The Urban Naturalist

Sailors: Part 2

2009-10-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

A wonderful new Jameson Irish Whiskey commercial.

BA

American Fashion: Sailors

2009-10-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

New York City is surrounded by water. Can any of our current Urban Naturalists pull off a sailor inspired look? Here's a great picture to ignite some fashion inspiration.

BA

Victrola: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

2009-10-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

The little lady picked-up a copy of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' new collection of the duos soundtrack work, White Lunar. Largely instrumental (there is one Cave sung tune), it's been soundtracking every minute of my commute. It's especially appropriate as New York City slowly transitions to fall and winter. Haunting. Beautiful. Dark. I really can't do this double disc justice. Seriously, just buy it. Look at those guys on the cover. Buy it.

White Lunar "What Must Be Done"

KJ

Small Trades: Irving Penn, Paris

2009-10-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

In the 1950's, while working for Vogue Magazine in Paris, Irving Penn, on his own time, would invite various trades people up the six flights of stairs to his studio to be photographed in their work duds. The Getty Museum is showcasing Penn's 'Small Trades' collection until Jan. 2010.

The picture above is called 'Dave' and is not part of Penn's Paris work. In 1967 he showed up in San Francisco looking to capture some of the locals on film. The Hell's Angels kindly obliged.

NY Times slide show on Irving Penn's 'Small Trades'

DR

Photographer Jake Dobkin

2009-10-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

A Broken Crow Mural Near Jefferson Ave

"The heart of the New York streetart scene seems to be shifting East, from the Morgan Street stop on the L to the Jefferson stop-- right around the intersection of Flushing and Wykoff. Of course, that's a long way to go just to see a few pieces. I'm worried that in a few years, there won't be any good graf in easily accessible neighborhoods, and most people will just know the pieces from photographs they see on Flickr. Not that there's anything wrong with streetart photography, but it's a shame to miss seeing the pieces in person."

Blue Jake: A New York City Photoblog by Jake Dobkin

DR

Cosplay FTW

2009-09-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

We at the Urban Naturalist make a solemn promise to you the reader: we will never be your calendar. We will never inform you of upcoming events in and around the city for you to plan to attend. We are a web log. We promise to tell you about things we've done and events which have already happened. If we do ever advertise a future happening, we will be of two minds about it. Besides, were you really planning to go to the Anime Fest at the Javits Center?

The Javits Convention Center is hard to get to, make no mistake. The way to the Hudson from Midtown is by any route inconvenient, made considerably more so by weekend subway service changes and Saturday tourist traffic. A block away from the building a knot of kids dressed all in black appear, arm in arm, carrying swords and spears. Afro Samurai approaches Entry A at 38th Street, his red headband constricting his enormous afro.

Friends of The Urban Naturalist at The Japan Society provided a day pass at the Welcome Gate, a ticket normally costing forty five dollars. The Urban Naturalist, worn from his trek across town and underneath the Port Authority, found sustenance at a Nuts 4 Nuts kiosk, buying a three-dollar bag of candied peanuts and a four-dollar bottle of water.

Teens in elaborate costumes of their favorite anime character traveled often in pairs or trios carrying Free Hugs signs. The custom was to give or receive a hug or a kiss, then pose for pictures. Is it simply a way of connecting, these hugs? Do these kids spend so much time living alone online, playing at World of Warcraft or Second Life, that the advertised hugs are a way to experience human contact? Or is it deeper? I identify with this character. I want to and can be for today and maybe tomorrow, this character and you recognize this want in me and will hug me for me and my likes. Or is the Urban Naturalist being a terrible snob? Who is he to snicker?

An area for manga artists who will for a fee draw you a picture and sign it. A cordoned area for the New York Jedi to beat the hell out of each other with light sabers. Aisles of costume dealers, foam and wood swords and knives. Aisles of manga and video. The end of the hall was darkened for the gaming championships. A stage where two played FIFA Soccer against each other, the game displayed on an enormous screen, each player having his own commentator.

A crush of cosplay kidz at every turn erupted into a spontaneous parade beginning at the end of the five hundred aisle. Chanting in unison "Yaoi! Yaoi! Yaoi!" They weaved through the hall in an ever-lengthening line, exultant at full throat.

Reni, a cosplay idol had her own booth.

There is opportunity for drama, however, even on the most magical day. A woman in a hand-sewn plastic outfit and green hair buried her face in her husband's chest. "You know that woman who went off on you before? That fat piece of shit? I know her. She's a piece of shit! And she cheats on her husband just like my mom. Know how I know? She goes in the same chatroom my mom goes to and I see the things she says. Fat bitch, she's a piece of shit! Shit..." Her husband stroked her back, his hand squeaking on the plastic. "Shh," he said, "it's okay. It's okay, it doesn't matter..."

