That would be people back east... learning of the NYC transit strike; the freezing (below freezing!) weather... man, I am glad to be in Los Angeles...
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Do They Know Its Xmas?
Here in Los Angeles, its kind of cold. Probably in the 60s. This trash can, a lovely blue, and filled with a Christmas tree was a highlight of my 2004 Christmas holiday walking-for-photo-opps expedition. I was staying with Betsy in Silverlake, right off the busy intersection of Fountain and Sunset.
Christmas 2005 - I am at Hollywood near La Brea...strangely near where my very first apartment was (Franklin and La Brea). Though that apartment building is gone (7231 Franklin), LOTS of the 'hood is the same, even though lots of favorite places are gone (CC Brown's ice cream parlor - where James Dean got his ice cream).
I like the sight of the Xmas tree in the trash. I don't know why it feels as right as it feels picturesque. It feels cinematic; as it should - its Mack Sennett Studio's trash.
Never thought I would think this: living in LA wouldn't be as bad now as it would have been in the 80s/90s. Maybe I'm just old enough to want warm weather in winter?
Christmas 2005 - I am at Hollywood near La Brea...strangely near where my very first apartment was (Franklin and La Brea). Though that apartment building is gone (7231 Franklin), LOTS of the 'hood is the same, even though lots of favorite places are gone (CC Brown's ice cream parlor - where James Dean got his ice cream).
I like the sight of the Xmas tree in the trash. I don't know why it feels as right as it feels picturesque. It feels cinematic; as it should - its Mack Sennett Studio's trash.
Never thought I would think this: living in LA wouldn't be as bad now as it would have been in the 80s/90s. Maybe I'm just old enough to want warm weather in winter?
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Somewhere in Nashville
Its taken me a long while to process the rolls of film I have shot since May of this year...this one took a couple months... I still have family pix taken in Chicago in May that have yet to go to the lab... but they're sitting in cold storage in NYC at the moment, and I'm in sunny LA. It'll be another month at least before I can spring those rolls!
Its hard to keep up with my own demand amidst the obligations I have created for myself with the idea that I will have a photo show SOMEWHERE each month. I've had 3 in December and its only the 10th! I had 2 in October. Did I have one in November? I was supposed to be in a show and I forgot about sending the pix until a day too late.... absent minded idiot...
I still don't know where I want to live - or where I want to go once I finish making this movie in LA in January.
Nashville is a contender. They've got this giant bowling pin. Of course, Atlanta has a couple giant chickens... what can your city show me in terms of out-sized creatures?
Its hard to keep up with my own demand amidst the obligations I have created for myself with the idea that I will have a photo show SOMEWHERE each month. I've had 3 in December and its only the 10th! I had 2 in October. Did I have one in November? I was supposed to be in a show and I forgot about sending the pix until a day too late.... absent minded idiot...
I still don't know where I want to live - or where I want to go once I finish making this movie in LA in January.
Nashville is a contender. They've got this giant bowling pin. Of course, Atlanta has a couple giant chickens... what can your city show me in terms of out-sized creatures?
Monday, November 28, 2005
Margaret's Gonna Have a Baby
like any day now!
No - Greg's NOT the dad... but, you see, Margaret is pregnant in this photo, and NOT pregnant in this one:
No - Greg's NOT the dad... but, you see, Margaret is pregnant in this photo, and NOT pregnant in this one:
Monday, November 14, 2005
Only last month...
Man, I cannot believe how time flies!
This photo was taken on October 9 or thereabouts, when I was in Tallahassee on tour with my photo exhibit. Driving down the road with Jeff and Phyllis, I saw this and it was just so bizarre... Andy Rourke of the Smiths, once the most revered band around... spinning disks in a college bar in a college town.
Where will I be 15 years after my "sell-by" date?
This photo was taken on October 9 or thereabouts, when I was in Tallahassee on tour with my photo exhibit. Driving down the road with Jeff and Phyllis, I saw this and it was just so bizarre... Andy Rourke of the Smiths, once the most revered band around... spinning disks in a college bar in a college town.
Where will I be 15 years after my "sell-by" date?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
My feet in Nashville
I had such a great time in Nashville this year. I was there in June/July for three weeks; I was there in September for a week and October for a week. Each time, I saw the same group of people - each of them, I've known for over 20 years. They, in turn, introduced me to people with whom I became fast friends.
These are my slightly puffy (too much time on my feet) but manicured feet on Spock's gorgeous blue porch.
Nashville or Memphis? That is the question.....
These are my slightly puffy (too much time on my feet) but manicured feet on Spock's gorgeous blue porch.
Nashville or Memphis? That is the question.....
Monday, November 07, 2005
set in stone
there's my name... set in stone in a building across the country. i accidentally deleted a bunch of photographs from a photosharing website that feeds my other websites.... i think it is time to call it a night. i thought i'd deleted this photo, but thankfully, i did not. the disks that hold the dozens of photos i deleted are across the country... oh well.... not an irretrievable error... but it is a sign i should just go to bed now....
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Working in LA
on a movie with Kim Fowley. Just in case you were curious. Its been a busy couple of months... Hurrican Katrina, Memphis, Nashville, Florida, Atlantla, Nashville, Los Angeles.
I'd like to go back to Memphis for a spell...
I'd like to go back to Memphis for a spell...
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Monday, October 03, 2005
Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis...
BBQ plates, that is. (Man... is Fogerty getting a lot of mileage from that line or WHAT?)
These forged plates seemed to have been pounded in various third world countries before making it into a Memphis sidewalk.
