This weekend was another very uncharacteristic one for an art center student...I pretty much spent most of the time playing, watching Lost in Translation friday night and taking advantage of the extra hour saturday night by hosting a movie marathon. Although some might think it's just pure slackin' fun, what I learned today in class may persuade you to think otherwise:
"As children we clearly don't play to learn, but we certainly learn from play."
"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." -Plato
So earlier last week I decided to have some fun and incorporate friendster into one of my school projects...my assignment was to create an installation that echoed elements of duchamp, like using ready made objects but placing them in a different context to make a statement or create a gist. Subsequently, I wanted to make a connection between the way friendster has made it so convenient to send random pickup messages that it's sort of become like throwing darts. My idea was to make a dartboard with some of the faces from friendster and attach messages to the darts, which usually miss. In my desire to maintain a certain degree of integrity in the project, I decided to poll some of my friends and collect real pickup messages from random people. I only needed a few to tag the darts with, but I was delighted to receive a wealth of data to choose from. Unable to use even half of what i collected, I feel compelled to come up with a project that would make good use of the pool of data. Well, until then, I thought it might be amusing to post them up for your enjoyment. The following are just a sample smattering of messages floating around the friendster network...please let me know if any of them sound familiar. :) And if it sounds like it came from you, don't worry, I edited all the names so you won't feel disposed to come after me.
"would you marry me?"
rich dad poor dad
Message: have you played his game?
: hi.. i was just browsing, and saw you are in
the
long beach area.
you didn't grow up there did you?
by the way, the company where you work at, it's
not hiring, is it?
Aren't you tired? You've been running around in my dreams...
Hi *******,
My name is bob** and I live in the san gabriel valley area. I like to meet new friends in my
area. I like to know if that ok with you to email you see what you like in personality,
(*note: this one was received by just about everyone I polled)
[substitute your favorite red berry or fruit for strawberries if you
are allergic]
1. On a stroll through the countryside, you come across a field of
delicious-looking strawberries. Your stomach starts to rumble, and
no one else is around. Only a fence stands between a free lunch.
How high is that fence?
2. You sneak into the garden and begin to help yourself to the fruit.
How many berries do you eat?
3. Suddenly the farmer whose berries you're stealing appears out
of nowhere and starts yelling at you. What do you say in your own
defense?
4. After all is said and done, how did the berries taste? And looking
back, how did you feel after your berry-stealing adventure was over?
My Friendster inbox is stuffed like an unfortunate Thanksgiving turkey.
Send your answers to phoenix@minger.org
Each of us is a pearl in the infinite web. Have you hugged your
neighbor in the Indranet today?
Whats up? wanna be my buddy???? Reading your profile ......it sounds like
you're cool, and you're pretty damn cute ;) But seriously I'm graduating from school this
summer and I'm moving to Southern Cal in August. I'm used to having a lot of friends, so
it's gonna be kinda lonely being out there by myself. I also write detailed journals of my
drunken debauchery laiden episodes each week and post it on my bulletin board. I am very mature
when sober. If you wanna add me to your friend list or if you wanna chat my email address is in
my profile.
a perfect male specimen,
****
Well, I know someone that knows you so does that
mean I can get the honor of meeting you or talking
to you? I won't bite. =) So how are you doing?
Out of curiousity, what kind of engineer are you?
Well, I hope you don't trash this message too
quickly. Take care!
what's up *******,
I hope everything is going well and if you add me
to your friends list I will do something nice for
someone tomorrow, like, for instance, helping an
old lady cross the street... actually, I'll do
something nice for someone tomorrow regardless...
Hi ,
Not sure if I send you an email before.. hard to
keep track on friendster.
I realize you're a cool person like myself.. If
you want to be friends.. please add me to your
friends list. My email is : ***_powr2k@yahoo.com
I'm delighted to know you as a friend.. or
something more... feel free to email me back at
the email above.
Thanks,
-*** "The Renaissance man"
P.s.
Would like to share with you this little poem:
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
Blahblahblahblahblah…
Hi *******, I was just browsing through the
gallery and decided I would take a shot and
contact you. I am sure the first thing you will
do is look at my profile, so I will not waste
time telling you anything about me. :P
I am pretty much a chicken shit when it comes to
meeting people in person but I do love to chat
online. :-)
IM me at **indy3521 on AIM or ***lecfb on
MSN/Yahoo if you feel like chatting some time.
Or you can just write me back if you want to know
anything else about me.
Hope to hear from you soon,
*****
Hi, how are you ? My name is *******. I come
from vancouver, canada. I want to make a new
friend around the world. If you dont mind, can i
make a friend with you? Sounds freaky! Anyway,
send me a message when you have time. take care!
*******,
Interesting with the secret IM screen name.
Anyway, I think you look great...escially with
that glass. It makes you look hot and
intelligent. Drop me a word or two if you get a
chance.
--dav*
Hello, *******.
Hubba hubba.
J***
Hi...noticed the resemblence myself....I think it
just might be the function of the picture
though.
I have a question for you....how do you have 93
friends on this site.....The average person
doens't have 93 friends, period!
I have only 2 on this site....looking to make
more.....I'm feeling a bit self-conscious after
looking at your profile....
Hey *******, you got so many friends...mind
sharing some with me? :) I only got 11...hehe
-s**
Hi,
I read your profile and very interested in
becoming your friend.
