Month: February 2024

“Black Coffee”
February 25, 2024

Eddie Fig and I rode about 20 miles yesterday. A rain the previous day had washed away about 90 percent of the sins of Sanitation (gratuitous a-salting of the roads by DSNY). It was a nice ride but nippy so we stopped at the Harley dealership for free coffee (and danish for the Fig Man). Hey, coffee is coffee and I like mine strong and black…and free! I did end up buying a “Harley-Davidson Staten Island” hoodie. As my friend Joe Vitale said just this week, “Tom will ride anything.” It’s true. I rode a Sporty in my youth. So, although by preference I bike British, I’m a devout Ecumenical. Whatever you ride, ride safe! One Love.

Humble Pie – Black Coffee:
youtu.be/Ix1Ig5_uzsk?si=pPwf0ikh46EW26Cr

“It Was Hell”
February, 24, 2024
for Dominick “Trip” Tripodi

Talking to Trip last night we ventured down memory lane…abusive, brutal father figures spawning troubled youths, etc. Trip has a theory that goes like this: the reason kids today seem so lost, so directionless, is because they were not beaten when they were young and so never learned to hit back, and thus became hipsters. God have mercy on their Souls. Trip and I both get that in order to gain a full appreciation of life you have to embrace Alienation.

“It is obvious.” — Syd Barrett.

Cartoon by Bernard Kliban.

Slayer to me is the one band that not only understands Alienation but embraces it in tender ballads like Disciple (aka God Hates Us All):
youtu.be/uN8HgHoCuzI?si=ncSiHbG7xc3sfqoN

“On A Journey Wide”
February 23, 2024

And all
Seemed like some brothers on a journey wide
Gone forth, whom now strange meeting did befall
In a strange land, round one whom they might call…
— Percy Bysshe Shelley

Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me:
youtu.be/yOzEeJZ92X8

“Winter Ride” (Video): youtu.be/1nmRBfZEWCY

“On A Journey Wide”
February 23, 2024

And all
Seemed like some brothers on a journey wide
Gone forth, whom now strange meeting did befall
In a strange land, round one whom they might call…
— Percy Bysshe Shelley

Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me:
https://youtu.be/yOzEeJZ92X8

“Winter Ride” (Video): https://youtu.be/1nmRBfZEWCY

“Winter Ride”
February 22, 2024

My mate Charlie had his Enfield Classic 350 in the shop for routine servicing. We drove to the dealership in his car yesterday and then i rode his bike back from New Jersey to Staten Island. Not a bad ride for mid-February…I was secretly grateful for the usual Staten Island traffic at ride’s end as I needed to get some feeling back in my knees and toes.

“A Little Love”
February 22, 2024

Hey Winter…
(“Gnomad” – a gift from my wife and daughter).

Circle Jerks – Just Like Me / Put A Little Love In Your Heart:
youtu.be/8wBuwSDGgT8?si=JiiwGBeabnMvZz6v

“Adverts”
February 21, 2024

Make up makes up for your nature
You’re for seeing and not for hearing
Their commands are in your interest
— Jon King

Cartoon by Kliban.

Gang of Four – Hole In The Wallet:
youtu.be/fIUMvoiqab4?si=lir7oOxy-i9-ofB_

“Waiting for the Sun”
February 20, 2024

This is the strangest
Life I’ve ever
Known
— Jim Morrison

The Doors:
youtu.be/1tNgPliXtkc?si=njZ0oOQtW5nXZEUE

“Happy Monday”
February 19, 2024

“Wasted & Useful Lives”, figures 1 and 2, by Bernard Kliban

“Houdini Escapes From New Jersey”
February 18, 2024

Another classic cartoon from Kliban.

In “Miss Congeniality” Sandra Bullock’s character is asked why New Jersey is called ‘The Garden State.’

She responds: “Because ‘Oil and Petrochemical Refinery State’ wouldn’t fit on a license plate.”