Tonight's fare was the documentary/docudrama The True Legend of Tony Vilar. In the 1960's Antonio Ragusa changed his name to Tony Vilar, and became a huge teen idol in European and South American music. He was on top of the world, until one fateful day when he just disappeared. His friends and relatives seemed to know where he had gone and why, but they weren't saying. Now a young Italian singer (himself a distant relative of Tony's) has decided to track down the man and find out where he went and why.
It's tough to fit this film into a particular notion of type - it's more like a dramatization of a documentary with a lot of comedy and musical numbers thrown in. And yet, it's a true story and describes real events. And the cast of strange and endearing characters really fill this movie out nicely. The screening itself was a hoot - the audience was about 98% Italian (the Q&A with the director was in Italian, with a translator for the rest of us) and seemed to all know each other - it really felt like somebody's family reunion. Which, as it turns out, it sort of was. See, in the movie, the young song writer finds Tony Vilar, once again Antonio Ragusa and now a used car salesman. As the movie unfolds he reveals that he had lost his hair at the age of 24, and, while passing through a mob of fans one night, had his toupee ripped off. Tony believed that he couldn't be a singer and be bald, so he moved to America, leaving his identity behind and starting over as Antonio.
In talking with the young singer, though, Antonio decides to give it one more try. And not only is this shown in the film, but Tony Vilar was at the screening and sang a little! He also thanked the filmakers for "bringing him back to life!" All in all, a fantastic and bizarre time.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Tribeca Film Festival: What a weekend!!
Special Note: These were all premieres, and an such, the directors were there for every movie and conducted Q&A sessions afterward!
Friday:
Bomb It: A documentary about the origins of graffiti and how this medium has been developed and adapted in different cities around the world. It was so fascinating to see how graffiti can bring together people dedicated to social change and rebellion the world over!
Planet B-Boy: This movie is insane - if someone you knew were ever to believe that bboying (breakdancing) is not a legitimate form of dance, or that it does not have a tremendously profound effect on those involved, all you'd have to do is show this movie. This documentary follows five teams from different countries as they prepare for the largest and oldest b-boy contest in the world. It's a very touching film, utilizing the personal stories of the dancers to show how this art form can change lives.
My date for these movies hadn't seen much of either graffiti or b-boying before seeing these films, and was floored! These films are both excellent cultural ambassadors, it would seem.
Saturday: (the marathon)
Kristy Messer managed to make it through the marathon with me!
Nobel Son: I got to see Alan Rickman in person! And Bill Pullman! And Eliza Dushku! Oh, and also they showed a decent movie about kidnapping in which all those people starred. Sadly, though, I failed to compliment Bill Pullman on his "this is our independence day!" speech from ID4 during the Q&A. Greatest speech ever. Movie? Meh.
Life Support: A collection of four short films. Tower Block tells the story of two brothers scamming their neighbors [if you've seen Duck Season, which you should have, it's much like that]; Last Dog in Rwanda depicts a photographer trying to make sense of his assignment in the aftermath of genocide; Three Towers is a brilliant and totally enjoyable film based on a short story by Etgar Keret about the life of a couple on a small farm; Illegal ends up, despite whatever intentions the filmaker had, basically comes across as a stupid PSA about not hiring illegal immigrants. Lots of folks laughed at how over-the-top movie-style intense Illegal was, and then we found out the director was in the back of the theater. Awkward.
Heckler: Jamie Kennedy made a documentary about what happens to comics when they are heckled or criticized unfairly. The film was hilarious and made some interesting points about taking responsibility for what you say - and the Q&A afterward with Jamie Kennedy himself and the director was extremely lively and really funny.
Sunday:
The Grand: Woody Harrelson stars in a mocumentary about a poker tournament, with comic assistance from David Cross and a host of others. This movie was very, very funny. I really hope they distribute it more widely - it showcases the talents of a number of comic actors who would usually otherwise be relegated to smaller supporting roles. See it if you can!
Doubletime: Who knew that competitive double dutch was such a big deal? This documentary examines two very disparate teams preparing for the double dutch championship at the Apollo Theater. The sport has a very positive effect on those involved, and displays the tremendous dedication of the coaches who support these kids.
So, yes, I saw seven movies this weekend. Seven! All, with the exception of Illegal, were great fun to watch, and the Festival has been just soooo much fun so far!
