Hurricane Got You Down? No Worries. I Made A Playlist.

By now people who don't have to be in any of the powerless areas have fled gotten out. I'm still hearing and reading a lot about downtown and Murray Hill, and none of it is particularly good. (Looting? Really?) One friend of mine called his block, 8th Street and Third Avenue, "The Ninth Ward."

If you're holed up and powerless, and no one has offered to take you in, (punks!) entertain yourself with this Hurricane playlist I put together. It's been ages since I've put together any sort of a mix tape for anyone, so indulge me in this Clinton-era exercise.

If you like guitars (and I know you do), be sure to check out the Brian Setzer's version of "Malaguena." It is a far cry from "Zoot Suit Riot", which he is best known for. I'm also a big fan of Tito Puente's version of "Take 5." I know, I know, I also laugh on the inside when someone says they like jazz and then immediately mention "Take 5." We're all a little bit music snob. But Tito's version is great. And if you don't like Tito Puente, then you officially have no soul.

P.S. I bet you didn't know that Henry Mancini wrote the theme song for "What's Happening!!" Now you do.

This City Mouse Is Now A Country Mouse

At least until Murray Hill has power again. Conditions on the 21st floor became downright Third World without power or plumbing. I made one last romp down and up the stairs to drop trash in the basement since the trash chute was bolted shut. The super didn't want the compactor to get backed up since there was no electricity. Then I packed up my laptop and defected to Easton, Pennsylvania.

A few observations:

McDonald's tastes so much better in the suburbs.

Whatever stress hormone kept me moving and grooving up and down all those flights of stairs officially ran out the minute I got out to the countryside.

The greatest feeling in the world is a shower after two days of pioneer living in a highrise. I now smell like flowers and rainbows. And it is right.

I also have Val, the sweetest little stray I ever took in, even if he did give everyone in sight ringworm.

Best Photo From The Hurricane

Taken by my friend and former Columbia classmate, Stacey Young.

So True.

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You Call That A Hurricane?

Now that Hurricane Irene turned out to be the biggest non-event of the summer -- as least in Manhattan -- check out this video of real hurricanes that have hit New York City.

With the hurricane a-brewin', I figured it was a good time to trot out this oldie but goodie.

You can track Hurricane Irene here.