...





THE MOVE

Everything had to be in the shipping container by 10 a.m. The container arrived on the back of the flatbed at 8:00 and with the help of our neighbor Josh, and our new neighbor Michael, who will be subletting Paul and Sonja's apartment, we just made it. Sam did well. He followed his bed, drink cup in hand, down the elevator, into the lobby, and into the container.

One of the first to go down was the dragon, wrapped in its protective saran wrap. We carried it out the front of 100 Arden, and perched it in pride of place.

Here is a photo of the desk going out the door. Inside, unbeknownst to Paul and Sonja, were their passports. Which led to much madness over the following six days... Attempts to reach the container before it headed out to sea (failed), trying to get new passports on New Years Eve (failed), exchange their plane tickets (failed), and, well you get the idea.

All in all an exciting move. In some ways it was good for Mary and I: we were so anxious for them to get on the plane safe and sound and with passports in hand that we forgot until they were flying over the Atlantic how bereft we were. It also gave us an extra few days with them.



(love that ipod...click to enlarge)

I've mentioned the Eve Sussman video,'89 Seconds at Alcazar', and it's re-enactment of the Velasquez painting Las Meninas. As you may remember, Sam went up to the screen to pet the dog in the lower lefthand corner. I forgot that I took a picture of that moment, first with flash (you can't see the video image, but you can see Sam's size in relation to the screen). I then took a photo without flash, and you should be able to make out the image on the screen, and just barely Sam's head near the dog. We went back to see it again yesterday, and brought John with us. I learned the following: Las Meninas was radical for more reasons than I knew. It was the first snapshot; the first painting to capture a split second in time, predating photography by a helluva long time. And he makes the observer (you) invisible, by placing you directly between the painter and the couple whose portrait he's painting (you can see the couple "behind" you in a mirror across the room). John had a cinema studies professor lecture on the comparison with film technique, and the concept of the 'sutured' viewer. I find the thought of me being sutured into the visual space rather intriguing. And after 15 viewings of the video piece, I didn't get any of that. Very cool.

When we took Sam to the new MOMA, he liked the size of some of the rooms, and the opportunity to run (not that common an experience in museums). There were dangers of course. Here he is just seconds away from going behind this large metal wall sculpture (I've forgotten the artist's name) and whacking his head against one of the sharp edges. He survived. So did the sculpture. And fortunately the guard was looking the other way.

Sam is quite proud to be able to recognize a Gauguin, and Van Gogh. He spent a long time looking at Starry Night (one of my least favorite pictures; probably just my curmudgeonly distaste of tourist landmarks), and was happy to sleep in peace amidst some lovely Matisse.

And finally, a new picture book being sent to Sam in Croatia:

SAM AT GRANDPA AND GRANDMA'S HOUSE

Whenever I go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, they are always happy to see me. Grandpa says “"Hi Sam!"

There is a big room in Grandpa and Grandma’s house where I like to play. Once I had my train tracks ALL OVER. (can you see all my other toys?)

I like to sit on Grandpa’s exercise machine.

Sometimes he helps me ride it !!!

One day Mark let Grandpa and me ride on his skateboard. Wheeeee...

I also like to sit on my little red chair and blow bubbles with Grandma
(and sometimes the bubble juice spills on my pants)

Sometimes I read with Grandpa on the steps near my little table (and near my puppet theater, with my Yellow Submarine Beatle figures)

And Grandpa and I snuggle on the couch and he lets me play his guitar.

I like to make music with Grandma

Uncle John is a very good musician and we have lots of fun when he comes to visit at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Grandpa and I like to play on the computer together. What are we looking at????

HOMESTAR RUNNER!!!!!!

Grandma and I read books whenever we can.

And wherever we can. Even at the table where we eat our dinner.

I love it when everyone eats dinner together.

After dinner, I help put away the laundry in the bedroom. Grandma says I am a big help.

And she says that I make it so much fun for her.

Sometimes I take a bath in Grandpa and Grandma’s big bathtub.

And sometimes I take a nap in Grandpa and Grandma’s big bed.

I like Grandpa and Grandma’s house in New York, and I will have fun when I go there again.