Memphis - September 20 - October 1, 2005. What a great sojourn.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
this night was...
in august 2004. one of the better days/nights that year.
met bryan in the subway station. he came from bushwick and i from park slope and we met at around the same time (who knew we could pull that off?) in the delancey street station. we took a cab up to lincoln center, ate chinese food and then went to see mac.
a couple weeks earlier, the forty-fives were in austin and dropped in on mac's in-store and met him there. then they were in nyc at the same time.
it was such a fantastic feeling to KNOW that once again, two sets of musicians i introduced to one another got along like a house on fire.
adam was a missing person that night. too bad. i don't think i've seen him since.
anyway.........
met bryan in the subway station. he came from bushwick and i from park slope and we met at around the same time (who knew we could pull that off?) in the delancey street station. we took a cab up to lincoln center, ate chinese food and then went to see mac.
a couple weeks earlier, the forty-fives were in austin and dropped in on mac's in-store and met him there. then they were in nyc at the same time.
it was such a fantastic feeling to KNOW that once again, two sets of musicians i introduced to one another got along like a house on fire.
adam was a missing person that night. too bad. i don't think i've seen him since.
anyway.........
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Pelle & Greg - aren't they cute?
I was just checking the statistics for my websites and there was a search term for this photo --- "Pelle Hives Cute"
Well, yes, what a cutie!
So is Nicholas Arson
That's for someone out in England, searching the web for these young men's pictures....
Well, yes, what a cutie!
So is Nicholas Arson
That's for someone out in England, searching the web for these young men's pictures....
Monday, August 01, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Holy Water
Are my taste buds finally fried? I put cayenne pepper on lots of stuff yesterday and it just wasn't hot enough.
On the hot stuff front, currently enjoying:
Kim Chee on hot dogs -- visit The Red Chef, Sam on the corner of Ludlow and Stanton Thursday - Saturday nights after 11 PM for this treat. Or of course, make your own. He grills the dogs... and WILL CHAR them if you ask! Kim Chee rocks n rules.
If you bake cookies, add cayenne to your ginger snaps and black pepper in your chocolate shortbread.
Now I'm off to see the MC5 in Central Park.
On the hot stuff front, currently enjoying:
Kim Chee on hot dogs -- visit The Red Chef, Sam on the corner of Ludlow and Stanton Thursday - Saturday nights after 11 PM for this treat. Or of course, make your own. He grills the dogs... and WILL CHAR them if you ask! Kim Chee rocks n rules.
If you bake cookies, add cayenne to your ginger snaps and black pepper in your chocolate shortbread.
Now I'm off to see the MC5 in Central Park.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Looks like home...
guess i will be back. thanks angie for forcing the issue. you and your ghetto lawyer. there is only one way to do anything: the right way.
why can't people understand that? its not hard.
why can't people understand that? its not hard.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Summer in the City
Its been about cook-outs for a while. Back in NYC. Liking it only less than half the time.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Summer in NYC
That's when and where this photo was taken. I have a flight to NYC tomorrow at 3:16 PM.... I just don't want to go. I know it sounds lame that I have no reason, but I simply don't want to be there. I don't know where I want to be, but tomorrow, July 5, 2005, NYC is not the place I want to be.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
I Need a Haircut Again
and that means I would rather go to Detroit on Tuesday instead of NYC. Here's Sandy - the only person who can cut my hair.
Am in Nashville... not my #1 place in the world, however, I do have some great friends here and I've enjoyed spending time with them. Been here a couple weeks and I actually don't want to go back... notice, I did not say "home?"
Am in Nashville... not my #1 place in the world, however, I do have some great friends here and I've enjoyed spending time with them. Been here a couple weeks and I actually don't want to go back... notice, I did not say "home?"
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Farm Livin'
I am in Tennessee and my friends Dub & Joan have this great house on farm land ... that's where I'm staying. They aren't farmers. Like me, they produce TV, movies and events. But they've got this farm house and its great. One of those properties where you can stand out on the deck and know that everything you see belongs to the house.
Anyway - its a bit remote. I didn't realize just HOW remote when I arrived. I got a van service from the airport. The driver and company are based in Murfreesboro, and they had a fare going there. I'm just about 25 miles away.
So, up some hills and a winding road, and here we are. There's a main road three miles down the hill. I don't think three miles is too far to walk.. so yesterday, I walked down to get some groceries. It was hot. I got a tan whether I wanted to or not. I figured once near the town itself, I'd call a taxi.
Guess what? There are no taxis here! A nice woman who was checking out of the grocery store ahead of me helped me get a ride home. With her sister, who'd just walked into the store. These ladies actually grew up on this road where I'm currently staying. Their old house is gone. Sold, the land bought by someone who then built a modern house and eventually sold it to Dub & Joan.
Peculiar? I think not - at least not here.
Anyway... on the walk down the hill, I saw many cows. Talked to them even. This is a picturesque place. I'm looking forward to lots of R&R in between the rock n roll here and in Memphis.
Anyway - its a bit remote. I didn't realize just HOW remote when I arrived. I got a van service from the airport. The driver and company are based in Murfreesboro, and they had a fare going there. I'm just about 25 miles away.
So, up some hills and a winding road, and here we are. There's a main road three miles down the hill. I don't think three miles is too far to walk.. so yesterday, I walked down to get some groceries. It was hot. I got a tan whether I wanted to or not. I figured once near the town itself, I'd call a taxi.
Guess what? There are no taxis here! A nice woman who was checking out of the grocery store ahead of me helped me get a ride home. With her sister, who'd just walked into the store. These ladies actually grew up on this road where I'm currently staying. Their old house is gone. Sold, the land bought by someone who then built a modern house and eventually sold it to Dub & Joan.
Peculiar? I think not - at least not here.
