Every year I try to make it out to Green-Wood Cemetery at least once during October. Last Saturday we went for a nice walk amongst the tombstones around dusk occasionally stopping to take a couple photos.

I should remember to visit the cemetery more often, and also remember not to get locked in after closing next time. Oops.

Last Saturday, after a morning of taking photos in Red Hook, I had to run into the city to buy a helmet before Motorsports closed at 5. By 4:20, I was in a car service car cruising through the Battery Tunnel. It seemed like I was going to make it, but then traffic stopped.

There were a ton of cops and all the tourists I assume were there to see Ground Zero were looking up into the sky instead of down at The Lack. When it seemed like we had come to the end of the traffic jam, there was a cop there forcing everyone going north on the West Side Highway to turn around!

I was pissed, it was 4:40 by now and there was no way I was making it all the way up to 46th street by 5. So, I got out and began walking to a different shop. When I rounded the corner to wade through the tourists past Century 21, I saw it.

It was a smoky blaze and it turns out that a couple firefighters died fighting it.

I should remember… I dunno… that bad shit happens, I guess.

Yeah, Kurt Vonnegut died today at age 84. From the Times obituary: “, whose dark comic talent and urgent moral vision in novels like ‘Slaughterhouse-Five,’ ‘Cat’s Cradle’ and ‘God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater’ caught the temper of his times and the imagination of a generation, died last night in Manhattan… Mr. Vonnegut suffered irreversible brain injuries as a result of a fall several weeks ago, according to his wife, Jill Krementz.”

Just some history to remember.

In what could only be a clear statement on the current state of the our country, Marvel killed off Captain America (the very embodiment of all that’s good about the American way of life) in the issue that hit comic store shelves yesterday with a lone sniper shot. Rather than in a blaze of glory, Cap went out with a pop as he walked from a court house.

I think this is a pretty memorable moment for American culture, especially because most Americans won’t even know it happened.

I think this day will go down in history as the day the cellphone industry changed forever. Today, Apple Computer, Inc decided to decimate the competition in the cellphone industry by unveiling the most advanced and gorgeous cellphone, iPod, internet hybrid device ever. EVER.

I can’t wait until June!!!!

Hmm… Today is January 6th and it’s 70 degrees in New York, the cherry trees are blooming in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Saddam’s execution was riddled with actions sure to make him a martyr, the U.S. KIA count from Iraq has surpassed 3,000 (not counting the overlooked tens of thousands of soldiers coming back missing limbs), a 3,000 year old glacier has melted off due to the heat, plus auto-makers are bringing over a dozen new SUVs to the American market in 2007 increasing the number of SUVs offered to a whopping 80 versions!

I should remember that no matter how bad things look, they can always get worse.

This was history in the making, so I had to check it out. The place was mobbed with people in 2 lines that extended for a combined 10 blocks at least by the time I left. Luckily, I got there around 11am when things were still a little sane. Unfortunately, James was late. He showed up around 2pm when people were already supposed to be going through the Apollo at 1.

Anyway, the line experience was full of well meaning comradery… for the most part. (The initial delay and the fact that celebrities and other “dignitaries” were allowed in first before anyone else had almost everyone grumbling and occasionally shouting at police.) But walking through the Apollo, onto the stage, and looking at this very small, old, dead man in a purple suit with a quirky smile frozen on his face was truly, truly, bizarre.

I don’t think I’ll forget this freaky day.

(Update: I had forgotten until today that old song from the 90’s by Lords of Acid, “James Brown is Dead”)

Yesterday was Christmas which started with my woman seemingly not loving her presents due to there being no toys in the mix and me absolutely loving my presents mostly due to the new 50mm lens and flash additions to my photo kit. Additionally, my woman managed to craft some delicious buljol for breakfast, we watched Scrooged and ended up having Christmas dinner at my cousins (shockingly seeing my family twice in one year).

One more thing to remember about Christmas this year is that James Brown died. He was slated to host New Years Eve at B.B.Kings in Times Square, but I guess the Godfather of Soul won’t be making it.

Despite the fact that in the larger picture voting in New York doesn’t make that much of a difference since it’s so strongly Democrat, I hope that somehow my vote can help things get better… Cuz right now sucks.

(Image by plemeljr)

Just in time for Halloween (my favorite holiday of the year), I’ve paid a visit to Green-Wood Cemetery. Every time I go there I’m amazed by the place. Not only is it huge, but it’s also practically overflowing with ancient commemorations to the thousands of bodies just below the ground you walk on. I posted a bunch of photos to Flickr to help the memory.

I need to remember to go there at least once a year.