I can't get this song on iTunes. This used to be one of my favorite songs to listen and dance to. Played loud on fantastic set of speakers.
I was at the Mercury Bar early last nite, around 11pm and for the whole time that I was there (about an hour and a half), all I heard was hip hop. 100%.
Now, since I've been going to Mercury 3 years ago, I've gotten used to some hip hop because I had no choice. But I gotta say that most hip hop is crap. There's no harmony or engaging lyrics. It's all just bump and grind, mindless ghetto shit and the ghetto people love it. Lots of white trash people mostly.
I blame hip hop for people dressing like shit too and acting like animals for the past 10 yrs.
Yes, I am biased towards 80s music because I grew up on it. But still, even if I were a martian and never heard the 80s stuff, compared to hip hop, 80s hands down is more elegant and engaging then the ghetto crap.
The DJ sucked. A good DJ mixes things up. Alittle hip hop here, alittle rock n roll there, and 80s, etc. That DJ was just pouring out endless McNuggets with BBQ sauce. Not a chef, a fckn dishwasher boy at best.
Eventhough I luv 80s music alot, if I were to DJ, I would not be playing 80s 100%.
I wonder where I can get songs that are not on iTunes. There's a slew of songs that I miss like 'The Magician' by Secession and 'Situation' by Cetu Javu, etc. that are on YouTube but not on iTunes.
It's no wonder that the high end places play mostly 80s, Rock, and House now. The shit places like Mercury have shit DJs that only play ghetto. Yeah, I know that Mercury is shit. I luv it though when there aren't many people there and there is no DJ. Amen.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Belouis Some- Animal Magic
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Petrol
I find it disgusting that the Americans are all upset about a $4 per gallon. In England, gas is $8 per gallon, Germany $9 and in Netherlands $10 and I cheer the Japanese who had the insight and the smartness to create hybrid cars (which it-- the technology-- it licenses to American car companies.)
America has become lazy and arrogant and we are seeing the beginnings of the outcome of this gluttonous behavior. I wrote a blog a few days ago on 'hubris' ["Pride cometh before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction. Proverbs. 16] and this goes back to that blog.
I just got Fareed Zakaria's new book 'The Post-American World' and I look forward to reading it this week. It's about the 'rise of the rest' and how we are rapidly declining relative to others' rise.
Btw, I completely agree with Tom Friedman's opinion in NY Times (Titled: Truth or Consequences") about how we should have a gas price floor at $4 per gallon from now on.
I love the Jew Trio on NY Times, Brooks, Friedman, Krugman. They are brilliant, sagacious, intellectually honest, and articulate. I wish that they would be running this country.
FYI- Truth or Consequences (Copy and paste to browser)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/opinion/28friedman.html?em&ex=1212206400&en=6acc7e173e4e0dc8&ei=5087%0A
America has become lazy and arrogant and we are seeing the beginnings of the outcome of this gluttonous behavior. I wrote a blog a few days ago on 'hubris' ["Pride cometh before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction. Proverbs. 16] and this goes back to that blog.
I just got Fareed Zakaria's new book 'The Post-American World' and I look forward to reading it this week. It's about the 'rise of the rest' and how we are rapidly declining relative to others' rise.
Btw, I completely agree with Tom Friedman's opinion in NY Times (Titled: Truth or Consequences") about how we should have a gas price floor at $4 per gallon from now on.
I love the Jew Trio on NY Times, Brooks, Friedman, Krugman. They are brilliant, sagacious, intellectually honest, and articulate. I wish that they would be running this country.
FYI- Truth or Consequences (Copy and paste to browser)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/opinion/28friedman.html?em&ex=1212206400&en=6acc7e173e4e0dc8&ei=5087%0A
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The IRS
So, I got back my 2007 tax return refund. $0. I was owed $5,032 from last year for overpayment. But the fckrs said that I never filed for my 1999 tax return (8 yrs. ago) and that I had owed them $2,350 for that year and with penalties and interest since then, they swallowed the whole thing plus I owe them $357 more!
I told them that I never received any mails about this for the past 8 yrs. and that had I known, it would have already been paid off. They said, "well, you should have received them."
It's so hypocritical that the government is accountable to no one (e.g. they lost track of $1 bil. in cash that was sent to Iraq and have no clue where the money went). But with citizens, they are hardcore.
As far as I remember, I did file in 1999. But I don't keep records that far back. Actually, I don't keep records at all.
The messed up part is that last year, I already paid over $50,000 (for real!) in Federal and State income taxes straight out of my paycheck. So, on top of all of this, I still owe them money?!
I'm annoyed but not upset. I expect the worst from our government. The wealthiest nation on Earth with 45 mil. people uninsured, roads and bridges crumbling, a horrifically executed war, no energy policy, etc.
