October/November

October 9, 2012
In all seriousness, I love loving women. This is nothing against anyone homosexual, but completely based on my attraction for women. Is there seriously anything more beautiful and mesmerizing in this world than the perfect curves of a body, the hourglass shape with a thin stomach, the freckles on a nose, the richness and deepness within eyes, the gentle swirls of color in hair?
Sorry, I’m just blown away by my existence sometimes. Nothing drives me wild like realizing such is reality.

October 11, 2012
At night, I meet up with Aaron at Pony Bar after I go home from class and drive in. There’s this skeevy 36 year old that is bothering us and talking to us. He ends up wanting us to buy him a drink. He’s a grown ass man! Seriously? He walk away awkwardly. Screw him.
Luna ends up meeting up along with Bolanos after a few drinks, it’s late and 2:00AM and we head out

October 23, 2012
Corinne is back from Japan. Her job didn’t work out. I meet up with her and it’s a great day. We walk the city and catch up on things until we go to Westville for dinner. We then head to Johnny’s Bar, where Nikki used to work. It’s fun catching up about Japan, my travels, life, relationships, all that kind of fun stuff. She gives me a “bro” talk and tries to watch out for my back. It’s great seeing her again and hopefully she’ll be around more as she plans on working here.

October 25, 2012
Corinne’s supposed to be down for some beers tonight, but that doesn’t work out. I meet up with Stefan, Sara, Michael, Beth, and Michael’s friends. They’re suprisingly really fun and friendly. We laugh about the idea of a choli outfit and we make Stefan do that with his shirt.
I go with Tom to Café Habana, a place that I’ve been planning to go to for a while. The corn is amazing, but the food is only okay. The other split from Puck Fair and we plan to meet Stefan and Sara at Hop Devil. It’s nice walking from Nolita to East Villge. I love seeing New York change and missing the area that I used to live in.
At Hop Devil, it’s a good ol’ time. Stefan is being his super ridiculous self tonight with a really gross line of “Wet pussy dripping” and that kind of stuff, but with a slider in his mouth. It’s a sloppy gross way of saying it and I’m disgusted, but need to have a laugh about it.
Bolanos joins us and Stefan and Sara leave. We go to Proliteriat as I’ve been in the mood for some good beer. The beer was disappointing. As we walk back to Bolanos’ car, I notice all the pretty girls and dammit, why were at that place?! I think back and I need to think better about the places I go to.

October 26, 2012
I try to get Corinne out, but she needs to wake up early and her mom is not a huge fan of her going out at night on the subway. Jenn randomly texts me that there’s a b-day party at Happy Endings. I tell Aaron to come through. I drive Bolanos and I downtown. Luna meets us down there.
However, Jenn forgets her ID, so she goes home herself. We hang with James and Roslyn, who are incredibly nice. Jose and Aaron show up and Aaron laughs about how I think it’s a place that’s going to have women. I don’t think my estimate was wrong as it’s a really popular place, even on the weekeday. I was there with Aaron a while ago after hanging with Richard from a Yelp event. However, places like Fontana’s around the corner having Halloween parties and really busy tonight.
We then walk around downtown. Aaron and Jose leave. The three rest of us get some tacos and then head back.

October 27, 2012
Today is the event for Ben and Michelle’s b-day. The place is pretty nice, except the fact drinks were $20 and beers were $11. With tickets being $20-30 (the cheapest and bought 2-3 weeks before the event), fuck these people. They also don’t let you go out so I couldn’t go back out to the car to get my Psy sunglasses. My suit is decorated with a glittery skirt that Luna bought and fabric taped onto my lapel. She’s Honey Boo Boo, a dress she hand made.
It’s good and different to see Samara on Bolanos’ arm. It’s great to see people enjoying themselves. It’s a decent scene. Michelle is really happy at her party. Ben’s a good guy too and I wish both a Happy Birthday. We stay there for a few hours before going to the village to meet Stefan and Sara.
We meet them at a rooftop party. It’s decent with 10 or so people, but it’s 2:00AM already so I’m sure it was crazier earlier. We grab a beer and stand around as people are really nice to appreciate our costumes and take pictures with us. Sara is a Girl Scout and Stefan isn’t really dressed up.
We then go meet Teddy and Jesse at this bar on Bowery. It’s great being where I used to live. I’ve actually never been to the place. Great beer selection and a decent amount of people. Jesse is in a cat costume and a bit drunk. Their friends are nice and all and we hang for an hour or so before heading out.

October 29, 2012
Bolanos heads over because he’s out of power. He hangs out here for a few hours and then Internet goes out. There’s no real damage for this thing other than the Internet and this huge, huge tree that gets uprooted on my backyard. The cars were out of the driveway and it completely misses the garage and the house, so no harm really. The thing just needs to now get chopped down and moved.
At night, we make cacio e pepe for mom and grandma as well. At night, there’s Night of the Living Dead, which I’ve never seen. It’s not bad. Low budget, but it does it’s job pretty well and shot pretty well. The movie that I really appreciate that we saw was Say Anything. Jason Biggs from American Pie with Woody Allen. I wouldn’t call it “incredible,” but it’s a fun film to watch. It’s exactly what I want from Woody, especially with it shot in New York.

November 1, 2012
Day 4 of no classes. I drop Luna off in Elmhurst where she can get a ride back to New Jersey. Otherwise, getting into the city is near impossible and getting out of Manhattan is actually impossible. Buses are a no-go.
I get home, take a nap, and then go to Starbucks as the Internet has been out as long as I’ve been away from class. Having company keeps me somewhat busy and I’m able to check things here and there on my phone. However, now, it’s super boring. I change there for a few hours and I try to get people to do stuff, but nothing works out.
Creeper Story:
I go home at 8:00 and I’m walking towards my car in the parking lot when this innocent-looking man in his 40-50s walks up to me. A very regular non-descript white male with round glasses. He gives me a quick, “Do I know you from somewhere?” I’m confused and I answer in the negative. He then asks if I wrestle. Now I understand, he must have a son in high school and he must be confusing me with some other Asians. An honest mistake by a father, whatever. I again answer in the negative.
Now I’m at my car and I unlock the door and open it. As I walk by him, he raises another question, this time an unexpected one, “Do you date men by any chance?” I give him an apologetic, “No, I’m sorry,” as I feel shivers down my spine and just feel so creeped out. As I’m getting in my car, he has to continue with a, “Oh, because you’re very handsome.” I give a “Thank you” as I jump in my car, pull out, and start shouting in my car. I really could go home now and take a shower based on how creeped out I am.
The thing is that this has little to do with him being gay, but the creepiness of picking up young dudes at a parking lot. His non-descript “whiteness” also makes him such a candidate for such. Now I think about it, I’m sure he’s into weird creepy stuff like “wrestling” dudes and such. Not that this guy is a pedophile, but I’m seen this kind of creepiness before on “To Catch a Predator.” He’s just a regular looking white dude, but deep under, he’s a weird guy. So really, it’s not the idea that he’s picking up a guy. As that, I really could care less about it. It’s about how and where it’s done. Firstly, the questions were so creepy and strong like, “Do you wrestle?” Seriously!? What kind of code is that? Do people really fall for that and sleep with him after hearing just that?
Secondly, it’s a freaking strip mall. There are kids and families walking down these storefronts. They’re having dinner, going to Starbucks, and doing regular things. They really don’t need to overhear this conversation of you trying to pick up random men in public. Hell, there was a woman near him that I thought he was with, like his mother. She surely heard most of his conversation. She doesn’t need to hear this!

Anyway, the night ends up dying. No one wants to really do anything and I don’t feel like driving 40 minutes out to downtown Brooklyn by myself to just meet up with Stefan.

November 2, 2012
Today I really need to get out and I make plans for such. I’m planning to meet Aaron at Pony Bar. I catch Kenny on the same train as he’s going to grab some dinner. The walk to the station sucks as it’s fucking cold as holy hell. It’s winter already.
The train is free because of Sandy and running every hour. I get the Pony and it’s crowded as hell. Aaron shares that he was downtown without light. The bars were giving away free drinks and everything was lit by candles and flash lights. It’s a shame that I didn’t go down there. It’s a once in a life time thing and I never got to see it. I should’ve.
Matt, Chris, and Matt’s new friend meet us there. She’s a cool gal, a painter. We hang there for a few drinks. The Wet Hop Amber is crazy good. We then go to Aaron’s apartment. The roof is freezing and we only stay there for a drink. We go inside for a couple beers and then call it a night. It’s a fun chill night and I really freaking needed it as I was stuck in the house for a whole week.

November 3, 2012
I felt a cold coming on yesterday and it hits me today. I hang at Starbucks for a bit and then go back home to rest. It was much neeeded. I could be a bitch and stay home, but I’m a champ so I get out.
Lorie is from law school and she has her birthday tonight. Her friend Sammy messages me that they’re throwing a surprise for her. I get into the city and instead of paying a ridiculous cab to 100th St on the east side, I just take it easy, grab a bite on the way, and take the subway. I then have to text that I might not make the surprise. This means I have to wait around for a few minutes as it would ruin everything if I ran into her.
I make it right after the surprise and its great seeing people from class out. They don’t hang out too often and it’s been a while. Bolanos ends up coming. It’s a good time chatting with people about Sandy and such.
We then go to a nearby bar. It’s alright and there’s some dancing. Russ gets there and is a cool guy. Rami is drunk as fuck. People are having a good time. I keep selling people on “extra hour night” as a holiday. Day light savings really gives us an extra hour to party. People start leaving and I’m still down to party. The cold is being fought off and I’m drunk enough to not know what is up anyway.
I text Candace, which is at a gay bar across the street from Fat Cat. I take a cab down there. The place is pretty dead, but Candace and I have a good time catching up. Damien actually is coming in when I leave. I catch up with him for a second before taking a 4:14 train back. I definitely needed this weekend.

November 7, 2012
After Hurricane Sandy, there’s now a damn snow storm. Getting to class was a bit messy and windy, but it wasn’t too bad. I get out of class and then do an hour of reading. When I walk outside, it’s a snowy mess. I wait for the 7 train and it takes freaking over half an hour. They’re barely running and I’m freezing my ass off on the platform even though it’s covered by one wall.
Thankfully, one comes after I’m freezing my ass off. It’s full. A few people squeeze on, like in Tokyo, but I give up after walking through a few doors with my backpack one. Another goes by, same story. Finally, I get onto one. This takes forever.
On this train, it’s running local. I’ve over an hour deep into the trip and I’m still not to Flushing. I get there and I’m waiting for the bus. The line is long as fuck. My feet are freezing as I’ve stepped into slush and the wind is blowing into my feet. I’ve never felt what frost bite is like, but I literally think my feet are about to fall off.
I go to the Flushing Mall basement for a bite because I’m starving. I expected to get food at home, but now I’ve waited so long and I’m freezing. I get a bite of a bun and warm up my feet inside. I then call my mom. She for some reason went to get a haircut in Flushing after work and also got stranded. I had enough of waiting for fourty minutes to an hour. My aunt is also stuck waiting for the bus. We walk over to a restaurant after we find out that my aunt’s friend can give us a ride.
On the walk, we see hundreds of people freezing their asses off. The snow has screwed up the roads. There are surely no buses. These people are screwed.
At dinner, I eat like a mad man, as fast as I can with metal chopsticks. Those are the worst things ever possible. It’s so slow to eat with those things. The worst. I get my eating in.
We then get a ride, which is really nice of my aunt’s friend. Driving back is a dangerous mess. We eventually get back home and it’s past 10:00. I freaking left campus at 6:00. We walk into the house and it’s pitch black. Fuck me!! We throw the snow off my mom’s car and we over to my uncle/aunt’s place in the north side of Great Neck. I have my last midterm tomorrow, now fuck it. I’ll study for 2 hours, barely sleep.

