I was reading a Mothers Day blog post today that had me thinking. As you all know by now thinking is not always a good thing for me to be doing. But I could so relate to this girl because her mom had died of cancer at a young age.
I owe my mom so much. She was the first one to see something special behind my dark eyes. She would drag me around Philadelphia museums when I was barely old enough to walk. She was the first one to stick my fingers in paint, which was something that ended in quite a mess if I remember it correctly. And the first one to take me to wander the streets of New York and to visit MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) which was one of her favorite places in the world. She always praised my art but was also never afraid to criticize it.
When, as a teenager, I suddenly informed my parents I was gay she just hugged me and went about her business like I hadn’t just changed her life forever. From than on I knew I would be fine. She was the one who, in my rebellious high school years, kept me grounded when things could have gone so wrong.
She was always there for me until one day she wasn’t.
Everything I’ll ever be as an artist I owe to my mom and every time I look at a painting I wonder what she would have thought of it. Every day I wish I could thank her somehow.
I’ll leave you with a very fitting quote from the blog I read.
“This mother’s day be sure to tell them how much you care for all they have done for you, for you may never get another chance. Learn about their lives and you may learn something about yourself.” Miss Destructo
tuneage, one of mom's favs
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Observations from the Gallery 5.8
Yesterday Chloe and I had a chance to attend a show at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea. The show, ‘Claude Monet: Late Work’, is a stunning display of 27 Monets dating from 1904 till 1922. A few I had seen before but most I had not including several of his ‘Water Lilly’ paintings that I had never seen and instantly fell in love with. Monet painted over 200 of his 'Nympheas' in the later years of his life. Ill be lucky if i paint 200 of anything in my whole life! So if anybody happens to be in the area it’s worth a look. Maybe while you are there you could order me a copy of the show book, please? Save it for my birthday if you must.
"The instantaneity of Monet, far from being passive, requires an unusual power of generalization, of abstraction… Monet declares: here is nature, not as you or I habitually see it, but as you are able to see it, not in this or that particular effect but in others like it. The vision I propose to you is superior; my painting will change your reality." Michel Butor, 1962, from the show press release.
Last night also marked the opening of the new Richard Galpin installation, ‘Viewing Station’, at High Line Park. So i guess I am going to have to get up the High Line sometime too. This would be an awesome time of year to take some pics there.
'A new interactive public art exhibit that offers abstracted views of buildings and streetscapes adjacent to the High Line. Viewing Station invites park visitors to peek into a view finder that aligns with a screen cut with geometric shapes. The resulting view emphasizes neighboring buildings' texture and color.’ from the High Line blog.
And finally, just hours after the Times Square bomb scare, firefighters and the NYPD bomb squad rushed to a storefront on Broadway after getting calls from people who thought they saw a bomb inside the window. What they found was an art display that included a fog machine, a fake time bomb and vials of liquid, turned out to be perfume, that looked like pipe bombs. The piece was created by artist Lisa Kirk, and the perfume is called 'Revolution,' which is meant to smell like smoke, gasoline, tear gas, and burnt rubber. Yummy, I can't wait to get some of that and go out dancing.
Think people, Think!
tuneage, Green Day - Last Of The American Girls
"The instantaneity of Monet, far from being passive, requires an unusual power of generalization, of abstraction… Monet declares: here is nature, not as you or I habitually see it, but as you are able to see it, not in this or that particular effect but in others like it. The vision I propose to you is superior; my painting will change your reality." Michel Butor, 1962, from the show press release.
Last night also marked the opening of the new Richard Galpin installation, ‘Viewing Station’, at High Line Park. So i guess I am going to have to get up the High Line sometime too. This would be an awesome time of year to take some pics there.
'A new interactive public art exhibit that offers abstracted views of buildings and streetscapes adjacent to the High Line. Viewing Station invites park visitors to peek into a view finder that aligns with a screen cut with geometric shapes. The resulting view emphasizes neighboring buildings' texture and color.’ from the High Line blog.
And finally, just hours after the Times Square bomb scare, firefighters and the NYPD bomb squad rushed to a storefront on Broadway after getting calls from people who thought they saw a bomb inside the window. What they found was an art display that included a fog machine, a fake time bomb and vials of liquid, turned out to be perfume, that looked like pipe bombs. The piece was created by artist Lisa Kirk, and the perfume is called 'Revolution,' which is meant to smell like smoke, gasoline, tear gas, and burnt rubber. Yummy, I can't wait to get some of that and go out dancing.
Think people, Think!
tuneage, Green Day - Last Of The American Girls
Friday, May 7, 2010
Cocaine
It’s a totally awesome Clapton tune, it’s a drug, and it’s my worst fucking nightmare.
Unless you have been there you can’t understand how it can take over your brain. You want it, need it, you think you are going to die if you don’t have it. Once it has its claws in you there isn’t anything, anything, you won’t do to get more.
I know because there was a time in my life that it owned me. I know the feeling, the desire. I know what it feels like to wake up in the morning and have a snort before you even get out of bed. I know what it feels like to walk into a dark alley with my hands full of bills, not caring if I walk out, just wanting what is in there. Needing what is in there.
