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.
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Summer Break Begins
May 18, 2012
I take it easy and just stay home. I woke up super late and feel quite hungover from last night. I have GoogaMooga to go to tomorrow, which I’m unbelievably excited for. I got free tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. Tom is coming tomorrow since I offerred on Thursday.
It’s the first time they’re trying this out. It’s a food, booze, and music festival in Prospect Park. The weather is going to be amazing. Most importantly, there are dozens and dozens of food vendors from all over the city. It’s great that the tickets were free, but I would’ve paid for the tickets. I’ve tried a few of the places, but so many of them I haven’t. Also, a bunch of them are expensive restaurants that I wouldn’t visit if it weren’t for this festival. I’d rather spend money on a bunch of bites there than an expensive lunch or dinner at a really nice place. That’s just me.
May 19, 2012
I’m on a really bad sleep schedule and wake up at 6:00AM and can’t sleep for two hours while I watch some TV and eat some breakfast. I was planning to maybe getting to Brooklyn past noon. However, I end up getting there at about 3:30 after going back to sleep and finally catching up on sleep.
It’s a gorgeous day and when I get to Prospect Park, it’s a real freaking shit show. Everything is long long lines. I also realize that there’s absolutely no service. Aaron supposed to be there, but no way of contacting him. Tom is supposed to come too, but I can’t get to him. It looks really fun, there are loads of people and atmosphere, the weather is incredible, I see the vendors and I want to try everything, but the lines are too much.
I end up waiting on a line for beer because having a few beers before I wait on food lines would make things a lot easier. People on line are also by themselves because of the lack of phone service and we are all in misery. Sober, extremely hungry, and frustrated with line waiting. After an hour, I order three beers for $21 and chug them while I wait for this someone short line for a Jean Gorges chicken sandwich. Mad, I pretty shwasted considering I haven’t eaten all day.
I eventually get a text from Aaron that says the place is all lines and he leaves. I run out to get service after my sandwich and find Tom. We stand around, grab a dessert, check the place out, wait way too long for a mediocre burger, and leave. People that I know from school who went had a good idea of just leaving the placce and enjoying Park Slope. There are restaurants and bars without hour long waits.
Despite the really cool situation and the freaking unbeliveable amount of gorgeous New York women, the place was literally all lines. Even water was served on the “beverage” line, along with beer, so people probably were dehydrated on a hot summer day and had to wait an hour for anything. Good thing the porta-potties didn’t have lines, otherwise it would’ve been an actual shit show.
I was so looking forward to this, but it turned out to be the worst thing ever. Ridiculous lines because there were just too many people. I really hope next year they just sell/give out half the amount of tickets.
They were planning 40,000 people, which they knew about based on the amount of tickets they gave away. They advertised it well, they got all these great restaurants and beers to be served. They made a cool iPhone app for the event that would’ve been quite useful (if there was service…). For the specialty tickets, they got David Chang, Bourdain, and other celebrities to come to talk. They got Hall and Oates and the Roots to play. They set up these really cool looking signs, tents, and decorative pieces. However…
They did set it up for 40,000 people. Vendors quickly ran out of food. They didn’t have enough vendors/they gave away too many tickets considering the lines. They didn’t have free water or a separate line for water. They had this stupid “ticket” system like a fair. You wait an hour to buy “tickets” and then there’s no wait for specialty beer at these tents where you exchange “tickets” for beer or wine. Or wait on regular beverage lines for beer or drinks for an hour. Choose your poison. They somehow ignored the fact that people would not have service, which is absolutely atrocious. What are we, in the 80s?
Well, I guess my super exciting start to summer did not go off with a bang.
Tom and I go to Keybar and just start drinking. We had nothing to do. His friend comes, who has his birthday. The guy also comes with this really huge skeev. He’s wearing an open Hawaiian shirt with his wife beater showing, along with his gut. He has this weird cap on with little nerdy buttons. He bums a few cigarettes off of me and then starts drinking people’s drinks off of the table. He asks for free money from us because he has “no money” on him. When we’re talking about drinks, he suggests that birthday guy buys everyone a round of drinks. And the guy is like… “Why don’t you buy me drinks since it’s MY birthday….”
He eventually says he has cab money and Tom suggests he can buy his own drink and take a subway. He literally scoffs at the idea of taking a subway. It’s not even a consideration for him. The guy is a real Scumbag Steve. He also suggests that we go to a place with more girls. He already failed when he walked up to these 4 really cute blonde Scandanavian girls. Yeah, Hawaiian shirt with wife beater and gut is really going to find a lot of girls.
Kenny, Alon, Scott, and Nikki come. We hang for a bit and people end up splitting. We go to this new speakeasy beer bar. We then call it a night and I take the 1:19 home. It’s been a hella long day.
May 20, 2012
Instead of going to GoogaMooga for that shit show I expected again, I went to a Yelp event. I get into Nolita after 3:00PM and go to this new restaurant/bar that’s opening up. The food is absolutely delicious, best food I’ve had at an event. Usually, it’s just finger bites, but here, they gave us plates of food, buffet style. It was straight out of the kitchen instead of sitting there randomly. Along with vodka drinks, it’s a decent time.
Towards the end of the event, I just split and go for a walk in SoHo/Nolita. Just a beautiful neighborhood and great weather again. I see this bakery that I’ve wanted to go to and never been and grab an almond croissant. Also an iced coffee because I’m thirsty as hell with all booze and walking.
I randomly run into these French people who are playing instruments. It’s sort of this Lord of the Rings kind of stuff. Old fashioned, Celtic or something style. The cool random stuff in New York. Eventually, it’s 7PM and I give up on walking around and soaking in the sites.
I’m online and find out that Sunday GoogaMooga turned out to be a lot better. I guess people found out about what a shit show Saturday was. I was even planning to maybe go both days, but after Saturday, I just gave my tickets away to Miah and Hannah. I assume I could’ve tried harder to sell them on Craigslist for $40 a pop or something, but I gave up, especially since Miah asked for them.
Stefan and Sara went too. Sucks that I didn’t go when the lines weren’t as bad, but I couldn’t have known and I wasn’t willing to take the risk. Whatever, there’s always next near.
May 21, 2012
I want to be productive week and I’m slowly working on that. I make a huge list of things I want to get done and I only really touch on it today. I clean my room, organize loads of shit, catch up on the Sunday TV shows, get some blog writing done, catch some of my YouTube subscriptions, etc.
I pick up this new show called Legend of Korra, it’s animated and nothing too amazing, but pretty good and I love the drawing.
May 22, 2012
I’m on the worst sleep schedule and sleep super late and then wake up in the afternoon. By now, I barely have any time and all I can do is plan the dinner that I’ve been planning to make for mum since Mother’s Day. She’s been busy.
Anyway, chicken liver with balsamic on sourdough bread. Thin spaghetti with a creamy leek and salmon sauce with crispy salmon skin garnish. I go easy on the dessert, caramelized bananna with toasted macadamias. I would’ve been a lot better ice cream than just by itself.
At night, Aaron wants to go out and I’m planning to do so and get all ready, but he backs out on last second because it’s late.
May 23, 2012
Same issue with my sleep again. I wake up around 10:00, but then get exhuasted again and sleep into the afternoon. I start watching F-Word while I get some writing and random things done. I love Ramsay and I’ve seen all of his series (plural?). I’m 99% sure I’ve seen this before, but I decide to watch it again, fast forward through some of it, and gather some of the recipes that I want to try out this summer.
I go to Macy’s to buy a handmixer. $30 gg. I wish I owned a professional KitchenAid stand mixer to make baking and other desserts easier, but whatever. I also have a Macy’s coupon and get this on sale V-neck in the Boys section for $7. I’ve seen them cheaper, but it’s hard to find my sizes at stores and the lady at the counter compliments my shopping prowess.
Then off to make compost cookies, which I kill this time. It’s still hard to get the baking down to a science, with the temperature and timing. However, the recipe itself is real solid.
May 25, 2012
Jenn drives Kenny and I into the city. We had a late start and there was some traffic so we’re late. I made a reservation for the Brindle Room. It’s a big group of us at the restaurant, 9 people. When I get there, I find out that because we’re 6 or over, they have to make us do a prix fixe of $40. I’m not sure if everyone wants to do it and I ask, but Aaron and Kenny are vocal about not going. I let them know that they can find somewhere else to eat if everyone is willing to stay. It’s a bit of a strange move, but it’s possibly hard to get a table for 9 without reservations anyway so we’d just be walking around the area lost if people did not split off.
However, we quickly decide to turn down the restaurant, which is a bit awkward since they kept our table open for 50 minutes. Walking away and going to this burger place, Aaron mentions that Miah and Kenny have disappeared. We have a group of 7 of us and two people are missing. Personally, I’m surprised that Miah went off without saying anything. He barely said Hi and I haven’t seen him in months. Kenny on the other hand, he’s about doing his own thing, I didn’t expect much.
Aaron mentions it multiple times to me and really, I do not care. If they want to join us, they would call us and ask where. If they had manners, they would say they were going to do “x” and join us later. If they had common sense, they would ask where we were going at least and get an idea of they could do. Nope.
I later find out that they ended going to The Brindle Room. Okay, that is enough. It’s fine if you want to do your own thing and separate from the group. If you don’t have the manners to announce it, whatever, I’m not the courtesy police. I’m not going to teach you social norms.
However, I made reservations at this restaurant. I invited people through a Facebook event to make sure things would occur. I planned it with people and texted people to alert people we were late, what time we were getting there, and confirming the plans. I chose this restaurant because I wanted to try it and it also accomodated Eric Fidel and his tastes. I was in the contact with him because it was his last night left in New york.
But them two going to the restaurant anyway, sneaking off, and ignoring us is completely unacceptable. I suggested Kenny, Aaron, and whoever else wanted to could split off and they were not having it. So instead, we, as a group, decided to go somewhere else. But, these two, behind our backs, go to the restaurant anyway. They took advantage of the fact we left with my reservation still there and now they could order A La Carte. How fucking selfish.
Despite the plans, I did not end up going to the restaurant because it could not accommodate us. I’m not going to ignore everyone and just do what I want. That’s not how people operate. The group decided to go somewhere else and that’s what happened. I have the common sense to accept that issue.
And by the way, this is all really rooted from frugality. Kenny was only going for their moderately priced burger instead of their other menu options. It really is a shame that cheapness provoke this kind of shameless action.
I am very open to people’s personal choices and how they want to operate, but I draw lines. There’s not much to say about it. I don’t really care. I will just make sure I never invite these two to plans next time. If they want to plan things and do all the work, so be it. However, if there is going to be a group of people, I assume certain individuals will follow common courtesy. If not, I don’t need to accommodate their antisocial behavior. Adios.
