EV Part I

When I first arrived in New York, I was excited for a number of reasons. One of those being my favorite band in the whole world was doing a small tour and NYC was one of the stops. However, I found out about it too late and the show was sold out before I could get tickets. I looked into a ticket broker but the cheapest seats were going for over $200 each. So, needless to say I was a bit disappointed. But, when Eddie Vedder announced he would be doing a solo tour I jumped on the opportunity. Last night was the first of two shows.

The venue was absolutely gorgeous. The United Palace Theatre on 175th and Broadway is just about as far north in Manhattan as you can get. And a tidbit of trivia, it's where Malcolm X was shot. The theatre is a refurbished church that is still used for services and from what I gathered, a pretty popular one. The inside reminded me a lot of the Fox Theater in Detroit, very elegant with a touch of an old roman architecture. I showed up to see the last song of the opening band, a guy by the name of Liam Finn. It was him and some woman on a tiny little set up. From what I saw, he seemed like he would put on a good show. But honestly, I won't get there any earlier tonight to see his entire show. Around 8:45 Eddie finally came on stage.

His stage set up was pretty low key. He had a large rug with a stool centered surrounded by a little table stage left, a row of guitars, acoustic and electric as well as a mandolin, and his amps stage right. Unlike most Pearl Jam shows I have seen, Eddie didn't walk out with a bottle of wine in his hand, just his notebook that he carries with him constantly. Instead he just had a glass of water that the crew had put up before he came out. Eddie said hello and went into the first two songs, which were two songs I've heard once or twice but am not all that familiar with, Walking the Cow and Trouble Around the Bend. The sound was very good and his voice was amazing as usual. At times the sound got a little hot, but it was rare.

Next on the list was I Am Mine, it was a great version of the song, but I have to admit, I kind of missed the rest of the band on this one. One of the things I like about this song is the percussion, but still he played it very well. Dead Man Walking was the first of the Sean Penn/Eddie Vedder connected songs. The song being from the Penn film titled the same. I had only heard this song maybe one other time live. Vedder went back to the Pearl Jam catalog with I'm Open, one of my all-time favorite tracks. Although he only played the chorus, it was great to hear this one live. The next song was another movie song that you will remember from the end credits of Big Fish titled Man of the Hour. I've recently learned to play this song on guitar, but since he decided to play it on a mandolin, it sounded much different that I am used to. It was a beautiful rendition though. He closed this portion of the set list with the first song off the third album called Sometimes. This is another one of those songs that PJ doesn't play often so it was cool to get to hear it live.

After Sometimes, the background scenery changed and Vedder announced it was time to go from New York and Into the Wild where he proceeded to play 5 of the songs from the album. I really enjoyed that album and hearing these songs live for the first time was great. Vedder segued out of the Into the Wild tracks into a song that I'm not sure if it was a cover or a new song he is working on called Millworker. The crowd seemed to chill out a bit for this one, many people using the opportunity to use the restroom or get a refill. He followed that with Soon Forget which is about a greedy man that is consumed by money. He prefaced Soon Forget by saying it was about the man from Millworker. I've always like Soon Forget because Vedder plays it on a ukulele. Eddie explains how he learned to play ukulele when he was going through a hard time and that it seemed like such a happy sounding instrument, but felt he had to bring it down with him, which lead him to the next song called Goodbye. Goodbye is a sad song about saying goodbye to a loved one that you will never see again even though it's all you want.

At this point, Eddie's comedic bone kicked in and he asked if he could play another said song. The song is about a women at a convenience store, the clerk asks, "what do you want?" she answers, "liquor" (lick her), to which the song ends, "I'll never work there anymore." Vedder continues the humor by playing about 40 seconds of Walk Hard from the Dewey Cox movie. He abruptly stopped siting that's all he knew. Vedder kept the mood light by going into Drifting, which is another song I haven't heard live and followed with another Penn connection, the Beatles cover of You've Got to Hide Your Love Away from I Am Sam. It was the first time I had heard this song live as well and it was amazing. He closed the first set with an acoustic version of Porch. Contrary to many of the other songs, I've heard this one live probably 15 times. It's one of those songs that no matter how many times I hear it, it's incredible. Eddie's take on it was just as fresh; however, this is one of those songs that, while it's cool to hear in this fashion, nothing beats the the entire band playing it. It did showcase Eddie's talents on guitar, but I miss the long solos that normally ensue with the band playing together. Regardless, it was a great way to leave the crowd wanting more.

