hey kids. this blog’s gonna stick around for a while, i think, but for up-to-the-minute coverage on my fascinating life and interests, check out the new : http://chrisgiarmo.tumblr.com
woot.
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farewell, wordpress…
Monday, January 10th, 2011
mobile morning
Friday, February 26th, 2010
just took this photo on my Palm Pixi Plus, and wrote this post using an app called “Poster.” more crazy blizzard pics to come from historic Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn.
just took this photo on my Palm Pixi Plus, and wrote this post using an app called “Poster.” more crazy blizzard pics to come from historic Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn.
FM FAIL
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
the red terrors and i saw fleetwood mac at MSG last week. it was amazing. i snapped this photo of a dude passed out in the first tier after the show, and instantly generated this caption :
lowest point of your 30s is… free 10th row tickets to fleetwood mac and you’re passed out, six plastic bottles of coors light to the wind.
the red terrors and i saw fleetwood mac at MSG last week. it was amazing. i snapped this photo of a dude passed out in the first tier after the show, and instantly generated this caption :
lowest point of your 30s is… free 10th row tickets to fleetwood mac and you’re passed out, six plastic bottles of coors light to the wind.
where’s chris? [puerta del sol, madrid]
Friday, May 1st, 2009
the above combo of three pictures is of a cloudy day in (ironically named) puerta del sol - or the door of the sun - which is the times square / tourist trap / pickpocket heaven of madrid.
i came to madrid almost ten years ago with my high school spanish class and experienced the city through 17 year-old on-a-tour-bus eyes. this time, although my level of spanish comprehension is comparable, i feel like i am getting a much richer experience.
last time we stayed at sol, in a ritzy hotel that had bidets - something me and my roomate mike were fascinated with. however, we didn’t, in any way understand the extent of the diversity of the city or it’s many neighborhoods. this time, jess and i have made particular effort to explore the neighborhoods of malesaña, la latina and chueca on the suggestion of my friend natalie. this weekend is supposedly the largest party weekend in all of spain, and i happen to be spending this night in the internet room of our hostel with several other euro-destitutes glued to g-chat and facebook instead of participating in monstrous fiestas.
that didn’t stop jess and i from visiting about 6 different bars eating tapas and drinking for the last several horus.
that’s just how we do in spain.
i always heard that the spanish were severe party-ers, but i had conveniently chosen to deny it. alas, after last night’s debauchery (which i will not go into on this blog), i have learned otherwise.
so tonight i take a break and save up for tomorrow’s festivities.
el dos de mayo (the second of may) is like american independence day or french bastille day - except with more alcohol, public intoxication and many more cigarettes. boundaries between public space and pub space seem to be non existent here, but somehow everyone seems to get along and stay happy and safe.
i have many more pictures to post of various architecture and fascinating things here in madrid (as well as some photos from my escapades in la parc de la tet d’or in lyon), but i will endeavor to post those when the sun is on my side.
until then… aurevoir - adios.
the above combo of three pictures is of a cloudy day in (ironically named) puerta del sol - or the door of the sun - which is the times square / tourist trap / pickpocket heaven of madrid.
i came to madrid almost ten years ago with my high school spanish class and experienced the city through 17 year-old on-a-tour-bus eyes. this time, although my level of spanish comprehension is comparable, i feel like i am getting a much richer experience.
last time we stayed at sol, in a ritzy hotel that had bidets - something me and my roomate mike were fascinated with. however, we didn’t, in any way understand the extent of the diversity of the city or it’s many neighborhoods. this time, jess and i have made particular effort to explore the neighborhoods of malesaña, la latina and chueca on the suggestion of my friend natalie. this weekend is supposedly the largest party weekend in all of spain, and i happen to be spending this night in the internet room of our hostel with several other euro-destitutes glued to g-chat and facebook instead of participating in monstrous fiestas.
that didn’t stop jess and i from visiting about 6 different bars eating tapas and drinking for the last several horus.
that’s just how we do in spain.
i always heard that the spanish were severe party-ers, but i had conveniently chosen to deny it. alas, after last night’s debauchery (which i will not go into on this blog), i have learned otherwise.
so tonight i take a break and save up for tomorrow’s festivities.
el dos de mayo (the second of may) is like american independence day or french bastille day - except with more alcohol, public intoxication and many more cigarettes. boundaries between public space and pub space seem to be non existent here, but somehow everyone seems to get along and stay happy and safe.