Anyway, that’s my rant. We go to Blackmarket for a quick burger and then we go to a new spot that I love, Double Wide, a Southern style bar. Tasty Sweet Tea drinks, a Southern menu with stuff like Frito Pie that I still have to try, a decent beer selection, and even a bar area.
We sit there chatting around, along with Fidel’s two friends. Bolanos, Kenny, and Scott join in. Sam reminds me that her birthday is soon at Bowery Electric. She also mentions that she also might eventually move to Spain and teach there! Jeez, I’m freaking jealous. That’s going to be incredible. We hang out at Sophie’s and then Double Down. We meet up with Reuben and grab him a drink.
It’s our first true night out after Aaron and my first year of law school. Bolanos accomplishing 2L as well. It’s great being out. Seeing faces I usually don’t get to see.
May 26, 2012
Bolanos drives Evan and I into Brooklyn to one of my favorite beer gardens, Radegast. Stefan and Sara are there. Aaron with his friends, Murray, his new g/f, Nicole, Glenn, his g/f. I have a fun chat with Sara about studying abroad in Florence and how I studied in Prague. Then about how I’m planning to take a trip to Budapest. Good stuff.
I then catch up with Nicole, who I apparently have met before. It turns out that I have. The next day I remember when she was dating Shaq, I met her. It was at this bar where Bolanos got kicked out. He brought in a water bottle of SoCo and was flaunting it off near the bouncer like an idiot. Great times.
We then go to the bar across the street, which is really awesome. $4 beer and shot… AND they give you a beer cozy. Sick life. I’m past stealing random things from bars (though I will take coasters for my collection, but those are free/trash anyway). I had to have me a beer cozy though. Snatched that like the skeev that I am. Done deal.
May 28, 2012
Yesterday, I missed out on going to certain fairs in the city so today I want to get out. The MET is opened for Memorial Day so I go in at around 3:00. I really wish everyday was a holiday because traffic was easy. Parking was open everywhere. It was wild. It was as if I didn’t live in New York. Imagine that!
I’ve been to the museum at least 3 times in the past year, so 2 hours was a decent amount of me. I wanted to see the new exhibits. The Stein collection of Matisse and Piccaso was quite good. What blew me away however was the New American collection that had American Impressionists. Influenced from the Parisian Salon, they brought the French techniques and applied them to the northeast landscapes and cities. I am disappointed that I never knew about this work.
It’s hot as hell. I mistakingly walk out in jeans and that was a freaking bad idea. I look like a complete pig as I sweat my balls off. I’m feeling lazy and weird and I decide not go to to the East Village and grab a bite.
However, when I get on the bridge, I change my mind and decide to go into Astoria. I want to get King Falafel, which is quite famous in the food truck/vendor world. There’s also this street fair. I get there and the street fair sucks. The usual stuff you see, especially those shitty “Mozzearepas.” Very mediocre food. Also, I don’t need to buy pashminas, jewelry, or perfume. Jeez, they really curtail to the needs of women. Then again, what do men even need to buy or even want to buy, as most hate shopping.
I walk around like an idiot for a while and just give up on looking for food. I guess it’s the heat and walking around so much that gets me exhausted from wanting to be ambitious. I hadn’t eaten anything all day, but my legs hurting from walking is more of a deciding factor. I was actually planning to grab a bite somewhere, chill out at the bar for an afternoon beer, enjoy my day, and then go home at night. However, I’m out and out as quick as possible.
I take it easy and just stay home. I woke up super late and feel quite hungover from last night. I have GoogaMooga to go to tomorrow, which I’m unbelievably excited for. I got free tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. Tom is coming tomorrow since I offerred on Thursday.
It’s the first time they’re trying this out. It’s a food, booze, and music festival in Prospect Park. The weather is going to be amazing. Most importantly, there are dozens and dozens of food vendors from all over the city. It’s great that the tickets were free, but I would’ve paid for the tickets. I’ve tried a few of the places, but so many of them I haven’t. Also, a bunch of them are expensive restaurants that I wouldn’t visit if it weren’t for this festival. I’d rather spend money on a bunch of bites there than an expensive lunch or dinner at a really nice place. That’s just me.
May 19, 2012
I’m on a really bad sleep schedule and wake up at 6:00AM and can’t sleep for two hours while I watch some TV and eat some breakfast. I was planning to maybe getting to Brooklyn past noon. However, I end up getting there at about 3:30 after going back to sleep and finally catching up on sleep.
It’s a gorgeous day and when I get to Prospect Park, it’s a real freaking shit show. Everything is long long lines. I also realize that there’s absolutely no service. Aaron supposed to be there, but no way of contacting him. Tom is supposed to come too, but I can’t get to him. It looks really fun, there are loads of people and atmosphere, the weather is incredible, I see the vendors and I want to try everything, but the lines are too much.
I end up waiting on a line for beer because having a few beers before I wait on food lines would make things a lot easier. People on line are also by themselves because of the lack of phone service and we are all in misery. Sober, extremely hungry, and frustrated with line waiting. After an hour, I order three beers for $21 and chug them while I wait for this someone short line for a Jean Gorges chicken sandwich. Mad, I pretty shwasted considering I haven’t eaten all day.
I eventually get a text from Aaron that says the place is all lines and he leaves. I run out to get service after my sandwich and find Tom. We stand around, grab a dessert, check the place out, wait way too long for a mediocre burger, and leave. People that I know from school who went had a good idea of just leaving the placce and enjoying Park Slope. There are restaurants and bars without hour long waits.
Despite the really cool situation and the freaking unbeliveable amount of gorgeous New York women, the place was literally all lines. Even water was served on the “beverage” line, along with beer, so people probably were dehydrated on a hot summer day and had to wait an hour for anything. Good thing the porta-potties didn’t have lines, otherwise it would’ve been an actual shit show.
I was so looking forward to this, but it turned out to be the worst thing ever. Ridiculous lines because there were just too many people. I really hope next year they just sell/give out half the amount of tickets.
They were planning 40,000 people, which they knew about based on the amount of tickets they gave away. They advertised it well, they got all these great restaurants and beers to be served. They made a cool iPhone app for the event that would’ve been quite useful (if there was service…). For the specialty tickets, they got David Chang, Bourdain, and other celebrities to come to talk. They got Hall and Oates and the Roots to play. They set up these really cool looking signs, tents, and decorative pieces. However…
They did set it up for 40,000 people. Vendors quickly ran out of food. They didn’t have enough vendors/they gave away too many tickets considering the lines. They didn’t have free water or a separate line for water. They had this stupid “ticket” system like a fair. You wait an hour to buy “tickets” and then there’s no wait for specialty beer at these tents where you exchange “tickets” for beer or wine. Or wait on regular beverage lines for beer or drinks for an hour. Choose your poison. They somehow ignored the fact that people would not have service, which is absolutely atrocious. What are we, in the 80s?
Well, I guess my super exciting start to summer did not go off with a bang.
Tom and I go to Keybar and just start drinking. We had nothing to do. His friend comes, who has his birthday. The guy also comes with this really huge skeev. He’s wearing an open Hawaiian shirt with his wife beater showing, along with his gut. He has this weird cap on with little nerdy buttons. He bums a few cigarettes off of me and then starts drinking people’s drinks off of the table. He asks for free money from us because he has “no money” on him. When we’re talking about drinks, he suggests that birthday guy buys everyone a round of drinks. And the guy is like… “Why don’t you buy me drinks since it’s MY birthday….”
He eventually says he has cab money and Tom suggests he can buy his own drink and take a subway. He literally scoffs at the idea of taking a subway. It’s not even a consideration for him. The guy is a real Scumbag Steve. He also suggests that we go to a place with more girls. He already failed when he walked up to these 4 really cute blonde Scandanavian girls. Yeah, Hawaiian shirt with wife beater and gut is really going to find a lot of girls.
Kenny, Alon, Scott, and Nikki come. We hang for a bit and people end up splitting. We go to this new speakeasy beer bar. We then call it a night and I take the 1:19 home. It’s been a hella long day.
May 20, 2012
Instead of going to GoogaMooga for that shit show I expected again, I went to a Yelp event. I get into Nolita after 3:00PM and go to this new restaurant/bar that’s opening up. The food is absolutely delicious, best food I’ve had at an event. Usually, it’s just finger bites, but here, they gave us plates of food, buffet style. It was straight out of the kitchen instead of sitting there randomly. Along with vodka drinks, it’s a decent time.
Towards the end of the event, I just split and go for a walk in SoHo/Nolita. Just a beautiful neighborhood and great weather again. I see this bakery that I’ve wanted to go to and never been and grab an almond croissant. Also an iced coffee because I’m thirsty as hell with all booze and walking.
I randomly run into these French people who are playing instruments. It’s sort of this Lord of the Rings kind of stuff. Old fashioned, Celtic or something style. The cool random stuff in New York. Eventually, it’s 7PM and I give up on walking around and soaking in the sites.
I’m online and find out that Sunday GoogaMooga turned out to be a lot better. I guess people found out about what a shit show Saturday was. I was even planning to maybe go both days, but after Saturday, I just gave my tickets away to Miah and Hannah. I assume I could’ve tried harder to sell them on Craigslist for $40 a pop or something, but I gave up, especially since Miah asked for them.
Stefan and Sara went too. Sucks that I didn’t go when the lines weren’t as bad, but I couldn’t have known and I wasn’t willing to take the risk. Whatever, there’s always next near.
May 21, 2012
I want to be productive week and I’m slowly working on that. I make a huge list of things I want to get done and I only really touch on it today. I clean my room, organize loads of shit, catch up on the Sunday TV shows, get some blog writing done, catch some of my YouTube subscriptions, etc.
I pick up this new show called Legend of Korra, it’s animated and nothing too amazing, but pretty good and I love the drawing.
May 22, 2012
I’m on the worst sleep schedule and sleep super late and then wake up in the afternoon. By now, I barely have any time and all I can do is plan the dinner that I’ve been planning to make for mum since Mother’s Day. She’s been busy.
Anyway, chicken liver with balsamic on sourdough bread. Thin spaghetti with a creamy leek and salmon sauce with crispy salmon skin garnish. I go easy on the dessert, caramelized bananna with toasted macadamias. I would’ve been a lot better ice cream than just by itself.
At night, Aaron wants to go out and I’m planning to do so and get all ready, but he backs out on last second because it’s late.
May 23, 2012
Same issue with my sleep again. I wake up around 10:00, but then get exhuasted again and sleep into the afternoon. I start watching F-Word while I get some writing and random things done. I love Ramsay and I’ve seen all of his series (plural?). I’m 99% sure I’ve seen this before, but I decide to watch it again, fast forward through some of it, and gather some of the recipes that I want to try out this summer.
