This Floating Life

One for Coyote

2012-02-03T18:23:00.000-05:00

I am heartbroken to share the news that our dear friend Sean Dolan passed away this week. He died peacefully in his sleep at home. Sean and I met as work colleagues and became friends. Not long after Sean moved into his office it became clear that his retiring persona belied a depth of intellect and feeling. His bulletin boards were plastered with colorful postcards, drawings, and photos that

Muppets and Puppets

2011-07-18T20:59:00.003-04:00

Today, out and about:To the organic, fair-trade coffee bar in the site of the former Joe Jr's diner, with the perfectly weathered blue barn boards and multiple compost stations bearing instructions, with tiny tables and raw wood stools that are too high for your feet to rest comfortably on the ground, and yet have no lower bar on which to perch a foot: your coffee tastes like cold-brew dirt.

Whiteout

2010-12-27T22:26:00.005-05:00

The snow started early yesterday afternoon -- first just a few wet, scattered flakes. Then dirty slush piles started to gather on the black pavement. Then the snowflakes started to swirl, whip, and pelt crosswise in the wind. Then the wind started to scream. The view from our window went white, then pinkblack as dusk set in. Lightning stuttered. Thunder and wind.I curled up on the couch, writing

The 2010 mix is here

2010-12-05T11:53:00.006-05:00

Hi all:So, at the end every year I make a music mix. Many people compile their "best of" the new releases of that year, but I tend toward capturing the songs that were in my head and in my life, and the new memories that have formed around them. Usually I keep these mixes strictly for personal use, but here -- have it and enjoy it! [Clicking above will start a download of "2010.zip."]I hope you

The Big Ride, Part 3

2010-11-12T21:50:00.007-05:00

Corlears Hook Park and the ampitheater. I had to go back and take pictures since they weren't on the original roll. The park has mellowed nicely as autumn has rolled along.Park entrance looking east from Cherry St.Looking southeast from the park entranceThe mall as you enterThe bridge over the FDR drive lifts a little

The Big Ride, Part 2

2010-10-26T11:18:00.007-04:00

Once you get outside with the bike, there is a decision to be made: Right or left. I usually go right, which is the opposite direction from my destination, but has its advantages.Unlike other people, who seem to accept riding in traffic as a necessary danger, or a welcome thrill, I avoid it at all costs -- sometimes even doing the Bad Thing and riding on the sidewalk. The choice comes down to a

The Big Ride, Part I

2010-10-25T22:47:00.011-04:00

On Saturday afternoon I was feeling a bit restless. The house was kind of a mess, but it was nice out! The perfect day for a ride. But there was just one problem: traffic on the bike paths. I've only been out a handful of times and don't feel ready for the weekend warriors. From the kitchen we can see a serious uptick of riders on the Williamsburg Bridge once Saturday rolls around. Would the

A Note on Hegel, and women and men, courtesy of Rebecca West

2010-10-21T10:39:00.003-04:00

From BIRDS FALL DOWN, in which the 18-year-old female protagonist is being lectured on the dialectic:“The dialectic,” echoed Laura. It was one of those words to which she never troubled to attach a precise meaning. Teleology, oolitic, proportional representation, symbiotic; what they stood for was part of the world, and might once have been bright like the world, but the dust which falls wherever

East River Park Bike Ride

2010-09-29T18:56:00.007-04:00

Looking northLooking southLooking up

Pins and Needles

2010-09-22T01:17:00.005-04:00

Once a week I lie on the acupuncture table with some combination of needles sticking out from my body parts.Today: one needle in each earone in the crease between each big toe and second toeone in the soft concave spot under the knob of each ankle.Lucy the acupuncturist is very small and slight, like a needle. After getting me all set up, she turns on 2 gooseneck heat lamps and positions one over

The Big Drop

2010-09-21T00:56:00.005-04:00

It's a good thing I have my husband, family, and friends, as well as (perhaps to a lesser extent) my wits. So much else seems to have slipped away.Earlier this year: Medical issues (all better), the loss of our beloved Dave, and finally in June, laid off. Wow.My employer gave us 24 hours to leave the premises. After that: exhilarated, confused, elated, free. (And freelance.)Today, 3 months later,

