Notable Quotable: Ray Charles

"I don't think any of us really KNOWS why we're here.

But I think we're suppose to BELIEVE we're here for a purpose.”

TO DO: DJ Lani Looooooove at Le Poisson Rouge

Mizzzz Lani Love is rocking the wheels of steel (are they made out of steel these days?) again this Satuday night at Le Poisson Rouge's Play Date. Her set starts at 10 pm and kicks off a night of hot sweaty dancey-pants music, $3 Rolling Rocks, and $5 wine.

Play Date is a unique, FREE (hello!), party featuring the Crooked Disco DJs sharing their favorite new music, premiering their latest custom tracks and remixes, and digging out rediscovered dancefloor classics.

Working From Home

Had to go home "sick" today ..... Sick because I'm a hot mess and open bar parties are danger! danger! But the benefit party at Marquee for TORCH (Together Our Resources Can Help [inner-city high school students interested in art and media]) was a success. Pumpkin had to come to the rescue -- yet again -- with the water, crackers, and aspirin. Loaded baked potatoes for dinner!

(This just made me teehee.)

(Stole'd from my new fave blog - check it!)

Notable Quotable: Standing Ovation

The Boy and I passed a "questionable" individual this morning on our way to the train. Especially strange since the walk is through a generally quiet* neighborhood. We rarely see vagrants or other "riff-raff" in this part of our 'hood.

* Exception, when Dennis Leary & Co turned an old church into a fireball for a scene in "Rescue Me."


Riff-Raff: Hey! Hey! I may be loved (pointing to front of sweatshirt that reads "Loved") and hated (turns to point to back of sweatshirt that reads "Hated") but I love you! You are a good-looking couple. Good-looking! You deserve a standing ovation! (drops cigarette to clap and cheer) Have a good day. I love you.
Me: That was the happiest meth-addict I have ever met.

Happy Thoughts Work!

Thanks for the concern, kind words, and picture contributions, friends! It's been a long, difficult week in a lot of ways, but I think the Happy Thoughts helped!

Not to sound all raindrops on roses and shizzz, but it's really fun and encouraging to think of things that make you smile. I'm going to have to make these kind of "mood boards" more often just because ..............

In Need of Happy Thoughts .........

(Thanks Mirabelle)

On the Street ........ But What Is It?

(Spotted on Bedford Ave.) (Not from last weekend, but found in today's camera clense.) (Ironic that I took pictures of a van covered in cameras?)

And the HOLLAween Costume Winner is .......

After a Saturday afternoon of arts and crafting ......... BOB ROSS! Just look at those happy trees!

Notable Quotable: Halloween Costumes, cont'd

Lani: By the way, has anyone seen a affordable faux fur vest or coat? I went to H&M, Express, Urban, etc and that shit is $168 and doesn't even feel soft! Went to Forever and all of them have zippers. I want to be a cave woman. They didn't have zippers.

A Haiku for the NYC Dumpling Festival

Despite rain, lines form.
Cook them, and they will come. Duh!
But where are dumprings?

Vendors' barren stalls
Disappoint the weary wet.
Go to bar instead.

Halloween Costuming

Last year's Halloween dilemma was what to wear for my first time out going solo. This year, the problem is much the same, but what to wear as part of a pair.

During lunch, we took a trip to Ricky's Costume pop-up shop to see what was available. It was the usually sex'd up gear that allows the average woman -- for at least one night out of the year -- to dress like a bachelor party stripper. Ding dong. Did someone order a pizza with sausage?

Then of course, your run-of-the-mill vampires, devils, uniformed officials ..... I came up with a lot of ideas for groups like nursery rhyme characters and sideshow acts (hello, bearded lady! so funny!).

We even thought for a minute that if The Boy dressed as Indiana Jones I could go as Short Round. But after more thought, we figured that would only translate if I were Asian. Alas.

After a search on the google, we found some pretty funny (and weird!) couple costume ideas.

(Again, better 'read' if you're Asian. Doh!)

(Not a "couple" per se, but soooo funny. I either need to rent a baby, or make a note to self.)

(I expect a lot of MJ tributes, but R.I.P. Bob Ross.)

(Peace & Quiet. Get it???)

(Another to make a mental note of ... Make the best with whatcha got! Twins?)

We're leaning towards two of these.

Won't say which yet. Any thoughts?????

On Fried Chicken

Pre-movie date to see "Good Hair" ...

Adrienne: Should we get food beforehand?

Me: Hell to the yes ma'am.