I go to Macy’s to buy a handmixer. $30 gg. I wish I owned a professional KitchenAid stand mixer to make baking and other desserts easier, but whatever. I also have a Macy’s coupon and get this on sale V-neck in the Boys section for $7. I’ve seen them cheaper, but it’s hard to find my sizes at stores and the lady at the counter compliments my shopping prowess.
Then off to make compost cookies, which I kill this time. It’s still hard to get the baking down to a science, with the temperature and timing. However, the recipe itself is real solid.
May 25, 2012
Jenn drives Kenny and I into the city. We had a late start and there was some traffic so we’re late. I made a reservation for the Brindle Room. It’s a big group of us at the restaurant, 9 people. When I get there, I find out that because we’re 6 or over, they have to make us do a prix fixe of $40. I’m not sure if everyone wants to do it and I ask, but Aaron and Kenny are vocal about not going. I let them know that they can find somewhere else to eat if everyone is willing to stay. It’s a bit of a strange move, but it’s possibly hard to get a table for 9 without reservations anyway so we’d just be walking around the area lost if people did not split off.
However, we quickly decide to turn down the restaurant, which is a bit awkward since they kept our table open for 50 minutes. Walking away and going to this burger place, Aaron mentions that Miah and Kenny have disappeared. We have a group of 7 of us and two people are missing. Personally, I’m surprised that Miah went off without saying anything. He barely said Hi and I haven’t seen him in months. Kenny on the other hand, he’s about doing his own thing, I didn’t expect much.
Aaron mentions it multiple times to me and really, I do not care. If they want to join us, they would call us and ask where. If they had manners, they would say they were going to do “x” and join us later. If they had common sense, they would ask where we were going at least and get an idea of they could do. Nope.
I later find out that they ended going to The Brindle Room. Okay, that is enough. It’s fine if you want to do your own thing and separate from the group. If you don’t have the manners to announce it, whatever, I’m not the courtesy police. I’m not going to teach you social norms.
However, I made reservations at this restaurant. I invited people through a Facebook event to make sure things would occur. I planned it with people and texted people to alert people we were late, what time we were getting there, and confirming the plans. I chose this restaurant because I wanted to try it and it also accomodated Eric Fidel and his tastes. I was in the contact with him because it was his last night left in New york.
But them two going to the restaurant anyway, sneaking off, and ignoring us is completely unacceptable. I suggested Kenny, Aaron, and whoever else wanted to could split off and they were not having it. So instead, we, as a group, decided to go somewhere else. But, these two, behind our backs, go to the restaurant anyway. They took advantage of the fact we left with my reservation still there and now they could order A La Carte. How fucking selfish.
Despite the plans, I did not end up going to the restaurant because it could not accommodate us. I’m not going to ignore everyone and just do what I want. That’s not how people operate. The group decided to go somewhere else and that’s what happened. I have the common sense to accept that issue.
And by the way, this is all really rooted from frugality. Kenny was only going for their moderately priced burger instead of their other menu options. It really is a shame that cheapness provoke this kind of shameless action.
I am very open to people’s personal choices and how they want to operate, but I draw lines. There’s not much to say about it. I don’t really care. I will just make sure I never invite these two to plans next time. If they want to plan things and do all the work, so be it. However, if there is going to be a group of people, I assume certain individuals will follow common courtesy. If not, I don’t need to accommodate their antisocial behavior. Adios.
Anyway, that’s my rant. We go to Blackmarket for a quick burger and then we go to a new spot that I love, Double Wide, a Southern style bar. Tasty Sweet Tea drinks, a Southern menu with stuff like Frito Pie that I still have to try, a decent beer selection, and even a bar area.
We sit there chatting around, along with Fidel’s two friends. Bolanos, Kenny, and Scott join in. Sam reminds me that her birthday is soon at Bowery Electric. She also mentions that she also might eventually move to Spain and teach there! Jeez, I’m freaking jealous. That’s going to be incredible. We hang out at Sophie’s and then Double Down. We meet up with Reuben and grab him a drink.
It’s our first true night out after Aaron and my first year of law school. Bolanos accomplishing 2L as well. It’s great being out. Seeing faces I usually don’t get to see.
May 26, 2012
Bolanos drives Evan and I into Brooklyn to one of my favorite beer gardens, Radegast. Stefan and Sara are there. Aaron with his friends, Murray, his new g/f, Nicole, Glenn, his g/f. I have a fun chat with Sara about studying abroad in Florence and how I studied in Prague. Then about how I’m planning to take a trip to Budapest. Good stuff.
I then catch up with Nicole, who I apparently have met before. It turns out that I have. The next day I remember when she was dating Shaq, I met her. It was at this bar where Bolanos got kicked out. He brought in a water bottle of SoCo and was flaunting it off near the bouncer like an idiot. Great times.
We then go to the bar across the street, which is really awesome. $4 beer and shot… AND they give you a beer cozy. Sick life. I’m past stealing random things from bars (though I will take coasters for my collection, but those are free/trash anyway). I had to have me a beer cozy though. Snatched that like the skeev that I am. Done deal.
May 28, 2012
Yesterday, I missed out on going to certain fairs in the city so today I want to get out. The MET is opened for Memorial Day so I go in at around 3:00. I really wish everyday was a holiday because traffic was easy. Parking was open everywhere. It was wild. It was as if I didn’t live in New York. Imagine that!
I’ve been to the museum at least 3 times in the past year, so 2 hours was a decent amount of me. I wanted to see the new exhibits. The Stein collection of Matisse and Piccaso was quite good. What blew me away however was the New American collection that had American Impressionists. Influenced from the Parisian Salon, they brought the French techniques and applied them to the northeast landscapes and cities. I am disappointed that I never knew about this work.
It’s hot as hell. I mistakingly walk out in jeans and that was a freaking bad idea. I look like a complete pig as I sweat my balls off. I’m feeling lazy and weird and I decide not go to to the East Village and grab a bite.
However, when I get on the bridge, I change my mind and decide to go into Astoria. I want to get King Falafel, which is quite famous in the food truck/vendor world. There’s also this street fair. I get there and the street fair sucks. The usual stuff you see, especially those shitty “Mozzearepas.” Very mediocre food. Also, I don’t need to buy pashminas, jewelry, or perfume. Jeez, they really curtail to the needs of women. Then again, what do men even need to buy or even want to buy, as most hate shopping.
I walk around like an idiot for a while and just give up on looking for food. I guess it’s the heat and walking around so much that gets me exhausted from wanting to be ambitious. I hadn’t eaten anything all day, but my legs hurting from walking is more of a deciding factor. I was actually planning to grab a bite somewhere, chill out at the bar for an afternoon beer, enjoy my day, and then go home at night. However, I’m out and out as quick as possible.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
May 3, 2012
After a day of studying at Panera, I end up getting dinner with Andrew and Courtney, Rebecca’s friends. We swap some fun stories over sushi at Daruma, the quintessential Great Neck joint.
May 4, 2012
After 6-7 hours of studying with people on campus, it’s time to hang with CNF. I drive to Brooklyn and meet up with Michael, Scott, Tom, and Jon at Atlantic Chip Shop. We get stuffed on some fried fish and potato goodness. We then go to this amazing place called “Boat Bar.” Just a sick place.
Life is just too good and I’m enjoying being out with my boys. We somehow come up with this douchey move saying “Titties” and knocking a table with your knuckles down. Great idea.
Bolanos shows up and I tell him getting a Miller Hi Life for $3. There’s a leftover bottle on the table and I rep it real hard, “Look at that bottle! Sick bottle.” Bolanos replies, “You can’t get enthusiasm like that anywhere.”
Exactly dammit! Even if it’s about the aesthetics of a stupid beer bottle, there’s nobody that lives things like I do. I’m happy about everything and enthusiastic about life. Even with finals coming up, I can wreck it and I’m currently out with my favorite people, so what the hell, enjoy it.
We even up going back to CN Tower for a little bit and then calling it a night.
May 5, 2012
At night, we decide to go to the Lower East Side. I drive Bolanos and Evan in. Driving this weekend is a good die as I can get work done the next day. We meet up with Jon, Stefan, Elena, and Becky. I’m rocking my sombrero out for Cinco De Mayo like a boss. Alon and Sara end up meeting us. We go to Schiller’s Liquor Bar, which I’ve wanted try this place for a while. Bolanos on his way there complains about how he likes shitty places. When we’re at Schiller’s, after a while, I joke that I agree with him to some extent. The girls here are just too high caliber. I don’t have a chance. Freaking long legged, modelly types walking in and out.
I actually really like the place and rock a bottle of the “Cheap” wine. Evan, Alon, and I later get fried pizza at Montanara and we meet up with people to split. We say Bye to Jon. It was great seeing him for the short time he was here.
May 10, 2012
My first final went as expected, though after the test, I realize that I hiccuped on a few of the Torts rules, but the questions were only work 6-8 points and I got almost all the points. With a 13/15 on my midterm, I hope to get at least an A-.
Today is the contracts midterma nd I’ve been pretty decent about locking down and studying at Panera. I did 5-6 hours staight the day before. I also show up on campus at 10:00 to study for my final at 1:30. I’m decently/well prepared. The test turns out to be way to long and afterwards, people bitch like crazy. However, I’m a fast typer and pretty good at time management, so I’m able to finish the 15 multiple choice and 20 short answer in 3 hours. I heard people left 4-5 questions straight up blank.
Afterwards, people decide to go to a bar in Sunnyside. It’s actually a bunch of us. I’m surprsied people went out all the way there. I’m glad to be socializing with classmates and relaxing after our final, blowing off some steam. We have 2 more finals, one on Tuesday and a take home due Thursday, but that’s a decent amount of time.
I hang with the people from my seminar, the common way that social situations work because that’s the people you know. Eventually, people start leaving and we had gotten there around 5:30. At around 9:00, I leave and meet up with Hasan who is randomly in the area. We go to some hole in the wall restaurant that serves good Turkish food. We then wait for Bolanos and Kenny, who meet up with us in Sunnyside and we go to this very empty Irish bar. The bartender has an Irish accent, which I appreciate considering the bar is called “The Brogue.”
We call it a night, but it’s a nice afternoon and night after a final. I felt a little frazzled after it because of the constant writing. I feel bad for the peple that couldn’t finish and were in a rush the whole way through. Not that I wasn’t rushing a bit, but I knew I could finish the test. I would’ve liked to add a few more things, but I really hope I get an A in this class. I’m somewhat confident that I can.
May 11, 2012
I guess I could make plans to go out at night, but I prefer to stay in, take it easy, and study tomorrow. I get some work done during the day and then have a tutoring session with Melinda, Brandon’s mom. That’s been going pretty well.
If ya’ll don’t know already, once it hits 9-10PM on a weekend, I don’t work. I’m too excited about “the night” and the possibility of all the fun out there that people are having without me. Call me psycho, but it’s a good time to unwind even if I’m not going to be out.
Either way, lets say I partake in some goods that I got from Scott, must have been over a year ago. It was pretty good. Relaxing.
