I got a day off from work today because of flooding and tornadoes. In NYC. Yeah. Totally normal. I have nothing to do. Nothing at all. Sitting waiting for webmail.
So I get to sit in my hot ass apartment all day and do basically nothing because it is too hot to do anything at all. At work the AC is excellent. At work the AC is free!
The Brita water pitcher is frozen solid. I have to drink tap water. Non filtered Tap water.
Everyone who is at work wishes they didn't go in. It's quiet because no one is in the city because no one could really get there except for the few "lucky" bastards at my office.
This weeks heat has made everyone sick too. Everyone is getting a cold. It's like the consumption. I feel like I am living in the 20's.
Last night I went to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and it kicked total ass. The two opening bands were a sight for sore eyes too. The 1st act was called "Girls Girls Girls". When they came out on stage I realized they were an all-female Motley Crue cover act. This would only happen to me. No one could make this shit up if they
tried.
The second band is called "The Tiny Masters" - it is a 10 year old girl and her 12 year old brother. They are from Brooklyn. They were entertaining, but I thought I was watching two female primordial dwarfs for about 10 minutes. Again, I couldn't make this shit up if I tried.
The YYY's are notoriously awesome and a NY band(imho). There are so many haters who rip on the Strokes and the YYY's as hipster bullshit. The fact is that both of these bands are so raw and passionate they make me feel good about NYC and music. The way these bands play and issue music is very old-school and they aren't the image machine that most bands are. That image stuff bores me to tears.
For example, Justin Timberlake doesn't look like he is having fun when he performs. He doesn't look happy ever. Yeah, he is raking in the money and I am sure he loves music but at such a cost. I can't concentrate on what he is doing because I cant see past how full of himself he is. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a nasty coke habit.
I am listening to the new Flight of the Conchords CD, The Distant Future, over and over today because I am bored to tears. It's pretty hilarious. And the stream is free thanks to spinner.com.
It is either that or make a booty call. I am that bored.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Sunday, August 05, 2007
sunday wrap up
Last night i went out with the crew for beers and food. Everyone was in good form and it was a nice time. The summer is almost over, and i am sure the weekends of bars and bar food will boil down and I won't be eating total crap every Saturday night. I have food guilt. Yipes!
Today I spent the day with my Grandmother and Aunt. We went out for dinner. The food was mediocre but it was really a nice day and I loved getting out of the house with them. We have dinner at home every Sunday. The same old thing each week is bound to bore everyone to tears.
My grandmother is 91 years old. She is starting to slip a bit, and it is stressful on me but especially my aunt who is her primary caretaker. It's little things like confusion, and general frustration because she knows her memory isn't what it used to be. It probably wouldn't be so bad if she didn't get annoyed with herself - but she does. It just seems to have happened over night and each week i see her she seems a little less together. She is also not feeling wonderful. I think it is the brutal weather. She says she is depressed and bored. We just recently got her cable for the 1st time. I cant imagine going through 90 years without cable television, so she must be thrilled. Lord knows she never turns that Lifetime channel off.
My friends Grandmother is in a nursing home. This was a hard decision for everyone to make but her Alzheimer's was getting too much for her and her husband to manage. She is 82 years old. The Grandfather is about 80. The Aunt who intervenes is 89 years old and they, the younger family members, call her "Before Christ". Well "Before Christ" is difficult and mean and she says that the reason the grandfather takes the grandmother home from the nursing home as often as he does is to have sex with her. "Before Christ" tells the members of the family these things like they really want to be entertained by the thought even after they question the validity of this nonsense. Whose business is it if 80 something people wanna get it off once a week? Well it's "Before Christ's" business apparently.
My Grandmother is somewhat lucky. She has us. I won't turn my back on her now. I feel bad, and it's annoying, but I won't. I just want her to be happy and comfortable now on. She made me happy and comfortable when I was a kid, and totally helpless and exposed. I would tell her this...but she might not listen. Today my Grandmother went on about how the cats outside keep getting pregnant over and over again. How she doesn't really mind, it is nice to have the babies (kittens) around. I wondered what she would have said if I had come home pregnant over and over again. I felt really bad for about 10 seconds about something she wants to see for me. Or from me.
I know what she was thinking about and I hope. like everything else, she forgot it quickly.
I have to make some calls now and try and drive out of here to see some people.
