Spotted on the Streets: What is Art?

I finally got to break away from my desks, my computers, my office, and my Attic, and spent a recent gloriously warm Indian Summer Saturday roaming the City with friends. I forgot to warn them that I've been using my walking tours to discover "art" in the odd nooks and crannies along the way. With thanks to my wandering buddies for the "Wait, I just want to ..." and the odd snapping of photos.

You have to remember to pin down the little unexpected moments when you find them ... say in Chelsea.

It's so easy to walk right on by the little educational moments the City has to offer. What looks like graffiti or layers and layers of stickers on the ubiquitous utility boxes or construction scaffolding could be important learning opportunities.

I want to add these as avatars for this blog, for example, because ... well. Do I really need to explain why?

Spotted on the Upper West Side

Or about The Shushing Librarian?

Spotted in Chelsea or between 21st-14th Streets/9th - 5th

 You have to keep your eyes open for the magic (tilt your head), or take the moment to adjust your preconceptions, and puzzle out the true meanings. The one on the right took us a moment, because we had this stuck in our heads.

This is only a piece of the whole mural which took up the side of the building. We had to guess that it was for a business, and by golly ... we were right. A little tiny, Mom&Pop-esque neighborhood institution of a hardware store. I should have popped across the street to get the whole mural, but alas. 

 The whole side of the building is in contrast to this little door jamb at street level on 14th Street. The Aliens are among us, and they have their own hipsters. I blew this up, so you can see the imagery hovering above the Men in White.

I wish it was still light at night for the evening "rush" walk back to the train. I bet the seasonal weather would keep people off the streets so I could take more photos.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2012 - September

May you live in interesting times:

I think someone "blessed" me so that as 2012 passed -- things have only gotten more "interesting." Life in September got very busy (as you probably have seen from the lack-of blog posts) and I have to look back a lot of pages in what passes for my diary to remember what the heck happened -- aside from my jobs totally taking over.

If I'm reading my scrawls correctly, September:

~ Started off on Labor Day weekend with me "laboring" - helping out my friend Cynthia tackle a garage cleaning assignment that was on a hot muggy day full of poopy natural surprises. (Though I have super fond memories of eating a delicious omelet with chorizo, cilantro, and tomatoes ... MMMM.) What is the incubation period for the hanta virus, because I know I ingested mouse poop in a few forms that day. Seriously. YUCK!

I also:

~ Crocheted some of the baby bibs you'll see below, while sitting in the dark during Convocation for work. I knew I was getting to the point where I didn't have to watch what I was doing while watching t.v.. But now I know I can also crochet simple things in the dark with the lights out.

~ Had a lovely unexpected dinner with Christine in the City, to try and catch up with work/life before we got swamped by the incoming tide of change. So glad we did. October got WORSE - for both of us!; 

~ Cleaned out some of my kitchen stuff, including scrubbing decades of accumulated gook off pots and pans so to donate to the next generation of chefs (my work-study students); 

~ Missed brunch and baby shower plans due to illness, inclement weather, and geographic impossibilities; 

~ Cleaned, purged, watched television a lot on the weekends to catch-up, called to family/friends -- all necessary as I was about to be caught up in what we'll call "Hurricane H*******" aka the aftermath of an unexpected star-studded memorial/fund-raising event wherein it was "organized" by "amateurs" who had no idea how to coordinate guest lists and then it took over 22-different spreadsheets of data to be entered for over 700-1000 individuals, each with variations in proper spelling/contact information/relationships into my company's database into a coherent form. So. Yeah. That took weeks of research, 12-14 hour days, and juggling of deadlines, egos, priorities, and what I'm calling the 5-stages of frustration. There was anger, bitterness/resentment, denial, then grudging acceptance, and finally a horrible dose of gallows humor. (I kept track of hours, and OMH the comp and OT that I am owed -- if I only had TIME to take my comp time!) Then I had to interact with the oblivious, the obnoxious, the defensive, and the self-congratualory ... well ... 

