One of the things that I’ve both loved and been amazed by most in the city is food delivery system. It seems to me that you can have nearly any food product that you want delivered here. It also seems that any product that you want period can be delivered and the delivery cost appear to be relatively low.
I guess that this is in part because of the lack of folks driving (though cars are everywhere I’ve decided half of them are taxis) and the nightmare it is getting around the city. It is fascinating how fast the delivery folks get the food to your table. Last night I ordered Chinese at 9:50. The restaurant is about 6 blocks away and the food was here before 10:05. I ordered Italian a few weeks ago (lasagna, calamari, hot bread). The restaurant is about a 15 drive. Again, my food was hot and delicious and delivered in less than 30 minutes. How is this possible?
I have not run into a restaurant yet that doesn’t exist. I’ve been told that even McDonald’s delivers. There’s a mere $6 minimum for delivery and you get a free pop (or soda as its called here) with a purchase of $10. Interesting right, this place blows my mind! It also seems that most of the delivery folks are either walking or on foot. The bikers in NYC are some of the bravest people on the planet. I wouldn’t be caught dead on a bike anywhere in the city besides a bike trail. But who am I kidding, when was the last time I was on a bike period. LMAO
As a side note I have encountered another phenomenon of interest. My pal ordered an iced tea that came in a sort of soup container (at least 20 ounces). There was a hole at the top for a straw and apparently in NYC people drink directly out of this container, out of a soup container. The thing is it looks like a soup container! There’s apparently a drink you get in Harlem that is one of these soup like containers full of alcohol and I’m told one of these drinks and you’re good. Apparently?!?!?
Cleveland or NYC; You Decide...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
My NYC Beauty "Parlor" Experience
Most women struggle with their hair as has been highlighted by the recent Chris Rock phenomenon Good Hair. In Ohio, my typical trip the salon as we call it in Ohio ran me about $60 or $70 for a wash, condition, blow dry and press (not to simplify the process at all). If I wanted color , cut, trim, or any sort of hot oil or vitamin treatment the price easily starts creeping into the low hundreds.
Since in moved to the city I’ve been hearing about the $10 Dominican blow up. I’ve been hearing different takes on this process so finally decided to check it out for myself.
My first question was “How do I know that someone is Dominican?” Certainly it’s not appropriate to ask. Second, “do only Dominicans offer this service and if so why?” The most important question perhaps is “Is a wash and blow out for $10 possible?” And maybe one additional question is what is a “blow out”. When I blow dry my hair it’s like a limp afro and no disrespect to the afro or those you are still rocking it but I don’t want an afro, I have a lot of hair on my head. I wondered is it possible to blow dry ones hair to straight, silky perfection (this is what I’m looking for).
So after work this week I decided to go to the first “Dominican” beauty salon that I found. If decided that there are two within 2 blocks of me. How do I know they are Dominican do you ask? Well on has Dominican in the name and the other looks like the first so there you go there’s my logic.
I decided to the one that’s on the way to my house from work. I went in and of course experience a severe language barrier. Note to self: I REALLY need to learn Spanish especially in my neighborhood. Once we were able to communicate what I wanted I learned that a wash and “blow out” was $18 and a wash, condition and blow out was $23. Not bad at all and much cheaper than home. We got started and boy did this wonderful woman give me a wash. They put in a leave in condition and put me under the dryer. They took me from under the dryer, rinsed out the condition and then to my surprise put huge rollers in my hair. I can’t remember the last time I had rollers. After the rollers I went under the dryer again for about nearly an hour. I have to admit I was feeling a little nervous at this point. After the dryer another woman started taking out the rollers and I was actually pretty impressed and satisfied with what my hair looked like and actually could have paid my $25 and been out. However, I knew because of the language barrier it’d be a lost cause to deviate from the process. Next they take crazy hot blow dryer and blow out each section and your hair gets unbelievably straight. Once again I was satisfied with what I saw and could have paid but apparently there as another step. She reached for the hot curlers and started to hard core bump my ends. For those of you sistahs reading, you remember back in the day before you were introduced to the flat iron and your hair dresser used to give you the page boy with the hard bump at your ends LMAO. Well what really blew my mind was this grandma like sweet woman then swept one side of my hair behind my ear, wow!
