Manhattanhenge

This year, 
Manhattan Solstice coincided with Memorial Day,

so what is one to do? 

Well we broke out the grill, ordered a few cases of beer to the Disco, flavored the watermelon with vodka and invited a few friends over…

and just like that! - the Manhattanhenge Memorial Day party was born.

Watermelon Balls with a Twist

The Loungers

The Grillers (i insist its a man's job)

The Photographer

The Wiener Meisterin

The Professional

The View from Urban Disco

The Hengers

I hope that your Memorial Day was as chill as ours, we found a perfect way to bring in the summers and celebrate our veterans.

 

spring sphere roll to the Burg

I made a surprise visit to visit my family at Easter time a few weeks ago. I was not sure if I was able to make it back given the crazy schedule I had but when my little sister invited me to color eggs with the kids, I couldn't resist. 

Just look at the amazement on my Nephew's face and egg dye on his hands as he waits for his first little egg to incubate in the blue dye.

nephew first egg

Coloring the eggs was only half the fun, finding them in the yard after a visit from the Easter Bunny was the other. The kids searched for 3 dozen eggs at Honey and Grandpa's house which meant about 1-1/2 hour of laughs and amusement for the rest of us. 

Honey gives Nephew a hand

Mr Noah found a few

Easter Bunny

We wrapped up the day with Easter Sunday brunch, a contribution from everybody, and it was prima. Especially the Easter Punch!

Auntie M's special Punch

Mama's little Helper or Mama's little Eater

As a little treat for my sister, I offered to do a spot of kid sitting on Saturday.  I took my Niece with me to do a little running around while her Mama did some of the baking for the brunch. I was only two stores in when my Niece blurted, "Tante, Im sick of buying things". It was my first taste of quickly readjusting the plans to take advantage of the "happy" window of time a child actually affords you. Somehow I did make some fun for my Niece in creating a story around the beautifully dressed mannequins who sometimes come to life, riding the magical escalators and lifts across the mall, visiting a friend and her son and buying happy meals (I know, I swore i would never and this was what, 3 hours in?), stopping for a visit to Andy Warhol's gravesite (morbid obsession with graveyards runs in the family) and ending the day with a beer store run.

Love this photo, Niece gives a few pointers to the mannequin

Old Soul

Beer run

Today was a such an beautiful spring day here in NYC, and somehow the sunshine conquered up memories of my Easter weekend.  The 2 days  certainly went too fast, but it was filled with hugs and love and family and friends and could not have been more perfect.

me and Dad

Love being a Tante

voodoo charm

just returning from new orleans where i spent the last few days listening to a great lineup of music at the Jazz Festival, including Arcade Fire, Henry Butler and Golden Voices choir.

if you have never been you most definitely should.  and if you are like me, you will not only fall in love with the music festivals, but also the lively street parties, friendliness of the people, tasty broiled crawfish, beauty of the old Victorian homes, romanticism of the St. Charles St streetcar, sounds of brass bands on French Street, strong drinks and the sweet banana fosters

Yahtzee peeling more crawfish

Laissez le Bon temp rouler!

The Dress

All the talk about "The Dress" over the last weeks - and for what? In my opinion, it was flat. 


Yes, it was a royal wedding and no, I didn't expect Kate should wear a Lady GaGa-esque design, but isn't there such a thing as too safe even for an occasion such as this?  And this was also not reminiscent of Alexander McQueen - no trend, no edge, nothing controversial or risky...there was no statement to be made. 


If I were marrying into the royal family,  I would likely choose something also elegant but with more dramatic touches than an interesting neckline (the best feature of Kate's dress actually).  I would certainly choose something more fashion forward - its a pivotal moment in fashion history so I would step up to the challenge. 


Royal fashion disappointment aside, thank you Prince Simon and Princess Caroline for the wonderful gala to honor the wedding of Kate & William. I am pretty sure you are wondering who invited this Yank anyway.  I do apologize for not knowing the difference between the Queen and the Queen Mom, drinking too much and insisting jelly does not belong in whatever that dodgy pudding" was....and of course not saying a word about MY dress - fancy hat with cowboy boots and a jean jacket :-)


Long live the Queen

Price Simon and Dinner

Princess Caroline and Lordship

From the dark heart of a dream

I did not have a very good guitar lesson tonight. I am learning Death Cab for Cutie, I'll follow you into the dark and while it doesn't have lots of chords, the changes are tough and the strumming pattern is somehow difficult for me. So i am frustrated. This on top of some theory which is probably pretty simple but I just don't get it - B, C, C#, D (what happened to B#)? ugh.


