January 11, 2013
It’s Tork’s birthday today. I ship my butt into the city to get some shit done.
I first go to Maison Kayser, which I’ve been planning to go to for a while. I get a dessert and half a baguette. Then off to a speciality food shop and I go over to the cheese monger and deli for some brie and spicy soppressata. It’s a shitty drizzling day and it’s getting dark fast by 5:00. Fuck it, I planned on having a picnic so I sit in Central Park and start my picnic. No one is in the park, except a few people who are walking their dogs and I’m sure they’re confused about what the hell I’m doing. It’s way too cold and wet for this shit, but I don’t care. I stuff all that food down my throat and then onto the museum.
I go to the MET and see the incredible George Bellows exhibit. It was a really large collection and his ability to paint the grimey streets of NYC and winter white snow was incredible. I’m not a huge fan of Matisse and I’ve seen some of his work before, but that was decent.
The Before and After Digital Photography Manipulation exihibit was decent. The audio guide was a good buy, as always.
I then ship to Midtown, and it’s started raining. My feet are a bit wet, but I don’t give. I go to Uniqlo and get as much shopping I can get done in 40 minutes. It’s hard taking apart all these button up shirts with their plastic and collar things and trying them on. As I try them on, I realize that their XS has different fits. I just have to keep trying them on and see how they fit on my shoulders and arms, instead of simply trusting the size on the label. I end up giving up and grabbing 2 shirts I tried on and 2 shirts that I didn’t. I can come back and return stuff. I’m also shopping for my brother, so he can just choose one of the four as his Christmas gift.
I then go to Tork’s birthday at Rattle N’ Hum. I meet some of his school friends. A good gang shows up with Josh, Bolanos, Matt, Emma, Reuben, Jonah, Kerri, and Evan. It’s a fun time just talking shit with everyone and having some darn darn good beer. There’s a cute blonde there that he’s chatting with. I speak with her too and she seems like a nice gal. When we leave, people are floating around and Bolanos is still chatting up with this. We all hope that he gets her number, but it does not end up happening. For shame.
Reuben and Matt seem to be getting along quite well. Emma is my only smoking buddy, so it’s fun chatting about art and relationships while having a break outside. We then go to Foley’s for a quick second before we jump on the train. Matt, Bolanos, and I then got o Bayside Diner as we’re hungry. I immediately take a picture of a plate of cole slaw when we get it.
Story time: Hasan used to loooveee freaking cole slaw. He would pack on pepper and some salt and just eat that shit up. He would have a carton of it in his fridge. However, the real memory was when we had nothing better to do and could only go to a diner at night. People would turn away their free cole slaw and he would gobble up 2-3 portions of that stuff. The man was a real slaw man. Despite it being 2-3:00AM, I take a picture and send it to Erdem.
January 16, 2013
I have a weird sleeping day. I slept crazy long the night before. I try to sleep really well and early today, but I sleep 3-4 hours and wake up at 6-7:00AM. I get some breakfast and then pass out again for a quick nap. I get up and then head to campus to pay tuition, pick up my books, and then print out readings for my first day of class.
Hasan surprisingly has been in touch and I’m supposed to get lunch with him on Sunday. The man is ALIVE!!!
After that, I head into the city for an amazing bite at Gaia Italian Café. Actually, more than a bite. I get absolutely stuffed from some mindblowing food for the price. I’m sitting at a table and listen to two girls who are visiting NYC. They probably Yelped the place like I did, but they’re funny newbies about the city with mistakes like “Hyo-sten” instead of “How-sten.” They’re very girly though and proud of their experience in NYC. I feel a bit “Oh, I should show these girls around because I know better,” but hey, tourists are tourists. Girls are girls.
I then go to this fabric shop in SoHo. I’m seriously the only man there out of all the employees and customers. Something like a 20 to 1 ratio. I’m looking for buttons because Luna actually bought me a black cardigan that fits. However, the buttons it comes with are ugly and shiny silver. Luna recommends that she can change it, but hey, I’m a modern man. I can sew my own buttons on. However, after much searching, I can’t find buttons that fit the cardigan, partially because their regular collection doesn’t fit it and their random collection does not have 4 of the same buttons.
I then go to Uniqlo and grab an Oxford. Motherfuckers are out of XS flannels. I came here for that!
I go to L’Asso to meet up with Reuben. While I’m waiting, there is a Happy Hour. 2 slices of their crazy good pizza and a craft pint for $7. Personally, one of the best deals/Happy Hours in NYC. I was already stuffed from earlier, but I ordered it before Reuben arrived. These two girls are chatting. A waitress and this girl. I start listening when the waitress says, “Big cock!” They’re talking about dudes, the idea of having children later in life in their 40s, their time when they went “crazy” and had sex with many men, etc. Reuben finally comes in, we dinner, we leave.
We then go to Iggy’s and we get a shot and beer. We chat a bit and then go to the DL for Urbana Poetry Slam. I’m extremely impressed that he’d be willing to try it out. It’s a weird venue. It’s very loungey and really nice, but then on the first floor, there are people painting, about 10 people with canvases. How hipster and NYC. It has couches, chandaliers, etc., and we go upstairs to where the show is.
Reuben liked the show and we were there for an hour. It was an really cool scene. About 20-30 people in a smallish room with a stage. There’s this fat guy that wins. He is incredible. I love this guy. He goes through the rounds talking about his mother’s death and his family with the metaphor of being “Superheroes,” despite the beating his mother takes, their problems, a divorce. He then goes on extremely deep personally about his obesity and how strangers treat him. It’s heavy stuff, but what I love about it is his use of words. The other poets are fun and intersting, but the beautiful creation of metaphor, imagery, and simile is what makes this guy mindblowing. I want to come back.
