American Woman at Newtown Festival

American Woman in the Newtown Festival.
Moving on, leaving those memories behind we came across a large crowd surrounding a woman alone on top of a soap box, Bruce Springsteen came out of very bad speakers and she was threatening to tear up the Wellington phone book, dressed in red white and blue stripes. First she reminded us that she was from the u s of a, and this was how she made a living and please please please put a ten or a five in the hat.

Big Wall Big Hit

As part of the International Arts Festival, this wall at the side of the Te Papa Museum was a big hit. Total strangers interacted with each other's shadows, dancing and chasing and in one case, someone reaching down for my camera.

The Beckoning of Hope

Marjorie McKee
The Beckoning of Hope by Michael Burton adapted by Marjorie McKee for solo actor, from Michael Burton's "It's not permitted to Hope"

A play in four movements. A solo performance with live accompaniment on cello by Sebastian Morgan-Lynch, directed by Andrew McKenzie from an original concept by L'hibou Hornung.

Phew, so many names for a solo show. That is theatre. A solo show is never a solo show. Marjorie McKee embodied two characters: Nadezhda Mandelshtam, widow of the Russian poet Osip Mandelshtam and Becky, a "Western" woman; "a stupid Western Woman," as Nadezhad refers to her in a voice over, admonishing her attempts to write anything worth while since she will never be able to come of anything because she and her country has not suffered enough. But she has, for who can know how much any one person suffers, it is not for others to judge. Toward the end Becky writes her poem on the floor in chalk white, a beautiful testament to her belief in herself, she is enough.

McKee played each character throughout the performance, individually and with strong conviction to living a full life and writing; both women struggle with memory, their writing, and the men, both real and some perhaps imagined. One director's choice of Nadeshda moving down stage placing her husband's poetry on the floor as she moved towards us, blessing it with water from a crystal bowl was very engaging. Marjorie McKee can probably play any role, her performance was simply flawless.

Jay Yager's reply to "Cat Jokes"

Jay Yager behind the camera, Belle River, Ontario, 2006.

Jay Yager wrote to me after reading my blog on Cat Jokes. With his permission I'm posting his response because it has the word vulture in it.

From Jay:
I read your piece about cat jokes on your blog. While I agree that such jokes are abusive I do think that there's another big issue involved. I recently read Alan Weisman's book "The World Without Us" which elaborates on my longstanding view that human overpopulation is wrecking the planet. An important part of that condition is the parallel overpopulation of dogs and cats and in the case of the latter the serious reduction in population of birds. I certainly don't advocate cruelty to these household pets but neither do I subscribe to the large scale favoring of some species over others. A couple months ago when Leda and Mark were here a turkey vulture landed in our next door neighbors yard and was eying one of the wild cats that live in the woods around our place. Leda ran out and chased the vulture away, a seemingly humanitarian reaction. My view is that that was a pretty even match and I would let nature take its course. It's likely that the cat would have survived anyway but the point is that our human intervention at all levels in the environment (now including the dramatic change of the very atmosphere of the planet) is causing a huge imbalance in the worlds natural systems. Of course we are part of nature but our success and overabundance, if it continues unchecked, is likely to lead to our own extinction along with that of a large number of other species. This prospect troubles me more than any of the other (and there certainly are many) humanitarian disasters in the world. But enough of the heavy stuff.

Mr. Skid

Cat Jokes?

I like to use this space to be supportive of other people and their work.

However, there are things I read about that I don't get. So I like to use this space to put them out there to see other opinions. Like dead animal jokes. I find them harmful and hurtful. I don't believe in censorship, and I realize I don't always get Kiwi humour (for example the Grammy for best comic album to Flight of the Conchords), but what is so funny about dead animals?

When I read Linley Boniface's essay in Wellington's Dominion Post 11 February, about returning from vacation, I did not laugh at her dead cat joke. She wrote about finding rancid dairy products in the refrigerator and lamented that her cat was still alive: "…(I) … discovered … the vicious and much loathed family cat that had again ignored our instructions to get run over while we were away."

Abandoning cats and dogs while going on vacation is too common in New Zealand. Many homes have cat doors and cats like to roam. A neighbor's cat often comes for a visit in our home and hangs out on the sofa, but the owner would never take off for two weeks abandoning their pet. It's against the law. Boniface may have made arrangements for her cat while she was away, but the intention in the essay is to say otherwise. Why? To be funny?

