Holy crap Batman, did you see that flash? it was summer flying by.
You'll have to exuse my prolonged absence - it seems that when the weather is nice I don't sit by a computer for very long, only long enough to upload pictures to facebook. If only I had patented that device that takes your thoughts (as you are thinking them) and transcribes it, spell checks it and posts it. If I was more technologically savvy - it probably already exists I just can't afford it.
So I'll have to go back and recount for you July and August 2008. So where did I leave off? I'm sure I already went on at length about Greenwood Cemetery..an amazing place just steps from my house. .
Mom and I tried over and over again to see Shakespeare in the Park - either it stormed or it was one of those "special" nights where you couldn't actually get tickets. The whole process really annoys me - (what me annoyed?) you have to get on line at 1pm (luckily I can send my mother for that part) - I mean other people don't have mothers to go stand in line for an hour or two (and complain about it for the next week or two). In the end we both decided that Hamlet was not worth the trouble (Can they pick a play that has not been done to death?), we'd both have rathered seen MacBeth (which I thought it was). Actually, I'm a bigger fan of Richard III, and I'd like to see some of the histories or even some of the lesser known dramas performed somewhere. And no, I don't want to trek up to Harlem to see a Midsummers Night Dream, again. leave it for those who have never seen or read it.
There has been alot of beach time for me this summer, since my monthly metrocard not only takes me to work everyday but also takes me to one of my most favorite places on the planet - Ft. Tilden. I'll put the link on the sidebar - but suffice to say Gateway National Recreation area - is the largest national park in the country - covers huge swabs of beach and is home to many species of endangered and migratory birds and butterflies (wow orange and blue and monarchs so many everywhere). This past weekend was dragonfly weekend ( I forgot about this from last summer) the giant ones (as big as your hand) start buzzing around this time of year.
Mom and I did manage to go see Encounters at the End of the World (Herzog) an a amazing documentary that takes a quirky-herzog like view of Antarctica. I watched it purely for the ice diving scenes - which made me want to buy a dry suit.
The July4th weekend here was a washout - it stormed on the 4th - the fireworks went on anyways - but it was a soggy mess. I stayed home. On Saturday, I trekked out to NJ for a day of fun (no sun) at Keansburg - aka the poor mans coney island - on the nasty smelling NJ side of the harbor. The beach there was disgusting, smelly and not nice. the amusements were amusing and we had a fun day.
That Sunday I went to my beach (back to Tilden!) and enjoyed a pristine day on the beach. So many pristine days this summer - the sun glistening off the water and cool ocean breeze, sailboats off in the distance...gulls stalking you revery move (don't open that plastic bag - they know whats inside!)
The following weeks passed uneventfully, leading up to Coney Friday night - I managed to go to more than half of the Coney Friday Night happy hours - fireworks thangs. It was awesome each time - I met strange and unusual people- discussed strange and unusual topics and drank alot of MGD. I really will miss Ruby's whenit's gone, if only for the fact that I feel so at home there.
In July as well, the Philharmonic came to Brooklyn, that was a nice show - and I was not-so-secretly chuckling when the cops made the yuppies get rid of their wine bottle...open container laws are open container laws - and they apply equally to the rich (fuckers) as to the poor. when I heard them whining I just could not hold back (well I could have, but what fun is that!). I exlplained to them that they were not above the law and if they were stupid enough to bring a bottle and a cork and uncork it 10 feet from the cops - I mean c'mon. I have friends who understand that in these situations it's called a plastic soda bottle. uncork it at home, pour it in the flask or other container, then don't bring fancy wine glasses - think stealth - you are breaking the law after all.
There is a long list of things I did not attend this summer, or I should say things I did not show up at. MetalJohns last gig, (or two), Scott's b-day (sorry Scotty), some opening he invited me to in the far west village, readings at Unameable Boooks, game night and diorama night at Freddy's (why on a sunday - when I don't want to move after the beach). The thing I most regret missing was my friend Mike's party last week - I haven't seen him in 20 years and I was really looking forward to it. But a nasty cold and a late start time (if it was at 7, I may have gone by for an hour - but 9pm is just too late for this old lady!)
There were fun films at the bandshell (Enter the Dragon was awesome)..I missed Farenheit 451 and Philip Glass. I did make it to the Magic Garden daytime party in Coney but who goes to Coney in the DAY. It was Ok once (for Zoe), but you will never find me there during the day. Who would have thunnk 15 years ago I'd be saying that - it used to be when it got dark you got the hell out of dodge. Times have changed, and luckily so have my underwear. So the last summer(I say this every year now) of ghetto on the beach, fireworks and fried food has come to a close. well except for this coming Friday......
Back to July - many things I didn't attend and many more got rained out. We had a few weeks of almost nightly storms that didn't ease anything - steamy hot and full of insects. Let's not even talk about waterbugs (or american roach as they are actually). They were crawling out everywhere. huge (in some cases 3 inches long) fast and generally gross. yuck.
The first week of August Mom and I (I try to spend time with her y'know) went to Moztly Mozart and had the worst time ever. If you are buying tickets to any show there - BE WARNED - look at the entire program - call them if you have to - we thought we were seeing Mozart's 40th symphony - which turned out to be 25 minutes long - followed by over an hour of Mahler Opera (I HATE OPERA) - it was german torture. I like Mahler's symphonies - but this was painful and so not worth it.
The days and nights go from work to lounging at home, day after day - reading, doing chores and generally just chilling out- then I went for the 3rd (or 4th) year in a row to Hal Willner's project at the Prospect Park bandshell - this year it was Bill Withers, and it was a great show. A few family BBQ's later and a weekend in hiding with cramps (sucks to be me again). I dragged myself on an Eco Cruise run by National Park Service to Jamaica Bay. Next year I'm going on every one of these, it was excellent. I'd like to live in the middle of jamaica bay except for the airplanes - constant barrage of air traffic heading into JFK could make you go postal.