Vow

2009-08-06T23:50:00.003-04:00

Dear John,Holy smoke! We are getting married. I can’t believe it. This is just crazy. Let me begin by saying that I always kind of liked you. It was a very innocent kind of “like.” I remember one Beefstock – I think it was the flooded one -- Jill and I commented to each other how nice it would be to find a guy like John Sharples. Perhaps it was because of all of your fancy guitar moves, or your

Goin' to the

2009-07-22T21:53:00.004-04:00

You are all so lucky, so very very lucky, that I have spared you the wedding crap on this blog.If you're desperate to hear all about the final countdown, I invite you to find me on Facebook (where video has clearly not only killed the radio star, but disemboweled it).But what can I tell you. We're getting married on Saturday. This has been the grandest few weeks of my life, just feeling happy

Taggin' Your Ass!

2009-01-18T14:28:00.004-05:00

The previous feature led me to start tags for the blog. Now I've started to go back and tag everything. It's interesting to see how the themes have emerged. So far these are the categories:99 Cent Dreams Alien Octopus Anxiety and Terror Art Books Boxing Cats Concerning My Ass Drunk Again Eros FamilyFavesFood Grammar and EtymologyGrief and SufferingHousehold InterludesInterspecies friendshipLove

New Feature: Interspecies Friendship

2009-01-18T08:43:00.002-05:00

Witness the love.Cat Adopts Rabbit!Rat Loves Cat!And, perhaps oddest of all, Kitten and Crow!

I'll Take You There

2009-01-02T11:40:00.003-05:00

Staple Singers, Grammys, 1973!

Two Kinds of Sick (But Very Well Overall)

2008-12-31T05:19:00.009-05:00

Lately I keep waking up at 4am. This happens a lot in December, now that I think about it. Usually I'm just garden-variety anxious and/or looped into some kind of solstice-related biorhythm. Tonight (this morning) I am anxious with the added bonus of feeling sick and gross, one sickness self-inflicted, one not.About the former: Please remind me never, ever to drink before dinner. This is very bad

Happy Birthday Saro!

2008-11-26T13:13:00.005-05:00

Today little Saro is ten years old. She is 56 in people years.Here's my favorite pic of Saro. She was so small then. The piece in the upper left corner was the bottom of a guitar stand!Here is Saro as many of us usually know her.And we would be remiss without linking to the Saro Multimedia Site. The audio is especially fun!Hugs to Annie and Dave for bringing her into my life, and to all of you

Spirit and Flesh

2008-10-23T22:37:00.008-04:00

The saying goes, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I find this baffling, for over the course of a lifetime, I have personally found my flesh to be more than willing.If you consider it, willing can connote determination, stubbornness and focus. Because you will something to happen, will it happen?My spirit continues to will my flesh into becoming less and less flesh. By now the process

"For me, the greater the euds, the greater the che-launge"

2008-10-13T23:11:00.005-04:00

I am not a fan of video tribute medleys. This is the exception.

Peter Sellers on Being Himself

2008-10-10T18:30:00.004-04:00

"Sellers appeared on The Muppet Show television series in 1977. He chose not to appear as himself, instead appearing in a variety of costumes and accents. When Kermit the Frog told Sellers he could relax and be 'himself,' Sellers (while wearing a Viking helmet, a girdle and one boxing glove, claiming to have attempted to dress as Queen Victoria), replied, 'There is no me. I do not exist. There

Strikes Again!

2008-10-09T23:33:00.006-04:00

I have no words lately. Nothing out of the ordinary; just quiet.However, I did laugh my arse off the other night watching this:I have my vague memories of my parents laughing hysterically and repeating Clouseauisms back in the 70s. It's warming to feel part of the circle of life.In this next scene, Clouseau tries on his Quasimodo disguise, which arrived ready-made in a box sporting a specific

Pow, pow.

2008-09-21T01:01:00.007-04:00

It was John's last day in class; we took a bunch of photos.I'm looking at them with mostly pride, but also with a tinge of embarrassment (see my hooks sail through the air) and annoyance (have to keep those hands up).I've been sparring with these folks for several years now and just love knowing them, learning who they are through their punches.We'll miss ya, John!

Step On Ya, Walk On Ya, Step On Ya, Walk On Ya

2008-09-12T01:06:00.003-04:00

This phrase keeps popping into my head (and whoops, sometimes out of my mouth) at work. Its origin is one of my favorite cartoons from childhood, "The Cat That Hated People." Appended for your amusement. It gets pretty trippy.

