Archie Kobain

You know, whenever you turn a certain age, younger people tend to ask you what it’s like.
“Hey… What’s it like to be 30?  What’s it like to be 40?”  My traditional answer going back was that 40 felt a lot like 39, which felt a lot like 38, which felt a lot like 37 – you get the idea.  In fact, I thought being 50 was really a lot like being 49.  So I really wasn’t expecting 51 to be any different – but it is.  I’m changing.  My thoughts are changing, my priorities are changing.  And it all seems to be happening in front of me, in a surreal fashion, as if I were watching it on TV.

I’m even quoting Van Hagar…

Well if you wanna see other guys…
Baby, I could let it slide.
You want a lover, you want a friend?
Mama, I can be both of them…

I never used to quote Van Hagar.

One thing that has changed is that, I give even less of a shit than I ever have about being politically correct or about what other people think of me or about pissing anyone off.  It’s awesome.  It’s almost as liberating as not watching the news since June of 2008.  At the same time, I have a much higher appreciation and respect for what is important to others.  I appreciate how much some people embrace their culture or heritage.  These things are important.  It’s what makes us who we are.

That said, I have little tolerance for “non-sense” – my new favorite word.

This leads me to a follow-up topic from last week…

So, what is up with the Native Americans?
Last week, they whined about the No Doubt video which was subsequently “pulled”.

Well, this week they were back at it again and got upset with Victoria’s Secret.

Apparently, we 20 year old Victoria’s Secret model, Karlie Kloss, strolled down the runway in noting but a feather headdress, buckskin bikini and some turquoise jewelry. An outfit which the Vicky Secret folks thought would represent Thanksgiving, the Native American community was, once again, “outraged” for its misappropriation of cultural attire.

Seriously?  All I saw was a hot chick wearing a bikini, some jewelry, and some feathers.

Would they have been less upset if she wore only the headdress?  …less feathers?
I don’t get it.  Do they think they have the exclusive rights to use a feather headdress?

Guess what?  Natives inhabitants from around the globe incorporated the use of feathers when decorating themselves, their women, children, chiefs and others.  I’m thinking that the use of a feather headdress is in the public domain and it’s nothing more than a feather headdress.  Not some symbol of any Native American community.  Especially not when it’s on a hot chick in a fashion show.

Then – get this, some blog, who I will not popularize by naming or linking, said that VS was “jumbling all American Indian cultures into one mish-mash”.  No they weren’t.  It looks like a mish-mash of things to you because, it wasn’t patterned after you.  It wasn’t meant to represent any American Indian anything.

And by the way, I have read the reports concerning the high number of rape cases involving Native American women.  There are some very disturbing reports out there.  It is a very sad situation that deserves the utmost attention and investigation and needs to be stopped. But to say that Victoria’s Secret was somehow trying to sex-up Native American women at a time when Native American women are being targeted by rapist is really ridiculous (aka “non-sense”) and quite a stretch to try and get a rise out of people.  I don’t see it.

Just in case you’re curious, all other outfits showcased at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show appeared to only created a mish-mash of non-Native themes and only sexed-up non-Native white women and that seemed to be OK with everyone.  except maybe me – I’m definitely offended here somewhere.  Not sure where.  I’ll get Barnsley working on it.

He thinks I am mostly offended by what Lily Aldridge wore…

Lily Aldridge – Red, White & Blue Head of the Week

I think he’s right.
I’m so offended that I’m making her Red, White & Blue Head of the Week.

Archie’s People…
My people, by the way, were originally from Hispañola and had migrated to Caobana (“Cuba”).  Most of our people were slaughtered during colonization.  I believe one eye-witness described the scene as – a village of about twenty-five hundred who welcomed the Spaniards, fed them and gave them drink, was immediately wiped out once the feast was over, “they set upon the Indians,” he wrote, “slashing, disemboweling and slaughtering them until their blood ran like a river.”

So pardon me if I occasionally have to wear a few feathers in honor of my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great ancestors…

Archie “Hatuey” Oso Corriendo

Now I know what’s going to happen.  I have friends who are going to say to me, “hey… I’m part Cherokee or I’m part Navajo”. Two things: 1) I got no beef with you.  I still love you, Brothas.  2) After writing that, I’m really thinking you guys should go after the auto industry.

A Continuation of Political Incorrectness…
Remember Antoine Dobbs?  Well, he’s not back but I think there’s a sequel.

This song is so catchy, I’ve been singing it for days.
Who has time to have a song stuck in their head, “ain’t nobody got time for that”..?
Here’s YouTube Hit “Sweet Brown”.  The full news clip followed by the “video mix”…

I know.  I love it.  It’s OK – go back and play it again.
I think each of the 9 million viewers should send her a dollar.
That would be awesome.  I bet she’d have time for that.

Reflections of the Arch…
So, remember the days when Archie was funny?  I know.  Some misguided readers still think I’m funny.  No, no…  I mean really funny.  What killed those days?  Was it politics?  Was it the election?  Was the turning 51?  Is it the missing redhead?

[Barnsley is overheard off stage: “Missing Redhead?”]

Ain’t nobody got time for that, Barnsley.

“These wheels keep turning but they’re running out of steam…”

I do have a lot to talk about.
But I don’t know if I have the energy to speak or write.

Oh, while I’m thinking about it.  I heard a rumor that certain ladies out there are considering dying their hair red to try and qualify for Redhead of the Week.  I love it!

Oh and check this out, my fellow Floridians…
And sign this online petition, today!

http://wh.gov/9PBH

If you’re not from Florida, you can use that site and find one or start one for your state.
After the recent presidential election, 20 states filed petitions asking to withdraw from the Union.  What’s funny is the people commenting on other websites saying, “if Florida recedes from the Union, I’m moving”.  LOL…  Well, there’s no need to pack.  States cannot actually leave the Union.  I think this is merely a symbolic gesture.  Nevertheless, we got our 25000 signatures.  So now, the white house actually has to issue a response.  I love it.

OK but…  Back to me.

An Archie Hiatus?
I think I need some time off.  I think I need to spend some time listening to nothin’ but the sound of the wind powering some sails and some warm Caribbean waters splashing against the hull.

So, is it over?

“It’s not over until we say it is.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?”

[Barnsley:  Germans?”]

“It may be over but it won’t stop there,
I am here for you if you’d only care.”

[Bansley:  James Blount, really?”]

I know.  Sorry Barns.

Anyway, the big question is…
Will Archie be back?  …after the holidays?  …in 2013?

My answer is probably…

“…or we’ll just end up walkin’ in the cold November rain.”

– Arch