October 28, 2011

The other day, Kari left a comment about how she liked the colorful tiles in New York’s subway system. I like them too and my favorite subway tile stop is 50th Street on the 1 line. It’s got tiled artwork of Alice in Wonderland, so I thought I’d go there and take some pictures. It’s cold and rainy out tonight, so I thought I’d stay underground and take a subway ride and then take some photos.

It's stopped raining, but goddamn it's cold out here. It may be time to bust out my winter coat. I dread winter coming.

And here we are at Penn Station.

Nobody's walking on the escalator tonight and that's always a good thing.

Here's our platform.

Could the timing be any more perfect, here's the train, right as we get to the platform. I love it when this happens!

And bang-zoom, here we are at 50th Street. Let's go check out the Alice artwork.

Here's the Mad Hatter along with a rabbit and something that looks like an eggman. I need to brush up on my Alice in Wonderland characters.

And here's the other piece of Alice in Wonderland tiled art. I thought there was more than this. Two is a little bit of a gyp.

I was going to go across the street and check out the tiles on the other side and wait for a downtown train home. But I saw all the people waiting and an announcement came over the loud speakers that downtown trains were being delayed due to an accident at 72nd Street. I decided to bail on this and just get a cab home.

Fuck, this turned out to be one of those nightmare New York nights trying to get home. I went out of the subway station to get a cab and stood there in the freezing cold trying to get a cab for over a half an hour and there was none to be had. So I walked to 49th Street to take an N or R train to 14th Street and that station was closed. So I had to hoof it in the cold and wade through the tourists in Times Square and get a train from there. It was a real kind of After Hours trip home where over an hour later here we are. This post was a bit of a dud, but at least I've got something special below. Check it out.

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Go Ask Alice—The MAD Movie of the Week

Alice in Wonderland always makes me think of the Jefferson Airplane song, “Go Ask Alice,” which in turn always makes me think of this cheesy-ass movie that was shown on TV in the early ‘70’s called, “Go Ask Alice.” It was a 1973 ABC Movie of the Week, and it was based on a book of the same name that came out in 1971. The book was all the rage when it was published, as it was supposedly a young girl’s unedited, authentic diary about her dark descent into the world of sleazy and dangerous world of drugs. It was later found out the book was a scam and was written by an editor by the name of Beatrice Sparks. It was supposed to scare kids from wanting to take drugs. In 1971 I was in eighth grade and had only gotten drunk once, and had never tried drugs. After reading the book, I couldn’t wait to start trying them, I just didn’t know where to get any. A year later I started smoking pot and by the time this movie came on TV I was doing acid, speed, mushrooms and basically anything I could get my hands on. I remember watching this movie stoned out of my gourd and laughing like crazy at it. I’ve always wanted to see it again, but couldn’t find it on VHS tape or DVD through the years. Well lo and behold, I did a search tonight on YouTube and the whole fucking movie is there! So, I now present a first, a MAD Movie of the Week, for your viewing pleasure. I haven’t done drugs in over a decade, but if you do, I suggest getting high before you start watching. Me, I think I’ll just settle for getting drunk as a stinking skunk. Okay...lights...camera...William Shatner!

Further reading: Ephemeral New York, Laughing Squid and Mental Floss.


I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.

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

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Bonus Photo by Melanie!

Melanie from East Village Corner sent in this frightening photo where the Cardboard Box Man is marketing himself via hooded sweatshirts. It all seems so innocent...but it fills me with dread! Thanks for the photo, Melanie, it reminds all of us to keep on our toes and be vigilant of the Cardboard Box Man!

October 26, 2011

It’s Swizzle Stick Tuesday the night I go out to a bar in search of the ever elusive swizzle stick. I found a place in the Dream Hotel that looks really fancy called Rm.Fifty5. It doesn’t look like the type of place I’d hang out in, but sometimes you have to throw your personal preferences out the window (along with some hard-earned cash) when you’re swizzle stick hunting. Let’s see if we bag a swizzle.

I'm heading out a little earlier than usual, I'm taking a couple nights off work after three weeks of working double shifts. So I thought I'd splurge and take a cab to the bar.

Aerial cab shot out the window!

Okay, we're at 55th and Broadway, the bar is located in a hotel about a block away.

And here we are at the Dream Hotel, which houses the bar.

It's quite a fancy-Dan lobby with a tube-like aquarium in the middle. It's here that an employee hits me with the sad news that Rm.Fifty5 is having a private party.

But, there is a silver lining. I'm told that up on the 14th Floor, there's a bar called the Ava Lounge. It sounds good to me, I don't feel like taking that lonely walk to another bar in midtown. And awaaay we go!

It's nice and dark up here, let's snag a spot at the bar.

And here's the friendly and beautiful bartender Holly, serving up a double gin and tonic. Is that a swizzle stick in the glass?

Upon close inspection...

It's a black plastic straw. No swizzle for you! Wha wha wha whaaaa.

Zeem was seated next to me enjoying some wine. He's a model and designer. Check out his websites: Zeemrock.com and Zeemproductions.com.

An overhead view of my working area at the bar.

A longshot of the candlelit bar.