Anyway... on the walk down the hill, I saw many cows. Talked to them even. This is a picturesque place. I'm looking forward to lots of R&R in between the rock n roll here and in Memphis.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Hot Hot Hot
Its hot here in NYC. Humid, too. Usually by noon, I feel the need to take another shower. If I don't... I feel as dirty as this transvestite. Gross, eh?
Did I mention anything about this pic before? This is Grace. I met "her" in San Francisco while I was taking a picture of the Red & White Motor Hotel that I thought would make a cool location to shoot a scene in a movie.
She asked me "are you a professional photographer?" I said, "I guess so. I get paid for the photos I take." She snapped, "Well take my picture, girl!"
So here you go. This was taken in March 2003 in San Francisco, a day before the USA started bombing Iraq.
Did I mention anything about this pic before? This is Grace. I met "her" in San Francisco while I was taking a picture of the Red & White Motor Hotel that I thought would make a cool location to shoot a scene in a movie.
She asked me "are you a professional photographer?" I said, "I guess so. I get paid for the photos I take." She snapped, "Well take my picture, girl!"
So here you go. This was taken in March 2003 in San Francisco, a day before the USA started bombing Iraq.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Upcoming Travels
I can't believe that I'm Nashville bound on Monday. I have to cram everything in by Sunday AND I got a last minute client with a tight-turnaround today.... just as I was getting ready to call it a day. Second wind has to kick in.
Spent the day with Matt and Annie... it was leisurely because they are that way, but we had a fair bit of coffee and I kept watching the clock... as though I knew. But of course, it always does happen like this.
You want something done? Ask a busy person. A busy person is busy because they get things done.
I just want to take a nice long bath, get a good night's sleep and do nothing.. just for one weekend. It ain't this one. Or next.... I'll be on the road to Memphis.
Hello Elvis...
Spent the day with Matt and Annie... it was leisurely because they are that way, but we had a fair bit of coffee and I kept watching the clock... as though I knew. But of course, it always does happen like this.
You want something done? Ask a busy person. A busy person is busy because they get things done.
I just want to take a nice long bath, get a good night's sleep and do nothing.. just for one weekend. It ain't this one. Or next.... I'll be on the road to Memphis.
Hello Elvis...
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Bob Dylan 1974
I have seen Bob Dylan play live on every single tour he's done since 1974. You say Dedication? I say, he's the greatest living poet in the USA, maybe the world. At times, I feel that I was a little bold at 16, taking his photo when he was seated behind me at a concert at the Forum in LA.... but I had just seen him there, with The Band. They really did change my life....
Sorry for the intrusion, Bob... but ever since I heard "Positively 4th St., " I became uncompromising. "Mr Tambourine Man" turned my world from BW to color (OK... it was the Byrds, but it is your song) and Oh Mercy just changed everything. I bought Love and Theft the day it was released. September 11, 2001. Telling. "Lonesome Day Blues" got me through that one. It gets me through just about every day.
Sorry for the intrusion, Bob... but ever since I heard "Positively 4th St., " I became uncompromising. "Mr Tambourine Man" turned my world from BW to color (OK... it was the Byrds, but it is your song) and Oh Mercy just changed everything. I bought Love and Theft the day it was released. September 11, 2001. Telling. "Lonesome Day Blues" got me through that one. It gets me through just about every day.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Men in Blue
Here's a photo of San Francisco's finest on the day in March, 2003 that the USA started bombing Iraq. There were protests and these men in blue were dispatched to keep the peace.
They also enjoyed their photo opportunity.
My cousin, Demetri is a Chicago Police Officer. Last week, I was in Chicago where I was exhibiting photographs at a rock n roll show. He said he would drop by and check it out. And he did. In uniform, with his partner.
Naturally, the rock n roll crowd was a bit wary. But soon the guard was down when I announced to those within earshot that he was my cousin. I even introduced him to my friend Greg, who was the night's headliner. Hopefully now Greg can park his band van with impunity in the Windy City....
They also enjoyed their photo opportunity.
My cousin, Demetri is a Chicago Police Officer. Last week, I was in Chicago where I was exhibiting photographs at a rock n roll show. He said he would drop by and check it out. And he did. In uniform, with his partner.
Naturally, the rock n roll crowd was a bit wary. But soon the guard was down when I announced to those within earshot that he was my cousin. I even introduced him to my friend Greg, who was the night's headliner. Hopefully now Greg can park his band van with impunity in the Windy City....
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
My Latest Project
Got Bass? Been taking pix of bass players holding money ever since Jeremy Scott posed with his per diem last year backstage at Irving Plaza.
Got Bass?
Bling Bling. someone wants to pose with an open palm full of nickels.
This is the best one - beautiful Carol Schumacher with her C-Note. There are others - all men so far... Jeremy's inspiration photo, that cute Nick In Spades, the really sleazy red light pic of Dave Gay, the beautifully lit Mark McMurtry who is holding more money than I've ever seen the Forty-Fives possess...
Got Bass?
Bling Bling. someone wants to pose with an open palm full of nickels.
This is the best one - beautiful Carol Schumacher with her C-Note. There are others - all men so far... Jeremy's inspiration photo, that cute Nick In Spades, the really sleazy red light pic of Dave Gay, the beautifully lit Mark McMurtry who is holding more money than I've ever seen the Forty-Fives possess...
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Exhale
I am waiting to do that.
I've had house guests nearly non-stop.
James was here for a week. Then a never-ending night with Bryan, pictured here. Then a couple nights with Carol and her band.
That was all fun - almost too much fun. Late nights and non-stop vodka to go along with the excellent music.
Now.... its 11:30 PM on Sunday night. I still have to put the garbage out on the curb. I put on rubber gloves and bring down the black lawn & leaf bags because people are pigs...
