September 30, 2003

TUESDAY 30th SEPTEMBER

SAIGON TOWERS

Had a great meal (again) at Veitnamese Saigon Grill on 90th and Amsterdam and then pudding at ??? (I'll update later). The couple we were with tell us they have a great time watching how the Lady and I talk to each other. The Lady asked what they meant so I went went back and rented 3 episodes of Fawlty Towers to watch (inc. Kipper & The Corpse).

I cried out in laughter, the Lady fell asleep - or pretended to. Will force her to watch tomorrow.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:55 PM | Comments (0)

September 29, 2003

MONDAY 29th SEPTEMBER

TIME TRAVEL TO SEE PETER PAN

Saw one of the most simple, sweet and funny shots I have seen yesterday. Directed and co-written by Dana Jackson it was shown at Lighthouse International on 59th. The film is called "THE FIRST THREE LIVES OF STUART HORNSLEY" and if you ever get a chance to see it - check it out if only for the beautiful title sequence by Lisa Kwon.

Trecked down to Thom's on Thompson Street. Really smart hotel with great DJ playing old school classics and alternative faves on a Monday night. Met the Lady there to celebrate her friend's birthday - found the friend dressed up as Peter Pan: high boots, shorts and a green tunic. I tried to go home and get my Hawain shirt and Elvis glasses but the Lady pointed out that it was 'fashion'. Oh dear, if that's the next thing after tractor hats and ironic facial hair I think I might just give up.

My bar bill came to $200.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:51 PM | Comments (0)

September 28, 2003

SUNDAY 28th SEPTEMBER

DARREN ARONOFSKY

Watched Darren Aronofsky's 'Requiem For A Dream' and 'Pi' on DVD which I thought were great pieces of work for the young director: imaginative, alternative and vivid. And Brooklyn!

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:48 PM | Comments (0)

September 27, 2003

SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER : WHAT'S AT STEAK IN PHILLY?

Was going to spend the weekend on my tod to adventure outer NYC but got dragged to Philadelphia by the thought of large portions of middle eastern food.

Did little but sit infront of the TV (what? more that 13 channels - wow) which I think upset the three other women in the house - all I wanted to say was "I didn't want to come did I - make me another cup of tea would, you love". Ahhh - Persian love of tea favors well.

Went out in Philadelphia Saturday night. The area we went to resembled a Spanish Costa Brava resort town. Lots of loud people trailing from bar playing awful music to bar playing awful music. Got turned away for wearing sneakers.. Found the three only trendy people in Philadelphia (sitting on a stoop) and they told me about Novelty :a great bar playing jazz. I don't recommend the Philadelphia Pale Ale - but you have to try the local stuff don't you.

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September 25, 2003

THURSDAY 25th SEPTEMBER

XMAS IN BRASIL

Went to Serena under Chelsea Hotel again this week to send off the Lady's brother to Brazil. He turned up with a bunch of friends that could put the UN to shame - engineers, eh. I was just settling in to my fifth beer pretending to listen to a conversation and dreaming of warm December beaches when the brother pops up with his arm around a beautiful brazilian who lives and works in New York. I panicked - what if he satisfied his need for all things Brazilian that night and backed out on the trip.....

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:42 PM | Comments (0)

September 24, 2003

JOB HUNT URL

NYC Barhttp://www.crain.com/classified/adage/index.cfm

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September 23, 2003

TUESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER : MUSIC BE THE FOOD

When the beer ran out at 9pm we rushed from a party for the great Fiery Furnaces under Chelsea Hotel to see Leona Naess at Joe's Pub..

On our way we scampered up the stairs of the hotel to the Rough Trade office. How things have changed - thought we were popping up for some rock&roll but in fact all we were there for was to raid the CD cupboard/closet.

Sober, we trudged over to Joe's Pub - one of the best music venues I've been to so far in NYC. Whilst the lady ordered me a beer I made my way to the rest room - via what looked like the kitchen (even more Rock and Roll) and I came out into a bright corridor with about 5 people milling about. A girl in a poker dot dressed gave me a great smile but I was too much in a rush - and possibly frowned. I hope that it wasn't because of my reaction to Leona Naess that she sang beautiful songs of frustrated love and joyful pain but the performance was a joy/ The Lady told me that she was the step-daughter of Diana Ross but I couldn't tell.

Check her out (with a non-too-fragile-girlfriend) - Cowboy Junkies meets Beth Orton.

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PRIVATE JOKE

Gerard Fawkes is gay ;)

Posted by Guy Brighton at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)

September 22, 2003

MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER : GOOD VIBRATIONS

The best thing I learned in LA / Bio Channel was that Brian Wilson spent two and a half years in bed snorting coke and meditating.