Here's the lounge area behind the bar. Candlelight and couches. It's got a real makeout vibe to it.

Here's the view from the window. It kind of made me dizzy, so I went back to the bar.

There's a picture of actress Ava Gardner at the end of the bar. It's called the Ava Lounge, because this space was once her apartment back in the day. Pretty cool to think that her and Frank probably hoisted a few cocktails right where I'm seated!

And Holly rings up the tab and it's time to call it a night. Goodnight, Frank, goodnight Ava, we'll see you tomorrow after dark.

Ava Lounge
In The Dream Hotel
210 W. 55th St. (Near Broadway)
212-246-2211

Further reading: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, New York magazine and facecrack.

ame>

They heard the breeze in the trees making weird melodies,
And they made that the start of the blues.

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

October 11, 2011

It’s Monday and that means it’s the night where I go out and shoot a sixpack of photos and then match them up with a song that I think reflects the photo. I’ve been here at work for close to 12 hours, so I’m just going to wander around my work neighborhood for the photos.

It's really a nice night out. The perfect temperature and it's kind of quiet out around here. Time to start snapping.

Who the fuck are you?

I ain`t with the 100 crowd, I`m with the 99.

No, no, no, no I don't smoke it no more, I'm tired of waking up on the floor.

All you zombies hide your faces, all you people in the street.

Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer, you may be a lover but you ain't no dancer.

Nestle in a kiss below there. The constellations ebb and flow there. And witness our home on the range.

Further reading: Wikipedia, Songfacts and Billboard.

 

Who the fuck you tryin' to be
Get your dog away from me!

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

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Bonus Photo By Tom!

After seeing my hot chili pepper photo from Sunday's visit to Sammy's Noodle Shop, EV Grieve and MAD reader Tom sent in this photo of a bowl of nuclear-looking red hot chili pepper soup he had in China. Below the photo and his explanation of what happened. Thanks, Tom!

I loved your post today about Sammy's, especially the part about the Sour Chili Pepper Soup. Seeing this, I'd thought you might appreciate a picture of a Chili Pepper Offal and Noodle Soup I unwittingly got four years ago in Nanjing, China. As I think you can see from the picture, "very spicy!" would understate how unbelievably hot this soup was. Four years later, I'm still recovering. ;)

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!)

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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!)

August 31, 2011

I decided to check out a hotel bar for tonight’s Tuesday Swizzle Stick search. Googling around I found a bar called Forty Four in the Royalton Hotel in midtown. The name alludes to the address, 44 W. 44th St. It’s close enough to walk to, so let's be on our way.

And we're off. Another nice night in New York City. Hard to believe that last week we had an earthquake and a hurricane tropical storm here.

Anybody else find the name, "My Daddy's Pizza" kind of creepy? I don't know why, but I do.

Speaking of creepy, the name of this store should be "Pedophiles R Us."

I walked by the bar twice because there's no sign, just this marker on the wall.

Here's the entrance. Let's check it out.

There's a long hallway and this is a dark place.

There's several lounge pits on the way to the bar. Here's one of them. The photos will be a little on the dark side, since I don't want to pop flashes in a dark place like this.

Here's another lounge area.

There's a square bar in the back of the club.

I chose a seat at the back of the copper-topped dark wooden bar.

A view of the bar from my perch at the bar.

And I found out they have a special swizzle stick drink here. It's called the Queen's Park Swizzle and here's Enid, the pretty and friendly bartender serving it up with a great smile.

Houston, we have a swizzle stick! And it's metal! Nice.

Here's Joshua with Enid who was also tending the bar. Everyone here is really friendly.

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

For my second drink, Enid suggested a Vieux Carre, which includes this huge block of ice.

And here's the finished product. It was delicious and loaded with booze.

The check and the swizzle. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

The Swizzle Stick Collecton so far. Thanks to all who have contributed. They're prized possesions indeed!

Forty Four
In The Royalton
44 W. 44th St. (Near 6th Ave.)
212-944-8844

Further reading: New York Magazine, Royalton Hotel, Black Book and Shecky’s.

You Might Also Like: Buffalo Bill, Buffalo River Home and Buffalo Gals.

Four Forty’s
North Dallas Forty
40,000 Headman
40 Oz.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin

For all the squares who get me pissed,
Shitlist,
You’ve made my shitlist.

ARCHIVES

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

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Bonus Photo By Melanie!

Melanie from the fine photoblog, Musings By Melanie sent in this smiling Cardboard Box Man. I think he's on mushrooms! Thanks, Melanie!

July 20, 2011

Okay, it’s Tuesday night and that means it’s my night to go to a bar and see what kind of a swizzle stick they stick in a double gin and tonic in a tall glass. A few weeks ago, Biff suggested going to the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis Hotel. I’ve been in there with Biff and I went there on the bar crawl. I do remember getting their signature drink, The Red Snapper and then being somewhat shocked that after I gave the bartender a twenty dollar bill, only two dollars came back to me! I could cheat and go look at a picture of the drink from 365 bars, but I’m not going to. And tonight we’ll see not only if I get a swizzle stick, but what a double gin and tonic costs in this fancy schmancy joint.

