Winter Jacket 2

I kind of like this modest jacket as well. Only $300. Different style obviously. More sedate (teething on boring but not quite), understated and gentlemanly and I also like the fact that it's longer for fuller coverage. In a twisted way though, it makes me think of what a rapist may wear in early Winter. It's kindda ghoulish. Like in the movie, "Scream."

What I can do is to look for an insignia patch (to give it alittle bit of the touch of the jacket below), preferablly, a black Alexander McQueen-esque skull (important though that the skull looks ancient and/or elegant, not cartooney nor costumey) and have it patched on in the front (on the right breast) by my dry cleaner for $5. I think that that alone can make the jacket look $500 more expensive if it naturally blends in with the jacket as if it were designed that way. Unique designs cost more. So, why not add my own design element to it vs. someone else doing it and me paying them extra for it.

Winter Jacket

I think that this Winter will be a harsh one. Since the past two Winters have been fairly mild, I think we'll pay for it this year.

I already started wearing my cashemere overcoat and I remembered that it kept me pretty warm last year (with my scarf and gloves). But the past two days, I've worn it and I was still cold. Maybe my body still has to get acclimated to the cold.

In any case, I know that I'll need a ski jacket. That's the only thing that will break the wind and keep me warm. I had a real nice one by 'Descente' that I wore for years. It was navy blue, 3/4 length, and had a cool gold logo on one arm (3 arrows pointing down) and the other arm had a gold stitching that said "Techno-Dri" It was classy yet modern. Now, I can't find it. I may have thrown it out by accident or have it at my parent's place. But, even if I find it, I feel like I need a new one. A costume change.

So, I've been surfing the Paragon Sports site for a new one. That's where I got my Descente one and I like the store. It's fairly close by and has a decent selection of ski jackets. This year though, the Descente ones look very average. I like the Monclers', the shiney bubble jackets. But I think that they're overpriced for what it is and too short.

The one I really like is the one shown above. It's a Bogner. I really like the military style details. It reminds me of what a young Nazi officer would have worn on a Winter vacation in Gstaad. I love the detailing. The two zippers straight down the front, very symmetrical, the horizontal arm stripes that balance the vertical zippers, and the insignia in the front that punctuates the military accent of the jacket. It's modern and classy and abit edgy without going silly. It's a precise jacket. Only problem: $1,300. That's Bergdorf price and right now I won't do Bergdorf price.

Tonight, for about 20 mins., I fantasized (immersed) about somehow shoplifting it. But, it's alittle too big to stuff it anywhere... unless.. perhaps, I go and put it on and walk around with it on for an hour (after I somehow get the magnet off) so that the employees and security see me for an hour shopping and think that I had it on when I came in. I would be wearing my ascot as a camaflauge. Surely, no one who wears an ascot shoplifts?! Then buy a hat or something and walk out. [Hey, btw, how about changing the price tag?!... well, I thought about that for a split second. But that's alittle too low brow for me. That's what poor people do at places like Macy's. That's actual theivery vs. earning a prize. I'm too well educated to steal. I prefer to 'take' that which I deserve with my chin up.] I want. I want. I need. I need.

[Btw, in the past, I have fantasized about robbing MOMA, Frick, or the Met. It would involve bombing a power station and blowing up their internal power generators as well-- simultaneously. It would also involve a stolen ambulance and a submarine in the Hudson for transport (and perhaps, laughing gas too). An entire swathe of Manhattan would be blacked out for a few hours. We're talking about National Guard deployment in Manhattan. Top of my list: Vermeers and Cezannes. That's it. Nothing else. Can't get too greedy. Smash and grab. Joker level.]

Africa has no idea that people in Manhattan are suffering as well! Psychological suffering is just as painful as physical suffering. To me, vanity (and beauty) is not an option; it's a matter of survival like the need for water, food and shelter.

Damn

That was a trick question! Said, 'in' not 'about'!!

FYI- This is not my application. Just found it on the web. Thought it was hilarious and worth archiving here on my blog.

Dow Jones at 7,600

Club Fatigue

From time to time, I have club fatigue. Actually, it's more like lounge fatigue as I have not recurred at clubs in many months. This time around, it feels like I have a semi-permanent club/lounge fatigue.

