Only the Lonely

Lucky Tiger #1 (2009), from the NYTimes

Saw Laurel Nakadate: Only the Lonely at PS1 featuring her work from the last decade, including photos and videos of her in strange men's homes, acting out exorcisms or re-enacting Britney Spears' music videos. Some of it was hilarious. But then almost instantly I felt really bad for laughing or just simply felt sad. Some of her work does seem a little mean-spirited, as if she's poking fun of the lonely, ackward middle aged men. She claims, however, that much of her motivation was to get out there and meet strangers, interact with people she wouldn't normally talk to, and see what would happen when she turned on the camera. I thought it was an enjoyable way to spend an hour away from the heat! Laurel Nakadate crying, dancing, playing dead, and posing raunchily with the song "Angel of the Morning" from one of her videos resonating throughout the gallery in the background. See for yourself, only a few days left before the show closes this Monday, August 8th.

Only the Lonely, Installation from P.S.1 

Exorcism in January (2009), from the NYTimes

Went to the Moma today. Sometimes I find people watching more interesting.


My cousin from California is visiting. She is camera-shy.


Picked up some goodies from Eileen's Cheesecake.

Thanks, Allan & Dan! It's a funny gift, but I really need the encouragement. Especially from people who work in the same place:) The last shift was a bit more challenging than most nights-- 8 patients total. Really sick patients. Working with sick people is fine-- it's my job. But seeing dying/dead people (and their families) is difficult. I don't care what anyone else says-- it affects you in some way. For me, it never really sinks in until after the shift is over. Anyways, can't think about it too long. Gotta keep moving. And doing something. My music is making me happy. Here, the last 10 songs on my iTunes shuffle:

• Trouble in Mind-- covered by Johnny Cash
• Is This Love-- Bob Marley song by guy with guitar who plays in Union Square (don't remember his name)
• Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime-- Amelie soundtrack by Yann Tiersen
• Anna (Go to Him)-- The Beatles
• Funny How Time Slips Away-- Al Green
• Say Hello Wave Goodbye-- David Gray
• Piece of My Heart-- Janis Joplin
• People Everyday-- Arrested Development
• Just Like Heaven-- The Cure
• Sweetest Thing-- Lauryn Hill

Gonna take a walk up to 86th Street. I'm so glad I have the weekend off!!! Update: Is This Love cover by Jahstix

Yesterday morning, I witnessed many men and women run the ING New York City Marathon. It was fun to cheer on the runners... but it really put me to shame! I get the urge to run (for leisure-- not to the train station when I'm late for work) about once every 2 years. As inspiring as it was, I still preferred being the spectator, watching the marathon participants run past Bay Ridge Avenue from my seat at the diner as I happily finished my greasy breakfast of corned beef and home fries!

 
Vincent van Gogh. The 'Au Charbonnage' Cafe. 1878. Image from Moma

 I don't know why it took me 3 years to go to the Moma, even though I have made the trek to the corner of 53rd St. and 6th Ave. plenty of times to stand in a 2 hour line in the freezing cold for a $5 halal chicken and lamb over rice dish! The main draw was to see the Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night (sounds like a Phantom of the Opera song!) exhibition. My favorite was a small drawing called The 'Au Charbonnage' Cafe (1978), mostly because it was one of the few pieces that was not in color, and also because I stood in front of it for a good 3 minutes before sharing it with anyone else (and this is after they've already limited the amount of people allowed to view the exhibit at a given time!)