Archive for August 30th, 2009
Dutch Kills has balls
Be sure to check out the large images at flickr for insane amounts of detail in these shots.
In some places- every stitch on a baseball.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I am given to moods, melancholy, and suffer from an abundance of hubris– due to a series of ego related karmic retributions. All ‘effed up, there are days- often sunny ones- when I wake from that dark and torturous dreamland inflicted on me since my wastrel youth– in one of my little moods.
from wikipedia:
The US National Library of Medicine notes that “some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up.” The condition in the summer is often referred to as Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder, and can also include heightened anxiety.
also from wikipedia:
The name “melancholia” comes from the old medical theory of the four humours: disease or ailment being caused by an imbalance in one or other of the four basic bodily fluids, or humours. Personality types were similarly determined by the dominant humour in a particular person. Melancholia was caused by an excess of black bile; hence the name, which means ‘black bile’ (Ancient Greek μέλας, melas, “black”, + χολή, kholé, “bile”); a person whose constitution tended to have a preponderance of black bile had a melancholic disposition. See also: sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric.
Melancholia was described as a distinct disease with particular mental and physical symptoms in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Hippocrates, in his Aphorisms, characterized all “fears and despondencies, if they last a long time” as being symptomatic of melancholia.
In the medieval Arab world, the Arab psychologist Ishaq ibn Imran (d. 908), known as “Isaac” in the West, wrote an essay entitled Maqala fi-l-Malikhuliya, in which discovered a type of melancholia: the “cerebral type” or “phrenitis”. He carried out a diagnosis on this mental disorder, describing its varied symptoms. The main clinical features he identified were sudden movement, foolish acts, fear, delusions and hallucinations.[4] In Arabic, he referred to this mood disorder as “malikhuliya”, which Constantine the African translated into Latin as “melancolia”, from which the English term “melancholia” is derived.
Ali ibn Abbas al-Majusi (d. 982) discussed mental illness in his medical encyclopedia, Kitab al-Malaki, which was translated into Latin as Liber pantegni, where he discovered and observed another type of melancholia: clinical lycanthropy, associated with certain personality disorders. He wrote the following on this particular type of melancholia: “Its victim behaves like a rooster and cries like a dog, the patient wanders among the tombs at night, his eyes are dark, his mouth is dry, the patient hardly ever recovers and the disease is hereditary.”
Nasty, and a few seconds out of synchronous function with others, I keep to myself and let hatred boil off of me in bright green sheets. For a few hours or even several sleepless days, there will be a storm in me, and in a tangential and often pedantic manner I will think aloud about existential minutiae to calm my racing thoughts…
…November 15th, 2008, in this case…
Actually Sunnyside yards, but shot on the same day as the other ones- photo by Mitch Waxman
Warm and humid patches of air had permeated the greater New York area for several days, producing the frequent rain and gray fogs which had made the Autumn of 2008 remarkable.
After a severe squall, whose high winds and driving rains obliterated those clouds occluding the Hunter’s Moon during the previous week, and an unusually warm late summer and autumn- a phenomena once referred to as “Indian Summer“- the entirety of the area found itself coated in a grimy patina of storm blown mud and filth- like the garage door which is the photographic subject above and below. There was blown grit on the sidewalk, with wind action the presumed culprit, as the storm picked its pathway through the rain puddles which collect in and garland the broken pavement of the Newtown Pentacle.
from wikipedia:
The DSM-IV-TR, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines Agoraphobia Without a History of Panic Disorder as:
The presence of Agoraphobia related to fear of developing panic-like symptoms (e.g., dizziness or diarrhea):
Anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help may not be available in the event of having an unexpected or situationally predisposed Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms. Agoraphobic fears typically involved characteristic clusters of situations that include being outside the home alone; being in a crowd or standing in a line; being on a bridge; and traveling in a bus, train or automobile.
The situations are avoided (e.g., travel is restricted) or else are endured with marked distress or anxiety about having a Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms, or require the presence of a companion.
The anxiety or phobic avoidance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as social phobia (e.g., avoidance limited to social situations because of fear of embarrassment), specific phobia (e.g., avoidance limited to single situation like elevators), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e.g., avoidance of dirt in someone with an obsession about contamination), Post-traumatic stress disorder (e.g., avoidance of stimuli associated with a severe stressor), or Separation anxiety disorder (e.g., avoidance of leaving home or relatives).
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The authorities at several meteorological centers warned that the arrival of winter was but a few days off, and we citizens of the megalopolis should make the best of this pleasant weather while it lasted. Just 72 hours later, the temperature would plummet to a hard freeze, and the bone cracking devastation of a metropolitan winter began in earnest. A beautiful day, I headed for joy defined hinterlands of the Newtown Creek.
