Flaming Tulips

Maple Street School - Forrest Art

2009-11-23T14:22:00.000-08:00

A slide show of an Art Project from the children of Maple Street School

33 miles to Detroit

2009-08-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Roadtrip to Detroit with Erok

Pouet! French Circus Bootcamp

2009-06-10T08:46:00.001-07:00

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A small taste of French Circus bootcamp! I will be blogging & uploading vids & pics 2nite.

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2009-06-10T07:27:00.001-07:00

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Morning commute, waiting for the Q

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2009-05-08T13:31:00.001-07:00

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Feeble Feline

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2009-05-01T07:41:00.001-07:00

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Turning Japanese

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2009-05-01T07:21:00.001-07:00

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BBG Cherry blossom bliss

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2009-04-18T08:30:00.001-07:00

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Brooklyn howler monkey

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2009-04-18T03:48:00.001-07:00

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On the plane US Airways last row, shoes off. Bitter McD coffee. We have not sorted hotel

Japanese Garden view at the BBG

2009-04-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Botantic Garden Spring

Spring at BBG

2009-04-10T06:41:00.001-07:00

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Cherry Blossom BBG

Spring at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

2009-03-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

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Snow crocous

Tour of Brooklyn Bontanic Garden

2009-03-08T10:23:00.001-07:00

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Magnolia is an evergreen on BBG tour

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2009-03-08T08:33:00.001-07:00

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seeking signs of Spring at BBG

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2009-03-07T17:05:00.001-08:00

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This is mine

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2009-03-07T16:52:00.001-08:00

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At Brooklyn Museum First Saturday. This is Tulip's Fertility Goddess sculpture made in hands on art

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2009-03-07T11:13:00.001-08:00

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Snow thing, Day 3

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2009-03-07T07:15:00.001-08:00

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Snow thing eve of day two

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2009-03-06T11:46:00.001-08:00

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At PSFCoop, this guy was giving out samples of non dairy non soy yogurt Nu Lait, made from almonds w fig sauce on the side. Yum. He gave a little talk & told us he was a fancy pants chef frm Paris. We bought two $1.69

Catching the end of Winter in Prospect Park

2009-03-05T17:17:00.001-08:00

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We made a snow thing today

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2009-03-03T16:02:00.001-08:00

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NYC UPK information session

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2009-02-28T20:32:00.001-08:00

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Damn that light is bright

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2009-02-28T09:48:00.001-08:00

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Passed out on drive to party

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2009-02-28T09:46:00.001-08:00

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Ready to rock

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2009-02-28T09:41:00.001-08:00

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On our way to super hero princess pink ball

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2009-02-27T12:29:00.001-08:00

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fashionesta of Homelessness on Q via Brooklyn over Manhattan bridge

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2009-02-24T07:29:00.001-08:00

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pile of black curled hair in the frozen field

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2009-02-22T13:43:00.001-08:00

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#brooklynmuseum

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2009-02-22T11:50:00.001-08:00

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Sign of Spring coming

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2009-02-20T08:56:00.001-08:00

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Sculpture - ice cream

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2009-02-17T11:47:00.001-08:00

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A girl snake w flowers crafted at BH

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2009-02-13T19:18:00.001-08:00

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@noneck #thechange

Idiotarod 2009

2009-01-31T23:03:00.001-08:00

IMG_9057.JPG, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

Damn! it's late and it's cold so I am not going to write a clever story about the Idiotarod tonight, maybe tomorrow.

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2009-01-24T10:25:00.001-08:00

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learning to draw chinese characters at the Brooklyn Children's Museum after lion dancing

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2009-01-20T08:24:00.001-08:00

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On the mall at inauguration listening to American Pie

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2009-01-20T03:54:00.001-08:00

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On the train going to the inauguration

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2009-01-13T07:26:00.001-08:00

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Winter of Swan Lake in Prospect Park

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2009-01-10T14:40:00.001-08:00

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Mulch Fest

Mobile Publishing

2008-11-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

The quest continues, I am still looking for a proper cell phone. I am researching various "smart phone" type tools that are being used for mobile publishing which is what I'd like to use the phone for as well as the basics such as talking on it and the calendar. I do want an iphone but the picture taking on it is so weak. I was looking at the Nokia N85 which supposed to be an upgrade from the N95. It has yet to come out in the states. The camera is so much better on it and it has an external mircrophone feature that could be really helpful for what I'd like to do. I am hoping I can use somehow synch it with google calendars. I looked at the Fuze too but it seems like it might be too much about windows for a MAC lover like myself. Oh how I wish the iphone had a better camera and video.

