I played with your heart, got lost in the game.
Well, actually, not really. But I did succeed in summoning calamity for the second time in a row when it comes to getting tickets for a Broadway show. The last time I bought tickets for a show ("Mamma Mia"), I got them for Sandy and Daniel, and I got them for a Wednesday night rather than a Saturday night (since they were only in town for a long weekend, this was a problem). A few weeks back I went down to get tickets for "The Lion King" for Graham, Brie, and myself. Well, I took a gander at them today just to make sure that I didn't screw things up again, and, once again, a blonde moment. The tickets are for next week, not for tomorrow.
In a morning panic, I got dressed and rushed down to Time Square to try to exchange the tickets. Apparently Lion King is the second most popular show on Broadway at the moment, so the outlook was bleak. An hour later, and I was back home, $60 poorer after paying $20 more per ticket for tomorrow's show.Hmmm, Ramen noodles sound good for lunch.
Good lord, I need to dye my hair black or something....
J. Riley, the man with the almighty-whitey blonde hair.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Eight Hour Abs
For Christmas I want a giant exercise ball, which will replace my chair at home. I need something to help me with my posture and strengthen my body core, and the exercise ball is the perfect ingredient. Seeing as how I work so much from home, and when I'm not working I'm dorking around on my computer (or writing my blog, if that's not dorking around), I think I could use a little help with aligning my head with my spine with my hips with my legs with my ankles -- a true Yogan posture.
Monday, October 18, 2004
The Best Wurst Sauce Ever
So the brother and wife are in town (his, not mine). They arrived on Saturday night after the long flight from San Diego. Seeing as how this was their only weekend night at my place (since they're leaving on Saturday), we cruised down to the Lower East Side (where else?) with a mini-entourage of Paul and Cathy. After waltzing around trying to find a new place to eat at (I know they exist, I read about them all the time!!), we ended up at Kuma Inn, which some of you may recognize because it was in J. Riley's premiere blog posting back in March. This time, it wasn't Valentine's Day and there was no prix-fixe menu. Being an Asian-French fusion restaurant serving tapas (which are Spanish), we were in for a treat. The classic plate, which we ordered two of, are the Chinese sausages with lime-chili sauce, which I have termed the best wurst (uhh....that means "sausage" auf deutsch) sauce ever. It really is the bomb. Really.
Afterwards, we cruised around to some of the overcrowded bars in the neighborhood. The flavor in that part of town is definetely punk/vintage/rock and roll, as were the places we stopped by in. We did find a cool band playing and we hung out there for a bit. The lead singer was wearing a "John Kerry is a Rockstar" shirt (because he is) and low-rise jeans.
Question for the audience: who thinks that low-rise jeans on a guy are stylish? I think they are, but the Californians seem to differ. Can you PLEASE click on "Comments" down below and tell me what you think? If you don't know what low-rise jeans are, feel free to tell me about how my blog is the best (or worst) thing you've ever read. Ever.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand. After cruising the nightlife scene, we headed to the traditional Teany tea-shop to get a bellies full of warm milk teanychinos to cap the night off. MMmmhhh....teanychinos.
Sunday morning (more like afternoon), we headed down to Chelsea and went to Rue de Crepe, a French brunch joint. While waiting an hour for our seat, we noticed that right in front of us was Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay. Unfortunately, his wife Gweneth Paltrow must have been at home in the West Villiage with their baby, Apple. I was going to ask about their upcoming tour dates, but I figured I'd just leave him alone and let him enjoy his banana-nutella crepe with a side of fresh fruit (two pieces of orange, three grapes, and four pieces of pineapple) and a pot of fries. I wasn't stairing or anything.....
No más tango chalazio,
J. Riley
Afterwards, we cruised around to some of the overcrowded bars in the neighborhood. The flavor in that part of town is definetely punk/vintage/rock and roll, as were the places we stopped by in. We did find a cool band playing and we hung out there for a bit. The lead singer was wearing a "John Kerry is a Rockstar" shirt (because he is) and low-rise jeans.
Question for the audience: who thinks that low-rise jeans on a guy are stylish? I think they are, but the Californians seem to differ. Can you PLEASE click on "Comments" down below and tell me what you think? If you don't know what low-rise jeans are, feel free to tell me about how my blog is the best (or worst) thing you've ever read. Ever.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand. After cruising the nightlife scene, we headed to the traditional Teany tea-shop to get a bellies full of warm milk teanychinos to cap the night off. MMmmhhh....teanychinos.
