The PostSecret Project

This is the best blog I’ve read.  http://postsecret.blogspot.com/.  The author has created a pretty terrific work of art by having people send in postcards to anonymously confess to their secrets.  I haven’t read any that really shock yet.  However, they are full of secrets that expose the whole range of emotions.  Take a read.  scp

Ain't she gorgeous?

This cormorant was sitting in a wildlife sanctuary in Morningside Park the other day. It's so wild that this occurs in NYC.

Apartment

Rental available in our building. Check out the listing on Craigslist. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/76228801.html

My ex-shrink and his partner have just written a children’s book about a pair of Central Park Zoo male penguins who raise a chick as a couple. It’s a sweet story. And the sweetest thing is that it’s a true story. Pick the book up for the kids in your life….even if that kid is you!

Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith

I left work early yesterday to see Episode III.  It was certainly redemptive in reference to the first 2 episodes.  There were some surprises which you'd think wouldn't be possible in this franchise.  A few problems that I continue to have with the series (and I include the "special editions" here) are again present.  I don't like how much SFX traffic there is.  Why are there so many machines flying around every city?  Why is every inch of the screen populated with something moving?  As far as shot composition goes, there's very little negative space.  I find this kind of grandstanding annoying.

 

I also find the CGI machines to have very clean looking dirt on them.  The rust and other wear looks too perfect.  I remember one thing that blew me away with "A New Hope" in the 70's was the grime that seemed natural on the futuristic machines.  Landspeeders got dinged up like Chevys.  It made the fictional worlds seem accessible.  These new CGI creations don't have "real" flaws.

 

If you're a fan of the series, you'll go no matter what.  But if you've been disappointed to the point of not wanting to go, don't skip this one.  It has a heart much more akin to the original film.

Visual Arts: Classical Imagery Revisited in a Modern Format

Friday June 3

6-8 p.m.

 

Viewing & Reception at The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park

 

Born in France and raised in New York City, Jonathan Solomon Bressler was exposed to the art world in early childhood. His parents (both of them painted) would often take him to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to visit the Egyptian, Roman and Greek galleries. These images of ancient art as well as trends in art, like pop art and op art during the 1960’s would leave a lasting impression on him as he grew up. Today, Jonathan’s work is a culmination of those early influences. A graduate of the High School of Music & Art, he went on to receive an associate’s degree in illustration from The Fashion Institute of Technology. He currently teaches art at the New York School of Interior Design, which he has done for the past 15 years.

 

If you do not know Jonathan Bressler’s work, you should.  Jack and I have one of his pieces that blends a watermark image of Alexander the Great’s head with faux technique butterflies.  If I had a scanner big enough to do it, I’d include a picture.  It’s one of our favorite pieces.  Because Jonathan is such a brilliant artist photos of his work could not do justice to them.  He has a sense of depth and trompe l’oeil trickery that could never be captured properly.

Today's sitings

Spotted in the backyard today:

 

American Redstart

Common Yellowthroat

Grey Catbird

European Starling

Northern Cardinal

American Robin

Rock Dove

 

There was a gull that flew overhead but I couldn’t tell what type.  Also, even though there are numerous sparrows to be seen everyday, I’m not very good identifying the different ones.

Avian wildlife

Spotted in the backyard today:

 

Common Yellowthroat

Ovenbird

Grey Catbird

European Starling

Northern Cardinal

Monk Parakeet

American Robin

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

 

I wasn’t home for much of the day so I didn’t see many other species I usually see

Sylvia in the background

Jack looking on while Eric chats about the film

PlanetOut Short Movie Award WINNER Best Documentary

Yesterday afternoon Jack and I attended the New York premiere of our friend Eric Smith’s short documentary

Irene Williams ... Queen of Lincoln Road , Dir. By Eric Smith, US, 2005, video, 23 min

 

Over nine years, self-defined hag fag Eric Smith documented his friendship with an extraordinary elderly lady, Irene Williams, a public stenographer, and eccentric fashion fixture on South Beach.

 

Go to the website to order a copy of the DVD.  The film won this year’s PlanetOut Short Movie Award for Best Documentary.

 

http://www.worldloveproductions.com/irene/

 

Some of those in attendance were artists John Pirman (love those great graphics!) and Jonathan Bressler.  Bressler will have an independent show on June 3^rd.  More information soon.  And the ever-present Sylvia Miles was there of course.

 

 

 

FESS/Sept/Turb or is that Sept/Turb/FESS?

Last week I had surgery to hopefully correct my sleep apnea and chronic sinusitis. There were 3 procedures; Septoplasty, Turbinectomy, and Functional Endoscopic Sinus. The septoplasty aligns the cartilage that separates the nostrils. It’s pretty common to have a deviated septum. Usually it doesn’t require doing anything about it. The turbinectomy was the most important of the procedures. The turbinates are chambers that connect the nostrils to the rest of the sinuses. In my case the turbinates had no openings to the sinuses at all. So when I had infections, I couldn’t really get rid of the fluid. Blowing my nose used to cause air to escape my eye sockets instead of my nose. At 38 years old, I’m looking forward to finally being able to blow my nose.

Waiting

Fridays are usually lousy with waiting.  We don’t have any regular programming during the day on Friday.  So, we really just play catch up on paperwork and watch the clock run out.

Hazel's Ovariohysterectomy

Hazel was spayed this morning.  I kept telling Jack not to worry, that she’d be fine.  But when I dropped her off, I got a little teary.  Fortunately, her vet called and said she was a perfect patient.  She was a little groggy after the surgery.  I’ll pick her up tomorrow.

 

Renal stones.........

I’ve got a 4mm renal stone that’s killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!