I used to hate it and defended America 110% when foreigners said shit about us. Now, I just agree with them.
Don't get me wrong. America is still the land of most opportunities and probably the most fun place on Earth because of it's ethnic diversity and innovations. But I have to admit that America in the past 8 yrs. (aka the Cheney Administration) has done a lot of harm to this wonderful country. I cant' wait for this administration to expire and no way will I vote for McCain for a 3rd Bush term.
I told them that I never received any mails about this for the past 8 yrs. and that had I known, it would have already been paid off. They said, "well, you should have received them."
It's so hypocritical that the government is accountable to no one (e.g. they lost track of $1 bil. in cash that was sent to Iraq and have no clue where the money went). But with citizens, they are hardcore.
As far as I remember, I did file in 1999. But I don't keep records that far back. Actually, I don't keep records at all.
The messed up part is that last year, I already paid over $50,000 (for real!) in Federal and State income taxes straight out of my paycheck. So, on top of all of this, I still owe them money?!
I'm annoyed but not upset. I expect the worst from our government. The wealthiest nation on Earth with 45 mil. people uninsured, roads and bridges crumbling, a horrifically executed war, no energy policy, etc.
I used to hate it and defended America 110% when foreigners said shit about us. Now, I just agree with them.
Don't get me wrong. America is still the land of most opportunities and probably the most fun place on Earth because of it's ethnic diversity and innovations. But I have to admit that America in the past 8 yrs. (aka the Cheney Administration) has done a lot of harm to this wonderful country. I cant' wait for this administration to expire and no way will I vote for McCain for a 3rd Bush term.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
GDP Rank 2007
2007 Top 20 Economies
Rank Country GDP (millions of USD)
— World 53,640,000
1 United States 13,790,000
2 Japan 4,346,000
3 Germany 3,259,000
4 China 3,249,000
5 United Kingdom 2,756,000
6 France 2,515,000
7 Italy 2,068,000
8 Spain 1,415,000
9 Canada 1,406,000
10 Russia 1,286,000
11 Brazil 1,269,000
12 India 1,090,000
13 South Korea 981,900
14 Australia 889,700
15 Mexico 886,400
16 Netherlands 754,900
17 Turkey 482,000
18 Belgium 442,800
19 Sweden 431,600
20 Switzerland 413,900
Rank Country GDP (millions of USD)
— World 53,640,000
1 United States 13,790,000
2 Japan 4,346,000
3 Germany 3,259,000
4 China 3,249,000
5 United Kingdom 2,756,000
6 France 2,515,000
7 Italy 2,068,000
8 Spain 1,415,000
9 Canada 1,406,000
10 Russia 1,286,000
11 Brazil 1,269,000
12 India 1,090,000
13 South Korea 981,900
14 Australia 889,700
15 Mexico 886,400
16 Netherlands 754,900
17 Turkey 482,000
18 Belgium 442,800
19 Sweden 431,600
20 Switzerland 413,900
$175 for Two Cigarettes
Was at Bungalow and was smoking and this guy comes over from his table and asks me if I had cigarettes. I had 3 left and he was dressed nice with a nice girl friend so I said sure. He took it and said thanks and he said look come over. Went over to his table. He said, that's your's take it. Half a bottle of Grey Goose. I said, nah, it's OK. I didn't want to take advantage of a drunk guy. He insisted that I take it. Then I looked at the table and there was another bottle of Grey Goose. I thought it was empty but it was actually not even opened. So, I said OK. He said, "I'm rich. I'm retired! I want you to have it!" I wish it was earlier in the night. Had to leave in half an hour when it closed.
I said, "you should take that (unopened bottle) home." He took it to the kitchen and came out empty handed. I asked, "where's your bottle?" He just pointed back to the kitchen and left. I assume that he either forfeited that or they'll be saving it for him for another nite. 2 bottles of Grey Goose and tip = $800. Great style.
So, academically speaking, that was the most I got out of 2 cigarettes and I didn't even want anything. He paid, ineffect, $175 for my 2 cigarettes. Gotta love Manhattan.
I said, "you should take that (unopened bottle) home." He took it to the kitchen and came out empty handed. I asked, "where's your bottle?" He just pointed back to the kitchen and left. I assume that he either forfeited that or they'll be saving it for him for another nite. 2 bottles of Grey Goose and tip = $800. Great style.
