January 30, 2005

Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?

I spent all day inside working on CSS and listening to 80's music. It's my own version of a sensory deprivation tank and it works pretty well. I have no idea what's going on.

Actually, that's not true. I did sneak onto the BBC to read some news; and I looked in on Elvis, my neighbor's cat, twice; and I took a walk around 3:30 to my favorite used bookstore. But that's all. I swear. The rest of the day I worked. Work. Work. Work.

So why 80's music? I have no answer for you. It just seemed right. A little time warp back to the salad days. My iPOD can play for days with all the 80's music I've put on that damn thing apparently. I was a little surprised. I thought, How the hell did that get on there? several times today. I should probably look into that.

The only problem with music induced time travel is the memories that it occasionally kicks up. Certain songs can leave me staring off into space, lost in some moment from years and years ago. I know that smell is a strong memory trigger, but where does music fall? I would venture a guess that it must be a close second. At least it is for me.

Excuse me, I have to listen to Modern English again...

January 29, 2005

The Devil's Hand

I am left handed, which means that the world conspires against me. I am used to it. My drinks are always on the wrong side; my notebooks are laid out incorrectly; the shutter release on my camera is on the wrong side; can-openers are backwards; and don't get me started on those desk/chair combinations so prevalent at schools and universities. And now, just when I think I have reconciled myself to a right-biased world, a friend tells me that the left-handed live statistically shorter lives. Is there no justice at all?

I thought about this for a moment and feebly pointed out that the two left-handed Beatles have successfully outlived the two right-handed ones. So there. Unfortuately I am not sure that this is scientifically relevant. (It should be noted that Ringo was forced to adapt to right-handedness by a tyrannical and control-obsessed right-handed world. Despite this conversion, one can still detect signs of a latent southpaw in his subtly eccentric drumming style.)

The most egregious affront to all left-handed people, however, has to be left-handed safety scissors. You may remember them from grade school when supplies were being handed out. These blunt, dull instruments with thick gummy green rubber handles have little in common with actual working scissors. For one thing, they don't cut... they maul. At best they merely fold the paper where you wish to make a cut. Vigorous and strenuous machinations will eventually produce a limp jagged tear when your own sweat and tears, summoned by anger and frustration, compromise the integrity of the paper.

I always avoided the "safety scissors" ( as if left-handers can't be trusted with actual scissors) with great disdain whenever the supply box came around. But then there was always the over-zealous substitute teacher would ask that left handers identify themselves by raising their hands (oh, the irony! Judas hands!) and would then dispense the loathsome instruments accordingly. Oh, yes... I suppose I could have lied; pretended to be among the right-handed and take the risk that no one would rat me out or (gasp) notice that I was using right-hand scissors "incorrectly". I could have, but I would not. Deny my identity? Betray my brothers and sisters for the sake of comfort and a clean even cut? Never. So I learned to live with this and adapted to a point where I don't necessarily recognize when I am using a tool, instrument, etc the wrong way.

Now in the course of trying to find a photo online of those awful scissors I have come across all of the left-handed resources and products. Funny. I don't think I could use many of these things; I've become so accustomed to using the "right" ones the "wrong" way.

January 26, 2005

No news

You know, no matter how hard FOX News tries, whatever happened earlier this evening on American Idol is not news. I'm sorry it's true.

I also caught George W on giving a press conference on CSPAN. I watched that for a bit until it made me so uncomfortable that I had to turn it off. Listening to him stutter and bluff his way through the question and answer section was starting to make me hyperventilate. He composes himself like a high school student who has skipped class all year and tries to lie his way through the final exam.And he's blowing it. It's exhausting to watch.

January 23, 2005

Morning confusion

My thoughts are very disjointed today. I woke up this morning with this feeling. At this point I am only sure of two things:

1. I don't like the shape of Condoleeza Rice's head.
2. I want some hot cocoa.

Besides these two things, I can't be held accountable for my feelings.

January 22, 2005

Snow!

