They Call Me Mr. Monster!

I’m a little late getting this out, but I just wanted to say that I had a smashing time at Sunday’s Brooklyn Blogade picnic in Prospect Park.

We camped out near the Music Pagoda and I realized how little I knew about this beautiful park. When I was growing up the park—and Brooklyn, for that matter—were much different places.

Nobody in his right mind would walk through the park at night back then and I doubt if there was much day traffic either.

My late father loved the park and I remember him declaring every time we drove through the place that “if I were mayor I’d make this park safe if I had to put a cop behind every goddamn tree!”

We drove through Prospect Park one night and some lowlife SOB pelted our car with eggs, which would have smashed into my mother’s face if the window had been rolled down.

But now I love the place. On Sunday we had great food, great people, and the great fortune of avoiding the lightning bolts that struck around the city all day long.

Big ups to Dave of Dope on the Slope and Brenda of Crazy Stable and A Year in the Park, (yes, she's two, two bloggers in one!) who put this gig together. I’m sorry I didn’t make it to Brenda’s historical tour, but I had trouble getting my keester out of bed

Once I got there I had the pleasure of chasing around the Midnight Cowgirls’ lovely little daughters, who had me huffing and puffing, but not quite like the Big Bad Wolf.

I love playing with little kids. It makes me feel young and ancient at the same time as I chase them around with a growl and a wheeze.

Don’t ask me to educate them, give them sound advice or teach them table manners, but if you need someone to get them all riled up into a screaming frenzy, I’m your boy.

My father used to do this with my cousin’s three daughters ages ago and the kids dubbed him “The Cookie Monster.”

This was back when Sesame Street was new, so that should give you some idea of how much time has passed. In fact, if I think about it, I might toss my cookies, so let’s move on.

My thanks to Xris of Flatbush Gardner for the beautiful photos I am swiping for this post: as always, a great job, my brother.

When I was leaving, one of the little girls waved and said “goodbye, Mr. Monster.” Hey, at least she called me “mister.” Even my old man didn’t get that.


Now for a serious segue from a Brooklyn picnic to Brooklyn art. Are you still with me? Good, because I don't want you to miss this.

Mike Sorgatz, devoted companion of Eleanor at Creative Times, will be showing his peerless paintings from Aug. 1 - Sept.12 at the The Fall Café, 307 Smith Street (at Union).

There will be a reception this Friday from 7 to 9 pm and I know you want to be there. Mike and Eleanor are good people and there’s going be to some seriously good freaking art at this thing.

Come on down and make the magic happen or Mr. Monster is going to be very upset with you…