Happy Birthday Sweet G

Fire down the block

Last night, or should I say early this morning, it sounded like an air raid was above my house.  By that point there had been about an hour's worth of sirens- both police and fire- zooming around the neighborhood.  It's New York so the sound isn't really all that uncommon and there is an ambulance station a few blocks away so as long as I don't see the lights flashing by the window, it doesn't really phase me. Helicopters, however, get my attention and even more so when there are no search lights lighting up the streets.

Looking out the window I found the bottom of my block was nothing but a cluster of flashing lights. The two ladies next door were heading toward the chaos and yelled up that it was a fire, "A lot was burning."  Clearly Graham needed to go for a midnight walk so I through a sweatshirt over my pajamas and headed towards the sirens. The avenue was covered in rescue vehicles in every direction. Apparently around 11pm fire started in one of the twenty eight local bars- Behan's Pub and had spread to Emerald Pharmacy next door. It took fire fighters over two hours to subdo. Seven People, six of them fire fighters, were treated at hospital but the injuries weren't serious. And as if this wasn't enough excitement for one neighborhood, rumor has it the bar was a drug cover because apparently the Irish were playing Breaking Bad the home game.

*Though I took photos, all of these are courtesy of Eye Witness News.

In Honor of Lefties Day- Left Handers Lament

Lyrics (or watch the video! http://youtu.be/im8YaWrYjBA )

Here's the story of my life,
I've had fun but there's been strife,
For I was born left-handed, but I'm proud
To be one of the elite, right-handers we can beat
We're the 10% that stand out in a crowd!

Ah but as a little lad, oh the problems that I had
Winding clockwork toys was just a mystery
Tying laces was a pain, couldn't get it in my brain
Everything was back-to-front it seemed to me

Chorus
We're the Cack-Handed Kings, we're the LEFTIES
You right-handers just don't have a clue
'Cos if you'd been through what we've been through
Then maybe you would feel superior too!

At 5 I went to school and I was treated like a fool
Being left-handed I stood out from the pack
And trying to learn to write was not a struggle - more a fight
For I had my left hand tied behind my back

"You just get it in your head" the sympathetic teacher said
"You use the right and not the Devil's side"
Those supposed men of vision caused me pain and such derision
Is it any wonder often times I cried?

Chorus
We're the Southpawed Princes, we're the LEFTIES
You right-handers just don't have a clue
But if you'd been through what we've been through
Then maybe you would feel superior too!

Time then came when my voice dropped
And my face was one big spot
But I was glad when my teenage years arrive,
Because I use my left, I was different from the rest
And the girls saw me as something of a prize!

And I learned some handy tricks in the back row of the flicks
It used to drive my girlfriends all berserk
For their eyes would keep apace of my right hand - just in case
And they never saw my left one go to work!

Chorus
We're the Scammy Handed Heroes, we're the LEFTIES
You right-handers just don't have a clue
But if you'd been through what we've been through
Then maybe you would feel superior too!

Well I'm married now, worst luck
But my wife she's given up
Asking me to do the chores like peeling spuds,
Or trying to cut the bread, I'll get a 4 by 2 inch wedge
Lose three fingertips and half a pint of blood

And I'd love to be a dad, but I've hit a kind of snag
If you can help please tell us what to do
The problem simply said, is that I'm a left-hand thread
But my wife you see, now she's a right-hand .....OH, YES WE'RE THE

Chorus
We're the Cuddy Wifter Winners, we're the LEFTIES
You right-handers just don't have a clue
But if you'd been through what we've been through
Then maybe you would feel superior too!

So now we reach today, where you sit and watch me play
And yes, I play right-handed it is true
For the very simple fact is that I've had to adapt
Something all us southpaws have to learn to do

We have trouble tying ties, writing cheques out, using knives
and scissors that were made for your right hand
And when it comes to sport once again we are left short
For in hockey and in polo we are banned

Chorus
We're the Cack Handed Kings, we're the LEFTIES
You right-handers just don't have a clue
But if you'd been through what we've been through
Then maybe you would feel superior too!

Now I'll finish off my song and as you move along
Please bear in mind the things I've had to say
And please show some respect for your friends who use the left
Thanks for listening to me this Left-Handers Day.

Copyright: Ian Radburn, 2004

 

Mercury Lounge

As my birthday present, Lauren bought me a ticket to the Friday night finally of Ryan Star's week long New York City takeover.

Selection of videos:

 

 

Ryan Star returns

On Monday, Ryan Star released a brand new ep. called Animals and as a celebration of such an event, Ryan put together a New York City takeover. Four days, four shows in four bars that he started in. 
When I heard about it in early July, I planned going every night- you know because I am rational like that. Sadly, for me but great for Ryan, tonight was the only one with door tickets available. 
Rockwood is, however, like his second home and it was an amazing show because of it.