The Disposition of the Dead
Maybe I’m growing morose in my unemployment, but I keep running into stories that make me think about our attitudes toward death and corpses... The Post seems to be looking for controversy in this story about a film series being held at Green-wood Cemetery, suggesting that showing horror films there is in bad taste, or disrespectful to the deceased and their families. I don’t know about that, but in researching Central Park I learned that Green-wood (50 years older than the Park) was always used as a recreational site, disregarding the dead, and presaging the need for more parks in the growing city. I wonder how far back that sort of thing goes; seems like Europeans, at least pre-Enlightenment, wouldn’t have been so eager to dally in a graveyard. The same cemetery comes up in the strange story of the murder of councilman James Davis. A plot was donated for Davis, but when the family learned that the ashes of his murderer had already been placed in the same cemetery, they insisted on having him moved. That seems like a primitive attitude for a culture willing to party in the boneyard, but maybe it’s part of a more widespread atavism that goes with our current war mentality. Davis was also the first dignitary to lie in state at City Hall since 1918. Lying in state is a little weird for my tastes; a fetishism of the body that seems old-fashioned to me. It must make sense, though, to the fans of Celia Cruz, who crowded the wake of the late Salsa star, overflowing St Patrick’s, and lining 5th Avenue for her highly public funeral procession. This is all considered an honor, but in the case of politicians, at least part of the “honor” has historically been to offer definitive public proof that the person is really dead. We don’t stick heads on poles around here any more, but something like that was done with the corpses of the Hussein brothers, when our government made public display of grisly photos of their dead bodies, just for verification’s sake of course...
Maybe I’m growing morose in my unemployment, but I keep running into stories that make me think about our attitudes toward death and corpses... The Post seems to be looking for controversy in this story about a film series being held at Green-wood Cemetery, suggesting that showing horror films there is in bad taste, or disrespectful to the deceased and their families. I don’t know about that, but in researching Central Park I learned that Green-wood (50 years older than the Park) was always used as a recreational site, disregarding the dead, and presaging the need for more parks in the growing city. I wonder how far back that sort of thing goes; seems like Europeans, at least pre-Enlightenment, wouldn’t have been so eager to dally in a graveyard. The same cemetery comes up in the strange story of the murder of councilman James Davis. A plot was donated for Davis, but when the family learned that the ashes of his murderer had already been placed in the same cemetery, they insisted on having him moved. That seems like a primitive attitude for a culture willing to party in the boneyard, but maybe it’s part of a more widespread atavism that goes with our current war mentality. Davis was also the first dignitary to lie in state at City Hall since 1918. Lying in state is a little weird for my tastes; a fetishism of the body that seems old-fashioned to me. It must make sense, though, to the fans of Celia Cruz, who crowded the wake of the late Salsa star, overflowing St Patrick’s, and lining 5th Avenue for her highly public funeral procession. This is all considered an honor, but in the case of politicians, at least part of the “honor” has historically been to offer definitive public proof that the person is really dead. We don’t stick heads on poles around here any more, but something like that was done with the corpses of the Hussein brothers, when our government made public display of grisly photos of their dead bodies, just for verification’s sake of course...
atten DRW......lots of birds thay may be basic byt some beautiful yello and black small ones.....bring equipment:>)...sez skinny
Wines of Sakonnet Point: Day 1
Gatinois Rose : a cloudy day could not hold back the brightness of this wine, sipping this sunshine sent a hello to ever part of my tired body....
1999 Mascarello Freisa : (decanted 24 hours) a monumental wine, the only greater value to me is Briord Muscadet, in this world me know.... Sez Skinney
Gatinois Rose : a cloudy day could not hold back the brightness of this wine, sipping this sunshine sent a hello to ever part of my tired body....
1999 Mascarello Freisa : (decanted 24 hours) a monumental wine, the only greater value to me is Briord Muscadet, in this world me know.... Sez Skinney
Corn of The Season (so far) : Walkers Farm, Little Compton
Sez Skinny
Sez Skinny
nader's pick for next us pres. what are his chances of winning the democratic nomination?
i've been doing a lot of web surveys lately and i've got to say that frames and sound are about the two most annoying things a web designer can do. what is the point of doing a site with frames anyway?
I am on Squid tour this month, 5 Greek spots, Milos again was very good, my fav has been Thalassa (tender & herb crusted), Pelagos was not so hot but others say nice.....
The Citysearch readers poll for best new restaurant is underway. WD-50 currently running 3rd. Cast those ballots.
And if you don't write in the Alias lamb burger for best hamburger, well, all I can say is that we know where you live.
And if you don't write in the Alias lamb burger for best hamburger, well, all I can say is that we know where you live.