Overall the experience was wonderful and the women in the shop were very friendly. The price was right and I had to do minimal fixing when I got home. Is this is a possible option when one is sick like I was but needs their wig split? Definitely. Will this become my new hair care option? Probably not. Either way, I think I can say that I experienced the Dominican blow out though it wasn’t $10 and I’m not sure these wonderful ladies were Dominican.
NYC or Cleveland; You Decide…
Since in moved to the city I’ve been hearing about the $10 Dominican blow up. I’ve been hearing different takes on this process so finally decided to check it out for myself.
My first question was “How do I know that someone is Dominican?” Certainly it’s not appropriate to ask. Second, “do only Dominicans offer this service and if so why?” The most important question perhaps is “Is a wash and blow out for $10 possible?” And maybe one additional question is what is a “blow out”. When I blow dry my hair it’s like a limp afro and no disrespect to the afro or those you are still rocking it but I don’t want an afro, I have a lot of hair on my head. I wondered is it possible to blow dry ones hair to straight, silky perfection (this is what I’m looking for).
So after work this week I decided to go to the first “Dominican” beauty salon that I found. If decided that there are two within 2 blocks of me. How do I know they are Dominican do you ask? Well on has Dominican in the name and the other looks like the first so there you go there’s my logic.
I decided to the one that’s on the way to my house from work. I went in and of course experience a severe language barrier. Note to self: I REALLY need to learn Spanish especially in my neighborhood. Once we were able to communicate what I wanted I learned that a wash and “blow out” was $18 and a wash, condition and blow out was $23. Not bad at all and much cheaper than home. We got started and boy did this wonderful woman give me a wash. They put in a leave in condition and put me under the dryer. They took me from under the dryer, rinsed out the condition and then to my surprise put huge rollers in my hair. I can’t remember the last time I had rollers. After the rollers I went under the dryer again for about nearly an hour. I have to admit I was feeling a little nervous at this point. After the dryer another woman started taking out the rollers and I was actually pretty impressed and satisfied with what my hair looked like and actually could have paid my $25 and been out. However, I knew because of the language barrier it’d be a lost cause to deviate from the process. Next they take crazy hot blow dryer and blow out each section and your hair gets unbelievably straight. Once again I was satisfied with what I saw and could have paid but apparently there as another step. She reached for the hot curlers and started to hard core bump my ends. For those of you sistahs reading, you remember back in the day before you were introduced to the flat iron and your hair dresser used to give you the page boy with the hard bump at your ends LMAO. Well what really blew my mind was this grandma like sweet woman then swept one side of my hair behind my ear, wow!
Overall the experience was wonderful and the women in the shop were very friendly. The price was right and I had to do minimal fixing when I got home. Is this is a possible option when one is sick like I was but needs their wig split? Definitely. Will this become my new hair care option? Probably not. Either way, I think I can say that I experienced the Dominican blow out though it wasn’t $10 and I’m not sure these wonderful ladies were Dominican.
NYC or Cleveland; You Decide…
Monday, December 7, 2009
Why Am I Sick Again!
I’m not sure if it’s the subway or I haven’t built my NYC antibodies yet, but I am sick with flu-like symptoms for the third time in 45 days. The first time I figured was my seasonal cold that lasted almost 10 days. The second was a flu that I caught just over a week later when I was in Cleveland that was so bad my cried (I’m not a crier). This cold came after a weekend of partying.
Though I had a full weekend, I was bundled up and ate well (all the reasons folks have given me for being sick again). I’ve been resting and even taking vitamins. This place is trying to kill me!
Though I had a full weekend, I was bundled up and ate well (all the reasons folks have given me for being sick again). I’ve been resting and even taking vitamins. This place is trying to kill me!
There's No Place Like Home
For my faithful few readers I’m happy to admit that I’m getting more adjusted to life in the Big Apple. Some of the people and attitudes that I run into on a daily basis are still a bit aggravating but overall things are getting much better. I’m feeling more comfortable in my apartment and neighborhood, I finally feel like I’m getting a clue of the NYC transit system, I’ve found some great restaurants and dives that I can call favorites, I’m feeling like I’m in a better rhythm at work and getting adjusted to the pace and intellectual capital. I’m also meeting some really great people.
