Signs Of The Times in the TIMES

I've noticed that the NY TIMES has been getting pretty adventurous in the ways that it covers news. With its "grey lady" days long behind, the TIMES has recently taken to commissioning artists and illustrators for soft news and feature stories.

The TIMES recently put up a slide show of drawings by artist Jane Chiverton which grabbed my attention. It consisted of illustrations of store fronts in the city reflecting these brutal economic times. What I really liked about Chiverton's work is that it honestly documents what I have noticed walking around town in recent weeks; family businesses closing after decades (like this butcher in Chelsea), abrupt restaurant disappearances (like the Two Boots on Ave A and the famous Vesuvio's Bakery), and an ever growing number of "for sale/rent" signs in shop-happy hoods like SoHo and the West Village.

There is no doubt we are deep into this Great Recession. And, as Chiverton's drawings illustrate so vividly, the signs are literally everywhere.

Homegrown Donuts

Yesterday, I was feeling the need for some serious donuts (shocker!). And as much as I love The Dunkin', a chain was not going to cut it. So me and my roommate hopped on the F train to the Lower East Side to score some of the best, freshest donuts in NYC at the Doughnut Plant.

Yeah, I know....they don't exactly use the spelling of donut that I prefer but I am not going to quibble when they make such extraordinary round, glazed treats. They are fresh and warm and downright delicious. I got a double chocolate cake donut and a glazed cashew (pictured) while my roommate ordered a strawberry cake one. Man, I'm getting hungry again just describing them!

Along with their good/cheap coffee (only a dollar!) we had a moveable yeast-feast and snacked on our donuts while strolling up Clinton Street on a nice Spring afternoon. If you are ever looking for a good Lazy Sunday activity, this is it. Well, if you like donuts, of course :)

Tomorrow is Record Store Day!

Saturday April 18th is Record Store Day. Yes, Record Stores have become so scare that they now need their own day...kinda like Earth Day for vinyl. At participating stores, you can go in tomorrow and get some good deals on LPs for one day only.

Now I thought you could get pretty good deals on LPs any day because, you know, they are not exactly the most popular way to listen to music these days. One of the greatest record stores in the world (and I can say that because literally people from all over the world shop there--I've seen it!) is right in my neighborhood; Bleecker Bobs, which for some reason is actually on 3rd Street. Anyway, I will probably stop by there tomorrow and see what deals I can get.

Lately, I've been buying old LPs but not for listening, but for decorating. They really make great wall art....so far I have about 6 of my all-time favorites albums of my youth (Grease, Dolly, The Partridge Family) lining the main hallway in my apartment. Urban Outfitters sells these great album frames -- 2 for $20 bucks. Take that plus some cheap LPs and, voila, you have some instant interior decoration. So go to your favorite record store (if it's still there) and pick up some cheap-ass albums this weekend. No deals on turntables though...unless there is a Natinoal Turntable Day? Sorry--Google says "no".

Our Hit Parade

Last night, I went to Joe's Pub to check out the newish variety show, Our Hit Parade. Every month, Kenny Mellman and Neil Medlyn put together a diverse group of downtown denizens who create their own unique interpretations of "the top 10 songs in America" (as Neil kept saying). I say interpretations and not covers because some of the performers didn't even sing. The inventive and adorkably cute Varsity Interpretative Dance Squad (VIDS) created some on-the-spot choreography which the audience was encouraged to participate in. There was Jenn Harris' a spoken-wail reading of the lyrics from Pink's SOBER. And finally, half-naked host Neil Medlyn flinging his thing about to the beat of some disco/pop inanity. No...this was definitely not your mother's Hit Parade.

Oh--and there was some actual singing too. Powerhouse peformanatrix Bridget Everett made Kelly Pickler's syrupy ballad actually sound intense and, most notably, there was a wonderful interpretation of T-Pain's ditty about date rape by the Lady Rizo. She was fantastic! She has her own show coming up this weekend at the Hi-Line Ballroom which I might check out too, Lady Rizo And The Assettes. Doesn't that sound fun?!

The next Hit Parade is May 20th at Joe's Pub. Mark your calendar as this show has some serious bang for your 20 bucks.

Clean Your Facebook

There are many of you out there who, like myself, are not happy with the new look of Facebook. Too many useless quizzes like "what chakra are you" and "what's your superpower", too many notifications from applications you never use, too many things cluttering up your homepage. Well, now there is a way to clean-up Facebook's act on your own. Simply written and in plain English, it's the SKILLFOO page which can make your online life a little more manageable. I spent about 15 minutes going through the suggested "tips" and already my homepage is cleaner and my notifications more useful. So stop joining lame groups that want to go back to the original design. The new Facebook is here to stay...and it's yours to control.

