Singing Along on a Saturday Night

April 22nd...

at 7pm found me at Second on Second Karaoke bar. To let off some steam from a stressful week, Laura rented a private room and gathered up some friends to sing the blues away.


Fellow NYC music bloggers, Jerry and Amrit singing 'Champagne Supernova' above, came along.


As did a gaggle of Laura's female friends, like Fotini above with Laura singing Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love.'


Laura and anonymous girl with really good voice singing 'Rolling down the river.'

I've never been to karaoke before and was slightly nervous about the whole thing. I mean, I can carry a tune alright when I sing along to the radio but with just the music playing, it's a bit rough. So in preparation, I picked a few songs that I thought I would be able to pull off without too much embarrassment. At the top of the list was 'Stay' by Lisa Loeb. Surprisingly, I didn't even have to put that one in. Jerry (middle right below) came armed with the same song in mind. Also, luckily, all of the songs had the vocals behind them so I didn't have to worry about finding the key on my own.


The best part of the karaoke segment of the evening, was seeing our new friends witness the surprising power of Laura's voice coming from her wee self. I can't recall the last song she sang, but I think it was a Heart tune. We all sat there in stunned silence as she belted it out. Karaoke was worth the price of admission just to hear her again. The last time I heard Laura sing on her own was in AP English. We were in twelfth grade and taking English with the artsy Ms. Esslinger. Our last assignment of the year was to bring in a piece of writing that has meant something to us and share it with the rest of the class. I brought in something from Amy Tan I had just read, about a young girl realising her own strength, and Laura brought in the song 'Beauty Mark' by Rufus Wainwright. With some prompting from the teacher, she sang it acapella for the class. Those few minutes are perhaps one of the most vivid memories I have from high School. A quiet, near empty classroom, filled with Laura's crisp, beautiful voice on a warm June morning.


Betty and Greg grooving to dj Tiga before the Sisters came on.

After karaoke, Laura, Matt and I headed over to the Bowery Ballroom for part two of the evening- the Scissor Sisters. I learned my lesson from the Arctic Monkeys hullabaloo in March, and this time bought two tickets in case any of my other friends weren't as on the ball as myself and missed getting them. It ended up that Betty was the one who missed buying tickets. I told her to meet us outside Bowery at 9pm, knowing that we wouldn't be there until around 9:15. My scheme to get the always late Betty there ontime, however, did not quite work. She arrived at 9:30.


My gang, Matt, Betty, Laura, Me and Billy.

The concert was unfreaking believable. Part concert, part cabaret, I've never danced so much at a show in my life. If you ever have a chance to see them, I highly suggest going. It was worth every penny. The cherry on top of the evening was seeing one of my favourite celebrities in the crowd. Cher. I completely lost it when I saw her. It's not so much Cher's music that I love, because I only really like the old stuff, but her movies. One of my family's most often quoted movies is Moonstruck and one of my favourite films is The Witches of Eastwick- I've always had a penchant for the bizarre. The next evening's show had Kylie and Karl Lagerfeld, but I would never trade Cher.

Google Videos

I just went over to google video, to take a look at everything I had uploaded, and was very surprised to see on my stats page that the so-called 'Santa on a choo cho' video has been watched a whopping 2437 times. The second most watched video, 'Too much fun with ice', only comes in at 788. I'm slightly flabbergasted by this. I mean, the video is funny...to me. Do you think people are actually sending it to their friends or something?

Sexy Betty: Another Birthday

April 21st

For Betty's birthday, she orchestrated a dinner at Mario Batali's Otto in the West Village.
Only Betty would be 25 minutes late to her own party.


Dinner was fantastic. Deb and I split pizza with clams, a sampling of olives and bruschetta. For dessert, Deb insisted that we all try the olive oil gelato saying that it was out of this world. I know it sounds nasty but honestly, it was brilliant. It just had the essence of olive oil and was slightly salty in addition to being sweet. We also ordered parmigiana gelato, which I think was even better. It tasted just like parmigiano, but sweet.



