The [300th post] Weekly Wrap #300

 gif I made of a street in Brooklyn

1. This is my 300th post! Everyday for 300 days. Holla!

2. Hurricane Sandy hit NYC. The subways are very much inoperable, to put it lightly. New Yorkers are saying they have never seen the city so 'shutdown' - EVER. Not even during 9/11. This is big! For those of you who haven't been here before the subways are like the veins of New York, and with out them there isn't any blood flowing. I'm currently stranded uptown, but there are people who are much worse off. 

3. I went to rent a car today. Let's not talk about how badly that went. 

4. I wrote a lot of music while Sandy was making the weather all cray cray. I may or may not be thinking up a few music videos at the moment. Shhh. I don't want to jinx it. 

5. We just found out that some of the subways will be working tomorrow! My roommate is currently drunk shouting "NEW YORK LIVES" - oh Americans. 

6. I have met some pretty awesome kiwis in NY over the last few weeks. So awesome, I love being around people who have ideas and are going somewhere. 

7. Miss my family. 

8. It's my first American halloween and hurricane Sandy snatched that up. Grr. Oh well everything happens for a reason. 

9. Realised I just survived what will go down as one of the worst, if not the worst, natural disaster to hit New York City. Woh. That's heavy. 

Morgs

Hurricane Sandy [VIDEO] #299

This is some of what happened when I went to get water. Hurricane Sandy caused some serious havoc up in hurr. 

Hurricane Sandy from This is Morgs on Vimeo.

Morgs

Hello Hurricane Sandy #298

Hurricane Sandy finally arrived and she is pissssed off. I went to get some more water because 3 litres doesn't go far at all. As I went outside I found myself running away from flying branches and being blown sideways with the wind. I will not be doing that again. The lower parts of Manhattan are flooded to 3 or 4ft in some areas, and New York isn't built for hurricanes. Most things are at ground level or below so it looks like the city is going to be a ghost town for at least a week or so while the clean up is on. The worst of the hurricane is to come tonight, and tomorrow will tell as to how bad the damage really is. These are some photos I took today around 2pm as Sandy moved in. Boom.

Morgs
p.s to any family & friends, I repeat "I am in the highest part of Manhattan. We will not get flooded".

Yo! Hurricane Sandy, Where you at? #297

It's so freak'n weird having the city shutdown. There are literally no trains or buses running until Tuesday night at the earliest. To be honest I really have no idea how bad this whole 'hurricane sich' is. I only really heard about it yesterday, and as I was saying to nana, it seems like the rest of the world know more about it than we do. Weird.
Luckily I live in one of the highest parts of Manhattan so I'm safe from flooding. This is my first time having to make a 'serious' emergency survival kit and this is what I have so far : bagels, tuna, candles, pre-made earl grey tea, pre-cooked pasta and lots of water. And for entertainment when the power goes out I have my guitar for sing-a-longs in the lounge. I'm secretly a little excited.

Morgs

Halloween & Hurricanes #296

Two things I noticed tonight.

1. When it's halloween American's go cray cray. The streets of NY become infested with everything from Snow White to some dressed as relish bottles. And when they catch the train home at 2am it looks like a really sad bunch of amusement park workers.

2. There's a hurricane coming for New York. This was briefly mentioned to me yesterday but I kind of brushed it off. I've since discovered it's a very real thing, and I should probably get a few supplies beyond 2min noodles.

Hurricane chic courtesy of CHLOE

Morgs

Williamsburg Rooftop Fun #295

Thought I'd check out Williamsburg tonight. It wasn't too bad. I don't want to sound like a Manhattan snob but I don't really go to Brooklyn all that much. It's just easier to stay in the city. Theres some serious hurricane weather coming our way so best to make the most of the clear skies, right?!

Morgs

I'm Learning - Maya Angelou #294

I think it's so important to keep learning regardless of whether you involved on some kind of education path or not. When I have spare time between work I'm researching new things and new people. I'd heard about this woman called Maya Angelou but I'd never really 'read up' on her. Today I spent almost 6 hours reading and watching documentaries about her. Woh. Not only is she one of the greatest poets alive she's one of the greatest teachers alive. She worked with Martin Luther King and she was the first poet to read at a presidential inauguration since Robert Frost! Waah. I'm aware that most of you come to my blog to read what I'm doing in New York so I wont paste screeds of poetry here; but if you are interested I'd suggest checking out I Know why the Caged Bird Sings. If you can figure out the meaning I extend an big ol' internet handshake to you. I also found out that my home girl Oprah is a little cray cray over Ms. Angelou. Check out what O had to say:

