The Other Duke

This is a sketch that my cousin Ryan did of Duke Ellington and I managed to talk him into selling it for a cool Benjamin and now get to see it every day. The eyes are what sold me on the piece; I absolutely am in love with it.

Big Wheels

I went to Hawkins last night to see my brothers and it broke my heart that only two of them were there. It's been two months since Wayne moved out and his absence is palpable. But, here he is with me and Dave in April of 1978 during simpler times...
  (dig that Gremlin in the background!!)

Friedrike Hoffman

Born in Rommelshausen, Wüerttemberg Germany in 1856, my great great grandmother, whom I lovingly refer to as Granny Freddie (she would not be amused at this, I'm sure), was the woman who began my family in America. She left Germany around the time of the Franco-Prussian War and headed across the Atlantic. Granny Freddie arrived in South Philly and went to work in a bakery on 2nd and Bainbridge. She later married, had four children and lived until October of 1958. My mother was actually able to meet the family matriarch who left her war torn home behind to start a new life across the ocean thus giving birth to prosperity, hope, and a better home for generations. Prost, to you Friedrike!

The Dark Forest Is Beat

"My name is Rickster Rick and you have now entered The Dark Forest. Crazy, Daddio. Crazy."

This was the 17th broadcast from The Dark Forest by my favourite pancake spinner. This particular broadcast included some of the show's most interesting tracks, the best of which was Jack Kerouac discussing the San Francisco scene of The Beat Generation. Other gems were bongo lessons from Jack Costanzo, Blues Montage by Langston Hughes with Leonard Feather, Lenny Bruce's Father Flotsky's Trimuph, Robert Briggs speaking of Dorothy Parker and Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Del Close with John Brent teaching us how to speak hip. The best songs of the evening were definitely Harry Nilsson's Remember (such a beautiful, haunting song), Julian Lennon's Space, Renzo Cesana's Roses and Champagne, and Marlene Dietrich singing Falling In Love Again. Rickster Rick gave us yet another fantastic evening that allowed the listener to drift back into those long gone beatnik days where the espresso was piping hot, the clothes were black, and the cigarettes were always burning.

(listening to this broadcast recently made me head right over to amazon to add del close and robert briggs cds to my shopping cart. the dark forest is beat makes me want more!!)

Vladimir Vysotsky

I love this man's voice. It's so rich and seductive, so powerful. I never tire of it. (Is it just me, or does a young Vladimir Vysotsky remind you of a young Paul Michael Glaser??)

(photo of Vladimir Vysotsky kidnapped from en.academic.ru - photo of Paul Michael Glaser from hutchandstarsky mmm...so handsome...)

Palden Gyatso

I have such an affinity and deep adoration for those who have endured immense suffering at the hands of others and yet are able to survive and come through it with great compassion and love. He is an incredible man to admire and a wonderful hero to have. I send him millions of warm embraces and wish for him all the happiness in the world. ♥♥♥
  (photo kidnapped from freetibet)

Fabulous Photo

Kristin Jackson is one of thee most talented people I know. There is nothing she can't do and her pictures are always original and breathtaking. In my home I have a partial nude of Lisa Elmaleh, the same model as shown below, hanging beside several other photographs by my dear friend. This photo from 2004 is just too erotic and sensual to not share with you all. Love, love, love it.