Deep in Subway Slumber with Arthur Leipzig

Subway Sleepers, 1950

My favorite types of photographic art happens to be the ones taken at the brink of the moment. People doing interesting and odd things. Just your random, everyday individuals like you and me. No poses or fixing of the hair. Just life, as it happens. The photographs that further tickle my fancy are the ones set in and around New York City. The city that I hold dear to my heart. The city that was, and still is, by my side. The city that I would salute each and every morning from the window of my room. But, there are those very photos of New York life that were taken several years and decades in the past, which interest me to the max. And this is why I have chosen the photo above by the famous photographer Arthur Leipzig.

Just look how different the New York City subways looked compared to now. The first thing I noticed weren't really these two individuals sleeping. I took interest in the seats. Yes, the seats. They look so comfortable and cushioned. It's no wonder these two gentlemen are in deep sleep. But just take in the simplicity of the photo. Two men sleeping. No hustle and bustle. It's probably late in the night, but maybe it isn't. The most important thing is, it's a slice of life, taken in 1950 at a time only Arthur Leipzig knows. The rest is for our imaginations.

I Just Saw an Alien!

Yes, yes, YES!! Okay, no, I didn't just see an alien. Maybe I did. Who knows? You reading this might just be an alien. But I just came across a rather intriguing video from CNN which makes for this week's "News and Views You Can't Refuse." Take a moment and watch the video.



Isn't this exciting? I mean, UFOs are back on the radar. I can't remember the last time I heard a news story about UFOs. Now we're learning that they're messing around with nuclear sites. This is awesome and scary at the same time. This can go one of two ways. One, the aliens are promoting peace on earth by getting rid of these deadly weapons. Or two, they're getting rid of these deadly weapons because they plan on invading and destroying our human race. I'm leaning more towards theory two, and I blame the US for this. Yes, that's right. Just look at all those films with aliens invading earth and destroying the living crap out of it. We put it in their heads. We gave them the idea. And now we're going to pay.

Okay, maybe I'm over exaggerating a little. But I do believe in aliens and UFOs. I mean, humans can't be the only living beings in this vast vast universe of ours. That would just be boring. I look forward to more information from Robert Hastings as I ready my weapons and armor... You know. Just in case.

This Week's Music Choice: Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs"

Ever listen to an album over and over again until it's played out? I certainly have. Let's face it, it happens. Even if it's your favorite band of all time, at some point you're going to get sick of that song. Okay, maybe not sick, but you're certainly going to skip the song because you played it 200 times the first week of release. You just couldn't help it. Trust me, I understand. But, there are those albums that still remain fresh like the first day you bought it, no matter how many times you have played it. This is why I have chosen the latest release of Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" as this week's musical choice.

Okay, I understand that it was released close to two months ago, but in my book that's kind of old. Old I say? Yes, because I constantly scour the internet for any new material from the bands I love and follow, to those rising artists. "The Suburbs," however, remains in heavy rotation because with each listen, it doesn't seem to get old at all. There's so much going on with this album. It is beautifully layered with a plethora of instruments that the more you listen to it, the more you gather in what it is that's being thrown at you. All this is accompanied by the husband and wife duo of Win Butler and Regine Chassagne's soothing, yet powerful vocals. The theme for the album is, you guessed it, about life in the suburbs. They sing about those lost connections, the wasted hours, the long drives, and how things can change throughout the course of one's childhood growing up. The feeling as an adult looking back and seeing how things were so different when you were a child. The old friends you had who now look at you in a different way as if you never existed. The suburbs can be a cheerful place, but it can also be dull.

I don't know if I have a favorite song off of this album because, honestly, they're all great stuff. These songs speak to me musically and lyrically. The tracks blend and mix together so well with one another that it can be this one big epic song. This album reminds me of the albums from the past where the artists wanted you to listen to it all in order because they intended it to be that way. This is what the Arcade Fire are so accustomed to do with their albums from the past as well. Not only are their songs "stand alone," but they make up the big picture of the album in whole. It's like a story with a beginning, middle, and end, with each song acting like a different chapter. All in all, "The Suburbs" is a fantastic album that, in my opinion, will never get old.

And now, a treat...

You Can't Think, Therefore You Don't Exist

Welcome one, welcome all! The day has finally arrived! Why this excitement? Why all this hoopla on a Monday of all days? Relax buddy. Stop your whining and take a deep breathe. Brew yourself a pot of joe. Pick up that chinny-chin-chin of yours and smile. Force it if you have to because it’s a day of celebration. It's a relaunching. A rebirth. A reawakening. A rising from the dead. And what better way to kick-start my "Random Thought Mondays" by, well, thinking?

The great philosopher, Rene Descartes, once wrote, “I think therefore I am.” We can all agree that this little statement is easy to grasp. It’s a nice little philosophical way of saying that if one is able to think, then he or she is alive. Very keen observation there Mr. Descartes. Very keen indeed. One question, however, remains. What exactly happens to those that are unable to think? You know, those "village idiots" as they were once called. The brainless, dimwitted imbeciles that have absolutely no common sense whatsoever. And boy, are there a lot of those walking around nowadays. So tell me this... Do these people exist? It's obvious I can see them. Sometimes I wish I didn't. But, I do. Perhaps they are mere ghosts, aimlessly walking around and wreaking havoc in society. And this can only mean that we all have a sixth sense of seeing the supernatural. I knew it! I always believed in ghosts. Take that nonbelievers!

Mr. Descartes, I humbly thank you from the very bottom of my heart for leaving me in deep thought. I can now proudly say that I am.

This has been a random thought.

A Message from The nevraS

Hello dear acquaintances. The nevraS here, and boy have I got some interesting news for you. Starting next week, September 27th, my blog will feature daily updates ranging from different thoughts, rants, raves, reviews, ideas, concepts... You name it. Whatever I may find interesting, I will share with the rest of world.

