TO DO: Groove to FLYPAPER by K-OS

Why? It's Friday (holy hallelujah!) and it's 60 and sunny in Manhattan. Go outside and shake your booty!




(Not sure why the 'Nightmare' themed fan-video, but let it bump.)

TO DO: Score! Pop-up Swap! 3rd Ward!

Score! Pop-Up Swap
Whatchu talkin' 'bout? you know that dress/hat/jacket/necklace/book/record you bought that time, but kinda shouldn't have because now you don't want it? you're in luck! the dollar is still weak, so come get your barter on!
When? saturday. yeah. this saturday. 1-7 pm.
Where? 3rd Ward. 195 Morgan Ave, bet Meadow & Stagg, Bushwick BK.
And? $3 entry with rsvp.

owe-emm-jeezy. i've been hearing about this massive swap for over a month.

admittedly, i am both-xmas-day excited AND first-day-of-school scared. i could spend hours, days, sunny weekends ..... wading through flea markets, thrift stores, and sidewalk sales. but i'm scared of the fact that i'm not the only one so down to wear strangers' clothes, read strangers' books, sit in strangers' chairs, etc. i have a feeling that all of the recessionistas on this side of the city will be all up in this one. for better or for worse!

if that's not enough to get your excited, try on a little good karma: proceeds from the event will benefit City Harvest and leftover goodies will be donated to charity.

On the Street: Recession Survival Tips

(care of The Gothamist)

In the same week period, I've rolled over my old 401(k) into a new IRA account and opened a new savings account to build up interest ...... and gone on a bit of a spending spree. Because while facing a long, cold, recessionary winter a girl needs her patterned stockings, leopard-print pumps, cocktail rings, and blue mascara to keep her warm.

Happy Thoughts: Friday 13th

Just to ward off any potential bad luck on this windy, drizzly Friday the 13th (thanks Ida) ...

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