Following the sun to Long Island City that Saturday, I crossed the neighborhood of Dutch Kills. Geographically distinct from the tributary of the Newtown Creek for which it is named, Dutch Kills is a mixed use neighborhood which is a dichotmous mix of lovely 19th and early 20th century homes, apartment houses, and churches with heavy industry sited incongruously nearby.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Crescent St., which has carried traffic from modern day Queens Plaza to the wildly distant Bowery Bay- located on the distant northern shore of elysian Astoria- since the time of the Dutch- is where I found this enigmatic garage door.
It is odd that I am so fascinated by the world of a century ago, for were a creature of my inner weakness and faults were to appear in amongst the super predators that inhabited that Newtown, I would have quickly been sent off to a nearby madhouse. In 1887, Nellie Bly– the unofficial inspiration for Lois Lane– faked madness for the sake of investigating the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.
Click here for a link to an absolutely free audiobook of Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Madhouse, from Librivox.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I must confess to one of the morbid habits which consumes me, and why I can always be found amongst the lightning crashed trees and storm tossed alleys of Newtown Creek soon after (or sometimes during) a weather event. Out of mercy for the sensibilities of those whose childhood was not spent only in the company of dusty shelves, and they whose actions are not governed by an aesthete’s desire to witness the bizarre and macabre truths of life and death, for the sake of these innocents- I do not show these forbidden photos to anyone. Even the long suffering and effusive Lady of The Pentacle is denied access to these images of broken and shattered life- which I collect after a cleansing storm washes through the Newtown Pentacle.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Detailed, and sharply focused, the bloody patches of cement and the little piles of flystruck meat are the center of a great ecosystem that somehow survives the moonscape hostility of Long Island City. These swollen and torn animals, which present themselves first via olfactory means- to me- are proof of life’s resiliency and provide great hope in their fecund example. You will never see these images.
Satisfy yourself instead with the amusing spectacle of these imprinted sporting goods, tattoo imprints of the actions of adolescent spirit.
meh…
NYC Marathon, 2008
When advised by medical practitioners that I should run, I admonish them. I am from Brooklyn, and without someone or indeed- something- chasing me, I walk at my own pace. Thus, I am fascinated by the NYC marathon, which crosses the ancient heart of the Newtown Pentacle on its course. All of the coverage you see of this event is usually manhattan centric, but it actually rolls through some interesting places.
Pulaski Bridge, NYC Marathon 2009, corner of Jackson ave. and 49th ave. – photo by Mitch Waxman
The Pulaski Bridge is the 13.1 mile point in the New York Marathon, for which it is closed to vehicular traffic annually. Runners exit Greenpoint, speed over the Newtown Creek, and head for the Queensboro bridge. They spend 2.5 miles in Queens.
From wikipedia
The New York City Marathon (ING New York City Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is a major annual marathon (42.195 km (26.219 mi) whose course runs through all five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 37,850 finishers in 2006. Along with the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon, it is among the pre-eminent long-distance annual running events in the United States and is one of the World Marathon Majors.
Down Under the Queensboro Bridge Onramp- DUQBO- during the 2007 NYC marathon. – photo by Mitch Waxman
When they hit Queensboro, relief for the 2.5 miles of pain that the runners remember as Long Island CIty becomes intellectually closer, and most of the runners redouble their determination and effort. There is a significant Police Dept. muster, in DUQBO, including auxiliary and cadet officers. The cops are involved, from their point of view, in a 25 mile long rerouting of vehicular and pedestrian traffic across multiple municipal and jurisdictional districts. Rerouting the millions of vehicles denied easy access to Manhattan, ensuring that FDNY can move ambulance and fire units seamlessly around the event, mustering and deploying the hundreds of traffic officers- as well as dozens of specialized units ranging from Equestrian to Aviation… This is no marathon, this is a military operation.
Come to think of, so was the story which inspired all future marathons, and lent them its name- in Greece.
from wikipedia
The Battle of Marathon (Greek: Μάχη τοῡ Μαραθῶνος, Māche tou Marathōnos) took place in 490 BC during the first Persian invasion of Greece. It was fought between the citizens of Athens, aided by Plataea, and a Persian force commanded by Datis and Artaphernes. It was the culmination of the first attempt by Persia, under King Darius I, to subjugate Greece. The first Persian invasion was a response to Greek involvement in the Ionian Revolt, when Athens and Eretria had sent a force to support the cities of Ionia in their attempt to overthrow Persian rule. The Athenians and Eretrians had succeeded in capturing and burning Sardis, but was then forced to retreat with heavy losses. In response to this raid, the Persian king Darius I swore to have revenge on Athens and Eretria.