So, academically speaking, that was the most I got out of 2 cigarettes and I didn't even want anything. He paid, ineffect, $175 for my 2 cigarettes. Gotta love Manhattan.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Only in Manhattan
Can I wake up from a 10pm to 2am nap then decide to go out at 2:30am (after multiple text invites that woke me from my slumber) to arrive at 3am (30 mins. for shave and cologne, pick correct ascot, and cab to) at my regular XYZ place then get my ass pinched by the sultry hostess, wowwaweewaa (who I plan definitely to get to know better. already buttered. told her she is beautiful (which I do always mean. girls who are not beautiful, I never say they are beautiful) and kissed her on the hand as I do with all women whom I admire and/or am admired by and hopefully leave her wanting more. "A gentleman is patient wolf!) and get other numbers and free drinks then get my chicken tikka for 5am supper then after watching curious george cartoon on PBS for 2 hrs., at 7:15am get a craving for baby carrots and ice cream and actually get it across the street and get my doorman a cup of coffee with sweet and low. "Fred, you are the best tenant in the building!"
King Kong was a monkey. Me Tarzan. Happy. Not hubris.
Btw, saw Chadwick at XYZ place. 500 smallworld connections but always alone. Travels light. What a scoundrel. Respect! He and I both hit on a gorgeous Brazilian/German model with a wedding ring. Hands down the most gorgeous gal there. I got more time out of her than Chad (eventhough he's slightly more handsome than me) without getting her a drink.
Be sincere and tell them that they are beautiful, listen and agree with everything that they say while they look at my smile and ascot and while I look straight into their eyes (without blinking). Simple etiquette. I have 3 Stephanies in my phone and I only know one of them, the one that said, "Hey, I tried to connect with you on smallworld and you never responded. If you don't connect with me tomorrow, I'm never going to speak to you again." I asked, "Do you per chance have any Sicilian blood in you?" She said, "Yes, 100%." My bar code reader is state of the art.
King Kong was a monkey. Me Tarzan. Happy. Not hubris.
Btw, saw Chadwick at XYZ place. 500 smallworld connections but always alone. Travels light. What a scoundrel. Respect! He and I both hit on a gorgeous Brazilian/German model with a wedding ring. Hands down the most gorgeous gal there. I got more time out of her than Chad (eventhough he's slightly more handsome than me) without getting her a drink.
Be sincere and tell them that they are beautiful, listen and agree with everything that they say while they look at my smile and ascot and while I look straight into their eyes (without blinking). Simple etiquette. I have 3 Stephanies in my phone and I only know one of them, the one that said, "Hey, I tried to connect with you on smallworld and you never responded. If you don't connect with me tomorrow, I'm never going to speak to you again." I asked, "Do you per chance have any Sicilian blood in you?" She said, "Yes, 100%." My bar code reader is state of the art.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Hubris
"Pride comes before the fall." I don't know who said this but I frequently remind myself of this quote when I see pride in others and in myself. I also think then about an episode in Homer's Odyssey where Odysseus outwits the cyclops and on his escape with his crew, he loudly touts and belittles the blinded cyclops. He and his crew almost died because while Odysseus was touting loudly, the cyclops used his ears to approximate his location and threw a tree at the ship which almost sank it. I remember discussing hubris in class. Some pun intended here-- hubris is an Achille's heel for many: individuals, companies, and countries.
Look where 8 years of George W.'s "Cowboy Diplomacy" (i.e. if you are not with us then you are against us!" has gotten us. Loss of respect around the world, corporate welfare, Iraq fiasco, decaying infrastructure, etc. etc. I was FOR going into Iraq. I believed in the neocon idea of "behavior modification." In the case of the Middle East, go and kill the enemy before the enemy stands up to kill you. I know that some would think that this is too simple. But I believe in pragmatism. I used to love watching Rumsfeld and his entertaining bravado. It was a great show and it showed the might of our power. I didn't think then hubris. But as months went on and we were dragged into a quagmire. I relialized that Rumsfeld and the Cheney administration was in a state of hubris and denial. They listened to no one. It was a crusade with no eyes and ears. Bucaneering in the dark at best.
Hubris has been the downfall of many companies as well. Think Enron, think Bear Stearns, etc. They all believed that they were invincible and right.
I have also worked for people who were full of hubris. I haven't seen them fall but I'm certain that the model and the outcome is most likely to be the same.
Just as there is false charm and fool's gold, hubris is false confidence. It's delusional, vane confidence. It's confidence on steroids. Steroids kill.
Our confidence must be tempered with some genuine humility.
My dad once told me, "the trees that don't survive in a storm are those that do not bend." It's true. If one can not bend alittle, one breaks eventually.
This applies to all: individuals, companies, and countries.
Stop shouting. Stop exerting. Be tranquil. Close your eyes and listen. Listen and reason. Behave.
I was thinking about this because we think that we are the greatest country in the world. But we are not. We are the only industrialized nation without universal health care, our infrastructure (roads, telecom) is crumbling, our technology is not the most modern, our diplomacy is laughable, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. We are becoming a second world power, devolving. The Canadian $ is now in parity with the U.S. $. I never thought that I would be around to see it happen. Remember, tortois and the hare?
