Hey Bloggers, is today a holiday. This postings seems as if it wants to be about the economy and eco money, maybe. And I have found myself on that Avenue A bus that runs to and from those streets throughout that city of New York on avenue and and crosstown on 14th street. And Avenue as goes through that seemingly trendy and main drag of this seemingly historical alternative counter culture and other things it could e and represent neighborhood now called the East Village for real estate marketing purposes I guess, as I believe this neighbor hod was once called Loisiada. And So I found myself on this Avenue A bus again going riding through this neighborhood every so often and I noticed what seems like half of its stores and businesses are closed, shuttered, though not boarded up as of yet. And I have noticed this closing of stores going out of business more and more seemingly just in recent weeks of what seems like it is a neighborhood going out of business. And so I asked the lady sitting next to em “Is it a holiday today?”. “No”, she said. “As a matter of fact, lots of stores between 14th and 13th on 1st Avenue are closed. The bagel shop is gone, and its that all of these businesses rents are being doubled. If a landlord is charging six thousand and can charge twelve thousand, he will”. And so I wonder, is this all a part of that gentrification genocide thing that has overcome that city of New York this past decade. Or is this a sign to come of the ripple effect of that mortgage meltdown and impending recession depression, uncle Scam, I mean Sam going out of business and having one of those everything must go sales and the national debt, bailout the bailouts and the federal reserve and treasury can not print up enough money fast enough to cover it all. It this that mortgage meltdown that is finally making its way toward New York. Is this a sign of the national economy going out of business that has affected the rest of the nation and the world with its Wall Street Stock Market exchange. And it is an eerie thing to look at. And it is not a burned out war zone ghost town from the Twilight Zone where everyone finds themselves standing in the soup lines as of yet. And these vacant stores has me wondering.
Live Wired Music
And there is a music event with Live Wired Music happening tomorrow. I know because that email I received from Charles Blass and Colin Faber says so. And from what I recall, Live Wired is all jazz, funk, and WKCR, all music all the time, maybe. And this event is also part of the Winter Jazz Fest, a jazz festival that takes place during the winter at different music venues I guess. And some of those featured artists participating in this event are Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber,Greg Tate, Lisala, Karma Mayet Johnson, Maya Acuzena, Justice Dilla X, Mikel Banks, Lewis Barnes Jr., Micah Gaugh, Avram Fefer, Paula Henderson,Josh Sinton, Dave Smith, W. Myles Reilly, Bruce Mack, Ben Tyree, Asim Barnes, Andre Lassalle, Rene Akan, Mazz Swift, Will Martina, Jason DiMatteo, Jared Michael Nickerson, Trevor Holder, Aaron Parks, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Rashied Ali, Charles Gayle, SoCalled, Nation Beat, Melvin Gibbs, Grupo Fantasma,Sexmob, Theo Bleckman, Gary Bartz, Jacob Fred,Jonathan Batiste, Lafayette Gilchrist, Marco Benevento, Robert Glasper, Sarah Morrow, William Parker, Toshi Reagon, Will Calhoun, Claudia Acuna, Dafnis Prietoand more. And this event jazz festival rocks. Have a great music day.
A California Video
And there is a video of a California Bay Area shooting in the California Bay Area Rapid Transit, BART subway system in the news on this day. And it is another story that was told yesterday, today and tomorrow with no end in sight of yet another person who has lost their lives to gun violence for no reason at all except for the fact that guns have been invented. Guns are the worst invention of a death industry ever. And I could post this entry over and over in my appeal to end gun violence on planet mother earth. If only guns could be banished from every human being on the face of planet earth. If only guns and the images of guns could be banished from every form of advertising, marketing and media campaigns, news broadcasts,toys, video games, and pop culture. It is a vicious cycle of some sort of beast that feeds upon itself. Is another world possible. And I am only one blogger. And in other thoughts, Yellowstone National Park is trembling from earthquakes. And how are those bees doing, are they still dying? How is that recession impending depression of an economy wanting to go out of business doing. Where is the world headed. Is there hope for the world. Is this all Kali Yuga descending and 2012 on track. What does this all mean. And what does this have to do with a No Police State? Peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind.
