Thursday, January 28, 2010

From The Big Easy to the Big Apple: The Scatterbrained Diaries, Volume 2

After a brief scare that I wouldn't be able to make the Strength Through Unity benefit for Haiti after discovering that online tickets were sold out, I laced up and walked the cool two blocks from my apartment to the Gowanus venue The Bell House ten minutes before doors opened. I was not the only one. There was already a line of about 30 people which more than tripled after five minutes of standing there. I thought surely they'll let me in. They have to, I only live two blocks away! But then again they might feel more sympathy for someone who came all the way from Jersey. But no matter, my fretting was relieved when they had plenty of tickets at the door. *phew*

AND PHEW INDEED because the show kicked ass. And what a great thing that it was sold out because all the proceeds go to Haiti earthquake victims. They reportedly raised $35,000. Not too shabby. So here's the rundown:

Eugene Mirman was the host with the most (you know, you know). Some might know him as the landlord on Flight of the Conchords. He appeared effortlessly funny and made a hilarious spoof of the Microsoft "diversity" commercial, throwing himself in the mix as the token outspoken white guy from Brooklyn, pointing out the asinine absurdity of Microsoft's attempt at heartfelt marketing.

Jimmy "I can't contain my laughter for shit" Fallon made an appearance as Neil Young and sang the Fresh Prince of Bell Air song to the tune of "Heart of Gold." Totally amazing. His impersonation was uncanny. He sure has the whole Weird Al vibe down, but a little less weird and a little more hip.

I'll just cut to the chase here - my favorite act by far was Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class, maybe because their New Orleans style gypsy jazz reminded me of home. They were fantastic and Lauren sang the crap out of those songs. I particularly enjoyed the hyper jazzed Bob Dylan cover. I would say which song it was except I can't currently recall. They said ALL proceeds go to Haiti which I assumed meant drink sales as well, so I obviously had to contribute as much as I could. You understand. If it's even possible, my girl crush on Lauren Ambrose has just grown stronger.

Other notable performances came from The Wrens who played a really satisfying rock set, slowly building up and then driving home each song. Then there was The Walkmen who closed it out with a filling brass quintet accompaniment of four trumpets and one trombone. And the appearance by Pat Kiernan, the man who gives New Yorkers their morning news each day on the local channel New York One was a real treat. He hosted trivia and reminded us to keep Haiti in our minds and do whatever we can to help them out.

As a Katrina evacuee and die hard New Orleanian, I can certainly empathize with the devastating Port au Prince tragedy. I was lucky enough to not have my house flooded and evacuate safely during Katrina but I've heard enough stories about the poor souls in the Superdome waiting without basic human essentials like food and water to know that the people in Haiti need fast and concentrated attention.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

From The Big Easy to the Big Apple: The Scatterbrained Diaries, Volume 1

So I live in New York now. Have been for a few months. It’s taken me this much time to take it all in before I make any documentation (oh, how I can justify procrastination…). Some might say I made an odd and curious decision migrating here when I did. The economy is a mess and New York, though as an economic epicenter — what with Wall Street (for better or worse) and the country’s highest commercial activity — isn’t a budget friendly place for the less than top ten percent income earners (me and a bunch of other folks).

But I see every day those less fortunate than me (i.e. people without family and friends willing to “invest” in their future while they remain unemployed) walking the streets and riding the subway somehow making it. Their tired faces suggest they work the harder end of the daily grind, or maybe it’s just that down-to-business, no nonsense New York manner. Anyway, the point is, if there’s that many dream chasers other than myself out there putting in the time, then New York has got to deliver. I mean, obviously. This is the city of opportunity and inevitably of course, competition. Like Jay-Z and probably a lot of other people before him said, “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.” So, there you have a babbled response to those who think I’m wack for moving here during one of the greatest economic recessions ever.

I came from New Orleans which by all intrinsic measures is pretty much the opposite of New York. New Orleanians lack a certain focus that New Yorkers have. Unless that focus is all put into getting to Happy Hour, which in New Orleans isn’t at all a designated or limited period of time. People there are so lovesick with life and everyone they meet that they are by nature easily distracted. When New Yorkers start a job they finish it and in a swift fashion so they can promptly experience its benefits. New Orleanians would rather have fun while doing the job than be restricted to just having fun after the job is done. New Yorkers are more long term oriented and New Orleanians are more right now oriented. And right now in New Orleans it’s all about the Saints. The unthinkable has been accomplished. THE SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL. I know not one Saints fan present in the Dome or watching intently on their couch that didn’t cry when Garret Hartley kicked that winning field goal in overtime play. I’ve never been much of a football fan or even observer, but if something like that can lift up a troubled city to new heights, then I am a full fledged football endorser. But isn’t it just like the Universe to allow my adopted home to blow up just after I leave it for new, personally unchartered territory? What is that — Murphy’s Law or something? What am I saying? I’m just homesick, because New York is obviously blowing up at all times.

And this is not to say I haven’t been enjoying some of New York’s own cultural delights here and there. Oh, no. Just the other day I was at The Met and saw some of the most mind blowing man made artifacts. I walked inside a huge structure — a tomb perhaps — crafted by Egyptians a whole lot of years ago. I also saw straight up super old school samurai swords and ancient Japanese warfare grade body armor. Those treasures in the company of Degas and Monet originals make The Met’s collection among the utmost impressive.

I also visited The New York Public Library recently which debunked my idea of what a public library should be based on my previous public library going experience at more casual locations like New Orleans and my hometown, Athens, Georgia. This seemed more like a museum than a library, like an extension of The Met for books. I was afraid to touch some of their inventory, scared I would be escorted out of the building. There were security personnel everywhere in sight at this place. There was someone to check my bag (for explosives?) upon entering in the front, at each new wing of the library and upon exiting, as well as patrolmen just standing around waiting to spot any unruly patrons. All of the books I needed were available for library use only and not to check out so I left the huge, ornate beacon on Fifth Avenue and proceeded to the Barnes & Noble across the street.

Well, friends, I’m signing off for now, but will regale you with further New York adventures. Cheers.