Adrienne: Horray! I love food! Where would you like to dine, my dear?

Me: Me too! My vote is always for somewhere cheap ...

Adrienne: I'm with you on that! My vote is also for places that provide food in small, easy-to-carry packages that can be snuck into the theater in case I get hungry during the movie. Basically ... I'm voting for BK, McDs or something of that sort.

Me: I like the way you think! Contraband movie food is my favorite. P.S. Would it be too much to bring fried chicken? I've been craving lately. Seriously!

Notable Quotable: Work vs. Wisdom Teeth

Jen (my new supervisor): i'm going to go home and drink a bottle of wine now...
Me: i know. well ... here's a sign of the times. i'm so happy i wont be here on Friday. i'd rather get two impacted wisdom teeth pulled than "service" these clients
Jen: haha i don't blame you! i may need to just schedule another root canal

NOT TO DO: Graceful Spa

Fourteenth Street's growling rush-hour traffic seemed to fill the room. That and the sound of skin slapping against skin on neighboring beds separated only by garrish pink curtains.

The rustling of cheap, disposable sheets on each side of her. Sad middle-aged women flip-flopping down the dim hallway asking clients if They ready? like no-name extras in a Stanley Kubrick film.

In the stark overhead lighting she felt overly-naked. Childlike. And then it started.

---------------------


This sounds like a night in a Chinatown brothel, but it's actually a description of last night's hot stone massage at Graceful Spa near Union Square (care of Spa Week). Cubemate Jackie tried to warn me after her appointment there on Monday, but by then it was too late to cancel.

Was the massage good? Yes. Very good, actually.

Was the price point recession-friendly? $50 for a 50-minute massage? Mama likes.

Would I go back? Helllll no! I couldn't wait for the appointment to be over, so I could put my clothes back on and escape down the rickety stairwell.

What is maybe most shocking is that the "spa" has glowing reviews all over the web. Maybe I'm a massage snob, but I think "no frills" doesn't quite capture the overall shabbiness of the space and frustrating lack of ambience. I'm not asking for luxuries like a terrycloth robe or post-rub champagne -- although I wouldn't say no, come on -- but is it so much to ask for an enclosed space and a cotton sheet?

Beware! This spa has several locations throughout the city. Best save your ca$h money for another spa. Or, if you can brave a brothel-style massage, ride the train to Chinatown and save $35.

Notable Quotable: On Halloween Costumes

Me: what r u dressing up as?

Dan: not sure yet. you?

Me: dunno!

Dan: you and keith should be a plug and outlet...thats always classy ]

Me: i'll leave that to u for when u find The One ..... "_________, will you be the outlet to my plug til death do us part?"

Dan: yeah...i have to find someone that I have a "spark" with first, womp waaaa

Me: someone that makes you light up when you see them. should we go on?

Dan: thats WATT I'm talkin bout! i could literally go on all day ... I think its best we stop

Autumn in New York Soundtrack

It's that time of year when one needs to find good friends with fireplaces (or outdoor spaces for firepits). When one needs to break out the heavy-duty sweaters and scarves. When one just wants to spend lazy weekends inside making chicken pot pie (that recipe + potatoes is the truth!) with one's loved one.

And when, upon staying in, one wants to pirate music to build a killer playlist. My picks for this year's "Autumn in New York" Playlist:

* "Autumn Leaves" - Eva Cassidy at Blues Alley version
* "My Heart Is Beating Like a Jungle Drum" - Emiliana Torrini (try not to shake your booty to the chorus, I dare you)
* "Life Is Better" - Q-Tip & Norah Jones (hotttttttt)
* "I Only Have Eyes For You" - Jamie Cullum version
* "Buttons" - Sia
* "Use Somebody" - Paramore version (entrancing)
* "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" - Kay Starr Remixed
* "Autumn In New York" - Ella & Louis version, of course

On "Good Hair"

Speaking of ....

I am very excited for today's opening of Chris Rock's Good Hair. From the clips and previews I've seen, it seems like a Michael Mooresque expose on the love/hate relationship Black women have with their hair.

The movie came about after Chris Rock's young daughter asked "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" Well. What is good hair? Why is this the concern of a 4-year old babygirl?

C-Rock's documentary seems to cover a range of taboo and educational topics related to Our hair:

* Don't ask a Black woman if that's her hair. Whether she grew it or blew her paycheck on it, it's hers.

