"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

That kind of a day...

(Click pix for juicy view)
("Bird's Arse View" Paris/Barcelona, 2006)

Are you having this kind of a day?

Here's to more days like these...

Ez

Comments Broken Telephone

(Click pix for juicy view)("Fell-A-Phone" London/Montpellier(FR)/NYC, 2005/2006)

Here's a new game I invented a few minutes ago. Figured I'd set it in motion right away...

It's called Comments Broken Telephone. It's another original Ez Sez Creation for you.

To play: Click on the "Comments" button just below to join the other Ez Sez CBT'ers already action. The goal is to be part of the infinite evolution of an online comment.

Just remember the 2 Comments Broken Telephone rules:

1. Change whatever you like

2. Leave an 'Interpretation' if you care to.

Have fun!


Ez

Open letter to Al Gore...

Mr. Gore,

I love your film, your message and your inspiring way to get us all to respect the environment and push hard to fight climate change... however... I feel your signature could use a bit of work....


In today's mass-email plea to raise 350,000 signatures to present to Congress on March 21st, your signature looks like "Ce None". Who the heck's Ce None? (Maybe it's the effects of climate change melting your autograph down? Global warping?)

I'd like to politely urge you to freshen up your signature and then add it as the 350,000th one to your powerful petition.

I have every bit of confidence you'll raise the 349,999 needed before yours goes on.

Keep up the great work, sir.

Respectfully yours,

P.S. I know, I know, it's a bit crooked. I'm working on it... Ez

A fog upon the blog

Took this shot Wednesday night in the thin drizzle and thick fog.

Ez

Ez Sez Quote...

(An oldie from the first day of the new Millennium.)

And if you're a Neil Young fan... enjoy the incredible "from the archives" CD he just released on Tuesday: Live at Massey Hall, 1971. Every archive should possess (and share) such treasures.


See you all in the kitchen. Bring the Massey disc...

Ez

Hot and fresh from Montreal...

(Montreal bagels, 3/11/07, photo by Ezra S.)

To all the Ez Sez readers outside Montreal, I send you these hot, fresh bagels to liven up your day.

To all you Ez Sezzers in town, a friendly reminder to consider yourself lucky to live in a town with such fine bagels.

Hot tip: "To revive a refrigerated bagel to near fresh-baked status, slice the bagel in half and lightly moisten the surfaces with a small amount of cold water. Toast or bake the bagel until it is hot throughout and slightly crispy on the surfaces."

It was yours truly who added the above info to the official Wikipedia definition of the bagel a few years back [Update: someone removed it from the definition! :( ] . This is based on my late grandfather, 'Zaidie Berl' Pofelis's trick that he learnt in the Polish countryside as a kid. It is known as 'banetzing' a bagel, which is Yiddish for moistening a bagel.

Nothing like bagels and zaidies to keep breakfasts beautiful...

Banetz boldly,

Ez

(Berl 'Benny' Pofelis, c. 1990, Hollywood, FL)

Vin-what?

I though up the word 'vindigial' years ago. Wanna think up a definition? (I never thought of anything that really stuck.)

Don't wait. Leave your definition right here as soon as you read this, even if it's days or months after this was posted.

Your definition will appear at the Comments link just below for others to enjoy.

Wry but shy??? Feel free to sign "Anon." next to your definition. (Especially if that's actually your name).

Vindigially yours,

Ez

UPDATE: The 'Vindigial Shake' recipe is now at the comments section too...

50th Ez Sez Post

(Click image for the juicy view)
("Pillars", Barcelona/Montreal, 2006/2005)

Wishing you, dear Ez Sez reader, a strong and wise day today.

Today is International Women's Day.

I also noticed that today marks the 50th Ez Sez post since the blog was launched in January, 2007. (But who's counting?)

Here's to love for women today and every day.


Ez

To run again...

("Look Out For Truck", Yukon/Chicago/Brooklyn, 2003/2002/2005, Ezra S.)

Something strange recently happened at my favourite café, Shaika...

This cozy NDG spot - or rather some of its wonderful staff - was hit with a spate of rather bad luck in February. But that month's now in the rear-view mirror so we can look back on it with a little perspective rather than through eyes of shock as we did when it was all happening.


In February, three of Shaika's finest employees - Teda, Morgan and Jenny - were hit by cars... by three separate drivers on three separate street corners. What are the chances of such a string of events happening? I guess they were pretty high last month.

Thankfully, Morgan, Jenny and Teda are now on the mend. Their broken legs, knees and ankles are healing well and they are all up on crutches and walkers and in some cases back at school or work again.

("The Cast: Morgan, Jenny and Teda", 3/2/07, Montreal, Ezra S.)

In honour of these movers and Shaik'ers, I'm posting some lyrics I wrote while out on my jogging route last March. "To Run Again" came to me in one fell swoop as I was facing the sun and soaking it in on that warm early-spring day.

It's -16C in Montreal today so hopefully the lyrics won't just serve as a get-well-soon card to Jenny, Morgan and Teda but also as a get-warm-soon card to them and everyone in our frosty city. And to all of you out there in your towns too...

TO RUN AGAIN
(Ezra Soiferman, 3/26/06, Montreal)

Cold to warm again
Snow to air again
Clouds to sun again
Oh, to run again
Oh… to run again

We dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
And we rise

Dark to light again
Fear to fun again
Heart to pump again
Oh, to run again
Oh… to run again

We love and we love
Love and we love
Love and we love
And we thrive

Cold to warm again
Snow to air again
Clouds to sun again
Oh, to run again
Oh… to run again

We dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
We’re alive

The lyrics are now being set to music by my old friend Dylan Silverstein and will appear as a song on our upcoming country-folk album to be released in the fall. Stay tuned for more Dyl n' Ez info at Ez Sez in the coming months.

Keep running, folks... and as I wrote on Morgan's cast the other day... Love's your crutch.

Ez

Ink about it for a moment...

(A scan of Ezra's pen, 3/5/07, Montreal)

May our pens bring only good things to the page and great things to the planet.

Write on,

Ez

ORANGE

BLACK


Here's to colours for words and not for people.

Ez Sez we are all one shade and that is plum alive.

All are always welcome at Ez Sez.

Ez