After a five minute recess, Vedder came back out and played Wishlist. Followed by an awesome cover of Pete Townshend's Let My Love Open the Door. Eddie enlisted the crowd to help sing, with the guys singing one part and the gals another. The guys stepped up to the plate; however, the ladies were barely noticeable. Still it was a cool performance. Vedder jumped back to the Into the Wild album with Society, bringing out Liam Finn to play guitar as well. One of the best songs on the album and just as good live. After Liam walked off the stage, Eddie was fumbling around trying to set up the next song when someone shouted out a request for Masters of War. Eddie acknowledged the request and stated that every fucking day he thought about the words of that song. It was by far the most emotional song he sang the entire night. The raw energy coming from his voice and guitar was something that I have rarely seen. You could fully see that this song was powerful to him. After a short speech on current issues, he proceeded to a song about a war veteran that was paralyzed from the chest down in Iraq, called No More War. I applaud Eddie for not getting too political as is his normal MO, instead he urged us to all discover for ourselves the state of our Union. Vedder ended the first encore with the vocal track, Arc. Basically he sang into a machine that recorded his voice, then played it back while he laid down another layer of vocals...rinse and repeat. He walked off stage after a bow with his vocals looping through the speakers.

There was no doubt that he would be coming back for at least one more song. A few seconds after he went back stage those thoughts were confirmed when a drum kit was wheeled out. Minutes later, he returned again with Liam Finn and the woman from the opening act. He proceeded to play the only big song from Into the Wild that we hadn't heard, Hard Sun. It was a great performance of the song and the first time I had heard it live. Eddie for the first time got off the stool and was dancing around on stage like most of us are accustomed to. You could tell he was rocking on stage, although I can't help but feel the stage presence on this song to be a little contrived. He was bouncing around like he was playing Even Flow or Once, but this song just isn't that kind of a track to me. I don't think it was fake, but it felt a little weird to me. I guess the important thing though was that the song sounded great.

After that, Eddie left the stage for the final time that night to a thunderous applause after just over 2 hours of playing. With the encore breaks, he played a solid two hour show and blew through 28 songs. Overall, I'd rate this as a very good show. Yet, being more of a fan of the band in general than just it's front man, I can't say that it was better than any of the 20 some PJ shows I've seen. It was just a different experience. Having seen them as many times as I have and seeing the people they bring on stage sometimes, I was a bit disappointed that Eddie didn't have anyone else on stage with him other than Liam Finn. I was hoping that being in NY would give him the opportunity to attract a fellow artist/friend of the band to play one or two songs with him. However, since this is really my only gripe, I tend to think I am just a spoiled fan that has been to too many shows.

Tonight is the second and last show he is doing in NY. I am looking forward to this one because if there is one thing I've learned from going to 20+ PJ shows it's that they rarely play the same set list on back to back nights. Of course, he'll play most of the songs from Into the Wild again, but I expect to hear some more obscure tracks from the PJ library that they normally don't play on tour. Bottom line is, if your a Pearl Jam fan and Eddie Vedder is coming to your city, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Why so Serious?

For those that have not seen this movie yet, drop whatever plans you have and go. It was incredible. The first movie in a long time to live up to the hype. The action was phenomenal and the performances were well above average, with Ledger stealing the show. This Joker makes Nicholson's portrayal look like Santa Claus. The Joker is the story of this movie, not Batman, not the mob, not the love story of Bruce and Rachel Dawes (which by the way , she was the only weak link in the film. Maggie Gyllenhaal was B list at best). I really think Ledger's performance was a great send off to his career. Oscar worthy? I wouldn't say so just because of the genre, but great nonetheless. However, I can't give him all the credit. Somebody had to write the script and the actions he would perform. This fantastic role is a combo of great writing and acting.