Still, there’s no place like home. Despite the numerous visits from my folks (which I thoroughly enjoy) I still look forward to my visits home. The winter holidays are one of my favorite times of year. NYC, is an amazing place to be for the holidays. 34th street and 7th avenue, Times Square, Harold Square and the neighborhoods are really something to see during this time of year. You have the Macy’s Parade, a myriad of shows and events, skating at Rockefeller Park and these are the things that I know of as a resident of Ohio. I have seen the decorations at Macy’s and their beautiful window scenes.
No matter how great the city is, I still love the holidays in Northeast Ohio. I hear this year Youngstown is having a holiday parade (I don’t think I’ll be making that). Cleveland has WinterFest which is actually really nice and the downtown public square is decorated pretty well. There’s just something about being curled up on my parents couch (my dad always makes us a fire) and watching tv on my pops theater sized flat screen. There’s something about my aunts and uncles arguing over the last sip of ‘brown’ as they call it and my little cousins running around my house as like crazy persons. There’s nothing like going for a run to the grocery store and running into someone you haven’t seen since you were a kid. I think my favorite thing about being home is the food. I love my mom's cooking and there are some neighborhood restaurants that though I know they are the greasiest, non-healthy options available, I just have to have when I come home. (Shout out to Fosters/Harmony Grill)
Thanksgiving was great as always, the days were filled with family and neighbors and the nights with friends. I had a great time watching cable and hearing about all the wonderful and ridiculous things going on at home. I went out one night with friends and only spent $30 total on drinks and food and I was Santa that night. Youngstown is certainly not the most exciting and frankly not the most beautiful place that you’ve ever since on the holiday’s but its home and we all know there’s no place like home.
Still, there’s no place like home. Despite the numerous visits from my folks (which I thoroughly enjoy) I still look forward to my visits home. The winter holidays are one of my favorite times of year. NYC, is an amazing place to be for the holidays. 34th street and 7th avenue, Times Square, Harold Square and the neighborhoods are really something to see during this time of year. You have the Macy’s Parade, a myriad of shows and events, skating at Rockefeller Park and these are the things that I know of as a resident of Ohio. I have seen the decorations at Macy’s and their beautiful window scenes.
No matter how great the city is, I still love the holidays in Northeast Ohio. I hear this year Youngstown is having a holiday parade (I don’t think I’ll be making that). Cleveland has WinterFest which is actually really nice and the downtown public square is decorated pretty well. There’s just something about being curled up on my parents couch (my dad always makes us a fire) and watching tv on my pops theater sized flat screen. There’s something about my aunts and uncles arguing over the last sip of ‘brown’ as they call it and my little cousins running around my house as like crazy persons. There’s nothing like going for a run to the grocery store and running into someone you haven’t seen since you were a kid. I think my favorite thing about being home is the food. I love my mom's cooking and there are some neighborhood restaurants that though I know they are the greasiest, non-healthy options available, I just have to have when I come home. (Shout out to Fosters/Harmony Grill)
Thanksgiving was great as always, the days were filled with family and neighbors and the nights with friends. I had a great time watching cable and hearing about all the wonderful and ridiculous things going on at home. I went out one night with friends and only spent $30 total on drinks and food and I was Santa that night. Youngstown is certainly not the most exciting and frankly not the most beautiful place that you’ve ever since on the holiday’s but its home and we all know there’s no place like home.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Amazing Young Professionals
So I’ve been away for a while but I’m back. I want to talk about amazing people. I can’t wait to start meeting amazing people in NYC but right now I want to talk about an amazing young professional that Cleveland is lucky to have.
Genna Petrolla is the Greater Circle Living Manager for University Circle Incorporated where she works to market the Greater Circle Living program, a forgivable loan program to encourage employees of eligible non-profit institutions to live close to where they work.
Genna also serves on the Board of Directors for SPACES Gallery, a not-for-profit alternative art space located on the Superior Viaduct. For over 30 years, SPACES has provided freedom, resources and an audience, thus enabling artists to engage the public in a vital dialogue about contemporary art.
She is also a part of the team that produces Messy Magazine http://messymagazine.blogspot.com/ , a quarterly online art/literary/fashion/music magazine based in Cleveland. The publication spotlights local artists, designers and musicians, is a resource for art and music related events, and encourages the average person to think creatively and share their work with others. Messy magazine also works to show the country and the world that Cleveland is a viable place to live, work and create.