May 12, 2012
I’m on this weird sleep schedule where I sleep relatively late at like 2-3:00, but I can easily wake up at 10:00 and get work done. However, I wake up a few hours earlier than that plan to and I try to fight it off, eat some breakfast, and get my day going. After an hour, I realize I can’t fight it and go back to sleep, but until like 2:00PM, ugh.
I go to Starbucks for their sweet Happy Hour deal for some half price fraps and get some studying done.
At night, I invite Jenn and Bolanos over. We have some beers, we talk some shit, and just chill out. That’s a night.
May 13, 2012
I made a card for mom. Made by the way, not that bought shit. I bought some “pretty” blank cards, wrote them, ribboned it, pasted a heart to seal it. I call her and she won’t be home today, so I’ll cook that meal I’ve been planning for her later this week. There’s a great food memory/story with it, so I guess I’ll tell that when I cook for her. She’s not a stickler for when holidays are or whatnot. I’ll just make it up to her.
Madison Square Eats has opened up for the summer so I head out there. Luna’s been in the city with her b/f and I’ve been in touch with her, but I’m steering clear of her. Who the hell wants to be a 3rd wheel and hang out with them. Screw that mang.
I drive into the city, traffic isn’t too too bad and parking is pretty easy. I meet up with Stefan. While I’m waiting for him, I’m starving and grab an ice coffee, rice ball, and chicken taco. Stefan and I split this incredible freshly made pizza. Bloody good.
We eventually find a table to chill out at because it’s so crowded and we really had to wait around. This was after we grab a beer because awesomely, they serve beer this year. Great weather and setting for just some day drinking and some food. Oh my god, it’s fucking life. It’s amazing.
During this, I notice this really good looking girl. I’m not into tan girls and she really was, but she was tall, extremely thin, and showing loads of midriff and leg. Sort of a Audrina Patridge face going on. Stefan and I sit down at a table and there are two empty chairs. The girl and her tattooed boyfriend walk over and ask if they can sit. We welcome that. It’s great, there’s limited seating and it’s a lovely way to meet new people.
We share pleasentries and just keep chatting for an hour or so. He’s from San Diego and seems quite well off as he drives a CLS 550 and is quite liberal with his range of rent if he were to live in New York. She’s from upstate, but there out there for a year and that’s where they met. They’re a very cool couple just visiting the city for less than a week. Apparently they plan on moving out here. We talk some stuff about people in Europe, how New York operates, the people here, rent prices, things to do in New York, etc. etc. About 7:30-8:00, we all split up. But hey, what a great day.
This is exactly what I love about New York and meeting new people is one of the coolest things about life. Incredible food, beer, weather, sharing stories with strangers, catching up with Stefan, what a great day. I need to be diligent tomorrow though because I have one more day before my final.
Oh and by the way, walking around, jeez are there gorgeous women in New York. I really need to get back on the horse this summer. We’ll keep you posted. Until then, I’m out.
May 15, 2012
I’ve never stayed up so late working on something. I get to campus around 2:00PM and work on my take home final. Granted, I slack off a bunch, but I basically learn the entire semester, from past the midterm. I “learn” the class and then keep writing. I meet up with some people randomly and chat with them. I realize some stuff that I missed. It would’ve been nice if I planned things better and worked with people all day.
I get home at 1:30 and work until 4:00AM.
May 16, 2012
I get a decent amount of sleep and arrive on campus at 1:30PM. It’s due in 2 hours and I thought I had it done. I chat with some people in my seminar and change a few things. I finally hand it in and I’M DONE! First year of law school! OVER!
I go home, grab some food, and fucking nap my ass off until 7:15PM. I have a bottle with me for a pregame. I’m on my way to this bar that people are going to from my school. I get there early and no one is there. Kevin arrives, my “bro,” from school and we’re just chilling.
We go to the bar on the corner because it’s cheaper. We sit outside at this bar and see Oscar, from The Office. He’s walking down on the street with a girl taller than him. Hot date eh? Apparently he’s not gay in real life.
We then go back to the bar, Sutton Place, and it’s got a nice rooftop area. There are about 20 of us from the school there. That’s a good showing. It’s fun chatting with people, meeting some people, talking with some people I’ve never actually socialized with. Fun times, despite the numerous $7 beers I’ve paying for.
Tom eventually meets up and meets some of my friends. We then stand outside at 1:30ish and people are starting to split. I’m a boss and trying to get people to go downtown. However, despite my great planning abilities and boss ass drunk personality, people are bitches and just want to start leaving. We eventually relaize that no one is around and Tom and I get grab a quick beer near Penn Station before I jump on the 3:19.
On the train, apparently a worker jumped onto the tracks. We sit there for 2-3 hours doing nothing. Fucking bullshit. They give me “Emergency Water” and eventually the train moves. I get home at 7:00AM. Screw that!
After a day of studying at Panera, I end up getting dinner with Andrew and Courtney, Rebecca’s friends. We swap some fun stories over sushi at Daruma, the quintessential Great Neck joint.
May 4, 2012
After 6-7 hours of studying with people on campus, it’s time to hang with CNF. I drive to Brooklyn and meet up with Michael, Scott, Tom, and Jon at Atlantic Chip Shop. We get stuffed on some fried fish and potato goodness. We then go to this amazing place called “Boat Bar.” Just a sick place.
Life is just too good and I’m enjoying being out with my boys. We somehow come up with this douchey move saying “Titties” and knocking a table with your knuckles down. Great idea.
Bolanos shows up and I tell him getting a Miller Hi Life for $3. There’s a leftover bottle on the table and I rep it real hard, “Look at that bottle! Sick bottle.” Bolanos replies, “You can’t get enthusiasm like that anywhere.”
Exactly dammit! Even if it’s about the aesthetics of a stupid beer bottle, there’s nobody that lives things like I do. I’m happy about everything and enthusiastic about life. Even with finals coming up, I can wreck it and I’m currently out with my favorite people, so what the hell, enjoy it.
We even up going back to CN Tower for a little bit and then calling it a night.
May 5, 2012
At night, we decide to go to the Lower East Side. I drive Bolanos and Evan in. Driving this weekend is a good die as I can get work done the next day. We meet up with Jon, Stefan, Elena, and Becky. I’m rocking my sombrero out for Cinco De Mayo like a boss. Alon and Sara end up meeting us. We go to Schiller’s Liquor Bar, which I’ve wanted try this place for a while. Bolanos on his way there complains about how he likes shitty places. When we’re at Schiller’s, after a while, I joke that I agree with him to some extent. The girls here are just too high caliber. I don’t have a chance. Freaking long legged, modelly types walking in and out.
I actually really like the place and rock a bottle of the “Cheap” wine. Evan, Alon, and I later get fried pizza at Montanara and we meet up with people to split. We say Bye to Jon. It was great seeing him for the short time he was here.
May 10, 2012
My first final went as expected, though after the test, I realize that I hiccuped on a few of the Torts rules, but the questions were only work 6-8 points and I got almost all the points. With a 13/15 on my midterm, I hope to get at least an A-.
Today is the contracts midterma nd I’ve been pretty decent about locking down and studying at Panera. I did 5-6 hours staight the day before. I also show up on campus at 10:00 to study for my final at 1:30. I’m decently/well prepared. The test turns out to be way to long and afterwards, people bitch like crazy. However, I’m a fast typer and pretty good at time management, so I’m able to finish the 15 multiple choice and 20 short answer in 3 hours. I heard people left 4-5 questions straight up blank.
Afterwards, people decide to go to a bar in Sunnyside. It’s actually a bunch of us. I’m surprsied people went out all the way there. I’m glad to be socializing with classmates and relaxing after our final, blowing off some steam. We have 2 more finals, one on Tuesday and a take home due Thursday, but that’s a decent amount of time.
I hang with the people from my seminar, the common way that social situations work because that’s the people you know. Eventually, people start leaving and we had gotten there around 5:30. At around 9:00, I leave and meet up with Hasan who is randomly in the area. We go to some hole in the wall restaurant that serves good Turkish food. We then wait for Bolanos and Kenny, who meet up with us in Sunnyside and we go to this very empty Irish bar. The bartender has an Irish accent, which I appreciate considering the bar is called “The Brogue.”
We call it a night, but it’s a nice afternoon and night after a final. I felt a little frazzled after it because of the constant writing. I feel bad for the peple that couldn’t finish and were in a rush the whole way through. Not that I wasn’t rushing a bit, but I knew I could finish the test. I would’ve liked to add a few more things, but I really hope I get an A in this class. I’m somewhat confident that I can.
May 11, 2012
I guess I could make plans to go out at night, but I prefer to stay in, take it easy, and study tomorrow. I get some work done during the day and then have a tutoring session with Melinda, Brandon’s mom. That’s been going pretty well.
If ya’ll don’t know already, once it hits 9-10PM on a weekend, I don’t work. I’m too excited about “the night” and the possibility of all the fun out there that people are having without me. Call me psycho, but it’s a good time to unwind even if I’m not going to be out.
Either way, lets say I partake in some goods that I got from Scott, must have been over a year ago. It was pretty good. Relaxing.
May 12, 2012
I’m on this weird sleep schedule where I sleep relatively late at like 2-3:00, but I can easily wake up at 10:00 and get work done. However, I wake up a few hours earlier than that plan to and I try to fight it off, eat some breakfast, and get my day going. After an hour, I realize I can’t fight it and go back to sleep, but until like 2:00PM, ugh.
I go to Starbucks for their sweet Happy Hour deal for some half price fraps and get some studying done.
At night, I invite Jenn and Bolanos over. We have some beers, we talk some shit, and just chill out. That’s a night.
May 13, 2012
I made a card for mom. Made by the way, not that bought shit. I bought some “pretty” blank cards, wrote them, ribboned it, pasted a heart to seal it. I call her and she won’t be home today, so I’ll cook that meal I’ve been planning for her later this week. There’s a great food memory/story with it, so I guess I’ll tell that when I cook for her. She’s not a stickler for when holidays are or whatnot. I’ll just make it up to her.
Madison Square Eats has opened up for the summer so I head out there. Luna’s been in the city with her b/f and I’ve been in touch with her, but I’m steering clear of her. Who the hell wants to be a 3rd wheel and hang out with them. Screw that mang.
I drive into the city, traffic isn’t too too bad and parking is pretty easy. I meet up with Stefan. While I’m waiting for him, I’m starving and grab an ice coffee, rice ball, and chicken taco. Stefan and I split this incredible freshly made pizza. Bloody good.
We eventually find a table to chill out at because it’s so crowded and we really had to wait around. This was after we grab a beer because awesomely, they serve beer this year. Great weather and setting for just some day drinking and some food. Oh my god, it’s fucking life. It’s amazing.
