The Holidays. For some this means going home to see their loved ones, for others its time to max out your beloved credit cards, and for others it is time to get hammered with your co-workers courtesy of your boss aka The Office Holiday Party.
I have never been a fan of the holiday office party. After all I work with these people for well over 40 hours a week and now they get to see me do tequila shots in a compromising position without using my hands? Honey I don't think so. So it was with great relief this year that I learned that I would not have to attend my own office party (my boss opted to give us bonuses and bottles of wine instead- hoorah! Money well spent) and instead, I went to my boyfriend Andy's work party- where any impending embarrassment I may bring would not have to be re-lived over and over again at my own office space.
Wanting to dress to impress (and not having anytime to jump shop to shop) I ran out of work to my friends Evan's gorgeous and always reliable for fantastic vintage designer clothing store FROCK on Orchard Street on the Lower East Side http://www.frocknyc.com
I had one hour before the party started. Evan pulled everything from Gucci to Pucci to Valentino for me. As I tried on clothes we caught up- He, now in a serious relationship had just purchased a house in the country, me, moving into a new (what New Yorker would consider sprawling place and everyone else in the country would consider a shoe box) 1,100 square foot apartment on the Lower East Side, my artists were doing well, and well, I had fallen for someone special; and with that and two air kisses, Evan sent me off with a lovely Valentino dress and Lagerfeld earrings.
The Christmas party was at a Brazilian restaurant in Tribeca. There was a waterfall in the restaurant, and despite the serenity of that waterfall, the restaurant it's self seemed more like a Grecian orgy of food and frivolity. There was an open bar (and oh yes, I did partake- mmmmm....patron....it taste so good when it hits your lips!) The waiters brought copious amounts of different types of meat out on spikes (none of which I could eat- vegetarian, but the salad bar was bangin!)
The party really was top class, I was almost disappointed that there was no drunken debauchery, no butts on copy machines, no making out in bathrooms (well not that I know off) and no drunken parking lot screaming matches. There was however a lot of drunken bro to bro "I love you mans." Over all a very good evening.
Everyone have a safe and happy holiday, because, "I love you man!"
When you live in New York City, there are things you can take for granted very early on: 75 cent coffee, 2 dollar subway rides (which of course will be going up any minuet), and the fact that there are three different ice skating rinks in Manhattan.
I haven't been ice-skating since I was 11 years old, and I fear that I wasn't very good at it then. There seems to be very little appeal to me about balancing on two little blades on ice in 30 degree weather- it just seems to spell disaster for me, my health care provider, and perhaps my dentist.
"It's my last night in New York, we haaaaave to go ice-skating," Sarah said me over the phone.
How are you going to say no to someone that has taken a 25-hour flight from Australia to New York? You can't. And so with little coxing, Andy, his little sister Sarah, and I head to Central Park to the Trump owned ice skating rink on 59th street and 6th ave.
We emerged from the F train at 57th, it's thirty degrees out, and I am now thinking this idea is nuts. We enter the park at the 57th street entrance and walk down a path through the park, "I don't know if we are going the right way" I say, as I don't see any skating rink. Just as I say that, techno (yes I said TECHNO) begins to blanket the area we are in. "Ah yes, ice-skating and techno…I think we are here."
The range of people that are there are as diverse as NY itself. Husbands and wives with their children to high-school students on first dates (ah, so this is what people do before they can legally go to bars). It was with much trepidation that I enter the booth where you pay for ice-skating- 12 bucks to enter 5 bucks to rent skates or 5 bucks to just observe. It was at that moment did I decide that I would watch Andy and his sister skate, and I would take pictures. I just kept picturing myself breaking out two of my front teeth on the ice.
I didn’t know Andy was going to be such an ice skating Maverick ! He ran circles around his sister and I watched laughing my butt off as Andy kept opting for « Just one more go around « about ten times. I warmed up with hot chocolate and took in the skyline of 5th ave. New York has much to offer even in winter, correction, especially in Winter.
This past Thursday evening Andy and I found ourselves at Saatchi & Saatchi- New York cities premiere advertising agency which was host to the annual "Lunchbox" Auction. A celebrity studded gala whose celebrity designed lunchboxes were auctioned off to benefit two hunger-relief organizations - Food Bank For New York City and The Lunchbox Fund of South Africa ($50 donation feeds one child for a whole year).
As Andy and I walked up to the front doors of the building, he was ushered to the press photo junket (he designed one of the lunchboxes) and I went to the donation table to lay down our donations for the benefit. As we reunite at the parties entrance Andy's face immediately became giddy with the celebrity citings such as Michael Stipe, Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lisa Marie Presley, Patti Smith, and inexplicable Joyce (aka Janet from "Three's Company) DeWitt.
As Andy headed off to look for his idol Bono, as I decided to look for the open bar. The open bar line was long and furious, as the one lone bartender nervously poured concoctions as three other bartender sat only feet away from him watching him fumble with smirks on there faces. Cocktails hungry patrons grew angrier as the bartender seemed overwhelmed with the simple task opening a coke bottle. I was having none of it. I had a long work day at work and mama needed a cocktail, so I walked to the front of the line saying in my best southern drawl, "Hey Honey, I'll drop you this 20 spot if you whip me up four drinks- two cosmos and two jack and cokes." He obliged (the poor guy had but one dollar tip in his jar as it was) and I asked Andy if he was ready to be double fisted, ehem, with drinks (it sounded much dirtier when said out loud).