Before I left Cleveland, I was in the early stages of organizing the IWSI event for GLUE. I knew if I wanted to get something done in Cleveland I had to contact Genna. As you know in the process I was summons to New York and essential abandoned the planning process for the campaign. I asked Genna to take over the process and hoped that she could pick up the few pieces and run with it. My hopes were fulfilled and more. The IWSI event was held on Wednesday, November 18th 2009, at the Speakeasy in Cleveland, Ohio and was AMAZING!!! Genna did an unbelievable job all by herself. There were over 100 people at the event and over 80 people participated and summated ideas for the campaign. Genna solicited a great partner with Terry Travis from of Cleveland365.com and there was a diverse group. She brought in three great speakers and the space looked great. It’s great to know that you can hand things off to great people and feel comfortable that they are going to be bigger and better than what you would have done. Thanks Genna you are the best! Check out some of the pictures from the event.
Genna Petrolla is the Greater Circle Living Manager for University Circle Incorporated where she works to market the Greater Circle Living program, a forgivable loan program to encourage employees of eligible non-profit institutions to live close to where they work.
Genna also serves on the Board of Directors for SPACES Gallery, a not-for-profit alternative art space located on the Superior Viaduct. For over 30 years, SPACES has provided freedom, resources and an audience, thus enabling artists to engage the public in a vital dialogue about contemporary art.
She is also a part of the team that produces Messy Magazine http://messymagazine.blogspot.com/ , a quarterly online art/literary/fashion/music magazine based in Cleveland. The publication spotlights local artists, designers and musicians, is a resource for art and music related events, and encourages the average person to think creatively and share their work with others. Messy magazine also works to show the country and the world that Cleveland is a viable place to live, work and create.
Before I left Cleveland, I was in the early stages of organizing the IWSI event for GLUE. I knew if I wanted to get something done in Cleveland I had to contact Genna. As you know in the process I was summons to New York and essential abandoned the planning process for the campaign. I asked Genna to take over the process and hoped that she could pick up the few pieces and run with it. My hopes were fulfilled and more. The IWSI event was held on Wednesday, November 18th 2009, at the Speakeasy in Cleveland, Ohio and was AMAZING!!! Genna did an unbelievable job all by herself. There were over 100 people at the event and over 80 people participated and summated ideas for the campaign. Genna solicited a great partner with Terry Travis from of Cleveland365.com and there was a diverse group. She brought in three great speakers and the space looked great. It’s great to know that you can hand things off to great people and feel comfortable that they are going to be bigger and better than what you would have done. Thanks Genna you are the best! Check out some of the pictures from the event.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pizza
So I guess one of the many things that NYC is supposed to be famous for is pizza. I would argue that Youngstown, Ohio, has some of the best pizza on the planet. During my two years in Cleveland, I searched (to no avail) for good pizza. There were places that were sufficient and some that were even a little eclectic, but none that were known for amazing pizza by my standards.
In Youngstown, there are amazing pizza places my favorite being Wedgewood Pizza http://www.wedgewoodpizza.com/. There are now several locations but this place has the best deep dish hearty pizza ever. It’s not too greasy, the ingredients are fresh and they don’t skimp on them. Then there’s Belleria Pizza http://www.belleria.net/ that Youngstown-ers love (I’m not a fan). It’s got thick cheese, hearty ingredients and super deep dish. They too have expanded but it’s definitely a Youngstown favorite.
Then there’s the Youngstown original Brier Hill Pizza. Wiki says that Brier Hill is a neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, that was once viewed as the city's "Little Italy" district. The neighborhood, which was the site of the city's first Italian settlement, stretches along the western edge of Youngstown's lower north side and encircles St. Anthony's Church, an Italian-American Roman Catholic parish.
The neighborhood was the birthplace of "Brier Hill Pizza," which is a humble, home-style pizza with its origins in the Basilicata region of Italy—made with a generous amount of thick Sunday sauce, bell peppers and Romano cheese rather than the usual mozzarella. It is un piatto tipico of Youngstown; one of several dishes the area prides itself upon, as New Yorkers do so of their thin-crust slices of foldable Pizza Margherita.
