A visit to the troll museum of the lower east side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpMFVKO6eCk


I just got back to a trip to New York city.
This is the first time I've been to the city.
I wanted to see the 9/11 memorial, the statue of Liberty, central park (to see the pigeons and hopefully the monk parakeets) and to visit "Reverend Jen" and her troll museum.
I wasn't disappointed.
Reverend Jen is quite the character.
 I spotted her coming down the street during the lower east side's "pickle festival". She was wearing hot pink go go boots, red heart shaped "Lolita" sunglasses and a leopard print coat.
I immediately liked her style.
She was friendly and funny.She seemed genuinely happy to have other troll enthusiasts share her interests and stories. There was another couple who joined us who were also troll fanciers.
We climbed what seemed to be 12 flights of stairs to a small room  amassed with her troll art work and  hundreds of trolls along with assorted troll paraphernalia.
It was hilarious! She told the story of her troll collection and showed us different types of trolls and their history. She was also the author of trollz kids books. We talked about the upcoming troll movie in the works by Dreamworks. She was hoping to have her
I wore my troll t-shirt, troll stockings and a hair bow with a troll on it for this event. I also brought along a troll hair bow for Rev. Jen as a gift. We chatted for quite some time.
I was really glad I made the trip out.

the Wild Pigeons of Salisbury beach part 101

The little pigeon I rescued with the broken wing (CORRECTION: Cape Ann wild life rescue actually did the "rescuing") is still in rehab wearing a brace but carrying on.
Yes, it is not my imagination but there is definitely a larger more aggressive population of pigeons residing on the beach. In the last 8 years that I've been feeding pigeons the population has remained stable. I thought about where they "new' pigeons came from and I do believe my hypothesis is correct that they came from Hampton beach. I remember reading in the Hampton paper that there was a "pigeon problem". So a ban on feeding them was in order not to mention netting and other roosting deterrents.
I've noticed more piles of poop now as well and I worry somebody will decide to do "something about the pigeons" here. Retahhded guy still sics his dog after them and just glares at me in defiance.
I think the best thing to do is to start weaning the pigeons away from the store fronts and street area where there are people. I think if I stop feeding them cold turkey (pardon the pun) they could starve.
 I've starting feeding them on the beach now to try to get them away from the sidewalk and street. I've asked for suggestions from my pigeon chat group as well in how to deal with this in a humane way and not to piss people off with bird poop everywhere. The bottom line is the pigeons need to move their bums to a different area. I do not want to initiate any firestorms against the pigeons when my intentions are kindness.
 

more bad art

* Once again, I found this 'gem" from the museum of bad art website.
One of the reasons I don't really like to watch "family Guy:" is not only some of the humor is a bit over the top but the art work bugs me. I just want to "fix" some of the characters. I find myself 'air drawing" my corrections when ever my husband put that show on.

A few years ago I had painted a self portrait. There was something about it after years of looking at it that was, well, not right. Yesterday I couldn't stand it anymore, took it off the wall and started going crazy making pencil corrections.
The eyes were off, the boobs were too big, the smile was gross and the cockatiel that I was holding was too fat.
I just couldn't stand it. I felt by making the corrections I couldn't ruin the portrait anymore than what it was It looked like a piece from the museum of bad art. People don't say anything about your art because they are afraid they will hurt your feelings if they do-except for my long time pal Sue.
I vaguely remember her saying  at one time that it was "f*cked".
 I actually welcome honesty.
Think about it. How many times have you've gone out thinking you look like a total babe only to catch yourself in the mirror gasping at the pants that were too tight giving you a nasty wedgie or your underwear sticking out above your pants line or bad makeup application that makes you look like a sad clown? Raise your hands boys and girls!
I'd rather someone say, "errr...don't wear those pants because...."
The more I worked on the painting the more mistakes I found.
I am hoping I fixed it for the better.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 100

*this photo above is a picture of a Bermuda pigeon. The pigeons at the park were bigger, cleaner and more colorful than the pigeons I saw at the Bermuda bus station.
Over the last couple of months I noticed a larger population of pigeons at the beach. They are not the "regulars" that have lived and bred above the pizza shops but, I think, have migrated from Seabrook or Hampton. The "regulars' still perch in their usual spots above the pizza shops. The "other" pigeons roost on the cabana at the rotary.They look different from the "regulars" as well.They are short, fat with shorter beaks. They are also very bold and aggressive. When I bring the morning food, I'll have pigeons on my head, shoulders and out stretched arm as well as a bunch of them sitting on the car.
I worry about their boldness. Although I do not mind it. Most people do not. This may mean bad repercussions for these overly bold pigeons. Sometimes I find squished ones on the road. It is awful to see this. Some people just suck and are just nasty bastards.
On a funny note, one afternoon I drove to the beach to buy candy for my father.It was a nice fall day. A family was eating pizza at the rotary under the cabana. The "Hampton"pigeons got very excited about the prospect of a corn meal covered pizza crust and decided to descend upon the ones still uneaten in the box. The family fled.
On my birthday, my husband bought me a book on the story of Nikola Tesla. I was puzzled on why he bought me a book on the inventor of AC electricity and wireless communication. I know nothing on such matters never mind inventors of such. Well it turns out this eccentric Serbian immigrant inventor  had a passion for pigeons.(*I'll fill you in on the details when I finish reading the book)

the wild pigeons of salisbury beach part 99

I'm back.
I haven't written in a while not because I didn't have anything to write about but instead, it seems like, I had so many things to write about.
I chose to just lay low since it hurts to much to sit here and type.
Two weeks ago, I found another baby pigeon at the beach that was in distress. The poor little thing was injured and hungry. He ran over to me squeaking!.  (Hungry young pigeons will do this).
His wing was broken and his foot was messed up. I took him home, sprayed him with lice spray and gave him some seeds. He was able to eat but was in dire need of help. I contacted Jody from the wildlife rescue (again).
It turned out he did have a broken wing.She treated him for worms and trich as well. In addition, she hand fed him to build up his strength. It seems like this "thing of finding injured/abandoned youngsters" may be a continuing issue.. I need to learn quick on how to care for them. I also need to learn how to successfully  ensure a proper way of their release so that are welcomed back into a flock. The other little youngster I brought over to Jody's is doing well and thriving.. In the meantime, I am working on my own personal healing process as well.
I was at the doctor's yesterday to evaluate my foot and neck from MRI results. And yes, There is an degenerative issue with my neck. My foot has severe nerve damage as well.So I am just dealing with it.One thing at a time.
Two days ago I saw this jetblue airline commercial starring pigeons.
It's really a good ad. It's definitely my favorite.
I have to tell you though, those pigeons in the ad are not 'street pigeons".
They are (OK laugh) "professionals".Those are homer pigeons. I can tell by their body shape and necks.
I actually wrote to jetblue letting them know I like their ad. I guess I am one of the few people that would appreciate an ad with pigeons in it.