Living in Media. Relating Reality.

Welcome back everyone, to my newest blog.

     Now that I've had time to get my thoughts together and realize just how much I've missed this blog, I'm doing everything I can to make this the best one I've done recently. For you. You see, I like you a lot. You're honestly one of my favorite people, because you've taken it upon yourself to be in my head. You've taken steps that the majority of people never will, and I apprecaite that. And since you came here to see what I've been doing, that you shall see. Go.
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     For all of you that don't know, I'm back in school. Yes. Again. I'm old, and I want to apologize for that, but I can't do that in good faith. I am back to get a degree, and then move on. I'm still doing horticulture, not because it's my greatest passion, or because I can honeslty see myself making it my life for the next 50 years, but because it wil take me where I want to go. Growing plants can get me in to some of the most closed countries. Simply having irrigation plans ready can get me into most of Africa. Because people need food. And I want to get them that. And then share the truth with them.

Truth? What truth?

That God loves them. That there's a force moving through the universe who cares for them enough to not only send a goofy, near-sighted American with a crooked nose to help them dig wells and plant crops, but to send that man with the truth of Jesus Christ (I won't get "preachy" with you, though it be my passion). So right now, I can offer the world food and Jesus. However, in some countries, it's hard to do one without the other. I can't get in without the plant knowledge and (this is going to sound bad) I really wouldn't want  to without knowing who Jesus is. So I'm bound to Horticulture. And I'm back. And doing what I can to get the heck outta here. In other words, pray for me and/or send me money. Onward.
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     It shouldn't still be 90 degrees outside. This is stupid. I long for the days of coolness. Jeans and a hoodie. Leaves crunching. Tea in the morning and a glass of whiskey and a book by night. Those days are coming slowly.
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     I love Seinfeld. If you didn't know that then you're either a new friend, or a bad one. I absolutely think it's the greatest sitcom of all time (save for maybe All in the Family). The show is so poignant to real life. And yet it's about nothing. The show has no real base, and accomplishes nothing except to make the viewer laugh. But it is SO dang applicable to life. Here's an example I caught this week while doing some homeworks.

 

 

     I know the quality there wasn't the best, and I apologize for that (to be honest, it took me a long time to get that video on here, just for you). But do you see parallels to today? Anything recent that might have happened that reminds you of this instance? Perhaps a company head who may have voiced a personal opinion about an issue that millions of people blew out of porportion?

 

 

     Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. I hate this debate, and even more so the fact that a man voicing an opinion even makes this a debate issue. But, how crazy is it that a show written almost 20 years ago is relevant in this way? Completely applicable. I emplore you to watch more Seinfeld. It will change the way you look at the world. Gittyup.
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     Put Those Ears to Work: Frank Ocean. What do you think of when I say this name? Most of you probably think nothing. A few of you brave sojourners into the world of dark rap may know him from being a part of the rap group Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (often shortened to OFWGKTA or just Odd Future). Fewer still would know his solo stuff. And that's what I'm touching on today. His first solo album Channel Orange came out a few weeks ago, and I was just now only able to listen to it. The first things that come to mind after the album ends are:

"What the heck did I just listen to?"

"This is the best album since My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy."

and simply enough...

"Sublime".

 

     Frank is a young guy. And because of that, I was hesitant to find his words about love believable. I mean, he's barely older than I am, and from listening to the album, you'd think he was some kind of modern day Isaac Hayes. Like he's been in love. He's been on drugs. He's been through the sad existence of decadence and likewise what it feels like to be trapped in poverty. You get the feeling like he's been through the ringer. Like he's been hurt a lot and experienced more confusion and heartache than most people his age. And then the song Forrest Gump hits. And it's all confirmed. I'm not going to give it away. Listen.

   

     When it comes down to it, I love Frank Ocean. He's one of the most real musicians from my generation. He's neo-soul, meaning you older folks don't need to be afraid simply because he's a rapper. He has things to say. And feelings to emote. And I hope he doesn't stop sharing any time soon.

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     For a little while now, I've been involved in Instagram. If you want to follow me, you're welcome to. Art is never something I understood. And that hasn't changed. But I take pictures and I like them sometimes.

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     As I now go about the rest of my day, and you yours, I hope you find blessing. That you would know who you are and what you're doing. Thanks for being in my life. 

Where Have I Been?

To my faithful readers:

I'm sorry.

It's been a really long time since I've said anything in blog form. And while I try to have as few delusions about my own popularity as possible, it's just my guess that at least one of you missed my blog a bit.
     But the good news is, I'm back.
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     The last few months have really been full. Weddings, moving, trips to Idaho, a haircut or two, lots of caffeine and occasional pipe smoking.

