banjo at my window

short video of some banjo playing that in actuality, doesn't sound like a banjo (for some technical reason). anyway i havent been blogging for some time now, and thought it would be a good way to start up once again.

i was hoping you would get a glimpse of someone looking out their window, hanging up clothes on a line, or screaming some bizarre brooklyn talk but what you can hear, is someone sweeping and some singing sparrows at the end of the video.

hope you enjoy!

Bird Builds Nest

Every day when I head out of my house, I hear a bird making the most beautiful sounds I could ever hear. Today I looked up and waited patiently to spot him, and I did. I believe its building a nest. I hear its little baby birdies chirping away. Its the most beautiful thing, especially living in a city of pollution and noise. I happened to have my camera with me so I took a video of the bird. You can hear its singing fighting with the atrocious sounds of trucks and cars. I wish I could get up on the roof and film the babies. I also wish I could sing like a bird. I think I'll try ( both wishes ). To be continued....

My Philosophy on Donating Clothing

Every time my wife and I get into a cleaning frenzy we usually fill 2 or more bags of clothing for the needy. Not that we are not needy but there are others who could surely use what we no longer need or want.
So, we call up a church that very kindly picks up our unwanted clothing and makes sure the needy gets it. Its usually a very simple process of just calling the church and giving them your address and time of pick up. They usually have a window from 8am to 3pm to pick up your donations. The norm is to leave your clothing in bags outside your door. Very simple right? Well, not that simple.
The problem is that in Brooklyn NY people have the notion that whatever is on your door step or stoop, is up for grabs. So with that said it could really "open up a can of worms" ( I love that figure of speech ) Sometimes people will go through your donations and grab what they want and then leave a mess on your door step for you to clean up in the morning and for your neighbors to gossip about how there must have been some heated domestic dispute at your house last night. We all know the usual suspects hanging their heads out their windows, checking to see when you come in and out and how many cigarettes you smoke on your stoop or why you ride your bike everywhere.
In order to avoid such catastrophes in our lives, we have taken a step further to ensure the protection of our donations. We have made signs that we taped onto our bags. Not just any signs but signs that are made to play with the intruders self worth. Hopefully this will deter all those crazy used clothing fiends that creep about at night looking for their next victim.
Hope this works and I hope you also enjoy the video.
yours,
JD Theft Free Donation Activist BKLYN NY

Thanh Da Bakery BKLYN NY

Im no food critic but ill pretend for this one. I just got back from hanging with my good friend A. Bogs. We took a stroll up to 7th ave, the heart of Chinatown Brooklyn. There's a really cool newly expanded bakery by the name of Thanh Da. This has got to be the best place for Vietnamese sandwiches in Brooklyn or maybe even NY.
The sandwich is made up of thinly sliced pickled carrots and daikon, onions, cucumbers, and cilantro. Popular fillings include roasted or grilled pork, Vietnamese Ham, paté, mayonnaise, chicken, and head cheese. Most Banh Mi sandwiches contain a Vietnamese mayonnaise-like spread that is a mixture of egg yolk, cooking oil/butter, and sometimes spices. Sorry my vegetarian friends. The sandwiches are really inexpensive and super delicious. The place is really friendly and super clean. A sandwich with some dessert and a drink will run you about 6 bucks. You really cant beat that. You can sit in or sit outside where they usually have some fold out chairs. What a day! Shooting the breeze with a great friend and enjoying a Vietnamese sandwich. Now thats life!

JD