Sunday morning (more like afternoon), we headed down to Chelsea and went to Rue de Crepe, a French brunch joint. While waiting an hour for our seat, we noticed that right in front of us was Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay. Unfortunately, his wife Gweneth Paltrow must have been at home in the West Villiage with their baby, Apple. I was going to ask about their upcoming tour dates, but I figured I'd just leave him alone and let him enjoy his banana-nutella crepe with a side of fresh fruit (two pieces of orange, three grapes, and four pieces of pineapple) and a pot of fries. I wasn't stairing or anything.....
No más tango chalazio,
J. Riley
Trivia
"I had a nice little weekend planned. I'll blog about it, but I don't know if I'll have the TIME!" (Name that movie!)
Friday, October 15, 2004
The Wanderer
Today I capped my work-week with a journey around Brooklyn. A benefit (or is it liability?) of my job is that I get to scour the streets of all five boroughs of NYC, auditing clinics located in glamorous places like the projects and low-income areas. I admit that, as a young man raised in safe, suburban California, there are stereotypes and prejudices that I harbor, and I'm not exactly proud of that, but it is reality. However, I embraked on my journey through Brooklyn on my own and, as I discovered with other parts of New York: I believed what I see in movies and what I hear in rap songs, but it's really not as bad as what my prejudices had me believing. It's really not that bad!
Hey, which one of you works for Phillip Morris (or a susidiary)? An unknown fanclub? An overworked, miserable consultant? Take off your mask and REVEAL YOURSELF! Enquiring minds (uhh...that would be me) want to know....
Graham and Brie arrive tomorrow....
Hey, which one of you works for Phillip Morris (or a susidiary)? An unknown fanclub? An overworked, miserable consultant? Take off your mask and REVEAL YOURSELF! Enquiring minds (uhh...that would be me) want to know....
Graham and Brie arrive tomorrow....
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Oh, the irony of it all....
If Bush was running against Jesus in the campaign (JPEG Image, 375x499 pixels)
Isn't it ironic.....don't you think?
Isn't it ironic.....don't you think?
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
The Hit-Counter
Maybe some of you have noticed that I've added a nifty little counter to the blog, down at the bottom of the right-hand side, near the Firefox logo. Firefox is a browser that is much much much more secure than Internet Explorer and is very easy to use! You should download and install it, you will discover the true meaning of life with it. Maybe that's an exaggeration. But, I digress - back to the hit counter. With the addition of this counter, I can now track who comes to my site - and who doesn't :-o !! Christmas time is approaching, and just like Santa, J. Riley knows who's been naughty (and if you're one of them, you're not reading this right now) and who's been nice. The Haines household holds a significant lead in checking my blog the most frequently, and I'm sure they're disappointed at not seeing many updates lately. It's been quite a busy week, however. Some of us have actually been diligently working, which, much like many illegal drugs, has ill side effects on time dedicated to blogging.
I've also had a full social calendar after work this week. After shopping and cooking all day Sunday, I had Spanish classes Monday night, Yoga Tuesday night, Yoga + debates Wednesday night, meeting up with Jules (ex-former-coworker) from Chicago on Thursday night to catch up on life on the road, and meeting a friend-of-a-friend on Friday night (hopefully). Then, Graham and Brie arrive on Saturday night and stay for a week. Then, the German invasion continues with some of Alex's old friends coming to town for ten days.
Folks, I'm gonna be busy. But not busy enough to not watch the hit-counter!!!
J. Riley
I've also had a full social calendar after work this week. After shopping and cooking all day Sunday, I had Spanish classes Monday night, Yoga Tuesday night, Yoga + debates Wednesday night, meeting up with Jules (ex-former-coworker) from Chicago on Thursday night to catch up on life on the road, and meeting a friend-of-a-friend on Friday night (hopefully). Then, Graham and Brie arrive on Saturday night and stay for a week. Then, the German invasion continues with some of Alex's old friends coming to town for ten days.
Folks, I'm gonna be busy. But not busy enough to not watch the hit-counter!!!
J. Riley
Sunday, October 10, 2004
A Case of the Sundays
Well, the end of the weekend approaches. Okay, it's actually here.....
Friday night was pretty crazy. Dinner was excellent at Rain East, which is a Malaysian restaurant serving up delightful food. And white-wine sangria! Afterwards, we headed down Pioneer Bar on Bowery Avenue, which was a massive, pretty mellow place to sit with everyone and have a few cold ones. Per birthday boy's request, we then walked down the block to a local karaoke place. While waiting for our private room, I thought it would be fun to sit in the absent "security guard's" chair. It then occurred to me that it would be great to pretend like I actually had muscles and was taller than six feet. So, I started asking for ID's from the people walking through the front door. Some people were bummed about being carded, maybe because they were underage, but I "let them go this time" after glancing at their ID. I don't even know where birthdates are on NY drivers' licenses. And it was a BYOB joint, so it's not like people even had to be over...10. Good times, good times....