The thought of work tomorrow isn't registering yet and I need more screw off time!
Today I spent the day with my Grandmother and Aunt. We went out for dinner. The food was mediocre but it was really a nice day and I loved getting out of the house with them. We have dinner at home every Sunday. The same old thing each week is bound to bore everyone to tears.
My grandmother is 91 years old. She is starting to slip a bit, and it is stressful on me but especially my aunt who is her primary caretaker. It's little things like confusion, and general frustration because she knows her memory isn't what it used to be. It probably wouldn't be so bad if she didn't get annoyed with herself - but she does. It just seems to have happened over night and each week i see her she seems a little less together. She is also not feeling wonderful. I think it is the brutal weather. She says she is depressed and bored. We just recently got her cable for the 1st time. I cant imagine going through 90 years without cable television, so she must be thrilled. Lord knows she never turns that Lifetime channel off.
My friends Grandmother is in a nursing home. This was a hard decision for everyone to make but her Alzheimer's was getting too much for her and her husband to manage. She is 82 years old. The Grandfather is about 80. The Aunt who intervenes is 89 years old and they, the younger family members, call her "Before Christ". Well "Before Christ" is difficult and mean and she says that the reason the grandfather takes the grandmother home from the nursing home as often as he does is to have sex with her. "Before Christ" tells the members of the family these things like they really want to be entertained by the thought even after they question the validity of this nonsense. Whose business is it if 80 something people wanna get it off once a week? Well it's "Before Christ's" business apparently.
My Grandmother is somewhat lucky. She has us. I won't turn my back on her now. I feel bad, and it's annoying, but I won't. I just want her to be happy and comfortable now on. She made me happy and comfortable when I was a kid, and totally helpless and exposed. I would tell her this...but she might not listen. Today my Grandmother went on about how the cats outside keep getting pregnant over and over again. How she doesn't really mind, it is nice to have the babies (kittens) around. I wondered what she would have said if I had come home pregnant over and over again. I felt really bad for about 10 seconds about something she wants to see for me. Or from me.
I know what she was thinking about and I hope. like everything else, she forgot it quickly.
I have to make some calls now and try and drive out of here to see some people.
The thought of work tomorrow isn't registering yet and I need more screw off time!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
all along the clock tower
Lofts in the South Bronx. Above the former Estey Piano Company. The South Bronx is now being dubbed SoBro - this is sort of old news.
From Wikipedia:
"The "South Bronx" is not a completely neutral term, as it is one commonly associated with urban decay of the 1970s. The terms "Downtown Bronx" and "SoBro" have recently been coined in hopes of replacing this somewhat outdated term for the region, with the latter term "SoBro" meant to conjure Manhattan's more affluent SoHo neighborhood. It is popular for being the birth place of hip hop music and culture."
We drove through the area last night and I saw several cafes and bars along the way which totally freaked me out. "In November 1999, Scientific American noted: "The Mott Haven section of New York City's South Bronx has long been one of the poorest neighborhoods in the nation. The median household income of its residents, most of whom are African-American or Hispanic, is less than one third of the U.S. median."(Wikipedia). Less then 10 years later and it is turning around. I was left for dead in this area on morning in about 1999/2000 when monsoon rainstorms stopped all train service, and let me tell you, it was no treat. I was quite terrified.
I said to my friend "this area isn't worth what they want for it" and he said "people are preparing for the future". He was 100% correct. Lord only knows what another 8-10 years may bring. For more info on Mott Haven I point you to Forgotten NY.
My favorite building of Mott Haven was the Farberware Factory (Images) which closed down in the 90's. It was simply massive. It was razed four years ago (my old company supplied the tools, I knew then I was in a job that I hated) and is now the site, I believe, of a Con Ed plant. They also removed a smoke stack (cut it down actually) that was associated with I believe a Milk or Bread plant.
I have pots and pans from the 1950's the are stamped BRONX, NY on the bottom. Buy me all the pots and pans in the world, and I refuse to part with these. They were handed down from my Grandmother, to my mother, and then to me. Why? My father wanted "Tools of the Trade" pots and pans. The bottoms all burned. They have already gone through the set. My p's and p's are like new. Not one has even stained nor burned. I appreciate the past more than my Father, which i find very ironic.