At 8 AM, contractors supposedly will arrive to cover most of the loft in plastic and then paint. How will I get work done??/
I just want to sleep. I haven't had enough.
I've had house guests nearly non-stop.
James was here for a week. Then a never-ending night with Bryan, pictured here. Then a couple nights with Carol and her band.
That was all fun - almost too much fun. Late nights and non-stop vodka to go along with the excellent music.
Now.... its 11:30 PM on Sunday night. I still have to put the garbage out on the curb. I put on rubber gloves and bring down the black lawn & leaf bags because people are pigs...
At 8 AM, contractors supposedly will arrive to cover most of the loft in plastic and then paint. How will I get work done??/
I just want to sleep. I haven't had enough.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Busy coupla weeks
Where did I leave off? Drove from Cleveland to NYC and then once here, hit the ground running with gigs back to back, a house guest, a dog, band friends in town and staying on my many couches.... like I never left here.
This photo of Cowboy Jack Clement, the greatest contributor to rock n roll (he produced "Whole Lotta Shakin" the Jerry Lee Lewis hit. For starters) was taken sometime last week at Joe's Pub in NYC. I don't like that club. Don't like a club where you have to sit down all cramped together the way they've arranged it. Anyway, for Cowboy, I'd go anywhere. The best place to see Cowboy is Arnold's in Nashville, over your meat and two veg, like Webb and I did a couple years back. Since then, Cowboy has completed his autobiographical documentary, which is pretty cool. How many people do you know who have home movies of Johnny Cash? It played a few times at the Tribeca Film Festival, and as a result, Cowboy came up and did this gig. Pictured with him and his band members, Doug Wygall and Sean Camp - who he borrowed from Laura Cantrell - are Rhonda Hart and Billy Don Burns, two country artists with impeccable pedigrees. Which is kind of an oxymoron, but what they hey...
This was the start of it all.... Paul Westerberg is back and drunk. NY Dolls are back and LOUD as hell. Dirtbombs came around with some new songs and Troy Gregory singing "Baby's on Fire" to open a show! The Forty-Fives putting on a rough n tumble show at 1:30 in the AM... all good stuff. All sleep depriving stuff.
Oh, and there was Bar BQ in there as well. As in: go to the corner of 20th St and 6th Ave in Park Slope and get yourself some grub.
And throughout this flurry of activity, scary sightings of scary people from the past. This pool is awfully small for diving!
In 36 hours, it'll be boozing with the Tough and Lovely. I look forward to that. And a manicure/pedicure date with Carol.
This photo of Cowboy Jack Clement, the greatest contributor to rock n roll (he produced "Whole Lotta Shakin" the Jerry Lee Lewis hit. For starters) was taken sometime last week at Joe's Pub in NYC. I don't like that club. Don't like a club where you have to sit down all cramped together the way they've arranged it. Anyway, for Cowboy, I'd go anywhere. The best place to see Cowboy is Arnold's in Nashville, over your meat and two veg, like Webb and I did a couple years back. Since then, Cowboy has completed his autobiographical documentary, which is pretty cool. How many people do you know who have home movies of Johnny Cash? It played a few times at the Tribeca Film Festival, and as a result, Cowboy came up and did this gig. Pictured with him and his band members, Doug Wygall and Sean Camp - who he borrowed from Laura Cantrell - are Rhonda Hart and Billy Don Burns, two country artists with impeccable pedigrees. Which is kind of an oxymoron, but what they hey...
This was the start of it all.... Paul Westerberg is back and drunk. NY Dolls are back and LOUD as hell. Dirtbombs came around with some new songs and Troy Gregory singing "Baby's on Fire" to open a show! The Forty-Fives putting on a rough n tumble show at 1:30 in the AM... all good stuff. All sleep depriving stuff.
Oh, and there was Bar BQ in there as well. As in: go to the corner of 20th St and 6th Ave in Park Slope and get yourself some grub.
And throughout this flurry of activity, scary sightings of scary people from the past. This pool is awfully small for diving!
In 36 hours, it'll be boozing with the Tough and Lovely. I look forward to that. And a manicure/pedicure date with Carol.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Obsessed with Food Today
I had a huge meal yesterday. Non stop eating. I can't stop thinking about food. In the supermarket today, I wrestled with myself: do I make enchiladas for myself or buy salad fixings. Of course, I could have done both. But I would have been overwhelmed. I'm still hung over from Friday. Well, I'm still tired because I've not caught up on my sleep.
It's too early to eat again. Well, maybe it isn't. I'm going for the roast chicken square meal option right now.
It's too early to eat again. Well, maybe it isn't. I'm going for the roast chicken square meal option right now.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Too Much Guitar? NEVER
I am hung over and my head hurts. Last night, I celebrated receiving a bunch of checks from record companies that are using my photos on CD sleeves... its been a long time since I drank six martinis in one night. I tried to mitigate and if not even pre-empt the hangover by eating a couple tacos from the 96th St taco truck before going to bed.
Didn't help. Woke up early for dog duty and to attend a seder brunch with my friend, her family at her mother-in-law's house in Queens. Meaning I had about an hour to travel to meet my friend before getting into her car and driving a half hour out to Queens and then the five hours we spent over the seder while I was hung over and trying to be nice and polite. It was physically painful to be alert!
At least on the way to and from, on the long subway ride (even though it was an express train both times), I listened to the best album of 2004, TOO MUCH GUITAR.
I'm obsessed with that record. Obsessed.
Didn't help. Woke up early for dog duty and to attend a seder brunch with my friend, her family at her mother-in-law's house in Queens. Meaning I had about an hour to travel to meet my friend before getting into her car and driving a half hour out to Queens and then the five hours we spent over the seder while I was hung over and trying to be nice and polite. It was physically painful to be alert!
