"All writing, even the clumsy kind, escapes in its loops and slants a yearning deeper than an intention, the soul of the writer flopping on the clothes-peg of his exclamation mark"
~Paul Theroux, Saint Jack (1973)
Saturday, April 23, 2011
New York on a Budget Part 1
This weekend two of my friends from home came up for a visit, and to paint the town red. Since NYC is just a stone throw away, we decided to spend the day in the Big Apple.
Our first stop: Coney Island.
This week it was a bit chilly to fully enjoy what Coney Island has to offer, however it was still wonderful. With it's campy atmosphere, carnival rides and famous Nathan hot dogs, there was no wrong doing here. We spent $6 dollars to take a ride on the Wonder Wheel. One of my more adventurous pals persuaded us to go on the "swinging seats." This, as I found out, is not ideal for those who have a death-defying fear of heights. While my one friend was smart enough to ask to get off after one go round, I decided to risk my life, and or sanity to stay on the ride, not to leave my friend solo. You can not go to Coney Island and not enjoy a Nathan's hot dog. I ordered mine with peppers and onions, while my other friend ordered a chili cheese dog, bot options were less than $5.00 and well worth the long wait in line. The D, F, N, or Q will take you straight to Surf Ave, to show a different side of New York City.
We then headed over to McSorley's. A neighborhood favorite since the 1850s, McSorleys is one of the city's oldest Irish bars. The atmosphere is great, and the beer is better! There are only two options, light or dark. And with every $4.50 order, you get two glasses of the stuff. It is probably one of my favorite spots in the city, and a must see, just for history's sake.
Our Third stop was Kabin Lounge. Located on 2nd ave between 6th and 5th, this divey bar has been a favorite of mine for two years now, especially with its 2 for 1 happy hour special on anything you want. PBR, while not classy, is affordable at $3 for 2, or if you want something a little stronger get the Jameson and Ginger Ale for $6 for 2. With a guaranteed seat in the bar, you and your friends can finally have a chance to sit down and catch up.
Hungry? 2 Brothers Pizza has a great deal and some GREAT pie! For $2.75 you get 2 large slices of pizza and a soda. There is limited seating in the establishment its self, however there are plenty of curbs and stoops to find in the East Village that will accommodate you while you enjoy your slices.
It was great having my friends up to visit, I love getting to show them around! One thing I did learn however is to never offer to give a Piggy Back Ride after a few drinks, well unless you like having a chipped tooth, bruised leg, scratched nose and scrapped hands...no? I didn't think so either.
Song of the Week:
"Low Budget" -The Kinks
Our first stop: Coney Island.
This week it was a bit chilly to fully enjoy what Coney Island has to offer, however it was still wonderful. With it's campy atmosphere, carnival rides and famous Nathan hot dogs, there was no wrong doing here. We spent $6 dollars to take a ride on the Wonder Wheel. One of my more adventurous pals persuaded us to go on the "swinging seats." This, as I found out, is not ideal for those who have a death-defying fear of heights. While my one friend was smart enough to ask to get off after one go round, I decided to risk my life, and or sanity to stay on the ride, not to leave my friend solo. You can not go to Coney Island and not enjoy a Nathan's hot dog. I ordered mine with peppers and onions, while my other friend ordered a chili cheese dog, bot options were less than $5.00 and well worth the long wait in line. The D, F, N, or Q will take you straight to Surf Ave, to show a different side of New York City.
We then headed over to McSorley's. A neighborhood favorite since the 1850s, McSorleys is one of the city's oldest Irish bars. The atmosphere is great, and the beer is better! There are only two options, light or dark. And with every $4.50 order, you get two glasses of the stuff. It is probably one of my favorite spots in the city, and a must see, just for history's sake.
Our Third stop was Kabin Lounge. Located on 2nd ave between 6th and 5th, this divey bar has been a favorite of mine for two years now, especially with its 2 for 1 happy hour special on anything you want. PBR, while not classy, is affordable at $3 for 2, or if you want something a little stronger get the Jameson and Ginger Ale for $6 for 2. With a guaranteed seat in the bar, you and your friends can finally have a chance to sit down and catch up.
Hungry? 2 Brothers Pizza has a great deal and some GREAT pie! For $2.75 you get 2 large slices of pizza and a soda. There is limited seating in the establishment its self, however there are plenty of curbs and stoops to find in the East Village that will accommodate you while you enjoy your slices.
It was great having my friends up to visit, I love getting to show them around! One thing I did learn however is to never offer to give a Piggy Back Ride after a few drinks, well unless you like having a chipped tooth, bruised leg, scratched nose and scrapped hands...no? I didn't think so either.
Song of the Week:
"Low Budget" -The Kinks
Sunday, April 17, 2011
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Playoffs
"The playoffs separate the men from the boys, and we found out we have a lot of boys in our dressing room."
—New York Rangers general manager Neil Smith after losing to the Washington Capitals
Spring has Sprung
FINALLY!