November 8, 2012
The midterm goes better than I expected. It’s not bad. After that, I’m exhuasted and I pass out for 2 hours in the library. During the afternoon, I’m really depressed. I wanted a great weekend and I was supposed to throw a party on Friday since the fam is to Cali. I wanted to get my last midterm over with and relax. Now, I probably would be stuck in my uncle’s place as my place has no power.
After class, Bolanos texts me that my block has power! Shit dammit, I’m so freaking excited. I can’t wait! I just want to go out and drink right now dammit! I meet up with people from class and we go to a happy hour. Six Point Cans for $4?! Fuck yeah, gimme two of those!
We then go to another bar because happy hour ends at 7:00. It’s fun chatting with people. We get some free shots. It’s a fun time all around being with some people that I know better this year and some people that I never even talk to. It’s fun as hell.
I then go back home after people split up. I get home by 11:30. I run into the house and I’m super happy. I run around, I jump, I shout. I’m excited and I text Luna. I think of this stupid idea of walking over to Tavern, a shit bar on Northern that has a bunch of townies. Luna gives me the smarter idea of not going to such a run for no reason, and by myself.
I just watch some TV, grab a beer, chill out in my powered up house, and I love it. Hells yeah.

November 9, 2012
Today is party. I gather up some sleep and I get out of the house. Not before I clean up for 2 hours. I organize shit, vacuum, clean, etc. I then go to the store to pick up stuff after I look up what I want to make. Fam is gone for the weekend, so I have some left over avocados that are ripe for the making of guac. I head off to the store.
I start off with the guacomole and Courtney arrives. I should have started things earlier and be a good host, but I’m still cooking so I chat with her for the time being. She helps me slice up some bread. The guac turns out great.
I also make some beer cheese though I think I added too much beer and a bit too much salt. The cheese is salty enough and there’s a bit too strong of a beer flavor. I don’t have a food processor and had to use a blender, so getting it all going was a bit rough, thus the excess beer.
I then make a tea punch. Lipton, Christmas tea, cinnamon, lemon, lime, mint, Scotch, honey, sugar and a large piece of ice that I froze ahead of time. Keeps the drink cold without melting too much.
People start pouring in. Bolanos, Rebecca. Stefan and Sara take the trip in from the city. Matt, Chris, Enoch, and Adam. It’s not a huge party, but it’s nice having a decent amount of people and it’s easier to manage things.
I ordered a bottle of Rodenbach Grand Cru from a free shipment deal from the Internet. The Brooklyn girl in my school that brews beer said it was her favorite beer. Now I’m excited and the shit is so freaking good. I love me some sours and this is a nice one.
I’m rocking my FBI shirt, Bolanos has his “God Bless America,” Chris has his “Beta” shirt, Rebecca has a “Don’t Fuck with Me, I’m Amish,” Courtney has a Johnny Cash with his middle finger up shirt, Enoch has a “Nature’s Best” with a hamburger on it.
There’s music, we drink, we chat, it’s good to let loose. People leave pretty early and I clean up pretty fast so I don’t have to do anything the next time.

November 10, 2012
Luna comes over after she stayed at her friend’s place and had a Big Bang concert yesterday. We get some early dinner and crazy thing, Alon, Bolanos, and Kenny are by chance at Juliebelle’s as well.
At night, we’re trying to figure out plans. I was supposed to get this girl out from school to go dancing and Luna was looking forward to that too. I find out that Jesse and Teddy are at Whiskey Brooklyn for the night for a party. It’s a crowded place, decent time. It’s a very Manhattan place. Decent amount of girls, a DJ, and a dancing bar. It’s crowded as hell.
We actually leave there pretty late, grab some Crif Dogs at the Williamsburg one, which I’ve never been too and call it a night.

November 11, 2012
It’s the best weather we’ve had in weeks. It’s warm and I want to get out. Aaron says he’s down. I figure out that there’s a vintage sale of the shops in Williamsburg. I meet up with Aaron and we grab a drink at Greenpoint Tavern. Big foam cup of beer for $4, it’s a good time. We talk some shit, bust some chops.
We go to this warehouse/mall thing. We check out some expensive clothing shops. Some expensive vintage/antique stores. We then get dinner at Meatball Shop, which is great because the LES one is so busy and I never have been. After some “Fool Aid,” we get some tipsy going. We then walk around and then go to my new favorite place, The Levee.
Dude, love this place. Beer cozies. Outdoor area. Infinite cheeseballs. Great beer selection. Really cheap beer and shot deals. Great liquor selection. Board games. Big bar. The best place. Aaron and I agree that we should go to this place more and talk more shit as I finish an entire bowl of cheeseballs. Dude, coming back to this place.

November 13, 2012
Story time: It was Scott's attic. We all sat around a pool table as Aaron had bet Hasan he couldn't drink three cans of Asahi in a minute. Through gorging his mouth open and sucking those fuckers down, our hero with a few drops of slipping down his chin accomplishes the task. We cheer with laughter and wonderment.
The sad part of the bet is Hasan's prize, the rest of the case of beer Aaron had purchased. After painfully slurping down mediocre Japanese beer, our brazen brother walked (or likely slumped) away empty handed as we had preyed upon his winnings like the vultures we are.

November 15, 2012
Time for that sick nap in the library that I’ve been taking every Thursday as I need to catch up on sleep and I have 4 hours between classes in the middle of the day.
After class, I hang around and see people waiting around outside. I eventually tag along to go to Greenpoint, Mark Bar. It’s a great place. The Happy Hour is until 8:00 and the place is cheap as fuck. All kinds of beers and shots are $3. I grab some drinks and just hang with people.
I chat with this guy Jeff that I’ve never spoken to about food, Thanksgiving, etc. I meet his wife. I chat with others I spend a decent amoutn of time chatting with this guy that’s a super Stern fan. Dude, we’re just laughing our asses off so bad.
I then sneak off to grab a cheeseburger from a “Mexican” dinner. With all this drinking, I’m going to fall on my ass if I don’t eat something. I chat with Allison about her beer brewing and all kinds of random stuff. There’s this classmate’s girlfriend that I’ve chatted with before. We do some drunken gossip about how drunk Allison has gotten, which is pretty awkward. She’s going out with someone in our year and he’s a great guy for putting up with her bizz. I don’t know enough to judge nor should I be judging anyway.
As usual, I hang around and drink people under the table and I’m one of the last people to leave. I actually see Tatenda, who invited me to a party last week, but I had my shitty shirt party. He talks about how he knows Chinese, despite being black. It’s pretty cool he knows so. I mention how I would love to speak Spanish eventually and my history with it. I’m too drunk to deal with languages and I make a bit of a joke of myself as I keep my mouth shut. However, hearing this, people on the 7 train start easing on speaking Spanish with each other as it’s assumed that I know some Spanish.

November 16, 2012
Tim and his fiance are in NYC visiting. I go to the city to meet them at Taqueria LES. Jess and Griff join us along with a few others. It’s a good meal, we catch up and everything. One of Tim’s friends, Max I think, is really drunk at dinner somehow. He apparently drank a bunch beforehand. He’s quite slurry and I later find out that he was tapping the waitress over and over her and bothering her.
Jess is such an awesome troll as she whispers to me about how daper our hero is. He’s wearing a gray Giants hoodie that has a picture of the Giants standing around like a high school photo. Guy’s a wreck.
We then go to Sophie’s and have some shots and drinks. We continue to bash him as he drunkingly thinks that he gave a $20 bill instead of a $10. The bartender assures that he’s wrong and he slumps away. Classic drunk move. The guy really is entertaining for our night. When he leaves, I shake his hand and give him the most serious, dead pan, “I hope you have a good night.” I die when he leaves.
I then go to say Hi to Lydia for her birthday. I catch up with her friends, but then after a quick beer, I need to run to catch up with the rest as we’re taking the train.

November 17, 2012
In the morning, a tired and slightly hungover has to give a ride to Tim and Mary to a wedding in Rockville Center. I get home and go back to sleep as I’m slightly sick. At night, it’s Teddy’s birthday. I head out to Spritzenhaus, which is one of my new favorite places in BK.
I meet some of Jesse and Teddy’s friend. We laugh about music, one of the bartenders looking like Bon Iver, and how people on Twitter were confused when he won a Grammy. It’s a fun time and I have some really sick beers.
Afterwards, I’m somewhat hungry and they’re always down to eat. It’s 3:00 and places are closing so we go to Wo Hop. We have some great/fast Chinese food and get to witness all the club people who are drunk and funnel in for some late night bites. When we pay, we split it up and I mess up the math. I stupid give a 30% as I paid part of the bill and all of the tip. Whatever, the Chinese food was still relatively cheap anyway, so whatever.

Half way through the semester

September 1, 2012
I’m trying to get people to hang out, but things mostly just fall apart. I need to get out though so I drive with Bolanos into Williamsburg. We meet up with Teddy and Jeese. We do some metal bar that is bit hard to enjoy, loud ass metal there. We then go to a very Manhattan like place called Whiskey Brooklyn.
We then go to Spriztenhaus, which has a great beer selection. It’s a chill night just hanging out at a cool beer garden. We then get some falafel/shwarma and call it a night.

September 2, 2012
I commute to Astoria in the early night to a party that a classmate is throwing. I grab a six pack on the way. There’s almost 20 people. It’s fun seeing people outside of school, chatting about my time in Europe, talking shit with people, etc. etc. We then move onto Bohemia Beer Garden, which is really close to the apartment. I’m having some beers and people start splitting up slowly. I walk away for a second and get a crazy text from Kenny about why I’m standing by myself with a cigarette.
It acutally turns out Doug, Alon, Evan, Bola, Kenny, and Aaron were all at the same beer garden by coincidence. They didn’t know I had plans to come here, but somehow, they decided to do so and didn’t even coordinate the planning so that we would hang. They just randomly spotted me. Small world.
I bring them over to meet some people, thogh people eventually leave pretty quickly. Then again, people had been drinking early and it’s past 12:00 by now. We then get some tacos.

September 4, 2012
I’m moving onto White in the History of Art in Three Colors series. Whistler’s White’s interested me. Le Corbusier’s wish for cities to be turned into white building was unfortunate as it would end up destroying how beautiful old Europe is.
More of Sicily documentary, so now we’re dealing with the Spanish influence of Sicily. Good Friday in the city of Enna and its Marsala wine, a specialty. Then onto the fantastic gelato of Modica, or Italy in general is known for it.

