Local Fast Food

Locals all around know that the best places to eat are those small Mom and Pop spots that know your name, but there is that small number of indulgences where locals feed into the tourist spots. The locals do this because the food is just soooo damn good! Think of In-n-Out, White Castle, Chick-fil-A, Crumbs Cupcakes, Magnolia Cupcakes, Sprinkles, Krispy Creme...and many others. These landmarks are always packed with great Great GREAT food, and there's never a shortage of locals!

Tourist have a reason to eat this stuff (Junk Food) because they're merely visiting, but what's the locals reasoning? I thought we're all going green, doing yoga, taking spinning classes and regulating our sodium intake!!!!

A good friend of mine put it best, "We live off that stuff...what else would I do!"

Colors

As a person that works with different colors all day, listens to the song "Colors" and still loves colors, it was nice to see an article about a shoe company called, "Seavees" who makes shoes with Pantone colors. All this week I was desperately looking for a solid coated pantone color in photoshop, when I could have it on my feet. Check it out!

Now this begs the question as to why do we have some many pairs of shoes? One actor put it best, "it [shoes] is not for utilities sake but a piece of iconography." Shoes are art, but wasn't there as famous person that said, "Everything is Art"???? For those that reason that shoes, and clothing for that matter is art or a part of their artistic expression, I would partly agree, but deep down, we all know that we're selfish human beings, desperate to make money and spend it. But hey, it's nice to have a pair of shoes, or more importantly clothes that match.

Flight of the Conchords

Flight of the Conchords is of the the greatest shows ever (and band)!!! Besides being absolutely hilarious and pretty damn good musicians with a hit show, did you know that they won a Grammy in 2007? They are known as (well...by themselves) "Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo." Think of their music as witty, funky songs that belong in a modern musical, not a hit HBO series, but it is. From "Think about it" to "Business time," each song isn't necessarily full of emotion nor does it display their amazing range, but their music is a comedic performance and each song is a joke and punch line. Not many bands play like them; more importantly, not many bands like them, succeed. Would Tenacious D be popular without a movie superstar in Jack Black? Doubtful. "Their in a league of their own," said a wise man.

There latest episode is about Jermaine and Brett falling in love with the same girl who lost her epileptic dog. There show is very funny, a bit weird, and a "not to miss" show, so...check it out! And when in doubt listen to their Grammy Winning Album.

Daily Thought: Strollers

Babies and people that have trouble walking, require some assistance at times, sometimes with a stroller, and sometimes with a wheelchair. Usually babies and/or infants require this, because they're little drunk people walking around, and just can't control their legs yet. And people that have trouble walking (ie. elderly, people with leg, knee, and/or foot issues) need assistance because otherwise, they might not be able to get around, especially safely. BUT WHY DO PETS NEED STROLLERS!!! I haven't ever heard of a family adopting a pet that couldn't walk and/or need a stroller to get around. Also, these strollers aren't just your everyday baby stroller, we're talking about Pope Mobile type strollers with pretty inventive names, The Kittywalk Royale One Touch Pet Stroller which you can purchased at Just Pet Strollers. Strollers for Pets are just ridiculous. Pets are animals that have to get around on their own, unless how could their species have survived. We're pretty much making them weak, not "the Fittest" and slowly causing them to a slow and painful extinction.

Don't ever let a person tell you that their pet is like their child because I haven't ever seen a 30 year old ride in stroller. Yes we do buy our children ridiculous gifts (like we do to our pets), but we don't buy them strollers.

Field Trip: A Thursday Adventure

The beauty of New York City is there are so many things to do in such a small area. Also, unlike other so called, "Metropolis" cities, New York never closes or sleeps (literally you can buy a can of paint, a slice of pizza and bottle of wine and remodel your house at say....3am). But more importantly each day in the city there is something new and different.

For Example - Thursday is your day, after work is the time frame, and the Lower East side is the location. You've had a short day of working which means 6-630 pm (in NYC).

Hunger pains start to set it, and not even chips and chocolate can hold you over for much longer. Since you're in the Lower East side, more like Chinatown, what better food to start with than Chinese. Now, everyone has always been enamored with their own discovery and ultimate love of Chinese food, and at Vanessa's Dumpling House, (on Eldridge St), think of this as the Mecca. Chinese food is not fine dining, but just plain good eating, not to mention powerful, and sharp flavors. At Vanessa's you'll find a remodeled, almost fast-food joint, which use to be a meager door, cash register and an oven, with great food at the cost of a cup of coffee. You can literally put yourself into a food coma for $5 (Bowl of soup 1.50, sandwich 1.50, dumplings 1.00 and a soda 1.00). Now the service isn't great, but as long as you get in front of the help and keep shouting your number, you'll get your food in no time. You're done eating and ready for some culture. Be ready!