Friday:
Bomb It: A documentary about the origins of graffiti and how this medium has been developed and adapted in different cities around the world. It was so fascinating to see how graffiti can bring together people dedicated to social change and rebellion the world over!
Planet B-Boy: This movie is insane - if someone you knew were ever to believe that bboying (breakdancing) is not a legitimate form of dance, or that it does not have a tremendously profound effect on those involved, all you'd have to do is show this movie. This documentary follows five teams from different countries as they prepare for the largest and oldest b-boy contest in the world. It's a very touching film, utilizing the personal stories of the dancers to show how this art form can change lives.
My date for these movies hadn't seen much of either graffiti or b-boying before seeing these films, and was floored! These films are both excellent cultural ambassadors, it would seem.
Saturday: (the marathon)
Kristy Messer managed to make it through the marathon with me!
Nobel Son: I got to see Alan Rickman in person! And Bill Pullman! And Eliza Dushku! Oh, and also they showed a decent movie about kidnapping in which all those people starred. Sadly, though, I failed to compliment Bill Pullman on his "this is our independence day!" speech from ID4 during the Q&A. Greatest speech ever. Movie? Meh.
Life Support: A collection of four short films. Tower Block tells the story of two brothers scamming their neighbors [if you've seen Duck Season, which you should have, it's much like that]; Last Dog in Rwanda depicts a photographer trying to make sense of his assignment in the aftermath of genocide; Three Towers is a brilliant and totally enjoyable film based on a short story by Etgar Keret about the life of a couple on a small farm; Illegal ends up, despite whatever intentions the filmaker had, basically comes across as a stupid PSA about not hiring illegal immigrants. Lots of folks laughed at how over-the-top movie-style intense Illegal was, and then we found out the director was in the back of the theater. Awkward.
Heckler: Jamie Kennedy made a documentary about what happens to comics when they are heckled or criticized unfairly. The film was hilarious and made some interesting points about taking responsibility for what you say - and the Q&A afterward with Jamie Kennedy himself and the director was extremely lively and really funny.
Sunday:
The Grand: Woody Harrelson stars in a mocumentary about a poker tournament, with comic assistance from David Cross and a host of others. This movie was very, very funny. I really hope they distribute it more widely - it showcases the talents of a number of comic actors who would usually otherwise be relegated to smaller supporting roles. See it if you can!
Doubletime: Who knew that competitive double dutch was such a big deal? This documentary examines two very disparate teams preparing for the double dutch championship at the Apollo Theater. The sport has a very positive effect on those involved, and displays the tremendous dedication of the coaches who support these kids.
So, yes, I saw seven movies this weekend. Seven! All, with the exception of Illegal, were great fun to watch, and the Festival has been just soooo much fun so far!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tribeca Film Festival! (It begins!)
Yep, I'm going the the Tribeca Film Festival! A LOT of the Tribeca Film Festival. Fifteen movies between now and next Sunday, to be exact. Some with company, some by myself, all courtesy of General Motors via charity auction at Eton Academy via my generous parents.
The Movie that kicked things off for me tonight was a Tunisian film called "The Making Of." It tells the story of Bahta, a young man desperately seeking the respect he feels he deserves. His unfocused anger - brilliantly played by actor Lotfi Ebdelli - leads him to join a gang, but there he's only appreciated for his dancing ability and his masculinity is often the butt of the group's jokes. His girlfriend flaunts her infidelity in front of him, saying that she's looking for a real man who can support her dream of being an actress. He wants to join the army and fight against the U.S. in Iraq, but he's dismissed as a child. He steals a police uniform and apes at being an authority figure, but as a result he has to go into hiding from the police. Bahta's insecurity ultimately leads him to be taken advantage of by Islamic fundamentalists, who tell Bahta that he will only be respected as a man when he returns to conservative Islam and becomes a martyr.
Bahta's anger makes him an unsteady candidate for martyrdom, though, and his manipulators cut him loose. He screws up his final, desperate attempt for respect and blows himself up, accidentally, in circumstances rendering his act entirely impotent.
The film is a discussion with the audience about a very real mindset - Bahta reminded me so much of young men in gangs I worked with in Detroit - and what can come from it. But "Making Of" is also careful not to claim it knows where to lay the blame. In fact, the film breaks down at a few key points as Lofti refuses to continue the scene and demands to talk with the director about what he's doing, as in one case where he feels Islam is being unfairly implicated.
