So, today I was back in the city again for the finishing touches on the bluelines for Little Boy. Minor tweaks really. It was the third time in a week I had been in the city - the most I had been in the city in at least two months.
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the city. I like going in sometimes and bopping around, other times it’s just draining.
The thing I think is really cool though is that I can get to where I’m going only having to walk about two blocks on the street. That doesn’t sound like a lot until you realize I’m going into Grand Central and winding up at 56th and Broadway. On a hot day with lots of tourists or lunch crowds on the street that can be a real godsend. No dodging other pedestrians, cars or bike messengers.
I go out the new north entrance of Grand Central which is in the Bear Sterns building on Madison and 47th (there’s a really beautiful mosaic mural over the escalators of downtown Manhattan that’s worth checking out). I pop out and walk the short block over to fifth and then a block up 5th to 48th and then I’m back inside. Into the bowels of Rockefeller Center and through the maze of corridors that take me over to the Equitable Tower and 52nd between 6th and 7th. Then there’s a series of cut-throughs that you can take all the way up to 57th St. I just turn off on 55th or 56th and walk a short distance over to Broadway. It’s really amazing! God for rainy days, hot days and snowy days.
a thinking how with all the construction they had done along 42nd St it’s really too bad they didn’t do something similar so it would be a nicer walk over to Port Authority. At my last gig where I looked over the last vestiges of Times Square’s seedy past, I was on 8th Avenue and 44th Street. I had a way I could get to the office from Grand Central and come out on the street literally feet from the door to our building. There were some bitterly cold days over the winter when knowing how to do that came in really handy.
Jun 27, 2003
So, I had to rely an event that happened the other day:
Let me preface it by saying I have a propensity for colorful language - which is a nice way of saying I curse a blue streak. Mind you, it’s nothing I’m particularly proud of and I’m aware of it but, I haven’t been able to correct it. Too many years of living in and around New York and putting up with the daily indignities that go along with the frenetic pace of life here. Usually, I would show the discipline necessary to correct such a bad habit but, this is one of those things that hasn’t made it to the top of the list, yet. This of course will probably change when (and if) I ever have children otherwise I will be further embarrassed and my children considered foul-mouthed brats for taking up a parent’s bad habits.
Anyway, people from all over the country come to New York like it’s some big, gleaming beacon of success to live and work here (you know, like that stupid Frank Sinatra song they play after the Yankee games - New York, New York).
So, when does one officially become a New Yorker? What is the moment when a person casts off the shackles of their upbringing and embraces the true New York attitude?
Being a native, I would never know the answer were it not for the woman whom I’ve shared my life with over the past six plus years.
Living with someone, means after a time you take on something of the other person’s habits, it’s just a consequence of being together. So, the glorious creature who has deemed me worthy of her company hails from the Midwest. I’ve been back to the mother ship a few times and the sensibilities are striking. Get off the east coast and people just aren’t as ready to elbow you out of the way (maybe they aren’t in as much of a rush).
Well, the other day we were in the car driving somewhere. Another driver (either behind me or on the other side of the road) honked his horn for no apparent reason or for some imagined slight (maybe I wasn’t driving to suit his tastes).
“Aw, F**k you.”
It wasn’t me who uttered it. In that moment, I knew that my companion really was a New Yorker, there’s no question in my mind. It didn’t shock me or anything of the sort (although I have admonished her for picking up a bad habit of mine - in stark contrast to her projected demeanor) but, there was no question that before we were together those long 6 years ago - it wouldn’t have been the automatic response to a slight it has become.
And of course, you didn’t hear from me (so, don’t mention it for your own sake) as I’m sure she wouldn’t be pleased me talking out of class but, it was a funny moment.
It reminded me of Robin William’s first comedy album where at one point he did the following:
“New York Echo:”
“Heeellllllooooooooo!”
“SHUT THE F**K UP!
Let me preface it by saying I have a propensity for colorful language - which is a nice way of saying I curse a blue streak. Mind you, it’s nothing I’m particularly proud of and I’m aware of it but, I haven’t been able to correct it. Too many years of living in and around New York and putting up with the daily indignities that go along with the frenetic pace of life here. Usually, I would show the discipline necessary to correct such a bad habit but, this is one of those things that hasn’t made it to the top of the list, yet. This of course will probably change when (and if) I ever have children otherwise I will be further embarrassed and my children considered foul-mouthed brats for taking up a parent’s bad habits.
Anyway, people from all over the country come to New York like it’s some big, gleaming beacon of success to live and work here (you know, like that stupid Frank Sinatra song they play after the Yankee games - New York, New York).
So, when does one officially become a New Yorker? What is the moment when a person casts off the shackles of their upbringing and embraces the true New York attitude?
Being a native, I would never know the answer were it not for the woman whom I’ve shared my life with over the past six plus years.
Living with someone, means after a time you take on something of the other person’s habits, it’s just a consequence of being together. So, the glorious creature who has deemed me worthy of her company hails from the Midwest. I’ve been back to the mother ship a few times and the sensibilities are striking. Get off the east coast and people just aren’t as ready to elbow you out of the way (maybe they aren’t in as much of a rush).
Well, the other day we were in the car driving somewhere. Another driver (either behind me or on the other side of the road) honked his horn for no apparent reason or for some imagined slight (maybe I wasn’t driving to suit his tastes).
“Aw, F**k you.”
It wasn’t me who uttered it. In that moment, I knew that my companion really was a New Yorker, there’s no question in my mind. It didn’t shock me or anything of the sort (although I have admonished her for picking up a bad habit of mine - in stark contrast to her projected demeanor) but, there was no question that before we were together those long 6 years ago - it wouldn’t have been the automatic response to a slight it has become.
And of course, you didn’t hear from me (so, don’t mention it for your own sake) as I’m sure she wouldn’t be pleased me talking out of class but, it was a funny moment.
It reminded me of Robin William’s first comedy album where at one point he did the following:
“New York Echo:”
“Heeellllllooooooooo!”
“SHUT THE F**K UP!
This was a big week for news. I have the TV on and they just ran a teaser on the death of Strom Thurmond. Just a quick roundup:
This could be you during your next trip at the airport!
Dumbass speak with forked tongue.
Big conversation topic at job interviews. This will look really cool when he’s 80. I see a trailer in this boy’s future or a potential guest appearance on a future episode of COPs.
Guess that ruins any re-election bid.
Makes you wonder if Congress shouldn’t have a mandatory retirement age. I’m thinking about approaching later life but, there’s obviously a time when one should retire - before senility.
Why are these people smiling?
Is it a coincidence that this happened the same day Strom passed - guess he was serious about the phrase, “over my dead body.” This reminds me of something Lorenz said to me about Republicans (again, which I happen to be one of). Lorenz observed that although Republicans purport to want less government, they are always quick to legislate their ways into people’s personal lives (which was something I had to agree with). Our government should go about changing the world - the one outside of people’s bedrooms - besides, I really don’t need the government looking over my shoulder when I take care of business.
A photo-less story, how the 40-hour work week is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
Any gains the American Labor Movement may have made in the first half of the last century are rapidly being overcome in the days of a “Global Economy.”
America, start f**kin!
So, have we become a country that just keeps it in their pants? Think this has something to do with how expensive it is just to get by these days?
The first amendment protects us all (and it’s a good thing), unfortunately, it doesn’t protect us from our own stupidity.
Soon to be a plaintiff in a suit against Chevrolet
We live in a society where whatever happens, it’s someone else’s fault.
and thankfully...
Nine Little Indians?
More good news/bad news from the Men (and women) in Black.
On the good side...
or as Justice O’Conner wrote: Effective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the civil life of our nation is essential if the dream of one nation, indivisible, is to be realized. The law school has determined, based on its experience and expertise, that a critical mass of underrepresented minorities is necessary to further its compelling interest in securing the educational benefits of a diverse student body."