Reuben and I then go to Spitzers for a final drink. I order him a “kolsch” and go on to explain some Europe stories. We then split off and I meet up with Candace who is downtown. It’s a slow night at Second on Second and I leave pretty quickly as the place is closing and she has her own plans. I grab a cab and then take the train. I head home listening to much missed Howard Stern and it’s great to get back so early. It’s fucking only 1:10 by the time I’m home despite this long day.
I have been sleep quite late these days, so getting home that “early” is a treat almost. I need to get on a better sleep schedule though. Fucking break is ending, but hell, I’m happy I get my shit done this day. Screw it. Tomorrow is going to be gross and rainy. I have a few days left and a weekend and I have to make the best of it all.
January 18, 2013
I go to Cat’s bday that Aaron has invited me to. I show up and see Lisa, Marissa, and Cat. It’s nice seeing them, catch up a little bit, etc. I chat with Aaron’s friend from school, Jose. They’re apparently both drunk as fuck from earlier. It’s funny seeing Aaron operate himself drunkinly and attempt to make moves on Marissa. They eventually leave together, but apparently nothing happens.
Tom and Scott show up and the rest of the people leave. We go to Spritzenhaus. I actually find out that Scott got into NYU Law and is waiting to hear back from Harvard and Columbia Law. What a fucking guy. I’m proud, surprised, and a sprinkle of jealous. We have a beer, play some Jenga, and then call it a night.
January 19, 2013
Big plans tonight. One of the last nights before classes start. It’s Jesse’s birthday, but I decide to do something else. Bolanos and I go to Astoria for a sandwich. He does his usual joking/condescending stuff when you make a mistake. He properly says, “I’m on that dick shit.” I think he didn’t think that this comment has much more meaning than he expect.
He then tells this story about how TA calls him about his g/f’s friend who has had her email password changed by her parents. TA asks Bolanos if he knows how to “hack” an email and how it should be “easy.” I literally start dying laughing and my stomach is in so much pain. I joke that Miah should be called. And how Miah got in trouble in high school for avoiding the Internet filter. Funny thing is that Josh was the mastermind, Miah just got in trouble because once he was involved and found out, he played the victim card and clearly authority focused their investigation and punishment on him.
I also suggested that Stefan should be called because he probably knows just as much as TA about “hacking” computers and emails. It would be like having two mirrors reflecting at each other. I would love to hear this conversation.
We then take the train into the city and go to Peculiar Pub. Stefan and Sara are there and we haven’t seen them in forever. They are a wonderful bunch to hang with and I missed those freaking kids. Reuben shows up and then we go to West 3rd Common to meet up with Aaron and wait for some people that Reuben knows from college.
I hang there for a while. Lydia shows up, who I haven’t seen in forever. She’s good people. I eventually split to meet up with Marisa and Sharon from school. It’s Tatenda’s birthday and I meet them at this crowded loungey place. We have some fun dancing and Marisa’s a fun time. One of Tatenda’s friend is larger black girl, she takes a liking to me and I think her compliment, but that’s about it. After some more dancing around, we move out. I’m sobering up at this point and chatting with Marisa about her trip to Japan and getting Japanese food in the city.
On the way, we find out that Sharon went through a breakup with a b/f that we’ve all met. It’s been 2 years with him and she’s all crying and distraught. Tatenda tries to drag her out, but she can’t do it. I understand. There’s those nights where you’ve drank, you’re falling down from it, and then shit just hits you. The next day, you look back realizing how stupid being sad or whatever was, but at that specific time, your mind is just all fucked the fuck up. I hail a cab for the two girls to go back to their place.
I then walk to Tatenda and we go to this club with reggae or whatnot. Expensive cover, so we don’t go and walk around. I end up meeting up with Bolanos on the train and take the 3:19 because I’m sobering up really hard now and just bored.
I then get a text from Lydia that shows what she texted Bolanos. She’s had a crush on him and just asked him to stay and hang out as people had ditched and it was just them. I tell her as a friend that he’s not interested. On the train, all he can do is keep complaining about it occurring. I explain that it’s a compliment. Why would a girl making a move on you be a horrible thing? It’s not the same for women because men generally aren’t hit on, but hey, take it for what it is. Enjoy the ego boost. I don’t think he gives up on it and it still bothers him.
We then decide on 4AM Bagel. The place does not open though. We instead go to Burger King as options are quite limited. It was a fun time. Great seeing so many faces tonight.
January 25, 2013
Earlier in the week, Kenny, Hasan, and I get some dinner. I haven’t seen that guy in forever and it’s good seeing him. Shit hasn’t been going too well with him, but we’ll see if I get to see him more.
This is the first week back in school. The stress and lack of sleep has been adding up. It’s hard to stay after class and read until 6-8:00 when you’re falling asleep trying to read. It’s a stressful week, but by the end of it on Thursday, I’m catching up on reading and it’s a great feeling to have a somewhat unstressful weekeend.
My class ends early today and I have a three day weekend. I stay on campus and get reading done for Monday’s class so I get to enjoy the weekend. I’m supposed to grab dinner with Erdem after work with Kenny. I sit around on campus and boom, obviously Erdem drops out last second. I catch up with Ela after I got my late Christmas gift from her yestersday, a wallet and a leather wristband.