A great start to what should be quite an experience!
The Movie that kicked things off for me tonight was a Tunisian film called "The Making Of." It tells the story of Bahta, a young man desperately seeking the respect he feels he deserves. His unfocused anger - brilliantly played by actor Lotfi Ebdelli - leads him to join a gang, but there he's only appreciated for his dancing ability and his masculinity is often the butt of the group's jokes. His girlfriend flaunts her infidelity in front of him, saying that she's looking for a real man who can support her dream of being an actress. He wants to join the army and fight against the U.S. in Iraq, but he's dismissed as a child. He steals a police uniform and apes at being an authority figure, but as a result he has to go into hiding from the police. Bahta's insecurity ultimately leads him to be taken advantage of by Islamic fundamentalists, who tell Bahta that he will only be respected as a man when he returns to conservative Islam and becomes a martyr.
Bahta's anger makes him an unsteady candidate for martyrdom, though, and his manipulators cut him loose. He screws up his final, desperate attempt for respect and blows himself up, accidentally, in circumstances rendering his act entirely impotent.
The film is a discussion with the audience about a very real mindset - Bahta reminded me so much of young men in gangs I worked with in Detroit - and what can come from it. But "Making Of" is also careful not to claim it knows where to lay the blame. In fact, the film breaks down at a few key points as Lofti refuses to continue the scene and demands to talk with the director about what he's doing, as in one case where he feels Islam is being unfairly implicated.
A great start to what should be quite an experience!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Dr. Science, Freemason.
My evening with the Masons on Friday last concluded with instructions to await a call from the head of the Lodge - who would let me know how things were going to proceed - and also some strange advice (more on this in a moment). The head of the Lodge contacted me to say that the investigative committee would report to the Lodge on Tuesday (the 24th) and the ballot for my membership would be voted on that evening. I was then invited to the black tie dinner which follows each Lodge meeting, and at dinner my fate would be revealed.
I have returned tonight with excellent news: I have been voted in! I was told by one of the Brothers that the committee and those who knew me presented my petition to the Lodge very enthusiastically and favorably, and that I was strongly received. I also find this especially flattering because of the talk at dinner which came up about the number of prospective Masons who had been denied admission to this Lodge.
Now, a word about Lux Aeterna, the Lodge I will be joining. They are held, in the Masonic world, in very high regard, having been begun a few years ago as a response to what was perceived as a shift in other Lodges over time to functioning more and more as just social clubs. This Lodge, then, is more old school - preserving the esoteric symbolism and complex ritual of Freemasonry while cultivating a discourse in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment (purposefully like the discussions/debates found at the Royal Society or Academie Francaise).
So I'm in, but I haven't been initiated yet. And it was on the subject of that very event that I was left with the aforementioned strange advice. It was along the lines of, "We can't tell you what's going to happen, so just be ready and keep your mind open. Rely on your logic and strength of character and you will succeed." Me: "Um..." I'll be initiated and conferred with my first degree in June.
To be part of one of the largest contributors to charitable work in the world (there are Masonic (shriners') hospitals offering free care, Masonic burn units, child ID programs, substance abuse recovery programs, elder living centers, a cardiac research facility, etc., etc., etc.) and to join the ranks of Voltaire, Mozart, Ben Franklin, FDR, Harry Houdini and my Grandfather is a tremendous honor.
I have returned tonight with excellent news: I have been voted in! I was told by one of the Brothers that the committee and those who knew me presented my petition to the Lodge very enthusiastically and favorably, and that I was strongly received. I also find this especially flattering because of the talk at dinner which came up about the number of prospective Masons who had been denied admission to this Lodge.
Now, a word about Lux Aeterna, the Lodge I will be joining. They are held, in the Masonic world, in very high regard, having been begun a few years ago as a response to what was perceived as a shift in other Lodges over time to functioning more and more as just social clubs. This Lodge, then, is more old school - preserving the esoteric symbolism and complex ritual of Freemasonry while cultivating a discourse in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment (purposefully like the discussions/debates found at the Royal Society or Academie Francaise).
So I'm in, but I haven't been initiated yet. And it was on the subject of that very event that I was left with the aforementioned strange advice. It was along the lines of, "We can't tell you what's going to happen, so just be ready and keep your mind open. Rely on your logic and strength of character and you will succeed." Me: "Um..." I'll be initiated and conferred with my first degree in June.