Let's jut say GRRRR and that:

I also:

~ got sick during all this;

~ ate all wrong; 

~didn't sleep right;

~barely remembered to pay my bills on time; or

~send birthday/anniversary cards out; or to

~have the energy to go to Maker's Faire this year.

I felt the worst about missing friends and Maker's Faire. I bought a ticket and everything. But between the work stress, hours, and the sheer exhaustion, the one or two days I didn't have to work, I just didn't have the energy to muster up to head to Queens and be surrounded by people.

Little did I know that parts of October ... 

It's not just me ... is there some weird celestial misalignment going on? Is Mars in retro-grade? WHAT IS GOING ON?

It's good thing I have SOME sort of therapy outlet I can only imagine I would be WORSE off mentally, and that's saying something.

So -- yeah. Maybe you can see a theme to my crafts this month? It veers from being full of love for the new lights in the family that are due in a month or so, to be wildly optimistic and seeing love and hearts everywhere, to being bird-brained and thinking that every one is a monster.

Or something! 

In any event, here are the many creations from September including:

Baby Shower presents for Phineas and Ferbina

ANA 2012: 66 and  67: Pink and Blue square "ribbed" washcloths for the twins

(Lily Cotton Sugar 'n Cream 4-ply cotton) 

 ANA 2012-70 and 71: Pink and Blue bibs for the twins

(Lily Cotton Sugar 'n Cream 4-ply cotton and buttons)

Details of the fastenings: Two loops, depending on the size of their little heads/growing bodies 

ANA 2012-72 and 73: Pink and Blue round washcloths for the twins (in back of rounds)

(Lily Cotton Sugar 'n Cream 4-ply cotton)

ANA 2012-74 and 75: Mini camo owlies 

(left: 74, fledgling; right, 75, grey-eyed adult) 

(Miscellaneous mystery acrylic and left-over wool)

  ANA 2012-76: Maroon stripped mini owlie

(Miscellaneous left-over acrylic yarn and batting)

ANA 2012-77: Fuchsia pull-over with pink hearts and XOs 

(Red Heart and left-over miscellaneous acrylic yarn types) 
(as of 12/13 no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-78: Fuchsia pull-over with purple hearts and subtle accents 

(Red Heart and left-over miscellaneous acrylic yarn types) 
(as of 4/14, no longer available, sold)

ANA 2012-79: Fuchsia mini (or skull cap) with two hearts (pink/white)

(Red Heart and left-over miscellaneous acrylic yarn types) 
(as of 12/13 no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2012-80: Black Cyclops hat, with horns 

(Red Heart and left-over miscellaneous acrylic yarn types) 
(as of 4/14, no longer available, sold)

ANA 2012-81: Black Cylops hat, with horn and bulging dilated green eye - Rolled brim

(Red heart and left-over miscellaneous acrylic yarn types) 
(as of 11/2013, no longer available)

ANA 2012-82: Black Cyclops hat, with horns and bulging green eye

(Red Heart and left-over miscellaneous acrylic yarn types) 
(as of 11/2013, no longer available)

Alternatively, if you don't a bulging third-eye in the middle of your forehead, you could flip these around and have a Janus-head thing -- and freak out the people walking too close behind you.

Still in progress; 

2012: 
3 mini owlies
1 pink afghan

 2010: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Didn't you read all about the sagas of the last few months? It's amazing I got anything done ... at all!

Regarding the shop: I think I've come to the conclusion it ain't happening this year. I just can't see me finding extra time to dedicate to it this year, especially given my travel plans from now through ... well 2013! However, if you see something on here, let me know, so I can see if it's still in stock, and not somewhere else, and give you an idea of prices.

Photo of the Day: Gourd Humor

Barton Orchards

October 2009

I'm too busy to be bored out of my gourd, but I still feel like I'm earning my stripes around here.

Retroblogging: Chicago Trip 2012, Art Institute

Art Institute of Chicago, January 2012

Can you spot my favorite part of this artwork?

