Move Over Google, It's Clusty

There's a NYT article about the next generation search engine meant to rival the very popular and publicly traded Google called Clusty. It's powered by Yahoo's Overture engine. The difference? CEO and co-founder Raul Valdes-Perez claims that while Google is an excellent tool for scouring all of the Internet for any little bit of minutiae that might relate to your search with the most popular websites listed first, Clusty will search for items that are applicable to the user's search, adding more value to the information returned. I did a test run of this by "Clustering" "Alice Bugman." The Clusty returns for "Alice Bugman" listed my weblog first, followed by Miss New York City's website, an embarassing She's So Vain page Jano thought would be fun to put up when he first started toying with his blog, Jano's site archives, and some Stanford and theatre stuff. Google returns the She's So Vain page first, followed by a some pageant and theatre stuff, BUT no weblog listed any where--not even in the extended search option. Hmmmm... so maybe Clusty is better for online stalking... It's in Beta testing right now so give it a run and see what you like.

Meanwhile, people on craigslist: new york are trying to sell, swap, barter, and request some really sick shite for their Gmail Invites. These accounts are pretty hot commodoties apparently. I've got a few invites left, but believe me, it is still in testing phase as I learned trying to change the status of a SPAM mail to "NOT SPAM" and it disappeared... permanently! I emailed them about it, but they have ignored me. I had to have my friend re-send the e-mail. *grumble*

Keep me warm on those cold, lonely nights

There's nothing like waking up next to someone you love. The warmth you feel from knowing you went to sleep together and are going to wake up and read the morning newspaper together while having breakfast is priceless. Of course, the romantic notion of being held all night by that certain someone is violently thrashed out, literally in some cases, by restless partners whose arm falls asleep under the weight of your head cutting off their circulation. Or that "other" arm that has no purpose in the "holding you all night" so it just lies there in an awkward position resulting in that strange scoliosis shape your back takes in the morning. How can you get that warmth without a visit to the chiropractor? Once again, the Japanese are ahead of their time and have put on the market The Boyfriend Pillow. Just a pillow with an arm extension. Many a lonely Japanese women have purchased this item and say it is just what they were looking for: all the benefits, none of the drawbacks.

This creeps me out. It's a one armed polyester filled piece of fabric--no head, just an arm with a Cabbage Patch doll-like hand (and see, it's feeling the chick up in the photo!). *shiver* For $80, that pillow better buy me dinner and take me to the cinema. Do these women *really* think that pillow is gonna keep them from having a cold and lonely night? It's not gonna keep you from being scary cat lady either. It's gonna make you scary cat lady who has an imaginary stuffed boyfriend... with no head! I think the ladies just like the no head aspect of the pillow; she can imagine it is anyone she wants and that "he" never says anything to piss her off.

Creepiness factor aside, I think it is a horrible crutch that prevents women from going out there and actually finding a warm body to sleep with. Modern societal pressures and work ethic present enough obstacles to human interaction and relationship, we don't need to continue to add crutches to keep us from actually talking to people. Ladies, please, I understand some of the "male replacements" you have in your life, but the boyfriend pillow? Just think of this scenario:

You finally land a date with his gorgeous Adonis and he's very into you. You make it back to your apartment, you start making out and then, you head to your bedroom. The lights come on and just as he's thrown you on the bed, he produces a look of horror on his face. He's spotted it *duhn duhn duhn!* Your Boyfriend Pillow. "What the hell is that?!" he cries. "Oh," you reply," that is Eric, my Boyfriend Pillow! *giggle*"

Guess who you're going to be sleeping with that night? No, not Adonis AND Eric! Alone (really) with "Eric," your Boyfriend Pillow. If you want positive feng shui in your bedroom to facilitate a relationship, having an artificial one-armed torso might not motivate you to be open to a living organism who thrashes about, snuggles close to you on cold nights, and even though he feels like it's going to fall off, let's you fall asleep with your head on his arm.