...and on the bad side
as Justice O’Connor also wrote, "as properly interpreted, (the Court) should encourage the transition to a society where race no longer matters: a society where integration and color-blindness are not just qualities to be proud of, but are simple facts of life."
States and local governments must redraw district boundaries every 10 years to reflect population changes. Many of Georgia's black leaders supported the state's redistricting plan.
The Bush administration had challenged Georgia's three districts in court, arguing they amounted to the unconstitutional "retrogression" of black voters. Justice Department spokesman Jorge Martinez said the department was reviewing the ruling to determine how it affects department procedures.
Laughlin McDonald, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union who submitted a brief siding with the department, said O'Connor's vision of a "colorblind" society stemming from the ruling is unrealistic.
"All that's marvelous and wonderful, but believe me that is not the reality," McDonald said. "It allows whoever is in the majority to eliminate the black vote."
In a dissent, Justice David H. Souter and the other more liberal members of the court said that the court's new standard would put more politics into redistricting, and "there will simply be greater opportunity to reduce minority voting strength in the guise of obtaining party advantage."
So for every positive, there’s a negative — I guess taking the good with the bad is a consequence of a free society?
This could be you during your next trip at the airport!
Dumbass speak with forked tongue.
Big conversation topic at job interviews. This will look really cool when he’s 80. I see a trailer in this boy’s future or a potential guest appearance on a future episode of COPs.
Guess that ruins any re-election bid.
Makes you wonder if Congress shouldn’t have a mandatory retirement age. I’m thinking about approaching later life but, there’s obviously a time when one should retire - before senility.
Why are these people smiling?
Is it a coincidence that this happened the same day Strom passed - guess he was serious about the phrase, “over my dead body.” This reminds me of something Lorenz said to me about Republicans (again, which I happen to be one of). Lorenz observed that although Republicans purport to want less government, they are always quick to legislate their ways into people’s personal lives (which was something I had to agree with). Our government should go about changing the world - the one outside of people’s bedrooms - besides, I really don’t need the government looking over my shoulder when I take care of business.
A photo-less story, how the 40-hour work week is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
Any gains the American Labor Movement may have made in the first half of the last century are rapidly being overcome in the days of a “Global Economy.”
America, start f**kin!
So, have we become a country that just keeps it in their pants? Think this has something to do with how expensive it is just to get by these days?
Soon to be a plaintiff in a suit against Chevrolet
We live in a society where whatever happens, it’s someone else’s fault.
Nine Little Indians?
More good news/bad news from the Men (and women) in Black.
On the good side...
or as Justice O’Conner wrote: Effective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the civil life of our nation is essential if the dream of one nation, indivisible, is to be realized. The law school has determined, based on its experience and expertise, that a critical mass of underrepresented minorities is necessary to further its compelling interest in securing the educational benefits of a diverse student body."
...and on the bad side
as Justice O’Connor also wrote, "as properly interpreted, (the Court) should encourage the transition to a society where race no longer matters: a society where integration and color-blindness are not just qualities to be proud of, but are simple facts of life."
States and local governments must redraw district boundaries every 10 years to reflect population changes. Many of Georgia's black leaders supported the state's redistricting plan.
The Bush administration had challenged Georgia's three districts in court, arguing they amounted to the unconstitutional "retrogression" of black voters. Justice Department spokesman Jorge Martinez said the department was reviewing the ruling to determine how it affects department procedures.
Laughlin McDonald, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union who submitted a brief siding with the department, said O'Connor's vision of a "colorblind" society stemming from the ruling is unrealistic.
"All that's marvelous and wonderful, but believe me that is not the reality," McDonald said. "It allows whoever is in the majority to eliminate the black vote."
In a dissent, Justice David H. Souter and the other more liberal members of the court said that the court's new standard would put more politics into redistricting, and "there will simply be greater opportunity to reduce minority voting strength in the guise of obtaining party advantage."
So for every positive, there’s a negative — I guess taking the good with the bad is a consequence of a free society?
Jun 26, 2003
I had picked up comics late Wednesday and wanted to do a quick roundup before attacking this week’s pile (two weeks worth) which was rich with good stuff!
Anyway, from last weeks’ pile (or two weeks ago rather):
Gotham Central #8 Again, one of the best books currently out there, a combination of Hill Street Blues or Third Watch and the Batman movies - no long underwear as much as some solid writing and art.
Dial H for Hero #5 The much ballyhooed book that is soon to be dropped from my buy list - just not making the grade, makes me wish DC had given Suicide Squad more of a chance.
Nightwing #82 Month in and month out a solidly entertaining and fun read. What amazes me is how DC has managed to round out the Dick Grayson character
The Filth #11 Grant Morrison’s 13 issue series winds down, more weirdness featuring Stalinist talking chimpanzees, fetishism and more. Hard to understand in serialized form as is most of Morrison’s work but, worth picking up.
JSA #49 God! I love this book. Back in the 80’s a friend of a friend worked as a penciler on a related title and it just never had the buzz that it has now. I never would have thought a writer could come along and make these characters interesting and fun to read but, then again Johns is responsible for the great Flash run.
Adventures of Superman A title that’s so uneven. A lot of ink is spent on boards throwing stones at Eddie Bargenza the current editor of the group and this book has me thinking some of it may be warranted.
Marvel The End #5 and #6 Jim Starlin tells the final Thanos story (I hope) but it was okay - maybe a 6 out of 10.
Green Arrow #26 Slipping greatly. Almost dropped, any life that was breathed into the character by Kevin Smith (who though I think is overrated, still did a great job with this book) is rapidly dissipating. One or tow more issues and that will probably be it for me. I have to check IVC 2’s website to see what the circulation on it is and if it’s been going down (as clear an indication I am not alone in my dissatisfaction).
Hunter Age of Magic #26 Soon to be canceled and probably with good reason even though this is the original Harry Potter
Kingpin #1 A simply great book. I really love Klaus Janson’s work and it’s great to see him inking again. Bruce Jones brings some of his Hulk magic with Sean Phillips pencils which are always a fave.
StormWatch #11 and #12 Just one of those titles I was thumbing through and decided to pick up. 12 was great, 11 not so much. I’ll keep an eye peeled for 13 and see which way it goes.
Batgirl Year One #7 One of the year’s best books. Beautifully drawn with a wonderful story to match. This will probably make it as a trade and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in hardcover. Worth taking up residence on your shelf.
New X-Men #142 Cyclops and Wolverine try to outdrink one and other. Morrison’s step into the Marvel universe is a resounding success and his take on this title is refreshingly entertaining. Chris Bachelo proves he can still draw a mainstream comic although he still hasn’t matched the work he did on Shade. Time to step back and stop overworking those panels, buddy.
Batman, Legends of the Dark Knight #168 Predictable, hackneyed, not very good.
Incredible Hulk #55 A cover price of only 25¢, worth going out and buying a bunch of copies to distribute to friends (if you can still find any copies). Solid book with the jump off on a new story arc. Looks very intriguing, picking up on some plot threads from Kreuger’s Marvels.
This week, WildCats, Flash and the Planetary one shot came out so, it’s a pretty good week. WildCats is one of those books I could see turning up as a series somewhere on TV and doing well. I haven’t checked lately to see what the buzz is on the Planetary TV show (it really would make a great movie with the right casting - Dennis Hopper, Selma Hayek and Ewan McGregor maybe - all people I’ve mentioned before although now that I think of it Brad Pitt would be a great “Drummer”).
Also, I keep tryng to find someplace where I can at least link to cover art for this but, as of yet I haven’t had any luck.
Anyway, from last weeks’ pile (or two weeks ago rather):
Gotham Central #8 Again, one of the best books currently out there, a combination of Hill Street Blues or Third Watch and the Batman movies - no long underwear as much as some solid writing and art.
Dial H for Hero #5 The much ballyhooed book that is soon to be dropped from my buy list - just not making the grade, makes me wish DC had given Suicide Squad more of a chance.
