27 February, 2006
Sweet Home
It was good to fly back Chicagoward after two weeks here on the island. Even better than merely being "in my own place," and getting to see my love after this long time, was the party that we planned. I was able to see many friends, most of whom I see very seldom. When I wasn't busy hosting (Lulo is right, we SHOULD hire someone to do the food) I was able to get a few pictures with the new cam...
My love with Edgar.
My love with Edgar.
Martha stops to smoke.
Chris, John, and Yuki, all smiles.
Hiroshi, love-with-two-beers, and Yasuo
Jennifer, Angela, and Maiko, and so much money!
Shital looks at me, while Suzanne looks at god-knows-who.
23 February, 2006
A new addiction
I have a new addiction:
I've always enjoyed New York pizza, but I could certainly live without it. Now of course, I'm surrounded by it. One of my earliest observations about my new surroundings, other than the horrid street network and idiotic drivers, was that any strip mall in Long Island is guaranteed to have a pizza joint and a "chinese" food outlet. That is a 95% guarantee. ANY bona-fide strip mall (meaning multi-use, i.e. where there are more than 3 kinds of stores) in Nassau or Suffolk counties is GUARANTEED to have a Chinamen Cuisine and Greasy Guido Slice.
I got tired of taking the cheese off, and mozarella is really a delight as far as cheeses go - like eating rubbery cream (yum!). This means that even though it makes me slightly ill, I now eat pizza as it was meant to be eaten. I no longer have to suffer stares and derision, and the rather small-minded observation that "pizza without cheese is just bread." Oh, honey, how wrong.
This revelation - the eating of cheese - really disturbs me. Just because it tastes great, I'm willing to ingest something that makes me feel bleugh. Of course, this is nothing new to humanity. People persist in over eating, over fucking, over consuming, even though these activites are harmful. You won't die immediately from obesity, you may not even know that your whoring has given you gonorrhea and a whole host of other nasties, and global warming is taking a long time to kill us, but we continue because it feels good.
Lately, I have been eating literally like a hog. The glory of being able to afford what I want has plunged me into a tailspin of consumption. As usual, I tend to congratulate myself on the modicum of self-control I possess - I nearly booked a long-weekend trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, just because of an enticing article in the Times, and because I could technically afford it. Luckily, I came to my senses, and sent that money to my creditors. Then I go to some crappy buffet to celebrate that wise decision. I had been eating so much that I would get sluggish, and all I would do is try to work, then cart myself home and slump in a chair and read or watch movies. I was being productive, but not optimally. So now I'm fiddn'a eat less and get more done. Any ideas for strategy? My current attitude is "why have one slice when two only costs twice as much?"
I've always enjoyed New York pizza, but I could certainly live without it. Now of course, I'm surrounded by it. One of my earliest observations about my new surroundings, other than the horrid street network and idiotic drivers, was that any strip mall in Long Island is guaranteed to have a pizza joint and a "chinese" food outlet. That is a 95% guarantee. ANY bona-fide strip mall (meaning multi-use, i.e. where there are more than 3 kinds of stores) in Nassau or Suffolk counties is GUARANTEED to have a Chinamen Cuisine and Greasy Guido Slice.
I got tired of taking the cheese off, and mozarella is really a delight as far as cheeses go - like eating rubbery cream (yum!). This means that even though it makes me slightly ill, I now eat pizza as it was meant to be eaten. I no longer have to suffer stares and derision, and the rather small-minded observation that "pizza without cheese is just bread." Oh, honey, how wrong.
This revelation - the eating of cheese - really disturbs me. Just because it tastes great, I'm willing to ingest something that makes me feel bleugh. Of course, this is nothing new to humanity. People persist in over eating, over fucking, over consuming, even though these activites are harmful. You won't die immediately from obesity, you may not even know that your whoring has given you gonorrhea and a whole host of other nasties, and global warming is taking a long time to kill us, but we continue because it feels good.
Lately, I have been eating literally like a hog. The glory of being able to afford what I want has plunged me into a tailspin of consumption. As usual, I tend to congratulate myself on the modicum of self-control I possess - I nearly booked a long-weekend trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, just because of an enticing article in the Times, and because I could technically afford it. Luckily, I came to my senses, and sent that money to my creditors. Then I go to some crappy buffet to celebrate that wise decision. I had been eating so much that I would get sluggish, and all I would do is try to work, then cart myself home and slump in a chair and read or watch movies. I was being productive, but not optimally. So now I'm fiddn'a eat less and get more done. Any ideas for strategy? My current attitude is "why have one slice when two only costs twice as much?"
Why would so many people want to live on such a tiny rock?
Just testing my camera... I'm not so good with it yet, as I haven't had time (or inclination) to read the manual yet. Oh well, you get the idea anyway.
I drove into the city again last night. I get so bored out here, which is unusual for me; I've always been able to find something to do. It must be some sort of sensory deprivation; perhaps I just miss the gunshots singing me to sleep at night.
