Back on Long Island for a visit. Just a visit. For a change there are no funerals to attend. The weather has been oddly glorious for early November. This morning, though, there was a dense fog and I went to Heckscher State Park to see how the Great South Bay would look. It was hard to see though the mist. Very eerie and quite cool. A mist formed over my glasses. Made me wish I’d spent more time down here in high school. Should have ridden my bike down there instead of the to the South Shore Mall to play video games. It would have given me some much needed serenity.
The presence of my Mother is at many turns I make. She worked at the Connetquot State Park, which looms large with my family. There’s a memory bench with her name on it by the hatchery, where the public cannot go. My Stepfather and I went there today. He’s struggling with mobility these days, as he ages. But he got out his walker and rolled himself there.
As I drive my rented Hyundai around Western Suffolk County, memories flood me more than usual this time. Mostly about all the places I did not go, and how much time I wasted not going to them. But there’s the place I cursed up a storm at a guy for taking my bike. There’s the building I where threw a solid punch at a guy and knocked his head back. And of course, the house I lived in under some torment. But my Mom is still all over the place, and me - well I deliberately tried to erase my presence, or at least my footprint - and I cannot put it back, nor do I want to.
Overall it has been a good and necessary visit. My Stepfather took us to dinner last night, I took him to lunch today. My Niece does not take any crap from by Brother, which is a good thing. Later, I’m taking my Aunt to dinner. After that, who knows.
Showing posts with label long island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label long island. Show all posts
Friday, November 3, 2017
Friday, September 16, 2016
Failure to thrive
Traveled last weekend and came back with a sickness that has been kicking my ass this week. All the humidity on Long Island combined with going into air conditioning and not enough (never enough) rest added up to something nasty taking hold on my system.
Did get some things sorted about with my Aunt's estate. I now have the rest of her pictures and went though my Father's pictures and did some scanning. A lot of memories went by, good and bad ones. Did end up driving on the LIE during afternoon rush hour to see my Sister in LIC. Nice neighborhood, with a cool view a few blocks from her apartment.
Driving was tiring. Put over 1,500 miles on the car, and it performed wonderfully. Still, it was a long trip in a shot amount of time. That, and my son's annual IEP meeting always adds up to additional sadness and inadequacy as a parent. The meeting went well enough, his Mother had concerns about the amount of a therapy he was to receive, which made sense to me. That my son is attending a new school and they're still getting to know him adds more to the uncertainty. He does seem to be doing well there. We were very concerned about how he would take the transition to a new school and pickup and exchange between his Mother and I, but that has not been a problem. Which is a very good thing.
Called an accountant today, we're meeting next week to talk about finances. This is a first.
Week two of my NFL hiatus is in full effect. Weird getting messages during the game and comments directed to me the next morning about what happened the night before. I do not know the specifics, I see the headlines, but do not know how the Bills are sucking.
Now, back to trying to rest or avoid writing.
Did get some things sorted about with my Aunt's estate. I now have the rest of her pictures and went though my Father's pictures and did some scanning. A lot of memories went by, good and bad ones. Did end up driving on the LIE during afternoon rush hour to see my Sister in LIC. Nice neighborhood, with a cool view a few blocks from her apartment.
Driving was tiring. Put over 1,500 miles on the car, and it performed wonderfully. Still, it was a long trip in a shot amount of time. That, and my son's annual IEP meeting always adds up to additional sadness and inadequacy as a parent. The meeting went well enough, his Mother had concerns about the amount of a therapy he was to receive, which made sense to me. That my son is attending a new school and they're still getting to know him adds more to the uncertainty. He does seem to be doing well there. We were very concerned about how he would take the transition to a new school and pickup and exchange between his Mother and I, but that has not been a problem. Which is a very good thing.
Called an accountant today, we're meeting next week to talk about finances. This is a first.
Week two of my NFL hiatus is in full effect. Weird getting messages during the game and comments directed to me the next morning about what happened the night before. I do not know the specifics, I see the headlines, but do not know how the Bills are sucking.
Now, back to trying to rest or avoid writing.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Something from the LJ archive
There were fireflies glowing by the old chicken coop in my Grandparent's backyard. We used to have barbecues there when the other tenants of the house were not home. We'd cut through the breezeway, looking into the kitchen of their neighbors. One time, when i was five or so, i snuck in their home, walked into a hallway. heard a noise and bolted out of there fast. I remember a black and white portrait on a dresser.
Down the road from their house on Eagle Avenue was a riding stable. We used to go down there, not to ride, but to look at the horses. Some of them knew their names and would look up at you as you read their names from the plaques on the door.
