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A new monthly feature is that I will review books that I have read. For June, I read these three books:
It started in Baltimore with a DVD last winter. Then T-shirts with the words "Stop Snitching" were being sold in Baltimore. Now I see the T-shirts being sold on 125th St and being worn by young men in the subway. I didn't know what was going on, so I googled it.
According to the Baltimore News:
T-shirts with the phrase "Stop Snitching" are making authorities cringe.
The shirts are hitting stores months after a DVD called "Stop Snitching" began circulating on Baltimore streets. The video warns people they could be killed for cooperating with police.
This is viral marketing, but the message is SO negative and perhaps dangerous. Now people may not report crimes because of a T-shirt! Crazy! [I wondered if Blottered knows about this]
I feel so damn lucky to be able to write this as an hour ago I thought I was going to die. If I had expired, it would have been death by umbrella. I was nearly crowned to death by a big fancy blue umbrella. The owner is a lovely lady who I met tonight. She is the girlfriend of a virtual friend, and she does not want me around. The evening started out quite auspiciously with wine and cocktails. A group of us later shared a nice meal. Then we had a round of drinks at a local tavern. Conversation was lovely and lively, and I was having fun. At the end, we all walked together as I was heading uptown. It had been raining so she had her umbrella with her. It was big and powerful. At first when she opened it, I thought it was a nice gesture to keep me dry. However, she proceeded to crown me with the sharp spikes of her blue umbrella. I ducked. Then she hailed me a cab. I felt safe in the cab. The cab driver sensing my distress asked if those people were my friends. I said, “Yeah, they're my friends, I think.”
TOM!!!
Please get well soon. Your demographic is calling...
Twenty-something men who work in Midtown offices and wear Dockers are worried about you.
This is your red hot lineup for tonight's Chicks and Giggles at Raga (433 East Sixth Street between 1st and Avenue A)!
Carolyn Castiglia
Leanna Conley
Shannon Ennis
Eliza Faria-Santos
Michelle Maclay
Rachael Parenta
Goddess Perlman
Tasha Space
Fiona Walsh
NO COVER. Show starts at 8:30PM.
Mondays are fun!
I’m reading Imaginary Men by Anjali Banerjee, and I am loving it! It is about an Indian woman who grew up in the States, and although she is a modern woman, she struggles with the traditional values of her Bengali family and culture. She is thirty and not yet married, but she works as a matchmaker. In the end, I think she will meet her match. [fingers crossed]
It is “chick lit” and it’s cool. I enjoy reading chick lit but I am also a snob about it. I won’t read the fiction that it is ubiquitous in airport newsstands, but I love a good story. I also try to avoid books with a pink cover. Imaginary Men will be released in October 2005 by Simon and Schuster’s Downtown Press which feature young women writers. There's an author search for the next "Downtown Girl". I live uptown, but I am always downtown so I hope that counts. By the way, I am in NYC for the next two weeks. Yay!
Party consolidation is key for a hot day in June. Instead of running around to multiple parties like last Saturday, I went to one party for two birthday girls. Allison made delicious cupcakes that reminded me of strawberry shortcake becuase she topped the cupcakes with fresh whipped cream and strawberry.
I was so exhausted after being in the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island that I took a long nap. I even got a tan,so now I am dark caramel. I didn't bring my camera down to Coney Island, but many others did.
Friday night was spent painting, planning and pulling together stuff for the Mermaid Parade. A big thanks to R&J for organizing our group. Look for the Mermaids di Venezia this afternoon. Yay!
She said it was the best picture of her boobs ever. He agreed. I talked to "GoldLeitch" at Elizabeth's party for Girly, her new novel. Then I hopped on the M15 and went up to Rififi to see "Welcome to our WeeK". I saw Candidate Andy, Bob, Jessica. Aziz did his joke about the Gothamist interview, but the Cold Stone Creamery bits had me rolling on the floor laughing!
Later I walked over to Epstein Bar to grab a bite to eat. However after waiting about 20 minutes, I asked the bartender to check on my order. The guy who took my order forgot to put it in. He is way too young to have Alzheimer's so I was kinda pissed. It was a weird scene at the bar anyway. A group of promotions people came in and bought about twenty Bud Lights for anyone who wanted one and then took pictures with their digital camera. [I guess it was viral marketing] Then, a girl was walking around with a handmade petition because she wanted to turn the volume up on the NBA Finals game. WTF?!This is the LES, not a Midtown sports bar.
