boys

Being back in NJ and NYC for a week, you can notice how some things change, some stay the same and some just boggle the mind. Here are some observations, in no particular order of relevance.

The second I got back into Manhattan, I had to make a tough choice at almost every corner. You have to choose whether to look at the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen, or the craziest man ever. Do you look at the supermodel, or the guy wearing orange footie pajamas, wrapped in tin foil, simultaneously playing a Casio keyboard and fighting a ghost*? (The last part paraphrased from David Cross and Brian Posehn)

I went back to a bar/restaurant in my hometown. Nothing really changes. Every guy had either a Yankee hat or “Gotti” hair (“hedgehog-esque ” like those horribly annoying idiots on TV.) And they were actually playing “club/ freestyle” music (1988). Loudly. Samantha Fox, Expose’, TKA etc…

The same “guidos” from the same era became staunch Bush worshiping neo-urban cowboys who listen to Toby Keith. I was told, and I quote, “Toby speaks for America! And, he’s a Democrat!” (Read HERE!) I spent $20 on the internet jukebox to play nothing but Drowning Pool and the Shins, thereby nullifying the “Toby-thon.”

Somehow, recently in NYC, Argyle sweaters WITH a popped collar became hip. In a bar on 14th street, six guys walked in TOGETHER with this style. I thought the San Francisco “faux-hawks” and striped shirts were scary!

We were walking down East 4th street and came out on to Bowery, right across from one of the most famous and revered rock clubs in the world. CBGB’s. Well, it was until it was forced to be closed. Can you seethe irony in the realator’s name?

cbcgbs

Damn, I miss driving in snow. Really! It was also funny to see more snow on the sidewalks of NYC than the mountains in Lake Tahoe! Five days after the snow, I still had to park on a big-ass snowdrift on 22nd street!

I went to Moby’s tea shop on Rivington street, “Teany“, and had a pot of tea. Mine was $2.00 more for the pot than any other, for one good reason. It was picked by monkeys. Seriously. Moneys in the Fijian province picked my tea leaves.

The is a subculture I knew nothing about in NYC. Sneaker-philes. They know every special edition, artist, and release date. Bathing Apes, Air Forces and Jordans. Some for $1500 plus. There are dedicated sneaker consignment stores. I couldn’t help myself. I had to indulge and buy a pair of black patent leather Nike’s. I’m in love!

af1 af2

As a special bonus, here are four “gulity pleasure” songs I came to like after hearing them on network medical sitcoms and dramas, i.e. Scrubs and Grey’s Anatomy…

Colin Hay – Beautiful World

Common – Funky For You

Joseph Arthur – In the Sun

Doves – Caught by the River

Check out more of Andy’s rants on his blog, THE BURNING MISSIVE HERE.