#1. There hasn't been an interesting place to go to since last year save one, Bijouix. #2. Last Summer/Fall was a spectacular year for hanging out after midnight and going to after parties. New and exclusive places opened up in full last year. Beatrice, Gold Bar, the Box, Pink Elephant, and I gained a regular title at Bungalow, and from time to time, I hungout at the Rose Bar or Kiss n Fly. It was great. The whole thing. #3. Barbie and I hung out, for sure, almost every Weds. or Thrs. It was like clockwork. Coo Coo for Coco Puffs crazy. #4, Places were new and exciting and Barbie made those places even better. We were an oasis and a paradise, a team.

This year, all that is different. #1. There aren't any new and exciting places (save Bijouix and Apotheke)(to my knowledege and my knowledge in this domain is usually pretty good and up to date). Right, I haven't been to the Rose Club at the refurbished Plaza Hotel. But I wasn't and am not too interested in it anyway. It seems cookie cutter chic. But I may try it anyway at some point. #2. The point is that, at the cost of sounding snootie, I must say that having gone to the most exclusive and fun places numerous times (including the SubMercer redux), I am bored of the routine and the texture. Pierce, yeah, I know you will suggest the opera (the Met). "Grow up Fred! There's more to life and leisure than those over troddened and banal lounges!" I know. But I'm not gonna go to the opera by myself and I have no one worthwhile to take. Right now, I have like 5 pretty girl friends but no girlfriend. I think that I've turned asexual. Ideally, I would definitely go to the Met and my old haunting ground, the Carlyle or the St. Regis if and when I have a girlfriend. To me, these sanctuaries are a domain of romance not an island of solitary reprieve. That's just me. #3. Barbie has other priorities this year. a) Interning at Chanel. A very plumb job which she loves and people there love her. It's important and is important to her future. So, she has been very responsible with that 9-5 gig. and I completely respect that and encourage it. b) I hope that I'm not being presumptuous here. But she really loves her boyfriend (and their love has grown) and things are getting more serious on that front it seems. I met him once and I kindda liked him. But as i find out more about how normal and successful he is, my respect for him has risen. I also think that Barbie has arrived at the same club/lounge fatigue as I have. "The ultimate velvet rope is love."-- Von Kwon.

This club/lounge fatigue has been punctuated and has become quite acute and obvious this week. Barbie's friend Alexzandra (with her friend) is here visiting NY from Sweden. They are gorgeous. We (Barbie, Bunny (my nickname for Alexzandra) all hungout last year when she was here and it was a blast. This year, she arrived on Weds. and I was supposed to hangout with her on Thrs. and I looked forward to it when Barbie told me about it on Monday. But I ended up hanging out early at Mercury and I totally missed it. Blacked out by 11 pm. Started out at 4pm. Apparently, my deli guy said today that I stopped by for cigarrettes and I was really drunk. I don't remember that at all. Subconciously then and quite consciously now, I understand why this fatigue. I knew it but now it's real and visible as the sun. the club fatigue. Tired of it.

Now, being the restless dandy that I am (it's in my DNA. Damn!), I'm sure that there is hope for my club/lounge resurrection if and when a new, worthwhile place opens up. But gosh, I'm bored of all of the places that I've been to.

I have become a resident at Mercury... one of the most non-exclusive, most average place that anyone can think of. And a Saturday nite regular at the Pyramid in alphabet city where they play 80s music and industrial, where most people either have tattoos or body piercing. I go there in my Hermes or Turnbull&Asser ascot. Great music and a working dry ice machine.

Seasons change.

I Heart Kindle

I got my Kindle delivered last week and I love it. I think that everyone who reads should own one.

I hesitated on the purchase for abit because there were rumors of a new one coming out for Christmas. But Amazon spokesperson and the CEO himself said no and I believed it. Plus, I wanted the original one anyway. I adore originals. They are clunky and have kinks. They are not perfect but they are the first attempt at something new. They will be museum pieces. I know that a few years from now, people will have a better model with all the kinks worked out and more slick. But it will be more sanitary. The original NYC subway car had a carpet and a chandelier. There was humanity in it (beauty and imperfections). The new cars became tin cans with wheels (no chandelier). Same with planes but with wings (no more baby Steinways on board en route to and from Vegas.) There's something endearing about a progenitor. The first of its kind.

