New Zealand Sand Castles

My friend Sveta sent these to me. They are pictures from a sand scuplture contest held in Abbotsford in New Zealand. I think they're absolutely amazing.

Molly's Sign-Offs

I love the fact that when my six year old daughter Molly leaves me a voicemail message, she is very conversational even though it is a one-sided conversation. This best part, however, is that she ends each message as if she is signing letter. Her last words are always, "Love, Molly."

David Blaine

David Blaine, the "magician" who has performed death defying acts in order to entertain and gain entry into the Guinness Book of World Records is undertaking his most recent stunt right near my home at Lincoln Center.

This past Monday he was submerged in a water-filled sphere and will stay there for one week. Next Monday, in a 2-hour televised event on ABC called "Drowned Alive" which will feature footage of some of his earlier acts, he will be wrapped in chains and attempt to free himself while simultaneously holding his breath for 9 minutes (yes, you read that correctly - nine minutes).

During his week in the water, he occasionally dons a specially designed helmet through which he can communicate via a closed circuit system, and is fed - I believe a liquid diet. He is naked from the waist up and has tubes hooked up to him for, ahem, "evacuation" purposes. A team is there around the clock to watch over him and tend to his needs.

I went over to see the spectacle for myself last night. There have been a steady stream of gawkers coming by and in a light misty rain there were about 200 people last night. David had his helmet on and was communicating with various members of the press who were invited up onto a platform surrounding the sphere which is about 10 feet in diameter. David lay at the bottom of the water, with very little movement as he presumably gave interviews. At one point, the crowd "oohed" as he shifted position. I couldn't help think that it was like watching an aquarium, though without the vibrant color and with less movement by its denizens.

Some call it daring. Some call it a publicity stunt. Some call it performance art. I think it was boring.

At some points during the day, visitors are invited up to communicate with David. I was thinking if I had one question for him, what it would be. A few ran through my head, but the one persistent question in my mind was, "In the middle of stunts like these, when you're hanging out in a fish bowl at 4AM in Lincoln Center, do you ever think to yourself, 'What the hell am I doing?'"

Billy Joel Redux

Although I saw Billy Joel at the Garden on the opening night of his NY tour (courtesy of Jeff Meckler- Thanks!) I also had purchased tickets to last night’s show (#9 of 12 sold-out shows) a few months ago. I had decided that if I enjoyed the January show, then I would attend last night as well.

I’m glad that I did. While the first show was great, the playlist was more oriented to BJ’s rock ‘n roll themed hits. Very high energy and the songs sounded like perfect cuts off the album. Ain’t nuthin wrong with that.

Last night’s show, however, was a much more balanced blend of ballads and rock, with a number of songs that were not featured in the January show. One of the disappointments for me from the first show was that he did not play Miami 2017 (I’ve Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway). Much to my delight, he did perform it last night, though I suspect that one of the reasons it may not show up on the playlist often is the lyric, “I’ve seen the mighty skyline fall” which perhaps is too vivid a flashback to 9/11 for New Yorkers.

As was the program, so was the crowd a bit mellower as well. Aside from those in floor seats, people did not really stand too much until the last few songs and the encore. Not only did we all wave Brenda and Eddie good bye again, but it seemed as if the whole Garden put their arms around each other and swayed while singing along to “Piano Man” as the closing number.

BJ himself seemed a bit more relaxed as well, evidenced in his patter between songs and his taking some liberties with the sound of some songs, making it seem even more like a live show. It was also more like listening to album rock as there were a couple of tunes such as “Sleeping With The Television On” that don’t usually show up in a list of BJ hits (though I love that song and was thrilled that he played it).

The one major exception to the mellower mood was when BJ brought one of his roadies – Chainsaw – out to sing AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell”. It brought everyone to their feet and then brought the house down with his high energy rendition, with BJ backing him up on guitar.

Some of his patter was new, some re-hashed from the first show, but all in all a more at ease and seemingly content Billy Joel who was honest about his financial status. When apologizing to the people at the far end of the Garden for having to pay so much for such lousy seats, he said “Listen, I need the money. You should see my car insurance bills.”