Nightwing #82 Month in and month out a solidly entertaining and fun read. What amazes me is how DC has managed to round out the Dick Grayson character
The Filth #11 Grant Morrison’s 13 issue series winds down, more weirdness featuring Stalinist talking chimpanzees, fetishism and more. Hard to understand in serialized form as is most of Morrison’s work but, worth picking up.
JSA #49 God! I love this book. Back in the 80’s a friend of a friend worked as a penciler on a related title and it just never had the buzz that it has now. I never would have thought a writer could come along and make these characters interesting and fun to read but, then again Johns is responsible for the great Flash run.
Adventures of Superman A title that’s so uneven. A lot of ink is spent on boards throwing stones at Eddie Bargenza the current editor of the group and this book has me thinking some of it may be warranted.
Marvel The End #5 and #6 Jim Starlin tells the final Thanos story (I hope) but it was okay - maybe a 6 out of 10.
Green Arrow #26 Slipping greatly. Almost dropped, any life that was breathed into the character by Kevin Smith (who though I think is overrated, still did a great job with this book) is rapidly dissipating. One or tow more issues and that will probably be it for me. I have to check IVC 2’s website to see what the circulation on it is and if it’s been going down (as clear an indication I am not alone in my dissatisfaction).
Hunter Age of Magic #26 Soon to be canceled and probably with good reason even though this is the original Harry Potter
Kingpin #1 A simply great book. I really love Klaus Janson’s work and it’s great to see him inking again. Bruce Jones brings some of his Hulk magic with Sean Phillips pencils which are always a fave.
StormWatch #11 and #12 Just one of those titles I was thumbing through and decided to pick up. 12 was great, 11 not so much. I’ll keep an eye peeled for 13 and see which way it goes.
Batgirl Year One #7 One of the year’s best books. Beautifully drawn with a wonderful story to match. This will probably make it as a trade and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in hardcover. Worth taking up residence on your shelf.
New X-Men #142 Cyclops and Wolverine try to outdrink one and other. Morrison’s step into the Marvel universe is a resounding success and his take on this title is refreshingly entertaining. Chris Bachelo proves he can still draw a mainstream comic although he still hasn’t matched the work he did on Shade. Time to step back and stop overworking those panels, buddy.
Batman, Legends of the Dark Knight #168 Predictable, hackneyed, not very good.
Incredible Hulk #55 A cover price of only 25¢, worth going out and buying a bunch of copies to distribute to friends (if you can still find any copies). Solid book with the jump off on a new story arc. Looks very intriguing, picking up on some plot threads from Kreuger’s Marvels.
This week, WildCats, Flash and the Planetary one shot came out so, it’s a pretty good week. WildCats is one of those books I could see turning up as a series somewhere on TV and doing well. I haven’t checked lately to see what the buzz is on the Planetary TV show (it really would make a great movie with the right casting - Dennis Hopper, Selma Hayek and Ewan McGregor maybe - all people I’ve mentioned before although now that I think of it Brad Pitt would be a great “Drummer”).
Also, I keep tryng to find someplace where I can at least link to cover art for this but, as of yet I haven’t had any luck.
I hadn’t posted for a few days. Little Boy has left the building, I repeat, Little Boy has left the building. While we thought he would be departing Monday, we fit in the hurried last round which included dropping in all the last minute art that was missing (including yours truly mocking up faux covers for four titles), doing one completely new title and a host of little touches.
What that translated to was I had about 9 hours of sleep total between Sunday morning and Wednesday night. None of these things gets done as quickly as people would believe. The faux covers came out pretty well when you consider they were designed and completed in around 5 hours. The client actually thought I had gotten the real artwork (which means I must have been on the money with them). I was going to go the down and dirty route and then realized it would wind up making a statement about me that I probably didn’t want to make so I put in the extra effort.
Went into the office again on Wednesday. Brushed up against one moron proving the axiom I have about office life (ah well). Fortunately, it was no one I was directly involved with, just someone having a bad day and feeling the need to act out on the people around them (Fuuuuuunnnnn… not).
I got an email from Sara Litt in response to my email to her. She was expecting when I last saw her and I was curious to know if she had delivered yet (she hadn’t) but, she was bemonaning the heat and it occured to me it probably sucks to be hot and pregnant as opposed to just plain hot. Hope to see her soon.
Today, I actually slept! I woke up in the late morning had some breakfast and realized going back to sleep might not be such a bad thing. The only thing holding me back was all the things I wanted to get done today, having not been able to do them while getting Little Boy out. Also, I have Fat Man to turn around too and he wasn’t getting any smaller. Nose to the grindstone and all that.
Saw Mikey B too when I was in the city! Yo, yo, yo Mikey B! It’s always great to see Mike. The only odd thing about seeing him is talking about his daughter (a college junior) and his son (a high school sophmore) and trying very hard to forget the fact they were small children when we first met. It’s hard to imagine they’re both young adults (or on the cusp in Jason’s case) - we’re really not that old, are we?!? It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed for us as friends but, there you go, boom, it’s fifteen years and I wonder where some of that time went.
Last night I got the frantic, “Help, my computer doesn’t work!” phonecall from Brian. I had thrown together some code for a webpage for him a short time ago - nothing terrific - just something really basic, slapped together (I am saying this in case my blog sensei reads this as I know she is a coding goddess - speaking of which I have to get the link from her to the site she put together with Hans which I am sure looks great). Anyway, the filename he uploaded somehow was corrupted (I think he downloaded it first) and I haven’t been able to get by and help him change the name. But, at least he has a page which is more than I can say for myself.
What that translated to was I had about 9 hours of sleep total between Sunday morning and Wednesday night. None of these things gets done as quickly as people would believe. The faux covers came out pretty well when you consider they were designed and completed in around 5 hours. The client actually thought I had gotten the real artwork (which means I must have been on the money with them). I was going to go the down and dirty route and then realized it would wind up making a statement about me that I probably didn’t want to make so I put in the extra effort.
Went into the office again on Wednesday. Brushed up against one moron proving the axiom I have about office life (ah well). Fortunately, it was no one I was directly involved with, just someone having a bad day and feeling the need to act out on the people around them (Fuuuuuunnnnn… not).
I got an email from Sara Litt in response to my email to her. She was expecting when I last saw her and I was curious to know if she had delivered yet (she hadn’t) but, she was bemonaning the heat and it occured to me it probably sucks to be hot and pregnant as opposed to just plain hot. Hope to see her soon.
Today, I actually slept! I woke up in the late morning had some breakfast and realized going back to sleep might not be such a bad thing. The only thing holding me back was all the things I wanted to get done today, having not been able to do them while getting Little Boy out. Also, I have Fat Man to turn around too and he wasn’t getting any smaller. Nose to the grindstone and all that.
Saw Mikey B too when I was in the city! Yo, yo, yo Mikey B! It’s always great to see Mike. The only odd thing about seeing him is talking about his daughter (a college junior) and his son (a high school sophmore) and trying very hard to forget the fact they were small children when we first met. It’s hard to imagine they’re both young adults (or on the cusp in Jason’s case) - we’re really not that old, are we?!? It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed for us as friends but, there you go, boom, it’s fifteen years and I wonder where some of that time went.
Last night I got the frantic, “Help, my computer doesn’t work!” phonecall from Brian. I had thrown together some code for a webpage for him a short time ago - nothing terrific - just something really basic, slapped together (I am saying this in case my blog sensei reads this as I know she is a coding goddess - speaking of which I have to get the link from her to the site she put together with Hans which I am sure looks great). Anyway, the filename he uploaded somehow was corrupted (I think he downloaded it first) and I haven’t been able to get by and help him change the name. But, at least he has a page which is more than I can say for myself.
