Urban design life New York City
Apartments, Home Decor, Food and Wine, Blogs

I've been sleeping with the lights on. I'm 38. This is new. Maybe I'm not so afraid of the literal dark, as I am of the figurative dark. I wake squinting, not into sun, but into 75 watt bulbs. Instead of getting up and turning the light off, I don a sleep mask. I could pretend I was at the beach, but I'm not feeling so sunny.

These recent days have been inky, for sure. And I'm certainly not one to try to bring you down--please note sarcasm--but the holiday adds to my melodramatic nature.

I should be in Costa Rica now conjuring rice and beans into Turkey, but instead I don't conjure a thing. I wake at 10am and check email. I return to bed, this time with the small, warm, if not annoying, dog. I lay down till noon. Again, check email. I check Facebook. My college crush who I now play BetaScrabble with appears to be away holidaying. Damn him, I'm up 31 points and have the J I'm dying to place into a Triple Word spot. I check Twitter; people are basking in the glow of smells created by baking pies and turkey. I crinkle my nose in acknowledgment and jealousy.

I shower and throw in a load of wash after giving the dog a treat. It is Thanksgiving after all.

I still haven't dressed. Naked, I sit back at the computer and go on Craigslist. That almost sounds porny, but it is nothing of the sort. In times of loneliness I feel better knowing there are others out there feeling the same. Sure enough, there is a myriad of ads asking not for the usual casual sexual encounter, but for the far more atypical, meal-time company.

I don't answer any. If I wanted to be around people for the holiday I would have agreed to go to NJ to eat with friends or downtown to chow  down with a different group. It isn't about having nowhere to be; it's about not being able to be where you truly want to be. If I wanted to be around strangers engaging in polite and somewhat awkward conversation, I would have stayed on my tour in Central America.

New York City allows you to drop out, where you can become just another anonymous naked peson alone and miserable, wallowing. The  City unlovingly shields you in its sociopath arms, not caring a whit about your well-being, but offering you an anonymity that is more comforting than an "I love you."

It's like I'm holding the holiday hostage, if only for myself. I am having a quiet and civil disobedient protest that only I know about, naked, hungry. Think of me as the holiday Ghandhi if you will.

And that reminds me; it's time to order Indian takeaway.  I guess I should put clothes on before it arrives.

Snow Dance Farms - Organic Turkey

This year I have become friendly with an organic farmer in the Catskills. His name is Mark Jaffe of Snow Dance Farms. He raises poultry, beef and pork. I've visited the farm a few times and eaten at least half a pig, a quarter cow and a dozen chicken at this point. But, sometimes, I just can't get up to the mountains to pick up some more meat. Not to worry though. Mark makes regular deliveries for a few restaurants in the city such as Telepan. If you get on his list, or just call, he will bring down whatever you need, if he has stock.

This week, being Thanksgiving, he called and we ordered one of his organic turkeys. Though I loathe driving in the city, I agreed to meet him at 74th and 2nd street between 11am and 1pm with my chef friend. (I didn't want to carry a 20lb turkey on my lap in the subway. It would have made me feel like Borat). After nearly running over his mother - a classic upper east side woman - she was j-walking - and double parking - always a joy in the city - we got inline behind the other organic meat junkies. When it was my turn, Mark opened the cooler in the back of his green pick up truck and said, "These guys were walking around yesterday. Which one do you want?" I let Black Bear and Chef choose. They know best. A couple minutes later were were back in the Jeep and bouncing through traffic. This is my first turkey, and have nothing to report yet. However, if it is like the pork or chickens or beef, I'm sure the extra cost and hassle of street side shopping will be worth it. Though, I will always prefer visiting his farm directly. It's only two hours away.

To contact Marc, call 845-439-5561.

Went to McSorley's yesterday for a Man Day. (A man day is like a guys night, but during the day.) Anyway, the new Cooper Union building is progressing well. In fact, it's nearly done. I thought I was on the wrong block at first as it has progressed extensively since the last time I was at McSorleys.

Here's some interesting trivia about the building. It used to be an Armory that was three stories tall and five stores below ground. It is rumored that after the Cooper Union folks took it over, they discovered about 5 million worth of copper stored in one of lower floors. What a boon. Also, it seems there was great marble architecture in the space that was mostly carried out at night to avoid public scrutiny.

Either way, the new space looks exciting with it's utlra modern design. Can't wait until the open the space for public...if it will ever be open to the public...

Oh, and one more thing. It seems that once a year the students parade their school projects around the streets of the Bowery. I will have to check that out this year.

"Some of it's amazing. Some of it is just out there." So said the owner of Otter, a black lab who was hanging out at the bar.

Choo Choo explains the Wizard.

We spent Saturday night with Choo Choo and B1.0. As usual, stories of old came up. In the days when Choo Choo and B1.0 would double date with her parents, her father would play a card trick on Choo Choo.

Pick a card, any card.” Bee 1.0's father would say to Choo Choo. "Ok, now show it to me. Ok, now, let's call the Wizard and see if he knows what the card is. You know the number? Here. Ask for the wizard.” Choo would call and ask for the wizard, then give the phone to his father in-law. He and the Wizard would talk for a minute about the weather, sports, whatever. Then, before he would hang up, he would give the phone to Choo Choo.

“Choo Choo, your card is XYZ”. He would get it right every time.

“How does it do that?” Choo Choo would ask his father in-law, who would just shrug and say, “Because he's The Wizard.”

“I'm a smart guy, but boy that took me a long time to figure out.” Choo Choo said to us with fond rememberence. His father in-law passed away some years back. Then Choo Choo explained the trick to us. Before I tell you the answer, I want to point out this is before cell phones, email, text messaging, web cams or any other kind of modern technology that could be used to cheat. On second thought, let's see if you can guess. If you think you know, leave a comment. I'll post the answer eventually.

Ever wanted a second home in Manhattan? Don't want the 2 Million dollar price tag of luxury living in the city for your weekend trips or business travel? Want the sense of home and personal belongings that can't be had with corporate housing? Yes, Yes, Yes? All righty, then. Take a look at The Phillips Club.

The Phillips Club is a hotel, time share, corporate housing, private residence all wound into luxury living spaces near Lincoln Square.

Essentially, you are able to purchase 1/8th shares of private ownership, not unlike a time-share. However, you have more days available to you. Up to 45 days per year to exact. Pricing starts at $210K for a studio and goes as high as $410K for a three bedroom.

So, if you are almost unimaginably rich, or just have an extra half a million you don't know what to do with, explore The Phillips Club.

*Note: Regarding home decor, it doesn't look like you have a choice in personal selection. However, from the brochure we received, if you like high style and modern design, you will be happy. Handpicked Home furnishings include: Herman Miller chairs, Bose entertainment systems, 42-inch Panasonic HD plasma televisions and photographs by Karl Blossfeldt. In the bedrooms you will find crisp European linens, down duvets, and plush pillowtop mattresses.

Want to try before you buy? The Phillips Club is offering a special nightly rate of $475 (a value of $700 per night) if you book a stay before December 30, 2008. For more details call 877.644.8900.