Harvey's swans

It was another beautiful winter day.  I returned to the creek house as the sun was setting and beers were being cracked.  This evening there were two swans navigating the thin layer of ice now coating Hog Creek.  As we stood and watched the swans try and figure out what to do Nisse got a call from our friend Rossa.  She soon got off the phone and returned to where Tommy, Sebastian, and I were standing by the water's edge.  Harvey Shapiro, the long time boyfriend and companion of Rossa's mom, Galen Williams, was dying and there wasn't anything that could be done about it.  After a long and accomplished life it was his time to go.  We cheers'd and made a toast to the heavens in Harvey's name.  Just then the two swans began to run as fast as they could, their large flat feet clamoring on the alien ice.  With wings flapping they persevered and took flight, and in a beautiful display honked off towards Gardiners Bay.  Nothing else had to be said.

This is the obituary that the New York Times would publish the next day, definitely worth reading:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/08/books/harvey-shapiro-poet-of-new-york-and-beyond-dies-at-88.html?_r=0

RIP Harvey, you will be missed.

 

thankful. (full series)

best lunch spot in the world

I left my morning meeting and seemingly my day was done. I didn't really know what to do with myself so I put the car in drive and drove. As if on auto-pilot I would land down at Indian Wells, our grounding point during all of this home-buying and job-changing madness. It was windy but the surf was nearly flat except for these little peelers that would come in.
I texted my best friend from growing up that we were buying a house down the road from him and that I would be going back to work in Amagansett. His reply was short but all too poignant, "Yea, going back to your roots!" The smile was instantaneous because he was so right. As I took one last salty breath before getting back into the car and racing back to my beloved I concurred silently. Back to the best lunch spot in the world.

I Walk the Line

As always the weekend sleep-in, extra coffee, and iTunes shuffle is treating me well. Below is a clip of Johnny Cash performing "I Walk the Line" on the Tex Ritter show back in the 50's. With him I assume are Marshall Grant on bass and Luther Perkins on guitar, better known as the Tennessee Two, Cash's original band. In a much later concert Johnny Cash would mention how he wanted the rasp of a snare drum but didn't have one so he figured out putting a piece of paper between the strings and fret board of his guitar. I'm not sure if that is a rolled up piece of paper at the top of his fret board, but either way, genius man, killer tune....
Happy Saturday,

Come on Irene

With Irene making her way up the east coast the media once again has the masses freaking out. A category 1 storm we are in for some nasty rain and wind and flooding, no doubt, but enough that people have to wipe out the grocery store of damn near everything and plywood the holy hell out of their homes and businesses? Perhaps a bit of overkill. But just the same better safe than sorry, and I do agree with that. The small containers from out front are lining the stairs up to our apartment. The green Colocasia looks nice in the amber light and the herbs make the front foyer smell fabulous.

The big pots out front are tied and knotted together with heavy duty climbing rope to appease our adorable and nervous little ol' landlady. Doubt I'll be climbing any trees this weekend. The saws are cleaned and staged in the closet in case of emergency. We are keeping the vibe mellow in the face of such hysteria. Cleaning and filling water bottles for the fridge the reggae set is on shuffle and Errol Walker wails through the rain. "If you buy a house he wonders how. If you buy a car he must know why..." This is John Public!


Stay Safe,
xo arborboy

Saturday morning on the turntable

Waking up, realizing I have the next nine days off. Planning adventures to inspire, things to create, and waiting for FedEx to deliver my new 4/3 O'neill wetsuit and booties for spring. All good things to come.

Bright sunny morning, windows open, breeze billows, you don't get much better than this.

"...this ain't no party,
this ain't no disco,
this ain't no fooling around..."


Talking Heads with "Life During Wartime"
off the album Fear of Music
(Eno/Talking Heads, Sire Records, 1979)

video inspiration

I'm not sure where my friend found this video. But knowing my love of surf and surf photography Diane was quick to have me check this out at work a few days back. Since I've found myself revisiting it every day. ...beautiful imagery, fabulous mantra, and all in all a wonderful way to start the day.

I apologize I do not know the film maker for I would like to give him proper kudos, but the credit acknowledges Astray Films. Bravo, Astray Films, bravo!