Oh the NYC thin crust. I’ve never been a fan of the thin crust (it makes me think of Donato’s which isn’t bad but certainly not a favorite) until I had Trattoria Amici at work last week. I had been hearing about the Meatza Meatza Pizza since my first week of work but for many reasons we hadn’t had it. Finally my dear office mate decided it was time I was introduced to the Meatza Meatza. It was amazing! For my meat lovers this pizza was heaven. It was thin crust which I surprisingly loved and it was loaded with meat (pepperoni, ham, bacon, sausage and real tomato sauce). This little bistro is also a great wine bar and traditional Italian Cuisine. The problem is that it’s another great restaurant that’s only steps from my front door. It’s located on Lenox between 129th and 130th.
I never thought I’d find pizza that compared to my beloved Youngstown Pizza but the Meatza Meatza gets pretty close.
Northeast Ohio or NYC, You Decide…
In Youngstown, there are amazing pizza places my favorite being Wedgewood Pizza http://www.wedgewoodpizza.com/. There are now several locations but this place has the best deep dish hearty pizza ever. It’s not too greasy, the ingredients are fresh and they don’t skimp on them. Then there’s Belleria Pizza http://www.belleria.net/ that Youngstown-ers love (I’m not a fan). It’s got thick cheese, hearty ingredients and super deep dish. They too have expanded but it’s definitely a Youngstown favorite.
Then there’s the Youngstown original Brier Hill Pizza. Wiki says that Brier Hill is a neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, that was once viewed as the city's "Little Italy" district. The neighborhood, which was the site of the city's first Italian settlement, stretches along the western edge of Youngstown's lower north side and encircles St. Anthony's Church, an Italian-American Roman Catholic parish.
The neighborhood was the birthplace of "Brier Hill Pizza," which is a humble, home-style pizza with its origins in the Basilicata region of Italy—made with a generous amount of thick Sunday sauce, bell peppers and Romano cheese rather than the usual mozzarella. It is un piatto tipico of Youngstown; one of several dishes the area prides itself upon, as New Yorkers do so of their thin-crust slices of foldable Pizza Margherita.
Oh the NYC thin crust. I’ve never been a fan of the thin crust (it makes me think of Donato’s which isn’t bad but certainly not a favorite) until I had Trattoria Amici at work last week. I had been hearing about the Meatza Meatza Pizza since my first week of work but for many reasons we hadn’t had it. Finally my dear office mate decided it was time I was introduced to the Meatza Meatza. It was amazing! For my meat lovers this pizza was heaven. It was thin crust which I surprisingly loved and it was loaded with meat (pepperoni, ham, bacon, sausage and real tomato sauce). This little bistro is also a great wine bar and traditional Italian Cuisine. The problem is that it’s another great restaurant that’s only steps from my front door. It’s located on Lenox between 129th and 130th.
I never thought I’d find pizza that compared to my beloved Youngstown Pizza but the Meatza Meatza gets pretty close.
Northeast Ohio or NYC, You Decide…
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Periodicals and the Sex Diaries
Mom, relax, this post isn’t bad you can read on. I will keep this as g-rated as possible since my mom and more importantly my dad read this blog.
So let’s talk about Cleveland first this time. There has been a lot of discussion around the country about the decline print media. Many may argue that the decline has been accelerated in Northeast Ohio. There’s my hometown publications The Vindicator http://www.vindy.com/ and The Buckeye Review (yikes). Aside from seeing a family member or maybe yourself in these publications, they are not the best. As you move around Northeast Ohio in Akron there’s the Akron Beacon Journal http://www.ohio.com/ which though it isn’t the best has some really solid journalist with very interesting articles. It keeps you informed which I guess is the point, right? Then in Cleveland there are several papers and magazine arguably most popular or well known being the Cleveland Plain Dealer www.cleveland.com. The Dealer has gone through many changes during my two years in Cleveland and is often the discussion of many forums and events throughout the city. This is another publication that though it has its shortcoming has some great journalist and keeps you informed. I’ll admit I don’t scribe to any of these publications and can’t remember the last time I had a hard copy, I read them all online.