I head home finally and the night is pretty slow. It’s fucking cold and I’m not excited for the weekend. Well, I want to be excited, but heading out in this bullshit is not going to work out. Fucking weather ruining my fun. Screw that shit.
At night, we go to Bolanos’ and watch some TV and have some beers. Bolanos’ car is shot so I go to Wendy’s and get the boys some food. I then go to H-Mart for beer, but it sucks balls. The beer selection there has fallen off the wagon there. No good. Being the snob I am and rejecting Brooklyn Brewery, I go to Walbaums. Yes, I went to another supermarket just so I could buy a different beer. Thankfully, I’m able to find Dogfish Head 60 Minutes. The seleciton is quite poor otherwise, but good thing they had this.
January 30, 2013
It’s a long day of class and I didn’t sleep well so after class, I take a nap in the library. I got no shame. If anything, maybe people expect it coming from an Asian.
It’s Kenny’s birthday tonight. I meet up with Kenny early at Good Beer. I’ve been recently obsessed with things for some reason. One is getting my wardrobe down. I’ve been constantly on Malefashionadvice on Reddit and trying to figure out what I need. Forget about spending money on clothes that don’t fit or stuff I no longer wear. I’m becoming a grown fucking man. I need clothes that I will wear and I will keep. Spend more now and end up spending less.
Another thing is being a beer snob and trying to search out the crème de la crème of the beer out there. The flight at Good Beer is okay. Jonah comes by and tells us about this douchebag that poked his eye accidentally and fucked it up. He had to go to the doctor and all that shit. His vision is now fucked and it’s messing him up. I hope he gets better.
Kenny and I then get a couple bottles of Maine Beer Co. It’s supposed to be the good stuff. We then meet Alon and Stefan at Mighty Quinn’s. Man that is the best barbecue in NYC. Erdem even makes a stop by and hangs with us for our dinner.
We then head to Proliteriat as Stefan becomes himself again. He starts complaining about how they ran out of ribs, despite how brisket and pulled pork are the things “to get” at this place. They explain that it is a day long process and it was unexpected that it ran out. Shit happens. He then says that they should get that shit shipped in from another place if they’re gonna run out. Sort of destroys the whole point of the restaurant.
We hang for some beer while Kenny and Erdem go get Puddin’ next door. After some pretty interesting beers, Erdem wants to leave so we all hop and squeeze into his car. It’s a stacked car and we swap the ridiculous stories of when we went to BK to a concert and people were vomitting outside of Erdem’s window on the BQE. Then that time CNF was feeding Spamps with matzoh because Spamps was too busy playing Smash Bros. He was fucked up from a shot, beer chug, and bong hit thing. Whatever they call that.
Erdem does a weird thing because we’re at the 59th Street Bridge and he talks the highway uptown until the RFK, then pays a toll. Apparently being “on the highway the whole time” means that it’s faster instead of a direct route. Anyway, it’s good to see our man. He’s been coming through and hanging with the old pals. Good times. Good times.
February 7, 2013
Kenny and Bolanos come over. Between Kenny and I, we have 4 Maine Brewery Co. beers. My favorite brewery so far. Every single one was spectacular. All up there in their styles as being some of my favorite.
We chat and have some drinks. It’s an easy fun time. Getting that beer snobbery going.
February 9, 2013
I go looking for my favorite beer of all time, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. They unfortunately don’t have it, but I still end up grabbing some beers. I spend fucking almost $60, but hey, you gotta spend to drink. Maybe next time though I’ll be better about purchases, pickier, and walk in knowing what I want to try.
I go into the city and it’s nice and snowy. The city looks wonderful with snow. I go to Fish Bar and wait for Aaron with a drink. I haven’t been here in a while and it’s taking a while waiting. I wait 30 minutes and then head east to meet Stefan and Sara. Stefan is being stubborn about meeting at Fish Bar. We then go to Idle Hands. Aaron is being too stubborn to come east now. Fuck me, I’m in the middle of two horribly stubborn people. I just want to have fun and drink tonight, why do people have to be so annoying.
We then move onto The Library. After hanging out for a bit, Bolanos says he’s leaving the city and it’s only 12-12:30 or so. I end up deciding to ditch the night. I got my drank on and people want to soon split. It’s freezing and snowy and getting a ride would be nice.
We both agree strongly about El Rey del Taco. I stupidly order spicy pork along with the hot sauce they put in. While sitting in Bola’s car, I’m sweating and heeing and hawing like a little girl.
I run into the bodega to get a drink and then I realize that this place has a crazy good beer selection. It’s just a bodega, but has the selection of the beer store that I went into earlier. So what a good mistake with the spicy food because now I ended up buying a stout that I’ve been looking for.
February 10, 2013
Today is the Super Bowl. I take the train with Evan and Bolanos. It’s windy and cold, yuck. We go to Stefan’s place because that’s where he’s throwing a shindig. I ideally would like to be at a bar with drunk people and all kinds of noise, but this is lovely as well. Hannah and Miah bring some amazing bread that they’ve made. Stefan, Sara, Tork, Evan, Alon, Emma, and Matt are there.
The bread that was made and wings that Stefan got for us were more than enough for dinner. I’m filling myself up on beer (Goose Island Madame Rose, a sour Flemish red ale. No one likes it except Sara. It’s literally passed around the room and everyone pretty hate does not enjoy). It gets pretty gross from the all bread, beer, and chips. I think I might have finished half a container of gooey Tostitos cheese sauce myself.
