We guess people really mean it when they say they miss and like winter, as there are a lot of people downtown today, though nothing special is going on, and it is one of the first snowy days this season.
We guess they just want to experience cold. We understand; we like planet Earth too.
So imagine what next weekend will be like downtown, with the Light In Winter festival in the State Theater and other city venues, and the Chili Cookoff on the Commons on Saturday afternoon. Busy, that's what.
We hope and trust we will see you out there, enjoying Ithaca's cultural climate.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Coneheads Puzzler Revealed
So you can all enjoy the football contest tonight with a clear head, we will reveal the answer to the Coneheads crossword puzzler, previously posted.
The correct New York Times crossword puzzle answer for the clue, "The Coneheads, etc.", six letters, was "aliens."
My answer was "French." And I was sincere.
The winner of our contest, for a $10 gift certificate to Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, is Chris M., of Lansing. Chris was randomly selected from a number of people who gave "aliens" as the correct answer, and guessed our incorrect answer was "sketch", which is a good guess at an incorrect answer, but not as funny as our actual one, is it? We wouldn't have brought the whole thing up if it wasn't funny.
Enjoy the game!
Steve Burke
for Itahca NY Blog
The correct New York Times crossword puzzle answer for the clue, "The Coneheads, etc.", six letters, was "aliens."
My answer was "French." And I was sincere.
The winner of our contest, for a $10 gift certificate to Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, is Chris M., of Lansing. Chris was randomly selected from a number of people who gave "aliens" as the correct answer, and guessed our incorrect answer was "sketch", which is a good guess at an incorrect answer, but not as funny as our actual one, is it? We wouldn't have brought the whole thing up if it wasn't funny.
Enjoy the game!
Steve Burke
for Itahca NY Blog
Monday, January 30, 2012
"Coneheads" Puzzler
One of our missions here at Ithaca Blog is to provide high-caliber intellectual fodder for our readers. Here goes.
We're doing a crossword puzzle. New York Times, the best, we don't bother with anything else.
3-across is six letters. The clue is, "The Coneheads, etc."
We are very fast at crosswords, like Bill Clinton, and we pen our answer in. Easy one.
Except our answer was wrong.
We found this out when we started working on the downs.
We're making this a contest for you. Tell us what our wrong answer was, or what the right answer was, and we enter you in a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to our business, Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, on the Commons.
Tell us what both answers were, and you're in a drawing for a $20 gift certificate.
Knowledge is good -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We're doing a crossword puzzle. New York Times, the best, we don't bother with anything else.
3-across is six letters. The clue is, "The Coneheads, etc."
We are very fast at crosswords, like Bill Clinton, and we pen our answer in. Easy one.
Except our answer was wrong.
We found this out when we started working on the downs.
We're making this a contest for you. Tell us what our wrong answer was, or what the right answer was, and we enter you in a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to our business, Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, on the Commons.
Tell us what both answers were, and you're in a drawing for a $20 gift certificate.
Knowledge is good -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, January 23, 2012
CD By Mary Lorson, Among the Greats
There's a roster of musicians comprising the great, not unified by style nor even proficiency, but with the simple quality that as soon as you hear them, you know it's them.
Sinatra, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, T. Monk, Muddy Waters: you get the idea.
I remember once pulling my car off the road, about 20 years ago, to make sure I caught the name of this song on the radio with beautiful slide guitar that sounded so much like George Harrison. The song was "Handle With Care" and of course it was George Harrison.
You'll have your own list. May I suggest you listen to Mary Lorson ( Ithaca's own) and see if you don't add her to it, sooner rather than later.
Ms. Lorson has a new CD, with her new band the Soubrettes, "Burn Baby Burn," which is released for radio play this week, after first release in 2011, to glowing reviews. (The last Sunday New York Times of 2011 named it as a recording not to miss from the year.)
Ms. Lorson's singularity includes her singing, playing (guitar and piano, primarily), and songwriting, which are all of a piece, a trifecta that not many achieve (Sinatra doesn't play or write; Monk doesn't sing).
