OK Go!

Down On The Corner

Oh, To Be 108 Again..

That's my favorite quote by 115-year-old Hendrijke Van Andel-Schipper (pictured left), who died today in the Netherlands, relinquishing the world's oldest person title to 115-year-old Elizabeth Bolden of Memphis, Tennessee, who turned 115 just two weeks ago. Hendrikje van Andel has stated that the secret to longevity is a serving of herring every day and drinking orange juice. On her 113th birthday she jokingly added "breathing".

There are 50,000 Americans over 100, but only 500 are expected to live until 110.

Did you know than Maine is the only US state with just one syllable, and is the only state to border on just one other state (New Hampshire)?

Four states have pan-handles, and four states have boot-heels. Can you name them? Did you know that Oregon was a state before the Civil War, and has been a state for 30 years longer than Washington? Do you know which three states were admitted during the Civil War?

I'm Back!

Gone Fishin'

Reaching For The Sky
With Short But Well-Shaped Arms

Last night, a lovely surprise: Bart & I met at TKTS and got half-price tickets to see the acclaimed "Light In The Piazza." This show, based on a novella about an American mother and daugther that travel to Florence in 1953, was aptly described by the Times as "a real human being (materializing) in a mainstream musical, an environment that has become increasingly hostile to such life forms." The old "Italian dreamboat boy falls for shy American woman" has a touching twist: the woman is a 'special child,' with a body that's 26 but emotions that are 10, thanks to a pony that kicked her in the end. The score is lovely, the acting superb, the sets, costumes and lighting are worthy of old Douglas Sirk films. "Light" has its flaws, often falling short of its ambitious aims. I still prefer drama to musicals. But it was very worthwhile at half-price on a cool, summer weeknight. Below: the movie poster from a 1961 film version of the same source material featuring Olivia DeHavilland and the long-forgotten Yvette Mimieux and George Hamilton as the young lovers. (here's NYT review of the film)

Hughes Guys

Seeing Red

Last night I finally saw Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Red", from 1993-94's famous Red, White, and Blue trilogy, taking his adopted country France's colors and motto (liberty, equality, fraternity)... as his theme. Previously a "Kieslowski virgin," I enjoyed "Red" more than I expected to. It's a "small movie" with independent/foreign film pacing, character-focused, and the most color-schemed cinematography this side of Kubrick. All in an economical 99 minutes - a real treat. The film's focus is the intersecting lives of three lonely people - a eavesdropping retired judge, a lonely young model/actress (pictured, in this Russian film poster), and a law student bruising for a romantic disappointment. Bravo. "White" and "Blue" have moved way up in my Netflix Queue.

Now I'm working on "The Aviator," probably my last film before leaving on vacation Friday...

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Where The Ice Floes...

Eskimo Social Security. : - ) Here's where I'm not going on vacation, this year anyway. This is Prince William Sound in South Central Alaska:

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Golden Buddha Luck

I saw real golden Buddhas in Bangkok 2 1/2 years ago, traveling with Erik, Doug, and Carolyn.

This photo is the work of genius QT Luong, perhaps the Ansel Adams of our time, who has photograhped all 58 US national parks and then turned his lens to Asia. QT, by day, is an unassuming techie who worked for Thomas' father.

I've spent this weekend mostly listening to/recording audiobooks for my mp3, to accompany me to the Rockies on Friday. I particularly love "Home at the End of the World" by Michael Cunningham, author of "The Hours". I finished 2 of 13 CDs and I'm totally awed. "Home" was his first book, and brilliantly evokes the formative years of two smart, quirky, and troubled boys, one of whom will grow up to be gay, the other bisexual but mostly straight. Amazingly insightful and incisive writing. Apparently the movie version, unlike that of "The Hours", didn't do it justice.

Cartoon:

Tour De Force

Downhill?

Meaning downhill in a good sense, like a home stretch... Will it come together? : - ) Can I pull the threads of a hundred mangoes and spin something seamless and useful at work? Will anyone ever understand my mixed metaphors? Stay tuned... Last night, I had dinner with Pat and the Barking Dog, a dog-friendly eatery on E 34th St, with doggy fountains and dishes on the patio. That's where we dined, in the surprisingly fresh and dry 85F evening (which after a 93F day, feels delightful). Here's the menu, btw. I had strips of tuna steak dolloped with green caviar arranged in a mountain over mashed potatoes and garnished with broccoli. I washed it down with Pinot Grigio. I am underslept, overworked, and anxious. But I'm also 6 days from hiking in the Rockies. And that's the way it is...

Get on the bus with Thomas!

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Window Of Opportunity

Eight days until my vacation, eight days to finish a research report. Hope my fillings stop falling out : - ) Tuesday night had a scrumptious sushi dinner with Jon at Jewel Bako Makimono on 2nd Ave near East 7th. It ain't cheap, but it truly melts in your mouth - nectar of the gods...

What else? Both "Vera Drake" and "The Aviator" are sitting on my DVD player - that's five hours of high-quality film when I can find a moment - maybe this weekend, which is actually my last in New York until September 9th! The next three weekends are coming, at, and returning from vacation, and Labor Day I'm taking my visiting Mom to Boston.

Contraption Rapture

Today's theme are unlikely and unwieldy feats of mechanical engineering, more fondly known as 'contraptions'. On the far right is a preposterous vehicle I saw on 42nd Street last year, and about which I've finally found information! It's the ConferenceBike, a huge tricycle pedaled by seven riders sitting in a circle! One person steers, and the ad everyone is free to pedal or not, though I imagine at least one person must actually pedal for it to move. Their slogan: It's not just a bike - it's a party on wheels!

Cartoon:

Six Feet Edge Of Seat

Monday Monday