Oh, I'm welll into August now, I went to see a film at the elevated acre, Kubrick's "Killers Kiss" is one of his earliest films (go look on IMDB yourself) and even though as a film it was ok- I could see how he was developing his style. It was beautifully filmed and very interesting. If they show films up there again next year (which I'm sure they will) check it out - it's part of River to River, which makes finding the schedule difficult if not impossible.
I kept wanting to get out on the one day getaways to fire island - but it's just too expensive for the same ocean I get for my $2 (or free on my monthly card). I get sick to death of rich people talking about their summer homes - they make me sick. pretentious assholes who change their online status to show that they have summer homes. can I punch them all?
Amituofu. balance, acceptance, namaste.
Well that about wraps it up. I got a nasty bug last week and spent too much time dealing with the illness - but it's all gone now!! I hope your summer was as good as mine, or better. And that you get off your fat ass and do something.
With Fall around the corner, I'm looking into what volunteer prgrams I can get involved in (hard when you're working) and see what kinds of community service I can muster.
I'll be back soon.
6/30/08
A Weekend In The Borough
I hope you had a nice weekend, full of relaxing and cavorting and not too much stress or worry. It was another one of those weekends in The Borough, where I managed to make it to some things, arrived horribly late for others, missed other entirely, and spent alot of time watching time go by.
Friday night in The Borough, I managed to get to Coney to meet a few friends for some beer and sundries. Of course I was late, hopelessly late - and to anyone who may have actually shown up at 7 - thinking I'd be sitting there with beer in hand - I must apologize. As usual there was a string of events that deterred me from my goal. I'll be back there on 7/11, ontime - ready to drink, smoke and cheer on the last summer of Coney. Though the guys at Ruby's are already saying that they think they'll be back for 2009. Yeah well....I 'll believe it when in July 2009 I'm sitting there saying "shit, I guess we have one more summer", but for now I'll be saying that this summer is the last. I tried to get the "virtual" friends to come out and enjoy, but as always the virtual world is not one where people keep their word or even reply. Why do I continue to invite people and let them know about amazing cool things - when I know they are already too self involved to make an effort? you got me, but I do keep trying. maybe one day people will surprise me.
Saturday I made it out to Riis (Tilden), just slightly out of The Borough, and met some amazing people - including Rob Jet and his wife Robin - who are the coolest beach couple I've met so far. He is an avid birder (check out I've posted the link to his blog) - this dude knows everyone (even the guy who calls me to do plum beach clean up for Audubon- I've added their link too). I'm always talking about how I want to be more involved in the things that I find worthy of my time and effort - and I take meeting him (and his lovely wife) as a sign that advocacy and environmentalism are within reach. You know my life has changed when I'm more interested in talking to someone at length about bird migration and habitat than going to a club or bar.
I felt like in a 20 minute conversation I had been given a chance to educate myself - trying desperately in the summer heat to remember all the names and websites that rolled out of his mouth. I wish I was one of those people that could remember things for more than say 20 or 30 seconds.
The beach was as lovely as always, and I don't think I'll even bother this year with going to the beaches in The Borough, not that I'm becoming a Queens convert or anything - I just like being on the ocean rather than the inlet. Besides there are no radios, fewer people and a feeling of peace and calm that I don't think is possible in Brighton anymore. I try not to have too much of an us vs. them mentality - it's somewhat racist and wrong - but I can't stand the Russian teenagers - they blast horrible crappy disco dance techno music - sit on top of you (c'mon minimum 10 feet when the beach is empty) and have no regard for peace and quiet (this is one place the pod people are welcome!). It could be that it's just teenagers I despise, and since the neighborhood over there has been overrun by the new wave of eastern european immigrants, it's just more likely that they are the ones going to that beach. It's fine, let them have the beach in The Borough, I'll skip over to the peace and quiet and enjoy my communing time with the ocean. Crowds and loud music are for the young - and I wouldn't give back my own youth in Brighton, probably pissing off a whole bunch of people. Such is the way. See anger management is helping.
I got caught in a thunderstorm on the way home (soaked to the bone) and even though I left the beach at 5:30, I didn't get home until after 7. I was to tired, without even showering (and I was very sandy) I fell asleep on the couch. So Saturday night's plans went down the tubes, which I feel kinda bad about - since it was yet another metaljohn gig - and he had specifically called me and told me not to be a weenie and show up. I woke up briefly around sunset and thought shit. I'm a weenie.
Sunday provided me with an early rise (that's when happens when you go to sleep at 7:30pm), and I did the laundry, cleaned the bathroom and did all of the tasks I never get to do...then a nice afternoon vegging in front of a movie put me right out again. I love weekends where I can just sleep and eat and lay in the sun. Oh yeah it would be nice to hang out with people, but frankly I find them overrated.
Now I got some time in the sun, some time on the couch and I even managed to clean things up a bit so I don't have to worry about that after a 10 hour workday. life is sweet in The Borough, enjoy!
Friday night in The Borough, I managed to get to Coney to meet a few friends for some beer and sundries. Of course I was late, hopelessly late - and to anyone who may have actually shown up at 7 - thinking I'd be sitting there with beer in hand - I must apologize. As usual there was a string of events that deterred me from my goal. I'll be back there on 7/11, ontime - ready to drink, smoke and cheer on the last summer of Coney. Though the guys at Ruby's are already saying that they think they'll be back for 2009. Yeah well....I 'll believe it when in July 2009 I'm sitting there saying "shit, I guess we have one more summer", but for now I'll be saying that this summer is the last. I tried to get the "virtual" friends to come out and enjoy, but as always the virtual world is not one where people keep their word or even reply. Why do I continue to invite people and let them know about amazing cool things - when I know they are already too self involved to make an effort? you got me, but I do keep trying. maybe one day people will surprise me.