Afterward I went with Yahtzee to City Winery to watch a Bruce documentary about the making of Darkness on the Edge of Town. Unf, Bruce was not there...but I thought the film was excellent and getting inside the process of a creative type like Bruce was pretty profound. 


Of course I am a huge Bruce fan. So to watch old clips of the band in the studio over the making of this album was just neat, especially as it was a bit of coming of age narrative. Bruce says in the film that he realized that "life is not wide open but it is full of possibilities" and he was beginning to find himself compromising more as an adult but also realizing that there are some things you dont compromise. This album was a homage of sorts to the beliefs he held true to - family, work ethic, a way of life - and the albums was its "sound picture". I like stories and this one is so genuine and it really does come across in the rawness of the songs.


I also realized that continuing to learn and play well is a real process even for the very talented. Finding your voice, your words, your voice and words together- not just recognizing a good sound and song but making it true to your story - this is the thrill but also the real work.  Being able to tap into your gut as to how it all feels and how it "fits". Truly inspiring and motivating.


Will I ever be a gee-tar rockstar? Will i ever write kick-ass song that resonate with folks of all walks through the ages? Probably not . But in the darkness there will be hidden worlds that shine - and now i have The Promise of churning out my own story some day in the form of music.  And I definitely have the The Promise of playing DCFC with a bit more heart by this time next week. 


Dasha Breedlove

This guy Breedlove.

I started playing guitar on August 28th.
Inspired by many, it was this guy who finally got me to take the plunge.

Since I started, I have been playing with this guy's guitar.  He has been playing for a few years and since he moved on to electric - was happy to lend me his acoustic.

And it was this guy who has motivated me from the point of inspiration, to the point of frustration, to the point of hope and now to the point of buying my first guitar...my very own Breedlove.

Now in the spirit of being fashionable, I was initially checking out all the colorful guitars in the joint. I really wanted red or yellow, but also saw a nice aubergine Ibanez that caught my fancy.  Lucky Adam came with with and taught me that things like tone, craftsmanship, string type, having a very cool hard case that makes me look like a real musician and size do matter.

And I can tell you, its been nothing but Breedlove love since I brought'er home.  I just love this guy.

Be on the lookout for my video short soon - I am playing already covers from Poison and Extreme, and eyeing up the Death Cab for Cutie song "i will follow you into the dark"

....PS - let me not forget this guy, who has had to be my audience day in and out. 

Brother rocks NYC

I received a text last night with this photo that read...Missing u in the burgh, never too busy for a txt hug! xoxo sis n bro

If I had one wish, it would be to make the travel time between Pittsburgh, NYC and Walluf instantaneous.  I really wish I had family nearby -  for nothing more than to sit and talk and laugh more together. Those moments when we do have family around, I savour every moment.

Such was the case last month - my brother came to visit for a week. We had a plan - simply to watch Pitt kick ass at the Big East Tournament at MSG (now please read - On being a Pittsburgh Fan, quickly).  But this was not to be. Not even one game.

Of course all was not lost. Because Dasha never has just one plan, she has plans. And brother, you better believe it.

In between the comedy show at Eastville, music at Rockwood Music Hall and Sunday brunch with friends, we managed to squeeze in also a little Burlesque at Parkside Lounge. Here we watched Miss Coney Island put on a show to the little ditty, "I'm Naked, so what?"by Stereo Total.  It happens now to be a little ditty I can't get out of my mind so if you want to run around with a fun song in your head have a listen

And in between watching new graduates put on an improv show at UCB theater, chillin' to jazz at the neighborhood club Jules Bistro and getting "jaggy" at Snugs St. Patty's Day party, we found time time to sit and talk on more than one occasion -  and usually with a bottle of red. The first night we were up till 6 am. Now I know there are many dying to know what we were talking about for so many hours (my brother is not so much known to be a man of little words as much as a man of selective words) - for those in question...we were talking about you (smile).