To be part of one of the largest contributors to charitable work in the world (there are Masonic (shriners') hospitals offering free care, Masonic burn units, child ID programs, substance abuse recovery programs, elder living centers, a cardiac research facility, etc., etc., etc.) and to join the ranks of Voltaire, Mozart, Ben Franklin, FDR, Harry Houdini and my Grandfather is a tremendous honor.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Interlude: I AM NOT OKAY (thanks, house party)
The story of the Freemasons will have to wait until later this week (when certain events transpire) but there's something I have to get off my chest.
Now I know that in the blogosphere it can often occur that we post things to make other people - like ex's - jealous or think we're totally fine with something that happened. I am abandoning all that here.
"I stay up, clean the house. At least I'm not drinking.
Run around just so I don't have to think about thinking."
- Amy Winehouse, Wake up Alone
I am not okay. I know I said I'm being all dynamic now and doing a lot of cool stuff. And I have been doing very cool things, and getting out more, talking about moving forward in my life, maybe getting a phD. But not for one minute have I stopped feeling like I want to throw up all the time because of what I went through with my ex. I have tried so hard to get past it but there are a million things every day that remind me of her, that I would want to share with her. I miss her so much.
And I thought for a little bit that I was doing okay, but then last night I went to a house party and there was this woman there who looked just like her. And any progress I'd made disappeared instantly and I wanted to curl up on the pavement and die. My friends noticed a change in me, so I said I wasn't feeling well and left the party. When I got home, I foolishly checked her blog. (I mean, if you've fallen off the wagon, why not throw yourself under the wheels, right?) And I found she'd posted all these pictures of a happy vacation she took with him and I was left a total mess. (see? that's how you use a blog. not like this at all.)
So I'm right back to listening to Amy Winehouse songs and laying in bed. The worst part? I'm sure she's totally fine, and happy with whatever guy(s) she's with while I'm trying not to lose my lunch at the thought of it. The second worst part? (of course in this situation there would be two) Even after all the bad that happened, I would still let her back in without a second thought. I miss her so much.
I am not okay.
Now I know that in the blogosphere it can often occur that we post things to make other people - like ex's - jealous or think we're totally fine with something that happened. I am abandoning all that here.
"I stay up, clean the house. At least I'm not drinking.
Run around just so I don't have to think about thinking."
- Amy Winehouse, Wake up Alone
I am not okay. I know I said I'm being all dynamic now and doing a lot of cool stuff. And I have been doing very cool things, and getting out more, talking about moving forward in my life, maybe getting a phD. But not for one minute have I stopped feeling like I want to throw up all the time because of what I went through with my ex. I have tried so hard to get past it but there are a million things every day that remind me of her, that I would want to share with her. I miss her so much.
And I thought for a little bit that I was doing okay, but then last night I went to a house party and there was this woman there who looked just like her. And any progress I'd made disappeared instantly and I wanted to curl up on the pavement and die. My friends noticed a change in me, so I said I wasn't feeling well and left the party. When I got home, I foolishly checked her blog. (I mean, if you've fallen off the wagon, why not throw yourself under the wheels, right?) And I found she'd posted all these pictures of a happy vacation she took with him and I was left a total mess. (see? that's how you use a blog. not like this at all.)
So I'm right back to listening to Amy Winehouse songs and laying in bed. The worst part? I'm sure she's totally fine, and happy with whatever guy(s) she's with while I'm trying not to lose my lunch at the thought of it. The second worst part? (of course in this situation there would be two) Even after all the bad that happened, I would still let her back in without a second thought. I miss her so much.
I am not okay.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Guess who's coming to dinner?
If you guessed the Freemasons, you'd be correct. I have my interview with the investigatory committee tonight!
Travel Update
Last weekend/this week I ventured home to Michigan for a visit and also to celebrate St. Easter's Day (which falls about one week after regular Easter).
The trip was great, although it flew by! I did manage to see a good number of old friends, meet some new ones, get my ear pierced again, and just enjoy the gorgeous spring weather in Ann Arbor. Of particular note was going with Beca to get her nose pierced at a tattoo parlor where her piercer worked in front of a plaque declaring her a member of the NRA Legion of Honor, along with a signed picture of George and Laura Bush saying, "Thanks for the support!" It was quite the image.
