[Chefelf]

Yesterday Jen and I decided to hop on the bus and have a lunch in the park. We packed up a collection of delicious treats and took the bus up to the northern tip of Manhattan where there is a lovely park overlooking the water. While we were sitting there eating our cheese, bread and salad we heard this haunting violin off in the distance. Curious, we followed a path through the rocky hills and the music became louder. All we could tell was that the music was coming from the top of the hill but it was unclear how to get up there.

So with a frantic, atonal violin soundtrack we made our way up the hills and steep stairways until finally we reached the top of this rather steep cliff. At the top we saw a violin player joined by a percussionist and a bass player surrounded by people listening along. We stopped for a bit to enjoy the music. The violin player only played for a minute or so after we joined the crowd and then the bass player took the microphone and told us how she was going to play a song about how kids make fun of their grandmother because she was in a lot of pain. The song seemed to be a lot less cruel than it sounded as she described it.

So it was with that that she began to play a funky bass line and started rapping and singing this song called, "Ranky Tanky."

Pain in my head,
Ranky Tanky,
Pain in my neck,
Ranky Tanky,
Pain in my shoulders,
Ranky Tanky,
Pain in my waist,
Ranky Tanky,
Pain in my knees,
Ranky Tanky,
Pain in my feet,
Ranky Tanky.

It became clear after a few verses that the music from the top of this cliff had drawn the attention of more than just us. It appeared that Blackwolf the Dragonmaster: The Unofficial Wizard of New York City had also been lured to the top of this lookout to enjoy some "Ranky Tanky."

I was delighted to have my camera handy to capture this once in a lifetime moment. After Ranky Tanky the woman selected some people to do a little dance but she was not interested in us so we wandered over to the other side of the cliff area to look down over the city. When we came back Blackwolf was dancing with everyone but I was not quick enough with my camera to capture that moment.

Damn, I love this city.

[Emu]

Ahh, only in New York City.

[floppydisk]

That's a wacky story. I wish I had adventures.

[Otal Nimrodi]

I do have adventures.

[floppydisk]

Like...?

[Jordan]

Chef have you ever talked to the Dragonmaster?

[Otal Nimrodi]

He's probably tell us if he did.

[J m HofMarN]

Yeah that about does it I've got to visit New York sometime.

[Jeff]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was he eating a fillet o' fish sandwich?

-Jeff

This post has been edited by Jeff: 13 September 2005 - 07:38 PM

[Chefelf]

Was he eating a fillet o' fish sandwich?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sadly, no. I'm just glad I had a camera this time.

Much like last time he was just chillin' and showing no shame. I have to admire him for that.

[Blackwolf]

The lovely lady to whom you were referring, dear Chefelf, is Miss Paula Larke; and, surprisingly, she has her own blog! 'Twas thither that I found the following:

"Dear Dragonmaster: Your Diary of Magecraft has found two new fans. We love your saber-toothed humour. Thanks for the mention and meticulous capturing of our names and musical roles during the September Concert @ Fort Tryon Park. Did you get an earlier missive from Kim Nemoy? I fear my careless mouse-hand swept it into the cyber abyss. Keep the Diary coming! Signed, Paula Larke (your Lady Paula)."

Needless to say, the Lady Paula's performance of "Ranky Tanky" was quite interesting; I'm surprised at myself for not telling this to you sooner. Ah, me.

Master Blackwolf

[Chefelf]

That was a sweet performance. She really rocks that bass. I'm sad that I didn't catch more of that violin player though.

[Blackwolf]

That was a sweet performance.  She really rocks that bass.  I'm sad that I didn't catch more of that violin player though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Understandable, Chefelf! If you look in my Diary of Magecraft, specifically my entry, "Of War and Music," you'll learn the names of all those other than Miss Larke who played in that September Concert --- including the fiddler ye spoke of, the beautiful Greek-born Elektra Curtis-Stewart, who is also a violin instructor with the Harlem School of the Arts!

Master Blackwolf

This post has been edited by Blackwolf: 07 November 2005 - 12:04 PM