Saturday I made it out to Riis (Tilden), just slightly out of The Borough, and met some amazing people - including Rob Jet and his wife Robin - who are the coolest beach couple I've met so far. He is an avid birder (check out I've posted the link to his blog) - this dude knows everyone (even the guy who calls me to do plum beach clean up for Audubon- I've added their link too). I'm always talking about how I want to be more involved in the things that I find worthy of my time and effort - and I take meeting him (and his lovely wife) as a sign that advocacy and environmentalism are within reach. You know my life has changed when I'm more interested in talking to someone at length about bird migration and habitat than going to a club or bar.
I felt like in a 20 minute conversation I had been given a chance to educate myself - trying desperately in the summer heat to remember all the names and websites that rolled out of his mouth. I wish I was one of those people that could remember things for more than say 20 or 30 seconds.
The beach was as lovely as always, and I don't think I'll even bother this year with going to the beaches in The Borough, not that I'm becoming a Queens convert or anything - I just like being on the ocean rather than the inlet. Besides there are no radios, fewer people and a feeling of peace and calm that I don't think is possible in Brighton anymore. I try not to have too much of an us vs. them mentality - it's somewhat racist and wrong - but I can't stand the Russian teenagers - they blast horrible crappy disco dance techno music - sit on top of you (c'mon minimum 10 feet when the beach is empty) and have no regard for peace and quiet (this is one place the pod people are welcome!). It could be that it's just teenagers I despise, and since the neighborhood over there has been overrun by the new wave of eastern european immigrants, it's just more likely that they are the ones going to that beach. It's fine, let them have the beach in The Borough, I'll skip over to the peace and quiet and enjoy my communing time with the ocean. Crowds and loud music are for the young - and I wouldn't give back my own youth in Brighton, probably pissing off a whole bunch of people. Such is the way. See anger management is helping.
I got caught in a thunderstorm on the way home (soaked to the bone) and even though I left the beach at 5:30, I didn't get home until after 7. I was to tired, without even showering (and I was very sandy) I fell asleep on the couch. So Saturday night's plans went down the tubes, which I feel kinda bad about - since it was yet another metaljohn gig - and he had specifically called me and told me not to be a weenie and show up. I woke up briefly around sunset and thought shit. I'm a weenie.
Sunday provided me with an early rise (that's when happens when you go to sleep at 7:30pm), and I did the laundry, cleaned the bathroom and did all of the tasks I never get to do...then a nice afternoon vegging in front of a movie put me right out again. I love weekends where I can just sleep and eat and lay in the sun. Oh yeah it would be nice to hang out with people, but frankly I find them overrated.
Now I got some time in the sun, some time on the couch and I even managed to clean things up a bit so I don't have to worry about that after a 10 hour workday. life is sweet in The Borough, enjoy!
6/19/08
A Finger in The Borough (aka the Saga of the finger)
So I’ve been talking about how the last few months seem to be just incredibly busy. It’s like there was 4 months of nothing..Dead of winter. And then everything just woke up all at once. Suddenly there are events several times a week, the kids are actually showing up for the volunteer reading program I signed up for and everyone has a project they want help with or want me to work on. The only dark spot in all of this has been the finger. I think I may call it the finger of doom or the cuticle of catastrophe.
Right before my birthday, back In April, I had a hangnail. Now for most people a hangnail is a minor annoyance. I took a small scissor and cut off the offending straggler. Then the swelling started. It seemed like I had a blister or a wart. And I basically ignored it. Through birthday celebrations- cocktails, dinners and general festivities, it just got bigger and bigger.
I was having dinner with someone, the day after my birthday, that I don’t know that well, and we were using chopsticks - it got to a point where I could not hold the chopstick, so I just stopped eating - I just did not want to explain why I needed a fork, after my whole lecture about chopsticks several days before. The friction of trying to use the chopsticks had only inflamed the finger of doom - and it was throbbing. Having drinks the next night with some other hooligans - I noticed that it was blistering - great now it’s the finger of puss and doom. Just what I needed.
By the next day it was purple and my whole hand was swollen, just in time for houseguest #1 to arrive. I quickly ran to pick a new doctor on my new health plan - but to no avail since Friday night is not the night you go searching for a doctor. Luckily, I have a connection, someone who hordes prescription meds like penicillin and amoxicillin - just in case of an infection she keeps stocked on these things. I wrangled out a bottle of penicillin, and the meds helped bring down the swelling - but it continued to feel like I had tiny grains of sand in my cuticle.
I’ve never had so much pain and angst about a finger in my frakkin’ freakin’ life. It’s June now, and it still hasn’t healed completely. I’m sparing you the pictures, only because I never thought to take any, I mean who takes pictures of an infected cuticle? Ew.
Right before my birthday, back In April, I had a hangnail. Now for most people a hangnail is a minor annoyance. I took a small scissor and cut off the offending straggler. Then the swelling started. It seemed like I had a blister or a wart. And I basically ignored it. Through birthday celebrations- cocktails, dinners and general festivities, it just got bigger and bigger.
I was having dinner with someone, the day after my birthday, that I don’t know that well, and we were using chopsticks - it got to a point where I could not hold the chopstick, so I just stopped eating - I just did not want to explain why I needed a fork, after my whole lecture about chopsticks several days before. The friction of trying to use the chopsticks had only inflamed the finger of doom - and it was throbbing. Having drinks the next night with some other hooligans - I noticed that it was blistering - great now it’s the finger of puss and doom. Just what I needed.
By the next day it was purple and my whole hand was swollen, just in time for houseguest #1 to arrive. I quickly ran to pick a new doctor on my new health plan - but to no avail since Friday night is not the night you go searching for a doctor. Luckily, I have a connection, someone who hordes prescription meds like penicillin and amoxicillin - just in case of an infection she keeps stocked on these things. I wrangled out a bottle of penicillin, and the meds helped bring down the swelling - but it continued to feel like I had tiny grains of sand in my cuticle.
I’ve never had so much pain and angst about a finger in my frakkin’ freakin’ life. It’s June now, and it still hasn’t healed completely. I’m sparing you the pictures, only because I never thought to take any, I mean who takes pictures of an infected cuticle? Ew.