There was a time I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. To be honest there was a time I looked in the mirror and wished I was dead. But that was so long ago.
When I moved to NY one of my worst fears, one of everybody’s fears, was that I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation. That I would think I would be able to handle it, just once, just to feel that buzz again, the euphoria. Just once can’t hurt. I can handle that. But I know I can’t. Once you have been to hell you really can’t go back for a visit. If you go back it’s for good.
So everyday I struggle with it. What once I paid thousands for I could now easily get for free. But I know I’m better than that now. I know I would disappoint so many people if I went back. Family and friends that stood by me and helped me survive the last time. And new friends who, rightly or wrongly, have faith in me now.
And most of all I know my mom is looking down from somewhere and I really don’t want to disappoint her. I owe her so much.
So it’s almost mother’s day mom, I’m doing my best.
But it’s so fucking hard.
tuneage, Apocalyptica & Cristina Scabbia - S.O.S.
(postscript - So after some sleep I best add a little explanation. In my world i can't help seeing drugs, i can't run and hide in the mountains anymore. Not that I am tempted in any way but I don't have the clear negative reaction that i have had for years. Maybe that's a good thing but I'm not sure. So I just thought I needed to slap myself a little and this was it. Not that I need anybody else doing it so don't form a line !! kt.)
Unless you have been there you can’t understand how it can take over your brain. You want it, need it, you think you are going to die if you don’t have it. Once it has its claws in you there isn’t anything, anything, you won’t do to get more.
I know because there was a time in my life that it owned me. I know the feeling, the desire. I know what it feels like to wake up in the morning and have a snort before you even get out of bed. I know what it feels like to walk into a dark alley with my hands full of bills, not caring if I walk out, just wanting what is in there. Needing what is in there.
There was a time I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. To be honest there was a time I looked in the mirror and wished I was dead. But that was so long ago.
When I moved to NY one of my worst fears, one of everybody’s fears, was that I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation. That I would think I would be able to handle it, just once, just to feel that buzz again, the euphoria. Just once can’t hurt. I can handle that. But I know I can’t. Once you have been to hell you really can’t go back for a visit. If you go back it’s for good.
So everyday I struggle with it. What once I paid thousands for I could now easily get for free. But I know I’m better than that now. I know I would disappoint so many people if I went back. Family and friends that stood by me and helped me survive the last time. And new friends who, rightly or wrongly, have faith in me now.
And most of all I know my mom is looking down from somewhere and I really don’t want to disappoint her. I owe her so much.
So it’s almost mother’s day mom, I’m doing my best.
But it’s so fucking hard.
tuneage, Apocalyptica & Cristina Scabbia - S.O.S.
(postscript - So after some sleep I best add a little explanation. In my world i can't help seeing drugs, i can't run and hide in the mountains anymore. Not that I am tempted in any way but I don't have the clear negative reaction that i have had for years. Maybe that's a good thing but I'm not sure. So I just thought I needed to slap myself a little and this was it. Not that I need anybody else doing it so don't form a line !! kt.)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Observations from the Window 5.4.1
Just a few updates of today's earlier post.
In an addition to the tard quote of the day competition I give you Italian Bishop Francesco Nole who said in an interview “Nothing surprises me anymore. Homosexuality, which is a disease, has become something normal. They sprout like poisonous mushrooms, and instead of feeling shame they celebrate this plague and the church itself minimalises these sins.” He went on to add that ‘irregulars’ shouldn’t be given funerals or communion either. Now I'm not the least bit religious but this pretty much disgusts me so I declare him the winner by fiat.
A day after being arrested as he sat on a Dubai bound jet at JFK, Faisal Shahzad was charged with terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in the attempted Times Square bombing. Hopefully they didn’t use the word terror in the indictment.
In a related matter, as I stood outside the gallery today I was passed by machine-gun toting NYC police officers. By email a good friend confirmed my worst fears. The roundup of all those knee jerk liberal homosexual artist types had begun. As i write this we are hiding out in one of our local coffee shops disguised as wingnuts.
Ok now about my nameless friend, you can find her everywhere in this blog known only as my friend. My good friend Val has remained nameless because she doesn’t stand behind me yelling ‘hey I have a name!’ like Ash did. But from this point on my friend will be known by here name, which I think I mentioned is Val. So take a bow .... I can't finish this line.
“Insanity - a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.”
R. D. Laing
I'm so there ....
bonus tuneage, The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
In an addition to the tard quote of the day competition I give you Italian Bishop Francesco Nole who said in an interview “Nothing surprises me anymore. Homosexuality, which is a disease, has become something normal. They sprout like poisonous mushrooms, and instead of feeling shame they celebrate this plague and the church itself minimalises these sins.” He went on to add that ‘irregulars’ shouldn’t be given funerals or communion either. Now I'm not the least bit religious but this pretty much disgusts me so I declare him the winner by fiat.
A day after being arrested as he sat on a Dubai bound jet at JFK, Faisal Shahzad was charged with terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in the attempted Times Square bombing. Hopefully they didn’t use the word terror in the indictment.
