Rise up and join the one true party of the people

Good morning, workers. The San Antonio Current’s Summer Guide is out today on stands and on the web, and I’m pretty happy with the whole package. Typically, summer represents a time when you can take road trips or fly to more temperate climates, but with gas prices skyrocketing (I predict it’ll hit $5.00 a gallon this summer) it feels like there’s an invisible oppressive force keeping our summer fun from being too fun. With that in mind, our theme for this year’s Guide referenced Chinese Communist propaganda: Despite the economic turbulence, global warming (it’s hot, damn it!) and outrageous gas prices, we want to put a happy face on the season. That happy face belongs to none other than Patty, editorial intern and all-around good sport.

 

I took the initial photos in our conference room, and shot variations on the same pose (we also tried a turkey leg and a shish kabob — thanks, Central Market!) but the watermelon really balanced out our makeshift Communist manifesto (thanks, Half Price Books). The book was key: It features prominently in most propaganda art; even better, it ties in with our Summer Reading List.

Pop in some clouds, doves, and extra-rosy cheeks and before you can say “Listen here, mao” — summer propaganda for the masses. Or, we could have just got this guy to do it for us. But where’s the fun in that?