At least on the way to and from, on the long subway ride (even though it was an express train both times), I listened to the best album of 2004, TOO MUCH GUITAR.
I'm obsessed with that record. Obsessed.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Protein Overload
I eat too many eggs.
I used to like them a LOT because an omelette was a nice, light dinner. But then living in Cleveland while on my writing project, off my savings, and only spending money, not earning it - I found that eggs were the best bang for the buck in terms of nutrition.
Protein does make you feel full and satisfied. But until I cash this check in my bag, I have to rely on what's in the fridge. (Yeah, I know you're saying - so go cash the check. It's not that easy. I don't have a bank account here!)
What's in the fridge? EGGS. I have a hunch that in a little while I'm gonna feel like Paul Newman in that movie where he eats 50 eggs...
I used to like them a LOT because an omelette was a nice, light dinner. But then living in Cleveland while on my writing project, off my savings, and only spending money, not earning it - I found that eggs were the best bang for the buck in terms of nutrition.
Protein does make you feel full and satisfied. But until I cash this check in my bag, I have to rely on what's in the fridge. (Yeah, I know you're saying - so go cash the check. It's not that easy. I don't have a bank account here!)
What's in the fridge? EGGS. I have a hunch that in a little while I'm gonna feel like Paul Newman in that movie where he eats 50 eggs...
Thursday, April 21, 2005
I need a haircut!
Here's a picture of Sandy Kramer. She cuts my hair. Her salon is in Detroit. But she's the best, and worth traveling 500 miles for a haircut.
Last haircut I got was January 29. It's April 21. I am overdue!
Actually, there's a great guy here in NY who cut and colored my hair for years: Paul LaBrecque. He has two fabulous salons: one on the East Side and one on the West Side. I just can't afford it, even with the discount he offers. For one haircut by Paul, I can get three from Sandy. The end result: I look better longer and more often.
Well, the bottom line is that I need to look fab on May 19 at my photo show. I guess it will be a trip to Paul's...
Last haircut I got was January 29. It's April 21. I am overdue!
Actually, there's a great guy here in NY who cut and colored my hair for years: Paul LaBrecque. He has two fabulous salons: one on the East Side and one on the West Side. I just can't afford it, even with the discount he offers. For one haircut by Paul, I can get three from Sandy. The end result: I look better longer and more often.
Well, the bottom line is that I need to look fab on May 19 at my photo show. I guess it will be a trip to Paul's...
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Its Hot and Fabulous in NYC
These ultra-colorful flowers are the best I can do to replicate a house landing on a witch and the world going from black & white to color.
Am in NYC. Its hot and humid (already... and its only April) but it is so alive. The difference is the people, the vibe, the attitude. A can-do place. And the food.....I think I lost about 15 pounds in Cleveland, since I had no car and walking to the thing that passes for public transportation was a mile away, guaranteeing me a 2-mile walk each and every day... I hope I don't gain it back here indulging in NYC's culinary delights, but boy would it be fun.
Still, none of these Greek supermarkets deli's can rival my Aunt Maria's Galaktimburico (you think I can spell that? its the custard between the filo dough...)
The pigeons are pooping and cooing outside my window. Its great to be back.
Am in NYC. Its hot and humid (already... and its only April) but it is so alive. The difference is the people, the vibe, the attitude. A can-do place. And the food.....I think I lost about 15 pounds in Cleveland, since I had no car and walking to the thing that passes for public transportation was a mile away, guaranteeing me a 2-mile walk each and every day... I hope I don't gain it back here indulging in NYC's culinary delights, but boy would it be fun.
Still, none of these Greek supermarkets deli's can rival my Aunt Maria's Galaktimburico (you think I can spell that? its the custard between the filo dough...)
The pigeons are pooping and cooing outside my window. Its great to be back.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Coming up roses
Arrived in NYC at midnight yesterday. Already, everything's coming up roses.
We found a place to park right in front of Mishka's place. It was a breeze bringing all my stuff upstairs. Slept like a baby, took stuff to dog-sit without a hitch.
Once I got here, my phone started ringing with work offers.
All I had to do was leave Cleveland...
We found a place to park right in front of Mishka's place. It was a breeze bringing all my stuff upstairs. Slept like a baby, took stuff to dog-sit without a hitch.
Once I got here, my phone started ringing with work offers.
All I had to do was leave Cleveland...
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Most popular photo
I keep 100 of my photos on Flickr. Of those 100 photos, this one is the most popular, according to the feature that tells me which one has the most views.
Stiv Bators & Sabel Starr, backstage at the Whisky, 1980. Stiv had a charmed life - but it had its share of darkness and doubt. But thinking about him this whole time I've been i Cleveland has inspired a new volume of photographic work. So that's a plus. The winters here last 2 months longer than they do elsewhere.... its a big insight into many many things.
Stiv Bators & Sabel Starr, backstage at the Whisky, 1980. Stiv had a charmed life - but it had its share of darkness and doubt. But thinking about him this whole time I've been i Cleveland has inspired a new volume of photographic work. So that's a plus. The winters here last 2 months longer than they do elsewhere.... its a big insight into many many things.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
No War
I took this photo in March 2004. I was visiting Detroit and during that week, I took Jim and Troy and Laura to see Bob Dylan at the State Theatre where we spent more time in the State Bar than in the Theatre itself... it was a nice week in Detroit, however, and I took a lot of photos that I really like.
This photo of the fur-coat wearing bum on the bench in front of a building bearing the address 1515 Broadway (which is the address of MTV's building in NYC, where I worked for 4 1/2 years) with the NO WAR card in the window is one of my favorite pictures.
