eat fish

This is a photograph of a photograph that is taking the world of sushi by storm. First Haru wanted abstract photographs for their Prudential Center location in Boston, then for their new store in Wall Street. The murals are gigantic and printed on some kind of plastic. The architects liked their serene quality. No one, particularly the photographer, aka Mr. Coffee, is telling how these images were captured.

underground musician

A New York midnight. And that was before karaoke.

is this genius or what?

For certain people, a canvas does not offer enough scope for creativity. Certain people need something with a little —fur. A sparkle here, a hint of innocence there, and a masterpiece of the art of taxidermy becomes something oh so subtly— twisted. A comment on virginal nuptials and the beast that lurks within, perhaps, or the taxonomy of a taxi dancer.
That, my friends is Weasel World, an emporium coming soon to a neighborhood not very near yours.

what is this?

I found it in my refrigerator.
Who left it there?
What is it for?
What language is it in?

It reminds me of the forward Sis sent me today:
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be
in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

The same is kind of true of this tube of—whatever. You can almost read it.
Wott do you thik it is?

and then the winds came

Claudia's Surf City will be closed for the season, as soon as the Gas Guy gets over there to remove the hot water heater for its long winter's nap. BI Bro shut off the electricity and the septic system and the stove.
At the moment, Hannah's is still open, pending the arrival of the Mason, whose arrival has been pending for about a year now. He says he really is gonna be there next week. But there may be no water for him if temperatures are scheduled to plummet (see Island Weather link).
Desperado told me that her father now says little. "Herpes zoster!" he will shout at the top of his lungs. And then later, "Chivas Regal!" And nothing else. He used to be a doctor.
When my brain gets fried, I will be shouting out, "Beck's!" or"The Mason!"

just chill

This is my musician brother's latest project. That would be him on piano.
At www.visionsound.com

still post prandial

Big Surprise of the Event: Firewalker's placecard wasn't needed
Best Pie Award: Little Miss Xanex, for the lattice apple
Mr. Congeniality: Terrabyte
One-man Diversity Boost: Eli's coming
Carving Awards: The two F's
MIA: Miriam, Dylan, Marley, Michele, Damien, Axele, Clement, la Otra Rubia
Special Toast: To Josh, with NA beer
Table Settings: Courtesy of Dangerman's mom, the Ikea wedding
Special Mention: Most smokers in one room in NYC
Final Count: 16

hi michele!

the mystery guest

This morning I dreamt that a woman with a bag over her head was cleaning the bathroom. I got up, staggered out into the apartment and sure enough, there was a team of cleaners mopping and vacuuming—none of whom I knew. And I didn't want them there the morning of Thanksgiving, either. Then I looked around and noticed a lot of people I didn't know, crashing on mattresses in my bedroom, asking me what time dinner was. Some of them were wearing masks. I told them all that if they wouldn't introduce themselves, they weren't staying at my place and there would be NO THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR THEM.
So beware, all you party crashers out there: I'm tougher than a turkey wing.

bubblicious

"A financial analyst I've always admired says that amateur traders always think about what they can win, while professionals think about what they can lose," said the Subway Singer, visiting from Alabama, where she just bought a house with her earnings from busking in the subways of New York and then investing in, among others, Apple stocks. "Me, when I'm in love, I'm an amateur. I don't look at the downside, I only look at the upside. But, really, that first romantic period, that's like a bubble."
Love from the point of view of a trader. If I knew more about the world of finance, I daresay I could spin the metaphor out indefinitely. Feel free to have a go, take a chance, risk all on the hope that this time there will be no market correction. . .

azu nuz

Wow. That color doesn't look right. Sorry.
Azu is spinning off in two directions.
Wow. That doesn't sound right, either. Have the blogging skills gone begging?
Anyway, Azu, personified by its owner. No, not owner. It's a Limited Liability Corporation. Azu's CEO, COO and One and Only Hannah Garrison is soon to announce the December opening of a bricks-and-mortar storefront in Pawtuxet Village, a quaint and charming seaside destination in the town of—but we weren't going to mention that. Let's just say on the outskirts of Providence. The store will be known as Azu. Catchy, huh?
Virtually simultaneously, in the virtual world of www.wearyourmusic.org, Azu, in concert with Relix, the music magazine, will debut a new line of guitar string bracelets.
The two projects couldn't be more different: The physical store, which will be opened just in time for Christmas (hint hint), is aimed at the well-heeled matron who drives a BMW, while the virtual store, which will be opened just in time for Christmas (hint hint), is aimed at the well-heeled teenager who drives a BMW.
There's parking, however, at the physical location, in that town I'm not going to ever mention.
Ever.

ceremony—eating, american

Yes, my friends, once again it's time to play: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!
There are a few clues in the following lineups. See if you can use them, along with intuition, to determine who and how many are coming this year, 2007. Flashing back to previous years' Tnxbloggings is permitted. Yes, diversity has taken a bit of a hit this year on the Upper White Side. Nevertheless, as Mr. Li would say:
Happy American Eating Ceremony!

2007
Neighbors: 4
LBGT: 2
Latinos: 3
Jews: 4 and two happas
WASPs: 6
Lapsed Catholics: 4
Godless: 13 and counting
People Who Voted for Bush: 1 (known)
People With Personal Websites: 5
Married Couples: 3
Headhunters: 1
Senior Citizens: 3
Under 30s: 6
Ten and under: 2
Sets of twins: 0
Vegetarians: 1
Females: 9

2006
Female: 11
Male: 6
Males under three: 2
Sets of twins: 1
LBGT: (that I know of) 2
Psychiatrists: 1
Under 25: 6
Big media employees: 2
Female car mechanics: 1
Chinese-Americans: 1
Latinas; 1
Gasner/Dowling clan members: 7
Aliens: 1
Parents: 6
Blonds: 6
Strangers: 1
Native Americans: 0 (though a possibility for next year)

Place settings for ??? What's your best guest guess?

sneakin round my back stairs

You can't fool me. I know you've been checking in just hoping that maybe—
So OK. Here is Hannah's as I left it last week, gilded by autumn, jilted by the mason who has yet to finish the second fireplace and chimney and not yet quilted by winter snow. If there is any this year, thanks to G. W. [Global Warming] Bush.


And, oh, yeah, the party!