A Cemetery In The Borough
While houseguest #4 was in town, we took the first warm and sunny day to head over to Greenwood Cemetery. It’s twice the size of Prospect Park, and aside from groundskeepers (they were mulching and doing heavy machinery stuff in one section) and some obnoxious tourists who brought their screaming children to wake the dead - it was a lovely peaceful escape. We walked and walked and walked, for what seemed like hours - winding up and down hilly enclaves with 18th century (and 17th century) graves, newer ones mingled in. I kept using various stone angels as markers for what direction we were headed in, after circled around - then soon realized that their must be hundreds of the same angelic faces everywhere, covering the entire cemetery. We found ourselves at a pond, with a great view of the rolling hills of markers leading off into every direction. We had some fun with an egret (actually, it was something else lI have to ook it up)
And then after when we looked at the map we realized we had covered 1/10th of the grounds….making me remember their tag line..”Come for a visit, Stay for an eternity”. Shit if I can’t find my way out, I may just be doing that.
There are all kinds of famous people in the cemetery - and they do have some great tours - but mainly it is a beautiful respite from the city - maybe not as nice as wave hill or the Bronx botanical garden - but for in The Borough - it’s a place you should visit…but not stay an eternity -
And then after when we looked at the map we realized we had covered 1/10th of the grounds….making me remember their tag line..”Come for a visit, Stay for an eternity”. Shit if I can’t find my way out, I may just be doing that.
There are all kinds of famous people in the cemetery - and they do have some great tours - but mainly it is a beautiful respite from the city - maybe not as nice as wave hill or the Bronx botanical garden - but for in The Borough - it’s a place you should visit…but not stay an eternity -
Livin' In The Borough
I know it’s been a while since I managed to sit down and create a new entry. I keep thinking that this was supposed to be a way for me to develop my writing skills, and express my views - and increasingly it sounds more stilted and just plain bad. So what’s a girl to do? I can’t abandon the idea, but I’d better come up with some more interesting verbiage and perhaps try to clarify my voice.
Speaking of my voice, my voice it seems likes to rant quite a bit, and is definitely intolerant of other lifestyles other than my own. Hey it’s my blog - not like I’m coming into your living room and condemning your lifestyle. So here is where I issue the disclaimer If you don’t like it..write your own damn blog and fuck off. There I’ve said it proceed at your own risk.
It has been an increasingly hectic time in The Borough - between illnesses, houseguests (both good and bad), parties, weddings and heat waves..not to mention work, laundry and changing cat litter (which I seem to be doing all the frakkin’ time now). I’m in need of a vacation. Don’t laugh, I know I’ve been working for 6 months and already I’m tired of it. The getting up early, the dressing in clean clothes and most of all the commuting.
Commuting is one of those topics that everyone has a gripe about. You will never meet anyone show says - oh yeah getting to work is a breeze, it takes 10 minutes and it never stresses me out. And if you do meet that person - smack them, smack them hard until your hands are red. And then I’ll start smacking them for you. It’s gotten so bad I actually went to an anger management seminar.
Oh you caught that whole anger management thing did ya..well I secretly took a seminar (meaning I did not tell my mother). Why you may ask, mostly because of reasons that I cant go into right now - suffice to say that aside from the commuting anger (rail rage), I started having neighbor rage (anyone who has been to my house knows all about the retards living next door) - so angry going to work, coming home and then wanting to punch a hole in the wall and strangle them - is not conducive to a relaxed laid back lifestyle. I leave NY and within hours I’m a totally different person. So I decided I needed some skills to help manage this, no way to diffuse it entirely (I’m not moving anytime soon), but I needed to develop some coping mechanisms that would alleviate some of the stress and maybe even develop tolerance.
So that’s it, I’ll put up each of the other entries as time goes by - tell you a bit more about other things happening in and about The Borough….by the time you read this they will probably already be postedso maybe I can get back into the grooooove again.
Speaking of my voice, my voice it seems likes to rant quite a bit, and is definitely intolerant of other lifestyles other than my own. Hey it’s my blog - not like I’m coming into your living room and condemning your lifestyle. So here is where I issue the disclaimer If you don’t like it..write your own damn blog and fuck off. There I’ve said it proceed at your own risk.
It has been an increasingly hectic time in The Borough - between illnesses, houseguests (both good and bad), parties, weddings and heat waves..not to mention work, laundry and changing cat litter (which I seem to be doing all the frakkin’ time now). I’m in need of a vacation. Don’t laugh, I know I’ve been working for 6 months and already I’m tired of it. The getting up early, the dressing in clean clothes and most of all the commuting.
Commuting is one of those topics that everyone has a gripe about. You will never meet anyone show says - oh yeah getting to work is a breeze, it takes 10 minutes and it never stresses me out. And if you do meet that person - smack them, smack them hard until your hands are red. And then I’ll start smacking them for you. It’s gotten so bad I actually went to an anger management seminar.
Oh you caught that whole anger management thing did ya..well I secretly took a seminar (meaning I did not tell my mother). Why you may ask, mostly because of reasons that I cant go into right now - suffice to say that aside from the commuting anger (rail rage), I started having neighbor rage (anyone who has been to my house knows all about the retards living next door) - so angry going to work, coming home and then wanting to punch a hole in the wall and strangle them - is not conducive to a relaxed laid back lifestyle. I leave NY and within hours I’m a totally different person. So I decided I needed some skills to help manage this, no way to diffuse it entirely (I’m not moving anytime soon), but I needed to develop some coping mechanisms that would alleviate some of the stress and maybe even develop tolerance.
So that’s it, I’ll put up each of the other entries as time goes by - tell you a bit more about other things happening in and about The Borough….by the time you read this they will probably already be posted
5/18/08
5/2/08
Groovy Times in The Borough
Badges, we don’t need no stinking badges.