Why is it funny? What if you substitute another word for cat? Like child. Not funny? Where do you draw the line? While reading this essay I realized how common it is to see and hear dead animal jokes in the media. By laughing at these jokes we are adding to an acceptance of this type of humour which reinforces our already shameful neglect for those who can not speak for themselves. Many years ago I read a book that I will never forget: "The Dreaded Comparison," by Marjorie Spiegel, which shows how slavery was (and is) only possible because of our tolerance to oppress animals. Perhaps Ms. Boniface doesn't realize her own contribution to a long history of cruelty to animals and it's connection to slavery of people of color through mindless jokes.

If she truly has a "...much loathed and vicious cat..." perhaps she should look at her own environment and family. Pets often exhibit the personality of their owners. Maybe her cat needs to be rescued by the SPCA!

Chrysler sells to Men who want to be Pimps

Pics of car dealership on Courtney Street
Ad reads: Confident Woman seeks muscular American with bad-boy attitude and a hint of bling....

At first I thought the message was directed to women. On a second look it's clear: Chrysler is selling to Kiwi men who want to be imitators of American rappers and gangsters? I know it's supposed to be hip to say bling but the name came from rappers and gangsters who wear gold and silver in a gaudy display on their teeth and body while eating at fast food restaurants with menus with pictures of food because they can't read. The real message? Confident woman seeks illiterate pimp who will treat me bad?

Waitangi Park

Waitangi Park.
New mural of Bob Marley, the caption says "Don't Forget Your History. Know Your Destiny." Waitangi Day is the same day as Marley's birthday, and so the connection.

Walking by the park the day after Waitangi Day I saw this new mural. What's up with the spliff? Is this a pro drug promotion? In a public park? Sponsored by the government?

I heard a radiio interview with Kerry Pendergast, Mayor of Wellington, on Waitangi Day. She said she has no memories of pop music growing up because it wasn't allowed in her home; and she was too scared to listen to the Beatles, even at a friends, because it was forbidden. I can't imagine growing up without music, or living without it now. How can anyone escape it?

Not that she missed much. The Beatles were okay. They built their sound by imitating (stealing) the melodies and sounds of Motown (Detroit) until The Sargent Pepper's album, which was original; although they were completely stoned on acid, so it is said, when they recorded it. John Lennon on the other hand created beautiful songs on his own. Imagine is one. Although it was written with Yoko Ono, the record company refused to allow her name on the record. Nice of Yoko to agree to that. Of course she owns the song now! To her credit she has refused every major corporation's offer to pay for the song to sell stuff, until she said yes to Greenpeace.

The trouble with women is other women

Now that Super Tuesday is over, it looks like McCain will be getting the Republican nomination. It's neck to neck for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and the Republicans are hoping for Clinton because Barack would be harder to beat.

Harder to beat the more qualified candidate? Harder to beat the less experienced?

Come November if Clinton is the Democrat candidate, then women will turn out in record numbers to vote against her. As Betty always says, 'the trouble with women is other women.'

Waitangi Day

Native Fern, Stokes Valley, New Zealand

Waitangi Day February 6, 2008. National holiday since 1974 in New Zealand commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February, 1840 between the British Crown and some Maori Chiefs. On what the agreement actually says though is disputable. There are two versions, in two languages: one in English and one in Maori. According to various New Zealand government websites, the treaty gave Britain sovereignty of New Zealand while granting Maoris the same rights as the British citizens. Sounds good but the treaty was ignored by the courts until sometime in the 1970's. This fact explains a lot about social conditions here that remind me of the black and white problems because of racism in The States. The USA didn't sign the Civil Rights Act until 1964.

Do the Right Thing - Super Tuesday

Gandhi. Wellington Train Station, New Zealand

I asked my mother who she voted for in the Florida Primary and she proudly said, Hillary. And Dad I asked? Hillary she said. But we don't tell anyone she added. Mom and Dad, 80 and 85 years of age respectively, live in Florida where they find themselves in a minority. Keeping your mouth shut Mom says saves a lot of arguments. Everyone they know, those they play tennis with, play cards with, chat over the back fence with, and share an occasional meal with are all Republicans. Mom says: "It's a status thing they are proud of. It's prestigious to them. They think they are better than anyone else and only vote in ways that affect their own pocket and don't care about anyone else."