A Blog
It is a New Year on this day that I find my self blogging. It is a different Gregorian calendar year. Another year has passed and another is on it’s way in passing. And it is all a part of father time and that cycle of life of infinity and the order of the universe. You know, that yin, yang thing. And it has been quite a while since I have found myself blah blogging away on Blogger in this web 2.0 social media user generated content world of that internet land blogosphere with seemingly another gazillion bloggers as well. And sometimes as I have blah blogged in times past, I find myself wondering what to blahg about. And how do those other zillion other bloggers do it. How does one maintain a blog and not run out of content for it. Do I post one of those Craigslist “Intern Wanted” ads to help maintain this blog. Do I post on this blog once in a blue moon, or red moon. Do I visit a content for your blog website, and do those exist. Do I hire a million other people to contribute content. Do I recite the letters of the alphabet once a day. What do those other bloggers out there in bloggerworld do in answer of pondering this question. Is there an internet guru for this. And there is that question again, to blog or not to blog, that is the question. And is this one of those 50 Signs You’re A Blogaholic, the idea that I find myself scribbling some sort of random thought onto paper every so often with that phrase “I want to blog that before I forget..” in mind. And from reading that 50 signs you’re a blogaholic list, it looks like number 15 may just be this, the blogger notepad. And I once had great visions that I could blah blog my way to riches and quit those ten full time jobs that I find myself with sometimes, and now it seems as if instead of quitting those ten full time jobs, that instead I just may find myself looking for an eleventh full time job with Uncle Scam, I mean Sam and the economy seeming as if he wants to go out of business and have one of those everything must go sales lately. And so it is a different day and change has come, some sort of change. As the only thing constant is change and some stories do not end as you expect.
Holy Dayze
And another holiday has come and gone. New Years Eve is here on this day and Christmas has came and went. And I can barely even remember it was Christmas as for looking at that TV Guide listings schedule, there was not a single Christmas movies, show or reference to be found on Christmas day. Except for paid programming. And it was regularly scheduled programming as usual from what I saw. And what’s that all about, the idea that on Christmas, there are no free Christmas programs to be found on TV. Or maybe I just overlooked them in that tv guide. And “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. ” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce. And that is an awesome saying to me that I ran across in my internet travels on this day of that Gregorian calendar year. And there are many parties to be partied at, many resolutions that are to be made, and many Auld Lang Syne’s that are to be sung on this day from what I recall. What lies behind at years end and what lies ahead before at New Years Day for humanity and the world. Do we all go to that same place eventually, where ever that may be. And it is old long ago. Happy New Years!
Those Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses. I have seen those around. As usually I come across someone who has them to help with their vision. And sometimes it seems as if lots of people are wearing them whenever I find myself outside somewhere wandering around town. And glasses are helpful when it comes to ones vision and being able to see properly. And what about Holiday frames. You know, those stylish frames for those eyeglasses you may find yourself wearing around the holidays. And being that today is one of those holidays, now would be a good time to buy those holiday eyeglass frames at Zenni Optical. They have a great selection of holiday eyeglass frames to choose from for wearing during the holidays or any other day of the year. And what’s great about Zenni Optical’s frames is that you can find complete prescription eyeglasses for as low as $8.00 at their website. And they have a wide variety of lenses, frames and eyeglasses to choose from. And those Red Plastic Full-Rim Frame eyeglasses in that photo above with that lacey snowflake pattern, well they look like they can add some colorful festivities to your holiday celebrations you may find yourself at during the holidays. At Zenni Optical finding those holiday eyeglasses for that festive occasion and beyond has never been easier.
Unrest
And there is unrest in the world. And I know because there are headlines in the news and sitting in my email inbox seemingly piling up upon each other with no end in sight with titles that read, “Defiant Hamas hits Israel with dozens of rockets, Taliban burning, beheading its way through Pakistani valley, Man shoots talker at movies, ‘Santa’ opens fire at Calif. party , Clashes hit Athens ahead of boy’s funeral, shots fired in SoCal Toys ‘R’ Us“. And these headlines seem as if they want to be endless. And even though the mantra of the day seems to be “Happy Holidays”, it sometimes does not seem so happy. As a bleak grim photo of the world seems as if it is being painted between the economy, people who are losing their lives on a daily
basis due to gun violence, that subject that seems to be nowhere found in those presidential election campaigns, an endless amount of seemingly never ending wars that seem as if they have been around since the beginning of time, and a seemingly endless amount of other atrocious and incomprehensible headlines that are too innumerable for me to mention in one blog posting. And are these merry happy holy dayze in this seasons greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year time of year. Are they to be found somewhere here on planet earth. And I wonder if this world that seems as if it is spinning out of control is all part of that 2012 on track thing, or that Kali Yuga iron age descending thing, or some other magical explanation that could be written the stars somewhere in prophecy. And is there a reason to celebrate the holidays this year, these days and times. And it is an observance. Where is the world headed. No one is free when others are oppressed. Is another world possible. Peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind.