One day, I was sitting alone in the front seat of my Stepfather's Barracuda. I was playing with the gear shift and put the car in reverse. Their driveway was on a slope that, slowly, sent me into traffic. Luckily i was not hit by any oncoming cars. A passerby saw me frozen in the front seat and went into the house for help. When my parents came out to get me, all they saw of me was my beanie cap with the propeller on it.
Down the road from their house on Eagle Avenue was a riding stable. We used to go down there, not to ride, but to look at the horses. Some of them knew their names and would look up at you as you read their names from the plaques on the door.
One day, I was sitting alone in the front seat of my Stepfather's Barracuda. I was playing with the gear shift and put the car in reverse. Their driveway was on a slope that, slowly, sent me into traffic. Luckily i was not hit by any oncoming cars. A passerby saw me frozen in the front seat and went into the house for help. When my parents came out to get me, all they saw of me was my beanie cap with the propeller on it.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
A rehatching
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release today, announcing that the Hatchery at Connetquot River State Park will begin operating again next year.
My Mom worked here and loved working in the hatchery. A virus shut it down in 2008 and there was a strong chance that it would never reopen. A lot of people in the park were very disappointed that it was not happening.
"The project is funded by a $150,000 Environmental Protection Fund grant awarded through Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The Friends of Connetquot and other local fishing clubs will contribute $10,000 to purchase eggs needed to begin cultivating fish."
I think my Mom would have been very happy to see this happen. Her memorial bench is located by the hatchery.
The entire press release is here.
My Mom worked here and loved working in the hatchery. A virus shut it down in 2008 and there was a strong chance that it would never reopen. A lot of people in the park were very disappointed that it was not happening.
"The project is funded by a $150,000 Environmental Protection Fund grant awarded through Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The Friends of Connetquot and other local fishing clubs will contribute $10,000 to purchase eggs needed to begin cultivating fish."
I think my Mom would have been very happy to see this happen. Her memorial bench is located by the hatchery.
The entire press release is here.
Friday, September 19, 2014
There's something about loss
I've probably seen more loss than victory, and not just from the world of sports.
Redman Street
High school was a barrage of
Friday night parties I was not invited to
On Monday the sounds all around my desk
were laughter, all the drinking, fun and vomiting I missed
It's said the diploma was the goal
More important than a degree was
four more years of directionless loss
Administrators pushed me through second grade
because I could read
In third grade I learned how to hate myself
In fifth I learned how power can abuse
If seventh grade went as quick as sitting next to a pretty girl
in ninth grade science class
eleventh grade would have been more tolerable
I'm not even going to mention any more even numbered years
Every Saturday afternoon I heard the marching band play
at halftime from my backyard
I'd been beat up under those bleachers too many times to see them filled
Had lockers broken into more times that I want to remember
Problems were solved with withdrawal, not a gun
another shot of whiskey means
another game of dodge ball forgotten
There's not enough whiskey
but there's plenty of time to move forward
Sunday, May 18, 2014
More seventies memories
This is from a live journal entry from ten years ago after a trip we made to Long Island.
When we went to Long Island we stopped in Valley Stream for a couple of minutes to see the old apartment we lived in before moving to Islip in 1972. The building hadn't changed much. What can you do to brick? Air conditioning had been added, the awning changed, little else.
We drove past the first school I attended, Alden Terrace Elementary. Perceptions and distance changes over time. I hadn't been there in years and it seemed so much smaller. The baseball fields I played little league on were tinier than I remembered. the walking distance from one side of the field to the school was so much shorter.
Missing were the garages. They had ben torn down. We used to sit on the roof and watch the games, or traffic. We weren't allowed up there. I saw my parents drive by, looking for us. I jumped off, slipped and landed head first on the ground. A few more stitches for me.
In the alley leading to the school was where the ice cream trucks would wage war. There was lovable old Gus, who used to let us ring the bells on the truck, against any young newcomer driving a Good Humor truck. The poor newbie didn't know what hit him when he stole Gus' spot on little league night. Gus blocked him in the alley so he couldn't get out to continue his route.
We lived in the landing pattern of Kennedy Airport then. They came in so low, you could read the writing on the sides of the planes clearly. Later, in high school, a couple of us were planespotters. Then though, the new thing was the 747. No plane had sounded like than when flying by. A few years later though, when the Concorde was controversial - to me, it had nothing on the noise the 747 produced. The Concorde did have a higher pitch, but the bass notes belonged to Boeing.
When we went to Coney Island, I thought of the power of radio and the hundreds of thousands sunning themselves, with their transistor radios tuned to WABC. Morrow, or Lundy, or Harrison would tell them to flip over to even their tans,and lines of people on the sad would do so. that was influence people.