That’s the word of the day, groovy. Groovy times are here again, that’s really groovy. In the Groove. It’s only one of a number of outdated sayings I enjoy. Some of the others being “righteous”, “Big L”, and “sweet”.outdated and overused catechisms are an obvious way of being “dated” and I do find I’m not as up on the new sayings as I used to be. I mean I have found myself on occasion saying “where’s the beef” (and not referring to a flimsy burger).
Speaking of being dated, I had one of those experiences the other night that just made me want to jump up and down screaming “NO, NO, NO, NO”. Getting on the Lex heading back to The Borough, I catapulted myself to a seat (thereby pissing off a whole stream of people itching to sit down), and at the next stop the gi-normous woman sitting next to me got up effectively leaving two seats behind (and she had a neon pink raincoat on..not trying to blend in at all). A guy and his two friends (both female) eyed the seat - and without knowing that I COULD HEAR THEM they said:
Guy: “ hey there’s a seat there”
Girl #1“where?”
Girl #2 “next to that older woman”
OLDER WOMAN. WTF. I mean I still get carded at bars, and when I tell people I’m 30, without blinking, they don’t even question it! So I’m looking old this week. Maybe it’s the antibiotics or the lack of sleep, or both. Fuck. At least they didn’t say next to the “fat lady”, or the “ugly fat lady” oreven worse the “pregnant woman”. Maybe it’s time to start dying my hair - I was so looking forward to just gradually going blonde (or white).
My new goal is to be the hot youngish woman on the train. To that effect, I will no longer be eating, since that’s about the only way the rolls of fat ever come off me (that and tropical sun and diving, which ain’t happening here for a while).
Groovy times are indeed here though - flowers blooming, tress dropping shitloads of pollen everywhere - spring is in the air ! The unseasonably cold and wet weather has put a slight delay on my continued exploration of the borough - but you can look forward to me telling you about greenwood cemetery, the return of Friday night fireworks at Coney, and a few other events in The Borough.
Meanwhile I’ll be sucking it in and hoping to meet a guy that is into “older” women.
That’s the word of the day, groovy. Groovy times are here again, that’s really groovy. In the Groove. It’s only one of a number of outdated sayings I enjoy. Some of the others being “righteous”, “Big L”, and “sweet”.outdated and overused catechisms are an obvious way of being “dated” and I do find I’m not as up on the new sayings as I used to be. I mean I have found myself on occasion saying “where’s the beef” (and not referring to a flimsy burger).
Speaking of being dated, I had one of those experiences the other night that just made me want to jump up and down screaming “NO, NO, NO, NO”. Getting on the Lex heading back to The Borough, I catapulted myself to a seat (thereby pissing off a whole stream of people itching to sit down), and at the next stop the gi-normous woman sitting next to me got up effectively leaving two seats behind (and she had a neon pink raincoat on..not trying to blend in at all). A guy and his two friends (both female) eyed the seat - and without knowing that I COULD HEAR THEM they said:
Guy: “ hey there’s a seat there”
Girl #1“where?”
Girl #2 “next to that older woman”
OLDER WOMAN. WTF. I mean I still get carded at bars, and when I tell people I’m 30, without blinking, they don’t even question it! So I’m looking old this week. Maybe it’s the antibiotics or the lack of sleep, or both. Fuck. At least they didn’t say next to the “fat lady”, or the “ugly fat lady” or
My new goal is to be the hot youngish woman on the train. To that effect, I will no longer be eating, since that’s about the only way the rolls of fat ever come off me (that and tropical sun and diving, which ain’t happening here for a while).
Groovy times are indeed here though - flowers blooming, tress dropping shitloads of pollen everywhere - spring is in the air ! The unseasonably cold and wet weather has put a slight delay on my continued exploration of the borough - but you can look forward to me telling you about greenwood cemetery, the return of Friday night fireworks at Coney, and a few other events in The Borough.
Meanwhile I’ll be sucking it in and hoping to meet a guy that is into “older” women.
4/14/08
Broken Gaydar in The Borough
Well, the glow of my 15 minutes of fame in and about The Borough have passed, and its back to the drudgery of the work week. I have no rant this week, which is especially good, since I keep saying I’m not going to turn this into a forum for my own negative feelings. Yeah me!
I have noticed something quite unusual. You may know I often title myself as a visionary of outsider art and the biggest fag-hag on the planet. I go to art events, group dinners and somehow I always end up picking up the gay guys. It is a strange phenomenon - always being the one who connects with the fabulous boys in swanky clothes, and as soon as I think I’ve figured it all out - my gaydar is on the fritz. 3 out of the 4 in the last month or two - I was totally wrong. Normally something like this would not really irk me, I mean so what, it’s not like they’re handing out awards for identifying sexual preference. However, all of my recent work on diversity - diversity best practices and being more tolerant and aware of the research and data on the subject - you would think I would be more finely tuned to these things.
In The Borough, for the most part it has always been easy to tell the hetero from homo crowd - though some of the younger guys most definitely have thrown a monkey wrench into that, being fashionistas and metro sexual. Your average metro sexual is causing havoc and throwing off the gaydar signals. The lines have blurred. And it not just cause they’re filled with smoke.
Aside from that - I’m hoping for a quiet week in The Borough, and a fast work week.
I have noticed something quite unusual. You may know I often title myself as a visionary of outsider art and the biggest fag-hag on the planet. I go to art events, group dinners and somehow I always end up picking up the gay guys. It is a strange phenomenon - always being the one who connects with the fabulous boys in swanky clothes, and as soon as I think I’ve figured it all out - my gaydar is on the fritz. 3 out of the 4 in the last month or two - I was totally wrong. Normally something like this would not really irk me, I mean so what, it’s not like they’re handing out awards for identifying sexual preference. However, all of my recent work on diversity - diversity best practices and being more tolerant and aware of the research and data on the subject - you would think I would be more finely tuned to these things.
In The Borough, for the most part it has always been easy to tell the hetero from homo crowd - though some of the younger guys most definitely have thrown a monkey wrench into that, being fashionistas and metro sexual. Your average metro sexual is causing havoc and throwing off the gaydar signals. The lines have blurred. And it not just cause they’re filled with smoke.