I never really got into the whole MP3 thing although plenty of the people I worked with did. I just read this the other day - it struck me as trying to put the genie back in the bottle. Plus, it made me think how Apple’s strategy is a lot more realistic and could become quite the success.
Jun 23, 2003
I haven’t been ranting about the Mets lately. Since Steve-O was fired, I find the target of much of my ranting is now gone and I eagerly await the new regime and the changes they will institute.
Also, I have to say I am much more likely to go to the ballpark and watch the team as it is presently than I was before - there’s just something appealing about watching players who’ve come up from the minor leagues and are eager to play than there is in watching a bunch of malcontent veterans.
I keep hearing on talk radio about potential trades the Mets could make. One I heard was Armando Benitez for Jeff Weaver. This is a trade only a Yankee fan could make. Jeff Weaver who still has several years to go on a contract that’s overpaying him versus Benitez who still is a capable if inconsistent closer in his walk year - way to bog yourself down with bad contracts - no thank you.
I’m watching and liking Jay Seo (my new hero), Jose Reyes, Ty Wigginton, Jason Phillips (who for some reason reminds me of one of my favorite, most missed Mets John Olerud) and Vance Wilson. Joe McEwing (Super Joe), Timo Perez, Shinjo and Floyd are also fun to watch. It’s also a shame I heard today Jeromy Burnitz is determined to go the free agent route.
So back on March 27th I wrote this and almost three months later, it’s interesting to look at the predictions:
10 reasons why the Mets will suck this year:
1. Tom Glavine is not the pitcher he used to be. At 38, the Mets didn’t sign a pitcher for the head of their rotation as much as an aging superstar on his way down the slippery slope to retirement, instead of an anchor they got an albatross to hang around their neck for the next four years.
Well, while Glavine isn’t the pitcher he was in his heyday with the Braves, he is certainly a capable #2 or #3 starter (which is really all you should expect from a 38 year old control pitcher. I do like his work ethic and professionalism. He shows a great deal of good baseball knowledge (at the plate as well as on the mound). So, here I would say I was wrong as Glavine can’t be blamed for the Metsies woes.
2. Steve Phillips will still manage to make a couple of bad trades before the season is out.
They fired him before he had the chance, this is called addition by subtraction (too bad that George wised up and gave a contract extension to Gene Michael).
3. Al Leiter and Pedro Astacio are both a year older.
No question about that, right on the money. Astacio is gone for the season (and probably as a Met) and Leiter is looking like he should be traded while you can still get something of value.
4. Roberto Alomar is a lungee away from being villified in New York. As the year progresses and Alomar’s average remains mired in the mid 200s Mets fans will be the ones doing the spitting.
Another direct hit. Alomar hasn’t generated much interest from other teams as trade bait and of course, why should he? It’s been openly acknowledged he’s unhappy and could even have been stricken with the infamous Ricky Henderson malady by “jaking it.”
5. Edgardo Alfonzo is a Giant
A miss. Fonzie is in the midst of his worst season ever. Still if I were GM for a day, I’d be looking to send Roberto Alomar out to the Giants for Fonzie and try to get Brian Sabean to pay part of the big contract the Giants signed him to for the next four years. It gives the Giants a chance to get out from under the contract and I think Fonzie really misses the Big Apple (when have you ever heard of a baseball player taking out taxi ads thanking the city after he’s left?). Plus I think Fonzie is a good clubhouse guy and I can’t think of anyone who would be better paired as a teacher to Jose Reyes.
6. Bobby Valentine wasn’t the problem after all
Score direct hit, give credit to Bobby though, if ever a man had a chance to gloat it would be Bobby V but, he‘s kept his mouth shut. Also, listening to the ESPN broadcast it would seem there are a bunch of Mets that still seek out Bobby for advice - I think that speaks volumes about him as a manager. Nevermind he’s been mentioned as a possible successor to Joe Torre - what do you say about that Yankee fans?
7. Art Howe will be Jeff Torborg 2 (remember when Jeff Torborg showed up to manage the Mets he had come off successful seasons in Chicago). Laid back never plays well in New York.
Another direct hit, no matter how many times I hear Art Howe on the radio, I still have yet to walk away thinking the man is intelligent. He sounds like a nice guy but, I am mystified by some of his decisions.
8. Benitez still means choke in Spanish
Anyone see last night’s game? Just watching Armando on the mound with that stupid look on his face as he walks in a run - OUCH!
9. As good as a guy as Jeromy Burnitz is, some guys just never play well in New York. Burnitz is a small market guy and would be better off being traded closer to home - San Diego.
Wrong, wrong, wrong - Burnitz is having a terrific year and if he keeps going like this he will dispel any notion he can’t play in a large market.
10. Without Ricky Henderson to coach him, Roger Cedeno sill never be a tremendous basestealer.
I like Roger, I really do and it’s painful to watch him be booed so mercilessly at Shea. He’s started hitting a bit better but still finds himself overmatched in the outfield. This one is turning out to be dead on even though I’d rather I was wrong.
10 reasons why the Mets will make the playoffs:
1. Cliff Floyd will provide the long ball threat to complement Piazza that the top of the order that’s been missing.
Dead on - Well, Mikey is out for the moment but, there’s nothing bad to say about Cliff Floyd. He’s been the long ball threat the Mets needed and his outfield defense is superb.
2. Tom Glavine is the real deal and will give the Mets the one/two punch they’ve been missing since Mike Hampton left Al Leiter to sign with Colorado.
Mixed - If you take Leiter’s name out of the equation and substitute Seo you’re on to something.
3. Steve Trachsel will show why the Mets were smart to resign him.
Bingo! - Trachsel is coming on again. This is a guy who was supposed to be a number four starter, if he truly was their number four starter, there would be nothing to complain about.
4. Wigginton is going to prove he’s a major leaguer.
Dead on - Gotta love TY! Could inherit Todd Pratt’s nickname of TANK!
5. One word: Shinjo, Shinjo, Shinjo.
Mixed - Great in the field but, where’s the bat! Could be lots better at the plate.
6. David Cone - 15 game winner?!?!
Wrong - The comeback that wasn’t.
7. The equation: Slim Fast + Mo Vaughn = 50+ homers.
Wrong - Mo‘s gone and to tell the truth, hopefully for good. Ever since Mo went down the team has been playing better - file under malcontented veteran.
8. Bell, Hernandez, Clark and McEwing mean there’s a really deep bench.
Mixed - Haven’t seen much from Hernandez and Bell due to injuries but, Clark has provided clutch power and McEwing has spelled good defense at second, short, third and in the outfield with those little surprising power displays - love Super Joe!
9. Would you tell Don Baylor no if he gets on you to hustle?
I don’t know still, would you?
10. Jose Reyes will live up to the hype.
Dead on - This kind is great to watch, doesn’t even make me miss ReyRey in the field and the smile on his face is an improvement over ReyRey’s sullen demeanor.
So, plan on saying goodbye to:
Al Leiter, Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz, David Weathers, Graeme Lloyd and Armando Benitez.
Also, I have to say I am much more likely to go to the ballpark and watch the team as it is presently than I was before - there’s just something appealing about watching players who’ve come up from the minor leagues and are eager to play than there is in watching a bunch of malcontent veterans.
I keep hearing on talk radio about potential trades the Mets could make. One I heard was Armando Benitez for Jeff Weaver. This is a trade only a Yankee fan could make. Jeff Weaver who still has several years to go on a contract that’s overpaying him versus Benitez who still is a capable if inconsistent closer in his walk year - way to bog yourself down with bad contracts - no thank you.
I’m watching and liking Jay Seo (my new hero), Jose Reyes, Ty Wigginton, Jason Phillips (who for some reason reminds me of one of my favorite, most missed Mets John Olerud) and Vance Wilson. Joe McEwing (Super Joe), Timo Perez, Shinjo and Floyd are also fun to watch. It’s also a shame I heard today Jeromy Burnitz is determined to go the free agent route.