In the apartment, listening to the radio was where the musical education started. The hits of the time of the early 70's. then the consultants came in and ruined it all. It must have been in '74 or '75 when it all seemed to change for me, in many other ways than musically. For three years I didn't listen to much of anything, other than Bob Murphy and losing Mets games. It was all disco out there, and Donald Grant tearing apart the Mets, for these ears until birthday number thirteen.
I had birthday money and was going to buy either a bowling ball or a record album.
The Beatles '67-'70 won.
When we went to Long Island we stopped in Valley Stream for a couple of minutes to see the old apartment we lived in before moving to Islip in 1972. The building hadn't changed much. What can you do to brick? Air conditioning had been added, the awning changed, little else.
We drove past the first school I attended, Alden Terrace Elementary. Perceptions and distance changes over time. I hadn't been there in years and it seemed so much smaller. The baseball fields I played little league on were tinier than I remembered. the walking distance from one side of the field to the school was so much shorter.
Missing were the garages. They had ben torn down. We used to sit on the roof and watch the games, or traffic. We weren't allowed up there. I saw my parents drive by, looking for us. I jumped off, slipped and landed head first on the ground. A few more stitches for me.
In the alley leading to the school was where the ice cream trucks would wage war. There was lovable old Gus, who used to let us ring the bells on the truck, against any young newcomer driving a Good Humor truck. The poor newbie didn't know what hit him when he stole Gus' spot on little league night. Gus blocked him in the alley so he couldn't get out to continue his route.
We lived in the landing pattern of Kennedy Airport then. They came in so low, you could read the writing on the sides of the planes clearly. Later, in high school, a couple of us were planespotters. Then though, the new thing was the 747. No plane had sounded like than when flying by. A few years later though, when the Concorde was controversial - to me, it had nothing on the noise the 747 produced. The Concorde did have a higher pitch, but the bass notes belonged to Boeing.
When we went to Coney Island, I thought of the power of radio and the hundreds of thousands sunning themselves, with their transistor radios tuned to WABC. Morrow, or Lundy, or Harrison would tell them to flip over to even their tans,and lines of people on the sad would do so. that was influence people.
In the apartment, listening to the radio was where the musical education started. The hits of the time of the early 70's. then the consultants came in and ruined it all. It must have been in '74 or '75 when it all seemed to change for me, in many other ways than musically. For three years I didn't listen to much of anything, other than Bob Murphy and losing Mets games. It was all disco out there, and Donald Grant tearing apart the Mets, for these ears until birthday number thirteen.
I had birthday money and was going to buy either a bowling ball or a record album.
The Beatles '67-'70 won.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Stuff is happening
We've been away. In New York for a family event. On Sunday there was a dedication of a bench in the park my Mom worked. The day was beautiful and a good number of family turned out. The bench had some special engravings of daffodils and shamrocks that were done by a former co-worker of Mom's.
We all had turns sitting on the bench during a solemn but pleasant day. The bench is located by the hatchery in the park. I was walking around and found that my Mom's picture is used as part of the guided tour.
My wife and I also had time to hit a hidden winery. Loughlin Vineyards is in Sayville and is run by a very friendly 88 year old man named Barney. I did not really talk wine with him, but we talked about World War 2 as there were several old signs and maps in the tasting room. He went on, "The Germans and the Americans all had one thing in common, when they were dying, they all cried for their mothers - Let's try the merlot!"
The wine is quite good, we liked the chardonnay. There was also time to hit the beach. It was quite the shock seeing the damage that remains after Hurricane Sandy.
Used to be a gentle slope that led you to the water, not an eight foot sudden drop. That's the power this storm had.
We got lucky with the weather when we went into Manhattan. It seems the people were all released after a harsh winter. I have been going to the city for years and have never seen the streets so crowded.
Had some very good pizza at Juliana's then took on the bridge. Which led us, after a lengthy walk to McSorley's. Experienced a subway delay before goofing off with a drink in Times Square.
It was a good and necessary visit. If you're going to Long Island I recommend the Hilton Garden Inn in Ronkonkoma, which was a good base to plan from. I was upgraded to a Prius by the effervescent Shannon of Enterprise at the Islip Airport, an interesting car to drive around town in, but not one I would be comfortable in for long trips despite it's exceptional fuel economy.
Lots of other plans and items are coming, thanks to my Mom. Looking into a new heating and cooling unit for the house, and we got the new roof already. I bought a new turntable today so the Back Room is turning into a bit of a man cave and next week I'll be upgrading my old Macbook. The flights were ok. Came home to a piece of siding hanging from the house, thank you wind, so that is being addressed as well.