Aside from that - I’m hoping for a quiet week in The Borough, and a fast work week.
4/10/08
Native in The Borough
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04102008/entertainment/how_to_pass_for_a_native_new_yorker_105910.htm
I'm famous, for today. Just hoping this isn't my 15 minutes....
I'm famous, for today. Just hoping this isn't my 15 minutes....
4/9/08
More Ranting from The Borough
Another week, another set of topics floats around in my head. I am having one of those weeks where I wish someone would follow me around tape recording all the good ideas I have and all the incredibly clever remarks I make– since by the time I sit down at the machine (or la machina), they have all dispersed to the fours winds. Al I’m left with is a rant or five, and maybe some info on something in The Borough.
I guess my rant last week was a bit harsh, considering that I have been known to watch 12-hour Stargate marathons (just a step above American Dimwit, I mean Idol) – and even though I spend endless hours reading, and doing other things – I still like my cartoons, preferably with an adult twist on them. Simpsons, Family Guy, Futurama (Bender is still my hero!), Aqua Teens (Shake rules!), Harvey Birdman, and Drawn Together – probably the sickest of the bunch. So I can’t fault you for watching the same thing as a 12-year old girl, when I watch the same thing as a 19-year old boy.
A rant? A rant you say? Plenty to rant about in The Borough these days aside from TV, mostly having to do with the fact that now that spring is in the air, the yuppies are on the streets. I call them yuppie scum, but you can call them buppies (baby-infested urban professionals) Yup they have emerged from their breeding cocoons to fill up a sidewalk near you (or rather me in this case). How to identify the buppies – they undoubtedly are pushing a stroller larger than a small car, and talking on a cell phone at the same time, carrying numerous bags and they think they are on a private street and have no regard for other people.(hey lady you just wheeled your kid into oncoming traffic, mind getting off the phone?). They are almost as bad as tourists, at least the tourists don’t give you attitude.
Speaking of tourists, the tourist situation here is a bit out of control, low US dollar and insanely cheap airfare for Europeans is literally driving them to the streets of NYC. Now everyday I battle the regular crowds at GCT, and it’s a draining experience – add in a few hundred tourists LOOKING UP at the Chrysler building while they walk and you have enough rant material to last a lifetime. At least they’re not pushing strollers…
Now for things in The Borough, there has been a lot going on with Develop Don’t Destroy - the 5 year battle to stop the mega stadium development may actually work, if only because of other financial issues that Forest City Ratner has been going through, and the supposed recession. Still the legal battles rage on, mostly to do with eminent domain abuse – which is something that every American should be aware of, since by this precedent – any real estate developer can come and take your home saying that it’s for the public good – not public use – give you $$ and you have to leave. If you fight them, you could end up with nothing and they still take your house. Since I don’t own anything, I get more caught up in the battles that have to do with urban poor, and the rich people taking advantage of people who cannot afford to go anywhere. Gotta stick up for the little people, fuck the rich.
A random thought, someone balked the other day when I told them that I donate 3-5% of my annual income to charities, that’s gross not net – and If I made more, I would donate more. If you make more than 100k a year – you should be donating up to 8% of your annual salary. Americans are such greedy pigs – instead of investing for yourself – why don’t you invest in society? And yes, it’s a tax write off, if you itemize.
So aside from that there is also news about the IKEA nightmare in Red Hook. I’ve heard (though not confirmed) that due to EPA or environmental impact – that the store is basically being scrapped after they demolished 10 civil war era buildings. This city is going down the crapper faster than you can say “spitzer”. I’m trying to confirm facts, and get the latest – but everything I keep finding is from 2005….I’ll keep y’all in the loop.
Hopefully the next time I have something really witty, I can remember it long enough to relay it to you – until then
I guess my rant last week was a bit harsh, considering that I have been known to watch 12-hour Stargate marathons (just a step above American Dimwit, I mean Idol) – and even though I spend endless hours reading, and doing other things – I still like my cartoons, preferably with an adult twist on them. Simpsons, Family Guy, Futurama (Bender is still my hero!), Aqua Teens (Shake rules!), Harvey Birdman, and Drawn Together – probably the sickest of the bunch. So I can’t fault you for watching the same thing as a 12-year old girl, when I watch the same thing as a 19-year old boy.
A rant? A rant you say? Plenty to rant about in The Borough these days aside from TV, mostly having to do with the fact that now that spring is in the air, the yuppies are on the streets. I call them yuppie scum, but you can call them buppies (baby-infested urban professionals) Yup they have emerged from their breeding cocoons to fill up a sidewalk near you (or rather me in this case). How to identify the buppies – they undoubtedly are pushing a stroller larger than a small car, and talking on a cell phone at the same time, carrying numerous bags and they think they are on a private street and have no regard for other people.(hey lady you just wheeled your kid into oncoming traffic, mind getting off the phone?). They are almost as bad as tourists, at least the tourists don’t give you attitude.
Speaking of tourists, the tourist situation here is a bit out of control, low US dollar and insanely cheap airfare for Europeans is literally driving them to the streets of NYC. Now everyday I battle the regular crowds at GCT, and it’s a draining experience – add in a few hundred tourists LOOKING UP at the Chrysler building while they walk and you have enough rant material to last a lifetime. At least they’re not pushing strollers…
Now for things in The Borough, there has been a lot going on with Develop Don’t Destroy - the 5 year battle to stop the mega stadium development may actually work, if only because of other financial issues that Forest City Ratner has been going through, and the supposed recession. Still the legal battles rage on, mostly to do with eminent domain abuse – which is something that every American should be aware of, since by this precedent – any real estate developer can come and take your home saying that it’s for the public good – not public use – give you $$ and you have to leave. If you fight them, you could end up with nothing and they still take your house. Since I don’t own anything, I get more caught up in the battles that have to do with urban poor, and the rich people taking advantage of people who cannot afford to go anywhere. Gotta stick up for the little people, fuck the rich.