What I like about my Kindle:
1) It's snow white. It something that looks like it was chipped off one of the spaceships in 2001: Space Oddysey. It looks very futuristic;
2) Countering the space form though is the screen that looks like an etchasketch. It's grey and kindda ugly. It has no backlight either. It's beauty meets the beast. I like that. Put it another way, it's like Napoleon and Josephine;
3) Once you start reading, one does indeed disappear into the book. The digital ink is crisp and it sucks you right into the reading. It's absorbing;
4) I love turning the pages. You just click on one of the sidebar buttons and within a second, a new page appears. So cool. None of that old page turning by hand stuff;
5) Most books can be bought for less than $3.50. In fact, most books (except the new best sellers) are less than a dollar. New books are mostly $9.99. No delivery charge and no taxes;
6) Books are wirelessly delivered to the Kindle in your hand in less than a minute. I downloaded Tristam Shandy (and Middlemarch) in less than a minute;
7) There is no wireless monthly charge ever. The wireless is included in the purchase price for life;
8) You can sample the book before you buy it or not. The first chapter can be had for free with a click of a button. Downloads wirelessly in less than 10 seconds;
9) You can look up a definition with 2 clicks right then and there while you read. You can highlight and archive the clippings and print them out later or email them;
10) Kindle is exactly the size of a DVD case and weighs in perfectly at 10 ounces. It fits perfectly in my jacket like a softcover book. But I can carry an entire library. It's good to go.

Now, not all books are available yet on the Kindle. But I already have downloaded enough great books (10 in all) and pages (probably 5,000+ pages) that by the time I get through them all, many many more books should be available on Kindle. As for the books that I enjoyed, I plan to buy a hard copy for my library. So that I can see them and share with friends.

I enjoy my Kindle more than my iPod Nano. Wow.

Btw, got it for $309 vs. $359 based on a Oprah promo. that lasted one week. Prior to that I tried Craigslist for 2 weeks and none showed up and tried eBay too. Kindles on eBay were going for more than $359. Idiots.

Obama Bin Biden

Just kiddn. He better win today. Otherwise, not only are we fckd but the entire country and the world.

John McCain is truly John McSame. He will continue the failed policies of trickle down economics and American Imperialism leaving nation building afar while our nation (our own house) crumbles.

I pulled the trigger on the Kindle and I am half way through Thomas Friedman's latest book called 'Hot, flat, and crowded.' It's an amazing book. I dare say that the insights and the writing overall in the book matches the great books that I've read. It's up there with Nietzsche, Schpenhaeur, Emerson, and Socrates... for real. I dare say that it's a seminal piece of work on par with Darwin's 'Origin of Species.' It's that revelatory. I initially hesitated on getting the book because I figured it'll just tell me what I already know... that global warming is bad and that we need an alternative to coal and petrol. But the depth and the breadth of Friedman's insights go far beyond a bumper sticker motto. He connects all the dots and gives unassailable amount of facts and insights as to why it is an immediate and the most profound issue of our time. Believe me, I'm a hard guy to impress. I stand on the shoulders of giants. My vistas are quite high. This book is another giant.

Fact: Global population is now at 6.4 billion and by 2050, the population will be 9 billion and every 10 yrs. or so, an American sized (280 mil.) middle class will pop out of that growth consuming resources and excreting carbon on a biblical (exponential!) scale. Think Moore's Law not Newton.

Global warming is no longer a tree hugger issue. It's an issue of survival or extinction and the amount of work and sacrifice that will be required so that our carbon emmissions doesn't kill the planet (and us with it) is astronomical. Forget about the meteor that hit in the Yucatan that killed the dinosaurs. We have a carbon meteor that will implode in 50 yrs. that we are gestating and if we don't control it now on a global scale, one day, Frankenstein WILL walk off the table.

John McCain doesn't get it. He's old school. A tweaker. Obama gets it. Obama better win. Even today, America is the only country in the world that can lead the world. The Danes, the Spaniards, the German, the Brazilians, and the French, they all have better alternative energy technology (to date) than the U.S. But their progress has not made a dent in consumer behavior on a worldwide scale. Only the U.S. has the history of innovation that the rest of the world follows (excldg. the Islamic world.)

America is still the shining city on the hill that the rest of the world looks up to. For the past 8 yrs., we've become dim and the petro dollars have put wind in the sails of our enemies: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia. Talk about killing 3 birds with one stone. If we can right our situation with Obama at the helm, we will win back leverage, respect, and the planet. Innovate, baby, innovate! We have to.