September 6, 2012
There’s a “CUNITY” event after class. It would seem like it’s run by the school to some extent, but it’s not. There’s no faculty there or anything, just the students. It feels like mostly our class, the 2Ls. Then again, the 1Ls have class tomorrow and the 3Ls I don’t think are connected like us.
It’s a Thursday, so our weekend starts after the last class at 6:15. Jeremy and I are excited for it and joke about it throughout the day. We gather some people and walk over to the bar, 10 minutes away. At first, there’s only one bartender and it’s too crowded. It’s loaded by way too many CUNY people.
First, this has been a lovely feeling. Our class is now down to about 170 people and there’s a tight community feeling going around. I was happy to go to a gathering out in the city last week and then go to meet even more people at someone’s house warming apartment party.
Jeremy and I end up hanging with Katy. She also lives out on Long Island, out towards Farmingdale or something. Anyway, she tells all these funny stories about how she’s buying drinks for people all the time, sometimes, racking up over $300. She used to go into the city, girly places like Tonic East. Jeremy and I are laughing along. I’m getting buzzed really quickly as I had a light lunch and it’s towards 7-8:00 and I’ve been drinking a shot and a beer. The alcohol hits fast.
Either way, the buzz is killer after realizing that I’m surrounded by law school people and not a single law school joke has been made. I’m talking to people. These are cool life stories. We’re actually humans outside of being law students. I don’t hear any legal jargon or poor legal jokes. No one is complaining about this professor or gossiping about something that the school is going to do.
Somehow, Jeremy buys me a shot. Katy then randomly starts supporting me with beer after I’ve only bought myself 1 drink. She then gets excited that they have Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey. Jeremy and I try to get her to close her tab so she doesn’t do what she’s doing in her stories, but she gets pulled into that and buying 6 shots for people.
At one point, I go out to a nearby Chinese place to get some pork lo mein. For $5, I shovel that food into my jaws like Kobayashi. I then walk back as if nothing had occurred.
I then start walking around and catching up with people. I eventually get into a conversation with Alison. She’s a beer lover and even brews her own beer. We chat about that, Rauchbier from Spritzenhaus, the German brews, etc. Then, there are people that just start pulling people to this back room, past the outdoor beer garden area to play trivia. I plan on doing it with law school friends, but there are only 5 per table. I end up sitting with 3 other Asians. We do a shitty job, partially because I don’t know current events well. We get 2-3rd to last place out of 6-7 teams.
I chat with Alison’s law school boyfriend that she met during our 1L year. We get political for a second and then people start splitting out. I try to get Erdem to come out because he’s in Manhattan and it would be easy for him to come through. He gets lost somehow and ditches.
I then find around 4 people who are left. Dude, I’ve been drinking since almost 7:00 and it’s getting towards 2:00AM now. I hang with Sarah and Sharon. Sarah buys me a shot despite the fact I’m trying to turn down drinks because I’m so fucking drunk.
We then take a cab back to campus because I left my backpack and laptop in my locker. On the way there, Sarah and I start flirting and grabbing each other’s hands. I’m a huge fucking lush, so thinking now, I don’t know where I was thinking I was going with this, but I didn’t care.
I grab my bag inside with Sharon and drunkingly can barely sign in that the front test because it’s so late. I then go back to the cab and say Bye to Sarah, walk to the subway, drunkingly wait for the bus, try not to pass out on the bus, and get back home before 4:00AM. Usually I would drink some water, chill out on Facebook, but screw that. I slept 2-3 hours the night before and my body is not set. I’m really drunk and I just pass THE FUCK out.

September 7, 2012
I’m watching Art of Spain. The first segment goes through the history of the Moors and the strong Muslim influence that this culture has had on the Iberian peninsula. What beautiful architecture like Medina Azahara and the Mosque of Cordoba. I must go into the south next time I’m in Spain to see these sights.
The palace, Alcazar of Seville, is another fine example of Islamic architecture. While other mosques were built upon or simply destroyed, this beautiful has lasted as it was not religious and people just couldn’t get to destroying such a thing.
He then goes to Granada, one of the Moorish capitals and sees Alhambra. As much as there is touristy “Moorish” stuff to do, this is the epitome of how the Muslims left a (beauty) mark on Spain.
On the second part, they move onto a Catholic Spain, ruled by Philip II. El Greco starts off as the focus as he is one of the greatest in his era. The abstraction and emotion that he puts in his paintings would, 300(!) years later, influence future artists towards expressionism.
Francisco de Zurbarán and his religious work with some of the best use of chiaroscuro. He then moves onto the western city of Salamanca, which is huge for it’s important university. What I would do to live there and learn Spanish properly and get immersed in the culture.
They then go onto the Spanish Inquisition, where the church censored, had bullshit trials, and publicly excuted those they thought were not Christian enough. In Plaza Major of Salamanca, this is where people were burned at the stake as a spectacle.
Then onto Diego Velázquez and his work for Philip IV. Las Meninas is a fantastic masterpeice of artistic perspective. Velázquez was daring enough to turn on religion and paint every day life. This would create a setting from El Greco to him onto the Impressionists and modern painters.

Onto the day, I really need a recharge and wake up in the afternoon. I’m trying to make night plans, but nothing goes through except Erdem. I haven’t seem him since I’ve been back, so it’s good for us to catch up about stuff. He’s been to Europe and enjoys art, so there’s much to discuss.
I realize how much I really don’t know BHT. The crowd always never cool, always a bunch of racists, assholes, or homophobes. Otherwise, it’s some Persian kids that look way to young. Bolanos is back from the city so we pick him up and go to Bayside. TA and whatever gang went home, I guess they drank too much, and we go to Safari Club. It really has nothing to do with a Safari, but it’s a very meh crowd. Lots of dudes, a decent amount of chicks though, so it’s refreshing that this is close at least. The four of us hang there for a bit and then end the night.

September 8, 2012
I wanted to get out today to get some “adventuring” done. I actually was invited by Lori on FB to this “picnic” thing at Central Park. However, I don’t really feel like showing up myself. Either way, it’s cancelled because of the shitty weather.
I end up just watching some TV shows and chilling out. At night, things don’t seem to be working out well either. I could go into the city to meet up with Stefan and Sara, but not in the mood to drive in myself. Dunno why. Bolanos and I just end up going to BHT for a couple beers. A really freaking slow weekend. I wanted to hang with my brother, who has been home for a week, but he had party plans in Brooklyn.

September 9, 2012
I was thinking about going to the Frick Collection because it’s free from 11-2PM on Sundays, but I find out that pictures aren’t allowed. Without memory, we’re nothing and really, I don’t know enough about the artists and pieces to appreciate them fully and I won’t be able to remember them, most importantly.
I end up going to DUMBO. Smorgasburg as moved there for Sundays. I get to see the Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the bridges, the downtown skyscrapers, and just the cute little neighborghood there. It’s a quick day trip as there isn’t much to do and I don’t really feel like standing on line for an hour at Grimaldi’s.
I then go home before my brother has to leave. I give him a ride to the airport and we chat a bit. I’ll hopefully be keeping more in touch with him this semester.
I get back home and still don’t feel like eating. I had this huge, huge ice cream sandwich from Jacques Torres that is holding me down. I actually stopped enjoying it one point and it was a pain to eat.
I finally work out, but this time a few more sets and a bit harder than I’m used to. I’m working with a new strategy of bulking. I’m giving up on what I eat, as long as I get some protein in me. I’m trying to get fat, but just worrying less so I get more calories in me. Hopefully this means that I start gaining some muscle. We’ll see how this all goes.

Something a guy said on Reddit to a dude complaining about not getting dates. Not that it’s the best advice, but I thought it was funny:
You don't just "find" a date, like it's something buried deep in the sand. You foster a relationship, plant a seed of trust and you grow and water that seed by being interesting and fun; someone anyone wants to have around. You grow that plant, and then you fuck that plant!

I’m also watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi. A really cool film. A few takeaways are how much prep is involved in sushi. The apprentices do all the work and he just makes it in front of the customer.
Then Jiro’s rough childhood. He has this idea that parents should kick their children out at one point to suceed at life and never return. If you leave the door open for them to return, then they WILL be failures.
Finally, it’s about his personality. He’s a stubborn motherfucker. He’s old and doesn’t want to quit. This affects his 50+ year old son that has been apprenticing and is still waiting to take over the restaurant. Jiro is 85 and still won’t give this stuff up. But really, he’s passionate about his food and he’s strict about how things so he done. A perfectionist and that’s what you get in his sushi because he’s like that.

September 15, 2012
I end up chilling out and watching The Good, The Bad, and The Weird, a Korean film that Tork recently posted. I’m trying to watch more stuff and catch up on things. It’s a cool spin on the original Western with really cool Korean history behind it. Cool style, great acting, really cool characters. I liked it.
During this, I pull out my guitar for a second and I put it on my bed like usual after I’m down. However, I had my phone on my bed as I wake up from an alarm, check Facebook for a second to collect my brain, and then get out of bed leaving it there. It couldn’t be face down, like usual. I didn’t place my guitar flat, I put it down with an edge down first. It PERFECTLY taps the face of my phone. Stupid iPhone class, crack boom. My case is pretty good that even if I placed it anywhere else or a different angle, it’s fine. Just that exact set of events.
Thankfully, it’s only really 1/12th of the screen. Just by the face camera and phone speake on the top. It doesn’t affect anything, I’ve seen worse, it’s just a cosmetic complaint. Stupid me, but I’ll live.
At night, things don’t really seem to occur. I chat with CNF for a bit. I guess I could’ve texted some people from school, but whatever. I end up staying in and just chilling out.

September 16, 2012
I get into the city in the afternoon. It’s beautiful driving the Williamsburg and seeing the city. I go check out the Lowline, which sort of sucks, along with the $2 I donated, it’s a $10 suggested donation. It’s dark inside and shows a bit of history in the area. It’s a gorgeous old building so I wish I could see it all of it. Instead, they have it extremely dark and you can’t see anything. The space isn’t used really well and there’s this art installation. It has a smelly “nature” thing in the middle of some plants, but it just smells like poop. I wish the style was more organic or old-fashioned to fit the setting, but it’s a bit too modern for me.
I leave that after no time, as there isn’t really anything to see. I get some a sandwich, some Doughnut plant, and then I drive up to the East Village to walk around. I check out some thrift shops, but there really isn’t anything my size as usual so I give up.
The final part of Art of Spain goes through the 20th century until now. It runs through Gaudi’s huge influence on an emerging Barcelona. Then onto Picasso, the most important artist of the century, Dali, Bunuel, and then back to architecture. With Bilbao’s Guggenheim, although it’s Gehry’s work, Spain has emerged with such great buildings. With Gehry, the golden fish in Barcelona was him, along with his set of three buildings in Dusseldorf, and then the twisty skyscarper on the NYC skyline at 8 Spruce Street. Calatrava is leading the way with this and I actually found out that the iconic Montjuic Communication Tower was created by him, so it’s nice to know that I’ve seen his work in person.
Along with this, I’m subscribed to some cool channels on Facebook. A few are for workout tips, but most of them are music. Some of them are just people with a camera and a guitar. The best ones are indie radio stations or channels that record live artists. It’s a really great way to find new music. Granted, I’m so behind on music and I could use listening to some of the music that I’ve gathered. I’m such a hoarder.
I’m also onto “On the Table with Eric Ripert,” it’s a show on Reserve Channel. The first episode is really cool with him and Bourdain just chilling out and cooking. They actually don’t go through the recipe, but it’s more about two best friends just chilling out and talking. It’s a fun time.
Batali going on is sick. I actually like him more than Bourdain. Bourdain has a brooding thing about him. He’s pissed off and trying to be a badass. Batali is just jolly, honest, fast talking, and overly enthusiastic. His personality reflects mine pretty well so maybe that’s why.
At night, I would like to do something. I texted Jenn yesterday and she got back to me tonight. We seemed to have made plans, but then she ignores my texts when I get back home. Same goes for Erdem, who I called earlier if he was interested in hanging in the city.
I end up working out, a bit more intense than before. I’m trying to up the workouts and calories, so I’ve sort of given up on what I eat other than not being a slob eating pizza every day and paying some attention to my protein intake.

September 19, 2012
I’m onto Robert Hughes’ documentary on post-Impressionist work during the 21st Century. It’s old and a bit dated, but it’s pretty decent. It gives a bit too much of a history lesson, but that does help with the creating a context around the art during the time. It does feel disjointed at times how he’s moving through the movements. It’s a long 8 part feature, a really long one, I’ll see if I want to see it all.

September 20, 2012
We had a cool APALSA (Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association) event. To raise some money, one of us bought an ice shaving machine for themselves. We then brought in toppings to make Asian shaved ice to raise money for a scholarship and our funds.
We made about $260, which is low, but it still was a cool fun time. Cool having green tea, fruit, condensed milk, black bean, etc. In the afternoon, Marisa asks if I’m going to the bar afterwards because it’s Thursday and it’s the “thing” to do these days. However, I’m going to visit Luna. I promised a few weeks ago that I would visit. She always does. Driving to CUNY was an absolute bitch in the morning. Took me two hours, rush hour traffic to the nuts, and stupid entrance to the 59th street bridge so I crossed the bridge into the city, turned around. I made it to class 45 min late.
Getting down to Ocean City from Long Island City took a while. Took over 3 hours with my stop.

