Monday, June 22, 2009

i am not spartacus




So this weekend was pretty uneventful, due to major storms,
boredome, poordome, people canceling, general lack of interest
of what I do and so on and so forth. How's that for a run on
sentence.

I find myself amazed at how much my A.D.D. affects me in
general situations, it's like a shark let loose in a fiesta,
constantly moving. I have to keep going or I'll just start
spiraling down in boredom and the creepy black hole of
depression starts to soak up my brain.

Anyways, this friday, hung out with some people that know
people that I hardly know. Which always makes it completely
uncomfortable for me. I always feel like I have to be on,
when in actuality no one really gives a shit.



That is a tale for another time. What's more important, is the
introduction to that tale. So i was summoned to RADEGAST beer
hall, in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Where forearmed sized mugs of ale
will set you back about 14 bucks. It's a nice little spot to chat
with friends, get to know knew people, oggle the beerwenches.

So as I make my way to the bar, my friend, has not arrived yet, and I
circle the two areas about two times. Later on I would find
out that the people I was supposed to sit with were already laughing
and joking, completely oblivious to who I was and
vice versa.

So on one go around, I head to the bathroom, and take out my
illegally opened container of alcohol and ... oh nevermind.

SO, I'm waiting in the restroom waiting for any available slots.
Some inebriated guy comes by, and he's looking nervous.
I'm just avoiding eye contact. Then he does that usual, dance of
anxiety. So I try to give that reassuring nod of, "I know. I know."

He's like "My friends in the stall, but I see four feet"

So I look closely at the bottom of the occupied stall, and sure enough,
there were two people inside, or a shaved deer with vans.
I was like oohhh, snap.. there's a hook up going on. I realize how
terribly empty my life is... then the door jolts open.
The most zestiest man with light eyes, orange-iest tan and
bleached hair steps out...
and announces

"Hello my name is SPARTACUS"

I can only assume he was homosexual because not only
was he dressed better than I (which is not hard to do)
He twinkled like those vampires from TWILIGHT.
the anxious guy had a look of fear on his face, and I figured
there was no chick in that stall. I promptly spun around, because
magically I didn't have to go anymore. Stepped out the restroom and
hightailed it.

Back into the brouhaha, I finally met with some people,
was already drunk, but due to my A.D.D. and lack of
women, and the prospect of early work the next
day, I dejectedly called it a night.

Lest you people think I am homophobic,
I am not. I'm just not cool with dudes
that call themselves after 1950
Kirk Douglas films.
(My gay friends will agree to this)

So godspeed to you, Spartacus, whomever you are,
you had more action than I got, I will think twice
about going into any stall from now on.
To affect my life is like to affect others
on the heels of rosa parks, J.F.K.,
Neda and Obama.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

from the shadowzone!!

So it's been a pretty eventful(less) time in my life
these past few weeks. The Antagonist Art show was
a success, all my 30 plus business cards were taken,
didn't receive one phone call or e-mail from anyone,
so I assume everyone used the cards as throwing stars
and/or alternate toothpicks with the nearby pizzeria.
(Hell i got one free sicilian and a drink comped!)

Anyhoo, with that dangerous headfirst plunge into
the artist society, (I'm more of the fringe type since
I'm so hip NO ONE knows about me) I had to go out and plan
what to do next. I have a friendly interplay with Antagonist Art
Movement people (michelle, Un and all) so I was flattered when
they said it was cool if I wanted to continue doing work with them.

Apparently the art director for the Ramones liked my stuff,
so that was very cool to know. Next project on my slab is now
going into hyper mode.

Going into the Antagonist art deal again though,
I'm working on writing a short film for them that will be artistic
and trippy and just plain watchable. I'm working with Mike Robayo,
you can check out some of his reels like this one right here...!




I've handed in the black and white images for a twisted comic book
my friend Danny albert has writen (Now I have two other books
I will work on with him.)


I am writing (!) a series of illustrated novels
with my artistic hero Winnie Chang. She was a
manhua artist in Korea, but got burnt out by it all.
She is giving me all the notes and basically,
I am going to pretty it up with words while she
does all the gorgeous art.
You can check out her site @ http://winnie76.com/

Other than that I've seen some really messed up
stuff too, and I'll update on that later. The nyc transit
system is probably hell on rails. That last ying yang battle
I saw was topped by the utter ugly side of humanity
when ... ah I don't want to get into that into this blog,
the next one... here are some puppies.



Monday, March 30, 2009

Previews for the Niagara show



these are just tiny sections of much larger pieces appearing
at the NIAGARA ANTAGONIST THURSDAY! SHOW.
I'm nervous, but genuinely excited to show them out there.
Hope to see you all there.

ANTAGONIST THURSDAY! ONE NIGHT ONLY ART SHOWS.

THURSDAY APRIL 2ND 9PM-2AM

21 and UP!!

