First off, what is bar etiquette? I think it's generally accepted that puking in bar bathrooms or passing out on the bar is not cool. But is it cool to shrug and leave the person on his own to puke or sleep? It's not cool to spill drinks, but it happens all the time so we can overlook that one. It's definitely not cool to Ruffie someone. But it can be hottt to find a one-night hook up. Though that introduces a whole new set of rules...
Mainly, everyone has their own ideas of how one should and shouldn't behave in a bar. People are always talking too loudly or bumping into you or not talking to you enough or not touching you enough. When I go out, I wanna have fun, and part of having fun for me is not pissing anyone off and not getting pissed off by anyone. So I think there are ten simple rules that, if properly followed, would create the chillest, nicest, most never pissed off atmosphere.
1. Know your limits! If you can't keep up with Mr. Football Player, don't try. I've never understood this. No one has fun if they're vomiting/passing out/feeling sick/rampaging/whatevering because they're too drunk. Most people in this country have plenty of experience with alcohol by the time they're finally 21, and know how drunk is too drunk.
2. Don't leave your friends in a bad place! Meaning, don't wander away from your crew if you're too drunk, and also don't leave drunkie behind. Seriously. They're a pain in the ass, they're gross, they're annoying, but don't leave them alone to get mugged or raped. There are obviously exceptions, violent drunks being the hardest and disappearing drunks being the scariest. If you can get the friend home, do it. But if number 1 is followed, this should never be an issue.
3. If you see a random person passed out, maybe point it out to the bartender. You don't need to get all involved but it is nice to alert someone who works there and will get paid for helping passed-outers to a cab. On their way out though, suggest they re-read number 1.
4. If someone spills a drink on you, accept their apologies and dry off. No need to start a fight over accidents. If someone purposefully pours a drink on you, make your own decision 'bout that.
5. If someone bumps into you, a-okay. If someone purposefully pushes or shoves into you or exerts extra pressure, turn around and tell him to stop. Why would you ever just shove into someone on purpose? Obviously ask them to move, maneuver around them, or wait. And if there's another person in front of the person you're shoving, then you're just an impatient dumbass and should go do yoga instead of go out drinking.
6. Tip well! Some bartenders are horrible but most do a decent-to-great job under stressful circumstances. They make their living off tips, so be nice. I know it seems dumb to pay someone a dollar to pop open your Tecate can, but it's just how the system works. Find another system to rebel against, like the U.S. Government. But don't fuck with the tipping system.
7. Don't steal someone's seat. Simultaneously, give up your seat if someone needs it. Honestly, I was in a bar after twisting my ankle and it started to ache a bit. I stood up but the little foldable chair I was sitting on fell as I stood. I tripped, twisting my ankle further. I hobbled to the back of the bar and saw three people, one sitting on a stool and the other two standing beside her. There was an empty stool beside them so I asked if they were using it. The guy said, "Yeah, kinda." I said, "It's just that I just hurt my ankle and would like to sit." He shrugged and sat down. He's going to hell.
8. When the place is busy, don't stand right in front of the bar and sip your drink and chit chit chat. Other people are trying to order, for fucks sake!
9. It is totally fine to wave or shout for the bartender. Sometimes they don't see you and are doing something else when they'd rather be serving you and you'd rather be getting served. With this in mind, don't be an ass. Don't reach over anyone or walk behind the bar or shout ten times or say something condescending. Again, just be nice. I read some statistic about how it takes all these extra muscles to frown and yell and wrinkle your brow. Save that energy for something fun.
10. Don't talk overly loud about the threesome you had with your mother. That's just gross.
So there you have it. I honestly believe that if people follow these rules, which really aren't very difficult, then our night lives would be a hell of a lot more fun. Don't be nasty or dumb or impatient. Be smart about maximizing the fun. Vomiters and pushers and fighters and assholes are the worst brand of fun vacuums.
P.S. On a more serious note, if you see a guy harassing a girl or a girl who looks scared, step up and ask if everything's okay. You don't have to get in a fight for some girl (or guy, too) you don't know, but you can alert the bartender if necessary. And sometimes just asking is enough to change the vibe and break some of the tension.
Funny story: One time, Dave and I were heading home from a bar and I was being lazy, so big bad Dave gave me a piggy-back ride. I started tickling him and we were both giggling, when some man comes up and asks if everything's okay. We were like, "Yeah. Uh, thanks?" I don't think men typically abduct women by giving them giggly piggy-back rides. But, the intention was honorable and one that should be followed.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Knocks Knocks!
Who's there?
From the Underground!
Hahahaha.
So... my life has been taken over. My apologies to From KY to NY, but a new blog has entered my life and is way more demanding. Knocks from the Underground, an online music magazine focusing on local, "underground" music, is actually happening.
For those of you who don't know the story, about two years ago, Will Bryant and Dave Buivid put together a compilation of rock songs by Boston musicians and entitled it, "Knocks from the Underground: The Best of Underplayed Boston." They also hosted a huge show in the Middle East downstairs and it was a ton of fun. I actually wrote one of my first published articles for that concert, a show preview published in The Phoenix online. But the point is, the CD was a big hit and everyone was happy.
Then about a year later, Will contacted me regarding helping him with an online music mag (going by the same name) that would cover local, emerging artists. He lived in San Francisco at the time, so I was going to head up the New York site, he was going to head up the San Fran site and others friends would focus on L.A. and Boston. We actually wrote reviews and sent them to each other to revise, and then Will found a company willing to create the site! We designed a logo (see below) and a layout of the web page, and then got involved in other endeavors and awaited the news from the company.
My other endeavors involved The Deli, as many of you know. I was writing regularly for the blog and the printed edition, but in two of my blog entries I noticed changes the editor added in that were actually grammatically incorrect (by little ways, i.e. missing punctuation marks, etc). I didn't comment on them because they were small and online, but then a printed edition came out with a feature article I wrote about a band named "Semi-Precious Weapons." I spent two hours interviewing them and almost ten hours slaving away on this article, only to have the editor leave out a byline (meaning nowhere on the article did it say, "By: Becky Firesheets") and make multiple changes that were either incorrect or just flat out cheesy. He made two changes that had wrong punctuation or an incorrect tense, and made three changes using punctuation that is technically correct but is typically reserved for informal speaking. He also added in three incredibly cheesy lines, taking out my original ending and adding in a quote I already used later on in the article.
Needless to say, I was quite upset. The editor is a VERY cool guy -- really chill and creative and in general good people. His heart is for sure in the right place, and he's a musician who just wants to support local music. But as an editor, he doesn't pay close attention to details and therefore misses quite a few mistakes in his own edits and in his writers' work that make the publication look second rate (and English is his second language). He's very overworked and generally follows a different ethic than I would take as a journalist and editor. So after multiple email exchanges, we kind of settled on a realization that he does things differently than I would but that he wanted me to keep writing for him and would try to be "more sensitive to my needs."
This is when I realized I am very capable of running my own online magazine and really, really want to.
I contacted Will and it turns out that as a result of the current economic crisis, the company that was creating our site had to delay the project in order to focus on a more important client because they lost some big job and needed money. Will and I decided to take this into our own hands and make it happen at the pace we wanted.
And this is when Knocks took over my life. Since this conversation about a month ago, we have both been working hardcore on making this happen. Meanwhile, Will was also moving from San Francisco to New York, so he kinda had to focus on that. But now he's here and we're hitting the New York site with gusto. I posted an ad on craigslist for writers and received twenty responses, we have a photography team, we have a fundraising show scheduled for January 3rd, and we've already created the blog version which will be ready to launch in about two weeks. The actual site will launch in 5-6 months, and we are working hard to organize everything and get it all ready. Obviously I'll keep you updated.
Just to be clear, here is the main mission of our mag:
We want to cover the "underground," focusing solely on up-and-coming and independent artists, or basically anyone who hasn't yet hit the mainstream. We don't want to cover music news regarding bands like Modest Mouse, but rather review acts like Akudama or Teedo or The Woes. It is a bit of a sliding scale and highly subjective, but a good rule of thumb would be to ask, would any other site be reviewing this show or album?
We are also trying to fill a gap on a local level. This is not to say our writers will be limited to reviewing local acts only, but they will limit themselves to reviewing acts who are playing in local, small venues and being supported by local artists. The goal of the site is to act as a resource for New Yorkers to learn of new, up-and-coming bands. We want to help the local bands who we think are amazing but are only playing to 50-150 people a show.
The site will consist of all types of articles, including band briefs, full album reviews, full live reviews, features (with interviews!) and venue blurbs. I think it will be totally cool and will actually appeal to people because nothing like it exists. I mean, The Deli also covers local music but I don't see it as competition but rather as they are covering the local scenes in their way and us in our way, and hopefully we can collaborate somehow. Then there are publications like Pitchfork, but that's on a much wider, broader scale. I think this has serious potential!
I am completely excited.
If you want to write or contribute in any other way, please email me. In the meantime, stay tuned.
From the Underground!
Hahahaha.
So... my life has been taken over. My apologies to From KY to NY, but a new blog has entered my life and is way more demanding. Knocks from the Underground, an online music magazine focusing on local, "underground" music, is actually happening.
For those of you who don't know the story, about two years ago, Will Bryant and Dave Buivid put together a compilation of rock songs by Boston musicians and entitled it, "Knocks from the Underground: The Best of Underplayed Boston." They also hosted a huge show in the Middle East downstairs and it was a ton of fun. I actually wrote one of my first published articles for that concert, a show preview published in The Phoenix online. But the point is, the CD was a big hit and everyone was happy.
Then about a year later, Will contacted me regarding helping him with an online music mag (going by the same name) that would cover local, emerging artists. He lived in San Francisco at the time, so I was going to head up the New York site, he was going to head up the San Fran site and others friends would focus on L.A. and Boston. We actually wrote reviews and sent them to each other to revise, and then Will found a company willing to create the site! We designed a logo (see below) and a layout of the web page, and then got involved in other endeavors and awaited the news from the company.
My other endeavors involved The Deli, as many of you know. I was writing regularly for the blog and the printed edition, but in two of my blog entries I noticed changes the editor added in that were actually grammatically incorrect (by little ways, i.e. missing punctuation marks, etc). I didn't comment on them because they were small and online, but then a printed edition came out with a feature article I wrote about a band named "Semi-Precious Weapons." I spent two hours interviewing them and almost ten hours slaving away on this article, only to have the editor leave out a byline (meaning nowhere on the article did it say, "By: Becky Firesheets") and make multiple changes that were either incorrect or just flat out cheesy. He made two changes that had wrong punctuation or an incorrect tense, and made three changes using punctuation that is technically correct but is typically reserved for informal speaking. He also added in three incredibly cheesy lines, taking out my original ending and adding in a quote I already used later on in the article.
Needless to say, I was quite upset. The editor is a VERY cool guy -- really chill and creative and in general good people. His heart is for sure in the right place, and he's a musician who just wants to support local music. But as an editor, he doesn't pay close attention to details and therefore misses quite a few mistakes in his own edits and in his writers' work that make the publication look second rate (and English is his second language). He's very overworked and generally follows a different ethic than I would take as a journalist and editor. So after multiple email exchanges, we kind of settled on a realization that he does things differently than I would but that he wanted me to keep writing for him and would try to be "more sensitive to my needs."
This is when I realized I am very capable of running my own online magazine and really, really want to.
I contacted Will and it turns out that as a result of the current economic crisis, the company that was creating our site had to delay the project in order to focus on a more important client because they lost some big job and needed money. Will and I decided to take this into our own hands and make it happen at the pace we wanted.
And this is when Knocks took over my life. Since this conversation about a month ago, we have both been working hardcore on making this happen. Meanwhile, Will was also moving from San Francisco to New York, so he kinda had to focus on that. But now he's here and we're hitting the New York site with gusto. I posted an ad on craigslist for writers and received twenty responses, we have a photography team, we have a fundraising show scheduled for January 3rd, and we've already created the blog version which will be ready to launch in about two weeks. The actual site will launch in 5-6 months, and we are working hard to organize everything and get it all ready. Obviously I'll keep you updated.
Just to be clear, here is the main mission of our mag:
We want to cover the "underground," focusing solely on up-and-coming and independent artists, or basically anyone who hasn't yet hit the mainstream. We don't want to cover music news regarding bands like Modest Mouse, but rather review acts like Akudama or Teedo or The Woes. It is a bit of a sliding scale and highly subjective, but a good rule of thumb would be to ask, would any other site be reviewing this show or album?
We are also trying to fill a gap on a local level. This is not to say our writers will be limited to reviewing local acts only, but they will limit themselves to reviewing acts who are playing in local, small venues and being supported by local artists. The goal of the site is to act as a resource for New Yorkers to learn of new, up-and-coming bands. We want to help the local bands who we think are amazing but are only playing to 50-150 people a show.
The site will consist of all types of articles, including band briefs, full album reviews, full live reviews, features (with interviews!) and venue blurbs. I think it will be totally cool and will actually appeal to people because nothing like it exists. I mean, The Deli also covers local music but I don't see it as competition but rather as they are covering the local scenes in their way and us in our way, and hopefully we can collaborate somehow. Then there are publications like Pitchfork, but that's on a much wider, broader scale. I think this has serious potential!
I am completely excited.
If you want to write or contribute in any other way, please email me. In the meantime, stay tuned.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Overweight at 24? Wanna Lose Up to 20 lbs in 20 days?
I freaking hate all these advertisements for lame diets. "Crash diet for brides! Lose five pounds right before the big day!" With a photograph of a beautiful, slender, tall blonde woman wearing a white dress, grimacing at her stomach while she squeezes it. What the hell?
This is not new...for decades our society has been focused on twig thin models and telling young women they're fat if they're not 100 lbs or less. Eating disorders are rampant for a variety of reasons, but it's true that a lot of young girls in the States think they're fat when they actually are not. These ads not only encourage this line of thought but also take money from healthy people because if you have a centimeter of fat around your stomach, you are ugly and worthless and need to spend money for this ridiculous diet that translates into starvation. With photographs of rock hard abs only hours of personal training a day will provide, or skinny girls surrounded by attractive men, of course young women will get tricked!
The most infuriating part for me is where these ads are located: myspace and facebook. Both websites encourage young people to create a profile (isn't the limit for facebook only 13?) and help them connect to one another. Both sites brag about all the good they do for certain causes and for people in general, yet every goddamn page is lined with ads picturing beautiful young women pulling skin from their arm, claiming it to be fat, and expressing how some diet will help them lose this fat. WE ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE FAT ON OUR BODIES! How can these sites claim to do so much good for young people, to be great resources and social utilities, when they constantly harass these young, impressionable kids for being normal and beautiful, tell them lies and encourage them to spend their money on unhealthy diets? If facebook is so socially conscious, why don't they only have ads about politics, environmental causes, ways to volunteer, or even just some dumb ad for Delia's or Old Navy? Don't tell me facebook doesn't have enough money to function without all these diet ads.
It's just bullshit. I wish companies and corporations, particularly those geared toward young people and those that claim to be positive for young people, would actually live up to what they claim. How is it right for them to say they do such good work for our society when they're constantly spreading lies about what is healthy and what is beautiful? Any man you ask will say some pale, bony, weak, skinny girl is not nearly as attractive as an energetic, strong, curvy girl, yet all these images attack us every day.
If facebook and myspace truly cared, they would not allow these ads on their sites. Turns out they're just two more shitty businesses that crave power and money, rather than real and honest companies that truly support young people.
Please don't let these ridiculous ads trick you. But to be honest, it's not you I'm worried about, as most people reading my blog are older, smart individuals who can see straight through bullshit. It's the self-conscious, confused, angsty 15-year-olds who use facebook everyday, want to be beautiful and don't know the first thing about healthy eating. These ads are actually powerful in the lives of teenagers and it's truly a fucking shame.
Examples:
I opened facebook, entered my name and password and was taken to my homepage (there are no ads at all on the homepages). I then clicked the "Friends" tab. A page appeared where all my friends were listed, and running along the side were these two ads:
I then clicked the photo of my first friend in the list and was taken to her profile. Running along the side was the same ad as above (the supermodel diet) and another ad for a salon. I'm not complaining about the salon ad, just using this brief time on facebook as an example of my complaint.
So what do we do? Do we write letters? Form events on these sites regarding the advertisements? Boycott?
Let me know your suggestions. And in the meantime, please educate any young person you know about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Letting them know the truth will hopefully go further than false advertising. And enjoy some milk and cookies, would ya?