It was time to go. Three hours on the convention floor had left The Urban Naturalist dazed and out of sorts. He fell in with a group of cosplayers heading east who'd learned there was a Wendy's within walking distance.

Discoverist: Anglo Saxon Gold

2009-09-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Apparently four days ago, an amateur metal detectorist living off of his disability checks, discovered the largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold in a farm field. The Guardian has a nice piece on the discovery and a brief historical 'brush-up' on the Anglo-Saxons for those interested.

The find made the adventurers at the Urban Naturalist a little excited and a little jealous. Honestly, in the US do we even have this as a possibility? Medieval gold, really, those Europeans get to have all the fun. Or do they? We do have lost Golden Cities. Undiscovered Fountains of Youth. Hidden pirate treasures. Maybe this Metal Detectorist thing would be worth getting into, even in this young land of America. Here's a small list of New York City and Northeast resources for aspiring gold hoard discoverers.

Empire State Metal Detector Association

Metal Detector Distributors

Upstate Metal Detectors and Treasure Hunting

Lost Treasures in New York

Lost Treasure Online

KJ

The Last Days of Wonder: Tesla Machines

2009-09-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

At St. Sava Cathedral, 13-15 West 25th Street rests a bust of Nikola Tesla. He died the inventor of the Tesla coil, Tesla’s oscillator, Tesla’s Egg of Columbus, a Particle beam weapon, and of course, the Death ray.

DR

Chuck Taylor All-Stars

2009-09-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

"The shoes are available in several core colors, seasonal colors, and a variety of print styles. In the 1950s the shoes became popular within the greaser subculture and amongst many fans of rockabilly. Fans of punk rock have adopted the shoe as a fashion trend since the late 1970s and many popular punk rock bands, such as the Ramones, have supported the trend by wearing the sneakers. All-Stars became popular again in the '90s as fans of the world famous grunge-punk band Nirvana emulated the band's frontman Kurt Cobain, who had worn All-Stars for many years prior to the 90's due to the influence of different punk rock bands he enjoyed in his youth" Wikipedia

So it's getting to the point were we all know grunge is back, right? I mean how long was the new wave and dance revival really going to last before some people started to grow their hair back out and turn the guitars back up. I'm embracing it. With wide open arms. Let's just say that the Urban Naturalist has a lot more in common with Tad than Fleet Foxes. I've never withheld my overwhelming love for the music from that era, but the fashion side has started to take me too. Thick winter flannel. Grunge tee-shirts. And the black Chuck Taylor All-Star. They were a staple for me a few years back, and this might just be the Mudhoney Superfuzz Bigmuff talking, but I'm feeling the All-Star again this year. High-Top. Not low.

DR

Grizzly Bear

2009-09-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

The Old Internet

2009-09-13T11:11:00.001-07:00

No Seriously

2009-09-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

They have everything at P.S.1.

From a room full of records on the floor...

To a picture of a guy dressed up like the Ultimate Warrior enjoying a cold one.

Explore!

Bingo!

2009-09-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Go to P.S.1. What's not to like?

Nick Cave's Bunny Munro

2009-09-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

At the Urban Naturalist we celebrate any release by Nick Cave. To our great enjoyment, He's been incredibly prolific over the last few years having written The Proposition, Soundtracking Jessie James, and releasing a slew of top-form music.

But with all of his output, Cave has only ever released one novel, 1989's And the Ass Saw the Angel. That changes on Tuesday with the release of Cave's second novel, The Death of Bunny Munro. Here to wet your appetite is Cave reading from the novel...

KJ

Tennis Zen: U.S. Open

2009-09-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

The UN is off to the U.S. Open in Queens today. Match day 2 sees a lot of the big guns playing a lot of the small guns. Hopefully good food, drinks, and upsets are in order. And a UN update later.

update (8:00pm): A wonderful day in Flushing. MGD on draft. Wins from Verdasco, Gonzalez, and Cilic. Incredible weather. There are only four Grand Slams a year, and only one in the US. If you get a chance, grab some late tickets and head out to East Queens for an amazing event.

BA

Sunday Afternoon Imbiber: Root

2009-08-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

I love Root Beer. Not in the 'drinkin' it everyday' sort of way. Not even in the 'I clearly remember the last time I had one' sort of way. But when forced to swig a sugary, bubbly concoction, Root Beer would be at the top of my list. Possibly tied with Big Red (but that's a different Imbiber).

What I didn't know until about an hour ago, was that Root Beer has it's origins in a uniquely American spirit from pre-Prohibition days called Root. Luckily, some lovely spirits revivalists at Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction have recreated the original Root spirit and are slowly reintroducing it to the market.

