Port Richmond Books

On Saturday, while out with Kayla, we stopped in an independent book shop in my old neighbourhood. It was gi-wombous, like a warehouse, with piles and piles of books everywhere. They are a cash-only establishment, so I'll save up some cash-ola and the next time I stop in, I'll snag those James Joyce and Oscar Wilde books I spotted. It was hot as blazes, so we didn't stay, but I'm looking forward to going back in the Fall and getting a better look at the place. Expect more in a future postie.

 

 

 

(Oh my gosh, my goodness, I want this ↓ chair so baaaaaaaddddd!!)

 

 

 

 

The Cabbie from MTV!

Oh my gosh, does anyone remember when Donal Logue was the MTV cab driver?! I'm so glad I cut this out and saved it, otherwise I might have completely forgotten forever.

History for Sale

Here are some less than stellar photos of Stephen Keene at Moore College of Art and Design in the Fall of 1995ish. While waiting for Rachel to get done class and being double parked outside of her school, I watched the guest artist from my car as he painted dozens of pictures all at once. The wood slats were all lined up and he went down the line painting the same smudge or swerve or swish on each piece. I know a lot of people think of this as conveyor belt art, and that it's not real, that it lacks true emotion, but I don't think so. I think it's refreshing that there exists an artist with one idea that he can translate onto many pieces and make it possible for the unwashed masses, such as myself, to own an original Steve Keene painting. Do you know how many Julian Schnabel paintings I own? Yeah, a big fat zero, because I will never, ever make enough money to possess anything he created.

At the time when I took these photos I was obsessed with art and wishing so desperately that I could be an artist, a painter like Jean-Michel Basquiat or Francesco Clemente or Enzo Cucchi. Twenty years later and I'm not an artist, but I do have six Steve Keene paintings hanging in my home to inspire me to be more creative in every aspect of my life. And I don't care that thirty other people have the same thing in their home, because when I look at his Wuthering Heights painting from 2009, I feel like I am the sole possessor of this one-of-a-kind painting. And it only cost me a dollar fifty. That wouldn't even get me some of Schnabel's toenail clippings. Or would it...hmm...anyone know his manicurist? Too far? Oh well...anything for a laugh...

Lewis G. Brown

I picked this up at Baldwin's Book Barn in their Instant Relatives bin by the register. What I like best about this fabulous photo is that the photographer's shadow is clearly visible. That and that it's nearly one hundred years old and all mine!

 

Pennsylvania Railroad - Lamokin, PA - 1917

Hugh!

Hugh Jackman is pretty much as close to perfect as a fella can get. Have you seen pictures of him and his lovely wife? The ideal couple. Actually, I'm such a huge nerd that I started following Hugh on Instagram. His smile seriously makes me so stinkin' happy, it's not to be believed. Also, I feel compelled to note that I only follow about 22 people, most of whom are my nieces and nephews, plus Hugh and Liv Tyler. Random, I know. Oh! And I follow a couple companies that manufacture beard oil and moustache pomade. Why?, you ask. Um, because they post photos of sassy, dapper, bearded gents. Hello! Baby needs some eye candy to brighten her days...

Frank Langella

Based on the number of photos in Aunt Berne's scrapbook, it's safe to say that she fancied Mr. Langella during the Dracula years. He sure is purty...

Watch Out, Corey Haim is armed...

...and extremely dangerous.

(Is he wearing Mary Janes with white socks?? Love it.)