i have many more pictures to post of various architecture and fascinating things here in madrid (as well as some photos from my escapades in la parc de la tet d’or in lyon), but i will endeavor to post those when the sun is on my side.
until then… aurevoir - adios.
two photos from sophie’s
Saturday, April 11th, 2009
jess lost her passport so we couldn’t get into sing sing to sing sing.
so we went to sophie’s. good old haunt on 5th between a & b where we used to get trashed at in college. i used to think that it had since turned into a nazi bar, but apparently it was copasetic.
we played big buck hunter, which is still there in the back. (side note : if you’re looking to play big buck hunter at good old cheap shots n’ beer on 1st ave. you’ll be out of luck my friend. looks like sophie’s is the only place that still gets people’s joy of shooting fake animals.)
i kicked jess and nathan’s (pictured above) ass. i shot a hippo.
jess lost her passport so we couldn’t get into sing sing to sing sing.
so we went to sophie’s. good old haunt on 5th between a & b where we used to get trashed at in college. i used to think that it had since turned into a nazi bar, but apparently it was copasetic.
we played big buck hunter, which is still there in the back. (side note : if you’re looking to play big buck hunter at good old cheap shots n’ beer on 1st ave. you’ll be out of luck my friend. looks like sophie’s is the only place that still gets people’s joy of shooting fake animals.)
i kicked jess and nathan’s (pictured above) ass. i shot a hippo.
happy ending
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
so some of you have been wondering what ever happened with that lovely little stray i took in recently…
to get filled in, read :
my wonderful parents helped me out a few days ago and picked up toni from animal control in east new york. she’d been spayed and was a little groggy, but in good spirits - she only puked a little bit in the car.
we took her to glen rock, nj where she’s living now, with pete, a cop who’s got a lot of space and lives next to the woods.
here’s a pic of the happy couple :
pete was thrilled to meet her and, as i’ve heard from my mom, couldn’t be happier with his new friend. toni (or brook lynn as he’s renamed her) is doing great, and has a buddy too. axel, my mom’s friend robin’s dog, looks exactly like toni/brook and they’re sure to be fast friends.
again, thank you to all who helped out with taking care of her, taking her to the shelter, providing food and toys, and giving your undying support.
xo c
so some of you have been wondering what ever happened with that lovely little stray i took in recently…
to get filled in, read :
my wonderful parents helped me out a few days ago and picked up toni from animal control in east new york. she’d been spayed and was a little groggy, but in good spirits - she only puked a little bit in the car.
we took her to glen rock, nj where she’s living now, with pete, a cop who’s got a lot of space and lives next to the woods.
here’s a pic of the happy couple :
pete was thrilled to meet her and, as i’ve heard from my mom, couldn’t be happier with his new friend. toni (or brook lynn as he’s renamed her) is doing great, and has a buddy too. axel, my mom’s friend robin’s dog, looks exactly like toni/brook and they’re sure to be fast friends.
again, thank you to all who helped out with taking care of her, taking her to the shelter, providing food and toys, and giving your undying support.
xo c
update : toni’s got a home!
Saturday, January 17th, 2009
SUCCESS!!!!!
pete, the cop from ridgewood, nj came through! he agreed to pick up toni on sunday, when she gets out of animal control!
he’s got a big backyard, and he dog sits for a lot of dogs so toni will have plenty of social time with friends.
a huge weight has been lifted from me. i’m absolutely thrilled that she will be put in an ideal situation with someone that has the time, energy and space to give her what she needs.
thank you so much for all of your support in helping me try to find her a home.
if you wouldn’t mind, please send out an email or post this note to anywhere you posted my initial requests to let any concerned parties know that we’re all good.
i’ll post another update once i’ve gotten her all settled in this weekend.
best,
chris
SUCCESS!!!!!
pete, the cop from ridgewood, nj came through! he agreed to pick up toni on sunday, when she gets out of animal control!
he’s got a big backyard, and he dog sits for a lot of dogs so toni will have plenty of social time with friends.
a huge weight has been lifted from me. i’m absolutely thrilled that she will be put in an ideal situation with someone that has the time, energy and space to give her what she needs.
thank you so much for all of your support in helping me try to find her a home.