By far this is the best comic book movie we've ever seen and is possibly one of the best action flicks in a decade, if not longer. Bottom line, don't wait for the DVD. It's too good to miss.

Dreams and perspirations

I have been plagued with dreams. On the outside these dreams seem more like a blessing. I wake up many times a night feeling as though I have solved life's greatest mysteries. A great feeling, right? Imagine that when you awake you realize that you just invented time travel. The formula is at your finger tips, only there's one itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny problem. You don't understand quantum psychics. This is how I feel about 5 times a night.

Here's the scene, you troubled narrator, stirs from slumber, all but sits straight up in excitement. Begins to decipher the sequence of illusions. In a matter of mere moments, excitement turns to frustration as I struggle to translate the thoughts. The only option is to try to transition back to slumber in hopes of recapturing the resolution. The scene shifts to solving situation two. Rinse and repeat. So now, I have invented time travel and cured cancer, but lack the tools to translate the tabulations. The problem doesn't lie in not being able to comprehend these dreams, it's trying to figure out what my subconscious mind if trying to tell me.

One of the dreams deals with work while the other is, to quote Nirvana, about a girl. Here's the kicker. Work is fantastic and the girl is exactly where she needs to be. I'm not feeling pressure in either "real life" situation, so what's the problem? I've made my share of mistakes in life...are my past experiences trying to tell me that things are not kosher? I was having similar sleep patterns a few weeks ago. Finally, I woke up one morning and decided to give myself a mental enema. It worked, for a short time. I'm using this forum to clear my thoughts and try to give myself another fresh start. Hopefully it takes a little better than the previous attempt.

And so it goes...

The weight you bear

Eddie has struck again. This time, unsolicited. Generally I will turn to music to compliment my mood. However, last night it set the tone. The song so powerful, like it reached in my head and was belting out my thoughts. It freaked me out. But, thought followed. Thoughts that had eluded my conscious. And now, here it is. Lying on the table like a man, innards exposed. My first inclination was to post the lyrics of the song for all to analyse. But no, this is sacred. Much too personal. You'll draw conclusions. I would. Have. Instead, know this. I have finished the 500 piece puzzle. The image is beautiful. A place so peaceful and gorgeous, you wonder if it really exists. It does, just not for me to lay my eyes upon.

Depressing, right? No, and that's why I have decided to keep this song to myself. You won't understand. How can you? When I flip this puzzle and see the cardboard underbelly, it is not beautiful, peaceful, gorgeous. It is real life. Bland, boring, blank. Blank. A canvas, waiting to be brought to life. One of life's mysteries, solved.

The other mysteries are a bit more difficult. Some of them are intertwined. Like the tangled mess of wires behind your entertainment center. Each of them independently has a function; however, together produce a symphony of sound and a visual masterpiece. Right now the picture is a bit fuzzy and the audio, noisy. The solution? Unplug everything and begin unraveling. Only then will I find the dysfunctional cable, reconnecting the components as they were meant to be seen and heard.

And so it goes...

3 Days Grace

As the ambassador of Sun, I announce the arrival of Summer. I know officially it doesn't begin until Mid-June, the 22nd, I believe. However, when it comes to tourism, summer starts with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day. While I was blessed with great weather the first two weeks in NYC, the following 3 were terrible. Gray and rain, not unlike my previous home. Apparently, you can't escape that by merely moving a few hundred miles east. But, as though the Gods were giving clemency, the skies blued and the sun reemerged. The Sun has delivered us from evil. Amen!

My first three day weekend was more than I could have asked for climately. 70+ and sunny. Friday was great. A half day. Well, more like 4/9ths, but I ain't good at math, so we'll go with half. How did I take advantage of this free time? Laundry of course. Before you rake me over the coals, listen to my logic. I could have gone to the park, parked at a bar or try to maneuver the parking lots known as the NYC roads. I had 72 hours of nothing to do ahead of me starting Saturday and laundry was "something" I didn't want to do. So after a short lunch, I went home to cycle the suds. With clean laundry and a quick shower, the weekend was at hand around 8:30.

