End of July - where does time fly?

Greetings (to all) and meetings consume people’s lives, they are hopefully useful, yet they at times are useless or even catastrophic. Such has been the case with the recent disturbing and shameful events that occurred in various parts of Northern America with the arrest of several mayors and ‘high profile Rabbi’s’ with allegations of money laundering, embezzlement, black market organ sales and fraud. (Apparently, they were arrested to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “smooth criminal’.) Good, honest and hardworking people do not take heed of these events with much scrutiny, we move on and plants new seeds and create new ideas and innovations to our lives.

So to all the naysayers out there, let us wait and see how the justice system (which may be corrupt as well) imposes either the proper and adequate punishment or acquittal.

New York City summer continues to provide the summer that all New Yorkers are accustomed to. Super humid hot days with freak thunder and lightning storms are available. This factor assists beer drinking but limits outdoor play. The outdoor summer screens have been set up and I believe McCarren Park in Greenpoint offers the best viewing opportunity.  Wednesday night during the summer, under the stars, surrounded by an industrial looking Brooklyn, one can sit outdoors on their favourite blanket, eat popcorn and almonds, drink beer, observe hipsters, and view ‘interesting’ films. (But then again it may rain, so always have alternative plans.)

I wish congratulations, once again, to my cousins Daniel and Elana on their wedding in early July. It was an incredibly beautiful, moving, fun-filled wedding weekend. The weekend leading up to the wedding was wonderful.  The guests were able to bond, be merry and watch as the bride and groom were on those initial steps of their life together. It was good family time, we laughed (some cried), we reminisced - nothing was missed. The wedding was special it was filled with ecstasy, love and laughter. It was my pick of the parties of the summer 2009.

My find of July was the segregated pizza store in Williamsburgh (naturally, I sat on the women’s side.)

Michael Jackson is gone, but his legacy lives on. Ride the New York Subway and you will spot the young and old sporting MJ memorabilia. And that is the end of that.

Summertime always brings back those memories of fun and sun filled times. Like that great song back from that summer spent cruising the 405 in California or the one spent sojourning on the TGV in Southern France, or that gorgeous sunny day, spent on the golden sand and refreshing ocean of Bondi Beach. So what will that song of the summer be? Will their be that special memory, or will your summer be remembered and forgotten for some brainless act? Let me hear some of your summer stories.

We commemorate the destruction of God’s holy temple and it was due to acts of self–hate and self –centeredness that the destruction occurred.  So instead of calling people names, make yourself someone of fame. When you see someone in need, help him or her by doing a good deed.  

Peace and party.

Leaders

People who are in positions of power and authority and those who are supposed to be role models for society, ought not to abuse that power and control placed trustfully with them. Whether this be a Chief executive officer of a corporation, a Rabbi, the Priest, a Judge, a government official and the list continues.

If corruption and fraudulent behavior is found amongst those who are meant to act as figures of morality and ethical values, what is to be of the recipients of those figures? 

Of course, in such a situation we are not to follow and support the corrupt leader. 

It is almost the case of the blind leading the blind. 

Moon walk

Today is the anniversary of Neil Armstrong's apparent walk on the moon. Speculators have called the moon landing by the Americans on July 20 1969 a hoax, whilst many celebrate the great feat, excuse the pun, which touched down on the surface of the moon.

Was it staged? We may never know. 

40 years on, the world has advanced both in quality and quantity and even a bit more equity.

Space shuttles continue their exploration of the galaxy with their state of the art gear and rockets, but until verified proof of the landing is available, I am one of those speculators.

Caspian Hat Dance

I saw the Caspian Hat Dance play at a few shows in New York City recently.

At Zebulon in Greenpoint, Don Pedro in South Wlliamsburg and at Mehanata in the Lower east side.

Feel free to check out their gypsy inspired rhythms and eclectic sounds.

http://www.caspianhatdance.com/?monkeysez=make_monkey_go

Peace - Keep on cruising and playing those tunes 

Unpredictability

Unpredictability, 

can it or can't it be controlled,

supervised, restricted or limited ?

it seems to be a thing that evolved 

over time, 

and at times is devolved.

Unpredictability,

may be found in situations 

where perhaps love is found

then lost, 

perhaps regained, 

and restored 

to a place where the blind can see

and the deaf, hear.

Unpredictability,

is random,

maybe even a phantom

performed by the madmen

and which maybe exists in the

garden of Eden.

Unpredictability,

is true beauty,

sometimes in the form of 

valuable booty,

whether it be in a state of 

intimacy or divinity,

majority or minority, 

harmony or disharmony 

honest or dishonesty, 

but like most things in life, 

in which we journey,

it becomes something which is

mere history

remaining a complete 

mystery.

