Essays, Interviews, Observations, Pop Culture, Stories, and other Dodginess

How to Say Goodbye in America

Posted on December 22, 2011

It’s a tough business, trying to make in the New York fashion scene. Staying on the HBO schedule? A little tougher, it seems.

I realize the-now cancelled “How To Make It In America” wasn’t for everybody. But that’s why it was on HBO. Remember, “it’s not TV, it’s HBO” or whatever.

When I watched HTMIIA I really felt as if I was in New York’s East Village. I was with Ben and Cam as they tried to pitch their Japanese-denim jeans.

I sat on the couch in my Sears flannel watching the show but during those 30 minutes on a Sunday night  it was warm CRISP hoodie. I could taste the Rasta Monster in place of my Diet Pepsi (never cancel a show with Luis Guzman).

I smoked a joint with Domingo.

I kissed Rachel.

I missed Shannyn Sossaman’s Gingy Wu but welcomed Nicole LaLiberte’s LuLu.

My iTunes library is filled with the musical discoveries from the show.

I’ll miss the between-the-scenes still photos collage featuring the characters in their current environ.

LuLu and Cam

Maybe HBO needs to expand their original programming. Two nights per week is not enough. I guess they feel obliged to leave those other nights locked up for repeated showings of movies like “Couples Retreat.” And now it’s nonstop offerings of “The Dilemma.” Let’s lose quality like HTMIIA and “Bored to Death” but keep showing shitty Vince Vaughn movies.

They’ve  kept “Enlightened” – which is fine. I like the show. Like one critic said, it’s shot beautifully like an Indie film.

“How To Make It In America.” 16 half-hour episodes. C’mon, that’s not enough time to make it anywhere. And I want to know what happens to Kappo during his prison stint.

Hey girl, nice glecks

Posted on December 21, 2011

When I was a wee I heard my dad often refer to my aunt as “The Fly.” It didn’t dawn on me until later when I realized it was because she always wore these giant oval glasses that turned into shades in the sun. “The Fly.”  Big-ass sunglasses.

Stunna shades.

They’re everywhere. I’m not sure when this came into vogue, these huge, big-assed sunglasses. When they did I probably thought to myself, ‘ah…this won’t last.” Oh but was I wrong. They’ve thrived.

I’ve gotten used to it. A beautiful gal is a beautiful gal. I just sometimes hate to see that face all covered up with plastic and darkness.

So how about this?

Or this? She’s smokin’ in more ways than one.

She's smokin'

Finally, gotta love a gal in wayfarers

Why yes, I do enjoy your specs

I’ll take any of those three over this

That’s Amore! Drinking in Crown Point

Posted on December 19, 2011

Discovered a new lounge in NWI – and it’s not bad. The 109 Lounge in downtown Crown Point is the place to go if you yearn for something Chicagoey. It sits above Amoré Ristorante, an Italian bistro I’ve yet been too.

I was quite pissed when I got to 109 but from what I recall it’s a great place to bring a gal/guy or a bunch of blokes. It’s got great lighting – who thinks about lighting? I do. You’ve got your candles and such…not too dark, not too bright. Great background music and sometimes it’s live (and not too loud – more on that later).

Loungy 109 Lounge - overlooking the Square

There’s a sushi menu, beer, martinis…and for you smokers – well, smoke ’em if you got ’em – it’s allowed. Oh – and at least when I was there – plenty of mmmmm-eye candy for the gents and girls.

Back to the music.

I was at T.J. Maloney’s not long ago in Merrillville. It’s the fake authentic Irish bar at the Holiday Star Hotel/Theatre.

Look…it is a decent place with nice worker folks and food/beer etc.  I wouldn’t go far to say it’s authentic just ’cause you’ve got furniture in there that was built in Dublin. Some of the music selections leave something to be desired. I’ve rarely heard Irish bands – or I guess I mean local bands playing Irish music. You know, like an “authentic” Irish pub might. Lots of blues bands and other cheesy rockers, I’ve seen. Plus it’s too feckin’ loud. T.J.’s is built for a more acoustic act. That said, one band I saw there recently, I think they were called Get Lucky, dialed up a little “Hallelujah.” Well done!

And that other band I mentioned in a previous post – Roger Drawdy – was pretty good and set at a perfect volume. There is always a time/place for loud band fuckery and getting wanked under the table. But not here.

Cheers