Today's quote

2008-09-08T18:32:00.004-04:00

Me: "Well, I guess there's a yin for every yang."Dan: "Well, some have more yang than others . . . "

How I See It

2008-09-04T18:36:00.005-04:00

It makes perfect sense.The best way to revitalize any withering campaign is to trot someone out who will not only work hard to stroke the party's collective cock -- with the familiar battle cries of lowering taxes, with the words "enemies" and "evil" thrown in for good measure -- but to actually entice people of all political stripes to reach in and stroke their own.It's fucking genius. It's

The Joys of Plugging In

2008-08-17T19:39:00.004-04:00

We just got back from visiting with my brother and his lovely family, and playing at the Vanilla Bean Café in Pomfret, CT. It was such a great weekend. Photos and commentary here.

A Taste of September

2008-08-12T23:48:00.004-04:00

Isn't it grand? Last night was so clear and chilly. It was intoxicating to open all the windows and feel and smell that cool breeze. The house got so quiet - no more artificial humming and buzzing. I could hear only the cars whooshing over the bridge and the occasional tha-thumping of a car radio.I spread the pink coverlet over the bed and snuggled under. The blinds stayed open so I could feel

The Joys of Being Unplugged

2008-08-10T22:51:00.004-04:00

As some of you know, we were away for a few days in the Finger Lakes area. Our cabin had no electricity (a generator powered the water pump, though). This was the view across from our sleeping loft. All the rest and vino inspired me to start sprucing up. New blog elements coming your way.

We're Puttin' On a Show!

2008-08-10T22:16:00.005-04:00

Attention all Connecticut-area residents: Allez à la Vanilla Bean on Saturday! Details below.

You Know Who's Got Hands?

2008-08-03T16:17:00.009-04:00

This has been an exceptionally stressful week even by the standards of all the stressful weeks preceding it.What better time to finally see "Walk Hard!" The first time ¡J! and I saw it, we kept exchanging glances across the couch, witnessing one crazy-ass scene unfold after another. Ohthatissosillynoway. Ohgoodgrief.There is a cumulative effect of such thoughts. About halfway through the movie I

No, that's not the Squier above, because

2008-08-03T16:08:00.004-04:00

. . . the Squier is gently tucked away in our rehearsal space. This is its fraternal twin, the Strat. Everybody say "Hi, Strat!"

(Kiss my) kettleass

2008-07-25T22:52:00.010-04:00

Some of you have heard me ranting and raving about the new weight training we've been doing in class recently using kettlebells. Months ago, when Leila first mentioned kettlebells and I asked her what they were, she replied "a form of Soviet Cold War torture." I now know that she is correct.Kettlebell training is interesting in the sense that, in order to swing, lift, and position these very

. . . That's What I Said

2008-07-24T21:14:00.005-04:00

Those of you who have visited chez Smitaplero in recent months no doubt have been forced to sit on the sofa as we fast forward through scads and scads of DVD material to find what ¡J! and I consider to be the crown jewel of Grammy performances: Curtis Mayfield 1973.After going through a lot of technical finagling, I can now offer it to you, dear reader, to enjoy in the privacy of your own home.

Lavender flower

2008-07-11T21:59:00.005-04:00

Two weeks ago the lavender plant we picked up in Mattituck sprouted one shoot. Today it flowered!

Great Tragic Idols: Fiction Edition.

2008-07-07T23:09:00.004-04:00

I trooped up to the Mid-Manhattan Library on a Sunday to drop off a few Marilyn DVDs (Bus Stop, Some Like It Hot) before heading out of town. It took a long time to actually get to the library, encountering at 5th Avenue a long, fantastic gay pride parade with onlookers 2 rows deep, having to walk uptown 2 blocks in order to cross the avenue, having to wait, then moving sightly closer to the

Great Tragic Idols of the Twentieth Century, Volume II

2008-06-18T22:34:00.010-04:00

Summer is almost here: what better time to read even more biographies of beloved dead stars.This Marilyn Monroe bio is compelling, well-researched and admirably restrained, neither sentimentalizing Marilyn nor damning her. But it feels a little cold somehow.I think that, for all of the bio's virtues, it suffers because the author does not love her subject enough. Barbara Leaming has written so

The Continuing Adventures

2008-06-03T22:59:00.004-04:00

I spent all weekend working on a manuscript. Done. Whew!I just finished a huge biography of Judy Garland. I got started on it after catching her "American Masters" bio -- the episode is just searing, with more killer moments than I can possibly mention:I got the bio from the liberry and they only had the original 1975 hardcover. The thing was 650 pages. I carried it to and from work in its own

Drainpipe Kitty!