As of right now, Root is only available in Pennsylvania. By good fortune, this Urban Naturalist will find himself in Philadelphia next weekend. I'll be grabbing a few bottles and hopefully enjoying a glass by next weeks Imbiber. A full review will follow my dear friends. Until then, a root beer float might be in order.

DR

Travis Louie: Curiosities

2009-08-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

Travis Louie's new collection of artwork features Victorian-Age-fashioned 'monsters' in surreal portraits. It's like a tour of the Munster's family library, filled with aging photographs of relatives long dead.

Travis Louie's Curiosities is available here.

DR

The Leatherman

2009-08-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is an absolute essential. The Leatherman, in my opinion, is the Americana Swiss Army Knife. Like the Swiss model, the Leatherman comes in a lot of multi-tool and size options ranging in weight from 12.5 ounces to 1.8 ounces. I was recently given an engraved Leatherman as a groomsman's present. And given that the wedding took place right outside of Woodstock, NY, a survival tool was not only classy and cool but also a necessity.

Also, a little history. The Leatherman company was founded by Tim Leatherman in 1970 after graduating from Oregon University. Yeah, Tim Leatherman. Awesome.

Find the right Leatherman for you over at Knives Plus.

KJ

Urban Wonder: Twain and Tesla

2009-08-13T10:50:00.001-07:00

Tesla and Twain in Tesla's Lab, 1894

Later in life Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain became fast friends. It seems they ran in the same circles, possibly meeting in the same murky late century bars, ordering the same drinks, both sitting in highly imaginative and depressing contemplation. Tesla allowed his friend to visit his lab late in the evening in 1894 where Twain participated in his electro-experimentation.

"Just hold onto this loop Mr. Twain. Yes, the one above the resonating coil. In just a moment look over your shoulder, my friend, and you will see the lamp come alive as a high voltage frequency is sent through your body."

KJ

Fashionisto Americano: Bags

2009-08-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Wm. J. Mills & Co.

There's something I find appealing about a clothing or accessory company whose main focus was formally of a more grand endeavor. In the case of Wm. J. Mills & Co. that endeavor was sails. Then, as any great family run business has, Wm. J. Mills adapted with the times. They now make most of their living fashioning awnings and whaler canvas. But, luckily for us, they're also making some great canvas bags. I've been on the lookout for a great set of travel bags and I think Wm. J. Mills has just won me over. A great selection of sizes and colors and all at a really great value. Cheap, trendy, and utilitarian. It's an Urban Naturalist equation for future brand loyalty.

KJ

Crappy Taxidermy

2009-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

So many ways to spend your days.

Victrola: The Rolling Stones 'Sway'

2009-08-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Rolling Stones: Sway

It's a problem most bands would beg to have; an album so good, great songs get lost within it's it's content. Sticky Fingers is full of some of the best dirty, sexy, country rockers the Stones ever wrote. Their most perfected style. Them at their most anti-Beatle. When the Stones really became The Stones. Stuck in-between the Brown Sugars, the Sister Morphines, and the Dead Flowers sits 'Sway.' Possibly my favorite Stones song. It's a ballad. But it's a radio cranker too. That's a double bullet shot that can't be undervalued. It's got that Stones' swagger. I guess it's just that demon life, got you in it's sway.

Buy Sticky Fingers here.

KJ

Feral Houses

2009-07-31T09:04:00.001-07:00

This new series of photos by James Griffioen of Detroit's slow decay kind of reminds me of the monologue in Fight Club...

"In the world I see - you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway. Fight Club

As Detroit's suburbs no longer become necessary for a shrinking former industrial power, nature seems to be reclaiming itself. I know there is a sad human story about Detroit's downfall, but Griffioen has found some beauty within collapse.

James D. Griffioen 'Feral Houses'

DR

Urban Find

2009-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Found: Brooks Brothers Seersucker Suit

$20 at Stray Vintage on Skillman Ave in Sunnyside Queens. A perfectly fitting Brooks Brothers Suit. Payed in cash. Now I'm searching for the appropriate lawn party, cricket match, or sailing regalia to sport this sharp find.

Needed: Blue handkerchief, canvas belt, brown oxford shoes.

Stray Vintage
4809 Skillman Avenue
Sunnyside, New York
718-779-7795

DR

Barber Shop

2009-07-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

I've said it before and will say it again. Freeman's Sporting Club is the place for any Urban Naturalist to get a haircut and a shave. I had a wonderful experience there last Friday in preparation for a weekend wedding outside of Woodstock, NY. Any Urban Naturalist worth a darn leaves the city with a nice shave and cut and returns with a little new undergrowth.

Freeman's Sporting Club
8 Rivington Street
(between Bowery & Chrystie) East Store Front
New York, NY 10002
212-673-3209

F.S.C. Barber West Village
5 Horatio Street
(Near Horatio and 8th Avenue)
New York, NY 10014
212-929-3917

DR