I was securing the yard for the approaching Hurricane (Irene) Putting away lawn furniture, and grill and plants and bird feeders and wind chimes (lots of stuff outside) Hmmmm I have one more thing to deal with- the Gazebo- thing, whatever you want to call it. I'm all by myself and it was insanely humid and I had been going for about an hour and if I take the thing down, I'm going to have to clear out a spot in the to put it garage. I'm also going to have to get the ladder out of the shed.
I look across the street, My neighbor , Rich, has one of those Gazebo things in his yard. His is still up. He's a very responsible homeowner. He must know what he's doing. Hmmmm I'll take the canvas cover off my thingy and just leave the frame up. This way the tropical storm winds will just blow harmlessly through the frame and not use the canvas as a sail. I take off the canvas.
post hurricane- I check the yard some branches and a tree limb are down, but overall not too bad. In the back yard there is the Gazebo thingy, all in one piece. I look across the street at my neighbors house- his gazebo thingy is destroyed! It's in shreds! All over his yard, in fact it was picked up and catapulted over his fence and half in his next door neighbors yard. Ooops. I will admit that a part of me wonders if he looked over into my yard and figured that if I left it up he could too.........Nah.
My favorite thing about the Hurricane is that for the whole day before and day of the cat never left my side. If I walked into another room he was right next to me, when I sat down, he sat curled up beside me. I'm sure he knew something was up and he wanted to make sure that he was at the center of the action.
Here are two observations about the cat- he has a corner of the den where he puts all his stuff. All his toys go in the corner. He takes something out, bats it around for a bit and then puts it back when he's finished. If I take something out and try to get him to play, he'll shoot me a look and then pick it up and put it back with the others.
Upstairs I have a room with all my books and the computer- I'll be fancy and call it the library. When I sit in there and work the cat joins me and sits in the middle of the floor, with a pencil between his paws. Only in that room. He keeps the pencil on the floor by a shelf and when we settle in he goes and gets the pencil and sits. Sometimes he'll try to pick it up between his front paws, but mostly he just sits there, with the pencil in front of him.
I have a feeling he would enjoy jotting down a few ideas, but the lack of thumbs and a blank sheet of paper prevent him
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
the road goes on forever.......
About 5 years ago I found my self up in the north country, visiting up near Plattsburgh, waaaaaaay up North.
On the way home I stopped in Saratoga to spend the night. One of my favorite places to visit- A great used record store, a legendary guitar store, a few good book stores (alas the Borders there bit the dust, it wasn't the best book store in town , but it had a great central location "meet me at Borders" and a clean rest room) lot's of great restaurants and a lot of live music at night. What's not to love?
After dinner, I'm wandering around and I see a poster for a band called "Sirsy" , Playing tonight right around the corner. A two person band- a guitar player and a drummer/ singer/ flute player. Oh, this I have to see.
So , I did.
And from that night on I became a fan. Rich Libutti and Melanie Kramer- Sirsy. That night they played a mix of interesting covers and a ton of originals. The crowd was filled with fans who sang along with every song. With just guitar and a small drum set (which Melanie plays standing up) they filled the room with a ton of sound.
Great between song banter, funny and smart. Wonderful command of the crowd. A good collection of original songs, but most important, That Voice! Melanie has the ability to purr and roar from one verse to the next- a bunch of times I had chills (.. they were multiplying)
They had a few Cd's for sale, I bought 'em'. They were playing locally for the next two nights, I went. And each night they just got better.
Since then I have seen then A half dozen times- mostly upstate (they are based in Albany) but they do get down to NYC a few times a year.
I keep waiting for them to break big.
Their songs have been used on TV shows, in a movie or two, they play over 200 live gigs a year, for about six years running they have been voted Albany's Best Band (something like that) They were recently signed to a national label. They are now playing down South , out in the Midwest, all over.
But, I saw them the other night in a little bar in Lake George (Christies on the Lake) about 20 people were there. But, A few days later they were playing at the race track- big crowds at the race track.
It's a tough life, that rock and roll life.
On the way home I stopped in Saratoga to spend the night. One of my favorite places to visit- A great used record store, a legendary guitar store, a few good book stores (alas the Borders there bit the dust, it wasn't the best book store in town , but it had a great central location "meet me at Borders" and a clean rest room) lot's of great restaurants and a lot of live music at night. What's not to love?
After dinner, I'm wandering around and I see a poster for a band called "Sirsy" , Playing tonight right around the corner. A two person band- a guitar player and a drummer/ singer/ flute player. Oh, this I have to see.
So , I did.
And from that night on I became a fan. Rich Libutti and Melanie Kramer- Sirsy. That night they played a mix of interesting covers and a ton of originals. The crowd was filled with fans who sang along with every song. With just guitar and a small drum set (which Melanie plays standing up) they filled the room with a ton of sound.
