September 25, 2011

Tonight’s the wedding (congratulations to Michael and Abbey!) and I just wanted to relax and didn’t want to be running around bugging people taking photos. But I wanted something to blog about so I wandered around my folks house to find something to take pictures of and lo and behold, what do I find but the remnants of my once might record collection in the bottom of my parents closet. Check it out.
My collection was about 5,000 albums and a couple thousand CD's before I moved to New York. Along with my pension plan, I got some money to move to New York by selling everything I owned. I sold my car, my furniture, my clothes, my stereo, my TV and most of my albums and all of my CD’s. Here’s what’s left of my albums, some of them I didn’t want to sell and some of them nobody else wanted so I stored them here at my parents house. Let’s just take a random look at some of them.

Here's the Beatles "White Album." But it's not exactly white. I used to smoke pot in my bedroom and then draw all over my records.

See? This is the back of the "White Album." I had a full canvas to work with here.

Here's the Beatles, "Yesterday and Today" album. This was the record that was originally the controversial, Beatles "Butcher Album." Since this is a Beatles record on the Capital label, it's probably worth something, except I drew all over it rendering it worthless to anyone but me.

The first Cheap Trick album! I remember being thrilled about this because they were from Rockford, Illinois and I had seen them in bars and clubs before they got signed. Hometown boys made good! This is a great album.

"Everything Stops For Tea" by Long John Baldry. I love this album and Ronnie Wood drew the album cover.

Here's an album by The Tremblers. This was Peter Noone's/Herman's new wave band from the '80's. I think I'm the only one who bought it.

Here's The Beatles turning Japanese.

Legendary bluesman, Luthor Allison's live album. This album was recorded at a club in Peoria, in the '80's, I believe and produced by my friend, musician Craig Moore. Luthor's wife Fannie lived next door to me in an apartment complex and I went to a Christmas party with the entire Allson family and friends. I'll have to write about that sometime.

And finally, The Rutles. Do I have to spell it out? C-H-E-E-S-E-O-N-I-O-N-S-O-H-N-O. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading and watching: Record Collector’s Guild, Dust & Grooves and Record Collecting Tips.

Have you seen her face,
She’s got a face that would stop a clock.

(Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!)

September 24, 2011

A lot of you will remember a special bar on one of the last stops of my 365 Bar Crawl last year. It’s a unique bar in Peoria, called Jerry’s Bar. Well, it’s my second night in Peoria and I thought we’d have a drink or three at Jerry’s bar.

I love the hand-drawn, artisanal sign hanging out front.

Here's the familiar stairwell that descends into Jerry's Bar.

And here's the legendary bar in all its glory. Some of you reading this sat on these stools back in the late '70s and had a beer or 12 at the bar and maybe even snorted something off of it. Oh, those crazy days in the '70's in Jerry's Bar. Fuzzy memories, indeed!

A long shot of the Formica-topped bar...where's the bartender, I sure could use a drink!

And if by magic, here's Jerry, the infamous bartender of Jerry's. He is to me, what Lloyd was to Jack Nicholson in "The Shining." A great bartender, with no judgement.

And here's Jerry with the lovely hostess of Jerry's Bar, Anne. I have to behave down here or they'll send me up to my room with no supper.

As you can see, it's a well-stocked bar.

These fellows have been on the wall for decades.

There's more colorful characters at the end of the bar along with some of the patented Jerry's Bar coasters. There's a Jerry's Bar coaster adorning the Bunt Custer's bar all the way across the world in Australia. Cheers, Clacky!

Here's a ship getting ready to set sail in the sink behind the bar.

And finally, an obligatory mirror shot! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: Jerry’s (Wicker Park), Jerry’s Sandwiches and facecrack.

The postman delivers the final reminders
She sells off her silver and poodles in china.

(Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!)

