While I've met some very nice men lately who later became concert buddies, boyfriends, friends, etc, I'm am amazed at the level of crazy men that are living in NYC (and that find themselves attracted to me.) Do I, perhaps, exude a balanced drama-free persona that they feel would provide a nice balance to their Mania? Here are some examples of some less than balanced personalities I've dated in the past year (less than 3 dates each, thankfully).

1. I'll call him Matt The Medic. Matt was a very attractive college-educated paramedic that I had a great first date with. On the second date, I realized I should've started charging him by the hour. (Therapist hourly rates, NOT what you're probably thinking.) I guess all the walls were down and he felt very comfortable divulging all of his insecurities over a couple of beers. He proceeded to tell me about how nothing ever goes his way. Being the happy positive person that I generally am, I tried to convince him that life wasn't that bad. He had a good job, was healthy, had friends, lived in the greatest city in the world, etc. I actually can't really remember what horrible things he was talking about, but I remember that it really wasn't that bad. I told him he needed to gain a little perspective (I think I actually suggested for him to volunteer for a week in a third-world country or something.) He was basically debating going to Med School (feeling unfulfilled as a paramedic), but was scared of failure. (Aren't we all?) But seriously, this is WAY too much to throw out there on a second date. This man was having some sort of mental breakdown right there at the Irish Pub! By the end of that date, I had convinced him to go to therapy and convinced myself to delete him from my phone. The next day, I received a rambling text message apologizing for the evening and explaining that he thinks he has depression and was going to get therapy and stop dating until he got his mental state sorted out. (He did thank me for listening to him.)

2. I'll call him 'Harley-guy', since all of my girlfriends already called him this in private. I'm actually not really sure I was dating this 3rd crazy, but we were hanging out as friends getting to know each other. I met him through a friend of a friend of a friend, on a Sunday afternoon at an outdoor Beergarden. I discovered that we attended the same college in Florida and actually lived in neighboring buildings of an apartment complex in Florida at the same time. We exchanged numbers that day and became facebook friends. He has a Harley, so he invited me to ride up to City Island for lunch one day. I had a great time and really liked his sense of adventure. The second time we saw each other, we went to listen to the Philharmonic in Central Park with some of my friends. Again, no crazy tendencies displayed. The following week, he texted me to see what my plans were that Friday night. I told him I was meeting a friend who was visiting from out of town. Since I was meeting my friends at a bar he loves, I invited Harley-guy along. As the evening wore on, my first set of friends left and we met up with two more people including my male best friend who happens to be British. My British friend made some crack about how he could beat any American at Pool. We change venues and the four of us went to a private room at a Karoake Bar in K-Town (at Harley-guy's urging.) We were having a great time belting out such Karoake classics as 'Roxanne', 'Bye Bye Bye' and 'Don't Stop Believin'. We decided at 5am that it's time for the night to end, so we asked for the check. My British friend again jokingly comments, "Make sure you tip, since I hear you Americans are bad-tippers." This comment set Harley-guy off. Before I knew it, he was in my best friend's face, threatening him and telling him that he's tired of his remarks (referring back to the pool table comment he made hours before). I thought he was kidding, but Harley-douche was seriously trying to get into an altercation with my best friend. I had to physically get between them and push Harley-douche out the door, begging him to leave. He refused and I had to restrain him (thank god he was my height), as my friends left the Karaoke Bar and got into a cab. He clearly still did not understand why I was so angry with him, since he then invited me to go to the 24 hour Korean baths across the street. I jumped into a cab and headed home. Everytime I pass a Harley-Davidson, I still shudder.

So, please, if you're constantly feeling sorry for yourself, about to go through a quarter-life crisis, or have a tendency to get into fights at Karoake Bars (or any bars for that matter), DO NOT contact me. Thanks.

Just Asking...

Is it a rule now that if you are a singer from the UK and you make a duet with a female American singer, the concept for the video must involve a two way mirror? I couldn't help notice the similarities. Oh and don't forget, you have to have a scene where the man and woman each put their hands up to the mirror/window...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPG4WHhJk3A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aluwpslpygQ

Three Months in Review

Wow, I just realized I haven't really updated this thing in a while.  (Working as a manager in one of the largest toy stores in the world during 4th Quarter doesn't leave much time for blogging.) In the past few months, I've been to a few amazing shows, met some celebrities and got to spend an afternoon with one of my all-time favorite bands.

