Yuka

So yesterday despite all efforts to become cultured I ended up lying in the park by the lake listening to Henri Salvador on me headphones. Ah well there are worse things you could be doing I guess. Especially when it’s so bleedin’ humid. I mean really, yesterday you could drink the air it was that wet. There were puddles everywhere cool as the moisture condensed into liquid again (that’s chemistry that is), and I felt like I had an inch thick layer of crap all over me. Had a shower and dried myself only to end up more wet than when I started.

Still mustn’t grumble, could be working instead.

Bought my new soundcard yesterday which is eminently boring for all but a select few of you and have played with it this morning and, oh yes, it rules. Music recording madness can now commence and if I wanted I could take me guitar and laptop to the park and record there. But I won’t because I may present a bit of a target for muggers…

Ended the day in a pub. Well outside a pub, and now that we understand that it is a capital offence to buy a drink inside then take it to a table outside, we are accepted as locals. Somewhat strangely the pub is named the Red Lion which reminds me of the name of another pub where I have spent far too much time… now what was it? It’ll come back to me at some point.

Home to a spot of dinner, a G+T and the entertainment of Geoff trying to catch a big flying beetle that was much more lively on its feet than he…

Tell me if pictures of Central Park start getting boring won’t you?

You know what I did yesterday? Nuffink. Well I helped Geoff with his new website about living in New York with me. It’s actually about more than that but that’s the important stuff right? (check it out from link on the left, propur ritin n evryfink). I tried to buy a soundcard for my laptop but companies won’t deliver stuff to you if you’re ordering on a British credit card. Doh. I played my guitar a bit. Watched a bit of a french TV show about ballet. Ate a salad with lots of rice and sweetcorn in it. Phoned my mum. Phoned another friend. Drank a lot of tea. You get the idea.

It was raining yesterday and a building collapsed under the weight of rain in SoHo (SOuth of HOuston (pronounced HOWSTEN not like “Houston we have a problem” although they do)) so going out wasn’t really on the agenda. Kind of good actually as if I carry on spending money like I have been then it’s time to get a job next week. Modigliani at the Jewish Museum today and going into a shop to buy the soundcard so music stuff can start happening. Oh and just found a way that I can phone in audio posts on this so I might give that a go later. Get your speakers on…

Here’s another pic from the park… Tip for you. When taking photo’s always face directly into the sun. They look far more 60’s that way.

So yesterday went up to Broadway and shopped a bit, got meself a new pair of black jeans for my predictable dress sense. Then back to a nice air conditioned diner for dinner of big veggie burger and chips… mmmmm Elvis! Did i mention it’s hot and sticky here? well it is, both hot and sticky. And there’s a mosquito lives in my apartment who likes the taste of English men… Fee Fi Fo Fum and all that. He’s a big bugger.

After that, back to the apartment which feels strangely like home now. Probably because I haven’t actually got a home anymore. Pre going out G+T’s and then off down to a place called the Knitting Factory to see Electrelane. They weren’t great since all they seem to do is play the end of old Stereolab songs. Their guitarist rules though. Support was a lady called Scout Niblett. Whacky name, whacky girl. She was ace. Then the singer from Cibo Matto played with her new group who made lovely pop music. She was very funny too.

Then back to the apartment for more Gin… ooops, ouch, snooze… night night…

So we wandered past Dave’s house but he was in bed poorly and couldn’t even be enticed out to play by the offer of free lollipops so off to Coney Island we went. Wandered around the Russian exile part of Brighton Beach (no relation), ate big food which was like donuts the size of a mans head stuffed with cheese and chives, went up on the boardwalk (but not under) then off to Coney island proper for a look-see. Had a go on a shooting game. I’m ace at shooting. Went to the beach for a paddle in the Atlantic and waved in the direction of old Blighty, then off to a real live freak show where people pushed ice picks up their noses, did crazy contortionist stuff and lay in beds of nails. Cool!

It’s Labour Day today here which means NY is probably heaving out there and that no-ones allowed to wear white clothing from now on. Today I’m off to Coney Island (baby) featuring a quick wander past David Bowies apartment in Soho. Chances are I’ll be there for cocktails and lollipops most of the afternoon but Coney Island will still be there tomorrow.

Yesterday all the work caught up with me and I had to lie down a lot.

So New York then! Done it.

After 3 months of house crap, it’s really odd to get some sleep and not have to think about the next thing that needs doing. Don’t think I ever worked that hard in all the time I had a proper job. The upside of it was that jet lag is soooo not an issue. I’ve not slept more than 4 hours a night for weeks so even a day like yesterday being awake for 24 hours but only having to sit on a plane then go out for a few drinks felt like utter relaxation in comparison to constant decoration and then a nice 10 hour stretch of sleep followed.

Today is “going to sit in the park with a book day” bought to you by the letters R, E, L, A and X.

Webcam is live when we’re in… If you see us in our pants please look away…

And now the house is done,

the flat packs made,

the factor max that proved the fact is melted down

and soon I’ll be lying on my pillow.

With apologies to DB

Keys are with letting agents. I’m shattered, blistered, bearded and in a strange in between place. Does that count as philosophy? Sorry Cliff.

But I just found a can of lager at the back of my fridge and damn it tastes good.

Next post from NYC… See ya.

This is a pic of a nice man called Will I know who said I should have more pictures on this. Now there are more pictures. It was a little dark this evening…

You know the bit in that film Jack And Sarah when Richard “E sold his soul to Argos” Grant tries to make the baby Sarah stop crying by dancing with her to Stars by Simply Red? That always makes my eyes fill up with tears and I still don’t know whether it’s just cos I really don’t like Simply Red or whether it’s the emotion of the moment. Given that I can cry at Eastenders it’s probably not my phobia of white cod soul that’s causing the problem.

Bizarrely the house is nearly finished, which is good I guess because I have one more night in it before I run away to the land to the Buffalo. Never ever thought I’d manage it this time last week or even 2 days ago but, damn me if cutting sleep out of my life totally didn’t do the trick? I will now proceed to sleep my way around the US for 3 months which if it wasn’t quite literally true would be quite saucy.

I think it’s the fact that I seem to have grown a beard that tipped the balance on the DIY front. If you look a bit more tough DIY falls at your feet in admiration.

On I go putting up 3 curtain poles and a lock on me loft hatch make a bed out of bits and 2 wardrobes and then it’s just having a good old clean up (me and the house) and my work here is done. Normally I wouldn’t mind but if my plane crashes now after all this work I will be so pissed off.

See ya in the pub