* Don't touch a Black woman's hair without first getting permission. This can be a deal-breaker. (Exhibit A)

* The Boy's first lesson in "Black 101": Don't get a Black woman's hair wet. (Thanks Lisa)

* Exactly how powerful are those relaxer chemicals? (Answer: Powerful enough to eat through a coke can. Daaaayum.)

* How much does the average Black woman spend on getting her hurr done each year?

* India's largest export product? Human hair!

* What is "good" hair?

On Going Natural

Last week over a bucket of mussels and 1/2-priced wine at Petite Abeille, Mizz J Fox expressed surprise that I had not yet posted about my recent hair transformation. I blame the delayed reportage on just having too much to say. Since cutting off all of my relaxeded hair and going natural a few weeks ago, I've experienced a range of reactions from others and from myself ...

I did it.
OMG, what have I done?
Feel both liberated and incredibly exposed.
Little cousin: "Why did you do that?"
Who knew what was hiding under there all this time?
What will the boy think? Will he feel like he's kissing a boy?
I will always have to wear make-up and jewelry so people don't think I'm a boy. Or a lesbian.
I always wear make-up and jewlery anyway.
The boy digs it. Likes to mold it into a mohawk and pull on the little springy ringlets to make them snap back into place. Feel more edgy and bad-ass, like I might cut a bitch on the train.
I don't feel quite myself. Lost some of my "Erica-ness."
Can't wear my "hair flare" -- feathers and bows and flowers and scarves.
Ugh, really cute bow and feather accessories this season.
Don't feel flouncy and girly.
Miss my halo of bouncy curls.
Mira and Chiara say stop being ridiculous.
Lots of double-takes at work.
"Is that how your hair really is?"
Really.
Gay boyfriend, Billy: "Sister, you look like such a bitch. I love it!"
Feel bond with strangers also rocking naturals. "Me too, sista!"
Feel jealous of strangers with long hair.
Not less work to maintain and style -- just different.
Getting used to the texture, just can't wait for it to grow.
Looking forward to having a mane of a 'fro. Maybe by next Fall?
Like seeing beautiful little wild-haired kids. "Me too, bebe!"

Always thought I had a big head, but really just had big hair.

TO DO: The Big E

Last weekend, we took a trip to the boy's hometown of West Springfield, Mass. Not to visit the birthplace of one Dr. Seuss. Not to explore the Basketball Hall of Fame. We went to experience the disgusting and delicious all American gluttony of The Big E -- or officially "The Eastern States Exposition" -- New England's largest fair.

For two and a half weeks The Big E boasts crafts and cuisines from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont.

By crafts, I mean fancy embroidered jackets, Jesus- and kitten-themed pulled yarn blankets, and all manners of hosuehold goods made out of wood.

(Look at this fancy jacket!)

By cuisines, I mean every unholy artery-clogging food you can think of. And we indulged ourselves with most of them. By the end of the day, between the two of us, we killed a baked potato loaded with butter, cheese, bacon, chives, and sour cream; a corndog; a roasted turkey leg; a bag of Tom Thumb donuts; cheddar cheese kurds with marinara sauce; an apple crisp a la mode; a lobster roll; a cup of clam chowder; a mango Italian ice; a few beers and a cup of apple cider.

(Mmmmm, turkey)

(Farm display made out of 600 lbs of butter. Whhhhy?)

We did not, however, sample the fair's newest food novelty -- "The Craz-E Burger" -- a bacon cheeseburger served between two glazed donuts. This bad boy was ironically (or sadly?) served in the "Better Living Center."

Post-event reports say a staggering 1,000 of these were sold each day of the 17-day fair.

Only in America ...

(Picture with seals!!! Next year I'm riding a freakin' elephant if it's the last thing I do!)

TO DO: DJ Lani Love's Oulu Shut-down Throw-down

After a fun-filled summer, travel for work (boooo), travel for pleasure (woooo), and a bout of Mono (ewww), I feel like I'm starting to get Back in the New York Groove.

That means back to my lovely list of Things to Do.

My friend / ex co-worker / fierce fashionista / blogger Lani has in recent months added DJ to her set of skillz. This stylish social butterfly -- and recent Williamsburg transplant -- is hosting a shut-down throw-down party next week at Oulu in BK. Unfortunately, this space is being closed down indefinitely. At least it will be going out with a (!).

WHERE? OULU -------- 170 N 4th bt Bedford & Driggs, Williamsburg BK

WHEN? Friday Oct 9th @ 9PM - 2AM

WHAAAAAAAA? $3 practically all beers, bottles & drafts (seriously, how could you say no to that?)

WHO? You + Me + DJ Lani Love