2008-03-11T23:55:00.005-04:00

Drainpipe Kitty was valiantly rescued by a team of dedicated professionals who schmeared cat food on rough cloth and, taking advantage of the kitten's sharp claws and tenacious nature, lured and dragged the tiny animal up a straight 5-foot vertical plane to rest safely above ground.Unlike that kitty, I am too big for a drainpipe; I simply have tumbled down the back reaches of my mind. The new job

Watching "Oprah" and Crying

2008-02-12T00:41:00.002-05:00

That is what it's going to be this week. All week.Everything is great; it's just the necessary catharsis.Love that Nate Berkus.

It's Official

2008-02-05T22:49:00.004-05:00

I've accepted a new job. Soon I'll be working in the building I like to think of as the Taj Mahal of American Literature, on books that have an established tradition of being fabulous.This is a very emotional time. ¡J! and I are getting ready for his big move-in; I have to bid see-you-later to the lovely ladies at the office, and then start the getting-to-know-you with new lovely ladies. Parting

Birthday Kiss

2008-01-31T23:22:00.002-05:00

Pam, you gave one of the most beautiful birthday speeches I've ever heard. I enjoyed reminiscing about the night we first met each other. Not only did you look like a grown-up version of one of those Precious Moments dolls with your huge brown eyes -- you had, and still have, an aura of uncommon compassion. The fact that we both lost our mothers when we were young helped form a fast bond between

Panorama

2008-01-23T21:35:00.002-05:00

Today is the third anniversary of Ben's death. I thought you might enjoy one of his panoramas. He was a spectacular photographer; you can see more of his work here.

Red Meat, Red Wine, and French Fries

2008-01-22T23:33:00.001-05:00

Gack!One leg on wagon . . . .

Back on the Wagon

2008-01-22T00:32:00.001-05:00

Under the auspice of recovering from violent illness, I let myself eat whatever I want.I've had bread and cheese for three meals straight, with intermittent bananas and cookies.It was a fear of fiber, really. Even the thought of edamame made me shudder.But enough already. Back to normal, starting tomorrow!

Tabled!

2008-01-20T23:57:00.003-05:00

I started puking my guts out on Thursday morning at 3am. I'm only starting to feel normal today.It's interesting when you feel so nauseated, you have to turn away from the food commercials on TV. And there are plenty of commercials. Deep fried pizza! Shrimp in mayonnaise sauce! O my god.It's also interesting what you start to crave when you bounce back from illness. Usually for me it's chicken

Couched!

2008-01-11T17:57:00.001-05:00

After years of couch stalking in stores all over NYC, couch-porn surfing on the internets, and couch daydreaming at all hours, The couch of my dreams finally has arrived!This time yesterday, I was despairing - they couldn't fit it in the elevator. The couch had to be taken away. And that made me very sad. So today I hired my own guys to bring it up the stairs! And now it's here! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hungytown

2007-12-17T23:10:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately there is no spell check for cakes.I loved visiting with my friends Hungrytown, aka Rebecca and Ken. I miss them already. All that is left behind is a bunch of tidy laundry and a slab of celebratory cd-release carrot cake in my fridge.I'm drinking the rest of the wine. By myself right now. And listening to Anne Briggs.Snif . . .

Sunrise on the Lower East Side

2007-12-15T13:19:00.001-05:00

I took these the other morning and tried to post them, but the computer was glitchy.*Yawn* . . .