EAT SHORT RIBS @ 36-92 (5 W 36)......great Korean BBQ....
hi dmt...been too long
few quick recent food notes for ya:
duck tongues in XO sauce at Congee Village on Allen: tastes like duck, melts in your mouth, with one little skinny bone inside. house special chicken (fried, in savory oil with toasted garlic) pretty great too
Panfried pickerel & whitefish at Henry's Fish Restaurant, Georgian Bay, Ontario: fantastic fish, love a restaurant you can't get to except by boat (or seaplane). But holy shit do the midwesterners like it bland - boring fries, white bread, coleslaw...i would have killed for some salsa.
few quick recent food notes for ya:
duck tongues in XO sauce at Congee Village on Allen: tastes like duck, melts in your mouth, with one little skinny bone inside. house special chicken (fried, in savory oil with toasted garlic) pretty great too
Panfried pickerel & whitefish at Henry's Fish Restaurant, Georgian Bay, Ontario: fantastic fish, love a restaurant you can't get to except by boat (or seaplane). But holy shit do the midwesterners like it bland - boring fries, white bread, coleslaw...i would have killed for some salsa.
i failed the bear identification test and won't be shooting any bears this season. what do you montanans do with all that dead bear, anyway?
on roasting your own
It's difficult to locate an egg that has been cooked with more care and more interestingly than the ones you crack at home, but my new favorite brunch is at 'inoteca where a truffled egg toast with battarga can be had with a glass of Muscat. Deeply satisfying.
Eating By #'s 2003
Grand Sichuan Int Midtown 12 Times
wd~50 10 Times
Wash Park 6 Times
66 5 Times
The Minnow 5 Times
Kai 3 Times
Grand Sichuan Int Midtown 12 Times
wd~50 10 Times
Wash Park 6 Times
66 5 Times
The Minnow 5 Times
Kai 3 Times
Meal #10 at wd~50 with a friend was as good as the others, it was my friends 2nd meal, he was blown away by it.....
I tried to avoid Lupa this year but I had a marvy lunch there today, better luck for me next year??....2*.......hey eat pizza
political compass : east leftnut
I hadn't been in a long time, but Saturday night was another fine meal at Prune. I love this place. Okay, there is a little too much butter for me on some dishes, but that's personal and if you know how to order right (whole grilled fish) it isn't a problem. The food is very simple and straight forward in a way that is apparently hard for most chefs to accomplish. You might call it no ego food.
It still doesn't have an air conditioner, although it looks like they are putting one in. And while you'd think that would be unbearable, it's actually not that bad. The fans are blasting. The very happy crowd is packed in but not complaining. And the chef Gabrielle is seducing everyone in sight from her lovely open kitchen. Great atmosphere, great food, great time. I've had to extend my definition of the LES to include 1st street so that this restaurant is in my neighborhood.
It still doesn't have an air conditioner, although it looks like they are putting one in. And while you'd think that would be unbearable, it's actually not that bad. The fans are blasting. The very happy crowd is packed in but not complaining. And the chef Gabrielle is seducing everyone in sight from her lovely open kitchen. Great atmosphere, great food, great time. I've had to extend my definition of the LES to include 1st street so that this restaurant is in my neighborhood.
Finally had a look at Marja Samson's new Chibitini at 63 Clinton Street. This place makes the other tiny places on the block look spacious. Sake and dumplings, although I arrived too late for the later. The dark velvety red interior feels like a 23rd century take on the Victorian era. Looks great I think. And the maybe 12 other people that could fit inside seemed to agree. Classiest joint on the block I'd say.
Marja is the owner of the Kitchen Club as well as the small Chibi's bar next door. This one takes the small sake bar to its miniaturized extreme, but that is fine with me as long as I can get a seat. Looking forward to learning more about sake.
Marja is the owner of the Kitchen Club as well as the small Chibi's bar next door. This one takes the small sake bar to its miniaturized extreme, but that is fine with me as long as I can get a seat. Looking forward to learning more about sake.
Suenos = Dreams, 311W17th St, i will still look for a dream of a Mexican reatarant, so far Itzocan Cafe is still close-ist.....didnt go to Pampero(sp?) which was called 2* by W Grimes, the place is part owed by the only ok Maya restaurant......
OK, no one’s mentioned The Restaurant. Inquiring minds want to know what the real people think...
Finally, a rave.
I had a very good easy dinner at Molyvos after snacks at Periyali after wine at Tavern after a long lunch at Fleur de Sel.....I had better post some of my "off" meals to get some credit-ability (hint hint), I am get-in too rahrah
thanks to Rachael for the Fleur de Sel tip, we rocked there for with our 9 course lunch menu the last (pre-dessert) course was up there with wd~50 food, the rest was 2*/3*......3* overall