In a related matter, as I stood outside the gallery today I was passed by machine-gun toting NYC police officers. By email a good friend confirmed my worst fears. The roundup of all those knee jerk liberal homosexual artist types had begun. As i write this we are hiding out in one of our local coffee shops disguised as wingnuts.
Ok now about my nameless friend, you can find her everywhere in this blog known only as my friend. My good friend Val has remained nameless because she doesn’t stand behind me yelling ‘hey I have a name!’ like Ash did. But from this point on my friend will be known by here name, which I think I mentioned is Val. So take a bow .... I can't finish this line.
“Insanity - a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.”
R. D. Laing
I'm so there ....
bonus tuneage, The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Observations from the Window 5.4
Isn't it rather fitting that a vendor was the one who spotted the smoking SUV in Time Square? We should get rid of more of them.
What is homofascism? Have I missed something here? I must turn to my expert on all things defined, the Urban Dictionary. It defines homofacism as 'hysterical term used to describe any attempt made by gays and lesbians to protect their dignity and freedom.' Oh! Well than sign me up for that. I hope I get a tshirt that has lesbofascist printed on it, but it better not be pink.
Soon to be out country music singer Chely Wright is accused of being a faux lesbian to promote her first new album in five years. If one has to now pretend to be gay to sell country music the world truly is turned upside down.
For an absolute tard quote of the day I give you Rush Limbaugh, the TIC, or Tard in Chief. Talking about the oil spill in the gulf he came up with this gem. "The ocean will take care of this on its own if it was left alone and left out there. It's natural. It's as natural as the ocean water is." On top of that he calls the spill ‘Obama’s Katrina’ and came up with theory that it was eco-terrorism to stop President Obama’s off shore oil drilling plan. So now it seems we have treehuggers five thousand feet below the surface. Hugging what?
Not to be outdone Fox & Friends asks if there is a rule within the Obama administration that saying the word terror shouldn't be used in connection with the Time Square bombing attempt. “We just interviewed though, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, who refuses to say the word terror. Is this a mandate within the Obama administration, not saying the word terror?" While not specifically saying the word terror, when asked Napolitano said she would not rule it out. If I'm not mistaken they also said President Obama regularly disses your mom.
And finally conservative mag Newsmax has discovered the greatest technological device ever conceived and would like to give it to you for free, because the terrorists are coming, the government wants you to have one, and how else are you going to listen to the TIC for crucial updates from your hole in the backyard? Just crank this baby a few times, even a tard can do it, just like that. But don't forget to cancel your 'free' subscription in four months or pay $40 for the year. So here you have Newsmax using governmental advice to sell Chinese stuff to self-proclaimed real Americans who are against government.
Seriously, you just can't make this shit up.
I look out the window and smile ....
tuneage, Eve's Plum - Die Like Someone
What is homofascism? Have I missed something here? I must turn to my expert on all things defined, the Urban Dictionary. It defines homofacism as 'hysterical term used to describe any attempt made by gays and lesbians to protect their dignity and freedom.' Oh! Well than sign me up for that. I hope I get a tshirt that has lesbofascist printed on it, but it better not be pink.
Soon to be out country music singer Chely Wright is accused of being a faux lesbian to promote her first new album in five years. If one has to now pretend to be gay to sell country music the world truly is turned upside down.
For an absolute tard quote of the day I give you Rush Limbaugh, the TIC, or Tard in Chief. Talking about the oil spill in the gulf he came up with this gem. "The ocean will take care of this on its own if it was left alone and left out there. It's natural. It's as natural as the ocean water is." On top of that he calls the spill ‘Obama’s Katrina’ and came up with theory that it was eco-terrorism to stop President Obama’s off shore oil drilling plan. So now it seems we have treehuggers five thousand feet below the surface. Hugging what?
Not to be outdone Fox & Friends asks if there is a rule within the Obama administration that saying the word terror shouldn't be used in connection with the Time Square bombing attempt. “We just interviewed though, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, who refuses to say the word terror. Is this a mandate within the Obama administration, not saying the word terror?" While not specifically saying the word terror, when asked Napolitano said she would not rule it out. If I'm not mistaken they also said President Obama regularly disses your mom.
And finally conservative mag Newsmax has discovered the greatest technological device ever conceived and would like to give it to you for free, because the terrorists are coming, the government wants you to have one, and how else are you going to listen to the TIC for crucial updates from your hole in the backyard? Just crank this baby a few times, even a tard can do it, just like that. But don't forget to cancel your 'free' subscription in four months or pay $40 for the year. So here you have Newsmax using governmental advice to sell Chinese stuff to self-proclaimed real Americans who are against government.
Seriously, you just can't make this shit up.
I look out the window and smile ....
tuneage, Eve's Plum - Die Like Someone
Monday, May 3, 2010
Observations from my Bed 5.3
After a hectic weekend, really a hectic week, I’m taking a day off to veg and blog from a new locale. Sitting cross-legged in my big comfy bed, a bed that is way too big for the room it is in. I have thought of getting a new one but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I glance through the open door and see my window seat not too far away and glancing through that my mind returns to the mountains and I smile as I think how magic that place still is for me.
