Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Aging...
Birthdays: aren't they just little powder kegs of meaning...
With each, another year--and with that, another year-long reflection--and with that, another year-long prediction--and with those combined--you can feel all sorts of bipolar about where you stand today.
Not settling is Not easy.
Expecting, striving and achieving are a real bitch--and not for just the reasons you think....
Yes, they are because they take work--duh--no big surprise. But they additionally are because they nag the shit out of you when you are not working toward them.
(e.g Try to indulge in your vice of choice on a Sunday afternoon--you'll find that some would feel as though they'd just dropped out of med-school third year. It's complete crap to assign that much guilt or shame on yourself.)
Such double-sided wackness makes Drive and Expectation another level of annoying.
They should make a "don't take life so seriously" pill. I think we would be much better off, if we actually appreciated the basics and not the idealistics.
Think about how many situations you could apply that to in life.
(yes, spell check said idealistics is not a word--but it is now).
I'm not saying settle....I'm saying we need to try harder to enjoy the ride and well as the destination.
The deep exhale a level of happiness brings is worth lowering the bar.
With that said--tomorrow I am checking out the very awesome Manu Chao La Ventura during tomorrow night's sold out show at Terminal 5 with the specific intention of letting that worthy fact devour my special brand of NYC anxiety and sweat alongside someone special.
For those that do not know Manu Chao--he is an extremely eclectic, and often philosophic musician who will no doubt be putting on a kick ass show.
From the NY Times
Manu Chao La Ventura (Sunday and Monday) Few artists elevate world music, that awkwardly Western phrase, to the globally minded creativity of Manu Chao. The Parisian singer-songwriter twists his brisk rock and pop beats into enthralling cultural experiments, crooning in multiple languages within songs (French, Arabic, Spanish, English and Wolof, to name a few) and combining instruments of numerous regions. A firm opponent to globalization and an equally ardent voice for social justice (no wonder he’s so popular with the European left), Mr. Chao’s multilingual flair is quite effective communication. At 8 p.m., Terminal 5, 610 West 56th Street, Clinton, (800) 745-3000, terminal5nyc.com; sold out. (Anderson)
And now for some audio enjoyment..
With each, another year--and with that, another year-long reflection--and with that, another year-long prediction--and with those combined--you can feel all sorts of bipolar about where you stand today.
Not settling is Not easy.
Expecting, striving and achieving are a real bitch--and not for just the reasons you think....
Yes, they are because they take work--duh--no big surprise. But they additionally are because they nag the shit out of you when you are not working toward them.
(e.g Try to indulge in your vice of choice on a Sunday afternoon--you'll find that some would feel as though they'd just dropped out of med-school third year. It's complete crap to assign that much guilt or shame on yourself.)
Such double-sided wackness makes Drive and Expectation another level of annoying.
They should make a "don't take life so seriously" pill. I think we would be much better off, if we actually appreciated the basics and not the idealistics.
Think about how many situations you could apply that to in life.
(yes, spell check said idealistics is not a word--but it is now).
I'm not saying settle....I'm saying we need to try harder to enjoy the ride and well as the destination.
The deep exhale a level of happiness brings is worth lowering the bar.
With that said--tomorrow I am checking out the very awesome Manu Chao La Ventura during tomorrow night's sold out show at Terminal 5 with the specific intention of letting that worthy fact devour my special brand of NYC anxiety and sweat alongside someone special.
For those that do not know Manu Chao--he is an extremely eclectic, and often philosophic musician who will no doubt be putting on a kick ass show.
From the NY Times
Manu Chao La Ventura (Sunday and Monday) Few artists elevate world music, that awkwardly Western phrase, to the globally minded creativity of Manu Chao. The Parisian singer-songwriter twists his brisk rock and pop beats into enthralling cultural experiments, crooning in multiple languages within songs (French, Arabic, Spanish, English and Wolof, to name a few) and combining instruments of numerous regions. A firm opponent to globalization and an equally ardent voice for social justice (no wonder he’s so popular with the European left), Mr. Chao’s multilingual flair is quite effective communication. At 8 p.m., Terminal 5, 610 West 56th Street, Clinton, (800) 745-3000, terminal5nyc.com; sold out. (Anderson)
And now for some audio enjoyment..
Welcome Back...you're dreams were your ticket out...
Whew..that was one serious break.
Thing is friends, it is not easy to blog on a regular basis--especially when this is not an "outlet" as much as it is a necessity for my online presence. There is some real pressure there. (Which reminds me...what do you think of the new look?)