September 28, 2012
I wake up exhausted on a couch and get some breakfast at Wawa. We go apple picking in Media, PA. It’s a nostalgic experience as I used to go peach and apple picking as a kid. After some apples, we go to Philly. I’m a bit annoyed as it’s a hell lot of driving. It’s an hour and a half to Philly, but then Media is 30 minutes away from that.
I was hesitant about doing this weekend anyway. I always try to find things to do. Firstly, this semester has been great with the connection and school friends I’ve made. Thursday nights after class are perfect. People are being more close with each other, going out after class, I’m actually meeting and getting to know people in my class, it’s awesome. Missing out on that sucks.
Then, I find out that Corinne is coming back from Japan next month. She’ll be stopping by here so I get to catch up with her then. However, I have not spoken to her in forever. We planned on catching up on Skype recently, but still haven’t done that. Being away this weekend means I won’t be doing that.
Then Ela asks if I’m free while I’m away. I’ve texted with her since awkwardly departing Europe, but I haven’t been on Skype with her, despite chatting with her a few a week before. However, I’ll probably catch up with her soon though. I guess she’s gotten over being a huge awkward weirdo.
Then Jenn randomly texts me to hang out and drink. Motherfucker, I was around last week and we made plans and she flakes. Now she’s down to hang. I haven’t caught up with her all summer and I would love to hear what’s up with her shits. And now I’m gone for that.
Then there’s always city events that I want to hit up. It’s just feels like so much that I’m missing out on when I’m gone for something that I… don’t really care too much about?
Good thing I didn’t miss Stefan’s bday. He’s away in Philly with Sara. Funny thing, I’m in Philly the day before him. We’re doing our bday together next week.
We get to Philly and see the Magic Gardens. It’s one of the best sights in America. It’s different and so “Gaudi.” It’s not the same style at all, but there’s something about it being different, eccentric, and “natural.”
We walk around for a bit in Washington Square West. It’s hipster a bit, but also expensive and nice. It has many of the nice restaurants in town. It’s a cool area. We step in a comic store to play this old X-Men game that I used to love at the arcade. Such good memories and it’s only .25 cents! I wish I had a few dollars to shove in there and just play forever. Good times.
We then move to Chinatown and walk around that area. It’s a decent size and has a huge Chinese arch thing that NYC one doesn’t have. We get some Malaysian food and then head back.

September 22, 2012
We go to the goodwill. After seeing the cool song by Macklemore, “Thrift Shop,” I would love to get something cool and cheap. Unfortunately, most of it is ugly or too big. The kid’s clothes suck. There are some random vintage cool stuff, but it’s all too big, which is a shame. I would love to get the army jackets they had.
I then start driving back in the afternoon, almost night. It’s a long drive with the traffic. It takes me almost 4 hours with a stop. It’s great listening to WNYC 93.9. There’s world music. There’s a great story about the PI Moms and this guy that has to avoid getting caught up with a dirty cop and a PI guy into selling drugs. It feels like the plot of the movie and then tell the story in a cool way. With interviews, music in the middle, an interviewer, etc.
In the end, I got to do a lot of cool stuff, see new things, do a lot of old things again, and hanging with Luna was cool, so it wasn’t the huge regret that I was looking forward to coming.

September 24, 2012
Louie was good. The Letterman thing turned a bitch of a man into something real. It’s cool that it was driven by ambition to beat a lie from Seinfeld. Fuck that dude.
Next, I’ve been listening to Freakonomics. Shit was good. The college one was good. Basically, for a vast majority of people, college is great. It’s a huge investment, but that’s what it is. It’s an investment into an individual so that they will make more money in the job market throughout the rest of their life.
As for tuition, it’s been apparently pretty steady adjusted for inflation, despite it being expensive, and financial aid as gone up a bunch. It’s not a great picture for lower income people, but many do scrape by and it’s to their benefit. I wouldn’t paint the rosiest picture about our education system, but despite the policy arguments, they do a cool job on it.
I thought I didn’t love Anis Mojgani’s Shake the Dust, but I appreicate it more and more. I’ve listened to it 2-3 times by now. I really should find myself at Bowery Poetry Club for some slam in the future. What a shame that I miss out of this stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDtHdloK44

September 24, 2012
I have tomorrow, Yom Kippur, off. I would like to do something as I haven’t seen people in a while. However, things just don’t work out. Erdem is actually around when I call him after reading for a 5 hours on campus and going how at 7PM. I eventually call him at night and the fucking flake doesn’t pick up.
Instead, I’m watching Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design, based on the book, into a Discovery documentary with really good quality production. However, physics has never been my thing. I never cared much about this kind of stuff, but it’s really well done to make it interesting. They apply the principles and make analogies to things a layman could understand. I give up eventually though. I have way too many travel and art documentaries to work on. Then, forget about the music that I need to listen to.
As for Treme, I like seeing that show again. The spice of New Orleans is invigorating. I want to experience that at some point. Then there are the race and police issues that I also deal with in criminal procedure. Seeing David Chang, Ripert, and Waxman is also refreshing. Chefs showing their face on TV and becoming more and more mainstream is a great thing.

September 26, 2012
I have today off. I can do an adventure in the city, but I decide to get lazy and take it easy. I go to Panera to catch up on my TV shows. Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course is sick. He simply goes through recipes and a few basic kitchen tips. It’s quite, edited well, and easy to watch. I fast forward through it looking for recipes that interest me.
Robert Hughes has also done a three part series on architecture called “Visions of Space.” I’ve tried to collect as much as I can on Gaudi, but this so far as been the best. He goes through all his major works, including ones that I didn’t get to see or were outside of Barcelona.
There’s also another chapter with modernist architect, Mies van der Rohe. Not exactly my style, but there’s something to appreciate about his influence on the 20th century architecture. He set the playing field and skyline for Chicago. He even has a building in New York, the Seagram building. I’ll have to check that out sometime.

September 27, 2012
It’s been a long day and I even fall asleep in the library. I’ve been putting my head down during my 3-4 hour break, but this time I’m tired that I can’t do anything. I get an hour in. This is after texting Tasha and giving her a Bon Voyage for her week long trip in Italy. I helped her yesterday plan it out as she’s never been to Europe, so it’ll be a fun experience for her and it’s useful knowing the ins and outs of traveling there.
After class at 6:15, people don’t really seem to congregate around at the front to grab a drink. I eventually just walk home awkwardly myself, disappointed with nothing to do. Since I was in NJ over the weekend, it feels like I’ve missed out on a lot. However, when I get home, I find out that Bolanos and Kenny are going to BHT. I don’t really like the place, but it feels really good getting out and hanging out. We watch the game and have a few drinks, the usual.

September 29, 2012
At night, I get into the city to meet up with people for dinner. I get myself a 22 oz. of Sapporo for the train ride because it’s birthday tonight dammit!
People end up backing out and it’s just Tom and I. While, I’m waiting, I actually see Derrick. He visited by roommate Gianfranco in Prague. I haven’t seen him in so many years. I catch up with him for a second and grab his number in case he wants go get together sometime. What a small world, well NYC at least.
Tom and I have a sick meal at Westville. With sick portions, we go next door from Destination. We grab some liquor instead of beer because we can’t find anything down.
We then go to Destination as Miah and Hannah are there. Then Stefan and Sara come. Eventually, people start funneling in: Sam, Sydnee, Aaron, Bolanos, Michael, Beth, Lauren, her b/f Brendan, Matt, Chris “Toph,” and Evan. Stefan and I somehow find these Nathan’s Hats and rock those. Hannah and Sara are sweet enough of to buy me a drinks. We then split and head to Sophie’s.
I see Amos, he gives me a Happy Birthday. I see Shawna, who I haven’t seen in a while. Stefan makes moves to get me and him a shot. Thanks Shawna for being awesome. Chris also buys a round of shots for us! Great guy. We hang there for a little bit and then we head back. Bolanos drives us back and we stop by at Wendy’s for a bite. Gotta get some food in after drinking that much.

September 30, 2012
I thank loads of people for their FB birthday posts. Mom gets me a LivingSocial deal at a nice restaurant and a comedy show for two. I’ll maybe be bringing Luna along with me sometime for that. The card is actually a James Brown singing card. Obviously mom would get me a silly thing like that. Grandma gets me loads of money for bday. Aunt gets me money too. Brother got me a sick Timex watch. I’m not a watch guy, as in I probably wouldn’t get one for myself, but I’m excited to be rocking it. It’s simple and sweet.
For dinner, family comes over. It’s Chinese Mooncake festival. Decent food and family around and stuff. Cody, my little cousin, is growing up and stuff. Crazy how fast he’s growing, he’s 4 years old now. Freaking adorable little guy.

October 4, 2012
After class, Jeremy and I go to LIC Bar for some drinks. We expect people to show up, but only Charles does. It’s a few people for a 3L’s bday show up, but I don’t really know her. It’s surprising that none of the other 2Ls are there. I guess people are getting more lame. It turns out that a 2L, Ada, is having her birthday at Brooklyn bowl. We take a subway down there, which is pretty close as we’re simply north in LIC.
We pay a $12 for a band, but aren’t there for that. We get to say Hi and see some cool people. Us three guys haven’t had dinner and decide to go to Mable’s BBQ around the corner. After another quick drink, we head back to LIC bar by cab. I had forgotten by credit card at the bar. I actually see freaking Kenneth the Page from 30 Rock at the bar. Spotted a celebrity in NYC!! The night had ended by 11:00ish.

October 5, 2012
I get to Panera to get some studying done and then it’s time to start heading out for night plans. I had made plans for Oktoberfest because I haven’t done anything for it yet and didn’t do anything for it last year. Matt, Chris, Stefan, and Aaron show up. The other people end up bitching out.
They bitch about the place and we go downtown to Spitzer’s. It’s a nice place with a great beer selection and the kind of place that actually has girls show up instead of many of the shitty bars we go to.
Stefan and Aaron end up splitting. I texted to invite Nikki, Scott’s roommate to my bday last week. However, she’s around tonight for Liza’s bday. I remember her. She just stopped by to say Hi and it was great seeing her. Hopefully get to catch her again sometime.
After another quick drink, Matt, Chris, and I catch a cab and able to take the 1:19. Not a crazy night, but a cool bros night out. It’s cool chatting with Chris because he’s a smart guy that knows his issues. In general though, a chill guy that is good to have around. On the other hand, Matt is great to have around for other reasons. We have a conversation on the train and I feel he’s being a bit loud talking about women and sex, but it’s all in good fun. It’s fun getting stories from him about his escapades with women and whatnot. Freaking guy with the 27 year old that was at my party. Dagnammit.
Soaking in the LES tonight, I still get that slight amount of jealousy in me. Not of anyone specific, just looking around the city, seeing the so many fine ladies out there. I’m missing out. Whatever, just one of those nights of thinking.

October 6, 2012
I watching Midnight in Paris. I felt like I missed out not having watched that before I went to Paris. As a film, I didn’t like it too much. However, it name drops Dali, Degas, Lautrec, Man Ray, Buneul, and the more important characters like Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, and the Fitzgeralds.
At night, I go with Kenny and Bolanos for dinner in Astoria at Butcher Bar. We then go back, I change, and then drive out to Bed Stuy for my friend’s house opening. She had followed by life along with NYU, Prague, and Budapest. It was a chill situation and Aaron and Bolanos are there as well.
We just hang out and chat, have a few beers, and eventually move downstairs because it’s freezing. It got cold really fast. I shimmy this bottle open as the cork is fucked with throwing that cork in with a good stab.
Aaron is really into this one girl for some reason and we head out to a bar for a beer. Just hanging out for a bit and Bolanos and I split. Aaron asks me if he should try to get this girl’s number. I tell him, “No consequences.” He ends up staying for a bit, so I’m not sure what ended up happening.