The weekend was exactly what the doctor prescribed. Lots of sun, plenty of suds (the beer type, not laundry), good friends and great locations. For the first time since I got here I was able to really see the city. My travels took me to Brooklyn, Jersey (a second trip may not ever happen), Central Park, SoHo, West Village and beyond. I got a real feel for the energy that pumps through New York like booze through Lindsey Lohan.

I've noticed that no matter what time you get going here, the city is alive and ready to serve. One of the biggest trends I've noticed since moving here is the phenomenon called Brunch. It's a Saturday and Sunday staple. Nearly every restaurant in town has a brunch menu from 11-4. It may seem odd to most to be eating brunch at 2:00 in the afternoon, but when you don't go to bed until 3 AM, waking up around 11:30 and finally leaving the house around 1:00 isn't all that uncommon. It's actually the norm. While I haven't fully embraced this NY habit, I have learned to appreciate a good midday meal. What you have to watch out for is what I call the faux-brunch. This is a restaurant that offers brunch, but has a very limited menu. Basically an omelet or some kind of a fruit platter. Sure they have breakfast items past 11:00, but lets face it. In a city this big, options should never be this limited. So far I haven't found a place that is a must eat. But stay tuned blog fans as you will be the first to hear of the great ones I come across.

And so it goes...

It's been awhile

How quickly the city life takes you over... It's been about two weeks now since I've put finger to key and while I've done many things, none of it has been all that new or exciting. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying my time here and the job is fantastic. I have taken in a few more of the local pubs, Rudy's on 45th and 9th Ave is fun...make sure to take a photo with the pink pig out front. Oh, and don't forget about your free hot dog with each drink. Mostly, I've hung out at work, putting in about 12 hours a day. I think the gray and 60's with rain 50% of the time is hampering my scouting efforts. I was spoiled the first couple weeks I was here with 70's and sunny weather. I look forward to the return of the sun.

If you've read this blog from the beginning you know that my wife and I are separating. Now, what's happening between us is between us and I will not use this as a forum to vent about the pending happenings. We get along very well and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that for shock or entertainment value. However, I do feel that as I push off into the vast ocean that is New York City, sharing my future endeavors is acceptable. Provided I'm not keeping an online tally, comprenda?

I've been here 5 weeks now and have started dipping my toe in the dating pool. The water's been warm so far; however, I have yet to get in waist deep. In fact, to continue this childish analogy, I feel like a toddler that is seeing a pool for the first time. My inclination is to run up to the edge and jump in, let the water engulf me. Yet as I reach the lip, I suddenly halt, realizing that this foreign substance may be harmful. And that's where you find me now, on the second step, slowly adjusting to the water. Meeting people and getting along with people has always been easy for me, so I feel comfortable on this step. I've met some very interesting people so far and look forward to seeing them again and meeting others. I just hope they are patient with me as I'm not quite ready to take off my water wings.

I am eagerly awaiting this weekend as the sun seems like it will come out to play. Three days off and a full schedule. Full of nothing. I anticipate spending a majority of the daylight hours in the park. Central Park is beautiful. I have fancied morning jogs there recently. It's amazing that you can step off the train, walk roughly 3 football fields and forget that you are in the middle of one of the world's largest cities. The trees are so tall and laced with leaves, the nearby high rises are nearly invisible. People are out walking their dogs, picinicing, running, walking, roller blading, unicycling, you name it, people are doing it. My 4 mile run has taken me through only half the park, possibly even less. And that's only the perimeter. Who knows what's inside that I'm not seeing as I streak by (maybe streak isn't an accurate word, but I am the writer, I get to take liberties). Point being, if you want to find me this weekend, start at Central Park.

And so it goes...