Either way, I can report that I have lightened up a bit. I am thankful to be a regular contributor to a major media outlet and have freed myself from the confines of my basement office.
Though there exists no bigger fan of my rants, than myself...but I need to give purpose to this endeavor, something more than my opinion. So I will post interviews, stories, info you should know about---items of interest--whatever is shot down by my Editors along with the links to my published work.
And if you write some cool shit---I will give you your props and post some your links too.
Though no worries there will undoubtedly be a fair share of my opinion...this is MY corner afterall.
Thing is friends, it is not easy to blog on a regular basis--especially when this is not an "outlet" as much as it is a necessity for my online presence. There is some real pressure there. (Which reminds me...what do you think of the new look?)
Either way, I can report that I have lightened up a bit. I am thankful to be a regular contributor to a major media outlet and have freed myself from the confines of my basement office.
Though there exists no bigger fan of my rants, than myself...but I need to give purpose to this endeavor, something more than my opinion. So I will post interviews, stories, info you should know about---items of interest--whatever is shot down by my Editors along with the links to my published work.
And if you write some cool shit---I will give you your props and post some your links too.
Though no worries there will undoubtedly be a fair share of my opinion...this is MY corner afterall.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Friends of The Corner....
"The Corner" will be better than ever....
Standby....
Thursday, August 26, 2010
STOP THE ABUSE!
of the handicapped seating area on the subway.
It is late and I have been extremely busy today putting out fire after fire at my "real job". So I am going to make this brief.
There is a rampant and unnecessary abuse of the relatively new corner seats on many a train in NYC. If and only if you solely enjoy those other oddly shaped trains, like the ultra-wide A-C-E, the orange multi-directional seated N-R, or the older than dirt 1-2-3--than you may not know about this volatile recurrence.
But it is happening.
In fact, my assuredly inaccurate scientific assessment is that a handicap-friendly seat is assaulted every 6 minutes.
The disturbing thing is that there is no common profile for the abuser in this situation. They can literally be anyone!
All over segments of Manhattan, The Bronx and Brooklyn people are forsaking their moral ground and just slamming these seats against the wall.
Much like any abusive situation the two involved are only a percentage of the victims. There are a countless number of others whom have had to bear witness to these vicious displays--often suffering side effects like
It is late and I have been extremely busy today putting out fire after fire at my "real job". So I am going to make this brief.
There is a rampant and unnecessary abuse of the relatively new corner seats on many a train in NYC. If and only if you solely enjoy those other oddly shaped trains, like the ultra-wide A-C-E, the orange multi-directional seated N-R, or the older than dirt 1-2-3--than you may not know about this volatile recurrence.
But it is happening.
In fact, my assuredly inaccurate scientific assessment is that a handicap-friendly seat is assaulted every 6 minutes.
The disturbing thing is that there is no common profile for the abuser in this situation. They can literally be anyone!
All over segments of Manhattan, The Bronx and Brooklyn people are forsaking their moral ground and just slamming these seats against the wall.
Much like any abusive situation the two involved are only a percentage of the victims. There are a countless number of others whom have had to bear witness to these vicious displays--often suffering side effects like
- Severe Startle
- Painful Ear Discomfort
- Intense Aggression (including Homicidal Thoughts)
These outbursts have taken a toll on many a commuter--especially those of us engaging in early morning "FML why do I have have to be on this damn train again-ing".
The good news is--we can put an end to Handicap Seat Abuse. We have been given the necessary tools to combat this vicious cycle and they are called hands...yes...
By using these tools YOU can prevent H.S.A. one seat a time. Together, we can put an end to the violence.
Are you ready to play your part?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
dont play with me cause your playing with fire...
After a long discussion with a co-worker today--I thought about the inevitability of risk taking.
What is it about inherent danger that draws in human beings? And honestly, it's really not just human beings--I mean the whole "Moth to a Flame"concept isn't exactly figurative (poor little semi-blind guys).
There is a definite organic attraction to the danger--so I have decided to come up with a little theory as to why....and that is,
We truly have nothing better to do.
This may seem like an oversimplification--but it is the basic truth because most of us live redundant lives. Whether we like it or not we are stuck in a routine that we are:
A-sort of ambivalent about but at least happy that we have some control over
B-miserable about but can't seem to do a damn thing to change
C-accepting, though possibly considering improving (if possible, you definitely want to be this one)
C- completely unaware of, even though there is regular partaking in the said redundant behavior on a daily basis***
***Side Note: If the latter is the case, well then I suppose this entry won't do much to shine a light on your oblivity (and whatever--because if that is not a word--it should be). Seriously if we are not all aware of our daily actions than what is it that we are really aware of??)
