Elemental Wizardry

Won't you join me this Tuesday night July 8th at 7pm as NYC-URBANA brings you an eclectic evening of poetry, music and video with some our COMMUNITY'S BEST!!

We'll have rare and unseen video treasures from TAYLOR MALI and SHAPPY and vintage footage from Urbana's past!

PLUS each of our wonderful team members -- Arianne, Soulful, Eboni and Kesed -- will be bringing you new and exciting work accompanied by music, dance, beats and video! Expect the unexpected as our brave team tries something new and different before all the slamming that's ahead of them!

AND who better to have join us for an evening of new and experimental work than our old friend and FIVE-TIME Urbana team member and TWO-TIME National Poetry Slam Champion : CELENA GLENN!



That's right! CELENA will be IN THE HOUSE!! She's been touring the world with her band, BUNNY RABBIT (http://www.myspace.com/loversandcrypts) and we are super excited to have her back HOME! And when Celena is here, you never know what other special guests might kicking it too (hinthint)!

SO COME ON OUT, see amazing eclectic work and help OUR TEAM raise a little scratch to get to Nationals!

And if you want to help out, but aren't in the area, PLEASE check out our online store:

http://original.bowerypoetry.com/urbana/shop.htm

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SENDING OUR TEAM TO THE NATIONAL POETRY SLAM!!!

And guess who will be BLOWING UP the Urbana mic NEXT TUES (7/15) just in time for our East Coast Regionals? Give you a TINY hint:



See ya on TONIGHT!! and NEXT WEEK TOO!!

SHAPPY
NYC-Urbana Slammaster

Tues July 8
Multi-Media Night w/C. Glenn!
Time: 7pm / Price: $7
Venue: Bowery Poetry Club
Address: 308 Bowery (Bowery between Hudson and Bleeker)
Phone: 212-614-0505
Travel: Subway: B, D, F, V to Broadway–Lafayette St; 6 to Bleecker St
Website: http://www.bowerypoetry.com

URBANA CALENDAR 2008

(WEEKLY URBANA EVENTS BEGIN AGAIN WITH ...)

7/8/2008 MULTI-MEDIA NIGHT with CELENA GLENN
Come see your favorite slammers on celluloid! Vintage MTV spots mixed
up with new documentaries! Plus LIVE performances! Including CELENA
GLENN!! Proceeds go towards sending the Team to Nationals!!

7/15/2008 EAST COAST INVITATIONAL with ANIS MODJANI
2004 NYC-Urbana Team Member and TWO-TIME National Poetry Slam Indie Champ ANIS is coming home! See his spit MAGIC and than cheer on NYC-Urbana as we battle against our poetry pals from WORCESTER, DC / BALTIMORE and WHITE PLAINS!! Proceeds go towards sending the Team to Nationals!!

7/22/2008 NYC REGIONAL!!
Come root for Urbana at our home venue for the 2nd NYC REGIONAL POETRY
SLAM! We will battle against NUYO, BAR 13 and NJ's LOSER SLAM! Come
see which venue is crowned VICTORIOUS! Proceeds go towards sending the
Team to Nationals!!

7/29/2008 SEND OFF / AUCTION / OLD SCHOOL vs. NEW SCHOOL NIGHT
Our last Urbana show before the Team heads off to Madison! See their
group pieces! Buy one-kind art works -- and you guessed it!! All
Proceeds go towards sending the Team to Nationals!! PLUS see old
school Urbana compete against this KILLER 2008 Team!!

I spent the holiday riding my bike a few times. I am going every other day until my legs can take longer and more intense rides.

I ran on a track yesterday ran 1 mile and walked 1 mile. Eventually I will get better, but for now I have to work slowly up speed. My feet just seem to not like running like they used to.

Other than that I did nothing of importance of the break. Hopefully I get to meet more of you this week online.

No not a ghost...yes I finally rediscovered my livejournal page. Don't mind the ads....needed to upgrade to a plus account to be able to recover my old mood faces.

This totally rules: PUNK HAIRSTYLES: Your complete guide to punk hair styles for both girls and guys.

"While choosing for this style, never ever worry about the way you look where as it is something to have fun with and enjoy."

"I LOVE THIS PAGE!!!!!! IT HELPED ME SO MUCH I HAVE THE BEST HAIR IN SCHOOL NOW AND I DID IT MY SELF!!!! EVERYONE ALWAYS ASKES ME IF I CAN DO THERE HAIR!!! ITS SO KOOL111 =]]"

I need a new haircut but I'm not certain this is the best way to find one.

shee-bah ee-new



The Shiba Inu (柴犬, Shiba Inu? also called the Shiba Ken) is the smallest of the six original and distinct breeds of dog from Japan. A small, agile dog that copes very well with mountainous terrain, the Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. It is similar in appearance to the Akita, though much smaller in stature. Inu is the Japanese word for dog, but the "Shiba" prefix's origin are less clear. The word shiba usually refers to a type of red shrub. This leads some to believe that the Shiba was named with this in mind, either because the dogs were used to hunt in wild shrubs, or because the most common color of the Shiba Inu is a red color similar to that of the shrubs. However, in old Japanese, the word shiba also had the meaning of "small", thus this might be a reference to the dog's small size. Therefore, the Shiba Inu is sometimes translated as "Little Brushwood Dog".

