Monday, June 29, 2009

susan sheriff

I have been trying to track down the Season 3 SNL box set for two days. I called the Atlantic Center Target ( that never has anything in it) and they said they had it. I put on some clothes and ran over there... As I was moving up the escalator, the guy in front of me started talking about the store. I chimed in and said " dont come to this one if you dont have it." the woman turned around with her brooklyn industries shopping bag and vintage glasses, was Susan Sheriff, Suzi Steffen's old roommate from Iowa. We stood and talked for an hour. Luckily, i grabbed the box set because there were 3 and I watched people searching for them. They were gone in 10 minutes after i got there.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Everywhere are people who need some help and dont want to get it.

I was coming home on Friday and a woman who clearly was inebriated, drunk or stoned on hardcore drugs was trying to find her way to Brooklyn. She announced to the train that she had to get to Dekalb Ave to get her kids. "They were going to take her kids"
I gave her directions and she was impaired. I kept talking and then told her it was not in her best interest to show up for her kids in that condition. She was concealing a beer and smelled of alcohol. I told her that I could smell the alcohol. She said that is why she had gum. I told her that it would not work. Her worker will see through it.
She carried one piece of bubble gum and while carrying an open beer, talked to me about the cops busting you for open cans. I helped her get to her train and wished her well. I explained to her about judges role and three years in foster care without her doing the things asked of her can result in termination of her rights. She didnt want to hear that from me, that wanted me to support her position.

Saturday i went to a show of a singer songwriter friend of mine. It was a benefit for her friends. So she was among mostly people she knew. 1/2 was through this show, a man entered and Announced " i am alexander". I didnt know if she knew him or not. She was polite and he became rather disruptive. I noticed her look towards the back and not make eye contact in his direction. The group moved to keep him quiet as he started talking to himself or whatever imaginary person that was there. Initially he had a friend with him. I moved closer to check it out. He was moving through a series of compulsive movements while talking. He carried a mirror and looked in the mirror. recited a series of numbers. His hair was uncut and he used ill fitting pieces to try to cover this large bald spot. The back of his hair was long past his shoulders, making him peculiar looking. I moved into the front row and as the show ended, I aleted my friend's husband about the man and that I suggested that he moved towards the front to get the artist back stage and safe. I would make sure the guy left and then she could leave safely. I used my assessment skills to try to judge the level of danger to my friend and determined that it was low but wanted a safety plan anyway.

Mental illness, drug and alcohol use take many forms.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Capricorn Horoscope for week of June 25, 2009

Capricorn Horoscope for week of June 25, 2009

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows," said journalist Sydney J. Harris. That would be an excellent motto for you to live by in the coming weeks, Capricorn. Whether or not you're enrolled in school, you're in a phase when your capacity for attracting learning experiences is at a peak. To take maximum advantage of the cosmic tendencies, all you have to do is cultivate a hungry curiosity for fresh teachings and life lessons -- especially those that shift you away from gazing at your own reflection and toward peering out at the mysteries of the world.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

falcon ridge mornings

with all this rain, many of the mornings when i am walking to work remind me those dew filled falcon ridge mornings. Its cool enough to be like in the berkshire mountains and cool enough to remind you of those very early summer mornings..

Falcon ridge infiltrates the month of June....

Capricorn Horoscope for week of June 18, 2009

Capricorn Horoscope for week of June 18, 2009

Maybe it's time you did something in return for all the free advice I give you. From a karmic perspective it might not be healthy for you to continue to take, take, take while never giving back. So this week, for a change, how about if you compose an oracle for me? Or send me a nice present -- nothing big or expensive, just a thoughtful token. JUST KIDDING! The truth is, I don't care if you ever express your appreciation. You give me a momentous gift simply by caring enough to read my words. Being able to speak with you so intimately has made me a better and smarter person. Now I suggest you do what I just did: Acknowledge how much the receivers of your gifts do for you.
whats the chance, ill pull up to park at clearwater and Dave will be behind me..

people i run into

i ran into someone I used to work with at ST Josephs, a woman who works in a pharmacy whom i know from the deli where she worked in Queens and someone that I know from school.....

three people, three different places in my life....

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Friday, June 05, 2009

Capricorn Horoscope for week of June 4, 2009

Capricorn Horoscope for week of June 4, 2009

In astrology, the word "quincunx" refers to a relationship characterized by creative tension. Two planets that are in quincunx are like two people who have a certain odd affinity for each other but don't speak the same language. Imagine an Italian woman and an American man meeting at a party and experiencing an immediate chemistry, even though each can barely understand what the other is saying. I bring this up, Capricorn, because these days you're in a quincunx dynamic with pretty much the whole world. To keep frustration to a minimum and enhance the excitement quotient, you should try to crack some of the foreign codes you're surrounded by.