Warming Up To Me
(Jason Mraz)

There's a cool breeze blowing
In a garden grove
A lady learns to sleep
While surrounded, not where all the flowers grow
Otherwise an empty Orchard Street
She is dreaming of her holiday
From a working class menagerie
Oh her hands are cold
Unimaginable cause she warmed right up to me

I'm a passerby in a promise land
And I face no direction
Somewhere between the towns of lost and found
In the state of confusion
Sure our dreaming is pure wonderment
But our feelings are no accident
If my heart is cold it won't forever be
Cause your warming up to loving me

And fate is not a mission
Its an unconditional high
When I saw you in the garden
You reminded me
I can see, the stars are on your shoulders now
And what the wind and your skin have in common
Am I taller? Well if feels as though I'm above the ground
She kept inviting me to come down

Are you warming up?
Are you burning up?
Warming up to love?
Are you warming up to loving me?

Lots of randomness

I had to drop that .NET Intensive course because it was like remedial reading. I am now in an Advanced ASP.NET course and am learning cooler stuff that I can use at work. Yah!

So, I'm sitting in my green room, and I have to say, it's pretty damned comfortable even though it is still kind of a mess and I haven't got it properly furnished. I want one of those chaise lounges I can sprawl out on--okay, probably won't get one of those. Don't know what it is--probably some kind of color therapy and I needed to better my mood and counter my Seasonal Affective Disorder which should kick in in the next couple of months.

Speaking of needing therapy, Bush and Kerry go head to head tomorrow in the first of three presidential debates. I'll be volunteering, but will try and get out early enough to get myself together and catch some of the Bushism which'll surely be recapped on Friday. Alex thinks I don't get riled up enough over politics. He gets too passionate about his dislike for Bush, he kinda loses control. There's honestly little I can do about the electoral college or the many Republicans who are staunch Bush supporters. I can only really control my own opinion and my own vote. Other than that, I have to accept the outcome and live with it. This Type A personality needs to be discerning about what she stresses over and I have no control over the other voters in this naton, so I can't get my panties in a knot over it. However, unlike 4 years ago, I think people will be less indifferent to the candidates which is good. It'll be an important election year and I never vote by parties, only by policies and my opinion of the candidate (it tends to sway towards the Democratic side, but that's mere coincidence) and boy oh boy do I have opinions of these guys. It isn't too late to register to vote, so make sure you get on out there and do it!

The painted lady

My apartment painting is FINALLY complete. Bedroom, bathroom, tv room (photos are forthcoming) are complete. I had to paint my bathroom twice because what I thought was gonna be a nice green in it turned out to be horrendous. It looked like a large group of drunken bar-hoppers could only find one toilet in the city (in my apartment) to hang their heads in and missed it, but made the walls. So it is now a light blue. Not the best color in there, but soothing and it makes me happy--happier than puce.

However, now that the painting is completed and the space feels livable and not temporary (I've been there for over 3 years!), I need to furnish it properly. Container Store shelving for my bedroom and tv room (books, DVDs, CDs), a sofa and maybe a chair and or side table, a new lamp in the tv room, and (shame on Alex!) I've been inspired to get a flat panel LCD television to hang on my wall. I have determined to put that off until Christmas though so I can take advantage of the holiday sales. I think I should do bedroom shelves and drawers first (Elfa system, care of the Container Store) and then the tv room seating, table, lighting--that way I can finally have people over! This is going to be a fun project. Any ideas for colors that go with key lime green walls? I think darker is better (keep the area cool and soothing) like a gray or charcoal. Well, I have a lot of time to sort that out and friends are offering their interesting furniture. I'm looking at clean lines, more modern. I know about IKEA and West Elm and recently was informed about Crate and Barrel's CB2 with more modern items, but I welcome any referrals to places where I can get inexpensive and interesting pieces.

I also will start my programming class so I'm going to be exceedingly busy. It'll be really good for me and my Type A personality, Capricorn work ethic--I feel useless when I don't have something to do which leads me to find some way to stir up trouble.