During this, I notice this really good looking girl. I’m not into tan girls and she really was, but she was tall, extremely thin, and showing loads of midriff and leg. Sort of a Audrina Patridge face going on. Stefan and I sit down at a table and there are two empty chairs. The girl and her tattooed boyfriend walk over and ask if they can sit. We welcome that. It’s great, there’s limited seating and it’s a lovely way to meet new people.
We share pleasentries and just keep chatting for an hour or so. He’s from San Diego and seems quite well off as he drives a CLS 550 and is quite liberal with his range of rent if he were to live in New York. She’s from upstate, but there out there for a year and that’s where they met. They’re a very cool couple just visiting the city for less than a week. Apparently they plan on moving out here. We talk some stuff about people in Europe, how New York operates, the people here, rent prices, things to do in New York, etc. etc. About 7:30-8:00, we all split up. But hey, what a great day.
This is exactly what I love about New York and meeting new people is one of the coolest things about life. Incredible food, beer, weather, sharing stories with strangers, catching up with Stefan, what a great day. I need to be diligent tomorrow though because I have one more day before my final.
Oh and by the way, walking around, jeez are there gorgeous women in New York. I really need to get back on the horse this summer. We’ll keep you posted. Until then, I’m out.
May 15, 2012
I’ve never stayed up so late working on something. I get to campus around 2:00PM and work on my take home final. Granted, I slack off a bunch, but I basically learn the entire semester, from past the midterm. I “learn” the class and then keep writing. I meet up with some people randomly and chat with them. I realize some stuff that I missed. It would’ve been nice if I planned things better and worked with people all day.
I get home at 1:30 and work until 4:00AM.
May 16, 2012
I get a decent amount of sleep and arrive on campus at 1:30PM. It’s due in 2 hours and I thought I had it done. I chat with some people in my seminar and change a few things. I finally hand it in and I’M DONE! First year of law school! OVER!
I go home, grab some food, and fucking nap my ass off until 7:15PM. I have a bottle with me for a pregame. I’m on my way to this bar that people are going to from my school. I get there early and no one is there. Kevin arrives, my “bro,” from school and we’re just chilling.
We go to the bar on the corner because it’s cheaper. We sit outside at this bar and see Oscar, from The Office. He’s walking down on the street with a girl taller than him. Hot date eh? Apparently he’s not gay in real life.
We then go back to the bar, Sutton Place, and it’s got a nice rooftop area. There are about 20 of us from the school there. That’s a good showing. It’s fun chatting with people, meeting some people, talking with some people I’ve never actually socialized with. Fun times, despite the numerous $7 beers I’ve paying for.
Tom eventually meets up and meets some of my friends. We then stand outside at 1:30ish and people are starting to split. I’m a boss and trying to get people to go downtown. However, despite my great planning abilities and boss ass drunk personality, people are bitches and just want to start leaving. We eventually relaize that no one is around and Tom and I get grab a quick beer near Penn Station before I jump on the 3:19.
On the train, apparently a worker jumped onto the tracks. We sit there for 2-3 hours doing nothing. Fucking bullshit. They give me “Emergency Water” and eventually the train moves. I get home at 7:00AM. Screw that!
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Summer Coming
March 23, 2012
At night, I’m not sure about plans until Evan says he’s driving into the city with Bolanos. I join along and then I find out that it’s an 80s party and I don’t even know. It’s cool, but I would’ve liked trying deck out in 80s stuff. We get there and it’s a very small place downstairs. The music is pretty good, a decent amount of people, but we end up splitting pretty quickly.
We stand around Sophie’s for a while and then Stefa and Sara come. We leave immediately though only after a short Hello.
March 25, 2012
I was invited to this Mad Men party in the Upper West Side and I have class tomorrow. It’s a combination of things that make me not want to go. I have hints of a hang over from yesterday. I don’t really feel like driving 45 minutes out there. I have class the next day. It’s just a huge fucking hassle so I decide to ditch, even though I was excited about it all week.
I then randomly get a call from Rebecca, Miah’s sister, and she invites me to this party. It’s her friend Andrew, and Courtney, who I have met. They’re all dressed up. I dressed a bit, but just up instead of in the fashion of the time. It’s a cool time hanging out with people I never hang with and meeting new people.
March 28, 2012
I don’t have class the next day and Jenn texts me if people are around for drinks. Done deal, this works out perfectly. I text people and Kenny, Bolanos, and Erdem come too. It’s just a chill time talking shit and having a few drinks. We chat a decent amount about the party I’m throwing on Friday. I randomly decided to because of the Mad Men thing and I realized that I should utilize my open house. There’s no reason not to and I haven’t hosted a house party in ages. I made the event on Facebook and it’s turned out to be really big. Can’t wait for that.
March 30, 2012
When I was in Montmarte in Paris, there was this one amazing bakery (boulangerie) that I went to. I’ve seen this video of Gordon Ramsay learning how to make a croissant and it randomly turned out to this bakery that I loved. So crazy. I really wish I could eventually move out to Europe.
http://youtu.be/K7zdYKn2RJo
Today is my party party. I themed it for the 1940s because I was listening to Tiny Bradshaw on the radio. The radio is so awesome. I feel a cold coming on, but I take a nap after class and then get up to prepare. Throughout the week, I did most of the set up. Cleaned up, organized the house, made the bar presentable, etc.
I did shopping after class so it’s time to cook. I make an eggplant “caviar,” a Gordon Ramsay recipe. Eggplant with Greek yogurt and sour cream. Creamy with Sriracha as spice and lemon to lift up the flavor a bit. I then make these Spanish egg tapas. Onion and mushroom, bits of bacon, crumbled hard boiled egg on toasted baguette. I then make a hollandaise for the first time. What a delicious sauce for it. I spice it up with some Spanish pimenton and cayenne, sick sauce. Thankfully, Andrew comes with Maker’s Mark and I make a punch with it. I froze a Tupperware with water so I could make a huge ice cube, real fucking fancy I am. Apple cider, cinnamon, orange slices, lemon seltzer to cut the sweetness, and loads of Maker’s. So delicious.
People are slow on trickling in, but it eventually turns out to be a huge party. Enoch and his friend. Andrew and his friend Gio. Jenn, Bolanos, Aaron, Scott, Nikki, Avi, Rebecca, Kenny, Hasan (who brings a case of Bud 40s), Tom, and his friend Scott, Matt, and his lady friend. Everyone’s around the bar, I’m blasting some 40s music, it’s all good, but a bit of a mindfuck because I’m just running here and there trying to keep the party flowing, mingle, and just make sure I run around to reach everyone and chat.
Booze runs out really fast. Thankfully Andrew brought the Maker’s and Tom brought a bottle of Captain. After that, we move onto wine and the 40s that Hasan brought. We play some beer pong because Hasan has been wanting to do that for some reason and I can’t blame him. Jenn drove so she leaves pretty quickly, would’ve liked to see her have a fun night as she usually doesn’t like drinking out.
We talk about the gal that Matt brought, in the most complimentary sense though. She’s a real good looking girl and Matt tells me that they met on Plenty of Fish. Darn, I need to get myself on that site. A few of the guys comment on how she looks young, Aaron tells me and it turns out she’s 27. Motherfucker. I love me some older women. Dammit. Actually, the only thing I thing about the next day when waking up in a hungover daze is how angry I was about the matter. Jealousy anger, but I’m really glad for Matt and how he pulls.
It’s a fun time and I get real drunk up in thurr. Eventually everyone leaves and it’s just Hasan and I. My boy, oldest best friend I got. I’m on that drunken high and really happy that he’s staying so I can hang. We want food, but realize nothing is open for delivery. We cook up some fried rice and just chill out on my computer watching cute girls who sing with a guitar. My man knows how attractive a musically talented girl can be. After a while, he stays for the evening on my couch and I head upstairs exhausted. The food and all the water I drank is getting to me. I’m on Skype with Ela and I just feel bloated and want to vomit. It’s gross as she’s doing dishes and enjoying her day with her roommate Kristina, and I’m a drunk asshole there with my finger down my throat trying to throw up. Eventually it happens in my trash and it’s time for bed. I haven’t actually chatted with Ela on Skype for a week or so, so it’s good hearing from her.
April 5, 2012
It’s a three day weekend for Easter and I want to make big plans because I’ve been feeling shitty all week from being sick. My colds usually go by real fast, but maybe this is something else. How do you know if you have a flu or not anyway? Whatever, I just fight through it and go through the week with a sore throat, sinus issues, loads of mucus.
Aaron is on the Island so Bolanos, Kenny, Aaron, and I go to BHT. After some drinks, we go to White Castle, which I’ve been fiending forever. They have this special deal that Aaron and I split. Dude, chicken rangs, French frauys, and buhrgahs (I’m not sure what accent I’m trying to get at here). It was gloriously delicious. Never felt more like a pig in shit. The bathroom as a separate door that you need to get buzz into by the employees. I guess people were using it too much because it’s near bars. When I get out, there’s this older man and I try to leave the door open for him. He fucking gives me attitude for it.
Then, there’s two guys waiting for it and when he gets out, he gives them attitude and stares at them. They’re standing in front of the glass door simply waiting for him to get out. Fucking old man is fat as fuck and must be drunk or something. The three of them exchange some words. Bolanos mentions that it’s stupid he’s doing that because the two younger guys could easily beat his ass. He was a riot, but I didn’t want to laugh too hard or stare at it because he could walk over and cause ruckus.
During this, we chat a bit about Alon and girls because Alon and I talked about this last week. Aaron mentions something about “he’s in a drought.” (Though every night is a drought for us, ammirite?!). Not trying to specifically bash on Alon or anything, but I mention, “There’s no drought when there’s never been rain.” Boom, there you go, quote of the night. We were dying from it. Again, I’m not trying to disparage my boy at all. I tell you, there’s nobody that’s got our brothers’ backs like I do. I want him to destroy, so I hope he does. He’s also moving into the city soon, so good for him.
April 6, 2012
I pick up Bolanos, Aaron, Stefan, and Sarah and we go to Studio Square. We meet up with Jesse and Teddy. It’s a good chill time.
When I get back, I actually hang a bit on the Tinychat room and chat with Shelby from Wisconsin. Then there’s Lisa from Spain who I catch up with. I haven’t heard from her recently and apparently she was fired and missing home a bit because she’s Dutch and moved to Spain less than a year ago.
April 7, 2012
It’s been a nerdy few days recently. I’ve been watching SC2 during the IPL tournament. I also switch between the Magic stream as well. Hey man, it’s Easter weekend, I get to sit around and do nothing. At night, people aren’t really around and I’m really not in the mood to go into the city. I thought the cold was dying down or gone, but it’s back and annoying me. I decide not to go into the city and go back to BHT with Tom, Bolanos, and Michelle shows up as well.