Having spring show up weeks after its official date of March 20th is old news. Winter weather has always lingered around longer than one would like for years. Heck this year it snowed on March 20th...not a very welcoming gesture for the 1st day of spring if you ask me.
Following the snow, has been days and days of rain...cold, bone shivering rain. As the saying goes "April showers, bring May flowers." I actually don't mind rain, but when you add it to 40 degree windy weather, my attitude towards mother nature goes sour.
However, TODAY, Madison, NJ, opened it's arms wide and welcomed Spring; with its big bright sun, moderately warm temperature, birds chirping, deer grazing, squirrels chasing squirrels, daffodil's blossoming kind of day. So before burrowing into the depths of the New York Public Library's Microfilm department, I took advantage of Spring and went for a nice jog around town. I clearly was not the only one with such a fabulous idea, for the streets were filled with my community neighbors trying to get a little exercise in before mass on a beautiful day today.
So "Get up, get out spring is everywhere"
Song of the Week:
"Spring Fever" - Elvis Presley
Having spring show up weeks after its official date of March 20th is old news. Winter weather has always lingered around longer than one would like for years. Heck this year it snowed on March 20th...not a very welcoming gesture for the 1st day of spring if you ask me.
Following the snow, has been days and days of rain...cold, bone shivering rain. As the saying goes "April showers, bring May flowers." I actually don't mind rain, but when you add it to 40 degree windy weather, my attitude towards mother nature goes sour.
However, TODAY, Madison, NJ, opened it's arms wide and welcomed Spring; with its big bright sun, moderately warm temperature, birds chirping, deer grazing, squirrels chasing squirrels, daffodil's blossoming kind of day. So before burrowing into the depths of the New York Public Library's Microfilm department, I took advantage of Spring and went for a nice jog around town. I clearly was not the only one with such a fabulous idea, for the streets were filled with my community neighbors trying to get a little exercise in before mass on a beautiful day today.
So "Get up, get out spring is everywhere"
Song of the Week:
"Spring Fever" - Elvis Presley
Sunday, April 10, 2011
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Procrastination
"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow. "
~Mark Twain
~Mark Twain
I'll do it Tomorrow..
Procrastination (v) pro-cras-ti-nate-tion
:to put off intentionally and habitually
Origin: Latin procrastinatus, past participle of procrastinare, from pro- forward + crastinus of tomorrow, from cras tomorrow
First Known Use: 1588
It's a graduate's students worse enemy, the reason why diets don't start until a week after the intended start date and a huge factor for a majority of stress related feelings. But why do we continue to act upon such tasks with the art of procrastination? After my first encounter with procrastination, I swore that I would never do it again. However, come paper time, it lurks its evil head around the corner and BAM, I find myself in the same situation all over again.
There are many forms of procrastination. The "Hey One Drink Won't Hurt" night out with your friends that ends up as a next day of non-productivity; the "I need a clean atmosphere to work in" which turns you into the Mr./Mrs Clean, you find yourself cleaning the stove, the toilet, scrubbing the floor, washing all of the dishes, that are already clean; one word "netflix," its a vortex of procrastination, I warn you if you wish to avoid procrastination STAY AWAY FROM NETFLIX!
However, in the long end, the work ends up getting done, you earn a few gray hairs, and loose many hours of much needed sleep. You will swear never to procrastinate ever again, however I'm sure it'll show it's ugly face again. For once a procrastinator, most likely you'll always be a procrastinator.
This week's Song of the Week:
"Watching the Wheels" - John Lennon
:to put off intentionally and habitually
Origin: Latin procrastinatus, past participle of procrastinare, from pro- forward + crastinus of tomorrow, from cras tomorrow
First Known Use: 1588
It's a graduate's students worse enemy, the reason why diets don't start until a week after the intended start date and a huge factor for a majority of stress related feelings. But why do we continue to act upon such tasks with the art of procrastination? After my first encounter with procrastination, I swore that I would never do it again. However, come paper time, it lurks its evil head around the corner and BAM, I find myself in the same situation all over again.
There are many forms of procrastination. The "Hey One Drink Won't Hurt" night out with your friends that ends up as a next day of non-productivity; the "I need a clean atmosphere to work in" which turns you into the Mr./Mrs Clean, you find yourself cleaning the stove, the toilet, scrubbing the floor, washing all of the dishes, that are already clean; one word "netflix," its a vortex of procrastination, I warn you if you wish to avoid procrastination STAY AWAY FROM NETFLIX!
However, in the long end, the work ends up getting done, you earn a few gray hairs, and loose many hours of much needed sleep. You will swear never to procrastinate ever again, however I'm sure it'll show it's ugly face again. For once a procrastinator, most likely you'll always be a procrastinator.
This week's Song of the Week:
"Watching the Wheels" - John Lennon
Sunday, April 3, 2011
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Influence
"Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known."
— Chuck Palahniuk (Invisible Monsters, 1999)
— Chuck Palahniuk (Invisible Monsters, 1999)
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