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
Saturday, December 31, 2011
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
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Halloween (2007) Revisited
Doing an enterprise like Ithaca Blog, there are always new things to write about, but there are also recurring things sometimes not to write about.
One is aware of Halloween each year, for example, but how much new is there to say about it?
We remembered writing here about Halloween a few years ago - in 2007, as it turns out, upon search. "The Meaning of Halloween," we called it. And that's what it was, for us.
Hunter S. Thompson once said that writers are in trouble when they steal from themselves. He didn't say what it meant when they cite themselves. So we'll do that. If you want to see our take on Halloween, just search "Meaning of Halloween" in the "Title" bar above.
Astute scholars will also see, in that posting, the literary genesis of our other blog, Brooklyn 3 New York: stories of Brooklyn we intend for a book, which we have been writing for a while now. A simple search for "Brooklyn 3 New York" will show you those, to your reading delight, no doubt.
Steve Burke
Ithaca NY Blog
and Brooklyn 3 New York
One is aware of Halloween each year, for example, but how much new is there to say about it?
We remembered writing here about Halloween a few years ago - in 2007, as it turns out, upon search. "The Meaning of Halloween," we called it. And that's what it was, for us.
Hunter S. Thompson once said that writers are in trouble when they steal from themselves. He didn't say what it meant when they cite themselves. So we'll do that. If you want to see our take on Halloween, just search "Meaning of Halloween" in the "Title" bar above.
Astute scholars will also see, in that posting, the literary genesis of our other blog, Brooklyn 3 New York: stories of Brooklyn we intend for a book, which we have been writing for a while now. A simple search for "Brooklyn 3 New York" will show you those, to your reading delight, no doubt.
Steve Burke
Ithaca NY Blog
and Brooklyn 3 New York
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Jimmy Breslin Hitting Stride in NY Daily News
Newspaper legend Jimmy Breslin is back, after a period of retirement that apparently didn't take. The octogenarian dean of New York columnists, and quintessential city-o, is writing a column once a week for the NY Daily News.
We love JB, #1, but will say that he seemed a little rusty, for a while. But this week's column is barbed, funny, and relevant to ordinary people in a way that 95% of stuff in any newspaper is not.
Rather than excerpt here, we will simply encourage you to check him out in this week's NY Daily News online, if you like good writing.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We love JB, #1, but will say that he seemed a little rusty, for a while. But this week's column is barbed, funny, and relevant to ordinary people in a way that 95% of stuff in any newspaper is not.
Rather than excerpt here, we will simply encourage you to check him out in this week's NY Daily News online, if you like good writing.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Evil City String Band in Brooklyn's Best Bar, Sat. 22 Oct.
A reminder to all our friends in Brooklyn, and music fans everywhere who could see a trip to Brooklyn (autumn in New York, you know?), that Evil City String Band of Ithaca plays a gig at Rocky Sullivan's bar/restaurant in Red Hook on Saturday, 22 Oct., at 9 pm.
Rocky's is a great joint with a big music room, and music-loving owners, who have come to Grassroots Festival, and want our musicians down there.
We're hoping this will be a start of beautiful thing. Talk to any musicians you know about where they like to play in NYC, and they will say nowhere. It's all hassles and ripoffs.
Rocky's is different: convivial and lovely. A good crowd for this gig could create a scene of regular shows by Ithaca musicians there.
We hope you might make it, and will tell your friends.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Rocky's is a great joint with a big music room, and music-loving owners, who have come to Grassroots Festival, and want our musicians down there.
We're hoping this will be a start of beautiful thing. Talk to any musicians you know about where they like to play in NYC, and they will say nowhere. It's all hassles and ripoffs.
Rocky's is different: convivial and lovely. A good crowd for this gig could create a scene of regular shows by Ithaca musicians there.
We hope you might make it, and will tell your friends.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, October 10, 2011
Native American Day
Today is officially Native American Day in South Dakota. The state legislature established the designation in 1990, and called for a Century of Reconciliaton in the U.S.
"... they ask me to remember
but they want me to remember
their memories and I keep remembering
mine." - Lucille Clifton, American poet (1936 - 2010)
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
"... they ask me to remember
but they want me to remember
their memories and I keep remembering
mine." - Lucille Clifton, American poet (1936 - 2010)
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, October 09, 2011
"Occupy Ithaca" Has First Meeting, Sunday 9 Oct.
Occupy Ithaca is a group forming in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The group will hold an introductory meeting at 2 p.m., Sunday 9 October, in Dewitt Park.
The stated purpose is for prospective members to meet one another, and to discuss not ideology, but action.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The group will hold an introductory meeting at 2 p.m., Sunday 9 October, in Dewitt Park.
The stated purpose is for prospective members to meet one another, and to discuss not ideology, but action.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, October 07, 2011
Sign On Wall Street
"I lost my job," the woman's sign said. "But I found an occupation."
Steve Burke
Ithaca NY Blog
Steve Burke
Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Indoor Entertainment At State Theater
Now that the outdoor entertainment season is over, the State Theater is ready to pick it up with, we've noticed, a great slate in their beautiful venue for the fall.
Among the looming luminaries are Richard Thompson, this week (Saturday 8 Oct.); Gillian Welch (Sun. 23 Oct.); Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson (5 November); Drive By Truckers/Felice Brothers (16 November); and Ray Davies (26 November).
See details of these and other shows at www.stateofithaca.com. Tickets can be purchased there, conveniently, but with service charge. The theater also runs a convenient and convivial box office, with no service charges. The box office is open Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Among the looming luminaries are Richard Thompson, this week (Saturday 8 Oct.); Gillian Welch (Sun. 23 Oct.); Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson (5 November); Drive By Truckers/Felice Brothers (16 November); and Ray Davies (26 November).
See details of these and other shows at www.stateofithaca.com. Tickets can be purchased there, conveniently, but with service charge. The theater also runs a convenient and convivial box office, with no service charges. The box office is open Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, September 30, 2011
Singing Dog at Apple Fest
This weekend is the 29th annual Apple Festival in Ithaca, and what could be more wholesome?
It is a last opportunity to get out and party with your peoples before the cold weather sets in.
It is also an opportunity to see a singing dog. The closing act of all the entertainment, Sunday at 3:30, are Jomo and Johnnycake. They are humans, but Johnny also has a small dog, who enjoys performing, and can approximate singing. They almost made it onto the David Letterman show once, a happenstance I believe we chronicled here on Ithaca Blog.
So, don't start off fall season with regrets. Music, food, and entertainment await you on the Ithaca Commons and surrounding streets, from today through Sunday.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
It is a last opportunity to get out and party with your peoples before the cold weather sets in.
It is also an opportunity to see a singing dog. The closing act of all the entertainment, Sunday at 3:30, are Jomo and Johnnycake. They are humans, but Johnny also has a small dog, who enjoys performing, and can approximate singing. They almost made it onto the David Letterman show once, a happenstance I believe we chronicled here on Ithaca Blog.
So, don't start off fall season with regrets. Music, food, and entertainment await you on the Ithaca Commons and surrounding streets, from today through Sunday.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
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