Mom's analysis of Republicans sounds as good as any I've heard by political experts. Thinking about our conversation while being here in Wellington, New Zealand, on Super Tuesday (actually it's Wednesday morning here since we are 18 hours ahead of US time) I am proud of both my parents.

I remember eight years ago when many friends and political analysts said we had to vote for the Democrat who could win and not THROW away our vote. This irritated me and I had many discussions about this issue. (Because my vote was going to Nader). Friends were angry with me. But I believed I had to do the right thing since both the Republicans and Democrats were in the same corporate bed. We had to vote independent. Bush won two elections by bulldozing people down with terrorist rhetoric instilling fear into the hearts of the people. What if all the people including independents and democrats had done the right thing and voted independent? Isn't doing the right thing how we create change? We could have had a political revolution if people had voted for the right 'person' rather than throwing their vote away by voting against Bush.

This is not hindsight saying, "if only we knew...." No. Most people believed they were voting the right way and people like me were throwing the vote away. They are wrong of course. No matter the consequences, we must not believe others, we must not believe what polls say, we must not be persuaded by anyone else. We must always do the right thing. We have a conscious. It is our responsibility as citizens of the US to look at people's records and vote for the right person, who will represent ALL the people, not just 'our own pocket' as Mom says. Voting against someone is throwing the vote away. Not the other way around.

This voting against rather than for has now come to a new level we could never predict four years ago. A woman and a black man! I suspect that racism and sexism will be so strong come November, that no matter who gets the Democratic nomination, the people of the US will vote AGAINST women and blacks both. No one will have to steal the election this time. If we admire people who do the right thing, who make sacrifices for the good of others, can't we do the same? What is the alternative? There is talk of a recession. I remember the Detroit riots of 1967. I was there. So were Mom and Dad.

Money & Writers & Bush

Bush, New Zealand

Writer's Strike.
Looks like a deal is in the making so the academy awards can go forward. What a relief. I really didn't know what I was going to do without the academy awards.

Give me the money! According to the BBC (February 5 2008), "The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation says the strike has cost the region's film and TV industry at least $650 million (£330 million) in lost wages, with the wider economy losing over $1 billion (£508 million)." I know journalists are part of the union, so how is stuff getting written and published in US papers every day? What is the loop hole here? Lawyers must be doing very well.

Pic: Hudson Street, Manhattn "Your Closet's Scarier Than Bush's Agenda."

President Bush's new federal budget is $3.1 trillion. He's asking for the biggest increase for the military since World War II. He's cutting back Medicare and Medicaid (health care for the poor). He's cutting out 151 programs including 47 that involve education.

The federal debt was $3.3 trillion when Bush took office. It's expected to reach $5.4 trillion this year. This is the worst situation for the USA in its entire history. Looks like trouble ahead.

Bush wants to stimulate the economy by offering incentives to spend money. The next time I'm in New York, I'll take the subway instead of walking. That $2.00 one way should help. It was 60 cents when I moved to NY in 1981. In '81 the minimum wage was $3.35/hour. Now it's $5.85; however, New York state has it's own wage at $7. Of course undocumented workers, employed by the wealthy and government servants are paid whatever their employers feel like. The presidential candidates have not said much on immigration. The person I was going to vote for, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, has dropped out. He was the only one who voted against the war. I can only hope that people vote for the right candidate not the one they think can win, which is why the republicans took over 8 years ago in the first place.

Fly Nude

I don't care what people wear but I know I don't want to sit in a seat that was previously occupied by a naked person, squirming in a tight space. According to the BBC, there is a big demand for this new nude air flight in Germany where people will board with their clothes on and then take their clothes off. What is the point? Once seated you can't see anyone (the stewards and stewardess will keep their clothes on for safety; and no tea or coffee as a safety precaution.) And what about those seat belts strapped across your lap and the large metal clasp cutting into naked flesh? As I recall that clasp sits right about the center of my body just below the naval, where, well let's say, it could be dangerous, especially for men?

And what about the life span of a crab in the upholstery? I don't care if they say there will be a cloth on the seat. Nothing stays put in an airline seat.

My TV is dead. I'm so Sad

My TV is dead
I'm so sad
we took it apart
and tried and tried
but it died
but it died

Burning Memories

Lake St. Claire, Belle River, Ontario, Canada, 2006

Comedy Night at San Francisco Bathhouse

January 24, 2008 the Wellington Comedy Club, San Francisco Bathhouse.