Below are notes I have made during my phone search that I am going to publish for all to see as it might help someone else out and will open the door for suggestions.

Note to myself for the phone search

Nokia N85 - Fuze - iphone

writes about Nokia N82 mojo phone for Reuters mojo mobile journalist project. Reuters picked the phone because it has a high-quality camera and operates at high speed."was able to use it to broadcast live to the internet using Qik.com"

issues with microphone
#comment

I’m glad Reuters found a decent microphone to use with the N82 as I couldn’t so far. Could you maybe tell what they use and how does it connect to the phone (guess it’s Bluetooth)?
# Jeff Jarvis Says:
February 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am

The mic remains a problem; there’s a kludged plug and I”m not sure how that’s done.

----
# Anna Says:
February 12th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

> I was able to use it to broadcast live to the internet using Qik.com.

fyi for the curious, from Qik’s FAQ:

“What do I need to run Qik?
Currently, we support video streaming on Nokia S60 phones: N71, N73, N75, N76, N77, N80, N91, N92, N93i, N95, E50, E51, E61i, E65, E70m E90 Communicator, 3250, 5500, 5700 Xpress Music, 6110 Navigator, 6120 Classic, 6121 Classic, and 6290. You also need a Data Plan and it is also advisable to have an Unlimited Data Plan from your service provider as video streaming can consume considerable amount of bandwidth.

How can I participate in Qik’s Alpha release?

Currently, registration is only through invitations…“
----

http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/02/11/every-journalist-a-mojo/
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/exhaustve N85 vs N95/96
http://smape.com/en/reviews/nokia/Nokia_N85_N96-comp.html
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Thinking Machine - Using Mobile Phones to Learn
great links & info but annoying font

http://thinkingmachine.pbwiki.com/Think%20Mobile%20Phones%20for%20Learning

Moblogging - term for Mobile Blogging
This article is about Moblogging in Japan 2003

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/technology/1058998393.php

New Article
http://blog.masslive.com/linkfarm/2008/08/is_the_cell_phone_the_ultimate.html

Citizen Journalism 2006
http://mobileactive.org/every-cell-phone-media-outlet-citizen-journalism-and-inthefieldonline-net

Phone Search Continues

2008-11-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

I have eye strain from all the research seeking the phone or smartphone that works for me. I realize I need to make a list a the features I would like and do not so much care about to assist me and others in such a search. There are so many options out there and is not easy to sort through the reviews. I so wanted the iPhone to be the "one" but after research I am finding that it may not be. I am a big MAC Apple fan and think I would love it but I don't listen to music on my phone and have no interest in doing so. My intension is to use the phone a bit like a journalistic tool and have found some articles on line that are helpful that I will share.

What I need:
-AT&T Provider
-Call quality is important
-long battery life
-ability to use google calendars
-take & send decent quality photos to the web
-take & send decent quality video to the web
-blog to web
-record sound
-maybe a few things I don't think I need now but might once I discover them

What I don't so much care about
-Playing music on the phone

What would annoy me:
-short battery life
-bad voice sound quality

iphone vs blackberry vs G1 vs ?

2008-11-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

I dropped my sturdy and much loved, two year old, little old Motorola phone a couple of weeks ago and it died. Luckily my husband had an extra that he was going to switch to that I am temporarily using while I determine which phone is the best for me.

I am on the hunt and looking at all the options out there. I am wondering if I should replace it with another simple cell phone or one of these new fangled "smart phones". I have to judge the cost, the necessity, the fun and the addiction factors. There are so many options. I have recently started using more of the features on my phone such as texting for twittering and would love to be able to post pictures from where ever I am. I am also wondering what will stand up to abuse and work nicely for me. My family has also begun using mixed calendars on google with success and I would like to have a phone with which I can use these calendars.

I am going to researching and thought I would blog about my search. I know there are other moms out there who would like to enter this geeky world of organizational tools. I'll give you what I got.

and here's a joke smart phone
http://www.pomegranatephone.com/

and the iphone comes out on November 7th, 2008

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iphone-info.jsp#0faqSection0
http://www.pomegranatephone.com/novascotia.html

iphone vs blackberry vs G1 vs Moto Q vs Treo

iphone :
downers: intn'l rates are said to very high so BB is best for a lot of intn'l travel

J.D. Power Ranks Apple iPhone Highest
BlackBerry manufacturer RIM (703) and Samsung (701) follow Apple in the rankings.
http://iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=2191

here is another article on Smart Phone from Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110603457.html

the new BlackBerry Review
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-techreview_07bus.ART.State.Edition1.4adf393.html