if you wouldn’t mind, please send out an email or post this note to anywhere you posted my initial requests to let any concerned parties know that we’re all good.
i’ll post another update once i’ve gotten her all settled in this weekend.
best,
chris
update : toni the stray pup
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
this morning my friend matt and i took toni to animal care and control in east new york. i’ve had her for three days and am definitely not capable of taking care of her on my own. taking her to “the pound” has always been a last resort, but i have a few good reasons for doing so.
the other day in the park, a dog got in a little tiff with toni and (i think) injured her front right paw. for the last day or so she’d been limping on it and holding it up when she sat. i couldn’t afford to take her to a clinic or vet. i decided to take her to animal control because they can vaccinate her, spay her, and look at her paw, all for free.
i paid a $20 finder’s fee which gives me first dibs on adopting her after the 72 hour legal holding period. i got a little extension on that, so i have to pick her up by 2pm on saturday or she might be taken to a shelter or euthanized.
i’m waiting to hear back from a cop in new jersey who was referred to me by my mother as someone that expressed interest in adopting her. he has a big back yard and lives next to a wooded area with a stream. he’s dog sat a friend of my mom’s dog a lot and has always expressed interest in having his own. he’s supposed to be contacting me today, and if all goes well, on saturday, i’ll pick up toni and transport her to beautiful ridgewood, nj - a huge step up from my tiny apartment.
driving to animal control was nerve wracking. i didn’t know what i would encounter. i imagined a dingy jail-like scenario with warehouses full of pets crammed into tiny cages. but instead i found a kind of pediatrician-like set up with murals and viewing rooms. they scanned toni for a chip and found that she didn’t have one, and assured me that they would take care of her. i’m worried about her being locked up in a cage for a few days, but i’m sure she’ll be fine. and if it means that i can have my space and time to devote myself to finding her a suitable owner, while she receives proper medical attention at minimal cost, then so be it.
my house really feels empty without her. even though she ate one of my shirts and got a little rambunctious at times, she really brought me a lot of joy in the last few days. i guess that’s what dogs are supposed to do. i just feel really fortunate that i was able to share in some of that and help a fellow animal in need.
thank you to all those who wrote, commented and called me with suggestions. i am still accepting adoption requests and suggestions in case this guy in nj doesn’t come through. please do not hesitate to call or email me with any info you have on prospective homes for toni.
of course i’ll keep you up to date on her progress.
best,
chris
this morning my friend matt and i took toni to animal care and control in east new york. i’ve had her for three days and am definitely not capable of taking care of her on my own. taking her to “the pound” has always been a last resort, but i have a few good reasons for doing so.
the other day in the park, a dog got in a little tiff with toni and (i think) injured her front right paw. for the last day or so she’d been limping on it and holding it up when she sat. i couldn’t afford to take her to a clinic or vet. i decided to take her to animal control because they can vaccinate her, spay her, and look at her paw, all for free.
i paid a $20 finder’s fee which gives me first dibs on adopting her after the 72 hour legal holding period. i got a little extension on that, so i have to pick her up by 2pm on saturday or she might be taken to a shelter or euthanized.
i’m waiting to hear back from a cop in new jersey who was referred to me by my mother as someone that expressed interest in adopting her. he has a big back yard and lives next to a wooded area with a stream. he’s dog sat a friend of my mom’s dog a lot and has always expressed interest in having his own. he’s supposed to be contacting me today, and if all goes well, on saturday, i’ll pick up toni and transport her to beautiful ridgewood, nj - a huge step up from my tiny apartment.
driving to animal control was nerve wracking. i didn’t know what i would encounter. i imagined a dingy jail-like scenario with warehouses full of pets crammed into tiny cages. but instead i found a kind of pediatrician-like set up with murals and viewing rooms. they scanned toni for a chip and found that she didn’t have one, and assured me that they would take care of her. i’m worried about her being locked up in a cage for a few days, but i’m sure she’ll be fine. and if it means that i can have my space and time to devote myself to finding her a suitable owner, while she receives proper medical attention at minimal cost, then so be it.
my house really feels empty without her. even though she ate one of my shirts and got a little rambunctious at times, she really brought me a lot of joy in the last few days. i guess that’s what dogs are supposed to do. i just feel really fortunate that i was able to share in some of that and help a fellow animal in need.
