The Late Great Week of October 8th

13Oct07

For the 1.25 people who read this blog on a somewhat regular basis, you may have noticed that I haven’t posted anything all week. I fought the lazies. I lost.

To make up for this lack of professionalism, I bring you a series of snippets, effectively resulting in…a longer post than usual! Believe it to be true.

Topic 1 – The Hives

Who are The Hives? Just about the hardest working, live show band that I’ve seen this year. These guys put on quite an evening, which I experienced last Tuesday at the increasingly ubiquitous Webster Hall. And not just for those dancing in the front, the whole place was flooded with crazy energy. The band’s from Sweden, they wear matching suits and lead singer Pelle Almqvist is a dead ringer for a young Mick Jagger. Charm, swagger and all. He repeatedly instructed, “You will now clap and scream for The Hives,” and, “You – the VIPs in the balcony – clap and scream for The Hives!” Or my favorite, “New Yorkers, who because you live here believe you are special, no more show until you clap and scream for The Hives!” Not that there was any need for such cajoling, the place was riled up within the first 30 seconds.

Topic 2 – Cooking at Home

I am very fortunate to be living with someone who can take a pile of vegetables and turn it into something tasty. Last weekend we went to the Farmer’s market at Prospect Park and supported local growers to our heart’s content.

Check out the bounty in le petit kitchen:

And this picture of feet:

Topic 3 – Miranda July

Miranda July is everywhere. I am a tremendous fan of the indie renaissance woman, and every periodical I’m reading right now has noticed. She has some great quotes in this month’s issue of Ready Made magazine.

In discussing how she got to where she is today without a degree or formal training, “There is no reason to do the things that people do to become professionals.”

On advice for artists, and other young hopefuls, “Just because something’s uncomfortable, doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

Where the heck was Miranda when I was 18?

If you haven’t seen her big movie or her little book of short stories, good God, get on that train.

Topic 4 – Three dates with Ebay

I have purchased three things on Ebay. Thing 1 was a Blythe doll. It was resold on Ebay two years later (what was I thinking). Thing 2 was a miniature replica of a sports car from 1972 (this was to comfort the loss of the full size version which was crashed in the months before). My most recent interaction with Ebay involved the purchase of three issues of Sassy magazine – which I paid too much for, but am so tickled to have actually won. Apparently, a lot of people are interested in recapturing their late 80s teenage years. Okay, it probably has to do with the release of this book. Which I haven’t read.

Interesting aside, Miranda July submitted some of her work to Sassy when she was starting out. As always, Sassy had the good judgment to publish it.