Wedding season is finally over, and after seeing five of my friends get married, I'm basically a wellspring of wedding knowledge, complete with all stages that go with that. Joy. Jealousy. Happiness. Melancholy. Sobriety. Drunkenness. Maturity. Immaturity. And I think most importantly, realizing just how blessed I am. Because a year ago, I wouldn't be in a place where I could enjoy even one of my friends being happy. God has taken me a long way.
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   So I've moved up a bit, I guess you could say. I am the proud(ish) owner of a smartphone. It's my first ever. And while I'm doing my best not to get attached, it can be tough. It's simply extraordinary convenient. This blog is being written from it. My music is played from it. My banking, my school work, and my social media is all controlled from this device. It's all quite decadent. My hope is that if I get addicted, you'll step up and help me. 
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     Something that's changed since the last time I've blogged is my friends. I've been enriched with many new people in my life. For the first time in my life I've never been surrounded by so many people whom I really think understand me. To naturally get to an intimacy level with people that you see yourself in them and vice versa, is quite possibly one of them greatest things that's happened to me. Finding solidarity in knowing you're not alone and that there are people you've grown close to whom have been through what you've been through is so ridiculously therapeutic. I'm going to go into this more later. I'm including a picture of a coffee half-moon I saw today when hanging with a new friend. I just thought it was perfect. 
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     Well honestly this blog wasn't great. But the cogs are turning. This was a necessary piece of writing to get the thing launched again. Thanks for hanging in there, folks. I love you and look forward to where this thing is going.

     You're beautiful.

There Is A Time.

Hello my readers.

     This blog is not really a happy one. But don't misunderstand, it's not a self-loathing one like I've been accustomed to writing here and again. It comes at the news of the passing of some beautiful people. Just so you know, everyone, this blog is about death.
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    First and foremost, to everyone who didn't know, Andy Griffith died. This news may be coming a few hours late to some of you, but it's sad nonetheless. The man was an American legend, and a world icon. He showed us what a father should look like, with all the passion, love and desire that thay entails. He mixed fatherhood and faith, and was seldom looked down for it. He loved Jesus more ferverently than many men of his time, and it poured out into his acting and his singing. Here's my favorite song from the Andy Griffith show era. He may not be singing, but I think it personifies what needs to be said, and his commentary is simply beautiful.

     This song is good reminder. That there is a time to dance and play and be young and fruitful. And there is a time to die. I think I love it so much because these words are the words of God. 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

     This is one of my favorite passages, from my favorite book of the Bible. God used this video to subtely remind all of us that God has given us a season for all emotions and actions. Living in the freedom of God's grace, all good things are given to us. Andy would want us to remember that, and know that he's singing and playing in Glory.
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     I heard, a bit late that is, that Ann Rutherford died. And while she hadn't done much recently, she was still important to the world  of cinema. She was probably best known to this generation as Scarlet O'Hara's sister in Gone With The Wind. She played her role excellently, but what takes me aback the most, was her beauty. 

     I feel like women just don't look like they used to. Not to say there are no beautiful women today, because that's simply untrue. But women today aren't the same kind of beautiful as women from the "greatest generation". And I miss that. So long, Ann. One less lady in the world.

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     That's enough for this one. Hope you enjoy the Holiday coming up. 

The Other Side of the Tie.

Well hey everyone.

     About a week ago I posted some super depressing crap, that I've since taken down, because it wasn't me. I was in a bad mood and the worst of me surfaced. For those of you who read it, know that I don't really feel that way most of the time. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed. Human as charged. Time with blogs starts.
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     I've come to realize more and more that at my core I don't relate too well to people comedically. I look at all these piece-a-junk comedies coming out, and think things like, "Where did the smart humor go?" and "how many times can really you make jokes about genitalia?".

    Now you may disagree. You may say things like "The new Ted movie looks really good." or "Adam Sandler is still really funny." And that's fine, for you. But just so you guys know what I think is really funny, here's the trailer from what is one of my favorite comedy movies.

     Did you like it? Probably not a lot. And that's how we're different. I love dry comedy. So until this style of movie makes a resurgence, or the comedy scene atleast incorporates more dryness, I probably won't be supporting new comedies. Just that simple. Shift.
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     This week, I decided to change my "dress look" a bit, and I purchased a bow tie. The main reason for the purchase was that I wanted to look AFAP (as fly as possible) for my good friend's wedding coming up in mid-July. Any one who's my friend on Facebook, or follows me on Twitter has already seen the tie. But oh wait! What's this? It's REVERSIBLE? No way, Jon that's one of the most momentous things recently heard. I NEED to see it. Well, blog readers, because you've been so loyal to me, I got a bit dressed up again, and you get a FIRST LOOK at "the other side of the tie", as it were. (Mostly) Ladies and (a few) Gentlemen, the tie.

