Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Blue Christmas (Tree)
Speaking of trees, we put up our christmas tree this weekend. It's a deluxe blue artificial number with built-in lights, which we bought online last year after the one with the animated fiber optics broke. We all agree it's the best tree we've ever had. We almost got a purple one, but cooler heads prevailed.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tree Sweater
Our friend and neighbor, Laurie Russell, knitted a sweater for the tree in front of her house, on 16th St.
Other options:
Maple Muffler
Arboreal Cardigan
Sycamore Scarf
Oak Cloak
Shrub Mittens
Pine Pullover
And my un-PC favorite:
Fir Coat
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Dia: Beacon
The New York Times today has an article on the Dia: Beacon, a vast art center in upstate New York.
We have been there twice, with and without the kids, and everyone was really impressed and inspired. The huge industrial spaces alone are worth the trip.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Barack O'lanterns!
This made my day: Yes We Carve
Barack Obama pumpkin carving. They even provide stencils, and, best of all, a page of pun-kins!!
Barack Obama pumpkin carving. They even provide stencils, and, best of all, a page of pun-kins!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Atlantic Antic
We go to the big street fair on Atlantic Avenue every year. This year the offerings were rather tepid, although you could get an Obama burger or shoes on a platter from Christopher at the Marshall's booth.
It seemed pretty crowded though, so the economy hasn't cast that much of a pall...yet.
It seemed pretty crowded though, so the economy hasn't cast that much of a pall...yet.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Sound of a Thousand Husbands
So we had a stoop sale here yesterday and the traffic was minimal to nonexistent.
I can just hear the sound of a thousand husbands across Brooklyn saying "We need to start saving money- stop going to stoop sales."
I can just hear the sound of a thousand husbands across Brooklyn saying "We need to start saving money- stop going to stoop sales."
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Stereolab, Irving Plaza, October 3, 2008
Photo by Sean CurranFor more pictures see Sean's blog. They came out a lot better than the ones I took with my iPhone.
There aren't very many bands that I would put the effort into seeing live these days, but Stereolab was always number one on the list. So we waited through two unenjoyable warmup bands (the 2nd- APC- was just excruciatingly terrible. What were they thinking?). The sound mix was all over the place, but Stereolab did not disappoint. The set was long- around an hour and 45 minutes, and leaned heavily on their older pre-"Dots and Loops" material. Best of all they played a couple of extended raveups and improvisational jams that were the best parts of the show.
They also played 4 or 5 cuts from their new album Chemical Chords. The songs sounded much less poppy and a lot more like their older material as there were additional layers of organ and fewer of the horn and string arrangements that mark their later releases. Always better, IMO, when bands change up their songs for a live show.
All in all a great concert (well, the Stereolab part) - definitely worth the wait.
Update Here is the set list: Percolator | Neon Beanbag | Eye of the Volcano | Mountain | Chemical Chords | Valley Hi! | Ping Pong | Double Rocker | Ecstatic Static | Lo Boob Oscillator | Two Finger Symphony (New Song) | Three Women | French Disko | Cybele's Reverie | John Cage Bubblegum | ENCORE: Silver Sands | The Emergency Kisses | Stomach Worm
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The New Me
I have been meaning to do this self-portrait for quite a while, so I have a picture to use for all my online profiles. Like all great artists (sic) I had a lot of help from my interns, namely Fola Akinola and Richie Blitz.
If you would like a 3D caricature, I am taking orders...
If you would like a 3D caricature, I am taking orders...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bloodthirsty Unicorns, The Silent Barn, 9/24/08
We caught their excellent 3 song set out in Bushwick last night, at a "Battle of the Bands". Full Disclosure: This was Jasper's first live show. The verdict? "It was a lot of fun!"
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Art? Or....
A bunch of these photos were on display at the Kunstmuseum in Zurich. I thought it was the most clever thing in the whole museum- pictures of people clearly not of Swiss origin in Swiss folkloric costumes. It turns out the display was not an installation at all, but an advertisement for a photo studio that takes pictures of tourists in Swiss garb. We would have done it if we had had the time: Photo Studio Titlis
Triangles
Doubtless many of you are familiar with the "triangle of production" whereby the 3 points of the triangle are "good", "fast", and "cheap". The client is told to pick any two.
Now, I think the same thing can apply to food. Specifically I thought of this when I was eating a "Field Roast vegan sausage" the other day. It was really good. And, being vegan, one would assume that it was really healthy. "There must be a catch" I thought. Sure enough, a trip to the bank is required before purchasing these sausages.
So the new triangle would have these three points: "tastes good", "healthy", and "cheap".
Pick any two....
Now, I think the same thing can apply to food. Specifically I thought of this when I was eating a "Field Roast vegan sausage" the other day. It was really good. And, being vegan, one would assume that it was really healthy. "There must be a catch" I thought. Sure enough, a trip to the bank is required before purchasing these sausages.
So the new triangle would have these three points: "tastes good", "healthy", and "cheap".
Pick any two....
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Groovy Retro Electronica
Raymond Scott is the composer behind many recognizable cartoon soundtracks, like "Powerhouse" and "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals"
He was also a pioneer of electronic music, building synthesizers and collaborating with Bob Moog. He recorded a boatload of advertising jingles and space age soundtrack music under the name Manhattan Research, Inc., and they are compiled in this release.
Much of the material is more tuneful and polyrhythmic than one would expect from electronic music in the late '50s and early '60s. Many of the voice overs are also included, and in the hilariously earnest tone of that era we are encouraged to experience the future. The GM "Futurama" theme, Hostess Twinkies (for Spacemen!) and Ford Auto-Lite Sparkplugs are standouts, as are the instrumentals "LightWorks" and "Cindy Electronium".
All in all an exciting find.
He was also a pioneer of electronic music, building synthesizers and collaborating with Bob Moog. He recorded a boatload of advertising jingles and space age soundtrack music under the name Manhattan Research, Inc., and they are compiled in this release.
Much of the material is more tuneful and polyrhythmic than one would expect from electronic music in the late '50s and early '60s. Many of the voice overs are also included, and in the hilariously earnest tone of that era we are encouraged to experience the future. The GM "Futurama" theme, Hostess Twinkies (for Spacemen!) and Ford Auto-Lite Sparkplugs are standouts, as are the instrumentals "LightWorks" and "Cindy Electronium".
All in all an exciting find.