A short drive out from State College followed by a hike into the woods to *my* place, a spot all my own in the mountains. A secret spot I have never shown anybody. One time Sean tried to follow me by GPS, convinced I was doing like Cheech and Chong and growing weed in the woods. Poor child doesn’t realize you can turn GPS off. I worry that one day he will graduate, be working outside, and wonder off into his own woods, lost forever.
I can sit there on the ledge, looking into the valley below, and everything in my mind seems to melt away. All the problems, stresses, and worries of my life gone for as long as I want them too be. Just me alone with a clean slate and the trees, the birds, the foraging deer, and an occasional wondering bear. And, if I’m being truthful here, maybe now and than a beer too. But that’s for another time.
So here I am camped out in bed for the day. Doing a little of this and a little of that. Stocked with coffee, a jumbo box of Cheezits, and my cell phone turned off, I'm ready to do pretty much nothing at all until somebody makes me. Sometimes life is best when you just don’t participate. Now I have a little of this to do.
Than I sigh, damnit, I need a smoke. Guess I’ll be writing from the roof next ….
tuneage, Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
(i don't usually review my vids but, OMFG !!)
A short drive out from State College followed by a hike into the woods to *my* place, a spot all my own in the mountains. A secret spot I have never shown anybody. One time Sean tried to follow me by GPS, convinced I was doing like Cheech and Chong and growing weed in the woods. Poor child doesn’t realize you can turn GPS off. I worry that one day he will graduate, be working outside, and wonder off into his own woods, lost forever.
I can sit there on the ledge, looking into the valley below, and everything in my mind seems to melt away. All the problems, stresses, and worries of my life gone for as long as I want them too be. Just me alone with a clean slate and the trees, the birds, the foraging deer, and an occasional wondering bear. And, if I’m being truthful here, maybe now and than a beer too. But that’s for another time.
So here I am camped out in bed for the day. Doing a little of this and a little of that. Stocked with coffee, a jumbo box of Cheezits, and my cell phone turned off, I'm ready to do pretty much nothing at all until somebody makes me. Sometimes life is best when you just don’t participate. Now I have a little of this to do.
Than I sigh, damnit, I need a smoke. Guess I’ll be writing from the roof next ….
tuneage, Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
(i don't usually review my vids but, OMFG !!)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Observations from the Mountains 5.1
Cruising down I80 on a warm Pennsylvania morning, top down, heavy metal crap blaring from the speakers, I watch for each sign as State College draws nearer and nearer. I speed up as I quickly cruise down I99, knowing it isn’t far now. Finally onto 322 and there in the distance, rising out of the morning fog, is Beaver Stadium. I have to smile to myself because it’s been awhile. Four months but it seems like so much longer.
I cruise slowly through the Penn State campus and head to my brothers apartment where I find him with a keg on the deck. Some things just never change. We sit on the deck drinking away the afternoon with his friends and I start to feel like the ‘den mother’ all over again.
Later I head over to Court’s house, before I moved to the Village my home for over a year. I pull Foxy into the familiar driveway and just sit and look for a few minutes. Than, as I get out of the car, out comes Court with a cold Corona in her hand. ‘Welcome home’ she says as drain half the bottle. Normally I try not to get to emotional (shutit!) but I really could have cried at this point.
Maybe it’s a sort of comfort zone in my life. A zone between my life in the Village and my dad’s, where I cant help but be reminded of my mom and the turmoil of my earlier life. Sometimes this feels more like home than anyplace I have ever known. And, if I’m honest with myself, it has for years.
There is a line in Last Tango in Paris. I don’t remember the line from the movie but I just saw it some magazine article and its rather fitting.
‘It’s over, and then it begins again.’
tuneage, Three Days Grace - The Good Life
I cruise slowly through the Penn State campus and head to my brothers apartment where I find him with a keg on the deck. Some things just never change. We sit on the deck drinking away the afternoon with his friends and I start to feel like the ‘den mother’ all over again.
Later I head over to Court’s house, before I moved to the Village my home for over a year. I pull Foxy into the familiar driveway and just sit and look for a few minutes. Than, as I get out of the car, out comes Court with a cold Corona in her hand. ‘Welcome home’ she says as drain half the bottle. Normally I try not to get to emotional (shutit!) but I really could have cried at this point.
Maybe it’s a sort of comfort zone in my life. A zone between my life in the Village and my dad’s, where I cant help but be reminded of my mom and the turmoil of my earlier life. Sometimes this feels more like home than anyplace I have ever known. And, if I’m honest with myself, it has for years.
There is a line in Last Tango in Paris. I don’t remember the line from the movie but I just saw it some magazine article and its rather fitting.
‘It’s over, and then it begins again.’
tuneage, Three Days Grace - The Good Life
Friday, April 30, 2010
Obsevations from the Roof 4.30
(4-29) Darkness falls later and later in the Village every night. After last night’s bright full moon an overcast sky makes it hard to see anything above the city but the flickering lights of jets heading who knows where.
