Train Ride:
It’s with great pleasure I write this blog today. It’s been a week since I’ve anticipated my visit and only today has it come to fruition.
There’s something to be said about excitement- trekking into the unknown, and starting a new adventure. It may be nothing more than nonsense to your average man or woman, but to a creative… it’s far more. It’s the stimulus; the smells, the sites, the feels, the tastes; it’s full utilization of all of the senses.
For me, that only takes place with a clear and focused mind. All the trivialities of every day tasks and labors thrown to the side and an unbridled intense relationship with one’s self- blossoms.
When I woke, I was at peace. I knew what to wear, where to go, but in an earth shattering moment I realized the location and it’s proximity to the Museum of Modern Art- one BLOCK away! I’d wanted to get to the museum since the opening of the master film maker, Tim Burton’s retrospective. It was to give layman like me an intimate look into his creative endeavors from his teen years through today- a clue into the very inspirations that brought his fame, fortune, and absolute brilliance.
Museums are a phenomenal source of inspiration. Modern Art not only allows the brain to contemplate our existence, but also the world which surrounds us. It brings another level of thinking, one reserved for the “not quite on” personalities- those who minimize themselves regarding the influence on generations of creatives and fosters an environment where people grow. For this reason, way past my own adolescent physical growth, I must go.
“Best Bar Wednesdays” Blog series will be for the next 20 weeks. It will cover (and give me an excuse) to get to 20 bars as written in “The History & Stories of the Best Bars of New York” - the brainchild of Jef Klein. The first bar was the legendary ‘21′ Club on 52nd. Street. Lunch- this will be a DAYTIME event- is served from noon till 2:30pm. My train arrives 11am and the museum will be open when I arrive. Nothing but good can come from such a venture, so I’ll leave my senses from here in ON.
Time: 11:10am- Subway: As I sit quietly on the ride to 53rd St. a loud noise and clanging change emanates from the end of the car. A blind man with a cane is speaking in tongues (nothing I can understand) and rising and dropping a Tupperware container with a little change in it. He looks haggard and slides his cane from left to right walking through the middle of the car. Even when he is directly in front of me, I can’t understand what he says- he’s mechanized. Much like the train we ride. He’s become so automated that the feeling was lost in some kind of action of repetition. I’ve seen it before in other circumstances, where people become almost numb- “zombified” if you will- to those around them. They know they have a need, but because the city tends to eat and spit people like that out, they go into this state of self protection, become robots. The smell is like diesel and I wonder if he’s powered the same way.
Time: Noon- 4:30pm- Fuzzy
Time: 5pm- Recollections: I’ve read, spoken, listened, walked, and watched. It’s amazing when I attempt to coordinate my hand with my thoughts. It’s like one of Tim Burton’s Alien creations.
The ‘21′ Club is an amazing place. Everyone seemed to know each other. You’re greeted with a smile and asked for help. The workers treat you like Royalty and in such places I feel very small. I’m never comfortable in those kind of establishments, but to be at the end of the bar and observing.. well, that’s what I do best. It helps when you have a bartender who really makes you feel at home. Despite being a new comer, he made me feel at ease.
His name was Miko and he was from Croatia. He goes home once a year to visit; it’s a gorgeous place. Being the son of a world traveller I’ve heard of such places on the Mediterranean sea, but his description and accent simply added romance to the place. He told me he was “new” there and was only there for 18 years….. I think that sums it up entirely.
He told me I should have arrived earlier and he would have shown me some of the place. He pointed to the dividers which separated 3 buildings. He told me the section I sat in was at the back of the bar. I’d read people who sat there were either on the upcoming or the down going. Those at the far side where those who they always want noticed- presidents, actors: Humphrey Bogart had his personal table in the center and proposed to Lauren Bacall there. Funny enough the one in back of me was Donald Trumps. Perhaps he likes the privacy.
The ceiling is filled with numerous souvenirs. I saw an elephant tusk which was taken from the Congo in 1956- bagged by someone famous. What struck me was the amount of transportation vehicles, even Katarina Vitt had her ice skates signed and hung from the ceiling. It actually made me think back to the movie- the Aviator and the personalities of those jet setters during the 1970’s. How they were viewed like movie stars. I thought of my Dad.
There are plenty of things we do in life who make us who we are. We can’t all follow some one else’s dreams of success and how we view success will always be shaped on those early years.
I’m lucky to have the opportunity to indulge and write. I’ve been a failure and I’ve seen success. The best thing I can tell someone is to believe in yourself and support yourself with those who think you have something to offer. Not everyone can stand on their own two feet and it’s important to have the support to get up and walk, when you feel you can’t.
Two dirty martinis and I felt I could have used a little support… but enough for now. I understand we could expect a foot of snow and I’m supposed to see the English Beat & Fishbone. We’ll see. I’ll continue tomorrow. Good evening all.