Jim Marshall (RIP)

Jim Marshall, rock and roll photographer, was found dead on Wednesday morning in his apartment. The NY Times has done a wonderful job in writing a beautiful tribute to a man who truly became one with his camera. His images have been seen by hundreds, if not thousands of people over the years, and will continue to serve as reminders of some of rock and roll’s greatest.

The article can be found here.

long live letters ..

Leonard Lopate recently had Thomas Mallon on his how to discuss his new book, Yours Ever: People and Their Letters, which is a collection of letters written by various people over the years, including William Faulkner, Tennesse WIlliams, and Abe Lincoln. The book is split into various chapters corresponding to types of letters – apologies, letters from jail, war letter, etc. The book is a true piece of art, showcasing not only time periods, but the art of letter writing itself as well. It is something that even I have noticed more and more recently. How difficult it has become for people to send an email with any real emotion in it, any real thought. As Thomas Mallon mentions in the interview, many of us are not engaged in what are writing in an email until we have already sent it.

Anyway, just figured I’d share the interview, and book. Listen to the entire show here.

Kindle VS Shelf (Battle of the Library)

This past weekend’s New York Times Magazine included an article called, “Shelf Life“. The article discussed a juxtaposition between the purchasing and collection of books (physical, hand held books), and now Kindle formated E-books. The article used an article by Walter Benjamin, in which he described the thrill he experienced in looking over his collection of books he had collected over the years – namely that of the era in which each particular book had been made, its binding process, and paper type, etc. The author compared this with the ease, and often uneventful task of downloading a book to a device like that of the Kindle. Virginia Heffernan, the author of the article, mentioned viewing of ones digital library on their Kindle, and how this, in comparison with a real room of dusty, heaves of books is a different experience, and surprisingly not a bad one.

Photo is from Flickr member: tamulibrary

I’m in the middle of reading my first e-book. I’m about halfway through Stephen King’s “On Writing”. While I will not get into my feelings on reading a digital book (save that for a later post), I will say that I have found it awkward to not have a book to carry around. For one, I have always felt that the book a man (or woman) carries around is no different than that person’s clothing style, haircut, or choice of shoes. It is a reflection of one’s personality. They have chosen to read that book, and thus can be associated with it. Having what I am currently read not be viewable by others without first getting into conversation has proven to be disappointing for me. I often want to pull it out at a bus stop, or while in a cafe, but rather I am seen just looking at my computer. While I do not have much interest in pleasing anyone, in terms of them liking what I read, or wishing to appear “cool”, I do wish to project myself in anyway I see fit.

The next problem will be showcasing this book. When I have finished it, I will have nothing more than a file stored away on my computer. When a friend is over, they will not see the book along my bookshelf. Such an event has so often lead to some great conversations. A visitor has seen my copy of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”, and we’ve hit it off from there! But they will NEVER know that I have read “On Writing”, and thus a reflection on the book will not take place, unless by some chance, we come upon the file on my computer. Virginia Heffernan is right in saying that this whole e-book process is a different one all together, but I for one am not impressed, nor pleased.

David Forman

On March 3, 2010 David Forman, distinguished singer and songwriter, held an event in the Passaic County Community College Theatre in which he discussed his experience in breaking into the music business and advice for those looking to do the same.

The event began with an introduction by Diana Blauvelt, an assistant English Professor of PCCC. Professor Blauvelt highlighted the achievements of Mr. Forman’s impressive 30 plus years in the business, including his involvement with producing music for movies like Revolutionary Road, Stuart Little, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

David Forman, dressed in a blue hat, with jeans and a denim vest, sat center stage as he expressed the musical influences he experienced during his 1950’s childhood. He explained that in that time, “one could hear every music idiom on the radio in New York”. Of those idioms, his favorite being Doo Wop, which he explained that despite a large portion of it “sucking”, when it is done right, it is incredible. An example of this perfectly done Doo Wop he expressed was Jerry Lee Lewis’ “A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On”, which he described as “rockingly awesome”.

During his nearly two hour discussion, he described his journey from a child whose dream of being like Elvis began with his a cardboard keyboard he practiced with, to his years walking through areas of Manhattan with nothing more than a feeling. This feeling, he explained, was his drive. Though he had no demo, or proof to show, he knew inside that what he was doing was something worthwhile.

It all began to come together in 1973, where through a series of lucky breaks Mr. Forman was able to record a song called “Tantalize” with a group of talented musicians. While the songs final result had to been distastefully changed from its original genius, he explained it got him into the music business.

