Planning on visiting NYC anytime soon? Here's a nice interactive map to lower manhattan.

Mike, you'll like this one, you city slicker.

Miss America Crowns A New Star

The talented Wayne Brady did a great job hosting the 2003 Miss America Pageant. But the actual and well deserved crown went to Miss Illinois Erika Harold, who put Harvard University law school on hold so she could compete in this year's pageant.

Harold, 22, an opera singer from Urbana, Ill., wowed judges with "Habanera," an aria from the opera "Carmen," and performed ably on a newly-added contemporary culture pop quiz given to the five finalists.

She gasped, covered her mouth and bent her knees in disbelief when her name was announced as Miss America 2003, then ducked her head to receive the crown from outgoing Miss America Katie Harman.

Congratulations Erika!

Attention Fish Lovers

(a fishy story)

If you’re a fish lover like I am, you probably enjoy eating fish delicacies, or maybe you prefer to go fishing, catch your own fish and cook it over an open fire in the great outdoors ... Dude, that is just effin wonderful!


I’ve been a fish lover all my life. My earliest recollection with fish dates to when my mother forced a daily dose of cod liver oil down my throat. Years later, I thanked her for torturing me with those spoonfuls of vicious slime extracted from the liver of a healthy cod.

So, imagine how I felt after reading the Federal fish consumption advisories and contaminant data. How can I think of fishing as a wholesome endeavor anymore? What does the future hold? If the EPA does not aggressively pursue this problem, instead of standing hip deep in a cold stream waiting for a fish to slash its mouth on my hook, my future as a fisherman may involve casting my angler in a sludge filled stream containing mutant fish, this is disturbing.

____________

Poetry Slam

Mangoes should be eaten naked.
You have to strip them,
take their skins off:
tongue them slow and tender.

You have to strip them.
they're as ticklish as young brides.
Tongue them slow and tender;
appreciate their new color.


Red, yellow, green, unripe.
mix them with lime and swallow.
appreciate their color
tell them they're pretty.


Mix them with lime: and swallow.
take their skins off,
tell the mangoes that you love them-
mangoes should be eaten. Naked.

Written by Eve Stern

NY Mets’ Trouble With the Grass

Sources: At least 7 players suspected of marijuana use

At least seven Mets have been suspected of using marijuana this season, part of an alleged pattern of drug use that reaches from the team's minor league system right up to the major league roster, sources close to the team have told Newsday.

Manager Bobby Valentine acknowleged he worried about the drug problem on his team as early as spring training and said he spoke to general manager Steve Phillips about his concerns, although Phillips yesterday said he didn't recall such a conversation.

(Via NY Newsday)

Life's lessons

I admire people who choose a particular ideology, spiritual path or twelve step program that gives them direction. I'm in awe of people who are confident that certain things work and others don't.

I'm just not one of those people. I may embrace an idea only to discard it later. I tend to be a devil's advocate, I can easily convince myself that completely opposing arguments are both correct. Perhaps this is because I believe that there is value to be derived from both sides.

However, there are certain things that I have learned. some I've learned by accident, others on purpose. Over the years, whenever I've learned something significant, I have made a note of it. Sometimes, I will look over my notes and hope that I will see a past entry or a quote that would be helpful to me as I start my day, today I found this:

Don't take yourself too seriously, don't take anything personally and don't take anything for granted.

...and that is just what I needed.

Lyrical Prodigy

Dig if u will the picture
Of u and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Can u my darling
Can u picture this?


Dream if u can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat
The heat between me and u


Touch if u will my stomach
Feel how it trembles inside
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase u
Even doves have pride




-The Artist (excerpt from when doves cry)

Fashion Statement Of Our Times

I've been paying attention to the various fall fashion shows of the past three months. Every once in a while I find a designer that uses their podium to make a statement.



In this picture from a fashion show in Beirut Lebanese model Nathalie Fadlallah wears a Palestinian keffiyeh while displaying a dress designed by Saudi Yahya al-Bushairy. The dress design shows mock blood stains, an Israeli tank and a picture of Palestinian boy Mohammed Aldura, who was shot dead in his father's arms at the outbreak of the Palestinian intefadeh. The dress was part of al-Bushairy's spring collection for 2003.

Of course, the above is an extreme but In some instances, I'm forced to ask myself, has fashion become the reflection of our times?

I remember last fall, there was a fascination with camouflage and permutations of the American flag. I wondered whether its architects might actually be modern-day prophets or maybe just ordinary business folks taking advantage of the world's future ebbs and flows.

Could the length of a skirt or the pleats on a pair of pants reveal more about our political affiliations? maybe not, but I think the question it's worthy of inquiry.




(AP Photo,Via Newsday)

The Tumbling Woman

The buzz around town today is the story about the violently disturbing sculpture that was recently installed in the middle of Rockefeller Center's busy underground concourse (NYC) - right in front of the ice-skating rink.

It depicts a naked woman, limbs flailing, face contorted, at the exact moment her head smacks pavement following her leap from the flaming World Trade Center.

The sculputure was designed by artist Eric Fischl. There is a plaque featuring a Fischl-authored poem that reads, in part:

"We watched,
disbelieving and helpless,
on that savage day.
People we love
began falling,
helpless and in disbelief."

Eric, I respect your creativity and freedom of expression, but I think your choice of timing and display location should have been given more consideration.

Simply The Best

Purple haze all in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky

Purple Haze all around
Don't know if I'm comin' up or down
Am I happy or in misery?
What ever it is, that girl put a spell on me


YEAH!
Purple haze was all in my eyes
Don't know if it's day or night
You've got me blowin', blowin my mind
Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?


-Jimi Hendrix