     I know the picture isn't good, the lighting in my room is shady and the camera's not all that great. But there it is. I absolutely love this tie. It's been my favorite clothing purchase I may have ever made. Well since my Nobody Beats the Biz t-shirt I got a few years ago, but Biz Markie is pretty hard to beat. Well, enough vanity. Here's more things from my brains.

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     Through It All: Apologies are in order. It's been a long, LONG time since I've talked about Jesus in this blog. Most of the reason why is that it was a long time since I had talked to Jesus. I was bitter, and on my way back to depression and suicidal tendencies. But yet again, I've been redeemed. And that's all I can say really. I was pissed because things weren't going the way I wanted. I didn't feel wanted, really, except by my family. I didn't really want friends. I just wanted to introvert. Anyone who knew me a year ago knew what that was like. Stupid, right? But because he Loves me, he put people in my life to get back on track. He's forced me to be relational again, and the cogs turn. I'm still not doing great, in fact I ran into some self loathing and desperate temptations, and that's when God feels nearest. I'm going through some physical pain and discomfort. And today was the first time I thought to pray about it. Honestly, if you were in my body, with my mind, without Jesus, you'd think my life sucked. But I have him. He's mine. And remembering that the days of my life will be my greatest challenge. Because the world doesn't want to me to have him. And neither do his enemies. I will press on as I can.

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      Put Those Ears to Work: As I mentioned earlier, I'm involved in weddings this summer. One of my duties for my good friend's wedding is that I get to run the music during the reception. Why I was chosen for this I don't exactly know. But I love it. Wedding music is some the best and worst music out there. And I'm putting the playlist together. I get to incude some of my all-time favorites, but I also get to throw in songs that my friend and I have shared. That we have memories over. Songs that we danced to as kids, or jammed to on car trips. I get to play them as he dances with his new wife, as he takes his first steps on the adventure that's been given to him. I get to share in that. Music may be the greatest force out there, next to Love, water,  Carly Rae Jepsen, and Shaquille O'Neal (who, by the way, has a rap album), and my role is to use that force to help people celebrate my oldest friend's marriage. I get to facilitate fun. And intitiate intimacy. And I'll be loving every minute of it.

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     Thanks for reading today. You're pretty nice.

A Trickle of Authenticity

The beginning of my post.

Well, it's a rainy evening. I'm alone, under a blanket, next to the beagle (who's finally returned to us after living with my roommate's parents for a few weeks), and I'm about to make myself some coffee for the evening. I'll probably read a book tonight. Not sure which one. Feels right, ya know. This will be a bit of a bi-polar blog, I'm guessing. There are some ups and downs running through my head. Full disclosure. Blog time.
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I've been discovering more and more that I'm a really bad sport. I kind of always knew. When it came to video games, I would get mad when I lost, as most people at some time or another do. But I've come to realization that beside the fact that I had a strange, weak, build growing up, that one of the reasons I never played sports (and really don't still to this day), is that I'm a bad sport. I'm a bad athlete with a bad attitude. Which means that regardless of whether I play or not, I'm mad about it in some way. The most recent thing I've noticed is that it's transcending into sports that I watch. When OKC lost last night, I was pissed. Not just upset or wishing they had won, but straight pissed, and a little hopeless. And it's game two. With the a 1-1 record. Of the best of 7. Two questions. How sick is that? And who have I become? I'm beginning to realize that since I never really gave two craps about physical competetiveness as a child, that it's all flooding in at once. Something needs to change. I just don't know what. If you can help, I'd appreciate it. Go Thunder. Suck it, Heat.
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I recently switched from the newest Firefox to the newest Internet Explorer. I have to say, IE9 is pretty great. It's fast, pretty, and has lost of cool shortcuts and features. I will say I miss all the Firefox Add-Ons, but maybe IE will get some more now. Figured that was worth noting. Onward.
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As some of you might know, I've been down lately. I had a blog all about it. And as things come on the mend, I've been taking advice from a good friend.
     "Be authentic, Jon. Be relational."
That's what he tells me. And to be honest, it's my biggest struggle. When I get really really authentic, I get vulnerable. And things don't seem to work well when that happens. But I'm getting there. I honestly want my authenticity to flood my life. Friends have been abounding the last few days. People have approached me relationally, and held out a hand. People I'd never expect. And that helps. Being authentic takes a while. And I think we all just need to be reminded that a flood of any kind starts with a trickle. And that's where I am.
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Put Those Ears to Work - Pop Music Depression: Okay, so you might've noticed that this music section actually has a theme this time. This has been something that's been on my mind for a bit. Pop music today is too happy. It's mostly partying. Yeah, yeah I know you can say "Oh, what about Adele!? Her stuff is sad." Well, that's one person. Most of pop is about partying. I do like to party, BUT, I miss Pop from every other decade before this, that included significantly more morose. I want to challenge you people to listen to heartfelt, heartbroken pop and then come back to party stuff, and just tell me which one feels more real. I'm going to list some here that I'd recommend, and then rant about one new song in particular that really rustles my jimmies. Here's dat list.