This is not new...for decades our society has been focused on twig thin models and telling young women they're fat if they're not 100 lbs or less. Eating disorders are rampant for a variety of reasons, but it's true that a lot of young girls in the States think they're fat when they actually are not. These ads not only encourage this line of thought but also take money from healthy people because if you have a centimeter of fat around your stomach, you are ugly and worthless and need to spend money for this ridiculous diet that translates into starvation. With photographs of rock hard abs only hours of personal training a day will provide, or skinny girls surrounded by attractive men, of course young women will get tricked!
The most infuriating part for me is where these ads are located: myspace and facebook. Both websites encourage young people to create a profile (isn't the limit for facebook only 13?) and help them connect to one another. Both sites brag about all the good they do for certain causes and for people in general, yet every goddamn page is lined with ads picturing beautiful young women pulling skin from their arm, claiming it to be fat, and expressing how some diet will help them lose this fat. WE ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE FAT ON OUR BODIES! How can these sites claim to do so much good for young people, to be great resources and social utilities, when they constantly harass these young, impressionable kids for being normal and beautiful, tell them lies and encourage them to spend their money on unhealthy diets? If facebook is so socially conscious, why don't they only have ads about politics, environmental causes, ways to volunteer, or even just some dumb ad for Delia's or Old Navy? Don't tell me facebook doesn't have enough money to function without all these diet ads.
It's just bullshit. I wish companies and corporations, particularly those geared toward young people and those that claim to be positive for young people, would actually live up to what they claim. How is it right for them to say they do such good work for our society when they're constantly spreading lies about what is healthy and what is beautiful? Any man you ask will say some pale, bony, weak, skinny girl is not nearly as attractive as an energetic, strong, curvy girl, yet all these images attack us every day.
If facebook and myspace truly cared, they would not allow these ads on their sites. Turns out they're just two more shitty businesses that crave power and money, rather than real and honest companies that truly support young people.
Please don't let these ridiculous ads trick you. But to be honest, it's not you I'm worried about, as most people reading my blog are older, smart individuals who can see straight through bullshit. It's the self-conscious, confused, angsty 15-year-olds who use facebook everyday, want to be beautiful and don't know the first thing about healthy eating. These ads are actually powerful in the lives of teenagers and it's truly a fucking shame.
Examples:
I opened facebook, entered my name and password and was taken to my homepage (there are no ads at all on the homepages). I then clicked the "Friends" tab. A page appeared where all my friends were listed, and running along the side were these two ads:
The Supermodel Diet?
Hottest New Diet
I then clicked the photo of my first friend in the list and was taken to her profile. Running along the side was the same ad as above (the supermodel diet) and another ad for a salon. I'm not complaining about the salon ad, just using this brief time on facebook as an example of my complaint.
So what do we do? Do we write letters? Form events on these sites regarding the advertisements? Boycott?
Let me know your suggestions. And in the meantime, please educate any young person you know about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Letting them know the truth will hopefully go further than false advertising. And enjoy some milk and cookies, would ya?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Ghouls and Candidates, Parties and Elections
First off, YAY FOR OBAMA! He is not my ideal candidate, I do not obsessively love him like lots of other people, but I do like him and think he's an excellent step in the right direction. Obama will not only lead us in a different way than the Bush administration, but just by being young and black, he sends messages of embracing change and diversity to our own citizens and to other countries. I hope he fulfills half of his promises; that will be infinitely more than what Bush fulfilled. As a friend's mom said, "Well we at least know Obama's not a moron so that's a step." Also, they're getting a puppy!! I love the idea of a little doggie shitting on the polished floor of the white house. Those girls are gonna love it.
It must be so surreal. The whole thing is so much like the Kennedy's...young, beautiful, stylish, excited, strong. Michelle Obama is a great first lady, but what a burden to take on as a young mother and lawyer! She has her own work, which she went to Harvard Law School for, and now is seen by all as the wife of Barack and mother of his children rather than a successful lawyer. And raising kids as the first African-American family in the white house! I hope she doesn't have an anxiety disorder or the next four years will destroy her nerve-endings.
Those girls probably have no idea what is actually going on. They are young, only seven and ten. This must feel like a dream to them. I hope they're able to enjoy their time in D.C. and live somewhat normal lives. I hate when the media exploits politicians' children, especially with these girls being so young! Let's hope the focus remains on Obama and what his administration will do... 'cause damn they have a lot of work. Did anyone else hear a bit of relief in McCain's voice during his speech?
Well, congratulations Obama and thank you for a wonderful speech accepting the presidency. I particularly loved the section about the 106 year old black woman. What an amazing and bizarre experience life must be for her right now! Also, congrats to everyone who voted and followed the election details, no matter who you voted for. And thank God this shit is over.
More importantly, HALLOWEEN PARTYYYYYY! Jess across the hall, Dave and I threw the biggest and best party I've ever helped host, ever. We spoke to the people in the other apartments before doing anything and got them all excited too, then invited 100 people and went nuts with decorating. There are four apartments in the building, two on the second floor and two on the third floor, a small foyer on the first floor and a roof, so we went all out... fake blood on the walls telling a story about the murdered Eliza, cobwebs and lights encircling the banisters and rails, a graveyard with bones and tombstones and eerie music along with caution tape and chalk-outlined bodies on the roof. The actual apartments had themes; mine was Wonderland and Jess's was Underworld. In my kitchen we hung garbage bags from the ceiling to the floor and put this weird doll we made out of a pumpkin sack stuffed with newspapers in front of the bags. I also hung up a small doll's head and hung the rest of her body in the doorway to the living room. I then made a dreamy/creepy sign welcoming all to Wonderland ("May all your dreams come true... be careful what you wish for") and we hung stars on the counters, lighting the room with Christmas lights, a dim lamp placed behind the hanging bags, and a Jack-o-Lantern. In the living room, we hung glittered stars from the ceiling along with bloody, decapitated dolls. We put various shades of red liquid in eight little jars we have, took apart a Barbie doll and placed her body parts in the different jars, then displayed them on a small shelf in the middle of the mantle. We had Christmas lights in there, too, along with more garbage bags and lots and lots of candy. Dave made an awesome playlist, full of funky and poppy and rockin' dance tunes, and we partied like it was 1999. Amazing. At least 75 people showed up, mostly in costume and amazed by our haunted house. It was so incredible.
Jess's apartment, Underworld, was full of cobwebs and bats. Her living room was beautiful, with rose vines, cobwebs and bats hanging from the ceiling. She draped all this cloth around the walls and hung creepy vampires and ghosts around the room. Between the kitchen and living room hung caution tape with bloody letters. And she looked so hot in her little hat, her long curly locks and a Victorian style lace-up dress.
I dressed as a peacock, with makeup on my eyes, feathers sticking up from a headband wrapped around my neck, and a tail sticking up from my ass. I wore a feather boa, a crazy shirt, black spandex pants, and wrapped green/gold ribbon around my waist. A couple hours into the night though, I shed my feather because they were annoying all the guests (whenever I walked anywhere, people were poked and tickled and complained). Friends from Beacon came, from college, from Boston and from D.C. We got them properly drunk... in my apartment we offered beer in the fridge and a homemade spiced wine. Jess's apartment offered loads of Jello-shots (including some made with Everclear) and Jungle Juice. Then on the roof was our Coors Light kegger. It was truly an amazing night!
If you wanna check out pictures, go here. This is one album Jess posted on facebook... she has another one if you search her profile. Enjoy!
Lastly, CMJ ended up not as fun as anticipated, but still a good time. I missed the Deli showcase with Semi-Precious Weapons because I was working late for this crazy Halloween dance we hosted at Beacon where the twelve-year-olds thought they could dry hump each other to some reggaeton. I did see Akudama at the National Underground, which was a pretty good show despite the horrible sound mix. I also saw The Gay Blades play an absolutely too drunk show at Spike Hill, which had its great points and its low points and mostly its very drunk points. The highlight from the week was Jay Reatard rockin' his soul out at Glasslands on Saturday night (which, actually, wasn't a CMJ show 'cause they rejected my badge). Women and Crystal Antlers opened, and I literally moshed and thrased and kicked like the little 15-year-old I once was with short pink hair in church basements at straight-edge punk/ska shows. It felt good until the next day when my neck and shoulders were painfully stiff and my toesies were throbbing from a very poor choice of shoes, but the night was way worth it.
In closing, Happy Belated Halloween and Happy Election and Happy The Election Is Over. We're considering hosting a New Year's Eve masquerade ball, so beware...
It must be so surreal. The whole thing is so much like the Kennedy's...young, beautiful, stylish, excited, strong. Michelle Obama is a great first lady, but what a burden to take on as a young mother and lawyer! She has her own work, which she went to Harvard Law School for, and now is seen by all as the wife of Barack and mother of his children rather than a successful lawyer. And raising kids as the first African-American family in the white house! I hope she doesn't have an anxiety disorder or the next four years will destroy her nerve-endings.
Those girls probably have no idea what is actually going on. They are young, only seven and ten. This must feel like a dream to them. I hope they're able to enjoy their time in D.C. and live somewhat normal lives. I hate when the media exploits politicians' children, especially with these girls being so young! Let's hope the focus remains on Obama and what his administration will do... 'cause damn they have a lot of work. Did anyone else hear a bit of relief in McCain's voice during his speech?
Well, congratulations Obama and thank you for a wonderful speech accepting the presidency. I particularly loved the section about the 106 year old black woman. What an amazing and bizarre experience life must be for her right now! Also, congrats to everyone who voted and followed the election details, no matter who you voted for. And thank God this shit is over.
More importantly, HALLOWEEN PARTYYYYYY! Jess across the hall, Dave and I threw the biggest and best party I've ever helped host, ever. We spoke to the people in the other apartments before doing anything and got them all excited too, then invited 100 people and went nuts with decorating. There are four apartments in the building, two on the second floor and two on the third floor, a small foyer on the first floor and a roof, so we went all out... fake blood on the walls telling a story about the murdered Eliza, cobwebs and lights encircling the banisters and rails, a graveyard with bones and tombstones and eerie music along with caution tape and chalk-outlined bodies on the roof. The actual apartments had themes; mine was Wonderland and Jess's was Underworld. In my kitchen we hung garbage bags from the ceiling to the floor and put this weird doll we made out of a pumpkin sack stuffed with newspapers in front of the bags. I also hung up a small doll's head and hung the rest of her body in the doorway to the living room. I then made a dreamy/creepy sign welcoming all to Wonderland ("May all your dreams come true... be careful what you wish for") and we hung stars on the counters, lighting the room with Christmas lights, a dim lamp placed behind the hanging bags, and a Jack-o-Lantern. In the living room, we hung glittered stars from the ceiling along with bloody, decapitated dolls. We put various shades of red liquid in eight little jars we have, took apart a Barbie doll and placed her body parts in the different jars, then displayed them on a small shelf in the middle of the mantle. We had Christmas lights in there, too, along with more garbage bags and lots and lots of candy. Dave made an awesome playlist, full of funky and poppy and rockin' dance tunes, and we partied like it was 1999. Amazing. At least 75 people showed up, mostly in costume and amazed by our haunted house. It was so incredible.
Jess's apartment, Underworld, was full of cobwebs and bats. Her living room was beautiful, with rose vines, cobwebs and bats hanging from the ceiling. She draped all this cloth around the walls and hung creepy vampires and ghosts around the room. Between the kitchen and living room hung caution tape with bloody letters. And she looked so hot in her little hat, her long curly locks and a Victorian style lace-up dress.
I dressed as a peacock, with makeup on my eyes, feathers sticking up from a headband wrapped around my neck, and a tail sticking up from my ass. I wore a feather boa, a crazy shirt, black spandex pants, and wrapped green/gold ribbon around my waist. A couple hours into the night though, I shed my feather because they were annoying all the guests (whenever I walked anywhere, people were poked and tickled and complained). Friends from Beacon came, from college, from Boston and from D.C. We got them properly drunk... in my apartment we offered beer in the fridge and a homemade spiced wine. Jess's apartment offered loads of Jello-shots (including some made with Everclear) and Jungle Juice. Then on the roof was our Coors Light kegger. It was truly an amazing night!
If you wanna check out pictures, go here. This is one album Jess posted on facebook... she has another one if you search her profile. Enjoy!
Lastly, CMJ ended up not as fun as anticipated, but still a good time. I missed the Deli showcase with Semi-Precious Weapons because I was working late for this crazy Halloween dance we hosted at Beacon where the twelve-year-olds thought they could dry hump each other to some reggaeton. I did see Akudama at the National Underground, which was a pretty good show despite the horrible sound mix. I also saw The Gay Blades play an absolutely too drunk show at Spike Hill, which had its great points and its low points and mostly its very drunk points. The highlight from the week was Jay Reatard rockin' his soul out at Glasslands on Saturday night (which, actually, wasn't a CMJ show 'cause they rejected my badge). Women and Crystal Antlers opened, and I literally moshed and thrased and kicked like the little 15-year-old I once was with short pink hair in church basements at straight-edge punk/ska shows. It felt good until the next day when my neck and shoulders were painfully stiff and my toesies were throbbing from a very poor choice of shoes, but the night was way worth it.
In closing, Happy Belated Halloween and Happy Election and Happy The Election Is Over. We're considering hosting a New Year's Eve masquerade ball, so beware...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
CMJ Preview: Part 3, Saturday
SATURDAY
Deli Showcase number two at Public Assembly! I am definitely checking this out, to see Semi-Precious Weapons, The Orion Experience and The Gay Blades. As many of you know, I wrote the cover story for the latest edition of The Deli, featuring SPW, and totally fell in love with these raunchy, crude dudes and their masculine yet glam punk rock. They're original and crazy, and totally let loose in their high heels and leather vests with insane sexual energy and intense punk tunes. They go on early, at 8 pm, because later in the night they're playing the Perez Hilton showcase. Ooooooh! It's by invite only and I don't think I'm invited. Anyway, The Orion Experience is a pop/rock indie band with bubbly refrains and a ska flair, and The Gay Blades, as mentioned in the last entry, are sassy and loud. Doors are at 7 pm, it's $10, and the last band, Boyskout, goes on at 1:45 in the morn. Info here.
The aforementioned Vivian Girls are playing at Bowery, with Crystal Antlers and A Place to Bury Strangers. This is gonna be an awesome show, blending VG's punky sound with the Antler's aggressive electro rock and finishing with A Place to Bury Strangers' totally psychedelic, dark tunes. All three bands are playing shows during the week, but the combo of these three is killer.
If you're looking for some daytime fun, Union Pool is hosting an early show with Cordero, a group I've recently fallen in love with. Ani Cordero fronts this salsa-rooted, indie rock latin band, singing Spanish lyrics in her sultry, sexy voice while playing guitar and wearing some beautiful and crazy dress. They have an awesome, full percussion section and just came out with a new album called "De Donde Eres." Show is $10 and starts at 12 pm, with Cordero starting at 4:20.
The one and only, well-loved Akudama boys will be playing their chilled-out but still upbeat, instrumental driven rock at the Bowery Poetry Club. Show starts at 8:15 with Julius C and costs $8 in advance, or $10 day of. If you haven't seen these boys, go! Not only are they totally adorable but they also make great music. Admire them here, but beware that their catchy tune, "Dishes," will be pleasantly stuck in your head all day.
Almost as cool as the George Clinton show is Blue Note's Saturday night performance with Otis Grove. Otis Grove?!? When I think of CMJ, I think of shitty indie rock with some awesome gems and now, hip hop and maybe a little metal. Never do I think, oh, maybe I'll see Otis Grove! Sometimes I wish I weren't an after school teacher and actually made money. The show's expensive, but Blue Note is historic and Otis Grove is, well, Otis Grove. He goes on at 12:30 a.m. and will probably play that ridiculous song called "Pimp Juice." Check out Blue Note's full schedule here.
To continue in this vein of funky music, Lee "Scratch" Perry is headlining Santos Party House! I'm dying to see this man play... maybe I'll head over after The Deli show since he doesn't go on until 1:30 a.m. For those of you who don't know his glory, Scratch is 72 years old from Jamaica, one of the originators of dub reggae. His music has modernized slightly as the times have changed yet still maintains the authentic, real vibe it always had. He's completely chilled out and still a dynamic performer in his older years. Now he lives in Switzerland but plays in the States a few times a year. Doors and pricing on Santos site here.
