The Return of George Michael

Who else is excited that:

A. Lost is back on (granted, for only 8 episodes - thanks to the writer's strike). But it's a much needed jolt of fresh entertainment in this current lineup saturated with crappy C-list celebrity reality shows.

B. George Michael is making his comeback via the new show Eli Stone. Who knew Angelina Jolie's 1st husband, Jonny Lee Miller was so freaking adorable? I originally decided to watch the first episode of Eli Stone to support my friend Emerson Hart. He sent a myspace bulletin telling everyone that his new single 'Flyin' would be featured in the premiere episode. Then I started to see commercials for this show with George Michael! I'm glad the guy is getting some work. Ten bucks says his single Faith will spike in sales on iTunes this week. (Much like Journey broke the top ten after it was played in the credits of the series finale of The Sopranos.) I'm ten minutes into the first episode and I'm already loving it (and Emerson hasn't even been played in the episode yet!) I'm curious to see if George Michael appears in every episode. Ooh, wouldn't it be great if each episode featured another out-of-work 80's musician or group? How about some A-Ha? Wang Chung? Tears for Fears?

In other news, I saw the new U23D movie last week on opening night. I don't think I've ever been to an IMAX theatre outside of a theme park. The place was huge! As soon as the lights went down, the crowd started cheering. I was truly amazed by the technology in this movie. There were times where there would be a translucent 3D figure of a band member in front of you, and directly behind him the other three members were in 3D, along with the crowd below that I wanted to reach out and touch. I was expecting Bono to be completely hamming it up for the camera, but this movie focused on the entire band (even had this cool hovering shot above Larry Mullen Jr. and his drums.) I really felt like I was at a U2 show and when it ended, I didn't want to leave. At one point I saw a guy in the middle of the theatre stand up and start dancing as if he were really at a live show. (BTW, if you go, wait for all of the credits to roll - there's a little animated 3-D video in the end.) Even non-U2 fans will love this movie - my friend Shawndell 'dragged' her fiance' to the movie and he was dancing in his seat!

So, the same night I saw the U23D movie, I had about an hour before I was supposed to meet my friend Joy. I was somewhat close to Soho, so I felt like I should pay my respects to Heath Ledger (it was the day after his death). I went to the makeshift memorial set up outside his apartment building. There were cameras and reporters everywhere, and by this time someone had hung up an Australian flag. It's not really important if he committed suicide or accidentally overdosed. I just wish the press would stop trying to get a shot of Michelle Williams and Matilda. Though I never met Heath in Brooklyn (my ex saw him buying two flat screen tvs at the local Circuit City), it is widely known that they were active in their community. They loved Brooklyn, and tried to live a normal life. They were often spotted at the local coffee shops, Heath carrying Matilda on his shoulders, and they even hosted fundraisers for local charities at their Boerum Hill Brownstone. It's amazing how the death of a celebrity can affect a nation. I was surprised at how choked up I got when I walked by his apartment building. Maybe it's because I've been affected by a loved one who had an addiction? Maybe it's because he was such a talented actor? Maybe because it was not widely known that he had a drug problem and it was such a shock? Hopefully some good will come out of his death and it will serve as a wake up call to those struggling with addiction.

Clark Griswold in NYC

Two amazingly awesome things happened this evening:

1. The NY Giants beat the Packers to head to the Super Bowl! (And I've got to thank my local MTA booth employee for posting the tied score for us to see, prompting me rush home to see the final 2 minutes!)

2. I saw Chevy Chase simulate oral sex right before my eyes. Ok, not so awesome, actually extremely disturbing, but I was sitting two seats from him, he actually spoke to my friend Emily during a skit. Let me back up a little. I went with a group of twenty people to the Upright Citizens Brigade in Manhattan tonight. We paid just $9 for 90 minutes of improv comedy at Assscat. Amy Poehler from SNL sometimes hosts it (which she did tonight) and sometimes you never really know who is going to show up. Tonight, not only were Amy and Chevy there, but Seth Meyers was also performing (along with 7 other people from Colbert Report, SNL and various other comedians). I guess since the writer's strike is still continuing, these writers/comedians have nothing better to do right now. So the oral sex simulation was part of a skit - I don't even remember why he was doing it, but I think everyone in the room was a little uncomfortable seeing Clark Griswold sticking his tongue towards the invisible vagina. Seth Meyers (who's surprisingly attractive in person) even turned away during the skit. Chevy was pretty funny, seemed a little unprepared though. Amy Poehler had to keep prompting him when it was his turn to do the 5 minute improvised monologue to set up the skits to follow. My friend, Peggy, who actually sat next to him said he smelled like 'recycled clothes'.

I can't wait to go back and see who else shows up!

Picture of the Day:
The view from the Tommy Hilfiger Showroom (Chelsea Piers & that's the NJ skyline across the water.)

No Pants 2k8

The 7th Annual No Pants Subway Ride was yesterday. I found out about it too late, and was stuck in Brooklyn, so I couldn't witness it for myself. Here's a hilarious video of the 2006 No Pants Ride:

Burger Perfection

Search no further, I have found the best burger in New York City: Five Guys on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. YOU MUST GO. I NEVER eat red meat, but I'll eat a burger here - it's that good. Actually, technically, you don't have to come all the way to NYC for this burger - they're franchised! I don't know what it is about this city, but people will wait in long lines for food. I've done it - I've waited 30 minutes in Madison Square Park for a Burger at Shake Shack (which used to be the best burger in the city); I've waited 45 minutes to get ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (THE best ice cream in the city); and waited in long lines for cupcakes at Billy's Bakery and Magnolia.