The whole truth

Women love to analyze relationships; we all have honorary doctorates in psychology. We don't just analyze, however. Women inject new meaning, dissect personalities and motivation, and basically create a totally different view that jives more with what they want than what really is. Why hasn't he called me if we had such a fun and fantastic time on our date? Well, honey, it is time to stop making up stories that make you feel better about rejection and accept that He's Just Not That Into You. Taken from that Sex and the City episode where Miranda finally gets that, "hey, he's just not that into you," the latest hot book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (former writers for SATC) tells women exactly what they have been trying to ignore. Ladies, a guy who can't even call you for two minutes out of his 1440 minute day, no matter how great the date was, just isn't interested in you. A man's a man, and he may be attracted to you, may want to bonk you, may consider another date with you, but when he says he's just "too busy" what he means is he's just too busy FOR YOU! Think about it; if Jude Law showed up at your door, would you tell him to come back later; you're too busy right now? Hell no! You'd probably usher him in and handcuff him to your sub-zero refrigerator. So it should be with the guy that you want to date. He should want to call you, want to see you, not say "oh, I have tentative plans Friday night, but we'll see how they pan out and if they don't, then maybe we can go out." That's freaking absurd! And shame on the ladies for wanting that guy (I'm not immune; shame-shame on me too!) who can't call you until an arbitrarily determined number of days have passed. Move on and find someone who is into you instead of wasting your time on someone you have to convince that you're amazing.

7 Days of Alcohol

Unlike many Puritanical states, New York has lifted it's 6 days a week limit on selling alcohol. You can get it all 7 days, provided your Sunday hours are noon - 9pm.

MESSAGE TO PACKAGE STORE LICENSEES - Posted August 23, 2004:

Effective immediately, Liquor stores licensed pursuant to ABCL Section 63 and Wine stores licensed pursuant to Section 79 for off premise consumption are converted to 7 day licenses. A seven day license means a license where the off premise retail license holder may remain open to the consumer all seven days of the week. The hours of operation permitted on Sunday are from noon to 9:00 pm.

Notifications to the Liquor Authority regarding days of closure as required under the six day option law are no longer required.

New York State Liquor Authority

Voodoo Dick

I know this great dirty joke about a cursed well... *item* that is used for sexually recreational activity by a female, but that's beside the point of this entry. The voodoo Dick I am referring to is Mr. Cheney. He's made some appalling statements, devoid of any merit in the past month (not to mention 4 years), in an attempt to criticize John Kerry and what Dick believes, is Kerry's inability to serve as President of the United States of "Everyone Wants to Bomb Us" America.

Cheney told Republican supporters at a town hall meeting in Des Moines that they needed to make "the right choice" in the November 2 election.

"If we make the wrong choice, then the danger is that we'll get hit again -- that we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States," Cheney said.
--from CNN.com, September 7, 2004

Gee, this sounds like if we don't elect Bush, we'll be hit with a terrorist attack. As far as I know, it doesn't matter who is in power, we'll always be a target--we're so blessed in that way. Seriously, this is an abuse of power that Dick's demonstrated on numerous occasions and it frankly, makes me question his mental soundness. He's feeding off America's fears to swing more votes as opposed to presenting clear policies and plans to prevent complete muck-ups that occurred in the last 4 years from happening again.

Cheney continues to chastise Kerry's criticism of Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's statements on the state of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq:

"I must say I was appalled at the complete lack of respect Senator Kerry showed for this man of courage, when he rushed to hold a press conference and attack the prime minister, a man America must stand beside to defeat the terrorists," Cheney told several thousand supporters.

"John Kerry is trying to tear down all the good that has been accomplished, and his words are destructive to our effort in Iraq and in the global war on terror," Cheney said. "As Prime Minister Allawi said in his speech, and I quote, 'When political leaders sound the siren of defeatism in the face of terrorism, it only encourages more violence.' End quote."

Cheney said Kerry has changed his position on the Iraq war many times and that voters face a clear choice on November 2 between Bush's "steadfast leadership and clear determination" and Kerry, "who seems to adopt a new position every day."
--from CNN.com, September 24, 2004

Couple of annoying things here: Kerry's American; he's supposed to criticize and question what government officials say and do! Bush has determined to make Iraq look like Disney World with only a "handful" of people running amuck. (Gee, is this an election year?) In truth, Iraq is still rampant with terrorist supporters and extremists. If it was all peachy keen, our troops would've pulled out of there and they'd have McDonald's and Starbucks on every corner. And as far as *steadfast* leadership--there's nothing like sticking to a bad decision, an admittedly wrong one, and just charging forth. Dick, look within before criticizing without. (This is not to say I'm not happy Saddam's regime is toppled, but Georgie boy didn't have any justification that exists outside of Fantasia to base his decision.)