The songs are mostly piano-based, which generally rules out folkiness, but Ms. Lorson rules it in, composing also for banjo, tenor guitar, and standup bass. The rhythms are direct, with a modest backbeat, but are mostly propelled by Ms. Lorson's vocals, and the meters of her lyrics. This is the strongest part of the hey-that's-Mary Lorson factor. Her singing sounds like her lyrics, her lyrics sound like her songs, her songs sound like her singing.
Ms. Lorson is a just-right singer: never attempting to overpower the notes, but never afraid to meet and define them. Her voice is understated in its beauty. Her diction is perfect but never fussy.
The CD's last song, the only one not written by Ms. Lorson, is "I Don't Care," a vaudeville tune popularized by Eva Tanguay, a favorite of Ms. Lorson's. The final words are "If I'm never successful, it won't be stressful, 'cause I don't care." We don't know how ironically to take this, which is probably the idea, but we think Ms. Lorson will be as successful as she wishes with the strength of this release.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sinatra, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, T. Monk, Muddy Waters: you get the idea.
I remember once pulling my car off the road, about 20 years ago, to make sure I caught the name of this song on the radio with beautiful slide guitar that sounded so much like George Harrison. The song was "Handle With Care" and of course it was George Harrison.
You'll have your own list. May I suggest you listen to Mary Lorson ( Ithaca's own) and see if you don't add her to it, sooner rather than later.
Ms. Lorson has a new CD, with her new band the Soubrettes, "Burn Baby Burn," which is released for radio play this week, after first release in 2011, to glowing reviews. (The last Sunday New York Times of 2011 named it as a recording not to miss from the year.)
Ms. Lorson's singularity includes her singing, playing (guitar and piano, primarily), and songwriting, which are all of a piece, a trifecta that not many achieve (Sinatra doesn't play or write; Monk doesn't sing).
The songs are mostly piano-based, which generally rules out folkiness, but Ms. Lorson rules it in, composing also for banjo, tenor guitar, and standup bass. The rhythms are direct, with a modest backbeat, but are mostly propelled by Ms. Lorson's vocals, and the meters of her lyrics. This is the strongest part of the hey-that's-Mary Lorson factor. Her singing sounds like her lyrics, her lyrics sound like her songs, her songs sound like her singing.
Ms. Lorson is a just-right singer: never attempting to overpower the notes, but never afraid to meet and define them. Her voice is understated in its beauty. Her diction is perfect but never fussy.
The CD's last song, the only one not written by Ms. Lorson, is "I Don't Care," a vaudeville tune popularized by Eva Tanguay, a favorite of Ms. Lorson's. The final words are "If I'm never successful, it won't be stressful, 'cause I don't care." We don't know how ironically to take this, which is probably the idea, but we think Ms. Lorson will be as successful as she wishes with the strength of this release.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Music Versus Football Fans, Sunday 22 Jan.
There is excellent local music tonight, for those fortunates unensnared by the evening's football hype (New York Giants, championship game).
The Black Walnut Band plays western kind of music at Maxie's, from 6 to 10. It jumps, and is a great tonic for a winter night.
Rockwood Ferry is a new amalgam of acoustic musicians playing original songs: love songs, ballads, perfect ponders. Richie Stearns plays banjo and our pal Tenzin, who we think is the best male singer in town, writes the songs and plays guitar. At Felicia's, 7 - 9 p.m.
Both shows are free, and both venues feature fine drinks, with a limited menu of food at Felicia's (tavern), and a practically unlimited one at Maxie's (restuarant).
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog (and, from the sports desk: we predict NY 27, SF 10.)
The Black Walnut Band plays western kind of music at Maxie's, from 6 to 10. It jumps, and is a great tonic for a winter night.
Rockwood Ferry is a new amalgam of acoustic musicians playing original songs: love songs, ballads, perfect ponders. Richie Stearns plays banjo and our pal Tenzin, who we think is the best male singer in town, writes the songs and plays guitar. At Felicia's, 7 - 9 p.m.