After returning home from the events, I got my four hours of sleep before I had to wake up and do my community duties with some kids from a Hell's Kitchen housing authority. I begrudgingly headed downtown and met some great citizens of the city, most of which were my age, while having fun with some kids. I got to learn the basics of capoeira (intriguing; could I fit that in my schedule???) and hung out at some parks down in the East Village. I'll definitely be back next month to meet up with some of the other volunteers and see the kids again...
After a few hours of napping afterwards, I saw The Motorcycle Diaries, a film about the revolutionary Che Guevara and the events that he witnessed while touring South America that caused him to want to change the world later in his life (he helped create the Cuban Revolution). It was a very moving film and I recommend seeing it. It's amazing how so little has changed in South America from the 1950's (when the movie took place) and now....
Taking the movie to heart, I spent Sunday shopping, starting at about 3:00 when everyone was ready to go. I began with spending last week's paycheck buying vegetables for dinner at the local gourmet grocery store. I mean, it's ridiculous. $15 for strawberries???? Okay, I won't go there again. I passed on the strawberries, but did buy some great stuff for tonight's Couscous and Winter Vegetables dinner. If anyone wants the easy recipe, email me.
Afterwards, it was on to the seven-floor Macy's in Herald's Square and all of the stores between the 33rd St. subway stop and there. I got me some new jeans (of questionable Euro-tightness) as well as a new shirt (dual purpose, as always, for work and/or social activities), a killer orange/grey wool/cashmere sweater, and a new comforter for the guests (I hope no one is allergic to down feathers!).
And then I made dinner for myself, and......I mean Paul, Cathy, and myself. It was fabulous, and the $1,357 in vegetables that I bought earlier in the day were delectable. So was the $1.59 couscous..... :)
J. Riley
Friday night was pretty crazy. Dinner was excellent at Rain East, which is a Malaysian restaurant serving up delightful food. And white-wine sangria! Afterwards, we headed down Pioneer Bar on Bowery Avenue, which was a massive, pretty mellow place to sit with everyone and have a few cold ones. Per birthday boy's request, we then walked down the block to a local karaoke place. While waiting for our private room, I thought it would be fun to sit in the absent "security guard's" chair. It then occurred to me that it would be great to pretend like I actually had muscles and was taller than six feet. So, I started asking for ID's from the people walking through the front door. Some people were bummed about being carded, maybe because they were underage, but I "let them go this time" after glancing at their ID. I don't even know where birthdates are on NY drivers' licenses. And it was a BYOB joint, so it's not like people even had to be over...10. Good times, good times....
After returning home from the events, I got my four hours of sleep before I had to wake up and do my community duties with some kids from a Hell's Kitchen housing authority. I begrudgingly headed downtown and met some great citizens of the city, most of which were my age, while having fun with some kids. I got to learn the basics of capoeira (intriguing; could I fit that in my schedule???) and hung out at some parks down in the East Village. I'll definitely be back next month to meet up with some of the other volunteers and see the kids again...
After a few hours of napping afterwards, I saw The Motorcycle Diaries, a film about the revolutionary Che Guevara and the events that he witnessed while touring South America that caused him to want to change the world later in his life (he helped create the Cuban Revolution). It was a very moving film and I recommend seeing it. It's amazing how so little has changed in South America from the 1950's (when the movie took place) and now....
Taking the movie to heart, I spent Sunday shopping, starting at about 3:00 when everyone was ready to go. I began with spending last week's paycheck buying vegetables for dinner at the local gourmet grocery store. I mean, it's ridiculous. $15 for strawberries???? Okay, I won't go there again. I passed on the strawberries, but did buy some great stuff for tonight's Couscous and Winter Vegetables dinner. If anyone wants the easy recipe, email me.
Afterwards, it was on to the seven-floor Macy's in Herald's Square and all of the stores between the 33rd St. subway stop and there. I got me some new jeans (of questionable Euro-tightness) as well as a new shirt (dual purpose, as always, for work and/or social activities), a killer orange/grey wool/cashmere sweater, and a new comforter for the guests (I hope no one is allergic to down feathers!).
And then I made dinner for myself, and......I mean Paul, Cathy, and myself. It was fabulous, and the $1,357 in vegetables that I bought earlier in the day were delectable. So was the $1.59 couscous..... :)
J. Riley
Friday, October 08, 2004
Webcam Action
I recently invested in a new geeky gadget - a webcam. It's pretty nifty, I can use any of the major chat programs to have a live video conference with my friends. I need to figure out how to get the audio to work, but I have faith that eventually other webcam geeks can look and talk to me over instant messengers. Remember those AT&T commercials about ten years ago, showing the workaholic fathers on the road travelling, but checking in with the happy wife and role-model children? Yea, it's like that....