September 23, 2011

Well, I'm here in Peoria and I'm on limited time today. I'm staying with my parents and they're the only people left in the world that haven't surrendered to the internet, so I'm here at my brother's apartment, but due to the fact I don't drive, my dad's driven me here and I have limited time to put this together. Usually it takes me an hour or two to put a post up and today I have about ten minutes. Plus I need to check my email, so this is really going to be a quickity blickity blog. I'll try and post more tomorrow, I've got some shots of my trip and also a few from Jerry's Bar. But for now, this is all I got.

Here's my fuel supply for the flight in the bathroom at Laguardia Airport.

Half of the Smart Water is emptied out...

And in goes the vodka!

And pretty soon we're eight miles high in more ways than one. Okay, my dad has to meet friends for lunch, so I gotta go, see you tomorrow after dark. P.S. I'll try to at least include a Nightcap in tomorrow's post. Sneeze ya then!

September 22, 2011

I’m taking tonight off from work, because tomorrow I’m flying back to Peoria to see my family and go to a wedding. I have a car service coming at 6:30 AM, which means I have to get up at 5:30 AM which means I have to start drinking right now to pass out get to bed early. So I thought I’d just take a few random shots around the apartment and then start boozing it up heavily getting ready to go to sleep.

Here's Gumby in his chair. He's going to stay back here in NY and watch my apartment. I hope he doesn't have any wild parties while I'm away.

Gumby in a cup...

Gumby in two cups and Pokey!

Presenting the entire Gumby family! They're bendable and poseable. And they are bad-ass motherfuckers!

And here's Gumby looking down at the two flashlights that Britta and Tom brought me when they were here a little bit ago. I forgot to thank them in that post, so I'm doing it now. Thanks, Britta and Tom! I'll be thinking of you during the next power outtage!

Here's a vintage cover of Creem magazine with Joan Jett on it. I think I've posted it before, but it's worth a second viewing. It's Joan Jett after all!

And another shot of Joan Jett.

Yeah Yeah Yeah!

And while we're looking at cool bands in my apartment, here's the brand new CD by The Handcuffs, "Waiting For The Robot." It's their best collection of tunes yet and you have to own it, that's all there is to it! It's available at iTunes and CD Baby. Check it out or I'll come to your house and drink all of your beer and have sex with some of your food.

I couldn't get a good shot of the cover, so I scanned it in. Very cool! Nice legs...and your's aren't too shabby either, Chloe! Har dee har har! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: The Handcuffs Discography, Atlanta Examiner and Green Light Go.

You Might Also Like: Hop Sing, Hop on Pop and Hop Stop.

You don’t have to keep asking if we’ve met before,
All that small talk really gets to be a bore.

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

September 21, 2011

Okay, it’s swizzle stick Tuesday where we go to a bar and see if we get a swizzle stick. Tonight’s choice was an easy one, my 365 Bars co-pilot, Al Rizo suggested I go to Harry’s New York Bar in the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel. Al’s never steered me wrong in the past, so it’s off to Harry’s we go.

We've landed at Fifth Avenue via the New York subway system.

Hey, hey, it's the monkeys!

It's a straight shot down here on Central Park South.

And here's the lit up awning of the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel.

Well, we'll soon see about that.

Here's the lobby. It's marble and shiny.

The doorman told me Harry's is right up the stairs.

And here we are at Harry's New York Bar. it's nice and dark in here, let's go find the bar.

Plenty of room at the bar, let's grab a stool and settle in.

They've got first rate snacks here, now let's see if we can score a swizzle stick.

Friendly bartender Sam serves up the double gin and tonic...

Houston, it appears we have a swizzle stick!

It's not glass, but it is a high grade plastic. A simple, yet classic add to the collection.

The view from my perch at the bar. It's a classic New York hotel bar for sure with dark wood and a blue marble bar.

A shot of the lit up bottles behind the bar and two of the friendly staff.

Hello!

Okay, the snacks are gone, the drink is drank and it's time to head home. It's not wise to drink more than one in a bar like this. The bill will give you a heart attack if you do.

Obligatory hotel mirror shot! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

The Swizzle Stick Collection

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this fine collection!