A Different Calendar Year
Hey Bloggers, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and those other holy days this time of year are here and according to that Gregorian calendar New Years Eve and New Years Day is just around the corner. I know because the calendar, the date on this computers clock, and all of those advertisings and listings in all of those newspapers says so. And with that New Years days usually comes what seems like a ton of New Years Day parties and celebrations to celebrate the ringing in and coming of the new year. And from what I recall, according to that Chinese New Year zodiac 12 year cycle calendar, it is also the year of the ox, I think. And its New Years Eve party time for another calendar year. And the admission prices of some of those New Years Eve events are usually priced well beyond my go to a party or an event budget sometimes to me and can be enough to have me just hiding out under a rock and going nowhere that day. And some of those New Years Events that are to be found in that City of new York are as follows:
Kwanzaa – It’s a Family Affair
University of the Streets, an oasis in the Lower East Side founded by the late visionary Muhammad Salahuddeen in 1967, which has promoted, encouraged and nurtured artists of all disciplines presents its First Annual Kwanzaa Festival “It’s a Family Affair”, a fundraising event to support the organization’s efforts, on December 26th, 27th and 31st, 2008, and January 1st, 2009, at Headline performances include The Timelessness Project, Indie Recording Artist, Nhojj, Tony Award Nominee and Blue Note Recording Artist Ms. Elizabeth Withers and Jay Rodriguez’s Saxophone Choir. And there is an artist reception as part of this event December 28, 3pm, that I have a few pieces of artwork in also.
New Year’s Eve
Winkel and Balktick Present Mysteries of Creation
Earth-shaking audio black magic on the dancefloor from DJs: D Juice, Time trotting dubstep and and techno; Dhundee – Beats, breaks and house from beyond; Reza, Primordial bouncing house and techno; Timeless troubadour and minstrels shows from live musicians: Djibouti, Brassy funk from the age of the Pharaohs. Zack Hagan & 1050, Legendary live electronic trip hop dance trio. Miss Angelina, Celestial sassy female rapper lady. Miraculous future primitive feats and spectacles from: The Modern Gypsies. Art, installations, activities, games and assorted wizardry from: Brian Bucher, The Jellie Collective, Joe Che, Miss C Spot, Ms. D Pak Kei Mak, Tara McManus, Meghann Plunkett. Performance by Betty T Kao, Evan Cairo, Gregory Skolozdra, the Jellie Collective, Justin Lange, Joe Che, Laura Sheedy, Liz Latona, Miss C Spot, Ms. D, 0h1o M1ke, Pak Kei Mak, Tara McManus, Meghann Plunkett, Yung Oh Le Page, and Zoe ShihZaru.
New Year’s at Jivamukti
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Sharon Gannon and David Life and special kirtan with Sura and the Temple Bhajan Band. There will be a Special Class and Dinner, a special, Last Jivamukti Class of 2008 with founders Sharon Gannon and David Life followed by a vegan dinner at our JivamukTea Cafe. Also a Kirtan Dance Party with Sura Das and The Temple Bhajan Band Featuring a live performance by Sharon Gannon. Jivamukti opens its doors to provide a yogic place of refuge for Free to all. Mauna, the yogic practice of silence, will be observed from 9:00pm-12:00am. All the practice rooms will be open and available to provide a space for individual reflection on this special evening. At midnight we will break the silence with chanting and elevated messages lead by Sharon Gannon and David Life. The Famous Jivamukti New Year’s Eve Yummy Vegan Chai will be served free of charge during this time. 12am – 12:30am: New Years’ message with Sharon Gannong and David Life. Programs Open to all.
New Year’s Eve at Cosm @ CoSM
Experience the grand finale. Chapel of Sacred Mirrors last party in NYC. This is the last party where the entire art exhibit including the Sacred Mirrors will be on view. In MicroCoSM gallery, Alex Grey’s 40 year self portrait retrospective. 9pm. Raw organic food by Gabrielle Brick. 10pm-3am, Chapel: Mz Imani & The Rhythm Shamans, HuDost, experimental Eastern fusion, Ray Ippolito, Transcendental soundscapes, Steve Booke, Cosmic guitar. 10pm-4am, CoSMosis: Live Painting: Alex Grey, Allyson Grey, Sharon Fulcher, Percept, Black Snow, Collyn Gold. DJ Cloud CoSM, NY electro tech-house. Mikio & Blacklight CoSM, Freek Factory NY Soulful dub breaks & visionary MC. Satchi Om CoSM, Jungle, NY, LA, Miami dance hall & breaks. Abai vs. Sleepyhead All original Cali street ritual dubstep/hiphop dubstep/basshop. Midnight Om Ceremony led by Allyson & Alex Grey, Sera & Solstice/East Coast Tribal bellydance, Satchi Om. 12-4am, Hall of Spirit: Primate down-tempo psytrance, Satchi Om psydub, Environmental Deco by Phantomine.
Also..