The michigan fam and I also took in the Bodies exhibit at Detroit's Science Center, and I'll say again that if you haven't seen this incredible display, you need to. The presentation is both tremendously educational and downright awe-inspiring.
I was very glad to go home, and even though the trip was too short and the time in ann arbor was a mix of three-quarters happy and one-quarter sad (as it always is), I hope I can go again soon. I really miss my family and love spending time with them. And besides, Martin Walsh will be playing Prospero in the Tempest in June's arb show, for crying out loud!
p.s. Of course I saw Sarah, and I was overjoyed to see how set up she is at the new Google offices. The place is VERY cool and Google seems like a fantastic company to work for, so I'm really happy for her!
The trip was great, although it flew by! I did manage to see a good number of old friends, meet some new ones, get my ear pierced again, and just enjoy the gorgeous spring weather in Ann Arbor. Of particular note was going with Beca to get her nose pierced at a tattoo parlor where her piercer worked in front of a plaque declaring her a member of the NRA Legion of Honor, along with a signed picture of George and Laura Bush saying, "Thanks for the support!" It was quite the image.
The michigan fam and I also took in the Bodies exhibit at Detroit's Science Center, and I'll say again that if you haven't seen this incredible display, you need to. The presentation is both tremendously educational and downright awe-inspiring.
I was very glad to go home, and even though the trip was too short and the time in ann arbor was a mix of three-quarters happy and one-quarter sad (as it always is), I hope I can go again soon. I really miss my family and love spending time with them. And besides, Martin Walsh will be playing Prospero in the Tempest in June's arb show, for crying out loud!
p.s. Of course I saw Sarah, and I was overjoyed to see how set up she is at the new Google offices. The place is VERY cool and Google seems like a fantastic company to work for, so I'm really happy for her!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I saw the museum's new exhibit. It stunk.
Nothing says "Welcome to the MOMA," and "thanks for using the precious few hours on saturday morning before you go to work by coming here," like poop on the floor. Honest to god poop. Thanks, MOMA. Elsewhere in the museum, the Jeff Wall exhibit is underwhelming, but the Armando Reveron retrospective surprised me by being very interesting. Dude was a weird guy, but I like his strange/creepy doll constructions and his white paint/off white canvas works. His self portraits really speak to his intensity and fixation of his work. And you can skip the Abbas Kiarostami exhibit; just enjoy how it sounds on paper and leave it at that.
I also may have eaten at the world's smallest Thai restaurant on Saturday. See why work appears as such a safe bet sometimes?
Okay, good news and bad news. Bad news? I have somehow set Blogger to German Language. I mean, I know what the buttons do, but still. Good news? I have invented "creme bruloaf." That is the what...I need the how!
I also may have eaten at the world's smallest Thai restaurant on Saturday. See why work appears as such a safe bet sometimes?
Okay, good news and bad news. Bad news? I have somehow set Blogger to German Language. I mean, I know what the buttons do, but still. Good news? I have invented "creme bruloaf." That is the what...I need the how!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Winter's End
"Dodge: I don't wanna talk about anything! I don't want to talk about troubles or what happened fifty years ago or thirty years ago or the race track or Florida or the last time I seeded the corn! I don't want to talk!" -- "Buried Child"
Now the winter was bad, and I don't just mean the weather. From family strife to friends falling ill to money woes and a particularly bad kicking of my already scarred heart, the past few months really did me in.
But that's the thing: these months have passed. And the winter is over and I'm getting better. And I no more want to talk about my troubles now than I did then. Does that mean, as in Buried Child, that someday my son will carry a dead baby through my living room? So be it, friends! I'm going to tell you instead about some new goings-on.
Some recent highlights include dinner with the Freemasons (and putting in my petition for joining), buying a tuxedo, visiting with Craig Van Kempen and recording a new radio play for a Radio Theatre podcast I am putting together. I'm also in a play at the Provincetown, which goes up soon - it's a terrible play, but it's nice to be on stage again.
Saturday I headed to waaaaaay far out Queens for a breakdancing contest, and then onto no fewer than three gallery openings. At one opening, at the Joseph Levine Gallery, I saw the following painting by Matt Haber, entitled "Shipwreck!" which I absolutely love:
Sunday brought a private salsa lesson with my ridiculously hot salsa teacher, and then an evening dissecting at work.