Just flew back from Florida, and boy my arms are tired...
Both Daily Candy and Scoop DuJour have sent me emails praising scented underwear by Melon Fashion, but I'm not buying it. Are we moving backwards?! I thought the women today were supposed to appreciate the natural scent of their sn@tch, but I guess that I am the douche bag.
Anyway...I was so right about the big O when I wrote: "My mind is so clear about everything for about two minutes" because researchers in Denmark have found that parts of the brain shut off during a female O.
Tonight I am watching "Behind The Music of George Michael" on VH1. It's a coincidence because this week I am reading a galley copy of I'm coming To Take You To Lunch, A Fantastice Tale of Boys, Booze and How Wham! Were Sold To China by Simon Napier-Bell. Simon was Wham's manager back in the day and it appears that he has lead an interesting life. I have only read a few chapters, but I love what Simon writes about himself.
I am the total opposite of a control freak.
That's me! I love to delegate. I want an intern.
Linda Duggins from Time Warner Books sent me this press release:
On Sunday, July 24, 2005 dozens of authors and journalists will read selections from their works at Pier 63 Maritime (23rd Street and 12th Avenue) in a benefit for Books Through Bars, an all-volunteer organization that sends free books to those incarcerated across the country. Authors Herb Boyd, Amy Goodman, Deborah Mathis and Toby Thompkins are confirmed with many more in the works. Readings and panel discussions will be the order of the day. Community organizations that work with and service those who are and have been formerly incarcerated, as well as their families, will be in attendance.
Please donate books! The guidelines for donating are listed here.
After reading this post via RKB, I thought I would give a quick and dirty review.
Whores is a song by Bobby Conn. Whores on the Hill sounds like a book about lobbyists on Capital Hill, but unfortunately it is not. Instead, it is about three wild Milwaukee girls who go to all-girls Catholic high school. Colleen Curran’s book is entertaining but doesn’t go into any new teen angst territory. The girls drink a lot, party a lot and hook up with boys. There is one “Alpha Whore” who is the standard bully who makes the other two girls doubt themselves constantly. Why is it that it the high school best friend is really your enemy in a wool skirt? Without revealing too much, the leader gets it in the end and takes down a nun with her. One problem I had with the book is that was supposedly set in the 80s, but some of the dialogue sounded very 2005. The most exciting thing about this book is the look you get from strangers when they see the title on the cover. I thought the book was good, not great and maybe not worth 35,000 printed copies.
A few Monday bits.
That's how we roll! Girly and I went to three birthday parties on Saturday night. Pauline, Kiki and Dens were celebrating and conveniently all of the bars were in close proximity. I took some good pictures as proof that I attended each party.
Overheard on Saturday night:
My mom will love your shoes.
It's like lingerie for your feet.
They wanted me to be more of an orangutan not a monkey.
You have to take a picture of her boobs!
Is 12 inch the new Magician?
Does he have 12 inches?
A few things.
If your old man is an old man, you may need this on the nightstand along with Viagara.
The new paperback cover of Amy Sohn's My Old Man. It's without the John Currin artwork, but you gotta read the book. It's a beach read! Seems like yesterday, but the book party was almost a year ago.
A Few Things.
Ice Cream! Gelato! Sorbet! I love it all. Sunday afternoon, I stopped by il Laboratorio del Gelato on Orchard Street. I had two yummy flavors, honey lavender gelato and yellow watermelon sorbet. It was heavenly! I would have taken a picture, but since it was so HOT outside, I didn't want it to melt before I pulled out my camera. [Note: get there early; they close before 6PM]
Listen to the latest eatfeed podcast to hear about the history of Ice Cream.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is very near and dear to my heart. It's worth the trip!
Party was so fun... and it was hot! Thanks to all the guys and girls who came out! Allison made delicous high hat cupcakes (chocolate cake with creamy layer and chocolate shell). I had a couple of yummy strawberry mojitos. Cleavage was everywhere, and the guys were pleased. Thanks to Heidi for bringing me a present (a hair care down there shaving kit). Thanks to Douglas for the MP3s.
See more pictures from the party here!
Before going to the book/dance party for Cocinando! Fifty Years of Latin Album Cover Art, I stopped by Tainted Lady Lounge to have a delicious burger called the Pamela. It was delicious with spinach and goat cheese.