The Piano Man

It’s been a VERY long time since I went to a rock concert. Here’s an indication of how things have changed. The last time I went, people were drinking and smoking (cigarettes and other items) in the venue, and you held up your lighter for an encore.

We went to see Billy Joel open the New York leg of his tour last night at Madison Square Garden. Obviously smoke-free, champagne was being hawked by vendors, and instead of lighters people held up their illuminated cell phone screens.

I can’t even say I felt old as we were probably right in the middle of those attending whose ages ranged from their 20’s to their 70’s. It was very nostalgic as I started listening to BJ during my formative years. Though I’ve never stopped, so much of the soundtrack to those good ole days is his music. It brought back a lot of memories, particularly his older material.

Needless to say, it was fantastic and very high energy!!! There are only a few artists for which I can claim that I know almost all of their songs, including the lyrics and BJ is one of them. With the exception of one song from the River of Dreams album, I knew them all and happily made my voice hoarse singing them loudly. It was an especially great crowd, not only because it was opening night in NY and all 50,000+ seats at the Garden were sold out, but the piano man made sure we all knew he was happy to be home.

For a man who has not released an album in 12 years, his tour is doing incredibly well. Tickets for a record 12^thshow in NY recently went on sale. And for a 56 year old rocker, he still does a great act with some patter and banter between each song. With a great band with an outstanding horn section, simple stage, good straightforward and coordinated lighting, he played for 2 and a half hours straight, including one encore during which we all waved Brenda and Eddie goodbye and banded together 50,000+ strong for the chorus to Piano Man. Songs were from the whole spectrum of his discography, mostly the more upbeat tunes with a few poignant ones thrown in. Before starting We Didn't Start The Fire, he warned us that we had all better sing along because he knew that if he didn't get the words right, there'd be hell to pay. As a tribute to Wilson Pickett who died just a few days ago and was an inspiration to BJ growing up, they also did a kick-ass version of In The Midnight Hour.

What surprised me most was how much BJ is starting to resemble me. He’s gotten thick around the middle, has a goatee and a closely shaved bald pate. He was dressed in jeans, black shirt, and blazer and the band were mostly wearing slacks, shoes, and collared shirts. A class act.

One of the best parts of this show was our seats. Our friend Jeff who works for Pfizer was able to score the Pfizer house seats. We were on the side, just past the front of the stage, and in a separated 4-seat box above one of the entry tunnels into the stands. It is a space often used by sportswriters so we had plenty of legroom and a long desk on which to rest our drinks and an unobstructed view so we didn’t have to stand when everyone else did (unless we wanted to). The diamond vision board above the center of the Garden carried live video from several cameras including one mounted on the edge of the piano’s keyboard so we could all see his hands up close. This was especially cool during the opening number – Angry Young Man – which has such a great piano solo at the beginning.

It was loud and my ears were still ringing this morning, but it was worth it. I may be an aging rocker, but I’m damned proud of it. And in the parting words of BJ as he left the stage, “Don’t take shit from anybody!”

Short Stuff

I was going through some old files and found some things that I had written for some short-short-short story competition (stories less than 75 words) a number of years ago. There were some very dark ones which I won't subject you to, but these two brought a smile to my face. Hope you like them.


Giving Orders

There was something about his look that said he didn’t belong here. Making his way towards me, his scent and his gaze grew stronger. Standing in front of me, he told me in no uncertain terms exactly what he wanted. I froze. It took all my strength to utter, “You want fries with that?”


Like Trains That Pass In The Night

Rush hour. A hot, crowded subway car. Holding on to the pole bar, our sleeveless arms brush. Eyes darting, they meet briefly, look away, then flirt with a gaze. The train jolts to a stop, our arms brushing once more. She exits and the doors close. I will never see her again. Nor my wallet.

Getting Back At Telemarketers

So many amusing, funny, and not-so-funny things come through my e-mail, but this one is a real treat. It is a script, supposedly linked to a research study, that you can use when telemarketers call (access it here). I haven't tried it yet, but plan to as it will be a truly cathartic experience. Enjoy!