Jim Jarmusch's new indie film Broken Flowers has just released this week. It stars the 'deadpan' Bill Murray that I have adopted as one of my favorite actors. I'd give you the synopsis, but I haven't read it; saving the surprise for the theater. All I know is Bill Murray has been terrific in Lost in Translation, Royal Tennenbaums and more, and he's not going to stop thrilling us now.
Here is Gothamist's review.
Last night we went to see Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds on their Odd Men Out Tour. It was part of Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park. It was cool to see these guys in concert and fun to be outside during the summer and have a beer in the park. But, when you consider the price of the tickets, the muggy air and hard ground, its hard to justify doing it again. I just don't get a kick out of large concerts like I used to, maybe I'm getting old. The concrete seating section filled up fast so we sat on the ground in the back on the dead grass.
Rufus put on a pretty boring show. He just walked on, sang a few songs and left. No performing at all. I might as well sit outside and listen to his CD. It would have the same effect. Ben Folds does a much better job of performing and crowd pleasing. He played a few new ones and still made sure the crowd heard the old ones they loved. He shot some footage for a new video and got the audience to help. Upon exiting the stage he threw his stool at the piano three times, just for kicks. The best song of the night, sadly, was Ben's cover of a Dr. Dre song Bitches Ain't Shit. It was just funny to hear three white guys add a piano to a gangster wrap song and sing harmony to the lyrics.
I've pretty much seen the concerts I want for awhile. I'm always in for a cheap gig in the village but I'm done paying $50 for three hours of 'entertainment' that doesn't exactly entertain.
David Gray was at Webster Hall last night to promote his new album, Life in Slow Motion. The hall only holds about 500 people which made for an intimate concert. I was fortunate to have a great view from the front row to see one of my favorite modern musicians. pics
The band was great and the show was very entertaining. The new album seems like a step back towards White Ladder. His last release, A New Day at Midnight, was more electronic and not as much of a hit. I'm glad to see the new record revert to the old David Gray we know and love. My only complaint about the show, which was expected, is that he played almost all new songs. Only about four songs were recognized by the audience, all others being unreleased. Regardless, it was a good show.
In my quest to enjoy every sandwich, I got to work today and noticed that he will be playing two shows in October at Radio City. The presale began two minutes later, and fifteen minutes after that I had purchased two tickets for each night. Unbelievable Alex. I just saw him last night and I can't afford to pay for another show, let alone two. I am an idiot. Hopefully I can get rid of two if not all four. Lemme know if you want to go see him, I really recommend it.
Major League Baseball suspended future Hall of Famer, Rafael Palmeiro today for failing a drug test. The first time offence is a 10 day suspension without pay.
Upon the suspension, Palmeiro spoke about the test and adamantly denied having ever "intentionally" used any banned substance. My guess it that he accidentally sat on the needle Jose Canseco says he poked him with.
On March 17, Palmeiro testified before Congress, denying any steroid use and rejected the acquisitions Canseco made in his autobiography that Rafael let Canseco inject him with steroids.
Rafael, if Canseco was wrong and the MLB test is wrong, why are you failing this test? Even if you don't look like a steroid user on the outside, I know one muscle that needs some help getting bigger. Maybe the answer to the drug test issue is a little blue, diamond shaped pill.
I spent the day in Boston yesterday to see the beloved Red Sox. I took a bus there an back in one day which was brutal on my sleep schedule, but it was well worth the trip.
I went by myself because I didn't want to ask anyone to spend that much on a day trip, but mostly because I really wanted to hang out with myself. It felt great to be alone for a day, and doing something I loved. I got to write and reflect on the bus ride over; an activity usually hindered by sirens outside and heat in the apartment. I got to the game super-early, just how I like it. About three hours were spent on Yawkey Way eating sausage and pepper sandwiches and drinking Harpoon. I kept score at the game, which is something I love to do, but its tough when you're with other people. You know how it is, people always want you to talk to them.
The best part of the day was just being at Fenway and feeling the energy. During the national anthem, I closed my eyes and leaned back into the sun and thanked God for baseball.
The game was fun, Sox won 6-2. After the game, I had a beer with Scooter Pie and his dad. Then, I caught the 12:30 AM bus back to NYC and slept the entire way. Another fabulous day in Beantown.
