The New York Times today posted a preview of an article to be published in their Magazine this weekend about Bill Clinton’s new role as a cabinet husband, titled “The Mellowing of William Jefferson Clinton.” It’s a pretty interesting read, and offers a glimpse of a more laid-back ex-President, visiting distant villages or picking up souvenirs for various lady friends.
This image of Bill, up in this Harlem office and generally more relaxed than ever (except post-cigar back in the day, maybe), in some literal ways fits quite nicely with the self-described meaning of this song by the Harlem Shakes that I’ve been into recently. In an interview that accompanies some live recordings they made with Daytrotter during SXSW this year, the band describes the message of “Strictly Game” as:
“[A]bout dreaming up a less chaotic life than the urban bustle the band knows. I guess I meant it to be kind of funny that the furthest the dream can get from an urban setting is a farmer’s market… but evoking a more upbeat vibe.”
Harlem. Less chaotic life. Upbeat vibe. The man has good “game.”
Am I reading too much into this? Yes. But the song and the legacy remain good.
This weekend we were walking around in the East Village and noticed an entire building had been taken over by umbrellas:
Umbrella Building - Ave. C between 2nd and 3rd
You can see from the photo above that even the awning has been painted with an umbrella image; ditto the scaffolding (just out of sight in these photos). I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but according to a sign on the side of the building, known as “The Umbrella Building,” this display has been an annual “exhibit” since 1994 to “show support for the Louisaida squatter movement.”
Interestingly, art and umbrellas together is nothing new to the East Village, which has been home to Umbrella Arts (located on East 9th) for many years. Maybe Umbrella Arts owners Mary Ann Fahey and Margaret Bodell can use this as some sort of publicity generator?
Well, it’s raining today, so I guess at least you’ll know where to find an umbrella when the downpour starts.
The papers and blogs are abuzz with word that President Obama has picked federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee to replace Justice Souter on the Supreme Court. Big ups to the Bronx and Puerto Rico.
Personally, I would like to give you my pick for a new great album to enjoy: Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest. I’ve only listened to the record once all the way through so far, but hey, it just came out today so what do you want? But it’s safe to say that this is my favorite album that I’ve heard this year so far. Grizzly Bear has clearly picked up some tricks from their tour with Radiohead last year, exploring a huge expanse of textures, instruments, moods, and harmonies on Veckatimest, which is named after a tiny island in Massachusetts near Cape Cod, where they recorded the disc. Check out the video for the first single, it’ll make your head explode into flames!
Let’s face it, everyone is just trying to get the hell out of work to start enjoying the long weekend and to celebrate Memorial Day. So take a cue from big boy Bubba Sparxxx and make your escape! Enjoy your weekend everybody.
If you’re looking for a relaxed bar with a great outdoor space to celebrate this Memorial Day weekend, the Zombie Hut on Smith Street has a wide-array of stiff cocktails that should do you just right. This tiki bar pulls out all the stops with its’ Polynesian décor, bamboo covered walls, fun drink accessories (hot pink dragon-shaped stirrers), and fruit garnishes, to give it an authentic, kitschy vibe. The drinks are stiff and pretty cheap (the Sangria and the Mai Tai are my favorites) but if you’re not in the mood for these Polynesian cocktails, there is also a wide-array of beers on tap and PBRs are just $2. A large selection of board games are always available to borrow, but be careful as some matches (of Connect Four especially) can get heated!
Zombie Hut
273 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718.875.3433
This item should be filed away under “Modern Made-for-TV Noir Story.” The OC Register reported yesterday, and Fox (among others) picked up today, news that former NFL linebacker Eric Naposki has been charged, along with then girlfriend Nanette Packard McNeal, in the murder of multimillionaire William Francis McLaughlin in his Newport Beach mansion about 15 years ago.
Police now contend that Ms. McNeal worked with Naposki to create a murder plot something like this: McNeal gave Naposki the keys to McLaughlin’s home, and told him when the old man would be home. Naposki, who was working as a bouncer at a club near the house, snuck in on the specificed day and shot McLaughlin 6 times dead. McNeal and Naposki would then try to walk away with $1 million in insurance money and another $250,000 left to McNeal from McLaughlin’s will. Not to sound like a prick, but have they never seen a movie before? This sounds like almost every noir film ever made (think: seminal 1944 flick Double Indemnity).
Now, let’s sit back for a second and look at this plot summary from IMDB of the 1981 thriller Body Heat, which was in fact an 80s noir remake of Double Indemnity:
“In the hot Pinehaven, Florida, the smalltime wolf lawyer Ned Racine flirts with the sexy but married Matty Walker and they begin a torrid love affair. After a short period together, she convinces him that her husband and mobster, Edmund Walker, is an obstacle for their passion and they have a prenuptial agreement; therefore he should be eliminated. Ned carefully plots a perfect scheme for killing Edmund. However things go wrong when successive evidences are disclosed conspiring against him.”
Sound familiar. Oh that’s right, you need a football player in the mix? No worries. We’ll just turn to 1984’s Against All Odds, in which Jeff Bridges plays an ex-NFL player who gets caught up in the mix with some gangsters and another man’s woman only to have everything fall apart. Check MATE Naposki/McNeal. 80s noir was all over your plot before you even hatched it.
This first video is the final scene from Against All Odds, over which you can hear Phil Collins’ title track to the movie.
Phil Collins – Against All Odds:
I can’t resist also posting a link to The Postal Service’s version, which they released on the Wicker Park soundtrack in 2004, since it’s just so damn good. Well, the song is. Can’t say the same about Wicker Park, I’m afraid.
East Village to Brooklyn 