Thursday, November 26, 2009

NYC-Pens-Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is doing well. I've had a couple of great days. Friday night was Light Up Night- over 200,000 people in downtown Pittsburgh- that was crazy! Then I went to New York City for three days. If you know me, you know how I love NYC. So much to see and do, I just can't get enough of it. I had my friend Somer on my mind- hard not to when her pic is all over the billboards there. She should be in Rome right about now. I hope all is good in your universe Somer!

I limited myself to two moon cookies. What the hell is it with those things? I don't even like cookies, but I love those. It's not a cake-it's not a cookie... love em.

So now that I'm back in Pittsburgh, first thing I did was to go to the Penguin game. My brother John had igloo seats for me. That was fun- Crosby is amazing. So cool to watch that close. Although, I can't help notice how the crowd has changed since I was a kid. Where did the sweater/cordoroy pants/sports jacket guys come from? Nothing like hearing nerdy, middle age guys yelling about how Malkin is out of position. Really? Shouldn't they be home watching golf highlights? I suppose every sport has those fans that know exactly what every single athlete is doing wrong and then feels the need to analyze it out loud. It's also not cool to hear middle age guys use the F word. Not in their sweater vests and penny loafers. Come on now. Anyway- it was a great time seeing the Pens win.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Best wishes for a great holiday! See you soon.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

New This Week

Well I hope the recent post about the Warhol Museum exhibition has encouraged some people to go see the work of Shepard Fairey. I really enjoyed his art - He's the real deal. This is a great show. It makes me think about how powerful Keith Haring was and how exciting it would have been to have lived in New York when Warhol's entourage was running the gallery system. Born too late I guess.

In the meantime, I feel a bit out of touch with everyone. My schedule has been busy lately and I'm not spending time with all of the people I like to be surrounded by. I hope you are all well.

Some exciting things that happened this week: I had dinner with Dave Moody and his beautiful wife Mary. Dave is the bass player of the Billy Ray Cyrus band. Good guy, great musician. Glad he made a trip in town.

My good friend Nick Carrington just earned his black belt in Ninjutsu. That's not an easy task folks. It requires a full day of fighting, testing, disarming and weapons demonstrations ... it's a long and exhausting day. He deserved it. Great guy, great martial artist.

Also... you have seen Cassie logging in here and leaving comments- she's a photographer, and a very good one. She had a photograph published in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette this week. Congrats Cassie!

Other thoughts... this Friday is Light up Night in Pittsburgh. That's a fun night. There is one particular band playing that is worth the trip downtown. Other than that, I am just not getting to the gym AT ALL. I would love to change that, but haven't been able to do anything about it yet. I am making time for martial arts, which is far more important. I will be in New York City in a few days...what's better than that? Okay, don't answer. Tonight I am taking the night off from the life long diet I have been on for pizza and wine, which is well worth it. Next week is Thanksgiving- woohoo!

And that's it! I hope you are all doing fabulous. I wish you happiness and success. Have a great week!

Ciao!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Supply and Demand

I finally had the opportunity to visit the Warhol Museum to see the Shepard Fairey exhibit "Supply and Demand". I can describe it in a word: Fantastic. That was the strongest exhibition by a solo artist that I have seen in a long time. I loved it. He has such a bold, yet intricate style. The images are produced in a variety of media- screen printing, stencil, collage and appearing on canvas, paper, metal, wood and even adhesive paper.

There is this 1984-esque feel to the body of work, which have a very strong style that echoes Soviet propoganda. It's a great exhibit for the Warhol, because it's current, it's happening, it's pop culture. In the same, it doesn't feel like pop culture. It feels more like a sub-culture. Even though Shepard Fairey is becoming the next pop star of the art world, his art still looks as if it's come from a street artist who is anti-establishment.

If you haven't gone yet- you have to go. Don't miss the murals outside. Outstanding. What Shepard Fairey is doing is great for the art world and it's even better for Pittsburgh.

Don't miss it!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Universe out of balance

The D.C. Sniper, Fort Hood, senseless robberies and shootings- what is happening to people? Is the universe out of balance? I can't stand to watch the news anymore, there is one evil crime after another. Constant reminders that people are aggressive, violent and willing to kill for no reason.

Is the human race regressing? Apparently so. In this day and age, humans should have advanced beyond the need for war, for violence, for crime.

When you consider the issues abroad, you wonder how the free, civilized world can focus on peace, when terrorists cause our countries to become police states out of a sense of self preservation. Unfortunately, the global issues will not resolve themselves until the barbarians and primal sub-humans decide that killing is shameful and disgusting behavior. Within our own borders, the violence has to stop. People need to wake up. It is our responsibility as world leaders to restore the balance. Lead by example.

Peace.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Go Yankees

So my friends are asking me how I can wear a Yankees cap.... well, first of all, because I love New York. I love the city, I love the art scene and I greatly appreciate how I am always made to feel so welcome in their art community.

Second of all, because the Yankees logo has come to represent the city in so many ways, wearing the Yankees cap is like wearing the coat of arms for the city of New York. And..... if the United States is the new Roman Empire, then New York is Rome. Embrace it.

Have a great night!