Once the Ionian revolt was finally crushed by the Persian victory at the Battle of Lade, Darius began to plan to subjugate Greece. In 490 BC, he sent a naval task force under Datis and Artaphernes across the Aegean, to subjugate the Cyclades, and then to make punitive attacks on Athens and Eretria. Reaching Euboea in mid-summer after a successful campaign in the Aegean, the Persians proceeded to besiege and capture Eretria. The Persian force then sailed for Attica, landing in the bay near the town of Marathon. The Athenians, joined by a small force from Plataea, marched to Marathon, and succeeded in blocking the two exits from the plain of Marathon. Stalemate ensued for five days, before the Athenians (for reasons that are not completely clear) decided to attack the Persians. Despite the numerical advantage of the Persians, the hoplites proved devastatingly effective against the more lightly armed Persian infantry, routing the wings before turning in on the centre of the Persian line.
The defeat at Marathon marked the end of the first Persian invasion of Greece, and the Persian force retreated to Asia. Darius then began raising a huge new army with which he meant to completely subjugate Greece; however, in 486 BC, his Egyptian subjects revolted, indefinitely postponing any Greek expedition. After Darius died, his son Xerxes I re-started the preparations for a second invasion of Greece, which finally began in 480 BC.
And, yeah, I know- the “in greece” link is the Battle of Thermopylae, and is highly stylized.
Queens Plaza – photo by Mitch Waxman
The interesting part of the marathon, to my eye, is what’s happening around it. Queens Plaza devoid of vehicular traffic, for instance. But NYC has been making great effort and spending big money on Physical Education and Culture since the early days of Progressivism.
from nycgovparks.com (this goes to a really cool page, click this link)
Recreation in Parks
Since the ancient Greeks (or even earlier) there has been a strong link between physical health and general wellbeing. For nearly 100 years, the Parks Department has been at the forefront in supporting a healthy city and putting the “recreation” in “Parks & Recreation.” From the early bathhouses to the anti–obesity programs of today, the Parks Department’s focus on active recreation has supported the goal of a healthy citizenry and positive social and moral conduct…
Near Queens Plaza – photo by Mitch Waxman
Volunteers and well wishers, of both corporate and individual stripe, line the streets. This is actually a dangerous place to be, as at any moment, 200 pounds of human meat may accidentally run into you. Accordingly, NYPD aggressively enforces a margin of safety between runners and crowd, as is their stated mandate and mission- protect and serve.
from wikipedia
The physical culture movement of the 1800s owed its origins to several cultural trends.
As a result of the Industrial Revolution, there arose a perception that members of the middle classes were suffering from various “diseases of affluence” that were partially attributed to their increasingly sedentary lifestyles. In consequence, numerous exercise systems were developed, typically drawing from a range of traditional folk games, dances and sports, military training and medical calisthenics. Many of these systems drew inspiration from the classical Greek and Roman models of athletic training and were organized according to more-or-less scientific methods.
Physical culture programs were promoted through the education system, particularly at military academies, as well as via public and private gymnasiums.
Increasing levels of literacy, the increasing democratization of printing and the relative affluence of the middle classes spurred the growth of a genre of magazines and books detailing these systems of physical culture. Mass production techniques also allowed the manufacture and commercial sale of various items of exercise equipment. During the early and mid-1800s, these printed works and items of apparatus generally addressed exercise as a form of remedial physical therapy.
Certain items of equipment and types of exercise were common to several different physical culture systems, including exercises with Indian clubs, medicine balls, wooden or iron wands and dumbbells. Combat sports such as fencing, boxing and wrestling were also widely practiced in physical culture schools, and were touted as forms of physical culture in their own right.
By the later 19th century, the ethos of physical culture had expanded to include exercise as recreation, education, as preparation for competitive sport and as an adjunct to various political, social, moral and religious causes. The Muscular Christianity movement is an example of the latter approach, advocating a fusion of energetic Christian activism and rigorous physical culture training.
NYC Marathon – photo by Mitch Waxman
A neverending stream of humanity, emblazoned with signage and logotypes, course past. Many are in the final stage of enacting some personal and tragic journey, or running to memorialize the name of a lost loved one, or to celebrate some event. Many have charitable contributions tied to the miles and miles of pavement they cross. Most just run for the human challenge presented by the concrete realities of New York City. At least that’s what the messages were in a series of Nike and Footlocker ads that I worked on for a major metropolitan ad agency just a few years ago.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, I walk (scuttle, actually). These people are nuts.
from wikipedia
The terms to jog and jogging as referring to a form of exercise, originated in England in the mid seventeenth century. This usage became common throughout the British Empire and in his 1884 novel My Run Home the Australian author Rolf Boldrewood wrote “your bedroom curtains were still drawn as I passed on my morning jog”.