Did you ever come to a point in your life, a seminal moment maybe, where paths seem to lead off in every direction? Leaving you standing alone in the crossroads wondering which path is the one to take. Standing there knowing deep down in your heart that each one leads to vastly divergent futures. One path leading to happiness, one to possible fame and glory, and another possibly the path back to hell. You have no idea which is which as the sun passes farther and farther below the horizon.
The night gets darker and darker, the darkness itself beginning to swallow you as you stand there alone, still wondering.
(4-30) As of now I don’t know which path to follow but I think it’s time to start figuring it out. A combination of a beautiful night and slight glow down one path tells me a road trip is called for. So tomorrow I think I’ll set off to reconnect with some roots. Meet up with Sean, Court, who I haven’t seen since I moved, and maybe a little walk in my mountains.
I have some projects going I need to finish up. Ash still tries to convince me that I should be her partner in her little art buying and selling endeavor. A week at the beach house not that far away, with Fred’s once again calling my name. Time is slowly running out on my chance to go back to State and JoePa. It seems an interesting summer lies ahead. Once again I have a major decision to make and once again I have no effing clue what I will do. But I think a dawn run to the mountains is called for.
But I do know one thing. This fucked up life of mine is one hell of a ride.
'you can’t quit until you try, you can’t live until you die
you can’t learn to tell the truth, until you learn to lie ....'
tuneage, Sixx AM - Life is Beautiful
Did you ever come to a point in your life, a seminal moment maybe, where paths seem to lead off in every direction? Leaving you standing alone in the crossroads wondering which path is the one to take. Standing there knowing deep down in your heart that each one leads to vastly divergent futures. One path leading to happiness, one to possible fame and glory, and another possibly the path back to hell. You have no idea which is which as the sun passes farther and farther below the horizon.
The night gets darker and darker, the darkness itself beginning to swallow you as you stand there alone, still wondering.
(4-30) As of now I don’t know which path to follow but I think it’s time to start figuring it out. A combination of a beautiful night and slight glow down one path tells me a road trip is called for. So tomorrow I think I’ll set off to reconnect with some roots. Meet up with Sean, Court, who I haven’t seen since I moved, and maybe a little walk in my mountains.
I have some projects going I need to finish up. Ash still tries to convince me that I should be her partner in her little art buying and selling endeavor. A week at the beach house not that far away, with Fred’s once again calling my name. Time is slowly running out on my chance to go back to State and JoePa. It seems an interesting summer lies ahead. Once again I have a major decision to make and once again I have no effing clue what I will do. But I think a dawn run to the mountains is called for.
But I do know one thing. This fucked up life of mine is one hell of a ride.
'you can’t quit until you try, you can’t live until you die
you can’t learn to tell the truth, until you learn to lie ....'
tuneage, Sixx AM - Life is Beautiful
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Login Failed
It changes so fast. One minute chatting to a friend the next pounding on the door to get in. You have something you need to say, something you need to do. But the door is closed tight.
Would the gods let you know?
Would they give you a sign?
Login failed
Fall asleep in the window, the moon burning bright. Wake up the moon is gone and the streets are dark. It’s light passing as always over you to shine on some new place.
Would the gods tell you to run away or stay?
Would they tell you it would be alright?
Login failed
Sitting alone, gazing into the now dark empty street below. You wonder what happened and why. Looking for a sign but everything outside is so dark and quiet.
Would you know or would the gods have to tell you?
Would they explain why?
Login failed
Everything seems to crumble around you as you sit staring. Everything you knew, everything you had, everything you wanted fading away into the night as you sit staring blankly, unable to stop it.
Would you know when it was time?
Would you?
Login failed
Login failed ….
tuneage
Would the gods let you know?
Would they give you a sign?
Login failed
Fall asleep in the window, the moon burning bright. Wake up the moon is gone and the streets are dark. It’s light passing as always over you to shine on some new place.
Would the gods tell you to run away or stay?
Would they tell you it would be alright?
Login failed
Sitting alone, gazing into the now dark empty street below. You wonder what happened and why. Looking for a sign but everything outside is so dark and quiet.
Would you know or would the gods have to tell you?
Would they explain why?
Login failed
Everything seems to crumble around you as you sit staring. Everything you knew, everything you had, everything you wanted fading away into the night as you sit staring blankly, unable to stop it.
Would you know when it was time?
Would you?
Login failed
Login failed ….
tuneage
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Observations from the Window 4.28
It’s just stunning sitting in the window watching a full moon rise over the city. You don’t often see much of the night sky in this city. No stars just neon and the glow of street lights. But a full moon cant be missed, so out of place, so beautiful.
But just a day after reading away my night in the window, I find myself pondering one of the peculiar parts of my personality. It just seems to be a total contradiction in my brain. I often call myself anti social and I am. I can put on a good show when I want to but in the end I’m just as happy or happier being left alone to observe life as it rolls by. At the same time I absolutely thrive on attention.
I’m always afraid of missing something and constantly surf my sites. Who is on, who is off, when, where, what, why? I speed my Droid through Plurk and twitter just incase. I read art sites passionately. Ash says I need a sign that says ‘it sold for what!?!’