But wait. There’s more. And so the plot thickens. Each day of the week will represent a topic for conversation. Confused? Well, so am I. Let me take the time and break it down:

Monday’s... It’s the first day of work and school. You don’t want to be there. It’s boring. Life sucks, but you bare with it, and you do some daydreaming and thinking to get by the long and dreaded day. Therefore, Monday’s will be the “Random Thought Day.”

Tuesday’s... The second day of the week. One day down, four to go. By now, you should be getting into the groove... Groove... Yeah... Sweet music to my ears. Getting the hint? Good, because Tuesday’s will be all about music. I will go through my vast collection of albums (and yes, I still buy and love to collect CDs) and randomly pick one out, listen to it, and share whatever’s going through my head. Easy enough? Great. Moving on.

Wednesday’s... Good ol’ “hump day.” Now, for all those people that think this is referring to anything sexual, get your minds out of the gutter. It would, however, be a rather enticing subject, but I intend to keep this blog disease free. Sorry folks. As I cleanse myself from the tomatoes that have all of a sudden catapulted my way, I will try to get back to what I was talking about. Hump day. The middle of the week. The tippy top of the hill. You’re at work, flipping through the pages of the newspaper, and skimming through the headlines. You’re waiting, just waiting, for the light at the end of the tunnel we all know as Friday. So, that being said, Wednesday’s will be my thoughts about what’s going on in our ginormous home we call earth. News and views you can’t refuse.

Thursdays... One more day to go. The tie is loose. You're making plans for the upcoming weekend. Different emotions are running through your mind depending on the mood you’re in. Perhaps you’re feeling the need to escape to a local museum to check out some works of art. I mean, why not? Or you could just stick with me as I make Thursdays art day. I will pick out a painting or photograph that I find interesting and have a little exploration.

Fridays... The day is finally, finally, upon us. The sound of if makes your insides tingle. You’re hair is a mess as you walk into your office with your PJs on because, who cares? It’s also the day of new movie releases at the theaters. Of course, you knew that already. Unless I lost you at Happy Hour swigging down on some booze to rid your pains of the horrors that work has induced. I hear ya buddy. It’s okay, you could cry on my shoulder. Ma’am, easy on the vodka. Still up for that movie? Fuckin’ A, you are! So, Friday’s will be none other than film day. I will pick out a film that I saw on any particular day of the week and have a little critique of sorts. I will steer away from new releases and pick out films that not a lot of people hear about. Scared? Thrilled? Crying from all the drama? Can’t stop laughing? Well, that’s because you’re weird.

Saturdays and Sundays are the two days left. A lot of people are going out, partying, drinking, relaxing, doing the dirty deed, praying, watching sports, etc. Who really cares about blogs on weekends anyways? Okay, some people might. But, don’t expect any new posts. Just sit back and enjoy the abundance of words that I have thrown at you for the past five days as I prepare for the upcoming week.

So there you have it folks. I look forward to having you all by my side. So, please take your time and get familiar with my site. Be a fan. Be a follower. Spread the word. I even give you the pleasure of giving me a good bash or two. It’s okay because everyone has their own opinions, and I like hearing them. Shit, I just realized I wrote too damn much. Oh well, live with it. Love it. Caress it. Kiss it? I knew you were a freak.

Well, sweet loving minions of mine. This is me signing off, and I look forward to everyone joining me on September 27th, 2010. Oh man, that’s just two days away. Gotta go think!!

Peace,
The nevraS

Serj Tankian’s Imperfect Harmonies Nothing but Perfect

Hello fellow acquaintances of our vast and infinitely plethoric database of words, images, music and moving pictures we all know as the Internet. It’s been four long months since my last update for I was on a journey. A rather creative journey, mind you, of brainstorming and handpicking of the right combination of words and phrases to accompany my stories and screenplays. Fear not, for yours truly is back (with a new look to the site) with something and someone that he finds very inspiring in his life. If you haven’t already guessed from the large, bold font that screams the title of this article, that very person is Serj Tankian. So if you’re reading this article and got this far down, I congratulate and thank you. Now, without further boring my audience or lulling them to a deep sleep I want to dive right on in.

Having had the pleasure of listening to Serj Tankian’s second solo album, Imperfect Harmonies, streaming online several days in advance, something came over me. It was my very first listen, and just like any other new release of a song or album, I don’t pay too much to detail. My ears need to get adjusted to the combination of melodies and lyrics. But for some reason, this first listen had a grip on me.

After finally purchasing the album and having a listen to it in my drive back home, something else came over me. It was the same feeling, the same grip, but this time it felt like a firestorm of emotions. With the decibel levels roaring high, this combination of melody and lyric were enhanced ten-fold. As the sound waves were rippling through the sensitive hairs in my ear, which in turn were sending the necessary signals to the brain, I was actually feeling something. The emotion was so powerful that my eyes started to tear up. There were no other thoughts on my mind. It was just me in my moving car with a fellow Armenian artist that was by my side singing about the truth. About life. And this was all done through Serj’s powerful vocals sung directly from his heart. The melodies, like a bed of clouds transporting Serj’s very words to our hearts, are a combination of rock, jazz, and orchestra thrown into a large pot and mixed to perfection.

This album speaks to everyone and opens up minds. It makes us look deeply at our imperfect world and our imperfect selves, making us reflect at the atrocities in life. It makes us hope for a better tomorrow by patching up and healing the pains of the past. It makes us stop in our footsteps and try to understand the real us. Most importantly, it just simply makes us feel. And it’s up to you to determine that very feeling, whatever it may be.

I highly recommend this album to any music aficionado and give it five stars out of five.