A Stroll Down Bleecker Street...Part 1

Let's face it, my last few posts where kind of depressing, so I figured that I should think happy thoughts, and my thoughts are never happier than when I'm strolling down Bleecker Street in New York City. It is certainly my favorite street, and I've been playing my guitar, drinking good beer, occasionally skinning my knee, and so forth on the magical walk called "Bleecker."

So, this is sort of a travelogue for folks not in the know. A "Blogo Tour", if you will.

Let's start out at "The Peculiar Pub" a really keen "beer bar" almost on the corner of Laguardia Place. This recessed tree house has one of the coolest vibes in NYC. The carved-up wooden benches, crowded taps and Sphinx-Like jukebox envelop you as you open your beer menu, which is broken down by country. It's a mixed younger crowd and the fried mushroom appetizer is fantastic!

Right across the street is "Senor Swanky's", a righteous Mexican place that only takes cash, but has some really amazing burritos, and some pretty stellar frozen margaritas, and outdoor seating with a view of the old "Grand Union" which I think is now an "Amalgamated Foods" or something like that.

Let's walk eastward and hit some of the best music clubs around, including "The Red Lion", "Kenny's Castaways" (where I played one Sunday a month for most of my youth), "The Back Fence" and "The Bitter End." You will find therein great music, inexpensive drinks and low cover charges.

Let's take a rest and get a cup of Joe from "The Puerto Rico Trading Company" which has great coffee from every country that has the bean.

In the next blog entry we will cross 6th Avenue and explore the West side of that fabulous street called "Bleecker."

A Story of Two Nightmares...

I'm a man prone to nightmares, and by making this bold statement, I'm not trying to scare anyone. It's just a fact. They vary in severity and stylistic nuance, but they all make me wake up at least a little bit jittery.

I had two nightmares this very week, and I won't go into detail, but one was horrific-to the point where I could barely function at work the next day, and the other one was actually ultimately inspiring. The interesting thing is that the really BAD one made me afraid of what I could become, and the other one eventually made me feel very optimistic about what I SHOULD become. Again, the personal details aren't important.

I'm a firm believer that when people sleep, even insomniacs such as myself, shit that you can't work out when your boss is on your ass or your bills are late or whatever, you actually work things out so that you become at least somewhat of a better person -which brings me to an interesting question- Do serial killers or politicians ever have nightmares??

Give Up Giving Up For Lent

I'm not a religious person by any stretch of the imagination. People call me an "agnostic", but as Steven Colbert says,"An agnostic is just an athiest witout balls." In any case, the point of this essay isn't to debate the existance of God, or to question anyone's faith. My main concern is the Roman Catholic concept of "Lent."

First of all, I'm not a practicing Catholic, but I respect the concept of "Lent." I believe it is important to sacrifice and to step back and appreciate what you have compared to others who have less, but why do people always "give something up?" People give up chocolate, beer, ice-cream, dancing, movies, and so forth and so on. Instead of sacrificing by "giving up" something that is realtively meaningless in the overall scheme of things, how about doing something for someone that you've never done before?

Instead of giving up chocolate, go down to the local soup kitchen and volunteer. Instead of giving up movies, why not go read to blind people, or take underpriveleged kids the movies.

It seems to me that it makes more sense help the needy than to deny yourself something that you don't really need.

That being said, I better get off my butt. Lent or no Lent, and start doing somthing to make a difference for someone less fortunate...

Ed Koch Has A Point...

There has been a lot of talk recently about these tax "refunds" or "bonuses" that tax payers are going to get to ultimately help jump start the economy. I've heard pros and cons and pros and cons, but today while taping "A Touch of Clash", Ed Koch came up with a very practical solution (as he is wont to do). The government is afraid that people are going to "hoard" their refunds and spend it foolishly on food and heat, but the former Mayor of New York said "Just send everyone a pre- paid credit card that they have to spend that has an expiration date." I may be paraphrasing, but I think it's a great idea. People would HAVE to spend it on toasters or groceries or an oil change or two.



Of course, there is the problem of the elderly and very poor who would rather spend it on food or medication. My friend Todd and I discussed it and came up with a plan that goes a step further - Issue checks upon request. Set up a web site or 800 number where people can easily leave their SS# or Tax ID # and have a paper check sent. My guess is that most people will opt for the credit card.



In any case, my guess is the rocket scientists in Washington will listen to neither Ed Koch nor Todd nor myself.

Cell Phone or Crazy Talk?

It seems that you can't walk two feet these days without overhearing some one's inane cell phone conversation. Working in Mid-Town Manhattan, I see many overachieving yupsters with the tell-tale wire running out of their ears - closing deals, firing underlings, telling "sweetie" not to worry, he wont' forget the eggs.

With everyone spewing carbon dioxide and banter into our overheated atmosphere, it's hard to tell who is mentally ill any more. I'm certainly not making fun of mentally ill people, but 15 or 20 years ago, the only people talking in public without specifically addressing any one were considered "crazy." Now that everyone is gabbing, and who knows who they are conversing with, it certainly muddies the communicative waters.

My solution? Cell phone "zones." It will be illegal to talk on a cell pone (wireless or not) unless you are standing in a special area, which will be marked with white or yellow lines like a truck loading zone. This zone will be tucked away from the general pedestrian traffic flow. If you feel like talking to yourself, or God, or" Zorbot", the ruler of Pluto, that will be perfectly legal. Oh, and if someone is caught talking in a "cell free zone", as a citizen, it is your right, nay, your civic duty, to report them and/or smack them in the face - as hard as you can.

My Life is Now Complete - I Have a Blog...

Ladies and Gentlemints, my life is now complete because I have a blog. I thought I was doing pretty well with my radio podcast web site and all that fun stuff, but recently a young friend perusing my web site said - "Where is the blog?" and continued "Nick, you can't have a web site without a blog!" Well, since all the kids are doing it, I guess I'm going to have to cave and start a blog -and here it is.

*The opinions expressed in this blog are my own - void in Wisconsin."

Oh, and check out my web site: www.frigginfabulousradio.com

Happy Holidays! Nick