Cheney, once again, is trying to make Kerry look like he's not supportive of Iraq. Quite the contrary; it is his dissenting opinions that will help make Iraq stronger. Surviving assassination attempts does not a strong Iraqi leader make--addressing the problems in a straightforward manner and trying to make it better, that's a good start. Accepting criticism and investigating critical remarks to determine their validity to help make a better, more informed decision makes you an even better leader.

This is just discombobulated rambling, but I can't help but wonder how in God's name this man was allowed to hold such an office of power (To the tune of "Blame Canada"--*Blame Florida!*). This gay-hater has a lesbian daughter for Chrissakes! At the end of the day, I have no idea how he reconciles that. Dick, Dick, Dick... where did you go wrong? Make sure to voice your opinion: vote November 2. Register by October 2 as many states close their registration dates between October 2-8.

Movie Posters

I'm an avid movie poster art collector. I don't know exactly how many movie posters I own as there are quite a few, but for someone with so many posters, I don't actually have any on display. I am a bit anal retentive when it comes to the condition of my posters. Most are still rolled in their tubes. I used to hang them up using clips that I cushioned so there would be no marks on the posters because I eventually wanted to get light boxes to display my posters in. After researching the cost, I found the light boxes run into the multiple hundred dollar range, so I decided to hold off on getting anything to display my posters in. This month, in my home improvement = life improvement phase, I decided to buy two poster frames specifically for movie posters (27x40 inches) with special plexiglass and acid-free backing so the posters are best displayed and not damaged in any way. Very exciting. In addition, they will very nicely display my new Alfie and I Heart Huckabees posters. Woo-hoo! As a sidebar, I saw the full Alfie trailer last night when I saw Wimbledon--Holy God, Jude Law is an Adonis! 'Nuff said.

Planets conspire for lucky day

According to my Astrology Zone September horoscope, this is supposed to be a spectacular month for me, with my luckiest day being today, Tuesday, September 21, 2004. I found this slightly hard to believe as I have close to no time to put myself in a position to allow whatever lucky things which are supposed to happen, happen. I have to volunteer after work tonight and unless Jude Law wants to come in and adopt a couple kittens (and I am one of them), I was very skeptical after reading this. However, the cosmic forces (which apparently are much more powerful than "The Force") are doing their damnedest to make some of what they want to happen occur, even if not today.

"You'll probably be on tv" Tuesday was one such prediction that the planets had to juggle and move up to Friday. Last Friday, I went to two tapings of Premium Blend hosted by Jamie Kennedy at John Jay College after work. And what do you know? They seat me and my three friends on the front row for the second taping and the cameras are all over us! Of course, I wont be seen until it aires in October--so look out for me!

The first taping opened with what appeared to be a 6'4 blonde Dan Allen, a comedian the show *claims* hails from Daytona Beach, but once a Texan, always a Texan. You can spot them a mile away! Tall people, not Texans. He ran through a very good opening set and I was enthralled, or at least I have a crush on him. He's easy on the eyes and has a very irreverent sense of humor. I don't think I ask too much except for someone a little un-PC and attractive, right? Unfortunately, rather than stalking him like Margaret Mary Ray, I needed to head home to prepare for my brother's weekend visit. Nik tried to get me to go out to dinner with him and Jenny, but I wanted to be the responsible good host, so I headed home. This is where the irksome part of my evening comes along. As I am packing stuff up in my house, washing dishes, I get a message from Nik: "Hey Alice, this is Nik. So, Jenny and I just finished dinner and we walked down the street to this bar not far from John Jay College, and guess who just walked in? That's right, a rather tall, blonde Texan comedian. Too bad you had to go home instead of having dinner with us. Have fun with your brother. *Click!*" Awwwww, gee. Thanks Nik! Go f@ck yourself! :D Apparently, Nik dared Jenny to get Dan's phone number and she did and offered to sell it to me. Thanks, but I'm not THAT desperate. So... in the miniscule possibility that Dan likes to Google himself and my blog registers this entry, hey, e-mail me! Let's go disco bowling or... pelt small children with walnuts in full view of their disgruntled illegal immigrant nannies. I'd settle for a glass of tap water with a twist of lime at this point. Unless the lime is too much. I'm not a vegan! I eat red meat! I know, it isn't like I can't drop him a comment at his blog, but those people are creepy. I don't want to be creepy. I already am, aren't I? You know, my friends could help me out here!