We’re just sitting around and chatting. Tom’s moving to Williamsburg soon, so that’s going to be pretty awesome. I decide to spice it up and after some beer, I get some Bombay and Knobb Creek. Classing it up and it was frakking delicious dammit.
April 10, 2012
Talking about snack game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erlw-ODVZxU&feature=youtu.be
Darwin: I've never seen a man more nonchalantly break up a fight. He did not stop his snacking for a moment. My biggest issue was answered on Reddit:
"He is eating pringles off of a white cheddar popcorn bag ಠ_ಠ"
"Raises so many questions. Did he combine the chips and popcorn to make a new flavour? Was he disguising the chips in a popcorn bag? What's going on!!"
I'm confused as fuck how he's pulling that off with his snack game.
Darwin: Yo, Doritos are the Baltic Avenue of the snack game. I wouldn't be caught with that shit in my grill.
Our boy had some premium chipage, BBQ Pringles. His popcorn game was pretty sick too.
You guys don't know, I'm all up in this snack game. I once killed a man over Fritos.
Another one
Eric: Snowing in April? Well played Michigan.
Darwin: Just like the Night's Watch of The Wall.
Eric: When you're this far north, the only place to go is south.
Darwin: I told that to a girl once. Let me tell you, she was not amused.
Me talking about Tom’s choice of a woman.
9 is a good choice. She's got that dark hair, very Czech looking. Those girls are sluts. You can probably get her anus for 2400 krona.
20 minutes with her would be cheap, maybe 90 USD and a bottle of Becherovka.
Man, I'm on a roll today. Someone pat my back.
http://youtu.be/HQb1ZEYmZHc
The end of this clip and how excited Larry David gets over something like that is exactly how I feel all the time. Ted Danson is just standing there, a person he barely knows, and has no clue what to say. Larry lights up, he pushes Ted a bit, and just wants a brother to acknowledge his acheivement and Ted is having none of it. Feels like that all the time with my “brothers.”
And also, can we also talk about how unbelievably beautiful Lucy Lawless is? Blonde hair, sharp facial features, and don’t even ask me about that Australian accent because I’m about to faint.
April 13, 2012
At night, we were planning to maybe go into the city because I’ve been planning with Jenn. However, we end up wanting to go to Josh’s, but that plan falls through. I haven’t seen that man in a while. We end up making it my place. Jenn, Bolanos, Tom, and Kenny head over. We just hang out talking shit and doing nothing, an easy night. Tom is actually moving out to Williamsburg in a week, so that’s some super exciting news.
April 14, 2012
It’s Sara’s birthday today so we go in. Bolanos picks up Kenny and I and we head into the West Village/Meatpacking to meet Nikki and Scott. She bartends at this bar that I’ve been to before. We walk around trying to look for Corner Bistro and boom, we randomly see Scott outside of the bar we were supposed to go to. We weren’t even trying to walk past that bar. Coincidence.
Corner Bistro is obviously too busy so we go to get fish and chips. Bolanos doesn’t care for it, but I love me some fish. Walking to find somewhere to eat it because the place was closing, we randomly walk into Alon on the street. Coincidence. Then sitting on the ground eating, Aaron randomly walks past us. Coincidence.
So literally I texted these three guys and we were planning to meet them at some point after food because I told them to come downtown. However, even without us texting each other where we were getting food, we just run into all three of them. Crazy night.
We end up going to Ace Bar because Sara’s there. I like the place, even though it’s a bit crowded always. Lots of girls though. And skeeball, can’t forget skeeball. I give Sara my birthday wishes and the card I made. Stefan meets up with us.
We then move over to Sophie’s because that’s where we always go these days. It’s nice because I haven’t been there for weeks.
I’m texting with Ala and I find out that she’s going to be visiting NYC in May with her friend and wants somewhere to crash. That’s going to be great. I haven’t caught up with her recently and I’ve always wanted to visit TN for the sake of it being the south and also having someone to show me around.
I give Alon a chat about women. Our boy has prospects and I need to make sure he gets this shit done. None of us have any freaking prospects and while I care for myself the most, he better make moves on what he has going on.
When we’re about to leave, Bolanos and Aaron are waiting on the line for the bathroom. There’s this girl that just cuts them and Aaron tells her, “You know, we’re a society here.” She then tells Bolanos, “Your friend is the worst person in the world.” When I hear this quote, I die. I always enjoy topping off the night with a highlight and a “quote of the night.” It really makes the night meaningful to have something that really emphasizes a story and gives us something to take away from it.
Bolanos responds that there probably are worse people in the world. She says, “Not on this planet.” Aaron and I end up having this conversation. He’s clearly on the side that women should be treated equally, society should have standards, and women shouldn’t be allowed to be an exception. The other guys seem to be of that opinion.
I feel that chivalry isn’t dead. Unless it’s a crazy emergency, I don’t really care waiting a minute for a lady. As much as I like the idea of equality and blurring lines of separating people into groups, I still think chivalry can exist. It’s how I want to treat the women in my life, friends, family, or significant others, so why not be an example of that and just treat women in general fairly. A man needs a code.
April 15, 2012
It’s a beautiful day and I want to go to Williamsburg, but I end up giving up on that plan. Usually with these plans, I have something “to do” other than eating somewhere, but I didn’t really have this with Williamsburg. Maybe I can go on the bridge, but I just stay home. I go to Macy’s and try to look for some clothes because I need some nicer stuff for law school. I actually really need to buy a suit and be a man. Great thing that nothing fits so I walk away empty handed.
April 20, 2012
It’s a week or two before things go crazy so it’s good time for me to figure something fun, but also get ahead on work so studying won’t be so crazy. I almost plan on staying in for the night, but Bolanos gets away from his work and I pick up Kenny and him to go to BHT.
We stay there for a while, but I drove so only grab two beers. I get to sleep by 2:30, despite mad procrastination. I plan tomorrow to meet Vanessa in Brooklyn.
April 21, 2012
I wake up at 10:00 and it’s sick feeling active in an un-hungover sense. I could drive into Williamsburg, but I decide not to. I have time, I have a Yelp event, I don’t want to deal with parking, done.
I catch a bus to Flushing, then a subway to Court Sq. The G train is messed up, so there’s a bus downtown. It’s crazy how close the Long Island City is to North Williamsburg. We go to Smorgasburg, which is one of the best things ever. It’s in East Side Park, right by the water.
There are new, probably expensive, as hell apartments. The people are rich mofos considering they get their groceries delivered and get to throw it onto a luggage cart instead of carrying it to and from the store like normal people.
It’s such an incredible view of the city for a gorgeous day. It’s the 70s. Warm with a nice breeze from the water. It won’t be this nice in a few weeks.
I meet with my friend Vanessa, who just came back from England and Paris. She got me a Mind the Gap keychain, so how very nice and cool of her. Something about that phrase is so cool.
We start off with oysters, the Saint Simon Canadian one is the best. We share a half done, one each of the three different kinds. I’ve been itching to do $1 Happy Hour oysters, so this is a great move.
We walk all over the place and I wish I could try everything. We literally spend 30 minutes just checking out things without getting anything, just tasting samples and soaking it all in until actually getting something. I get a fried fish sandwich, so good. There’s also a crazy line for brisket and lamb with two guys with a smoker. The line is literally the longest line there by far and it’s quite obvious that apparently that’s the place to go. Boy it did not disappoint, crazy you can get a small sandwich of that quality stuff for $5. We sit on the grass for it, it’ll be a perfect place for a picnic.
I get a delicious apple and ginger soda, which would be a horrible idea if mixed with bourbon, you’d get so shitfaced. We then walk to the L train and we walk past all of Williamsburg. I forget why I’ve been to Public Assembly and still can’t think why I have, even after looking through the blog. We then walk over to the Yelp event, which is at a new place that celebrity chef David Burke opened up.
We came an hour late and only an hour left, however, I grab as many cocktails as I can. It’s a swanky outdoor cocktail area that is attached to a nice hotel in TriBeCa. They get celebrity bartenders to make drinks and it’s basically an free open bar.
Holy shit, nice ingredients, nice venue, beautiful weather, free drinks, great bartenders, loads of people, it’s so amazing. And freaking David Burke is actually there schmoozing around with people. I’m too shy to ask for a picture with him, then again, I haven’t tried any of his food, so I don’t have much to stay to him. However, the little bites of his food served are quite good.
The place is closing down and Vanessa is crazy and pulls a bottle of the rum into her bag. That is some skeevy move that I completely support. I haven’t pulled anything like that before in my prime days. I even take a shot because the bartenders need to get rid of the liquor that they’re given to make the drinks. I eventually split from Vanessa because she’s going to NJ. I tell Scott that we should meet up, I contact loads of people, but no one is really around.
I walk over to Grandaisy Bakery because that is amazing stuff, a butternut squash pizza with sage. Seriously? So good. I walk over the Washington Square Park and there’s a few young guys playing jazz. A trumpet, sax, drum, and bass. It’s so amazing. I record a few videos of it. It’s a beautiful day and beautiful music. People are enjoying it and I’m just a pig in shit. I’m drunk as hell now because I grabbed as many drinks as I could while I was there. I imagine I had at least 8-9 drinks and that’s a crazy amount for me these days.
I meet with Scott and we go to Down the Hatch, or whatever West Village bar is from the same people of Jake’s Dilemma. Other bars didn’t have Happy Hour this late since the event ended at 5 and I met Scott at 6-7:00. However, this bar has Happy Hour until 9, $3 shots and $1 beers. Good thing I can barely drink because I would’ve ordered so many freaking beers and shots with that value. After a couple drinks, we meet Nikki at the Magician in the LES.
Freaking hell, so many girls. I wish I was more sober or something because I wasn’t conversing with these girls and there were so many. It was literally like 6-7 girls and Scott and I and two others dudes. Hanging out with the usual group, we’re lucky to have one female hang out with 5-6 of us guys. I don’t know, it’s still just an amazing time. I’m too freaking happy. I had one of the best days I can recently remember, great food, great views, great drinks, great weather, just a great day. Beautiful New York.
And now, I’m drunk and hanging out with my boy Scott and Nikki and some other people. Just love it. Soctt and I realize we didn’t get food other than a hot dog after Down the Hatch, so we get pizza. Despite eating a lot earlier, I haven’t eaten dinner. I get the best pizza slice I’ve had in New York and then we join back with the group.
We go somewhere else and it’s a fucking walk. I didn’t realize. I told them not to take a cab, but they told me the wrong address. We all the way from the LES to basically Greenwich, between W Houston and Bleecker. It turns out to be this Hispanic place. There’s a live band playing salsa. The bathroom is the weirdest situtiaton because it’s in the basement, but down a 50 foot hallway. It’s just crazy how long the way is to the bathroom. I’d imagine people getting freaked out or lost. At the bathroom, there’s the obligatory guy that gives you a napkin and sometimes gets tipped. I thank him with a “Muchas gracias Senor.” He gives me a “De nada.” Great feeling. Not only do I get to use my Spanish, but I get a gentle reply. The Spanish I’ve dealt with recently is just pure racism. I hear all this “Chino” this or that all the time when I’m at stores or restaurants with workers. Hey man, the fuck!
