Fresco!

Marcello Mastroianni.
Quello è tutto.

Appropriated via Michael Calore.

C is for curvaceous

by Ryan Freese

Found at ALPHABATTLE from LetterCult

C. See?

Found via Brian Hoff.

My hood

At 2 a.m. this morning, I heard the roar of a mob and went to the window. It was unsettling—the kind of thing that means nothing good is coming next. One-half block from me, there were EIGHT cruisers, lights flashing, some stacked bumper-to-bumper within a block, some placed strategically at the intersections, announcing over intercoms to "Clear the area. Get in your cars and go home." Apparently there was a dust-up of some sort in progress outside 40 Below, a very problematic nightclub. This is the same club that had an ambulance and some cruisers outside its door hours earlier. This is the same nightclub that is listed in the Recreation and Entertainment section of Bethlehem's wikipedia entry—which enrages me to no end.



Charming, isn't it?

A scrum of people and police officers roiled through my neighborhood. People were shouting, getting in cars, blasting their radios. It was so edgy that the pub near me didn't have a single person exit at what is supposed to be their closing time. I doubt anyone wanted to mistaken about which establishment they were at.

Last year I was on the phone with dispatch a handful of nights in the week, to the point where I'm certain they recognized my voice. [Despite the fact that one contentious dispatcher actually asked me if I ever considered moving, the department's response time was extraordinarily swift, which is certainly encouraging.] I don't even have to press speed-dial any more since it looks like this area is on the Bethlehem Police Department's weekend radar.

You see, I'm in the otherwise calm, genteel historic district of a beautiful city. I own property that is both residential and commercial; I have lived and worked here since 1997. This scene is diametrically opposed to the years-long personality of the location and it makes me wonder where things are headed. As you might imagine, the incidence of vandalism has ratcheted up over the last few years. This concerns me, not just for my own property, but that of my neighbors, it's part of the defensive position I take as my condo association's head of council.

So, do I try to take this to City Hall or do I resign myself to the fact I may have to start answering the phone, "Sheer Brick Studio, yo. What's crackin'?"

An honest panhandler

A very toasted gent stood on the sidewalk near Union Square, stock still, staring into the middle distance. He was holding a cardboard sign in front of his chest.

"Keeping it real. I need weed."

Apiary

Thanks to my incredibly generous hosts, Slau and Audrey, I had the chance to have dinner with them at a very delicious bistro in Manhattan with a fabulous, restrained design by Ligne Roset.

When the restaurant opened, The New Yorker took a nice little swipe at it—and my guess is, deservedly so—declaring that furniture companies were not meant to open dining establishments.

Since that review, the original executive chef left and was replaced by Scott Bryan. Here's what New York magazine had to say. If you compare the original menu mentioned in The New Yorker review and the menu at Apiary's site [a downloadable PDF], it's clear that the tone has changed quite a lot. I'd venture it's more imaginative and a lot more subtle.

Although I don't entirely agree with this assessment, I like its positivity. New York magazine ended the review ended with this: "Dining at this new version of Apiary is bracing and even a little discombobulating, like riding in the back seat of your sister’s Mini Cooper, which has suddenly been commandeered by Dale Earnhardt Jr."

If you happen to find yourself there, order the Hamachi Crudo. Yum!

Onward and upward

This week I re-committed to my independence. Sheer Brick Studio is now operating full-time again and, oh, does it feel great to be back!

Many thanks and much affection to all my friends, colleagues, supporters and clients, especially you people who have been with me for the duration. You're all deeply important to me and your loyalty, generosity and belief in me is far more affirmation than I could hope to have.

It might seem like swimming against the current at times but this is surely a leap forward and my money's on that I land in cooler, bluer waters.

The winter barn, briefly

The horses of Bethlehem's Mounted Patrol Unit have been wintering in Coopersburg at Stone Field Stables. Don't let that link fool you. These are great digs for an equine sabbatical. I can't quite call it a vacation since the horses have been training with their law enforcement partners all winter, mostly in the spacious indoor ring.

I visited the stables today and will stop by again before they head back to Burnside Plantation. I want to take a handful of pictures to document their stay. Hopefully then I'll be able to catch Officers Leaser, Buskirk and Brooks and their horses working with Jan, their trainer, in the outdoor turnout.

With my studio back in fulltime operation—which is a story for another day—I've re-committed to promoting the Mounted Patrol Unit. I'll have more to tell you about the patrol, the horses and their links online. Plus lots of pictures.

And I'm certainly looking forward to seeing them again on the streets of Historic Bethlehem this spring!

Pictured: Raven.

It's good to be a little scared.

I have a few friends who are sci-fi/horror/suspense type writers and they are all mad-talented people.

Including Phil Rossi. He's all that.

If you've never heard of him, check him out at his site or on twitter. He's a writer, musician, dad, husband, and vigilante of music. And he has the voice of a fallen angel.

You can find his music on iTunes; Harvey, an incredible story and a free audiobook at iTunes; and Crescent, a critically acclaimed book, free also at iTunes. And because I love you, I suggest you look him up.