Around the corner and up a few streets you'll find the New Museum (On Bowery) which offers free admission on Thursdays from 7-9pm. The building is magnificent, and you'll have to see it during the day. Remember, this museum is Modern, so anything goes, and you might see some crazy or creepy things; things you don't call art, but give them a chance because they will explain it to you during their on-site discussions (you can even argue with them about it. Yes, it happens).

After your stomach is full and you're feeling like you've got your fix of culture, turn another corner, walk a few more streets and you'll find the neatest live music place around (in LES that is). Rockwood Music Hall (On Allen st) this NYC fixture is a wonderful place to meet people, to hear good music, and have a decent priced drink. While a beer will run you around 4-5, a Red Label Jonnie Walker isn't much more. Before you enter, be sure to go into the small bar entrance, just so you can go through the small door in the wall to the music area (Makes you feel like you're in a speakeasy). The music is usually good, and all the performers are personal, friendly and fun, because after all your standing just a few feet from them. After you've had you're fix of music, nearly drunk, food coma, and pinch of culture for the day, make you're way home because after all, "ITS FRIDAY!!!"

Here is a map of the area

Daily Thought: Bathroom Doors & Hand Shakes

Since bathrooms have doors, why do people not use them? While it's a fact that in the NYC, personal space is not really respected to much, (that is until we start talking about your shoebox sleeping quarters) I would expect that with the brilliant invention of the "Door," people would use these to create a little privacy, especially in the bathroom. This is totally not the case (at least for men). While the bathroom is more of an experience for women (fix their hair, makeup, and etc), guys pretend that the bathroom is this drive in fast food joint, and they just step in there, get what they want, then leave. And lest not forget the sink because guys don't use it, a friend once told me, "I didn't even get dirty, so why should I use it (the sink)." Speaking from all the men in the world, "I'm sorry," and the next time your about to shake a guys hand...don't. Unlike when women go to the bathroom to "Freshen up," men do the total opposite. Sorry women, you're preconcived notions about men were spot on.

The Weather War

The weather in NYC is completely unpredictable and will drive you mad. On Feb 18, the weather gods, Zeus, Apollo, Boreas, Vayu, Odin and whoever else decided to throw the city a bit of a curve. So it was cold, in the 30's and it looked as if it would rain, and what do you know..it did, then it snowed, then it rained, and after a little sleet and after a pinch of snow it rained for the entire night. This time of year in the city absolutely sucks. Nothing helps and it seems like it'll last forever...as the fat guy (Ham Porter) in the Sandlot said, "F---O----R---E---V---E---R!!!"

Winter in the city is this on going, and on going time when the weather is cold, and gets colder and then snows and rains for about 6 months. Umbrellas last a month to a day because the wind destroys them. Everytime it rains and the wind is up just a bit, there will always be an overflowing trash can full umbrellas, and this isn't even the "Windy City!" While it is nice to see the snow fall, it usually melts away instantly. Oh and how could I forget, ice skating in the city oh my!!! How fun it is. Well... it is, after you stand in line for about an hour in the freezing cold while the kid next to you is asking, "are we there yet" and you just know deep down that, that little monster will probably run into you at some point (Yes, this does happen) on the rink. Now, the parades in the city, they are some of the best, they are staples, nay traditions for some folks. And to top it all off, while it is freezing outside, inside is either a freezer or an oven. Some people even turn on the air condition because it gets to hot (eco-friendly? I think not).

The Spring, which should bring in the "May flowers" or something, is pretty much cold and rain. I guess it gives you time to test drive your new raincoat. And forget trying to figure out when it happens, because it's probably a day or two in between winter and summer.

Now, the summer is a whole nother story, while it is nice, but come on...who likes walking outside and sweat like you have to lose 10lbs to make your wrestling match. It sucks. Yes, yes there is so sooo much to do, got me there, but still the summer ain't all that great.

The weather in NYC is below average and hardly something to be proud of, but I'm just hoping that "WOW" factor of NYC won't wear off anytime soon.

Business Cards

One of the biggest perks of being employed is that (hopefully) you get a business card. Think of it as being in the yellow pages, "YOU EXIST!!!" You can go anywhere pass them out as if you're important (although you're not). It's your pathetic assurance and trophy that you have a job.

Orange 32 has taken Business cards to a whole new level, creating cards for those people you just hate, for those people you like...and others. One card reads, "This face leaves at midnight be on it..." and another one reads, "Thank you for the cockblock."