I also call myself a Luddite but I own three computers, a Droid, and am shopping for a new laptop. I have, at last count, six email addresses, two flickr accounts, a tumblr, a plurk, and a tweeter account. And obviously you know I have a blog. Sometimes my head spins out of control just to keep up with it all. And sometimes I just know too much for my own damn good, information always being a two edged sword for me. I need to know and at the same time not. I need to be the center and the periphery. I need to be everything and nothing at all. Maybe being an anti social luddite isn’t such a bad thing in the end.
I am your worst social nightmare. The black clad artsie geek vampire queen sitting in the corner booth dazed in the glow of her LCD screen.
What a bitch.
tuneage, HIM - In Joy And Sorrow
But just a day after reading away my night in the window, I find myself pondering one of the peculiar parts of my personality. It just seems to be a total contradiction in my brain. I often call myself anti social and I am. I can put on a good show when I want to but in the end I’m just as happy or happier being left alone to observe life as it rolls by. At the same time I absolutely thrive on attention.
I’m always afraid of missing something and constantly surf my sites. Who is on, who is off, when, where, what, why? I speed my Droid through Plurk and twitter just incase. I read art sites passionately. Ash says I need a sign that says ‘it sold for what!?!’
I also call myself a Luddite but I own three computers, a Droid, and am shopping for a new laptop. I have, at last count, six email addresses, two flickr accounts, a tumblr, a plurk, and a tweeter account. And obviously you know I have a blog. Sometimes my head spins out of control just to keep up with it all. And sometimes I just know too much for my own damn good, information always being a two edged sword for me. I need to know and at the same time not. I need to be the center and the periphery. I need to be everything and nothing at all. Maybe being an anti social luddite isn’t such a bad thing in the end.
I am your worst social nightmare. The black clad artsie geek vampire queen sitting in the corner booth dazed in the glow of her LCD screen.
What a bitch.
tuneage, HIM - In Joy And Sorrow
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Run
I woke up late for me on a Saturday morning, late that is for morning that I had been to bed before sunrise. Running across the street for a paper I was struck by the utterly gorgeous morning. Even the city air smelled fresh for a change and a plan hatched in my tired brain. I didn’t have to be at the gallery till noon, I had time.
The Run was born.
Pulling on a leather jacket I grabbed my keys and headed for Foxy. As I started the engine I rolled down the windows and popped in a fav Linkin Park CD. I backed out of my space and smiled at the security guard who was probably not expecting me to move an inch.
Heading out of the garage I made my way to Sixth Avenue and headed north. Now traffic on a Saturday morning isn’t as bad as it is the rest of the week. Just an extra dose of tourista buses to deal with. So I quickly made my way past Radio City Music Hall and drew a bead on Central Park which I intended to completely circle. I drove passed the brownstones and luxury apartments of ‘Gossip Girl’ fame, dodged the limos, and made my way around the north side of the park. Than south down the east side where i avoided the famous horse drawn carriages, the urban Amish of New York if you will. As I finished my run around the park I slid through Columbus Circle and headed Foxy south on Broadway.
Tunes were totally blaring by now as I weaved my way around assorted loons, cabbies, buses, and one mounted police officer. As I sped up on my way south I prayed to any gods who would listen that the horse couldn’t read a radar gun. I raised my middle finger in salute as I passed Madison Square Garden, home of the long hated Rangers of the NHL. Finally straight on through NYU, which was filled with swarms of students out enjoying the warm sun. This was the only point of the run where I found it difficult to keep my eyes on the road. A quick left took me around Washington Square Park, passed my apartment, and back to the garage.
Till I parked Foxy again it was about an hour of pure ecstasy. It reminded me of something my bartender buddy had said the night before. In between bands Led Zeppelin's 'Khasmir' came on the sound system. She looked at me and said 'listening to this song is as good as sex.' I know that feeling.
I know my dad would totally kill me so I’m hoping he doesn’t read this. But just incase ….
Love ya Dad!
tuneage, Linkin Park - Faint
The Run was born.
Pulling on a leather jacket I grabbed my keys and headed for Foxy. As I started the engine I rolled down the windows and popped in a fav Linkin Park CD. I backed out of my space and smiled at the security guard who was probably not expecting me to move an inch.
Heading out of the garage I made my way to Sixth Avenue and headed north. Now traffic on a Saturday morning isn’t as bad as it is the rest of the week. Just an extra dose of tourista buses to deal with. So I quickly made my way past Radio City Music Hall and drew a bead on Central Park which I intended to completely circle. I drove passed the brownstones and luxury apartments of ‘Gossip Girl’ fame, dodged the limos, and made my way around the north side of the park. Than south down the east side where i avoided the famous horse drawn carriages, the urban Amish of New York if you will. As I finished my run around the park I slid through Columbus Circle and headed Foxy south on Broadway.
Tunes were totally blaring by now as I weaved my way around assorted loons, cabbies, buses, and one mounted police officer. As I sped up on my way south I prayed to any gods who would listen that the horse couldn’t read a radar gun. I raised my middle finger in salute as I passed Madison Square Garden, home of the long hated Rangers of the NHL. Finally straight on through NYU, which was filled with swarms of students out enjoying the warm sun. This was the only point of the run where I found it difficult to keep my eyes on the road. A quick left took me around Washington Square Park, passed my apartment, and back to the garage.