The book party was at Savalas in Wmsburg. The bar is really cool with strong mojitos. B-Muse and I danced a little salsa and Knox Robinson from Fader DJed.
Tomorrow (June 11) is the Third Annual "Free Your Pu55y" at Lava Gina at 8PM. The party is so much fun and so freeing. The women come dressed to the nines in their finest summer dresses sans underpants. The men come willing and able and fully clothed. Everyone mingles, dances, eats and drinks.
A few days ago I found this site, Joan Lloyd's Women Without Panties. It's a journal of women who write in why they don't wear panties. Here's a hot excerpt:
My partner of six years loves the fact that I never wear underwear. He first found out on our second date. He took me out to a nice restaurant for a meal. I was wearing a fairly low cut top and a mini skirt. During the meal as we sat close together I felt his hand resting on my thigh. It didn't move for a while and then ever so slowly his fingers began to creep under the hem of my skirt. I parted my legs slightly as he got higher and higher.
I spent half the night in the Fort Lauderdale airport. I got home this morning at 2AM. People, I want a new career. Flying back and forth for the past five weeks is driving me mad!
I get emails from people asking me where have I been and where is the newsletter that I used to send out listing all the cool stuff in New York. [I try, but there's this job and they expect me to work and sh!t.]
A friend sent me a job listing to be a blogger for a tech company, and I applied. So if you know of a need of a business blogger, let me know.
Random thoughts:
Johnny Knoxville is married with children but has been repeatedly linked to other women like Kate Moss, Jessica Simpson. Why is there not any outrage?
Tom Cruise's declaration "I love this woman!" sounds eerily like Bill Clinton's "I did not have sexual relations with that woman!"
AskMen.com has a list that explains why men cheat. It's enough to make you blow your top. [Not in a sexy way, either]
Finally for the commitment-phobic men, check out No Marriage.com
Don't get me wrong. I love you guys! You give great hugs, and you don't get PMS.
I’m not sure why but news of Anne Bancroft’s passing hit me hard. She was fantastic actress and she was a lady. I remember seeing Anne and her husband Mel Brooks once at the Bubble Lounge a few years ago. Like the late Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Anne Bancroft and Mel Brooks were a venerable New York/Broadway couple and they had marriages where there was collaboration, celebration and love. Once I heard a writer mention that she wanted a relationship where she and her boyfriend were like superheroes taking on the world. I want that!
Mama Gena, one of my mentors, has a new TV show on a new cable on-demand channel Mag Rack.
[I am a Sister Goddess from back in the day.]
Listen to Chicks and Giggles alum, ex-nun on the run Kelli Dunham, being interviewed on the Philly Feed.
Can you believe it? This guy got married!
America loves a comeback story. Gore in 2005!
Karen Finley's kick a$$ post on Huffington about Tom Cruise and George W.
The guessing game continues. Hermitude knows all.
[Sandra Bullock's beau + a castrated bull+ "Comedian" w/o sign]
BEA was fun!
So many books, so little time.
RKB, Allison, Martha and I swarmed the Javits Center.
My booty:
Nerd Girl Rocks Paradise City by a very cool and very preggers Anne Thomas Soffee.
Frangipani-Celestine Hitura Vaite
I'm No Saint-Elizabeth Hayt
Student Body Shots-Steve Hofstetter [He has a show on Sirius and started Comedy Soapbox]
Feet First-Leanne Banks
The Amen Sisters-Angela Benson
The Days of Awe-Hugh Nissenson
Catch Me When I Fall-Nicci French
Miss Misery-Andy Greenwald
The Mercy of Thin Air-Ronlyn Domingue
Love Will Tear Us Apart-Tara McCarthy
A Place for Ida-Patricia Richardson
I'm Coming To Take You To Lunch-Simon Napier-Bell
Imaginary Men-Anjali Banerjee
How To Kill A Rock Star-Tiffani Debartolo
Celebrity sighting: Spike Lee, Mary Matlin and George from "The Apprentice".
Party crasher sighting: Shaggy was there. He asked Al to ghost-write his book.
New York Literati sighting: Amanda Stern, Elizabeth Merrick
I also met Regina Lynn and the ladies from Smarts Co.
I wish I had this T-shirt to wear at BEA: Reading is for awesome people
People should NOT be proud to say "I don't read". Reading is fundamental.
Fun with books: Use this link to spell out a word with books!
Some of the books I have read so far this year:
A picture I took at a fabulous rooftop party on Memorial Day. Check out more cleavage here.