There's Deb, Sonya, Betty and I. Betty and Sonya are friends from High School. Betty, Sonya and I were all on Ken, our High School's literary magazine, together. I haven't seen Sonya since graduation, so it was really fantastic to catch up with her. Sonya is a clothing and jewelry designer, her label is called Snoozer Looser and I think we are going to hook up to do a contest through my music site together.

After dinner, Deb and I were suppose to head over to the Pussycat Lounge to see Billy's band, Band of York. But dinner ended late and we were tired so we headed back home instead. Boring, I know.

The Price of Gas

I was just at the gas station getting, um, gas and overheard a great conversation about the rising prices.

Black guy driving a suped up honda filling up his car shouting to the Latino guy driving a durango suv and paying 50 bucks to fill up his tank: 'You vote for Bush?'

Latino guy: 'uh, yeah'

Black guy: 'Bush is a moron, he did this.''

Latino guy: 'Bush is ok'

Black guy: 'Kerry was better. $1.75 before Bush, 3 bucks after. Bush is a moron.'

Latino guy: ' '

Although gas prices may seem astronomical, it is still a whole hell of a lot cheaper than other countries. For example, it costs my friend Rob 30 pounds to fill up the tank of his small car, which is 60 dollars. Whereas it just cost me 30 bucks to fill up my tank, which is only 15 pounds. Still half the price of the UK, yet double what it was two years ago in the US. I have mixed feelings about the current price of gas. On one hand, I hope that this discourages people from driving. On the other hand, I am unemployed and driving is often the cheaper option than public transport. I need to get places, but have very limited funds. What do I do?

And the answer just came to me. Walk.

Wearing My Easter Bonnet (with all the trimmings on it)

April 16th

Another Easter has come and gone. This Easter, we celebrated my mother's birthday as well. It was four days early but my brother was going to Texas and wouldn't be there on the 20th.


My mom usually does the Easter baskets. As she wasn't really feeling up to it, Ryan and Kristin stepped up and made one for each of us. I got hand lotion and an eye-brow pencil in mine. So sweet, someone remembered my vanity.



Kristin was the decorating Nazi, and insisted that Ryan hang streamers all over the dining room and den. Of course, leaving me to clean up all the Easter things she carted out when she went back to the city.


For dinner, it was requested that I make eggplant parmesean while Kristin made pasta pisello (pasta with peas). There is definitely such a thing as too many cooks in a kitchen, especially when I'm involved. Kristin was getting pretty angry at me as I fussed over her while she made the pasta. I couldn't help it. She was doing it wrong.


For my mom's birthday cake, I bought a huge carrot cake and topped it with...well a bunch of candels. Let's just say, I was sweating the heat was so intense as I lit them.


Hagaan Daz is a family favourite, so I bought four containers of it in addition to a box of cannolis. A typical Italian Easter.

'your life looks like the perfect american movie'

Dawn said the above quote to me after taking a look at this blog. I thought it was pretty funny. I never really thought of my life as a perfect anything, especially not quintisentially American. But I do have to say that beside the no job, no boyfriend thing, it's been pretty good lately.

I think this weekend will yield a bunch more happy American photos. Tomorrow is dinner out in NYC for sexy Betty's birthday, then off to see Band of York play on the top floor of the Pussycat Lounge strip club. Saturday is karaoke for 15 at Second on Second followed by the Sister Sisters concert at Bowery Ballroom. I listened to the Scissor Sisters pretty religiously last year, so I am especially psyched for the show.

Today was my mom's official birthday (we celebrated as a family on Sunday). My dad came home early from work to take her out to dinner, so I dressed mom up in the skirt I bought her in Istanbul, put some make-up on her and shoved her and my dad out the door. I spent the rest of my evening finishing up reading the blog of a pick-up artist, You're My New Girlfriend. It's both nauseating and fascinating. I'll talk more about it tomorrow though when I'll have a few more comments on my new obsession, dating blogs. I'll talk more about it next week, how 'bout?

Sarky Sark

One of my all time favourite shows is Alias. Admittedly, it's been pretty crap the last couple of seasons and that's why this is the final year. Tonight was the two hour premiere and I got to say a big thank you to the producers, because it rocked old school style. Irene Derevko is back, Vaughn is alive and Sydney finally had that damned baby.