NO WAR has kind of been my motto for the past 6 years. Its been a kind of weird past 6 years, but hopefully the weirdness will give way to normalcy soon.
This photo of the fur-coat wearing bum on the bench in front of a building bearing the address 1515 Broadway (which is the address of MTV's building in NYC, where I worked for 4 1/2 years) with the NO WAR card in the window is one of my favorite pictures.
NO WAR has kind of been my motto for the past 6 years. Its been a kind of weird past 6 years, but hopefully the weirdness will give way to normalcy soon.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Homeward Bound
a sigh of relief
mishka is driving me to nyc
i will be so happy when i cross the brooklyn bridge
mishka is driving me to nyc
i will be so happy when i cross the brooklyn bridge
Going to NY on Sunday...
is the wonderful Mishka Shubaly going to be able to give me a ride? He's going to be in Athens, OH, about 250 miles from here, in kind of a big detour.... man, I hope so.
It would be nice to have 7 hours to hang out with him, help him drive and not have to be on the Amtrak...
It would be nice to have 7 hours to hang out with him, help him drive and not have to be on the Amtrak...
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Sunflower test
Blogger is down!
This is a test to see if I can post to it remotely.
If not - no harm done, I'll just take a walk.
This is a test to see if I can post to it remotely.
If not - no harm done, I'll just take a walk.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
My fave pic
Margaret and Tara posing in front of the car one of Tara's aunts gave them so they could go on the road.
I love this photo. Its one of my favorites. I don't think you could ask anyone to strike these poses. It was just one of those split seconds of time I was able to capture.
Another nice spring day today and my head was all over the place with schemes and obsessions, both. Mastered talking and walking without too much pain in my phone-holding hand. I just don't want to be one of those dorks wearing a head set on the street. At my desk is another story.
Still didn't pack up my winter clothes but will do that tomorrow. Really. I will. I have to.
I love this photo. Its one of my favorites. I don't think you could ask anyone to strike these poses. It was just one of those split seconds of time I was able to capture.
Another nice spring day today and my head was all over the place with schemes and obsessions, both. Mastered talking and walking without too much pain in my phone-holding hand. I just don't want to be one of those dorks wearing a head set on the street. At my desk is another story.
Still didn't pack up my winter clothes but will do that tomorrow. Really. I will. I have to.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Summer Days
It's early April and it already feels like early summer. Oh well.
Summer Days is a show-stopper in the new Bob Dylan Show, let me just say.
I think there is something to Seasonal Affective Disorder. During the relentless winter, it was depressing because people were depressed. Unlike me, people around here hated the snow. I just see it as another photo backdrop; they say it as a deterrent to driving, walking and getting around. But then winter gets hard. Its cold and doesn't let up. Finally, when you think you can't take it anymore, the Vernal Equinox is upon us, the swallows return to Capistrano, the time changes and flowers start to bloom. The day is longer and everything is bright.
Of course, there are no flowers yet, but we have pictures!
Summer Days is a show-stopper in the new Bob Dylan Show, let me just say.
I think there is something to Seasonal Affective Disorder. During the relentless winter, it was depressing because people were depressed. Unlike me, people around here hated the snow. I just see it as another photo backdrop; they say it as a deterrent to driving, walking and getting around. But then winter gets hard. Its cold and doesn't let up. Finally, when you think you can't take it anymore, the Vernal Equinox is upon us, the swallows return to Capistrano, the time changes and flowers start to bloom. The day is longer and everything is bright.
Of course, there are no flowers yet, but we have pictures!
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Spring in Ultra Color
I just love Kodak's line of Ultra Color Film. These flowers were captured in Portra UC. I think the Ultra Color line was so good, that Kodak decided to make a dedicated Ultra Color line.
(oh, yes, I've gotten a ton of free film from Kodak, but if it was crappy, I'd tell you the truth)
Spring is here. I'm just waiting for the flowers to pop out of the ground.
(oh, yes, I've gotten a ton of free film from Kodak, but if it was crappy, I'd tell you the truth)
Spring is here. I'm just waiting for the flowers to pop out of the ground.
Winter is OVER!
Well, the time changed and Daylight Savings Time kicked in. If that isn't the last call for it to be Spring, what is?
These bare trees were photographed from my hotel window in Youngstown, Ohio in mid-March. The trees around here still don't have any leaves or buds yet, but the sun is bright each day, and the temperature is climbing each day as well.
I was in Chicago over the weekend, and I understand there was a nasty freak snowfall in Cleveland on Saturday. I'm glad I missed it - because I was enjoying 70 degree weather and seeing Bob Dylan, not once but twice. Not that inclement weather would have mattered, because everyone is "....expecting rain."
So - Bob Dylan. What an enigma but of course. And what an amazing set he played each night I saw him. I quoted "Desolation Row," which was close to being a showstopper, but not like "Mr. Tambourine Man," which was once the jingle-jangle anthem that turned my childhood world from black & white to color (OK - it was the Byrds and their Rickenbackers that did that but of course, without the song, they couldn't have landed the house on the witch, ya know?).
Instead of the imagery of a young man longing to join the circus that's coming through town, its the intimations of Mortality that we hear instead. Instead of imploring the circus to take him, the singer is perhaps talking to God, rather than the devils that once promised life would be fun. Very deep stuff. And there was the fun side, too. Like "Cat's in the Well" taking off as if it were "Treat Her Right," because the riff was the riff to "Treat Her Right." Wouldn't that have been cool?
Bob paid homage to his opener, the great country crooner and custodian of ironic tales, Merle Haggard, with his faithful and heart wrenching version of "Sing Me Back Home."