Myself (Alex Mercado) and Ramon Trif will
have some of our work on display
@ the NIAGARA BAR 112 ave A.
L.E.S. in the EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN N.y.

come see our art, drink, be merry, mingle, make connections and have fun.

http://www.myspace.com/niagarabarnyc
http://ramonvtrif.blogspot.com/
http://alexmercado.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 28, 2009

ANTAGONIST THURSDAY! ONE NIGHT ONLY SHOW


ANTAGONIST THURSDAY! ONE NIGHT ONLY ART SHOWS.

THURSDAY APRIL 2ND 9PM-2AM

21 and UP!!

Myself (Alex Mercado) and Ramon Trif will
have some of our work on display
@ the NIAGARA BAR 112 ave A.
L.E.S. in the EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN N.y.

come see our art, drink, be merry, mingle, make connections and have fun.

http://www.myspace.com/niagarabarnyc
http://ramonvtrif.blogspot.com/
http://alexmercado.blogspot.com

Monday, March 23, 2009

this weekend mar 26th on....





things to do this weekend . . .
So as I arrived back from the wonderfully boring
landscape of downtown Orlando, I realized, I have
a hefty plate of “to do” items back in NYC.

I have to prep for a tentatively scheduled
“Antagonist Art Movement” show in
The L.E.S. (wow, I’m so trendy, I’ll be
Sure to wear my skinny jeans, and hipster
Glasses!) So I am genuinely excited for that.



At the Marianne boesky gallery
The works of Yoshitomo Nara are
Being displayed from feb 28th till March 28th,
So CHECK IT OUT

http://www.marianneboeskygallery.com/

This week down to OULU in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
http://www.oulunyc.com/ to have some farewell
drinks with my friend, Iris, who is a philanthropic
sweetheart going off to teach English to students
in Thailand. Go Iris, go!

Also check out,
The KRAZY! Showing at the JAPAN SOCIETY
Remember Fridays are free 6-9

http://www.japansociety.org/

Friday night, my home girl DJ Xio will be dj’ing
At REVOLUTION! At the Bruckner Bar

www.myspace.com/revolutionny



Although, my satuday night is free (so far),
let's see what's happening then,
hope to see you ppl out there, supporting the arts...

toodles!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

that gross story

WARNING, DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU EATING,
OR A QUEASY.



So this past Saturday was quite the
eventful one, with my completely numb
acknowledgement that I was going to audition
for a band. My friend and I were scheduled to try
out as dual vocalists for a “Screamo” type band.
All the previous week, we collaborated on lyrics
(surprisingly it’s quite easy to work with him.)
I, with the haunting past of O.C.D., reread the lyrics
chicken scratched into my notepad about ten billion
times.

I’m the melodic vocalist, while my friend does the
screaming thing. I have no idea how one can abuse their
vocal cords to release a sound so furiously engaging.
I get jealous.

This is kinda what we're going for.



"This could be anywhere in the world" - Alexisonfire


Anyways, so I have this creeping little notion in my
head all morning, about how it’ll go, will they like us?
Will they like me? Will I screw up royally.
How will I sound. Will my vocals fit the music?
(I saved tracks off of their Myspace page through an flash
system that keeps it as MP3’s, easy as that. Playing them over
and over.) So I tried not to worry about it too much, I mean
I sang in a choir as a child.

Hell, I was kicked out of the choir as a kid for laughing
at everyone when they forgot the lyrics to the song we
were performing at the unveiling of a new building.
I mean, it was hilarious!

Anyways, I kept it out of my mind. At work,
I was just focusing on the time left for the day.
So I decide to further forget about my future
date with destiny by getting lunch. Yes, that’s it,
I’ll get some lunch!

So back to the O.C.D. thing, I can not leave a place
without furiously washing my hands.
(Hell I’ll open doors with sleeves!) I lie to myself and
say that I’m doing this so I won’t catch a cold that’ll
ruin my performance. But we all know it’s because
I might just be a lunatic.

I’m washing my hands at the restroom, speaking to a
friend, when I look over my shoulder. I hear a shuffling
of feet, and a man with ginger hair and a horrified
expressioncomes running in, hand clutching over his mouth.
I see something begin to stream between his fingers..
a mucous-like, orange-colored fluid. I know what’s going
to happen, because in that split second I spin into the
mirror and hear the pitter patter of my entire back
showered with the insides of someone’s stomach.
It was like a burst of air, and my back feeling quite drenched.

The was was literally covered in something and my
outline in the center of it. I can’t tell you the irony of the
moment where I wanted to wash my hands from the dirt
and then as easily caught a possible AIDS-bath. I ran so
fast into a janitor’s closet and stripped it’s not even funny.
Cursing, and in panic, I scrambled to see a water hose and
Spun the handle for release. I didn’t hold onto the hose,
and comically, much like a three Stooges sequence, the
hose whipped around uncontrollably and doused me
even more. I had a friend pick up a new shirt for me as
I laughed off the moment. Fearing I would run into the
assailant again. I didn’t want to see him, didn’t want an
apology. I didn’t want to be anywhere near that guy’s
mouth opening towards me again. I was so disgusted,
I wanted to just kinda peel this first layer of skin off or
something.

YUCH.

I mean I had to laugh it off (but cry deeply inside)
But I looked at it like It was a sign of good luck…
not the kind of luck I’d look for. But whatever.

