Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Busy Weekend, Worrisome Election
Last weekend was absolutely insane. Hello Nurse had three shows, all of which were great. On Friday we played a CMJ show at 205 Bar on Chrystie Street. Mike's friends came out in full force. On Saturday night we played another CMJ show at our favorite venue, The Tank, with good friends The Rinse and new friends The States. The States actually have a practice room in the same building where we practice, so I'm sure there will be some smack talk via post-it note happening soon. Jackie and I saw Borat on Saturday night and then woke up early to cheer on the marathoners on Sunday. Sunday evening Hello Nurse drove down to Arcadia University outside of Philly for a show. The mic broke during the first song, and then the fire alarm went off during the second song. About 15 people stuck around for our set, which was nice, but I didn't get home until 3am. Yikes!
Today, Jackie and I got up early to head to the polls before work. I voted WFP straight down the board. I was ambivalent about Hevesi, given the resent scandal, which is a shame because I used to like him a lot. Typically, I would forgive someone who spent car service money on his ailing wife. But, when you're running for the state watchdog office, you can't be screwing up like that. Fortunately for Hevesi, his opponent Callaghan is a total joke.
The one thing I'm excited about in this election is Elliot Spitzer running for governor. He is one of the few politicians I've been excited about recently, if only because he actually accomplished some positive results during his time in office as the Secretary General. I'm happy to see Pataki get the hell out. With Spitzer at the helm, we might actually see more progress: a big chunk of change a long time coming for NYC schools, possible legislation introduced in support of gay marriage, and maybe even some reform to three-men-in-a-room politics in Albany. Maybe.
The hard part about today's election is the high-hopes I've been carrying about the possibility of a Democrat-controlled congress. The polls suggest it's a possibility, and I'm all giddy just thinking about it. But I seriously dread the sinking pit in my stomach I might feel tomorrow if it doesn't happen. The same sinking pit, although possibly not quite as bad, as the past two presidential elections. It would be great, for once, to have something to cheer about the day after the election. You know, hope - which is not something I can say I've felt toward politics in this country for many years.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 Thriller Zombies - Mentioned in AP article about NYC Halloween Parade
Last night I dressed up like a zombie (for the 4th time in a week) and joined a group of the undead to dance the choreography to Michael Jackson's Thriller in the Halloween Parade. It was great fun, and the crowd went nuts whenever we started up the dance.
Here is a video from YouTube. You can see me stumbling by at 00:57.
Here is a video from ABC News. If you pause the video at 1:27 you will see me in a grey suit with a yellow shirt jumping in the air.
You can see us briefly on this NY1 video clip. (Real Media)
We were even mentioned in the Associated Press article this morning!
'Freaky' folk out for NYC's Halloween parade By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press Writer
November 1, 2006, 12:58 AM EST
NEW YORK -- Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS considered dressing up for Halloween.
"We were going to come down in suits and ties," Stanley said as the pair presided over the annual Greenwich Village parade in their full black-and-white performance regalia. "But we decided to wear our street gear, and we're happy to see a whole city of people who look as freaky as we do."
The rock stars, who marched up Sixth Avenue as the parade's grand marshals Tuesday, wore high-heeled boots, makeup and leather. It might have been one of the few times they have faced any costume competition.
Joining them in the 33rd annual parade were marchers dressed as everything from Halloween standards like devils, witches and pirates to a man wearing an outfit covered with plastic spoons.
"It's fun. Be a wacko in the parade," said Mike Sullivan, who called himself Spoon Man and who has marched in the parade before. "Next year will be something else."
The parade, started in 1973 as a neighborhood event for children, has grown to encompass thousands of marchers, floats and giant puppets, with huge crowds of onlookers and television coverage. An unusual admission policy allows anyone wearing a costume to march. All participants have to do is show up at the start line.
This year the parade theme was "The Village Hearth," said Jeanne Fleming, the artistic director. It's a reference to ancient times, when communities in places like Ireland would gather for giant bonfires on a special night to mark the end of one season and the beginning of another.
The parade, as an event that brings the community together, is a version of that, Fleming said.
"We're re-enacting a ritual that's gone on for a long time," she said.
Marchers were met by an appreciative audience lining the police barricades set up along Sixth Avenue. Some traveled from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to watch the spectacle.
Kristin Jones, a visual artist who lives in the downtown Manhattan neighborhood, brought a small step ladder so she could see over the thick crowd of onlookers. She said she likes the eclectic parade because it is representative of New York.
"I love the variety of the city," she said.
The Princeton University Band played as the parade moved up the avenue. A pack of zombies performed the routine to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Revelers with ramshackle signs and flimsy floats dedicated to dogs rolled along as other float-riders threw confetti.
Rory Sortino, a real estate agent from Jersey City, N.J., came with his wife. He stood on a milk crate, dressed in a pinstripe outfit with leather bracelets, calling himself Super Convict.
"To me, this is New York's version of Mardi Gras," he said. "It's a very good, positive way for people to express themselves." 6:47 AM
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