People to Watch - Passenger #293

I was about to write some chesseball sentence about how I 'very rarely get obsessed with a band', but lets be honest it happens quite a bit. However, I refuse to write about people I wouldn't listen to myself. So rest assured the dude I'm about to talk about has it going ON! As most of you know, I like me some ghetto hip-hop with a serious bass drop, but I also go cray cray for some of that deeeep singer-songwriter stuff. Pete Murray was once my jam, and Jack Johnson - yes, I just went there. I found this artist just by walking around New York. I was walking past this bar in the East Village when I heard what I thought was a live set - it wasn't. I went in and pleaded with the guy behind the bar to tell me who it was. He didn't know so I pressured him in to ringing the manager to find out. Meanwhile, it was two for one drinks so I sat and chatted with a couple from Ohio while I waited. They proceeded to show me ALL their holiday photos they'd ever taken. Luckily the barman came back before we got to the 'Christmas 2009' album. He let me know that it was a band called Passenger and that they were from the UK. I locked that in my phone for use at a later date. He also mentioned the guy that co-owned the place was really into them an that's why they were being played. He told me I should come back when they're in town, and I said I would. As I left I was handed a souvenir pack of matches so I wouldn't forget where the bar was. As I was walking home down the sidewalk I looked at the back of the pack, and at the bottom it said, "Co-owned by Gavin Degraw". Sweet so I potentially just made this poor guy holla at Gavin Degraw to find out who this band was?! Typical. Anyway yesterday, when I didn't have much to do, I looked them up. All I can say is WOW. I think I've played the track below about 30 times. World meet Passenger.

Morgs

If you need some inspiration - Decoded #292

Back in 2010, from his Tribeca loft, Jay-Z wrote this book - Decoded. I know I go on about this guy a lot but he's so intelligent it blows my mind. And it's not like he just one day swallowed this knowledge, no, this guy studied his ass off and continues to do so. In the book he literally disects the meaning behind some of his most well known tracks. It's insane how many undertones their are within his rhymes. This goes at the top of my list of must reads. I loved Patti Smith's  Just Kids, but this is some next level shiz. Buy it. Read it. Study it. Don't think of it as being about rap, it's about that 'thing' that drives people to produce amazing art - regardless of the medium.

Morgs

Sharing your age in New York #291

Most of the friends I have here in New York think I'm around 26 - 28 years old which I kind of like, and I'm not going to tell them otherwise. I don't lie per-say I just don't give a straight answer. Tonight my flatmates and I went to a halloween party downstairs and they were all talking about their jobs and how old they felt. They then went around the circle discussing how old they each were. 30, 31, 26, 30, 25 and then it got to me. I made them guess and I asked for an honest opinion why they thought I was a certain age before I answered. The general consensus was that I was between 25 and 29 because of the job I had, the things I'd done and the way I spoke. I watched their mouths drop when I said 21. And I honestly do not ever tell people how old I am because it loses a lot of respect in this city. It shouldn't but it does. I mean even in New Zealand I think it does to a point. I then repeatedly said, "If you start treating me that age I will be pissed off." They said they wouldn't but one dick in the group did. Who cares - haters gon hate. I have always kind of jelled more with people who were older but never more so than when I touched down in America. And I purposely don't tell them my age 1. so I can share my opinion without any bias, and 2. So I'm not looked down on. It's almost like a form of racism. I understand the intellectual growth that comes with age but I will damn well give you a run for your money fool! America, don't treat me like a useless 21 year old - I feel 28. 

Looking down the avenues

Morgs

The Weekly Wrap - Queens, Six60 & Rap #290

1. I went to Queens twice! That place isn't so bad. It has it's moments - good and bad. 

2. Six60 played live in New York Cit-ay! Myself and a few friends decided we'd head on over. Turned into one big kiwi meetup. It was pretty much a concert full of the who's who of kiwi music. Check out the photos here. 

3. I tried the drink 'Four Loko' for the first time. It's apparently illegal but obviously up in Harlem they just don't care. It's like a combination of absinth and 5 hour energy. Shit gets cray pretty quickly. 

4. I rapped Empire State of Mind live in a bar in New York City. Check it out here. 

5. This girl HAS to win X-Factor. She. Is. Incredible. 

6. If you have a few spare moments check out this movie. It's a favourite of mine and I was lucky enough to go to the premiere. I LOVE it. It is about rap; however, I think it speaks for all creative mediums. Check it out. You can find the full version here. 