Pride doest come before the fall.
Look where 8 years of George W.'s "Cowboy Diplomacy" (i.e. if you are not with us then you are against us!" has gotten us. Loss of respect around the world, corporate welfare, Iraq fiasco, decaying infrastructure, etc. etc. I was FOR going into Iraq. I believed in the neocon idea of "behavior modification." In the case of the Middle East, go and kill the enemy before the enemy stands up to kill you. I know that some would think that this is too simple. But I believe in pragmatism. I used to love watching Rumsfeld and his entertaining bravado. It was a great show and it showed the might of our power. I didn't think then hubris. But as months went on and we were dragged into a quagmire. I relialized that Rumsfeld and the Cheney administration was in a state of hubris and denial. They listened to no one. It was a crusade with no eyes and ears. Bucaneering in the dark at best.
Hubris has been the downfall of many companies as well. Think Enron, think Bear Stearns, etc. They all believed that they were invincible and right.
I have also worked for people who were full of hubris. I haven't seen them fall but I'm certain that the model and the outcome is most likely to be the same.
Just as there is false charm and fool's gold, hubris is false confidence. It's delusional, vane confidence. It's confidence on steroids. Steroids kill.
Our confidence must be tempered with some genuine humility.
My dad once told me, "the trees that don't survive in a storm are those that do not bend." It's true. If one can not bend alittle, one breaks eventually.
This applies to all: individuals, companies, and countries.
Stop shouting. Stop exerting. Be tranquil. Close your eyes and listen. Listen and reason. Behave.
I was thinking about this because we think that we are the greatest country in the world. But we are not. We are the only industrialized nation without universal health care, our infrastructure (roads, telecom) is crumbling, our technology is not the most modern, our diplomacy is laughable, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. We are becoming a second world power, devolving. The Canadian $ is now in parity with the U.S. $. I never thought that I would be around to see it happen. Remember, tortois and the hare?
Pride doest come before the fall.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Boys and Girls
I loved the movie "When Harry Met Sally" What a romantic comedy classic. It was funny as hell and quite insightful too. That's what made it a great movie.
Now, when Harry said to Sally in one of the scenes, "Guys can't be friends with girls because there's this sex thing that's always there." I thought then, hey absolutely true. That was 10 yrs. ago.
I have changed my thinking on that 'rule' or description. I now know and hang out with 3 wonderful women all of whom have boyfriends and I am happy for them and for me too. I know that this is not very manly of me to say but I have come to the conclusion that I am happy when my gal friends are happy. I appreciate and enjoy them no matter what. I don't have to be the top dog. That's ego not love. Love is rare. Ego is common. Everyone has ego. Takes a real man or woman to love. Love is selfless. Love has no ego. Ego also breeds jealousy. Jealousy is weak. It's ugly too.
Mind you, I choose my gal friends very carefully. 1) They can not be fat. I know. It's harsh but that's a rule for me. This means precisely, no fat tummy and no fat ass. Men, especially me a dandy, I need good visuals. I see ugly everwhere and I don't want to see it by choice.. only by chance. Hey, btw, I'm not perfect either. [ACTUALLY, let me NOT be so diplomatic here but real. There is a reason why thin models get paid more than fat models by like a million times for fck sake! We're all superficial! Girls, Al Sharpton or Christian Beale? Done.]; 2) They have to be pretty. No more needs to be said; 3) They must be fun but no drama. Afterall, I just want to have a good time and drama is selfish bullshit and I don't have the patience for it; 4) They must be stylish. It shows individuality. I don't want to be around people who have no taste or became lazy with the way they look. Funny. So far, this actually is in general, the kind of friends that I am friends with. Gal or guy. Of course, in case of a guy, instead of pretty, it's got to be handsome or cute; 5) They must be able to hang out after midnight at least once, twice a week. Can you imagine how boring someone who is young without kids will be like when they're older and married if they can't be a free spirit before marriage?! Kids, mini van, soccer practice, so much fckn routine. This applies to both prospective gal pals and girl friends and excludes college years when everyone got wasted and hung out past midnight. Herding, not individuating.
Now, don't get me wrong. If I were ever to get married and have kids, going out after midnight would be like once every 2 months (max) and I won't mind the soccer practice etc. Life changes then and that's good. But I can never be with someone who I know who would never be able to say to me, "honey, the kids are asleep. Let's sneak out and have some fun tonight. You and me honey. Like the old days. I love you."