Harry's New York Bar
Helmsley Park Lane Hotel
36 Central Park South (Between Fifth and Sixth Ave.)
212-371-4000

Further reading: Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, Trip Advisor, Five Star Alliance and Virgin Holidays.

You Might Also Like: Bonzo, Gonzo and Lonzo.

Then they light one up and they boast and brag,
So content because they got a harry rag.

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

-----------------------------------

Special Thanks To My Co-Pilot Al For Suggesting Harry's!

Al artwork by "Boris."

September 20, 2011

Tonight is Monday, which I’ve turned into what I call my “Six Pack” night where I do something in a series of sixes. Tonight I’d take six photos of a well known building on Fifth Street with the devilish address of 666 Fifth Avenue.

And we're off, it's a little chilly out, I have to remember to start wearing my jacket.

Okay, here's Fifth Avenue...

About 22 blocks straight up and we'll be there.

Deja view!

A shot of the Manhattan skyline in midtown. When you live here, you forget to look up sometimes and you miss all this.

Holy shitballs, talk about missing things, here's a Papaya Dog that I never knew existed.

It's probably the smallest Papaya Dog I've been to.

But they serve a great hot dog as always. Sorry, Al!

Aaaahhh!

Ironically, just a couple blocks from the devilish 666 Building is St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Check out the giant wooden doors, impressive.

She kind of looks like a character from Little House on the Prairie.

Okay, we're almost there.

Here's the building. It looks like a place where Satan would live.

Shit, they must be working on the building, I wanted some sort of iconic shot of the 666 address, what a gyp!

Maybe there's something down here on the side of the building.

And here we go! My original idea was to take six shots here, but there's only so much you can do with one address marker. So I'll take three to mirror the three sixes. And here we go...SIX...

SIX...

SIX...goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: New York Magazine, Wikipedia and Guest of a Guest.

You Might Also Like: Duke Nukem, Duke Slater and Sir Duke.

I shouted out,
Who killed the Kennedys?
When after all,
It was you and me.

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

September 19, 2011

My friend Kate from One More Folded Sunset has told me about a bar in her neighborhood in Park Slope called Hank’s Saloon, which is a legendary dive bar that’s been on the block for over 100 years. We’ve talked about meeting in there and having a drink or three and today is the day we’ve chosen to do this. Goggla and Ed who you may remember from our Chillmaster outings are also coming along and so are you if you continue to follow this post. It’s right below and here we go.

I was going to meet Goggla and Ed at Coal Yard and then we were going to take the subway to Brooklyn and meet Kate at Hank's.

But Ed got stuck at work, so Goggla and I had a drink at Coal Yard and ventured off to Hank's.

And through the miracle of the internet, here we are at Hank's Saloon in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It looks like a great bar.

Great mural on the side of the bar.

"Tonight...Hank's." I couldn't have summed it up better. It 's almost like Cliff's Notes haiku.

And here's Ed reunited with Goggla. Kate's here too, but she was camera shy so there will be no photos of her. But I thank her for suggesting this outing.

Jeannie is the lovely and friendly bartender on duty. She was part of a photo shoot earlier for a Californai biker magazine, so she was used to posing for photos and happily agreed to have this one taken. She wanted me to inform everyone that there's been rumors of Hank's closing and that they are just that, rumors. Hank's is alive and well, stop in and have a drink or three.

Here's a shot of the bar in all it's glory. It's been on the block for over 100 years and it's named for Hank Williams. The original name of the bar was Do Ray, and the subtitle was, "Where Good Friends Meet." Still true today.

Gumby's all settled in and as always has a mescaline-like smile coloring his green face.

Christmas lights hang over the bar, giving a festive feeling to the place.

The draft beers are illuminated by more Christmas lights.

There's a well-worn pool table in the back of the bar.

And there's a stage for live music in the very back, opposite the pool table.

They have a great jukebox with selections ranging from The Talking Heads to Nina Simone to Frank Sinatra and of course there's Hank Williams tunes as well.

