The Zen of Tennis

John McEnroe: The Tennis Poet.

“Do you have any problems, other than that you're unemployed, a moron, and a dork?”

“I'll let the racket do the talking.”

BA

The Zen of Tennis

"The Beard has Begun"

Bjorn Borg would start growing a beard following the French Open in anticipation of Wimbledon.

BA

Mark Spusta

I physically went into a small record store this past Tuesday and exchanged cash for music. The music didn't just download onto my computer right away either. It involved putting a shimmering disc into a 'disc player' and then hitting play. I recommend that everyone try this experience, since it's seemed to go the way of this bands namesake.

Anyway, if you haven't heard it, I fully recommend the new Dinosaur Jr. record. It rocks. It's righteous. But as an interesting non-musical side note, Farm has also turned me on (I don't think there's a better way to describe this art) to cover artist Marq Spusta. I don't know if calling it stoner-friendly art is entirely fair, but just look at that cover. In face a Pitchfork interview seems to discount any drug influences on his art. But there is something wonderfully dreamy, mellow and absolutely contented about his work.



Marq Spusta

PA

Pogonology: Daniel Day Lewis

Pogonology is the study of beards.

Example 2: The DDL Beard. Full and unkempt. Just the right amount of 'my job doesn't require the clean shaved look' attitude. DDL always finds a way to accent the hell out of a good unruly beard. The hat makes it for me. Just to the side. Like a beatnik Santa Claus.

KJ

Pogonology: Warren Ellis

The Haunting of Warren Ellis, or Rain on my Parade

Warren Ellis has been a Bad Seed for a long time. That's how the Urban Naturalist came to know Mr. Ellis. But over the last few years he's flashed his bearded mug further and further into our consciousness, co-writing a beautiful and haunting soundtrack for The Assassination of Jesse James and some righteous ear-bleeders for Grinderman and Nick Cave. Haunting, it seems, would be the most accurate description of Ellis' look and sound. Enter Dirty Three.

Dirty Three is a three piece Melbourne formed group and the perfect rainy day soundtrack. It's melancholy and sprawling. I wouldn't say sad music for sad days. But pretty damn close. With Mother Nature raining all over the Urban Naturalist's return, we've been enjoying a steady stream of coffee and Mr. Ellis' wonderful music.

Mr. Ellis and Dirty Three will be playing at the Bowery Ballroom September 13th. The Urban Naturalist will be there crying into his beer in the very front row.

What Seas, What Shores, What Grey Rocks

It is possible if you are a young man living the city life that in the last few years you've affected Top-Siders. This make of shoe from the Sperry brand has become fantastically popular again. Fashion is borne and borne again like the waves of the sea. You will remember them from your childhood: your father wore them, an uncle, possibly even yourself when your mother wanted you to look nice for the family portraits. Utilitarian, indestructible, comfortable moccasin shoes with the non-marking soles. Sperry has recently given its clientele a broader choice of color. Now instead of limiting oneself to the dark brown leather, you can buy a vast array of four or five colors, from salt-washed red down to salt-washed blue.

What the Urban Naturalist wonders, though, is why limit yourself? These shoes are nothing more than a toe-dip into the marine aesthetic. You may find yourself wandering in midtown in Manhattan, in the wastes of blocks above 34th Street, north of Macy's. If you happen to be on 37th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues you'll encounter the New York City branch of West Marine.

West Marine is the supplier of gear to sailors all over the United States, Canada, and Turkey. Do you need anchor rodes? Mooring cleats? A trim tab? Foul weather gear? West Marine fits the bill. Unlike other New York branches of national chains West Marine feels completely outfitted. You'll find more carpets and lamps at the Manhattan Home Depot than channel locks or u-bends. The West Marine is lit harshly in fluorescent and it smells of rubber, plastic, and oil.

Give yourself over to a look guaranteed to keep you dry in foul weather. Keep your keys on a spring-locked clasp. Give your girlfriend a deck prism. Don't half-step in comfortable salt-washed shoes. Allen Ginsberg asked William Burroughs, after receiving a terrifying account of the effects of yaje on the psyche, "Why would you put yourself through something so awful?" Burroughs answered, "Hey! If you're gonna do yaje, you do yaje."

One Year Later

KJ/MG/DR/BEL/ZE/BA/PA