G1 from T-Mobile Review from PC (Google Android Phone)
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331003,00.asp

CNET iPhone vs T-Mobile G1
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-10081814-85.html

The iPhone 3G beats the G1 in the CNET Prizefight:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-6454_7-644-101.html?tag=centerColumnArea1.2

One of my main desires is to be able to use my google calendar on my some to be new smartphone and am looking on the web to try and see if this is possible These guys have the same desire:

http://forums.ilounge.com/archive/index.php/t-233590.html
http://carymillsap.blogspot.com/2008/05/syncing-ical-feeds-with-my-iphone-not.html
http://digivation.net/2008/08/03/sync-google-calendar-and-the-iphone-calendar-ota-for-free

and it looks like this is the answer:
http://www.nuevasync.com/apple_info.html

another approach but looks more complicated
http://weldon.whipple.org/2008/09/how-i-sync-my-google-calendar-to-my.html

iPhone G3 - latest info from Apple
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iphone-info.jsp#0faqSection0

Motherhood - "a revolution for the brain,"

2008-11-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

The many advantages of Motherhood

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/opinion/08ellison.html

Level Down for Obama

2008-11-05T18:13:00.001-08:00

IMG_7104.JPG, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

I found my name on the list of voters and was happy to see it there.

I voted for Obama & Biden on the Working Families ticket as you can see here, recorded for historical purposes. I had the Tulip in the booth with me and she assisted in the magic moment. We didn't shed any tears as many did, we pulled the big lever at the bottom. There was a moment when it was stuck and the lady had to help us.

Now if I could get my hands on a copy of New York Times.

Happy Poll Workers In Brooklyn

2008-11-05T18:09:00.001-08:00

IMG_7087.JPG, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

This was the first time in my life that I had to wait on line to vote and I've done a lot of voting. Our neighbor had texted me that she'd had a long long wait earlier in the day so I came prepared. I didn't have to wait in the long line outside because my neighbors insisted that I could go in front because I had a child in the stroller. I went inside and ended up waiting in the wrong line inside and then was sent to the proper line.

The workers inside our polling place were friendly and helpful as was everyone there to vote. It was a crowd. The atmosphere inside was on the verge of festive, with everyone trying to get the serious business done.

I took a few pictures inside with my big camera and the poll workers asked me where I was from. I said "down the street, I am just excited". They laughed and said they were excited too and were hoping to get a copy of the pictures. I ran into friend there who were also with their kids and big cameras. I hope they get these pictures because I have no way to get in touch with them.

It was an incredibly exciting moment.

Voting line at Jackie Robinson in Crown Heights Brooklyn

2008-11-05T17:58:00.001-08:00

IMG_7108.JPG, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

This is the line for our district to vote outside of Jackie Robinson School on McKeever in Crown Heights Brooklyn. The line was so long early in the day that it made the news and people reported having to wait in line over two hours. Here is the link to the news story

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/early-lines-reported-at-many-polling-places/scp=1&sq=voters%20lining%20up%20at%20p.s.%20375&st=cse

and here is a ling to a yourtube video for another local voting hot spot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzW-YaSQLbh8

Tulip Family on Parade

2008-11-03T11:57:00.001-08:00

IMG_6996.JPG, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

We finished the NYC Halloween Parade in our Edward Gorey finest.

RIP Jake

2008-10-19T16:53:00.001-07:00

Jake & me on Roof at South 8th in Williamsburng, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

Phat Orange Cat Jake & me on Roof at South 8th in Williamsburg

Jake Man Jack enjoying the Pre-Mermaid Costuming Party at home

2008-10-19T16:24:00.001-07:00

cat & viking gear, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

RIP Jack Man Jack - Best Phat Orange Cat ever. He died in my arms Sunday October 19th, 7:18pm.

Lady Kong break dances at Honk!

2008-10-15T06:38:00.001-07:00

IMG_2553.JPG, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

The third year of HONK! This was a massive good time with 25 bands and over 300 musicians in a quaint little town outside of Boston, MA in Somerville, MA

We came, we played, we loved, fought and when we weren't performing spent a great deal of time in the parking lot.

This is Kong break dancing in the street during a parade with all the Honkers! & local community groups from Somerville to Harvard Square Octoberfest celebration

little mister E

2008-10-07T19:50:00.001-07:00

little mister E, originally uploaded by tarafireball.