We all had turns sitting on the bench during a solemn but pleasant day. The bench is located by the hatchery in the park. I was walking around and found that my Mom's picture is used as part of the guided tour.
My wife and I also had time to hit a hidden winery. Loughlin Vineyards is in Sayville and is run by a very friendly 88 year old man named Barney. I did not really talk wine with him, but we talked about World War 2 as there were several old signs and maps in the tasting room. He went on, "The Germans and the Americans all had one thing in common, when they were dying, they all cried for their mothers - Let's try the merlot!"
The wine is quite good, we liked the chardonnay. There was also time to hit the beach. It was quite the shock seeing the damage that remains after Hurricane Sandy.
Used to be a gentle slope that led you to the water, not an eight foot sudden drop. That's the power this storm had.
We got lucky with the weather when we went into Manhattan. It seems the people were all released after a harsh winter. I have been going to the city for years and have never seen the streets so crowded.
Had some very good pizza at Juliana's then took on the bridge. Which led us, after a lengthy walk to McSorley's. Experienced a subway delay before goofing off with a drink in Times Square.
It was a good and necessary visit. If you're going to Long Island I recommend the Hilton Garden Inn in Ronkonkoma, which was a good base to plan from. I was upgraded to a Prius by the effervescent Shannon of Enterprise at the Islip Airport, an interesting car to drive around town in, but not one I would be comfortable in for long trips despite it's exceptional fuel economy.
Lots of other plans and items are coming, thanks to my Mom. Looking into a new heating and cooling unit for the house, and we got the new roof already. I bought a new turntable today so the Back Room is turning into a bit of a man cave and next week I'll be upgrading my old Macbook. The flights were ok. Came home to a piece of siding hanging from the house, thank you wind, so that is being addressed as well.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Not much better than the Ford Focus I rented
When you move away from your parents, you do not know about all of the life they have. My Mom touched a lot of lives. The viewings were both jam packed with people who came to pay their respects. There were people I had not seen in 30-40 years. There were friends and co-workers who knew who I was even though I had no clue who they were.
The funeral home put together a nice video of pictures from various parts of her life that was quite touching. I contributed a few last minute pictures of my own and also made my own little slide show of my Mom's life that you can see here.
I'd always tease my Mom about her love of Rod Stewart, which was why I chose one of his songs for the video I made.
The mass was kind of bungled up by a new priest from Colombia, who spoke softly, with a very thick accent. He relied on the microphone to project his voice and it was not working for him. Then the battery died on the mic, and he could be heard better once he spoke louder. It got weird when one of the laypeople was looking for batteries in the room behind the altar and you could heard all kinds of drawers opening along with some banging.
It got weirder when the priest lost the plot and invited some dead relatives to bring the gifts to the altar. Had said deceased relatives shown up with the gifts of wine and bread, I may have converted then and there.
Then the priest honored the deceased relatives by naming someone who was very much alive, that's when one of my family members had to get up and correct the guy.
I was told about a bagpiper who would be outside the church when my Mom's coffin was brought out, it still startled me a little. Later, I heard the piper arrived early and mistakenly started playing in the cold and snow for the funeral service that happened before my Mom's. So the poor guy had to stand out there and play twice.
You had to laugh, and we did.
When I got home, I wanted to call her to say I got home alright. There are going to be so many of those moments now. Every piece of news about my son, when I'm looking to chat or vent or anything, she's not going to be there. It will take awhile for me to process that. And I have to work hard to keep involved with the family left on the island.
My Mom worked at the Connetquot State Park for many years and loved her job. If anyone wishes to pay their respects, they can send a donation in Honor of Patricia Costello the Friends of the Connetquot River Reserve. There are plans of honoring my Mom with a park bench and a plaque on a sycamore tree. It's a wonderful way to remember her.
The funeral home put together a nice video of pictures from various parts of her life that was quite touching. I contributed a few last minute pictures of my own and also made my own little slide show of my Mom's life that you can see here.
I'd always tease my Mom about her love of Rod Stewart, which was why I chose one of his songs for the video I made.
The mass was kind of bungled up by a new priest from Colombia, who spoke softly, with a very thick accent. He relied on the microphone to project his voice and it was not working for him. Then the battery died on the mic, and he could be heard better once he spoke louder. It got weird when one of the laypeople was looking for batteries in the room behind the altar and you could heard all kinds of drawers opening along with some banging.
It got weirder when the priest lost the plot and invited some dead relatives to bring the gifts to the altar. Had said deceased relatives shown up with the gifts of wine and bread, I may have converted then and there.
Then the priest honored the deceased relatives by naming someone who was very much alive, that's when one of my family members had to get up and correct the guy.