The weekend was mostly uneventful and Monday opens with an IADWorld Party at the Gramercy Park Hotel High Bar. Advertising people. You've never seen so many alcoholics fallen off the wagon, scrambling for free drinks. You'd think they were handing out ground-to-air missiles to al Qaeda operatives. After 20 minutes waiting for a glass of champagne, I stroll around the wrap around terrace where it is a men's ad for Club Monaco--three men wearing the exact same shirt from Club Monaco which I saw there when I went shopping this Saturday. I shimmied into the elevator with Shenan where she was ogled by advertising executives as we descended to the lobby. We head to her office to pick up her computer, chat with her new upstairs design distributor neighbor, Phil, and then head to Park Avenue to catch a cab uptown. Nothing spectacular. But, as we are waiting for a cab to cross the intersection and I am examining the pathetic state of my boots, I spot Holy Christmas Fruitcake! $40 sitting in the gutter with a Metrocard. Okay, not exactly King Solomon's Mines but it is 12:02AM on Tuesday and perhaps this is the start of my very good day. Or maybe this is karma returning the $60 I mislaid one time. Whatever, I think the planets are doing their thing or, maybe it is chance... isn't that what astrology is anyways? Chance? A huge asteroid could collide with Mars and then my horoscope will be all discombobulated. Think good thoughts! Good thoughts! Not asteroids colliding into speculated former life sustaining planets, good thoughts!

Tone, or It's all in the delivery

The English language is a fascinating monster in which there are so many ways to express one's meaning. That's what they teach us college g'aduates is tone. Add a little bit of connotation/denotation and you get an array of ways to say simple things such as "no" and "yes." For example:

Why don't you wish in one hand, and shit in the other. See which one fills up first.
--Willie in "Badder Santa"

All our prayers are answered, it's just sometimes the answer is no.
--from Christopher Durang's "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You"

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
--"The Rainbow Connection" written by Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams

This came to me as I was listening to Jason Mraz's rendition of "The Rainbow Connection" which reminded me about the "Badder Santa" quote as I saw that this weekend, and then, one of my favorite play lines from Christopher Durang's humorous look at Catholic education. Each a good way to say sometimes your wishes and dreams don't come true: the first is a more harsh and vulgar way to deliver the news, the second is much more straightforward, and the third is mysterious in saying that wishes don't always come true, but you keep on wishing because, well... who knows? Holy crap! This is what a six figure education will get you: my brief analysis of three different quotes. Someone want to pay me for that?

Anyways, who doesn't like the last quote best besides the International Goth Society? It's hopeful, isn't it? We have enough problems with idiot politicians in this world that shitting in anyone's hand isn't going to get you anywhere, and settling for "no" is as passive as an oppressed Taliban-ese wife. But to know that maybe you have something to do with the answer, something that might get you closer to what you want (though wishing on stars shouldn't be the end all, be all of your effort), that's just so much better than just saying, "Well, okay, then. I guess the answer's no." Keep on stargazing, babies, and you'll find it.... And that's today's lesson in tone--next week, we'll discuss euphemisms.

The Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

All of us under its spell,
We know that it's probably magic...

... Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
... Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Laa, da daa dee da daa daa,
La laa la la laa dee daa doo...

Photo I've been meaning to share

click photo to enlarge

This is my godson, Calvin, who was celebrating his first birthday this past June (he's a Cancer). He got his very own chocolate cake, but instead of eating it, he made multiple chocolate smeared facial expressions of displeasure (you know, kinda like, ewww, what is this?). Seeing as he was stuck in a high chair and flanked by two hot chicks, this was his attempt at cleaning off his hands. Nice buddy, nice. All those balls in the foreground are decorations on his rice krispy treat birthday "cake." He liked gnawing on that better than the chocolate frosted mess I was forced to ingest.