thank you to all those who wrote, commented and called me with suggestions. i am still accepting adoption requests and suggestions in case this guy in nj doesn’t come through. please do not hesitate to call or email me with any info you have on prospective homes for toni.
of course i’ll keep you up to date on her progress.
best,
chris
toni’s story
Sunday, January 11th, 2009
friday night at around 2am i was walking through fulton park from the train station to my house in stuyvesant heights, brooklyn when i noticed something moving by a water fountain. as i approached i realized that it was a puppy tied to the water fountain with bungee cord. i didn’t approach, thinking that maybe her owner had just left her there temporarily, and i didn’t know her temperment. when i got home, i called 311 and tried to get animal control to retrieve her. they said that no one could get her unless she was injured until the next day. i said “should i call back in 6 hours when she’s frozen to death?” the operator said there was nothing she could do.
i kept an eye on her from my apartment for the next hour and didn’t see anyone coming to get her so i decided to bring her some food and water. all i had was cat food so i brought out a can and some water in a plastic container.
upon approach she was anxious and excited. she scarfed down the cat food and water quickly and seemed to beg for more. i felt the sub-freezing temperature and listened to her whining, watching her struggle against the dirty bungee cord and made a decision.
i dragged her by the collar she was wearing to my house and pulled her into my bathroom. she seemed to be a little frantic so i made a bed for her in my bathtub and put some water and some more cat food in there and closed the shower doors. i spent a few hours with her petting her and talking to her in soothing tones. she let me touch her instantly and wasn’t afraid.
i slept for a few hours and the next morning let her out of the bathtub to have free range of the bathroom (which is actually pretty big). she started chewing on my towels so i gave her an old shoe to chew on instead. i had to go out for a rehearsal at noon, but before i left i arranged for a pet taxi to pick her up in the afternoon to take her to animal control - but during my rehearsal i got katie’s boyfriend matt to drive us the next day, which not only meant i would have time to find a no-kill shelter, but also research possible permanent home options among friends.
on the way home from rehearsal i bought a leash (in the morning i walked her by fastening a belt to her collar). i took her out when i got home and ran into a neighbor who had dogs and told me she was about 6 or 7 months old, probably a pit bull/lab mix. last night, he brought me some dog food and a chew toy to keep her occupied. she spent the night with me cuddled up in my bed and only woke me up once at 4am for a violent face-licking.
this morning i was supposed to meet with a couple that was interested in taking her, but they were unavailable to. i also only found one no-kill shelter that only possibly had an opening. upon discussion with my neighbor, lindsay, who also has a dog, i decided that i would keep her until i could put her in a permanent home (as she said she would help me take care of her until then).
as i write, toni (as i’ve named her) is sleeping peacefully on my white shag rug. i’ve actually grown quite fond of her, but cannot keep her as i do not have the appropriate time to dedicate to her (not to mention my cat, who is thankfully still in new jersey, might not be so into it). she is a puppy and needs someone who can devote adequate time to training her. her previous owner was irresponsible enough to abandon her in a park in the dead of winter, and also didn’t seem to teach her any commands or how to walk with a leash.
however, i can attest, and i’m no dog expert, that she is capable of being obedient. i, even with me minimal experience with dogs, have taught her to sit, and can easily control her when she gets too excited.
she also needs to go to a vet. i don’t know how long she was out there in the park, and i don’t know how she was treated before that. i don’t know if she’s spayed or if she has a microchip in her. unfortunately i do not have the time or money to take her to one.
basically, i need to find her a permanent home with someone who is willing to invest the time and money needed to take care of her properly. toni is a beautiful, affectionate, and potentially-obedient dog and i can’t possibly understand how anyone could abandon her. it literally brings tears to my eyes to think what would have happened to her if i didn’t find her or if she were simply set free to fend for herself.
time is of the essence. i am entering an extremely busy few weeks and need to find her a home immediately. but i also want to make sure that this home will be appropriate for her needs and that she meets the needs of her prospective owner as well. i don’t want her to be abandoned again.
please contact me if you or someone you know is interested in toni. you can call me and meet with her tomorrow (monday) morning to see if she’s a right match.
my number is 201.906.9730.
thanks for reading and i’ll keep you updated on her status.