Both shows are free, and both venues feature fine drinks, with a limited menu of food at Felicia's (tavern), and a practically unlimited one at Maxie's (restuarant).
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog (and, from the sports desk: we predict NY 27, SF 10.)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Uncle Jimmy, The Great Black Sheep
My Uncle Jimmy passed away this week. Cancer.
Or smoking, basically. Of the 10 siblings of my father's family, the 4 who are alive do not smoke, and the 6 who have died all did.
Jimmy cooperated well with his doctors, which surprised us, as he could be irascible, especially with authority figures. On the other hand, he could be charming, especially with children. He and my Aunt Sheila had three great boys. He loved children, and they loved him.
Including me. He taught me the expression "Peepings might be catchings." We were riding in a car and I pointed out a prison on Atlantic Avenue. He physically turned my head. "You should never look at a prison," he said. " 'Peepings might be catchings,' you ever hear that saying? It means if you want to look at it so bad, maybe you'll be inside next. Get me?" I suppose I did, but I was 3 at the time.
Jimmy would pay bridge tolls for people behind him, whom he didn't know, but would tell the collector they were his family and they didn't have cash. Then we would all turn and watch the confusion.
And as much as I regret his smoking, I will mention that he made me laugh pretty good once as the only person I ever saw smoking a cigarette in church.
He was a tough guy, a funny guy, and a good man, especially a good family man. I loved him and will always miss him.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Or smoking, basically. Of the 10 siblings of my father's family, the 4 who are alive do not smoke, and the 6 who have died all did.
Jimmy cooperated well with his doctors, which surprised us, as he could be irascible, especially with authority figures. On the other hand, he could be charming, especially with children. He and my Aunt Sheila had three great boys. He loved children, and they loved him.
Including me. He taught me the expression "Peepings might be catchings." We were riding in a car and I pointed out a prison on Atlantic Avenue. He physically turned my head. "You should never look at a prison," he said. " 'Peepings might be catchings,' you ever hear that saying? It means if you want to look at it so bad, maybe you'll be inside next. Get me?" I suppose I did, but I was 3 at the time.
Jimmy would pay bridge tolls for people behind him, whom he didn't know, but would tell the collector they were his family and they didn't have cash. Then we would all turn and watch the confusion.
And as much as I regret his smoking, I will mention that he made me laugh pretty good once as the only person I ever saw smoking a cigarette in church.
He was a tough guy, a funny guy, and a good man, especially a good family man. I loved him and will always miss him.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Crucifix Moon
Various friends of ours posted Facebook pictures of this month's full moon, with ice crystals giving it a rainbow effect, or a halo, depending on vantage point.
I was looking for such pictures last month, when December's full moon had a crucifix emanating from it.
I was hoping for confirmation, but didn't get it.
Did I imagine it? I had never seen nor heard of such a thing.
It shocked me, at 5 in the morning. I woke, and from bed, looked out my western window. I saw the moon in the middle of a golden cross. The beams of the cross stretched as far as you could see.
At first I thought I was dreaming. Then I thought it must be a reflection in the window.
Nope. I got up and opened the window. The cross was in the sky.
It was wacky. I am from Brooklyn and don't know about things in nature like ice crystals by the moon. In Brooklyn we assumed religious phenomena are behind inexplicable things, especially mammoth golden crosses in the sky.
That morning I figured it was a sign from God about something, like play the lottery. Now I know better: or maybe not. Since I am bringing this up today, I will play a number tonight. If I hit, I will know it was not ice crystals, after all. It was God telling me play the Win 4.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
I was looking for such pictures last month, when December's full moon had a crucifix emanating from it.
I was hoping for confirmation, but didn't get it.
Did I imagine it? I had never seen nor heard of such a thing.
It shocked me, at 5 in the morning. I woke, and from bed, looked out my western window. I saw the moon in the middle of a golden cross. The beams of the cross stretched as far as you could see.
