Originals!

I got a huge iced coffee, one of those tiny energy-in-a-bottle thingies and some sunshine when walking around the neighborhood.

I think I'm *slightly* more awake!


The title of this post has two meanings...first, I owe the charming bidders (and whomever loyally reads "Adventures in Panties," the original photos from my latest update.

But first, let me offer you the "director's cut" of the video I uploaded to YouTube (for your eyes only!) - 

And, naturally, here are the unedited photos from the auction -

(I admit being a little paranoid about covering the world's smallest hint of pubic hair, but I don't want to get kicked off Flickr!)

(Amaya, back in school, didn't take this second set, by the way. 

New roommates = New photographers!)

(My personal favorite!)

I added a surprise element to the auction - determining the next item in the mini-progressive format by rolling my dirty dice! I'm a little bit worried how it will go - I'm not sure if people will be into the idea of not knowing exactly what they're getting next!

But you know me...I love a surprise!

Now, let me tell you about something I'm not so crazy about...

Theft of intellectual property! 

The above link takes you to my "me" page on ebanned - at the bottom, I've very clearly stated a disclaimer forbidding reproduction of my work without my explicit, written permission. 


Yes, I consider auctions my "work," exactly as much as I consider an installation piece, essay or short story. They require the same time commitment and creativity as anything else I do!

While the majority of theft of intellectual property occurring in the world of panty-selling regards images, I've found my auction format, style, and even text is misappropriated.

  

Not cool.

   
I've gradually watched the perpetrator (I'm not naming names) pluck from my auctions for a while. At first, I played it off, thinking "imitation is the sincerest flattery."

But it's gotten to the point where I'm scrolling through this person's auction, fuming, and my roommate looks over my shoulder and says, "that's you, right?" I've brought up the notion of "imitation" a few times in my new auction, hoping this person, or potential bidders, will get the hint. I really hate bad-mouthing other girls and try to keep a positive attitude...

But this person's last auction really grated on my nerves! Particularly because I recently re-vamped my "Me" page with freshly written text. Apparently, the seller ignored my copyright warning - and plucked from the rest of my brand new text!

Some of you may know, I do a lot of freelancing writing. And I'm very familiar with copyright law.


Good artists know their rights.

Most people aren't aware that you no longer need to register with the US Copyright office for a work to be considered your intellectual property. The purpose of registering is mainly to establish a back-up, dated record of ownership, should it be be disputed. Here's a helpful guide from a law-firm that answers a lot of common questions.

(Side note - ArtFlaw lists five prominent lawsuits involving artists. That of David Wojnarowicz - 

- Best known for the Hide/Seek Exhibition controversy at the Smithsonian, is particularly interesting!)    

I'm proud of my work and ideas and I can't stand seeing them adopted inappropriately for profit. I'm crossing my fingers this seller may fall upon this information and "cease and desist" her plagiarism!

Although I've never had any personal experiences with having photos stolen, I have caught "word on the street" (or, internet cables, rather) about a seller on ebanned who seems to be posing as something like four different girls, using photos swiped off the internet!

I've seen some of these photos and I see them as obviously faux. The images are very clearly taken by professional photographers and portray professional models - they may as well be stock images!

 (Not actual image - I just grabbed this off Google!)

But, apparently, a few honest buyers have fallen for it! What's extremely upsetting, however, is whomever is behind the scam, has admitted it! And refuses to do anything!

It sort of stinks that panty/fetish-selling should have so many examples of blatantly poor business ethics. Think about it. It's may be a big step for someone with uncommon sexual desires to finally explore them and don't deserve to be conned. 

Misappropriating others work, aside from fair use (and none of these examples constitute as fair use!) really bugs me! I hate seeing honest people (not just myself) screwed!

 (Unless it's in the good way!)

Kammi's Entertains You!

My last post was kind of depressing. Despite the ending I tacked on to make it optimistic.


I'd feel like a jerk if I left the day on a sour note...