There is not a wikipedia entry for "NoBro" which is where I live because there is no need to change any negative connotation just yet. Seems eventually we will have our own urban decay and they will have to come up with a nasty nickname for it first in order for it to rebirth and become someplace trendy and cool. As of now, Robyn and I are the hipster community of Morris Park. We bought our Old Navy Hoodies in anticipation as we wait for the storm.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
It's the 1st time.
Welcome August.
gag. Summer is almost over. Doesn't have that same zing that it did when I was young. I feel no pressure. I don't feel like the summer will ever end now since it's 100 degrees here in my apartment. I know it will. I know I will soon be saying that the winter feels like it will never end.
All in all the summer hasn't been too bad. It started off somewhat cruel(potentially) and now it is what it is. So far this summer I haven't vacationed and I don't have any desire to do so. I went to NJ for almost a week and it cured what was ailing me and I would be happy just going back to my cousins, reading my book in her yard and playing with her son. I don't feel fantastic or anything. But I am looking forward to the rest of it; yet I do not yet know why.
What have I been doing this summer:
1. Reading a lot. I went into this yesterday so I wont be redundant.
2. Buying new music after years of just bumming music. Itunes price is right. A cd is about worth 10 bucks - I don't care who it is. Here is who it is:
a. regina spektor - begin to hope and soviet Kitsch
b. marilyn manson - eat me, drink me
c. the academy is - santi
d. fergie- the dutchess
e. yeah yeah yeahs- it is
f. bjork - volta
g. tori amos - american doll possee
h. damone- out here all night
3. Watchin TV. Yes! ME! Watching the tube like its 1939.
a. rock of love. Oh god, I know! But there is a long history between myself and Bret Michaels . Every man I have ever loved has now been on relaity televion. Well, every man who is a B Lister now. Wait. Is Tommy Lee A or B list?
b. flight of the conchords. Brilliant. Makes me laugh like a 2nd grader. If I do not laugh the 1st time I watch an episode, I will when I watch it again, and I always do watch it again. It actually propelled me into buying HBO on demand. and I do not part with $5.95 a month easily.
c. big love. I watch it sometimes. I like the show. It is getting better and the plot is getting much more interesting. I think I will demand an episode later.
d. Adult Swim. I need new Aqua Team episodes like Britney needs new hair extensions.
e. NY1. This is perhaps the greatest news station ever. If you don't live in NY you suck. And I am sorry, but Pat Kiernan is the greatest new anchor ever. He so gets it. He reports the news with sarcasm. It's about time someone did this.
4. Going to concerts. Ugh. I only saw Bjork so far. It was amazing and I do not regret it one bit. I am seeing the Yeah Yeah Yeah's on the 8th I think and that should be hot. No one goes to shows anymore. I have to go it alone. Thus the decline in concert going. They are also too fucking expensive. Too fucking expensive. I wish Itunes would start selling shows for the price they are worth, too.
5. Drinking. I call it "Summer of Sam (Adams)". It's just what I am doin now. I like Summer Ale. And when it goes into hibernation, I too will stop drinking beer. I will not stop drinking white wine or vodka.
6. Blogging. Being witty. Trying to find myself because I really lost myself in 2007. I feel good about this. My hair is dyed again. I am living my life the way I want to - although I work too much. I think I should aim lower in terms of work, because I am no where near rich yet, and basically a thousandaire and others I know have far exceeded me doing much less.
7. Trolling celebrity websites. This is mindless. I also though, as a balance, am really doing well in my NYC research and news intake.
8. Not getting a tan. Not reading Harry Potter books. Not obsessing. Not dating as much as I would like to (ugh. maybe tomorrow I will blog about that). Not seeing my friends as much as I would love to. Not meeting new people (I have extended myself. I did "meet" some new people at parties and film premiers and I didn't do this for ages so there is hope). I point all these things out, less the Potter books, because I aim to do it more. See more movies and art too. Seriously.
9. Doing things myself. Shopping. Food and otherwise. Seeing some art shows. Going to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Things I used to threaten to do; I do them now. I see concerts alone. I still cannot eat in public alone, and I will not see a movie alone. I just won't.
10. Driving. I drive more now then I was before the summer but I don't really have anyplace to drive. I cannot drive too far because I have a very old car and I fear it breaking down in the middle of my journey in the summer heat. I have a triple A card, and it works. Still, I am not interested in this bleak fanatsy coming true. I am probably going to have to risk it on the 18th, because I want to see my family. They can come get me if my car break down and that is what it is.