Then there are various Cleveland magazines, my favorite being the new Canvas Magazine http://canvascleveland.com/. It isn’t my favorite because I’ve been in it or because I’m a good friend of the Editor and Chief Jay Bobo, my it’s my favorite because of the quality of writing, interest level and range of topics and overall professionalism associated with the final product. It has a great web presence too, especially since it's essentially a one man show. I truly think it’s going to revive print media in NEO. The fact that it’s free and is provided as a true source of information and entertainment to the community helps a lot. There are other publications: Cleveland Magazine, Scene, Kaleidoscope, and the Free Times to name a few. All of these publications are cool but none of them compare to the amazing New York Magazine http://nymag.com/.
My boss insisted that I read the NY magazine each week. Initially I was a little annoyed since I couldn’t figure out how I was going to get it read in addition to all the reading I have to get done for work. (I haven’t been reading the way I should since grad school, no excuse). Anyway, I started reading and loved it. The writing is impeccable and witty and a little sarcastic which I like. The articles are incredibly interesting and it’s a great way to stay informed of everything NY from politics, to theater to concerts and parties.
Then I discovered the Sex Diaries http://nymag.com/news/features/sexdiaries/2009/60297/?imw=Y&f=most-viewed-24h10. OMG! I was up until 6:00 am last Friday night (I didn’t get in until 4:45, the drought is not that bad yet) reading these damn things. The SD’s are a critical (but highly sympathetic) reading of New Yorkers’ sexual habits and anxieties says the tagline on the website. This thing is unbelievable. Let me give you a quick passage from The Trader Who Will Fly for Sex.
12:32 p.m. The hubby keeps annoying me with texts. Decide to humor him. After all, he is letting me have sex with his wife.
8:20 p.m. We meet at T.G.I. Friday’s. Wifey looks like her pics, which is good. Hubby seems a little nervous. I act like I’ve known them forever—give him a hearty handshake, kiss her on the cheeks. We order drinks and talk.
9 p.m. Back at the hotel. We are both undressing wifey. She has massive breasts, which I love. I play with them. Hubby is naked, playing and taking pics.
9:30 p.m. Wifey ****-******* me … awesome. Hubby alternates between taking pics and encouraging her.
10 p.m. We have sex in a variety of positions. While it feels good, there is no way I am losing control. That is a big swinging no-no, unless the couple wants that.
11 p.m. Halfhearted sex for the second round, but I am tired. I dutifully take the camera for a bit.
11:30 p.m. Saying our good-byes. I tell them to keep in touch and send me the pics so I can store/post them on my AFF profile.
WHAT?!?!? Then there’s the Ex-Banker Living on Alcohol, Hook-ups, and Unemployment. This one was the juiciest and note this is just a snippet.
1 a.m. With friends at Marquee, where I catch the eye of a handsome boy in an Hermès tie and immediately start eye-B.J.-ing him. He is a 28-year-old M.D. who graduated from Yale. He buys me SoCo-lime shots and I tell him that 28 years old is too young to be an M.D. He responds that he’s just that good.
4 a.m. He asks me to come back to his place and I’m skeptical, but he says he lives on Park Avenue with his older brothers. He has me at “Park Avenue.”
5:30 a.m. Sitting in his penthouse apartment, he opens a bottle of Dom and we watch South Park—that should have been the first sign. We pass out in his room. I think we hook up.
DAY THREE
8 a.m. He freaks out and asks me to leave. When I get home, I look him up on Facebook and see that he graduated HIGH SCHOOL in 2009. He is 17 YEARS OLD and it was his parents’ penthouse.
WOW?!?!? I imagine this is enough of a preview to get a few readers and maybe a comment or two. I’ll admit it, I love it and I’m hooked. I bet you didn’t see this one coming, well here you go. My final thought. Cleveland print/web media give us some new exciting material, may the sex chronicles of the restless and their sex patterns in City.
Cleveland or NYC, You Decide…
So let’s talk about Cleveland first this time. There has been a lot of discussion around the country about the decline print media. Many may argue that the decline has been accelerated in Northeast Ohio. There’s my hometown publications The Vindicator http://www.vindy.com/ and The Buckeye Review (yikes). Aside from seeing a family member or maybe yourself in these publications, they are not the best. As you move around Northeast Ohio in Akron there’s the Akron Beacon Journal http://www.ohio.com/ which though it isn’t the best has some really solid journalist with very interesting articles. It keeps you informed which I guess is the point, right? Then in Cleveland there are several papers and magazine arguably most popular or well known being the Cleveland Plain Dealer www.cleveland.com. The Dealer has gone through many changes during my two years in Cleveland and is often the discussion of many forums and events throughout the city. This is another publication that though it has its shortcoming has some great journalist and keeps you informed. I’ll admit I don’t scribe to any of these publications and can’t remember the last time I had a hard copy, I read them all online.
