July gave way to August as always
and the 14th year of my blog began.
My friend Steve and I happen to know that
matzoh ball soup is the Delta Variant Booster
This photo was taken on one of my many walks in the park. On this day, at one point, that ever present voice spoke up and said “Look left.” There, off the beaten path was this delicately woven beauty gleaming in the late day sunlight. When I angled my phone to capture it, a beautiful spectrum bow appeared, encapsulating the spider’s web in the formation of an elliptic eye. “You see? We’re watching.” the voice said. Indeed you are. Thank you for that.
Monday Afternoon • Today I went to my cable company to swap out a dead cable box for a new one. I tried an online chat to rectify this situation but the HAL9000 computer I engaged with couldn’t help me. Shades of “I’m sorry Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.” from 2001: A Space Odyssey. So, I got on the phone and my account could not be located. My response: “That’s funny because you guys are able to locate ME every 30 days when it’s time to pay the bill.” Finally, my account was located but I was told to go to the HQ in person to swap out the box. So, I drive over. As I approach the building I’m warned by a man exiting “You don’t want to go in there.” I thanked him but decided to go in anyway. I arrived in time to witness an unmasked male customer (with a crucifix tattoo on his bicep) screaming “Y’all motherf—-ers think this is cute?!?” at a group of associates as a line of 12 masked customers stood quietly in line. He left soon after. While in line, I listened to an older black man in an Atlanta Braves shirt talking to a young white guy next to him about The Braves and Redskins changing their names and logos. Apparently, these changes are unnecessary and “lame” to both of these gentlemen. Three customers ahead is a young black man in a t-shirt that reads I CAN’T BREATHE. Hearing these proclamations of lameness, he turns around and we exchange knowing eye-rolls over our masks. All the while, I’m receiving texts from two friends (one gay, one straight) about Matt Damon’s admissions of homophobia. Apparently Mr. Damon only recently learned that the word “fags” isn’t appropriate. Interesting, considering he played a gay character in The Talented Mr. Ripley and has guest starred on Will & Grace. Shaking my head at all facets of what I’m witnessing, it’s my turn to approach the counter. Service was swift and the young lady who processed my request did so politely. I made sure to make plenty of eye contact, thanked her for her help and told her to be safe. She held eye contact with me and said “Thank you. You too!” Within 25 minutes I had seen and heard a lot more than I bargained for over a simple transaction at the cable company. Modern life… WOW. I hope ALL of you are safe and well.
Freshly Unboxed:
Mr. Peanut Peanut Butter Maker (1967)
The Can Of Peanuts Remains Vacuum Sealed
I very much enjoyed St. Vincent's
Down And Out Downtown livestream concert.
Many thanks to Stephen Kroninger for generously gifting me this beautiful proof of Rowan & Martin in a Gerald Scarfe Time Magazine cover from 1968. It’s a wonderful addition to my growing collection of Laugh-In memorabilia and I’m very appreciative. SOCK IT TO ME! (Not Pictured: My Laugh-In waste paper basket).
30 Years Ago • Summer 1991
This summer marks 30 years since I graduated from high school. I still interact with many of the folks that I went to school with and I’m always happy to see or talk to them. Moving from the congested urban environment of Staten Island, NY to the more suburban, somewhat rural environs of Basking Ridge, NJ as a 13 year old was a culture shock. As a child, my bedroom window in our apartment faced an alley next to a middle school where dumpsters frequently caught fire. We had an upstairs neighbor whose boyfriend shot up the windshield of her car 10 feet from where I slept. My parents worked very hard so they could eventually buy a nice home in a quieter neighborhood of Staten Island and after a few years there, made a move that was life altering for all of us. Somehow, despite the great expense, they had sent me to a safe, academically intense, private Catholic school on a gated 17 acre campus for 8 years. They valued my education and safety more than anything and I’m grateful for that. We moved to New Jersey so we could have a more comfortable lifestyle, a home on a nice piece of property and above all else, so that I could attend a top tier public high school with a comprehensive arts program. In sharp contrast to my bedroom view at age 8, my teenage bedroom overlooked a horse farm and I would sit at my desk (the one I use to this day) to draw and paint this scene from time to time. My high school friends and I were lucky. We attended a safe, well appointed school which gave us access to solid academics, varied activities and visual and performing arts facilities that set us up nicely for college and our eventual careers. This month marks the 30th anniversary of the first Lollapalooza tour which I attended with some of the people mentioned above. The stories of Lollapalooza 2021 sit in sharp contrast to what we experienced. The idea of a concert festival as a dangerous pandemic spreading event wasn’t in our lexicon. We didn’t have that worry. We got to be young. We got to be free. We got to dance. We got to be together. How lucky were we? Here’s hoping that all of us can experience such freedom without worry again soon.
Have A Pheasant Day
Looking For A Third
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (2021)
Vinyl And Pink Cassette • Many thanks to my friend Mariana who texted me early the morning after this album dropped and said “You have to hear this!” I’m very glad she did and she was absolutely right. What a great album! Nice job, Miss Eilish. Cheers!
Recent 1960s Flea Market Finds:
Sanka Mug • Funny Face Plastic Cup
Yuban Mug • Cinzano Ashtray • Sanka Ashtray
Big Mood After A Summer Storm.
Here's to more things to blog about in the future.
Thanks to all who have come along with me thus far.