Anyway, back to my main theme. I am happier to be friends with girls who are exceptional and I respect their situation. It's actually less pressure. I have had 4 serious girl friends and averaged 3 yrs. each. All were beautiful. Like magazine cover beautiful. It was like mini marriages. So, I have a taste of marriage (aka serious relationships). I'm glad I had sex with them but after about 6 months, sex is not the most important thing. What matters most is who they are and how I like them. So, sure, I'll get married some day. I hope. With someone that I can never be bored of and my heart and experience will tell me that.
Sex is important but sex should never get in the way of having a wonderful relationship. Relationships are more important than sex. So many people end up with boyfriends girlfriends on the basis of sex and years down the road think, "Oops I did it again. Now what do I do? I'm older and the botox isn't working anymore :()!"
So, Harry was wrong. He was only thinking with his penis not his heart. I guess 'When Harry Met Sally' was not only a comedy but a tragedy. Harry would have had a much more meaningful and fun time in the long run if he left his penis out of the equation. He gave up the long term for the short term. I think that 95% of boys and girls do.
Now, when Harry said to Sally in one of the scenes, "Guys can't be friends with girls because there's this sex thing that's always there." I thought then, hey absolutely true. That was 10 yrs. ago.
I have changed my thinking on that 'rule' or description. I now know and hang out with 3 wonderful women all of whom have boyfriends and I am happy for them and for me too. I know that this is not very manly of me to say but I have come to the conclusion that I am happy when my gal friends are happy. I appreciate and enjoy them no matter what. I don't have to be the top dog. That's ego not love. Love is rare. Ego is common. Everyone has ego. Takes a real man or woman to love. Love is selfless. Love has no ego. Ego also breeds jealousy. Jealousy is weak. It's ugly too.
Mind you, I choose my gal friends very carefully. 1) They can not be fat. I know. It's harsh but that's a rule for me. This means precisely, no fat tummy and no fat ass. Men, especially me a dandy, I need good visuals. I see ugly everwhere and I don't want to see it by choice.. only by chance. Hey, btw, I'm not perfect either. [ACTUALLY, let me NOT be so diplomatic here but real. There is a reason why thin models get paid more than fat models by like a million times for fck sake! We're all superficial! Girls, Al Sharpton or Christian Beale? Done.]; 2) They have to be pretty. No more needs to be said; 3) They must be fun but no drama. Afterall, I just want to have a good time and drama is selfish bullshit and I don't have the patience for it; 4) They must be stylish. It shows individuality. I don't want to be around people who have no taste or became lazy with the way they look. Funny. So far, this actually is in general, the kind of friends that I am friends with. Gal or guy. Of course, in case of a guy, instead of pretty, it's got to be handsome or cute; 5) They must be able to hang out after midnight at least once, twice a week. Can you imagine how boring someone who is young without kids will be like when they're older and married if they can't be a free spirit before marriage?! Kids, mini van, soccer practice, so much fckn routine. This applies to both prospective gal pals and girl friends and excludes college years when everyone got wasted and hung out past midnight. Herding, not individuating.
Now, don't get me wrong. If I were ever to get married and have kids, going out after midnight would be like once every 2 months (max) and I won't mind the soccer practice etc. Life changes then and that's good. But I can never be with someone who I know who would never be able to say to me, "honey, the kids are asleep. Let's sneak out and have some fun tonight. You and me honey. Like the old days. I love you."
Anyway, back to my main theme. I am happier to be friends with girls who are exceptional and I respect their situation. It's actually less pressure. I have had 4 serious girl friends and averaged 3 yrs. each. All were beautiful. Like magazine cover beautiful. It was like mini marriages. So, I have a taste of marriage (aka serious relationships). I'm glad I had sex with them but after about 6 months, sex is not the most important thing. What matters most is who they are and how I like them. So, sure, I'll get married some day. I hope. With someone that I can never be bored of and my heart and experience will tell me that.
Sex is important but sex should never get in the way of having a wonderful relationship. Relationships are more important than sex. So many people end up with boyfriends girlfriends on the basis of sex and years down the road think, "Oops I did it again. Now what do I do? I'm older and the botox isn't working anymore :()!"
So, Harry was wrong. He was only thinking with his penis not his heart. I guess 'When Harry Met Sally' was not only a comedy but a tragedy. Harry would have had a much more meaningful and fun time in the long run if he left his penis out of the equation. He gave up the long term for the short term. I think that 95% of boys and girls do.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Money Disparity
I was just looking at Barbie's friend Bunny's website and was impressed with all of the shopping that she's been doing. I met Bunny (my nickname for her) a few months ago when she came to visit Barbie here in Manhattan. Very pretty girl and quite the party girl. Her last morning in Manhattan (after 10 full days of partying everyday), I had to literally rescue her after she got stuck way uptown after an afterparty without any cash (maxed out credit card too). She literally got in a cab and she stopped and called me for help. I didn't mind too much. I like pretty party girls. I like Warhol girls.