Though not a part of CMJ, this bizarre percussion group called Electric Junkyard Gamelan will be playing for free at Zebulon in Williamsburg. Using the word "unique" doesn't do these guys justice at all. They've created an entire percussive orchestra out of plant pots, saw blades, rubber bands, household utensils, lard churners and other unrecognizables. They have every child's dream, a drumset made out of pots and pans and buckets, and have also managed to create their own electronic instrument. Comprising young through middle aged men and women, Electric Junkyard Gamelan loosely bases their songs on the traditional Balinese style of Gamelan but also adds in original material, including hip hop and rock-n-roll. I saw them play at the Salvador Dali exhibit at the MOMA and their surreal appearance and sound fit in perfectly. They are truly incredible, like nothing out there. I honestly feel like words can't describe them well enough, like the only thing that would honor their originality would be the creation of an entirely new word. So... they are babalooney.
Honorable mentions: The Delta Spirit at Red Bull Space. Bell playing a DJ set at Pianos, followed by DJ Pumpkin Patch (also every kid's dream, to grow up and called yourself DJ Pumpkin Patch). Nightmare of You, an upbeat, delicious pop band from BK, playing at The Greenpoint Legion Hall. Violens at Love. And The XYZ Affair at the beloved Cake Shop.
ENJOY AND ROCK OUT!!!!!
Deli Showcase number two at Public Assembly! I am definitely checking this out, to see Semi-Precious Weapons, The Orion Experience and The Gay Blades. As many of you know, I wrote the cover story for the latest edition of The Deli, featuring SPW, and totally fell in love with these raunchy, crude dudes and their masculine yet glam punk rock. They're original and crazy, and totally let loose in their high heels and leather vests with insane sexual energy and intense punk tunes. They go on early, at 8 pm, because later in the night they're playing the Perez Hilton showcase. Ooooooh! It's by invite only and I don't think I'm invited. Anyway, The Orion Experience is a pop/rock indie band with bubbly refrains and a ska flair, and The Gay Blades, as mentioned in the last entry, are sassy and loud. Doors are at 7 pm, it's $10, and the last band, Boyskout, goes on at 1:45 in the morn. Info here.
The aforementioned Vivian Girls are playing at Bowery, with Crystal Antlers and A Place to Bury Strangers. This is gonna be an awesome show, blending VG's punky sound with the Antler's aggressive electro rock and finishing with A Place to Bury Strangers' totally psychedelic, dark tunes. All three bands are playing shows during the week, but the combo of these three is killer.
If you're looking for some daytime fun, Union Pool is hosting an early show with Cordero, a group I've recently fallen in love with. Ani Cordero fronts this salsa-rooted, indie rock latin band, singing Spanish lyrics in her sultry, sexy voice while playing guitar and wearing some beautiful and crazy dress. They have an awesome, full percussion section and just came out with a new album called "De Donde Eres." Show is $10 and starts at 12 pm, with Cordero starting at 4:20.
The one and only, well-loved Akudama boys will be playing their chilled-out but still upbeat, instrumental driven rock at the Bowery Poetry Club. Show starts at 8:15 with Julius C and costs $8 in advance, or $10 day of. If you haven't seen these boys, go! Not only are they totally adorable but they also make great music. Admire them here, but beware that their catchy tune, "Dishes," will be pleasantly stuck in your head all day.
Almost as cool as the George Clinton show is Blue Note's Saturday night performance with Otis Grove. Otis Grove?!? When I think of CMJ, I think of shitty indie rock with some awesome gems and now, hip hop and maybe a little metal. Never do I think, oh, maybe I'll see Otis Grove! Sometimes I wish I weren't an after school teacher and actually made money. The show's expensive, but Blue Note is historic and Otis Grove is, well, Otis Grove. He goes on at 12:30 a.m. and will probably play that ridiculous song called "Pimp Juice." Check out Blue Note's full schedule here.
To continue in this vein of funky music, Lee "Scratch" Perry is headlining Santos Party House! I'm dying to see this man play... maybe I'll head over after The Deli show since he doesn't go on until 1:30 a.m. For those of you who don't know his glory, Scratch is 72 years old from Jamaica, one of the originators of dub reggae. His music has modernized slightly as the times have changed yet still maintains the authentic, real vibe it always had. He's completely chilled out and still a dynamic performer in his older years. Now he lives in Switzerland but plays in the States a few times a year. Doors and pricing on Santos site here.
Though not a part of CMJ, this bizarre percussion group called Electric Junkyard Gamelan will be playing for free at Zebulon in Williamsburg. Using the word "unique" doesn't do these guys justice at all. They've created an entire percussive orchestra out of plant pots, saw blades, rubber bands, household utensils, lard churners and other unrecognizables. They have every child's dream, a drumset made out of pots and pans and buckets, and have also managed to create their own electronic instrument. Comprising young through middle aged men and women, Electric Junkyard Gamelan loosely bases their songs on the traditional Balinese style of Gamelan but also adds in original material, including hip hop and rock-n-roll. I saw them play at the Salvador Dali exhibit at the MOMA and their surreal appearance and sound fit in perfectly. They are truly incredible, like nothing out there. I honestly feel like words can't describe them well enough, like the only thing that would honor their originality would be the creation of an entirely new word. So... they are babalooney.
Honorable mentions: The Delta Spirit at Red Bull Space. Bell playing a DJ set at Pianos, followed by DJ Pumpkin Patch (also every kid's dream, to grow up and called yourself DJ Pumpkin Patch). Nightmare of You, an upbeat, delicious pop band from BK, playing at The Greenpoint Legion Hall. Violens at Love. And The XYZ Affair at the beloved Cake Shop.
ENJOY AND ROCK OUT!!!!!
CMJ Preview: Part 2, Thursday and Friday
THURSDAY
I think for the sake of my health and my bank account, I may just chill out Thursday night rather then go to another show. Or maybe I'll keep it local and free. But in case I change my mind...
Freakin' George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars are playing!! It's an expensive show ($37.50) but it's at B.B. King's and it's freakin' George Clinton. I mean, just look at him:
Now that is hot.
Also on Thursday, a huge show at The Delancey with fifteen bands, including Villa Vina and Kiss Kiss, starting at 7 pm. I'm not sure how that will actually work out and I feel sorry for the sound engineer, but it would be cool to see samples of that many bands. Sets are only thirty minutes but the show lasts until 1:45 a.m. and The Delancey is cool anyway. I actually remember posting during last year's CMJ about how cool the upstairs garden area is. And get this -- it's free! For the full lineup, go here: http://www.thedelancey.com/.
I'm more likely to hit up Glasslands, this cool space in Williamsburg. Beyondo is headlining with their funky, pop/ska music, and though the lead singer's voice is questionable, their trumpet player is groovy. It's Not You It's Me and So Percussion are also playing. Beyondo (that's the singer's real last name!): http://www.myspace.com/beyondoband. Glasslands is at 289 Kent Ave, a very pretty venue reserved for underground music only. I can't find a legit website, only yelp, but if you find one lemme know.
Jay Reatard is playing one of his eight hundred shows this night as well! For those of you who don't know him, he likes blood and gore and makes awesome punk music, blending melodic, catchy vocal lines with hellish screams and upbeat, boppy yet still edgy guitar riffs. Punk is not my favorite genre though I do like some of it, and when it comes to Mr. Reatard, I love. And, he's from Tennessee! His state borders mine. Anyway, this show is in Hoboken for those who like New Jersey. Check him out, chilling in a bathful of records: http://www.myspace.com/jayreatard. Other upcoming shows: 24th at Bowery, 25th at Glasslands and 26th at Santos Party House.
Teedo, a local pop rock group, is also playing at Rehab with eleven other bands, starting at noon and lasting way into the morning. Here's a little review I wrote of them not too long ago:
Teedo's 70s-influenced psychedelic rock stirs up a strong desire to go do drugs and play in the sun. Similar to The Stones and The Kinks but with a modern electronic twist, Teedo is able to smoothly blend various vibes into a solid rock song. Their creative use of instruments while maintaining a strong, traditional foundation creates an energy that bursts out even from their Myspace tunes. Teedo’s lead singer also experiments with his vocals, adding in quick falsettos and controlled cracks. Taking it a step further on a heavier tune, he busts out a deep voice with a morbid quality reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne, while the rest of the band jams out their metal. But these guys aren’t just about being rock-n-rollers. Songs like “You are my Girl” have a fresh pop beat that gets feet tappin’ uncontrollably, and multiple other tunes have a laidback, chillin’ out feel to them. Teedo’s music has a sense of being real but not sloppy, like a polished garage band. And their lead singer’s screams might even rival Frank Black’s. Check 'em out at http://www.myspace.com/teedo.
Honorable mentions: Juliana Hatfield at Housing Works, The Dears at Hiro Ballroom, and Crystal Castles at Webster Hall.
FRIDAY
As mentioned, Jay Reatard is playing again at Bowery. The event I'm most excited about, however, is the Sub Pop showcase at Pianos. I'm sure we all know and love Sub Pop, the discoverers of Nirvana, The Postal Service, and loads of others in between. One of their more recent successes, Oxford Collapse, will play their absolutely delightful indie pop/rock, full of raw yet pretty harmonies and driving rhythms, at 11. Death Vessel is playing earlier, The Ruby Suns afterward, and multiple others, in the upstairs and downstairs, for only $12. See the ad here and enjoy the Oxfords here.
A HUGE show is happening at the unassuming Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Fort Greene, Brooklyn -- Land of Talk and Broken Social Scene will be rockin' some pants off! It's sold out, for obvious reasons. Craigslist tickets here.
For those of you who don't know the smokin' trio that is The Vivian Girls, definitely explore. These ladies totally rock it. Their guitar-heavy, punk-shoegaze mixed with layered, vintage vocals is like The Clash meets My Bloody Valentine after they all had really successful sex changes. The V. Girls are great, sexy, and talented, truly standing out in a mostly male-dominated scene. They should all date Jay Reatard! Their show is at Cake Shop with tons of other bands, including Woods, a cool Brooklyn-based group. Go! Cake Shop and the VGs.
If you're more into shoegaze than punk mixed with shoegaze, go see Soundpool at Rehab. They're a chilled-out, trippy group fronted by Kim Fields and her angelic, etheral vocals. It's a measly $8 and the music starts at noon. They don't go on until midnight, so don't get too drunk too early 'cause their live show is phenomenal, complete with an original movie that matches the same "I'm high on mushrooms" feel their music creates. Check 'em out: http://soundpoolmusic.com/.
Lastly, the sassiest rock duo in existence, The Gay Blades, will be playing for free at Spike Hill, on Bedford at North 7th. This place is like my second home, with it's delicious mashed potatoes, funky/frightening paintings, fickle Christmas lights and cozy vibe. The Gay Blades are loud and good. Please go support Spike!! And The Gay Blades, too.
Honorable mentions: The Knitting Factory's showcase from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. including People Under the Stairs, a totally awesome hip hop group, and AIDS Wolf, who I swear are popular only because of their name...their music physically hurt me.
We've got Saturday left! Try to pace yourselves because Saturday is insane.
Rock rock rock. Hip hop hop. Even metal!
I think for the sake of my health and my bank account, I may just chill out Thursday night rather then go to another show. Or maybe I'll keep it local and free. But in case I change my mind...
Freakin' George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars are playing!! It's an expensive show ($37.50) but it's at B.B. King's and it's freakin' George Clinton. I mean, just look at him:
Now that is hot.Also on Thursday, a huge show at The Delancey with fifteen bands, including Villa Vina and Kiss Kiss, starting at 7 pm. I'm not sure how that will actually work out and I feel sorry for the sound engineer, but it would be cool to see samples of that many bands. Sets are only thirty minutes but the show lasts until 1:45 a.m. and The Delancey is cool anyway. I actually remember posting during last year's CMJ about how cool the upstairs garden area is. And get this -- it's free! For the full lineup, go here: http://www.thedelancey.com/.
I'm more likely to hit up Glasslands, this cool space in Williamsburg. Beyondo is headlining with their funky, pop/ska music, and though the lead singer's voice is questionable, their trumpet player is groovy. It's Not You It's Me and So Percussion are also playing. Beyondo (that's the singer's real last name!): http://www.myspace.com/beyondoband. Glasslands is at 289 Kent Ave, a very pretty venue reserved for underground music only. I can't find a legit website, only yelp, but if you find one lemme know.
Jay Reatard is playing one of his eight hundred shows this night as well! For those of you who don't know him, he likes blood and gore and makes awesome punk music, blending melodic, catchy vocal lines with hellish screams and upbeat, boppy yet still edgy guitar riffs. Punk is not my favorite genre though I do like some of it, and when it comes to Mr. Reatard, I love. And, he's from Tennessee! His state borders mine. Anyway, this show is in Hoboken for those who like New Jersey. Check him out, chilling in a bathful of records: http://www.myspace.com/jayreatard. Other upcoming shows: 24th at Bowery, 25th at Glasslands and 26th at Santos Party House.
Teedo, a local pop rock group, is also playing at Rehab with eleven other bands, starting at noon and lasting way into the morning. Here's a little review I wrote of them not too long ago:
Teedo's 70s-influenced psychedelic rock stirs up a strong desire to go do drugs and play in the sun. Similar to The Stones and The Kinks but with a modern electronic twist, Teedo is able to smoothly blend various vibes into a solid rock song. Their creative use of instruments while maintaining a strong, traditional foundation creates an energy that bursts out even from their Myspace tunes. Teedo’s lead singer also experiments with his vocals, adding in quick falsettos and controlled cracks. Taking it a step further on a heavier tune, he busts out a deep voice with a morbid quality reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne, while the rest of the band jams out their metal. But these guys aren’t just about being rock-n-rollers. Songs like “You are my Girl” have a fresh pop beat that gets feet tappin’ uncontrollably, and multiple other tunes have a laidback, chillin’ out feel to them. Teedo’s music has a sense of being real but not sloppy, like a polished garage band. And their lead singer’s screams might even rival Frank Black’s. Check 'em out at http://www.myspace.com/teedo.
Honorable mentions: Juliana Hatfield at Housing Works, The Dears at Hiro Ballroom, and Crystal Castles at Webster Hall.
FRIDAY
As mentioned, Jay Reatard is playing again at Bowery. The event I'm most excited about, however, is the Sub Pop showcase at Pianos. I'm sure we all know and love Sub Pop, the discoverers of Nirvana, The Postal Service, and loads of others in between. One of their more recent successes, Oxford Collapse, will play their absolutely delightful indie pop/rock, full of raw yet pretty harmonies and driving rhythms, at 11. Death Vessel is playing earlier, The Ruby Suns afterward, and multiple others, in the upstairs and downstairs, for only $12. See the ad here and enjoy the Oxfords here.
A HUGE show is happening at the unassuming Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Fort Greene, Brooklyn -- Land of Talk and Broken Social Scene will be rockin' some pants off! It's sold out, for obvious reasons. Craigslist tickets here.
For those of you who don't know the smokin' trio that is The Vivian Girls, definitely explore. These ladies totally rock it. Their guitar-heavy, punk-shoegaze mixed with layered, vintage vocals is like The Clash meets My Bloody Valentine after they all had really successful sex changes. The V. Girls are great, sexy, and talented, truly standing out in a mostly male-dominated scene. They should all date Jay Reatard! Their show is at Cake Shop with tons of other bands, including Woods, a cool Brooklyn-based group. Go! Cake Shop and the VGs.
If you're more into shoegaze than punk mixed with shoegaze, go see Soundpool at Rehab. They're a chilled-out, trippy group fronted by Kim Fields and her angelic, etheral vocals. It's a measly $8 and the music starts at noon. They don't go on until midnight, so don't get too drunk too early 'cause their live show is phenomenal, complete with an original movie that matches the same "I'm high on mushrooms" feel their music creates. Check 'em out: http://soundpoolmusic.com/.
Lastly, the sassiest rock duo in existence, The Gay Blades, will be playing for free at Spike Hill, on Bedford at North 7th. This place is like my second home, with it's delicious mashed potatoes, funky/frightening paintings, fickle Christmas lights and cozy vibe. The Gay Blades are loud and good. Please go support Spike!! And The Gay Blades, too.
Honorable mentions: The Knitting Factory's showcase from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. including People Under the Stairs, a totally awesome hip hop group, and AIDS Wolf, who I swear are popular only because of their name...their music physically hurt me.
We've got Saturday left! Try to pace yourselves because Saturday is insane.
Rock rock rock. Hip hop hop. Even metal!