The gypsy and music

I live in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn is made up of a variety of communities - formed from different religions, ethnic groups and cultures. 

Where do they hail from? Where does the multi-cultured society of Brooklyn stem from? In short, it is a bunch of nomadic groups, who have trekked, travelled and transferred their communities from their place of origin and have created similar style communities in New York.

Brooklyn contains this nomadic/gypsy style atmosphere. In Williamsburg the languages of Polish, Ukrainian, Spanish, Yiddish and others can be heard amongst the streets filled with art, cafes and music venues. Nomads, and here I call them a type of gypsy group who have relocated with their original music, dishes and cultures transporting them across from Europe, South America and the former USSR.

It quite a phenomena to witness such a transformation. Preservation of original rituals,rites, customs and practices perpetuate an ethnic group or religious community. I have seen this first hand in Brooklyn. 

I saw an Amsterdam based Gypsy band play on the streets of Bedford Avenue and North 5th street with Romanian gypsy lyrics. Equipped with a violin, double bass, horns (the music type), percussion and guitars they filled the air with musical genius. Their music evoked that sense of European aura. They are preserving and sustaining their roots and origins. 

(The band was called Caspian Hat Dance)

May we all take a lesson from it.

Preserve whilst not allowing for your roots to fall into disrepair.

The Paradox of the human

In the week that passed I was able to witness and observe certain aspects of human interaction and behaviour. 

I attended the most beautiful of weddings, where bride and groom seem so in love. The atmosphere was incredibly spirited. 

One sees the goodness and kindness as people celebrate other's fortune. I did not see any greed, selfishness or jealousy on the dance floor. I saw beaming smiles, tears of joy and jubilation. 

And this is where the beauty of hindsight plays its part.

A few days before the wedding I saw the paradox of the human. I witnessed an act which went to the core and epitome of selfishness. It was an inconsiderate act, thoughtless and one that involved self-seeking.

And the paradox will play on .... 

 

Here's to a July summer

Greetings.

July is here, but seemingly the summer is not. When it rains it pours, and that has been the order through the month of June.  Then again, there is saying that water is a sign of blessing, favour and protection.  Finally, the sun did shine in June, albeit not in a physical manner. Some people walked the streets of New York with pride whilst others jumped through puddles of water and uncertainty and some were brave enough to boogie to the words of 30h3 hit song ‘Don’t trust me’. (For copyright and cleanliness purposes I will not be recording the lyrics in this post.)

Bernie Madoff got life (150 years in prison) for the ponzi scheme that he created. Michael Jackson took a different route and joins Elvis Presley (the details are still unclear what caused the death until autopsy findings are disclosed). Wimbledon is on, but really who cares, Roger Federer will win (I will gladly eat my words if my prediction is wrong). Election drama and chaos filled the streets in Iran, people were butchered and the state still does not know what to do.  Airplanes fell out of the sky, while a pilot died midflight. Swine flew around the world as the deadly pandemic continues its ruthless outbreak.

We sent off my cousin Daniel into his impending marriage with the traditional Bachelor party.  A weekend in Westhampton beach was organised and a success it was. It was a weekend filled with bachelorhood, hangovers, drunken windsurfing, pink elephants, and beer before whisky, vodka, zealousness and torturous sermons. But the sun did shine. On that note, I would like to wish my cousins Daniel And Elana a hearty Mazel Tov and congratulations on their upcoming wedding. May your lives be filled with love, laughter, bliss and contentment.

Family weddings are always good times, and it is good to have my family visiting from all over the world. The reunion of sorts and get togethers, have been filled with amusement and character. We walked the streets of the Lower East side, ferried across the Hudson River, trekked through Chinatown and used the fare increased subway system of New York city. A subway ride will now cost you $2.25, and you still get to your destination late.  The fun times continue. Gardens are opening and the winter roofs have been removed.

Unemployment has declined, while struggling bands get into gear for their big summer ahead.  The Decemberists will still be playing their music in the summer months of July and August.  The longer summer day brings a sense of gaiety, where outdoor activities including the barbeque, under the moonlight cinema and beach days can be had and enjoyed.

The Northern hemisphere summer always brings back good memories of my backpacking days in Europe. From the spectacular sights of Scandinavia, the vivacious atmosphere of Venice, pretty Prague and the bewitchment of Barcelona. And a whole lot more. The world is your oyster and there to discover.

Make the most of Summer 2009 in whatever you do, and I wish one and all a healthy, happy and sun filled summer.

Remember to bring a present back for your mother.

Let the sun shine.