. They're too scared.
It's much easier to be told what to do. Americans talk so much about being
individualistic, but they don't want you to be an individual because if you
think for yourself then you're not going to be a part of any trend that they
want you to be a part of. They don't want you to think for yourself. They tell
you they do so that you're happy and you're stupid and you're sheep. Anybody
intelligent enough to realize what America is, is not going to sit around and do
nothing about it. They're going to be the same way that I am. They're going to
be the same way our fans are. They're going to be pissed. These people are
artists. These people are musicians. They're taking it out and trying to express
it that way. The rest of the world, who are just willing to accept it, are gonna
be doing their everyday jobs, and they're going to be trapped in a rut, and
they're never gonna see it until the day they die, and they're gonna be
disappointed when they don't go to heaven anyway 'cause they were too stupid to
realize that it's not going to happen.”

Jeffree Star

"I'm everything we fear today among society."

Marilyn Manson

“I view my job as being someone who is supposed to piss people off.
I don't want to be just one-of-the-guys. I don't want to be just a smiling face you see on television presenting some vapid kind of easily-digestible
garbage."

Jeffree Star

"I’m a billboard, advertising your aging confidence,
self-destruction and sagging self-esteem."

Marilyn Manson

“The burden of originality is one that most people don't want to
accept. They'd rather sit in front of the TV and let that tell them what they're supposed to like, what they're supposed to buy, and what they're supposed to laugh at.”

Jeffree Star

"Hi, my name's Jeffree Star and one time God told me
it was unhealthy to be so popular, that's probably why I'm sick all the
time."

Marilyn Manson

“You should have to pass an IQ test before you breed. You have to
take a driving test to operate vehicles and an SAT test to get into college. So
why don't you have to take some sort of test before you give birth to children?
When I am President, that's the first rule I will institute.”

Jeffree Star

"The vanity sanctuary will keep me safe and you can
try to break me down but you’re only hurting yourself, just like you’re supposed to be doing. "

Marilyn Manson

“In the end we're all Jerry Springer Show guests, really, we just
haven't been on the show.”

Jeffree Star

"People need to hate me because they hate
themselves. They want to believe the rumors about me because they don't have their own rumors. I'm here to stay, with my diamond rims and pink lipstick, so get used to it and worry about yourself before you try and be negative towards me."

Marilyn Manson

"I fear being like everyone I hate, I fear failure, I fear losing
control. I love balancing between chaos and control with everything I do. I
always have a fear of going one way or another, getting lost in something, or losing everything to get lost in. And I fear being a completely acceptable sheep in society.”

Jeffree Star

"Sure, everybody wants to play God, but for me it's a
full-time job."

Marilyn Manson

“[According to an official statement,] the complaints are from religious
preachers who simply want publicity. Marilyn Manson isn't against God, but against organized religion, ... are just like any other heavy metal show, with
kids dressed in black with painted faces. They're not dangerous.”

Jeffree Star

"Half super bitch and half mega cunt. He is a self admitted boyfriend thief and makeup addict, he is a photo junkie and designer clothes slut, he is brazenly sexual and openly subversive; he has become a role model for the new post 911 America. The world feels like a funeral and Jstar is the high heeled embalmer, filling the world with reality and plastic mixed with
disaster. "

Marilyn Manson

“Is adult entertainment killing our children? Or is killing our children entertaining our adults?”

*end slide show*

Here we have compared and contrasted two alternative music cult icons. We have seen the difference between then physically, artistically, musically and intellectually, we are now able to form valid opinions on the direction that the entertainment of today is going.

“This is the culture you're raising your kids in. Don't be surprised if it blows up in your face.”

-Marilyn Manson

Mall/Maul

I've been to the mall twice today, buying nothing either time. Wait, no. I actually bought food both times. Anyway.
While walking by HotTopic, I felt the need to stop and stare at the store from across the mall. That used to be the place to be. That was where it's at. At least amongst all the "alternative" kids. But that then go me to thinking.
It started with all the 80's Guns N Roses, Billy Idol, Poison, stuff. It didn't do too well at first, but it got there. The kids that originally went there were all the industrial goth kids that followed Marilyn Mason like he was some holy prophet, or Nine Inch Nails. Either, or.
And of course, anything the goth kids do, the punk kids have to do, but in their own way.
Or something. So you have the two of them doing whatever, then onto the grunge kids that didn't wash for weeks on end. And it was all good.
Then something happened.
Somewhere between the death of emotive-hardcore and the birth of post-hardcore, the mall goths began to rise in the early 2000's. Slipknot, Korn, etc. And there was nothing wrong with this, until the constant message of death and self hate was being taken from the music.
Im not saying that the message of death and self hate is what the music was trying to communicate, but that was the way it was taken. That then began to morph into what would now be called "emo". Taking the term out of context and using it as something entirely redundant, describing an incorrect genre of music along with a kind of person. Now, mid 2000's the "emo" kids began to show up, further glorifying the idea of death. Not the idea of killing or hurting others, but the idea of killing and hurting one's self. Suicide and self mutilation became a trend. It became cool. Agony, depression and self loathing was a common theme. Within four years, the trend then evolved into what is no known as "scene". Basically the same style as "emo" (though dwelling a bit more on being elitists) but instead of cutting themselves with razors, they cut themselves with credit cards.* Just as the industrial goths followed NIN, the scene kids follow Jeffree Star, who really is just a pink-powdered, ultra-femme, sparkles and frosting covered version of Marilyn Manson.
I suppose that it is simply natural for older generations to fear for the younger, but honestly I do a lot more than just fear for the generation after me. A low price has already been put on life by my generation and the one before, and it seems to be rapidly going downhill. I am terrified to know what the next "trend" is. The next "cool" "hip" thing. I really am afraid to know what is going to happen next and what horrific fashion will appear in the next two years among those "alternative" kids and among the "scene". We will all find out sooner to later. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. All we can do is hope for the best.

*thanks to Jenny's friend Ian