H a p p y ?

Recently I was wandering aimlessly in Venice Beach, CA. I was trying to get away from my thoughts, my situation, etc. It was kinda working, but Venice Beach always reminds me of a few times when I seemed to be happier. So maybe it's not the place to go to not dwell on the past. But anyway I've been down a bit lately and seeing all these tourists in happier states than me was kind of a bummer. There was this cut-out photograph stand. You and your "better half" stick your heads through the holes on the large wooden board and magically it appears that you are now a Strong Man holding his Bikini Beauty at the beach. This couple, no doubt from the Midwest, were obliging and seemed to be so fuckin' happy doing it cause they were laughin' hysterically at it. It made me think, it must be nice to be that happy that something so dumb makes you burst into laughter. Wouldn't it be nice? ... OK, maybe not.

New York's Finest

This ain't 'bout the cops, man. Or The Police. I'm talking homegrown NY fuckin' rock stars. Two in one week. What a cool way to slide into the end of the summer. Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Webster Hall. Second time seeing them. I really dig this band. I think I have every song out there by them and I love them all. And now to state the obvious: Karen O. Does anyone put on a better, more energetic show than this chick? Me thinks not. Jimmy Cliff said, "Give the people what they want" and she did. Ten-fold. I can't say enough complimentary things about her and if I had a better grasp on the English lexicon I'd do it here. But I don't, so I won't. Next stop: Central Park. Hot as hell Wednesday night. Beastie Boys. I've been listening to them for a number of years. Never a big fan of "Fight For Your Right" despite getting the irony of it all. But Paul's Boutique and on I'm a suckah for. A great job by the Beasties entertaining the masses that night. I'd never seen them live. Missed every opportunity for one reason or another. When this show came about I figured, I'm getting older... they're getting older... One of us is gonna probably drop soon... so I better get my ass to Central Park. Found a ticket on craiglist for $80. Whatever. I treated myself. I'm not taking any vacations this year (save a "work" jaunt to Los Angeles) so why not? Of course getting the ticket was another story. Had to venture to Ave B. I don't own a cell phone and had to rely on public communication. Guess what, folks? No phones work on Ave B. A lot of you are probably saying to yourself right now (or to your computer screen) "no shit, tourist." Hey, what do I know. I've never had to make a call on Ave B. Don't smoke crack (no offense). Anyway, got the ticket and of course the day of the show I get an email from someone offering me one for $50. Oh, well. No point dwelling on it. The Beastie show was worth the $80 in my opinion. Now I've seen them so on my death bed all will be cool.