So back on March 27th I wrote this and almost three months later, it’s interesting to look at the predictions:
10 reasons why the Mets will suck this year:
1. Tom Glavine is not the pitcher he used to be. At 38, the Mets didn’t sign a pitcher for the head of their rotation as much as an aging superstar on his way down the slippery slope to retirement, instead of an anchor they got an albatross to hang around their neck for the next four years.
Well, while Glavine isn’t the pitcher he was in his heyday with the Braves, he is certainly a capable #2 or #3 starter (which is really all you should expect from a 38 year old control pitcher. I do like his work ethic and professionalism. He shows a great deal of good baseball knowledge (at the plate as well as on the mound). So, here I would say I was wrong as Glavine can’t be blamed for the Metsies woes.
2. Steve Phillips will still manage to make a couple of bad trades before the season is out.
They fired him before he had the chance, this is called addition by subtraction (too bad that George wised up and gave a contract extension to Gene Michael).
3. Al Leiter and Pedro Astacio are both a year older.
No question about that, right on the money. Astacio is gone for the season (and probably as a Met) and Leiter is looking like he should be traded while you can still get something of value.
4. Roberto Alomar is a lungee away from being villified in New York. As the year progresses and Alomar’s average remains mired in the mid 200s Mets fans will be the ones doing the spitting.
Another direct hit. Alomar hasn’t generated much interest from other teams as trade bait and of course, why should he? It’s been openly acknowledged he’s unhappy and could even have been stricken with the infamous Ricky Henderson malady by “jaking it.”
5. Edgardo Alfonzo is a Giant
A miss. Fonzie is in the midst of his worst season ever. Still if I were GM for a day, I’d be looking to send Roberto Alomar out to the Giants for Fonzie and try to get Brian Sabean to pay part of the big contract the Giants signed him to for the next four years. It gives the Giants a chance to get out from under the contract and I think Fonzie really misses the Big Apple (when have you ever heard of a baseball player taking out taxi ads thanking the city after he’s left?). Plus I think Fonzie is a good clubhouse guy and I can’t think of anyone who would be better paired as a teacher to Jose Reyes.
6. Bobby Valentine wasn’t the problem after all
Score direct hit, give credit to Bobby though, if ever a man had a chance to gloat it would be Bobby V but, he‘s kept his mouth shut. Also, listening to the ESPN broadcast it would seem there are a bunch of Mets that still seek out Bobby for advice - I think that speaks volumes about him as a manager. Nevermind he’s been mentioned as a possible successor to Joe Torre - what do you say about that Yankee fans?
7. Art Howe will be Jeff Torborg 2 (remember when Jeff Torborg showed up to manage the Mets he had come off successful seasons in Chicago). Laid back never plays well in New York.
Another direct hit, no matter how many times I hear Art Howe on the radio, I still have yet to walk away thinking the man is intelligent. He sounds like a nice guy but, I am mystified by some of his decisions.
8. Benitez still means choke in Spanish
Anyone see last night’s game? Just watching Armando on the mound with that stupid look on his face as he walks in a run - OUCH!
9. As good as a guy as Jeromy Burnitz is, some guys just never play well in New York. Burnitz is a small market guy and would be better off being traded closer to home - San Diego.
Wrong, wrong, wrong - Burnitz is having a terrific year and if he keeps going like this he will dispel any notion he can’t play in a large market.
10. Without Ricky Henderson to coach him, Roger Cedeno sill never be a tremendous basestealer.
I like Roger, I really do and it’s painful to watch him be booed so mercilessly at Shea. He’s started hitting a bit better but still finds himself overmatched in the outfield. This one is turning out to be dead on even though I’d rather I was wrong.
10 reasons why the Mets will make the playoffs:
1. Cliff Floyd will provide the long ball threat to complement Piazza that the top of the order that’s been missing.
Dead on - Well, Mikey is out for the moment but, there’s nothing bad to say about Cliff Floyd. He’s been the long ball threat the Mets needed and his outfield defense is superb.
2. Tom Glavine is the real deal and will give the Mets the one/two punch they’ve been missing since Mike Hampton left Al Leiter to sign with Colorado.
Mixed - If you take Leiter’s name out of the equation and substitute Seo you’re on to something.
3. Steve Trachsel will show why the Mets were smart to resign him.
Bingo! - Trachsel is coming on again. This is a guy who was supposed to be a number four starter, if he truly was their number four starter, there would be nothing to complain about.
4. Wigginton is going to prove he’s a major leaguer.
Dead on - Gotta love TY! Could inherit Todd Pratt’s nickname of TANK!
5. One word: Shinjo, Shinjo, Shinjo.
Mixed - Great in the field but, where’s the bat! Could be lots better at the plate.
6. David Cone - 15 game winner?!?!
Wrong - The comeback that wasn’t.
7. The equation: Slim Fast + Mo Vaughn = 50+ homers.
Wrong - Mo‘s gone and to tell the truth, hopefully for good. Ever since Mo went down the team has been playing better - file under malcontented veteran.
8. Bell, Hernandez, Clark and McEwing mean there’s a really deep bench.
Mixed - Haven’t seen much from Hernandez and Bell due to injuries but, Clark has provided clutch power and McEwing has spelled good defense at second, short, third and in the outfield with those little surprising power displays - love Super Joe!
9. Would you tell Don Baylor no if he gets on you to hustle?
I don’t know still, would you?
10. Jose Reyes will live up to the hype.
Dead on - This kind is great to watch, doesn’t even make me miss ReyRey in the field and the smile on his face is an improvement over ReyRey’s sullen demeanor.
So, plan on saying goodbye to:
Al Leiter, Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz, David Weathers, Graeme Lloyd and Armando Benitez.
Monday, monday. The beginning of another week.
Today, I played office worker once again. As these things go it was a fairly easy day. Just put in the prerequisite face time at the client applying the finishing touches on Little Boy. Little Boy will officially be a thing of the past as of tomorrow for which I am thankful but, the Fat Man is still lumbering around demanding attention.
So, I drove in early this afternoon, another beautiful day for a drive. Coming down the West Side Highway you could just catch the saltiness in the breeze coming off of New York Bay, it made me think about going out to the beach this year although I am the epitome of white, having taken on a luminous pallor from being indoors so long and so much.
Anyway, I was blessed and found a parking space rapidly (under five minutes for which I will sacrifice a Matchbox car to the parking gods) and made my way down to the office via the subway. How tough it was to go in and be ensconced in my own office (not) whiling away the hours.
So, what it bought to mind was this long-time client I had awhile back. The people in charge paid a lot of lip service to the whole touchy-feely aspect of the work environment. To that end, they bought into creating a workspace where there were no walls and everyone worked in a large open area with absolutely no privacy whatsoever. The irony of course was these selfsame people implementing this policy also were equally sure they would have an office of their own to collect their thoughts and have a bit of solitude. Funny how they never really seemed to deem it necessary for themselves to be a part of the “big team” in the large wall-free room.
A by-product of this “team” space was the virtual impossibility to have anything resembling a private conversation with a coworker or on the phone (don’t even dream of picking your nose - which of course none of us does). If at any time while I was there you found yourself involved in some kind of “team” discourse with a coworker, it was generally frowned upon and you were chided for the behavior (with the admonition to “keep it down and be respectful of your neighbor”). I of course, had the good fortune to be situated outside a conference room, which for some reason (I still have yet to fathom) had a door that remained open during meetings. I would sit trying to focus on my work, while fighting to block out the din of each of the meetings occurring just a few feet behind me.
They say that there’s no “I’ in team but there certainly is a “u” in f**k, get it?
So, going into a place as a hired gun and having an office of my own is a treat and no matter what anyone tries to foist on me about that whole “team” atmosphere junk, I’m not buying - as we would say in the old neighborhood, it’s a load of crap.
Which leads me into another topic...