Let me entertain you!

 

No, not with my usual panty photos (though if I need to throw those in to keep your attention, I wouldn't mind!) - but cool stuff I found on the internet while convalescing?

Who doesn't like discovering new music?

Check out English Softhearts. They broke up in the 90's but just put out a new album which is definitely the greatest thing you'll ever hear in your life. No doubt. And I'm clearly not just saying that because my boyfriend's in the band and I made bet him I'd get his YouTube video more hits.

 

In case you watched that and realized you hate "snot punk"...

My next addition is my friend, Dan (Deacon). He's a relatively well-known electronic musician and is, apparently, now friends with Val Kilmer or something. I'll get to rub it in his face if he suddenly becomes more popular due to my linking to him. And then I'll be friends with Val Kilmer.

 

And, in case you hate puppets, I'll make up for it:

My final musical suggestion is my friend Sean, aka Langhorne Slim. I'm not sure of his genre, but if folky/bluegrass-esque. His live shows are particularly fun and I occasionally get to dance on stage! And, yes, I'm an amazing dancer!

 

 

And if that's not your taste:

I don't know much about Sound Cloud, but it's apparently a good place to either upload your own music, or search for new bands. My friend Snorre, who goes by The North, has a Sound Cloud page.

And he looks like Kurt Cobain.

But since I've been in bed all day, surfing the net and watching Toddlers and Tiaras,

I thought I'd show you cool sites I found!

I'm not totally familiar with exactly what Flavor Pill is intended as culture guide of listing of city events. But, so far, I've been rabidly devouring their blog - particularly because they cover art and literature. Which is particularly interesting, if you've suddenly developed an interest in photography. 

Though I admit, there's a difference between this - 

(Taryn Simon)

And this - 

Kammi Kaze

But there's a bright future, ahead!

Of particular interest to readers interested in art (or philosophy of art) is Art21's blog. And for those of us who don't have TV, PBS's website streams full length programming to watch when you're, you know, sick in bed.

Also on the "total examination of culture" side is TV Tropes - a very strange and wonderful examination of the way various media uses literary technique. I'm not sure if it's a wiki (numerous editors, ala my beloved Wikipedia), but the writing on the site itself, is quite good.

Of course, if you'd prefer something more mature, I have to give props to Solarotica, an "associate" of mine's blog, focusing on self-composed, well-polished erotic writing! 

I'd come up with more "entertainment on the internet" ideas, but I just got shot with a mega-migraine out of nowhere.

Think I need to rest a little more....

Bad (and some good!) news from the Bedside

I woke up...still sick.

Yeah, I know, outdated photo. But I guarantee no one wants to see me in this state! Aside from the usual puffy sick face, I got a grain of sand in my eye yesterday...for, like, the entire day. Thus, my eyes, which I've been told are a true asset:

...are now red and watery. Everyone thinks I've been crying!


On the contrary! Before I got swept with sudden sickness last night, I'd been having a lovely time hanging out with my boyfriend, whom I don't see nearly enough. In my brand new green panties!

Sadly, I found the thong equivalent on ebay, but slept through the auction! 


Speaking of news - I've got some sad (and good!) announcements.


Let's start with the sad news.

1. After my current sock auction ends today-

...I will offer another similar pair. Then, my much coveted Keds - 

After that, I'm discontinuing foot-fetish auctions.

This is a real disappointment. I love making sock videos and may make a few, just for "kicks!" But the cons outweigh the pros.


1.) I personally prefer dark-colored socks (so does my bf), own very few pale pairs.
2.) Although I buy new socks every fall, I get attached! I hate parting with them!
3.) Most important, I've never had any unpleasant interactions with fetish-buyers...until I started offering socks. Granted, this doesn't apply to everyone - I've met a few very cool sock fetishists, but a few bad apples ruined the bunch.