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Saturday wakeup done right

I don't know what it is about waking up slowly on a Saturday, sipping that extra cup of coffee, and listening to The Specials on the stereo that is so magical, but that's exactly what it is. ...magical. Happy Saturday all! Time for some easy skankin' back to 1979. Cheers,

Song of the Day: "Paper Planes"

This is a genius tune by M.I.A. entitled "Paper Planes". It's been in my head all morning so I figured I might as well pass it on. Hopefully the youtube gods will allow this post to last.


Music video by M.I.A. performing Paper Planes. (C) 2007 XL Recordings Ltd. under exclusive license to Interscope Records

Chesterfield Kings (a step back in time)

Among the collage fodder is this great old ad for Chesterfield King cigarettes, complete with great old surf pics from the 60's. Still unsure what to do with the actual page I figured they were worth a quick scan for this Saturday summer morning. And a little shot of the Ventures to accompany. "Tastes great, smokes mild" ...funny how things have changed.

Gotta Love Queens

I live in a very Greek neighborhood in Queens and the big fat weddings that happen at the local church are a real sight to behold. These families go all out and they never cease to amaze me. I usually mock the strangers that photograph these weekend wow fests but alas, today I became one of them. Today's highlight: the two male trumpeters in full medieval regalia playing a variation of the "Rocky" theme as the groom and his massiv-mo entourage get out of their extended stretch Land Rover limo with gull-wing doors. Honorable mention goes to the second stretch Land Rover limo with the bridal party, and these guys. Gotta love living in New York City.


...and no disrespect but I am so glad my wedding is not going to look like this. Wow.

Saturday News Update

Thanks T. Galbraith for sharing!

Saturday tunes while battling the inboxes

This is Pavement, another favorite band from my musical upbringing. "Major Leagues" is off the album Terror Twilight (Matador, 1999).

Shout outs to Mark Schwartz for first mentioning Pavement during our senior year One Act Plays at the NEO theatre and Bob Pokorney for his musical collection in college and beyond.

morning shuffle

"I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of the tree
But now you're here
Bright in my northern sky."

-Nick Drake, "Northern Sky"

There is an Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) that appeared outside one our back windows this year. This kind of tree was introduced from China in the late 1700's and has now become a very invasive nuisance of a tree in our urban settings. Going to have to do something about this guy, and soon.

In the works here at arborboy: overdue bloom blogs, tree ID, and much more. Stay tuned. Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

waking up, day off, turntable

"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way..."

-Pink Floyd (1973)

waking up, coffee, tunes, crunching numbers

Don't forget about your taxes kids!

On the turntable: The Beatles, Revolver

five new collages

Does she...or doesn't she?
collage on paper
6.5" x 10"
aef09

Getaway
collage on paper
6.5" x 10"
aef09

Cardigan (1470 Coupons)
collage on paper
6.5" x 10"
aef09

Thinking Ahead
collage on paper
6.5" x 10"
aef09

Oil
collage on paper
6.5" x 10"
aef08

Where are they now? (found pic edition)

These were salvaged from a junk shop in Oakland, California, 2004ish.









Don't old photos just make you want to know who these people are and where they might be now? I don't know, they do to me.

Retail Therapy (aka Feb New Playlist)

This morning I decided it was time for what I love to call a little "retail therapy". On the coffee table sit a number of little pads on which I am constantly scribbling down artists and titles, often based on the TV show presently on the tube. There are a lot of lists, numerous genres, everything from early 80's classics to "blazin" hip hop and R&B, and much, much more. Today I figured I work hard enough to enjoy a little visit to the iTunes store. My brother talks about the tactile nature of record buying that is lost in this technologically advanced age of ours, and that is surely a valid blog post of it's own, but for today I will admit the ability to purchase a slew of single songs from the comforts of my own couch is pretty killer. For now it is called the "Feb New Playlist".

Coldplay, Parachutes, released 2000

Obviously following the Grammy's and their latest record (see below) Coldplay has been getting a lot of exposure and I'm down with that. I think they are definitely a talented bunch with a magnificent sound. I began the playlist with a few of the popular tunes from (I'm pretty sure) their first full length album, Parachutes. 'Yellow" was the first choice for me, having been stuck in my head for a while now, but the song "Shiver" and a few others are quickly growing on me.

Coldplay, Viva la Vida, released 2008

I am sure the single off of Coldplay's latest album is getting a ridiculously excessive amount of radio play but luckily I don't listen to the radio so I haven't gotten sick of it. Their performance on the Grammy's had me scribbling down "Viva la Vida" in no time. Excellent tune indeed.