At first I thought I was dreaming. Then I thought it must be a reflection in the window.
Nope. I got up and opened the window. The cross was in the sky.
It was wacky. I am from Brooklyn and don't know about things in nature like ice crystals by the moon. In Brooklyn we assumed religious phenomena are behind inexplicable things, especially mammoth golden crosses in the sky.
That morning I figured it was a sign from God about something, like play the lottery. Now I know better: or maybe not. Since I am bringing this up today, I will play a number tonight. If I hit, I will know it was not ice crystals, after all. It was God telling me play the Win 4.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, January 02, 2012
Six Saltines, But Not Seven
They say you should avoid controversial issues if you want happy family get-togethers at the holidays.
We emerged relatively (ahem) unscathed, but it was shaky ground for a while, with the proposition put forth, in conversation, that it is impossible to eat seven saltines in one minute without drinking anything.
Talk about a dialectic minefield. This is how it went, in part, alternatively rapid-fired and measured, among a table of 6 participants.
- I bet you can. They're so small.
- You just woof 'em down.
- Yeah. Saltines, come on, no problem. Little cracker.
- Yeah, but a little cracker that requires a lot of saliva. Seven? That's more saliva than you can supply in a minute.
- How do you know how much saliva I can supply in a minute?
- What if you store it up first for a while?
- That's cheating.
- It's still eating them.
- What if you naturally have a lot of saliva? I've known people who do.
- I bet it wouldn't matter. Saltines will absorb whatever saliva you got.
- Damn right they will.
- Then you got the matter of the bulk. There's your problem. The saltines absorb all that moisture and then they're not so small, anymore. You can pour on all the saliva you want. Saltines will absorb it with glee.
- Pal.
- Yeah.
So, there was disagreement. I guess the diplomatic aspect is that we left it at the speculative level. Although there were, reportedly, saltines in the house, we did not fetch them to launch science. Somebody would lose, that way. It went unspoken, but my supposition was that we would all try it at home, and the people who were correct about it would bring it up again sometime, and the losers would gain amnesia.
Because I bring it up, you can surmise my position. I came down on the side of impossible.
And, by scientific method? Six is do-able: just barely. Seven? Try it. I say never. Pal.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We emerged relatively (ahem) unscathed, but it was shaky ground for a while, with the proposition put forth, in conversation, that it is impossible to eat seven saltines in one minute without drinking anything.
Talk about a dialectic minefield. This is how it went, in part, alternatively rapid-fired and measured, among a table of 6 participants.
- I bet you can. They're so small.
- You just woof 'em down.
- Yeah. Saltines, come on, no problem. Little cracker.
- Yeah, but a little cracker that requires a lot of saliva. Seven? That's more saliva than you can supply in a minute.
- How do you know how much saliva I can supply in a minute?
- What if you store it up first for a while?
- That's cheating.
- It's still eating them.
- What if you naturally have a lot of saliva? I've known people who do.
- I bet it wouldn't matter. Saltines will absorb whatever saliva you got.
- Damn right they will.
- Then you got the matter of the bulk. There's your problem. The saltines absorb all that moisture and then they're not so small, anymore. You can pour on all the saliva you want. Saltines will absorb it with glee.
- Pal.
- Yeah.
So, there was disagreement. I guess the diplomatic aspect is that we left it at the speculative level. Although there were, reportedly, saltines in the house, we did not fetch them to launch science. Somebody would lose, that way. It went unspoken, but my supposition was that we would all try it at home, and the people who were correct about it would bring it up again sometime, and the losers would gain amnesia.
Because I bring it up, you can surmise my position. I came down on the side of impossible.
And, by scientific method? Six is do-able: just barely. Seven? Try it. I say never. Pal.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Guaranteed Hangover Help
It's the most bibulous night of the year, and a night of joie de vivre will turn into a day of woe is me for many in the morning, but we are here to help with sound advice.