Easy Lover Loft New Year’s Special
The New Yearís Eve plans have been hatched. Easy Loverís taking REFUGE in Bushwick for the evening, and Justin Carter and DJ Probus are ringing in 2009 with their special friend Dex from Underground Resistance. The views from the roof are expansive, the space is cozy, the sound is sweet, and weíll be dressing it all up just for you. To boot, the champagneís on us from the time the door opens until the clock strikes 2009, and if you donít have someone to kiss when the ball drops, chances are youíll be able to find someone. It is called Easy Lover after all. Easy Lover Loft: New Yearís Special with Justin Carter, DJ Probus, and special guest DJ Dex from Underground Resistance. Open champagne bar from 9pm until the midnight toast.
RSVP to easyloverloft@gmail.com
Also again…
December 30
Great Small Works Plus Spaghetti Dinner End of the Year Bash
With Flight, shadow theater created and performed by Erik Ruin with Leslie Rogers and live violin score by Katt Hernandez. Great Small Works Festival of Lights shadow show. Special New Year sonic massages by Wollesonic. Exerpts from Bread and Puppet Theater’s Dirt Cheap Opera, after Bertolt Brecht. And Michael Winograd’s Infection party music: skeleton mambo with a twist at Judson Memorial Church.
And also again..
Share your New Years celebration at the warmest community-run building in Brooklyn, Surreal Estate. We’ve got it all folks, on four fabulous floors: a variety show starring J Lyn from Decadancetheater, a contortionist, a tall unicycle rider, jugglers, a breakdancing troupe, the neighborhood bottle collector playing such sweet harmonica music with his nose. Or check out our D.I.Y. Winter Fashion Runway Drama, a puffy and passionate demonstration of self-made fashion. Playfully projected on multiple walls with help from The Glass Bead Collective.
Also, Talibam! back in NYC after six European tours, Whack, reggae hip-hop artist Melodic hyping the crowd, Shamari Rockca and the Prosulas Band, Kashawn, Zoe’s Band, Jared’s bluegrass, and a Balkan brass band. DJs spin tropical Afro Caribbean, Latin, Chicano-electro-punk, hip hop, dubstep. Cheap beer, fancy beer, homemade pomegranate wine.
Stay all night and eat our yummy pancakes early in the morning. Yoga and meditation to celebrate the New Year on our secret floor tucked away from the noisy crowd. Please come support our six community organizations where we’ll be donating funds raised.
And then there are those L Magazine events that are listed for this “Last Look at 08” week for New Year’s Eve 2008 for Sutra Lounge, S.O.B’s, Sin Sin, Mehanata Bulgarian Bar, Soho Grand Hotel, Sapphire, Webster Hall, Pacha, Cipriani, Duvet and more.
And there seems to be many, many more party on a New Years Day events going on around town on this day and time.
Happy New Year
A Last Minute Gift
Hey bloggers, this day around the world is Christmas, Christ’s day of birth, a most joyous holiday with seasons greetings. And Merry Christmas. And with that holiday season and most joyous time of the year usually comes shopping, shopping and more shopping, and gifts, gifts and more gifts. And yes, that it is Christmas on this day, you may have already opened your Christmas gifts and the day on the morrow you may find yourself enjoying those Christmas gifts you have received on this day for many days to come. And what about those last minute shopping deals? Did you forget to buy your Christmas gift for that special someone. Well there’s sill time to buy that holiday gift at Kmart. You can find those last minute gifts from Kmart that you may be looking for. And from what I recall Kmart is one of those trusted department stores that has been around for decades and you can find thousands of gifts for under $25 at their website. You can find great holiday and after holiday gifts like Joe Boxer mens and womens two and three piece cozy sleep sets, LeapFrog Leapster Learning Games and more at their website. And you can also sign up at their website to receive the latest Kmart news and sales from their emails. And don’t forget to look for those attention shoppers blue light Kmart specials, as Kmart is your savings place.
An Athens Christmas
And from what I can tell by looking at the clock on the lower right hand corner of the screen on this computer is that it is 1:02am eastern daylight saving time in that country of America, and that must mean that it is officially Christmas according to that Gregorian calendar, Christs birthday in that EST time zone. And there must be many midnight masses and holiday travelling going on on this holy day. And those photos above are from Athens, Greece, a city with protesters in the streets on behalf of the shooting death of a teenager at the hands of the Greek police. And guns are the worst invention of a death industry ever. If only guns could be banished from every human being on the face of planet earth. If only guns could be banished from every form of advertising, marketing and media campaigns. Is another world possible. And these photos are from a website BagnewsNotes. And this is a website that was sent to me from a friend who sent me some images of Christmas. And that is an interesting website to read. O Christmas Tree. And these photos, which do not exactly seem like holiday greetings, seem to speak for themselves. And what does this have to do with a No Police State.
No Police State 