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.

Goodbye Dollar Dream in the Borough

Well I should start off by saying happy new year. woo-hoo 2008! Isn't that great.

not all the news is good.

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.

Happy Holidays From The Borough

I know you were expecting my usual politically correct - non-specific winter e-mail greeting. It's the non-tree using way I've been saying "Happy Holidays" for the last few years.

This year however, I'm feeling the Yule vibe. And in just a few hours comes the Solstice (1:08 AM Saturday, for those who care). So enjoy the time with family and friends. Eat too much chocolate. Spread the magic and joy. Give away an old coat. Revel in the fact that the days only get longer from this point on.

Sending warm wishes and butter cookies.

First Snow In The Borough

Now playing: The Beatles - I'm Only Sleeping
via FoxyTunes

And a lovely Sunday morning it was, with crisp white snow everywhere In The Borough.

I wasn't adventurous enough to go up to the park and see if the snow was folded around the trees that only a few days earlier had been bright red and full of leaves, but I'm sure they were.

I'm looking forward to some BIG snows this season...

Pie Time In The Borough

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Now playing: The Beatles - I Should Have Known Better
via FoxyTunes Pie. Yummmy Pie. Have you had enough pie? Would you like a slice of pie? Pie Time is when the pies come out. Have some pie.

Save room for the Pie!

A Park In The Borough Redux

Now playing: Nick Drake - Northern Sky
via FoxyTunes
I know it's been a while. While I'm spending my days feeling like Goldilocks in a suit "no this one is too big, and this one is too small!" I haven't been keeping up my touring duties in The Borough. I was able to spend a whole day back in Prospect Park - basking in the sun and continually amazed by vistas and hues. The walk that we took, is my favorite up and down route through the park - starting at the Vale of Cashmere- taking the back route over to the pond and up and down and around the hiking trails (Lullwater is one of my favorites)- eventually ending up at the boat house. Then the most lovely part are the new hiking trails (complete with markers) that take you down to the carousel. I love that Audubon has taken over the boat house as some kind of real facility - but I still wish there was a restaurant there, or at least a 24-hour bathroom of some kind. Check out the hiking trail infoby downloading the pdf park map from their website - the trails are all in ocher dots - in reality there are a few of them and my guess is eventually Audubon will produce a better quality - more detailed trail map - that would be cool, right?

I say, even though there is big damp out there - every day the leaves are still bright and blazing - and maybe a bit mushy - but dying to be made in paper mache or centerpieces or simply arranged in a funny way. It's not just the tress and leaves that make me so ga-ga. It's all the freakin' animals.

During part of my hike I had some close encounters with mallards and other duck like creatures, and then I managed to creep up on a giant blue heron near the carousel, standing in the reeds. sweet.

Gobble. Gobble.