I have realized I am succumbing to GOMBA. At first glance, you’d think it has something to do with being Italian but, in reality it’s nothing of the sort. A GOMBA is just a Grumpy Old Man Becoming Agitated. It happens to men after the age of forty, it’s not a permanent condition and the symptoms are usually temporary. If you witness a someone on your life who has been stricken by GOMBA, try to help - I find ice cream can alleviate much of the symptoms or any kind of comfort food will do the trick.
Today, I played office worker once again. As these things go it was a fairly easy day. Just put in the prerequisite face time at the client applying the finishing touches on Little Boy. Little Boy will officially be a thing of the past as of tomorrow for which I am thankful but, the Fat Man is still lumbering around demanding attention.
So, I drove in early this afternoon, another beautiful day for a drive. Coming down the West Side Highway you could just catch the saltiness in the breeze coming off of New York Bay, it made me think about going out to the beach this year although I am the epitome of white, having taken on a luminous pallor from being indoors so long and so much.
Anyway, I was blessed and found a parking space rapidly (under five minutes for which I will sacrifice a Matchbox car to the parking gods) and made my way down to the office via the subway. How tough it was to go in and be ensconced in my own office (not) whiling away the hours.
So, what it bought to mind was this long-time client I had awhile back. The people in charge paid a lot of lip service to the whole touchy-feely aspect of the work environment. To that end, they bought into creating a workspace where there were no walls and everyone worked in a large open area with absolutely no privacy whatsoever. The irony of course was these selfsame people implementing this policy also were equally sure they would have an office of their own to collect their thoughts and have a bit of solitude. Funny how they never really seemed to deem it necessary for themselves to be a part of the “big team” in the large wall-free room.
A by-product of this “team” space was the virtual impossibility to have anything resembling a private conversation with a coworker or on the phone (don’t even dream of picking your nose - which of course none of us does). If at any time while I was there you found yourself involved in some kind of “team” discourse with a coworker, it was generally frowned upon and you were chided for the behavior (with the admonition to “keep it down and be respectful of your neighbor”). I of course, had the good fortune to be situated outside a conference room, which for some reason (I still have yet to fathom) had a door that remained open during meetings. I would sit trying to focus on my work, while fighting to block out the din of each of the meetings occurring just a few feet behind me.
They say that there’s no “I’ in team but there certainly is a “u” in f**k, get it?
So, going into a place as a hired gun and having an office of my own is a treat and no matter what anyone tries to foist on me about that whole “team” atmosphere junk, I’m not buying - as we would say in the old neighborhood, it’s a load of crap.
Which leads me into another topic...
I have realized I am succumbing to GOMBA. At first glance, you’d think it has something to do with being Italian but, in reality it’s nothing of the sort. A GOMBA is just a Grumpy Old Man Becoming Agitated. It happens to men after the age of forty, it’s not a permanent condition and the symptoms are usually temporary. If you witness a someone on your life who has been stricken by GOMBA, try to help - I find ice cream can alleviate much of the symptoms or any kind of comfort food will do the trick.
I know they’re out there, I see them when I’m on the road - doing everything in their power to focus on anything but the task at hand - that being driving the vehicle they’re in but this story takes distracted driving to new highs.
Jun 20, 2003
So, my schedule has taken on this surreal kind of nature. I’m up late at night, sleep a few hours, up early in the morning, drag through the day, nap in the afternoon at some point and then up again.
A lot of it has to do with getting the catalogs out. I’ve come to refer to the two books as Fat Man and Little Boy. Little Boy is out at the proofreader, and we’re in the home stretch, just those last minute tweaks and dropping in some art and Little Boy will be history until bluelines.
Fat Man looms large, like this behemoth I have to confront and dread. I went back and reworked the basic page construction but, as these things go, I’m still not really happy with it. Getting Little Boy out of my hair was the excuse I could use but, there’s no escaping the fact Fat Man is going to be a big part of my life over the next ten days or so. Once I’m immersed in a project, it goes fast but, getting going is the hard part.
Also, I find it interesting I organize myself pretty thoroughly on these jobs - AJ and Neil would be proud, I keep a mean job folder (even when I’m working on a project at home) - how scary.
Once these guys are out my hair, I’ll be able to go back to my puttering for awhile. July looks like it will be a very busy month anyway - got a couple of ballgames and some good social calendar type stuff.
A lot of it has to do with getting the catalogs out. I’ve come to refer to the two books as Fat Man and Little Boy. Little Boy is out at the proofreader, and we’re in the home stretch, just those last minute tweaks and dropping in some art and Little Boy will be history until bluelines.
Fat Man looms large, like this behemoth I have to confront and dread. I went back and reworked the basic page construction but, as these things go, I’m still not really happy with it. Getting Little Boy out of my hair was the excuse I could use but, there’s no escaping the fact Fat Man is going to be a big part of my life over the next ten days or so. Once I’m immersed in a project, it goes fast but, getting going is the hard part.
Also, I find it interesting I organize myself pretty thoroughly on these jobs - AJ and Neil would be proud, I keep a mean job folder (even when I’m working on a project at home) - how scary.
Once these guys are out my hair, I’ll be able to go back to my puttering for awhile. July looks like it will be a very busy month anyway - got a couple of ballgames and some good social calendar type stuff.
Big shout out to Neil!
Neil is someone I used to work with awhile back and our paths have crossed through the years. We had fallen out of touch and it turns out Neil has been super busy (as if that were a surprise).
The big hush hush secret Neil had mentioned is finally out, Neil has an installation up at MOMA in Queens, his “19 Rainstorms” is up and I highly recommend checking it out.
MOMA QNS
33rd Street at Queens Blvd • Long Island City, Queens
Hours: 10am-5pm except Friday 10am-7:45pm.
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.
Admission is $12
(though the video work is in the lobby, so you can see it for free)
212.708.9400 • www.moma.org
Neil is über cool - kust another of the many talented people I’ve been lucky enough to know.
Neil is someone I used to work with awhile back and our paths have crossed through the years. We had fallen out of touch and it turns out Neil has been super busy (as if that were a surprise).
The big hush hush secret Neil had mentioned is finally out, Neil has an installation up at MOMA in Queens, his “19 Rainstorms” is up and I highly recommend checking it out.
33rd Street at Queens Blvd • Long Island City, Queens
Hours: 10am-5pm except Friday 10am-7:45pm.
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.
Admission is $12
(though the video work is in the lobby, so you can see it for free)
212.708.9400 • www.moma.org
Neil is über cool - kust another of the many talented people I’ve been lucky enough to know.
So, I’m finally getting around to cleaning off all the crap that’s accumulated on the hard drive - there’s just an incredible amount of duplicate files and the like. I haven’t had the time or the inclination to do it but, now that I have the laptop set up the right way, it’s part of my drive to be more organized.
One of the things I came across was a cache file I saved. It was something I vaguely remember saving from not too long ago. A browser cache file when I launched it in my browser it threw up a window with a directory of files on my drive - now I’m getting nervous. The file was a nifty little javascript that made it possible to browse through the drive pretty thoroughly. I’m actually glad to have a dial up connection at this moment.
So, I saved the javascript and the file and started diggin around on the drive. I’m pretty sure it came off the older machine I mainly use for surfing but, I guess it’s time to do some disk maintenance. Back in the day I was fairly vigilant about that kind of stuff but lately I’ve become more like a windows user.
I’ll also have to go digging for invisible files too now. Stuff like this is one of the reasons I worry about upgrading to X since I’m not as familiar with the UNIX heirarchy and trashing files can be a disasterous thing.
One of the things I came across was a cache file I saved. It was something I vaguely remember saving from not too long ago. A browser cache file when I launched it in my browser it threw up a window with a directory of files on my drive - now I’m getting nervous. The file was a nifty little javascript that made it possible to browse through the drive pretty thoroughly. I’m actually glad to have a dial up connection at this moment.