To avoid hangover, do this: pour a glass of club soda. Hold it and occasionally sip it. Eat whatever food you like, but take no other liquids.
The trick is in the timing. Start this process now - about 9:30 on New Years Eve - and continue until bedtime.
May the morning be your friend, along with each day of 2012.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
To avoid hangover, do this: pour a glass of club soda. Hold it and occasionally sip it. Eat whatever food you like, but take no other liquids.
The trick is in the timing. Start this process now - about 9:30 on New Years Eve - and continue until bedtime.
May the morning be your friend, along with each day of 2012.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, December 19, 2011
In Ithaca, NYE = SRB
The Sim Redmond Band has, for years, played shows known as the place to be in Ithaca on New Year's Eve.
This year, the band burnishes its reputation as our town's Guy Lombardo mob, with a few flourishes.
The show is at Castaways, at 9 p.m. Guests are the Mosaic Foundation featuring Kevin Kinsella.
Tickets are available in advance, for $12, and the first 75 orders get a free CD.
Castaways phone is 272-1370. The bar's Facebook page has a Paypal hook-up for ordering.
There is also a "Sim Redmond rate" at the Comfort Inn that night. $49 is the SRR, and it comes with extended checkout, and free hot breakfast served til noon. Ask for it by name, at 272-0100.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
This year, the band burnishes its reputation as our town's Guy Lombardo mob, with a few flourishes.
The show is at Castaways, at 9 p.m. Guests are the Mosaic Foundation featuring Kevin Kinsella.
Tickets are available in advance, for $12, and the first 75 orders get a free CD.
Castaways phone is 272-1370. The bar's Facebook page has a Paypal hook-up for ordering.
There is also a "Sim Redmond rate" at the Comfort Inn that night. $49 is the SRR, and it comes with extended checkout, and free hot breakfast served til noon. Ask for it by name, at 272-0100.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Ithaca Authors Dominate NY Times List
In time for Christmas gifting, the NY Times has named its ten best books of 2011. Five fiction, five non-fiction.
Of the five fiction, two are by Ithacans: "Ten Thousand Saints", by Eleanor Henderson, and "The Tiger's Wife", by Tea Obreht.
Both books are debut novels.
Ms. Henderson teaches at Ithaca College. Ms. Obreht lives in Ithaca after taking a graduate degree in creative writing at Cornell in 2009.
We saw Ms. Henderson read from her book at Buffalo Street Books a few months ago. It was not over-crowded.
We wonder if the bookstore might contrive to get these two extravagantly accomplished authors together sometime, for fun and civic pride.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Of the five fiction, two are by Ithacans: "Ten Thousand Saints", by Eleanor Henderson, and "The Tiger's Wife", by Tea Obreht.
Both books are debut novels.
Ms. Henderson teaches at Ithaca College. Ms. Obreht lives in Ithaca after taking a graduate degree in creative writing at Cornell in 2009.
We saw Ms. Henderson read from her book at Buffalo Street Books a few months ago. It was not over-crowded.
We wonder if the bookstore might contrive to get these two extravagantly accomplished authors together sometime, for fun and civic pride.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Something For Everyone At "Ithaca Free Barter Market"
Philosophically, at least, there could be something for everyone at the Ithaca Free Barter Market, a new enterprise that starts Sunday 11 December, at noon in Dewitt Park.
The Market is trying to stimulate the local economy by providing a place for people to trade goods and services, without dollars, although use of Ithaca Hours, the local currency, is encouraged.
In fact, the Market is also trying to stimulate the use of the local currency by making a micro-loan of two Hours, worth $20, to anyone who attends the event.
You might see a brand-new ukulele for sale for two Ithaca Hours. (In fact, you will, if you go early, as I am bringing one.) You use the two Ithaca Hours the Market is loaning you, and trade them for the uke.
Now you owe the Market two Hours. You can make them back by bringing something to trade, yourself, to the next event: that ironing board, tennis racquet, or solar shower. Or offer a service: bike repair, car service for someone autoless, help on moving day, etc.
