Just ask.

This happened a while ago, and I forgot to mention it. I was informed by a fellow flickr member that one of my photos was being used on the Access Winnipeg blog. I've really got no problem with that, because I'm a Creative Commons user. The thing is, they didn't ask me first. I've stated in my profile quite clearly that I like to be asked first...it's the polite thing to do, don't you think?
When I complained, I got this response from the editor:

Hi Allan,

Ken here, just want to give you a follow up on the status of Access Winnipeg since your photo was one of the photos that were in question.

Your photo has been removed. However, I also noticed that someone had blogged a BDI photo that you took as well. This photo has been removed as well.

We have been working with photography groups and have decided to ONLY use photos with a CREATIVE COMMONS license since having a CREATIVE COMMONS license is granting permission to use the photo.

Unfortunately, your account is causing problems for us, you have a CC license yet you still require permission to use your photos. I fear that this issue might happen again because our bloggers have now been instructed to use CC photos only. Our bloggers do not have the time to ask permission for all the photos we use hence the reason for the CC license photos. When our bloggers get a news article, it needs to be up right away without having time to get permission to use a photo.

I would recommend that you use an All Rights Reserve License with your photos to avoid any future issues. It is more of a license you are looking for - With all rights reserved, your photos will be not detectable by our cc photo search and other flickr users can still ask for your permission to use them.


Synister Media
www.synistermedia.com

The thing is, that's not what I'm looking for. What I want, is common courtesy. And I really don't think that's so fucking hard to do. I'll give you an example: NowPublic, an online news site, has used two of my photos, and have actually asked me. Both times, they sent me a form letter that outlined how they were going to be used, inquiring whether I'd cool with that or not. And I've said "yes" each time, because I appreciated the gesture.
Bottom line: you want to use something of mine, just ask. This "fast-paced world" we live in shouldn't be an excuse for a lack of manners. Thank you.
Addendum: However, if I actually KNOW YOU, feel free to tell me after the fact. I know we're cool.

EDIT: Check the comments for a change of heart.

Photo Phrenzy

I got bored. Therefore, I've posted a bunch of photos. Yup.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elnegro/

mcenroe's "Edge of Town"

Roddy Bailey aka mcenroe - Edge Of Town from Rod Bailey on Vimeo.
Directed and edited by the man himself. Go to the video's page and watch it in HD.

Ice T vs. Soulja Boy

The beef as covered in Kanye's blog.
Truthfully, I can't think of a rap squabble that's been both timely and lame at the same time. I pray to God that the Nation of Islam doesn't have to step in to settle this, because that would be epically fucked. I mean, come on! It's fucking Ice T and Soulja Boy!
My take on this...

1. Any way you cut it, Ice looks pitiful for calling dude out like that.
2. At the same time, however, you gotta understand his frustration. Ice has put in work for ages, has been very successful, but hasn't been culturally relevant since the mid '90s. Along comes this teenager, seemingly from nowhere (in reality, as we all know now, he was doing his thing on MySpace), and changes the game. How does this look to a rap icon that still has that fire in the belly?
3. While the cry of "hip-hop is dead" causes some articulate discussion at times, it's also fucking wrong. I don't care if you're Ice T, Nas or motherfuckin' Bobbito ("iPod-owning motherfuckers are killing hip-hop!"), that shit sounds sad and desperate. It's the rallying cry of the rap elder, afraid of change. Roll with the fucking punches, motherfucker. Look...I don't like everything out there that's new, but it ain't all bad either. About a year ago, Jay Smooth put it more succinctly than I'm doing right now.
4. SB's music does nothing for me, but I can't knock his hustle. It worked. Will he last? Only time will tell.

I probably had more points than this, but it's late, so things are foggy.

This made my day. F'real.

I've been a fan of Arizona-based cartoonist/illustrator/awesome lady Molly Kiely for a while. Discovering that she's also a Flickr member was a pleasant revelation.
Imagine my surprise when I saw this progress pic on her photostream with the caption, "I got the idea to paint on old vinyl from the charming and talented El Negro Magnifico."
Needless to say, Molly made me quite happy. Kinda makes me feel like I'm on the right track n' stuff.
I know a lot of people are down about the state of the world, and that's not without good reason. At the same time, I know that millions of people felt the same way decades before. Myself, I can't help but feel optimistic about the future and incredibly positive about living in the now. Yes, I know I'm quite typically a "gloomy Gus"...it's my nature, but how can I not be pleasant about this day and age, when I have the eyes and ears of creative folks that I admire via the web?
That's pretty fuckin' awesome.

Hi, motherfuckers.

Yeah, I did this. I'm stoked. Soon to be in all the usual spots.

That title? I do mean that in the nicest way possible, of course.
I've decided to make good on my resolution regarding internet usage. There are many fucking things to do, and life is very fucking short. And lately, I've been letting a number of people's differing zeros and ones get to me. It's the internet, I tell myself. Usually that works to brush stuff off, but not recently. It's not healthy.
So yeah...if you don't hear from me much in the usual spots, it's because I'm off getting my grind on, or just plain living. This sexy box in front of me can only do so much.
A number of you know where to get at me, so please do. Peace.

Alan Hynes' Mudhoney poster...

...is just brilliant. I can't say that enough.
Gaze upon the awesomeness.
This is post #667. A slight notch above evil.

Random Thoughts: June 8th, 2008

Top: Me and my social-won Wii™.
Bottom: Sarah in her grad robe.

• Howdy. It's been a while! How y'all doin'? Why don't you write or call anymore?
  The story so far: Sarah and I moved in together on May first, The Dirtbombs put on probably the best show I'll see all year on the fifth (yes, I have posters, and yes, I will be selling them), I had my bottom wisdom teeth and an impacted molar removed on May 15th, and Sarah graduated on the 28th. Congrats, baby! That's pretty much it as far as highlights, I guess.
• Sue Medley. Yeah, this is truly random. Whatever happened to this lady? She kinda disappeared before the mid-90s evaporated. One moment, she was singing backup on the Bob Dylan tribute for John Mellencamp, with a number of her own successful albums under her belt, and then she was gone!
  Okay, a few minutes have elapsed in internet time, and I've found her whereabouts up until 2000. Cool.
• Audrey @ Plump Dolls (NSFW): My pal Audrey has finally launched her adult site via Plump Dolls! Not only is she an intelligent, well-read lady, but she's also super sexy. Shoulder freckles! :) Find her right here.
• Posters and stuff over the past little bit:
  A Western Confrontation: Flustered and Coolheaded
  Grand Analog: Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and tour
  Jared and Leah's social poster
  The previously-mentioned Dirtbombs poster
  Something coming soon
  
• Y'know...that's pretty much it.