There's a collage on the wall of photos from the bar and I know every one of these pictures tells a story.

A long shot of the classic wooden bar in Hank's.

Speaking of classic, check out this vintage Pabst sign.

Okay, night has fallen and Sabrina has taken over bartending duties from Jeannie.

But before Jeannie leaves, we're reminded from the back of her shirt that Hank's is one sweet ass bar! And it truly is!

And one last look out the window and it's back on the subway to Manhattan. Thanks to Goggla and Ed for hanging out and to Kate for suggesting this fine bar and for meeting us there, a great time was had by all! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Hank’s Saloon
46 3rd Ave (@Atlantic Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY

Further reading: Park Slope Patch, tumblr and Black Book.

You Might Also Like: John, Cougar and Melon Camp.

When I pass by, all the people say,
“Just another guy on the lost highway.”

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

September 18, 2011

Live, from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night. Tonight’s host is Jules, on St. Marks Place in the East Village and featuring the Ready For Prime Beef Player, Marty Wombacher. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your host, Jules!

Okay, it's one of the MAD nights where it's still light out as we start out. We're heading to Jules, a French Bistro/Jazz Bar in the East Village and I thought it might be crowded later on, so I thought we'd head over there a little early and beat the Saturday crowd.

The chess players are hard at it in Union Square Park.

And here we are, Jules on St. Marks Place in the East Village.

Let's go in and see what's happening.

Just as I thought, we beat the crowd, let's go grab a stool at the bar.

And the lovely and friendly bartender Zsuzsa, serves up a bottle of Coney Island Lager. And since we're early, it's  happy hour and beers are just three bucks a bottle. Cheers!

The specials for the evening are displayed on this chalkboard next to the bar.

Here's the dining area opposite the bar. It's a comfortable space with wooden tables and a red leather banquette lining the all.

There's outside tables to sit at and it's nice because it's a step down and you're not sitting right out on the sidewalk. A nice spot for people watching.

Some of the draft beers available at Jules.

Here's the stage where the musicians set up. It's early, so there's just a lone drum set there now. The live music starts around 8pm, for now jazz music is played over the house speakers at a conversational level.

A long shot of the other end of the bar.

The view from my bar stool as night starts to fall on St. Marks Place.

Zsuzsa behind the bar listening to a customer. She's a great bartender who's attentive to the people at the bar.

And here's the cheeseburger and frittes. it looks delicious...

And it is!

Okay, I'm done with dinner and it's out of Jules and on to St. Mark's Bookshop.

If you saw yesterday's post, you'll rememeber it's "Buy A Book Weekend."

Let's go in and find a book, there's always a great and unique selection in here.

I found this coffee table book about Max's Kansas City, which was rung up by Jed, who we met in April. You won't find this at a Barnes and Noble. And remember, if you don't live in New York, you can do what GENE and Ragin RR did and buy some books online. Do it today and let's make "Buy A Book Weekend" a big success. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

My Meal
I had the Jules Bistro Burger with cheddar cheese and frittes. The burger was tasty and the bun was bakery fresh and knocked it out of the ball park. I always say a fresh bun makes the burger and this one was slightly toasted and melted in my mouth along with the burger. Delicious!

Other dinner selections from the menu include: Onglet de Boeuf Aux Echalotes which is grilled hanger steak with shallot sauce, mushroom risotto topped with parmesan and truffle oil; Steak Frites; Moules Frites and Le Canard de 7 Heures which is braised duck leg with sausages, bacon and pig trotters, buttery vegetables and steamed fingerling potato. In addition to the fine food and drink, Jules has live jazz, seven nights a week with no cover charge.

Cheeseburger Rating

Three Wimpy's, a delicious and savory cheeseburger.

Jules
65 St. Marks Place (Near First Ave.)
212-477-5560

Further reading: New York Magazine, Shecky's and The Village Voice.

You Might Also Like: Animal House, Animal Crackers and Animal Farm.

Win a game, lose a game,
Don’t feel sad when things go bad,
You just do the best you can.

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)