Category: Uncategorized

I have a new book coming out in January called The Killing Fields of East New York (much more to come about that)! Which means I had to get a new author photo. Always an agonizing ordeal. Gone are the days when I could take a few shots and love every one of them. After hundreds and hundreds of takes, with different cameras and my new iphone, I picked one that made me look much younger and prettier than I look in reality. Here is the one I chose and the runner up.

Winner, taken with my new iphone 14.

The runner up, taken with my Cannon G9. Note the position of my arm, strategically placed to hide my neck.

I held onto my iPhone 6S for years, and would have continued to do so, but nothing is supported anymore, I can’t get the faster internet connection, and so on. So I gave in and bought an iPhone 14. And immediately took pictures of Bleecker, who, for whatever reasons, rarely comes out well in pictures.

For its Bleecker-picture-taking abilities, it’s a success. My two little voids, Bodhi and Bali, are next.

I just got email about choirs geared towards people 55 and older. They are called Encore Chorales (also Encore Rocks) and they are run by an organization called Encore Creativity for Older Adults. I don’t have the time for another choir, but I looked at the program for this fall in my area and it looks so fun!

When my book about singing came out, people kept telling me how hard it was to find a choir where they are, and Encore choirs aren’t everywhere yet, but see if they are. One important fact is they are non-auditioned and I know having to audition puts a lot of people off. I can relate. I got through it the last time, like 40 years ago, and I never want to have to audition again!

A picture of my friend’s choir, the Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble.

Passed this by on a walk along the Hudson. I hate sitting on the beach in the warm weather, it sucks the life right out of me. The only upside to a beach is jumping into the water, which isn’t an option here! There is no reason on earth for me to spend anytime here, except in the fall or winter. It’s very pretty to look at though.

I don’t know why I took this picture, other than I liked the clouds perhaps? But I’m sitting at my desk, looking out my window right now, feeling so peaceful, for no good reason really. (The view is actually completely different when I am sitting down.) I’m happy about my book that is coming out in January, and I have my health, and healthy cats, but other than that, the world is a fucking nightmare, isn’t it? I’m so sorry, rest of the world, for our contribution to that.

Tomorrow, fireworks. Once every billion years or so they’re on the Hudson River, where I live, so I will be watching from my roof, trying to get a good shot! We shall see.