I'd like to share a little secret story about how much I love Alias (and procrastination). In late 2002, ABCFamily showed a marathon of the previous season of Alias leading up to that year's premiere on the regular ABC channel. It was twelve straight hours of Alias starting at noon, and I watched it all. I was suppose to be writing a paper on Byzantine amulets and instead, I sat on my couch and screamed at the tv eating popcorn. Around hour 4, Sea came home to the apartment to find me there not doing work. After a quick reprimanding, she too was sucked in by the oh so sexy Sark, with the lovely accent, and edge of your seat under-cover missions. We still talk about that day. It was a great day. And that's why I love Alias, because no matter what, it will have always given me that one great day.

You Know You're In Love When...

I was just looking at the myspace profile of Chris, a guy whom I had met once and was thinking might be nice to date. He's successful, smart and nice (nice enough at least, he did make some crack about a girl to me that I didn't appreciate, but I digress). I was reading all the little beliefs that he listed and thinking about if I do, or could, believe them too when it occurred to me: maybe when the right guy comes along, I won't feel that I need to change anything about myself to be with him. Because I always seem to do that. And I think now, it is just an indication that they are not the right one rather than I'm not right. This isn't a realization that has come with age, but rather with experience. The experience of being with someone whom I can talk to without trying to impress or conform.

Does anyone else do this? Like look at the bands someone likes and try to get themselves to like them? Or hear that person talking about a book they love and then go and buy it? I'm sick of looking at dusty books on my shelves that I'll never read, or listening to music that I know I won't like.

So I closed the guy's profile page and decided that next time I see him, I'll tell him that the band he keeps obsessing over sucks and that movie he loves, I actually hate. Let's call it an experiment in honest dating. Revolutionary, I know.

Debbie Turns a Quarter Century

Lisa, Jason and the birthday girl

Friday, dear Deb caught up with me in age and turned 25. Since it is passover, we couldn't really go out for a meal but we could go out drinking.


It was decided that we would start the evening at Happy Endings, but we never ended up leaving. That place is MAD fun. For a silly, random, dancing with lesbians wearing coon skin caps night out- I highly recommend it.


Matt, Cindy (Stacey's sister) and I conversing at our reserved table, which in a hipster bar is a bit of an odd thing to do, reserve a table. When we arrived, there were people sitting there and the bartender had to tell them to shove off.

Deb and Stacey telling secrets

I think most of these pictures speak for themselves. It was just one crazy night of dancing and drinking and canoodling- everything a birthday should be. Deb remarked that it was fun, but it didn't seem like her birthday. I sort of had the same feeling when mine rolled past in December. I guess when you get older, the birthdays get less exciting to celebrate. Not that they aren't fun, but they loose that expectation you always had when you were little. Kinda sad. Maybe next year I'll throw a big party and will change my mind.


When we first arrived, there seemed to be this other party going on. Not five minutes into being there, some girl was already dancing on the bar...and it wasn't even 10. Well according to big girl in the coonskin cap, it was a massage school graduation they were all celebrating. She came over to me and pointed at her shirt, asking if I was from there. I saw the word Swedish and thought she was telling me she was from Sweden. She then got on the dance floor and began dancing in front of our table. Matt, who is sitting next to me says 'I'm going to have to go dance with this bitch aren't I?' and promptly hops up from the table and starts getting down and dirty with coonskin.

Me, Lisa, Jason, cousin Jackie and Deb.

Deb's cousins were funny. They came in from Hoboken, New Jersey for her get together and then stayed for all of half an hour before getting the hell out of there. I guess they saw where the night was headed and wanted no part of it.


Laura, Lisa and Matt. The title, 'I bet that you look good on the dance floor' pops into my mind when I look at this picture. Let me tell you, squats in the dancefloor in three inch heels really is a workout for the thighs.


Laura and I talking about boys and taking sexy pictures.


Matt in his hot military blazer.


And in his, not quite as hot, stolen coonskin cap.


Miss Modernage making a guest appearance. And check out the dj's t-shirt. I Heart Sweatshop Labor. Not cool man, just stupid.


How many drinks does that make now Jason?




I just kept taking random pictures, hoping some would come out alright. Laura seems confused.