Friday funk

2007-12-14T07:17:00.003-05:00

I've been getting up early all this week, anxious over this or that. Slowly I've come to realize that getting up early is the key to everything.Watching sunrises, for example. Eating breakfast. Banking online. Having a spot of tea and calming down. Thinking through whatever was bothering me. I've completely forgotten to mention, or send an announcement, indicating that tomorrow I will be playing

Sunday scrawl

2007-12-09T17:03:00.003-05:00

Some of you think I'm dippy for writing the previous post. Well, screw you. I know what I know.Last night !J¡ and I escorted my nephew out for a funtastic birthday dinner on Long Island and afterward had a short, cozy visit with the family. As I was packing up to leave my (step)mom told me she had found my mom's humongous jewelry box. For various reasons, I thought this jewelry box had been lost

Love and Cruelty

2007-11-29T22:20:00.002-05:00

I was on the Upper West Side for an author event so I decided to stay up there for awhile and walk around and have dinner. I ended up at Niko's because the salads are so good, it's crazy.I had a Big Salad and a glass of wine that was described on the menu as "savage and sexy." The wine came in a goblet rather than a glass. This is what you get when you order a savage and sexy wine made on Mount

Me and my plus-one

2007-11-29T01:11:00.001-05:00

When you're high from gig night, nothing beats the ambivalence of a cat.My plus-two, also feline, is lolling around on the bed.Allons dormir!

Sequestering

2007-11-20T13:26:00.001-05:00

Last night's work laid me up with a big headache. The work was wonderful but I think I ate too much sugar. Estrogen + rain + sugar + too much excitement = migraine for me. It's better now.I'm listening to the results of last night on my big stereo.As soon as I put it on and settled in, Saro zoomed around the apartment, blazed across my desk, crash landed in my lap, looked up at me, and

Mustering

2007-11-19T13:12:00.001-05:00

And this is my horoscope for today, no kidding:Confrontations This is a day of critical culminations, when many activities and projects will come to a climax in your life. It is particularly important that you have worked with complete knowledge and understanding of what you were trying to accomplish. Even under the best of circumstances, you will confront others at this time. For most people the

Mastering

2007-11-18T19:15:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow we master the new record at The Viewing Room. I'm excited -- perhaps most excited to visit with Scott and Rebecca and kitty, and second-string excited to finish this massive art project that has been, as Billie Holiday sang, my joy and my pain.We started this record by tracking eleven-or-so songs in June 2004. Jill took pictures at the sessions; looking back at the contact sheet, I see

Just don't eat one right before you go up

2007-11-14T22:04:00.001-05:00

I have this semi-irritating habit of telling a story here and making the whole thing a bigger deal than it really is, full of metaphor and all that blah.But you know what? I'm tired of that.I finally did a headstand in yoga. And that's all it was. A headstand. And I did it.Whoopie pie = whoopie pie.

Authenticity

2007-11-08T13:10:00.001-05:00

The book release party was completely fun last night. I spent a great deal of time speaking with a lovely letterpress artist and a cheerful couple whose featured letter turned out to be a very dirty text message. Plus I got to meet the editor, a swell chap. This all was made even more sweet by the sweetness of my escort, ¡J!, whose unilateral support made me feel extra special -- so zen and

Available at your local bookseller!

2007-11-01T23:44:00.003-04:00

An excerpt from this blog has been published in this book, just out.You can see cool excerpts ">here.This is the official site. Hooray for love!

Still Crazy Shit; Smaller Ass; Further Reflections

2007-10-26T12:59:00.001-04:00

I deleted the last entry. It Just Wasn't Right. I shouldn't talk about people so negatively, even if they occasionally terrorize me.Also I don't think I got to the heart of the situation: How even a seemingly-supportive comment can set off feelings of inadequacy, even paranoia. This week three (3) other people (female) also commented on alleged weight loss. I accepted and appreciated their

Monday

2007-09-17T23:33:00.001-04:00

Tonight I left work and walked to yoga in my python heels. I was carrying a leather tote plus two other bags––large, shiny cardboard-stiff boutique bags full of manuscript, Elle magazine, flats, yoga clothes, tupperware, and sneakers. The brick buildings glowed in amber light. I was lulled by the easy click-clack rhythm of the heels; first gritty and stacatto, on cement; then, when I hit the West

Doubling down

2007-09-16T22:28:00.001-04:00

This weekend I learned that in blackjack, if the first two cards you are dealt look favorable you are given the opportunity to double your bet, or double down.The caveat is that if you decide to double down, you receive one more card only. One decides to double down by quickly calculating that odds are favorable for reaching the ideal (that one's own hand will come close to 21 without breaking,