Hey there! Remember me?

I've been spending far too much time at the office - a situation that is HOPEFULLY coming to a draw-down soon. Instead of 12-13 hour days, I'm hoping for 8-10 (11?). However, the daylight hours are getting shorter, so I don't know if that means I will be tramping through the streets in the evening to get to the train station.

On the mornings when I am coherent enough, (or actually, still too bleary-eyed to focus on words in print), I stare out the window or flip through my iTouch. In doing the latter, I found a few things that I thought might illustrate some of the last month for me.

If you remember to look up from your book, Nook, paper or iPod, you might see thing like:

 

Ghostly graffiti

We paused in the Bronx one day under this overpass and I looked up to find this symbol about 4 inches from my face. I wasn't quick enough on the ball to get the camera out (or awake), so I keep trying to get a good shot, but the train has never stopped in exactly the right spot since then. It's so different from all the other tags I've seen on the East Coast. I will have to look up the symbolism. I think it's a protection/warding symbol and it doesn't seem disturbing to me, but it needs more research. It's unusual to see a First Nations tag out here - but maybe one of the People is visiting and trying to get protection from the great Iron Horses stampeding through the Bronx.

I had to work on September 11th this year. It was another beautiful day, and if you hadn't realized the date, the sudden appearance of many dress-uniformed FDNY on the platforms and trains would have given something away. They aren't "regulars" so they don't have the same "shuffle," "stare," "stance," or present the same commuter pass that we die-hards do.

Once on the train and engrossed in The New York Times, I happened to glance up to see the conductor checking passes and tickets. As we got to my neighbor here, he stopped, examined the one-day ticket, and quietly just handed it back to the fireman - unpunched- with no comment, but a quick hand on the shoulder--an unspoken recognition of the day.  It's THOSE moments that you want to be in tune enough to witness. On behalf of all of those on the train, thank you to the FDNY and our other first responders, and kudos to that conductor. He didn't know anyone else noticed that moment, but I did and good for you.

On the other hand, if you look quickly at this little vignette, it seems to say: "I don't care if you are man's best friend, I need to see your ticket too, Mr. K-9. I know it's ruff." I joke. Dogs do ride free. Also, this conductor may not have appreciated me trying to take the picture. One of the others shows a scowl in my direction.

  

Once you get off the train at Grand Central and start the dodge-and-weave that is part and parcel for the course to get to your egress, you also have to keep your eyes open. You never know when you are going to see some adorableness. Like the crowds parting and a vision of a teeny weeny ballerina in her tutu off to the Big City with her mama. It's hard to walk and shoot with an iTouch. The picture qualities of all of these are unfiltered and only 1 or 2 is cropped.

 

Once you FINALLY get on your subway, it's also interesting to see what New Yorkers haul around with them. I've seen arm chairs (seriously), trees (really), dogs of all shapes and sizes, same with bicycles and strollers; contractors bring their tools of the trade - and it's a good thing (???) that we don't have metal detectors or arms checks because some "tools" are deadly-looking. Amateur athletes of all kinds bring golf clubs, golf bags, rackets, hockey gear, pads, etc. etc. etc. However this petite lady caught my eye because of the juxtaposition of her bat and the title of her book.

Don't mock this woman for reading The Buddha in the Attic by J.Otsuka on the subway-or else she'll take a swing at you.

Once you get to work ... you have to find the things that get you through the day/week: 

Things like subtly rebelling one day, and using your "lunch hour" to get your first pedicure since Christmas. I feel "blue" so I matched my polish to my flip-flops

Medication: Carbs, caffeine, and chemicals - not shown: the rest of the pharmacy in my desk drawers

 

If you don't have time for a real lunch, find all the  reception/working lunch meeting leftovers you can find. Horde them. They will be lunch, dinner, snacks, for however long they hold out. Have no shame. Grab as much as you can. (What? "It's for the 'work-study' student." -- and sometimes it really is.) Also, if you must forage at the vending machine and can't find vegetables, at least make sure your junk food is green. That totally counts.

