Spring is sprung 
The grass is riz
I wonder where the birdy is? 
The bird is on the wing
But that’s absurd 
The wing is on the bird
Tag Archives: New York City
“Fish in the Dark” & The Critics Love to Hate
The critics have spoken on Larry David’s Fish in the Dark.
The New York Times: …set postures, lines and deliveries, while throwaway humor has been exaggerated in ways that perversely shrink its impact.
The New Yorker: …sour-voiced schtick…a cynical manipulation of sentimentality and humor.
The Wall Street Journal: (Larry David’s)Â playwriting debut, a poor and embarrassing excuse for the kind of Jewish humor that went out of fashion with Gertrude Berg, (is) bursting at the moldy seams with embalming fluid.
It’s not as if Larry David made any highfalutin’ claims. “I saw Nora Ephron’s play, Lucky Guy. I just thought, ‘That must be a really interesting thing to do.”
The hate from New York’s papers is perhaps best summed up by the theater critic in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman: I’m gonna turn in the worst review anyone has ever read and I’m gonna close your play. 
Would you like to know why? Because I hate you and everyone you represent. Entitled, selfish, spoiled children. Blissfully untrained, unversed and unprepared to even attempt real art. Handing each other awards for cartoons and pornography.
Luckily, the real-life critics aren’t having so much luck. Larry David’s play has broken box office records and been greeted by constant laughs and ovations every night. 
Fish in the Dark, as Mr. David is not ashamed to say himself, is “pre-tty, pre-tty good.”
Overlooked Manhattan: Dubuffet’s “Group of Four Trees”
Chase Plaza, between William and Broad Streets in Downtown Manhattan, offers that rare trifecta: light, space and art. 
Jean Dubuffet’s Group of Four Trees dominates the space. 
Made of fiberglass, aluminum and steel, Jean Dubeffet’s work was erected in 1972 and stands four stories tall.
The sculpture is one of the 14,000 works in Chase Manhattan’s private collection.*
This being one of the few that the public can see.
(*According to Manhattan’s Downtown Alliance)
Overlooked New York: Federal Hall National Memorial
Popular tourist destinations in Downtown Manhattan include the 911 Memorial, City Hall and Wall Street. 
Even though many tourists stand in front of Federal Hall National Memorial, and take pictures of the statue of Washington on the steps, only a few actually go inside the historic site.T
his is odd because it’s not only free, but also quite warm.
There’s interesting things to learn. 
And best of all – no guns are allowed.
Manhattan’s East River Begins to Freeze
February 2015 has been reported as the coldest month in 35 years for Manhattan. 
The East River isn’t frozen yet. 
But it’s getting there. (Click here or the images below for video.)
Overlooked New York: The Cunard Building
Built in 1921, the Cunard Building stands at 25 Broadway, above Bowling Green, at the foot of Manhattan. 
Best known for housing the Cunard Shipping Lines, which built famed ships, including The Lusitania, Mauritania, Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth. 
The building is also cited by Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby:Â There’s a bird on the lawn that must be a nightingale come over on the Cunard or White Star Lines.
Perhaps Mrs. Buchanan, if she were here today, would have even visited the Cunard Building for an afternoon meal.
February in Manhattan’s Financial District
Few are braving the cold and ice in Manhattan’s Financial District this February. 
Excepting of course the tourists… 
The TV show camera crews…
And the delivery guys. 
After all, the show must go on.
Confused Signs in New York City
Sparks Fly from Santiago Calatrava’s Oculus
New York City’s PATH Transit Hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is starting to look like something. 
The so-called Oculus, to be completed for an estimated $4 billion, is supposed to open December 17, 2015. In the meantime, the sparks continue to fly.Â
Click on the full two-minute video here, to see all the sparks:
Writing Tip #666: Material must be emotionally charged.
“Could I get another?”
“Sorry, the bar is closed.”
“Oh, the bar’s closed?” I repeated it quickly to make it go away.
“Sorry, sir.”
“What about last call?” 
“I made the announcement 15 minutes ago.”
“No, you didn’t.” My voice sounded outside of me.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“I must have been in the bathroom.”
He started to take my glass.
“Just a pint. I’ll finish it in 5 minutes.” The ringing in my ears was worse; I had to see a doctor.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s still 6 minutes to, right?” Could he even hear what I said? “I’ll be finished by the time you close.”
He took my glass.
“You’re not serious.”
And walked away.
“What the fuck…?”
The woman beside looked half around and pulled her purse closer in.
I slid the stool abruptly back. “I’m Jason B., man! What do you think I want with that?”
The bartender returned. “Sir, do we have a problem here?”
“I just asked for another beer, all right?”
“Do we have a problem?”
I blinked back, open and closed, like a mechanical doll. “No, we don’t.”
It was warm outside, still, and the streets were quiet. 
I just needed one more.