I was told about a bagpiper who would be outside the church when my Mom's coffin was brought out, it still startled me a little. Later, I heard the piper arrived early and mistakenly started playing in the cold and snow for the funeral service that happened before my Mom's. So the poor guy had to stand out there and play twice.
You had to laugh, and we did.
When I got home, I wanted to call her to say I got home alright. There are going to be so many of those moments now. Every piece of news about my son, when I'm looking to chat or vent or anything, she's not going to be there. It will take awhile for me to process that. And I have to work hard to keep involved with the family left on the island.
My Mom worked at the Connetquot State Park for many years and loved her job. If anyone wishes to pay their respects, they can send a donation in Honor of Patricia Costello the Friends of the Connetquot River Reserve. There are plans of honoring my Mom with a park bench and a plaque on a sycamore tree. It's a wonderful way to remember her.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Nothing is planned by the sea and sand
I'm writing this from a hotel room in Bohemia, New York. My parents felt bad that I was sleeping on the couch for two nights so they used some points and got me a room with a bed for the evening. Very nice of them, and my back and ankle told me not to refuse.
My mother has not been well, and has had a few setbacks, but it was good to see her. What she's going through is tough, and it's hard to see her unable to enjoy doing the things she likes to do. She is not one to sit in the house all day.
I got to borrow the car and head off to see some big water for a few hours. I went to East Islip beach first, and this trio greeted me.
Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of damage, and not all of it is repaired, not even close.
Living in Ohio, I miss the big water, and I'm only six minutes from the house to the Robert Moses Bridge. The park is still closed, you can't even cross the bridge to Fire Island without permission. Drove down Ocean Parkway to Jones Beach and saw some dunes being repaired, it's like they're putting down mulch but hopefully it will help when the next storm will come. Field Six at Jones Beach is open.
I was never much of a beach person, the sun and I do not get along but it is a tonic to feel the ocean breeze on your face while smelling the sea.
This morning we went to Heckscher State Park, where some of the beaches are still closed.
Ready to go home in the morning. Worried about my family's health problems. Have my own stuff in Columbus to worry about. Miss my wife and son. But realized you can finally buy wine and liquor on Sunday in this state.
Can't forget the Brown Bonnet!
My mother has not been well, and has had a few setbacks, but it was good to see her. What she's going through is tough, and it's hard to see her unable to enjoy doing the things she likes to do. She is not one to sit in the house all day.
I got to borrow the car and head off to see some big water for a few hours. I went to East Islip beach first, and this trio greeted me.
Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of damage, and not all of it is repaired, not even close.
Living in Ohio, I miss the big water, and I'm only six minutes from the house to the Robert Moses Bridge. The park is still closed, you can't even cross the bridge to Fire Island without permission. Drove down Ocean Parkway to Jones Beach and saw some dunes being repaired, it's like they're putting down mulch but hopefully it will help when the next storm will come. Field Six at Jones Beach is open.
I was never much of a beach person, the sun and I do not get along but it is a tonic to feel the ocean breeze on your face while smelling the sea.
This morning we went to Heckscher State Park, where some of the beaches are still closed.
Ready to go home in the morning. Worried about my family's health problems. Have my own stuff in Columbus to worry about. Miss my wife and son. But realized you can finally buy wine and liquor on Sunday in this state.
Can't forget the Brown Bonnet!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Eastbound and down
Taking a necessary trip tomorrow. Not quite an escapade but what can you do.
This summer's going to turn nuts in mid-July.
This summer's going to turn nuts in mid-July.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Still a story to tell
The remnants of Hurricane Sandy are blasting through Ohio today. That, along with the big storm that was already here are creating some high winds here. While I slept there were some snow flurries, nowhere near the foot that has buried parts of West Virginia.
So, we're good from the couch, unless the wind does some damage today.
My parents on Long Island seemed to fare the storm well. They did lose power for a short time, but it was back when I spoke to them a few minutes ago. It was quite windy, strong enough to blow over their gas grill.
As for Manhattan and some of the coastal areas, there's a lot of flood damage. Getting around is next to impossible, bridges and all of the tunnels save the Lincoln are shut down. Long Island is essentially cut off. The Southern New Jersey shore into Delaware and Maryland are in rough shape too, from what I'm reading and hearing.
Be safe east coast.
So, we're good from the couch, unless the wind does some damage today.
My parents on Long Island seemed to fare the storm well. They did lose power for a short time, but it was back when I spoke to them a few minutes ago. It was quite windy, strong enough to blow over their gas grill.