This is a photo from a wild kid party. I am going to see if I can post to my blog from my Flickr account and see if it works

Flickr

2008-10-07T19:19:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Kids Rubulad

2008-01-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

Kids Rubulad is a monthly affair for adventuresome parents and their rambunctious spawn. The atmosphere ranges from madhouse mayhem to a calm lull. The lull tends to be during the craft making and mealtime. The rest of the time is pretty much a constant din of children wilding and someone nearly always gets hurt but injuries are quickly forgotten so as not to miss out on the action. There are often balloons, hula-hoops and music combined with rowdy games, dancing and plenty of opportunities for teaching moments. The food is always spectacular and vegetarian.

Jessica Baldwin in the founding mother and keeps the action going. Each month features a different theme with crafts, games and food in thespirit of the theme. Everyone can participates in whatever capacity they choose. We generally tend toward the have a glass of wine, chill out, make a craft while keeping one eye on the kids, keeping the small fry out of harms way.

Some of the past events have included a dradle game, horticultural crafting, pumpkin carving, clay sculpture making and even bow and arrow shooting a turkey piñata. Yes, it was a real bow and arrow. There is sometime a DJ, the ever patient Kamal or the kids DJ.

There is no email list for this event and most of the coordination is done via phone calls and the advertising is old school grass roots postering.

Here's a couple of sets of photos
Kids Rubulad Dec 2007
Kids Rubulad Oct 2007

Santa Con

2008-01-02T18:45:00.000-08:00

Our time at Santa Con was very brief this year as we had the little one in tow, which can be particularly problematic with hordes of Santas careening on subways. We opted for getting dressed up in our Santa finery at a leisurely pace and joining them at the end of the day in the East Village at Tompkins Square Park.

When we arrived and started toward the park, we could see santas scattered around bars and meandering the streets. The massive horde was stationed at the main entrance of the park at the end of Saint Marks. We ran into some of our friends there including Suzie Q, Samantha, Jasun, Mark & Becky Party. I had the opportunity to experiment with the new camera as the sun was setting.
Santa Con 2007 Photo Set

Utopia #7 - Grand Finale

2007-09-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

We performed as a diversion for Critical Mass, stopped for pizza at two boots and then took the subway out to DUMBO where we marched down the street to Rebar and played outside for a bit, then we went inside for two wild rousing set with Draw-a-thon Nation.

Here's a link to a camera phone set
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wmm/sets/72157602206785599/

For more Pics from the Finale Utopia - Go to http://hungrymarchband.snapfish.com/snapfish. The room name is gorilla.

Utopia #6 - Protest

2007-09-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

We protested with the restaurant workers. Again I was having such a great time i forgot to take pictures.

Forks & Knives, Unite!!!!

Come join us as we noisily support the Resaurant Opportunities Center.
The ROC organizes restaurant workers, mostly immigrants, throughout the
city. They are now engaged in a campaign against the Fireman
Hospitality Group who owns most of the large, fancy restaurants
surrounding Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and which owes over $10
million in stolen tips and unpaid wages (along with sexual harassement
and racial discrimination claims) to 250 workers whom the ROC has
organized to file two federal lawsuits.

You can imagine what a boost it will give their protest to have HMB
brassily agitating on their behalf, and it wouldn't hurt if you join
them, too!

The protest will take place at Cafe Fiorello, at 64th and Broadway
(across from Lincoln Center) on Thursday the 27th from 7-8pm.

See you there!

Utopia #5 - Bar Crawl

2007-09-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Started out at Continential and then moved on through the LES, what seemed like it was going to be a quiet march between bars was not so quiet and we annoyed the neighbors and ended up with several summons from the police. oops! Sorry LES. We will make it up to you.

FYI: I wasn't there

Utopia #4 - 23 Skidoo

2007-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

Tuesday - We started this Utopia at the scene of the original 23 skidoo in Madison Square Park where the Park Rangers stopped us after a round about and sent us over to the base of the Flatiron building. We met some interesting people that day including a women who asked us if we were a Jewish Arab band from Brooklyn. Here's a link to some pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarafireball/sets/72157602176670265/

From the Desk of Trombonist Ben Meyers:

Grab your lunch and find a cozy spot near East 25th Street and Madison
in
Madison Square Park for a 1pm impromptu recital by the Hungry March
Band!
If Robert Anton Wilson still roamed the planet, he would explain the
Masonic-geographic significance of the Flatiron building and its
relationship to the Bush junta, and then encourage one and all to
encircle
it with a 9/8 cocek dance in hopes of levitating the thing. RAW, sadly,
no
longer roams the planet, but don't let that stop you from coming out!

Tuesday, September 25
1 PM
Madison Square Park, east side
Be prompt!

one love,
Hungry March Band

Utopia #3 - the Jail

2007-09-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

The band did a set outside of the tombs in Chinatown and then did a parade. The ran around on a soccer field and were very well received. a friend of Okkons shot some video and we are waiting for a copy to publish.