Anyway,she has a blog and it's all in Swedish. I can't read Swedish. It's a tough language. But she posts everyday and sometimes multiple times a day. She usually has pictures on her blog and I luv the pictures. Some people just have a good eye for interesting visuals and she certainly does. So I enjoy checking her blogs out from time to time. Apparently, lately, she's been shopping and there's also a shot of her closet. Many many dresses and shoes. Her kitchen also looks very well put together and often, there are shots of her food and drinks. A feast.
So, I'm thinking... I know that she has an average job with an average pay as far as I know, how the hell does she afford all this? Her lifestyle in Sweden would be equivalent to that of someone here in Manhattan making AT LEAST $120K. Then I remember Saturday nite when I went to the Rose Bar for a few cocktails with Summer (my off and on neighborhood gal pal), we were there for awhile. She had like 5 martinis (she's a very good martini drinker) and I had 1 Stoli Tonic and like 5 beers. One of the rounds were paid by a couple of nice guys who Summer picked up outside when she went for a smoke. The bill came and the fckn thing was $189 (including 20% gratuities). Albeit it, I also bought Barbie a glass of wine ($22!). I had no idea that they would charge that much. Although, I would have bought Barbie the glass anyway. Their glass of champagne, mind you, one glass is priced at $24. Rose Bar, hands down, is the most expensive bar in Manhattan as far as I know and given the waning quality of the people there, I don't think it's worth it.
Then I remembered how frckn expensive Manhattan is. You can't get a decent studio for less than $2,500 and you can't get a decent 1 bdrm. for less than $3,500 and if one goes out for a night... a frugal nite, it's really hard to spend less than a $100(cab rides, drinks). Pretty women have it pretty easy. Guys buy everything for them in most cases. But the gals I hang out with are appreciative and fun, not like those blatant Russian gold diggers, so I don't mind at all.
The irony is that for most of the tourists who visit here (English, German, Japanese, etc.), the city is actually cheap! How the hell does that happen? I guess if I think hard enough to my macroeconimics classes and do the various graphs in my head, it would make academic sense. But it doesn't make intuitive sense.
There are so many people here in Manhattan who work their asses off barely scraping by then there are those who have lots of money who easily make more money even when they're sleeping. Think Donald Trump and hundreds of thousands of others like him.
It just boggles my mind how disparate lives are here and how life is out there in Bunnyland.
Anyway,she has a blog and it's all in Swedish. I can't read Swedish. It's a tough language. But she posts everyday and sometimes multiple times a day. She usually has pictures on her blog and I luv the pictures. Some people just have a good eye for interesting visuals and she certainly does. So I enjoy checking her blogs out from time to time. Apparently, lately, she's been shopping and there's also a shot of her closet. Many many dresses and shoes. Her kitchen also looks very well put together and often, there are shots of her food and drinks. A feast.
So, I'm thinking... I know that she has an average job with an average pay as far as I know, how the hell does she afford all this? Her lifestyle in Sweden would be equivalent to that of someone here in Manhattan making AT LEAST $120K. Then I remember Saturday nite when I went to the Rose Bar for a few cocktails with Summer (my off and on neighborhood gal pal), we were there for awhile. She had like 5 martinis (she's a very good martini drinker) and I had 1 Stoli Tonic and like 5 beers. One of the rounds were paid by a couple of nice guys who Summer picked up outside when she went for a smoke. The bill came and the fckn thing was $189 (including 20% gratuities). Albeit it, I also bought Barbie a glass of wine ($22!). I had no idea that they would charge that much. Although, I would have bought Barbie the glass anyway. Their glass of champagne, mind you, one glass is priced at $24. Rose Bar, hands down, is the most expensive bar in Manhattan as far as I know and given the waning quality of the people there, I don't think it's worth it.
Then I remembered how frckn expensive Manhattan is. You can't get a decent studio for less than $2,500 and you can't get a decent 1 bdrm. for less than $3,500 and if one goes out for a night... a frugal nite, it's really hard to spend less than a $100(cab rides, drinks). Pretty women have it pretty easy. Guys buy everything for them in most cases. But the gals I hang out with are appreciative and fun, not like those blatant Russian gold diggers, so I don't mind at all.
The irony is that for most of the tourists who visit here (English, German, Japanese, etc.), the city is actually cheap! How the hell does that happen? I guess if I think hard enough to my macroeconimics classes and do the various graphs in my head, it would make academic sense. But it doesn't make intuitive sense.
There are so many people here in Manhattan who work their asses off barely scraping by then there are those who have lots of money who easily make more money even when they're sleeping. Think Donald Trump and hundreds of thousands of others like him.