I decided to walk to the place rather than go down into the steambath of the subway. It's just 24 blocks away from here on Fifth Avenue.

Creat your own pasta? If I wanted to do that, I just stay at home and crack open a can of Beefaroni. Assholes!

Honey, I shrunk the Statue of Liberty.

Okay, we're almost there and I've worked up a powerful thirst on this walk.

Wow, that's an impressive food cart, I'll have to sample some of the foods here one of these nights.

And here we are, The St. Regis Hotel. For those of you not in the know, St. Regis is the patron saint of all talk show hosts and sidekicks. He invented the word, "Hiyo!"

Here's the front desk. Crazy to think that in this day and age people actually have enough money to stay here.

Down the marble hallway...

And here we are. Wow, it's crowded for a Tuesday night.

All the seats are taken at the bar...

But I managed to squeeze in to a standing area at the end of the bar.

And here's Mike the bartender who happily takes my order for a double gin and tonic.

And yes, we have a swizzle stick! It's not glass, but it is durable plastic and adorned with an "R" for Regis.

Here's Andrew and Kevin who were helping me hold down the eastern end of the bar. Nice guys.

The drinks aren't cheap here, but they do have the best bar snacks in the world.

Wow, those sliders and French onion soup look really good. Maybe I'll splurge some week and come here for Cheeseburger Saturday Night.

A waiter offered to take a photo of Mike and I, so why not. Even Gumby got in on the action!

Okay, the coctail napkin is empty and this isn't a place to hang out at all night unless you just won the lottery. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Price of a double gin and tonic in a tall glass: $35.00
Swizzle stick? Yes! Pictured below.
The Collection is pictured below, including the latest offerings from Goggla (the disco-lit ones), a San Francisco Trolley Car from Paul Scanlon and several from Kate including one that has a whistle on it!
King Cole Bar Lounge
St. Regis Hotel
2 E. 55th St. (@Fifth Ave.)
212-753-4500

Further reading: Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, Manhattan Style, Slosh Spot and Village Voice.

You also might like: Noodles, Strudels and Padoodles.

Five Other Kings
King Kong
King of the Hill
Kingsize Taylor
King of the Road
Fu King Chinese Restaurant

Give me about a half a teacup of bass,
Now I need a pound of fat back drums,
Now give me four tablespoons of boiling Memphis guitars,
This is going to taste all right.

ARCHIVES

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July 12, 2011

This is the last night my folks are in town, so I’m going to go meet them and my sisiter and her family for dinner. I thought afterwards I’d just take some random shots while wandering around in midtown. We’ll see if we can find some interesting place in a part of town that’s not too interesting.

Okay, dinner's over so we begin the evening with an obligatory elevator mirror shot with Gumby at my side.

And now we begin our random night out in midtown, let's see what we can find out here.

Here's a Duane Reade with a "Doctor On Premises." What they don't tell you is, it's Dr. Pepper, so if you've got a brain aneurism, you should keep going straight to the hospital.

Turn me on  dead men, The Beatles are back! But they must close by Sept. 4th to get John and George back into their coffins.

Hey, there's the Late Show theater. Some drunk guy trashed the outside of the joint the other night. Let's go see the damages.

Wow, they fixed everything already. I guess when you're David Letterman your landlord moves quickly.

Colony Records! I forgot this place existed, and I'm amazed it's still here.

Look at all the different albums in the window.

Ha! Guitar air freshners. Okay, let's go inside and check this place out.

There's a whole case with Beatles stuff in it.

Here's Brian Epstein's book, "A Cellarful of Noise." I remember the National Lampoon satirizing The Beatles in one of their issues and they renamed the book, "A Cellarful of Boys."

Beatle hairdos!

I had this picture sleeve 45 as a kid. I think I traded it for a joint to someone when i was in high school. It now sells for three hundred bucks. Oops!

Here's a reprint of a vintage Beatles poster in the store.

And there's actual albums to flip through in here, what a treat! Let's take a look at some of them.

I always loved the Mothers of Invention album cover! RZZZZZ!

Pisces, Aquarius,Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. My favorite Monkees album.

Here' a copy of the original 3-D cover of "Their Satanic Majesties Request" by the Rolling Stones.

And the album that three out of four proctologists preferred back in 1967, "Bugaloo '67" by Johnny Colon and His Orchestra.

All in the family, Michael and Janet Jackson, together again!

And of course we all know that Abba spelled backwards is Abba.

One last in-store photo of James Dean and Lucy. I knew that this store has been on this block for over 60 years, but I didn't realize the history of this place till I got back home. I have to go back and document it further and talk to some employees, so stay tuned for that.

And this gentleman in the newsstand outside was nice enough to wave goodnight to everyone. See you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading and watching: Time Out New York, Manhattan Lullaby, StashinRecords and New York Magazine.

You might also like: Charo, SpaghettiOs and Oh Oh.

The First Four Things That Come Up When You Google, “Random Things.”

Random Things To Do
Cool Things In Random Places
Best Random Things
Yahoo Answers

Screaming people fly so fast,
In their shiny metal cars,
Through the woods of steel and glass.

ARCHIVES

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