A random thought, someone balked the other day when I told them that I donate 3-5% of my annual income to charities, that’s gross not net – and If I made more, I would donate more. If you make more than 100k a year – you should be donating up to 8% of your annual salary. Americans are such greedy pigs – instead of investing for yourself – why don’t you invest in society? And yes, it’s a tax write off, if you itemize.
So aside from that there is also news about the IKEA nightmare in Red Hook. I’ve heard (though not confirmed) that due to EPA or environmental impact – that the store is basically being scrapped after they demolished 10 civil war era buildings. This city is going down the crapper faster than you can say “spitzer”. I’m trying to confirm facts, and get the latest – but everything I keep finding is from 2005….I’ll keep y’all in the loop.
Hopefully the next time I have something really witty, I can remember it long enough to relay it to you – until then
4/3/08
Ratner is the Scumbag In the Borough
please go and visit this site, read and endorse the letter.
http://www.dddb.net/php/reading/MuseumLetter.php
http://www.dddb.net/php/reading/MuseumLetter.php
4/2/08
Borough Trippin'
I know I keep saying I am not going to rant and I am not going to name names. While I consistently strive to keep both to a minimum, sometimes it just cannot be avoided. My rants are nowhere on the humorous level of some other blogeroni’s out there (or is it bloggarazzi) , such as like Decaf is a Sin, which I religiously read and laugh hysterically. If you have the ability to rant, seriously offend, but leave just 1% of the people out there laughing and hoping for more – you’re OK in my book.
So what has been pissing me off lately? Aside from the neighbors, who I hope are struck down by the wrath of someone’s god, there isn’t much to complain about. I could rant about the media and it’s endless hounding of things to make news about – but really if it bothers me that much I should just turn the page or turn off the TV – getting out of the target range of mainstream media may be hard, but it’s not impossible. I’ve managed to completely divest myself from common pop culture – much to the chagrin of anyone who has ever asked me questions like “Did you see the big give?” Unless someone is giving it to me, I really could give a shit, - go read a book, take a class, make some art, do a good deed for an elderly neighbor, do some volunteering of your own and for heaven’s sake get the fuck off the couch.
Now onto the name-dropping part, I try to keep my entries really just about me, and maintain the anonymity of my fellow conspirators – but also give you, the intrepid reader, some insight into life in The Borough, and in those other borough’s as well.
I’ve mentioned before the monthly gathering of native new Yorkers, where usually a few regulars and I enjoy a Monday evening. I think the last time I wrote about it, it was supposed to be a big turnout, but only a handful of non-regulars showed up and it was good.
This time at a new venue on a new night, at a bar in Chelsea called Dusk (see the picture above) , with cool glass mosaic walls, a pool table and a pretty retro jukebox (or was that the magic garden cd?) . The owners are identical twins, both now bald with goatee’s, that went to Stuy and Science – and they even showed a picture of themselves in high school with pompadours and rockabilly clothes. Ah sweet memories. I really like this place, not just becuase its more convenient than other places and is roomy - but it's got a great vibe, without being pretentious. But that could be the $4 Bud's talkin'.
So what has been pissing me off lately? Aside from the neighbors, who I hope are struck down by the wrath of someone’s god, there isn’t much to complain about. I could rant about the media and it’s endless hounding of things to make news about – but really if it bothers me that much I should just turn the page or turn off the TV – getting out of the target range of mainstream media may be hard, but it’s not impossible. I’ve managed to completely divest myself from common pop culture – much to the chagrin of anyone who has ever asked me questions like “Did you see the big give?” Unless someone is giving it to me, I really could give a shit, - go read a book, take a class, make some art, do a good deed for an elderly neighbor, do some volunteering of your own and for heaven’s sake get the fuck off the couch.
Now onto the name-dropping part, I try to keep my entries really just about me, and maintain the anonymity of my fellow conspirators – but also give you, the intrepid reader, some insight into life in The Borough, and in those other borough’s as well.
I’ve mentioned before the monthly gathering of native new Yorkers, where usually a few regulars and I enjoy a Monday evening. I think the last time I wrote about it, it was supposed to be a big turnout, but only a handful of non-regulars showed up and it was good.
This time at a new venue on a new night, at a bar in Chelsea called Dusk (see the picture above) , with cool glass mosaic walls, a pool table and a pretty retro jukebox (or was that the magic garden cd?) . The owners are identical twins, both now bald with goatee’s, that went to Stuy and Science – and they even showed a picture of themselves in high school with pompadours and rockabilly clothes. Ah sweet memories. I really like this place, not just becuase its more convenient than other places and is roomy - but it's got a great vibe, without being pretentious. But that could be the $4 Bud's talkin'.
I even enjoyed walking across town, something usually I'm not such a big fan of. It was like 70 degrees with 100% humidity, my hair was frizzin' like you would not believe.
I think it was the best turnout in a long time and I had a fab time. This finishes a week or so for me where every night has had some event attached to it – making me so completely exhausted that I was tempted to call in stupid today. The best part of the evening was that I managed to connect with not 1 but 2 people I hadn’t seen in years – and didn’t recognize – one from elementary school, who I had not seen in almost 30 years – whose father still lives around the corner from me – and one from high school – who happens to be staying with his mom, who also lives around the corner from me. (see how anonymous that is!),. There were of course some regulars, and a few of old friends that I am not close to, but no archenemies or anything like that. Certainly no one threw a drink at me or spoke my name in anger. So it was a successful night all around.
I think it was the best turnout in a long time and I had a fab time. This finishes a week or so for me where every night has had some event attached to it – making me so completely exhausted that I was tempted to call in stupid today. The best part of the evening was that I managed to connect with not 1 but 2 people I hadn’t seen in years – and didn’t recognize – one from elementary school, who I had not seen in almost 30 years – whose father still lives around the corner from me – and one from high school – who happens to be staying with his mom, who also lives around the corner from me. (see how anonymous that is!),. There were of course some regulars, and a few of old friends that I am not close to, but no archenemies or anything like that. Certainly no one threw a drink at me or spoke my name in anger. So it was a successful night all around.