This week will be a lot more rehearsal, but Saturday I've got fun museum plans. Until then!
P.S. Much like my dear Mango Pancakes, I am trying out a new blog template. I needed to shed the old one, but I'm still not totally happy with the new.
Now the winter was bad, and I don't just mean the weather. From family strife to friends falling ill to money woes and a particularly bad kicking of my already scarred heart, the past few months really did me in.
But that's the thing: these months have passed. And the winter is over and I'm getting better. And I no more want to talk about my troubles now than I did then. Does that mean, as in Buried Child, that someday my son will carry a dead baby through my living room? So be it, friends! I'm going to tell you instead about some new goings-on.
Some recent highlights include dinner with the Freemasons (and putting in my petition for joining), buying a tuxedo, visiting with Craig Van Kempen and recording a new radio play for a Radio Theatre podcast I am putting together. I'm also in a play at the Provincetown, which goes up soon - it's a terrible play, but it's nice to be on stage again.
Saturday I headed to waaaaaay far out Queens for a breakdancing contest, and then onto no fewer than three gallery openings. At one opening, at the Joseph Levine Gallery, I saw the following painting by Matt Haber, entitled "Shipwreck!" which I absolutely love:
Sunday brought a private salsa lesson with my ridiculously hot salsa teacher, and then an evening dissecting at work.
This week will be a lot more rehearsal, but Saturday I've got fun museum plans. Until then!
P.S. Much like my dear Mango Pancakes, I am trying out a new blog template. I needed to shed the old one, but I'm still not totally happy with the new.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
I Was a Teenage Prehistoric Forest!
This is the Prehistoric Forest in Irish Hills Michigan. My family went there when I was much younger. I just found out it closed a number of years ago. But it's still there. The giant fiberglass dinosaurs, grossly inaccurate and as much fantasy as history, silent in the forest. Can you imagine stumbling onto a place like this at night?
Nearby is the Mystery Hill, where gravity is defied. We stopped there, too. It, though, remains in business. I wonder what that signifies?
(back to regular updates maybe soon)
Monday, January 08, 2007
OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY ... OKAY
HERE IS A BLOG POST.
I owe you many more. From the Holidays, from the gleeful end of a largely bad year, to art shows and goings on in the big city. For now, you get a fat squirrel, because there's just too much on my mind to give you anything else.
I owe you many more. From the Holidays, from the gleeful end of a largely bad year, to art shows and goings on in the big city. For now, you get a fat squirrel, because there's just too much on my mind to give you anything else.
Monday, December 04, 2006
The iceskateer. The iceska-who?
(no, you're right, it's probably never a good idea to make Rocketeer allusions for humor)
Marie the Swede and some of her friends and I went ice skating at Bryant Park tonight. Now, you may have heard me mention before how totally inept New Yorkers are at walking in anything even vaguely resembling an orderly and considerate fashion, so to understand tonight, just apply that idea to ice, and speed it up. Yep. Ridiculous.
And yet, I had a really wonderful time. That's the thing I'm noticing more and more these days. As much as you might not want to, New York City will make you love the holiday season. It's crazy. I'll walk around thinking about how I don't really even like Christmas, I hate the throngs of tourists/holiday shoppers, and I don't like that it's getting cold. Then they'll go and put Christmas trees on the street corner so the air smells like pine, or they'll add decorations which, however cheesy, find some way to warm your heart. It's crazy, but it's New York in December and there's no place like it.
pARTy, or, As if I needed ANOTHER reason to love Brooklyn
Where else can you arrive at 9 p.m. to attend a dance party in the middle of a room full of expensive artwork, and take a break by heading downstairs to see the Ron Mueck exhibit? Or a huge selection of works by Walton Ford? Or a massive collection of photos by Annie Leibovitz? And all for free? The Brooklyn Museum is the place to be on the first saturday night of the month, and that's that.
Andrew, Rachel, Marie, Mingo, Brian, Brian's old college friend and I attended the festivities this weekend, and it was so much fun!
By the way, Ron Mueck's work (above is a picture I found online of one of his pieces being finished, and beneath that, a Walton Ford watercolor) is even more impressive (or creepy, depending on your style) as you think it might be. I found his strange-scale, perfect-replica people amazing.
Take THAT, corporate bookmobile!