So, I saved the javascript and the file and started diggin around on the drive. I’m pretty sure it came off the older machine I mainly use for surfing but, I guess it’s time to do some disk maintenance. Back in the day I was fairly vigilant about that kind of stuff but lately I’ve become more like a windows user.
I’ll also have to go digging for invisible files too now. Stuff like this is one of the reasons I worry about upgrading to X since I’m not as familiar with the UNIX heirarchy and trashing files can be a disasterous thing.
Jun 17, 2003
For some unknown reason, I flashed back on a lost weekend I spent in Topeka, Kansas. I got in on a Friday night and drove from Kansas City out to Topeka to meet a friend who had driven up from Tulsa. We stayed with an ex-girlfriend (of his) and the night I arrived was a haze of barbeque and beer that left me with the mother of all headaches the next afternoon as I woke in the uncomfortable heat of a summer Kansas day. Topeka is the kind of place that makes you thankful Pizza Huts were invented. I was out to see the Royals play at Kaufmann stadium (I know we witnessed some record being set during that game but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was). All I know is the woman we stayed with and her young daughter had a grand time. I also remember that Friday night being in a local bar where our host seemed to be on a first name basis with everyone. This song was on the jukebox and when it played everyone in the bar joined in, it was quite the night.
Everytime I see a commercial for these guys on TV, I think that it should be a place where they study men’s sexual dysfunction.
I heard from a friend of mine who is a superhero the other day.
See, by day he is a mild mannered midwesterner transplanted here in New York but, at night he becomes the suberversive Joe Citizen!
Actually, Joe Citizen whose secret identity I dare not reveal here is one of the few people I know who not only stands behind his convictions but actively goes out and tries to change the world through his activism. While I may not always agree with Joe Citizen, I respect the fact he is a man of conviction and I’m glad his voice hasn’t been silenced. Now if only someone could convince him to run for office, I think it’s one thing he would really be good at and could make a significant difference in lots of people’s lives.
Here’s to you Joe, keep fighting the good fight. Oh, and congratulations to you and Mrs. Citizen on your impending blessed event.
See, by day he is a mild mannered midwesterner transplanted here in New York but, at night he becomes the suberversive Joe Citizen!
Actually, Joe Citizen whose secret identity I dare not reveal here is one of the few people I know who not only stands behind his convictions but actively goes out and tries to change the world through his activism. While I may not always agree with Joe Citizen, I respect the fact he is a man of conviction and I’m glad his voice hasn’t been silenced. Now if only someone could convince him to run for office, I think it’s one thing he would really be good at and could make a significant difference in lots of people’s lives.
Here’s to you Joe, keep fighting the good fight. Oh, and congratulations to you and Mrs. Citizen on your impending blessed event.
Everytime I turn on the TV nowadays it seems I come across this one commercial. When the songs of your youth turn up in TV commercials you know somehow that your day has passed. I have entered the world of fogeyism but, I don’t care because this still kicks ass.
Jun 15, 2003
So, yesterday was a field day. I got a burst of energy after waking from the fugue state and managed to get quite a bit done. I had a errand to run and some shopping to do (pre father’s day). In the midst of the drive to pick up something (what I cannot say), I was driving along the highway when one of those sudden torrential summer downpours occurred. I’ve driven through just about every weather imaginable (consequence of being a cab driver at one time) so, I don’t really freak out. Also, I don’t seem to be consumed by the desire to tailgate as so many people are these days - I always like having an avenue of escape when I drive, you never know what’s going to happen.
So, as I was saying, this rain started coming down in sheets. The flow of traffic slowed to a crawl and there were some thirty or forty cars along the side of the highway with their flashers on. This caused the traffic to slow even further as curious drivers felt compelled to observe and try to discern what the problem of the motorists residing on the shoulder was. It was my Red Forman moment of the day (Dumbasses). The only thing that seemed to have happened was people got really freaked out about driving in such heavy rain and pulled over until it let up a little. Not a bad idea really considering you got the sense there were a lot of weekend city drivers who had come north to escape the city on the first nice, sunny weekend day we’ve had in awhile.
The roads were really packed.
When I got home my sleep schedule is still screwed up after the last couple of days and I found myself up all night and watching About Schmidt and The 25th Hour.
Both movies are worth seeing if for different reasons. About Schmidt has a stellar cast and it’s an interesting follow up to the awesome Election by the same director. Schmidt has a Cohen Brothers feel to it (maybe because it reminded me of Fargo) but, there’s a lot of good stuff in it. It’s just well written and I was thinking it wouldn’t go over big with people under 30. There’s just not a lot of action in it.
The 25th Hour is just stunning. It’s a visual treat - a really beautifully shot film. I was curious watching it what film stock was used because the color was so very vibrant. It’s not just well shot, it’s well acted too with a terrific cast. Brian Cox (who I’ve mentioned before) is in it, along with Ed Norton, Barry Pepper, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Anna Paquin and Rosario Dawson.
Hoffman is a lot better in this than he was in Love Liza. Immediately after watching it, I flipped back to start listening to the Director’s track. All the in fashion tricks are used in this film - lots of staccato cuts, flash out transitions, solarized shots but nothing to the extent that it takes away from the story. Everything is devoted to moving the viewer through the piece. There’s even a couple of Spike Lee’s signature dolly shots (where he puts an actor on a dolly and moves them through the scene - notably used at the end of Malcolm X).
I met Spike Lee in person once. He’s actually very much a New Yorker and in this film it shows as his camera makes love to the city in a way that hasn’t been seen since Woody Allen’s two great New York films of the seventies (Annie Hall and Manhattan).
We met (Mr. Lee and I) while I was working at the Garden (Madison Square). I worked as a designer there in the mid 90’s and at the time, the art department was located in the ground floor of the arena in a space we shared with the Garden’s official photographer George Kalinsky. At the time, Lee was researching material for He Got Game and was meeting with Kalinsky (really Betsy his assistant) to get shots he would later use for a montage of great basketball moments he used in the film.
Betsy forewarned us of his visit with the urging we (the four of us in the office) should not in any way engage Mr. Lee in conversation of any kind. The room the four of us were in was a main room off of which were four other offices (Kalinsky’s, a conference room with a color copier, a supply room and my then boss’ office). Betsy would bring Spike into Kalinsky’s office and go over preselected photos which she would then go into the conference room to color copy.
Lee stood uncomfortably in the small area between the two doors looking out on the main room where the four of us labored away in silence. I was on the other side of the room by a window and behind a half wall. When I would get up to sort the papers on my desk or to get a printout I would be confronted by the visage of a diminutive Lee staring out at the room with his large round eyes and a look on his face that seem to convey his bewilderment that no one approached him.
I couldn’t resist when I stood up and saw his gaze wander in my direction.
“You know, that hat you’re wearing is an abomination.”
The room froze, my co-workers stiffened. Lee was wearing a Yankees cap with as Michael Kaye would later describe “the interlocking N Y of the Yankees logo.” Unfortunately, instead of wearing a cap in the traditional Yankee color of royal blue, Lee’s cap was a glaringingly bright red.
“Those are Cardinal colors, you call yourself I Yankee fan?!”
...and that was it, the ice was broken and we had a brief conversation about the Yankees performance in the playoffs the previous year, which was the first year of their World Series run. Just two New Yorkers talking about baseball and what they thought of one of their teams. A very pedestrian, normal exchange - he was a nice guy and seemed pretty knowledgeable about baseball.
Needless to say, after he left the room was abuzz over the fact I had dared speak to him - but, as they say, what the f**k! He seemed like a pretty normal guy to me.
So, as I was saying, this rain started coming down in sheets. The flow of traffic slowed to a crawl and there were some thirty or forty cars along the side of the highway with their flashers on. This caused the traffic to slow even further as curious drivers felt compelled to observe and try to discern what the problem of the motorists residing on the shoulder was. It was my Red Forman moment of the day (Dumbasses). The only thing that seemed to have happened was people got really freaked out about driving in such heavy rain and pulled over until it let up a little. Not a bad idea really considering you got the sense there were a lot of weekend city drivers who had come north to escape the city on the first nice, sunny weekend day we’ve had in awhile.
