Inexplicably regular readers here might remember a histrionic, epic-length post from back in September wherein I weepily unspooled the saga of trying – and failing – to make it back to New York City from a work event in Nashville, Tennessee in time to witness my beloved Killing Joke lay waste to Irving Plaza on their 40th Anniversary Tour. As needlessly detailed in that entry, despite my very best efforts and a maniacally strategized itinerary, my plans were rudely stymied by the God-bequeathed impediment of weather. Like I said, get a box of tissues ready and read all about it here.
As threatened at the tail end of that post, however, in the wake of that dispiriting event, I took immediate steps to right the wrong, blithely throwing caution, common sense and financial prudence to the four winds by booking a flight to London to catch the final date of the tour at London’s fabled Roundhouse in Camdentown. That event is …. THIS WEEK!
In a fleeting moment of validation and arguably divine reconciliation, I was recognized for my work at the Nashville event by the organization I work for in the form of a “spot award” – a lump of cash that almost covered my air-fare. I took that as a positive omen.
In any case, tomorrow evening, I board another plane to take another shot at the prize.
Will I make it this time?
Watch this space.
I realize he made it to 95, which is a damn impressive run, especially for a life as colorful as his. But I'm still heartbroken, and I have a hard time putting into words how very much the work of Stan Lee informed my childhood.
Life will be significantly less fun without him. Both my inner 12-year-old and my actual 12-year-old (Oliver) are crestfallen. This cover depiction of the mighty Ghost Rider pretty much sums up how I'm feeling.
Also, .....THIS:
Because that's all I'm good for, at the moment.
There's still a little bit of time left, so .... if you haven't yet, please....
Courtesy of Dana Gould.
Back in September, you may recall the newly unearthed video for the Ramones' "She's the One" that was unveiled in tandem with that whatever-anniversary re-release of Road to Ruin. Well, here's another on from same, this featuring da bruddahs (with Marky more prominently featured, this time) ripping through "I'm Against It."
Two things about this:
I actually ran into Marky over the weekend while I was walking through SoHo with my kids. He was coming out of a shop, and I instantly recognized him (that helmet of hair is hard to miss). I thanked him for the music and he gave me an emphatic thumbs-up, which was jolly nice of him.
Secondly, I know lots of folks are on edge this week with Election Day looming tomorrow. Given the polarized dynamic of this political season, this seems like the perfect anthem for this week. Not only that, given the late Johnny Ramone's notoriety as an obstreperous Republican, it serves both sides of the fence.
VOTE TOMORROW!!!
Our good friend Bob Egan of Popshots NYC posted the below photo over on Facebook, and I found it so striking that I was motivated to post it here. Here's how Bob prefaced it...
Astor Place, 1984, from the roof of 111 Fourth Avenue at 11-12th St.
Seemingly a million lightyears from its current, busy, teeming iteration, this is exactly the Astor Place I first discovered in the early 80's. Barren, uncluttered, spacious.... full of elbow room and ripe for exploring.
I took the above picture on November 7, 2016. Look at the language on the top sticker, affixed to a pole on the corner of White and Church Streets, at the time.
It rather tidily summed up the feeling here in New York City prior to Election Day. It seemed like such a given. There was absolutely no way Trump was going to win. What a ludicrous notion! So, yeah, even though it seems like such a given, please, y'know ... go vote and stuff.
…and then we all know what happened.
Heading into the Midterm Elections of 2018, a whole lot more has fucking happened (to say the least), and once again, the nation -– or portions of it, anyway -– are preparing to vote this coming Tuesday.
For all the talk of the looming “Blue Wave,” or that “Winter is Coming” for all of us angry “snowflakes” and for all the polls talking about early voter turnout, please remember this:
NOTHING IS A GIVEN.
Nothing’s in the bag. Regardless of what polls and pundits might try to tell you, they’ve all been wrong -- REALLY wrong -- before.
Don’t be apathetic. Don’t take anything for granted. Be enthused, proactive and even optimistic, if you see fit, but don’t be lazy, convinced or easily swayed by spin.
If you don’t participate, you have no right to complain, even if that sounds naïve and idealistic.
VOTE ON TUESDAY!
As the sticker said, I Know, I Know … But Please DO!
It should come as absolutely zero surprise to anyone that, given the things that I happen to preoccupy myself with, I think the new Beastie Boys book -- the imaginatively titled Beastie Boys Book -- is absolutely essential. I'm barely a third of the way in, and I'm practically ecstatic about it.
Go get it.
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