A really good quote

I was taking a brief Internet break to Jason Mraz's website to see what his latest journal posting was. He was kind enough to reveal his sleeping habit of invading other people's personal space when he's sharing sleeping space with said victim (or lucky recipient, however one may like to deem it). He included a quote from Nelson Mandela at the end which I think Jano would appreciate immensely, so I'm copying it here. Excellent choice, Jason. And hey, both Jason and Jano reside in San Diego! When I come out there, let's all grab coffee together and discuss the infinite nature of being and nothingness in the confines of a 6x6 foot off-white room that eerily resembles my New York apartment.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It isn't just some of us. It is everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ---Nelson Mandela

I've got friends in high places

I had planned a quiet Tuesday evening sitting in my new blue room, but Dana wanted me to come out and visit him at Milos. I waffled between sitting at home and watching my 500 channels of cable (not all at once) or sitting at the bar in a very high scale restaurant sipping cocktails. So, I got myself together and headed over.

Sipping my margarita at the bar, I receive a call that my friend, Nik, will be joining me for cocktails around 9-ish while he await his friend, Moon, to escape her lawyerly life of late night deals (once again, thankful I refrained from attending law school). Dana is running around like a madman serving very expensive and delightful bottles of wine to the very well-to-do patrons, but manages a few stops to say "hi" and check in on me. Nik arrives on time, and not too long after, a blonde woman who looks so familiar. Where have I seen her? Then the answer comes: Omigod! That's Hugh Jackman's wife! and right behind her enters a very tall and ruggedly handsome Hugh Jackman in black pants, a t-shirt and a brown leather jacket he wears all evening while dining. He's not as striking as I would have thought, but has a somewhat quiet demeanor--not wanting to attract attention. He seems to exude this down-to-earth air and is quite the gentleman with his wife, Deborra Lee Furness, an Australia actress and soap star. He's quite calm, especially as he peruses the fish for his dinner. Dana says he'll take me over to look at the fish while he's there, but I don't want to intrude on his quiet evening. He's finished 365 performances and 32 previews of The Boy From Oz this past Sunday when the show officially closed. He needs the down time. I do go after he sits down so I can get a closer look as his party is sitting near the kitchen. While there, Dana introduces me to one of the chefs and I shake his hand, surely making people think I'm somewhat important and I try to carry that with me while I am there. Well, sitting at the bar probably doesn't do much to convey importance.

Not long after, Woody Allen appears from behind a wall where he'd been having dinner with his wife, Soon-Yi, and friends. He's a quiet man and not at all the neurotic mess you'd expect from his movies... at least not exiting the restaurant. Debra Messing was apparently there as well, but I missed her.

The night winds down, me making random text messages to people I shouldn't be text messaging (damn you evil alcohol!) and the chef I met was kind enough to send us a plate of octopus and an excellent tomato salad. Hugh makes his exit and I attempt to photograph him, but there is no flash on my camera phone and I settle for a noisy and dark image.



I'm gloriously happy with my decision to go out and ended the night buying a homeless guy food at Food Emporium (where I picked up some Neapolitan ice cream myself) and wishing him well. He was a medical technician in New Haven, but got laid off. Not much hope for job prospects in New York for those in the medical field apparently, and he's left homeless. Good luck, Frank, enjoy the sandwiches and cookies (no your teeth will not rot), and keep warm!

God put a smile upon your face

There are few glorious creatures on this Earth who embody both Greek god-like looks and the intelligence most learned scholars never achieve; and even fewer actors. Thank the stars for Jude Law, this month's Vanity Fair cover man, promoting SIX movies out this year starting with Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, I Heart Huckabees, Alfie, Closer, The Aviator, and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. He is the ultimate man for me: handsome, brilliant, and down to earth. In the article, he touches on his recent life events including the very trying divorce from his wife of six years, Sadie Frost. When presented with the self-help saying that the three hardest things in life are death, moving, and divorce, Law says, "Well, I've done all three, and I have to tell you, divorce is the hardest." I've dealt with the moving, the death, and sadly, I will leave Mr. Law to be wiser on the third item. Check out the article in the October 2004 issue of Vanity Fair and buy tickets to the freshly rated Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow this Friday.