Eventually, the Market plans to have a storefront. But they didn't want to wait for that to get started.
For more details, see the Ithaca Free Barter Market page on Facebook.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The Market is trying to stimulate the local economy by providing a place for people to trade goods and services, without dollars, although use of Ithaca Hours, the local currency, is encouraged.
In fact, the Market is also trying to stimulate the use of the local currency by making a micro-loan of two Hours, worth $20, to anyone who attends the event.
You might see a brand-new ukulele for sale for two Ithaca Hours. (In fact, you will, if you go early, as I am bringing one.) You use the two Ithaca Hours the Market is loaning you, and trade them for the uke.
Now you owe the Market two Hours. You can make them back by bringing something to trade, yourself, to the next event: that ironing board, tennis racquet, or solar shower. Or offer a service: bike repair, car service for someone autoless, help on moving day, etc.
Eventually, the Market plans to have a storefront. But they didn't want to wait for that to get started.
For more details, see the Ithaca Free Barter Market page on Facebook.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Reading As Slow Amusement
We are fans of the Slow Food movement, and the Slow Money movement, and we think there should also be a movement for Slow Amusement, or Slow Entertainment.
This would involve reading; and doing things with friends.
We think of it as we are reading "Madame Bovary" for the first time. It is a portrayal of the human heart we cannot imagine being rendered any other way but through words.
Movies can give you feelings, even ideas. But it's all over in 100 minutes or so. A song, the same, but even shorter.
Reading is slow and solitary. So, of course, is writing.
This is all part of the slowness. It takes a long time to do.
And writing takes a long time to learn. Really, no one can teach you how to do it. I can teach you how to write a song in three minutes (three chords; rhymes). But a novel? Forget it. That's up to the person who decides to do it.
We're glad that, for one, Flaubert did this "Madame Bovary". It is about a woman who could exist anytime, anywhere. But it is also about a particular time and place, which live on, because one writer took the time and made the effort to make that happen.
We can also tell you, without getting too deep, that even in translation, this book is French as baguettes.
As for the other form of slow amusement we mentioned, in an hour, we go out for a walk with a friend.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Bog
This would involve reading; and doing things with friends.
We think of it as we are reading "Madame Bovary" for the first time. It is a portrayal of the human heart we cannot imagine being rendered any other way but through words.
Movies can give you feelings, even ideas. But it's all over in 100 minutes or so. A song, the same, but even shorter.
Reading is slow and solitary. So, of course, is writing.
This is all part of the slowness. It takes a long time to do.
And writing takes a long time to learn. Really, no one can teach you how to do it. I can teach you how to write a song in three minutes (three chords; rhymes). But a novel? Forget it. That's up to the person who decides to do it.
We're glad that, for one, Flaubert did this "Madame Bovary". It is about a woman who could exist anytime, anywhere. But it is also about a particular time and place, which live on, because one writer took the time and made the effort to make that happen.
We can also tell you, without getting too deep, that even in translation, this book is French as baguettes.
As for the other form of slow amusement we mentioned, in an hour, we go out for a walk with a friend.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Bog
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Ray Davies's Wink
Ray Davies was at the State Theater last night, and put on a magnificent show. It was the last show of the tour and, so, maybe his last concert ever in America.
I realized last night that he is the only guy who can write a wistful song that I can stand. Generally they are in the form of stories, so they are not about him, so they are not poor-me songs. Also, they are not strictly sad. The characters have hope, although often inspired by delusion. But this is portrayed as better than despair.
Of course, Ray Davies is also funny, and he did a minute manoeuvre last night that floored me; it was so slight, but huge to me.
I had completely forgotten about this thing, from each time I had seen him before, ranging back 30 years. After playing a lead on guitar, he will flick his pick up and away from himself, with his thumb, maybe two or three feet or so, and then snatch it back from mid-air in his fist. No big deal, but try doing it.