Monday, October 20, 2008
CMJ Preview: Part 1, Tuesday and Wednesday
CMJ begins tomorrow and I am psyched. Not sure how much of my wish list I can actually fulfill, but here are my desires and recommendations:
TUESDAY:
The Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Showcase at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm, $15
Lineup is Emmy the Great, The Sammies, SECRET GUEST (woo, secrets!), Ponytail, Passion Pit, Singing DJ Jens Lekman, and The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band.
I'm going for Jens. His trippy and loungey, experiental yet soothing music combined with his pretty, poetic lyrics is weirdly real and wonderful. My favorite lyric by him which he manages to sing with such sincere and beautiful emotion is, "You pick up your asthma inhaler and put it against your lips, oh those lips I loved and I was dreaming of, they're still red and soft, I'm so sorry I couldn't love you enough." More details at: http://www.myspace.com/jenslekmanmusic and http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/10/official_2008_b.html.
Also, Rahim is playing at Death By Audio on the southside of Williamsburg. They're a chilled-out rock group with an awesome vocalist from the New York area, already written up in Spin and Pitchfork. Death By Audio is also pretty cool, as it's mostly a store with a space for shows and promotes a BYOB policy. Rahim: http://www.myspace.com/rahim. DBA: http://www.myspace.com/deathbyaudioshows.
And don't forget The Deli Showcase, held at Hiro Ballroom with Sub Rosa and Chairlift (more on them below). Check out http://www.thedelimagazine.com/cmj-takeover.htm for all the details.
WEDNESDAY:
La Strada, an incredible group complete with a string section and a great lead singer who also plays accordion (and when I say play, I mean somehow rocks out), will honestly leave you speechless and applauding ferociously after just one tune. These guys mix rock with folk, using traditional, "old-world instrumentation" to create unique, modern music. They're playing at the Bell House, a building in Brooklyn used in the 1920s as a printing factory that was recently transformed into a venue. The show is $8, beginning at 7:30 with Princeton. Frances will play next, followed by The Loom and closed out with La Strada at 11 p.m. La Strada: http://www.myspace.com/lastradanyc. The Bell House: http://www.thebellhouseny.com/.
After three shows in a row on Tuesday night, Chairlift is playing yet again for CMJ, at the Fader Party held at Pianos. They're headlining a show with five other bands, including Bumblebeez and The King Left. Doors are at 6 pm and only costs $5. Check out their gothic rock, including the single played on the newest Ipod commerical, at: http://www.myspace.com/chairlift. Pianos full schedule is on their main page at: http://www.pianosnyc.com/.
I'm not sure how much hip hop was booked at last year's CMJ, but this year hosts a significant amount and I'm thrilled. First off, hip hop is great music, created in our very own New York City. Secondly, I strongly promote the idea of crossing genres. It seems like collaboration between artists of different genres can only lead to good outcomes, like the mixing of different cultures and races along with musical styles. So with this in mind, I want to check out Dead Prez and Immortal Technique at Studio B, a cool venue that unfortunately receives a bad rep due to its scenester crowd. The upstairs bar is like a little oasis in the middle of industrial Greenpoint, and the stage area is intimate without being claustorphobic. Dead Prez, a funky, very political duo goes on at 1:15, but I imagine that in true Studio B style, the show will last 'til dawn. Doors are at 6 with the show starting at 7 'cause there are that many DJs and Emcees ready to party down. Studio B's calendar: http://www.clubstudiob.com/calendar.html#topanchor. Dead Prez: http://www.deadprez.com/.
Akudama is also playing one of many shows this week, at The National Underground with five other groups. More about them to come in Part 3, but if you're antsy, their website is here: http://www.endlessrecordings.com/Akudama.php.
As Mr. Ludwig van Beethoven said, "Music is a higher revelation than philosophy. Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual self." So go be all spiritual and sensual this week, and rock your butt off.
More to come...
TUESDAY:
The Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Showcase at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm, $15
Lineup is Emmy the Great, The Sammies, SECRET GUEST (woo, secrets!), Ponytail, Passion Pit, Singing DJ Jens Lekman, and The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band.
I'm going for Jens. His trippy and loungey, experiental yet soothing music combined with his pretty, poetic lyrics is weirdly real and wonderful. My favorite lyric by him which he manages to sing with such sincere and beautiful emotion is, "You pick up your asthma inhaler and put it against your lips, oh those lips I loved and I was dreaming of, they're still red and soft, I'm so sorry I couldn't love you enough." More details at: http://www.myspace.com/jenslekmanmusic and http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/10/official_2008_b.html.
Also, Rahim is playing at Death By Audio on the southside of Williamsburg. They're a chilled-out rock group with an awesome vocalist from the New York area, already written up in Spin and Pitchfork. Death By Audio is also pretty cool, as it's mostly a store with a space for shows and promotes a BYOB policy. Rahim: http://www.myspace.com/rahim. DBA: http://www.myspace.com/deathbyaudioshows.
And don't forget The Deli Showcase, held at Hiro Ballroom with Sub Rosa and Chairlift (more on them below). Check out http://www.thedelimagazine.com/cmj-takeover.htm for all the details.
WEDNESDAY:
La Strada, an incredible group complete with a string section and a great lead singer who also plays accordion (and when I say play, I mean somehow rocks out), will honestly leave you speechless and applauding ferociously after just one tune. These guys mix rock with folk, using traditional, "old-world instrumentation" to create unique, modern music. They're playing at the Bell House, a building in Brooklyn used in the 1920s as a printing factory that was recently transformed into a venue. The show is $8, beginning at 7:30 with Princeton. Frances will play next, followed by The Loom and closed out with La Strada at 11 p.m. La Strada: http://www.myspace.com/lastradanyc. The Bell House: http://www.thebellhouseny.com/.
After three shows in a row on Tuesday night, Chairlift is playing yet again for CMJ, at the Fader Party held at Pianos. They're headlining a show with five other bands, including Bumblebeez and The King Left. Doors are at 6 pm and only costs $5. Check out their gothic rock, including the single played on the newest Ipod commerical, at: http://www.myspace.com/chairlift. Pianos full schedule is on their main page at: http://www.pianosnyc.com/.
I'm not sure how much hip hop was booked at last year's CMJ, but this year hosts a significant amount and I'm thrilled. First off, hip hop is great music, created in our very own New York City. Secondly, I strongly promote the idea of crossing genres. It seems like collaboration between artists of different genres can only lead to good outcomes, like the mixing of different cultures and races along with musical styles. So with this in mind, I want to check out Dead Prez and Immortal Technique at Studio B, a cool venue that unfortunately receives a bad rep due to its scenester crowd. The upstairs bar is like a little oasis in the middle of industrial Greenpoint, and the stage area is intimate without being claustorphobic. Dead Prez, a funky, very political duo goes on at 1:15, but I imagine that in true Studio B style, the show will last 'til dawn. Doors are at 6 with the show starting at 7 'cause there are that many DJs and Emcees ready to party down. Studio B's calendar: http://www.clubstudiob.com/calendar.html#topanchor. Dead Prez: http://www.deadprez.com/.
Akudama is also playing one of many shows this week, at The National Underground with five other groups. More about them to come in Part 3, but if you're antsy, their website is here: http://www.endlessrecordings.com/Akudama.php.
As Mr. Ludwig van Beethoven said, "Music is a higher revelation than philosophy. Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual self." So go be all spiritual and sensual this week, and rock your butt off.
More to come...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Great Depression Round 2?
I urge all of you to listen to the latest This American Life entitled "Another Frightening Show About the Economy." You can download it for free from ITunes under the podcast section and you will be enlightened.
I imagine a lot of people are like I was before I heard this show. When it comes to our current economic crisis, I had a very remedial understanding of what was going on. I knew that big mortgage companies and banks took out loans and now can't pay them back. This meant on a very basic level that the average person was having higher interest rates and more trouble with getting a loan. The government proposed a bailout plan that would put $700 billion dollars into the market, but the potential of this seemed to only pad the crash rather than rescue the market.
Now I understand on a much deeper level what is going on. Ira Glass interviewed all these different people and had them describe the situation in layman's terms, using examples that related this situation to the life of an individual. I.e., certain loans are like credit cards, certain companies (mutual funds) are like savings accounts. For all the details, listen up. It is amazingly interesting and scary.
Anyway, the thing that struck me the most is this whole Credit Default Swap business. I had never heard of this stuff before, but in the most basic, metaphorical explanation based on what I just learned, here goes:
So say Dave and I buy fire insurance for our apartment. A couple of my friends also buy fire insurance on my apartment. They don't live here but they are paying a fee to purchase insurance on my house and will get a payout if my house catches on fire. They do this because their house is brand new but my house is old and more susceptible to fire. More and more people buy fire insurance on my house, from a local company who is reaping in the benefits of all these fees and policies, thinking that the house is actually very stable and nothing will happen to it. Well one day, an electrical fire starts and burns everything down. There are no regulations on these transactions so Dave and I can claim we lost x amount of money. Because all of these negotiations are private, we don't know much about the company or anyone else, and vice versa. So, we claim x amount of money, and so do the other 100 people who bought fire insurance on my apartment.
Let's back up. The insurance company had 1 billion dollars when they opened up. They sold all these policies and earned more money, but they don't actually have enough to pay out all the claims on my apartment fire. But they were smart! In order to make these deals safer, they did the same thing but in reverse. They bought insurance from another company on many houses they knew were likely to catch on fire. When those houses catch, my insurance company will get the money. So then if my apartment catches on fire, they have the money from the other fires and can just pay out all the policies they sold. Except my apartment caught on fire first.
This translates to bonds. Say McDonalds buys a share of Freddie Mac via bonds through the stock market. McDonalds goes to an agency that sells insurance for bonds (let's call this agency Basil Inc), meaning if Freddie Mac goes bankrupt and can't pay out their stocks, Basil Inc. will pay McDonalds all the money they invested in Freddie Mac, minus a share and some additional fees. Well, then Basil Inc. sells the same insurance policy on the stocks that McDonalds owns to fifty different companies. They are making a lot of money and Freddie Mac is a safe, reliable business so the risk of them going under is very slim.
Freddie Mac is giving out loans to people with money that doesn't actually belong to Freddie Mac but rather to other companies they have taken out their own loans from. Those companies have taken out loans from other companies, so in a given day, Freddie Mac owes Company A and Company A owes Company B and Company B owes Company C and Company C owes Freddie Mac whatever amount of money. When one of them goes bankrupt, the whole circle falls through. Well, Freddie Mac made some pretty dumb choices and gave out a lot of loans that people couldn't pay back. So now Freddie Mac owes Company A money that Freddie Mac doesn't have. In theory, Freddie Mac would get the money from Company C. But Company C doesn't have the money because they're getting it from Freddie Mac, essentially. Dave calls this circle jerking.
So anyway, the above paragraph happens. Freddie Mac goes bankrupt and shit goes crazy. The circle jerk is no longer working. Now, all the people who bought insurance on the bond of Freddie Mac that McDonalds owns are going to Basil Inc. and saying, this stock fell and I have an insurance policy through you that states you owe me money. Basil Inc. doesn't have the money because the insurance policies they have bought on other people's stocks haven't paid out yet. People are pissed. And fucked.
So the government steps in. This whole insurance buying and selling process has been completely unregulated, because of Republicans along with Democrats. Congress voted not to regulate this but now, the government has to do something. So the government has two choices: 1, the government gives Freddie Mac some money and in addition, takes over some of the loans they've defaulted on, or 2, the government gives Freddie Mac some money and in return owns part of the company. Companies want option 1, obviously, and tax payers want option 2, obviously. The Paulsen Plan, the original bailout proposal, followed option 1. But just this weekend, the Bush administration shockingly switched via some weird clause in the bill and are now employing option 2. Crazy.
Then they realize in order to make a difference, $700 billion isn't enough. Because of how fucked everything and everyone is in this business, no one is selling, buying, trading or giving out loans. Everything is frozen. For people like us, this means interest rates on loans and credit cards are higher and it's harder to get a loan, but it hasn't trickled down to us in a dramatic way yet. For small businesses, this means if they want to open a new factory, they have to actually have a good chunk of the money in order to get a loan for the rest, rather than just taking out a loan for all of it. It also means credit checks will be run more vigourously. This is a good thing in a lot of ways and bad in some ways because there were be more and more people who can't live in our society because they don't make enough money and they can't use a credit card anymore. The government wants to avoid this but knows that the current system isn't working and has to change. They are beginning to nationalize some of the banks, but to much resistance from people who view this as too much government control. Looking from their perspective, if the people in the government are just as corrupt, greedy and power-hungry then them having control of the banks is terrible. Socialism then dictatorship! These people want to run their own businesses. But, they did a pretty goddamn terrible job at it and the government is overriding some of their wishes.
So now the government is buying stocks in banks and taking a "nonvoter role" in them, according to New York Times. This is a compromise between the tax payers, who don't want their money spent on saving these billionaires who made poor business decisions but want the government to intervene somehow, and the billionaires who know the business and the market and worry that the government will fuck up worse.
My opinion? The government should buy some stocks in the banks and take partial ownership but realize that huge reformations and regulations must be discussed and enforced in order to build the market back up in a whole different way, particularly when speaking about Credit Default Swaps. This means there will be a crash that will effect us all, but that's inevitable. I'm pro the government regulating banks and trading and health care, but only when doing it in conjunction with the private business owners. First off, those people are important and powerful and have a more knowledgeable opinion on the market because they run it, versus a government expert who doesn't actually work in it. Secondly, everyone has to work together to solve the short-term problems and build up a reformed system, or else anything in the future will always be unstable and subject to a coup. Lastly, I don't want the government or the private corporations to be all powerful. Balance! There should be serious discussions about this, including officials from other countries, as the circle jerk is international.
But hey, I'm just a nonviolent hippie.
Which reminds me... oooooooooooomm to His High Holiness the Dalai Lama. He's currently in the hospital! That poor man has seen so much shit in his life, I wonder if he wants to die or live. But that's beside the point; I don't think his condition is life-threatening. Anyway, om.
I imagine a lot of people are like I was before I heard this show. When it comes to our current economic crisis, I had a very remedial understanding of what was going on. I knew that big mortgage companies and banks took out loans and now can't pay them back. This meant on a very basic level that the average person was having higher interest rates and more trouble with getting a loan. The government proposed a bailout plan that would put $700 billion dollars into the market, but the potential of this seemed to only pad the crash rather than rescue the market.
Now I understand on a much deeper level what is going on. Ira Glass interviewed all these different people and had them describe the situation in layman's terms, using examples that related this situation to the life of an individual. I.e., certain loans are like credit cards, certain companies (mutual funds) are like savings accounts. For all the details, listen up. It is amazingly interesting and scary.
Anyway, the thing that struck me the most is this whole Credit Default Swap business. I had never heard of this stuff before, but in the most basic, metaphorical explanation based on what I just learned, here goes:
So say Dave and I buy fire insurance for our apartment. A couple of my friends also buy fire insurance on my apartment. They don't live here but they are paying a fee to purchase insurance on my house and will get a payout if my house catches on fire. They do this because their house is brand new but my house is old and more susceptible to fire. More and more people buy fire insurance on my house, from a local company who is reaping in the benefits of all these fees and policies, thinking that the house is actually very stable and nothing will happen to it. Well one day, an electrical fire starts and burns everything down. There are no regulations on these transactions so Dave and I can claim we lost x amount of money. Because all of these negotiations are private, we don't know much about the company or anyone else, and vice versa. So, we claim x amount of money, and so do the other 100 people who bought fire insurance on my apartment.
Let's back up. The insurance company had 1 billion dollars when they opened up. They sold all these policies and earned more money, but they don't actually have enough to pay out all the claims on my apartment fire. But they were smart! In order to make these deals safer, they did the same thing but in reverse. They bought insurance from another company on many houses they knew were likely to catch on fire. When those houses catch, my insurance company will get the money. So then if my apartment catches on fire, they have the money from the other fires and can just pay out all the policies they sold. Except my apartment caught on fire first.
This translates to bonds. Say McDonalds buys a share of Freddie Mac via bonds through the stock market. McDonalds goes to an agency that sells insurance for bonds (let's call this agency Basil Inc), meaning if Freddie Mac goes bankrupt and can't pay out their stocks, Basil Inc. will pay McDonalds all the money they invested in Freddie Mac, minus a share and some additional fees. Well, then Basil Inc. sells the same insurance policy on the stocks that McDonalds owns to fifty different companies. They are making a lot of money and Freddie Mac is a safe, reliable business so the risk of them going under is very slim.