Matt wrote to me after I sent him this picture that he had no recollection of dancing with this girl. I love it.


Sexy Betty and Matt.


Debbie in a 'mo-sandwich.




I hope this picture is Laura reacting to the above scene.


I have no idea whom Debbie is indicating is number one. Probably me because, let's face it, it's true.


Drunk.


Possibly the best picture of the night. Matt up on the table about to get pulled down by security. I think it was at about that time it was decided we leave.


We all clambered outside to wait, while Jason paid the bar-bill.


This is Betty waiting and getting all up in my face.


This is Deb and Matt coming back from inside looking for where the fuck Jason went. It was our third round of people we sent in with no success. It was decreed that he was probably trying to mack on the hot, foreign waitress so then, like good friends, we decided to just wait it out. Unfortunately, it ended up he was just looking for his jacket, which he ended up losing. So if anyone 'accidentally' took a Scotland rugby, zip-up, sweatshirt from Happy Endings on the 14th, please email me and no one will get hurt.


Matt being a gentleman and offering Lisa his knee to rest on while we waited.

After Jason finally emerged, the possibility of karaoke was discussed but due to excessive inebriation, home was decided to be the better idea.

Happy Birthday Deb, it was a great night.

My Little Brother Turns Sixteen

My little brother is not so little anymore. At 16 years old, he's six feet tall with a size 16 shoe but I can still beat him up.


So today he turns 16. I guess if you're a boy, it's not sweet. I wonder what you do call it? All he knows is that he finally gets his driving permit. I can't imagine this klutz of a boy driving, motorists beware.


For his birthday, we celebrated by eating a mound of mozzeralla sticks (his favourite), ordering in chicken fingers from TGI Fridays (I did not partake), and drinking a six pack of Pabst (I bought and drank that- yum). The above is mom regalling us with funny/humilating stories that happened to her. Like the time she went to the garden center and cut off a bunch of clippings from the plants instead of buying them and then asked the garden center employee the best soil for rerooting plants while she had all of these clippings sticking out of her pockets. This is where I get my craftiness from.


This balloon took four people to finally blow up, and we had to use a bicycle pump. It was the great triumph of the day. I even took a video of the effort.


A very hipster birthday.

Since I am a feckless layabout with no job, I couldn't afford to get Ryan anything. Instead, I promised to take him to a concert somewhere in the near future since I know he has never been to one. Anyone have any suggestions where I can bring someone under 18 which isn't Madison Square Garden?


By the time we had cake, both of my parents were fast asleep on the couch. My mom woke up with a start once my sister and I started to sing Happy Birthday and shouted 'John, come on!' He was laying right next to her, which cracked my brother up. So while we sang, my brother rolled on the couch laughing.



April is a bad month for me. Half of the people I know were born this month, so with no income, it is taking a strain on my already tight purse strings. July must be a popular month for getting it on. Maybe it's the heat and maybe I have something to look forward to. I am having a party in July...

Bated Breath

Last night, I dreamt I was on Lost- as in the American tv show. I had solved the whole mystery of the island and in the process, had fallen in love with Ethan, the guy who takes care of Claire when she is with The Others. Right when the whole island is about to erupt into chaos, we have this moment where our lips are about to touch but the don't, they can't and we just stand there breathing. I think my entire body wanted to kiss him so much that it eventually just woke me up with anticipation.

That always seems to happen to me in dreams, I never seem to reach the breaking point of things. I spend many of my dreams just trying but never really getting anywhere. Would a psychologist out there list to venture a guess?

It's a beautiful sunny Sunday in New York. I think I should try and stay away from the computer today and maybe, just maybe, go outside.

I May Need a Drink...

Today has been an odd day. I feel very...something right now. Astonished I guess. I've only ever felt this way once before and the same thing is happening physically to me again now. My whole body is slowing down and I feel incredibly tired. I think that's my body's defense mechanism, to just want to sleep.

In case you haven't seen, you can go read what has me so bewildered here. Um, Laura I love you too and my Music and Ethics post wasn't a response to you, I wrote that this past Tuesday on the train back home. I'm refusing to read your comments section by the way because I know it will just get me upset- your readers are nasty, you may recall I threatened to beat one of them up after he called you a terrible name.