Leonard Cohen live at Red Rocks

Listen! Leonard Cohen Live at Red Rocks

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

more than Leonard Cohen

Before the NYC Radio City shows, I saw John Prine at the Beacon. John Prine is a songwriter's songwriter. He did a grand show filled with all the songs that you want hear and more. There were no special guests even though Justin Townes Earle opened. He was better than I thought he would be.

While with my parents, I saw Tom Hanks in Angels and Demons, it was a good movie for what it was. Dad stayed awake and mom didnt quite get it all.. it was a good thriller and Dad thought the scenery of Roma was beautiful

Boston 2009

I headed up to New England to celebrate the birthday of my nieces. My family was all present. The kids got a new Wii and we spent the afternoon creating Mii and playing with the Wii. Sunday, I spent the day with mom and dad and we went to the local casino. Monday, I headed back to NY. Tuesday, I was in the office. Wednesday, I had two appointments out side of the office and then went to my first class of the summer. Human Behavior.

I was entrolled and excited over the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice. I qualified Woman of Puerto Rican decent. There would be no grander thing. For many years the PR community in NY had to fight for their rightful place among the other Latin communities and among American. Justice Sotomayor, a kid from the South Bronx who went to Princeton and Yale and is smart except she is a Yankees fan....

Thursday, I went back to New England and Friday, I was out with mom and dad before I had to leave for Boston and Leonard Cohen. I had purchased two tickets to the two nights in Boston before the NY tickets went on sale, so I ended up seeing 4 shows on this tour.

The first two shows were in NYC. The first was pure excitement. Never seeing LC before, this was the opportunity of a life time. It went by like a blur. The songs that I listened to for a long time now hearing them live. It was a life changing experience. Everything was new, the cartwheels of the Webb Sisters, the solos of Sharon Robinson and Javier Mas, on guitar. The Broken Hallelujah. Teddy Thompson was in front of me. He was in the Hal Wilner project and in the DVD so I was interested in his reaction to the Future ( a song that he sung too) THe night had an excitement that belonged to NYC. Leonard at Radio City Music Hall... Fans, friends, and celebrities all paying tribute to LC.

Sunday, back at Radio City again... I went to the 9th ave food festival first and saw my mechanic on the street. I ran into the Gay Marriage for NY protest and Cynthia Nixon and David Hyde Pierce, Mayor Bloomberg, Gov. Patterson etc were there... Finally, I went to Radio City to sit in the Mezzanine for LC...

This time around, I knew what to expect and could just it back and enjoy the moment. I had my camera and snapped pix of the screen and stage. I sat with a couple who were LC fans and there was plenty of excited people who hadnt been able to get tickets for Saturday so they came on Sunday. I didnt share their first night excitement because I was on my second. It was like wine, savored but familiar. The crowd was more European with lots of languages that were not english being spoken. It was a great night of music.

In Boston, Show number 3 - Boston, I met my friend Karen before the show and after finding street parking and Karen, we chatted until the show. I found my seat and it was way in the corner of the back orchestra. I asked the house manager to move me if she could on this night of a sold out show. She placed me in a private box on the second floor. The corporate boxes were not used and I had space and 6 seats to myself. I was to the left but had a great view and a private space. There was accessible bathrooms and it was pure comfort. The show was the best of the three. LC was loose and playful and the sound was great. The singing was spot on. I think it was best of all of the shows. Boston Night 1... not the folky crowd but i did see someone I knew in the crowd.

Boston show 4..... center row mezzanine seats. Same as the night before. Set list was different. The Partisan was in the set list. I knew that as she show was ending that this may be the last time that I saw LC live. I didnt want it to end but I wanted it to end on the best of songs. I was unsure whether to sit or stand for the end of the show. I stood and took some pictures and ended my last LC show with a let down that there may not be any more.


I tried to take some pictures

Monday, June 01, 2009

9th avenue street fair

I ran into my mechanic Vic who lives on Long island on 57th street. He was going to the 9th ave food festival as i was leaving. I went later in the day than i expected and started at 34th street. The festival starts at 42nd and walked up, stopping at Amys bread, waiting in line and then walking on. I stopped to look at Clinton Community Garden teeshirts and then walked up the Ave looking at food and getting a free totebag for the Census 2010 promotion. He had never been before and was with his wife. He recognized me....

again, the strange places i run into people....