It just boggles my mind how disparate lives are here and how life is out there in Bunnyland.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Another Bungalow Post
So, Barbie and I went to Bungalow Monday nite around 1am to just hangout after having a wonderful Cinco De Mayo gathering at my gay pals' apt. in Chelsea and 'G' the gay bar. We had a wonderful time and they loved her. My gay boys are always cordial and friendly but Scott, my pal, always tells me within an hour what he thinks of the people I bring to his place. He either says, "I like her" or "nah, I don't like her" and he is always right.
So, to end a nice evening, Barbie and I head to Bungalow. There were 4 Escalades with black tinted windows and 4 door guys. Hmmm. I thought to myself, there's something going on tonight. Usually, Monday nites are very quiet. I hardly ever go there on Mondays. As we approached the rope, we did not see our usual doorman who is usually there every night. This time it was 4 new guys with ponytails and D&G tux. They asked us, "you on the list?" We said, we'll wait for the door guy. the door guys shows up and tells us it's private party. We should have left right then but then we saw George Clooney coming out and we thought hmmm. this could be interesting. So, we lingered. Bad decision. Oh well, we're not perfect.
I am not a big celebrity vulture but I haven't seen a celebrity in awhile. Not since Adrien Brody who was at B8 a couple of weeks before. Plus, we thought we were invincible when it came to entree to B8. Next, we see the Olsen Twins coming out.
We never got in. The door guy usually wears like a hooded jacket, very casual. But on Monday, he was wearing a tux. I should have left. But Barbie was insistent on getting in and I was too lazy to leave. We were both drunk.
So, finally after 20 mins., I got hold of the door guy and said, "come on. you know us. we're regulars." He stopped over and said to me, "if you continue to badger me, you will never step inside here again!" :())). I immediately left.
I had a similar situation at Beatrice Inn, albeit, that was a completely different story. I was accused of hitting on women so the door guy told me and that I was reported. So, I was banned completely on hear say. I don't hit on women. I talk to them but if there's no interest, I leave them.
Now, back to B8. Apparently, the night WAS indeed completely private. I'm talking, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Georgio Armani, Fergie, Michael Kors, Dolce, Gabbana, etc. I had no idea. Armani threw Clooney a surprise birthday party after the Costume Institute Gala (aka Oscars East) at the Met earlier that evening.
I wish though that the door guy would have said to me (us), "listen my friend. i know you and barbie are regulars. but i'm sorry. Tonight is completely private. Come back tomorrow nite." I would have completely understood that. very disappointed.
My friend Shane was banned from b8 for 5 fckn months because he was accidentally nasty to a woman who turned out to be the owner.
So fckn tenuous this whole charade. The only way to avoid all of this is to become actually famous. If you're not famous in Manhattan, you are actually nobody- a regular, nobody. Hey, maybe that's the way it is and the way it should be. Can you imagine Andy Warhol ever being turned away from a night spot? Fame, money, good friends, and health... that's all that one needs here.
But you know who would out trump all these celebs and door guys? Obama or the Dalai Lama. Avatars. Represent yo!
So, to end a nice evening, Barbie and I head to Bungalow. There were 4 Escalades with black tinted windows and 4 door guys. Hmmm. I thought to myself, there's something going on tonight. Usually, Monday nites are very quiet. I hardly ever go there on Mondays. As we approached the rope, we did not see our usual doorman who is usually there every night. This time it was 4 new guys with ponytails and D&G tux. They asked us, "you on the list?" We said, we'll wait for the door guy. the door guys shows up and tells us it's private party. We should have left right then but then we saw George Clooney coming out and we thought hmmm. this could be interesting. So, we lingered. Bad decision. Oh well, we're not perfect.
I am not a big celebrity vulture but I haven't seen a celebrity in awhile. Not since Adrien Brody who was at B8 a couple of weeks before. Plus, we thought we were invincible when it came to entree to B8. Next, we see the Olsen Twins coming out.
We never got in. The door guy usually wears like a hooded jacket, very casual. But on Monday, he was wearing a tux. I should have left. But Barbie was insistent on getting in and I was too lazy to leave. We were both drunk.
So, finally after 20 mins., I got hold of the door guy and said, "come on. you know us. we're regulars." He stopped over and said to me, "if you continue to badger me, you will never step inside here again!" :())). I immediately left.
I had a similar situation at Beatrice Inn, albeit, that was a completely different story. I was accused of hitting on women so the door guy told me and that I was reported. So, I was banned completely on hear say. I don't hit on women. I talk to them but if there's no interest, I leave them.