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MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER : LOS ANGELES VERSUS NEW YORK CITY - ROUND 1

This is how I see the difference between LA and NYC - particulary in terms with people working in the arts/media. Everyone in LA seems to be waiting for their big break (in monkey costumes, waiting tables, auditions etc.) whilst in New York they seem to be working for it (at theaters, internships, art shows etc). The ultimate dream of the LAer is to appear on prime time or a block buster and whilst the New Yorker wants high achievement too - it doesn't mean celebrity.

Comments?

Posted by Guy Brighton at 6:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 21, 2003

SUNDAY 21st SEPTEMBER : CHINESE UNDERWORLD

I must recommend anyone who goes to Hollywood to visit the famous Chinese cinema there. It is one of the best looking flick-houses I have ever been there. I must recommend that anyone who goes to a cinema does not see 'Underworld' - trash. I can't even be bothered to write about it - makes me wonder why I wrote so much criticism about 'Lost In Translation' when I quite enjoyed it.

Comment below.

Also went to Santa Monica pier - it's little better than Brighton. Not advisable with the hangover Paul was still suffering from Friday night....

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September 20, 2003

SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER : BACK FIRE


Andrew finally showed up and, together with Paul, we spent the afternoon on the beach at Santa Monica. We found a British Bar (Ye Olde Kings Head) in the town centre. Ahhh - how refreshing to experience good old British hospitality from the bar staff. Repeating what he thought was my drinks order, the barman sneered at me as if I was an arsehole when I corrected him. I dunno - there's three of us and he thinks he's got to pour four and a half pints and thinks I'm a twat when I correct him. Take me back to cheery loud American bar staff - I'm sorry I transgressed!

Andrew wore a white 'Rogan' T shirt with a smoking pistol coloured with the stars and stripes when we went to see play pool. He got about a dozen comments from people who liked it. Realised later that maybe they liked it for alternative reasons. The cashier at the Pool Hall loved it because it summed up gun culture and the Bowling for Columbine film. The guy outside 'Daddy's Bar' at 2am liked it because he was a gun owner and he was proud of an Americans right to bare arms. We didn't argue - we were desperate to find a place to drink late. No luck - LA closes down at 2am. Probably best thing after Friday night's activities.

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SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - AM

LOS HADES DOS

Paul has announced that he spent all his cash for the rest of September last night. He doesn't know why but he can't remember anything after he entered the tittie bar. All I remember of him was that he kept walking back - with very ruffled blonde highlighted hair - from the 'dancing' room at least 5 or 6 times. Fk! He can't remember that!!

Still no news of Andrew.

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SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - AM - LOS HADES

What is it with this town and tequila inspired drinks? It's taken me forever to get over this hangover and Paul still hasn't cleared up the mess in the bathroom. :(

What happened to Andrew - he went back in there as we left - to go back and chat to that blonde......

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September 19, 2003

FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER : LOST ANGELES

I left New York after catching a quick bagel outside Penn Station and landed in LA just in time for a spot of breakfast. My friend and future successful film director picked me up in his 1982 Honda Accord ("I just love this, man") and we avoided other traffic to cross town.

After an afternoon spent by his pool (6ft by 6ft) in his apt block (that only gets sun to 3.30pm) we met up with Andrew - the English guy who used to be in New York - and Julian and walked, yes walked, to several bars. It's always good to find pubs that sell wife-beater.

Somewhere along the line somebody started driving us. Who? I don't know but the selfish woman decided to take us to a bar where the girls wiggle and waggle their boobs. I do wander why these dancers start off with so few pieces of clothing in the first place - I wonder what would happen it they got on stage dressed as a prim secretary or a sexy aunt when you are a child. Uh-hum, anyway after I enjoyed the clever way they have of taking you into a back room and wiggle their arse in a way that extracts a few extra bucks from your pocket; the highlight must have been the dance off between two of the 'dancers' - altho' Paul's decorating of the sidewalk and his bathroom came a close second. The two girls - one in black PVC one in baby blue vest - vying for our attention and loose bank notes were dancing around poles on two separate 'stages'. I noticed from a suitable seat, that they were determined to outdo each other. First, I think, it was who can climb the fastest and highest to the top of the pole; then it was who can slide down the fastest in the most deft position. The competition increased and they sped their dances up in a wild war of wiggles ignoring all and sundry and me in my special seat. Soon the girls were challenging each other on how much noise their skin could make when they slid down the poles - it turned my tummy a little but didn't prepare me for the finale. As they jumped and slipped the one in the black PVC thingie surpassed the other's efforts as she rose to the top of the pole, stretched out her limbs slowly and holding herself rigid she let go - and just dropped. The fall took a tequila inspired forever but when she landed she produced the most terrible noise of bones, plastic and heels as they bruised the floor. The other dancer retreated - ceding to the victor, in awe of the demonstration - whilst punters either threw their notes at the black PVC dancer or helped her to her feet / awaiting medical care.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 11:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 18, 2003

MADE IN NYC - THANKS TO THE BRITS

Evening Standard: http://www.thisislondon.com/lifeandstyle/fashion/articles/6784877?source=EveningStandard

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:53 PM | Comments (0)

THURSDAY 18th SEPTEMBER

ENCOURAGE ME

Finally finished the film screenplay Robert Two Bellies. I let the Lady look it - it ain't highbrow - or as she put it, after she read the script, "much worse films have been made" - aaaah, the encouragement.