Haggard himself was quite the artiste. I can't get over his live delivery of "Unforgettable." Knocks Nat King Cole out of the water.
Country bumpkins are ruling this roost, oK?
These bare trees were photographed from my hotel window in Youngstown, Ohio in mid-March. The trees around here still don't have any leaves or buds yet, but the sun is bright each day, and the temperature is climbing each day as well.
I was in Chicago over the weekend, and I understand there was a nasty freak snowfall in Cleveland on Saturday. I'm glad I missed it - because I was enjoying 70 degree weather and seeing Bob Dylan, not once but twice. Not that inclement weather would have mattered, because everyone is "....expecting rain."
So - Bob Dylan. What an enigma but of course. And what an amazing set he played each night I saw him. I quoted "Desolation Row," which was close to being a showstopper, but not like "Mr. Tambourine Man," which was once the jingle-jangle anthem that turned my childhood world from black & white to color (OK - it was the Byrds and their Rickenbackers that did that but of course, without the song, they couldn't have landed the house on the witch, ya know?).
Instead of the imagery of a young man longing to join the circus that's coming through town, its the intimations of Mortality that we hear instead. Instead of imploring the circus to take him, the singer is perhaps talking to God, rather than the devils that once promised life would be fun. Very deep stuff. And there was the fun side, too. Like "Cat's in the Well" taking off as if it were "Treat Her Right," because the riff was the riff to "Treat Her Right." Wouldn't that have been cool?
Bob paid homage to his opener, the great country crooner and custodian of ironic tales, Merle Haggard, with his faithful and heart wrenching version of "Sing Me Back Home."
Haggard himself was quite the artiste. I can't get over his live delivery of "Unforgettable." Knocks Nat King Cole out of the water.
Country bumpkins are ruling this roost, oK?
Monday, March 28, 2005
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Garden path
Its Easter weekend, the Vernal Equinox has come and gone, but Winter doesn't want to go away. The sun is bright, but the wind is cold. Typical March weather. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and so I thought it would be nice to look at some flowers.
These sunflowers are from Frank Turnitza's garden, summer 2004. I lived in the garden apartment, so when I got out of bed and looked out the window, this is what I saw. Lovely.
Its a nice sight this time of year - for when the snow melts, you can see all the trash that was under it. The grass and paths all need to be cleaned up.
Well, in a month, I'll be back in NYC and will see this sight with more frequency.
that is a relief...
These sunflowers are from Frank Turnitza's garden, summer 2004. I lived in the garden apartment, so when I got out of bed and looked out the window, this is what I saw. Lovely.
Its a nice sight this time of year - for when the snow melts, you can see all the trash that was under it. The grass and paths all need to be cleaned up.
Well, in a month, I'll be back in NYC and will see this sight with more frequency.
that is a relief...
Friday, March 25, 2005
Drip
as in post-nasal drip.
I've had a cold or something for the past week. That's why the silence.
Going back to lying down....
I've had a cold or something for the past week. That's why the silence.
Going back to lying down....
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Spring thaw
Why is it that some calendar dates seem written in stone, from the top down?
Today is March 19. In California, where I grew up, it is the day that the swallows are supposed to instinctively return to Capistrano, a Southern California town with a 300+ years old Spanish Mission. It is one of the time-tested harbingers of Spring. Not unlike the groundhog who predicts how much more Winter is ahead by whether or not he sees his shadow.
I've been house and cat-sitting this week in a house right on Lake Erie. When I arrived here on Monday, the 14th, the lake was frozen solid. It looked like the Moon's landscape -- the waves and current had frozen in place. Snow had been falling on the frozen lake for months and it, too was frozen, casting a brilliant white on white sea of texture.
Luckily, I took photos of it daily and at different times of the day. That frozen lake was a sight I do not soon want to forget.
I did, however, want to take photos of a couple bands with the lake in the background. That won't be happening now unless they cleverly want to superimpose themselves on my lake-scapes.
One still wonders if there will be a late winter/early spring freak snowstorm.
Today is March 19. In California, where I grew up, it is the day that the swallows are supposed to instinctively return to Capistrano, a Southern California town with a 300+ years old Spanish Mission. It is one of the time-tested harbingers of Spring. Not unlike the groundhog who predicts how much more Winter is ahead by whether or not he sees his shadow.
I've been house and cat-sitting this week in a house right on Lake Erie. When I arrived here on Monday, the 14th, the lake was frozen solid. It looked like the Moon's landscape -- the waves and current had frozen in place. Snow had been falling on the frozen lake for months and it, too was frozen, casting a brilliant white on white sea of texture.
Luckily, I took photos of it daily and at different times of the day. That frozen lake was a sight I do not soon want to forget.
I did, however, want to take photos of a couple bands with the lake in the background. That won't be happening now unless they cleverly want to superimpose themselves on my lake-scapes.
One still wonders if there will be a late winter/early spring freak snowstorm.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
It's Cold Outside
Today, it was sunny but a below-freezing 29 degrees. If the wind didn't blow, it wasn't that bad. I decided to take a walk in the sun and take some pictures.
At the corner of Lorain and Gehring, across the street from the West Side Market, I happened upon a seagull lying on its back. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I photographed him. I thought perhaps he was dead. But he was very much alive. He stared me down with this beady red eyes.
I walked away from him, thinking maybe he was stunned and would get up in a moment and start attacking me like Alfred Hitchcock's crazed crows in "The Birds." I was talking to Troy on the phone, so I was kind of rambling, and I kept an eye on the bird.
He managed to stand up. So, I thought that he had indeed been stunned and would be OK and fly away soon. I continued walking to my destination (a manhole cover foundried in Canada).