The roads were really packed.
When I got home my sleep schedule is still screwed up after the last couple of days and I found myself up all night and watching About Schmidt and The 25th Hour.
Both movies are worth seeing if for different reasons. About Schmidt has a stellar cast and it’s an interesting follow up to the awesome Election by the same director. Schmidt has a Cohen Brothers feel to it (maybe because it reminded me of Fargo) but, there’s a lot of good stuff in it. It’s just well written and I was thinking it wouldn’t go over big with people under 30. There’s just not a lot of action in it.
The 25th Hour is just stunning. It’s a visual treat - a really beautifully shot film. I was curious watching it what film stock was used because the color was so very vibrant. It’s not just well shot, it’s well acted too with a terrific cast. Brian Cox (who I’ve mentioned before) is in it, along with Ed Norton, Barry Pepper, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Anna Paquin and Rosario Dawson.
Hoffman is a lot better in this than he was in Love Liza. Immediately after watching it, I flipped back to start listening to the Director’s track. All the in fashion tricks are used in this film - lots of staccato cuts, flash out transitions, solarized shots but nothing to the extent that it takes away from the story. Everything is devoted to moving the viewer through the piece. There’s even a couple of Spike Lee’s signature dolly shots (where he puts an actor on a dolly and moves them through the scene - notably used at the end of Malcolm X).
I met Spike Lee in person once. He’s actually very much a New Yorker and in this film it shows as his camera makes love to the city in a way that hasn’t been seen since Woody Allen’s two great New York films of the seventies (Annie Hall and Manhattan).
We met (Mr. Lee and I) while I was working at the Garden (Madison Square). I worked as a designer there in the mid 90’s and at the time, the art department was located in the ground floor of the arena in a space we shared with the Garden’s official photographer George Kalinsky. At the time, Lee was researching material for He Got Game and was meeting with Kalinsky (really Betsy his assistant) to get shots he would later use for a montage of great basketball moments he used in the film.
Betsy forewarned us of his visit with the urging we (the four of us in the office) should not in any way engage Mr. Lee in conversation of any kind. The room the four of us were in was a main room off of which were four other offices (Kalinsky’s, a conference room with a color copier, a supply room and my then boss’ office). Betsy would bring Spike into Kalinsky’s office and go over preselected photos which she would then go into the conference room to color copy.
Lee stood uncomfortably in the small area between the two doors looking out on the main room where the four of us labored away in silence. I was on the other side of the room by a window and behind a half wall. When I would get up to sort the papers on my desk or to get a printout I would be confronted by the visage of a diminutive Lee staring out at the room with his large round eyes and a look on his face that seem to convey his bewilderment that no one approached him.
I couldn’t resist when I stood up and saw his gaze wander in my direction.
“You know, that hat you’re wearing is an abomination.”
The room froze, my co-workers stiffened. Lee was wearing a Yankees cap with as Michael Kaye would later describe “the interlocking N Y of the Yankees logo.” Unfortunately, instead of wearing a cap in the traditional Yankee color of royal blue, Lee’s cap was a glaringingly bright red.
“Those are Cardinal colors, you call yourself I Yankee fan?!”
...and that was it, the ice was broken and we had a brief conversation about the Yankees performance in the playoffs the previous year, which was the first year of their World Series run. Just two New Yorkers talking about baseball and what they thought of one of their teams. A very pedestrian, normal exchange - he was a nice guy and seemed pretty knowledgeable about baseball.
Needless to say, after he left the room was abuzz over the fact I had dared speak to him - but, as they say, what the f**k! He seemed like a pretty normal guy to me.
Jun 13, 2003
I had mentioned renting the Pianist this week. I never finished watching it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very, very good. Also, it’s a depressing, awful, hard to watch film because it does such a good job of displaying how horrible what happened in Poland prior to and during World War 2.
I was thinking back to my childhood, when I was a kid all the war movies were about World War 2. Vietnam was going on but, World War 2 was this “good war.” Everything was displayed in very black and white terms - we were the good guys (we being the U.S.).
Korea wasn’t big in the movies (a couple of Twilight Zones, an Outer Limits and the Manchurian Candidate) whereas WWII (they even had this way of referring to it double u, double u, two) had Patton, The Dirty Dozen, Kelly’s Heroes, The Battle of the Bulge movies that would run in primetime on network TV on a Sunday night (big event before the days of cable). There was also Combat (which I was never a big fan of) which I think took place during WW2.
In the seventies after Vietnam wound down, the country had a very different outlook on war. The tone changed quite a bit and managed to stay like that until Reagan sent troops into Grenada.
In the seventies, there was MASH (the TV show - Altman’s film was late in the sixties), The Deer Hunter, Coming Home, Apocalypse Now. World War 2 seemed to fade from the consciousness of the country until Saving Private Ryan was produced. That was another hard movie to watch.
It’s funny, our country took little baby steps as we got back into the whole “war” thing. Greneda, Panama a bunch of other things. This Halbersham book is great as it talks about what went on in the nineties.
Now we’re the big boy on the block. Mess with us (see U.S., us!) and we’ll knock you around. It makes me think about this Kissinger book I had read about the behavior of nations as members of a group. Kissinger proposed, when a member nation becomes more powerful than the other members of the group, weaker members form alliances to offset that strength.
I think that’s happening now in some ways. In my mind though, there’s a difference between being strong, using that strength wisely and being a bully. It’s a very fine line and I don’t know if our country is doing such a good job walking that line.
I also wonder sometimes how real things like World War 2 are to people under 30. If it’s ancient history to them (and therefore something like a story of a type) or if those atrocities have a life. The generation which fought World War 2 is almost gone, theirs is a big legacy.
I was thinking back to my childhood, when I was a kid all the war movies were about World War 2. Vietnam was going on but, World War 2 was this “good war.” Everything was displayed in very black and white terms - we were the good guys (we being the U.S.).
Korea wasn’t big in the movies (a couple of Twilight Zones, an Outer Limits and the Manchurian Candidate) whereas WWII (they even had this way of referring to it double u, double u, two) had Patton, The Dirty Dozen, Kelly’s Heroes, The Battle of the Bulge movies that would run in primetime on network TV on a Sunday night (big event before the days of cable). There was also Combat (which I was never a big fan of) which I think took place during WW2.
In the seventies after Vietnam wound down, the country had a very different outlook on war. The tone changed quite a bit and managed to stay like that until Reagan sent troops into Grenada.
In the seventies, there was MASH (the TV show - Altman’s film was late in the sixties), The Deer Hunter, Coming Home, Apocalypse Now. World War 2 seemed to fade from the consciousness of the country until Saving Private Ryan was produced. That was another hard movie to watch.
It’s funny, our country took little baby steps as we got back into the whole “war” thing. Greneda, Panama a bunch of other things. This Halbersham book is great as it talks about what went on in the nineties.
Now we’re the big boy on the block. Mess with us (see U.S., us!) and we’ll knock you around. It makes me think about this Kissinger book I had read about the behavior of nations as members of a group. Kissinger proposed, when a member nation becomes more powerful than the other members of the group, weaker members form alliances to offset that strength.
I think that’s happening now in some ways. In my mind though, there’s a difference between being strong, using that strength wisely and being a bully. It’s a very fine line and I don’t know if our country is doing such a good job walking that line.
I also wonder sometimes how real things like World War 2 are to people under 30. If it’s ancient history to them (and therefore something like a story of a type) or if those atrocities have a life. The generation which fought World War 2 is almost gone, theirs is a big legacy.
Sensei Savage is back! My blog sensei, Margaret took a respite to recharge her batteries and I missed her musings! Welcome back Savage-San!
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