Three's Company

Last weekend was my first trip back to Detroit since moving to the city. I left ass early on a Saturday morning. Like my true nature, I didn't have a plan to get to the airport. There's a bus that picks up at 125th and Lennox in Harlem. I've never taken it, but I thought hey, why not. Will be cheaper than a cab, right? And it was. Fortunately, the bus showed up a few minutes after I arrived at the stop and a short 25 minute bumpy bus hike, I was at the airport an hour before my flight. Now, before I get into the boys I want my limited audience to know one thing about Laguardia. You will never, ever leave on time. In fact, if you are in Orlando catching a flight to Omaha (don't ask me why Omaha) and the plane is coming from LGA to Orlando, you're flight will be delayed. With that said, Detroit is an hour and ten minute flight, tops. Every time I've flown it, they allow two hours. This is so they can leave 45 minutes late and still make it on time.

So I landed on time, after leaving late and took yet another bumpy bus to the rental car agency. Good thing they don't ask for proof of insurance or I would have been stuck with their $30/day BS. I remember getting behind the wheel of the Pontiac G6 and thinking, "Wow it's kind of fun to drive when you don't do it every day for 2 hours". It wore off before I hit the freeway.

My oldest, Tristan, was at a birthday party when I got to the house. My youngest, Tanner, was home and I was excited to see him. Everyday we chat, the first thing he asks me is (imagine a Chinese man with very broken English) "When you come home?" To which I answer, "I'll get to see you in (insert number of days here) . He simply responds, "Ok." Now, being he is 2, time is as foreign to him as calculus it to me. He just doesn't get it. When I walked in the door he kind of peaked around the corner till he saw me and played shy guy. He hid behind his mother's leg before coming up to give me a hug. Then everything was like it was before I left. We grabbed lunch quickly before picking up his older brother from the birthday party.

Once the Three Amigos were assembled we rode off in the sunset to the rec center. They played at the indoor jungle gym while I watched and took a few pictures. Eventually we relocated to the pool where the little guy drank a few gallons of chlorinated water.





Not intentionally, mostly due to clumsiness. I think the water screwed with his equilibrium and every time he stepped off the little water gym, he fell over. I'd pick him up within a millisecond of the water reaching his nose. While he was chugging pool water, the other one had found some new friends to swim with in the lazy river/whirlpool. We swam till we had geriatric hands.



Back at our hideout, we climbed into our PJ's and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. I have to admit, other than spending time with them, I wasn't very excited to watch it. However, it wasn't all that bad. Much better than the "Lots and Lots of Train" DVD I've seen half a billion times. I think our heads finally hit the pillow around 11:30.

Sunday was action packed. Hung out with Chuck E, took Tristan to a baseball competition, hung out at the park for a couple hours, and went bowling. Tanner bounced from game to game at Chuck E's while Tristan tried to win as many tickets as he could. I think his final tally was around 300. Tanner freaked out any time I threw a token in a ride and it started to jolt around.



Tristan came in first in every part of the baseball competition and will be moving on to the regional at the end of the month. He could eventually get invited to the MLB All-Star game if he keeps moving on.



The park and bowling were a little hectic. Tanner doesn't sit still, so most of the time I was chasing him.


But Tristan and I did get to hang out most of the time. All in all, it was a fun weekend. I loved seeing them and I can't wait to see them again next weekend.

The only problem, and I think that it's a little over dramatic of a word, is that I hope this weekend didn't set the tempo for the rest of our visits. Being the first time back, I wanted to make it special and keep them entertained. There's no way I'll be able to keep up that kind of a pace every weekend. Not because it was tiresome or overwhelming. Two reasons. First, I can't afford to drop $200 every other weekend when I'm already spending $300 to fly home, rent a car and get a hotel room. Secondly, it's not fair to Kim if I come in every two weeks and do all this fun stuff with the them. She does all the hard work caring for them everyday and rarely gets time to herself. I don't want them to think that I am more fun to spend time with. I'm trying to be conscious of what she's going through and not come in and dazzle with presents and fun trips.

The biggest reaction I got this weekend was from Lucy, our black lab. Our front door was open when I pulled into the driveway, she saw me get out of the car through the screen. Immediately, her tail shook. Scratch that. Her entire body began to weave back and forth. She looked like a shark trying to swim against an impossible current. I ended up entering the house through the garage and as soon as she heard the door open all I could hear were dog nails scraping the wood floor. I couldn't see her, but I imagined a cartoon where the character's feet speedily try to move forward but they don't move. Seconds later I see her tear around the corner coming straight at me. She put on the brakes about 4 feet before getting to me and power slid into the fridge before attacking me. Lucy lifted off her front paws trying to put them on my shoulders. She was able to establish paw-to-shoulder contact but forgot to stop wagging and had to settle all four feet on the ground before regrouping. I moved into the carpeted living room to give her some attention for the short time I was there. It was very cute and I guess I missed her a little more than I thought I would.