Freddie Mac is giving out loans to people with money that doesn't actually belong to Freddie Mac but rather to other companies they have taken out their own loans from. Those companies have taken out loans from other companies, so in a given day, Freddie Mac owes Company A and Company A owes Company B and Company B owes Company C and Company C owes Freddie Mac whatever amount of money. When one of them goes bankrupt, the whole circle falls through. Well, Freddie Mac made some pretty dumb choices and gave out a lot of loans that people couldn't pay back. So now Freddie Mac owes Company A money that Freddie Mac doesn't have. In theory, Freddie Mac would get the money from Company C. But Company C doesn't have the money because they're getting it from Freddie Mac, essentially. Dave calls this circle jerking.
So anyway, the above paragraph happens. Freddie Mac goes bankrupt and shit goes crazy. The circle jerk is no longer working. Now, all the people who bought insurance on the bond of Freddie Mac that McDonalds owns are going to Basil Inc. and saying, this stock fell and I have an insurance policy through you that states you owe me money. Basil Inc. doesn't have the money because the insurance policies they have bought on other people's stocks haven't paid out yet. People are pissed. And fucked.
So the government steps in. This whole insurance buying and selling process has been completely unregulated, because of Republicans along with Democrats. Congress voted not to regulate this but now, the government has to do something. So the government has two choices: 1, the government gives Freddie Mac some money and in addition, takes over some of the loans they've defaulted on, or 2, the government gives Freddie Mac some money and in return owns part of the company. Companies want option 1, obviously, and tax payers want option 2, obviously. The Paulsen Plan, the original bailout proposal, followed option 1. But just this weekend, the Bush administration shockingly switched via some weird clause in the bill and are now employing option 2. Crazy.
Then they realize in order to make a difference, $700 billion isn't enough. Because of how fucked everything and everyone is in this business, no one is selling, buying, trading or giving out loans. Everything is frozen. For people like us, this means interest rates on loans and credit cards are higher and it's harder to get a loan, but it hasn't trickled down to us in a dramatic way yet. For small businesses, this means if they want to open a new factory, they have to actually have a good chunk of the money in order to get a loan for the rest, rather than just taking out a loan for all of it. It also means credit checks will be run more vigourously. This is a good thing in a lot of ways and bad in some ways because there were be more and more people who can't live in our society because they don't make enough money and they can't use a credit card anymore. The government wants to avoid this but knows that the current system isn't working and has to change. They are beginning to nationalize some of the banks, but to much resistance from people who view this as too much government control. Looking from their perspective, if the people in the government are just as corrupt, greedy and power-hungry then them having control of the banks is terrible. Socialism then dictatorship! These people want to run their own businesses. But, they did a pretty goddamn terrible job at it and the government is overriding some of their wishes.
So now the government is buying stocks in banks and taking a "nonvoter role" in them, according to New York Times. This is a compromise between the tax payers, who don't want their money spent on saving these billionaires who made poor business decisions but want the government to intervene somehow, and the billionaires who know the business and the market and worry that the government will fuck up worse.
My opinion? The government should buy some stocks in the banks and take partial ownership but realize that huge reformations and regulations must be discussed and enforced in order to build the market back up in a whole different way, particularly when speaking about Credit Default Swaps. This means there will be a crash that will effect us all, but that's inevitable. I'm pro the government regulating banks and trading and health care, but only when doing it in conjunction with the private business owners. First off, those people are important and powerful and have a more knowledgeable opinion on the market because they run it, versus a government expert who doesn't actually work in it. Secondly, everyone has to work together to solve the short-term problems and build up a reformed system, or else anything in the future will always be unstable and subject to a coup. Lastly, I don't want the government or the private corporations to be all powerful. Balance! There should be serious discussions about this, including officials from other countries, as the circle jerk is international.
But hey, I'm just a nonviolent hippie.
Which reminds me... oooooooooooomm to His High Holiness the Dalai Lama. He's currently in the hospital! That poor man has seen so much shit in his life, I wonder if he wants to die or live. But that's beside the point; I don't think his condition is life-threatening. Anyway, om.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
If Only I Were Mary Poppins.
Wow I've had an emotional couple of weeks!
My last day with the girls was super sad...in fact, the entire week was sad. I kept feeling like I was abandoning them or betraying them, and like they deserve better, and that they need a stable nanny/adult in their lives and really wanting to be that person but knowing that even if I did stay longer, I wouldn't be the mother they need. And also just loving them and being sad I won't see them everyday. Then I was mad at Linda for the way she treated me during the transition. I have a lot of conflicting feelings in general about her, their family dynamic, and her lack of recognition of responsibility. It just made for a tough week.
Nannying is the weirdest job. It's not like going to the office for a day of work and then coming back home. You are working IN a home. The girls became so much more than a job to me, but it was weird that I had a job because their mother wasn't being a good mom. It's also quite hard to teach children something you don't believe in but have to teach because it's part of the job description. And saying to your boss that you don't agree with her is totally different than in an office or even a school, because you're not discussing typical work issues but rather how she's raising her kids. People get insane about their kids, crazy protective and defensive but refuse to see where they could make changes. It seems so bizarre to me that Linda is a partner at this huge law firm but still has to work so many hours. Can't she delegate some of that, especially if it means she can spend more time with her children?
It's also difficult to set boundaries as a nanny. Because you're in their home, working with their kids, eating family dinners together and putting them to bed, you become a part of their home lives in a way that makes boundaries really shady. In fact, in order to be a good nanny, some typical work boundaries must be crossed. Sometimes people cross them too much and the nanny becomes weirdly involved in the parent's lives and even love lives. But other times, like with Linda, the boundaries are overly enforced, to a ridiculous degree. She always maintained this sense of professionalism with me, like she would never let me forget she was my boss, I her employee, she with more money and the one paying me. She could be very nice and fun and sweet, but she still remained detached and professional, even in the more genuine moments we shared. Perhaps she did this in order to maintain some type of boundary rather than losing boundaries, but I think she did this moreso out of classism. Who knows really; maybe she doesn't even know.
Anyway, my new job is awesome. My sixth graders are actually quite well behaved and responsive and have gotten excited about the activities I've led so far. They got really into writing poetry the other day and read their stuff out loud to each other. They also come up with the craziest stuff regarding the election, so I think we'll be focusing a couple of weeks on all of that. I'm the only white person on my program's staff and the only white person in my classroom, but these kids don't seem to care about race in the way adults do. I thought they'd be more resistent but they just don't care at all. Some of them are little punks who like to push it, but they do that out of being a little punk resisting authority rather than anything regarding race. My class is so diverse, so perhaps the sense of a majority and minority isn't as strong. I have a kid from Burma, one from Malaysia, a handful from China (including one who doesn't speak English much at all), three from Mexico, a couple from Central America, and then quite a few whose parents are from Latin America or Asia. At the school I'm teaching in, the student population is around 45% Hispanic/Latino and 45% Asian, then 3% Black and the rest White or Other. This means the neighborhood is pretty similar, and all the restaurants are either authentic Latin American food or Chinese food. There's this awesome Chinese bakery down the street with red bean pastries for 80 cents that are so delicious and flaky. There's also this Mexican restaurant with tamales and tostadas alongside hamburgers and mashed potatoes. America's an interesting place.
Aside from all the work changes, I've still been trying to write. I have a few articles in the upcoming issue of The Deli, including the cover story (woo!). Also, my short story, "The Roof," advanced to the finals on the website I posted about earlier. That's exciting because whether I win or not, the judges (who are published authors) make all kinds of comments and helpful suggestions. I've also sent out a new story to a few lit mags and am chuggin' away on my book. Perhaps one day this will financially pay off...
In the meantime, because I'm only paid hourly at my new job, I'm looking for ways to pick up some extra cash. If anyone knows of a family that needs a babysitter for a few hours a week, or a cafe/restaurant that needs someone one or two nights, for sure let me know.
שנה טובה (ברכה לראש-השנה)!
That means "Happy New Year."
My last day with the girls was super sad...in fact, the entire week was sad. I kept feeling like I was abandoning them or betraying them, and like they deserve better, and that they need a stable nanny/adult in their lives and really wanting to be that person but knowing that even if I did stay longer, I wouldn't be the mother they need. And also just loving them and being sad I won't see them everyday. Then I was mad at Linda for the way she treated me during the transition. I have a lot of conflicting feelings in general about her, their family dynamic, and her lack of recognition of responsibility. It just made for a tough week.
Nannying is the weirdest job. It's not like going to the office for a day of work and then coming back home. You are working IN a home. The girls became so much more than a job to me, but it was weird that I had a job because their mother wasn't being a good mom. It's also quite hard to teach children something you don't believe in but have to teach because it's part of the job description. And saying to your boss that you don't agree with her is totally different than in an office or even a school, because you're not discussing typical work issues but rather how she's raising her kids. People get insane about their kids, crazy protective and defensive but refuse to see where they could make changes. It seems so bizarre to me that Linda is a partner at this huge law firm but still has to work so many hours. Can't she delegate some of that, especially if it means she can spend more time with her children?
It's also difficult to set boundaries as a nanny. Because you're in their home, working with their kids, eating family dinners together and putting them to bed, you become a part of their home lives in a way that makes boundaries really shady. In fact, in order to be a good nanny, some typical work boundaries must be crossed. Sometimes people cross them too much and the nanny becomes weirdly involved in the parent's lives and even love lives. But other times, like with Linda, the boundaries are overly enforced, to a ridiculous degree. She always maintained this sense of professionalism with me, like she would never let me forget she was my boss, I her employee, she with more money and the one paying me. She could be very nice and fun and sweet, but she still remained detached and professional, even in the more genuine moments we shared. Perhaps she did this in order to maintain some type of boundary rather than losing boundaries, but I think she did this moreso out of classism. Who knows really; maybe she doesn't even know.
Anyway, my new job is awesome. My sixth graders are actually quite well behaved and responsive and have gotten excited about the activities I've led so far. They got really into writing poetry the other day and read their stuff out loud to each other. They also come up with the craziest stuff regarding the election, so I think we'll be focusing a couple of weeks on all of that. I'm the only white person on my program's staff and the only white person in my classroom, but these kids don't seem to care about race in the way adults do. I thought they'd be more resistent but they just don't care at all. Some of them are little punks who like to push it, but they do that out of being a little punk resisting authority rather than anything regarding race. My class is so diverse, so perhaps the sense of a majority and minority isn't as strong. I have a kid from Burma, one from Malaysia, a handful from China (including one who doesn't speak English much at all), three from Mexico, a couple from Central America, and then quite a few whose parents are from Latin America or Asia. At the school I'm teaching in, the student population is around 45% Hispanic/Latino and 45% Asian, then 3% Black and the rest White or Other. This means the neighborhood is pretty similar, and all the restaurants are either authentic Latin American food or Chinese food. There's this awesome Chinese bakery down the street with red bean pastries for 80 cents that are so delicious and flaky. There's also this Mexican restaurant with tamales and tostadas alongside hamburgers and mashed potatoes. America's an interesting place.
Aside from all the work changes, I've still been trying to write. I have a few articles in the upcoming issue of The Deli, including the cover story (woo!). Also, my short story, "The Roof," advanced to the finals on the website I posted about earlier. That's exciting because whether I win or not, the judges (who are published authors) make all kinds of comments and helpful suggestions. I've also sent out a new story to a few lit mags and am chuggin' away on my book. Perhaps one day this will financially pay off...
In the meantime, because I'm only paid hourly at my new job, I'm looking for ways to pick up some extra cash. If anyone knows of a family that needs a babysitter for a few hours a week, or a cafe/restaurant that needs someone one or two nights, for sure let me know.
שנה טובה (ברכה לראש-השנה)!
That means "Happy New Year."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Times They Are A-Changin'
For me at least.
As of tomorrow, I am no longer a nanny. As of Monday, I am an after school teacher for 6th graders in Queens and an ESL instructor for Spanish-speaking adults. All this came about in the past three weeks.
It begins with, my year nannying was coming to a close and I was back and forth about staying. I love the girls and the pay is great, but being a nanny is not my career goal and can actually hinder me from getting jobs in the future (i.e., when I apply to jobs with groups of low-income youth and my resume is two years of nannying for only two girls in the Upper East Side, I may get laughed at). The job itself also had aspects that were difficult for me and I was struggling with the culture of the Upper East Side in general. So I decided to leave, but as there were only two weeks before school began and we were all under the assumption I was staying, I gave Linda a semester's notice, saying I would stay through December.
She was not pleased (or reasonable). Our interactions were far from ideal, but after about a week of stress, she decided to find a new nanny immediately and hired this great girl who I trained yesterday and think will be an awesome match (prolly better than me, for Linda at least, because she's more conservative and family-oriented and homebodyish than me). Even though I brought this on myself and am happy for the change, when Linda decided to find a new nanny right away, I freaked. Working with the girls for only two more weeks? What? I really love them and feel almost like I'm betraying them by leaving. And what would I do next?
So, after many resumes and cover letters and interviews in my $3 button up shirt, I secured a job with the Beacon Program, a nonprofit that works in IS-5, a public middle school in Elmhurst, Queens. I'm really excited to be working with this population and to be teaching adults, and love the people who run the program. It's really small, so there are only three people in charge who are all really sweet Latina women who are not afraid to tell you what's up but will then give you a hug after doing so. The program actually runs a lot of stuff for the community so they are overworked and basically live at this middle school, but what they do is awesome. Their services include free, after school programs for 1st-6th graders, fieldtrips, ESL for adults, hip-hop and step classes, ESL for recently immigrated children, homework assistance/tutoring, basketball coaching for 7th-8th graders, other sports activities for kids and adults, and just general space for people from the community that want to run karate or music or dance classes or whatever at no cost. I get to design what I teach and have an aide, this awesome high school girl who has her shit together like crazy. I'm really excited about the work and it pays well, but unfortunately by the hour. When I first begin, I'll only be working 22 hours a week so it won't be enough money, but the director is organizing a Saturday ESL program for kids that I'll lead, so once that gets going, the finances will improve. I'm still going to pick up a day at a restaurant or cafe or something to make sure I'll have enough money. But I don't want to be working over 30 hours a week because I'm so serious right now about focusing on my writing. I've been applying to local newspapers and blogs and online zines, and just generally writing my ass off. If I can make the extra income off of my writing, then I've reached my career goal of New York already: to work with low-income children through a nonprofit and advance my writing career.
I'm not counting on these writing jobs for my income though. They are wildly competitive and depend on connections more than talent. I'm already envisioning the late nights sitting around a restaurant full of drunks that just won't leave, clothes that smell like food and coffee no matter how many times I wash them, and achy legs from standing and walking for a whole shift. Is it weird to say I kinda miss it?
I guess I have to change my info box on this site. No longer am I nannying on the Upper East Side to make money, but I'll be teaching in Queens to make some money, while continuing to pursue the writer in New York thing. Wish me luck!
As of tomorrow, I am no longer a nanny. As of Monday, I am an after school teacher for 6th graders in Queens and an ESL instructor for Spanish-speaking adults. All this came about in the past three weeks.
It begins with, my year nannying was coming to a close and I was back and forth about staying. I love the girls and the pay is great, but being a nanny is not my career goal and can actually hinder me from getting jobs in the future (i.e., when I apply to jobs with groups of low-income youth and my resume is two years of nannying for only two girls in the Upper East Side, I may get laughed at). The job itself also had aspects that were difficult for me and I was struggling with the culture of the Upper East Side in general. So I decided to leave, but as there were only two weeks before school began and we were all under the assumption I was staying, I gave Linda a semester's notice, saying I would stay through December.
She was not pleased (or reasonable). Our interactions were far from ideal, but after about a week of stress, she decided to find a new nanny immediately and hired this great girl who I trained yesterday and think will be an awesome match (prolly better than me, for Linda at least, because she's more conservative and family-oriented and homebodyish than me). Even though I brought this on myself and am happy for the change, when Linda decided to find a new nanny right away, I freaked. Working with the girls for only two more weeks? What? I really love them and feel almost like I'm betraying them by leaving. And what would I do next?