Till I parked Foxy again it was about an hour of pure ecstasy. It reminded me of something my bartender buddy had said the night before. In between bands Led Zeppelin's 'Khasmir' came on the sound system. She looked at me and said 'listening to this song is as good as sex.' I know that feeling.
I know my dad would totally kill me so I’m hoping he doesn’t read this. But just incase ….
Love ya Dad!
tuneage, Linkin Park - Faint
Friday, April 23, 2010
Observations from the Gallery
A crowd of hundreds showed up in Chelsea this morning, protesting at the hearing on proposed limits on the number of art vendors allowed in the four major parks in the city. Personally I wanted to go but I didn’t make it because I couldn’t drag my sorry ass out of bed. Than again maybe I’m just turning into one of those typical cynical New Yorkers. I figure all bets are on the cupcakes anyway.
Sometimes Stephen Colbert just rocks. Just sayin.
I now own a copy of Avatar. I figure now I can die in peace and quiet because nobody will be asking why I didn’t see it yet. Put it on my grave marker ‘damnit I did see Avatar now leave me in peace!’
USA Today celebrated Earth Day 2010 by publishing a special insert for Thursday’s paper. Does this mean trees just don’t count on Earth Day?
There is a show on Logo called ‘Exes and Ohs’ that somehow managed to slip under my well oiled radar. I stumbled on it at the gallery today. A kind of younger, funnier, less serious ‘L World’, it’s based on the short film ‘The Ten Rules: A Lesbian Survival Guide’. It’s worth a look.
For the record the changes in vendor rules would limit Central Park to 49 vendors, Union Square to 18, Battery Park to 9, and High Line to 5. Five? I mean seriously it's huge, why bother with any at all.
The Urban Dictionary defines village idiot as 'a total dumbass'.
If this is the Village I'm nominating Mayor Bloomberg for idiot. Just sayin.
tuneage, Within Temptation - Utopia
Sometimes Stephen Colbert just rocks. Just sayin.
I now own a copy of Avatar. I figure now I can die in peace and quiet because nobody will be asking why I didn’t see it yet. Put it on my grave marker ‘damnit I did see Avatar now leave me in peace!’
USA Today celebrated Earth Day 2010 by publishing a special insert for Thursday’s paper. Does this mean trees just don’t count on Earth Day?
There is a show on Logo called ‘Exes and Ohs’ that somehow managed to slip under my well oiled radar. I stumbled on it at the gallery today. A kind of younger, funnier, less serious ‘L World’, it’s based on the short film ‘The Ten Rules: A Lesbian Survival Guide’. It’s worth a look.
For the record the changes in vendor rules would limit Central Park to 49 vendors, Union Square to 18, Battery Park to 9, and High Line to 5. Five? I mean seriously it's huge, why bother with any at all.
The Urban Dictionary defines village idiot as 'a total dumbass'.
If this is the Village I'm nominating Mayor Bloomberg for idiot. Just sayin.
tuneage, Within Temptation - Utopia
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Great Art War
Walk through any of the parks in New York and you will find one thing in common. They are lined with art vendors selling everything from books to paintings and photos. A colorful and dynamic gallery in a city known for its arts. Now the city administration says the vendors are out of control and wants to limit the number of vendors by as much as 80%. The new rules would affect Central Park, Union Square, Battery Park, and the High Line Park. Amazingly they are smart enough to leave Washington Square alone or risk starting an outright rebellion in the Village.
The city has tried to limit vendors for years. The administration of the great art fan Rudy Giuliani sought to require permits for all art vendors. A federal appeals court sided with the artists and said they were protected by the First Amendment and The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the city's appeal.
Now in an editorial the New York Daily News calls the vendors ‘freeloaders who assert the right to sell what they want, where they want, on the grounds that they're expressing themselves.’ And in an op-ed piece in The New York Times ex-councilman Edward Wallace went so far as to say some vendors may be selling stolen goods, ‘An army of book sellers set up tables along Fifth Avenue, blocking the sidewalks, collecting no sales tax and paying no property tax, and in some instances selling stolen goods.’ In fact vendors are required to have and display a tax id under current regulations.
Eerily, while all this is going on, the Parks Department granted Cake&Shake a permit to sell gourmet cupcakes in front the Metropolitan Museum, an area that has been off limits to most food vendors. In return, Cake&Shake will pay $108,000 to the city. The cupcake vendor also will pay $27,000 for a spot in Washington Square Park. We are talking $5 cupcakes in my park, I hate cupcakes. Yesterday I saw a poster for sale where the said cupcakes will soon reside. An old wild west style poster that said simply ''Wanted: Killer of NYC Artists' Rights.'
Maybe Robert Lederman says its best, Lederman is president of A.R.T.I.S.T. (Artists' Response To Illegal State Tactics). He wrote ….
'To the editor,
Mike BloomberBloomberg is a hypocrite on art and an art elitist.