If your Dilbert-cube/office setting doesn't get you exposure to a window/natural light, create your own portal to nature. Make your own little altar. (They are everywhere.) I have sunny things, water views, sea shells and worry stones, stress balls, and the faces of some of my favorite little ones, as well as my girls to keep me from totally succumbing to the greys -- and the stabby-es. (The stress balls are also good as projectiles. Not that I would throw things at my colleagues -- NOOOOOO. Not me.)

Of course, after being cooped up in a building for 10-12 hours, you just want to fly the coop. Even if that means using another "lunch-hour" to run down to 34th street and back to pay a bill in person. If it's a $2.00 bill to hold a Macy's account open, why write a check and use a stamp? Plus if that means it will won't be late - go down there and use 1 crumbled up $1 bill and 10 dimes. Sadly, I didn't have a $2 bill to PAY my $2.00 bill. I looked.

Arts for Transit at 34th/Penn. Station

If you feel like you are trapped and have been in the airless build for too long, guess what? You aren't alone! At least your office isn't underground, and it's not a black-box rehearsal room, or windowless practice room.

This sign was taped up by the elevators for most of the summer, to direct the summer institute people on how best to exit the building. Someone else got "editorial" with it over the last few months - before it was removed last week. (Glad I snapped it when I did.) Perhaps it was a rebellious statement from someone locked into a practice room for as long as I was locked into my desk? To quote Braveheart:

"...they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM! "

Even though your real work starts after 5 p.m. when the office FINALLY quiet and you can FINALLY get some work done, you have to remember that the rush hour subways and trains don't run as frequently as during the morning and evening rush. It's important to make sure you leave plenty of time to catch the late trains and to check the clock to make sure you still have time to dash (sometimes barefoot - no exaggeration - I've done this a few times in the last month) across the halls of Grand Central. If you miss one by, say 30 seconds (again me, last week), sometimes you still can do some Christmas shopping or get some "real" food. But after 9? No such luck. Despite all that, it's important to pay attention, you never know who you'll see. Remember the bride? In addition to the National Guard, MTA Police, NYPD, and Metro-North authorities, you also catch a glimpse of superheroes.

Apparently even the Cap takes Metro-North home from Comic Con.

  

Oh my Captain, my Captain!

Once you stumble off the train at your stop, it's still important to pay attention to your surroundings. 

At this time of year, Halloween looms. Take this night - with eerie orbs in the sky
 Is it an Invasion of the iPod people? 
Night of the Living Dead?
or

Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Nope. Just another late hazy humid night walking home from the train.

Once home: Get what sleep you can. Whether with NyQuil, 4 Advil, and/or meditation/relaxation techniques.  Reset your brain as much as possible. Reboot the neurons. Close the eyelids at the very least.

Even if it doesn't come out literally, remember -- the sun will come out tomorrow (thanks Annie!).

After the storm, there's a promise of a bright new day.

You just have to hunker down and wait the storm out.

Stay tuned. I hope to return to more regular blogging soon. I'm super back-logged. More Island Hopping, Retroblogging, Auntie Nettie's Attic entries, ... not to mention
The Shushing Librarian has things to say.
When doesn't she?

Please stand by

Due to an unusual volume of work, Auntie Nettie has been putting in 12-15 hour days at the office. When she gets home, she can't see straight to post on the blog. Hopefully regular postings will resume before Nettie goes blind, goes ballistic, and/or quits her job in a fit of rage.

Quote of the Day: Bird in Wild FLight

Several times during the night I was awakened by the touch of the wind stirring through the sleeping trees, whispering gently in my ear a thousand reminders of yesterday's dreams. Stay a moment, I asked, but before I could open my eyes the fragrance was gone, as a bird in wild flight.

~ Noyes Capehart Long, from his painting Whisperer

Found in The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh