You are as old as you feel...
Well, now that we all have been told to hunker down and isolate in our homes, my back goes out more often than I do!
Old joke, but for this older citizen, I now am cooking more at home.
NOT wandering into restaurants, craft breweries and bars as I was wont to do.
It is the new CoronaVirus reality.
I am that guy people often like to describe as older, or people of a certain age!
Less than a month ago, this "old man" enjoyed the touring U.S. Navy band in concert at CSU.
This was when we could join a crowd for a musical evening.
I made sure, on the way out afterwards, to stop and shake the hand of the Conductor, Kenneth Collins, Captain, USN.
I leaned in and told him this old Marine enjoyed the show put on for us by the Navy, His smile faded a bit with this inter-service jibe.
Earlier this month I introduced my kid brother (he's only 77) and wife to Turkish cuisine across from Tanger Outlets in North Charleston.
I miss dining out now that we are under siege by a virus but I also have always been a big supporter of live music here and at touring concerts nearby.
A weekend of The Blues with Gary Erwin (Shrimp City Slim) was enjoyed up in Camden, now shut down as a serious site of the virus that has affected us all.
Was it only a month or so ago that we could assemble there for several days of music and friends, mingling with fellow Blues fans?
With all the shutdowns and closures, I am NOT gallivanting all over the place.
Not enjoying music and new places and new adventures.
Almost makes me feel older. But, as they say, get up, get out and stay busy and entertained.
Sad to see a small cabaret playhouse close its doors because of this disease shutdown.
34 West, on Meeting Street at Pinckney - across from the always crowded Hyman's Seafood restaurant - has given me many fine evenings of laughs and camaraderie.
Such places and restaurants are having problems adjusting to the NEW times of fear of infection in crowds.
AND, all of the tickets I had bought for shows at the PAC and the Gaillard, have been canceled or postponed to September. Fingers crossed!
Oh well, we adapt and move on.
This lack of outside draws and entertainment makes me enjoy my personal exercise area at home.
Health clubs and public gyms are closed and I am fortunate to have ready access to machines that will keep me fit and toned as we all see social changes.
I also can do my binge-watching of Netflix and, HULU and Amazon Prime as I pump away at staying fit and healthy.
Someone "my age" enjoys retirement and free time to the fullest. I have traveled to Atlanta and Raleigh to see The Rolling Stones (twice in 3 weeks).
Saw Robin Williams in concert the night before he went in for a heart valve transplant.
Enjoyed Paul Simon twice; Madison Square Garden sellout crowd for Billy Joel in NYC; a chilly night in Charlotte with
John Fogerty and the recent "revival" of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Lyle Lovett, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, 'Keb 'Mo, Tab Benoit and Leon Russell a few times.
Heck, I covered the Beatles in the 1960s when I was a young photographer for the San Diego Union-Tribune newspapers!
Maybe I am one of those Keen-agers?
(Thanks for stopping by, It gets lonely here at home. Click on the photos and links for more details and come back often.)
I love company.
Labels: #Billy Joel, 34 West, home gym, Istanbul Shish Kabob, John Fogerty, Keenager, Netflix, people my age, Robin Williams.The Stones, Taj Mahal Trio, U.S. Navy Band
A "river" is not always a "river" in New York City
It is SO much fun to slowly go through 8 days of photos and select some for enhancement.
Sometimes I go a bit overboard - sez some people - but I am creating something special for ME.
I really could care less about their criticism.
Case in point: my shot from Brooklyn, looking across the East river at the mid-town Manhattan skyline.
I learned that the East River is NOT really a river.
It's an estuary or a tidal strait.
Both ends are connected to the Atlantic Ocean!
I used a medium setting on my fisheye lens effect and, in processing, added a splash of random color to the formidable concrete and steel buildings.
From the 101st floor of the newly-opened One World Observatory, I claimed a spot by a window looking down on the Brooklyn Bridge.
I shot late afternoon pictures and stayed there as twilight made the lights start to appear.
I was jostled by people behind me but, I was sitting on the floor, so many just leaned in over me and snapped their pictures.
As soon as we got to the top floor and I saw the bridge, I envisioned what a twilight shot would look like.
My camera had started acting up - shutting down a lot and showing an error message. So it became a challenge to get the shot at all.
Had grown up hearing about great boxing matches and talented performers appearing there, but this was my first time inside the round structure.
It IS huge... inside and out!
Did not see any Jumbotron screens for the people sitting high up and far from the stage.
I was there to see Billy Joel in concert.
Apparently, he comes "home" one Saturday night each month and the show usually is sold out, as it was this night.
What a setting and what a professional staff.
Was in an aisle seat so I saw how crowd control kept the lanes open and security made sure people did not rush forward at all.
We had seats on the floor, about 14 rows back, and my zoom brought me in very close.
And...the folding seats were comfortably padded!
Once the show started, I saw the overhead screens that enabled all to see the performers on stage.
Looking around, I saw the large circular marquee hanging overhead also had large images.
And the sound system was exactly what you would expect from a major venue in the middle of New York City.
We had seen Billy Joel in Columbia a few years ago so had high expectations and were not disappointed.
It started on time with Gavin DeGraw as the opener and he roamed among the audience while singing.
Nice touch and great camera work to keep him in sight on the giant screens.
The band was exciting with a 3-man horn section.
I counted several guitars and a local man was invited up to play a song with the "big guys."
Joel's voice is strong and he played Piano Man and many other favorites for the appreciative crowd.
The dark hair is gone but the showman is still there!
I am sure I "discovered" the show soon after it started.
Visiting my brother in Washington, D.C, he pointed to a tv in some bar we were in and explained this was a new Saturday night show that we HAD to watch.
I even remember one sketch that night involved the trial of Andy William's ex-wife and the accidental shooting of her lover, an Olympic skier nicknamed "Spider."
They were VERY irreverent and I have enjoyed the show ever since.
Impressive layout of props, costumes, the weekly planning session and even Lorne Michael's desk.
I found a dressing table and made sure I was presentable.
The display was broken down into the 7-day structure leading up to TWO tapings on Saturday.
Yes, the final dress rehearsal is taped and then, a bit later, the actual show is taped again as it goes on the air.
Saw many reminders of special moments on the show : the Church Lady (Isn't THAT special!), the shark that ate people who opened the door and the cellar "studio" of "Wayne's World."
Reminders of Chris Farley and John Belushi, two talented men who passed too soon.
I stood on the set of Jeopardy, next to the big cowboy hat worn by "Burt Reynolds."
The two gents with special Christmas packages were presented. "Look, no hands!"
New York had more to offer so I'll add more pictures later. Thanks for going on a brief vacation with me.
(Click on the photos and links for more details.)
Labels: #Billy Joel, #Madison Square Garden, #MSG, #One World Observatory, #SNL exhibition, #The Garden, black Jeopardy, Brooklyn., fish eye lens effect, Manhatten, tidal strait (East River)
Was it only a month or so ago that we could assemble there for several days of music and friends, mingling with fellow Blues fans?
