Wik-a-Wik-a-Wik-a, My Friend Flicker

My friend Flicker, R.I.P
November, 2005

Unfortunately, this feathered beauty got locked, or made it's way, into a summer residence and never made it out. But, even in death, the Northern Flicker has got the looks.

Check the Northern Flicker out, in life and sound, at my favorite 'College of Avian Knowledge'.

Syd Barrett: Birdie Hop (Buy It!)

Goddamn Right, It's A Beautiful Day!

Hurricane Sound
August 29, 2006

The Eels: Mr. E's Beautiful Blues (Buy It!)
Electric Light Orchestra: Mr. Blue Sky (Buy It!)

We're All Adults Here (Or, Let Me Double Entendre You)

Smith Cove, The Rock
Winter 2005

When is a rock, not a rock? When a song about a record, is not about a record.

Moose Jackson: Big Ten Inch Record (Buy It!)
Salt N Pepa: Let's Talk About Sex (Buy It!)

Piggy On!

Rockland Waste Water Treatment Plant
Late-Summer 2006

I don't know much (anything) about pigeons. But I do know, for a fact, that very few people have a tolerence for them. I like them (as did, according to random research, Yul Bryner, Gypsy Rose Lee, Queen Elizabeth II (although I doubt she actually ever touched any of them), and Roy Rogers). And so does the person that raises them at The Rockland Waste Water Treatment Plant. I have walked by this facility, every morning, for the past three years on the way to work—and Thursday, curiosity finally got the best of me.

I did not get a chance to meet the person who raises them, but Ron (that's what the name on his shirt read) gave me the nickel tour. These pigeons are big, boldly colored, and beautiful. I hope to go back again to talk with the breeder himself, and hopefully share it with you here. You'll be the first to know.

ROY ROGERS RIDERS CLUB RULES:
1. Be neat and clean.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Always obey your parents.
4. Protect the weak and help them.
5. Be brave but never take chances.
6. Study hard and learn all you can.
7. Be kind to animals and take care of them.
8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
9. Love God and go to Sunday school regularly.
10. Always respect our flag and our country.

Happy Trails, my friends, until we meet again. Probably , tomorrow.

Peter Kreuder: His Piano and His Orchestra: Birds of Paradise (Buy It!)
They Might Be Giants: Birdhouse In Your Soul (Buy It!)

He'll Bring You Down

Gnomie of Skin Hill
Late-Summer 2006

Gnomie just tells it like it is. If you ever step on his patch, he'll bring you down. He'll bring you down.

Jim Noir: My Patch (Mastered) (Buy It!)

The American Dream

K & KC En Regalia
Some time in the 70's

Another great photograph from the archives of New Jersey Rock.

Frank Zappa: Bobby Brown Goes Down (Buy It!)

Gotta' Have the (End of Summer) Funk

The Narrows
August 21, 2006

It's late August, and the crickets are out in full force. Year-round residents let out audible sighs of relief, knowing that their Summer-folk aquaintences are beginning the exodus back from whence they came. The grocery store will once again have bread, fish, and wine. It sounds biblical, but it's not—the folks 'from away' just seem to eat it all.

This sweet little ship, and it's captain, are one step closer to their home.

See you next year!

Grand Funk Railroad: I'm Your Captain (Closer To Home) (Buy It!, if you must.)

I Remember A Wink

Camp Winnebago Scout Reservation
Rockaway, New Jersey
Summer 1972

I had a camera. Two weeks of camp. And I got some blurry pictures. Oh, yeah, and a lot of great memories.

(Although for the life of me, I couldn't tell you the names of these kids.)

Cibo Matto: Beef Jerky (Buy It!)

Then, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Walking In Space

Penobscot Bay
August 18, 2006

Puffy clouds. Shuffle on random.

With the influx of Summer visitors to The Rock these last few weeks (months), I've taken to getting a secluded spot on the upper deck and unplugging from interaction.

Then, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Walking In Space, and Spiritualized®.

Walking In Space (Buy It!)
Spiritualized®: Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space (Buy It!)

Read It, And Weep (Unless You Own the Biz, Then We'll Read It, While You Reap!)

The Rock's $3.71 Co-Op Gas Pump
Date: Au'gas't 10, 2006

That's right, it says 3 dollars and 70 cents (and 9 friggin' tenths of a dollar!). Figure that to any nation average you hear about on television or the radio (Because you know they're not checkin' in with us out on The Rock!).

And it's been only thirty-something days and 29 cents since this last post. You know what—If you're going to eff me out of another effing penny for a gasoline price (that is leaping its way to compete with our Canadian peer's averages), then just call it three-seventyone and let's get it over with. Who I really feel sorry for are all those hard-working guys at Beepy McExxoTexConShellron's. I am sure that counting all that 'bank' is wearing pretty thin on them. It's wearing pretty thin on The Rock, too.

Harvey Danger: Cream and Bastards Rise
(Download the album 'Little By Little'here)!
Find out why you can do this, here.

(Nothing But) Flowers

Garden Dahlia
August 2006

Talking Heads: (Nothing But) Flowers (Buy It!)

I've Got a Bike, You Can Ride It If You Like

Rock Island Road
Summer 2005

Queen: Bicycle Race (Buy It!)
Pink Floyd: Bike (Buy It!)

Shine On Your Lovelight

The Amphibious Assault Ship USS Wasp
August 5, 2006

844 feet of tactical assault, guided missile destroying power that generates a total of 400 tons of steam per hour, with propulsion system developing 70,000 shaft horsepower, powering the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots. Built using more than 21,000 tons of steel, 400 tons of aluminum, 400 miles of electrical/electronic cables, 80 miles of piping and tubing of various types and sizes, and 10 miles of ventilation ducting, for the comfort of the 1,075 crewmembers and 1,600 embarked troops. And for you bird lovers, it even has Osprey on it.

This paragon of United States muscle boats sat at the breakwater for four days while the crew got in some shore leave at the local festival (and a little local shagging), while the general public breathed a sigh of relief knowing that, at least, for four days, their lighthouse was safe from global terror.

Flaming Lips: The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (Buy It!)
Ramones: Blitzkrieg Bop (Buy It!)

The Great Architect (Office) of the Universe

Masonic Hall, St. Paul Lodge #82 (Built 1835)
Photograph taken in 1969

Having never had the desire to join an organisation of Freemasonry, I have no idea what goes on in an ornately painted, darkly shuttered place where a throne and kneelers are involved (aside from my six years in the Catholic school system). My boss insisted on having an exorcism performed before he let us move our office here to clear out any 'bad vibes' that may have remained behind. Now if we can only stop him from refering to himself as the 'Great Architect of the Universe' or the 'Grand Geometer', we'll be all set.

Extra Action Marching Band: Fat Sexy Guy Dance (Buy It!)
Thievery Corporation: Strange Days: The Doors (Buy It!)

Hit Me, Hit Me, Hit Me!

Mike C. (Sans rhythm sticks)
Some time in the 70's

Photo: Kevin Papa

Ian Dury and the Blockheads: Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick (Buy It!)
Ian Dury and the Blockheads: What A Waste! (Buy It!)

Wave Thou Art Pretty

The Sparkplug
Summer 2006

Patti Smith: Wave (Buy It!)