More On That Subject

2007-09-11T23:34:00.003-04:00

But first: This ad made me burst into tears in the laundry room.Re: the poem below: I reached for it last night without thinking of anything in particular. It means more to me now than it did when I first read it a dozen years ago. Courage is the secret to happiness -- Courage to love, wisely and unwisely; courage to believe that others are putting forth their best intentions; courage to have

2007-09-11T10:38:00.001-04:00

What Are Years?What is our innocence,what is our guilt? All arenaked, none is safe. And whenceis courage: the unanswered question,the resolute doubt, -dumbly calling, deafly listening - thatin misfortune, even death,encourage othersand in its defeat, stirsthe soul to be strong? He sees deep and is glad, whoaccededs to mortalityand in his imprisonment risesupon himself as the sea in a chasm,

Found!

2007-09-10T01:23:00.002-04:00

At first I was alarmed, but then I realized that a found cat probably is better off than a lost cat.I like the artist's rendering. . . . To aid in animal identification, of course.

Here, There, and Everywhere

2007-09-02T01:11:00.001-04:00

Once the alien octopus resurfaces in your consciousness, you start to see it everywhere.Walking across the Williamsburg bridge:And then, perhaps the mothership:

RIP WWN

2007-08-30T15:31:00.001-04:00

"WWN avoided celeb gossip, with the exception of Elvis and politicians (for instance, Donald Rumsfeld: 'Rumsfeld Changes His Name to Rumsfeldstiltskin and Tells Rogue Nations 'Guess My New Name or We'll Invade You,''[. . . .] By those standards alone, I considered it a higher calling."

Eros in action

2007-08-30T13:17:00.003-04:00

I've noticed something recently.On my lunchtime walkabout, I get catcalled a lot. Walking to and from work, I never get a single hoot.I puzzled over this. Is 9am too early for catcalling? Must one have one's morning coffee in order to issue a proper 'hey baby?' And by 6, is one just too plum tired from leering at all the foot traffic during the day? Then it hit me: at lunchtime I'm wearing my

Thus ends the . . .

2007-08-29T23:35:00.001-04:00

. . . Muppet thread. And, hark! What thread has recommenced!?!It's the return of the alien octopus!!!!! This is the first time in a long time I've seen one that's not on a moving object (truck) or on a stationary object (wall) at a moment in time in which I am on a moving object (train, bus).<. . . >Mmm, ok, one more Muppet pic.

Electric Mayhem

2007-08-28T00:03:00.001-04:00

(Clockwise from left: John, Joe, Ross, Erica, Andy) Please note that Plastic Sharples / Blonde Wombat / 99 cent Beef combo, aka the John Sharples Band, will be playing at Hank's Saloon on Friday. I have no idea when, or with whom. More info as it becomes available.I'm the backup singer, woooo!

"Mo' Muppets" Monday!

2007-08-27T00:02:00.001-04:00

I hope this inspires your singing as it has mine!

"Classic Muppets" Sunday!

2007-08-19T10:57:00.001-04:00

2007-08-17T14:54:00.001-04:00

I got totally killed in boxing on Wednesday.Defense was decent, but my offense was pitiful.We were doing 1s and 2s only. No hooks! She take-a my hooks away, I get a-killed.*sigh*

Isn't today a great day . . .

2007-08-10T16:06:00.002-04:00

(1) . . . to be born?Welcome, Jonah Klein Rogoff! Looks like you have your mom's beautiful red hair and dad's winsome smile.(2) . . . or, if you've already been born, to curl up under a blanky and watch the newest fabulous show on basic cable?

Bragadoon

2007-07-27T16:39:00.001-04:00

Here’s some brag-worthy news for a Friday.First, check out Lucid Culture’s review of our recent live show.Next, I’m happy to report that folk supergroup the Strangelings are covering my badass arrangement of the traditional number Johnny Come Down to Hilo. They’re gonna play it when they headline Falcon Ridge tomorrow night and have recorded it on their new CD (on which I have sung a few

Musings of a Pretentious Twat

2007-07-20T10:24:00.001-04:00

The title of this entry is inspired by the previous entry. But I’ll let it stand.Lyrics often look pretty dumb when written out. I think it will sound better with the music attached. Music can cover up a lot of silliness. Does anyone remember when they had a Cole Porter lyric on a Poetry in Motion poster? It’s very clearOur love is here to stay.Not for a yearBut ever and a day.Mmmmmmmmm, yummy.