Then there are various Cleveland magazines, my favorite being the new Canvas Magazine http://canvascleveland.com/. It isn’t my favorite because I’ve been in it or because I’m a good friend of the Editor and Chief Jay Bobo, my it’s my favorite because of the quality of writing, interest level and range of topics and overall professionalism associated with the final product. It has a great web presence too, especially since it's essentially a one man show. I truly think it’s going to revive print media in NEO. The fact that it’s free and is provided as a true source of information and entertainment to the community helps a lot. There are other publications: Cleveland Magazine, Scene, Kaleidoscope, and the Free Times to name a few. All of these publications are cool but none of them compare to the amazing New York Magazine http://nymag.com/.
My boss insisted that I read the NY magazine each week. Initially I was a little annoyed since I couldn’t figure out how I was going to get it read in addition to all the reading I have to get done for work. (I haven’t been reading the way I should since grad school, no excuse). Anyway, I started reading and loved it. The writing is impeccable and witty and a little sarcastic which I like. The articles are incredibly interesting and it’s a great way to stay informed of everything NY from politics, to theater to concerts and parties.
Then I discovered the Sex Diaries http://nymag.com/news/features/sexdiaries/2009/60297/?imw=Y&f=most-viewed-24h10. OMG! I was up until 6:00 am last Friday night (I didn’t get in until 4:45, the drought is not that bad yet) reading these damn things. The SD’s are a critical (but highly sympathetic) reading of New Yorkers’ sexual habits and anxieties says the tagline on the website. This thing is unbelievable. Let me give you a quick passage from The Trader Who Will Fly for Sex.
12:32 p.m. The hubby keeps annoying me with texts. Decide to humor him. After all, he is letting me have sex with his wife.
8:20 p.m. We meet at T.G.I. Friday’s. Wifey looks like her pics, which is good. Hubby seems a little nervous. I act like I’ve known them forever—give him a hearty handshake, kiss her on the cheeks. We order drinks and talk.
9 p.m. Back at the hotel. We are both undressing wifey. She has massive breasts, which I love. I play with them. Hubby is naked, playing and taking pics.
9:30 p.m. Wifey ****-******* me … awesome. Hubby alternates between taking pics and encouraging her.
10 p.m. We have sex in a variety of positions. While it feels good, there is no way I am losing control. That is a big swinging no-no, unless the couple wants that.
11 p.m. Halfhearted sex for the second round, but I am tired. I dutifully take the camera for a bit.
11:30 p.m. Saying our good-byes. I tell them to keep in touch and send me the pics so I can store/post them on my AFF profile.
WHAT?!?!? Then there’s the Ex-Banker Living on Alcohol, Hook-ups, and Unemployment. This one was the juiciest and note this is just a snippet.
1 a.m. With friends at Marquee, where I catch the eye of a handsome boy in an Hermès tie and immediately start eye-B.J.-ing him. He is a 28-year-old M.D. who graduated from Yale. He buys me SoCo-lime shots and I tell him that 28 years old is too young to be an M.D. He responds that he’s just that good.
4 a.m. He asks me to come back to his place and I’m skeptical, but he says he lives on Park Avenue with his older brothers. He has me at “Park Avenue.”
5:30 a.m. Sitting in his penthouse apartment, he opens a bottle of Dom and we watch South Park—that should have been the first sign. We pass out in his room. I think we hook up.
DAY THREE
8 a.m. He freaks out and asks me to leave. When I get home, I look him up on Facebook and see that he graduated HIGH SCHOOL in 2009. He is 17 YEARS OLD and it was his parents’ penthouse.
WOW?!?!? I imagine this is enough of a preview to get a few readers and maybe a comment or two. I’ll admit it, I love it and I’m hooked. I bet you didn’t see this one coming, well here you go. My final thought. Cleveland print/web media give us some new exciting material, may the sex chronicles of the restless and their sex patterns in City.
Cleveland or NYC, You Decide…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)