Maybe some of my friends out there reading this can go defend me, especially because all that information about tickets, I had no idea about. I mean, I just started getting invited to shows in January, I don't know how it all works.

What has had me happy for the past couple of days was seeing Brook's movie trailer. I think it's great. You can find the link, with a couple of clips, here. Enjoy!

And Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

Tuesday, I actually had a job interview. It was with a gallery on the Upper East Side. The position was very entry level but hey, we all got to start somewhere. They said they'd call me this week about the job but it is Saturday and no phone call. Oh well, I guess I'm not that disappointed.

Later that night, I had a show at Irving to go. I was seeing Astra Heights, Nightmare of You and She Wants Revenge. In between the interview and the show, I had eight hours to kill so I headed over to Brooklyn to pester my sister at work and get some free food and coffee.


The coffee shop where she works is so cute. All the locals go there and just hang out. It's great. I spent fours hour there chatting with Kristin, drinking ice tea and eating muffins.


After work, we headed to her apartment and then out for a beer before I had to go to the show. The show was alright. I met a couple of really cool people, and the band Astra Heights were good. Nightmare of You is pretty decent but I suggest skipping She Wants Revenge entirely. I didn't even stay for all of their set.


Last night, I met new friends Gretchen and Grant out at Pianos on the Lower East Side to see R. Star and The Gaskets. I'll go more in depth about it on The Music Slut but both acts were really good.


R. Star is really hot and his music is intensely passionate singer song writer material. It's a good date show.


After him was the Gaskets. A duo playing eighties inspired-electronic-happy-go-lucky-dance music. They were the highlight of the evening for me. After the show, I gave a huge kiss on the cheek to Jerry, the music blogger whom suggested them. They might just be my new obsession.

And now it's a rainy Saturday in New York. Arab Strap are playing the Knitting Factory tonight but I think I rather sit home in my pjs watching bad MTV.

Crawford Would Be So Proud of Me

I just turned down a chance to go see the hottest show in NYC since last month's Arctic Monkeys, 1000 dollars for a ticket insanity because of my morals. The Raconteurs, fronted by Jack White of the White Stripes, are playing tomorrow night but I am refusing these impossible to get tickets because White wrote a song for a Coca-Cola commercial.

I really want to see them too. I figure as long as I don't actually buy their music, then I can still enjoy it- but not without a slight bitterness.

oy vey.

Sometimes It's Only a Moment

Thursday 30 March 2006:

These past few days have been past insanity. I've eaten zero square meals since Sunday, 90% of my caloric intake has been from beer and as I ride the train back to Long Island from the city, I feel like doing nothing else but climbing into bed, sleeping, and crying from exhaustion. If this train wasn't so damned bright, I'd probably break down right now. And goddamn my feet hurt in these heels

Too many intense moments have shattered my emotions this week and at midnight, a lonely train ride back to a lonely bed is breeding nothing but self-pity. But this isn't an entry of sadness, I've actually had an incredible week. I saw a hot show, made out with an old fling and got to see my dear friend, Stephanie. When I was little, there was always a point where I wanted to cry at my own birthday party. Well, it's my party and I'll cry if I want to.


Saturday 1 April 2006:

I'm sitting here in my pjs watching Danish music videos on the International Music Feed. Besides Junior Senior, they really got nothing do they?

So let me try and wrap up this week as best I can, starting with last Friday. On the 24th I went to see the Noisettes and Mystery Jets at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. The Noisettes came on first and put on a fantastic show. I highly recommend getting your hands on some of their music. Mystery Jets on the other hand? Not so much. You can always check out my review of the show on TheMusicSlut. I met up with my friend Laura there who introduced me to her very lovely friend Chris who was hanging out with his buddy Ben. So many boys, so few time.

Before I went out that night, I entered a contest for the next day's sold-out Arctic Monkeys show on a music blog for my friend Brook. I was already going, but I told Brook I would try and get him tickets. It was his birthday and he has been working so hard on a documentary he is making, not to mention that I just wanted to see him, so at the last moment I entered the contest- never in a million years thinking I would win.