Appearance
In Japan, some animals bred for miniature size are referred to as Mame-Shiba (豆柴, Mame-Shiba?).[4] The prefix "mame," meaning "bean" in Japanese, is similar to "teacup" prefix used to refer to other miniature breeds. Shiba Inu have double coats, with a straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat that is blown generally two times a year, producing a relatively large amount of fur given the size of the dog. Shedding normally occurs at the beginning or end of each season. However, between seasonal sheddings Shibas generally shed in smaller quantities and require regular brushing.

Shiba may be red, black and tan, or sesame (red with black-tipped hairs), with a cream, buff, or grey undercoat. They may also be creamy white or pinto, though this color is not allowed in the show ring as the markings known as "urajiro" (裏白) are unable to be seen. The urajiro markings are defined as a pattern of white in contrast to the dog's primary coat color that exists on the underside of the Shiba. Males are generally 14-17 inches (35-43 cm) high at the withers and weigh approximately 23 pounds (10 kg). Females are slightly smaller at 13-16 inches (33-41 cm) and averaging 17 pounds (8 kg).

Temperament
Shibas are generally independent and intelligent dogs. Some owners struggle with obedience training, but like many dogs, socialization at a young age can greatly affect temperament. Traits such as independence and intelligence are often associated with ancient dog breeds, such as the Shiba Inu. Most shibas must always be on a leash, but with the proper upbringing and training, some Shibas are able to be off leash. However because of their tendency to have a strong prey and hunting drive they can be very prey oriented and if it runs away they are very likely to give chase, often ignoring their owner's voice.

From the Japanese breed standard:
The dog has a spirited boldness and is fiercely proud with a good nature and a feeling of artlessness. The Shiba is able to move quickly with nimble, elastic steps.

The terms "spirited boldness" (勇敢, yuukan?), "good nature" (良性, ryōsei?) and "artlessness" (素朴, soboku?) have subtle interpretations that have been the subject of much commentary.

The Shiba is a fastidious breed and feels the need to maintain themselves in a clean state. They can often be seen licking their paws and legs much like a cat. They generally go out of their way to keep their coats clean, and while walking will avoid stepping in puddles, mud and dirt. Because of their fastidious nature, the Shiba puppy is easy to housebreak and in many cases will housebreak themselves. Having their owner simply place them outside after meal times and naps is generally enough to teach the Shiba the appropriate method of toileting.

A distinguishing characteristic of the breed is the so-called "shiba scream". When sufficiently provoked or unhappy, the dog will produce a loud, high pitched scream. This can occur when attempting to handle the dog in a way that it deems unacceptable. The animal may also emit a very similar sound during periods of great joy, such as the return of the owner after an extended absence, or the arrival of a favored human guest.

History
Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back to the third century B.C. Originally, the Shiba Inu was bred to hunt and flush small game. However, it is now primarily kept as a pet both in Japan and abroad. In 1936, the Shiba Inu was declared a natural monument of Japan through the Cultural Properties Act. Despite efforts to preserve the breed, the Shiba nearly became extinct during World War II due to a combination of bombing raids and a post-war distemper epidemic. All subsequent dogs were bred from the only three surviving bloodlines, known as the San'in, Mino, and Shinshu. In 1954, an armed service family brought the first Shiba Inu to America.[14] In 1979, the first recorded litter was born in the United States. The Shiba was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992 and added to the AKC Non-Sporting Group in 1993.

Health
Health conditions known to affect this breed are glaucoma, cataracts, hip dysplasia, and luxating patella. Shibas are also prone to food allergies. Epilepsy is also becoming common in several bloodlines in Australia and the USA. Overall; however, they are of great genetic soundness and few Shibas are diagnosed with genetic defects in comparison to other dog breeds. Their average life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.

Not that two bike rides is "bike riding." But I just got it Tuesday. My ass is the only thing sore from riding a bit too long. I am averaging about 1 hour and 45 minutes per ride.

Off to do another one.

Happy birthday, america! Angela Chase will be playing a show in your honor, sort of, next Wednesday at El Rio at 9 o'clock. All good patriots are invited!

More importantly, happy birthday Pants! You are one today and you can't read so I will tell you again out loud later.



