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Times Square, 1963

 

Bunny Salad Sandwich

The end of a long week and the brain metaphorically is a TV remote with the cat sprawled across the channel buttons, cleaning itself.

Which is to say that snippets of mirth are in the occasional orbit of my consciousness but I can't quite hold onto them long enough, thematically, to weave them into a single post of the foolishness of the day.

So here's an Abbey Road side two of bunny; semi-coagulated glances at the passing hours.

The Royal Wedding: Nobody in the lunch crowd admits to having watched it, yet everybody had a commentary upon it. I didn't watch it. Sleep these days is in short supply and frankly more interesting than the day to day. Besides, I generally regard weddings as tragic things. Another two souls admitting that perhaps chaos theory is a poor lifestyle choice for them.

Apparently Elton John, Sir Elton John, was in attendance. Now there's a relaxation of protocol because it was my understanding that Westminster only admitted one queen at a time. Knights, those knighted by her majesty, carrying the titular; "Sir", used to be so recognized for deeds of courage and daring. The idea was the monarch had about them, proven warriors and defenders of the crown in case things ever got stinky again.

Were Elizabeth to be threatened today, well, between Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton, the brazen attacker would clearly be subdued by being dressed in clashing colors and sued for copyright infringement.

In other words, modern England is easy pickings. Oh, do watch out for the SAS. They still do it the old fashioned way.

Back home, Ben Bernanke's press conference managed to excite the markets with his creative use of puppets to illustrate complicated economic precepts.

Ok, what is it that gets drivers of Honda Elements inspired to pull out in front of me during rush hour? What Element are they referring to? Slowium???

Thumper's kid seems to regard me as a mis-shapen Care Bear who will benevolently put up with being poked, hugged, petted and covered in spring flower petals without the slightest thought of attack or retribution. Just wait until the college graduation party when the "mining for nose boogers" slide show comes out.

The first night I spent in New York City was in a hotel on Eighth Avenue, up in the fifties. I got in to town at four in the afternoon, walked about twenty blocks north from Penn Station, checked in and hung around the room until dinner. I ate in the hotel restaurant and forgot to tip the waitress. Then went back to my room to do what I had been doing all afternoon: Staring out the window, freaked out at being there.

In 1963 the old man had to drive to New York City to pick my mother and me up from taking a boat home from Europe. It was his first time in New York. He was braver than I was, he left the hotel and, camera in hand, nervously shot a few snaps of Times Square at night. Next day he hung around the dock all day and into the evening (the ship's arrival was delayed because of heavy weather.) I'm finding this all out now because I'm editing the slide collection. All I can hope is that all those years ago he didn't fuck up and not tip.

Bunny on.

Dear Mistah Disney...

Boy did I like Toy Story III, but I'm worried that with Andy off in college, we'll never know what other adventures Woody and the guys get in to.

Sure, the little girl probably has an imagination but at some point you've got to confess to yourself that she's still just a little girl and the best that's going to happen is Toy Story IV: The Pretend Tea Party.

Woo hah.

So here are some ideas for sequels. Feel free to pick and choose, but remember I get a percentage of the gross, not the net.

Toy Story V: When two of three identical GI Joes get taken down by Cobra Commander, Woody gets picked to drop behind enemy lines to find the last Joe and bring him to safety. The last scene has Joe, now worn down, loose jointed and life-like hair pulled out, standing over Woody's grave asking if he was worth saving.

Toy Story VI: Rex has dinner with an old friend from the theater. The two discuss art, his friend's world travel, the interesting and unusual people he's met but Rex openly wonders if his friend has lost touch with the simpler things. Rex notes that its comforting waking up in the toy box, a cold cup of coffee on the table right there where he left it the night before. Rex treats himself to a cab ride home.

Toy Story VII: Andy's mom sends Woody to Andy's new home by Federal Express. When the plane crashes, Woody is the only survivor and lives on a desert island for two years. Woody eventually gives up the idea of making a raft and floats home because he's made of plastic. But Andy has long given up on him so Woody has to begin life anew.

Toy Story VIII: When Lotso, Mr. Potato Head, Rex and Woody go rafting before a new dam destroys the river forever, bad things happen with the locals.

I'll be waiting for your call.

Bunny on.

Been There, Done That

Sometimes, history offers you the perspective of having been in the exact same place at two very distinctive times. This is one of them. Top shot was stealing the old man's Leitz for a shot while he was arguing with his nephew. Bottom shot was thirty eight years later while Thumper held the camera bag. There's a lot you could say about the juxtaposition and indeed, the pontificatory bullshit has been running through my mind all afternoon. Fortunately, I know what I think and its nothing new to me so I'll spare me from it. The more interesting realities I come up against daily are the reactions and opinions of those around me. Safe to say I'm getting to the point of my brief existance that I start to understand the wonder of having seen all I've seen. I'm older, to be sure, but not so old as to be planing pine for a soon to be constructed box. And not so old as to crab out moronic "when I was your age's" to the mildly bored youth who get close enough to be inflicted with stories. But by golly, a lot has changed and a lot of time has passed and how lucky am I to have seen it and recorded it and memorized it? Take a look around you. I'll bet you can say the same. Bunny on.