Still looking for that job in New York City but off to LA tomorrow to enjoy the sun and get some advice on the writing.

Chat next week.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)

September 17, 2003

WEDNESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER

HOW MUCH?

Checked out a couple of parties. One in West Village at the great boutique Auto to see Trisha Krauss 'Babes In The Wood' Art Show. Very pretty, girlish, ironic, witty and pretty art - yeah, the Lady liked it but I couldn't work out whether I'd allow it in the apt...

We travelled down to a small place on Church St & Franklin where we saw the Anthias jewellery show. Even I thought the stuff was decent and when we talked to designer Monica she said she'd love to see the Lady for a fitting. Before I knew it she was trying onhe various spiky rings. I began to sweat as she said she preferred the gold. Then she passed me the ring to see what I thought and I nearly didn't have the strength to lift it. Monica must have noticed my discomfort and kindly ignored us after she removed the ring from my sweaty palm.

By the way, if you ever do visit Auto do try to check out their wonderous garden. Try to have a cigarette there. At the party it was packed full of New York young and beautiful - but not a person was smoking. Are we breaking the habit Bloomy boy?

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)

September 16, 2003

TUESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER

DO THESE BLACK BEANS COME FROM POOR LITTLE FARMERS?

Finally the Lady gave me the location of a Mexican cafe on Hudson where they sold breakfast burritos. The Mexican is hot and only 4 bucks - it's good how they keep the prices down! Brought it back this morning and on route thought I saw one of the Brits I knew out here - sitting with his blonde girlfriend outside a cafe enjoying a crappe. Of course about three feet away I realis(z)ed I didn't know them but they were in fact Chris Martin and Gwyneth Powertool. In great British tradition, I immediately ignored them of course but phoned the Lady for extra brownie points.

Of course checked Gwyn out - quite pretty actually - and I noticed that he wasn't scrawling any 'Free Trade' messages in chalk on the sidewalk - bloody TV publicity seeker.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:54 PM | Comments (0)

September 12, 2003

SUNDAY 14th SEPTEMBER

Xenophobe chases pregnant teen bride : Lost In Translation

After all the hype about this film I was happy to sit in Chelsea on Sunday to enjoy this as a beautifully photographed string of witty scenarios but it didn't reach me as a great new piece of cinematic history that critics had promised. I assume that the film was very autobiographical but it failed for me on two counts.

Firstly, (correct me if I'm wrong) but the actress was obviously pregnant. I spent the rest of the film unable to believe that Bill Murray was really interested in chasing a pregnant wife so instead I spent a lot of the time fascinated with how the director shot scenes and directed the actor in order to hide the podgy belly and fattening but.

My second issue was about the jokes about how odd/strange/different the Japanese are. The film moved from parody to xenophobic tabloid mirth to racist slurs. I seem to remember that most films that take the piss out of a country's differences normally go through an arch to show how beautiful/clever/cultural/etc that country actually is a to and more worryingly. I think I saw 2 shots where they showed an endearing image of Japan and the 'witty' jokes soon relied on the main premise of 'look - aren;t the Japanese small!' and this was repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated. Yes there was a countermeasure by making a tiny piss-take about blonde bimbo yanks (how many are there left) but this was insignificant. The film really reflects how even 'cultured' Americans view the rest of the world and exemplifies current US foreign policy. The film demonstrates that all Americans think foreigners are odd, silly, physically weaker and tells us that wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all Americans.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:24 PM | Comments (0)

FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER

TALE OF TWO CITIES

Friday night went to a couple of parties - one in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan.

The first was a gallery opening in .Williamsburg showing urban / hiphop art - called Maginificent 7. Pretty cool - lots of people in caps and vests and plenty of Japanese with 'autograph' books looking for cool graffiti artists to tag their pages. Free beer too!! and lots of people smoking pot on the sidewalk.

Then we blagged our way in to a Fashion Week party in Manhattan at the Tribeca Grand. Full of uber trend wannabee New Yorkers. Fun to see for about, oh, thirty seconds - i.e. lots of birds looking slutty in that New York 80s/rock chic. Funny to see men in shell suits or suit jackets with running shorts. After that realised that no one was having any fun - just checking each other out.

