GOODBYE LONDON, HELLO NYC

OUR HOUSE = MADHOUSE = WELCOME TO DA GHETTO

I don't think there's been enough said about our house. It has by far been the most ??? (there's no words in existence for it really) house I've ever seen. I'm never gonna forget the first day I got into that house. It's been boiling hot outside, in the midst of the summer. I opened the fridge and walked into the bathroom and said to myself "holy fuck, I don't think I can do this". But, as it's been proven many times before, human beings get used to everything. There wasn't a day without some rather interesting events taking place over there. It must be the spirit of the house. It used to be a punk venue and Billy Bob was the main man. They'd be into throwing knife at the door competitions and they all found it extremely amusing.
There was Ian, the longest surviving member of the house. I have no idea how he lasted in there, such a nice and calm guy. He moved out in oct. tho. He had a cool cat, Tenant, that really didn't like me, despite the fact that I was the only one feeding her after he was gone. Then, there was/ is Cameron. slushes. drumming. animal prints. tallboys. animal nest leather jacket. yeeehaaaaa. words can't do him justice.
There'd be band rehearsals pretty much most of the week with extended binge drinking and speed pills until early hours. I stayed there a bit too long, the damage is done.

FUCK YOU PAY ME AND JEWS: MR GOLDBERG

Another lesson I learnt in nyc, this one going out to all young designers/ artists. Say this to your stingy "it's good for your future reference/ portfolio" bullshit employers "FUCK YOU PAY ME!"
when I've seen this hat in Supreme shop on Lafayette there was no doubts, it had to be mine.

And about Jews.As you might know, Jews rule NY. They own it inside out. And they're really bizarre. Living in their own bubble.

So one day, we found a jewish scull cap (Yarmulke) onna subway. Don't ask me how, it was just there.It had a special dedication written on it, I think it was from somebody's wedding.

Of course we took it and did some free stylin with it

down in Prospect Park onna nice sunny afternoon. Jews forgive us but we thought it was feckin' hillarious.

Talking about Jews our "crack shack" landlord was an orthodox Jew. And you wouldn't believe it, I mean this is freaking funny, his name was Mr. Goldberg. That's how he'd introduce himself to me "Hi, I'm Mr. Goldberg, your landlord". He was a fat ginger guy. He offered my flatmate a free rent if he got him a woman. I mean he was married and all. Dirty bastard.

but anyhow, on an off day, he'd be sitting with us in our ghetto yard, full of stolen gear and ready-to-be-recycled bags of beer cans. Not to mention graffiti. Our house was one big graffiti. He didn't seem to mind. He even vaguely told us how he makes his money. Buying stuff in European Duty Frees and smuggling cosmetics?! doesn't surprise me. It was good fun and just seeing him cracked me up. Whatta funny character.

Mr. Goldberg in da ghetto

I don't know if you know but many poor people in NY make money off recycling cans. My flatmates "tallboy"(A 24 oz can of beer) habit sponsored the whole house of Puerto Ricans next door, apparently they even planned to pay for their daughter's university with it. Huh, you wouldn't imagine would you? But then, seeing the amount of beer cans in our yard, maybe.

our yard - stolen bikes and beer cans

Here's a funny video of Mr. Goldberg telling how people make a living off recycling to Puerto Ricans girls in our yard

Have a laugh!

CONEY ISLAND

good ol' Coney, here we come! As necessary, I did the homework and watched The Warriors (you need to see it,the cool gangs of nyc and there's the ending scene in Coney Island) -

http://reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com/2010/09/cult-movie-review-warriors-1979.html

The Warriors, ending scene in Coney Island

and took the train down to one of the weirdest places in Brooklyn.

Nathan's sausages is the first thing I've seen. Retro. I think Matt had a hot dog. lots of fat middle Americanos. someone made a mess with the ketchup. very selective memory I got yessir.

So we begin the journey through the trashy but to me, very attractive environment. I never liked plastic, Manhattan is plastic, Brooklyn is organic. Crumbling buildings, graffiti, weird shit everywhere, that's my kind of fun.

We get into a freak show for a fiver. Juggle things proper especially when you do it with a sharp knife. Miss Twisto. The snake woman. the guy that saved himself. what else. ahhhh it was just so much fun, really. Shame Shoot the freak is gone.

Coney Island dancers took over the promenade next to the sea and seeing things like that are reasons why I'm truly madly deeply in love with this amazing city.

And when you think you've seen it all there's a headless woman and a giant rat. And a flea market with parrots.

Needless to say, this place is a mecca for any visual artist, there's hand painted signs galore, a lot of them done by amazing Steve Powers aka ESPO. Very very special place indeed.

HUSTLING/ ROCK THE BELLS

if there's anything i've learnt in new york, it must be hustling. My favourite activity so far and it bloody feels sooooooo good. So anyways, Matt and me went to Rock the Bells on the 2nd Sept. the most amazing annual festival for hip hop music in the world!!!(i dare to say that) The line up this year was a blast: Common, BlackStar, Cypress Hill, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Wu Tang, Nas and more.

So anyway, whilst in the massive queue for the ferry (the festival was taking place in Governers Island, about 5mins ferry ride) we chat to some nerdy boys and it turns out they have a spare ticket for 50 bucks.Half price that is, nice one! When we finally got to the festival we caught the last half hour of BlackStar. aiiiiii it was just too good! Apparently there's a new album coming out in 2012!!! bet it's gonna be sick!!!!!!!

After BlackStar finished we went for a walk around the festival and funny enough, we find a ticket just lying there on grassy ground. someone got in and just chucked it away as you don't really need it once in.

I was like, let s go and sell it. Matt wasn't so optimistic but I was really up for it. and you know how it is, when put your mind to something...and we did it, sold it for 50 bucks!!!! I love you NYC,another day in paradise.

BlackStar

hustlin hustlin

Erykah Badu

IRENE IRENE DON'T BE MEAN - I'VE BEEN THROUGH A HURRICANE!!!!!!

well, as you've noticed I've been pretty shit updating this but ya all know big city living. Anyways, what else happened. I think I should rather ask what hasn't happened. Irene! the hurricane!

first I was like yeah whatevs but then, the closer to the date I was getting a bit worried. The media was hyping it up bit time but I guess they had to, things could have turned either way. Nature is an unpredictable force. On the day/ night Irene was supposed to hit NYC I kept on checking the weather...

so... it was Aug the 27th. an interesting morning. I went out to buy food, painkillers, water and it funny enough, there was a really cool vibe out on the streets. I wouldn't say people were particulary worried about Irene, more curious what's there to come. It was also one of those vibes that always does humanity good - that feeling of, we're in this together. We don't know what's awaiting for us but we better be cool with each other as we might not be here tomorrow to do so. It kinda puts life into perspective which is sweeeeeet!

One thing thought, everyone was shopping like crazy, the queue in the supermarket was massive but as mentioned before, there were good vibes in the air. So, our house being our house, built in the courtyard of another house, American way, the way it looks like it's made of paper. We all decided to stay home all night, ofcourse, and I was praying Cam wouldn't get completely mashed up and bang his drums all night. there'd be no escape this time. so around midnight came first rain and after an hour or so there was a big puddle outside our door. That wasn't a good sign. We all went to sleep thinking we'll wake up roofless and with broken windows.

I slept so well that night and woke up around 9am. I didn't hear a thing. I looked through the window, no rain. the house seemed intact. no even heavy wind anymore? Matt and me went for a stroll around the hood and saw one ripped off shop sign and one fallen tree. the local coffeeshop was full of hipsters on their laptops and that was a sign, it is all back to normal.