Lightning Crashes - Live

I'm So Tired of Being Alone - Al Green

Only the Strong Survive - Jerry Butler

Still in Love With You - Thin Lizzy

Yesterday - The Beatles

By the Time I Get to Phoenix - Isaac Hayes

Okay, well after listening to that last one on YouTube, I'm completely torn apart. And in that, I'm not going to rip in to One Direction like I was planing. That will come later. But in trying to not be too serious, I'm gonna include a section of one of my favorite romantic movies, which I may watch tonight if nothing else happens.

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Well, there's more I want to say. And I will in my next blog. I forgot how powerful music can be, and I'm gonna take some time to listen. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, friends. Until then.

The end of it.



The Hipster Issue Pt. II: The Hipster in You.

Oh hey erbuddy.

That was dumb. Sorry. I'm in a strange place right now, physically. A place I'd never really thought I'd spend much time again, much less blog from. Gentleman and Ladies, my old room in my parents house.

Not a whole lot has changed since I moved out, including the huge mess that I left 3 years ago. But I will say, I find a lot of the stuff in here really odd, because I never really grew up when I was living at home, and a fact I once hated, I now embrace. A huge pile of old, dusty comics sit on a top shelf, behind a geode I got in the Black Hills probably 5 years ago, my closet shelves full of old Gundam Wing figurines, Transformers, and Star Wars memorabilia, in the corner by my door, a huge pile of ancient vinyl records, that I'll probably never listen to, and to cap it all off, an old, noisy electric reed organ sits at my desk, to which I can barely get to because of the books and Super Nintendo games that line the floor in front of it.

 If these were my choices of living today, not only would I be a lot cooler, I may just be called a Hipster.

Throw on your onion head, grab a PBR, and get settled in for Part II!
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I decided that since you've obviously read part I (I have no delusions about that) and have an understanding for what a Hipster "is", I want you to see what traits of mine are typically or are beginning to be seen as Hipster by the general population. Just to clarify, this will look just like my typical blog format, just with Hipsterisms in mind. I'm thoroughly enjoying this blog so far, just so everyone knows.
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Put Those Ears To Work: This is an issue very near and dear to my heart. When music all of a sudden shifts to (or I realize that it's) being seen as Hipster music, I tend to shy away from it, which makes me some sort of weird anti-hipster, or double-hipster, if you will. But this particular group, I'm being obstinate about. People, meet Neutral Milk Hotel, and my relationship with them.

In 2006, while really trying to get a grip on my musical taste, I saw The Arcade Fire perform on Saturday Night Live. They were entrancing. I found their sound undoubtedly refreshing, and their subject matter poignant and enlivening. So much to say, I fell in love them. In my thirst to find more music like this, all the places I looked told me to check out NMH. So I downloaded the album In the Aeroplane, Over the Sea. I found it sublime. The melodies in this album are eerily enchanting, and you find yourself humming them as you go about your day. The subject matter is without a doubt some of the strangest, yet at the same time innocent and heartfelt lyrics I've yet to encounter. The album is dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank, a fact which becomes apparent in the songs Holland, 1945 and Communist Daughter. Just within these two tracks you see the use of overdriven drum tracks (which the Hipster embraced in the mid 2000s, this album coming out in 1998) and painted pictures of semen stained mountains, which kind of meld together to bring out a beautiful mess of music, the kind of music that makes me want to live life and love every minute of it. Now since the turn of the decade, this music has become the bread and butter of many a hipster. But I'm not going to relinquish my love for it. I liked it BEFORE the Hipsters did. I won't let anyone forget that, gosh darn it.
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Everything in Moderation: Now you may be thinking, "Oh great, alcohol? Hipsters? Jon's going to tell us about all the crappy beer that he loves." Well, even though there are some really "nast" beers that I can appreciate, this section isn't about beer, or any alcohol for that matter. People, welcome to pipe smoking.