My next venture to Detroit is just over 10 days away. I'm looking forward to it and wish I could make it back more often. But at the same time, I feel much more at home in my new home. I wish there were a way I could have the boys closer. But really, they are closer than I was to my dad in Ohio when I lived in Michigan (not to mention when I lived in Florida and he was in Ohio). Plus the ability to video chat. The travel time is almost the same. 2 hour drive to Ohio...1 hour 15 minute flight. What I've become can best be described by Rick Nelson, "Oh, I'm a travelin' man, Yes, I'm a travelin' man." And so it goes

Go Tigers

I do not have the express written consent from MLB to disseminate last nights Tigers/Yankees game, please don't turn me in. Last night was my first game ever at Yankee Stadium, hopefully not my last. It just so happened the Tigers were in town. The air was a bit crisp for my field trip, but a pleasant evening for most of the game. My chaperon was a friend I met at a softball tournament about seven years ago. She's lived in NY since I've known her and unfortunately is a Yankees fan. Other than that there's nothing wrong with her. I had no need to get my mom to sign a permission slip; however, the 100 some 13-16 year olds surrounding us did. Somehow we got tickets in the middle of their high school excursion. It was amusing to say the least. At one point they asked us if were were 19...funny. Then they guessed 21 due to the suds in our hands...ha. I asked one of the kids how old he was, 13. To which I responded, "my son is 5 years younger than you." It was at this point I felt old. Of course they wanted us to buy them beer, but don't fret, your faithful narrator didn't oblige. Even though I would have wanted the same from the old dude sitting next to me at a game when I was a wee bit younger.



Our seats were higher than the teens around us, but amazingly the view was pretty good. I've sat in worse seats and paid much more. Now, anyone following the Tigers knows they are Jekyll and Hyde. The outcome as uncertain as an M. Night Shyamalan movie. I was a tame Tiger to start, but the Cats put up 2 in the top of the first. Confidence was high. But then the Yankees were given a chance to bat. Apparently, this happens every inning. Rogers was on the mound and there was no sign of pine tar on his hand, lord help us.

Eventually, the Yanks tie on a 2 run shot by Cano, who's hitting sub .200, nice Rogers. It's right around this time that our new outfielder, Jones, boots an easy grounder hit to left. A ball that my 8 year old could field cleanly, 10 out of 10 times. Then he steps into the batters' box in the top of the next inning and hurls his bat like a boomarang fired out of a cannon. He almost made it into the stands past the Yankees dugout. I guess he was having a hard time holding onto things last night.

The Tigers regained the lead later in the game on a laser that never got more than 25 feet off the ground courteous of Sheffield. I don't know if I've ever seen someone hit a ball as hard as this guy does. It's as though he is trying to punish the ball for all the injustices against him. The rest of the game was bits and pieces. My friend and I were too busy laughing and making fun of teenagers to concentrate on every pitch. I do remember Todd Jones doing his best to blow the save, but prevailing in the end.

By the end of the game most of the Yankees fans had cleared out. Those that were left shouted a few obscenities at us, but I've heard much worse. The overall experience was incredible and I will definitely be back. The only thing I didn't do that I always try to when I visit a new stadium was bring home a souvenir. I couldn't see spending one cent on the evil empire. I think the pictures will be good enough. Can't wait for summer to swing into full gear so I can go to a few more games there and at Shea. Go Tigers!!!!!

A beautiful shot of the Bronx peeking up over centerfield.


This is where the 4 train drops you off. You ain't gonna find a parking spot like this back in Detroit.


The new stadium going up right next store. The House that A-Rod built? If you turn to the left, you see the picture one above.

