You know how you work somewhere for a while but never take in your surrounding simply because you've become numb to the daily routine of traveling to and from work. Well, for it was that way for a while till on my usual lunch break on
Columbia University's sprawling campus, a random vagabond shouted in my direction
"Look at things deeper than just their shallow surface!" Gave the
"evil eye", then hurried off with his ragtag shopping cart of aluminum cans. Usually I woulda shrugged the old coot's rambling off as just that...rambling! But I decided to take him up on that
"jewel" he dropped and get my
"Dan Brown" on researching some of the University's more iconic landmarks. Not it's not quite the
"Davinci Code" of information that I was hoping to uncover, but what I
DID find out was still pretty interesting, if I may say so myself.
Okay let's start of with the
Alma Mata that adorns the center stairs of the campus. Come to find out that the statue place there was the original design engineer
Gustave Eiffel (yeah of Eiffel Tower fame) had for the
Statue of Liberty! The staff was to be the torch, the hand positioned upwards was to motion
"What, MORE immigrants?" and the book on her lap was actual suppose to be a record log book to record all the names of the
"newcomers." When
NY state officials rejected the first design in fear of offending other nations,
Columbia scooped up the
"gift shop" sized, cheaper priced version, and saved a bundle. Wild huh? Who knew? Final note; the sculptor who's named
Chester French is whom the group of the same name got it from.
Heard of
"the Manhattan Project" , the code name for atomic bomb development during
WWII? Well word is that it was first called the
"Harlem Project" but it was renamed
"Manhattan" to avoid it being confused with the low income housing projects being built in
Harlem at the time. The
Low Library was to double as a missile silo in fear of a possible
German invasion starting with the
Ivy League schools rumored to happen.
Columbia not wanting to take any chances, quickly decided to move all of their existing library facilities across campus to what is now known as Butler Library. Today still emptied out of books, it on the short list of locations considered for the
"Legion of Doom" in a live action film version of the
"Justice League."
Back when
Columbia was founded they were so eager to recruit players for their lagging basketball team they went as far as erecting a statue at the front gates as a sign of acceptance to the sport. Symbolizing what pride they took in their
"hardwood" players. Coming out of the locker room shower with a basketball still in hand, draped with only towels and wearing sandals, was common practice (and not gay) back then. So this statue depicts just that.
However for women, cooking ruled the day. So then a statue had to be made in support of their
"domestic prowess" with an equally grand front gate statue. One showing a young student woman holding up a cook book recipe proudly to the incoming student body and visitors alike.
Now this odd fact fans of the old
Batman TV series will appreciate. Remember the statue / bust of
Shakespeare Bruce Wanye used to lift in order to active the poles to the
Batcave? Well the
University has the
SAME device...well not quite, but something very similar. Hidden inside this marble bust of
"Athena" (I think) is two turn key locks to activite the missile silo and the dome to retract on top of
Low Library if the fore mentioned
German invasion ever had taken place. Only two people have possession of these keys, The (
University) President has one and the head of security the other.
Forget a
Recession, the
Great Depression was what was on young students minds during the time when this sculpture was donated to the campus. Inspired by a student making ends meet by posing nude for fellow art students, this statue became the symbol for thousands of graduates wondering about student loan payments, and lack of job prospects. When the art teacher at the time asked the model what was he thinking about to invoke the now famous pose he replied,
"Having to move back in with my God d@#n parents!" Understood.
Did you know
"the Lion King" is the number one rented
Netflix movie in campus dorms? So popular among the student body that a statue was erected with raised funds from bake sales to have a full scale statue made in honor of the animated film! In all honesty I swore it was the lion from those
"Narnia" flicks! Guess that shows how much I watch movies huh?
Speaking of movies,
20th Century Fox has paid good money to the
University to let them construct a full function life size version of the
Fantastic Four's
famously known headquarters
"the Baxter Building" as a set for their latest installment of the
Fan Four's adventures. No word yet on what
C.U. is going to do with the set / building once film production has ended. But I'm sure selling tours is one of their options. LOL.
That's about all I've uncovered for now but I'll be sure to get back to you with some more tidbit info before the book comes out, and I'm doing a book signing world tour
Right back at cha the girls of "Word To Everything I Love!" the Summer's most fabulous after work for the cool kids, have mixed up a monthly (3rd Thurs.) event that will surely give you a "musical hangover!" Ever heard of the Belmont Lounge? That hidden spot round the corner from Irving Plaza? Well TONIGHT that's were the funky vibrations of DB & Mick Boogie can be heard, oh and tell some friends to come thru too. It's once a month so DON'T miss it or your ass'll have to wait a whole 'nother month to catch one.
Looking for a sure fire plan to party for the coming holiday weekend? Well look no further, I have TWO that you might enjoy. Pull up to the table and dig in!