The game is pretty good and a lot closer than expected. The Beyonce show was pretty decent, although I expected Jay Z to come out instead of the rest of Destiny’s Child.
February 6, 2013
The plan today is going to Uncle Barry’s and meeting Miah and Kenny. They have a rare beer, The Alchemist Heady Topper. It’s #1 on Beer Advocate. After class, I head to Park Slope. It’s good seeing Miah whenever we get a chance.
We’re quite lucky to find this as people elsewhere in America, even Vermont apparently, where the brewery is located, have a very hard time finding this beer. It lives up to its hype. Definitely one of my favorite beers. It’s freaking delicious.
Then onto Victory Storm at the Sea, an incredible coffee vanilla porter. Two amazing beers, back to back, hells yeah. We then get some Latin dinner, which is aight. And then onto a cool dessert time at Chocolate Room. We then split off and Kenny is able to get me onto the LIRR for free.
I actually find out that I don’t have class, so there we go, 4 day weekend. I spend the night just chilling out and enjoying the fact that I’m off. I’ll do work in a day or two when I’m stuck in the blizzard that is in coming.
February 7, 2013
I get up and plan on going into the city. I need to buy some pricier goods, including Allen Edmonds shoes. They’ll be my first pair of “the” shoes that I’ll wear. I need to get sizing down at AE, Clark’s, Gap, and Nordstrom Rack, maybe get some shopping down as well. The earlier I size, the earlier I can start looking for sales to occur online and pounce on them.
I walk outside and hmm and haw. It’s quite cold, 30 degrees, and I don’t know if I want to get the whole trip into the city without much else to do, no other plans, and deal with walking in this weather. I decide to give up and to walk back inside. I can do it in a few weeks when the weather is better.
I then go to Fairway to do some food shopping. I’ve been in the mood to make and eat tacos recently. I go shopping for the materials and then I pick up some great beer as well, Bear Repbulic Red Hop Rye and Stone Self Righteous. I go home and find out that mom and grandma are eating at aunt’s, so I’ll save cooking for tomorrow.
The big blizzard is coming in so I try to grab people to go out. I’ll be stuck indoors all weekend, so this would be nice to get out. However, no one is around, so it’s just Bolanos and I tonight.
February 9, 2013
The blizzard wasn’t as bad as expected, so we get to go out tonight. Bolanos and I go to Black Sheep. I’ve been beer crazy, so it’s awesome that they have cans of Ten Fidy, the best Imperial Stout I have yet to have.
Matt brings a friend and Dimitri. Matt is annoying about how this place is crowded, so we go to this really shit fucking bar. Every single person is older than us. The youngest is maybe late 20s, though most people look like they’re parents already. Granted, the place has a good live rock bad. We sit there for a second.
Matt then gets stubborn again and wants to go to Astoria for tacos. I would rather go to Black Sheep, since we’re still in Mineola, but we drive all the way to Astoria now. It’s alright in the end despite it being winter ice cold. I prefer being out than not. We go to Sweet Afton and have some beers and tacos.
I actually stop by the beer store bodega again and get an Old Rasputin and Founder’s Breakfast Stout.
February 11, 2013
It’s a really bad sleeping weekend and I pass out on campus after class despite it only being Monday. I gather my energy and head into the city for a Yelp event. I first go to the Clark’s and try some shoes on for size. I recently realize my feet are smaller than I had been shopping. Clark’s runs big so I’m apparently a 6.5 I go to Allen Edmonds, swanky ass shoe store and get some fitting going. Some beautiful shoes going on over there. Gotta get some soon. Then to J Crew and find some shirts that fit and need to wait until they go on sale.
I then meet Stefan for some banh mi and then we go to the event in Flatiron. It’s a nice bar/pub kind of place. There’s free gin and beer and we’re rocking those. Stefan gets into a really awkward and innocently douchey conversation with Jane K., one of the people that runs this shit.
She tries to take a picture and Stefan refuses. I agree to one. He then gets into a conversation about how he can’t be on Yelp because he’s a doctor and doesn’t want people giving him bad reviews. Why feedback is a bad thing is beyond me, but whatever. It is what it is. She clearly is not interested in his bitching, but he keeps going on and I try to settle down the tension and play it off as a joke.
The right way to deal with the situation? Smile and kindly turn down the picture. Thank the person for running this event and having your butt there for free liquor and raffles for money at the bar. There’s no need to go on bashing the site that frankly, you use a shit ton. No harm in the end, but sometimes…
We then get into a conversation with this really ugly girl about how she went to NYU Law and clerks for a judge in NJ. We chat a bit. I bounce between the conversation and hanging with my Yelp friend, Richard. He’s drunk and tries to wing for me, introducing me to these 3 cute Asian girls. We aren’t having any of it. Funny thing, Stefan and I were having this conversation earlier. I was trying to say an “Asian dating” site wouldn’t work because Aisan girls aren’t going out of there way looking for Asian men, unlike Christian or Jewish dating sites. He apparently didn’t think that existed. Voila, here’s evidence.
The lawyer lady eventually leaves and the conversation seems to have went well. Stefan talks about how if he wasn’t dating, the girl probably would have been interested for his number. It wasn’t obvious, but they got along well enough. The real question though is why he would. I didn’t bash him enough about it at the event. Maybe I had beer goggles on, but the next day, I just got annoyed and scared thinking about that situation. That girl was fugly as hell. She wasn’t even fat, with enough junk and she’s in the awkward not chubby, but still gross mode. And that face, smacked with an ugly stick. It’s hard to give a girl that isn’t mordibly obese at 1 or 2, but this gal deserved it.