So, after many resumes and cover letters and interviews in my $3 button up shirt, I secured a job with the Beacon Program, a nonprofit that works in IS-5, a public middle school in Elmhurst, Queens. I'm really excited to be working with this population and to be teaching adults, and love the people who run the program. It's really small, so there are only three people in charge who are all really sweet Latina women who are not afraid to tell you what's up but will then give you a hug after doing so. The program actually runs a lot of stuff for the community so they are overworked and basically live at this middle school, but what they do is awesome. Their services include free, after school programs for 1st-6th graders, fieldtrips, ESL for adults, hip-hop and step classes, ESL for recently immigrated children, homework assistance/tutoring, basketball coaching for 7th-8th graders, other sports activities for kids and adults, and just general space for people from the community that want to run karate or music or dance classes or whatever at no cost. I get to design what I teach and have an aide, this awesome high school girl who has her shit together like crazy. I'm really excited about the work and it pays well, but unfortunately by the hour. When I first begin, I'll only be working 22 hours a week so it won't be enough money, but the director is organizing a Saturday ESL program for kids that I'll lead, so once that gets going, the finances will improve. I'm still going to pick up a day at a restaurant or cafe or something to make sure I'll have enough money. But I don't want to be working over 30 hours a week because I'm so serious right now about focusing on my writing. I've been applying to local newspapers and blogs and online zines, and just generally writing my ass off. If I can make the extra income off of my writing, then I've reached my career goal of New York already: to work with low-income children through a nonprofit and advance my writing career.
I'm not counting on these writing jobs for my income though. They are wildly competitive and depend on connections more than talent. I'm already envisioning the late nights sitting around a restaurant full of drunks that just won't leave, clothes that smell like food and coffee no matter how many times I wash them, and achy legs from standing and walking for a whole shift. Is it weird to say I kinda miss it?
I guess I have to change my info box on this site. No longer am I nannying on the Upper East Side to make money, but I'll be teaching in Queens to make some money, while continuing to pursue the writer in New York thing. Wish me luck!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Roof, The Roof, The Roof is OnLine!
I recently discovered a website called "Notes and Grace Notes," which is an online literary journal formed by writers where anyone can post their story to be read and commented on by viewers. Then, each month, the stories are judged by published authors and a winner is chosen. I just posted one of my stories, entitled "The Roof," and would love for everyone to read it and post HONEST comments.
Thanks so much!
Here's the link:
http://notesandgracenotes.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&task=tag&category=Fiction
I believe it's the third entry from the top. Enjoy!
Thanks so much!
Here's the link:
http://notesandgracenotes.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&task=tag&category=Fiction
I believe it's the third entry from the top. Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Help For the HTML Illiterate!
So here's the deal:
I wanna put adsense on my blog and make all of ya'll click on the ads so I can earn some money. But, because I'm dumb with HTML, I have tried multiple ways to get this shit up and have failed. Can anyone help me??
I wanna put adsense on my blog and make all of ya'll click on the ads so I can earn some money. But, because I'm dumb with HTML, I have tried multiple ways to get this shit up and have failed. Can anyone help me??
Monday, September 1, 2008
Basil Being Bad
Basil did the worst thing today he has ever done. It was actually our fault for giving him too much freedom, but hot damn he made my stomach churn and heart race for a half hour!!
The story goes:
Dave and I took him to the park, which is also across the street from a grocery store, to play in the dog run while one of us shopped. To decide who got to play and who had to shop, we did best six out of eleven rock/paper/scissors, which I just barely lost. Then Dave, who has a hot head about how good of a RPS player he is, decided that he'd give me an extra chance and would flip a coin. I chose heads and it landed on tails, so I was for sure the one doing the grocery chore.
We got to the park to discover a closed dog run (they're re-wood chipping it), but there are all kinds of fenced in grassy patches within the park, far from the cars, so Dave and I agreed it'd be cool to let him run around there while I shopped. Well, it turns out Basil inherited Dave's hot head and on our way back from the store, he pulled so hard that he yanked the leash out of Dave's hand and took off running down the sidewalk. We shouted stop, no, and come, but he was not responsive at all, just kept running. We dropped our bags and bolted after him, and he took a sharp left and ran across the side street we were on to the other sidewalk. Holy shit my heart pumped into my throat!! Luckily, there were no cars so I chased after him, shouting, "NO, STOP!" but he just picked up the pace!
He's sprinting like the speedy hound/terrier he is down the sidewalk, and I'm chasing, shouting for the other people to grab his leash. Dave's running down the middle of the street in case Basil bolts out again, and then we approach the corner of Nassau and Eckford. I'm close to him but not close enough to get the leash, and if he runs any further, he'll run onto busy Nassau where he will inevitably get hit by one of many cars.
Then, he just stops. He stops running and turns around to me with this goofy grin on his face, like we were playing chase and here he is letting me catch him. Dave ran over and we yelled at him, telling him he was a really bad dog. He looked super sad, but after he sat down for a minute, we loved on him and told him he was a good puppy but that he did a very bad thing. Damn, I was totally panicking, like, envisioning a car slamming into him on Nassau! I'm so happy he at least understands to stop at a busy street (we've been working on stopping at streets before crossing), but god, Dave and I were freaking. Especially poor Dave, as he saw his first dog get killed by a car when he was six! Dave was just sprinting with this dazed look on his face, like, going to a happy place, going to a place where dogs don't get hit by cars. It took us a good half hour before we were breathing normally again!
And during that half hour, we analyzed the situation and what contributed to him doing this (he has never pulled away from us before). We definitely gave him too much freedom for a puppy in the park (and in KY!), showing him that he can run around off leash and have us chase him. But he's still a puppy and can't put together to not do that on the sidewalk, so no more off leash time until he is perfect about stopping at the street and not tugging on the leash. Hoo boy, what a fright.
Weirdly, it also made me realize how terrifying the world can be to a parent. This is our dog and we were FREAKED. It's so nuts how the process of adopting a dog is complicated and drawn out, checking references and calling landlords, yet anyone can just have a kid. Even accidentally! People accidentally have KIDS! The responsibility and love that comes along with a dog makes being a parent mind-boggling.
So, all's well that end's well, and Basil is currently a very happy puppy, sitting at my feet and devouring his rawhide. Dave and I are chilled out now, and the lessons have all been learned. Oh puppylove.
The story goes:
Dave and I took him to the park, which is also across the street from a grocery store, to play in the dog run while one of us shopped. To decide who got to play and who had to shop, we did best six out of eleven rock/paper/scissors, which I just barely lost. Then Dave, who has a hot head about how good of a RPS player he is, decided that he'd give me an extra chance and would flip a coin. I chose heads and it landed on tails, so I was for sure the one doing the grocery chore.
We got to the park to discover a closed dog run (they're re-wood chipping it), but there are all kinds of fenced in grassy patches within the park, far from the cars, so Dave and I agreed it'd be cool to let him run around there while I shopped. Well, it turns out Basil inherited Dave's hot head and on our way back from the store, he pulled so hard that he yanked the leash out of Dave's hand and took off running down the sidewalk. We shouted stop, no, and come, but he was not responsive at all, just kept running. We dropped our bags and bolted after him, and he took a sharp left and ran across the side street we were on to the other sidewalk. Holy shit my heart pumped into my throat!! Luckily, there were no cars so I chased after him, shouting, "NO, STOP!" but he just picked up the pace!
He's sprinting like the speedy hound/terrier he is down the sidewalk, and I'm chasing, shouting for the other people to grab his leash. Dave's running down the middle of the street in case Basil bolts out again, and then we approach the corner of Nassau and Eckford. I'm close to him but not close enough to get the leash, and if he runs any further, he'll run onto busy Nassau where he will inevitably get hit by one of many cars.
Then, he just stops. He stops running and turns around to me with this goofy grin on his face, like we were playing chase and here he is letting me catch him. Dave ran over and we yelled at him, telling him he was a really bad dog. He looked super sad, but after he sat down for a minute, we loved on him and told him he was a good puppy but that he did a very bad thing. Damn, I was totally panicking, like, envisioning a car slamming into him on Nassau! I'm so happy he at least understands to stop at a busy street (we've been working on stopping at streets before crossing), but god, Dave and I were freaking. Especially poor Dave, as he saw his first dog get killed by a car when he was six! Dave was just sprinting with this dazed look on his face, like, going to a happy place, going to a place where dogs don't get hit by cars. It took us a good half hour before we were breathing normally again!
And during that half hour, we analyzed the situation and what contributed to him doing this (he has never pulled away from us before). We definitely gave him too much freedom for a puppy in the park (and in KY!), showing him that he can run around off leash and have us chase him. But he's still a puppy and can't put together to not do that on the sidewalk, so no more off leash time until he is perfect about stopping at the street and not tugging on the leash. Hoo boy, what a fright.
Weirdly, it also made me realize how terrifying the world can be to a parent. This is our dog and we were FREAKED. It's so nuts how the process of adopting a dog is complicated and drawn out, checking references and calling landlords, yet anyone can just have a kid. Even accidentally! People accidentally have KIDS! The responsibility and love that comes along with a dog makes being a parent mind-boggling.
So, all's well that end's well, and Basil is currently a very happy puppy, sitting at my feet and devouring his rawhide. Dave and I are chilled out now, and the lessons have all been learned. Oh puppylove.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
"Well the sun shines bright on my Old Kentucky Home..."
After many weeks back in New York, I am finally writing about our week in Kentucky.
It started off slightly inauspicious. We planned to borrow Dave’s parents' car for the trip, so he went to Boston earlier in the week and picked it up. On Saturday, we loaded it all up, planning to drive about 6 hours and get a hotel room, then continue the drive on Sunday and have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law in Cincinnati, then after dinner, go to Mt. Washington. So, we drove a block and then realized we forgot to lock the apartment door. We looped around (Dave driving), stopped at a sign, looked both ways, inched forward and stopped again, looked, and were all clear. Then out of nowhere, a huge SUV came barreling down the road, right into the front passenger corner of Dave’s parents' Subaru, totaling it. No one was hurt and Basil didn't seem to care one bit, but our Kentucky road trip turned into a two block drive and an afternoon full of contacting insurance, dealerships, tow trucks, etc. But then we rented a car the next morning and headed out, and Dave's parents have already bought a new car!
So in our fancy Elantra, Dave, Basil and I drove thirteen hours and made it into Mt. Washington at 2 in the morning. Overall, we had an awesome visit, hanging with Grans, the whole big family and some old friends. We all got together on two separate occasions, but instead of being overwhelmed and like, get me out of here (which is how I usually feel when we get together on holidays, but I think because there's a different level of pressure with the holidays), it was really relaxed and fun. The first day, we hung out with Mom and Granny, then drove to Cincy to have dinner with my bro and sis-in-law. They just bought a huge house with a yard and porch, and it's awesome! We had a great time chilling with them. Each time I hang out with those two, I feel happier that we're related... I think it'll be great when they have kids and Dave and I have kids, and we'll have this cute little family visiting in our different cities. I look forward to it!
Anyway, the next day we went hiking in Bernheim State Forest and let Basil off leash for the first time, where he proved himself the perfect pup. He stayed right with us except for a few occasions where he would run ahead and then wait. Perfect. That night was a family dinner, and then the rest of the trip involved lots of Granny time, including going to my aunt/uncle's farm to pick fresh veggies. Granny couldn't get down and pick so she stood above and pointed out things for us to get, and her eyesight was incredible! She’d be standing completely above us, point at a patch of greenery and be like, "There's a big one right there!" Dave and I would be on our hands and knees and unable to find the cucumber, then finally we'd see it, Granny laughing all the while at us for taking so long. After picking about two dozen cukes and dripping our insides out as buckets of sweat, I suggested going home and Granny responded with, "Why, there are still a lot of cucumbers!" It was then I realized we weren't leaving until every one was picked.
Dave and I dripped away in the Kentucky sun while Granny directed us, and Basil gleefully ran through the fields. Mom even left picking the green beans and joined us with the cukes to satisfy Grans! Man, I can't imagine what it must have been like working under her on a farm. My shirt was literally soaked through.
Later that night, after showers and snacks, Dave and I went for a drive and saw four deer, then went out to visit an old teacher of mine, Kari Stewart. She was really amazing for me during high school, and I babysat for her kids (who are now six and ten, whoa!), so we kept in close touch when I left for school. But I haven't seen her in two or three years because her husband developed serious bladder cancer that almost killed him. But now, after many operations, he is cancer free! Woo!! So, the past two years were obviously very stressful and difficult for her to fit in visits during my brief days per year in Kentucky. But now that things are more relaxed, they seem very happy and comfortable, and made a wonderful dinner and white sangria for us. And the boys were so hospitable!! They are both very handsome and such polite, capable, smart kids. Dave and I were very impressed! They are also quite goofy... we had a blast.
A highlight from this night was meeting their new chickens and roosters. They recently set up a chicken coop full of 3-4 month olds, so we got to go hold them and pet them, which they apparently love. One of them burrowed into my arms and I had to drop her because she wouldn't jump off my lap on her own (even with some serious hints). One of the roosters was mean though and pecked at us a lot, so the younger kid, Cole, protected us by gripping the rooster while he violently pecked the air until we left the coop. The image of little Cole, wearing swim trunks and cowboy boots, holding this crazy rooster, shouting, "This one is named Quasimodo!" was unforgettably hilarious and adorable. Those boys got such a kick out of introducing us to their birds and telling us all their names and reasons behind the names. Then, they let us name one! We dubbed it Brooklyn so that our legacy will carry on. :) We also got to play with their horse a bit, and their 100 pound German Shepherd befriended basil with such gusto that we had to bathe him afterward to clean off the drool.
The next day, Granny taught us how to pickle and we made nine mason jars of pickles out of the assload of cukes she made us pick, with all kinds of spices and garlic added to them. It was sooo much fun. Then the family came over for dinner and we had an awesome meal, with gluten-free cornbread, chicken dumplings, fresh corn with fresh tomatoes, portabella mushroom sandwiches with pesto, cheese and roasted red peppers, three different types of cake for dessert. Amazing. After that, we drove to Paris, Ky, where James, the only friend from high school I keep in touch with, and his wife live. They have two cats, including one with only three legs, an awesome yard and a very cute, cozy house. Seeing all these new, cute houses definitely made us question New York City! But where else can you get genuine polish vodka for $10 a liter? We brought a bottle with us from green point to share with James and Rebecca, and the four of us got drunk. It was really great to catch up and hang with him, and Dave really enjoyed it, too. But the headaches the next morning were not so enjoyable.
With Advil and plenty of water in tow, we piled into the car and drove another 14 hours back to the good ol' BK where our cats and Fuzzy greeted us with lovely excitement. Then the next day, Fuzzy lay down and died, but you guys know about that already.
I'll leave you with the words to our state song, written by the saintly Stephen Foster in 1893.
It started off slightly inauspicious. We planned to borrow Dave’s parents' car for the trip, so he went to Boston earlier in the week and picked it up. On Saturday, we loaded it all up, planning to drive about 6 hours and get a hotel room, then continue the drive on Sunday and have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law in Cincinnati, then after dinner, go to Mt. Washington. So, we drove a block and then realized we forgot to lock the apartment door. We looped around (Dave driving), stopped at a sign, looked both ways, inched forward and stopped again, looked, and were all clear. Then out of nowhere, a huge SUV came barreling down the road, right into the front passenger corner of Dave’s parents' Subaru, totaling it. No one was hurt and Basil didn't seem to care one bit, but our Kentucky road trip turned into a two block drive and an afternoon full of contacting insurance, dealerships, tow trucks, etc. But then we rented a car the next morning and headed out, and Dave's parents have already bought a new car!
So in our fancy Elantra, Dave, Basil and I drove thirteen hours and made it into Mt. Washington at 2 in the morning. Overall, we had an awesome visit, hanging with Grans, the whole big family and some old friends. We all got together on two separate occasions, but instead of being overwhelmed and like, get me out of here (which is how I usually feel when we get together on holidays, but I think because there's a different level of pressure with the holidays), it was really relaxed and fun. The first day, we hung out with Mom and Granny, then drove to Cincy to have dinner with my bro and sis-in-law. They just bought a huge house with a yard and porch, and it's awesome! We had a great time chilling with them. Each time I hang out with those two, I feel happier that we're related... I think it'll be great when they have kids and Dave and I have kids, and we'll have this cute little family visiting in our different cities. I look forward to it!
Anyway, the next day we went hiking in Bernheim State Forest and let Basil off leash for the first time, where he proved himself the perfect pup. He stayed right with us except for a few occasions where he would run ahead and then wait. Perfect. That night was a family dinner, and then the rest of the trip involved lots of Granny time, including going to my aunt/uncle's farm to pick fresh veggies. Granny couldn't get down and pick so she stood above and pointed out things for us to get, and her eyesight was incredible! She’d be standing completely above us, point at a patch of greenery and be like, "There's a big one right there!" Dave and I would be on our hands and knees and unable to find the cucumber, then finally we'd see it, Granny laughing all the while at us for taking so long. After picking about two dozen cukes and dripping our insides out as buckets of sweat, I suggested going home and Granny responded with, "Why, there are still a lot of cucumbers!" It was then I realized we weren't leaving until every one was picked.