October 7, 2012
Art of America is another great documentary series by Andrew Graham-Dixon. In the first part, he goes through colonial to Westward expanasion. I do love the landscape pantings. They always caught my eye at the MET. American truly has some of the most gorgeous landscapes nature has to offer. I would love to do Yellowstone again sometime that I can appreciate it more as I went when I was a bit younger.
In the second part, we have New York and immigration. The Ashcan School depicts this has American heads into the 21st century. Dixon even goes to McSoreley’s as an example of old New York that barely still exists.
It moves onto my favorite American art with Norman Rockwell and Edward Hopper. It’s fun seeing Nighthawks on the screen as my poster of it stands right over my table. I can’t wait until The Whitney gets its permanent collection up at the end of this year.
Gorky is the next transition from the shift in American art from figurative painters like Rockwell towards abstraction. This is the embrace of abstract European movements.
I wake up a bit sick and get into a hacking attack. My throat is killing me. I wake up as I can’t sleep. I stay up for a few hours and then go back to sleep until 4:30. Good job Darwin. I then hang out for a bit and then find out that family will be coming back from Virginia. I’m hungry and would like to cook so I pick up stuff for a seafood paella. Sausage, spicy, cuttlefish, shrimp, aboro rice.

Back in the City!

August 15, 2012
I’m loving Season 3, Episode 5 of Louie. He meets this fun woman at a book store and takes her out. First, they go out in a place on Centre. Literally right around the corner from where my dorm was. Now I know where it is, I want to visit. Then, they just walk around the area and there’s scene where they go crazy and eat everything at Russ and Daughters. It’s just orgasm faces and food porn all over.
She’s crazy and spontaneous as fuck and I love the episode. It’s freaking Parker Posey too, I knew I recognized her.

August 17, 2012
Luna is visiting for a few days and I picked her up from Flushing last night. We planned this visit while I was in Europe. In Flushing, we get some noodles and she gets congee. She then goes shopping, which lasts for a bit too long. It goes on for like 4 hours as I just stand around, but I guess patience has grown on me.
We then go back and I eat some leftovers, but we get ready for the Welcome Back party today. I have my Amsterdam bar crawl shirt and Aaron knows to wear his Bollocks, Barcelona bar t-shirt.
We end up going to the station. Rain is not bad during the night, but for some reason, it monsoons the 5 minutes we walk to the LIRR. I’m drenched and up drying off eventually. We meet Jon for the train. It’s great seeing him back so quickly.
In the East Village, I dinner at Baoguette because I’m surely not drinking with a real dinner. I catch up with the girl there as she hasn’t seen Stefan or us in a while. I chomp on that thing and then meet back up with Luna who had to buy a pin for her coat that had a broken button.
We go to Sophie’s and it’s great seeing people. Josh, Bolanos, Toph, Elena, Jeff, Michael, Beth, Aaron, Sam, Candace and Tom. I’m really happy to see so much of the gang out. It’s great catchin up with people. I find out from Sam that after 2 months, my postcard actually came for her! Jeez.
I’m having fun chatting with everyone and having Luna there too. I introduce her to people, but Elena is in a convo. She then says, “You haven’t introduced me to the babe.” There you go.
Jesse and Teddy come late. I apologize to them, catch up a bit, but have to go. I’m driving Candace’s car as she’s had too much. I’m driving 5 of us, including Bolanos and Jon.
When we get to Jon’s car for a ride to my house, Bolanos is not wearing a shirt because of the rain and I’m dying. I bought an umbrella at Penn and Bolanos is too cool for that. Won’t even look up the weather nor bring an umbrella anywhere, then great, gonna get soaked.

August 18, 2012
It’s Smorgasburg today! My favorite thing that I found this summer. We drive in and parking is mad easy. We get some Brooklyn Piggies, which are the best pigs in a blanket I’ve had. Then Bon Choive for some fried anchoives. Then onto Dough for a ridiculously good blood orange doughnut. Luna gets fish and chips from Hank’s, but we can’t finish that. Her friend meets up with us and tells us about a concert.
I want to go home as the heat and sun has gotten be exhausted. However, we go to this free concert in Williamsburg Park that is next door. There are two opening acts. One is Latin and decent. The other is horrible. Good musicians ruined by this African guy with his stupid chanting of African phrases.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings is good and fun, but not something I ever fell in love love with. It’s all a bit generic though I do enjoy revival of that sound. I love the old music.
Luna and I end up leaving after a few songs to meet Jon at Luckydog. Michael and Beth are there too. I chat with Beth for a bit, which is fun. We never really talked.
I’m rocking Reisdorff Kolsch, a beer from Cologne. I love experiencing and getting flashbacks of the trip.
Jesse and Teddy end up meeting up when the others leave. We hang out and chat for a bit and then we go to Spritzenhaus, which is pretty close in Greenpoint. It’s a cool ass place and the girls get the “bacon” beer, or smoked beer.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/263/727
It is quite a crazy beer and really delicious.
We play some Jenga, which they have multiple sets of laying around. It’s really a cool place with a great beer menu, but also an old fashioned feel like Schiller’s in LES. We’re chatting. Teddy and I are talking food and his shit in Europe. The girls realize they both do (did for Jesse) cosplay and talk about stuff.
We then decide to go Flushing for food, however, it’s closed and we meet at a parking lot to decide the next plans. Luna is partially drunk and exhausted from the day as we went into the Brooklyn at 2 and it’s 3AM already. I pull her out of the car and she’s just sleep talking gibberish. They drove to Flushing, so I can’t ditch them.
We go to a Korean place and Luna sleeps in the car. She’s passed out real hard and doesn’t even know what’s up as Teddy, Jesse, and I eat. I get to see their dynamic and they’re a funny couple. Always sarcastic and playing off of each other.
I eventually get Luna home to pass the hell out. This was a cool night. It was almost like a double date and worked out really well. They’re still one of the coolest couples I know. Teddy talks about how he actually ended up paying for Jesse’s tuition in school so that she could finish instead of taking forever at school and working too.

August 20, 2012
I had a day with Luna, but there’s also a Yelp Event. I invited Aaron and he agrees, but then backs out last second. No one else seems to be around, so I’m flying solo up in this.
I end up seeing Richard, who Aaron and I had a crazy night with at a Yelp event. I’m drinking their gin and speak to one of his friends, Erin. It’s fun chatting it up with all these new people and finally meeting people at these events. We hang in the less crowded upstairs where we get really strong drinks. Aaron’s missing out on some quality free gin.
We then split and I head back to Penn Station. I wanted to catch up with Tasha, but she ends up passing out. I’m texting with Luna as she’s still on her bus going home or home by now. The ride is pretty uneventful other than this really well dress Asian girl that I keep checking out.
Call me gay, but I barely even get to see her face. She just as a crazy good outfit with a mysterious big black hat on.

August 22, 2012
I could go to campus tomorrow for an APALSA meeting, which I’m on the executive board for, and also pay my tuition on the day of the deadline, but I go to campus today. I’m too active to stay in today.
It’s good to get used to the commute, which takes around an hour, a little bit more when I don’t catch an express 7 train. Bus to Flushing, 7 train to Court, a block from the stop.
It literally is 50 feet from the huge Citibank building in Long Island City. The facilities are bonkers clean and new. It just feels great to be in an actual school setting instead of what we had as an old junior high scohol.
I pay tuition, grab some books, get some reading done, get some Thai food, and then leave campus.

August 23, 2012
I have my meeting and get to catch up with people from the club. We share our summer stories over beer and burgers and then plan events for this year.
I then go onto campus buzzed and meet up with Morwenna. We chat about our summers and I share even more stories while catching up with Tom. After taking food from the 1Ls and their reception, wine as well, I get some more reading done. This is all so I never have to bring books back home with me. They’re heavy and I’d rather not. Instead, I can do my work on campus and then have home for myself time.

August 24, 2012
I make plans in the city. I meet Aaron and Evan and we grab Minca. We then check out Josie’s, the new sister bar of Sophie’s, but they don’t like it and we have to go to Sophie’s, despite being there just last week. Alon, Tom, and Scott end up coming.
There’s an interesting situation where Tom and I are smoking. Scott shows up and then we starts chatting with this girls. At first, I assume that he’s meeting someone here, but then I realize, he’s just macking this girl up. Tom explains that he’s a player like that and he does seem like that I guess. Hannah the next day confirms how he’s a good looking guy, so what works works for him. He ends up spending a good 10-15 minutes chatting up another girl, grabbing her number, and forgetting her name when she’s supposed to be grabbing a pitcher.
We give Alon some unsolicited advice. He’s been on like 7 dates with this girl and hasn’t kissed her?! Dude, gots to make a move. Then again, it’s easier said than done when one does not have the experience nor personality for such a thing. Either way, I wish the best for him and I’m glad he’s hanging with a girl.
People start splitting and I give Scott and Tom a ride home and then go home myself.

August 25, 2012
I’m supposed to get out in the late afternoon for the BBQ and Blues Festival. I get an allergy attack and I’m slow to get out. I’m supposed to take a bus, but it fucking ignores me. Screw this. I’m pissed off as fuck. I quickly run to my house and go for a pis because I know the next bus is going to take 15 minutes. When I walk back to the stop, the bus is running right past because it came early. Fuck the guy that skipped me, I message NICE because it’s annoying as fuck.
Miah texts me that the food isn’t free. Oh really? I asked him if he’s being sarcastic. He says that money gets food. I tell him that’s how money works and if there are free blowjobs there as well. Not to bash, but man needs to learn to be a New Yorker. Shit don’t come free, especially $15 plates of BBQ from Dinosaur. They ain’t giving out Orbit or little cups of Vitamin Water. Shit ain’t free.
Instead, I get there quite late. I meet Stefan, Sara, Miah, and Hannah at the Pony Bar because the festival is over. Aaron meets with us. It’s lovely seeing all of them. Sara looks extremely well despite what she’s been through. I’m happy that she’s doing well.
I get some of their great beers and we split up. They’re all a fun time. I haven’t seen Hannah in a while and forget that she’s a fun talkative blast. We actually split a cab to go to Park Slope. Bolanos is meeting me there because there’s a party there. I end up paying $14 despite splitting it with the Hannah and Miah as we all went to Brooklyn.
However, Evan backs out, fuck that shit. Thankfully, Bolanos is able to give me a ride or I’d be so fucking mad at Evan. I get a ride from him and we go to Murray Hill to Evan’s apartment. However, he’s shitfaced and not hanging out. I get McDonald’s then a pint of Guinness. We then go to Stuy Town to meet Jared and Brandon.
We go to this girl’s apartment. It’s pretty cool, despite how she’s really skeptical about letting Bola and I in. She actually has three originals of Roy Lichtenstein. While they aren’t his most expensive works, I saw them selling on Ebay for $7,500. She says they are her parents’. I chat with people and drink some booze. We then leave. Brandon is quite drunk and we grab some food. We then split from them because it’s almost 3:00AM.

August 26, 2012
Today is a hangover day and I want to make it out to Afrobeat festival, but my headlights are messed up. I check again at night and they’re fine again. I then go to the supermarket and make some food. I decide to make Frank Spuntino’s zuchinni and pasta sandwich, it’s a decent success. Classes start tomorrow, but I have class at 3:00-5:00 only so I’ll be fine and it’ll be easy for me. Tuesday and Thursdays are my hard days.