Chris Brown, Forever, released 2008

One show that we are definite fans of every year is America's Best Dance Crew. The moves and choreography the different crews from around the country come up with is rarely shy of mindblowing. Whether a dancer, ex-dancer, or none of the above I think you can totally admire the art and passion these kids embrace. Anyhoo, one of the crews recently danced to Chris Brown's hit "Forever", and damn is it catchy! Like not listening to the radio, I am equally not much of a club goer anymore, but I know I will be psyched when this comes up on shuffle in the future. I don't tolerate any sort of domestic abuse and for that reason perhaps I shouldn't have endorsed this dude, but the tune is jammin'. So dancy!

Chamillionaire, The Sound of Revenge, released 2005

You might not know the name Chamillionaire, hell, I didn't until one of those VH1 countdowns a few weeks/months back, but the song "Ridin" I am sure you would recognize. I always thought the song was called "Ridin Dirty" but apparently I was wrong, but that might remind you more of the song I am talking about. Fast rhyming, clever hook, and definitely one for the hip hop shuffles.

Outkast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, released 2003

While in the genre I had to revisit the classic "Hey ya!" off of Outkast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. I already have "The Way You Move" from Rossa and Lara's wedding CD and every time it comes on the iTunes I wish I had "Hey ya!". Well, no more! This tune totally reminds me of when this album first came out and I would hang out over at Rossa and Lara's place atop 54th and Broadway after work and we danced to this song over and over and over again. I guess it was the summer of 2003 you heard that song at every party and you couldn't help but get up to get down.

Bon Iver, Blood Bank (EP), released 2009

People that know me know my musical taste is all over the place so I went in a completely different direction with Bon Iver. My freshman year in college my roommate was a creative and intricate guy from right there in Colorado. Jake has always introduced me to new music, and some times he is so right on I feel so lucky to have him as an artistic buddy. I guess it was a rainy day out in northern California and he was enjoying Bon Iver's latest EP, Blood Bank. I decided to check it out and was pleasantly surprised by the strummy hummy melodies and guitar tracks. Not to mention a little trippy instrumental action never hurt anyone. Thanks JMar.

Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, released 2008

Bon Iver is actually a gentleman named Justin Vernon. His solo debut was recorded in a cabin deep within the woods of Wisconsin. This album had been on someone's top ten list from 2008 and had made its way to my stack of scrap papers. Again, strummy, hummy, kind of melancholy, but a whole lot of fabulous. Definitely check out "Skinny Love" and "Re:Stacks", my two faves off the album so far.

Squarepusher, Go Plastic, released 2001

I thought I was pretty much done doing damage to my bank account and then Squarepusher came into my head. Again, the extremes of my musical taste might make some scratch their heads. I think I was thinking about China and when I lived there in 1997 and the amazing people I met. One was a guy named Ben from New Jersey who listened to a whole bunch of electronic music I had never heard before. One of his tapes that blew my mind was Squarepusher (aka Tom Jenkinson). I don't often think to check out the drum'n'bass section at the record store but I do love the sound some times. Granted this album in particular came out years after our far east adventures but just the same I think "My Red Hot Car" is a genius track.

Squarepusher, Burningn'n Tree, released 1997

Burningn'n Tree is one of the earliest records from Squarepusher, and on it is a song called "Central Line". Just plain awesome! Makes me wish I could make music like that.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to make some breakfast and listen to this playlist again. Happy Saturday everyone. Consider treating yourself to some new tunes. Your ears will be glad you did.

Mink Lungs - Houston, TX June, 2003

A great clip of a Mink Lungs show from June 28, 2003 at Rudyards in Houston, TX. The Mink Lungs are (from left to right) Jennifer "Miss Frosty" Hoopes, Tom Galbraith, Tim Feleppa, and Gian Carlo Feleppa. Thanks to my brother for finding this and other killer acts from that evening on youtube. If you would like to know more about the Mink Lungs let me know because the bio on wikipedia is totally bullshit. Anyhoo, enjoy the rock, and the weekend!



In other related music news:
Excellent Emergency Party show at Goodbye Blue Monday last night with Killer Whale, Barghest, and others. Emergency Party (Gian Carlo, Miss Frosty, and Noel) is playing at Glasslands Gallery in Williamsburg tonight, filling in for a different band last minute, going on around 11:30 I think. Check it out. Boo!