2008, We Hardly Knew Ye...

St. Peter and God were having a cup of coffee when God looks at St. Peter and says "You know, I'm tired. I think I need a vacation."

St. Peter replies "I think you deserve it, where do you want to go?"

God: "I don't know. I've been everywhere, I want something a little different."

St. Peter: "How about the moon?"

God: "The moon... I don't know.. not much atmosphere."

St. Peter: "There's always Earth."

God: "Earth? No thanks, last time I went there I hooked up with a jewish chick and they have been talking about it ever since."

So, 2008, what to say? The move to New York to pursue a life long dream of living in the city and film school has been a mixed bag. On one hand we are now living in the most amazing city I have ever lived in. It is amazing to be able to walk among the giants of my dreams, and realize that like it or not, I am now a part of the fray.

The other day, I sat on a subway car coated in Post It notes left for people who want to share their ideas, as a sort of temporary art installation/graffiti project. I participated.

A couple of weeks ago, the ferry was taken over by the subway hip hop series, and I got to watch thirty minutes of uninterrupted, unscripted and live hip hop happening before my eyes.

Every now and then, there is a brass band that plays in the Union Square subway station, you can hear them through the entire station (that spans several blocks).

Snow falling mutes the city, even the ever present buzz.

Living on the water has reignited my love for marine life.

I know that 2008 was the year for the leap of faith, and I leaped. Now, 2009 is about making the landing stick. It will be an obstacle course, there will continue to be blocks placed before me and the ground will occasionally drop out from beneath my feet but I will have to find ground, and move to the next challenge.

And this day, we sailed on.

Christmas in New York

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Originally uploaded by Blackfijre

Posted a couple of pictures from our walk in NYC today... enjoy.

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

Ok.. NSF but very interesting (mostly harsh language, very harsh language)

Anyone up for a hot dog?

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

The Jewish Journal has dedicated an entire section of their online site to the Bernie Madoff scandal called Swindler's List. Living in New York, it is almost impossible to escape this story. First, he lives right above the sister to the store I work in. Second, his face and name has been on the front page of every paper since the story broke. Third, well it's New York, there are a lot of community organizations and individuals who put their trust and faith in Madoff and have suffered because of it.

To me, the most interesting thing is how the Madoff story is only part and parcel of the larger economic picture, something that one poster on Swindler's List eloquently describes here. I only hope that Madoff's greed driven betrayal, the collapse of the credit and finance system, and our fiscal disaster will finally cause all Amercans to wake up and ask "What the hell are we doing?" and get out of this twenty year consumerist binge.

A Daily Reminder

When I was in Denver for the Film Festival, I mentioned to a few of you that there is a subway stop that I go through on a daily basis that is still pretty much as it was on 9/11. I shot some video going through and here it is... sorry for the glare.

Animation Station

After watching the Ice Age 3 trailer this morning, I realized that Chuck Jones created a shared psyche in American culture where no matter what, animated characters falling off a cliff is damn funny. Then I got to thinking about other great falls and animated moments and here are some of my favorites:



This is perhaps one of my all time favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons ever. The scalp massage has stuck with me since childhood.



What's Opera Doc? Need I say more?

I tried to find the clip of Homer jumping Springfield Gorge but as usual, Fox's team has scoured the internet and claimed their copyright... oh well. I guess we'll just have to live with the greatest animator of all time. Chuck Jones...



and finally...

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

Thanks to the Brian Kenny blog for introducing me to some new music...