With drinks in hand, Andy and I did a few laps around the party. We watched as Maggie Gyllenhaal flirted with her husband Peter Sarsgaard. Legendary singers Michael Stipe and Patti Smith viewed the lunchboxes quietly as did Mike D, whose afro far outshines the one I proudly displayed in the fifth grade.
The crowd itself, while not abundant with celebrities per se was teaming with extraordinarily talented, gifted, and wealthy people. As I chatted up a few of the Saatchi & Saatchi folks, Andy chatted Mike D and Peter "R.E.M" Buck.
Finally the auction started. The Emcee duties where kicked of first by chef Mario Batali holding up a lunchbox designed by Richie Richie of the Heatherettes. I believe the box fetched about grand. Where as Michael Stipes' lunchbox filled with photos he took of Bjork, George Clooney, Heath Ledger, and others celebs wearing his sunglasses fetched $31,000. It always me that someone in this world can say, "Hmm, I feel like dropping $31,000 tonight" and can.
A little buzzed (who knew a $20.00 tip would get you such heavy handed drinks) and happy from the mini cupcakes that were given out- we left the party with a purpose and headed home. Beso- Maya Contreras
Winter: It brings the cold weather, colds, and with it also- nostalgia.
Like most people in their teens and early 20's going to watch bands play live on stage was a weekly (if not daily) part of my life. I love a range of music from Indie Pop to Classical to Hip Hop to Hardcore and Metal (perhaps this is why I became an artist manager).
Snapcase was the pinnacle of hardcore bands of the 90's (and my FAVORITE hardcore band). They brought an energy and precision to music that is still rare to find these days, and, well, they were cute to look at on stage!
They had disbanded several years ago- so it was a welcome surprise for me to learn that they were going to play a reunion show at the gorgeously refurbished (and formally Northsix) Music Hall in Williamsburg.
My best friend Matt and I immediately bought tickets for our friend Dani, and my boyfriend Andy.
The four of us met up at the Spikehill Pub in Williamsburg for preshow whiskey drinks and an impromptu discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of monogamy.
Advantage: Safe Sex (very important)
Disadvantage: Having to deal one person's neuroses on a daily basis (and them having to deal with yours).
Advantage: Sex on tap
Disadvantage: Sex with same person, over and over, and over again (wait that sounds like an advantage to me)
After a few whiskey drinks and deciding I was defiantly on monogamyside we went to get our clap-kicks on at the Music Hall.
The place was packed, and the energy was great. The band 108 blew me away with their guitarist bringing the thrash metal guitar riffs. And they were joined on stage by another great emo/rock guitarist from a band back in the day called "Texas is the Reason" and Singer from "Sick of it All" (another legendary New York band).
When Snapcase finally took the stage everyone in my crew was feeling a little rocked out, but Snapcase brought so much energy it woke us right up.
Snapcase was around when I was in college and playing music myself (I was a drummer and a college radio DJ). Its at that age when you are really idealistic about you future and what you want- no compromise. Then the compromise starts to sneak in a little (well, you gotta pay bills!).
But seeing Snapcase was a good reminder to me to reflect on were I was, where I am, and where I still want to go.
As I am sure for most of you, there was a four days holiday weekend to enjoy.
For me, I was hoping it would be one of rest and relaxation.
Was I wrong, or what.
Wednesdays work day ended with me running out of the office early, thrilled to have the next few days off, and thrilled to be cooking dinner for a dozen or more friends on Thanksgiving. It was going to be some of my French friends first Thanksgiving, as well as Andy's first thanksgiving- so, I wanted to make sure it was a great one.
I don't know why, but I completely underestimated the amount of last minuet shoppers at Whole Foods.
All of us seemed dressed up to the nines, mobile phones in hand, trying to navigate a food cart down the narrow isles of Whole Foods. People began to fight over the plastic food bags, apples and potatoes began to spill all over the floors, and people carts ran into one another. No one was in a very festive mood.
As I (the vegetarian) tried to figure out how many pounds a turkey needed to be to feed at least 12 people, I heard small arguments began to form from all corners of the store as people vied for some of the last pumpkin pies, "There are more pumpkin pies coming out people!" A Whole Foods worker assures the seething crowd. Just then I make eye contact with a man with in a black and blue baseball cap and a puffy vast jacket. We look at each other, then look away, then look back at each other. I think, "Do I know him?" Thinking he is thinking the same thing. But, no, I don't really know him, only I've seen him...on television, it was David "Ross" Schwimmer from ‘Friends.' And his look was one of "Yeah, you know me."
Just then there was a small silence in the supermarket. Quiet whispers fill the air, "psst, psst, hey, that's Ross!"
And once again there was peace and tranquility in Whole (Foods) World, brought to you courtesy of a "Friends" member.
After I muddling though the endless check outline, I have my groceries delivered, and I began to prep for the morning.
Thanksgiving begins early for me. My good friend Matt comes over early to help with Thanksgiving prep. He has brought supplies...and by that I mean alcohol. Beer at 11am? Yes sir, we are after all on holiday.
Slowly some of my friends trickle in to help in prepping (and drinking) for the evening. There is Turkey, Ham, Tofurky (it's good! Seriously!) and all of the additional fixins'.
Even with all of the hours of prep, come 6pm I began to panic. My hair was in a scarf, I was covered in flour and my guests were going to arrive within the hour.
All my panic was for not. It was a fantastic evening, there was more then enough food to go around, and my guests brought so much wine you would then we were about to have good old fashion Roman orgy (um, we did not).
Since the orgins of thanksgiving really started in New York, and since the French were the ones that have helped us (twice) to win wars, the evening was very appropo.