Not next Saturday, not last Saturday. THIS Saturday a HUGE collective of the arts most promising and noteworthy faces will be converging at one spot in (Bed Stuy, Brooklyn) for an art exhibit that would make the Brooklyn Museum jealous! Of all people that black ops/urban ninja dude from Coup d'Etat BK, Rasu (in partnership with the historic Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration
Remember a WHILE back sometime last year I tried to hip you to this "indie soul-ish" band I was feeling from Sweden w/ the cute lead singer with the "Badu-ish" voice? Well now is your chance for you (& I of course) to catch them playing live in NYC this weekend. It not the first time though. They've performed at the same venue a few months back but I missed them that time around. However I DID see them at Summer Stage recently, but the sound and crowd SUCKED! Folks were more into Q-Tip & Chester French that go round. Well any case they'll be headlining this one so start standing in line NOW! FYI* DJ Scribe will be on set so it's sure to be a sell out anyway to look at it.
Okay let's start of with the Alma Mata that adorns the center stairs of the campus. Come to find out that the statue place there was the original design engineer Gustave Eiffel (yeah of Eiffel Tower fame) had for the Statue of Liberty! The staff was to be the torch, the hand positioned upwards was to motion "What, MORE immigrants?" and the book on her lap was actual suppose to be a record log book to record all the names of the "newcomers." When NY state officials rejected the first design in fear of offending other nations, Columbia scooped up the "gift shop" sized, cheaper priced version, and saved a bundle. Wild huh? Who knew? Final note; the sculptor who's named Chester French is whom the group of the same name got it from.
Heard of "the Manhattan Project" , the code name for atomic bomb development during WWII? Well word is that it was first called the "Harlem Project" but it was renamed "Manhattan" to avoid it being confused with the low income housing projects being built in Harlem at the time. The Low Library was to double as a missile silo in fear of a possible German invasion starting with the Ivy League schools rumored to happen. Columbia not wanting to take any chances, quickly decided to move all of their existing library facilities across campus to what is now known as Butler Library. Today still emptied out of books, it on the short list of locations considered for the "Legion of Doom" in a live action film version of the "Justice League."
Back when Columbia was founded they were so eager to recruit players for their lagging basketball team they went as far as erecting a statue at the front gates as a sign of acceptance to the sport. Symbolizing what pride they took in their "hardwood" players. Coming out of the locker room shower with a basketball still in hand, draped with only towels and wearing sandals, was common practice (and not gay) back then. So this statue depicts just that.
However for women, cooking ruled the day. So then a statue had to be made in support of their "domestic prowess" with an equally grand front gate statue. One showing a young student woman holding up a cook book recipe proudly to the incoming student body and visitors alike.
Forget a Recession, the Great Depression was what was on young students minds during the time when this sculpture was donated to the campus. Inspired by a student making ends meet by posing nude for fellow art students, this statue became the symbol for thousands of graduates wondering about student loan payments, and lack of job prospects. When the art teacher at the time asked the model what was he thinking about to invoke the now famous pose he replied, "Having to move back in with my God d@#n parents!" Understood.
Did you know "the Lion King" is the number one rented Netflix movie in campus dorms? So popular among the student body that a statue was erected with raised funds from bake sales to have a full scale statue made in honor of the animated film! In all honesty I swore it was the lion from those "Narnia" flicks! Guess that shows how much I watch movies huh?
Speaking of movies, 20th Century Fox has paid good money to the University to let them construct a full function life size version of the Fantastic Four's
"When neglect turns to disrespect, it's time to get your hat and coat outta coat check!"
I'm not sure if you've been keeping abreast of the news but folks have been reporting a rise in gang activity in connection with recent slashings around town. Rumor has it that Blood gang members have been asking unsuspecting folks "Do you have the time?" then slashing or robbing them. Now things have gotten even MORE bizarre even for NYC standards! Due to the rising popularity of bottled "smart/vitamin water" even the Kool-Aid man apparently has fallen on hard times! Word has it that he has some gang affiliation with the Bloods now (which WOULD explain all the red)! One recent victim while attending a house party (in East New York, Brooklyn) casually told her host that she was thirsty, when suddenly ya boy bursts through the wall exclaiming "Oh Yeaahh Motherf@*ker?!?" then began bashing her with that cool refreshing pitcher you see pictured in his hand, till the victim became unconscious...WORD! Cops are advising that you leave the house well hydrated or carry a very LONG straw if attacked by someone fitting his description. But be advised that he's armed and dangerously sugary, and is known to cause diabetes, especially among the African-American community. Me, I'm switching to Capri Sun son! I knew Kool-Aid was bad for you, just never knew THIS bad! LOL!