Ordering a 'cheeseburger' at Five Guys is actually a double cheeseburger (so make sure you order a 'little cheeseburger' if you just want one patty.) I'd recommend getting a burger with everything: ketchup, mustard, sauteed onions, lettuce, sauteed mushrooms, pickles, tomatoes. You can watch them cook the burgers fresh, while munching on peanuts as you wait. And their fries are perfectly cooked in peanut oil and you can get them 'five guys style' or cajun.

Anyone reading this from the DC area probably knows Five Guys well. That's where they originated. Actually, I have to give credit to my friend Emily for providing me with my first Five Guys experience. (She used to live above one of their locations in DC when she was in grad school.)

Here's their website for my friends not in NYC or DC:
http://www.fiveguys.com

My Bucket List

So there's this new movie out starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman called the Bucket List. I don't really have a desire to rush out to theatres to see this seemingly predictable movie (Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Atonement are much higher on my priority list). But the previews inspired me to dig up my Bucket List. About 10 years ago, my college roommate Chrissy and I came up with lists of "Things we need to do before I die". Most of the things were travel-related, as Chrissy and I hadn't yet gone abroad . We also made up a list of 100 cool places to have sex (but I'll save that one for another post). I'm proud to say that I have checked off some of the things on my bucket list, but at the rate that I'm going, I'll probably have to live to 148 to accomplish all of it. Too bad working full time sort of gets in the way... But I decided to re-visit my list, see what exactly I've done, add a couple of things and start to focus on checking off my list!



Snorkel in Great Barrier Reef
Learn to Ballroom Dance
Go to Africa on a safari
Serve in the Peace Corps
Go White Water Rafting (DONE! Montreal & Costa Rica)
See the Grand Canyon
Go backstage at a concert
Go to a volcano (DONE! Guatemala)
Go to a nude beach
Take cooking class (DONE! NYC 2006)
Waterski (DONE! Antigua 2005)
Own my own business
Buy stock
Adopt a child
Smoke pot in Amsterdam Bar
Eat Pizza in Italy (Done!)
Go to Oktoberfest in Germany
Go to Mardi Gras (Done!)
Go to Times Square for New Year's Eve (Done!)
Drink with a celebrity (Done! John Leguizamo)
Drink glass of Cristal
Meet Bono
Ride on the Orient Express
Learn to fluently speak another language
Watch all Star Wars Movies in one day
Go to Sundance Film Festival
Go on the Queen Mary ship
Kiss someone I love on top of Empire State Building
Kiss someone I love on top of the Eiffel Tower (DONE!)
Have sex on a beach
Live in Europe for at least a year
Learn how to build a fire
Learn how to fish and filet my catch
Shoot a gun at firing range
Hug/kiss a rockstar
Ride an elephant
Ride a camel
See the rainforest (DONE! Costa Rica 2007)
Attend the Olympics (as a spectator)
Attend a Broadway show (DONE!)
Run a marathon
Drink a pint in Dublin (DONE!)
Go on a cruise
See the Macy's Day Parade (DONE!)
Have my name printed in the New York Times

My random pic of the day:
This was taken in Long Island City. There's this building owned by artists, close to P.S. 1 MOMA location. Basically every month they paint over a side of the building and grafitti artists are encouraged to create their new art!

New Year - New Blog!

I finally did it - I gave in... I'm a blogger.

And I have my local middle eastern take-out place to thank for it.  You see, I was strolling down 5th avenue in Park Slope, and I looked up and saw a full-color lit up picture of a huge hunk of lamb schwarma protruding from the storefront.  No sign with the name of the business - just a big picture of what they were serving.  (Only in New York).  And I thought to myself, that's odd - I should take a picture of that on my phone and send it to my friend Eric.  And then that thought turned into , 'I should totally take a picture of random things I see everyday and post it on a blog or something!'  Ok, so my more realistic goal is to post a picture every week of randomness that I see around me, or you may just get stuck seeing pictures of my friends drinking (we do seem to have alot of those shots).  More than likely, you'll probably end up seeing pictures of concerts I go to... But at any rate, I will be posting pictures and I will update you on what's going on in my life. 

So, first things first:  U2 News

There's so much happening in the world of U2.  I have been anticipating the release of U23D for many many months now, and it's finally coming to a theatre near you this month!  Check it out:   

It open January 23rd and the reviews have been pretty good.   Recorded during the South American leg of the 2006 tour, it's the first ever 3-D live action concert video.  Bono is such a master entertainer, and I'm sure even non-u2 fans will enjoy this 3D experience.   I already have plans to see the movie opening weekend with my friend, Joy.  Frankly, she puts my U2 obsession to shame.  This woman saw them during the War tour.  She's seen them all around the world and even has Adam Clayton's autograph on a copy of the Odyssey (it just happened to be in her bag when she ran into him in the city one day.)  So it's really only appropriate that we experience this together.  

And finally, for my random New York picture of the day:

Ok, so no, this wasn't taken today.  This is the NY Marathon in October - just a few blocks from my apartment in Brooklyn.    These men were all ahead of Lance Armstrong!