I legit asked Stefan if he would go out on a date with this gal and he said Yes. In all seriousness. I try to shake him off of that and in the end, I just said, “You know what buddy, I’m just glad you’re dating Sara.” Yeesh, I couldn’t imagine what garbage our boy could get round up in. Not bashing, I love the kid. Just seems a bit of standard because he’s a good catch.
We then it a night after the event is over. It was fun hanging out on the weekday and shooting the shit with my pal.
February 12, 2013
It’s a decently long day of class and one of the girls in our class made an event at night to meet up at a nearby bar. Invited over half the class and fucking event says only 5 peoeple are going. What a joke. I know it’s law school, but people need to let loose a bit.
I put my head down for a second and stay on campus getting ahead on reading. I wait for Bolanos and we meet up at 9:30 or so. We plan on getting tacos, but this restaurant is swankish and looking like a date spot. I make fun of Bolanos for awkwardness sometimes, but I agreed with him as he slowly backed away from the door and reconsidered our dinner plans.
We go to the bar immediately instead and get some tacos. We meet up with 4 of my other classmates. I drink some absurdly good beer and I’m snobbing out like crazy. Shit be good. Ballast Point Sculpin, best IPA.
February 14, 2013
It’s been a relatively rough week for me, but I finally get some sleep and today feels great. It’s warm and I only have one class. I get ahead on reading and can’t wait for a 4 day weekend. After my club meeting, I head home. I get some crazy errands done.
In the end, I don’t really get any shopping done as I’ll have to return the stuff as I decided when I got home. It’s a constant shopping and returning process for me.
At night, I chill out and then Bolanos heads over. We were supposed to hang with Kenny and go crazy drinking some sick good beers. Instead, Bolanos and I just split a few sick beers and talk some shit.
February 15, 2013
I wake up in the middle of the night and the back of my mouth is killng me. It hurt a bit during the day, but now it’s really painful. It fucks up with my sleeping and is quite painful.
I get up eventually and eat some food. I have an 8 page paper to write all today. I was reading to do it as I didn’t really drink much the night before. I could get my work done, it’s due at 9PM, and then I can head out for some plans. Sounds great. It’s Presidents Day.
However, I’m just in pain and it fucks up my body. I take a 2-3 hour nap. Possibly from not sleeping and just the pain wanting my body to rest. I finally pull through my work from 4-5:00 to 9:00PM and submit it last minute. I call my mom and tell her to get the dentist and make an appointment tomorrow.
I’m sure this is my wisdom teeth coming out. With my past few dentist appointments, the dentist said my wisdom teeth should be pulled out. I didn’t really know what to do, my mom just ignored it and said that I didn’t need it. Granted, I agree with that to a certain extent. Don’t fuck with shit that isn’t fucked up. However, turns out that my wisdom teeth are coming in in the wrong direction.
I remember the flu and how miserable I was. This day has been too. Swallowing is painful, opening my mouth to try to eat one on side is painful, even touching my jaw and a quarter of my neck/face is painful. Tomorrow is my appointment and I hope everything is okay. That I don’t need to get my wisdom teeth taken out and that it can be fixed quickly.
I’m excited for plans dammit! I made an event for Reuben tomorrow and I wouldn’t be able to go if I was all drugged up, not able to eat, and all in pain
Less importantly I guess, but still extremely important is that I also needed to get some law school work done. I personally have such a hard time doing that when in pain. It’s so distracting all you want to do is just sit back, chill out, and do anything to keep your mind off your misery.
February 21, 2013
Well I had my tooth pulled out last Saturday. It’s Thursday now and it’s finally feeling better. I was scared about getting dry socket and fucking shit up really bad, but I should be fine. Eating all week has sucked. I’ve just been eating steamed chicken and rice from Chinese take out for lunch.
I have a memo due next week and I plan on getting a shit ton done. I thankfully get a lot of reading done, but I’m still not as ahead as I would like. Kenny turns out to be free today, so I go meet him to have some Hill Farmstead Everett. A crazy brewery that is one of the best in the country, but so freaking limited that you can’t get that shit out of Vermont even. Now they have in Alphabet City?! I’m going.
I have one class, at 12:45, I’m off to the city. Fried chicken and biscuit at BobWhite Supper Counter. What an incredible lunch. We then go next door to Alphabet Beer Co. and have this amazing porter. It unfortunately did not blow our minds, but still maybe the best porter I have ever had. Amazing beer is still amazing. We also have this crazy snack that they make for the bar, toasted pretzel bites with sriracha and oil. So good.
We then go downtown to Top Hops, the best beer store in NYC. We scope out some beer and then get a flight. With the food and the couple of beers, the “itis” is hitting us and we head back. We chill out for the night and then meet up again at night. This time with Bolanos over at night place. Drink a beer more, talk some shit, etc. This was by far the one of the best food and drinks days that I have had recently. Good times.
February 22, 2013
It’s finally time to go out. It’s cold, but I can finally go out after having my tooth pulled and not going out for almost 2 weeks now. I coordinate with some people and head into the city with Bolanos. Aaron is complainy so we go to Jake’s Dilemma. Surprisingly, Evan is down to hang so we meet up with him and Aaron. We have a beer there and then go to the worst place, Bourbon Street.
