sightings

On the way back from lunch today, I saw Isaac Mizrahi and a 3-person entourage at the corner of 34th and 8th. He looked cute in a bright pink polo and dark sportcoat.

A few weeks ago at lunch I saw David Byrne on 7th and 23rd. He was trying to get a cab. One pulled up but then a woman in a wheelchair came along and got in it so he had to keep looking. What was he going to say, "Excuse me, I realize you're in a wheelchair, but I'M David Byrne!"? Later, my friend said he had seen DB that same week, teetering on a bicycle over the cobblestones of Greene Street. He had on an old-school yellow bike helmet. We confirmed that backpack was of same model: very slim and German-looking.

art celebs

Call me crazy, but after the Venice Biennale I became convinced that I was seeing art and related celebrities everywhere. Here are some of my paparazzi photos, one is at a cafe and the others were on my flight back to Berlin. Do you recognize anyone?

Richard Thompson

I did go see Richard Thompson, I even got two people (nonreaders) to go with me! It made a believer out of me, though now I'm not sure which of his thousand records I would want to buy. I got a free copy of the first Fairport Convention album, and it's pretty good but I'd rather it had Sandy Denny or Linda Thompson or more Richard Thompson singing. I like the folk music, but not so much the long protest songs and ballads; more like the rockers, but I wouldn't want it rocking with too much band going on. Yesterday he played just acoustic guitar since "the band failed to turn up...again!" The show was full of those "yuk-yuk" moments, like the song "I've Got the Hots for the Smahts" about intelligent women, and "My Daddy is a Mummy" about ancient Egypt. I started falling asleep on the endless renditions of "Gethsemane" and "Pharoah" but I headbanged on "1952 Vincent Black Lightning." The crowd was quite large, including all the usual guys you see at the WFMU record show.

You can hear the music for yourself and get some yuk-yuks (Q: "So are you on a tour?" A: "Well it's more like a Tourette...") on this radio show. I'm really shilling for NPR these days.

concerts

A reader pointed out that his weekend had been "ruined" by my failure to attach a time to all the prospect park concert listings. I actually withheld the information so that people would be more dependent on me. They all begin at 7:30 and end at 11 due to the noise ordinance. I went to the New Pornographers concert on Saturday. I'm not familiar with their work except for that one hit about "I'll be spinning you around" but it was a nice concert. I have never seen the venue so crowded. We sat on the grass in the far far back and the sound of the music was a bit distant. Everyone was talking the whole time, including us. A friend sat in the very front, having arrived at 6:30, and it was "like a real concert," instead of like a picnic.

I am hoping to see Richard Thompson (of Fairport Convention) this Tuesday and Del McCoury (old-timer bluegrass) on Thursday...any takers? I saw Del once and he kicks ass. Richard Thompson is more just sort of because I can and it's free. Then Monday is Stephen Malkmoose in Battery Park. Somebody saw his recent show in New York and said it was the rockingest yet, so that's good news. Yo La Tengo is playing too but I've never been too fond of them. I have a five day weekend starting Friday and am looking for action.

natural plastic composites

This piece this morning on marketplace almost made me cry with happiness. It talks about how companies are now using plastics with botanical components instead of petroleum products because they are now more cost-effective. Not because of regulations or even consumer demand, not the "other bottom line" but the regular bottom line. Oil is now expensive, so plastic becomes expensive, and heavy cars are too expensive to power, so lighter renewable materials are being used in cars. I can't even believe it's happening.

spelling bee

Whoo! Yay me! I rule! I am the best speller! I won the spelling bee again, a whole twelve dollars all to myself. In the first round there was a tie since the two top spellers had a whole bunch of words that neither of them could spell. But in the second competition, it was back and forth between two of us who kept spelling and spelling. High drama.

And then this morning there was quite a long piece on WNYC about displacement from the coming Nets stadium, featuring Freddy's Bar, home of the spelling bee.

back from vacation

Well I'm back from my trip to Berlin and Venice, they were awe-inspiring. Pictures and reviews to come. Venice is the most beautiful place I've ever been. And dogs are everywhere in Berlin. Heaven! My host there was very very nice to me, almost like a servant.

Fleet Week

Let's hear it for Fleet Week. This is really a classic shot, wherein the serviceman "claims" the young lady by placing his hat on her head. These guys had made it all the way to Astoria for the Czech/Slovak Fest at Bohemian Hall and Park. Apparently they were drinking free pitchers. A more comprehensive description and many more photos can be found chez Heather.