This is the final chapter of Coronacation.
We have transitioned into summer and while
the coronavirus is still a part of our global story,
I'm no longer in the framework of an at-home,
remote digital school year (hence the name
"coronacation". Like many others, I'm working
to have as "normal" a summer experience as I can,
though in our shifting paradigm "normal" is
however we work with what the new day serves us.
Like it or not, Corona and all it has wrought will
still be present in future blog posts. Its presence will be
evident in the absence of gatherings, events, concerts
and close contact with others. Onward we move.
I love having the privilege of
walking ten minutes from my
front door and feeling elsewhere.
I love to see creatures doing what they do.
I love the deep heat and a good sweat.
I watched June bloom and
gave it a spectrum flourish.
I catch reflections and rays.
Manifestation Conversation videos
continue with the help of many fine folks.
If you would like to see or hear what we're
discussing please click the link below.
If you are interested in participating,
feel free to send me a message.
Clean windshield. Clear view. Emerging.
More focus. Winding down the 20th school year
at my workplace in a new and unorthodox way
but with a new perspective for the future.
New projects are building and I have a great deal of
enthusiasm for all of them. Thanks to everybody
in my life who continues to hold space for and
support everything I’m creating. The best is yet to come.
When my friend Steve drops off pieces
of unicorn rainbow sprinkle cake at my door.
16 June 1990 • 30 Years Ago Today
Depeche Mode • The Jesus And Mary Chain
Nitzer Ebb • Giants Stadium • East Rutherford • NJ
This was not my first DM show but it was both majestic
and bizarre seeing DM in a 60,000 seater outdoor stadium.
I’m pretty sure I know at least 1,000 people who were there
or at least claim to have been there. Ticket stub and news
clippings are from my personal archive.
Morning vibes... Nag champa
That thing when you go to the supermarket and
car wash and return home to a broken front door
lock and can’t get into your own house so you’re
in the park waiting for the locksmith to text you back
to say he’s on his way over to break you into your
own house and put new locks on your door.
Solstice Vibes
Happy Father's Day to THIS guy.
Throwback - Staten Island Azalea (1975)
Electric Forest 1
Electric Forest 2
Electric Forest 3
Laying out collage sketchbook pages
Hello, Friend!
Checked in quick. Checked out quicker.
That's a wrap on School Year Number 20.
Farewell message. Parting glance.
Maintenance workers run EVERYTHING.
Much respect. I miss you guys a great deal.
Postcard from my friend John.
Starbucks Speedway
First haircut in four months. Thank God!
One year ago, Pride Weekend NYC looked very different
than it does this year. I spent World Pride Day in front of
The Stonewall Inn (which currently has a Go Fund Me page
to raise much needed donations) with a festive, tightly
packed crew of parade watchers. I met MJ Rodriguez who
plays Blanca on Pose as well as Dominique Jackson who
plays Elektra Abundance. I got a high five from Governor
Andrew Cuomo and exchanged hugs and kisses with
many, many, many parade marchers who passed by the
barricade to make the historic Stonewall a commemorative
photo op stop. It was joyful, colorful, close, sweaty and inclusive
of every race, language, size, shape and energetic signature.
I also need to mention this: It was completely peaceful.
My evening ended at Pier 97 where I watched Madonna perform
a concert for a few thousand lucky ticket holders followed
by fireworks over The Hudson River. Any one of these events
would make for a great day, but all of these within the
space of 12 hours? Unthinkable now. Pride 2020 is different,
as I’ve noted. Other global events are taking precedence
and have separated us in a number of ways. Whoever you are,
whatever you are, wherever you are or however you’re
celebrating, Happy Pride to you from the bottom of my
kaleidoscopic heart. WE WILL ALL DANCE TOGETHER AGAIN!
Another Pride Weekend Memory (2015)
Blondie opening for Morrissey at Madison Square Garden.
This was one day after the Supreme Court ruled that same
sex marriage must be recognized in all 50 states. Debbie
wrapped herself in the Pride flag at the close of the show,
jubilantly wished everyone a happy gay pride and made a
statement to the crowd about love and equality. With that
one gesture, an already fantastic evening of live music was
made historic and forever linked this show with a culturally
significant “where were you when” global event for me.
Thanks for everything, Blondie... Then, now and always.
One Last Gay Pride NYC Memory (1997)
Christopher Street (just west of 7th Avenue) was my vantage
point that year. I distinctly recall taking these shots with a
disposable 35 millimeter Kodak camera. Later on I joined some
friends at Twirl on West 23rd street (near The Chelsea Hotel)
where I spent much of the evening reclining on one of the
club’s large beds that surrounded the dance floor. Each one
was made up with white sheets and (partially) canopied
with sheer white harem style curtains. In between “bed breaks”
for drinks, I danced completely transfixed by a live drummer
who was in a corner of the dance floor murdering a drum kit
over the house music booming through the club’s sound
system. At some point very late that night I made my way back
toward Christopher Street for a stroll on the packed West
Side Highway and piers only to find myself walking alongside
makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin who was smiling broadly and
repeatedly kissing a close male companion. At another
point that night (or perhaps early morning) I strolled
eastward again through piles of confetti, streamers, feathers,
beads, bottles and cups to hop a subway back to Brooklyn.
Pre-9/11 NYC was a lot of fun. It was a time of transition in
the city and also for me as I was in my 20s, working, living,
running up and down the streets experiencing life and figuring
out creative moves for the future. All of those streets led me
(safely) to the life I have today and I am grateful.
Happy Pride to EVERYONE!
Jessie Ware - What’s Your Pleasure?
If Chic made an album with The SOS Band,
Prince, ABBA and Donna Summer this would be it.
Album Of The Summer And The Year 2020. Quote me.
Magic Will Find You If You Let It In
It’s the last Sunday of June during a strange year that has
changed our social landscape. Pride Day is still being celebrated
all over the world today in varied and creative ways,
many of them remote or virtual. In this, we see the following:
There is a thread of non locality that connects us all. It’s in our
shared, universal heartbeat. It’s in the music some of us create,
love, share and the memories each of us ascribes to it. It’s in the
thoughts and messages we send to one other. Its in all facets of
the artistry we render, display and admire. It’s in the myriad ways
we create ourselves and show up for the world. Let’s all continue
to create ourselves and hold space for how others evolve.
Let’s co-create and not compete. Let’s design and not destroy.
Let’s just decide to love. Let’s just decide to live.
Happy Pride to all of my LGBTQ friends and
all of our allies. BE YOUR OWN PARADE.