Well, when I woke up Saturday guess what? I did win. So I called Brook and told him the good news. We had to meet up with Amrit, the guy giving us the tickets before the show, so Brook, and my posse (Matt, Laura and Billy) all met up with Amrit and another music blogger, Jerry and headed over to the show together. I like the Arctic Monkeys album a lot but live, I think it all just comes together really well. Again, you can check out my review on TheMusicSlut.

After spending an hour jumping up and down at the concert, Laura, Brook and my friend Betty whom I randomly met at the show, went around the corner to the Roll N Roaster for some food. There we are, drinking our 4 dollar pitcher of beer and munching on our deep fried food when suddenly a fight breaks out. Some Russian, mafia types come in and want to use the restroom, but at the Roll N Roaster, you need to buy something first to get the bathroom code. The Russian guys evidently didn't want to spend the two bucks on some corn fritters and hence the argument. Punches were thrown, a Russian guy came out with a bloody nose, the bouncers from Webster Hall came over to help and some random old guy with a comb over tried to keep the peace. It was all very unexpected. Round two came 15 minutes after the Russian guys were thrown out. They came back in to actually buy something but at this point, they weren't about to be served. This time, cops came. All the while, us hipsters and pseudo-hipsters are looking on with bemusment and awe.

Once the Roll N Roaster show was through, Brook and I headed over to Burp Castle. A much nicer pub than the name portrays. It is actually a quiet pub. Nothing over indoor voices allowed. The interior is small, with dark wood paneling and frescos of monks. On tap are incredible import beers, all listed as if they were wine. We met up with two of Brook's friends there, the Katies. Both of whom couldn't have been nicer. About a half an hour after being there, we randomly hooked up with some v. drunken Swiss guys. The oldest amongst them insisted on buying us copious amounts of beer. We weren't about to complain. The night ended at about 4:30 am when Brook walked me to my car. An unexpected mini make-out session occurred and I stumbled in the door of my house at 5am still grinning.

On St. Patrick's day, I laced a gold shamrock of my grandmother's through a chain to wear. All night I kept fingering it thinking, maybe this really is good luck.

Sunday I rested.

Monday, I met up with new friend Greg outside the Bowery Ballroom. I was there to review the band, The Hourly Radio, who were opening for Stellastarr*, and Greg came as my plus one. We met up with another new friend, Rad and then Matt and Billy for the main event, Stellastarr*. I had all but forgotten to eat that day, so before the show I hit the bodega for some wheat thins. That wasn't enough food to keep me from getting very silly on only 2 beers. I'm a cheap date these days. The show was great. The Hourly Radio are definitely someone to keep an eye out for.

Tuesday was Stellastarr* (again) with the Editors. This time, I headed over to the Polish section of Brooklyn to a place called the Warsaw for the show. Stellastarr* were fantastic once more, as were the preshow Polish beers and pierogies, yum. I met Greg and Matt once more and my friend Betty came along as my plus one. Editors are the most phenomenal band I may have ever seen live. Truly outrageous. Go see them. Go see them.

And Wednesday.... FUCK. I got to go. I'll update the rest tomorrow. Right now I am off to see The Pretenders and then meet up with Stephanie in the city. For now, here are some pictures from last night. Enjoy. Ciao. Sunday 2 April 2006: Ok, what was I saying? Wednesday, right.
Wednesday I met up with Debbie, Jason, Matt, Laura, Stephanie and Dave to see Demetri Martin at the Up Right Citizen's Brigade theatre. He was doing three special performances of the comedy show he intends to bring abroad. The show was a test run, so there were quite a few hitches which ended up making it even funnier. This was the first night I was seeing Stephanie, my dear friend from Scotland, who was in town to visit and go to a philosophy conference. It was amazing to see her again, and in pure Stephanie fashion, she comes waltzing up to meet us with a present for me in one hand and an ice cream in the other. I love you Steph. Dave is a guy who I knew through the wild parties held at Kiril's Uni-Cottage home in St. Andrews. Dave was friends with the other roommate, Mike. Even though those parties consisted of the complete opposite type of people (Christian Southerns v. Euro Commies) they were always such amazing fun. Oh, so back to Demetri Martin. He was very funny. More small show than comedy act. And the guy is damn cute, which helped. The two girls next to me were giggling and hugging each other every 5 minutes over him.