On my way back, the seagull was standing at the cross walk. He hadn't moved since I watched him get up. As I approached, I noticed that his wing was broken and that he could not fly if he wanted to.
He stepped into the street. He fell down on his back again. He looked at me and implored me to help him.
I called 411 on my cel phone, asking for Cleveland's Animal Control. Once I was connected, I heard their prerecorded outgoing message instructing callers such as myself to call the police. As I was calling 411 again to get connected to the police, I saw a squad car one intersection away and waved it down. Of course, in the interim, I had been waving cars away from the path of the bird. I didn't want him to be squished, and I certainly did not want to witness his death, as it was 100% preventable.
The policemen were nice enough but pretty smug in their resolve to do nothing. I kept wearing these guys down, using my best blonde girl voice, flirting with them as a last resort. Of course, I am an olive skinned brunette and was wearing a babushka and they probably thought I could be Arab and they seemed pretty redneck, so I was taking a big risk.
The policemen finally offered to drive into the parking lot of the West Side Market to find a box. When they pulled back over to me and the gull, one of them got out of the car and coaxed the bird into the box and put the box on the sidewalk.
The gull tried to bite the box top that the cop used to slide him into the box. FINALLY, the policeman radio'd someone to send some kind of animal control officer to retrieve the bird, and gave the bird's whereabouts.
I do hope that someone, whether animal control officer or good samaritan, came to the bird's rescue.
I did as much as I could. I could not take him home. And seriously, I know he would have attacked me and I don't want a bird bite.
The situation begs a couple questions. I did pose the rhetorical question that "animals injured on the road on Sunday just get to die?" That's when the policemen started to tell me that Cleveland's Animal Control and Humane Society just don't operate on Sunday - "not like in the cities you see on Animal Planet." OK -- that show he was talking about is "Animal Cops Detroit."
I've spent considerable time in Detroit. I know the city inside out. If your city is in worse shape than Detroit, you're not just in the toilet, you are below the sewer.
Secondly, why are the Cleveland cops so smug? Why do they not want to help?
These things both need to change.
The cops have to care. In Los Angeles, where I was born and raised, the motto of the police force is "To protect and serve." Now, the LA cops are no angels. They beat Rodney King, after all. But in Cleveland, it seems like the police motto is "To drive around acting smug."
And what about the Animal Control or Humane Society? Gulls can pose a danger to humans, so if you're gonna be selfish, as it seems you are, why don't you at least protect the people from the injured gulls? Seriously now -- no creature has to die if its senseless death can be prevented.
Don't you believe in karma?
Baby, its cold outside.
At the corner of Lorain and Gehring, across the street from the West Side Market, I happened upon a seagull lying on its back. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I photographed him. I thought perhaps he was dead. But he was very much alive. He stared me down with this beady red eyes.
I walked away from him, thinking maybe he was stunned and would get up in a moment and start attacking me like Alfred Hitchcock's crazed crows in "The Birds." I was talking to Troy on the phone, so I was kind of rambling, and I kept an eye on the bird.
He managed to stand up. So, I thought that he had indeed been stunned and would be OK and fly away soon. I continued walking to my destination (a manhole cover foundried in Canada).
On my way back, the seagull was standing at the cross walk. He hadn't moved since I watched him get up. As I approached, I noticed that his wing was broken and that he could not fly if he wanted to.
He stepped into the street. He fell down on his back again. He looked at me and implored me to help him.
I called 411 on my cel phone, asking for Cleveland's Animal Control. Once I was connected, I heard their prerecorded outgoing message instructing callers such as myself to call the police. As I was calling 411 again to get connected to the police, I saw a squad car one intersection away and waved it down. Of course, in the interim, I had been waving cars away from the path of the bird. I didn't want him to be squished, and I certainly did not want to witness his death, as it was 100% preventable.
The policemen were nice enough but pretty smug in their resolve to do nothing. I kept wearing these guys down, using my best blonde girl voice, flirting with them as a last resort. Of course, I am an olive skinned brunette and was wearing a babushka and they probably thought I could be Arab and they seemed pretty redneck, so I was taking a big risk.
The policemen finally offered to drive into the parking lot of the West Side Market to find a box. When they pulled back over to me and the gull, one of them got out of the car and coaxed the bird into the box and put the box on the sidewalk.
The gull tried to bite the box top that the cop used to slide him into the box. FINALLY, the policeman radio'd someone to send some kind of animal control officer to retrieve the bird, and gave the bird's whereabouts.
I do hope that someone, whether animal control officer or good samaritan, came to the bird's rescue.
I did as much as I could. I could not take him home. And seriously, I know he would have attacked me and I don't want a bird bite.
The situation begs a couple questions. I did pose the rhetorical question that "animals injured on the road on Sunday just get to die?" That's when the policemen started to tell me that Cleveland's Animal Control and Humane Society just don't operate on Sunday - "not like in the cities you see on Animal Planet." OK -- that show he was talking about is "Animal Cops Detroit."
I've spent considerable time in Detroit. I know the city inside out. If your city is in worse shape than Detroit, you're not just in the toilet, you are below the sewer.
Secondly, why are the Cleveland cops so smug? Why do they not want to help?
These things both need to change.
The cops have to care. In Los Angeles, where I was born and raised, the motto of the police force is "To protect and serve." Now, the LA cops are no angels. They beat Rodney King, after all. But in Cleveland, it seems like the police motto is "To drive around acting smug."
And what about the Animal Control or Humane Society? Gulls can pose a danger to humans, so if you're gonna be selfish, as it seems you are, why don't you at least protect the people from the injured gulls? Seriously now -- no creature has to die if its senseless death can be prevented.
Don't you believe in karma?
Baby, its cold outside.
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