MUSIC WITH RANDY KAPLAN

We had a great time this morning watching our neighbor, singer, song writer, and poet, Randy Kaplan perform in front of a 100 strong crowd at McCabe's Guitar Shop on Pico.  We missed a tune or so but caught the rest which included his new album title song Jam on Rye, Don't Fill Up on Chips, Crew Cut, No Nothing, I'm a Little Dinosaur, The Fire Engine, The Kid is All Id, Hockey Puck, Ode to a Shower Door, and, Grape Juice Hesitation Blues.  I'm blanking on the tune about going to the super market, which I absolutely loved.  Might have mentioned it above, just didn't know it.  Much of Randy's music belends American Roots, Country Blues, and Comedic Storytelling.  Kaplan speaks the truth as an artist! His speedy lyrics and sweet melodies keep you fully engaged and his little anecdotes between tunes can't help but make you laugh and smile.  I don't write music reviews, but I do know that Randy is a true artist that connects on all levels as a singer song writer.

We loved being their to support our friend.  My only regret was not taking more pictures from around the room, but I was so immersed in the music and experience.  For all the parents out there, go buy his latest album, JAM ON RYE.  Your kids, and you, will absolutely love it.  And check out Randy on Sirius-XM Radio Kids Place Live.
 

PUREFIX CYCLES

If you've been following me on Instagram you might have noticed a few postings of my #purefix bike and my rides around Los Angeles the past few weeks. It's been a liberating and freeing experience.  Just me, the bike, and the road, a cool nights breeze upon my face, "clear eyes" and a "full heart."

So what happened and why the bike all of a sudden.  I've been curious for quite some time about a fixed gear bike.   Clean lines, light, simple, and it just looks friggin cool.  For those that have been to my office, I have a collection of messenger bags, pretty much all #manhattanportage with the quick release and I recently bought The Empire backpack, which hauls my gear (work gear that is) back and forth from home to the office.  I'm no bike messenger, but I've been transfixed by the culture.  I grew up on Quicksilver, and though a cheese movie, I always thought it captured the bike messenger world in a way that felt real and grounded.  I can't speak for Premium Rush because I haven't seen it...all in due time.

On the other hand, two words.  Gino Bartali, maybe one of the greatest cyclists ever.  He was Italian and the only rider ever to win the The Tour de France ten years apart - '38 and '48 - 24 and 34 years old respectively.  That's unheard off.  And remember, the event wasn't held between '39-'46 because of the war.  Cycling on the world stage almost disappeared during those years.  But what makes Bartali even more interesting and remarkable is that he helped save Jews during WWII who were being persecuted by the Nazis.  He used his fame by carrying forged documents and photographs, working in conjunction with DELASEM, aiding Jews to escape, some of them to the Swiss Alps in 1943.  Not only was he maybe the greatest rider of the modern era, but he used his bike for good. It was a beacon of hope in a time of dispare.  It's inspiring in every way of the word. 

I haven't cracked it yet.  It's in the making, but I leave you with this...

Inside, the garage stands there like a statue, dark until the lift door rises up and street lights floods the concrete room.  Light slowly inching back over The Echo, beautiful, clean, a vessel that will take me into the night.  Black matte helmet lifted off the riser bars, snapping into place under my chin.  Clear eyes.  Heart full.  Strapping one foot in.  Readying for the push off, and now the other foot snug in the binding.  And we are off, heart racing, the rush settling in...let's do some good tonight, shall we...

TOPPINGS FROZEN YOGURT

It was a great day.  I spent some time at the Leica Los Angeles Flagship Store this afternoon, first time back since it's opening a few months ago.  Demoed a few lenses.  The gallery is showcasing Craig Semetko's work from his trip to India commissioned by Leica.

But the real highlight of the afternoon was taking my girls for frozen yogurt at Toppings on Robertson.  Such a wonderful time and Glenda came too which made it all the more fun.  We laughed and chatted.  Estella spotted a puppy about half way thru and was smitten.  She loved the fruit and Sylvie the Mango frozen yogurt.

Here are a few that just light up the world.

MY INSTAGRAM DAY IN MANHATTAN

We had an amazing weekend in New York City, visiting Amanda's good friend Beth Miller who was getting married in Great Neck, Long Island.  While everyone was preparing for the special evening, I ventured into the city, channeling the spirit of my nine year old self, with the goal of making it to the top of the Empire State Building by noon, hoping to either run into King Kong or better yet, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.   See, the last time I was up there I was a young boy on a trip with my family over the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade.  We stayed at my Aunt Judy's apartment in Chelsea.  Saw practically everything you can see in a weeks time. 

I was sad not to have Amanda by my side, but worse yet, my girls, to share in the fun of traveling 86 floors and then to the 102nd, like when I was younger, to see the world from a different perspective.  All in good time, all in good time. 

The journey was liberating, I felt like a true New Yorker venturing in on the LIRR to Penn Station, then on foot to 5th Avenue. 

At the top nothing but clear skies for miles, beyond Liberty Island and the Brooklyn Bridge, deep into Jersey, and of course back up to Central Park and beyond Harlem. It puts a lot into perspective at the top. The world is a big place. We are but small pieces of the larger puzzle. 

My day didn't stop there, I LOVE NYC shirts and replica ESB statues for the girls, and a photography book for me.

Afterward I ventured down 5th to Madison Squate Park, the Flat Iron Building, families playing and enjoying the 60s plus temperature.  Everyone happy. 

Eventually my day trip came to a close and I needed to get back to Great Neck. Amanda and I were mesmerized earlier as to the process of getting on a train at Penn Station, everyone waiting patiently, almost like the winning lottery numbers were to be announced at any moment, but in this case what track your train would depart from back to Long Island. We waited, waited a little more until the track number displayed on the board and dashed like children to track 16 for a ride home. I bet it never gets old!

Until the next time, #iheartnyc. 

INSIDE SYLVIE RAIN

It was the birthday that never ended but what better way to send Sylvie Rain off into her fourth year than taking a look "inside" her special day that simply fills the heart. Hope you enjoy.

Inside Sylvie Rain - 4th Birthday from Andrew Calof on Vimeo.