Client Tell

The last thing I will ever do on this blog is kiss and tell. Ambiguity, my companion. Part of my job is going to be to take clients out when they are in town. It was a big reason why I took the job. I enjoy people and being out and about. But like Vegas, what happens, stays. Not that it's crazy and inappropriate, but it don't concern you.

Recently I had my first entertainment opportunity. What was nice was that it was people I knew and have worked with in the past. But I never got to hang out with these people in a casual setting. We had dinner at a very nice steak joint in the meat packing district. The food was only rivaled by the company. There's something to the saying, "good people, good times".

We ate enough cow to upset PETA nation, but not before consuming an incredible seafood platter. And had Tanqueray been an endangered animal that night, we would have wiped it from the face of the earth, vanquished it. While the food was divine, the beauty of the evening was the absence of shop talk. Sure we talked about the latest buzz in the biz, but that's what I would converse about with friends, which is exactly what we were/are. That's the greatest aspect of this business. At the end of the day, you are more friends with these people than co-workers.

This ain't no TV drama

Lost. Not on an island. Well, actually I am on an island. But I'm not stuck here because of a plane crash. As a fan of the English language, you'd think letters were my friends. But not when an F or V or B or N or whatever some deranged guy that named the trains makes sense out of nonsense. Some times straight is straight, other times straight is fuckin' crooked. Except you never know when straight is straight or straight is fucked.

And so it went when I first got lost on the train. I walked the same steps I walked for seven days, just at a different time. Got on the right train, but didn't get off at the wrong stop. Then changed the wrong way at the right track. Followed by walking up and down the same set of stairs three times, second guessing myself because of previous errors. Are you confused yet? Imagine my mindset after a few drinks. Long story short, F and V are as different as, well, F and V. My bad...lesson learned.

I have since made similar mistakes, but have managed to not make the multitude of mistakes I made that night. What was normally a 25 minute train ride took an hour and a half that night. And so it goes.

Friday, I'm in Love

60 hours with no responsibilities, nowhere to be. In a city so big King Kong had to climb the tallest building to be noticed, I found my building to ascend.



McKenna's at 8th and 14th seemed as scalable as any other. Cheap drinks, friendly staff and just short of disease laden couches welcomed me with open arms. Six beers and a couple shots later the mix of rap and alternative music wore thin on the Irish bar's charm.

My next pit stop at the early hour of 11 delivered me into the mind of a co-worker. I got a peak inside the ear of a very gifted musician. The sound waves I surfed were cutting edge and extremely varied. I gained a whole new level of appreciation for those that create music that night.

The previous night's adventure left me dead to the world until the early hours of Saturday afternoon. Thank God. Quite literally. The Pope was visiting that morning. Meeting a friend later that afternoon, the plan was to get up early and walk the streets by the MoMA. Even with my late start the pavement was packed with Pope fanatics sporting shirts, banners and all. Any earlier and I would have been part of the sea his holiness was cruising. So the miracle of a hangover saved me from that crusade.

Lunch with my friend was great (even better because it lead to Tigers/Yankee tickets next week). We walked from the MoMA down about 25 blocks to eat at a place called Live Bait. By the time we found a place and ate it was late enough to call that meal dinner, although it ended up being all three of my feedings. With a full stomach and a tired body, it wasn't much later that I was back at the apartment, crashed for the night.

Sunday brought my first laundry adventure, which was the first annoyance of the city I've experienced. An hour and a half of watching suds shift through the cycles. Not too exciting. Spent the rest of the afternoon deciding what to do that night. An invite to hang out with some people I met on Friday seemed like an option, but laziness was setting in. However, a follow up invite via text left me no option but to attend.

Later that night I found my second favorite place in Manhattan, a dive donned Welcome to the Johnsons.

$2 PBR's says it all. Johnsons was dark and dingy, but delightful. It wasn't a late night, bolted by 11:30, but fun none the same. A 20 minute train ride back (a commute in a car that easily could have resulted in a .08 problem) and I was ready to get a few hours of sleep before starting all over again.

As each day passes, I wonder what the next will bring, but not without reveling in the moment. One week down, and just the beginning.

