December 18, 2004 [Saturday]......Unsilent Night in The Village
This evening was the annual Unsilent Night (the Christmas Piece) event in New York. This is described as an outdoor ambient music piece which takes place by a large amount of people playing the piece on their boomboxes. Hundreds of people turned out for the 45 minute walk from Washington Square Park over to Tompkins Square Park in the East Village.

The effect of walking amongst a group of people with over 100 separate boomboxes playing a christmas themed music piece largely with chime style sounds was a true New York City experience. Passers by looked on with bewildered looks as the music playing didn't seem to be coming from any one place in particular, but moreso just everywhere. As we crossed 2nd Avenue, then 1st Avenue, our parade of people stopped traffic much to the frustration of cars beeping their horns with typical New York impatience.

With perfect timing, the group had all arrived and congregated in Tompkins Square Park as the music on the boomboxes started to gently fade and the event wound up. The crowd then all started to applaud both the Unsilent Night event and its creator, Phil Kline.

WWE's Triple H appearance at Virgin Megastore [nyc] 

December 16, 2004 [Thursday]......The Game
One of the top WWE wrestlers, Triple H (also known as The Game) made an appearance this evening at Virgin Megastore at Union Square. We checked it out but decided not to get in line to get his new book signed as the line literally went out the store and around the entire block. Instead we stayed in the coffee shop area right in front of the signing area where it was easier to get some photos.

Later in the evening it was up to Lasker Rink for my ice hockey game. This time we actually ended in a 6-6 draw which at least broke our run of loses. By this time of the season, we are playing in freezing temperatures outside given the rink is outdoor, yet you don't feel the cold at all once you start playing.

December 15, 2004 [Wednesday]......Stealing Christmas
Another Reverend Billy event tonight over in the East Village. It was "The Please Steal Christmas Revival and Parade" held at St. Mark's-in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue. This even featured a Gospel Choir and Rev Billy's inspired Stop Shopping / anti-Bush / anti-Corporations taking over the East Village themed sermon. One highlight was Rev Billy recounting a recent trip to Canada where he performed exorcisms of Coke vending machines at a college. Rev Billy's favourite targets are corporations such as Coke, Starbucks, Walmart for their poor treatment of workers in foreign countries.

Following that, there was a parade over to the building where a design firm is located that Billy chose to excorcise due to their involvement in the plans to demolish a local East Village public school and build high rise developments.

December 12, 2004 [Sunday]......Carmelo & The Ghetto
Went to the Knicks v Denver Nuggets game today. Nuggets had Carmelo Anthony who played a great game and also Kenyon Martin for the New York crowd to boo. For the Knicks, Alan Houston was back in the line-up, but he had a low-key game. Knicks took it 107 -96 while the celebs courtside included Chris Rock, Samuel L Jackson and Adam Sandler.

Afterwards, I walked over to The Skyloft on the westside to see "Ghetto Fab - The Photo Graf Collection", part of an Emerging Arts exhibition which is photography of street graffiti art.

Willis Reed, me and George Kalinsky [nyc] 

December 7, 2004 [Tuesday]......Willis Reed circa 1970
Today I went to pick up a copy of the book "Garden of Dreams" which has photos showing the 125 year history of Madison Square Garden. A large part is photos taken by George Kalinsky who was present today to sign copies. In addition to having George sign the book, the legendary Knicks captain from the championship 1970 team, Willis Reed was on hand.

Willis was part of the 1st championship that the Knicks won and his effort in the deciding 7th game against the Lakers is now part of folklore. Willis was one of the key strengths of the team and went down in game 5 with an injury. He didn't play in game 6 and wasn't on court during game 7 warm-ups. Many thought the Knicks hopes were lost. Then, moments before the start, Willis walked out on-court to the delight of the MSG crowd. Barely able to move up and down the court, Willis hit the first 2 shots of the game and gave the spark to the team who went on to win the game and championship. It was great to meet Willis today, who says that not a day goes by that someone doesn't remind him of that game.

NBA basketball at Madison Square Garden [nyc] 

Opening tip-off, Knicks vs Magic [nyc] 

Knicks Dancers also lookin' good [nyc] 

Supermodel Heidi Klum lookin' good [nyc] 

December 3, 2004 [Friday]......Knicks Night 2 / Supermodel
During the day I went to see supermodel Heidi Klum who was appearing at Borders Books in the Wall Street area. We have seen a few actor / actresses now but this was the first time I have met a supermodel. I can't complain.

Tonight's basketball game was Knicks v Orlando Magic. This was a close game with only a point in it with under a minute to go until the Magic pulled away 104-98. The Magic are a rejuvinated team this season with the return of Grant Hill, in addition to the acquisitions of Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato from Houston. It was great to see Grant Hill play finally, he showed a lot of his talent tonight.

December 2, 2004 [Thursday]......Walking into a Movie Set
As I walked out the front foyer of my apartment building this morning, there were movie set trailers parked right there. I recognised the names on the trailers as being from The Honeymooners movie that I also saw being filmed in midtown a week or two ago. Didn't have enough time to look around for where the shooting was taking place, and by the time I got home in the evening, it was all gone.

December 1, 2004 [Wednesday]......Knicks Night 1
This evenings game was Knicks v Memphis Grizzlies. Not a real close one, Knicks were too strong, winning 90-82 as they are off to a good start this season.

November 30, 2004 [Tuesday]......Hockey Night
Tonight was another of my hockey games up at Central Park. We're off to a slow start this season, losing this one also by a wide margin.

Eagles defence ready to pounce on Eli Manning [nyc] 

Donovan McNabb drops back in the pocket to make a pass [nyc] 

Philadelphia Eagles v New York Giants [nyc] 

November 28, 2004 [Sunday]......Eagles Fly High
The big NFL game each year for me is when the Philadelphia Eagles come into town to play the New York Giants. There had been torrential rain since early morning but that wasn't going to deter me. For this game I get hold of a seat on the 45 yard line, only 2 rows from the field - this is about as good as you can get.

Magically by kickoff time, the rain had subsided and the afternoon was fairly decent considering. This game had also come under a lot of attention in New York as it was only the second start by the Giants highly paid rookie quarterback Eli Manning. After a tight first half the score was a close 7 - 6 in the Eagles favour. The second half was a different story with the Eagles proving why they are one of the league's best as they scored 20 unanswered points, eventually winning 27 - 6.

It was great to see Donovan McNabb have a solid game and making some plays, plus it was the first I had seen of Terrell Owens the new Eagles receiver who riled up the Giants stadium crowd more than once. The Philly D was dominant in the second half, sacking Eli and making his game miserable. It kept the Giants fans out of the game, they don't go quiet per se, they just start yelling at their own players instead of the opposition. With this win, the Eagles become the first team to clinch a playoff berth and on of the fastest teams to achieve it this early in the season in NFL history.

Reverend Billy deep in the moment, rousing up the masses in Times Square [nyc]