I get some dancing down because I’m a dancing boss like that. We end up deciding to leave and pick up our stuff from the real sweet girl gives us back our stuff. Nikki had a suitcase because she was working at Whole Foods and I have a backpack with some law school work, an umbrella and whatnot. She offers us freaking sombreros! How sick!! Real fucking sombreros!
We walk outside and realize, WHAT THE FUCK. It’s a torrential hurricane rain. It’s only 11:30 and it looks like the night is dead. Damn that sucks.
I end up taking the subway up with them, they go home, I go to the LIRR. I obviously look sick in my hat. Had a sweet day though. Love it.
April 25, 2012
“Well I hope you as a future lawyer hold by the ideals of legal formalism. It would just be as fair for two hoodlums to beat you or I for helping a person who has fallen on the street. Unless you think bicycle messengers should be allotted powers of judgment, sentencing, and punishment, this man was innocent and had a Constitutional right to stand before a judge for a trial. Unfortunately, these deviants ignored the fundamental values this country was built upon.
We do not live in a land where punishment is dealt with by "street justice," vigilantism, and mob mentality. This is a society of laws and justice. Justitia omnibus.”
Something I wrote replying to Tork’s post. It was a video of some bike messengers beating on someone who tried to steal a bike.
At night, I’m not sure about plans until Evan says he’s driving into the city with Bolanos. I join along and then I find out that it’s an 80s party and I don’t even know. It’s cool, but I would’ve liked trying deck out in 80s stuff. We get there and it’s a very small place downstairs. The music is pretty good, a decent amount of people, but we end up splitting pretty quickly.
We stand around Sophie’s for a while and then Stefa and Sara come. We leave immediately though only after a short Hello.
March 25, 2012
I was invited to this Mad Men party in the Upper West Side and I have class tomorrow. It’s a combination of things that make me not want to go. I have hints of a hang over from yesterday. I don’t really feel like driving 45 minutes out there. I have class the next day. It’s just a huge fucking hassle so I decide to ditch, even though I was excited about it all week.
I then randomly get a call from Rebecca, Miah’s sister, and she invites me to this party. It’s her friend Andrew, and Courtney, who I have met. They’re all dressed up. I dressed a bit, but just up instead of in the fashion of the time. It’s a cool time hanging out with people I never hang with and meeting new people.
March 28, 2012
I don’t have class the next day and Jenn texts me if people are around for drinks. Done deal, this works out perfectly. I text people and Kenny, Bolanos, and Erdem come too. It’s just a chill time talking shit and having a few drinks. We chat a decent amount about the party I’m throwing on Friday. I randomly decided to because of the Mad Men thing and I realized that I should utilize my open house. There’s no reason not to and I haven’t hosted a house party in ages. I made the event on Facebook and it’s turned out to be really big. Can’t wait for that.
March 30, 2012
When I was in Montmarte in Paris, there was this one amazing bakery (boulangerie) that I went to. I’ve seen this video of Gordon Ramsay learning how to make a croissant and it randomly turned out to this bakery that I loved. So crazy. I really wish I could eventually move out to Europe.
http://youtu.be/K7zdYKn2RJo
Today is my party party. I themed it for the 1940s because I was listening to Tiny Bradshaw on the radio. The radio is so awesome. I feel a cold coming on, but I take a nap after class and then get up to prepare. Throughout the week, I did most of the set up. Cleaned up, organized the house, made the bar presentable, etc.
I did shopping after class so it’s time to cook. I make an eggplant “caviar,” a Gordon Ramsay recipe. Eggplant with Greek yogurt and sour cream. Creamy with Sriracha as spice and lemon to lift up the flavor a bit. I then make these Spanish egg tapas. Onion and mushroom, bits of bacon, crumbled hard boiled egg on toasted baguette. I then make a hollandaise for the first time. What a delicious sauce for it. I spice it up with some Spanish pimenton and cayenne, sick sauce. Thankfully, Andrew comes with Maker’s Mark and I make a punch with it. I froze a Tupperware with water so I could make a huge ice cube, real fucking fancy I am. Apple cider, cinnamon, orange slices, lemon seltzer to cut the sweetness, and loads of Maker’s. So delicious.
People are slow on trickling in, but it eventually turns out to be a huge party. Enoch and his friend. Andrew and his friend Gio. Jenn, Bolanos, Aaron, Scott, Nikki, Avi, Rebecca, Kenny, Hasan (who brings a case of Bud 40s), Tom, and his friend Scott, Matt, and his lady friend. Everyone’s around the bar, I’m blasting some 40s music, it’s all good, but a bit of a mindfuck because I’m just running here and there trying to keep the party flowing, mingle, and just make sure I run around to reach everyone and chat.
Booze runs out really fast. Thankfully Andrew brought the Maker’s and Tom brought a bottle of Captain. After that, we move onto wine and the 40s that Hasan brought. We play some beer pong because Hasan has been wanting to do that for some reason and I can’t blame him. Jenn drove so she leaves pretty quickly, would’ve liked to see her have a fun night as she usually doesn’t like drinking out.
We talk about the gal that Matt brought, in the most complimentary sense though. She’s a real good looking girl and Matt tells me that they met on Plenty of Fish. Darn, I need to get myself on that site. A few of the guys comment on how she looks young, Aaron tells me and it turns out she’s 27. Motherfucker. I love me some older women. Dammit. Actually, the only thing I thing about the next day when waking up in a hungover daze is how angry I was about the matter. Jealousy anger, but I’m really glad for Matt and how he pulls.
It’s a fun time and I get real drunk up in thurr. Eventually everyone leaves and it’s just Hasan and I. My boy, oldest best friend I got. I’m on that drunken high and really happy that he’s staying so I can hang. We want food, but realize nothing is open for delivery. We cook up some fried rice and just chill out on my computer watching cute girls who sing with a guitar. My man knows how attractive a musically talented girl can be. After a while, he stays for the evening on my couch and I head upstairs exhausted. The food and all the water I drank is getting to me. I’m on Skype with Ela and I just feel bloated and want to vomit. It’s gross as she’s doing dishes and enjoying her day with her roommate Kristina, and I’m a drunk asshole there with my finger down my throat trying to throw up. Eventually it happens in my trash and it’s time for bed. I haven’t actually chatted with Ela on Skype for a week or so, so it’s good hearing from her.
April 5, 2012
It’s a three day weekend for Easter and I want to make big plans because I’ve been feeling shitty all week from being sick. My colds usually go by real fast, but maybe this is something else. How do you know if you have a flu or not anyway? Whatever, I just fight through it and go through the week with a sore throat, sinus issues, loads of mucus.
Aaron is on the Island so Bolanos, Kenny, Aaron, and I go to BHT. After some drinks, we go to White Castle, which I’ve been fiending forever. They have this special deal that Aaron and I split. Dude, chicken rangs, French frauys, and buhrgahs (I’m not sure what accent I’m trying to get at here). It was gloriously delicious. Never felt more like a pig in shit. The bathroom as a separate door that you need to get buzz into by the employees. I guess people were using it too much because it’s near bars. When I get out, there’s this older man and I try to leave the door open for him. He fucking gives me attitude for it.
Then, there’s two guys waiting for it and when he gets out, he gives them attitude and stares at them. They’re standing in front of the glass door simply waiting for him to get out. Fucking old man is fat as fuck and must be drunk or something. The three of them exchange some words. Bolanos mentions that it’s stupid he’s doing that because the two younger guys could easily beat his ass. He was a riot, but I didn’t want to laugh too hard or stare at it because he could walk over and cause ruckus.
During this, we chat a bit about Alon and girls because Alon and I talked about this last week. Aaron mentions something about “he’s in a drought.” (Though every night is a drought for us, ammirite?!). Not trying to specifically bash on Alon or anything, but I mention, “There’s no drought when there’s never been rain.” Boom, there you go, quote of the night. We were dying from it. Again, I’m not trying to disparage my boy at all. I tell you, there’s nobody that’s got our brothers’ backs like I do. I want him to destroy, so I hope he does. He’s also moving into the city soon, so good for him.
April 6, 2012
I pick up Bolanos, Aaron, Stefan, and Sarah and we go to Studio Square. We meet up with Jesse and Teddy. It’s a good chill time.
When I get back, I actually hang a bit on the Tinychat room and chat with Shelby from Wisconsin. Then there’s Lisa from Spain who I catch up with. I haven’t heard from her recently and apparently she was fired and missing home a bit because she’s Dutch and moved to Spain less than a year ago.
April 7, 2012
It’s been a nerdy few days recently. I’ve been watching SC2 during the IPL tournament. I also switch between the Magic stream as well. Hey man, it’s Easter weekend, I get to sit around and do nothing. At night, people aren’t really around and I’m really not in the mood to go into the city. I thought the cold was dying down or gone, but it’s back and annoying me. I decide not to go into the city and go back to BHT with Tom, Bolanos, and Michelle shows up as well.
We’re just sitting around and chatting. Tom’s moving to Williamsburg soon, so that’s going to be pretty awesome. I decide to spice it up and after some beer, I get some Bombay and Knobb Creek. Classing it up and it was frakking delicious dammit.
April 10, 2012
Talking about snack game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erlw-ODVZxU&feature=youtu.be
Darwin: I've never seen a man more nonchalantly break up a fight. He did not stop his snacking for a moment. My biggest issue was answered on Reddit:
"He is eating pringles off of a white cheddar popcorn bag ಠ_ಠ"
"Raises so many questions. Did he combine the chips and popcorn to make a new flavour? Was he disguising the chips in a popcorn bag? What's going on!!"
I'm confused as fuck how he's pulling that off with his snack game.
Darwin: Yo, Doritos are the Baltic Avenue of the snack game. I wouldn't be caught with that shit in my grill.
Our boy had some premium chipage, BBQ Pringles. His popcorn game was pretty sick too.
You guys don't know, I'm all up in this snack game. I once killed a man over Fritos.
Another one
Eric: Snowing in April? Well played Michigan.
Darwin: Just like the Night's Watch of The Wall.
Eric: When you're this far north, the only place to go is south.
Darwin: I told that to a girl once. Let me tell you, she was not amused.
Me talking about Tom’s choice of a woman.
9 is a good choice. She's got that dark hair, very Czech looking. Those girls are sluts. You can probably get her anus for 2400 krona.
20 minutes with her would be cheap, maybe 90 USD and a bottle of Becherovka.