As for Manhattan and some of the coastal areas, there's a lot of flood damage. Getting around is next to impossible, bridges and all of the tunnels save the Lincoln are shut down. Long Island is essentially cut off. The Southern New Jersey shore into Delaware and Maryland are in rough shape too, from what I'm reading and hearing.
Be safe east coast.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Have returned to Ohio
Back in Columbus after a few days away. We almost could have driven to our destination as American Airlines had a massive cock up on Thursday morning for a flight to Chicago, and our flight. We were about three and a half hours late in departure.
Nevertheless we arrived at the ancestral home and had a very good time. Went out east on Friday. My son was not pleased being out in the open spaces and by the water. He just wanted to chill. He did not sleep well four of the five nights we were there. He did eat better as the weekend progressed.
Here's a photo dump, with some descriptions of what we did.
Bethpage Park, about five minutes from my parents house. Home of the Long Island Ducks of the independent league. Great place to see a game. If this was around 35 years ago when I was growing up, I would have been here all the time instead of Putt-Putt.
Fudgie the Whale knows.
It was Bud Harrellson bobble head night. My friend Jodi re-enacted the great fight he had with Pete Rose. Awesome!
The Museum of Natural History. Can't beat the dinos. I had not been here in years. When we went on field trips we always seemed to start on the bottom floors and never had time to see the fourth floor, where all the dinosaurs are.
The dioramas here are amazing.
Japanese girl giving the peace sign in front of a Tiki God. Come on!
My favorite diorama of all. Why?
Aw, look at the cute, dead otter.
Central Park was wonderful for a post-museum walk. Hey, a wedding!
The Bow Bridge.
Central Park Bandshell. Yes, is the answer!
Serious playground ball on 4th Street. The trash talking is amazing.
McSorley's Ale House, the greatest bar in the world.
This was outside of some theater/bar on St. Marks Place. I have not had time to research it, but there's Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones, who were in A Night at the Opera with the Marx Brothers.
I took pictures in all the subway stations.
Great visit. As always, there is never enough time. I did get to see a couple of friends and a few relatives. My wife met some more of the family. Had a brief, but wonderful time with an old friend from elementary school and his family. Ate some fresh fried sea bass, drank plenty. I think it was a good visit.
Back to work tomorrow. First day of school for my son. He starts the fourth grade. Where did the time go?
Nevertheless we arrived at the ancestral home and had a very good time. Went out east on Friday. My son was not pleased being out in the open spaces and by the water. He just wanted to chill. He did not sleep well four of the five nights we were there. He did eat better as the weekend progressed.
Here's a photo dump, with some descriptions of what we did.
Bethpage Park, about five minutes from my parents house. Home of the Long Island Ducks of the independent league. Great place to see a game. If this was around 35 years ago when I was growing up, I would have been here all the time instead of Putt-Putt.
Fudgie the Whale knows.
It was Bud Harrellson bobble head night. My friend Jodi re-enacted the great fight he had with Pete Rose. Awesome!
The Museum of Natural History. Can't beat the dinos. I had not been here in years. When we went on field trips we always seemed to start on the bottom floors and never had time to see the fourth floor, where all the dinosaurs are.
The dioramas here are amazing.
Japanese girl giving the peace sign in front of a Tiki God. Come on!
My favorite diorama of all. Why?
Aw, look at the cute, dead otter.
Central Park was wonderful for a post-museum walk. Hey, a wedding!
The Bow Bridge.
Central Park Bandshell. Yes, is the answer!
Serious playground ball on 4th Street. The trash talking is amazing.
McSorley's Ale House, the greatest bar in the world.
This was outside of some theater/bar on St. Marks Place. I have not had time to research it, but there's Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones, who were in A Night at the Opera with the Marx Brothers.
I took pictures in all the subway stations.
Great visit. As always, there is never enough time. I did get to see a couple of friends and a few relatives. My wife met some more of the family. Had a brief, but wonderful time with an old friend from elementary school and his family. Ate some fresh fried sea bass, drank plenty. I think it was a good visit.
Back to work tomorrow. First day of school for my son. He starts the fourth grade. Where did the time go?
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
This is what neglect looks like
Did a lot of driving around this afternoon finding places to photograph for my April Infamy in Columbus project. At times I was amused, others a bit sad and shocked to see what happened to places from the past twenty two years.
My friend Gregg and I have a running joke about places closing down a few weeks after we go there. For awhile today it was like that.
Then there's this place a couple of miles from my home. Such a waste.
In other news we're traveling east in late August. Headed to the ancestral home.
My friend Gregg and I have a running joke about places closing down a few weeks after we go there. For awhile today it was like that.
Then there's this place a couple of miles from my home. Such a waste.
In other news we're traveling east in late August. Headed to the ancestral home.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Avoiding the Vitriol
Alright May, you're just like April with the rain. Knock it off!