Dave and I dripped away in the Kentucky sun while Granny directed us, and Basil gleefully ran through the fields. Mom even left picking the green beans and joined us with the cukes to satisfy Grans! Man, I can't imagine what it must have been like working under her on a farm. My shirt was literally soaked through.
Later that night, after showers and snacks, Dave and I went for a drive and saw four deer, then went out to visit an old teacher of mine, Kari Stewart. She was really amazing for me during high school, and I babysat for her kids (who are now six and ten, whoa!), so we kept in close touch when I left for school. But I haven't seen her in two or three years because her husband developed serious bladder cancer that almost killed him. But now, after many operations, he is cancer free! Woo!! So, the past two years were obviously very stressful and difficult for her to fit in visits during my brief days per year in Kentucky. But now that things are more relaxed, they seem very happy and comfortable, and made a wonderful dinner and white sangria for us. And the boys were so hospitable!! They are both very handsome and such polite, capable, smart kids. Dave and I were very impressed! They are also quite goofy... we had a blast.
A highlight from this night was meeting their new chickens and roosters. They recently set up a chicken coop full of 3-4 month olds, so we got to go hold them and pet them, which they apparently love. One of them burrowed into my arms and I had to drop her because she wouldn't jump off my lap on her own (even with some serious hints). One of the roosters was mean though and pecked at us a lot, so the younger kid, Cole, protected us by gripping the rooster while he violently pecked the air until we left the coop. The image of little Cole, wearing swim trunks and cowboy boots, holding this crazy rooster, shouting, "This one is named Quasimodo!" was unforgettably hilarious and adorable. Those boys got such a kick out of introducing us to their birds and telling us all their names and reasons behind the names. Then, they let us name one! We dubbed it Brooklyn so that our legacy will carry on. :) We also got to play with their horse a bit, and their 100 pound German Shepherd befriended basil with such gusto that we had to bathe him afterward to clean off the drool.
The next day, Granny taught us how to pickle and we made nine mason jars of pickles out of the assload of cukes she made us pick, with all kinds of spices and garlic added to them. It was sooo much fun. Then the family came over for dinner and we had an awesome meal, with gluten-free cornbread, chicken dumplings, fresh corn with fresh tomatoes, portabella mushroom sandwiches with pesto, cheese and roasted red peppers, three different types of cake for dessert. Amazing. After that, we drove to Paris, Ky, where James, the only friend from high school I keep in touch with, and his wife live. They have two cats, including one with only three legs, an awesome yard and a very cute, cozy house. Seeing all these new, cute houses definitely made us question New York City! But where else can you get genuine polish vodka for $10 a liter? We brought a bottle with us from green point to share with James and Rebecca, and the four of us got drunk. It was really great to catch up and hang with him, and Dave really enjoyed it, too. But the headaches the next morning were not so enjoyable.
With Advil and plenty of water in tow, we piled into the car and drove another 14 hours back to the good ol' BK where our cats and Fuzzy greeted us with lovely excitement. Then the next day, Fuzzy lay down and died, but you guys know about that already.
I'll leave you with the words to our state song, written by the saintly Stephen Foster in 1893.
The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
Tis summer, the darkies are gay
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in bloom
While the birds make music all the day
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright
By 'n by hard times come a-knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home good night
Weep no more, my lady
Oh, weep no more, today
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far away.
They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight.
The time has come when the darkies have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the poor folks may go
A few more days and the trouble will end,
In the field where sugar-canes may grow.
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
It's My Birthday and I'll Cry If I Want To
Just kidding.
I mean, it IS my birthday, but no tears from me today. I love birthdays, especially my own!
Twenty-fooooooouuuuur! I don't feel much different from twenty-three but it's still exciting nonetheless. I woke up to the lovely Mama Tay wishing me a happy day, and the sweet Basilbub cuddling by my side. Then I got a sesame seed bagel with tofu cream cheese and an Earl Grey tea, and am making Marie go to the park to read and play on this gorgeous, birthy day. Tonight is dinner then a drink at Clems, then Saturday will be partying all night long. Wooo!
One thing birthdays are good for is reflecting over the past however many years, looking toward the future however many years, and then just being in the happy day. It's nice for me to look at my past and see all the positive changes I've made, and to just be very grateful for where I am now. And I'm excited about the future with Dave and writing and school and kids and puppies. It is definitely pleasant to be turning twenty-four!
Though, I do have a theory that actual age doesn't matter too much. To me, it's not your number that tells how old you are, but your experiences. For example, I grew the equivalent of at least two years during the one night my house caught on fire. And during my college years spent working on my personal issues and learning how to manage those things with my own life and with my family relations, I grew way more than four years may seem. But then in other ways, I haven't grown a full twenty-four years yet! People get hung up on numbers; age, weight, height, salary, etc. But numbers aren't true measures of life.
However, birthdays are true reasons to celebrate life. So, happy birthday to me, and to all of you on your special days!
I mean, it IS my birthday, but no tears from me today. I love birthdays, especially my own!
Twenty-fooooooouuuuur! I don't feel much different from twenty-three but it's still exciting nonetheless. I woke up to the lovely Mama Tay wishing me a happy day, and the sweet Basilbub cuddling by my side. Then I got a sesame seed bagel with tofu cream cheese and an Earl Grey tea, and am making Marie go to the park to read and play on this gorgeous, birthy day. Tonight is dinner then a drink at Clems, then Saturday will be partying all night long. Wooo!
One thing birthdays are good for is reflecting over the past however many years, looking toward the future however many years, and then just being in the happy day. It's nice for me to look at my past and see all the positive changes I've made, and to just be very grateful for where I am now. And I'm excited about the future with Dave and writing and school and kids and puppies. It is definitely pleasant to be turning twenty-four!
Though, I do have a theory that actual age doesn't matter too much. To me, it's not your number that tells how old you are, but your experiences. For example, I grew the equivalent of at least two years during the one night my house caught on fire. And during my college years spent working on my personal issues and learning how to manage those things with my own life and with my family relations, I grew way more than four years may seem. But then in other ways, I haven't grown a full twenty-four years yet! People get hung up on numbers; age, weight, height, salary, etc. But numbers aren't true measures of life.
However, birthdays are true reasons to celebrate life. So, happy birthday to me, and to all of you on your special days!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Artsy Waterfalls are Killing Trees!
Recently, artist Olafur Eliassons installed waterfalls throughout New York City, adding a touch of nature to the urban landscape. Ironically, this touch of fake nature has damaged some real nature, the beautiful trees around DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Check out this article in the Brooklyn Paper:
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/31/31/31_31_jf_river_cafe.html
Check out this article in the Brooklyn Paper:
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/31/31/31_31_jf_river_cafe.html
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Subway Ate Me.
"Mind the gap," for real.
At Union Square today when entering the 4 Express (which is something I've done twice a week day for the past 12 months with no issues), I slightly misstepped, apparently placing not quite enough of my right foot into the subway car. When bringing my left foot forward, the right toesies could no longer hang on and down I went, straight into the dark hole. Or, the rather large gap between the subway car and the platform.
Interjection: I am fully aware that there are signs and announcements all over the place about minding the gap. Please no one else remind me; I've already been reminded by at least five friends so far.
Anyway, I wasn't unminding the gap, rather miscalculated the level of minding I needed to do. So my right leg flew straight down the hole, all the way up to my quad right before it meets my hip where it's too large to fit further down. I just iced the enormous bruise with a bag of frozen strawberries, but it makes walking so difficult that I paid $6 for a taxi home. Luckily, a kind woman was standing by the door and as I pushed myself up with my left leg and hands, she reached for me and pulled me up further. Nora, the older girl I work with, and I laughed our asses off for about five minutes straight. From her perspective, I was standing and then suddenly I was at her ankles. From my perspective, I was standing, and then suddenly I was at Nora's ankles. It was pretty funny indeed.
Funny until it started hurting. And until people reacted with, "Oh my God! That's so dangerous!" or "I would have cried." Then I realized that I could have been hurt worse and should not bitch about my bruise.
Just to all of you,
"Mind the Gap."
At Union Square today when entering the 4 Express (which is something I've done twice a week day for the past 12 months with no issues), I slightly misstepped, apparently placing not quite enough of my right foot into the subway car. When bringing my left foot forward, the right toesies could no longer hang on and down I went, straight into the dark hole. Or, the rather large gap between the subway car and the platform.
Interjection: I am fully aware that there are signs and announcements all over the place about minding the gap. Please no one else remind me; I've already been reminded by at least five friends so far.
Anyway, I wasn't unminding the gap, rather miscalculated the level of minding I needed to do. So my right leg flew straight down the hole, all the way up to my quad right before it meets my hip where it's too large to fit further down. I just iced the enormous bruise with a bag of frozen strawberries, but it makes walking so difficult that I paid $6 for a taxi home. Luckily, a kind woman was standing by the door and as I pushed myself up with my left leg and hands, she reached for me and pulled me up further. Nora, the older girl I work with, and I laughed our asses off for about five minutes straight. From her perspective, I was standing and then suddenly I was at her ankles. From my perspective, I was standing, and then suddenly I was at Nora's ankles. It was pretty funny indeed.
Funny until it started hurting. And until people reacted with, "Oh my God! That's so dangerous!" or "I would have cried." Then I realized that I could have been hurt worse and should not bitch about my bruise.
Just to all of you,
"Mind the Gap."
Sunday, August 3, 2008
RIP Fuzzy Buzzy Bee
Last night, our dearest, beloved, very old guinea pig made a sweet and peaceful descent from this world into the guinea pig afterworld. He was an elderly man, still sprightly despite his ancient nine years (most gp's live between 5-7). Dave and I were away for the week in KY but our lovely neighbor took care of him, enjoying him thoroughly in his final days despite the intense drool she noticed. When we came home, he had only drank half his water bottle but still greeted us with his usual excited clamber up the side of his cage. Yesterday morning, he ran around, making little noises like normal. Then later on, Dave and I came home from a show and were chilling on the futon when we noticed Basil chewing at the cage. He turned away with a tuft of guinea pig hair in his mouth and we both though, "Why did Fuzzy let him do that?" Usually he runs away when one of the others approaches. We jumped up, ran to him, poked his tiny body and realized he had passed, sprawled out against the door to his cage with his eyes half closed and his little paws curled up. Oh Fuzzy.
I will miss the weird hacking noises he made randomly in the middle of the day that sent us into giggling spurts. I will miss cuddling with him, all burrowed into my arms. I will miss his energetic requests for breakfast, and will always feel like an ass for forgetting to feed him his last meal on the morning he died. But I know he didn't care too much; he was a very laidback little creature.
We will all miss Fuzzy Buzzy. Dave and I fondly called him "our good child," as he was the only animal that handled the move with ease. Though he was just a guinea pig, he was a wonderful pet and we loved him dearly.
It may seem callous, but considering the only place nearby with enough grass to bury him is a public park, we curled him into a towel, placed him into a shoebox, and chose a nice dumpster by the local produce market. We will place him there with a sendoff prayer tonight, to lie amongst the veggies and fruits he so loved to eat during his time in our apartment.
Bon voyage, Fuzzy Buzzy Bee!
I will miss the weird hacking noises he made randomly in the middle of the day that sent us into giggling spurts. I will miss cuddling with him, all burrowed into my arms. I will miss his energetic requests for breakfast, and will always feel like an ass for forgetting to feed him his last meal on the morning he died. But I know he didn't care too much; he was a very laidback little creature.
We will all miss Fuzzy Buzzy. Dave and I fondly called him "our good child," as he was the only animal that handled the move with ease. Though he was just a guinea pig, he was a wonderful pet and we loved him dearly.
It may seem callous, but considering the only place nearby with enough grass to bury him is a public park, we curled him into a towel, placed him into a shoebox, and chose a nice dumpster by the local produce market. We will place him there with a sendoff prayer tonight, to lie amongst the veggies and fruits he so loved to eat during his time in our apartment.
Bon voyage, Fuzzy Buzzy Bee!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sibling Rivalry
It is so fun having all these animals in our apartment and watching them interact with one another. Right away, Blacula let Basil know she was in charge, and every now and then she will just walk through the house, hissing and/or batting at whatever creature she passes. She still loves to surprise-chase Frida, and Frida still hates her for it. Blacula has no desire to play with Basil but enjoys being in the same room with him and watching him spaz out while looking at him like, What the hell are you? Basil is super respectful of her space and doesn't push it at all anymore because his nose got smacked one too many times.
However, Basil has a serious crush on Frida, following her around the house and constantly trying to play (he gets boners when he's around her!). He'll also get really close to her when she's sleeping, once even nibbling on her tail, but then she'll wake up and get spooked. She's totally in love with him too though, just a little weirded out and still figuring out how to play. She'll sit on the bed, get his attention, then sprint through the bedroom, the bathroom and into the bathtub and he'll come running and flop down by the tub. Then they'll make eye contact and she'll sprint back to the bed, him in tow and flopping down on the floor beside her corner of the bed. Then they repeat; it's sooo cute. Frida also sniffs him when he's sleeping and they're getting closer to each other when both are napping. I'm seriously excited for some future cuddling. Yesterday, Frida came all the way out into the living room (huge for her!) just to playfully bat at him! This morning she did the same thing, and he got so excited that he spazzed out and she freaked, running back to her hiding place in the bedroom window sill. He sadly resorted to a tennis ball instead.
The most intense rivalry comes out surrounding food time, which is a pretty lively and hilarious few minutes for us. Blacula is a beast when it comes to food, always trying to scavenge anything. She wants to eat all the time, literally inhales her food without chewing, and then will go chase Frida away and eat Frida's food, too. It took a lot of work to convince Frida to stick up for herself and to train Blacula to stop eating her food (meaning Bla will lay a foot from Frida while she's eating and Frida will anxiously eat under Blacula's stare). But since Basil has joined the fam, Frida has gained this confidence she didn't have before (perhaps his affections have boosted her?). Recently, she came all the way into the kitchen, and ate some of Blacula's food!!! Bla was beside herself, hissing and growling and charging at Frida. Frida ran off and hid, sooo proud of herself, and Bla went into the bedroom and started eating Frida's food. Then, Basil ran in and finished Blacula's food! Blacula heard him, abandoned Frida's bowl and went into the kitchen to find her bowl empty. So she ran over to Basil's bowl and started to eat his food! This really pissed off Basil, so he came into the kitchen, barking and growling, and before she ran off, Blacula smacked him. Then, he didn't even eat his food but rather laid down right in front of it. Meanwhile, Frida retreated from the window sill and finished her food in peace. They are soooo crazy!
Animals are fun. I'm very thankful to have all of them! Every second I'm at home, I'm interacting with a creature in some way, and I love it. Either a cat or dog or guinea pig are asking for food, or cuddling, or playing, or licking me, or something. It's glorious! All of you, go out and adopt a pet right now!
However, Basil has a serious crush on Frida, following her around the house and constantly trying to play (he gets boners when he's around her!). He'll also get really close to her when she's sleeping, once even nibbling on her tail, but then she'll wake up and get spooked. She's totally in love with him too though, just a little weirded out and still figuring out how to play. She'll sit on the bed, get his attention, then sprint through the bedroom, the bathroom and into the bathtub and he'll come running and flop down by the tub. Then they'll make eye contact and she'll sprint back to the bed, him in tow and flopping down on the floor beside her corner of the bed. Then they repeat; it's sooo cute. Frida also sniffs him when he's sleeping and they're getting closer to each other when both are napping. I'm seriously excited for some future cuddling. Yesterday, Frida came all the way out into the living room (huge for her!) just to playfully bat at him! This morning she did the same thing, and he got so excited that he spazzed out and she freaked, running back to her hiding place in the bedroom window sill. He sadly resorted to a tennis ball instead.