I am tired now. Ok, off I go.
gag. Summer is almost over. Doesn't have that same zing that it did when I was young. I feel no pressure. I don't feel like the summer will ever end now since it's 100 degrees here in my apartment. I know it will. I know I will soon be saying that the winter feels like it will never end.
All in all the summer hasn't been too bad. It started off somewhat cruel(potentially) and now it is what it is. So far this summer I haven't vacationed and I don't have any desire to do so. I went to NJ for almost a week and it cured what was ailing me and I would be happy just going back to my cousins, reading my book in her yard and playing with her son. I don't feel fantastic or anything. But I am looking forward to the rest of it; yet I do not yet know why.
What have I been doing this summer:
1. Reading a lot. I went into this yesterday so I wont be redundant.
2. Buying new music after years of just bumming music. Itunes price is right. A cd is about worth 10 bucks - I don't care who it is. Here is who it is:
a. regina spektor - begin to hope and soviet Kitsch
b. marilyn manson - eat me, drink me
c. the academy is - santi
d. fergie- the dutchess
e. yeah yeah yeahs- it is
f. bjork - volta
g. tori amos - american doll possee
h. damone- out here all night
3. Watchin TV. Yes! ME! Watching the tube like its 1939.
a. rock of love. Oh god, I know! But there is a long history between myself and Bret Michaels . Every man I have ever loved has now been on relaity televion. Well, every man who is a B Lister now. Wait. Is Tommy Lee A or B list?
b. flight of the conchords. Brilliant. Makes me laugh like a 2nd grader. If I do not laugh the 1st time I watch an episode, I will when I watch it again, and I always do watch it again. It actually propelled me into buying HBO on demand. and I do not part with $5.95 a month easily.
c. big love. I watch it sometimes. I like the show. It is getting better and the plot is getting much more interesting. I think I will demand an episode later.
d. Adult Swim. I need new Aqua Team episodes like Britney needs new hair extensions.
e. NY1. This is perhaps the greatest news station ever. If you don't live in NY you suck. And I am sorry, but Pat Kiernan is the greatest new anchor ever. He so gets it. He reports the news with sarcasm. It's about time someone did this.
4. Going to concerts. Ugh. I only saw Bjork so far. It was amazing and I do not regret it one bit. I am seeing the Yeah Yeah Yeah's on the 8th I think and that should be hot. No one goes to shows anymore. I have to go it alone. Thus the decline in concert going. They are also too fucking expensive. Too fucking expensive. I wish Itunes would start selling shows for the price they are worth, too.
5. Drinking. I call it "Summer of Sam (Adams)". It's just what I am doin now. I like Summer Ale. And when it goes into hibernation, I too will stop drinking beer. I will not stop drinking white wine or vodka.
6. Blogging. Being witty. Trying to find myself because I really lost myself in 2007. I feel good about this. My hair is dyed again. I am living my life the way I want to - although I work too much. I think I should aim lower in terms of work, because I am no where near rich yet, and basically a thousandaire and others I know have far exceeded me doing much less.
7. Trolling celebrity websites. This is mindless. I also though, as a balance, am really doing well in my NYC research and news intake.
8. Not getting a tan. Not reading Harry Potter books. Not obsessing. Not dating as much as I would like to (ugh. maybe tomorrow I will blog about that). Not seeing my friends as much as I would love to. Not meeting new people (I have extended myself. I did "meet" some new people at parties and film premiers and I didn't do this for ages so there is hope). I point all these things out, less the Potter books, because I aim to do it more. See more movies and art too. Seriously.
9. Doing things myself. Shopping. Food and otherwise. Seeing some art shows. Going to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Things I used to threaten to do; I do them now. I see concerts alone. I still cannot eat in public alone, and I will not see a movie alone. I just won't.
10. Driving. I drive more now then I was before the summer but I don't really have anyplace to drive. I cannot drive too far because I have a very old car and I fear it breaking down in the middle of my journey in the summer heat. I have a triple A card, and it works. Still, I am not interested in this bleak fanatsy coming true. I am probably going to have to risk it on the 18th, because I want to see my family. They can come get me if my car break down and that is what it is.
I am tired now. Ok, off I go.
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