Fashionably challenged

This is Fashion Week in New York when all the designers present their spring collection, even before the first leaf has turned red. This event is supposed to help people like myself figure out what will be hot in 6 months time. But for many New Yorkers, it is really a label paradise. Fashion statements are only located south of Union Square in the hip and artsy areas where those who can afford it, dress like fashion stars. This is why I live on the Upper East Side.

Parties are thrown at the hottest clubs and restaurants throughout the city by the financially enhanced and attended by the very tall and leggy models who strut themselves on the catwalks in Bryant Park. Wednesday, the owner of Black Book Magazine threw a party at MEGU in Tribeca. The entire restaurant was filled with fashion types and models tall enough to stand in for WNBA players. That and the fact I just came from a work event made me feel the ugly-duckling/fashion-challenged dork that I appeared to be. Not to mention, my usually well-kempt hair had been drenched not once, but twice during the downpour from the remnants of Hurricane Frances, leaving it straggly with baby curls emerging from the top straight layers. I spent a good part of the evening trying to just finger brush my hair into some semblance of haute coiffure.

Meanwhile, while my fingers caught on knots, platters of kobe beef and fried asparagus flew by and my friend, Keith, scooped up a bunch. He befriended the wait-staff who knew what he wanted and always made several bee-lines straight to him. We also had many glasses of chardonnay come our way as we ogled the beautiful lovelies in the restaurant. So many pretty people, and so many business types attempting to land a few fashionistas. My friend, Merry, bumped into her friend, Thierry, who's been on a European island, partying away all summer. Merry is always fashion forward and people notice her. "People person" was a phrase inspired by her.

As the evening wound down around midnight and people began filing out to Paris Hilton's shindig uptown, we got our umbrellas and began to trudge out through the herd of New York's social creme de la creme as more throngs of people filed in. The rain, by this point, had stopped and my hair looked a bit ratty still. Oh joy. We wander toward taxis going in various directions to get ourselves home. This fashion victim managed to get herself home and think about why she hadn't worn her new fall Barbara Feinman mauve cloche? As a New Yorker, fashion is one of the necessities for survival and that cloche is probably the most stylish thing I own for this season. Well, I do have an entire fall to make up for my Wednesday failure and prove to myself that I am a New Yorker still. I've got boots to replace, heels to purchase, and new pants and skirts to integrate into my wardrobe. Ah New York, you're still my home...

Listening to: Garden State Soundtrack featuring Coldplay, Simon and Garfunkel, Frou Frou, Colin Hay, The Shins, Nick Drake.

Single and loving it

The LA Times published this article yesterday about the ever growing singles population and how more and more of those singles are opting to forgo the society approved epitome of life: marriage and couplehood. With the divorce rate at 50% in the United States, it is no wonder why there are so many older Americans opting for a fulfilled single life as opposed to that "happily ever after" effect which is, more often than not, happily until I want out. It gives me great comfort in knowing I'm right: being single is a many splendored thing and as fulfilling as a good marriage. The one upside is you don't have to depend on another to complete you. Singles find comfort and joy in their own time and time spent with friends and family. And how many boyfriends have I had that gave me hell for wanting to take a trip somewhere without him? Quite enough. I'm enjoying living it up on my own and not having to worry about whether my decision jives with someone else: and so do the great number of singletons in the states.



The RNC is finally over, I might add. Bush and all the Republican delegates are out of the city and the protesters have been quelled. The city will revert to being normal and busy in a few weeks when everyone comes back from the Hamptons and the fall weather begins to set in. Which reminds me that I need to get myself together a Halloween costume! I always figured 2 months is a really good amount of time to put yourself together a Halloween costume. I could do an Audrey Hepburn/Holly Golightly getup or Jackie-O; whatever people think of when they see it. I always wanted to do Lara Croft--and my hair is way long enough now. I thought about being O-Ren Ishii or Snow from Hero--these two would require serious costumes however. If you want to get a headstart on your costume, in NYC you can hit Abracadabra and even purchase their new Bush/Cheney masks to scare all your friends.

iTunes: Everyone Is Here by The Finn Brothers