Thursday, June 16, 2011

DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE NEVER DONE


 I went to bed a bit on the early side last night but this in no way justified waking up at 4:00 this morning. I remained in bed wishing to be pondering the life of Montaigne, thoughts on Rumi or Indian Philosophy as some of the book titles around me suggest I might be. Instead I am strapped with the nature of my personal reality being kept awake in my mind’s very own hamster wheel.


 

I am distressed to be thinking about things I have no control over. It is not like I am worried because "Oh, maybe I left  the keys in the car!" I know I left the keys in the car and I am worried if it will still be there when we get back. I want new thoughts. I want to freshen my mind and I think I will meditate myself back to sleep. Clear the mind…. this state lasts approximately 20 seconds when I decide in order to change my thinking I need to do something I have never done before.

 

So it is in my zombie-morning-state wearing an oversized Notorius B.I.G. t-shirt, leggings and a red ribbon in my hair that I trek down the hall to the elevator and push “R” and the mechanized voice recognizes my destination and says “Roof Top Terrace.”






Wednesday, June 15, 2011

MICHAEL CHAPMAN: ABOVE THE DIN



MICHAEL CHAPMAN
Cafe Zebulon, Brooklyn 
14, June 2011


Above the din at Zebulon a modest sized cafe space in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn the UK guitar master Michael Chapman could be heard saying "I am playing for God, just in case he exists." I missed the gist of the rest of the story but I have a feeling that this punchline was important.





Chapman who appeared on the UK scene in the late 60's and has been strumming, singing and songwriting ever since played and sang and smiled on all of us. If there is a god and god is in the details surely the intricate mingling of this man and instrument are blessed. Check out some of the videos on his website. Hallelujah!



Sunday, June 12, 2011

ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME?

Julie Ryan, Sugar Painting, 2005, ink and gouache on paper 


SONNY SIMMONS & FRANCOIS TUSQUES: 
Vision 16 Festival, Abrons Center, NYC 
11, June 2011

A week ago it was 98 degrees and this evening half that. I am walking down Market St. near the Sea Port having just disembarked the water taxi that shuttles Manhattan-ites and tourists to and from Ikea. If you subtract the preponderance of giant plastic blue swag bags burdening the shoulders of each passenger it is one of the more glamorous ways to arrive to the city. Statue of Liberty to the left, sailboats boats to the right, the skylines all around and the free ride!

Walking I am chilled, the wind is whirling and a voice - a loud female voice - can be heard. The voice seems to be coming from behind me and I turn around because even with the whirl I felt the voice might be directed at me. A young well dressed woman then approaches me screaming “You B*#*tch! Are you following me? Why are you following me?” I have never seen her before and I am confused, I stutter in a calm voice, 
“Actually, I am ahead of you. You're following me.” She seems a little flustered by this, and then crosses the street and we both continue to make our way uptown together.




Monday, June 6, 2011

HARKEN! FOMENTING DRAGON



The streets of NYC tossed this obstacle at me today but my mind was already in the way.
I am fairly sure that this translates to something like:


"Julie harken, do not foment.
Have faith in _____. 
Julie river patience. Stop obtuse and wordy there is no reason for root-full doubt. Hold note long sky sleeps as the dragon creeps and fire breaths from the mouth."


Saturday, June 4, 2011

GOLDEN LION



Congratulation to Franz West upon receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 54th International Art Exhibition "La Biennale di Venezia." Roar!