Already knew this but it became magnified yesterday that this country is not over 9/11. I have no idea what it's going to take for this country to move ahead but it was not the death of Bin Laden. Even his death kept the divide going. I'm not sad the guy's been killed, but I'm not wrapping myself in the flag and jumping into Mirror Lake over it either.
Been thinking, writing, goofing off the last few days. After a conversation in a bar I'm wondering what poets in this town say about me behind my back. Still processing that part of the weekend.
Been in contact with my high school graduating class on the Facebook. There's a group forming for the 30th anniversary reunion later this year. A lot of pictures. I put one up of my fifth grade class, the only class picture I think I own. There were comments praising the teacher. The guy made my life a living hell for a year so I kept quiet. I'm not going to be the one to harsh others reflective buzz.
In good news my first college roommate found me through Facebook. Been trying to find him for years so it's been good to be catching up.
In very sad news a good friend's mother died. A sudden diagnosis of cancer and it stinks being so far away.
The little guy is good. Fell asleep at nine last night and slept through the night. Must have been tired. Swimming has been going great. He's going underwater a lot, opening his eyes up big. He's going to be swimming underwater any time now. Time to make sure he's finishing breakfast.
All in all, all is well. Now about that sun. Time to make an appearance, sometime this month.
Already knew this but it became magnified yesterday that this country is not over 9/11. I have no idea what it's going to take for this country to move ahead but it was not the death of Bin Laden. Even his death kept the divide going. I'm not sad the guy's been killed, but I'm not wrapping myself in the flag and jumping into Mirror Lake over it either.
Been thinking, writing, goofing off the last few days. After a conversation in a bar I'm wondering what poets in this town say about me behind my back. Still processing that part of the weekend.
Been in contact with my high school graduating class on the Facebook. There's a group forming for the 30th anniversary reunion later this year. A lot of pictures. I put one up of my fifth grade class, the only class picture I think I own. There were comments praising the teacher. The guy made my life a living hell for a year so I kept quiet. I'm not going to be the one to harsh others reflective buzz.
In good news my first college roommate found me through Facebook. Been trying to find him for years so it's been good to be catching up.
In very sad news a good friend's mother died. A sudden diagnosis of cancer and it stinks being so far away.
The little guy is good. Fell asleep at nine last night and slept through the night. Must have been tired. Swimming has been going great. He's going underwater a lot, opening his eyes up big. He's going to be swimming underwater any time now. Time to make sure he's finishing breakfast.
All in all, all is well. Now about that sun. Time to make an appearance, sometime this month.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A Sea of Honey
Day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep.
Not that this is a boring song, not in the least. But it is very relaxing.
Ariel is an uneven work of Kate's, but after twelve years of silence, not at all unwelcome. Disc two was what I listened to before bed for many months. It might not have worked for my son, nothing did, nothing does, but it helped get me to sleep.
There's no official video of this song, so enjoy this fan made effort.
Montauk is the end of the world.
Not that this is a boring song, not in the least. But it is very relaxing.
Ariel is an uneven work of Kate's, but after twelve years of silence, not at all unwelcome. Disc two was what I listened to before bed for many months. It might not have worked for my son, nothing did, nothing does, but it helped get me to sleep.
There's no official video of this song, so enjoy this fan made effort.
Montauk is the end of the world.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
William Shatner is Eighty Years Old Today.
Two of my poems have been published in the online journal The Legendary. Fifth name down on the left if you do not know my name. There is also audio for one of the poems. You can do a lot with an iPod Touch.
It's exciting, something I've wanted to do but never quite had the gumption. Saw they were accepting submissions, found a couple of poems and sent them in. A couple of days later they contacted me and accepted both poems. Not the prestige of having your work put into a book, but this is a start. A small but significant goal achieved, you may say.
Here is an old poem. From late 1998, right after a divorce. I've been thinking of home poems recently as so many other poets have been writing them. I've primarily lived in three places in my life and feel a disconnect to all of them. I miss the one I lived in the shortest amount of time the most, and the one I lived in first not at all. I've more or less been in Columbus the longest, there are often times I feel like an outsider, even in my own community.
Islip Terrace in the Seventies
you could smell the salt in the air
when the wind came from the south
it was the only time you ever felt
if you were on an island
in the fall, or spring
when the night were cool and mist filled
and lots of thickening fog
late at night
i'd put on my raincoat
and walk
unaccompanied
through the suburban streets
houses all looking the same
washington, jefferson, garfield, roosevelt
who in the hell was stellenwerf?
the streets where i came from
i'd walk, and see the lights
of neighbors no one knew
going off as others prepared for
the next day
mine had just started
in the summers i'd be on ten speed
riding, riding in the darkness
through the mosquitoes, crickets, and squirrels
searching, fruitless
for one who didn't exist
those were my better times
i was fast then
i could run
rueful, brooding, wistful
i was best when alone
There's not much from the 1997-2005 period that I would consider revealing today. That was a long time ago.