Man, I'm on a roll today. Someone pat my back.
http://youtu.be/HQb1ZEYmZHc
The end of this clip and how excited Larry David gets over something like that is exactly how I feel all the time. Ted Danson is just standing there, a person he barely knows, and has no clue what to say. Larry lights up, he pushes Ted a bit, and just wants a brother to acknowledge his acheivement and Ted is having none of it. Feels like that all the time with my “brothers.”
And also, can we also talk about how unbelievably beautiful Lucy Lawless is? Blonde hair, sharp facial features, and don’t even ask me about that Australian accent because I’m about to faint.
April 13, 2012
At night, we were planning to maybe go into the city because I’ve been planning with Jenn. However, we end up wanting to go to Josh’s, but that plan falls through. I haven’t seen that man in a while. We end up making it my place. Jenn, Bolanos, Tom, and Kenny head over. We just hang out talking shit and doing nothing, an easy night. Tom is actually moving out to Williamsburg in a week, so that’s some super exciting news.
April 14, 2012
It’s Sara’s birthday today so we go in. Bolanos picks up Kenny and I and we head into the West Village/Meatpacking to meet Nikki and Scott. She bartends at this bar that I’ve been to before. We walk around trying to look for Corner Bistro and boom, we randomly see Scott outside of the bar we were supposed to go to. We weren’t even trying to walk past that bar. Coincidence.
Corner Bistro is obviously too busy so we go to get fish and chips. Bolanos doesn’t care for it, but I love me some fish. Walking to find somewhere to eat it because the place was closing, we randomly walk into Alon on the street. Coincidence. Then sitting on the ground eating, Aaron randomly walks past us. Coincidence.
So literally I texted these three guys and we were planning to meet them at some point after food because I told them to come downtown. However, even without us texting each other where we were getting food, we just run into all three of them. Crazy night.
We end up going to Ace Bar because Sara’s there. I like the place, even though it’s a bit crowded always. Lots of girls though. And skeeball, can’t forget skeeball. I give Sara my birthday wishes and the card I made. Stefan meets up with us.
We then move over to Sophie’s because that’s where we always go these days. It’s nice because I haven’t been there for weeks.
I’m texting with Ala and I find out that she’s going to be visiting NYC in May with her friend and wants somewhere to crash. That’s going to be great. I haven’t caught up with her recently and I’ve always wanted to visit TN for the sake of it being the south and also having someone to show me around.
I give Alon a chat about women. Our boy has prospects and I need to make sure he gets this shit done. None of us have any freaking prospects and while I care for myself the most, he better make moves on what he has going on.
When we’re about to leave, Bolanos and Aaron are waiting on the line for the bathroom. There’s this girl that just cuts them and Aaron tells her, “You know, we’re a society here.” She then tells Bolanos, “Your friend is the worst person in the world.” When I hear this quote, I die. I always enjoy topping off the night with a highlight and a “quote of the night.” It really makes the night meaningful to have something that really emphasizes a story and gives us something to take away from it.
Bolanos responds that there probably are worse people in the world. She says, “Not on this planet.” Aaron and I end up having this conversation. He’s clearly on the side that women should be treated equally, society should have standards, and women shouldn’t be allowed to be an exception. The other guys seem to be of that opinion.
I feel that chivalry isn’t dead. Unless it’s a crazy emergency, I don’t really care waiting a minute for a lady. As much as I like the idea of equality and blurring lines of separating people into groups, I still think chivalry can exist. It’s how I want to treat the women in my life, friends, family, or significant others, so why not be an example of that and just treat women in general fairly. A man needs a code.
April 15, 2012
It’s a beautiful day and I want to go to Williamsburg, but I end up giving up on that plan. Usually with these plans, I have something “to do” other than eating somewhere, but I didn’t really have this with Williamsburg. Maybe I can go on the bridge, but I just stay home. I go to Macy’s and try to look for some clothes because I need some nicer stuff for law school. I actually really need to buy a suit and be a man. Great thing that nothing fits so I walk away empty handed.
April 20, 2012
It’s a week or two before things go crazy so it’s good time for me to figure something fun, but also get ahead on work so studying won’t be so crazy. I almost plan on staying in for the night, but Bolanos gets away from his work and I pick up Kenny and him to go to BHT.
We stay there for a while, but I drove so only grab two beers. I get to sleep by 2:30, despite mad procrastination. I plan tomorrow to meet Vanessa in Brooklyn.
April 21, 2012
I wake up at 10:00 and it’s sick feeling active in an un-hungover sense. I could drive into Williamsburg, but I decide not to. I have time, I have a Yelp event, I don’t want to deal with parking, done.
I catch a bus to Flushing, then a subway to Court Sq. The G train is messed up, so there’s a bus downtown. It’s crazy how close the Long Island City is to North Williamsburg. We go to Smorgasburg, which is one of the best things ever. It’s in East Side Park, right by the water.
There are new, probably expensive, as hell apartments. The people are rich mofos considering they get their groceries delivered and get to throw it onto a luggage cart instead of carrying it to and from the store like normal people.
It’s such an incredible view of the city for a gorgeous day. It’s the 70s. Warm with a nice breeze from the water. It won’t be this nice in a few weeks.
I meet with my friend Vanessa, who just came back from England and Paris. She got me a Mind the Gap keychain, so how very nice and cool of her. Something about that phrase is so cool.
We start off with oysters, the Saint Simon Canadian one is the best. We share a half done, one each of the three different kinds. I’ve been itching to do $1 Happy Hour oysters, so this is a great move.
We walk all over the place and I wish I could try everything. We literally spend 30 minutes just checking out things without getting anything, just tasting samples and soaking it all in until actually getting something. I get a fried fish sandwich, so good. There’s also a crazy line for brisket and lamb with two guys with a smoker. The line is literally the longest line there by far and it’s quite obvious that apparently that’s the place to go. Boy it did not disappoint, crazy you can get a small sandwich of that quality stuff for $5. We sit on the grass for it, it’ll be a perfect place for a picnic.
I get a delicious apple and ginger soda, which would be a horrible idea if mixed with bourbon, you’d get so shitfaced. We then walk to the L train and we walk past all of Williamsburg. I forget why I’ve been to Public Assembly and still can’t think why I have, even after looking through the blog. We then walk over to the Yelp event, which is at a new place that celebrity chef David Burke opened up.
We came an hour late and only an hour left, however, I grab as many cocktails as I can. It’s a swanky outdoor cocktail area that is attached to a nice hotel in TriBeCa. They get celebrity bartenders to make drinks and it’s basically an free open bar.
Holy shit, nice ingredients, nice venue, beautiful weather, free drinks, great bartenders, loads of people, it’s so amazing. And freaking David Burke is actually there schmoozing around with people. I’m too shy to ask for a picture with him, then again, I haven’t tried any of his food, so I don’t have much to stay to him. However, the little bites of his food served are quite good.
The place is closing down and Vanessa is crazy and pulls a bottle of the rum into her bag. That is some skeevy move that I completely support. I haven’t pulled anything like that before in my prime days. I even take a shot because the bartenders need to get rid of the liquor that they’re given to make the drinks. I eventually split from Vanessa because she’s going to NJ. I tell Scott that we should meet up, I contact loads of people, but no one is really around.
I walk over to Grandaisy Bakery because that is amazing stuff, a butternut squash pizza with sage. Seriously? So good. I walk over the Washington Square Park and there’s a few young guys playing jazz. A trumpet, sax, drum, and bass. It’s so amazing. I record a few videos of it. It’s a beautiful day and beautiful music. People are enjoying it and I’m just a pig in shit. I’m drunk as hell now because I grabbed as many drinks as I could while I was there. I imagine I had at least 8-9 drinks and that’s a crazy amount for me these days.
I meet with Scott and we go to Down the Hatch, or whatever West Village bar is from the same people of Jake’s Dilemma. Other bars didn’t have Happy Hour this late since the event ended at 5 and I met Scott at 6-7:00. However, this bar has Happy Hour until 9, $3 shots and $1 beers. Good thing I can barely drink because I would’ve ordered so many freaking beers and shots with that value. After a couple drinks, we meet Nikki at the Magician in the LES.
Freaking hell, so many girls. I wish I was more sober or something because I wasn’t conversing with these girls and there were so many. It was literally like 6-7 girls and Scott and I and two others dudes. Hanging out with the usual group, we’re lucky to have one female hang out with 5-6 of us guys. I don’t know, it’s still just an amazing time. I’m too freaking happy. I had one of the best days I can recently remember, great food, great views, great drinks, great weather, just a great day. Beautiful New York.
And now, I’m drunk and hanging out with my boy Scott and Nikki and some other people. Just love it. Soctt and I realize we didn’t get food other than a hot dog after Down the Hatch, so we get pizza. Despite eating a lot earlier, I haven’t eaten dinner. I get the best pizza slice I’ve had in New York and then we join back with the group.
We go somewhere else and it’s a fucking walk. I didn’t realize. I told them not to take a cab, but they told me the wrong address. We all the way from the LES to basically Greenwich, between W Houston and Bleecker. It turns out to be this Hispanic place. There’s a live band playing salsa. The bathroom is the weirdest situtiaton because it’s in the basement, but down a 50 foot hallway. It’s just crazy how long the way is to the bathroom. I’d imagine people getting freaked out or lost. At the bathroom, there’s the obligatory guy that gives you a napkin and sometimes gets tipped. I thank him with a “Muchas gracias Senor.” He gives me a “De nada.” Great feeling. Not only do I get to use my Spanish, but I get a gentle reply. The Spanish I’ve dealt with recently is just pure racism. I hear all this “Chino” this or that all the time when I’m at stores or restaurants with workers. Hey man, the fuck!
I get some dancing down because I’m a dancing boss like that. We end up deciding to leave and pick up our stuff from the real sweet girl gives us back our stuff. Nikki had a suitcase because she was working at Whole Foods and I have a backpack with some law school work, an umbrella and whatnot. She offers us freaking sombreros! How sick!! Real fucking sombreros!
We walk outside and realize, WHAT THE FUCK. It’s a torrential hurricane rain. It’s only 11:30 and it looks like the night is dead. Damn that sucks.
I end up taking the subway up with them, they go home, I go to the LIRR. I obviously look sick in my hat. Had a sweet day though. Love it.
April 25, 2012
“Well I hope you as a future lawyer hold by the ideals of legal formalism. It would just be as fair for two hoodlums to beat you or I for helping a person who has fallen on the street. Unless you think bicycle messengers should be allotted powers of judgment, sentencing, and punishment, this man was innocent and had a Constitutional right to stand before a judge for a trial. Unfortunately, these deviants ignored the fundamental values this country was built upon.
We do not live in a land where punishment is dealt with by "street justice," vigilantism, and mob mentality. This is a society of laws and justice. Justitia omnibus.”
Something I wrote replying to Tork’s post. It was a video of some bike messengers beating on someone who tried to steal a bike.
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