August 29, 2012
A History of Art in Three Colors, a BBC series. I love watching the wonderful stuff that they put out. The first was on gold, which obviously had one of my favorites, Klimt. Now it’s onto blue with Titian’s wonderful use of ultramarine, a blue pigment that was invented in Italy. Before then, paintings were drab. This vibrant color changed the game.
The other series I’m watching is Sicily Unpacked. Two British (though one Italian born) bros. Art critic and broadcaster Andrew Graham-Dixon and chef Giorgio Locatelli find out that they love Sicily. They decide to do a three part series of it. Forget about Italy, there is so much to just Sicily. It gives me the excited chills of when I’ll find myself there in the future. They see the beautiful architecture, the churches, the processions (which seem to occur everywhere and all the time), and don’t forget about the chocolate, the food, the gelato. Gets me riled up.
I then get in the mood to rewatch Spain, On the Road Again. Gwyneth Paltrow (who has incredible Spanish and a beautiful accent), Mario Battali, Mark Bittman, and Claudia Bassols. It’s such a long 13 part series. It’s crazy that each episode is about an hour each. They hang with a guy as he makes paella, which must be a crazy experience as they watched, smelled, and tasted. Battali then explains Madrid to Bassols because she’s a Barcelonian. Ugh, there’s so much I want to see there. They see the sights, they cook, they eat, they hang with random celebraties like Ferran Adria, etc. Spain in general. I want it all.

August 30, 2012
I have three day weekends now, so it’s a four day weekend with Labor Day. First week of law school is over. I don’t plan on bringing any of my heavy books home with my commute from LIC. In class, between classes, staying on campus after class, I’m at least class ahead of all class, two classes ahead on reading for some. I’m back in mad reading action and it’s going to feel great not needing to do work all weekend. Keeps my sanity.
Lori is this really nice gal that went to CEU during her undergrad, that’s how I learned about it so I went this summer to Budapest. Before class, she’s nice enough to just walk up and chat that we need to catch up sometime about the trip and she went to Budapest this summer as well. Lovely how nice people can be, despite me not being her friend.
After a club meeting thing, it turns out that Lori is throwing a thing. I plan on going to Marissa’s apartment and get a cab up there. I show up late though and just meet people we go down to Lori’s place. She has a nice apartment and it’s a bunch of us law school people.
I’m sober so start having some vodka, with just a splash of cranberry. I chat with Lori’s friend Sammy who shares about her time in Korean teaching English. We then go downtown and I’m on top of things so we go to the East Village. For some reason, we find ourselves in 13th Step.
Neal spends $130 buying us shots of Patron. We’re chatting and having a blast, but then people just start splitting. It’s only been an hour and only 12:00 and half the people leave. After Goodbyes and people slowly splitting, it’s just 3 of us. I take a cab with them to Astoria because that’s where they live and I grab the 7 train back home.
I get some Burger King until the bus comes and get home before 3:00. I give my friend Courtney a call for her b-day.

August 31, 2012
I’m quite hungover, but that’s fine. The actual issue is that I catch a freaking cold. This happens all the time when I start going to campus, even after a short vacation. People are always sick and getting me freaking sick. There are people going to a bar in the East Village, which I would love to go to. Yesterday was a great opportunity to show my face, get familiar with people, and hopefully be in a group of law school friends to go out with.
I keep pushing myself to go out, but I didn’t sleep well, can’t take a nap, and a runny nose just burns me out of energy. My brother is visiting from LA and he’s going into the city too as I drop him off at the train station. In the end, I decide to stay him because I just don’t have the energy to go out. I’m such a miserable person when I’m sick. The worst person around.

The Tune of June

May 30, 2012
Philadelphia Trip!!
It’s my break so why not do some travelling. Philly is a close enough place that I initially planned for 2 days there, but 1 day should be fine. Stefan and Atron are down and I plan everything because I’m a boss like that. I mean everything.
I book the Bolt Bus. I go on Yelp and find the places. I look for the “best” places to x, y, and z. I post on Facebook for friends’ suggestions. I search forums for “1 Day in Philadelphia” plans. I look up the weather. I look for a nice, reasonably priced restaurant and make a reservation. I go all out, baby.
I book the bus for 8:15AM and Aaron is not happy about it. Granted, I’m even less happy about it because I don’t sleep at all. I try to sleep at 11:30, but that doesn’t work after 2 hour long nap. I try to sleep all night and then it’s 6AM and I just give up. I might as well not try anymore and just grab a breakfast a Dunkin Donuts. I sit in my car for 30 minutes as I wait for the LIRR. During this time, I text with Ela and figure out how we’re going to coordinate meeting up in Germany and such.
I meet up with Stefan and Aaron and we catch the bus. I get a bit of sleep, which is super helpful. Both Aaron and I aren’t sure how we’re alive because we both barely slept at night, but I guess travelling gets you through stuff. I’ve also had a sleep surplus as I’ve been on vacation.
It’s a quick ride and we get off the bus by 10:45. We grab some coffee and figure out the subway system. You buy tokens from this machine that has no screen. If you need change, there’s a change machine, like one from an arcade. It’s extremely old fashioned. I think the MTA easily does it better with our system.
The system is pretty shitty and we take it across town west, but we avoid taking a bus and need to walk alllll the way down south. Well it’s only 2 miles, so it could be worse, but it’s still a walk. We’re doing this because I wanted to go to Tony Luke’s and John’s Pork. I did the research.
However, he’s stuck on going to Pat’s and Geno’s, which I guess could be worse because they’re known in the city and I guess if you’re going to Philly in one day, it wouldn’t be wrong to hit those two up. I however was told how bad Jim’s was. However, we end up going there anyway because it’s on the way.
On the walk there, Aaron gets into a chat with a local and she suggests Cosmis’ Deli. He then wants to go there really bad because it’s a “local joint.” I make fun of him for going 180 on his original idea of avoiding what locals like and going with the tourist traps. We get to Jim’s before 12:00, grab a beer and split a single sandwich. We do that at all the places to allow us to try as many as possible.
As expected, it was fucking garbage. A dripping sandwich, uncooked onions, dry meat. Not gross because it’s bread and meat, it’s hard to fuck up the two best food groups. However, this tastes a lot like a sandwich I’ve had before. Mediocrity to its finest. Nothing exciting about it. Great that they have beer though. The iced coffee and an early beer, and some food, put a lot of mileage into our tanks.
We then walk even more south to Pat’s and Geno’s, which are right across the street from each other. It is in a very… Hispanic and not as nice as some other areas, but that’s not an issue for me. I love seeing the culture and would love if I had time to try out some of the Hispanic establishments. We go to Pat’s and Geno’s, which turn out to be way better than shitty Jim’s.
We then go to Cosmis, which is a straight up deli. However, they have by far the best bread of the lot because it’s a seeded bread with texture. A real bread instead of a plain Wonder bread tasting Italian bread. We then are in a crazy need for a bathroom. We walk into this place called Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, what a wonderful place.
It’s a small bar and we chat with the bartender for a beer. We get Kenzinger, their local beer and darn is it tasty. You can also smoke in a bar, which I haven’t done since I was in Michigan years ago. There’s also a take out “menu.” There are pictures of beers, six packs, and 40s that you can buy and take out. That’s wild. Then again, convenience stores can’t sell beer, so it makes sense that you can buy it from a bar and then bring it home. The bar has this great divey feel and I probably would love to come here on a weekend night.
We then decide to go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They are lost about figuring out how to get there, so I take charge in looking up the number of a cab service, calling them, and telling them what corners I was. However, by the time I look around, Aaron and Stefan have walked a full block away. I call them and tell them to get back here. I’m not happy about it. I become the adult and take responsbility for the trip and figuring out how to get a cab. They then have the balls to wait around a corner by myself and even ask that I come meet them when the cab is coming to where I am. I feel like I’m dealing with children.
However, this issue quickly becomes ignored as Aaron gets pissed off at Stefan. They had gone to a gun range and they wanted to go shooting. Stefan asked the guy at the range, “You have any Tec-9’s I can shoot?” We jump into the cab and they’re lucky that I’m in the middle seat because they probably would’ve fought. They’re shouting at each other because Aaron is annoyed that Stefan ignored how it embarrasses Aaron when Stefan asks a question like that. They get personal at times and they keep arguing as we go up the “Rocky” steps towards the musem.
They’re on the top of the steps when Aaron starts cocking back his arm and threatening to punch Stefan. I make sure that they two are separated and try my best to difuse the fight. We then go into the museum. We spend about 2 hours there. I absolutely love their Impressionist collection and think it might contend or be better than the MET’s. It’s crazy because I was just at the MET earlier this week. Loving art.
Aaron isn’t very fond of it all and I really wish I had more time checking out the Degas and Monets. Even right before we leave and Stefan ran to the bathroom, I sneak away to check the exhibit for only a few seconds before leaving. I’ll definitely will be back.
We then shmooze around. We catch a cab to Reading Terminal Market, but it’s closing. We also have dinner reservation so we can’t completely enjoy it. However, it’s like Chelsea or Essex Market. It’s huge, has great food stuffs, and just a cool place to walk around. After an iced coffee and a quick run, we just shmooze around the city. We realize that it really is not like New York at all. Even though it’s right after work, the streets aren’t crowded. We’re in the middle of the city, where the buildings and everythings are and things just seem slow. People are getting off work, but there just isn’t the kind of street or car traffic that I expect out of cities. I guess I’m too used to New York.
We then walk over to a less “city” part of the town to the restaurant. It feels a bit like Boston and is quaint and feels like somewhere that you’d want to live. We walk into the restaurant and it’s a great place inside. Nothing too formal, with wooded slabs at tables, big globes hanging from the ceiling for lighting, and on the right, a deli style set up of their meats, cheeses, and other foods. A inviting and informal place. We get seated at the first table, closest to the maitre’d. We ask to sit outside and get that. The restaurant is both relatively empty both inside and outside because it is just 6:30.
Aaron and Stefan continue to complaint throughout the dinner about how we were treated poorly by getting our initial table selection because we look young and are a bit less formally dressed. However, I don’t know what to say. First, it assumes that there is a “table hierarchy.” I personally don’t care. Nor do I think most people do. Unless there is a breeze from a door swinging right into you, I don’t have a problem with being closer to the front of house. Secondly, I do not know the norms of the business. I have no experience being a waiter or the service industry. I have no clue if they actually would do that to people based on what we looked up. Even then, the maitre’d would have to be so quick to just give us an “unfavorable” table with only seeing us for 2 seconds. Literally it was that fast. We did not wait a split of a second. I personally think people are dumb for creating a victim mentality.
It’s one thing to think that, but Aaron and Stefan keep complaining about it as the waiter walks by as he is serving us or other tables. I eventually bust out that I’m extremely uncomfortable with it. I mention that Aaron was pissed at Stefan for something a dumb joke, but this isn’t cool. This is a nicer restaurant and to say bad things about a restaurant as if the waitstaff was not there is just passive aggressive. If there’s a formal complaint, do it. Otherwise, do not talk as if people cannot hear you.
I even speak to my waitress friend later that night and find out that this “hierarchy” of tables does not really exist unless it is by request. Also, waiters take turns getting tables and have certain areas, so that probably is why people get certain tables.
The meal turned out amazing. Easily the best meal I’ve had of 2012 and one of the best I’ve had recently. I definitely want to come back to this place if I find myself back in Philly.
We wait around for the bus and we’re sitting outside their version of Penn Station and on the bus here, I see that Aaron is playing a game on his phone. He’s one of “those guys.” He does the same while we’re waiting and Stefan asks if he’s playing a game. Aaron, in the most honest voice and tone possible, simply replies, “Naw, this isn’t a game.” I notice this interaction and call Aaron out because it’s hilarious. It’s as if he has convinced himself that this “Sim” based tower/building game is not actually a “game.”
I get some good sleep on the 9PM bus back. I then take the LIRR back to home. Immediately go for a shower because it’s been one of those gross days.