One of my goals in moving to the Northeastern part of the U.S. was to escape the dreadful Texas heat. It makes me cranky, it makes me sweat, and it makes me do things like move thousands of miles to stay cool. Unfortunately, the weather has followed me. As the entire nation suffers a heat wave, I am forced to endure one of the hottest summer seasons I can remember.
The statistics are Houston-esque. Ninety-six degrees today with a slightly lower humidity of 70%; however, Texans have central air-conditioning and use it, New Yorkers don't. My apartment is on the top floor of my building, allowing all of the heat to collect there, especially in my bedroom. We bought a window unit last weekend, but my window is too small so Julie freezes and I sweat next door. When I walked in the door last night, the thermometer on the unit indicated that inside temperature was 92, in my house!
Luckily, after today a cold front is supposed to move in and make my life a little easier and less sweatier. Until then, I'm considering a makeshift pool like these guys. Maybe on the rooftop?
Collin, Julie and I took a trip to Brooklyn today for all-you-can-eat blue crabs at Bar Minnow. Between the three of us, I think we ate about forty crabs along with corn, potatoes, cole slaw and funnel cakes. Top it off with $2 Brooklyn Lagers and call it a day.
But that's not all! The band for the afternoon was stellar. Called the Mad Jazz Hatters, they have the most authentic 1930's jazz sound I've ever heard. Imagine listening to music through an antique radio. These guys were fabulous and came complete with washtub bass, kazoo and straw hats. The leads singer's voice was vintage old style jazz club. Go see these guys!
As a novice blogger, I take my inspiration from the pros. I just discovered The Sneeze last week and it has suddenly become my favorite blog. I can only pray that one day my blog will be as entertaining. Of course, he does have a toddler writing most of his material. If you have hours upon hours to kill, as do I, I suggest you check out The Sneeze and just read everything. If you're only looking at a couple hours of free time, I highly recommend these postings:
Cabage Fever
Steve, Don't Eat It! Vol. 2
I have now been in NYC for over 10 months. It is amazing how my life has changed over the past year. I came here without a house, job, or church, but now I have all of these and more. I have developed some great relationships and my future looks bright and blessed. Moving here and getting settled was one of the biggest challenges I've ever faced though. I endured many hard times and draining periods of stress. However, I think it has all been well worth it. I now live in the city of my choice, I'm having the time of my life, I'm helping start a church, and I've got some great people surrounding me.
With that said, I am discovering new aspects of myself I never knew existed. I wanted to be here more than anything, and I made it happen. Now, as I begin the second month at my new job, I am realizing that I've "made it in New York." I'm by no means rich, but I have a job, home and friends. Having that understanding, my mind has begun to fill with thoughts of the next move. Where am I going next? What is the next challenge to face? What are my goals for the next year or two? I want to stay in New York for at least another year, but I don't foresee myself becoming a 'New Yorker'. There are other places I want to go and not just to visit, but to live and become part of the culture. I've put thought into a summer in Europe followed by a transition to a new job in another city. Maybe spend a year in Australia. I could go to grad school, and not just in the U.S., but overseas. I am indeed a twixter.
This is my desire. To be a global traveler, a citizen of many cultures. I want to know this world and its many faces; to experience these cultures first-hand and let them shape me. All the while, letting God take me where he wants me; just as he brought me to New York and gave me a job and a new church home. I know I can do whatever I want and go everywhere I can imagine. I just have to commit myself and do it, and I will. But first, I have more to accomplish right here in the "Capital of the World."
Its Saturday and I'm siitting on the couch feeling introspective. I'm gonna try to change the blog up a little. My blog title sucked in the first place and I need a better theme running through this site. (Sadly, I just discovered another blog on blogger.com with the same title)
"Enjoy every sandwich" is one of my favorite quotes. Warren Zevon is a rock star that died of lung cancer last year. When he was on his friend David Letterman's show for the last time, Warren suggested that we shouldn't let life slip by, but instead to "enjoy every sandwich." I love it.
Hence, my blog has been renamed and has a new theme. The theme is life. I'm going to enjoy everyday of it and make the most of what opportunities I have. I've made it to New York and its great. One of the best decisions I ever made was to face this challenge and it has paid off. However, I don't plan on staying here longer than a few years. There are other places to see and more goals to accomplish.
Life is a huge sandwich; too large to fit my mouth around at once. So, I'm going to take it one bite at a time and eat as much as I can. That's a little cheesy, but that's how they come some times.