THE STAGE











The MC, Benjamin






Steve Wrigley, Billy T Nominee






The Lonesome Buckwhips (Also Billy T Nominees): Gareth Williams, Miriama Ketu, Arthur Meek, Ben Hutchison

The Wellington Comedy Club presented two of the 2008 Billy T Nominees, Steve Wrigley and The Lonesome Buckwhips, hosted by MC Benjamin. Transforming the space with tables and candles for this stand up event was audience friendly. But you have to book a table in advance or sit on the side, which is okay, unless like my friend Kazz Funky Blue, you have no where to put your drink and wedges.

Wedges? That is funny to a North American like me because we call them fried potatoes. Or French fries. That is until the Iraq war in 2003 when France would not support the US, and in retaliation some restaurants changed the name of this carcinogenic food favorite to Freedom Fries. That's funny too. Why? I don't know. Eating grease-soaked potatoes named freedom as a patriotic act is just silly.

Comedy must be the hardest art form. The best comedians just tell the truth. We laugh despite ourselves, sometimes we feel uncomfortable and are relieved some one is saying what we know, what we feel. Like Lenny Bruce in the U.S. He wrote about everything, calling his scripts "bits." In 1964 he went to jail on an obscenity charge. But that was just an excuse, Lenny was a political artist and, after all, he was Jewish; and, he was jailed the same year the US passed the Civil Rights Act. Bruce died two years later at the age of 40 from an apparent accidental drug overdose.
To read more: go to Lumiere: http://lumiere.net.nz/reader/arts.php/item/1489

Another Anti-American Ad

Walking down the street in Central Wellington I noticed this ad and how it's obviously anti-Starbucks. This is because the 500 cafes in this town of population of approximately 450,000 make and serve one cafe at a time. Fair enough, there are enough Starbucks in the world.
The ad below it though once again shows Kiwi ingenuity by using women as sex objects to sell something men want. It never ends, the most sexists advertising I've seen is right here in the country that prides itself on giving women the right to vote first.

John of God - Comment

I received a comment from Linelle, the woman I wrote about in my review of a documentary about John of God in Brasil. Scroll down to 16th January and click "comment". Linelle says she felt 'completely safe and happy' with her John of God experience and still does. Linelle said, "...don't feel sad i'm exploited on national tv, cause i was there, in brasil and it was the most fab experience of my life."

I am grateful to Linelle for her kind words. It was after all her experience. Read the full comment below.

Billy Bragg - A Review in Lumiere

Billy Bragg, San Francisco Bath House, Wellington, January 16, 2008

Billy Bragg can't sing. Or so he said. His actual words from the stage, "I get by."

Political songs, stage presence, two electric guitars, a capo and his motor mouth all came together for a very satisfying good time. Bragg likes to tell stories, many humorous and political. He's called a political performer but his rants are about justice and if that's Radical Left, then so be it. I didn't mind his rants, mainly because I agreed with everything he said. Bragg, from the UK, is an old Clash fan and his punk roots were loud but clear as he segued from his hard core punk songs to more recent songs of love and loss in relationships and in society. His fans know all the words to every single song. My friend "A" and I seemed to be the only ones in the room who didn't sing along.In fact when Bragg lost his place in one song, the audience kept the lyrics going.

This review is also published in Lumiere.net.nz. Click on http://lumiere.net.nz/reader/arts.php/item/1469 to read the full review and see other great stuff on what's happening in the arts in New Zealand.

Mister Skid

Mister Skid is a gentle soul. He came through the cat door and skidded into the kitchen, and so his name.

He's in great shape; comes and goes as he pleases. I'm sure he belongs to someone, but lately he prefers here. Some day he may go home, but for now, he roams this home to my delight. I've had a lot of cats but none as sweet as Mister Skid.

JOHN OF GOD - From the "I don't believe it" file

UPDATE NOTE December, 2015:

This post is a "review" of a documentary on TV I watched while living in Wellington, New Zealand and says so in the opening sentences. This is not from a personal experience. You are welcome to comment; however, I do not publish anonymous comments.

Is John of God a fraud?

I contemplated this question while watching a recent documentary on TV about three New Zealanders who went to Brazil in hopes to be healed. John of god is a Brazilian man, born in 1942, who is not a doctor but does psychic healing for millions of people who have a disease and/or are dying.

