ARCHIVE - Melissa's blog

ARCHIVE - beauty parlor write-up

Melissa — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:39:59 -0800

Audio
Audio+pictures
Naming rounds

Sensory Overload. Entering into the structure, one is accosted by sounds, sights and smells. One finds tightly compact spaces layered with items displayed. The structure itself provides various scenarios for the body to interact in, while the structure as Farmer’s Market places the body into three distinct categories: Vendor, Consumer Musician, as documented by a pseudo-fourth category: the observers (in other words, us).

Observing provided quite a bit of questions, some of which are on the handout. We’d like to focus on the inquiry of “How does the time mechanism set a pace/direct the flow and interaction of bodies? How does time affect power between the bodies and within the structure?”

Vendors can only sell within the set hours of ten and three and the space marked for appropriate action as a vendor is designated by a bell: one ring in the morning to signify the beginning of the day and one in the afternoon to indicate the close of the day. If anyone wishes to deviate from the bell, they must approach the staff in the office and request special permission.

Before the bell, bodies interact in a fast pace manner using machinery, while as time approaches the bell, the bodies settle in for a more repetitive role. Between the bell, the interaction of bodies exercise in parabolic energy. Beginning with the arrival of the vendors the energy begins to build and then subside in anticipation of the bell. Once the bell sounds, energy rises with the arrival of the consumer. As the consumer population increases so does the tension between the three classifications of bodies. The musicians add to the pace of time by designating the peek hours with their function as entertainment. The energy reaches its peak and then disintegrates on the approach of the bell. The musicians leave, the consumers begin to dwindle, and the bell rings, releasing tension. The interaction then turns to bodies and machines once again. Thus,, time is a technique, which provides the space for these functions to exist.

ARCHIVE - Whoopie Cushion

Melissa — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:29:13 -0800

My name is Whoopee Cushion. Many of you may know me from TV or maybe you met me at a friend's house or received me for Christmas. You've probably all laughed at me once in your life, but I'm here to say enough is enough! I am NOT funny! It is not my fault that I sound like a fart! It is my body mechanics. First of all, I am rubber, I breath in and out through a rubber hole, that unfortunately flaps creating embarrassing hilarity. Growing up I always wanted to attend school, but due to my classmates abuse, I'm band from most classrooms. Most of the time I hang out on someone's shelf, in their toy box, or shoved into the back of their closet. Even before purchase I have to hang out in gag shops. Do you know what kind of people come into gag shops? I would kill for some intelligent conversation! The only time I've been in a shop I actually enjoyed, was when I was put on display in Barnes and Noble as a Klutz book. Life as a whoopee cushion is hard and lonely. The only time someone wans to play with me, they blow in my mouth making me all bloatie, giving me all their germs, and making me all moist inside. Then they proceed to sit on me, or trick their friend into sitting on me. I am soooo sick of being sat on! Farts are NOT funny!! They are natural bodily functions! God!

ARCHIVE - How I fell in love with my prosthesis

Melissa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:28:35 -0800

When I was a sophmore in high school, we had an arts assembly during which my friend, Pat a senior, read an essay he wrote about his Peugeot. He talked about his love for his car, in spite of the man things that were wrong with it. I was 16, but had delayed getting my license. Later that year, I was shocked to hear that Pat was selling his car. "I'll buy it!" I said. The Peugeot was famous in our school and it broke my heart to think of it going elsewhere.

So, That's how I ended up buying my first car for $650. I was pumped when I first got my license! I wanted to drive so bad! I got into my Peugeot and headed off down the street, only to get about 2 blocks away and brake down. this was the beginning of my journey with the Peugeot.

It's funny how many flaws you can over-look when you really love something, and that car had sooooo many flaws. The back door didn't open, the cruise control was broken, when you turned it on it never turned off. The sun-roof leaked, the child window locks were stuck on, the trunk was rusting and leaky. The spare tire had to ride in the trunk because the thing that held it up was broken. The windshield wipers broke multiple times, actually, the whole car broke multiple times! But none of this mattered because I was the Peugeot driver!! Every part of the Peugeot was endearing to me.

One day, after getting my car back from the shop, again. I was heading off to my senior pictures and BAMMMMMM hit from behind and BAMMMMMM into the car infront. "How's my car?" I asked as I was loaded into the ambulance. "I'm affraid it didn't make it." After putting all my love into my Peugeot, it had returned the love by saving my life. Thank God old cars were made of tons of sturdy metal and big solid rubber bumpers.

ARCHIVE - Shoe Basket Obituary

Melissa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:15:47 -0800

Shoe Basket was born August 2001 at a basket factory. She was one of thousands of siblings born from this factory. After completing her time at Ikea store, she was adopted by Michelle Whittaker and moved to Olympia, WA. Her first job was holding and storing toys for Sheba Dog. 2002-2006. She was fond of this job and enjoyed her contents very much, but was thrilled when she was promoted to shoe holder in late 2006. The new position allowed her a beautiful location by the front door and contact with many people. Sometimes she was so full of shoes that she would spill over. She was used most frequently by Michelle Whittaker's daughter, Melissa. Shoe Basket Passed on January 3rd, 2009. Cause of death was braking due to being stepped on. She is barried in the Hawks Prairie Landfill and is survived by her shoes that called her home for so long. They think of her fondly, saying, "She was a good basket, she held things well."