Saturday was the Independent and Small Press Book fair. It was really interesting to see all the stuff that's being put out by these small companies, and I had to fight pretty hard to resist buying huge piles of the stuff. So many good books! I ended up buying just two: a collection of writings by Latin American Jews on Judaism in Latin America as a present for Andrew, and a book for myself about understanding Islam. I'm glad I got out of there when I did, though, or I'd have needed a wheelbarrow to get all my purchases home.
These, right here, are good people. And then I'm in there, too.
On thursday I was overjoyed to attend a soiree held by Annie, the sister of one Mango Pancakes, in honor of Ms. Pancakes' trip to NYC. The event afforded me the opportunity to catch up with some great people, three of whom are pictured here. I want to single two of them out, although, really, it's like singling out just one.
Margusie. Sugaret. Margaret and Susie, hetero life partners, have been an inspiration to those aspiring to friendship for as long as I have known them, lo these many years, and they are both such wonderful people in their own rights, too. Margaret does amazing things incorporating theatre into learning for children, and Susie teaches 2nd grade better and with more heart and dedication than anyone else, ever. These are two people who push the scales of the world balance back toward good while the rest of us jerks are out there screwing it up. Seriously, these two are so great and deserve such wonderful things. Which is also why I'm happy that susie has found herself engaged! Congrats, susie. And mingo, well, she's not engaged, but she's got herself someone who makes her very happy (and is so nice it almost creeps me out).
And as for Zack, pictured here, I think he'd appreciate being left undescribed. He knows what he did. It was great to see folks like these, as well as Annie, Brendan, the other Graham, Max, and Brian.
Freemasons (with purchase of regular masons)
This picture is of a large meeting room in the Grand Masonic Lodge of the Freemasons here in New York. All of the other meeting rooms are smaller, and have measurements determined to be of the same proportion to rooms within Solomon's Temple. The building is a very strange place, full of remarkable and mysterious history.
I met with the head of one freemasons' lodge this past wednesday for donuts. We'd been in contact since I first took a tour of the Lodge building during Open House New York (a yearly event where you get to go cool places you couldn't normally go). We met at the lodge, and talked for over 3 hours. He told me about his life, and about Freemasonry - well, except the stuff he couldn't talk about. That's the most entertaining part about these guys. They're great, and affable, and they continually drop hints of there being secrets they have which you can't know. It's kind of a lot of fun.
Now I have my reasons for considering getting involved, most of which stem from the idea of accomplishing more charity work in congress with one of the largest charity organizations around, and from what they have to say about self-improvement. But I'd be a liar - and you'd know I was - if I said I also didn't love the mysterious ways and history. I mean, c'mon. Name a major male figure in American history, and most likely that person was, or had ties to, freemasonry. Ben Franklin assisted in Voltaire's induction. These guys are old school.
We'll see what happens.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
" 'Cause everyone's your friend, in New York City. And everything looks beautiful, when you're young and witty."
I recently ran into Katie Schorr, from college days, on the subway, and she's in this hilarious new improv show called "The NYC" at the People's Improv Theatre (the PIT). It's an improvised teen drama, and does an hilarious job of mocking shows like 90210, the O.C., and maybe even a little Degrassi. It's even serialized, so each week picks up where the last week's stories left off. I went monday night, and it was great! The less-than-stellar part, though? Katie's older aunt and uncle, who had never seen her on stage before, chose this show to attend (complete with its section where the guys need to pay off their debts at the Shake Shop and so film and sell a "guys gone wild"-style porno film in a janitor's closet). Hilarious for me, awkward for her.
Incidentally, I feel like I know a lot of people named Katie. It's like 128 Hot Katies up in here. Oh, and Katie Knott, whom I dated post-college in the D, just told me she is getting married! That seems to be happening a lot...
Incidentally, I feel like I know a lot of people named Katie. It's like 128 Hot Katies up in here. Oh, and Katie Knott, whom I dated post-college in the D, just told me she is getting married! That seems to be happening a lot...
Monday, November 27, 2006
This is awful. Here, you try.
I'm kind of surprised that I don't blog more about music. Recently someone told me that they had never seen me without my headphones either on or in my hand, and the person in question sees me pretty frequently. I walk with music, section and dissect at work with music, fall asleep to music - you get the idea. And while somewhere in the back of my head there lurks the vague beginnings of a "my NYC soundtrack" blogpost, I thought I'd take this opportunity to mention a few eccentric bits of music I think you would find fun because of their sheer terribleness:
1) Harry and the Potters - this is a band that performs songs based on the Harry Potter novels. Do I even need to say anything else? Their songs are awful both musically AND lyrically. The emo theme,"I am a wizard," is particulary awesome.
