Ranting in The Borough

So no, I haven't finished putting together the revised rant list. But a few of the more obvious ones have really been circling around my little brain. Now since I seem to be only one reading this, I'm going to break my own rules and rant a bit. just because.

The first is how can I get rid of chewing gum once and for all? Absolutely the most disgusting habit I have ever had the displeasure of being forced to endure. I mean if you must chew like a cow in public, at least keep your dang mouth shut. I'm not just channeling Harv here, it is truly repulsive.

Ok, I'll stop with the negative, well the blatantly negative and move onto the other subject which is - like LCD soundsystem, says - "New York I love you - but you're bringing me down". I'd like to stop focusing on all of the horrors and atrocities ( ok maybe that's too strong) and try to see where some good is happening in this city that I barely reecognize day by day. If you have any thoughts please pass them on.

I've been going to openings at BAG (Brooklyn Artists Gym) and I have to say that they have a great space, some amazing people but I was quite underwheled by both events I've attended. I am just not sure of the artists themselves - mostly becuase they are not from here and in one instance I don't think the guy (aka artist) had even ever been here. So it's not as much of a "local artists - way for us to get some exposure in The Borough"- it becomes another yuppie (hmm what are these kids anyways - nuppies???) venue that has no real connection to the community in which it is located. They should have rented space in Williamsburg, they'd be more at home there. I'm going to give it one more shot though, since I hate to judge - I could have just gone to 2 openings that were not reflective of their overall thang. So far I'd say a mixed review, but I haven't given up on it entirely.

I also went to the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown (Gung Hay Fat Choy!), forgot my camera (which is good since there was no sunlight and I didn't have a great viewing point). I shout out a big poo-poo-on-you to all of the people who said they were coming and didn't. I've officially now stopped inviting anyone to do anything. The parade and the whole vibe was, as always, amazing and exciting..cold..but hey that's what green tea and sweet buns are for!! I had a lovely shrimp in black bean sauce at Wo Hop and I was still home in time to cause havoc and destruction in my apartment (don't ask!!).

more soon.

Update from The Borough

So it seems that when you work full time, have many projects and feel the need to give back to the community - it gets pretty hard to write a blog.

I've been meaning to sit down and talk about things in The Borough for some time now, to extend personal thanks to everyone who was so kind and helpful while I was getting back into the groove of working life in NYC, and especially those who helped me directly get there.

I'm not going to go into the details of work, I mean - who really cares - I'm sure you don't want me boring you with the details of my job, anymore than I really want you to bore me with the details of yours. Unless you're a pirate or something.

I'm well into routineland now. Spending most of my waking hours either going to work, and sitting in my office - busy as a bee..many hours...the marathon of people dodging that goes on every time i travel back and forth from that other borough. It's probably the main reason I never end up going into the city on the weekends (aside from the fact that I just love being in The Borough).

Still not buying in to corporate, consumerism non-secular society - and the social conventions it imposes - but I am working, volunteering, painting and exploring The Borough.

Now as most of you probably know, I am a repository for all outmoded and outdated technology. Being that I won't participate in the capitalist-buy-it-all phenomenon, but it doesn't mean I dont enjoy my playstation (I), my 10-year old G4 or my hand-me-down 6 year old ipod mini..in fact the acquirement of fun, always appealing has me thinking that I could do with an upgrade on gaming, say to perhaps in this century. Anyone got a PS2? old mac games?you know where to bring them.

I've been working on fun art projects as well. Enjoying my status as visionary of outsider art. or crap that i like to make and hang on my walls. It keeps me busy.

And I'm trying to get back to the volunteering I did last year- though I'm thinking about doing something different this time - maybe work on the community garden. Last year I did a few Audubon clean up events, as well as a few sessions of clean-up in prospect park. I always prefer to give back to the community by helping the environment, rather than people. But I would like to find a place that I can volunteer more regularly, instead of just a few events for the seasons. I think it's really important as a citizen of the world to alwsays be spending time helping others and developing community. If you don't do this you exemplify what is wrong with american culture. 'nuff said.

Look out for my top 10 reasons why Valentine's day is a sham and just sucks outright, and My Rant list - which due to popular (ok 1 person) demand I will re-publish in a few weeks. I just normally hate putting the negative out there for the world to see, so I have to re-work it so I won't get angry hate mail from every person thats ever sent me a picture of their mewling infant.