xo - chris
friday night at around 2am i was walking through fulton park from the train station to my house in stuyvesant heights, brooklyn when i noticed something moving by a water fountain. as i approached i realized that it was a puppy tied to the water fountain with bungee cord. i didn’t approach, thinking that maybe her owner had just left her there temporarily, and i didn’t know her temperment. when i got home, i called 311 and tried to get animal control to retrieve her. they said that no one could get her unless she was injured until the next day. i said “should i call back in 6 hours when she’s frozen to death?” the operator said there was nothing she could do.
i kept an eye on her from my apartment for the next hour and didn’t see anyone coming to get her so i decided to bring her some food and water. all i had was cat food so i brought out a can and some water in a plastic container.
upon approach she was anxious and excited. she scarfed down the cat food and water quickly and seemed to beg for more. i felt the sub-freezing temperature and listened to her whining, watching her struggle against the dirty bungee cord and made a decision.
i dragged her by the collar she was wearing to my house and pulled her into my bathroom. she seemed to be a little frantic so i made a bed for her in my bathtub and put some water and some more cat food in there and closed the shower doors. i spent a few hours with her petting her and talking to her in soothing tones. she let me touch her instantly and wasn’t afraid.
i slept for a few hours and the next morning let her out of the bathtub to have free range of the bathroom (which is actually pretty big). she started chewing on my towels so i gave her an old shoe to chew on instead. i had to go out for a rehearsal at noon, but before i left i arranged for a pet taxi to pick her up in the afternoon to take her to animal control - but during my rehearsal i got katie’s boyfriend matt to drive us the next day, which not only meant i would have time to find a no-kill shelter, but also research possible permanent home options among friends.
on the way home from rehearsal i bought a leash (in the morning i walked her by fastening a belt to her collar). i took her out when i got home and ran into a neighbor who had dogs and told me she was about 6 or 7 months old, probably a pit bull/lab mix. last night, he brought me some dog food and a chew toy to keep her occupied. she spent the night with me cuddled up in my bed and only woke me up once at 4am for a violent face-licking.
this morning i was supposed to meet with a couple that was interested in taking her, but they were unavailable to. i also only found one no-kill shelter that only possibly had an opening. upon discussion with my neighbor, lindsay, who also has a dog, i decided that i would keep her until i could put her in a permanent home (as she said she would help me take care of her until then).
as i write, toni (as i’ve named her) is sleeping peacefully on my white shag rug. i’ve actually grown quite fond of her, but cannot keep her as i do not have the appropriate time to dedicate to her (not to mention my cat, who is thankfully still in new jersey, might not be so into it). she is a puppy and needs someone who can devote adequate time to training her. her previous owner was irresponsible enough to abandon her in a park in the dead of winter, and also didn’t seem to teach her any commands or how to walk with a leash.
however, i can attest, and i’m no dog expert, that she is capable of being obedient. i, even with me minimal experience with dogs, have taught her to sit, and can easily control her when she gets too excited.
she also needs to go to a vet. i don’t know how long she was out there in the park, and i don’t know how she was treated before that. i don’t know if she’s spayed or if she has a microchip in her. unfortunately i do not have the time or money to take her to one.
basically, i need to find her a permanent home with someone who is willing to invest the time and money needed to take care of her properly. toni is a beautiful, affectionate, and potentially-obedient dog and i can’t possibly understand how anyone could abandon her. it literally brings tears to my eyes to think what would have happened to her if i didn’t find her or if she were simply set free to fend for herself.
time is of the essence. i am entering an extremely busy few weeks and need to find her a home immediately. but i also want to make sure that this home will be appropriate for her needs and that she meets the needs of her prospective owner as well. i don’t want her to be abandoned again.
please contact me if you or someone you know is interested in toni. you can call me and meet with her tomorrow (monday) morning to see if she’s a right match.
my number is 201.906.9730.
thanks for reading and i’ll keep you updated on her status.
xo - chris
today ..
Monday, August 25th, 2008
i was feeling sad. so i bought a phone charm at giant robot, saw “the house bunny” with jess and drank white wine at 5pm.
this image is from the little card that came with the phone charm :
i also made a bunch of drawings.
it’s 4am.
i was feeling sad. so i bought a phone charm at giant robot, saw “the house bunny” with jess and drank white wine at 5pm.
this image is from the little card that came with the phone charm :
i also made a bunch of drawings.
it’s 4am.