June, 1 2012
I thought it might have been a mistake to wear shorts yesterday, I was walking around and feeling the humdity and heat and ask Aaron about it. Both him and Stefan are wearing jeans and I think they know it was a mistake. I’m really bad at dealing with heat and I couldn’t imagine how much more gross sweating would be going on if I wore pants.
However, the cold of the bus, slack of sleep, being out all day for the trip, or whatever factors means that I have a serious cold. For today and and half the next day, I’m miserably sick. I’m extremely unproductive and can only sit there blowing my runny nose. I’m the worst sick person.
At least I get my postcards done though. I send one to Ela, Vanessa, and Jon. The one to CNF is sent with “Bets” of “Betsy Ross” crossed out and I wrote in “Rick.” The house on the postcard then has a “$” sign “graffitied” on the the side of building with a marker.

June 2, 2012
I’m finally recovered from my cold at night and Jenn is down to come over and watch a movie. We have a beer and decide to watch Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, the American version. We both haven’t seen it while Jenn has seen the Swedish one.
Bolanos barges in at some point, though it’s weird that he assumed that we were actually there and the plans didn’t fall apart. It’s during these really dark scenes in the film that involve rape or sexual abuse. Bolanos makes some comment about comparing other men to the fat rapist in the film as if that is funny. Yeah, lets actually entertain the idea that she’s having sex with a fat man, ignoring the fact that someone is being raped. Theres also some other comment make in jest. I don’t get offended often or rarely at all, but this is pushing the line. I let myself be heard and say, “Yeah, this is great stuff to joke about.”
I can somewhat understand the issue because this is really heavy and stuff and sometimes you want to lighten the mood, but it didn’t work out that way. This heavy, dark stuff and I’m sure everyone there was uncomfortable having to watch someone get brutally raped, so I don’t think there’s any humor to be made out of it. Jenn didn’t hear my comment and asks Bolanos what I said. He puts the blame on me as if I did not find it funny. Exactly, I’m the one with a stick up my ass for not finding childish jokes about rape like that extremely inappopriate.
It’s also weird that he grabs a cup and digs for some soda without asking. Well mentions it after it’s taken. Not that I care, but I always ask no matter where I am that’s not home.
Either way, Jenn starts passing out when I turn Ali G on. That show is so freaking good. It’s before he made a splash in the US and I recommend it to anyone, as it is one of my favorite comedies of all time. Bolanos and I really enjoy it whereas Jenn calls it a night after an episode.

June 3, 2012
I spend the day picking my guitar up and spending a few hours on that. I then book my flight to Budapest and flight back from Dusseldorf, Germany. It’s hella expensive, but what can I do. I guess I wish I booked it a month earlier and saved a bit. I still have to book my trip in Germany and my flights there.
At nigght I drive into the city for Scott’s bday dinner at Jimmy’s 43. It’s great to see Jonah and Kerri there. I haven’t seen them in forever and catch up with Jonah for a while. Would be great seeing him more. Nikki is there too, being nice and keeping the shindig rowdy.
Scott’s friend Jake is also having his birthday. He invites us to his sick sick apartment. He has this huge huge backyard, right in the East Village. It’s wild how good of a deal he has. I would throw parties out there all the time if I lived there. Jeez. I’m jealous.
We sit out in the back and chill out. I drove and can’t really drink. The two pints at the restaurant hit me hard because I hadn’t really eaten all day and then the dinner was pretty small. Bolanos, Evan, Kenny, and Avi show up. It’s great seeing Avi since I haven’t seen him in a while.
After a bit, we leave and we go to Shoolbreds. I go get some Baohaus with Jonah and Tom. After that, I’m still hungry and go to Artichoke and grab a large fresh crab slice. I then get a big water. I guess the buzz from the beer and then all the food and water got me feeling weird, so I avoid drinking more booze, especially since I’m driving too.
We then move around and end up at Sly Fox, which turns out to be ridiculously cheap. After that, we split up. A good night seeing everyone around.

June 4, 2012
I get out of the house and drive to Willimsburg for the Grand Slam BBQ Party. It’s a block festival of local BBQ vendors along with live music. It’s not that crowded, maybe a 100 people or so. The bands are actually pretty good and I want to look into finding out more about their music. I’ve even paid for concerts that I’ve enjoyed less. They really picked bands that were fun and great for live performances. The highlight food wise Brooklyn Bangers with their merguez on a pita with white sauce and slaw.
This baned called Bugs in the Dark is really good. I got really into it while I was there and stayed for their entire set.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E74yJ8qLHJE
I then go for a walk because I want to find a bathroom. I end up going to this great bar called Lucky Dog. Fantastic place with an outdoor area and I try my first Michelada. Hot sauce, limes, iced, beer, and a salted rim. Turned out really delicious.
Then everyone is on the street having brown bagged beers. I go to the corner and grab me a Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale, a fine crisp beer. I stay for this screamo/Latin/hardcore/hip-hop band. There’s a small crowd in front that clearly known the band already and really into it. I definitely have seen the type of guys that are into this kind of music. Either way, it’s lively and fun stuff to listen to live.
After that, I decide to drive back home. After dinner, at night, I set up my computer with my big TV. Turns out to be great. I watch “Crazy Stupid Love,” which has turned out to be one of my favorite movies. While I’m watching it, on my computer screem, I have Yelp up to I get a lot of writing done.

June 5, 2012
Eurovision time: I’m watching the Semi Final with BBC commentary. First, they play a “postcard,” which is a travel ad for the venue, Azerbaijan. The BBC commentators says that we will definitely see someone drinking tea and playing chess because there always is. They then make fun of Montenegro’s horrific song. It’s some skeevy guy with a really off beat song. They joke about his hair hygiene and then tell people not to go away because they shouldn’t rely on that as an example of what is to come.
The Iceland song is meh, but it’s called “Never Forget” and one of the guys says, “Yeah, I’m sure we won’t.” Then onto Greece, the guy is very honest about how a hot chick from Greece is performing the next song and that it’s for the “male viewers” out there.
It’s freaking refreshing, yet awkward and funny at the same time. American commentators never say shit like this. If anything, I would say they’re a bit too honest and sound like snobby Brits at times.
They also read crass comments from the British audience. “Greece is so poor that they couldn’t afford that poor girl a proper dress.” (Since she’s in a revealing outfit). The woman replies, “Oh, now that’s horrible to say!” The men quickly ignore her comment and move on.
First, that’s freaking racist to say! Second, it’s crazy that they actually read it, but then ignore the female commentator’s disgust of it. It’s wild I tell you.
They like Latvia for some reason. They then preface the Albanian song with, “If you have any animals, put them in another room.” I guess in fear that they will howl and be scared of the song. It’s a really weird song. Really slow song sung in Albanian, which is not the most attractive language. However, she’s just oversinging it. I feel like it’s almost a joke about how to over do a joke. She goes for these crazy high notes and doesn’t really hit them perfectly. I would imagine how shitty it must be for an animal to hear that.
The Romanian song has a hot chick, a Euro pop sound, and a weird band of 5 guys with huge instruments dancing around. Apparently they had 7 members, but the rules only let 6 on stage, so one of the members has to watch in the green room. They say his name is “Short Straw Tony.”
The Switzerland song is a shitty U2 cover band, but it’s fucking hilarious. The guy is oversinging this soooo bad. It’s trying to hard to do that “The Calling – Where You Will Go” with the low notes, but it’s just all over the place. Haha.
The Belgium song isn’t bad. A young girl singing a pop ballad, sounds like something off of American Idol. After the song, the woman says that she really enjoys the song and that it’s named “Would You?” She immediately says, “That’s a rhetorical question by the way.” It’s the unwavering quickness of the comment that gets me to pause the video, soak it in, and just die laughing. See, it’s funny because she’s a young looking girl…. Get it?! Har har. Anyway, I’m all about that kind of humor.
Israel is playing the cheesiest song ever. It sounds like it’s out of a commercial from the 70s.
San Marino’s song is pretty good. It’s a catchy pop trap about social networking sites (Facebook). Granted, I have absolutely why there are men dressed as a doctor and pilot in the background as background dancers. The cheerleader is very hot though.
Cyprus is this girl in “hot” dress. She’s got this weird Cher low register though. It comes off manly at times and sort of ruins an already mediocre song.
Denmark has absoluetly blown away the competition so far. It actually sound professional and something that would be on the radio. She’s a really good voice and it’s a great sounding pop rock ballad, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, keyboard, xylophone, heavy drumming, and cello.
Russian has this garbage song of 6 Russian grandmothers. They’re cute and all, but what a stupid gimmick. Then again, their song is actually a hell lot better than a lot of the ones from the night.
Hungary is impressive. An electro based ballad. The guy’s voice isn’t offensively bad.
Austria starts off with a warning. It’s in German, but the chorus actually sounds like they’re constantly repeating “Fucking Meet Them Poo Poo!” Caught me off guard too. It’s a douchey club song, sung by two douchey looking guys.
Then they keep making fun of the travel ads because everyone is drinking tea. Turkey has that too. Also, there are people jumping over a camp fire and the guy couldn’t be more sarcastic, “They having a lovely time aren’t they…”

I turn out sick and I spend much of the day sleeping. Along with the Eurovision, I get my geek on and read Extremis Iron Man. It was pretty and the movies were a bit based on this new origin plot. I wish there were deeper themes and more about certain characters. It felt a bit short even though it was 6 parts of 24 pages each.

June 5, 2012
The Netherlands are apparently the worst because they have never it into the finals despite 7 attempts. This chick goes on this year for them with a country tune and she’s wearing a Native American head dress. It’s got some banjo, fiddle, and a bit of an old fashioned country beat to it. It’s not bad, though I’m not sure if Europe is the audience for this sound. It also could use more of an emotional feel instead of a boring commercial pace.
Malta’s song actually sounds quite legit. It’s an uplifting rock anthem with synth and eletronic fixing. There’s some fancy footwork and dance moves that they do that don’t really fit.
Belarus does a similar thing, but it just doesn’t work as well. They’re dressed like a bunch of futuristic homeless assholes. They’re also all rocking guitars when it’s pretty clear that you don’t need three guitars for this song and there barely is any guitar in the song in the first place.
I love the Portuguese langauge, but their song sucks. It’s just boring as hell with two women singing their hearts out and being way too dramatic. I mean, it’s pretty romantic and all, but not something I want to hear on Eurovision. It’s also just too freaking depressing. It sounds like her husband died some horrific death and she’s suffering like there’s no tomorrow.
Ukraine’s got this woman doing a lively dance song with some real fucking pipes. It actually really reminds me of a more modern “Believe” by Cher. She has less of low register and more range to her voice. She really can sing. I really like this, a highlight.
Bulgaria is an example of them doing this kind of song wrong. It sounds very Eurotrash and has this really weird chrous where she’s doing this weird singing from her throat. After the song, they read a viewer comment, “I love Bulgaria!! I am drunk though…” I died.
Slovenia has a few really good looking girls, especially some really gorgeous blondes. Unfortunately, the song is rubbish.
Sweden is apparently favored to win the thing. The song isn’t too bad, but her dance moves are absolutely silly. She looks like she’s doing some weird performance art thing. Stop it with all the jagged bodily motions!
Georgia has this chubby and really flamboyantly gay guy with his sassy arm movements. At times it sounds like a Broadway showtune, but then has some Middle Eastern strings at times. It could be a decent song, but it’s too disjointed.
Turkey is amateur hour. Fucking Hasan, what the fuck. They mention it sounds a bit like the Inspector Gadget theme.
Estonia has this handsome fella with a really good voice. However, it sounds like his dog had just died. Calm down dude, don’t be so sad.
For many songs, there are lots of strobing lights and they give warnings. The Slovakian song is called “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” The guy tells us to please do close our eyes if we have issues with lights, heyohhh. This song is a bit weird. It has a pop punk/emo thing going on, but then the verses are really metal. The singer is dressed up as if he took a time machine from LA, year 1986. He’s got the whole big hair, light leather pants, make-up, etc. I’m surprised a song like this got through. I could imagine some young kids liking it, but it surely is not mainstream enough.
They make a joke about a game, “Gay or European.” “The great thing about this game is that you can play this for hours.” Norway’s singer… Yeah. I would go with gay. The song is a pretty heavy bass club track. The singer is very meh. They couldn’t done a lot better with a hot Norweigian chick with a decent voice. I do like the production though, it has some Middle Eastern drums and strings to it.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has some other boring ballad. It gets somewhere… Sort of, but it starts of painfully slow with her at the piano, just going on and on. Her voice is actually pretty good. They could’ve done better with her.
Lithuania has this guy singing with a blindfold, name of the song is “Love is Blind.” This guy has a really good voice. Something I would see on American Idol definitely. It’s a boting disco track that is mostly carried by his voice. I’m impressed.
They get some old winners back on to sing with Azerbaijani instruments. Lena Meyer-Landrut, a German performaner from 2010 is on. That is one beautiful gal, I would like to see some of that when I’m in Germany.
Ukraine gets through to the finals has the 4th choice.
Through my research, I find out that Lena competed in 2011, in order to defend her title. I watch that performance of Taken By A Stranger and darn is that girl mysteriously sexy. Her low registers are bit weird at time and her voice isn’t stellar. The song is also a bit mediocre. It’s professional sounded and everything, but it gets on and on for a while and doesn’t really go anywhere.