In the United States jogging was also called “roadwork” when athletes in training, such as boxers, customarily ran several miles each day as part of their conditioning. In New Zealand during the 1960s or 1970s the word “roadwork” was mostly supplanted by the word “jogging”, promoted by coach Arthur Lydiard, who is crediting with popularizing jogging. The idea of jogging as an organised activity was mooted in a sports page article in the New Zealand Herald in February 1962, which told of a group of former athletes and fitness enthusiasts who would meet once a week to run for “fitness and sociability”.
NYC Marathon – photo by Mitch Waxman
As they progress, cheering crowds villify the thought of surrender, admonish fatigue, and buoy the athletes to further exertion.
from nycmarathon.org
Around the world, the word “marathon” evokes images of New York City. Before the New York race began, marathons were modest events run by a few athletes and followed by a few fans interested in the limits of human endurance. New York Road Runners and marathon co-founder Fred Lebow changed that. Today many marathons are huge media events that take over entire cities around the globe. None is as prominent as the ING New York City Marathon, but all city marathons are modeled on it. Modern marathoning owes its start — and its world-class status — to New York.
The first New York City Marathon, though, was a humble affair. In 1970, 127 runners paid the $1 entry fee to NYRR to participate in a 26.2-mile race that looped several times within Central Park. Fifty-five runners crossed the finish line
NYC Marathon, Dead by Choice band – photo by Mitch Waxman
All along the route, bands were assembled and were allowed to play both amplified music and drums- normally a violation of the city’s strictly enforced Cabaret Law. Entertainers, street performers, and representatives of the local Ethnic Societies all had their spots staked out early.
from nycmarathon.org
Music
More than 100 live bands stationed at regular intervals along the course will motivate and entertain participants and spectators alike. A special stage at Columbus Circle sponsored by Continental Airlines will provide inspiration for the final .2 mile, and there will be live entertainment at the finish line as well.
NYC Marathon, accordion man – photo by Mitch Waxman
Long Island City’s longtime residents always seem to have a good natured chuckle when one of these “City” events rolls through. This gentleman and his wife set up chairs, and he was playing the “toura loura loura” brand of music on his accordion to the runners. He also played an instrumental version of “eleanor rigby“, which was both ironic and funny.
The winners of the 2008 marathon were-
the male champion Brazilian Marílson Gomes dos Santos, who ran the course in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 43 seconds-
and British Paula Radcliffe won the female prize for her 2 hour, 23 minute, and 56 second run.
NYC Marathon – photo by Mitch Waxman
In 2008, the New York City Marathon was only thought to have killed two. Reports were later revised to three.
from wikipedia
The 2008 marathon events were marred by the deaths of three marathon participants:
Carlos Jose Gomes, 58, of Brazil fell unconscious shortly after completing the race in 4:12:15. An autopsy revealed that he had a pre-existing heart condition and died of a heart attack.
Joseph Marotta, 66, of Staten Island, N.Y. succumbed to a heart attack hours after he completed his fourth New York City Marathon. He walked the course in 9:16:46.[
An unidentified 41-year-old man who collapsed at the marathon died on 15 November.
NYC Marathon – photo by Mitch Waxman
The official website for the Marathon is found here. They are currently gearing up for the annual incarnation of the event- scheduled for November 1st, All-Saints Day 2009.
The way other cultures will be celebrating the day are ingenious, and varied. Incidentally, Nov 1st is also called Samhain, by some, but I would be surprised at any bonfires lit in the Newtown Pentacle.
from wikipedia
In Portugal and Spain, ofrendas (offerings) are made on this day. In Spain, the play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally performed. In Mexico, All Saints coincides with the celebration of “Día de los Inocentes” (Day of the Innocents), the first day of the Day of the Dead(Dia de los Muertos) celebration, honoring deceased children and infants.
In Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain people bring flowers to the graves of dead relatives.
In Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Croatia, Austria, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Catholic parts of Germany, the tradition is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives.
In the Philippines, this day, called “Undas”, “Todos los Santos” (literally “All Saints”), and sometimes “Araw ng mga Namayapa” (approximately “Day of the deceased”) is observed as All Souls’ Day. This day and the one before and one after it is spent visiting the graves of deceased relatives, where prayers and flowers are offered, candles are lit and the graves themselves are cleaned, repaired and repainted.
In English-speaking countries, the festival is traditionally celebrated with the hymn “For All the Saints” by William Walsham How. The most familiar tune for this hymn is Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
NYC Marathon – photo by Mitch Waxman
November 1st is, incidentally, also the anniversary of the abdication of the last Ottoman Sultan in 1922- Mehmed VI, which was the end of a 25 century struggle between east and west that truly began at The Battle of Marathon. It’s also World Vegan Day.
For the whole marathon series in a slideshow click here. I was down there shooting between 12 and 2, if you’re one of the runners, contact me for access to full resolution shots.
NYC Marathon – photo by Mitch Waxman
The Newtown Pentacle 