2) Starsplash - I'm not sure how many people know this, but I thrive in a work environment filled with terrible trance techno music. Seriously, I can pump out 50+ page papers like nobody's business when there's bad, mind-numbing trance music in the background. And if you've ever taken the time to listen to the lyrics, they're like horrible 7th grade poetry. One need look no further than Starsplash's "Travel Time":
Take my hand to travel time,
So we can run away forever,
There's a chance we cross the line,
And we can do this thing together,
And my heart goes out to everyone,
A light will shine on him,
So please lay down your heart,
'Cause this is who I am.
[drum breakdown]
Bass in your face!
3)Remixes that just don't work - Say, what's better than listening to one song you like? That's right: listening to two songs you like! But who has time for all that? Oh, I know, let's just lay one on top of the other and call it a remix. Don't worry if they clash horribly. Snoop Dogg and Riders on the Storm? sure, why not! An Eminem track and a song by Shaggy AND Survivor's eye of the tiger? Ooh, a hat trick of auditory trauma!
4) Anything with Lil' Jon - This man is a genius. He's the illegitimate musical love-child of Flava-Flav and James Brown and he has exactly ONE brilliant performance which he recreates on every single track on which he appears. And he's on DOZENS from countless rap artists. And a commercial for Subway sandwiches. The coup de grace? I once heard a music critic from the New York Times describe him as being the new minstrel show. The man shook his head in shame just from seeing Lil Jon dance! How is this not all you listen to?
There's a LOT of terrifically horrible music out there, just waiting to be found.
1) Harry and the Potters - this is a band that performs songs based on the Harry Potter novels. Do I even need to say anything else? Their songs are awful both musically AND lyrically. The emo theme,"I am a wizard," is particulary awesome.
2) Starsplash - I'm not sure how many people know this, but I thrive in a work environment filled with terrible trance techno music. Seriously, I can pump out 50+ page papers like nobody's business when there's bad, mind-numbing trance music in the background. And if you've ever taken the time to listen to the lyrics, they're like horrible 7th grade poetry. One need look no further than Starsplash's "Travel Time":
Take my hand to travel time,
So we can run away forever,
There's a chance we cross the line,
And we can do this thing together,
And my heart goes out to everyone,
A light will shine on him,
So please lay down your heart,
'Cause this is who I am.
[drum breakdown]
Bass in your face!
3)Remixes that just don't work - Say, what's better than listening to one song you like? That's right: listening to two songs you like! But who has time for all that? Oh, I know, let's just lay one on top of the other and call it a remix. Don't worry if they clash horribly. Snoop Dogg and Riders on the Storm? sure, why not! An Eminem track and a song by Shaggy AND Survivor's eye of the tiger? Ooh, a hat trick of auditory trauma!
4) Anything with Lil' Jon - This man is a genius. He's the illegitimate musical love-child of Flava-Flav and James Brown and he has exactly ONE brilliant performance which he recreates on every single track on which he appears. And he's on DOZENS from countless rap artists. And a commercial for Subway sandwiches. The coup de grace? I once heard a music critic from the New York Times describe him as being the new minstrel show. The man shook his head in shame just from seeing Lil Jon dance! How is this not all you listen to?
There's a LOT of terrifically horrible music out there, just waiting to be found.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
On a night like this
The city was a ghost today. Even the Medical Center was eerily quiet, and everyone I saw seemed to be doing their best just to laze along. I went salsa dancing last night, but the event was about as exciting as a damp rag. And while yes, this is the city that doesn't sleep, it is apparently also the city that refuses to get off the couch following an overdose of tryptophan. So, take that, Friday.
Overheard on the way home, outside a movie theater: "That movie was great, even though it wasn't like the thing it was...even without being the thing it was. You know? And really both could have been good." Well, I didn't even see the movie, but I mean, YES. There's no way a statement like that can't be true.
Overheard on the way home, outside a movie theater: "That movie was great, even though it wasn't like the thing it was...even without being the thing it was. You know? And really both could have been good." Well, I didn't even see the movie, but I mean, YES. There's no way a statement like that can't be true.
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