Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do Exercises

NYC's Potato Peeler Grafter Dead

Joe Ades used to sell potato-peelers at Union Square. He died at the age of 73 on Sunday. The man's Manchester accent and grafter's sales pitches were mesmerizing and I have stood, listening and admiring his technique on many occasions whenever I would encounter him. He would sell on the edge of the veg market without a license, and he was sometimes chased away by security guards. He sold at other locations at Herlad Square, Radio city and in Brooklyn. He lived in a posh apartment on the Upper East Side with his wife, until she died last year. He was a salesman his whole life and had four wives throughout.

From the NYT I LEGO NY

Christoph Niemann is an illustrator that publishes in the The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Magazine and American Illustration. He did the drawings for a book that teaches kids to recognize Chinese characters called "The Pet Dragon."

These LEGO sculptures of New York City are inspired by the toys in Niemann's children's toyroom in Berlin, where he lives now with his family, and reminisces about the city he left.

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park Vandalized

Four New York teenagers were arrested on Saturday night on misdemeanor charges for causing up to $100,000 in damage to Central Park's historic and recently restored Bethesda Terrace. David Gonzalez age 20, Aisha Calow, 18, Victoria Deniaminova, 16, and Sabrina Santiago, 16, were put in handcuffs by the NYPD for tagging the arcade with simple words and codes like "3D" and "U not ready."

MOVIE: Lifehacking

BODY: Chest Exercises

ART: The Work of Ryan McGinley

New Documentary Exonerates Sid Vicious in Murder of his Girlfriend

She was found dead with Sid Vicious her boyfriend passed out next to her knifed body in the Chelsea Hotel. He was convicted by the media as another heroin junkie. He ODed months later, and escaped a trial. No one knows for sure what happened, but this documentary by Alan Parker seems determined to exonerate the Sex Pistols base player.

The New T Line Subway Could Be Delayed Again

The tunnels under Second Avenue were first started in the 1970s, and then stopped. The city ran out of money. Now the project is expected to start-up again, and continue on from the Q train, uptown underneath Second, with the new train to be called the T. Construction was begun more than 12 months ago, but now the fiscal position of the federal government which promised the bulk of the money is again threatening the much needed project following a report that said businesses were suffering due to the construction. The train is to run from 125th street to Hanover Square in the Financial District, but the whole line is not expected until 2015, having once been promised for 2012.

As it stands Phase I was to run from 57th St. and 7th Ave. to 96th St. and 2nd Ave. Where Phase II — the extension north to 125th St. is looking a long long time off.

Notorious B.I.G., age 17

B.I.G. grew up on Fulton St. and St. James when the Bed-Stuy neighborhood was
dangerous, or more dangerous than we think of it today. Hollywood is set to release its homage to the neighborhood and its most famous son, who was murdered under mysterious circumstances.

Poster Boy NYC

Police State

Suzuki Songs

Here's a 3 year old boy playing.




Bach's 2nd Minuet





Gavotte by Gossec





Bach's 3rd Minuet





Beethoven Minuet in G





Bach Gavotte in D major (book 3)





Bourrée by Bach (book 3)





Bourrée by Handel





Brahms Waltz (book 2)





theme from Paganini's Witche's Dance (book 2)





Minuet by Boccherini (book 2)





Minuet by Boccherini (book 2) played by an orchestra





Brahms Lullaby (book 4)




























Bach A Minor Concerto 3rd Movement (Book 7)

A Magician's Mission to DisProve Psychics -- Or Pay a Million Dollars

James Randi Challenges Psychics and Other Fakers

MUSIC: Stéphane Grappelli

Stéphane Grappelli (26 January 1908 – 1 December 1997) was a French jazz violinist who founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France with guitarist Django Reinhardt. It was one of the first (and arguably the most famous) of all-string jazz bands.




Stephane Grappelli, Someone To Watch Over Me,I've Got Rhythm




Stephane Grappelli, As Time Goes By (Casablanca)




Didier Lockwood & Stéphane Grappelli

MUSIC: violin pieces

Hip hop fiddle





Vivaldi Concerto to Spring played by 5 year old





a jazz lick





Gilles App

Going to an opening on Friday

I'm trying to decide what exhibit to attend with my friend Shanie this coming Friday. So far Deitch Projects at 18 Wooster is looking more interesting.

The exhibit is called Rock on Mars, featuring the work of Stephen Sprouse.

Stephen Sprouse (1953-2004) was an influential fashion designer who incorporated punk, graffiti, and other street influences into his work.

The show is on his pop-influenced paintings. He painted iconic rock and roll imagery: stacks of loudspeakers, Sid Vicious with his pants down, and an Iggy Pop crucifixion, to give an idea. There will also be video that he made for his runway shows.

Sprouse had a famous collaboration with Louis Vuitton in 2001, which featured the classic monogram bag scrawled with graffiti. A new version of the purse will be made available worldwide on the same day of the exhibit.

FASHION: screen printing service available in the neighborhood (E. Willburg)

Pete's Print Shop located over at Grattan Place in Bushwick, around the corner from me, offers a unique service, converting old t-shirts and rejects from the wardrobe into new pieces. As screenprinters, the founders of Pete's are offering excellent rates, with a seeming commitment to getting things done quickly and well.

Greats who Died in 2008

Paul Newman (1925-2008)


Bo Diddley (19-2008)


Eartha Kitt (19-2008)


Estelle Getty (19-2008)


George Carlin (1937-208)


Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008)


Yves Saint Laurent (1956-2008)


Heath Ledger (1979-2008)