On Monday, I'm embarking on a new adventure by starting up Spanish classes - introductory, of course. I have little doubt that within the ten weeks that I have class, I will be completely fluent. I guess it would've helped to have taken this class a few months ago - before I went to Spain. But, hey, at least I'll have it for the next trip I take, in about two years when I have more than 4 days of vacation left.
Leif came on Sunday, but he's gone already. Yea, that's what I said. He didn't stay a weekend here!! Man, I was disappointed. But, I took him to a happening place on Sunday night - Baraonda. It supposed to be a crazy party there on Sunday nights at around midnight, so I thought we would check it out. Unfortunately, Leif and his girlfriend aren't the loud, crowded restaurant types, and some of us had to work the next day, so we called it in early, at about 12:15. I gotta go back there on a three-day weekend, though. I've gotta!!
Tonight I'm heading down to Rain East in midtown for dinner with my ex-roommate Alan and his friends. Afterwards, we're heading down to the Lower East Side to check out Pioneer Bar. Should be a big night! Tomorrow, I'm going with some kids to capoeira (a Brazilian martial art / dance) lessons with a housing assistance group. Big weekend....
On Monday, I'm embarking on a new adventure by starting up Spanish classes - introductory, of course. I have little doubt that within the ten weeks that I have class, I will be completely fluent. I guess it would've helped to have taken this class a few months ago - before I went to Spain. But, hey, at least I'll have it for the next trip I take, in about two years when I have more than 4 days of vacation left.
Leif came on Sunday, but he's gone already. Yea, that's what I said. He didn't stay a weekend here!! Man, I was disappointed. But, I took him to a happening place on Sunday night - Baraonda. It supposed to be a crazy party there on Sunday nights at around midnight, so I thought we would check it out. Unfortunately, Leif and his girlfriend aren't the loud, crowded restaurant types, and some of us had to work the next day, so we called it in early, at about 12:15. I gotta go back there on a three-day weekend, though. I've gotta!!
Tonight I'm heading down to Rain East in midtown for dinner with my ex-roommate Alan and his friends. Afterwards, we're heading down to the Lower East Side to check out Pioneer Bar. Should be a big night! Tomorrow, I'm going with some kids to capoeira (a Brazilian martial art / dance) lessons with a housing assistance group. Big weekend....
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Mighty Mighty Boss Tunes
Wednesday night I get a call from Cathy at around 11:15pm. As many of you know, this is well past my bedtime. Well, more like 15 minutes past my bedtime. On a good night. In any case, she caught me on a good night because I was at a karaoke bar with Sean and Alan for some post-dinner festivities. Sean quit his job at my former employer this week, and Alan had Thursday and Friday off, so of course they wanted to go out. But, I digress....
So Cathy called me and asked if I wanted to go see Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., and John Fogerty in Philadelphia on Friday for a "Vote for Change" (aka Bush sucks) benefit concert. I said "Sure", even though I'm not like the world's biggest "Boss" fan. It's not that I don't like him, I'm just...indifferent.
We high-tailed it down to Philly on Friday after work on a few trains and, after checking into the airport Hilton (free, thanks to spending my last three years living in hotels such as these), we caught the concert. And I have a lot more respect for the Boss now that I've seen him jam in concert. He, Fogerty, R.E.M., and Bright Eyes (the opening garage band from NYC) put on an awesome show!!
Saturday consisted of travelling back to the city after spending the night in Philly and getting home just in time for the futon installers to arrive. The futon was installed just in time for Paul and Cathy to pull an Enron on my apartment (complete reorganization of my assets; please note that my financial well-being was not affected, however). Even with the addition of my futon, I feel like my apartment is bigger than it was before. Check it out for yourself, as soon as I post pictures!
So Cathy called me and asked if I wanted to go see Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., and John Fogerty in Philadelphia on Friday for a "Vote for Change" (aka Bush sucks) benefit concert. I said "Sure", even though I'm not like the world's biggest "Boss" fan. It's not that I don't like him, I'm just...indifferent.
We high-tailed it down to Philly on Friday after work on a few trains and, after checking into the airport Hilton (free, thanks to spending my last three years living in hotels such as these), we caught the concert. And I have a lot more respect for the Boss now that I've seen him jam in concert. He, Fogerty, R.E.M., and Bright Eyes (the opening garage band from NYC) put on an awesome show!!
Saturday consisted of travelling back to the city after spending the night in Philly and getting home just in time for the futon installers to arrive. The futon was installed just in time for Paul and Cathy to pull an Enron on my apartment (complete reorganization of my assets; please note that my financial well-being was not affected, however). Even with the addition of my futon, I feel like my apartment is bigger than it was before. Check it out for yourself, as soon as I post pictures!
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