I kept an open mind knowing the mind is very powerful. It can heel us. The power of the mind is fascinating and for me no more so than the heroin experiment. Heroin addicts were given a 'fake' drug and still got high and even more amazing went through the usual withdrawal symptoms from the fake heroin. The mind has a mind of its own!

Back to john. He seemed harmless enough; let people believe what they will. He doesn't even charge for his services. What can be the harm? Many claim he cured them. However, there was a moment watching the documentary when I realized the man was indeed a sexual pervert.

The woman in question, a (young and attractive) New Zealander who was skeptical -- but gave her will over to john in the belief that she could be cured -- leaned against a wall with her eyes closed, head back in what seemed like a trance waiting for john to do his surgery. John of God looked her up and down, grabbed both her breasts in his hands, opened her blouse to take a peek at her left breast, exposing her bra, and then shoved -- what looked like a 4 or 5 inches long -- surgical forceps up her nostril and twisted it quite violently -- it caused me to wince.

Later the woman said she wasn't sure how she felt or if the operation worked. (Days later she was hospitalized the moment she got off the plane in New Zealand.) I was sure she would say something about his groping hands, I was embarrassed for her just watching it, but she said nothing about it - nor did anyone else in the documentary. I was perplexed by this. It made me angry and sad to see this woman who completely trusted john -- as well as agree to be filmed for this documentary -- be so savagely violated.

Perhaps the filmmakers believe the film speaks for itself, including this sexual violation, which in some countries is a crime, but obviously not in Brazil. If john, or anyone needs to cop a feel before plugging into the spirit, then it is safe to say, yes, JOHN OF GOD is a fraud and shamelessly a sexually perverted fraud as well.

Cassie Edwards - from the "Laugh Out Loud" file

From my Laugh Out Loud File:

Cassie Edwards, a popular romance novelist who has written over 100 novels, is accused of plagiarism. In her defense of the charge she said she did not know she was supposed to credit her sources. "When you write historical romances you're not asked to do that." She said.
Reported in The New York Times by Felicia R. Lee, January 16, 2008.

Ha ha ha ha.

According to her website a lot of Edwards' books are about romance between white women and Native American Indian Men. Some sample titles: Savage Intrigue, Savage Quest, Savage Skies, Savage Glory, Savage Darkness, Savage Lies, Savage Heart, Savage Flames...I'm unable to continue. I have to go throw up.

Revenge of the Amazons by Jean Betts - A Review

Image by Corey Smith

"Revenge of the Amazons" by Jean Betts and William Shakespeare: a 70's re-working of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Bats Theatre, Wellington, December, 2007.

Originally written by Betts in 1983, "Revenge of the Amazons" premiered that same year at the Circa Theatre in Wellington. This current production was directed by Rachel More and Jacqueline Coats with twenty actors, many award-winning performers. Produced by Greg Wikstrom. Designed by Jennifer Lal. Music by Jamie Burgess.

Seeing "Revenge" makes it all clear why live theatre is vital and healing to our souls. Experiencing a good play where the actors are having as much fun as the audience is a wonderful time well spent. Extremely well written, the theme of love and lust is even funnier when roller skates and a disco ball enter a Shakespearean stage. The wonderful play within the play, by the 'Fallopian Thespians', had me rolling in the aisle in memory (and pain) of consciousness-raising meetings, which I organized in my own home in the U.S. in the 70's.

It is not possible to point to any one actor as rising above the rest since this is a strong collaborative ensemble; however, with that said, because I am a new resident of Wellington and don't toe to any favs (yet), I will say that Tanea Heke as Puck was pure joy. Wearing an Afro wig and a psychedelic body suit, she captured the essence of this mischief-maker each time she roller-skated on the stage. It takes great talent to look like you don't know what you are doing -- and be able to do it so well.

In the program notes, Betts is quoted as saying, she wrote Revenge for fun, mostly to provide the more comic parts for women and a better share of the famous lines. And this she accomplished with humour and an original take on this famous play. I think Shakespeare would have approved every bit. The production has closed now but it's probably one of those plays that you can read with equal enjoyment and experience belly laughs. Available from The Play Press. This organization, founded by Jean Betts, is devoted to publishing, new and innovative NZ work. Check it out: www.playpress.co.nz

Godzone - A Review

GODZONE. 4-15 December, 2007. Production by Ioonesco, formed in 2005 by Will Harris and Sarah Griffiths. Cast: Paul McLaughlin, Peter Rutherford, Will Harris.

