Around Town: Mourning

Pond in early morning light, New Jersey.

For Ann.

Around the Way: Earth Day Lorax, for 2013

Earth Day Lorax

I took this shot of a subway poster awhile back, when the movie premiered in NYC, because I thought the graffiti added a more ominous element. The Lorax gushes oil from its' eyes, a harsh reminder that we need to move further away faster from our dependence on fossil fuels, towards a brighter, healthier future.   

Heed the warning signs.

Around Town: Dancing Trees

Dancing trees, in Weehawken, NJ.

Around Town: Skyline from New Jersey

Bus ride to the city, on one fine spring morning

For Richard Currie.

Around Town: Morning Commute

On the Edge

Tunnel Entrance

Alphabet City

Me vs. Door Jamb: Door Wins!

Swollen, but hopefully not fractured.

Every fighter I've met loves to take pictures of their injuries, and then show them off to other people. I guess it's proof that we'll live to see another day, or a visual sign of our toughness. Whatever it is, I embrace it. It's part of the sport, so if you can't take a hard hit, don't throw a punch. In any event, hands and feet have tons of small delicate bones that crack easily. It's actually legal to fight an MMA fight with a broken hand, because it's taped up anyway.

I remember having swollen feet after a season of brutally hard kickboxing classes, and I queried the teenager working behind the counter at the dojo about it. It was an enlightening few seconds—there's nothing one can do for it anyway, but tape it up and let it heal, and the substance that grows back over hairline fractures is stronger than bone anyway. That was awesome to hear, and I never forgot it.

In my ridiculous case, I was having some free form fun punching and kicking a standing bag at the office where I work, precariously perched right next to a set of files and a door. I knew it wasn't right to do it, but I was having too much fun, dancing around and throwing hay maker hooks. I hooked the door jamb, and the fight was over. Door jamb wins! This time....

I always throw them wide, because voluptuous women have a harder time keeping their arm close to the body; we have to actually squish into our bosom, which feels really weird. Every guy that's ever seen me swing feels the need at some point to give me “pointers” about something every female fighter I train with already knows, but they're late to the game anyway. Trials started for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, and there's a women's team on it.

Have at it ladies.

Around Town: The Port Authority

Fly away home, at the Port Authority.

Around the Way: Easter is here, and so is Spring.

Easter Sunday, and Spring is here.

The light changes, the sun becomes stronger, bushes and trees sprout a fine green haze around them, waiting to burst into renewed life. It seems like overnight, daffodils and crocuses spring forth from the soil, and the air becomes vibrant, verdant with new growth. We celebrate all of this, and more. 

Enjoy the warmth of a new day, here in New York.

Street Art: The Pole Speaks

“Hey! Whassup?”

Street Art: Jerky was here

Never compromise, ya jerk!

 For David, a.k.a. “Jerky”