Lyric

2007-07-19T17:41:00.002-04:00

Heat, like a strong hand on my back. Suddenly the night is kissing me and I’m kissing back. I’m walking through water, I’m wading through the dark. For an hour I watch night boats pass by Corlear’s Hook Park. Heat pressing on my skin brings calm and slight alarm. My breathing quickens when a stranger brushes my arm. Moving so slow four flights underground. A silver F train rattles in & takes me

2007-06-14T00:32:00.001-04:00

I think I have a fractured nose. This is so exciting.I felt it when it happened: In sparring, we were instructed to go for uppercuts to the chin. Mike is so much taller than I am, his uppercut starts at right about my snoot level.I felt one uppercut graze my headgear right under my right eye socket. I pulled back, came back in and tried to throw a hook to the body. It wasn't that strategic, but

In Case You Thought I Was Kidding

2007-06-10T13:42:00.001-04:00

. . . when I describe the antics of a certain animal:DISCLAIMER: Strictly for cat-loving people. All others will feel bored and superior.

Rescued

2007-05-27T21:53:00.001-04:00

I am so completely happy to know that my favorite show is coming back in 2 weeks. This clip came on as I was watching Airplane TV, but the stewardess was yammering through it and she pre-empted the sound . . . something about oxygen masks . . . whatever. Anyway -- yay:Here's a superbly over-the-top outtake that illustrates so much of what I love about this show.Part 1:Part II:

St. Elmo's: A Reconsideration

2007-05-09T23:15:00.001-04:00

It was on tv the other night, and I couldn't resist. I remember falling in love with the characters when I was 13 or 14 and I totally, totally couldn't wait to be them. I dug out my teen diaries to see if I wrote about it but I haven't found anything yet. I do remember how much I loved those girls. Ally Sheedy was so pretty in her pearls and lace and big sweaters and big skirts and big boots.

Tag 'n tell

2007-02-14T23:41:00.002-05:00

You may be wondering who I tagged:Everybody Loves Saturday Night,Nipperknits,Flowergirl,and In the Quiet of My Heart.I'm not sure that they all care to play such foolish games, but they always have something interesting to say regardless.Ssssh! Let's listen now!

Reassessment

2007-02-11T22:05:00.001-05:00

Joni Mitchell's late-70s period was never my favorite. The songs were too long, talky, and meandering for me, with hardly a discernible melody or hook. Hejira made my head hurt.Now I understand -- it's the sound of art imitating life.Joni's early records have a ferocious, Brandoesque quality to them that will never go out of style. What a searing sureness of emotion and appropriately stark,

2007-02-11T21:28:00.002-05:00

Eeep! I've been tagged!The scoop is, I post 6 odd things about myself, and then "tag" 6 others to do the same, sending them the link to this page. Six odd things about me:1. I floss after I brush, not before. (Then I rinse again.)2. I almost always write songs with the radio on. Otherwise it feels too spooky. 3. I almost always leave a little food on the plate, as if to convince myself that I

Just a Note

2007-01-23T22:54:00.002-05:00

There are about 2 months in early 2005 I hardly remember at all; they're a kaleidoscope of colors and feelings.I think a lot now about how kind people were to me. Unbelievably kind. Calling and checking up. Inviting me out for eggs. Having a drink. Listening to me rant. God knows what I must have said. During that black hole period I received the best piece of advice ever, thanks to my friend

Big Entrances

2007-01-12T14:42:00.001-05:00

I love movies that start with a clever animated sequence."Down With Love" is my favoritest movie right now, for that and many other reasons."What's New Pussycat?" is another fave. Recommendations?