Through the next 30 years, he assisted in Philippe Petit’s World Trade Center incident, and broke into the Jingle Business, singing in advertisements for company’s like 5^th Avenue Candy Bar, and Tums, which he described as being as times too comfortable a way to earn money and lose motivation. A way of making a living he escaped in creating a stage persona known as Little Isidore, who would later play with Ike Turner in our very own Paterson, NJ.

The event closed with David Forman, after much encouragement by Diana Blauvelt and others in the audience, performing a beautiful piano song called, “Dream of a Child”. A better song could not have been chosen, as it brought light to a man who began his career in front of a RCA Victor 45 Victrola Record Player dreaming of becoming the musician he has become today.

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This will soon be published in an issue of Passaic County Community College Newspaper, Visions.

Pictures soon to follow as well

Sleep, Learn, Remember!

Years ago, before heading to school after a day at work, I would frequently stop home, have a quick bite to eat and then take a 15-20 minute nap. My father would at times come home from work and rudely wake me up claiming that there was no reason for me to take a nap. There was no reason why someone at my age should be taking a mid day nap and had a just gone to sleep earlier the night before that I would have enough energy to get through the day.  I in turn would always tell him how I felt better going to class after having a nap. I felt “refreshed”, as if my mind was now more open to taking in new information.

Photo taken by Flickr member "M31"

An article in the NY Times yesterday called, “Behavior: Napping Can Prime the Brain for Learning” backed this claim up for me. The article stated that “New research has found that young adults who slept for 90 minutes after lunch raised their learning power, their memory apparently primed to absorb new facts.” The article continued in stating that research is beginning to show that in addition to helping consolidate recently taken information, it can also “restore the ability to learn.”

This new information has done wonders for my argument! An argument, I will be sure to sleep before having to allow me to be at my full potential.

Shout Out Louds

Have you heard the new Shout Out Louds single, “Fall Hard”? Its awesome.

Medieval Times

For my mother’s birthday Kourtney, my sister, her boyfriend, my mother, and I all headed out to Medieval Times yesterday. I had not been there since I was about eight years old and was excited to see if any of the magic that we so often see as children had worn off now that I am in my early 20′s.

Here is what I enjoyed:

• The sound system and light display was incredible! They have done an awesome job in keeping up with the latest digital sound systems, and special effect software. For a child, it would see like pure magic watching the lights circle the crowd, as the sounds of dungeons, and weaponry are at every corner of the arena!
• Things haven’t changed in terms of the storyline. If something is not broken, why fix it?
• Guests were still asked to eat with their hands! Soup, full chicken breast, potatoes, and spare ribs all with their hands. It felt good to be barbaric!
• Coolest of all, my knight (the black and white) won!

What I did not enjoy:

• The horrible manners, and excitement of the staff. Bitchy, unhappy teenage girls who should have been thrown into the arena to fight!
• The horses. After visiting my cousin this past summer, and getting to know horses on a new level, I couldn’t help but be upset to watch these horses treated like circus animals. Running the same laps, day in and day out with metal swords clashes near their ears. In addition, they are trained to do tricks and are rode by riders wearing spikes in their heels. Many of the horses looked unhappy, and unable to open their mouths wide due to the tight restraints.

Overall it was just a nice day to spend with family, and to revisit a place I enjoyed so much as a child.

Here is me lady:

Five Years

Yesterday was 5 years since I had asked Kourtney to be my girlfriend.

I still can’t believe all we’ve been through over this period of time. Change of living situations, experiences we’ve both enjoyed together and those we depended on each other to get through. Just wanted to give a quick recap of how we spent our day.

We spent the morning at the local park with Kourtney’s dog. It was a warmer day than we had been experiencing, and knew it would be perfect for getting ourselves outside for a little while.

Afterwards we headed to a few stores for some errands before returning home and taking a nap together. We had a gift certificate to a wonderful local Italian restaurant we had received for Christmas from some friends of the family and decided this was a perfect opportunity to use it. We made 8:30 reservations, and headed there with a bottle of wine and enjoyed ourselves.

Days like yesterday truly make you stop and see it all in the right perspectives. Love is an incredible feeling.

Corner Away From It All

the two sat alone, in a corner away from it all as if watching the world from a safe, outside distance, but yet very much a part of it all.

A fire glowing deep within her eyes, maybe the reflection of the wind driven candle – maybe not. But its intensity is undeniable.

I beg the gods that what lies beyond those perfect tones, and  freckled patterns is mine forever.

I feel confident it is.
I feel confident it is.

Give Love

A wonderful message from  Yoga Journal.