I came from Taiwan at age of 15, have been
living in LA for about 17 years, fluent in
English, Mandarin and Taiwanese, also speak some
German and Spanish, now working as a medical
doctor and living in Orange County, enjoy sports
and outdoor activites, especially basketball,
swimming, tennis, badminton, pingpong, soccer,
hiking, biking, going to the beaches and parks,
also like to sing in KTV, listen to music, both
American and Mandarin songs, cook, a very good
chef, able to prepare lots of delicious Chinese
dishes, check out the model homes/new houses
since interested in interior design and
architecture, watch movies, particulary comedy
and romantic comedy.
if interested in knowing more about me or to
start an online friendship, please email me at:
sweetdoc**@yahoo.com
thank you and look forward to getting your
reply soon and becoming your friend.
hi there,
how do you doooo? WOW! You study Chinese
medicine? That's great. I study medicine too
but western type. I'm Chinese, 28 yr old, live
in North El Monte, will be a pharmacist, working
at kaiser, like a lot things such as
snowboarding, basketball, golf, tennis, good
movies, nice dinner, a stroll on the beach,
listen to good music, traveling, hanging out w/
friends, just kicking back and relax, work out in
the gym, and ......like to try new things and
visit new places. i believe traveling is the
best thing in life! well, is this a new
friendship?? talk to you later...der**
hey, i kno you, didn't you go to prom w/ my friend?
i know you from somewhere, be my friend
u kno u wanna be my friend...heehee
Youre lovely. I wouldnt mind picking your brain. That sounds bad. Your
picture is frighteningly nice. I think you might be way out of my league for
dating, but maybe you'll write back...
i just cant help myself but to leave you a message (under a really lame excuse
:P )...
Are you working on the missile project?
Let's trade secret :)
i'm just dropping by to say hi and to give you a funny joke.
here's my joke: what do you call cheese that's not yours? answer: nacho (not
your) cheese... hahaha... you like? hope it's not too cheesy...
I think i can beat u at tetris only the game boy though. I be getting those
space ships and stuff. that would be at leat 250 lines.
I'm sorry i also need to add a quick note. I am The King if you r the queen.
later.
yo i love the way you look i hope you gott the personality to go with that
smile ..pls say you do ....pls...
Pool and tetris yes the challenge is on. I actually one a tetris tournament
long time ago you scared now?
The pictures of you grabbed my eye, and your profile grabbed my attention.
Drop me a line.
WHOA...look at that pic! that's a very colorful Z. oh yeah, you're looking
pretty cute too! kekeke
just expanding the ring of hotties! so add me hot stuff ^_^;;
i dont know if i can beat u .. but can i still be ure friend? =)
actually, u don't me... ait?
and i don't know you... ait?
i don't give a damn you...
u don't give a damn on me...
for short...
lets be friends... hehehe! just trying to do
silly things. hehehe!
be sure to add me ait?
I'm randomly messaging you. Because I can. Bwaahahahhaa.
well now what a bagfull i found!! =P well im a real fun and easy going guy
that loves knowing knew people.. not to mention im single "HEY"! haha well
yeah
i'd love to get to know you is what im trying to say.. =P if you need a new
boyfriendster! my email is ***@yahoo.com tty soon i hope *crosses fingers*
haha goodnight
hi, nice to meet you, i am Chinese guy live in LA, you are so pretty, do you have time, do you wanna go out for one night stand.thanks.
Hello. How are you?
I don't know how we can be more friendly...
Do you live in West Los Angeles, right? I live in West LA, too.
I like Chinese and Japanese food very much.
Do you like Japanese food?
I also like driving a car and watching movies.
Let's go driving a car and watching movies someday.
I hope we can meet each other as soon as possible.
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough
winds do shake
the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date. "
--William Shakespeare
Subject: Hi there
Message: Well the reason for me sending you this email,is
that I just wanted to get to know you. You are a
cutie and wouldn't mind getting to know you. I
too am looking for
someone, weather it been a friend or more. I want
someone I can't live without,but
the tale has been like a continueous battle it
seems. But that is another story I am easy going,
I like to spend quality time with my partner well
not lately. Therefore I am not trying to color up
the way i am just trying to help you at least
know a little about me so you can decide weather
you like what you hear and or see I like what i
see but you never know the possiblities are
endless. Well I will hope to hear from you soon
thank you and have a good day
Sincerlely your Secret Admirer
Subject: hello na hoe
Message: hey watz up i was just looking at pagez and
saw yourz so had to leave a message didnt know
there was a chinese gurl as fine as u in VA BCH
hehe therez not much chinese peepz around
here maybe we could chill sometime =) well
gtg now talk to you laterz okie take carez
PS if u wanna chat IM meh on AIM
aznboitom**69 buhbai
Message: let's play pool. A girl who can play pool is so
sexy. **oy :)
okay, you freakin rock, you're christian, u like
good music, you're cute, and you're not a teeny
bopper, which just ROCKS all by itself, haha
okay, wlel hey i'm jeff, i'm 26 from corona, i
work in oc...and i love jesus! (yay!)okay, well
i'm bored and i'm just rambling and i dont know
what else to write, so drop me a line if you
want, and friend list me, horde**@aol.com, take
care :-D
bye bye
je**