I think it may have something to do with socks and their associated odor being considered base or cheap (more so than panties), but I've never had my ethics questioned until recently. From what I hear, there's much unethical selling going on in the fetish business already (photo-stealing, fake items, back-stabbing), and being grouped in with such people is upsetting enough to remove myself, entirely.


I don't take well to accusations of "scamming" particularly when they seem intended to manipulate me. 


Yeah, I'm slightly new to selling my own wares. And I may look innocent.

But I'm not naive. 


I'm still happy to work with polite, considerate individuals on a one-on-one basis (and may even change my mind in the future), but when it comes to the point when I'm up late, with a fever, ruminating over a rude e-mail, it's not worth it. 

 
Moving on...

Because of my current sickness, I'm going to hold off on preparing any orders. At first, I was excited about shipping out extra sweaty panties. Then, I realized I didn't intend "surprise" add-ons to include the flu virus! 

On a better note - 


I should be fully recovered by Tuesday and am bouncing back with a new auction (debutante-themed!) for some silky panties, by popular request!

PLUS a new, re-vamped "About Me" page on ebanned! I've written the text and even took some new photos - 

But I need to do a quick photo edit for color correction and edit the text to further clarify rules on correspondence (i.e. a "no jerks allowed" policy). Plus, I'm hoping to add cool html graphics!


Also...


I was originally intending to hold on to these panties - 

 ...and surprise my boyfriend! But, alas, he caught a premature glimpse yesterday, and the surprise was ruined. 


Expect to see more of them soon!

Bad news...I'm getting sick!

Hey guys!

 

Just wanted to give you a quick update...

As you know, I've been working overtime to keep making art keeping auctions going simultaneously - and it's catching up with me!

Admittedly, I'm a huge perfectionist and VERY hard on myself, so what's going on is probably self-induced! 

I'm REALLY overbooked with all that comes with panty-selling, trying to fill orders, update auctions, reply to emails, edit photos, write blog posts, etc. etc. etc.

 

In addition to now overdue freelance projects, delayed collective meetings, finishing an artist's book I started MONTHS ago, running a gallery, and everything else that comes with art-making!

 

(gallery installation in the background, performance artist in in the foreground)

Right now, I've got another all-night ahead of me and I'm EXHAUSTED! I stayed up all night two days, then slept 14 hours. 

As the NEW director of my gallery, it's my job to compile the rent and get it to our landlord in time. And, apparently, make sure the bills are paid, internet is running, respond to artist queries, clean the space and rent out vacant room. Which, obviously, is too much for one person to handle.

And then my phone broke. 

And I missed out on calling Illinois human services, my doctor, the pharmacy (yes, like many people, I take medication), the post office, the electric company, Panasonic (my new "tough"book isn't "tough" enough to withstand typing at 90 w.p.m.), the internet company, and my client waiting on a custom PowerPoint presentation, and, of course, my landlord!

Right now, I'm critiquing my friend's play I promised I'd help with months ago...and just started feeling a little bit off...

(About as "off" as this photo I took a while ago!)

I'm nauseous, sweaty, dizzy, achy - you know that "something's wrong" feeling you get before the flu hits?

Yeah, that's it.

I think I'm overstressed! 

(Yeah, I know I'm re-using photos...but do you really want to see me with my hair sticking everywhere and my face flushed - and not in a good way?)

I'm hoping it'll go away and I'll start feeling better soon! But be forewarned, if I disappear for a while, it's probably flu-related. And not that I'm ignoring you!

And I might need to slow it down just a bit with the panty/sock sales to prevent complete and total meltdown!

I mean, I haven't even opened opened my new copy of Dream Weaver - I could be learning CSS right now! And completely blowing your mind! And I haven't cleaned my room or organized my panty/sock supply in weeks! There's probably tons of stuff in there I don't even remember!

A little break might be in everyone's best interest! 

Of course, panty and sock shopping, wearing and selling is pretty addictive in itself...maybe I just need to pace myself...

After a little bed rest, of course!

 Cross your fingers and hope for a speedy recovery!