On the pursuit of clarity...

The new Ez Sez logo is here...

It's here: the brand new, spiffed-up, official Ez Sez logo!

New logo (unveiled 5/13/07)

The logo above is based on my drawing which you'll see below.

Extra special thanks go out to my uncle Gerry Goodfriend for his fantastic graphic design skills which helped transform the hand-drawn image into the zippy logo that now proudly represents the Ez Sez site.

Original hand drawn logo (Unveiled 3/07)

Here's to your own logos, friends and strangers. I hope you have as much fun creating a logo as I did!

Ez

It's Mothers Day

(Click pic for juicy view)
(Mothers Day Flowers and Parking Ticket, London/Morin Heights/Montreal, 2006/2005/2003)

A very happy Mothers Day to my mom, every mom and all those future momma's out there.

Thanks for inspiring.

Ez

Short...

and sweet.

Ez

Weird wheels...

Click pic for hard knocks...


Strange things roll by in life. Be open to them even if they make you scratch your head and wonder.

And wander.

Enjoy it all,

Ez

It's not International Tree Day but I felt like giving props to my budding buddies regardless

("Shadows of Coincidence", 12/06, Barcelona, self-portrait by Ez)

Stand your ground. Then a plant a tree on it and move on.

Ez


More about trees. Hug a tree yesterday and tomorrow, for today we must spend our time understanding - and maybe even taking penance for - why they actually ever needed hugs in the first place.

1+1 Fun

1+1 equals _________...

(This is an experiment in collaborative experimental blogging, folks. Please leave your answer in the Comments section. Read other answers there too.)

Welcome back...

Travel near or far, the results are the same. New perspectives on familiar things and new perspectives on new things.

Met many wonderful friends and strangers in NYC the past few days.

Thanks to you all for being here today. An honour to recommune at the ol' Ez Sez.

Go home early and relax,

Ez

P.S. If you're already home, just sit still, close your eyes and dream.

Ez Sez - Back in 5...

Folks,

Ez Sez is taking a break for a few days to see some world.

Stay tuned for more Ez Sezziness after the 3rd of May.

Til then, scroll down to feel up, as we like to say here. Lots to see below...

Ez

Backups Feel Great

(Click for juicy view of image)

("Digital Plague #3 - Plastic Frogs", 2006, by Ezra)

Dear Ez Sez Friends,

I wanted to share a great feeling with you all.

I have a 'to do list'. It's my infamous spiral notepad with lots of handwritten things 'to do' and lots of guide symbols I use to help me prioritize and navigate the business and busyness of life. Symbols like "." "-" "+" "*" and the all important "tick" symbol for use once something gets done.

Well, there'd been something on the list for several months that just hadn't gotten done...

-Back up computer files!

I'd heard way too many stories of friends losing all their files, all their photos, etc., and did not want this digital tsures to befall me.

I took about 30 minutes on Earth Day (4/22) to sit down and accomplish this file back up. I simply burnt a DVD (you can use CDs too) of all my files.

That's all it took. 30 minutes and a kick in the pants by the anti-procrastination muse. Plus I figured backing up my files was somehow a contribution to the greater sanity of the Earth (or at least my local planet).

I cannot describe how good it felt to know that if my hard drive crashed (or if any other chaos hit the ol' Apple or the ol' Ez homestead) my files would be safe.

Here are a few tips:

-Remember to backup everything important: documents, photos, bookmarks, emails, email addresses, settings (to restore your 'preferences' if you have to rebuild your computer), etc.
-Make a 2 copies of your backup CD or DVD. Store one in another room and another (in case a thief takes your computer and all the CDs on your desk) at a trusted person's house in case your home copy is stolen or destroyed. Use a safety deposit box if you're really diligent
-Put your name (at least your first name) on each copy along with a telephone number so if someone finds the CD they can return it
-Do a backup every _________ (insert reasonable amount of time here)
-Revel in the good feeling you get once this is done

Hope this helps, folks.

Have a great extended Earth Day. (In my books it'll be going on until we solve this mess.)

But don't despair...

Chin up (and backup),

Ez


This has been a friendly public service announcement from Ez Sez.

Oh, Sister!

I found this clip on YouTube and thought I'd share it...



It's the gospel legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe burning up the early TV cameras with a blistering rendition of "Up Above My Head".

I defy you to find a more exhilarating guitar solo from someone wearing a flower dress.

Go Rosetta!!!

Ez

"There's a fine line...

...between nutso-busy and not so busy."
-Marc Ostrick and Ez
4/20/07

(Marc and Ezra, c.1997, Union Station, L.A., selves portrait)

If nothing else...

...crave love.

Ez

UPDATE: ...and when you find it, share it.

35... and a bit like life

("Love To All On A Wall", St-Adolphe/NY/MTL, 2005/2006)

I used to be kinda shy back in the day. No longer fully so.

If I see something I like, I say it.

Something I love, I let it be known.

Today: It's birthdays I love. Especially my own.

It's April 13th today.

Happy to share that birthday feeling with you all.

Feels a bit like life and a lot like goodness.

And a bit like the snow plow's rushing by outside, carrying some snow away and leaving some behind.

You know the feeling... a bit like life.

All my best and happy Ez's birthday to you from all at Ez Sez.


Ez

Elvis Perkins concert this Friday

(Elvis and band in Montreal, 2006, by Ezra S.)

A reminder to all those in Montreal that Elvis Perkins in Dearland will be playing at The Metropolis this Friday, April 13th at 9pm. Elvis and band will be opening for the band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

If you're a fan of unforgettable folk-rock jamborees and back-woords beards, come on down to support and enjoy this gifted friend and his rollicking Dearland buddies and their marching band drum, harmonium, big bass and bag of twangy tricks.