Now, back to B8. Apparently, the night WAS indeed completely private. I'm talking, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Georgio Armani, Fergie, Michael Kors, Dolce, Gabbana, etc. I had no idea. Armani threw Clooney a surprise birthday party after the Costume Institute Gala (aka Oscars East) at the Met earlier that evening.
I wish though that the door guy would have said to me (us), "listen my friend. i know you and barbie are regulars. but i'm sorry. Tonight is completely private. Come back tomorrow nite." I would have completely understood that. very disappointed.
My friend Shane was banned from b8 for 5 fckn months because he was accidentally nasty to a woman who turned out to be the owner.
So fckn tenuous this whole charade. The only way to avoid all of this is to become actually famous. If you're not famous in Manhattan, you are actually nobody- a regular, nobody. Hey, maybe that's the way it is and the way it should be. Can you imagine Andy Warhol ever being turned away from a night spot? Fame, money, good friends, and health... that's all that one needs here.
But you know who would out trump all these celebs and door guys? Obama or the Dalai Lama. Avatars. Represent yo!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Bungalow Bonfire
I was hanging out at Bungalow 8 with my good friend Shane Friday nite. I've know Shane for 8 months and we hang from time to time and we always have a fantastic time. He's a great bon vivant and very smart guy with style. Anyway, I was also hanging with my german model gal pal and her new bf and was having the usual fantastic time at B8. So, lot's of stuff going on.
I was sipping my watermelon martini and scanning the talent then when I looked back, there 6ft. in the air, I saw a huge cloud of smoke, the kind of smoke that just lingers like blown dry ice. I was think, "hmm, I din't know that B8 had a dry ice machine." I don't have good memory, so I figured that either they've always had one and I never noticed or that they installed one in the past week. It turns out that the girl that one of my other regulars at B8, Jarrod, brought had her hair on fire. I don't know how that happened since they banned smoking after a police raid last week. But it was apparent that the huge cloud of smoke was from her hair because everyone there came over to look at it her and ask her if she was OK.
I stared at her hair and I expected it to be gone on the right side because literally the smoke cloud was the size of a small SUV. I noticed no hair loss.
Just as surprising was that she just sat there for 20 mins. without opening up a compact to check herself out nor going to the bathroom mirror. The first thing that I would have done if that were to happened to me is to go to the bathroom mirror.
Then 2 mins. later, Amy Sacco, the owner, came over and said, "hey guys, no smoking." Shane told her that we weren't smoking and that the girl's hair caught on fire.
I had part of my hair on fire once while cooking and I remember the smell. It's quite distinctive and nauseating. Shane and I sat for 4 mins. and we could't take it anymore. The smell was unbearable. We went out for a smoke. When we returned, the girl was still sitting around. I smiled and jokingly said to her, "you've gotta leave now please."
A good thing about that fire episode was that the B&T drift that were there initially (hey, it was friday, B&T sippage is everywhere on Friday) all cleared out. So it became less B&T. Note: hair on fire expels the B&T crowd. I wonder if I can get a 'hair on fire' spray and use it like a shark repellent when B&Ts show up? A serendipitious cure, like penicillin.
I was sipping my watermelon martini and scanning the talent then when I looked back, there 6ft. in the air, I saw a huge cloud of smoke, the kind of smoke that just lingers like blown dry ice. I was think, "hmm, I din't know that B8 had a dry ice machine." I don't have good memory, so I figured that either they've always had one and I never noticed or that they installed one in the past week. It turns out that the girl that one of my other regulars at B8, Jarrod, brought had her hair on fire. I don't know how that happened since they banned smoking after a police raid last week. But it was apparent that the huge cloud of smoke was from her hair because everyone there came over to look at it her and ask her if she was OK.
I stared at her hair and I expected it to be gone on the right side because literally the smoke cloud was the size of a small SUV. I noticed no hair loss.
Just as surprising was that she just sat there for 20 mins. without opening up a compact to check herself out nor going to the bathroom mirror. The first thing that I would have done if that were to happened to me is to go to the bathroom mirror.
Then 2 mins. later, Amy Sacco, the owner, came over and said, "hey guys, no smoking." Shane told her that we weren't smoking and that the girl's hair caught on fire.
I had part of my hair on fire once while cooking and I remember the smell. It's quite distinctive and nauseating. Shane and I sat for 4 mins. and we could't take it anymore. The smell was unbearable. We went out for a smoke. When we returned, the girl was still sitting around. I smiled and jokingly said to her, "you've gotta leave now please."
A good thing about that fire episode was that the B&T drift that were there initially (hey, it was friday, B&T sippage is everywhere on Friday) all cleared out. So it became less B&T. Note: hair on fire expels the B&T crowd. I wonder if I can get a 'hair on fire' spray and use it like a shark repellent when B&Ts show up? A serendipitious cure, like penicillin.
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