7. Apart from those fun nights out, I have been working my ass off! And now I need some sleep so caio kids. 

Morgs

Me Rapping in New York City #289

Last night I did something I've been wanting to do since I got here - rap on stage. I forced all my new friends to follow me to this bar where I knew I could get the song, Empire State of Mind. I cued it up then looked for someone who could sing the chorus. I first asked this guy who i knew had an incredible voice but he went all shy - first rule of singing a JAY-Z song - one must not be shy. I then saw this girl with this mad afro sitting in the corner. She had a bunch of friends who looked like they were straight up Brooklyn. I downed my beer and headed their way, "Yo can you sing the chorus to Empire State of Mind." She looked at me like I was cray cray and then said, "Hell YEAH I can". I was sorted. All her friends were like 'you picked the right girl homie'. I replied with, "Holla! [long pause] homies? ". The first bar of the song came in with that heavy drum kick and I could see the whole bar switch on and be like "Who singing this? HUH?! What's this white girl doing?!". I then started feeding out the lines. Immediately I had the rooms attention. It was awesome. There were a series of dayuuuummmmm's being shouted. In my head I was like 'killed it!'. The first chorus started and the girls friends were right - she was a good pick. A little shaky (that's to be expected at 3am), but she hit all the notes. After we finished this guy comes storming through the club up to us "SHIT! I loved that. Shit. I can't believe you two girls did that. Shit.". I then turned to thank the girl who sang the chorus and she was like, "Dayuum white girl you did that better than Jay". I said, "You lying gurl. But thanks."  Her friends were still staring at me like they didn't know a white girl could rap. Let's just say I left the bar feeling pretty freaking good. And here's some proof:

Rapping in NYC from This is Morgs on Vimeo.

Morgs

Photo Friday - Lessons from the City #288

Lessons from the city in photos

Morgs

Throwback Thursday #287

This is one of my favourite songs. Many days were spent listening to this as a kid, while chasing the boys with a hose. 

Morgs

New York After Midnight #286

Tonight was filled with fun times. Unfortunately one of our NYC clique-sters is off home to New Zealand, so we had a little farewell dinner followed by me making them all pose for photos. It only seems appropriate that you listen to this whilst scrolling through these photos.  

Six60 Live in New York #285

Back in 2009 I campaigned for Six60 to come and play at the Waihi Beach Pub.  Now they're playing in New York City - and I'm there too. Good work boys!

Morgs

Instagram Monday - NYC regulars #284

Starting each Monday I'm going to instagram a series of the city. Enjoy!

Brooklyn Bridge

Tribeca

The Weekly Wrap - Photoshoot, Back in NYC, & Crazy people #283

Poor Sarah gets to be my puppet all the time. Today I made her stand in the middle of the road down in SoHo. Great photo though right? And that Benetton jumper is just magical.  

1. Got back to NYC. I feel like I exist in the world again. As I described to Hayree on Skype, "Going to Washington DC for 2 weeks is like when you go tramping in the bush with no communication to the real world". In short, it's fun to begin with but then you're like, "Give me my tall white mocha, a working internet connection, the sound of sirens, a view of the Empire State Building, a New York Times, and a whole lot of sleeping pills."

2. The comment on this post made my day. Thank you! 

3. I read this and appreciated how much goes into making an album. Dayyuum Lance. 

4. One of the most disturbingly hilarious things happened to me when I went out in Queens (cue the shudder) the other night. The party we went to was great and it was so good to catch up with friends. However, as we were waiting at the train platform to go home (it was about 3am) this girl walks past me crying. I was being a nice person and asked if she was ok. This is what followed: 

Me: "Are you ok?" [concerned look on my face complete with the 'sad eyebrows'].

Girl: [sobbing] "Nooo"

Me: "Ohhh. Do you want a hug?" [just trying to be nice].

Girl: [Nods her head]

Me: [I lean in to give her a hug]

Girl: waaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH [the Kim Kardashian ugly cry goes here].

And because I cant handle serious situations (and because I was a little tipsy) I started laughing - like really laughing. Then this happened:

Girl: [completely out of the blue] "Do you know Rhonda?"

Me: [more confused than the disciples when Jesus was resurrected] "Huh? What? Ah no."

Girl: "Because she just ruined my night and said she is sleeping with my boyfriend. To. My. Face"

Me: [I stand there still confused] "Oh. No I can't say I've met Rhonda."

Girl: "Like why would she do that?!"

Me: Judging by her very traditionalist demeanor I reply, "She's a devil worshipper." [Trying not to laugh]

Girl: [nods head]

We were all very confused as to what was happening right infront of us, but it wasn't to end there. The girls boyfriend then appeared. Picture a lanky tall, pale, white male - similar to Napoleon Dynamite - but with a peodo moustache. I couldn't help impulsively blurting out, "Tina eat the ham!". They then got on the same train with us. All I can say is awkward tortoise. It was a night to remember. 

5. I made Sarah pose in the middle of the road for a project I've got coming up. Check the picture above. Such fun. 

Morgs

The editor of all editors - Diana Vreeland #282

Diana Vreeland was the 'Anna Wintour' before Anna Wintour. She held the editorial tourch at VOGUE for 8 years and pretty much lead it in to the future. Vogue would not be what it is today had Diana not left her mark. Marvel in her glory. 

New York Living #281

I've officially lived everywhere in NY now. Welcome to my newest digs in Washington heights. I thought this place was going to be hoooooood but it's surprisingly not, at all. There's a few pic's mixed in there from a friends place. Aka the strange meals and book collection. 

Morgs