Vanity Fair is a fine publication, it's true, and while I appreciate their Hitchcockian spread in the Hollywood issue (VF March 2008), I sometimes wish there was a publication just like it that wrapped itself in fine illustration instead of photography. And the photography is beautiful, no question. But it's been YEARS. Why not a Hollywood publication beautifully designed with line and shape? A kind of perfect graphic marriage. Maybe one day. ¶ I watched the Super Bowl at this very chilled bar called the Soft Spot near North 10th on Bedford Ave. It was one of these friendly American bars filled with young patrons chatting about their lives ahead. I like places like that. They ordered in a bunch of wings, there was a three-cheese dip thing, and draught beer was on for two-for-one. ¶ As I recovered the next AM, I wandered down Driggs Ave. On my mind were vintage clothing stores and art galleries. I found this very cool men's vintage store called Houndstooth where I picked up a new shirt and blazer. I also visited gallery Jack the Pelican and it's worth a visit. Monday night I went to Knickerbocker Bar & Grill where I saw some Al Hirschfeld prints in the flesh. Including one of Jules Fieffer. I would see him, and a few more of my heroes, the next night. ¶ I know I've drawn Hitchcock before. He's someone I admire a great deal and I find drawing him tremendously satisfying.

Labels: AdmirationOfBenefit, FeaturedIllustration, NewYorkHareII, SitewayWorld

¶ 2:14 PM

As Taylor Dayne's absurd Heart of Stone played in the departure lounge at JFK, I breathed easy. It had been a great trip, after all. And considering how anxious I had been, a sense of relief was not unearned. ¶ Things took a frustrating beginning. I missed my outbound flight. My bag somehow made it on board. This is something the gate agent assured me did not take place. In retrospect, I should have (a) used the self-service kiosk to check in and (b) not have checked in my small suitcase. I didn't do either, for many reasons, none of which much matter now. Eventually I was off to NYC, a day late. A day most certainly wiser. ¶ The flight to JFK was about as smooth as you can expect for winter flying and it took me all of thirty minutes to grab my lonely bag which was quietly waiting for me in a humble room near baggage claim in Terminal 8. Somehow I imagined it would be among trillions of black cases in a room the size of a bloody hanger. This reunion felt good. Patiently I waited for a yellow cab to take me to Williamsburg. The queue, while long for a grocery store, was quick for a taxi stand. Aside from a roadside truck ablaze with bright yellow flames that licked stubbornly in the face of shotgun water, the ride in was uneventful. The sun set too soon, at least in my mind, but nonetheless I was safe, sound, and only minimally anxious. ¶ The taxi dropped me right in front of Vinny Vella's Pizza Place and I hopped out and grabbed a slice. Famished, I hadn't eaten. I never eat when traveling. My contact would meet me here later and so I took a moment to just sit and digest. Running Scared was playing, muted, and so I watched Vera Farmiga for a time. ¶ Before long I was settled into where I would be sleeping and off I went in search of adventure. ¶ More on my trip to NYC tomorrow. I've been making serious progress on this installment of Admiration of Benefit. I know I've been late—later than ever in Siteway history in fact—but this does not trouble me. Things are very busy on the drawing board, and I am putting an unprecedented level of focus on the quality of my work. I am re-affirming my strive for excellence within these walls and, as always, I look forward to sharing my progress with you. It won't always be pretty. But it's guaranteed to be about the work.

Labels: Airport, NewYorkHareII, NYC, SitewayWorld, Travel, WithCertaintyOfBenefit

¶ 10:54 AM