Building Rome In A Day

A group of young artists got together last week and built Rome in a day...literally. This all happened at the New Museum on the Bowery as a stunt to kick off their new exhibit "The Generational: Younger Than Jesus", which is meant to challenge the Whitney's Biennial survey of up-and-comers in the art world. If you scroll down this NY Times blog about the show, there is a nifty video which shows a time lapse of the construction of their miniature Rome as well as it's subsequent destruction by the artists' feet.

Amazon Strips Sales Ranks of Gay Books

Amazon.com has apparently been pulling the Sales Rankings of books with gay content. The books have been labeled to have "Adult" content and removed from searches too. Though some Young Adult novels, like Alex Sanchez's "Rainbow Boys", have been involved, others like David Levithan's "Boy Meets Boy" have not. I just checked my books on Amazon and I have not been part of the purge....yet.

The #amazonfail came to light this weekend but has been going on for months apparently. This whole relabeling of gay books as "Adult" seems not only crazy but is apparently pretty half-assed as well. Jezebel.com has a current listing of titles that have had their rankings purged (like "Ellen Degeneres: A Biography") and some that have not ("A Parents Guide To Preventing Homosexuality"?!). So far the response from Amazon has been pretty BS boilerplate-y:

In consideration of our entire customer base, we exclude "adult" material from appearing in some searches and best seller lists. Since these lists are generated using sales ranks, adult materials must also be excluded from that feature.
Hence, if you have further questions, kindly write back to us.
Best regards,
Ashlyn D, Member Services
Amazon.com Advantage

Sorry Amazon...but that is lame. I do have some further questions. I have even been invited to join two "Boycott Amazon" groups on Facebook. So if Jeff Bezos doesn't get on The Rachel Maddow Show to explain this whole mess soon, they are going to have a serious problem with their customers....namely me!

NetPix: In Bruges

This brilliant little movie is now my second NetPix which I nearly didn't see due to a really crappy trailer. The preview made this film look ridiculous. However, after hearing from a few friends that it was actually great, I put it on my queue and, like more than a few of the characters in this story of hit men run amok, I was blown away.

The first-time director, Martin Mcdonagh is a well-known playwright ("The Lieutenant of Inishmore", "Beauty Queen of Linane") but he's soon going to be a very well-known filmmaker. Black comedy is not the easiest of genres to master but his script makes it look easy, crackling with sharp repartee while peppered with some shocking acts of violence. McDonagh makes it all work and leaves you guessing up until the very last shot how this is all going to play out.

Colin Farrell turns in his best performance in years as a rookie hit man who's made a terrible mistake. He's not only somewhat insane in this role, going from puppy dog looks to berserk outbursts of mayhem in a split second, but actually manages to have a heart too. You actually care about the bastard which, given what he's up to, really is saying something. The other actors are excellent as well, especially Brendan Gleeson as Colin's world-weary partner and Clemence Poesy as a bright, shiny romantic interest. Ralph Fiennes turns in another badder-than bad guy turn as The Boss.  Remember when Ralph was more romantic leading man? I miss that guy, but have to say, his dark side is effective and used to excellent effect here.  

There are many jokes and fantastic one-liners in this grimly hilarious movie, many of which I'd like to quote right now. I've been repeating two of them with my roommate since we watched the film last night.  But I am going to restrain myself. However, I offer a small warning; try not to be in the act of drinking anything during the scene with the midget, the drugs and the Belgian prostitutes. If you do, it'll be one big spittake.

Young Girls Talking About Themselves--The Song

A friend who knows my musical taste (or lack thereof) sent me this kicky pop song about girls who talk about themselves on video blogs. It is awesome! I don't know where to find the full song but I want it...now!

To Go Where No Sequel Has Gone Before

Down in Austin last night, Paramount switched out a print of "Wrath of Kahn" with the new "Star Trek" reboot, courtesy of JJ Abrams. And if you want to believe the fanboys who saw this super secret sneak preview, the response was ecstatic. I have to say, since I saw the trailer earlier this year, it's been my most anticipated film of the early summer (it's out May 8). I was a little concerned about the release date, as I think May is traditionally reserved for summer stinkers ("Indiana Jones" anyone?) But who knows--maybe with this sexy cast and retro approach, they just might bring the franchise back the dead.