It’s Hard to Sing the Blues

It occurred to us recently that we might not get any better on the ukelele. No matter how many hours we practice. And who really wants to hear Five Feet Two one more time? Or the first time? So, with the encouragement of my friends Viretta and Natasia, I decided to write something myself and put it up on YouTube for the world to hear. Like a gay man coming out, just more awkward.

I dedicate this first effort to Professor Peter who’s been coaching me, as well as J-Walk, Bisbo and the Hobbit who encouraged me. Okay, they didn’t discourage me which is sort of the same thing.

Dark Universe

“With astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson as your guide, go beyond the night sky and into deep space to find out how discoveries over the past 100 years have led us to two great cosmic mysteries: dark matter and dark energy. You’ll hurtle through Jupiter’s atmosphere, peer at the web of dark matter holding galaxies together, and watch the colorful remains of the universe’s beginnings unfold.”

I was fortunate to experience this at the Hayden Planetarium (part of the American Museum of Natural History in New York). The most amazing and wonderful thing I have every seen.

Ammi Simon: Tour Guide


Next week I’ll be in New York for a few days. I don’t have much planned. Just walking around, soaking up the atmosphere. I’ve hired a guide for my first day. Ammiel has lived in New York City since 1960. He attended The High School of Music and Art and has performed as an actor and musician at Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall. I found him on ToursbyLocals.com. Ammi has promised to show me the New York that only New Yorkers see.