Yeesh.

They told us to come back and audition again, so…
Thanks, pukey.

- Alex M.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The one where I see two old guys fight


So a couple of weeks ago, I was taking a number train

back home. It was late, near midnight, following a long
hard day of laboring for “the corporation.”
You know one of those days, where you’re physically,
spiritually and mentally exhausted.
Actually, I don’t know many days unlike that.
So I’m sitting on the side of the train, which is opposite to
the platform, In the center of the car, near the doors that
don’t open to the public. The car is barely full, and this
gives me the freedom to zone out from everything.
My I pod blasting something I wouldn’t be able to enjoy

because of course, the freaks come out at night.

A rather intoxicated gentleman, who looked like
Samuel L. Jackson stumbles in, directly opposite of me.
already my danger antennae pops up, due to the fact
he’s holding an open bottle of “Olde English 800” and
has some sort of spliff/cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Having an open container on a train and a cig in his mouth
(unlit) already showed this dude could give a shit less
what anybody cared about. I mean I’ve seen this coun
tless
times, I’ve been on trains with people that light their
cigarette right on the train, and none of us chicken shi
t
passengers said a thing.

So, I’m keeping an eye on Sam Jackson as he rambles,
And cusses loudly. At what, I have no idea, My I pod was
drowning it out. He’s banging his fist on the door ev
ery
stop, and mumbling some incoherent nonsense. Everyone
on the train is keeping their cool. I guess in NYC, we’ve
pretty much seen this crap before.


(i would have no problem with this Olde English 800 weilder)


Hell, I saw a naked guy walk into a train once, with his
Clothing tucked under one arm and his hospital slippers still
on. I mean imagine, filthy feet! That would just be disgusting.
So Sam Jackson starts to talk to an old guy who looks like
Clint Eastwood sitting down next to him. I don’t know what
about, but I thought it was probably some friendly drunk talk.
Seconds later the drunk guy looks like he’s trying to hug Clint
and Clint’s pushing him away. Then that’s when you see no
good can come of this.

So geezer Clint gets up, and is getting ready to get out of the train
At the next stop. He doesn’t want to exit where Jackson is,
Just to avoid conflict I guess. Because I can barely hear Jackson
Berating him, in I’m sure Shakespearian complex dialogue.
Clint goes to the exit door opposite from me, and I’m like,
“Yes, here it comes.” Because I can’t be just a witnesses to
the bizarre event, it always has to play out to end up being
Somewhere extra near to my vicinity.

Clint gets to the door, and the train stops, Jackson has
followed him, talking smack the whole way. As Clint makes
his way out, there’s an electricity in the air. A heavy foreboding
silence that was a precursor what was going to happen next.
Then Sam Jackson swung his open palm at lightning speed
and slapped the shit out of the back of Clint’s head. It was
like an earth shattering sound of thunder escaped the palms of that
drunkards hand!

I almost guffawed, because I’m a semi-scumbag, but
it was pretty screwy. I was wondering whether to do something
heroic. I’m sure many of us were, but like in reality, witnesses
usually do two things, “Jack” and “Squat!”

When I was a child, I witnessed two guys trying to abduct a
woman on the street, and everyone was standing out there
dumbfounded. As if we were watching an improvisation group
with some strange interactive skit that no one wanted to
participate in. At least in that instance, a mysterious third guy
came out and smashed a bottle right over the head of one of the
attackers. One of the creeps had to drag the other one away,
I didn’t want to be late to school, so I ran. In my defense,
It was Catholic school and those running it would’ve made
my day hell.

Back to the current situation, I toyed around in my head, what
I should do, should I drop kick this guy from behind?
Can I flip him over that sign? I mean I could, the guy was old.
Of course I did nothing, but to my surprise, Clint spun around and
Started throwing wild old man punches at his assailant.
It was like watching a gladiator battle, but with two old farts!
That was my cue to get up and walk towards the train conductor’s
Door. I had kept my eye on the giant Olde English 800 bottle,
And I knew eventually it would come into play.

Of course it did.

Jackson swung that bottle around, but he was so smashed his hits
would only slightly connect, the neck of the bottle would just
click against Clint’s neck or shoulder blade, causing no damage.
The two combatants moved into the car, after Sam Jackson’
comically lost his footing and did a goofy split due to his liquor
splashing underneath him. He regained his semi-composure and
the two continued their retirement home Mortal Kombat.

Thankfully, two ballsier individuals broke the fight up.
Their faces annoyed with their train ride possibly being
extended due to some asshole throwing around punches
and glass bottles. The train makes it to my stop and the
conductor is completely oblivious to what’s going
on merely feet away from him. I knock on his window to
alert him, and I swear if there was enough room in his
mobile cubicle, he would’ve done a back flip. I frightened
him so badly, he gave me a disgusted, flippant look. Like
I was about to ask him what were the next stops for the train.

When I, and other exiting passengers bestowed upon him
the knowledge of a royal rumble in his midst, he a gave an
equally frustrated look. I turned around, out of the station
and made my way home. An exciting way to end the day.
It made me sick to my stomach.


Then i had a PB&J and forgot about it.