There’s a cheap pitcher there, $7! Sick deal. I ask about the 5-6 girls that are sitting around at a table on their phones and doing nothing. I think us assholes are idiots for being at a table ourselves, but these girls, I somewhat feel bad, but whatever. I can’t put my finger down on what I’m trying to say, but it was an observation. Then we notice 4 guys literally all on their phones at the same time sitting to the table next to ours. What a small world of idiot goon dudes doing nada.
We then take a cab to Pony Bar. I have some incredible amazing Troegs Batch 83. At a table, a girl actually strikes up a conversation with Bolanos. Good for him. He ends up getting her number after we bother him a bit about it. Aaron ends up splitting up and Bolanos and I wait around for the 319. Only live once baby.
We go to a bar that is supposed to have Yelp deal drinks, but then it’s actually closed. At 1:00-2:00?! What a fucking joke. We go across the street to a beer bar and how some killer beers. He gets Dirty Bastard while I’m on Smuttynose Robust Porter.
We then get hungry and run over to White Castle on the way to the train. Jump on the train. It was a sick and good drinking night. Good to see my boys again and be out in the best city in the world. Can’t ask for better stuff than this.
March 2, 2013
I’ve been searching for Stone’s Enjoy By 04.01.13 beer. I finally find it at Fairway. Lovely beer. Got some clothes shopping going on. There’s much work with ordering stuff online and then having to return it.
Finding chinos has taken forever, but I finally found some Lived In Skinny at Gap. Then got a sick anorak. Got two shirts from J Crew, though they’ll need to tailored. Roll up the sleeves, I’ll rock them like that for now.
Still need to work on buying some Clark’s Desert Boots, another pair of sneakers, a casual classy shoe like Allen Edmon Strand, a few more Oxford from J Crew when those shoot up for sale. Then suit and dress shoes will have to occur soon as well.
March 9, 2013
It’s Jeremiah’s bday tonight. I got so angry when I accidentally invited Matt. Miah didn’t want him to come so I texted him not to. He then makes it seem like a joke. He wanted to still come and the more I told him more clearly not to come, he wanted to come even more. I told him eventually to jump off a bridge instead of worrying about what he was doing. I was so fucking angry dealing with his ass for 20-30 minutes.
We go to Spritzenhaus and apparently Kenny and Bolanos were having a date for an hour. They didn’t think to contact Miah, despite going there FOR his birthday. I got to the bar and was so confused because I expected them to be there already. They were already, just on a date, fucking weirdos.
Kenny and I then go to the new bar Torst while the others are at another bar. I then split rom them. I wish I could’ve hung with Miah more. I’ll hopefully see him soon.
I go to Marsha’s bday. It’s a truly a fun time. There’s music, a roof, dancing. Lots of fun. I get to chat with people that I don’t usually speak to. It’s a really fun time. Parties are the best.
March 10, 2013
I go with Jenn to get some Mexican at Taco Coatzingo. It’s pretty decent. We chat about how she’s quite busy with work. I catch her up about the group. It’s great having some dinner before the week of class starts and chatting with Jenn.
March 14, 2013
Bolanos is sick as a dog. Kenny and I grab a bottle of Enjoy By by Stone and Rogue Chocolate Stout. We have the Enjoy By and he finally gets to try Bourbon County Brand Stout. We chat and geek out on beer. I also show him some sick Ali G videos.
March 15, 2013
It’s Friday, but I stay inside because I have midterms during the week. I catch up on some writing and studying, but not too much.
March 16, 2013
I go into the city and hang with Stefan and Sara. I tried to get other people to come out, but people ended up ditching. It’s a fun time seeing two of my favorite people. Stefan is hilarious chatting about how Shauna, despite being pregnant should bartend his birthday. We go to Josie’s and Jen, who tells us about Shauna in more detail, seems almost offended that he would say such a thing.
However, over the weekend, I don’t get much work done. I’m such a bad procrastinator and I wish I was better, but then again, I do get my shit done during the week.
March 19, 2013
I’ve been beer crazy recently.
Here’s a crazy video about how two of the tippy top best beers in the world were blind taste tested against a top tier IPA and they lost:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccfkmhftcNU
I then read about how Maine Beer Co., one of my favorite breweries, actually sells by volume, some of the most expensive beer in the country. Some disappointing news when I realized this. Then again, quality be coming with a price.
Break is soon, I have so much beer to try and drink.
March 21, 2013
I have my last midterm today. I think the midterms went okay in general, but we’ll see. It’s been quite a stressful semester. I then have to redo a paper and stick on campus for 6 hours despite getting out of class at 1:00. I then meet up Bowen, Kenny, Jonah, Alon, Tom, and Aaron at Pies and Thighs. We’re rolling deep.
We go to Torst for some sick delicious beers. We then hang at Spritzenhaus.
It’s such a good time. Good food, good beer, good people around, and my spring break just freaking started dammit.
March 22, 2013
I go to Marissa’s birthday. She’s a law school friend and I go to her apartment first to pregame. It’s a good time drinking and making sure that I don’t get gouged at the bar. I actually noticed that one of her friends is this really cute redhead, but actually, later in the night, one of the guys that is known for being a drunk lush ends up hooking up with her. Regrets.
Anyway, we go to The Park in Meatpacking. My bro, Kevin, is there and being super drunk and obnoxious. It’s quite hilarious and at one point, he gets kicked out. He then sneaks at back in, but the bouncers see him and immediately kick him out. It’s quite funny, and he didn’t really offend anyone, though he did sort of piss in a corner of the lounge. Aaron and Reuben are there.