On the train ride home I ran onto another neighbor, well son of neighbor - who I used ot babysit for - who is now getting hitched. I was all chatty and when I got off thew train and up the stairs in The Borough, it was pissing down rain so hard that every layer of my clothing was soaked. It was such a relief after all that sticky sweaty nasty air - I actually screamed "fuck yeah"as I strode around the corner home.
I’m done with events for the week, not that bridal showers, art openings, volunteering meetings, dinners out and sitting shiva isn’t a fun way to spend 5 days.….I’ve finished my taxes and all I need to do now is get someone to do my laundry for me and mop the kitchen floor (and while you’re at it will you clean the oven?).
I think I need a people break. I keep getting emails from people saying they are coming down (or up or over) for a visit sometime in the next month or so – and I have to mentally get ready for hostessing duties – it’ll give me a chance to get out and about in The Borough, and then I can start reviewing places and things again in more detail.
There are some big things happening with the nightmare arena project, and I hear now that a future whole foods in gowanus (go anus!) is possibly not happening due to environmental problems - I'll try to find out more about what's goiung on - and let you know.
See you then!
See you then!
3/19/08
Borough-ific
Welcome to the deluge. It's been pissing down for 12 hours now. I managed to prove today, that NO, I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. Unwrapping the gum, I put the minty stick in my mouth, and WHAM! I slide on some new sidewalk and go down. It's better than my old trick of walking into poles and walls. But it brings me to my rant (better get this out of the way) - people who don't bother to lift their umbrella's when they walk. that's it. not as bad as the gum chompers, but still an umbrella in the eye is never a welcome event - and I really wish people would not act so discourteously.
That is certainly enough ranting.
It's been a busy and eventful March. Fabulous things going on in The Borough included - First Saturday event at BMA. Which I attended. and no I didn't invite anyone - haven't you been following? I'm resigned again to just go and do the things that I want, things that I find interesting and fun and enjoy living here. I danced, in public. then denied it all.
I didn't make it to most of the events in The Borough, that I had hoped to earlier in the month. I'd been working too much and definitely getting really sick of winter. Some of the swanky events I didn't get to included a rally (or 3), several community meetings, 2 art events, and a benefit for coney - that was within spitting distance from my house - shit.
I did manage to get to a show at Irving Plaza (or the Fillmore East, whatever), Louis XIV, I have friends that are ga-ga for them - so a night out came about. I liked the vibe at the show - and lot's of hot 30-something boys (or 20something) all sporting the trendy new "I wear a yarn cap inside" style. I felt so fashion deprived. So out of touch with the modern metrosexual - millennial.
The music was forgettable, I liked a few of the early songs - they had a dark heavy sound..which I have been known to enjoy on occasion. later on i was not so in it. If it was up to yarn cap guy #3 I really should have gotten there in time to hear What Milwaukee is Famous For. I really didn't care , since I was too busy having flashbacks to 1987, and some guy telling me about some band that I really had to hear. fashion changes, pretentious urbanite white guys in clubs don't.
It was good to be back in a diner having breakfast after midnight, and stumble around The Borough and The Other Borough. Though it went from 60 degrees at 7pn to 34 by the time the show ended at midnight, so there wasn't alot of stumbling - not like the usual amount. Spring will be here soon, there will be plenty of time for stumbling then! and a few slip and falls.
I'll keep you posted.
That is certainly enough ranting.
It's been a busy and eventful March. Fabulous things going on in The Borough included - First Saturday event at BMA. Which I attended. and no I didn't invite anyone - haven't you been following? I'm resigned again to just go and do the things that I want, things that I find interesting and fun and enjoy living here. I danced, in public. then denied it all.
I didn't make it to most of the events in The Borough, that I had hoped to earlier in the month. I'd been working too much and definitely getting really sick of winter. Some of the swanky events I didn't get to included a rally (or 3), several community meetings, 2 art events, and a benefit for coney - that was within spitting distance from my house - shit.
I did manage to get to a show at Irving Plaza (or the Fillmore East, whatever), Louis XIV, I have friends that are ga-ga for them - so a night out came about. I liked the vibe at the show - and lot's of hot 30-something boys (or 20something) all sporting the trendy new "I wear a yarn cap inside" style. I felt so fashion deprived. So out of touch with the modern metrosexual - millennial.
The music was forgettable, I liked a few of the early songs - they had a dark heavy sound..which I have been known to enjoy on occasion. later on i was not so in it. If it was up to yarn cap guy #3 I really should have gotten there in time to hear What Milwaukee is Famous For. I really didn't care , since I was too busy having flashbacks to 1987, and some guy telling me about some band that I really had to hear. fashion changes, pretentious urbanite white guys in clubs don't.
It was good to be back in a diner having breakfast after midnight, and stumble around The Borough and The Other Borough. Though it went from 60 degrees at 7pn to 34 by the time the show ended at midnight, so there wasn't alot of stumbling - not like the usual amount. Spring will be here soon, there will be plenty of time for stumbling then! and a few slip and falls.
I'll keep you posted.
2/19/08
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.
2/4/08
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.
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.
1/14/08
Goodbye Dollar Dream in the Borough
Well I should start off by saying happy new year. woo-hoo 2008! Isn't that great.Dollar Dream is gone.
It started off like any other Saturday, a nice walk, a tasty bagel and then the horror of it all! My soul dropped as I rounded the corner..my haven of dollar items ..gone!
It's the sign of the times...the rising of condo towers means the demise of all that is cheap and somewhat good (if you read the labels). I will miss my never ending supply of tacky picture frames, washcloths and plastic containers. The reggae blares throughout the warehouse sized store. the echoes of french and patois fill the aisles. sure something s were $1.19, but overall a most amazing place for crap, and stuff n'junk. all within walking distance of my house.
say goodbye to dollar dream. we'll miss them. those crazy patois.
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