SOME RECENT DECEMBER SHOWS:

Nada Surf @ Bowery Ballroom 12/6

Werner, David and I went to see Nada Surf at my favorite venue in NYC - Bowery Ballroom. Werner and I have seen them numerous times together (it almost feels like it's a monthly date for us.)  Most of the recent memories I have with W are at Nada Shows, and in our old age, we're beginning to mix shows up. "Was  is the Bowery Show last winter or the Terminal 5 show where they pulled up the drunk girls onstage?"  "Remember that time we met Matthew Caws and he started speaking French to you?"  I almost feel like seeing a Nada Surf show is like seeing my old friends play in someone's living room.  We always make our way up to the front of the stage (Nada fans are not obnoxious or pushy and just give each other enough space.) And I'm starting to learn the band's little idiosyncrasies (the guitar player ALWAYS smokes during Killian's Red - How do you smoke, play guitar and sing at the same time???)  But my friend David was a Nada Show VIRGIN.  Needless to say, he was blown away.  He compared the energy in the room to a punk show, which I guess is a compliment.  I think we'll be seeing David at another Nada Surf show sometime soon.  Lucky for us, they live in Brooklyn so they come around often.

Oasis @ Madison Square Garden 12/17

My ex was a HUGE Oasis fan.  Everyone who knew him knew that about him.  He liked Oasis as much as I like U2.  So much so that we name our dog Liam and our cat Bono.  If we had kids, they probably would have been named Noel and The Edge.  We even planned our trip to Europe in 2000, so that we would be in London the same week Oasis was playing Wembley Stadium. SERIOUSLY.  

Back in 1999, during that tumultuous summer in Europe when he was trying to woo me away from my high school boyfriend, he made a power point presentation recapping our amazing summer for me using an Oasis song as background music.  He tried to convey his emotions to me using the handwritten lyrics to "Don't Go Away".  Cheesy, I know, but when you're a hopeless romantic 20-year-old girl studying abroad in Europe, that shit works.  Oasis music was a HUGE part of our relationship. During those years we were together, I probably heard more Oasis songs than the average British person hears in a lifetime.  I have every album, every b-side, every bootleg Oasis song that exists.  After we broke up, it took me months to be able to listen to an Oasis song without tears welling up and a montage of memories flooding my mind. I NEVER thought I'd go to an Oasis concert ever again; I never thought I'd WANT to.   But a few months ago, I rediscovered Oasis.  I was able to listen to the music and not be reminded of my ex.  I could just enjoy it for me.  They really are talented musicians.  The night their new album came out, I actually attended an 'Oasis Listening Party' with some English friends.  While my friends were on the patio smoking, I opted to go inside to sing along to anthems such as 'Rock and Roll Star', 'Stand By Me', and my personal favorite 'Live Forever'.  So when I heard that Oasis were playing MSG, I HAD to go.  I even was able to score Floor Seats!  (Sure I was on the OPPOSITE end of the floor than the stage, but it was a Hell of a lot better seat than the seats I had at Wembley Stadium eight years before!)  They played a 2+ hour set.  It sounded like Liam had a cold, but Noel was in top form.  The best part was when he played 3 acoustic songs alone on stage (Don't Look Back in Anger being one of them.)  Here's some pics from the show:

The Boys Take The Stage




One BIG Liam



Noel holding his own



Liam




Celebrities You Say?
Sadly, I don't have any pictures of the celebrities that have shopped in my store in recent months (and it's likely that I would no longer have a job there if I did snap some pics of them while I was working.) Here's a recap of the stars and their purchases:

1. Victoria Beckham (sans David & kids this time) picked up some books for the boys -Shopping With Dad (!) and The Book of Pirates. Posh said that she really needed something that would grab her kids' attention since they can't get them to pick up a book. Last time they were in FAO, the personal shopper told me that while she was ringing up their purchases, David was sitting on the floor reading a book to them. How freakin' adorable - wish I could've seen that one.

2. Liv Tyler picked up some (ok, $300 worth) of Legos for Milo's birthday;

3. Mira Sorvino and her HOT husband were right outside my bookstore - but shopping in the board games section instead.

4. Salma Hayek brought little Valentina in, picked up a few books, then the next day brought her to our Storytime! (She came 3 times that week alone!)

Yikes, it's getting late and I have to work tomorrow. My post about spending an afternoon with one of my favorite bands will have to wait til next time, kids. Sorry, but here's a clue: They've chased some automobiles, have quite a sweet tooth, and like to Jog. And if you watch Grey's Anatomy, you've definitely heard their songs. Stay Tuned...

Park Slope: Where everybody knows your name

Two things happened today that have reaffirmed my opinion that you can really get that neighborhood feeling in li'l ole New York City.

1.  The owner of the large bodega/grocery store/deli on the end of my street noticed me searching my wallet for enough cash to pay for my paper, milk, cereal and bread (I hate carrying cash - and my bank isn't close to home.)  The owner said, "It's ok - you can just pay me next time."  What?  Really?  I can start a tab at the bodega!  I found the money I needed, but still thought it was totally cool that I'm now a regular he trusts to pay him next time.  At the deli, I think I'm going to start ordering 'the usual' just to see if he gets it right (Honey Maple Turkey with mayo mustard and lettuce on a roll.)