Concerning the Continuing Adventures of the Pampered Pugilist; Or, How I Learned to Take the Punches and Like It

2007-01-03T22:52:00.001-05:00

The major development in my entanglement with boxing is that somewhere along the way I lost my fear. I think it's probably because Maria got injured and doesn't come to sparring class anymore, so the threat of leaving with a black eye or a bruised jaw is greatly decreased. So I have started getting bold with my opponents.At first, it was easy to keep Kora at bay; like a chipmunk, she alternately

Holy Crap, It's 2007

2007-01-01T17:06:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year. I've been sick and as of 4pm I've watched about twelve episodes of "Law and Order" back to back. I took the whole week off from work. Random highlights of days off:1. Painting the bathroom bright white while listening to Neko Case and Sam Phillips and singing along while pirouetting on the ladder on one foot, reaching with spongebrush to dab paint in ceiling corners.2. Icing said

Mega Thoughts

2006-12-10T23:50:00.001-05:00

A thought occurred to me today while browsing through DVDs at the Virgin Megastore (and the branding of anything as "Virgin Mega" is a whole discussion unto itself). Let me preface it by saying, of course it's no secret that we live in an age of decadence and vulgarity. I have been arguing back and forth with myself for years as to whether or not this is inherently bad. In terms of art, those who

Light

2006-09-11T23:56:00.001-04:00

2006-08-28T23:55:00.001-04:00

When I left work a small crowd was gathering on the corner. 2 guys were having some kind of scuffle.I got closer. One guy was on the ground wearing yellow roller blades. The other guy was standing above him. The guy on the ground took a long, slow lunge at the standing guy, tried to get up, and slipped and slid. The standing guy shoved him and made him slide more. A car was parked just a few feet

Raining and reading

2006-08-28T23:00:00.001-04:00

On a rainy, cool Sunday afternoon, when the house is clean and I'm buzzed from a long lavender bath, I curl up with some Bukowski. After reading for a few minutes I start to feel hopeful and light. Then I feel ashamed.Hope comes because Bukowski reminds me that everything is strange and beautiful and even the most heartbroken soul can find grace. Shame comes because it has been way too long since

Wagging the Dog

2006-08-20T17:07:00.002-04:00

It has come to my attention that the previous post may have been unclear, or heaven forbid, unseemly.I guess I just meant woof.Apologies to Scott and everyone if this seems disappointing.*********************Other topics of the summer:1. Faith. Why have it. What is it. Where can I get some. 2. Firemen.If it weren't for the macabre sense of comfort provided by this show, I'd have completely given

"I Want the Fairytail."

2006-07-10T23:14:00.002-04:00

Quoth the boy in his online dating profile.That makes 2 of us.Woof.

Not Dead Yet; Just Resting

2006-07-03T23:52:00.001-04:00

Hi. Are you having a good summer, I hope?I'm feeling renewed after a few days of rest. Also, I bought a new computer. It occurred to me that my old computer couldn't actually open any applications except Safari, and even that was getting pretty slow and sticky. It started making a horrible grinding sound to boot. So here we go: I'm all souped up and typing like lightning on a wireless

Intuition

2006-04-04T22:18:00.001-04:00

I trust the voice inside my head. In general, I trust other people. However, at one point in life I was very disconnected, depressed, and panicky. I started to lose my trust in others. I sometimes thought people were trying to poison my food. I knew this was nuts but I couldn't stop being nervous. I'd eat a few bites, freak, spit the last bite out into a napkin, and try to hide the napkin. This

Spring: Day One

2006-03-21T00:03:00.001-05:00

From my window -- the Verizon building nestled among other tall buildings with row upon row of perfect glowing windows. The buildings are crisply silhouetted against a solid black-blue sky. The wind is screeching. Occasionally a blink of light from a plane far away.

I'll Take Dare

2006-02-06T23:36:00.001-05:00

I have to come clean. In light of the recent attention shed on a certain book that has been ripped into a million tiny shreds, I have come to reconsider the writings I have written over a lifetime. Not only have I passed off certain versifications as true, but sometimes in earnest nocturnal conversation -- or even on public broadcasts -- I have confided that these ragtag couplets truly are

Well Hello, Dottie

2005-12-27T23:20:00.001-05:00

A new graceful presence in the household: Dottie arrived 3 weeks ago on the first snow. She is a big fan of food, toys, couch, and blanky.Saro was pretty mad at first but has come to accept her fate.Chiaroscuro in the household!

Chestnuts Roasting on My Ass

2005-12-09T15:45:00.002-05:00

I am not a fan of food-inspired spa treatments.No chocolate fudge pedicures, please.No honey on my face.And please, DO NOT wrap me in pumpkin pulp.Ew.