As I sit here alone on Saturday night. I try to remember the days of sitting in front of the computer playing video games while my friends asked if I wanted to go out. Those days are long gone for two reasons. 1) I don't play video games anymore and 2) I don't have a whole lot of close friends who live in or near NYC.

 

My Dad and step-mom are coming to the city to visit me October 31st through November 2nd. They got 6 tickets to The Blue Man Group. Sure it's touristy, but hey, they are tourists. The tickets are for my Bob, Jean, Shelley and her boyfriend Dan, me, and a date of my choosing.

 

Now, I really am kind of undecided on whom to ask to go. Meeting the 'rents is a step I am not sure I'm ready to take with anyone at this point. Taking a random stranger is out of the question. It is really frustrating to be honest. The show is early, 6ish if I remember, dinner afterwards. Then it'll be over. Why do I despise these steps in a relationship so much? I guess it gets easier when you meet the right person.

 

 

Sigh, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is really great. I also enjoy going to mom and pop type coffee places because there is a special ambiance that fills the air. Real work and real people who believe in what they are doing. Not a franchise worker, a manager/owner with real conviction and interest in supporting him or herself and the employees.

 

I suspect most people like this type of feeling when they go into a place of business. Hence why the big franchise restaurants are considered lower class places. Anyway, I went into Dunkin' Donuts today because it's close by and the coffee is damn good. There was a woman in line who asked one of the girls behind the counter, how the salmon cream cheese was today. The girl gave her a strange look (as did I) and said, "You want salmon cream cheese?"

 

"No," said the woman. "I asked how it was today. Is it good?"

 

"I suppose it's ok, it's the same it was yesterday." The girl said.

 

"Ok that sounds good, I'll have the salmon cream cheese on a plain bagel. Can you toast it for me please?"

 

At this point, I'm wondering if I should ask if their napkins could be any softer, or if they make their ice cream, donut frosting, and mop water on the premises when I've actually seen the carts wheeled in the front door sporting barrels of ice cream, stacks upon stacks of 'fresh' donuts, and huge bottles marked 'Ammonia' all in the same delivery truck! I decide not to be an ass. And continue to wait my turn in line.

 

"For my coffee, I'd like a small, with skim milk, no sugar, half hazelnut and half regular coffee. Ok? Can you do that?" The woman says next. The girl nods and begins to dispense the skim milk from a cafeteria ketchup plunger. The white watery liquid squirts out in controlled, carefully measured amounts. "Half Hazelnut and half regular. Don't forget. Ok?"

 

The girl looks up as if to say. "Look, I'm not a flippin' retard and this isn't quantum physics or particle dynamics at absolute zero. They don't hand out Pulitzer prizes for measuring and mixing flavors of coffee. I heard you the first time, you rich, conceited, half-hazelnut drinking, human fuckwad. By the way the salmon cream cheese is fucking fantastic, it's great! The best EVER! Someone call Guinness! It is the exact same damn salmon cream cheese that has been here since they put it on the global Dunkin' Donuts menu! And if you tell me 'half hazelnut' again I'm going to accidentally spill this entire pot of steaming hot coffee on your mink throw-drapen ass, and remind you just how badly life can suck."

 

Instead, she looked back down at the steaming liquids, secured a lid upon the cup and rang the woman up.

 

The woman paid with a 20, and didn't leave a tip.

 

 

I would like to give a round of applause for Splashlight Studio's amazing 1 year anniversary party they threw last night. People have told me that New York nightclubs have suffered since the days of girls swinging from ropes on the ceiling, and in order to really find a party the way it used to be, you must be invited, i.e. private.

 

I didn't RSVP and I also didn't expect over 1000 people to attend. So on initial entry, I was rejected. I saw a few of the guys I knew inside and they came around to let me in. However I was there with my roommate and his girlfriend. So the guys told one of the front desk girls I knew to go take over the list for a minute. I walked up to the door, saw Carrie take over, I waved Eric and Kristy over, smiled at Carrie and she welcomed us in.

 

First off, they had some kind of exotic sports car, a new Ferrari I think, set up on set with a digital camera. People were lining up to sit in the car and get a portrait taken. In studio one they had some kind of art gallery opening. Head upstairs and that's where the real party was. Dance floor, free drink, catering, DJ's, a smoking booth, hundreds of people breakin' down, dancing a fool. We walked around, danced, I saw people I knew. Really a very cool night. Then three girls jumped up onto these ropes hanging from the ceiling and started swinging around, kind of air dancing. It was amazing, so hot!

 

There was an encore party at Lotus afterwards, but I didn't make it. I was too damn tired.