2.  You know how at the laundromat, when you drop off your clothes on the scale, the girl always asks you your last four digits of your phone number so they can pull up your record?  Well, the laundromat girl has now memorized my number.  And seriously, there are about 4 different girls who I've seen in the past month.  I haven't seen this girl in weeks ... I wonder how long she's known my number?  (As a sidenote, to all of those reading who don't live in NYC - there's this wonderful convenience we have in NYC .  You can drop off your laundry at your local laundromat and have your clothes washed and folded for you.  They'll even deliver your perfectly cube shaped bag of laundry to your door if you so desire.  When I first moved to New York, I said that I would never pay someone to do my laundry when I could just as easily do it myself.  Well, times have changed.  For a mere $16, my 2 weeks worth of laundry can be perfectly folded for me by the next day.  Between separating into two machines and dryers, I'd probably spend about $10 doing it myself.  So it's definitely worth $6 for me to save that time I'd be otherwise sitting at the laundromat.)  

   

Jim Bianco

I love love love seeing Jim Bianco perform live. He's this adorable, funny Italian guy originally from Long Island who now lives in LA. My friend Emily and I discovered him playing the Bowery Ballroom a few years ago as an opening act on the Hotel Cafe Tour (headlined by Joshua Radin). He came on stage wearing a red silky shirt, white three-piece suit and a fadora. He truly put on a show - funny facial expressions, dancing- he definitely has a great time performing for a crowd. He also get bonus points with me because once he was in front of me in line for the bathroom before one of his shows and he let me go ahead of him. Mind you, I did not ask him if I could go before him, he is just THAT chivalrous. A hot singer/songwriter with style who will let me pee first? I just might marry this guy. For last night's show, he was kind of toned down a little (he opted for the t-shirt with vest ensemble) and wasn't really shaking his ass too much. Though, the stage at Joe's Pub was significantly smaller than the stage at The Bowery. Also, his dad was sitting behind me last night (seriously, the dad looked like he could be an extra on The Sopranos.) Check out my video:

Attention Riders: Mind the pee

It just occurred to me that I've seen way too many people peeing in front of me in subway stations in recent weeks. And both times they have been at West 4th Street! You know, I always used to wonder why that station smelled so badly. Now I know why! Don't get me wrong - I love the West Village: Washington Square Park, Marie's Crisis (where else can you go to a gay piano bar that only plays showtunes?), The Red Lion (live music every night!), Mahmoud's, Comedy Cellar, transvestites, and drunk NYU freshmen puking on MacDougal Street as they stumble out of Off the Wagon.
My ex-boyfriend lived on MacDougal Street, just a block away from the West 4th Stop, so that station was pretty much a daily destination. But everytime I got off the F train, this putrid stench would overwhelm me. There's certain stations that just always smell bad : (23rd Street f station is another one.) And anyone who has lived in NYC for any length of time knows you want to avoid the elevator in a subway station, if at all possible. I'm not sure if homeless people sleep in them, or this is just the place that everyone goes to puke or pee.

Pee Incident #1
Where: West 4th Street f platform
When: Early August, Saturday afternoon, around 2pm
What: Man in his Mid-Twenties, in the middle of the platform, peeing against a cement post. He doesn't even bother to walk to the end of the track and pee into the track. Nope, instead he pees right in the middle of the platform, so his pee can flow and exist on the same cement that innocent f train riders are walking across. WTF? Who does that? He didn't seem to be crazy or drunk. Just a normal looking guy.

Pee Incident #2
Where: West f street station - right in the middle before you descend the stairs to get to the track
When: Last night - August 14th about 12:30am
What: Woman in late 20's- early thirties in full squat mode with maximum water pressure. Seriously, she couldn't have gone to the street level and found a bush? Washington Square Park is two blocks away. Just go to an alleyway somewhere, but right in the middle of a brightly lit busy train station?

Pee Incident #3 (Ok, so this in no way compares to the above two incident, but it's just sort of ironic that this occured the day after the squatter incident.)
Where: Last row of the B63 bus in Brooklyn
When: Today, around 3:00pm
What: I'm sitting in the back of the bus, realize that I smell pee (again!). The little boy next to me even says to his mom - something smells mommy. I look over to the family sitting across from me. Mother with three kids - daughter, 7; son, 3; daughter standing up on the seat with a blanket wrapped around the lower half of her body that looks about 18 months. That's right - mom is changing her daughter's diaper in the back of the bus (while the kid is standing up). I'm not a parent, and I kind of admire this woman's multi-tasking. She was pretty descreet, if it weren't for the overwhelming smell of urine at the bus, I would have had no idea that she was changing this kid's diaper. It probably would have been a huge hassle for mom to get off the bus, lug her three kids off the bus, and to change the diaper. At least she had the decency to wrap the blanket around the kid.

I think I'd rather have the stinky diaper change than hear someone clipping his nails on the bus (that happens much more often.)

Please New Yorkers, I beg of you - STOP PEEING IN WEST 4th STREET STATION!

That is all.

Live @ Hammerstein Ballroom!