You may not have known yet that the Hipsters are turning to pipe smoking. In fact, I don't think THEY know yet. But guess what, they are. I decided to try pipe smoking in February of this year. After I began Hookah smoking, my friend Matt and I decided it would be fun to try, so we bought some cheap corn cobs and some flavored tobacco. The first try really didn't go so well, and I ended up sucking down an ember and burned my tongue really bad. So a week later, I picked the pipe back up, and with a corrected technique, I found that I got a good amount of smoke, and didn't burn my tongue. The taste was great, the tobacco was cheap, I felt a little buzz, and to top it all off, it's one of the safest forms of "portable" tobacco out there. Well that was four months ago, and since then, I've upgraded to a nice briar wood pipe, and have tried a multitude of tobaccos that I love. For anyone thinking about getting off tobacco or just getting away from cigarettes and cigars, a pipe is a good option. Here's on of my favorite pictures (yes, I have several) of my pipe.

Since buying one, however, I've noticed a surge in people buying pipes. Pipes are now becoming more accepted among youth, and even given as presents to groomsmen in weddings. It is becoming "hip" and "classy", to smoke pipe. In my double-hipsterness, I've decided that I have to stay above the rest of the Hipster pipe smokers out there, and increase my knowledge above the shallow. I've now tried many blends of tobacco, and am looking to purchase my second pipe, along with a pipe case and possibly a pipe rack for home display. I love pipe smoking, and I really don't want people to downplay that passion and see it as the "cool thing to do". I'm sure there were cigarette smokers out there 250 years ago who felt that the widespread of cigarettes effectively "ruined" their hobby. I'd hate for that to happen.
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Well everyone, it's time for me to put some pants on. I hope I can find a clean pair. Until next time, audios, orevuar, and auf weidersehen. (Sorry, I love Lawrence Welk. Call me an old man if you wish)

The Hipster Issue Pt. I: A Brief History

Hey all. I'm back.

I decided to bring something interesting this time, and address an issue that is brought up daily in my life, either inadvertently or intentionally. That issue, if you can read (which if you can't, just let me tell you that I've always loved you, but was too shy to say so. You're just so beautiful), is the concept of Hipsterism.This is going to be a two part blog, the first being a history, with part two being a personal reaction to the Hipster lifestyle.  This is going to be a winded one, but I'll include stuff to hopefully keep you interested. Let's dive in.
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What is a Hipster? Well, it depends who you ask. Many people in today's society see anyone who wears thick-rimmed glasses, listens to Indie and Underground music, and has "thrift store" fashion sensibilities as a Hipster. Some would disregard the outside and see people who are so counter cultural that they hate anything deemed "Mainstream". Others see pure pretentiousness, wound up in hypocrisy. Since there are so many definitions, here comes some "Hipstory".

The term "Hipster", as many people probably don't know, was spawned in the 1930s and '40s, usually referencing middle class white youth who simply immersed themselves in the Jazz scene, which was dominated by black people. While the definition changed and all but disappeared until the '90s. I recall an episode of Seinfeld as the first term my little ears heard the word Hipster. Enjoy.

In the late '90s into the 2000s, the definition again changed to the more common definition; A counterculture that likes things that your grandparents liked, started wearing jean shorts again, watched movies no one had ever heard of, and drank Pabst Blue Ribbon like it was the best beer around. However, this definition is only skin deep, and like any culture, describes some, but not all of its people. Here's a picture of your typical hipster dude, on the outside at least.

A "true" Hipster, as some say is someone who not only adopts the fashion changes, but also attitude and culture changes. Real Hipsters are very progressive and open minded, and typically support ideals of racial and  social equality.

The origin of their fashion comes from both an appreciation of vintage look, but  also a conscientiousness of re-using and recycling clothes to slow consumerism and materials production. However, Hipsters today are often seen today flocking to Apple stores to get the newest iPhone, and shopping at American Apparel, spending hundreds on the "vintage look". Many Hipsters claim to like things "before they were cool", stating that they were ahead of trends and indeed helped bring said trends into the spotlight. Whether or not this has any real credit, is still up for debate.

 On the outside, Hipsters may look pretentious and exclusive, but if they're true to their ideals, they'll be some of the nicest and most accepting people around. I would go to say that most of the problems with Hipsters revolve around either society not really understanding what these people are about, or people who adapt the Hipster fashion and not the ideology.
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 Hopefully this was enjoyable. If not, I'll throw in an oldish Hipster joke.

Why did the Hipster burn his mouth?

Because he ate his soup before it was cool.

Laughter. End of blog. Thank you. Close window.