Stacy Horn

Whenever a book I’m reading mentions nostalgia it’s to point out that nostalgia is bad. I just finished Recursion by Blake Couch, which was absolutely wonderful, but he’s in the nostalgia-is-bad-camp. I guess if you completely surrender to it, that’s bad, but a little nostalgia indulgence is okay … right?

I recently posted a picture of a speaker in the sub-basement of the ASPCA that took me back, and below is a shot of more old-time speakers that I pass by on my way to work. It’s a display window in the store at the Times Square Subway Station.

About twenty feet from this window is a Hare Krishna guy who sings that damn song, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare …” every damn morning. I keep worrying that it will become a brain worm, but then it occurred to me: this guy has sung this mantra so many times he must have carved it into his brain by now. He probably hears it in his head day and night, every single second, ceaselessly, unendingly. Poor guy. But maybe it brings him peace.

There are three. Bodhi on the left, Bleecker on my lap, and Bali to the right. My apartment looks kinda messy, but it’s actually very clean, and mostly straightened up.

I’d arranged for the Department of Sanitation to pick this up from the curb tomorrow, but apparently I am not ready to let it go. It’s a shelving unit that belonged to my mother. I’ve had it for almost twenty years but I’ve kept it folded up and have never used it.

I’m not keeping it for sentimental reasons. I’m the opposite of a hoarder, I love paring down my possessions. Why can’t I let this go?? It’s pretty. Maybe if I had someone to give it to?

The NYPD’s Bomb Squad is two blocks from where I live, in the 6th Precinct. So it’s not unusual to see them around. But when I took a picture of their truck parked on Hudson Street I didn’t notice the pretty window reflection on the above right. That’s, like, a two story high window. Must look spectacular from the inside.

A new podcast dedicated the history of Hart Island is launching September 15! Hart Island is the site of New York City’s potter’s field, and according to the hosts, Mike Keene and Norma Jean Gradskay, it’s the largest mass graveyard in the country.

The podcast is called Talking Hart Island and you can see a list of upcoming guests here. His first guest is no less than Russell Shorto, author of magnificent history, The Island at the Center of the World. I was practically hyperventilating by the time I read through the entire roster. It’s just one impressive name after another (I’m in there, too, I am not worthy) and the topics include Hart Island-adjacent subjects, all utterly fascinating and I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s research.

Trust me, if you love history, read through the list. You’re going to just die.