Great between song banter, funny and smart. Wonderful command of the crowd. A good collection of original songs, but most important, That Voice! Melanie has the ability to purr and roar from one verse to the next- a bunch of times I had chills (.. they were multiplying)
They had a few Cd's for sale, I bought 'em'. They were playing locally for the next two nights, I went. And each night they just got better.
Since then I have seen then A half dozen times- mostly upstate (they are based in Albany) but they do get down to NYC a few times a year.
I keep waiting for them to break big.
Their songs have been used on TV shows, in a movie or two, they play over 200 live gigs a year, for about six years running they have been voted Albany's Best Band (something like that) They were recently signed to a national label. They are now playing down South , out in the Midwest, all over.
But, I saw them the other night in a little bar in Lake George (Christies on the Lake) about 20 people were there. But, A few days later they were playing at the race track- big crowds at the race track.
It's a tough life, that rock and roll life.
proof of heaven.........
I got in the truck and headed North this week- I'll write a bit about my travels during the next few days.
I had only the skimpiest of plans, there is a band I am quite enamored of, Sirsy, and I saw that they were playing in Lake George, a destination I am equally enamored of. Together, irresistible.
I arrived in Lake George and looked for a place to stay for the next few nights. I love motels- In particular I love motels where you park right in front of your door. I drove thru the village headed a bit north an there it was - The Blue Moon Motel, neon sign and everything! Be still my beating heart.
I went into the office to check in and for the next five minutes I was totally charmed , nay, I was beguiled. Sitting there at the desk was a dark haired young lady who greeted me with a big smile and a near musical "Hello!"
What a rarity! At times I feel that we live in the Age of the Sullen. Everyone if far too hip or too engaged in something social networky to actually engage with a fellow human being. But not this girl, she was totally engaged the second I walked in the door.
Delightful Smile. Eye Contact. And, and, and, and...... an accent.......a Polish accent! I will state here and now ,before God and country and all those who dip their toes in my blog that I find Polish, Ukraine, Eastern European women to be the cat's meow. There is something in the lilt of that accent that I adore.
(full disclosure, I also have a soft spot for women with slight speech impediments. I'm sure there is a support group for that. If I ever met a polish girl with a lisp, I would propose on the spot)
She was absolutely charming- isn't that a lost gift, charm? She filled out the registration form all the while telling me about all the amenities the motel provided, including free coffee and tea , and on the weekends-- free donuts! And she was so sincere about the donuts, I immediately agreed out loud how wonderful that was. I could even get a large towel if I wanted to use the pool , that was open from 8 am until 9 am.
She was exacting and precise in every step of the registration process , telling me exactly what she was doing while she did it. No Irony, no snark, just sincere. .
Registration all done, she walked me to my room, opened the door and asked me if it was acceptable. It was. She gave me the key and began to walk to the office.
I had noticed that to use the Wi- Fi service you had to have a code word. I called after her "excuse me, What is the code for the Wi Fi?"
" It's easy to remember" she said " It's No Wacancy"
That's not a typo- It's how she pronounced No Vacancy.
charming.
And No, I never got her name.
I had only the skimpiest of plans, there is a band I am quite enamored of, Sirsy, and I saw that they were playing in Lake George, a destination I am equally enamored of. Together, irresistible.
I arrived in Lake George and looked for a place to stay for the next few nights. I love motels- In particular I love motels where you park right in front of your door. I drove thru the village headed a bit north an there it was - The Blue Moon Motel, neon sign and everything! Be still my beating heart.
I went into the office to check in and for the next five minutes I was totally charmed , nay, I was beguiled. Sitting there at the desk was a dark haired young lady who greeted me with a big smile and a near musical "Hello!"
What a rarity! At times I feel that we live in the Age of the Sullen. Everyone if far too hip or too engaged in something social networky to actually engage with a fellow human being. But not this girl, she was totally engaged the second I walked in the door.
Delightful Smile. Eye Contact. And, and, and, and...... an accent.......a Polish accent! I will state here and now ,before God and country and all those who dip their toes in my blog that I find Polish, Ukraine, Eastern European women to be the cat's meow. There is something in the lilt of that accent that I adore.
(full disclosure, I also have a soft spot for women with slight speech impediments. I'm sure there is a support group for that. If I ever met a polish girl with a lisp, I would propose on the spot)
She was absolutely charming- isn't that a lost gift, charm? She filled out the registration form all the while telling me about all the amenities the motel provided, including free coffee and tea , and on the weekends-- free donuts! And she was so sincere about the donuts, I immediately agreed out loud how wonderful that was. I could even get a large towel if I wanted to use the pool , that was open from 8 am until 9 am.
She was exacting and precise in every step of the registration process , telling me exactly what she was doing while she did it. No Irony, no snark, just sincere. .
Registration all done, she walked me to my room, opened the door and asked me if it was acceptable. It was. She gave me the key and began to walk to the office.
I had noticed that to use the Wi- Fi service you had to have a code word. I called after her "excuse me, What is the code for the Wi Fi?"
" It's easy to remember" she said " It's No Wacancy"
That's not a typo- It's how she pronounced No Vacancy.
charming.