Reuben and I then go to a bar and have a couple drinks before I head back. It was a funy time with everyone.
March 23, 2013
I go into the city with TA and Bola. I was supposed to get Mighty Quinns with him and Reuben, but then the wait was too long. I instead go to South Brooklyn Pizza and use my Living Social. I then have a beer with the boys and wait for a sec and then go to Lorie’s party. It’s a sick pregame/party. Frank, Marissa, Jared, Arlene, Sammy, Neal. It’s a fun time chatting, dancing, and pregaming with them.
Marissa and I go to Dunkin and we hang out for a bit. We take a cab downtown to the Donnybrook, but then she’s tired so I get out of the cab as she takes it uptown. I go to Double Down for a sec and meet everyone. It’s a fun time dancing and shit and I recap the night with Kevin, who shows up. Jared is nice enough to buy me a beer despite us never chatting before this night.
Arlene’s a cute gal and we dance for a bit. She thankfully dropped the boyfriend bomb earlier when chatting about her spring break back home in Arizona soon. I end up leaving at 2:00 and planning to meet up with Bolanos to catch the train home. I try to get a cab, but it’s stupidly busy in the city tonight for some reason. I then jump down to the subway, but it just left as I can see how many people are waiting on the platform. I can tell that this isn’t going to be enough time, so I leave. I try to catch a cab and then I just give up. I go to Iggy’s for a beer. I also grab a slice of dollar pizza. I think about going back to the bar, but then I find out that Reuben is down to hang out a bit before last call. We go with his friend to Rattle n Hum for a beer and chill out for a bit.
I then go to get some more junk food at White Castle. Shit, beer tonight and vodka tonight. I then get some South BK pizza, $1 pizza, and White Castle. Been gaining weight and too busy/lazy to workout. Whatever, when it gets warmer, I’ll be better about it.
March 28, 2012
Some writing from an argument I had with Tork on Facebook.
I do not see that distinction. I could argue that gay marriage is conduct and prohibiting polygamy prohibits the rights of polygamists. So yes, I would argue that those who are in polygamist or incestuous relationships are intrinsically so, just as people may be born intrinsically homosexual.
When the Supreme Court upheld a bigamy statute in Reynolds v. United States, it allowed for a statute that target a single classification, polygamists. Baker v. Nelson was not such an explicit denial of rights. Historical animus? Look no further.
And see, this is exactly where my issue arises. You say you are not for moral relativism, which is fine, but then you have you go all-in. Everything. And while I personally support allowing for polygamy, I am not willing to say things are right and wrong so clearly. I understand that politically this country will not allow for it, possibly in my life time, and I cannot say that is definitively a constitutional matter. I find the argument that Loving is analogous to gay marriage as simply a "convenient" argument.
I'll specifically bite on polygamy. Lets get real here. The reason it is not legally allowed by States or considered by the Supreme Court is because of morals. There no actual boundaries. This exact kind of bigoted excuse making that would have been said about the idea of gay marriage half a century ago. If you are someone thinks it is truly something else other than the personal perceptions people have about polygamy, fuck you, I don't need to talk you.
Exploitation, abuse? Nonsense. Domestic abuse is one of the most wretched things women, in heterosexual marriages, in this country deal with. And there surely are loving and peaceful polygamous relationships. Their rights are not to be disregarded based upon the unfitting relationships of others. If so, get rid of all marriage.
Custody, inheritance? First , this begins an assumption that people do no deserve rights because, "What would happen to our laws?!?!" Stop it. We are going to be lawyers and happy to see these laws passed and adjusted by legislatures. I feel no pity for legislators having to rewrite laws.
And second, gay marriage has these issues with artificial insemination and adoption. Inheritance, divorce, alimony, wills, changing forms of property in the 21st century, etc., all these issues have constantly changed within States since the common law. With stocks, bonds, child support, divorced parents, remarried parents, and more, family law is quite complicated, but more than apt to deal with a changing conception of marriage.
We go to Black Sheep at night. Matt and Toph come through. I have some sick good beers and it’s really enjoyable. Kenny seems a bit disillusioned by beer as finding there is so little to enjoy, where as Bolanos and I seem to enjoy a decent amount more, especially me with styles and all that. It is what it is. I’m going to keep going enjoying whatever wonderful beers I can find.
March 29, 2013
I go into the city to hang with Jesse and Teddy at 11:00. I have nothing to do and people aren’t down to hang out. I catch up with them at a restaurant and then we go to Blind Tiger. It’s a good time. I have a couple beers and it’s a fun time chilling because I otherwise would have been home myself tonight.
March 30, 2013
I get to catch up with Ela at night. She’s home for Easter and I grab a beer, chat get ready, and try to make plans. Avi and Evan are supposed to meet up with me, they end up ditching. Bolanos is busy with something. I take a train into the city and I go to Hop Devil despite the plan being Gin Palace at 10:00.
Aaron is in Astoria and doesn’t get into the city until about 11:00-11:30. Jesse is supposed to come, it takes her a while. Jonah was supposed to meet up, but goes to Stout to meet up with Candace. Marisa I end up texting and trying to get downtown, but she just woke up and doesn’t feel like coming down.
So basically things have fell through. I text Luna and Bowen as I have a few beers at Hop Devil and Proletariat. After a couple beers and waiting for an hour or so, I end up meeting at Bowery Electric with Aaron. Sam comes through and it’s actually Sydnee’s bday. I haven’t seen them in a while.