The most intense rivalry comes out surrounding food time, which is a pretty lively and hilarious few minutes for us. Blacula is a beast when it comes to food, always trying to scavenge anything. She wants to eat all the time, literally inhales her food without chewing, and then will go chase Frida away and eat Frida's food, too. It took a lot of work to convince Frida to stick up for herself and to train Blacula to stop eating her food (meaning Bla will lay a foot from Frida while she's eating and Frida will anxiously eat under Blacula's stare). But since Basil has joined the fam, Frida has gained this confidence she didn't have before (perhaps his affections have boosted her?). Recently, she came all the way into the kitchen, and ate some of Blacula's food!!! Bla was beside herself, hissing and growling and charging at Frida. Frida ran off and hid, sooo proud of herself, and Bla went into the bedroom and started eating Frida's food. Then, Basil ran in and finished Blacula's food! Blacula heard him, abandoned Frida's bowl and went into the kitchen to find her bowl empty. So she ran over to Basil's bowl and started to eat his food! This really pissed off Basil, so he came into the kitchen, barking and growling, and before she ran off, Blacula smacked him. Then, he didn't even eat his food but rather laid down right in front of it. Meanwhile, Frida retreated from the window sill and finished her food in peace. They are soooo crazy!
Animals are fun. I'm very thankful to have all of them! Every second I'm at home, I'm interacting with a creature in some way, and I love it. Either a cat or dog or guinea pig are asking for food, or cuddling, or playing, or licking me, or something. It's glorious! All of you, go out and adopt a pet right now!
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Fix Tape Exchange
Once a month on a Sunday evening at Soundfix Lounge, Steven Smiles (nicknamed by Dave because of his contagious smile) hosts the fix tape exchange, a fun event where people make mixed CDs according to a theme and trade them. Taylor, Dave and I have been doing this for a few months and absolutely love picking out the tracks and designing our packaging and checking out what we get. Last night's theme was "Food/Eating," and a friend of ours made an entire menu, laminated with a cool cover and everything, with the various songs organized by appetizers, entrees, etc. It was AMAZING. So amazing that he got a free shot for it! Also, if you bring an actual tape you get a free shot, but then it kind of sucks for the person who receives it because few people have a tape player anymore.
Anyway, my packaging this month was pretty cool. I wrote, "Fooooooooood, YUM" in funny letters at the top of a piece of bright orange construction paper, listed the track names and artists down the left, and drew a cow on the right with a bubble coming from his head that said, "ME??" Then I folded it up to make an envelope for the CD. Steven made a sandwich for his, and Taylor made an entire folder with inserts and "food" written in various languages all over it. Other people get really into it, too -- we have fun!
Past themes have been People's Names, Cities, Instrumental Songs, Songs to Lose Your Virginity To, and Animals. The mix I got in return during the instrumental month was an MP3 mix instead of a CD, with 300 randomass songs on it. Even though I was initially excited about receiving it, once I got all the shit on my computer I was cursing the fix tape exchange. But the mix I got this month is sooo good. The packaging looks just like a real CD, and the songs are awesome. Here's the track list:
what's that cookin -- Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-fonics
cornbread -- Skavoovie & The Epitones
eating people -- King Missile III
beek jerky -- Cibo Matto
starfish & coffee -- Prince
cheeseburger -- Gang of Four
pancakes for one -- Of Montreal
food -- Nellie McKay
sweet potato -- Imperial Teen
Gyoza -- Shonen Knife
ice cream soda -- The White Stripes
filipino box spring hog -- Tom Waits
eat steak -- Reverend Horton Heat
i love beans -- Brak
milky cereal -- LL Cool J
skanin pickle -- Smorgasborgnine
eat to the beat -- Blondie
corn on the cob -- James Kockalka Superstar
country salty balls (p.s. i love you) -- Chef
banana puddin' -- Southern Culture on the Skids
the scrapple song -- Robbie Fulks
ham -- The Bill Nayer Show
the spaghetti song -- White Knuckle Sandwich
My mix list (not nearly as many songs, I've gotta step it up!):
Diners Only -- The Avalanches
Mean Mr. Mustard -- The Beatles
Southern Flavor -- Bill Monroe
Peaches & Cream -- Beck
Caffiend -- Audible Mainframe
Big Rock Candy Mountain -- Harry McClintock
She Don't Use Jelly -- The Flaming Lips
Dishes -- Akudama
Gin and Juice (Snoop Dogg Cover) -- The Gourds
Sipping On The Sweet Nectar -- Jens Lekman
Poppin' Popcorn -- Peanut Butter Wolf
Sugar -- Billie Holiday
Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk (Reprise) -- Rufus Wainwright
Jazz Potato -- St. Germaine
My general guidelines for mixing are, 1: include as many genres as possible, and always at least one hip hop song, 2: always include one song from Bill Monroe, 3: always include one song from Billie Holiday, and 4: always include one song from an underground artist.
Next month's theme is Seasons. If you're around, come out!!
Anyway, my packaging this month was pretty cool. I wrote, "Fooooooooood, YUM" in funny letters at the top of a piece of bright orange construction paper, listed the track names and artists down the left, and drew a cow on the right with a bubble coming from his head that said, "ME??" Then I folded it up to make an envelope for the CD. Steven made a sandwich for his, and Taylor made an entire folder with inserts and "food" written in various languages all over it. Other people get really into it, too -- we have fun!
Past themes have been People's Names, Cities, Instrumental Songs, Songs to Lose Your Virginity To, and Animals. The mix I got in return during the instrumental month was an MP3 mix instead of a CD, with 300 randomass songs on it. Even though I was initially excited about receiving it, once I got all the shit on my computer I was cursing the fix tape exchange. But the mix I got this month is sooo good. The packaging looks just like a real CD, and the songs are awesome. Here's the track list:
what's that cookin -- Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-fonics
cornbread -- Skavoovie & The Epitones
eating people -- King Missile III
beek jerky -- Cibo Matto
starfish & coffee -- Prince
cheeseburger -- Gang of Four
pancakes for one -- Of Montreal
food -- Nellie McKay
sweet potato -- Imperial Teen
Gyoza -- Shonen Knife
ice cream soda -- The White Stripes
filipino box spring hog -- Tom Waits
eat steak -- Reverend Horton Heat
i love beans -- Brak
milky cereal -- LL Cool J
skanin pickle -- Smorgasborgnine
eat to the beat -- Blondie
corn on the cob -- James Kockalka Superstar
country salty balls (p.s. i love you) -- Chef
banana puddin' -- Southern Culture on the Skids
the scrapple song -- Robbie Fulks
ham -- The Bill Nayer Show
the spaghetti song -- White Knuckle Sandwich
My mix list (not nearly as many songs, I've gotta step it up!):
Diners Only -- The Avalanches
Mean Mr. Mustard -- The Beatles
Southern Flavor -- Bill Monroe
Peaches & Cream -- Beck
Caffiend -- Audible Mainframe
Big Rock Candy Mountain -- Harry McClintock
She Don't Use Jelly -- The Flaming Lips
Dishes -- Akudama
Gin and Juice (Snoop Dogg Cover) -- The Gourds
Sipping On The Sweet Nectar -- Jens Lekman
Poppin' Popcorn -- Peanut Butter Wolf
Sugar -- Billie Holiday
Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk (Reprise) -- Rufus Wainwright
Jazz Potato -- St. Germaine
My general guidelines for mixing are, 1: include as many genres as possible, and always at least one hip hop song, 2: always include one song from Bill Monroe, 3: always include one song from Billie Holiday, and 4: always include one song from an underground artist.
Next month's theme is Seasons. If you're around, come out!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Official Biker Babe
Saturday I decided to work off a bit of the food and beer I consumed all day on Friday (Happy 4th ya'll!) by going on my first bike ride in Manhattan. The concept of biking in Manhattan has terrified me before, but I've slowly entertained the idea until I finally built up the courage to do it.
First off, biking to the Williamsburg Bridge is really easy because it's just straight down a not very busy street in Brooklyn. And then biking up the bridge is a bit challenging but not really -- works up a slight burn in the quads which is joyously repaid with the ride above the cars and subway, staring over the East River lapping up against Brooklyn on one side and Manhattan on the other, with the buildings all reaching high. It was beautiful. When the subway came rushing past, I looked down through the rails of the bike path, watching the top of the train car rush by and feeling its rumble (but not in a scary way). Because the path is so high, when I looked up I saw the structure of the bridge, all its beams and posts and whatever else makes it a bridge. It was gorgeous! Then the path slants back down and I absolutely flew, zipping around walkers and zooming straight down. It was awesome to ride that fast without worrying about cars or anything, truly close to what flying must feel like.
Then the path dumps out into a huge median in the middle of crazy busy Delancey Street. It's like, I'm a bird, cruising above the subway and the cars, staring at the tiny boats from my way up high spot, to HOLY SHIT MANHATTAN! But it was actually really cool. I instantly switched to this mode of paying insanely close attention to everything, completely aware of all my surroundings, while controlling my bike in a way I hadn't before in order to make turns and dodge pedestrians and "avoid accident."* I felt empowered, like, I am completely in control of this machine underneath me, manipulating its wheels and bars to move my body around Manhattan streets in a fast and fun way. It was exciting and also boosting; if I can bike in NYC, I can do anything!
I rode through the Lower East Side and then turned onto Bowery just to say I've biked on Bowery before. The car lanes are actually really wide, and there's also a wide bike line on the side, so it was a rather easy street to manage. Then I turned onto East 3rd Street, following it to to the west side (Noho maybe?) and around NYU zone. I was a little confused but got my bearings straight and navigated through Astor Place, down 4th street and back toward the bridge. I thought it might be nicer to bike on a side street, so I took Mott, thinking it would intersect with Delancey at some point. Well, either it does and I completely missed it or it doesn't at all, because I ended up right smack in the middle of Chinatown and was waaaay overwhelmed. I don't like walking in Ctown, much less biking along the narrow streets with cars parked on both sides and people walking whenever they want and cars honking. The streets that did have bike lanes were lined with people double parking, and I was just like, Oh my, get me out of here! After about five minutes, I found my way to Delancey and gratefully pumped up the hill and cruised over the Williamsburg Bridge again. The serene view brought my Chinatown anxiety back down and by the time I made it home, I had been out for over an hour and developed blisters on my palms. Now I know people wear those fingerless glove not just to look badass but for a legit reason, and I'm on the hunt for a pair.
Someone pointed out to be while I was bragging about my bold biking that it was a Saturday on the 4th of July weekend and Manhattan was very empty and calm. Oh well! I guess it was a good way to start out, and I can't even imagine Chinatown during a weekday. But no matter what, I still feel empowered.
Basil updates: He LOVES Frida Bat! She likes him very much too but is still figuring out how to play with him. He's very happy with us, obviously demonstrating love in the sweetest, most adoring ways (kisses, tail wags, cuddles, extremely happy greetings with such vigorous tail wags that his whole butt moves back and forth!). He snoozes like the dead and spazzes out when he wakes, but post-spaz is able to sit and chill out. And the spazzing is amazing -- everything he does is just so damn cute. So far he has chewed two pairs of sandals and one bra, though I rescued the bra before it was totally destroyed, the tail off of my Popple (from childhood!) and partly through a strap from Dave's shoulder bag. Poor guy is losing his baby teeth and therefore wants to chew constantly. But he's really, really good at dropping things when we say, "Drop it!" and relaxing with a dog toy instead. Stupidly, we left the closet door open while we were away for a few hours, so that's where the damaged goods came into play. But no worries, I've already replaced the shoes. Also, no more baby gate! He now has free reign of the house and Frida is totally happy with him in her bedroom. And even on her bed! Blacula likes him, too, but often let's him know who's in charge. If he gets too close, she smacks him and hisses and he whimpers and chills out. He's still best buds with Toby from across the hall, and makes friends every time we go out anywhere. He's a mini-celebrity! When we're walking him, people come up and say, "Oh (insert boyfriend/girlfriend's name), this is the puppy I was telling you about!" He also loooooves cuddling and sleeps with us and Frida at night. Sir Basil Diego is the best.
* "Avoid accident" -- on the subway, the recorded announcer every ten minutes will list all the things you shouldn't do on the subway (like hold the doors and run down stairs and stick your baby's arm out the window), then will say, "Avoid accident, and have a safe day." Avoid accident? What? This is a joke between Dave and me because the sentence is so ridiculous. Isn't the definition of an accident something that just happens, or is unavoidable? Who knows. So anyway, avoid accident, and have a safe day.
First off, biking to the Williamsburg Bridge is really easy because it's just straight down a not very busy street in Brooklyn. And then biking up the bridge is a bit challenging but not really -- works up a slight burn in the quads which is joyously repaid with the ride above the cars and subway, staring over the East River lapping up against Brooklyn on one side and Manhattan on the other, with the buildings all reaching high. It was beautiful. When the subway came rushing past, I looked down through the rails of the bike path, watching the top of the train car rush by and feeling its rumble (but not in a scary way). Because the path is so high, when I looked up I saw the structure of the bridge, all its beams and posts and whatever else makes it a bridge. It was gorgeous! Then the path slants back down and I absolutely flew, zipping around walkers and zooming straight down. It was awesome to ride that fast without worrying about cars or anything, truly close to what flying must feel like.
Then the path dumps out into a huge median in the middle of crazy busy Delancey Street. It's like, I'm a bird, cruising above the subway and the cars, staring at the tiny boats from my way up high spot, to HOLY SHIT MANHATTAN! But it was actually really cool. I instantly switched to this mode of paying insanely close attention to everything, completely aware of all my surroundings, while controlling my bike in a way I hadn't before in order to make turns and dodge pedestrians and "avoid accident."* I felt empowered, like, I am completely in control of this machine underneath me, manipulating its wheels and bars to move my body around Manhattan streets in a fast and fun way. It was exciting and also boosting; if I can bike in NYC, I can do anything!
I rode through the Lower East Side and then turned onto Bowery just to say I've biked on Bowery before. The car lanes are actually really wide, and there's also a wide bike line on the side, so it was a rather easy street to manage. Then I turned onto East 3rd Street, following it to to the west side (Noho maybe?) and around NYU zone. I was a little confused but got my bearings straight and navigated through Astor Place, down 4th street and back toward the bridge. I thought it might be nicer to bike on a side street, so I took Mott, thinking it would intersect with Delancey at some point. Well, either it does and I completely missed it or it doesn't at all, because I ended up right smack in the middle of Chinatown and was waaaay overwhelmed. I don't like walking in Ctown, much less biking along the narrow streets with cars parked on both sides and people walking whenever they want and cars honking. The streets that did have bike lanes were lined with people double parking, and I was just like, Oh my, get me out of here! After about five minutes, I found my way to Delancey and gratefully pumped up the hill and cruised over the Williamsburg Bridge again. The serene view brought my Chinatown anxiety back down and by the time I made it home, I had been out for over an hour and developed blisters on my palms. Now I know people wear those fingerless glove not just to look badass but for a legit reason, and I'm on the hunt for a pair.
Someone pointed out to be while I was bragging about my bold biking that it was a Saturday on the 4th of July weekend and Manhattan was very empty and calm. Oh well! I guess it was a good way to start out, and I can't even imagine Chinatown during a weekday. But no matter what, I still feel empowered.
Basil updates: He LOVES Frida Bat! She likes him very much too but is still figuring out how to play with him. He's very happy with us, obviously demonstrating love in the sweetest, most adoring ways (kisses, tail wags, cuddles, extremely happy greetings with such vigorous tail wags that his whole butt moves back and forth!). He snoozes like the dead and spazzes out when he wakes, but post-spaz is able to sit and chill out. And the spazzing is amazing -- everything he does is just so damn cute. So far he has chewed two pairs of sandals and one bra, though I rescued the bra before it was totally destroyed, the tail off of my Popple (from childhood!) and partly through a strap from Dave's shoulder bag. Poor guy is losing his baby teeth and therefore wants to chew constantly. But he's really, really good at dropping things when we say, "Drop it!" and relaxing with a dog toy instead. Stupidly, we left the closet door open while we were away for a few hours, so that's where the damaged goods came into play. But no worries, I've already replaced the shoes. Also, no more baby gate! He now has free reign of the house and Frida is totally happy with him in her bedroom. And even on her bed! Blacula likes him, too, but often let's him know who's in charge. If he gets too close, she smacks him and hisses and he whimpers and chills out. He's still best buds with Toby from across the hall, and makes friends every time we go out anywhere. He's a mini-celebrity! When we're walking him, people come up and say, "Oh (insert boyfriend/girlfriend's name), this is the puppy I was telling you about!" He also loooooves cuddling and sleeps with us and Frida at night. Sir Basil Diego is the best.
* "Avoid accident" -- on the subway, the recorded announcer every ten minutes will list all the things you shouldn't do on the subway (like hold the doors and run down stairs and stick your baby's arm out the window), then will say, "Avoid accident, and have a safe day." Avoid accident? What? This is a joke between Dave and me because the sentence is so ridiculous. Isn't the definition of an accident something that just happens, or is unavoidable? Who knows. So anyway, avoid accident, and have a safe day.
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