And No, I never got her name.
Monday, August 15, 2011
let's take a walk......
The other night whilst surfing the channels, I came across the show "A walk through Central Park" This was part of a great PBS series that had David Hartman (TV personality) and Barry Lewis ( delightfully nebbishy historian) wandering around New York neighborhood and giving an informal, chatty history . Low tech, no special effects, just great anecdotes and some maps and photographs. This is my idea of an hour well spent with the telly.
As I watched I was reminded of a walk I took in the park a few years back.
It was a perfect spring day, bright sunshine, 60 degrees or so. A Sunday. The spring of 2002. Needless to say the city was still discovering what life in the city was going to be like post 9/11.
The park was filled with people. I had no plans that day,I just went in to wander the park. Grab a bite to eat. I had a pad and pencils- i figured I might do some drawing. (not good, but i enjoy it) I always have a mild hesitation to draw in public, invariably someone will wander by and ask to see what you're drawing. It always happens. To me; my stuff is genius. To the outside public; my stuff is two steps up from stick figures.
The first hour or so the park was quiet, people almost talking in whispers- but as the day went on the park and the people began to "bloom"
And then within 45 minutes I experienced...... (this will sound, sappy)... pure joy.
As I walked each experience built on the one that came before it.
Guys sailing their model boats in the pond.
Up on the hill, a guy staging turtle races, keeping up an enthusiastic patter the whole time.
That eccentric guy ( I forget his name, but there was a documentary about him that won an Oscar a few years back) With a Mohawk and a loin cloth, who plays the violin and performs operas of his own devising.
The group of conga players , who have gathered in the park every Sunday for decades, and play for hours.
A bridal Party taking photos on a big rock- A Latina bride and a Japanese groom and their friends and families, laughing and posing and trying to translate what was being said back and forth which led to more laughing.
and then.........
You know that part of the park where the Roller skaters gather? Well there they were, about 200 of them. Young, old, real old, black, white, brown, some in street clothes, and some in full blown regalia- all skating and dancing and singing to Stevie Wonder's "Do I DO".
The energy was extraordinary - if the whole crowd had levitated six feet off the ground and continued dancing I wouldn't have blinked an eye.
pure joy
Go ahead, play the song.
As I watched I was reminded of a walk I took in the park a few years back.
It was a perfect spring day, bright sunshine, 60 degrees or so. A Sunday. The spring of 2002. Needless to say the city was still discovering what life in the city was going to be like post 9/11.
The park was filled with people. I had no plans that day,I just went in to wander the park. Grab a bite to eat. I had a pad and pencils- i figured I might do some drawing. (not good, but i enjoy it) I always have a mild hesitation to draw in public, invariably someone will wander by and ask to see what you're drawing. It always happens. To me; my stuff is genius. To the outside public; my stuff is two steps up from stick figures.
The first hour or so the park was quiet, people almost talking in whispers- but as the day went on the park and the people began to "bloom"
And then within 45 minutes I experienced...... (this will sound, sappy)... pure joy.
As I walked each experience built on the one that came before it.
Guys sailing their model boats in the pond.
Up on the hill, a guy staging turtle races, keeping up an enthusiastic patter the whole time.
That eccentric guy ( I forget his name, but there was a documentary about him that won an Oscar a few years back) With a Mohawk and a loin cloth, who plays the violin and performs operas of his own devising.
The group of conga players , who have gathered in the park every Sunday for decades, and play for hours.
A bridal Party taking photos on a big rock- A Latina bride and a Japanese groom and their friends and families, laughing and posing and trying to translate what was being said back and forth which led to more laughing.
and then.........
You know that part of the park where the Roller skaters gather? Well there they were, about 200 of them. Young, old, real old, black, white, brown, some in street clothes, and some in full blown regalia- all skating and dancing and singing to Stevie Wonder's "Do I DO".
The energy was extraordinary - if the whole crowd had levitated six feet off the ground and continued dancing I wouldn't have blinked an eye.
pure joy
Go ahead, play the song.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
summer (the second time).......
found it!
That Youtube is a scary place- every memory you have is there. I've been looking for this album for years (had a copy in college) just so I could hear this recording again. I Tunes doesn't have it, but You Tube do!
That Youtube is a scary place- every memory you have is there. I've been looking for this album for years (had a copy in college) just so I could hear this recording again. I Tunes doesn't have it, but You Tube do!
Bobby Goldsboro - Summer The First Time
Such a strange song. I love the rather ominous bass line that starts the song and repeats throughout. And that descending piano line at the very end of the song during the fade out- haunting.
Just as haunting is Bobbys hair. (I kid, I kid)
I had an instrumental cover of this song (by Gene Harris) that created the same emotional mood without the lyric. Hmmmmm I bet that's on the Tube of You , as well.
Just as haunting is Bobbys hair. (I kid, I kid)
I had an instrumental cover of this song (by Gene Harris) that created the same emotional mood without the lyric. Hmmmmm I bet that's on the Tube of You , as well.
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