Speaking of actors having too much fun. Godzone was a scream. The play delivers all things New Zealand with self-deprecating fun. Some lines you probably had to be a Kiwi to get -- (a few times I was the only person in the theatre not laughing), but for the most part, it didn't matter. All three actors were wonderful. A great Kiwi ensemble.

The night I saw GODZONE, Thursday, 13th of December, there was a perfect improv moment. Mobile phones can kill a moment and I have heard stories of actors stopping a production on Broadway when it happens. But not in GODZONE. During the kiwi sheep scene, a mobile phone began ringing. We all looked to the woman frantically searching her bag for her phone as it continued to ring. Then the sheep moved in, following the sound, as if rehearsed. After turning it off, the woman turned multiple shades of red, while the sheep watched her. We the audience enjoyed every second. Finally, to the relief of the woman, the sheep found her boring and bounced back to the stage. And the show went on. Live theatre is best when the audience can enjoy the unexpected and Godzone delivers.

Cordula Volkening

"I am on the Right of Your Heart"


"Fire in the Belly"


"Who is Afraid of the Dark"

Cordula is a painter who has been working full time for her show which opens this Sunday. Please support her and go to the opening. Here are the details. And read her backstory about her diagonosis of advance brain cancer.

Opening: Dec. 9th (Sunday) 4pm - 8pm
Dec.10th -13th, 2007 - Gallery hours: 11am-6pm

Brooklyn Artist Gym
168 7th Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
Tel: 718 858 9069
http://www.brooklynartistsgym.com/gallery.html

PRESS RELEASE

GALLERY HOSTS SHOW BY PARK SLOPE ARTIST WITH BRAIN CANCER
WHO: Cordula Volkening
WHAT: Art show entitled "YOU: Would you like an invitation to my destination?"

BACKSTORY: In September, Cordula was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma (advanced brain cancer). She quit her job in construction/design and resumed her career as a visual artist. (In the 1980s, her artwork was shown in solo and group exhibitions in NY, Chicago, Washington, Germany and France, and earned a variety of honors, including fellowships, awards and media mentions.) She now paints for hours daily in a borrowed studio, in between undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and what she refers to as "my daily session of: Are You Kidding Me???" Cordula says: "Hey, I got advanced brain cancer - my system kicks me in the butt and screams: Be your authhentic self or you are going to die sooner not later. Any questions?"
BIO: Cordula, 50, comes from "a ridiculous small village in the middle of Germany" and has lived in the U.S., in Brooklyn, since 1985. She holds a degree in fine art from the School of Art and Design in Kiel, Germany, and also attended the Arts Students League in New York. She is the owner of a NYC "design, build and manage company" called Living Art Space. She is collaborating with Kent Jeffrey on two works in progress: "Skye," since 1992, and "Eden," since 1995. (See resume below for details on past art shows and honors.)
ABOUT HER ARTWORK: "My work tells about human mental conditions with the help of a visual language that skips the intellect, therefore asking the viewer to rely on their visceral response," Cordula says. "My work as an artist is to supply language that is unpretentious and allow stories to be told without using tried-out recipes. Once the visuals are created, I become a viewer just like anybody else and surrender to the unique response that each visual solicits."
ON THE WEB: www.myspace.com/cordulavolkening

Backyard in Wellington

A cup of tea and thee

First Photo in New Zealand

Kapiti Island, Pukerua Bay

On my back
warm sand
short train ride
from new home
thinking of Dana
tears fall
love is all

Brooklyn Bridge from Cab Last Photo in NY

Subway Photo

Delancey, Lower East Side.
My stop. Was my stop for 10 years. Just because it's against the law to photograph the subway.

Teany Moby's vegan restaurant

Bathroom at teany, 90 Rivington, Lower East Side. Moby, the musician is also an animal lover and everyone loves this vegan restaurant. Always packed!!

In the bathroom pictures of animals at a Farm Santuary where they can live free. If I were to have a cafe this would be it. My fantasy: running a vegan cafe with my New Zealand partner. He would build it. I would make vegan sandwiches and yummy sugar-free deserts. And we would live happily ever after.

Last pics in New York

Bonny at cafe, Houston & Allen




Free standing ad on Houston, right in front of people's apartment windows.