Coney Island - JK Shoots a Freak!

So this is M**k C***k guest blogging here. We just returned from a trip to Coney Island, JK and Lizzy rode, while I took the painfully slow F train! Highlights: Art signs, mural, the Cyclone, free beer, and, well, JK shot a freak. Too bad we don't have any pictures of that. But a nice paintball shot to the head, leaving a nice orange splatter across the 'freak's' forehead. Don't worry he was wearing eye protection. The cyclone kicked ass, if you are in the area get your butt on the cyclone, and spend the time waiting to get front row seats. JK and I got front seats on our second ride, and it is freak'n scary. You not only feel like you are opposing gravity, but you also feel that the ride will come crashing down bellow you. The 4G turns stick you against the person next to you, and the ride always does a nice little jolt, making one feel like it wants to come loose of its moorings. Thanks JK on the second ride, I didn't think I could have done it, but was happy I did!

Oh I almost forgot the infamous FREAK SHOW. We entered as Eek the Geek (that is chicken head eating type for all you) was lighting a flaming torch off of his tongue, because he was strapped into an electric chair and was giving off sparks! Then the amazing sword swallower swallowed a 2 foot sword followed by a 4 foot sword. I am not going to remark on the obvious fellatio jokes here, or else everyone will think that I am being a sexist bastard, but I was definitely thinking those thoughts. The fire eater was less than impressive, but had some great tattoos. The Block head put a ice pick, nail, and a SPOON into his naval cavity. Unlike me putting a corkscrew through my septum. The snake charmer who was dancing with the fat and lazy snake. The most impressive part of this was she tried to eat the snake, and it didn't look to fazed, I think they doped up the snake, and the amazing plastic woman (who was also the sword swallower), JK and I paid US$1.00 to see how she fit in the box, and if you want to know you will have to check it out for yourself and paid the US$1.00. It kicked ass! I'm now at Lizzy's place and we are having icecream for dinner.

Don't forget to check out the grammar Police record of Coney Island !

The Nomadic Exhibition Space

JK and I finally went to see "The Nomadic Museum" and its exhibition of Gregory Colbert's photographs called Ashes and Snow. The NM, designed by Shigeru Ban -- one of the horde of celebrity architects prancing recently through the pages of the liberal press -- was beautiful but it wasn't a museum. (After an exhausting year of redefining museums, I have decided that anybody who will let me in for free with my AAM card is a museum; the NM cashier was pleasant and efficient but demanded my six dollars [twelve for real grownups].)

Roberta Smith already wrote, more eloquently than I can, almost everything I thought. In summary, the shipping-crate building is cool but the photgraphs suck. If you are anywhere near a bus shelter or a copy of the New Yorker, you've already seen them. They are almost unbearably sentimental, tinged with a semi-offensive and VERY tired portrayal of "primitive" or "other" people as at one with nature and animals, serving as an inspiration for us harried, modern, sucessful city-dwellers. Or whatever. Cute kids in faraway places hugging elephants.
JK's irritation at the hourlong wait for a 15-minute visit was made only slightly better by the stunning interior and some delightful ice cream we ate while waiting on the line. I guess I'm glad that I went but it did make me kind of depressed. The place was packed, and while I am always happy to see lines for an art exhibition, my populism was strained. Are all these people here only because Rolex bought a lot of ads? Am I so out of touch that I am nauseated by something the "general public" finds deeply touching? Is museum architecture more important that what's inside? Sigh.
Anyway, the cathedral-like space formed by cardboard tubing was amazing (photo blurry due to stealth). And then we had a nice bike ride.

Another brilliant article in the Onion...

Yes, they are fabulously cool; yes, they love to satirize the museum. Maybe I'll write my thesis on the rise in popularity of the museum as on object of humourous social commentary ...
Check it out.