Yesterday I went to see Buster Balloon at the Half Gallery. The display was mildly entertaining from the perspective of a 23-year-old but wildly fascinating to the three year old in a stroller next to me.
Among the creations was a miniature Elvis, ice-cream cone, water faucet, gorilla, and a monkey smoking a cigarette (my favorite). Now I know why Jeff Koons proclaimed Buster, “The top balloon twister in the world.”
Yeah, Jeff Koons would say that wouldn’t he.
James Frey, half-author and a third of the partnership that comprises the gallery, was moping around outside.

Prior to attending the little exhibition, I was reading on the steps at Houston and Forsyth Street. A couple sat next to me and to the best of my knowledge they were speaking in Dutch.
Sometimes I would peek up from my book to watch them smoke cigarettes, laugh, and embrace each other. It appeared that nothing could corrupt their moment of bliss.
Peace never lasts.
I noticed a black Lincoln Navigator (with ‘for sale’ signs) slowly stalking down the street like it was hunting for meat. It came to a halt in front of the couple and the tinted windows rolled down to revel three degenerates.
A middle aged man with a thick beard, sitting in the back seat, began to accost the girl.
Hey, baby. Spread your legs a little more.
The girl looked confused.
Yeah, open them up a little more.
She squeezed her legs together out of fear. The face of her boyfriend was filled with hate.
You better be careful. Something might sneak up that skirt. Something big.
The pervert started to cackle and the car sped off.
I was tempted to say something comforting or crack a joke but I just sat there and wondered what they were saying in Dutch.
They seemed to take it lightly because a few minutes later they were back in their own world.