He maybe does it once all night. It is not a theatrical move, like Roger Daltrey twirling his microphone forty feet in the air and catching it. Ray's thing is a parlor trick. Or just a wink. He does it to amuse himself. And you, if you are watching.
I was. Thanks, Ray.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
I realized last night that he is the only guy who can write a wistful song that I can stand. Generally they are in the form of stories, so they are not about him, so they are not poor-me songs. Also, they are not strictly sad. The characters have hope, although often inspired by delusion. But this is portrayed as better than despair.
Of course, Ray Davies is also funny, and he did a minute manoeuvre last night that floored me; it was so slight, but huge to me.
I had completely forgotten about this thing, from each time I had seen him before, ranging back 30 years. After playing a lead on guitar, he will flick his pick up and away from himself, with his thumb, maybe two or three feet or so, and then snatch it back from mid-air in his fist. No big deal, but try doing it.
He maybe does it once all night. It is not a theatrical move, like Roger Daltrey twirling his microphone forty feet in the air and catching it. Ray's thing is a parlor trick. Or just a wink. He does it to amuse himself. And you, if you are watching.
I was. Thanks, Ray.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sorry, Coach
Sometimes, professional sport seems as far from real life as any video game or fantasy; but occasionally you are reminded that real people are involved.
Tom Coughlin is the coach of the New York Giants football team. He is an upstate New York guy, born in Waterloo, and despite small physical stature, holder of many records playing football at Syracuse, years ago.
He did it, presumably, through mental stamina and determination. He is famously strict. He once fined a player for being two minutes early to a meeting, because everyone else was already there.
He is slightly Irish, and reminds me of my father, who was a 150-pound-weighing Marine a few years before Coughlin was setting those college records with the same-type physique.
My father's favorite saying, as a father, to us kids was "It's not what you want to do, it's what you have to do." Think about it, that covers a lot of ground.
Coughlin and Mr. Burke would probably like one another, although my father has mellowed considerably with the years, and Coughlin not so much, as he is a big football coach and can't afford to; but today we noticed a slight crack, in a comment he made about an off-the-field team matter.
The short story is that a player was at a club, late, celebrating his birthday with teammates and other friends, and there was a shooting. It didn't involve the player, or any players with him, but it is still not a good thing - a distraction, as they say.
The news media makes an issue of it, of course. This is New York, after all, and it wasn't some divey club, but a swanky one, although in New York this does not necessarily mean devoid of wise guys or crime.
Coughlin was asked about the incident at his weekly press conference. A few years ago, he probably would have put a big blast on someone. Instead, he sounded resigned, not angry, just exasperated.
"I don't know what good happens at 2:30 or 3 in the morning," he said. "I've never been able to figure that one out."
Edward Burke, father of four, probably said the same thing many times through the years, although not in the past 30.
Too bad that Coach Coughlin still has to worry. I suppose he gets paid for it. But I bet my father would not trade places.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tom Coughlin is the coach of the New York Giants football team. He is an upstate New York guy, born in Waterloo, and despite small physical stature, holder of many records playing football at Syracuse, years ago.
He did it, presumably, through mental stamina and determination. He is famously strict. He once fined a player for being two minutes early to a meeting, because everyone else was already there.
He is slightly Irish, and reminds me of my father, who was a 150-pound-weighing Marine a few years before Coughlin was setting those college records with the same-type physique.
My father's favorite saying, as a father, to us kids was "It's not what you want to do, it's what you have to do." Think about it, that covers a lot of ground.
Coughlin and Mr. Burke would probably like one another, although my father has mellowed considerably with the years, and Coughlin not so much, as he is a big football coach and can't afford to; but today we noticed a slight crack, in a comment he made about an off-the-field team matter.
The short story is that a player was at a club, late, celebrating his birthday with teammates and other friends, and there was a shooting. It didn't involve the player, or any players with him, but it is still not a good thing - a distraction, as they say.
The news media makes an issue of it, of course. This is New York, after all, and it wasn't some divey club, but a swanky one, although in New York this does not necessarily mean devoid of wise guys or crime.