Thursday, I actually took the train into the city. I was meeting Stephanie at noon, then probably would be there all night so I decided dealing with my car wasn't worth the hassle. Steph and I were going to Century 21 to do some shopping. I've never been to the NYC store before and let me tell you, that place is a madhouse. Completely full of tourists, especially British ones. I didn't recognize half the languages the other people were speaking, and usually I'm pretty good with that. We spent a couple of hours there, I bought a necklace to complete the ensemble I was wearing, then we met up with Stephanie's old DC friend, Diane, who now lives in NYC. We decided to go over to the South Street Seaport for a drink since I was set to meet Brook there at 3:30 anyway to go to the bodies exhibit.

The Bodies Exhibit, though exceedingly expensive, is very cool. Brook and I had both wanted to see it, so we decided to bite the price bullet and go. I have to say, I think it was worth it. It took 25 bodies and ten years to set up this exhibition which displays every part of the human anatomy and how it works. I was a bit shocked at first when I walked in, but eventually I got used to the fact that I was surrounded by dead people. I even found myself leaning in to get closer looks at circulatory systems and unborn fetuses. If you have the time and money, I'd say go.

After the exhibit, we grabbed a bite to eat and a pint at a bar around Wall Street. Brook's friend Katie met us for a drink and then we parted ways- them to search for a traveller's bar in Times Square and me to meet up with Stephanie and friends at Motor City on the LES for some more drinking. Somewhere around 1:30am, I stumbled onto a LIRR train and wrote the paragraphs that started this blog post.

Friday night started off as a bit of a disaster with timing, but ended up ok. Once, Stephanie, Gretchen (did I mention Gretchen at all? She met us at the Demetri Martin show but late and is Stephanie's AWESOME friend from her undergrad days. Steph is staying with her while in NYC) and I finally got our shit together, we met up at Stillwater, a bar on 4th and 2nd, for a drink and a couple of terribly played games of pool.





Gretchen is beautiful (she looks like Sienna Miller), single and smart. I think if someone doesn't ask her out soon, I will.





Saturday, yesterday, Gretchen was kind enough to hook me up with a press pass to see The Pretenders do one of XM Radio's Artist showcases at Irving Plaza. It was fucking awesome. I wouldn't call myself a Pretenders fan but after seeing them, I should be. The band sat on stage and answered some questions, played a couple of songs, answered some more questions and then closed with two more songs. These guys are so rock and roll- it was great. I felt damned lucky to be in such close quarters with them.

Oh, and also that morning I got a call from a gallery to come in for an interview. Hurrah! That'll be my third one in nearly 5 months!




After the show, Gretchen and I did some last minute grocery shopping for the get together her and Stephanie were throwing at Gretchen's apartment that evening. At Key Food, I saw the guy who played the brother with AIDS on Queer as Folk, but as I am the only person I know who watches that show, I think that only excites me.

Staying in and hanging out at Gretchen's apartment all night was a great idea. It's not often in NYC that people just chill and order in food on a Saturday night. For dinner, we ordered pizza and for dessert, Gretchen and Stephanie made delicious Lemon Pudding cake and fresh Lemon sorbet. Gretchen's friend Grant came over, as did Dave and Stephanie's friend from undergrad, model Matt.



Gretchen gracing us with a song her and a friend wrote for Jimmy Fallon, the guitar is signed by him.



Steph and Dave, chilling.



Stephanie gracing the room with embarrassing, yet funny, stories about Gretchen and I.



Steph and Matt.



Sitting around, figuring out what card game to play. It was decided we'd play Bullshit, which I usually rock at but last night, my facilities were not all there, at least that's the excuse I'm sticking with.



Super-cute, Nashville Grant and Dave.



Dave, stepping it up and being a man by picking up the dead cockroach on the floor.



Steph, Gretchen and I posing on the couch.



Today, Steph leaves for New Jersey to hang out with her aunt and uncle. I'm so glad I got to see her. When she's done with St. Andrews, she better move to NYC with me.