And, seriously, not done yet (see, this is what I love about him - he is as tireless as me!) in between lounging at favvie fav haunt Ace Hotel Lobby Bar, playing darts at my local Thirsty Scholar (I am known as Princess there, should save this story for another blog) and going with bunches of friends to see a very cool interactive theater based on Macbeth called Sleep No More (where we wore blank masks and went from room to room in abandoned hotel watching play acts, including a "witch orgy" first hand), my brother and Yahtzee stayed on track with their 1/2 marathon running preparations. And trust me when I say, the average person cannot rock this headband look.

Bret Michaels

or this "whatever is going on below the waist" look of my husband.

And in between going out and exploring new things about the city, we definitely found time for talks and laughs that I miss so much, and enjoying the moments here at Urban Disco  -  playing guitar, ordering in S'mac and watching March Madness Selection Sunday  (again, see blog post)

a natural

We miss you already and always enjoy your visit with us!
So please come back again soon.

What's a Pils?

On being a Pittsburgh Fan

Some days, when you are a Pittsburgh fan, its best to just hibernate.

Hibernation Day 2 - post shower

Such marks my trip trip to DC last weekend with Yahtee.

Were we disappointed when Pittsburgh Steelers made it to the Superbowl, only fall to a bunch of cheese heads?

Yes, we were.

Were we disappointed when Pittsburgh lost first round at Big East tournament at MSG?

Most definitely.

And did we leave Verizon Center broken-hearted Pitt fans?

Yes, we did.
(who is Butler anyway?)

So after such an emotional game that called for some serious hibernation (Dasha got 20 hours), a romantic stroll around Potomac Park on a beautiful day to admire the blooming Cherry Blossoms was well in order.

Reflections

Cherry Pie

Memorials

A hipster in DC - move over Michelle Obama

It was just a short trip but a much needed one. We have learned that being a fan of all sports teams Pittsburgh has its disappointments, but just as the cherry blossoms come back year after year in all their beauty and grandeur, demanding an audience - so is it also with our Pittsburgh sports teams. 

Next year is all ours.

Go Pitt

Whirlwind Visit with Good People

I am feeling honored that my dear friend came to visit me in NYC on her last weekend in the US. It was long overdue but even more so, much needed.

It's interesting when you think about friendships and the things that bond. Me and C met through Weave Girl, but I knew right away that we would have have become friends under any circumstance. I was automatically taken by C's energy, openness, ability to live in the moment and smile. And over time, I came to know her as also a person who is very persistent in achieving her goals, thoughtful in her actions and true blue to her friends and family.  She is worldly yet unpretentious. She is good people.

To me, this picture really embodies C's spirit.

In our 24 hour whirlwind visit, we managed to walk along the Bowery and through Soho, stopping for art shows (including opening night for Mark Morrisroe) and drinking coffee at Ground Support, listening to music at the Rockwood and meeting friends at V Bar, eating a world-class burger at Corner Bistro (who were experiencing a black out) and drinking up at Cubby Hole, and playing a little guitar and having lunch with Yahtzee at Mexican at La Superior.

And of course, sitting on the rooftop in Snuggies till 4:30 in the morning - talking.

The New Museum on the Bowery

Ground Support LOVE

Rockwood

Is there anything she can't do?

at Cubby Hole

Bon Voyage friend, I have no doubt your energy and smile will win the Dutch over as you find a new home in the Netherlands. 
Thank you for being my friend.

Mastering the art of Chillaxin'

I am writing this blog entry today from a new outpost. 

It seems I have underrated the art of Chillaxin' for years now, leaving it only to vacations and an occasional weekend.  But in the last weeks I have discovered that many activities can take place from this new post, besides the obvious...but even (wink wink), that spawn much creativity and well being.  For the last weeks, I have

• finished the Patti Smith book Just Kids (inspiring in itself)
• practiced Give a Little Bit on the guitar
• listened to Mind the Dubstep mix over & over (its a goodie) - ==>right here
• drew a self portrait ( i should post this for a laugh)
• loaded up my grooveshark library with more songs
• wrote my husband a love letter
• pondered my life. And the lives of others. This resulted in a letter to myself
• updated my online picture library and reminisced a little
• ordered a new pair of James Jeans online after wearing out the old pair
• worked on my narrative, but nothing really good
• wondered what the next year or two will bring and dreamed a little
• and thought about all the things I "need to do" and stayed in bed anyway :-)

So in this spirit, I wish you all a chillaxin' Saturday