June 9, 2012
I’ve been working for the past few days at my mom’s friends medical supply company. Easy stuff, part time, could use some cash, etc. etc. I tried to get people to go Maison Premiere for happy hour oysters, but it seems like interest waned. I’m feeling sick so I decide to take a nap after work and ignore the plans.
By night, it starts hitting harder and harder. I don’t know how I got a cold, but maybe it was because I was out and about for Hester Nights yesterday. By the way, that is a must go. Beer, great food, seating, right in the middle of the city, just fun stuff.
Kenny and Bolanos come over for the night for a couple beers. I avoided going out because I’m not sure that would be the best idea. Then at night, it’s just the worst. I can’t sleep because of this constant runny nose business. It goes sleep for 2-3 hours, get out of bed for 2-3 hours, try to go back to sleep, back and forth.
Until night, it is one of the worst colds or whatever I’ve had in years and years. For 36 hours, I was a fucking mess. I’m so extremely miserable when sick. Can’t describe how much I hated that, especially since I wanted to be active this weekend, go out to some more food festival and explore the city.
By night, it’s Sam’s bday, which I didn’t think I could make, but I gather up my strength to do so. I’m feeling basically recovered and I would be even more miserable if I stayed home on a Saturday night. I gather the card I made for Sam and a beer for the train ride and off we go.
Into the city, I stop by Butter Lane for Sam and then meet up with Aaron and Tom at Taqueria LES. Fast, cheap, so delicious. I’m also crazy on micheladas these days. We then move to this meh bar, Agozar.
We then head into Bowery Electric, a place I’ve been wanting to go since I lived there. I meet some of Sam’s friends and some faces I’ve met before, Jules, Sydney, Michelle, etc. Stefan, Sara, and Bolanos show up. There’s a dance floor downstairs, we hang for a little bit for a few drinks. Eventually, the dance floor gets going and everyone is out there and boogying down.
There are these douchey guys that are dressed as if they were in a glee club. It’s funny watching them at the bar because there’s a camera pointing at the stage and the bar has a TV streaming that. There’s also some shitty 80s songs played at times, which really sucks. Then again, there are fun dance songs and we even depart when they play Jet and The Darkness. Those bands were my high school years man.
The dancing is a hot messy ordeal, but it’s so fun and reminds me of the good ol’ Prague days. A bunch of friends in a group on the d-floor, dancing until you’re a sweaty mess, singing your lungs out to the songs you know, and just everything exciting. Oh and pretty girls being around doesn’t hurt either. I miss that stuff man!
Eventually Bolanos and I head out. I plan on going to the Madison Square Park BBQ huge thing the next day, but that does not work out. Turns out my cold comes back to bite me in the ass and this time it’s a sore throat. Unable to sleep, I do the on/off sleep thing until around 4:00PM. I then grab dinner with mom. What a waste of a day. Freaking cold ruined most of my weekend, despite the blast at Sam’s b-day.


June 12, 2012
I have so much music to catch up with.
King Fantastic was alright. I liked it, but nothing I would listen to on a consistent basis.
Laura Gibson is really good, but I’m feeling really picky these days. On the verge of being a keeper, but still thinking I’m getting rid of it in the end.
I tried Theophilus London because I love the Big Spender song. Neither do I like ASAP Rocky. I guess this is one of the examples where I find a song that is straight up fire and that’s it.

June 14, 2012
Today’s a day off, the weather is great, and what a fine day to get some stuff done. Get my ass into the city, Georgia’s Eastside BBQ for a pulled pork sandwich and a PBR. Then off to SoHo. I find broski a hoodie for his b-day that I’ll ship to him and then some shopping for me at H&M. Glad to see some of their tees fit. Their X-Small is actually what it’s meant to me. Then again, I would like some flannels and casual dress shirts, but those sizes don’t cooperate.
Then onto Russ and Daughters for a sandwich and a whole herring. I look like a weirdo chomping at a small fish on a bench on Houston. I then go off to meet Stefan at Ten Degrees. Jonah is free too, it’s great seeing him so recently since the last time I saw him at Scott’s b-day.
Place is too crowded, we stop by Belgian Room and then Hop Devil. Jonah has to split. Busy busy guy. Going to BK to see an outdoor film and then Eleven Madison the next day for Kerri’s b-day. What a champ.
Stefan meets this weird guy and we chat with him for a bit. We then meet up with Sara so we can go to Nikki’s birthday. Sara has moved into the East Village and before we go in, Stefan mentions that if I’m in the area and need somewhere to stay, I should just press on her apartment’s buzzer. I laugh because it’s him offering her place up.
When we go in, it’s a nice new place. We tell her this story and she’s obviously nice enough to extend her offer personally, which I will never ever need to take, but the sentiment is kind. The funny part is just the offer coming from Stefan.
We mention Nikki and Stefan mentions that she’s a pretty girl, “What’s not to fuck?” I’ve never heard of a compliment that way and it’s freaking hilarious. I died.
We cab off to Fat Cat, a place that I love and haven’t been to in a while. We play ping pong and I see Nikki’s friends and meet some new ones. A great time.
We some new friends enter, there’s this pretty cute girl and I’m standing next to Scott. He whispers this creepy “Nice…” in a low voice. I died. Hey, I’ve been there too, so I can’t blame him, but it’s much funnier hearing that from a third person point of view.
Bolanos ends up showing up after watching the game. I’m disappointed with myself at one point because we’re outside and Eliza is joking around and squats for a second. This homeless guy comes from behind and thrusts at her. I’m standing in front of her and thought he was joking around and being a creep. How I usually deal with stuff like that is just ignore it and not say anything. If you don’t interact, they don’t get off, they just continue on. However, I did not know what he actually bumped into her. Nikki sees his and tells him THE FUCK off. She gets him to quickly walk away or her wrath will arrive.
As a man there, I felt I should have been there to say that. That kind of stuff should not occur in public and its our obligation as a society to shame these motherfuckers. Fight on. Later on, there’s a guy that’s just creepily standing behind the net and watching the girls play ping-pong. I stand there in his way, obscure his view, and passively let him know that he is not welcome to creep. If he continues, I’m going to fucking get up in his face.
We eventually split after a great day and a fun ending with the night.

June 15, 2012
After work, I head home for a quick nap. I then meet up with Luna in Flushing, she’s planning to stay the weekend. We grab some food for the go and then off to home. After dinner, it’s late and I’m skeptical about going all the way into the city for Murray’s bday. I would drive, but mom has my car and I really don’t like driving her Mercedes SUV. However, Bola is willing to drive so we hitch a ride with him.
We go to Crocodile Lounge and have a few beers. We hang with the crew and Corrado is an interesting guy. I’ve met him maybe once before, heard a bunch of him, an outgoing, nice dude. They eventually split and “our crew” is still there. Sara is pumping a shotgun from Big Buck and makes a suggestive joke about it. I mention that Stefan has rubbed off on her. She refutes that she was always a little like that and that’s how Stefan and her get along. Very sweet. Power couple, some of my favorite people around.
We go to Ninth Ward and have a drink until we all split.

June 16, 2012
Today is a sleep in day and then Smorgasburg. We drive in and there around 4:00. I rock mad chicken and they now have a beer area. Perfect. I thought it was a mistake that they didn’t have this. It’s an almost perfect day because it’s under 80 degrees, clear skies, though a little warm.
We then check out Artists and Fleas. I’m a bit tired and eventually give up on sitting around Williamsburg for another 3 hours, expecting people to show up to Tom’s housewarming in Williamsburg at 10:00.
A day in the sun is an exhausting ordeal, especially after a bit of dehydration and some greasy ass chicken. After a quick nap, we head off to Brooklyn, second time for the day and it’s also Spamps’ welcoming party. It really is a situation. Alon, Spamps, Caroline, Linnea, Reigler, Chris M., Kenny, Tom, Scott (Tom’s roommate), Bolanos, Stefan with a 40 of Olde English, and loads of other people. It’s a great situation and they have a sick sick apartment.
There’s a great roof view and we jump between the two. I try to hover around, catching up with Caroline, Linnea, Spamps, etc. We eventually are the last group to head out.

June 17, 2012
It’s a city day and we get into the city by 3:00. Traffic is a bit of a bitch, but parking is easy peasy on a Sunday afternoon on Father’s Day. We head into Essex Market for some bites. That’s breakfast for us and it is much needed to at least get some food in as I usually eat within the first 30 minutes of waking up, forget about hours into the day.
Economy Candy is a crazy cool place, but I don’t end up getting anything. I want to, but I wish I could get a sampler of some of the old/foreign candies that I never have tried. I’m also still on my summer diet, so it’s probably good to turn down some gluttony.
We then go to Pok Pok, after it finally opens at 4:00PM. Pretty good stuff.
Then into the East Village for some bites and shopping. Some coffee, grabbed a random assortment of beers from the incredible Good Beer store, some dumplings and then on the way back home. I drop Luna off at the station that night and then a whole group comes over for a bit. I reflect on the “Major suffering” story night with Spamps. I died. Look back for it at December 3, 2010. Maybe it’s not hilarious if you read it and it was a “had to be there” thing, but I sure has hell had a laugh about it and its great that Spamps was there so we can share that laugh.

June 18, 2012
I have an interview today for the only scholarship I’ve signed up for, being a Nassau resident. I suit up and head to CW Post. There were supposed to be 5 people interviewing me, but they’re late and it’s only two. While I’m waiting, I meet this 3L from Brooklyn Law. It’s fun chatting with a stranger about her job, school, etc.
I’m not sure how it’ll turn out because CUNY tuition is a hell lot lower private schools and most of their questions where about finances. I wish there were more people so I could answer more questions and show off more about myself. I walked away not confident about it, but hey, it’s a crap shoot. They only give $1000 to one person and I’ll never know. Just a wait and see.
I’m watching “ The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and damn is this a fun show. Even if almost all of them aren’t in NY and I will never go to them, this is just straight food porn. The enthusiasm these people have is something I share with them. My passion for food parallels their’s as their eyes and face just transform with happiness and food memories.
I’m watching Al Murray’s trip of Germany during the winter. It’s not exactly what I’m looking for because it’s really about the history with a few of the landmarks. Not really about the sites exactly or the food, culture, nightlife, etc., which is what I plan on researching soon. It is absolutely beautiful though. I enjoyed it.
With my beer run, the first I try is the Rogue Juniper Pale Ale. I love the juniper in Taqueray, but this doesn’t have that. It’s definitely a pilsner if I wasn’t reading the label. However, it has a bit more flavor than that, but it really just cuts off the tongue really quickly. Not a great beer for me.