Stacy Horn's Blog, page 3

New Author Photo

I have a new book coming out in January called The Killing Fields of East New York (much more to come about that)! Which means I had to get a new author photo. Always an agonizing ordeal. Gone are the days when I could take a few shots and love every one of them. After hundreds and hundreds of takes, with different cameras and my new iphone, I picked one that made me look much younger and prettier than I look in reality. Here is the one I chose and the runner up.

Winner, taken with my new iphone 14.

The runner up, taken with my Cannon G9. Note the position of my arm, strategically placed to hide my neck.

I Have a New Camera!

I held onto my iPhone 6S for years, and would have continued to do so, but nothing is supported anymore, I can’t get the faster internet connection, and so on. So I gave in and bought an iPhone 14. And immediately took pictures of Bleecker, who, for whatever reasons, rarely comes out well in pictures.

For its Bleecker-picture-taking abilities, it’s a success. My two little voids, Bodhi and Bali, are next.

Looking for a Choir?

I just got email about choirs geared towards people 55 and older. They are called Encore Chorales (also Encore Rocks) and they are run by an organization called Encore Creativity for Older Adults. I don’t have the time for another choir, but I looked at the program for this fall in my area and it looks so fun!

When my book about singing came out, people kept telling me how hard it was to find a choir where they are, and Encore choirs aren’t everywhere yet, but see if they are. One important fact is they are non-auditioned and I know having to audition puts a lot of people off. I can relate. I got through it the last time, like 40 years ago, and I never want to have to audition again!

A picture of my friend’s choir, the Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble.

A Beach in New York City

Passed this by on a walk along the Hudson. I hate sitting on the beach in the warm weather, it sucks the life right out of me. The only upside to a beach is jumping into the water, which isn’t an option here! There is no reason on earth for me to spend anytime here, except in the fall or winter. It’s very pretty to look at though.

View from My Window

I don’t know why I took this picture, other than I liked the clouds perhaps? But I’m sitting at my desk, looking out my window right now, feeling so peaceful, for no good reason really. (The view is actually completely different when I am sitting down.) I’m happy about my book that is coming out in January, and I have my health, and healthy cats, but other than that, the world is a fucking nightmare, isn’t it? I’m so sorry, rest of the world, for our contribution to that.

Tomorrow, fireworks. Once every billion years or so they’re on the Hudson River, where I live, so I will be watching from my roof, trying to get a good shot! We shall see.

New York City Street Art

Unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of the back to note who painted this. But I liked it, whoever you are.

You Don’t Have to be That Insanely Wealthy …

… to invest in art. I went to MOMA the other day, the first time in years! I didn’t love it after the big renovation, and haven’t been back since. I didn’t walk out feeling energized, after having immersed myself in art I loved. But this time I was. I saw tons of paintings that I loved. None of my pictures of them came out well, alas. The one in this post is a Joseph Stella.

My favorite current exhibit there was the photographs by Latoya Ruby Frazier. But so many of the shows there, and I can’t remember now if the Frazier show had this problem as well, but there was too much text accompanying the photographs. In one case there was enough text to fill a small book (not the Frazier show). There is no way I’m going to read that much in either a museum or gallery setting. The photographs are still stunning, you don’t need the text. But I would love to have the text available to download in cases where I want more backstory. (For all I know the text is downloadable.)

Yesterday a friend and I went in and out of a bunch of galleries in Chelsea. In each case I noted the price of every painting I loved. They generally went from around $5,000 to $18,000, which is more than I could ever afford, or even bring myself to spend even if I had it, but not a lot for many of the people who live in NYC. Or even in my own building! Art investing, and really great works of art, are within reach of a lot of people. I wonder if a lot of people are buying.

If they question whether or not art is a worthy investment they should watch a few of the online auctions on YouTube, run by places like Sothebys or Christies. And watch the ones which include young artists. These auctions are fun to watch regardless. They’re exciting, I’ve gotten to know the buyers, the auctioneers, and I learn who the up and coming big shots are in the art world. (Big shots, such an old person term, isn’t it?). Millions of dollars being thrown around like it’s nothing! Great tv.

Happy Birthday to Me!

My present to myself. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to carry everything up to my 5th floor walk-up apartment. (Scroll down for the picture of me and the boxes I carried. My weight training paid off.) I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to assemble all the things that needed assembling. But here it is! I haven’t had a piano for close to thirty years. I have to get my old lady fingers back in shape. For the curious, the piano is electric, it’s a Roland FP-10. It does a pretty good job of mimicking how a piano feels to play and how it sounds.

As you can see, the boxes are practically as big as I am! Look at those babies. Not only were they heavy, they were so big they were difficult to maneuver. Oh God. I’m remembering the agony of climbing the stairs with the heaviest box. It was quite the challenge. It was actually a good feeling to be able to manage it. But still. I need a strong boyfriend. Applications welcome.

When My Cats are Nice to Each Other

I have three cats, and they have mixed feelings about each other. When I see something like this, I have to take a picture. They’re all resting peacefully in close proximity to each other.

When I see something like this I’m really happy, but oh look, more holes in my couch. That’s all them. You’re not seeing the worst of it, which I have covered in various ways, or have sewn up. Badly. You can see one of my patches in the previous picture, and how they’ve made new holes around it. Are dogs this bad?

Airplane Climbing Angle

I believe I’ve posted about this before, but every time I see a plane outside my window making such a steep climb, I think, ‘How is everyone inside that plane not screaming??’ It looks terrifying to me. It’s practically straight up, like a rocket ship. I haven’t been in a plane for at least twenty years. Can someone who flies regularly comment on this?