He wants to let Christo wrap all of Central Park in giant swaths of yellow fabric, yet at the same time his lawyers are before the Second Circuit Federal Court of Appeals trying to prevent a handful of painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors from displaying art around Central Park .
He cut City funding to arts institutions that help low-income artists while continuing to fund David Rockefeller's Museum of Modern Art renovation.
He donates millions to arts organizations which are fronts for the City's wealthiest corporate interests while having First Amendment protected street artists' displays crushed in garbage trucks.
Mike Bloomberg made his billions as part of the media, but he seems to have zero tolerance for the rights of artists.'
And so The Great Art War of 2010 begins. Stay tuned.
A.R.T.I.S.T. video
The city has tried to limit vendors for years. The administration of the great art fan Rudy Giuliani sought to require permits for all art vendors. A federal appeals court sided with the artists and said they were protected by the First Amendment and The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the city's appeal.
Now in an editorial the New York Daily News calls the vendors ‘freeloaders who assert the right to sell what they want, where they want, on the grounds that they're expressing themselves.’ And in an op-ed piece in The New York Times ex-councilman Edward Wallace went so far as to say some vendors may be selling stolen goods, ‘An army of book sellers set up tables along Fifth Avenue, blocking the sidewalks, collecting no sales tax and paying no property tax, and in some instances selling stolen goods.’ In fact vendors are required to have and display a tax id under current regulations.
Eerily, while all this is going on, the Parks Department granted Cake&Shake a permit to sell gourmet cupcakes in front the Metropolitan Museum, an area that has been off limits to most food vendors. In return, Cake&Shake will pay $108,000 to the city. The cupcake vendor also will pay $27,000 for a spot in Washington Square Park. We are talking $5 cupcakes in my park, I hate cupcakes. Yesterday I saw a poster for sale where the said cupcakes will soon reside. An old wild west style poster that said simply ''Wanted: Killer of NYC Artists' Rights.'
Maybe Robert Lederman says its best, Lederman is president of A.R.T.I.S.T. (Artists' Response To Illegal State Tactics). He wrote ….
'To the editor,
Mike BloomberBloomberg is a hypocrite on art and an art elitist.
He wants to let Christo wrap all of Central Park in giant swaths of yellow fabric, yet at the same time his lawyers are before the Second Circuit Federal Court of Appeals trying to prevent a handful of painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors from displaying art around Central Park .
He cut City funding to arts institutions that help low-income artists while continuing to fund David Rockefeller's Museum of Modern Art renovation.
He donates millions to arts organizations which are fronts for the City's wealthiest corporate interests while having First Amendment protected street artists' displays crushed in garbage trucks.
Mike Bloomberg made his billions as part of the media, but he seems to have zero tolerance for the rights of artists.'
And so The Great Art War of 2010 begins. Stay tuned.
A.R.T.I.S.T. video
Monday, April 19, 2010
Observations from the Window 4.19
So I’m sitting in my window still waiting on that sunscreen vendor. Guy is selling t-shirts now, rip-off Yankees hats and t-shirts. Come on Phillies fan here, don’t make me sick. I know it’s just spring and not summer but I want to see sunscreen out there. My fear is he is going to skip right to those little plastic minifans and I’ll have to get my sunscreen elsewhere. I don’t do Walmart. Oh but wait, there is no Walmart!
I check on Foxy everyday but I have yet to drive her in the city. I start her little engine and listen to a tune than leave her again. I’m thinking the security guards are thinking I’m a bit insane. Well ….
Ever watch ‘Mythbusters’? That show is so totally kewl. So I guess I must be a closet science geek now.
I guess I’ll have to go out and buy ‘Avatar’ on Thursday so I’m no longer one of the few humans who have never seen the movie. And I quit hearing ‘you never saw it?’ I can’t believe some stores are opening at midnight just to sell one movie!
I did some wandering today and ended up at Battery Park at the very tip of Manhattan. It has a more touristy and less artsie feel than my home park, Washington Square, but the setting is simply stunning. Looking out at the bay and the Statue of Liberty with the buildings of Wall Street behind you, even on a Monday its filled with art vendors and street performers. It seems like the beginning and the end of the world all at the same time.
You just have to look out and wonder.
tuneage, AFI - Beautiful Thieves
I check on Foxy everyday but I have yet to drive her in the city. I start her little engine and listen to a tune than leave her again. I’m thinking the security guards are thinking I’m a bit insane. Well ….
Ever watch ‘Mythbusters’? That show is so totally kewl. So I guess I must be a closet science geek now.
I guess I’ll have to go out and buy ‘Avatar’ on Thursday so I’m no longer one of the few humans who have never seen the movie. And I quit hearing ‘you never saw it?’ I can’t believe some stores are opening at midnight just to sell one movie!
I did some wandering today and ended up at Battery Park at the very tip of Manhattan. It has a more touristy and less artsie feel than my home park, Washington Square, but the setting is simply stunning. Looking out at the bay and the Statue of Liberty with the buildings of Wall Street behind you, even on a Monday its filled with art vendors and street performers. It seems like the beginning and the end of the world all at the same time.
You just have to look out and wonder.
tuneage, AFI - Beautiful Thieves
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