So I parked at Queens Plaza,
as I usually do, and rode the E to.... I don't even really remember where I got off. I remember that I got pissed because the train was stopped for a long time (We'll be moving shortly) and I just hopped off and started walking.
I wanted to wander into areas I never went to when I lived in Queens, so I ended up (logically?) in the thirties on 11th avenue.
It's easy to forget 11th avenue exists, and its also easy to see why I've never been there. I spent a few minutes reflecting at the Javits center, where so many of my friends suffered these past two days.
Then, Ellen actually called me back, so we went out to dinner -
when I finally got over to 26th and 3rd.
Here's some shit (literally) I saw on the way:
Yum. Dinner was delish. We went to a honky tonk bar - Marlboro man country. I had a grilled tuna salad; the lettuce was boring but fresh, the dressing was beh and runny, but the tuna was numanums!!! Ellen had a queasydiller, and claimed it was wonderful, and I imagine, judging by her face, that it was. Ellen said "don't take my picture, I don't want you to post it on your website." I didn't understand what she meant; I eventually figured it out.
After a great coffee at Ellen's place made by her beau, Mr. BadEarth, I wandered around. A stroll by (since I'm not privileged enough to get in) Grammercy Park was relaxing, and I tested out the new camera yet more:
And then, after negotiating a thick cloud of marrywanna smoke at Union Square, it was bye bye time for me.
I almost shat myself when I got to Queens Plaza and it appeared my garage was closed at 11:54pm. Luckily, another exit was open. Thank god.
I drove into the city again last night. I get so bored out here, which is unusual for me; I've always been able to find something to do. It must be some sort of sensory deprivation; perhaps I just miss the gunshots singing me to sleep at night.
So I parked at Queens Plaza,
as I usually do, and rode the E to.... I don't even really remember where I got off. I remember that I got pissed because the train was stopped for a long time (We'll be moving shortly) and I just hopped off and started walking.I wanted to wander into areas I never went to when I lived in Queens, so I ended up (logically?) in the thirties on 11th avenue.
It's easy to forget 11th avenue exists, and its also easy to see why I've never been there. I spent a few minutes reflecting at the Javits center, where so many of my friends suffered these past two days.Then, Ellen actually called me back, so we went out to dinner -
when I finally got over to 26th and 3rd.Here's some shit (literally) I saw on the way:
Yum. Dinner was delish. We went to a honky tonk bar - Marlboro man country. I had a grilled tuna salad; the lettuce was boring but fresh, the dressing was beh and runny, but the tuna was numanums!!! Ellen had a queasydiller, and claimed it was wonderful, and I imagine, judging by her face, that it was. Ellen said "don't take my picture, I don't want you to post it on your website." I didn't understand what she meant; I eventually figured it out.
After a great coffee at Ellen's place made by her beau, Mr. BadEarth, I wandered around. A stroll by (since I'm not privileged enough to get in) Grammercy Park was relaxing, and I tested out the new camera yet more:
And then, after negotiating a thick cloud of marrywanna smoke at Union Square, it was bye bye time for me.
I almost shat myself when I got to Queens Plaza and it appeared my garage was closed at 11:54pm. Luckily, another exit was open. Thank god.20 February, 2006
My Cheap New Toy
Finally I have a digital camera. Cheap as hell, but functional so far.
Here is the building where I started work last Monday:
And here is my desk, cluttered already:
Here is the building where I started work last Monday:
And here is my desk, cluttered already:
The Urge
I've had the urge to write, and I have so much to say, but whenever I sit down, I feel ugh. So I'll content myself with posting this photo of the aforementioned New Years Eve party. Almost 2 months into 2006 now, already. Oy vey.
So many lesbians... well ok, only two, but that sure was spicy!
02 February, 2006
Finally
I found a job. It's about time. The poverty schtick gets old quickly, and the joy of eating nothing but ramen is losing its fizz. I've given up most of my vices, which I can't envision taking up again - especially since I'll be working near NYC for the first few months; I want to be able to save some of this newfound money.
This also takes the pressure off my prep for the bar exam. The job, "Zoning Specialist," is legal-related, and a law degree helps, but I don't have to pass the bar. That is a great relief, and probably means I have a better chance at passing, too. It also means I will start writing again, and more importantly, reading what I want.
I also want to think of more schtick for Yeast Radio. Madge has played a lot of crap I've sent in, and most of it has been utter crap. My W imitation sounds pretty good over the phone, I must say, but Sorbitol Watkins needs to get more interesting. Any suggestions?
Ho hum.
This also takes the pressure off my prep for the bar exam. The job, "Zoning Specialist," is legal-related, and a law degree helps, but I don't have to pass the bar. That is a great relief, and probably means I have a better chance at passing, too. It also means I will start writing again, and more importantly, reading what I want.
I also want to think of more schtick for Yeast Radio. Madge has played a lot of crap I've sent in, and most of it has been utter crap. My W imitation sounds pretty good over the phone, I must say, but Sorbitol Watkins needs to get more interesting. Any suggestions?
Ho hum.