Where was I? oh yes! Risk-taking. So that is what it is all about....we have an uncontrollable need to break from the safety of life's routine
Of course, to what degree varies over time since our good ol' stick in the mud friend Responsibility flies in the face of this need and gradually eliminates certain options (damn kids. damn bills.)
It can be extremely a liberating, debilitating, titillating, or downright excruciating move. (My attempt at Walt Frazier-esquness).
Bottom line...Risks can indeed be gratuitous.
But in the end considering the brevity of life....
--isn't it worth it?
What is it about inherent danger that draws in human beings? And honestly, it's really not just human beings--I mean the whole "Moth to a Flame"concept isn't exactly figurative (poor little semi-blind guys).
There is a definite organic attraction to the danger--so I have decided to come up with a little theory as to why....and that is,
We truly have nothing better to do.
This may seem like an oversimplification--but it is the basic truth because most of us live redundant lives. Whether we like it or not we are stuck in a routine that we are:
A-sort of ambivalent about but at least happy that we have some control over
B-miserable about but can't seem to do a damn thing to change
C-accepting, though possibly considering improving (if possible, you definitely want to be this one)
C- completely unaware of, even though there is regular partaking in the said redundant behavior on a daily basis***
***Side Note: If the latter is the case, well then I suppose this entry won't do much to shine a light on your oblivity (and whatever--because if that is not a word--it should be). Seriously if we are not all aware of our daily actions than what is it that we are really aware of??)
Where was I? oh yes! Risk-taking. So that is what it is all about....we have an uncontrollable need to break from the safety of life's routine
Of course, to what degree varies over time since our good ol' stick in the mud friend Responsibility flies in the face of this need and gradually eliminates certain options (damn kids. damn bills.)
It can be extremely a liberating, debilitating, titillating, or downright excruciating move. (My attempt at Walt Frazier-esquness).
Bottom line...Risks can indeed be gratuitous.
But in the end considering the brevity of life....
--isn't it worth it?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I Missed You!
Pardon my disappearance, but I was away on business...(aka consecutive happy hours). But now that my binge is over I thought I would treat you all to a small list of things that can really make (or break) your day.
1. People that run across the street while pushing a stroller and directing several small children wearing knapsacks to "hurry up and run!"
-While I can appreciate the valuable NYC life lesson on jay-walking that you are teaching your child, there is a considerably inappropriate risk you are taking with the lives of these munchkins. But to be fair, there is something strangely amusing about the chaotic scene you are creating and since it affected me enough that I was compelled to write about it--I say, GO FOR IT! Risk their little lives and give me material in the process.
2. Looking at a possibly pregnant woman smoking a cigarette.
-Part of you wants to judge her gross and neglectful habit--the other part of you is thinking---damn is she just really overweight? And if so, why is all the fat gathered right there? And most importantly---why doesn't she purchase something with an empire waste so I don't have to wonder for half a block what the truth is?!
3. A sign that reads...buy 1 Beef Patty and get the 2nd for 99 cents!
I really did want to give you something more substantial here, especially after my long absence--but I am exhausted from my lackluster day-job...and mi cama me esta llamando...
1. People that run across the street while pushing a stroller and directing several small children wearing knapsacks to "hurry up and run!"
-While I can appreciate the valuable NYC life lesson on jay-walking that you are teaching your child, there is a considerably inappropriate risk you are taking with the lives of these munchkins. But to be fair, there is something strangely amusing about the chaotic scene you are creating and since it affected me enough that I was compelled to write about it--I say, GO FOR IT! Risk their little lives and give me material in the process.
-Part of you wants to judge her gross and neglectful habit--the other part of you is thinking---damn is she just really overweight? And if so, why is all the fat gathered right there? And most importantly---why doesn't she purchase something with an empire waste so I don't have to wonder for half a block what the truth is?!
3. A sign that reads...buy 1 Beef Patty and get the 2nd for 99 cents!
-Irie! This can really tickle the fancy of your inner fast-food junkie trying to emerge. But beware: a wise man once said: Beef patty once--stain on me...Beef patty twice--stain on your shorts.
I really did want to give you something more substantial here, especially after my long absence--but I am exhausted from my lackluster day-job...and mi cama me esta llamando...
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