Coughlin was asked about the incident at his weekly press conference. A few years ago, he probably would have put a big blast on someone. Instead, he sounded resigned, not angry, just exasperated.
"I don't know what good happens at 2:30 or 3 in the morning," he said. "I've never been able to figure that one out."
Edward Burke, father of four, probably said the same thing many times through the years, although not in the past 30.
Too bad that Coach Coughlin still has to worry. I suppose he gets paid for it. But I bet my father would not trade places.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Every State Has A River
The answer to the trivia question in our previous post, How many states in the U.S. neither contain nor border a river, is zero.
We got a lot of answers, and no incorrect ones, even though the Q. was a little trickly, we admit. We have a smart crowd.
The contest winner, selected at random, is Laura C., who receives a $10 gift certificate to Angry Mom Records.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog and Angry Mom Records
We got a lot of answers, and no incorrect ones, even though the Q. was a little trickly, we admit. We have a smart crowd.
The contest winner, selected at random, is Laura C., who receives a $10 gift certificate to Angry Mom Records.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog and Angry Mom Records
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Maps, And Rivers
Unlike our friend Gil, in our previous post here, we are not unalterably opposed to GPS, but we prefer maps, and are pretty handy with them.
Hey, some people like the Weather Channel.
Looking at a U.S. map recently, we derived a geography question, that we now pose in the grand tradition of the Ithaca Blog trivia contest:
How many states in the U.S. neither contain nor are bordered by a river?
Submit your answer, and we will select at random, from correct answers, a winner who will receive a $10 gift certificate to Angry Mom Records, another enterprise of ours.
Smooth sailing -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Angry Mom Records/Small World Music
Hey, some people like the Weather Channel.
Looking at a U.S. map recently, we derived a geography question, that we now pose in the grand tradition of the Ithaca Blog trivia contest:
How many states in the U.S. neither contain nor are bordered by a river?
Submit your answer, and we will select at random, from correct answers, a winner who will receive a $10 gift certificate to Angry Mom Records, another enterprise of ours.
Smooth sailing -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Angry Mom Records/Small World Music
Sunday, November 06, 2011
No GPS For Our Friend Gil
"A GPS? What, I'm not even allowed to get lost anymore?," Gil says.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
New Music, Lower Prices at Angry Mom Records
Borders is gone, but Angry Mom Records is alive and well in Ithaca, which makes us very happy, as we are a partner in the place.
Ithacans love music, and our independent, local businesses, which is why we're here, we guess.
So, please indulge us in a little self-promotion here today on Ithaca Blog.
Angry Mom Records is in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, 115 The Commons. We're open 7 days a week.
New CDs include releases by Ryan Adams, Anthrax, Barenaked Ladies, Terri Lyne Carrington, Coldplay, Ry Cooder, Feist, Fistful of Mercy, Fountains of Wayne, Lil Wayne, Primus, Patti Smith, St. Vincent, and Tom Waits.
We have recently lowered our prices on a thousand-plus used CDs. We have hundreds at $1.00, and hundreds more at half their regular price.
Your independent local music store accepts our independent local currency, Ithaca Hours, for 20% of purchases.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Angry Mom Records
Ithacans love music, and our independent, local businesses, which is why we're here, we guess.
So, please indulge us in a little self-promotion here today on Ithaca Blog.
Angry Mom Records is in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, 115 The Commons. We're open 7 days a week.
New CDs include releases by Ryan Adams, Anthrax, Barenaked Ladies, Terri Lyne Carrington, Coldplay, Ry Cooder, Feist, Fistful of Mercy, Fountains of Wayne, Lil Wayne, Primus, Patti Smith, St. Vincent, and Tom Waits.
We have recently lowered our prices on a thousand-plus used CDs. We have hundreds at $1.00, and hundreds more at half their regular price.
Your independent local music store accepts our independent local currency, Ithaca Hours, for 20% of purchases.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Angry Mom Records
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