I'll be there. Drop me an email if you want to meet up at the show. Tickets are $19.75+ and are available online here.

I've only heard raves about his new CD "Ash Wednesday" from all who've taken my tip on it. Sample it on iTunes before the show. Enjoy!

Ez

P.S. It's my 35th birthday the night of the show, so this should be a memorable eve...

UPDATE: What a show this was. Thanks to all who joined me for a spectacular evening of what Elvis calls 'folk n' roll'. Entirely memorable, through and through. Ez

It's Easter. Not Esther. Not Ezra.

("Hands Up For A Certain Mr. J", London/Cuzco/NYC, 2004/2006)

It's Easter...
Had I been a gal, they'd-a named me Esther
It's the truth.

Life's like that.

Here's to happy Easters,

Ez

Auto-erotic...

(click for juicy view)
(From "Close Parkers" series, Figueres [Spain]/Paris/NYC)

A few pix from an ongoing EzraPix photo series about people who park too close to each other.

Ez

Glove to all

(click for juicy view)
(From "Glove To All" photo series, NYC/St-Paul's River[QC]/NYC)

It got pretty cold here two nights ago and I was reminded of a saying I thought up a few years back:

"Sometimes even a gloved hand needs a warm pocket."

Here's to heat,

Ez

New Discovery

("Road Arrows", MTL, 2003, by Ezra)

Scientists at Ez Sez have discovered that if you take exactly three steps forward, pivot 180 degrees and then take three steps back you'll wind up looking yourself in the eye wondering how April first snuck up on all us fools again.

Happy poissons d'avril from over at the blog.

Here's to big steps in new directions... every day.

Ez

Dear Alpacas...

(Click pic for juicy view.)

Dear Alpacas,

Since I can't possibly travel to every single alpaca farm to tell you personally, I'll tell you all right here at this blog:

I am sorry for having made you pose for my camera wearing alpaca hats in Peru in 2004. The posting I put up of you at this site last week got some nice comments from Ez Sez readers but something still felt strange to me...

Although at first I thought the idea of photographing you in hats of your own fleece would be cute and ironic, I now realize doing so has actually proven to be cute, ironic, photogenic AND pure blog gold.

You guys rock the Net and Ez Sez is honoured to share the stage with you and offer you, dear 'Alpacas In Alpaca Hats', the spot as the first official mascots of this site. It should also be noted that I love that hat of yours which has kept me warm all winter long.

Sorry to have confused you a bit at the shoot that sunny day. I hope you now see the value... you guys make serious blog stars.

A belated 'fleece Navidad' to you all,

Ez

Ezra Soiferman
Montreal

Think positive:

Yes.

Spring's been sprunging...

("Floweress Prowess" c.1999, Montreal, by Ezra S.)

I hope spring has come to your town too. If so, please send my regards.

I'd send flowers, but they're all up on the wall.

Ez

Monomoho!

I propose a new way to spend time while on the Internet: take a "momentary non-monetary holiday."

A text-based holiday that you send to a friend or a friend sends you.

Dream a little, whip one up and pass it on. 100 words or less. Costs nothing but a moment for you and a moment for a friend. Might make a world of difference.

A momentary non-monetary holiday. Yes, the the ol' Monomoho. Pronounce it any way you like. It's not about how you say it, it's about where that imagination takes you.

Hang on, here you go-

You are on a beach, the day's just begun and you have but one thing to do and that is to relex.

And so you do.

You breathe. You think. And you are breathless and dumbfounded all at once.

Someone you love passes you a cool drink. You smile. They smile. Eyes meet. Ice melts...

You're here.

All worries drip away and time stands on tip-toes looking at you as you soak in the sun and feel happy all over.


Alright, now gently... back... to... work.

No mo' monomoho.

Stay strong, be friendly, travel often.

Send a friend on a trip today.

In a word: Monomoho!

Ez

Images above are clickable. Title: "Pix From My First Monomoho...", NYC/St-Paul's River(QC)/Phoenix, 2005/2004/2006

If you liked Monomoho, help your friends get their 'moho on. Learn how by clicking Comments here or below. Now go Monomoho...

Petfoodetarian

("Dog Family On A Drive", 2002, Montreal)

Too many funding cuts?
Between festival launch smorgasbords?
Waiting on that sumptuous royalty check?

Attention all starving artists surviving on "wet pet food or pet food in pouches"...

Have you heard about the recall?

Thank you for being prudent with your food intake.

Good luck with your films, paintings, dances, sculptures, photos, etc.

Here's to a growing appreciation for art and culture in our society.

Ez

I'll Pack An Alpaca

("My Winter Coat Is Your Winter Hat And Your Winter Hat Adorns My Head... Now Take The Picture Before I Spit At You Again", 9/04, Cuzco, Peru)

The weather in my home town today is such that if you forget your gloves and hat somewhere you'll almost make it all the way home before you realize you've forgotten them.

A week ago you wouldn't have made it five blustery steps without running back inside to retrieve them.

In one week, I expect those gloves and hat to be long gone.

Here's to staying close with soft and cozy things.

Ez

But one sun for all...

("Untidal'd", 2/98, FLA)


BUT ONE SUN FOR ALL
(3/23/07, MTL, Ez)

Spring rains down upon us
History cannot change that fact
And everybody knows...
But one sun for all

Lift it high, hold it tall
But one sun
One sun for all

Ez

Welcome

Welcome new readers.
Welcome back Ez Sezzers.

The way it works here is simple...

Bienvenue amies et amis,

Ez

When the spirit/s move/s you...

...that's when it's time to go for it.

("Cloudfulness", 2004, Atlanta to Peru)

I say go for it.

Ez