Also, last week rebeccasf whooped my ass at pool.

"stolen" from macguy4321:

You Are Extremely Charming

When someone talks to you, they feel like they are the most interesting person in the world. And for you in that moment, they actually are. You truly care about the people you're around, and it's obvious to everyone who meets you. You are open, warm, friendly, and welcoming. You epitomize charm.

*DIES*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyvzfgxY0kc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoerF1sDTVM&feature=related

I heard this "movie" was brutal, and have successfully avoided it... until now. In the future I will have to seriously consider the consequences of letting my neighbors convince me to "watch this thing they have on their DVR." The midget scene was hilarious, though, so I felt it worth sharing. Enjoy! ^_^

OH... They also had THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25qiZy7vmqY

I'll be having nightmares for weeks!!!

I'm leaving the Fischer-Price-inspired parking garage at the vascular clinic today when I pull up behind a stunning Stalingrad-grey Mercedes C65 AMG whose driver is paying his parking at the attendant booth. I'm assuming he's not one of the doctors, as we're both in the 'visitors' lane. After the gate is raised, the guy busts out at a blistering speed of, maybe, 2mph. Put another way: by the time I'm done paying & the gate has lifted, AMG guy is still only about 20 feet in front of me. Granted, it's an exit flanked by curved retaining walls where the posted speed is 10, but still. So we crawl to street level & down the road (after he's clipped some curb) I see it appears that a very short, scally cap-clad old man of one-hundred & seventy-twelve is piloting this German Ü-Boat of an automobile. At this point I'm more amused than annoyed & everal questions run through my mind:

1) What dipshit of a salesperson talked this guy into an AMG-Benz? At-best, he belongs with the normally-aspirated S-Classes... preferably one with a chauffeur.
2) Is his DeVille or Town Car in the shop & he's had to borrow his son/grandson's car to go to the doctor?
3) If #2 is the case, I can understand why he's driving so slow. Piloting a vehicle of this expense, expanse, & complexity would certainly keep me on edge lest I scrape a fender or door panel... he's already clipped the curb, likely pissing a bit his Depends in the process.
4) Normally I wouldn't take this shit (now doing 20 in a 35 zone) from an oblivious menopausal Mother-Jonesy puttering in an old Outback or Civic, so why have I refrained from being impatient behind this guy? Have I become a snob? Is the machinery he's piloting commanding some kind of respect from me that I dare not lean on my horn? Will I be zorched by rockets fired upon me from astern? Will I scare him so that he nails the throttle & takes out a benchload of bus riders as he careens into the espresso stand?

I guess I'll never know.

So my birthday party last monday was a blast. Because of pride, I myself was burned out and I was betting on others to be burned out as well. But 7 friends show up and that was perfect because I told them to meet at Psycho Suzi's at 7pm. Thank you so much guys for coming out and having fun. A special teddy bear thank you to chuckstermn, perkk, gotnakedforjay and his hubby Brent, dogs_heart77, Greg and my friend passing through, "Mr. Michigan" Kevin.
After some apps, Chuck was suggesting 2 large pizzas and I was like 2 mediums, larges will be too much OMG! Well, we made short work of the two large pizzas. I'll never go against Chuck.

We did share a Volcanic eruption there, 50oz of booze in a huge huka style bowl. I also had a Coconaut and loved it. I love coconut drinks. It was closing in on 10 and Greg talked 5 of us into Tony Jaros' for a Greenie Meanie! OMG I thought I was going to pass out I drank it too fast. I went back to beer and pumped money into the juke box, birthday boy's choice, while we all talked until close to 1 I think.

I was expecting to be home by 10. It was such a fun night.

Happy 4th! Happy Birthday USA!

what a beautiful evening.

Ever distant, yet trickling near
Far away, yet nearly here
I imagine sweet nothings, in my ear
and patiently await, your arrival here.

On the left: a 1965 Ford Mustang fastback.
On the right: an early-70s Toyota Celica liftback.

Either someone in one of the houses behind us has a baby or someone is strangling a pug.

In any case, I wouldn't mind if they shut the window.

I have decided to take my foodie-ism to a new level of appreciation. Those of you who know me well, know I have a healthy appreciate for all things culinary. One of my greatest pleasures in life is to experience new foods, especially of the exotic variety. Hanging out with MR more often has brought to my attention his like-minded approach to edibles, culminating in last night's revelation that we could put our powers to use for the greater good. Combining his powers of website programming and my nose for a good meal, we have decided to open a blog reviewing a once a week meal we indulge in. We had already decided once he moved here we'd begin a Tuesday tradition of dining out, so it was a natural progression to begin a blog about it. So, my dear readers, keep your eyes and ears out for the new blog. Hopefully, it will be coming soon. To kick off the momentous news, here is a review of my dining experience at a much beloved restaurant neighboring my apartment. Enjoy!