Here's a Live Journal post from three years ago in which I call stardom for Florence and the Machine.
Got that one right.
It's exciting, something I've wanted to do but never quite had the gumption. Saw they were accepting submissions, found a couple of poems and sent them in. A couple of days later they contacted me and accepted both poems. Not the prestige of having your work put into a book, but this is a start. A small but significant goal achieved, you may say.
Here is an old poem. From late 1998, right after a divorce. I've been thinking of home poems recently as so many other poets have been writing them. I've primarily lived in three places in my life and feel a disconnect to all of them. I miss the one I lived in the shortest amount of time the most, and the one I lived in first not at all. I've more or less been in Columbus the longest, there are often times I feel like an outsider, even in my own community.
Islip Terrace in the Seventies
you could smell the salt in the air
when the wind came from the south
it was the only time you ever felt
if you were on an island
in the fall, or spring
when the night were cool and mist filled
and lots of thickening fog
late at night
i'd put on my raincoat
and walk
unaccompanied
through the suburban streets
houses all looking the same
washington, jefferson, garfield, roosevelt
who in the hell was stellenwerf?
the streets where i came from
i'd walk, and see the lights
of neighbors no one knew
going off as others prepared for
the next day
mine had just started
in the summers i'd be on ten speed
riding, riding in the darkness
through the mosquitoes, crickets, and squirrels
searching, fruitless
for one who didn't exist
those were my better times
i was fast then
i could run
rueful, brooding, wistful
i was best when alone
There's not much from the 1997-2005 period that I would consider revealing today. That was a long time ago.
Here's a Live Journal post from three years ago in which I call stardom for Florence and the Machine.
Got that one right.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Cracking It
One of the places we went over the weekend was the mall of my youth, the South Shore Mall.
Wasn't really looking for anything, just a place go to get away from the house and cold.
Ending up getting some food from Panera and found by an old high school friend.
After eating I looked at the news stand and candy kiosk. Been searching for a specific item for years. It was not Charleston Chew but something even harder to find.
There it was, on the bottom shelf.
Been looking for it for a long time. It was no longer made until recently, but last summer it came back.
Have not tried it yet. Trying to avoid the nostalgia that would make it underwhelming to have again. The past never tastes as good as you remember does it?
Wasn't really looking for anything, just a place go to get away from the house and cold.
Ending up getting some food from Panera and found by an old high school friend.
After eating I looked at the news stand and candy kiosk. Been searching for a specific item for years. It was not Charleston Chew but something even harder to find.
There it was, on the bottom shelf.
Been looking for it for a long time. It was no longer made until recently, but last summer it came back.
Have not tried it yet. Trying to avoid the nostalgia that would make it underwhelming to have again. The past never tastes as good as you remember does it?
Monday, January 17, 2011
And, We're Back
Returned from a busy trip out east. My Scottish wife met a lot of my family for the first time. I think it went well. We were busy, but a bit isolated as there was a lot of snow on the ground.
We did drive out to the beach. Robert Frozes State Park, it was cold out there. What was shocking and sad was the amount of erosion that has occurred since my last visit.
This picture was taken in the spring of 2007 from the beach at field five of the Robert Moses State Park.
This picture was taken on Friday the 14th of January from about the same spot.
It's quite the difference. Looks like about 50-75 yards of beach has been reclaimed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Also saw some deer for the first time so close to the road. It's not a new thing, just my first time.
It was a good trip. The boy was great on the plane and he and my Mom seemed to get on very well. Even met my Half Sister for the first time, and I'm still kicking myself for not taking a picture.
Back to work as normal activities resume tomorrow.
More to come.
We did drive out to the beach. Robert Frozes State Park, it was cold out there. What was shocking and sad was the amount of erosion that has occurred since my last visit.
This picture was taken in the spring of 2007 from the beach at field five of the Robert Moses State Park.
This picture was taken on Friday the 14th of January from about the same spot.
It's quite the difference. Looks like about 50-75 yards of beach has been reclaimed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Also saw some deer for the first time so close to the road. It's not a new thing, just my first time.
It was a good trip. The boy was great on the plane and he and my Mom seemed to get on very well. Even met my Half Sister for the first time, and I'm still kicking myself for not taking a picture.
Back to work as normal activities resume tomorrow.
More to come.
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