Oh yes. Here it is. My very first Brooklyn snow storm; and it sounds like it is going to be a big one.

From the roof.

Out on the street.

I was able to get out reasonably early this morning and get all of my errands done: laundry, some grocery shopping etc. This despite being out until 4:00AM last night drinking with Jay and Brahm at Freddy's.

Jay gazes adoringly at archival footage of bikini-clad acrobatics.

Now I'm back in my apartment with appropriate snow day goodies: beer, chips, Coffee Heath Bar Crunch; and I am using the time to cook up some stuff as well. The snow is supposed to go on until tomorrow. I'll have to take some photos. Cool.

January 18, 2005

AI

I'm not sure I can take another year of American Idol. My heart may not be strong enough. Fortunately, there is alcohol to dull the pain.

January 16, 2005

In The Realms of the Unreal

I went into Manhattan yesterday (despite problems with the F) to see Jessica Yu's documentary about outsider artist Henry Darger, In The Realms of the Unreal. It's currently held over at the Film Forum on Houston. I don't know how much longer it will be showing there, but if you like things that are both beautiful and sad, you should go see it. Go! Go Now!

The task of making a documentary about Henry Darger, who died in 1973, presents quite a number of challenges to any filmmaker, first and foremost is that there are only three known photographs of the man. A close second is that the few people that came into close contact with him have varying and conflicting memories of him; further questioning reveals that they really did not know him very well at all. After all, it wasn't until after his confinement to an old age home and close to his death that the discovery of all of his paintings, novels and autobiographies was made. No one had any idea that the reclusive janitor had spent his entire life since the age of 19 working obsessively to create a 15,000 page novel, its sequel, an autobiography and many paintings, some 10 to 12 feet in length.

The documentary is driven by narration, interviews with neighbors and landlords, and readings from his works. The visuals are compelling animations created from his work. As mentioned before, there is no archival footage of Henry Darger, only three photos. His story therefore must be pieced together through his autobiography, rememberances, letters and his work.

The showing I went to concluded with a question and answer session with Brooke Anderson, a curator at the American Folk Art Museum where many of Henry Darger's works are on permanent display. She offered some insights into the artist, although the time alotted seemed woefully short for the volume of questions such a interesting subject generated.

The intended message of this film, which I intimated from a few reviews, is a triumph of artistic and individual spirit. However, I found much more sadness there in a man that was tormented by events in his past and fought to communicate them through his art. His words from his death bed, upon being told that his artwork had been discovered, were, "Well, it's too late now."

January 15, 2005

RE: Asobi Seksu

So I went to see Asobi Seksu at the Bowery on Thursday with my friend Bob who recommended them. They were great. The band was tight and the music loud. And punctual, too. Very important on a work night.

I had been listening to mp3s from the album for a week or so and had also read from various reviews and sites that they put on a good live show. This was indeed the case.

There were not very many people there for the first set and we stood up close to the stage. My friend said that Asobi Seksu had been added late to the bill so word had probably not spread. I took advantage of the proximity and took a few photos.

There were two opening bands that night, so Asobi Seksu only played for a half hour. But based on that half hour, I think a longer set would be twice as good as it always seems to take a band a few songs to create a mood. With only a half hour, by the time the audience has warmed it's time to get off and make way for the next band.

The next band, by the way, was The Features. I really knew nothing about them, but their set really won me over. So much so that I went downstairs and bought the cd when it was over. All I know is that they are from Tennessee and they rock. Sometimes that's enough.

I was not as won over by the headliner Razorlight (and I have to get over the temptation to call them RazorFish, lest I resign myself to "parent-speak"). I did not feel that there was a whole lot of substance there. Just some grunge-pretty brit boys playing fast punk-pop to a roomful of adoring female fans - who probably would have screamed just as enthusiastically if the band got on stage and never played a note.

I thought the lyrics were ridiculous as well. And when I noticed many of the people in the room actually singing along, I had to resist a strong urge to shake them and yell, "listen to what you're saying!". This is when I realized that I was over the rock-and-roll hill.