Three Days in

I never believed in love at first site, although I've been a victim many times. However, after three days in the city, I have found my true love. Perhaps it's just that feeling of something new, like in a relationship. That time when you want to spend every waking moment with that new person. The feeling that you could be with them forever and they are perfect.




This was the view from the cab ride in to the place I am staying in Williamsburg. What's not to love?

Work is phenomenal. I am actually in a creative environment. You would think working at an ad agency would have been creative work, but when the clients are captaining the boat, creativity gets keel hauled. The crew I get to call my colleagues is terrific. The commute in is painless, much easier and cheaper than the $80 a week I was spending on gas in Detroit. And while I haven't mastered the standing/holding the pole/reading thing yet, I feel I am only days away. And while we are on the subway topic, I caught my first glimpse of a rat yesterday. Had seen mice before, but this small dog was by far the biggest rodent I have ever seen. But he harmlessly scampered five feet below me in the subway tracks. He, or she, was almost cute from that distance. I was hoping the little fella, or fellher, would find something to eat. But then I lost interest after about 15 seconds and it was the last time I would see her, or him.

The weather has been gorgeous which helps the Magellan in me skip subway stops in lieu of taking in the surroundings. Today, I passed my stop on 16th and 6th, electing to get on around 9th street. People are everywhere, mostly talking on the phone or playing with their iPod, but it's nice to see so many people out living. Sometimes in Detroit after sitting in the car for an hour and being confined to a home in the burbs, you forget that there is a whole world out there, existing.

The toughest part of living here has been not seeing my two boys. I do miss them and I wish they were here to experience this place. Although, I don't feel they would enjoy it as much as I have. We did video chat this evening, which was a nice way to end the day.

So three days in and I am very happy here. While, there are incomplete parts of my life right now, I am really enjoying the parts that have filled in thus far.

Parallels

For centuries men have ventured into nature to find themselves. Isolated from civilizations to find their true self or happiness. I wouldn't last two days in the Alaskan wilderness. And unlike Chis McCandless, I've never sought isolation. In fact, companionship has been my crusade. Yearning for the attention of others. However, not unlike McCandless, I find myself walking alone Into the Wild. Yet my great Alaskan adventure doesn't take me to the Pacific NW, but instead to the world's largest concrete and steel jungle. And as McCandless trekked to isolation, I now do the same.

The millions of people nomadically walking the streets of Manhattan will afford me the ability to get lost and finally look inward. There, I am just as insignificant as a sole human traversing uninhabited wilderness. Only when we accept that we are nothing can we begin to live for something. And after all, isn't that why any man barricades himself from society? To strip his soul bare and redress it?

"Leave it to me as I find a way to be."- Eddie Vedder

Climb on up

“…had my eyes peeled both wide open,
and i got a glimpse of my innocence... got back my inner sense...”

This line is taken from the Pearl Jam song that this blog is named after. I’m what you may call a fanatic. No, I couldn’t tell you what Eddie’s wife’s name is or when Jeff’s birthday is or how many tattoos Mike may have. To me, knowing that doesn’t enhance my listening experience. However, when that little diamond starts sliding horizontally across the iTunes bar, I am entranced in the music.

Their songs have always spoken to me when times are difficult. My fingers peruse their catalog like a forked stick searching for water in the desert. Eventually, an oasis is found and as soon as that first note pours through the speakers, I know it will quench my thirst.

At the tender age of thirty, I have reached a difficult point in my life. Not even Pearl Jam could help with this one. I’ll spare you the details as it would be both boring and skewed. It can be summed up in four words: Detroit or New York. There’s no fame or fortune for me to be found in New York. All the city has to offer me is the assurance that 30 years from now, I will know I was not afraid. Afraid to change. Afraid to fail. Afraid to succeed. I am not Howard Roark; however, that doesn’t mean I have to settle for Peter Keating. So after 16 years in Detroit, I bid thee adieu.

I’m not entirely clear on my intentions for this blog. I feel it’s a creative outlet for me to begin writing again. If in the process people find it interesting and enjoyable, wonderful. I hope over time that not only will readers learn about me, but more importantly so will I.