UTOPIA #3: What Happens When the Chinese Language Collides With The HMB outside The Tombs?

Curious?
Meet us tonight at 6:30 pm at Columbus Park, Bayard Street between
Mulberry and Baxter Street, on the park's northeast corner.

We will bring music to an unexpected audience, an unseen audience, an
unprepared audience. The unsuspecting ears will be those that are
waiting to be transferred to jail, corrections officers, and workers in
Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in the area. This curious
intersection of NYC society will converge in a Utopian moment when the
Hungry March Band plays for the soul of the city. Please join us in
seeding the downtown soil.

Utopia #2 - Staten Island

2007-09-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

This was our day on Staten Island starting with a set on the Ferry, then over to Steve Jones bookstore, Everything Goes Community Cafe, and up to the castle on the Hill. All very lovely. I has such a good time I forgot to take pictures!

La - la- la - LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

MEET promptly at 1pm sharp at the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan. RIDE the 1:30 Ferry boat across the harbor w/ the HMB! Listen as we serenade the earth, the sea, the sky. Dance 'til you can dance no more. We arrive on the shores of the Forgotten Borough at approx. 2pm. WALK with us to the Everything Goes Community Cafe, 208 Bay Street.
(That's a left out of the Ferry Terminal, up over the hill, then down toVictory, left onto Victory, one block up to light, left to 208 Bay Street...it's the store with the green awning, behind the park that is being all torn up.
What you'll find is another utopic set from the Hungry March Band at Staten Island's
coolest and bestest place to hang. Our set at the ETG starts around 2:30.
SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!!
oxxo
HMB

For more Pics from the Staten Island Utopia - Go to http://hungrymarchband.snapfish.com/snapfish. The room name is gorilla.

Utopia #1 - Wedding

2007-09-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

Our utopias began with an outdoor wedding on Long Island. We had to sneak around in the woods and jump out at the proper moment to surprise the wedding party, some how we managed to do this.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarafireball/sets/72157602176657197/

Rich having a good time

The Band that Ate the World

2007-08-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

This is a video that I spent a lot of time working on for the band. I had no previous experience with video editing or shooting. I used footage that was shot with Alberts video camera by either myself or Albert with the exceptions of the wedding footage which was shot by our friend Junko. There is also a short amount of footage at the beginning from CB's that this guy Ned shot, he did a great job. We never had any intension of making a video for the band, we had shot footage for our personal use and after waiting for many years for others who had more experience then we who had shot the band and promised a video that never happened. The footage has a historical flavor to it as well with different times periods of our history. Watching the video gave me a new perspective with the visuals of the band and also shooting video. Some things work and some things don't! more on this later

I also want to thank Okkon who helped with the editing. He showed up unexpectedly at my door many times and kept after to me to complete this. Editing video is extremely difficult and I have a the utmost respect for people who do this as a career. Now I know why noone ever came at us with a video, too much work.

Haizetara - Amorebieta

2007-07-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

On our second leg, we left Hamburg in the early afternoon flying the infamous RyanAir which was a more pleasant experience then we had been lead to believe it might be. We had a 3 hour layover in Marsaille which was rather pleasant as our holding area was well appointed and included many French ladies with who apparently has no underwear on according to my observant bandmates. We then landed in Madrid and into the arms of the beloved Joel and Raoul, who held us for brief one night stands before we headed out toward Basqueland. We arrived road weary in Amorebieta - Extana for the Haizetara Festiva where we met our guardian and consort Miete. We stayed at the very much top notch staff at the Harrison Hotel. We were thrilled with the playground right next door.

We were ready to go full force HMB with all the themes, dances, ensembles and throw of our tunes one the table. We played nearly nonstop for three days when we weren't being stuffed with sausages and strange wine.

While in Amorebieta we were able to make a quick stop in Bilbao to visit the Guggenheim. We spent most of our time outdoors and decided against paying the $12.50 admission fee as we had such a limited amount of time having been delayed by band business affairs and taking the long way to get there. We were four and it didn't seem worth it to pay $48 for the half an hour we had before we had to leave so we enjoyed what the ourside of the museum had to offer, which was substainal.

On the way out of town, we stopped in Biarritz, an Espana seaside coastal resort and apparently one of the oldest resort communities known to the world, originated by the Basque. We had stopped to Busque but were soon run out of town by the police having made a rather clutzy bull entrance by stampeding into town illegally parking 2 vans and a car unloading our full ensemble of non resort attired musician types who had caffeine and toilets foremost in their minds.