10.16.2006

Gormandizers Require Some Uplifting

We all knew it was coming. We read about it in the music magazines; we heard it in the music news; we saw it online... We followed the whole drama, play by play, believing that, in the end, it would all be OK and we could all just pretend that this whole ugly nightmare had never happened. However, that's not how it ended.

At approximately 1am EST this morning, Patti Smith shouted the last words ever to be sung or spoken on the stage at the corners of Bowery and Bleeker streets in Manhattan's Lower East Side. CBGB/OMFUG has closed their door forever thanks to the land owner's unwillingness to renew the club's lease - after 33 years. I am heartbroken for club owner Hilly Kristal, the staff, and all of we music fans that have pilgrimaged (some against our parent's will) to the Bowery for a night filled with smoke, booze, little breathing room, and hard rocking punk sounds. This is yet another sign that the apocalypse is well upon us, and that the meek will NEVER inherit the Earth. Farewell, CBGB. You will be sorely missed...

10.14.2006

Well Hello There, Ben!


Hi there. I know, I know... long time, no post. Sorry 'bout that. However, sadly, you all may have to get used to that for a while as I'm going to be super freaking busy for the next few weeks. Why? Well, of course there is the ever present 12 hour a day job; but in addition, I'm moving! Yes sir re, I'm getting the heck out of Dodge and heading north to the City of Brotherly Love. My first professional job was in Philadelphia, and it's one of my favorite places in this great land of ours. Needless to say, I'm excited to be returning. Getting to watch the Japanese tourists strike a pose next to the Commodore Barry Statue in Independence Square is just a bonus!

So, why am I going? Next fall, I'm going to be starting a graduate program to boost my chances of acceptance to veterinary school. Seriously, nothing is like being 30 something and looking to change careers. People get all wigged out - especially admission departments. "Well, you've been out of school a long time and we just don't feel you'll be able to handle the challenging curriculum of this program. Especially given the grades you received 13 years ago". No, no, I guess I can't. Not me who graduated my masters suma cum laude and has been working as a scientific/veterinary professional for over five years. Buffy over there who was only doing keg stands last week is oh so much more capable of handling a professional medical curriculum. Sorry. My bad.

No, no, I'm not bitter...

So, in order to make all the dolts in the offices happy, I'm off to spend two years in a night program to revamp my 'skills' in biochemistry, microbiology and the always joyful, histology. And, given that the classes are cleverly scheduled for late afternoons and early evenings, I'll be able to work full time! Joy! Yet two more years with no life. However, work is necessary to keep the roof over my head and allow me and the cat to eat from time to time, so I'm delighted to have been offered the position. Not to mention that I'm going back to surgery! I'm THRILLED to say the least.

OK then, that should bring you up to date, so I will sign off with a picture of one of my favorite places in Philadelphia. It's even nicer when you're cruising down the Schuylkill in a skull, but this will do fine. Ladies and Gents,
Boat House Row...

10.04.2006

Join The Conversation!

Yeah, I know, not a whole lot of posts lately. Two reasons: (1) really busy at work and on the homefront (big news to be posted in the future); (2) I have managed to hurt myself - again. Let's just say that I can't cook and my right index finger has paid a terrible price...

Anyway, due to the fact that my typing skills are somewhat diminished right now, and because, well, it's just too damn brilliant not to share, today's post is simply a link to I Don't Remember Eating That and one of D-ward's best ever rantings on the current government administration. After a break from blogging due to some craziness in his neck of the woods, Sir Rex has come back - on fire! Bravo, friend! The rest of you? Click below and read the post from Tuesday, October 3 (should be right at the top of the page). I promise that you will be emotionally charged and will think just a little deeper about the goings on around us.