I took some Tylenol PM so that I can sleep on the plane, but I am so sleepy right now that I may miss the flight.
Checking my email, I found out John Hart has selected us (RKB, Al and I) to be in the 59 Bloggers documentary.
Ciao! Steve Rubel is looking for online evangelists for Vespa.
Point and shoot! Jen Bekman is looking for hot shots!
Excuse me while I geek out...
If you don't know what a podcast is, proceed with caution. If you don't know what an RSS feed is, do not read any further. If you don't know what Mozilla is, then Stop!
Anyway, Mozilla Thunderbird's next release will have pod-catching features. This means that iPodder will have some competition. Furthermore, soon there will be one-stop-shopping for your emails, blog feeds, news feeds and podcasts. Yay!
If you wanna good cry or you want to eat nachos while on camera, go to Crying While Eating.
Like I have don't enough on my plate. [I'm a greedy b!tch.] I am contributing to the new PSFK Blog, and my first piece is for the NSFW Freaks. [By the way, I have to meet Guy Brighton, and we have been virtual friends for well over a year.]
Just in time for Pride month, diversity greeting cards.
I nominate the Cupcake blog to be included in the 59 Bloggers Documentary. Cupcakes are sweet and niche blogs are popular.
Chicks and Giggles alum, Katina Corrao, will be worked on the new Kathy Hilton reality series. I met Katina and this hunky Southerner who appears on the show at a Christmas party last December. Jessica Delfino has a fantastic lineup including Adira Amram and Diane O'Debra for the June 14 Chicks and Giggles show.
The Biddies are playing at Barbes in Park Slope this Sunday, June 5 from 7-9PM. No Cover. I won’t be there, but I highly recommend the show. I have been a “biddy buddy” for four years!
It's a blog! It's a plane! It's a supersite! I was just checking The Roots' Okay Player site and it's really cool.
I got this email yesterday from a Mr. Sanso:
Tomorrow it is the "Festa della Repubblica" in Italy, and hopefully I am going to the beach by Vespa (scooter) with my friends. We may go to Paestum beach or to the Lemons' beach (the favorite of mine) on the Amalfi Coast. This is a cute wild beach down the rocks between Salerno and Amalfi, and the sea is wonderful there.
June 2 is Festival of the Republic in Italy. It’s also known as 2Giugno and National Festivity. From what I gather after reading English translations found in Google, the second of June is national holiday celebrating the republic of Italy. Italians chose a republic over a monarchy. I wish I were there.
To be a struggling actor in New York means you have to pay your dues by going on countless auditions, reading Backstage religiously and waiting tables. For talent agents, it’s difficult to find that diamond in the rough actor who may be the ONE for the role. For New Yorker audiences, there are so many plays, poetry readings and stand-up comedy shows that it’s tough to decide what to see. The Galinsky Brothers, Robert and Philip have an entertaining solution with their monthly Manhattan Monologue Slam. On the first Tuesday of every month at the Bowery Poetry Club, the slam happens. The Manhattan Monologue Slam is a competition where undiscovered actors have a chance to perform in front of talent scouts. Ten actors have only 3 minutes each to show their acting skills, and they do it by performing a monologue of their choosing. Then the judges give the scores and the audience cheers on their favorite performer. This competition is not like Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre, nor is like the cloying “American Idol”. The packed crowd was energetic and supportive and actors are talented.
All of the performances were fantastic, and the winner gets $100 and a giant trophy. The winner for May competition was the engaging Shawn Williams. He performed a piece Charles Smith’s play Knock Me A Kiss.
The second half of the show is the open mic lightning round. Actors can sign-up before the show to get 30 seconds to perform a very short monologue. Thirty seconds is all a thespian needs to make an impression on the crowd and the judges. Seeing how quickly an actor can grab the audience’s attention is amazing. The winner of the open mic receives $30 which works out to be a dollar per second. If only everyone could get reward with that rate!
Funny co-hosts Philip and Robert Galinsky keep the pace of the Manhattan Monologue Slam fast, and they entertain as well with their comedic characters that pop up throughout the show. The Galinsky Brothers are facilitating talent and fostering fun for actors who are seriously going for their dreams. Plus, it’s a thrill that an audience may be the first the witness the next Meryl Streep or Denzel Washington. The next Manhattan Monologue Slam is Tuesday June 7, 2005. The website is http://manhattanmonologueslam.com