ARCHIVE - Cut-up

Melissa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:09:06 -0800

An by children's distorted European. Frightful, gourd her is known line. More were modeled of the mouth in multitude. May they mix with beeswax and be blood blanched. But merely a madame's mouth began biting the brilliance. Herself, our young damsel, our pretty girls, an envious old maid. Beauty of form, as far as appearance is concerned, overcame her natural disgust. The man is jaundice, wearing mustache and beard, one human being sooner or later. One Man. One Woman. Children. European One. African maiden moistening them. One mind, great minds, much meaning might matter. Frequently injured, distorted, shriveled, disgust, acid. Little of it can be seen, overheard, discussed. The possibility of being in any part a woman capable of kissing, bestowing a certain fullness upon the lips of their ideal loves.

Redness, rose-bud, blood, Rouge.

"Roses are her cheeks,

and a rose her mouth"

Purplish paint to touch herself up, a cold and sour disposition. Lean mouthed, flat nose, blubber lip, shriveled mouth, shrewish, decay, spoil at the mouth. As far as always as approaches a temporary gloss, destroys any grace, disgusts a grizzy, dangers a , disguises a, decolorizes, dissipation.

ARCHIVE - Scott's in class writing

Melissa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:57:48 -0800

Curtain opens on a black box theater. 3 tables, one with an older couple, one with a middle aged woman, one empty. All 3 people are dressed very nice, all 3 sip some coffee(ish) drink. Man reads paper, older woman reads book.

In I walk, carrying baby and diaper bag. I sit at the empty table.

Baby fusses.

Me: Are you hungeee? Do you want some numb numbs?

Older couple glance over. Middle aged woman watches intently.

I hold baby up, middle aged woman very non-discreetly checks for a ring.

I reach into my diaper bag and pull out a blanket that I lay over my chest and begin to feed the baby.

Older couple looks shocked! The woman leans over and whispers to the man. They both berry their faces in their reading. Man coughs, shuffle paper, woman fidgets.

Baby begins farting. Loudly. I think it's sort of cute and funny. Middle aged woman thinks it's funny. Older couple do not!

Older couple looks totally offended and they get up to leave.

I finish feeding and pull the baby up.

Baby laughs and smiles at the woman, she smiles and talks to the baby.

Woman: Hi Sweetie. Aren't you a happy girl!

I turn

Me: Are you being friendly?

Woman: How old is she?

Me: 5 months

Woman: Out for a day with mommy? or will your husband be joining you soon?

Me: Oh, it's just us. I'm single.

Woman: Oh

Long silence

Woman: Is this your first?

Me: Yep, Thank God. I can't imagine having two already.

Woman: Do you mind me asking how old you are?

Me: (laughing) How old do you think I am?

Woman: Oh I can't tell those sorts of things. I'd guess 17?

Me: I'm 21

Woman: (sounds totally relieved) Oh (lets out a breath) What a cute sweater, she has on. Where did you get it?

Me: It was a hand-me-down.

ARCHIVE - In class writing

Melissa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:38:51 -0800

The need to step outside oneself seems o be strong in our society. We make our identities but we have a constant desire to explore ohters. This is very apparent when looking at performance of any kind. Why do actors act? Most likely because it is fun to wear something we would not usually wear, act a way we wouldn't normally act, be someone else. The need to change our role is not only quenched by acting out another identity, but also by watching and fantasizing. You watch a movie about someone's life and fantasize about being her object of affection. In this way, performers fulfill a societal need to step outside one's self. On the other side there are bodies that represent shame and dislike. The homeless man talking to himself on the street corner, the meth-head with welts and cracking lips. These are the things we turn away from, we fantasize that they do not exist.

ARCHIVE - Personal Ad

Melissa — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:49:21 -0700

Me: Friendly, enthusiastic, but somewhat flaky. Interested in perhaps writing a play. Looking at the individual vs society, finding oneself, identity, not really sure. Very helpful, and would give you hand where ever needed.

You: Preferably not up tight or overly analytical. A bit of a dreamer. Someone who wants to have fun but still get the work done. Encouraging and supportive, likes to share ideas, and wants help. Wants to get out there and explore new things and meet new people.

ARCHIVE - Paper #1

Melissa — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:52:54 -0700

Melissa

Fashioning the Body

October 8, 2007

Concept Rhyming Essay #1

Foucault on Power

Power has many different meanings, but is mainly understood to be an intangible force that influences and controls. It makes one think of authority, strength, and dominance. Foucault takes a unique view on power as the invisible pressure behind society and the way all individuals act. He explores the depth of the influential powers in all of life. Who or what has the power? What makes power? How can we play with power? Foucault uses the word “power” and morphs it into many different meanings and contexts. He uses it to explain innermost thoughts and actions and the way every part of society plays against each other to manipulate and form our existence and influence all that we do.

While we think of power almost as an imaginary entity, Foucault talks about power as if it were alive and had personality. He says on page 44 of The History of Sexuality:

ARCHIVE - The Form of "The Form"

Melissa — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:47:03 -0700

The word "form" takes on many different meanings in the English language. There's the paper you fill out, a "form", the shape of something, its "form", and the way something was made or "formed." When combining the three you get a very unusual document:

A Form about how the Form is Formed.

Directions

1. Figure out a name for your form and write it on top of the page with larger font and perhaps some bold letters or underlining.

2. Write some directions in case people are idiotic and cannot fill out questions about themselves without specific instructions. Title your directions, again bold or underlining is encouraged. Also choose a way to bullet your directions, either with numbers, arrows or the most popular "bullet point."

3. Write the form itself. You must use boxes or lines and make sure that it is completely obvious where to write answers to form questions. Number the questions. Most of the time it is ideal to add letters from the alphabet to your numbers (42a, 42b, 42c) Include examples.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--->Name

1a)_____________ 1b)___________________ 1c)___________________ (if you have more than 1 middle initial, fill out a

last first middle separate form for your other initial)

TURN PAGE --->