So when lead singer Johnny Borrell introduced the song "Up All Night" saying that, "... this is the best song on the album and that's why we named the album after this song", I listened until the end and then left. Obviously the show couldn't get any better.

The highlight of the set was at one point during "Up All Night" when Borrell, vigorously shaking the mike stand, shot the wireless microphone into the audience and hit some fan on the head. Now that's rock 'n roll.

January 14, 2005

Asobi Seksu

Just got back from the Bowery show. Asobi Seksu were great and so was the second opener, The Features. The headliner, Razorlight, not so impressed. I did get a free t-shirt, however.

More later. Tired. Need sleep.

January 12, 2005

Draggin'

Is it really only Tuesday? Good god this week is long. In all fairness it should probably be Thursday by now. At least. Besides, every day is another opportunity to be exposed to THE FLU.

Everyone I talk to it seems is in some stage of this flu. Either coming down with it, recently gotten over it, or completely bedridden. I had something last weekend; a wretched condition that resulted in a harrowing drive home through New York State and extinguished my taste for coffee. But as unpleasant as that was, it doesn't compare at all to what other people tell me they have endured. This only leaves me with the feeling that I am still susceptible to whatever it is that's going around.

I had a PHS ED teacher in High School that insisted that most illnesses were a state of mind.

"I haven't been sick in 25 years, because I won't let myself believe that I can get sick. And that's a fact."

Well, that maybe so. I always found him kind of creepy though, but I'll put his advice to the test.

January 10, 2005

Dig Dug

There's a new game system in the office with an amazing number of arcade and console games on it, but the only one that really matters in my opinion is Dig Dug.

Oh how I loved that game. All those hours spent in arcades... it all comes back watching that little guy battle fire-breathing dragons and those weird goggle creatures. I tried a few rounds and performed miserably. But I'll be back.. it's like riding a bicycle.

Ah, yes. Sweet, sweet Dig Dug.

24

Have I mentioned that I am so happy that the new season of 24 has started?

Have I?

January 09, 2005

Ouch

I woke up this morning with a wicked headache and I have no idea why. Usually a headache of this type - occurring on a weekend - simply meant that I have not had any coffee yet. Even a regular modest coffee intake of, say, 2 to 3 cups a day - Monday through Friday - makes it imperative that I continue that dosage throughout the weekend. If not - or even if the first cup consumed is not within an hour of the time I would usually have my first cup during the work week - the result is a dull throbbing pain that will continue increasing in intensity until such a time that it is beaten back with a nice fresh brewed cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, this cannot be the case this time, for due to regrettable illness last weekend, I have lost my taste for coffee. Oh, it still smells really good to me, but I can't bring my self to drink it. This has happened before so I am not overly concerned.

Anyway, because I have gone without coffee all week and experienced no ill effects there must be another reason behind this headache.

It's not a hangover. I had one beer last night. With food.

I have taken a couple of advil and I am going to lay back here with my eyes closed and hope this goes away soon.

January 06, 2005

9 - One - One

I got home from work tonight and there was a message on my phone from the NYPD.

"We have received a nine-one-one call from this address... please pick up."

Weird.

No Snow.

Ok. That was lame. No snow. Just rain. Unless I was upstate... or back in New Jersey.

Maybe next time.

January 05, 2005

Snow

According to the news there is supposed to be a snow storm tonight. It's difficult to say how much or how little will fall in the city. I'm hoping there will be a good amount, for no other reason than that it would be my first real snow in the city and I really want to see Brooklyn in the snow. Selfish, eh?

After years and years in the suburbs of New Jersey, countless snow days and treacherous ill-advised trips into work, I really want to wake up to snow in Brooklyn. I may be sick of it by sundown, but I would really enjoy some snow tomorrow.

We'll see what happens.

January 04, 2005

Happy New Year

Whoops. Let that slide for awhile. New Year's Resolution: Make entries more regularly... yes. Indeed.