Mombar
25-22 Steinway St., Astoria, NY

Mombar is a little known Egyptian restaurant, nestled between many an outwardly deceiving rundown looking building along Steinway Street. You couldn't miss it if you walked by; owner, chef, and self-proclaimed artist, Moustafa El Sayed, designed the exterior, as well as the interior, decorating it in all manor of ancient and modern Egyptian art, found objects, drawings, paintings, ancient looking lanterns, and ceramic tiles, crowning the outside of his establishment with a giant Eye of Horus which always I tell people to look for when meeting up with them there. Inside, El Sayed graciously greets and seats you, sometimes having his family help out with serving and taking orders. I have visited there three times now and every single time I have felt like I am nearly intruding on his family's kitchen, only to find they are graciously inviting us to sit down to dinner with them.

The atmosphere is incredibly laid back. You may find yourself lounging against a stack of pillows as you're seated at a mosaic lined table (most likely decorated by the chef at some point). Its quiet and cozy inside, full of interesting things to look at. This is not a place where you rush in, eat in a hurry, and leave. El Sayed employs maybe one to two other cooks to help create his dishes from scratch, and as the saying goes, good things take time.

And OH the food is so good. So very worth the wait. Every meal is kicked off with some of their home made Egyptian bread, a modest looking flat bread somewhat similar in texture to croissant or phyllo dough, layered with butter, and served with olive oil laced with black sesame seeds and aromatic herbs. For the particularly hungry, I caution you, you'll find yourself inhaling this stuff at an alarming rate.
The specialty of Mombar is their clay pot cooking, native to southern Egypt. Stews are created with tender cuts of meat, fish, or vegetarian concoctions, aromatic spices, and baked in round clay pots which continue to keep things at a high temperature for the duration of your meal. I highly recommend the rabbit tajeen, as it is served with bits of dried fruit and dates in its delicious stew sauce, and I couldn't get enough of it. The chicken tajeen is also delicious, served with olives and vegetables and in a particularly aromatic sauce. Other dishes of note are their Egyptian steak, and their Rabbit served in a very unique herb sauce which has the appearance of pesto but tastes quite different as it is infused with an herb native to Egypt.
Every time I've gone, the appetizer specials have been the same, but they are well worth a try each. Roasted beets served with sauteed apples and onions was my favorite. Then came an almost equally delicious sautée of spinach and chickpeas, and a dish of the most tender artichoke hearts you may ever sample in the States.
The entrées are more apt to change from one day to the other. This time they offered salmon baked in phyllo dough, a fish tajeen, and vegetarian tajeen with vegetable balls.

I started off my meal with a traditional Egyptian dish of pureed fava beans and olive oil and spices, served with crisp pita. It evoked ideas of hummus, but was more flavorful and rich. Perhaps it was my roaring appetite speaking on my behalf, but it was one of the best tasting things I've had in quite some time and I literally cleaned my plate. I also picked at one of my dinner guests' beets and apples, cooked just to evoke a delicious crispness from each of the elements. Following this, I dug in to a chicken tajeen, which came with a pyramid-shaped mound of couscous, studded with dried cranberries. Unfortunately, by this point I had inhaled so much food, I was ready to keel over, and ended up opting to take most of the meal home with me. Following this, I closed the meal with a glass of their Egyptian mint tea, served with a fresh mind leaf in the cup and a tiny tin teapot. Although I opted out of dessert this time around (for fear I'd explode), I must say the deserts are pretty darn amazing. You have your choice between baklava, Egyptian bread pudding (my absolute favorite and a must try!), or chef's surprise, which includes a scoop of vanilla ice cream, grilled pineapple, and some sort of pastry/tart slice somewhat like cheesecake.

Mombar is one of my favorite local restaurants and I do hope to encourage business there so if you are in the mood for trying new things that are guaranteed to wow you, please come out, just off the beaten path up to Steinway and 25th Ave. I'll often find Mombar a bit more empty than I'd like it to be and I'm always concerned about this beloved local restaurant and losing what could be some of the best food one can find in Astoria.

Cash Only. Beer and Wine Only. Offering takeout. Prices: $7-$25
Directions: Take the N,W to Astoria BLVD, walk East to Steinway Street and turn right. R train to Steinway Street, walk North to just below 25th Ave., or take the Q101 from Broadway to 25th Ave.
Hours: Tue-Sun, 5pm-11pm; Mon, closed

My parents got me a bike for my birthday. I was pleased. So I went out yesterday evening for a bike ride. I went longer than I probably should have but I felt like it energized me some. My ass hurts from riding that seat for most of the ride. I will eventually get going to make it out into the countryside soon.