It’s good catching with Aaron about shit. It’s our last weekend night out before classes start again. It’s fun because it seems to be a girl’s night out for them. Unlike it usually with the bro’s night out, it’s just Aaron and I with a bunch of gals. Aaron ends up leaving and I’m here myself as I meet up with Jesse and Teddy.
I end up realizing that I’m quite drunk, but still leave. I would have liked to probably stay and hang with the girls, but another time, another place.
April 4, 2013
During the week, I did some beer hunting and able to find Founder’s KBS and Maien Co. Lunch. Happy to find these rare beers.
I get some work done and have nothing to do at night and people don’t want to do anything. I end up running Black Sheep Ale for a Firestone Walker Sucaba. Worth the trip for a quick drink by myself and back to home. Gotta relax.
April 5, 2013
Tonight seems pretty dead and I end up going to the city last second to meet up with Jesse, even though I had plans to have some beers with Kenny. We meet up with Avi and this girl I recognize, Liza. I know her! Even more than just a little. I’ve spoken to her a bunch and in my head I know I have. There’s a sense of familiarity, but I can’t put my finger one.
I look it up on the blog the next day. I find out that it’s Nikki’s friend, Nikki as in Scott’s old roomate. Now this makes sense. I’ve met her only a couple times and it was a year ago before Scott left. The context also confused me because it was not around Nikki. I now realize that the connection makes sense from Avi meeting her because Scott knows Nikki, etc.
The four of us grab a few drinks and then Aaron meets up. Avi and Liza end up leaving. We move out to meet up with Teddy for a burger at Veselka.We then split up. It was a good time just hanging for a bit. Things seemed bleaked and it was good to get some fresh air after spending 5 horus in Panera doing work.
April 6, 2013
I head into Astoria to meet up with Stefan for his friend Hakeem’s bday. We watch the rest of a NCAA game at the bar. We then go to Strand Smokehouse, which is an awesome big beer garden/BBQ spot. It’s a great place to chill for a drink and then we go to a pool place. I meet the peeps there. Stefan and I gamble on foozeball and Big Buck. I lose in foozeball and then I beat him in Big Buck.
Stefan and I then go to El Rey. I ask for everything and start dying from spice. We have to go to Sweet Afton for a bathroom break. Stefan ends up bothering this guy on his phone waiting for the bathroom.When he goes in, despite ignoring Stefan earlier, he starts berating Stefan and calling him all these homophobic things. What a douche.
His friend comes over and tries to defuse the situation. Stefan keeps shouting that the guy is being “racist.” The funny times with Stefan.
The fucking stupid subway is a piece of shit and it takes me almost 2 hours to head home through the subway and then the LIRR because the subway is so darn slow.
April 11, 2013
It’s been a long week and I feel like getting some beer drinking done. Bolanos comes over and I finally have a tasting with Rochefort 10, St. Bernardus 12, and Chimay Reserve Blue. Nice quads, then onto Maine Beer Co. Lunch, then Rogue Hazelnut Nectar Brown, and Founder’s Breakfast Stout. Had lots of beer yum. Not the cheapest night of drinking beer, but “cheap” in the context of buying beer from the store compared to just having beers in a night out.
April 12, 2013
Toph is nice enough to drive Bolanos, Matt, and I to Strand in Astoria. It’s a cool place and we just sit around talking some shit, eating some BBQ, and having some beer. We then go to Sweet Afton as the others get some tacos. It’s a good time just talking some shit and hanging with the guys.
I’ve been trying to be a good friend these days and catch up with people. Corinne might visit in a few weeks. Oceane chatted about breaking up with her b/f. Katie is coming back from Seoul as her thing ends or whatever. Bowen and I text about tv shows and films. I messaged Adam, Enoch’s friend, as I remember he was a beer geek, but apparently stopped drinking for the month as a personal goal or something.
April 13, 2013
I had a really weird time sleeping. I’m bored at night and need to make moves. Aaron tells me to meet up at Loreley at 10:00. I jump in the shower, shave, get dressed, and throw everything into my pockets, take a quick whiskey shot. All in 13 minutes. I text Marisa and she’s down to meet up. She’s apparently on campus and doing work all day. I convinced her to come out. We all need that sometimes. You sit around, busy, time rolls around to get out because you’ve accomplished, but then, you need that nudge or a plan to get you off your ass and have some fun.
Aaron and I chat about some random stuff. Marisa eventaully comes through and gets to meet Aaron. Jenny that I’ve met and a few guys and a few girls come through. We play some card games. I hang with Marisa and we just tlak some random stuff. This guy there has a really cool experience about living in Portugal and learning Portuguese in 3 months. I get super jealous of these cool people.
I order in German and I thank in German. I guess my pronuncation is good so the waiter responds in German when I ask about the tab/bill, etc.
Aaron eventually splits when he apparently things don’t seem to be working with the girl he wanted to work on tonight. We hang for a bit, then girls split, I lead the gang to Spitzer’s. They have Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti. When I order it, the bartender says that’s her favorite. Cute lady likes this shit? I tell her that there’s Espresso Oak Aged and she’s surprised there is. Hey, giving good tips to fellow beer lovers.
I was willing to stay super late, but people are splitting, so I just leave and get home on the 3:04 train. I make sure this time to leave myself a shit ton of time for taking the subway.
A fun time in general. Busting balls with Atron, meeting new people, great German beers, what else is better.