These cards seem like something you might find at Spencer's and they're pretty damn cool, but lets be honest, would you really hand them to someone? No. Unless your in New York, since you can pretty much do anything from hitting on young girls while trying to hide your wedding ring to pushing everyone in the subway so your 1 minute early, and...and I guarantee you there's some 23 year old stock broker with an inflated salary, liver problems from drinking, accounts on all the dating websites and no social skills, who will...yes..buy these (not for gifts) because he will use them and the "cool" factor. Now for women, this might be the greatest invention since......well in a long time, and is a great way to blow off a guy, but please, please don't do this to me!

These cards will make a good gift, and this might just be that million dollar idea. Who knows. But it's clear that there's some great imagination in the world and any idea that you think might make you millions, may be taken already.

Band of Thieves

While finding out what the best NYC has to offer I went to a place called “Arlene’s Grocery,” you won’t find produce here, nor is this the place to find late night munchies, but you will find good music. This Lower East Side fixture has had R.E.M, Dashboard Confessional, and many others.

At Arlene’s Grocery I saw a show featuring Lizzy Grant and Band of Thieves put on by No Pulp Music (which means free stuff!!!). Lizzy Grant was nice, pretty, good voice, but not necessarily that underground NYC pulsating music I’ve heard of. Once Band of Thieves came on the room lit up, everyone was screaming, the lead was yelling and then they started with, “Woman.” They went on to play their entire new album, and each song had an identity and feeling each its own from “Hey Hey” to “State of Grace.” Later that night I bough their CD which looked as if they printed and produced the CDs on their computer, none the less the music was great. This was not your typical POPish band, they’re rock, they’re upbeat, and they have a guitar solo in nearly every song which is absolutely "incendiary." They make the audience feel as if they’re in a jam session with the guys. With the popularity of “Woman” Billboard has covered them, not to mention many, many other pubs.

They could be the next “it” band, or they could be another fixture in the NYC music scene. What is clear is that there music is a refreshing sound from the latest rock on the radio, and the music scene is NYC is one of the best.

Check them out HERE and HERE.

Bear Grylls - Man vs. Wild

Have you ever seen "Man vs. Wild?"

This is a Discovery Channel show and it features Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls being placed in untapped and uninhabited areas and he's forced to find civilization (Yukon, Belize, Dominican Republic, and Transylvania).

I've read a few blogs and articles talking about how he could be a fraud during his expeditions. Maybe...possible. It's clear that he has a cameraman following him, but lets just say this ain't just a cameraman, this guy has swam in freezing cold water in dark caves, and braved rapids with Bear. Les Stroud who is on "Survivorman" does not have a cameraman, but he does not try to get out of the area, he merely survive it.

Now some of the stuff he does is absolutely insane. From eating larvae to a dead rotten animals cartilage is just mind blogging (boggling)!! And in one episode he eats a fish, and some bug describing them as "mud" and "more mud," but everything he eats is "life saving." I would personally pass on the rotten animal stuff.

The latest episode has taken him to Transalvania. He eats bear shit, repels over 200+ feet, travels a mile or so in cave, and finally backs flips into a lake.

He's the ultimate "guy's" guy. He can survive pretty much anywhere, kill anything, and eat anything. Bear for President!!!

Check it out

Day -1

Worrying. “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” Worrying is one of those things that just ruins your day. And when I mean “ruin” I mean, imagine someone….or better yet, look back on the day when someone close said those terrible words to you, “I’m disappointed in you” (yea it hurts).

Therefore…worrying become this ugly cat scratching at your back just waiting for you to turn your head, look at it and then it’ll say “what the f%#% did you do today, because I am disappointed.”

So you go around town….well the “City” to be exact looking down and hoping and praying that your music will drown out everything (granted this works sometimes, not always), but it doesn’t. The Beatles, Eagle Eye Cherry, Mr Amos, and yes…Bob Marley does not help…even Canon D will not do nothing. And sooner or later you’re forced to face that scratching on your back…when in reality it’s nothing…but everything. It’s you, stupid.

Now some of the best…the best ways to drown out “worrying” is:

1. The cheapest whiskey possible
2. Bad music, cause then you’re life doesn’t suck so much (i.e. lady gaga)
3. Going to work
4. Anxiety induced friends

“Going to work?” Believe it or not, it does help, because after work, you’ll realize that the small space that you’re paid to occupy and do (sometimes “meaningless”) work in, becomes your jail cell and thus you’ll be thinking about … something else (use your imagination).

Day 1

So aGuyWithaTie begins his blog. At the most opportune time...during work. "Import, insert, crop, redo, undo... is the name of my game," says the non-writer English lit grad working as something like a graphic designer and accountant. I'm wearing a Paul Smith tie, and I'm professional, it's blue and pink, but crooked, and lets just say that's the most excitement I've had for most of the day, but lets not forget the "erroneous" usage of the day (who says that!). All in all, "today" was that "live to work" vibe the NYC gives.

Skiing in Bellayre (i'm feeling a bit dizzy, you?)