Don't know which party I preferred - actually I preferred the pub we went to after round the corner fromt he Tribeca Grand where everyone was pissed. At last, people properly enjoying themselves.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 1:09 PM | Comments (0)

September 11, 2003

THURSDAY 11th SEPTEMBER : RAYS OF LIGHT

A sad day.

Waking up to kids reading their dead fathers' names on TV and then ending the day looking up at two ghostly towers of light.

Despite all their differences I hope the people here won't forget what a great country they all live in.

G

Posted by Guy Brighton at 11:04 PM | Comments (0)

September 10, 2003

WEDNESDAY 10th SEPTEMBER

HAD THEM LICHT

Wherever you are in the world it's always comforting to see the same rabble congregated at a pub to watch an England soccer game. There's a certain tender togetherness created when the British come togeher in a foreign land. The Nervada Bobs on 3rd Avenue gave me a reminder of how my fellow countyrmen come in different shapes and sizes - from the pink, shiny, shaven headed, tattooed forty somethings; to the shouldhavegrownup by now thirtysomthings sporting beards and long-ish hair; to the (dodgy) designer-label wearing twenty somethings; and also the smart-set investment bankers - it really does show that some things never change. There were even a couple of underdressed pale seventeen year old girls being fed beer by lonely squaddie types. And who cared what we all looked like - we wanted to look different as we piled out onto the sidewalk for a quick half time fag. We wanted to be different to the quiet Americans marching outside on the sunny sidewalk whilst we sang, cheered and jeered inside.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 4:14 PM | Comments (0)

September 9, 2003

NEW YORK RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

Try this list - wide array of industires. May be a tad old but worth a crack:

http://www.superjobsearch.com/html/new.york.rec.list.html

and these guys for the advertising market: Jerry Fields

Click on Job Hunt Advice under categories on the left hand bar for more advice.

Below are some books on the subject available on Amazon:

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 8, 2003

SUNDAY 7th SEPTEMBER : FRENZY

I didn't see the England / Macedonia match (only SMS updates) but even I - Yes, I - think the whole English nation might have to give 'soccer' a rest and take a move to rugby and watch some decent sportsmen. I imagine Beckham scored the winner after some seriously dodgy decision by the referee after Owen/Heskey collapsed in the penalty area after the opposing goalie gave an unnerving glare.

Sunday - I had a good drink up yesterday in The Lady's garden to celebrate my recent birthday. About a dozen turned up. First the yanks turned up about 3.30pm carrying beer but drinking water. The Lady wondered how we were going to get through all the booze - I told her not to worry and then of course Anthony, Steve and his Natasha turn up and polish off the majority of the booze. My sister turns up and finishes the rest. It's the Lady and 5 Brits left at 10.30 and the neighbours making noises.

I'll do it all again on Monday: Phil Bones in town for three days - oh dear - luckily I've got to be out tonight as The Lady has Dinner Night with her ladies or is that Dinner Ladies Night?? I feel a good start to the week coming - and hopefully get to see that bar with the fishtank and the girl swimming in it dressed like a mermaid. (immediate image springs to mind of soaking Phil & Anthony being marched out by the bouncers).

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:19 PM | Comments (0)

WEDNESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER : Prospecting The Park

The Lady was going out so I popped into Brooklyn early and visited Steve Bonksin his amazing brownstone near Prospect Park. Went down with Anthony and Natasha and Steve to see a band called Raito or something at a bar called Southpaw.

They rocked esp. compared to the useless headline act. The crowd was the usual - lots of Americans supping their first beer and 4 Brits at the front nudging each other into other people. On the way back I remembered to call the Lady - as I have learned that mistake b4, esp as my desire to speak to her when I'm pissed is pretty non-existent - and lied that I would be home by 12.30.

When she called at 1am I was having a cigarette on Steve's 'stoop' and gave me blimmin ear ache. I ran to the subway and got on the train which took me the wrong way. Got off at the next stop and waited for another train which took me the wrong way (closer to a place called Brighton Beach funnily enough). Got home at 2.30am. So (a) I was in trouble for not coming home when I said I would and (b) if I knew that I was going to be home that late I would have stayed at Steve's and had a couple more!!!

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September 5, 2003

WEDNESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER

WHITNEY MUSEUM

Day started smoothly enough with a trip to the Whitney Museum on Upper East side with my visitng sister.

All very pleasant and nice to see some American artists' work (you get a feeling that they're a little censored in French and other European galleries). Also nice to the froggies keeping the oar in - who are key sponsors of the rather anti-American exhibition called 'The American Effect?' - The French Embassy!!

Got to wonder where they got the staff from at Whitney. You'd think for entrance fee of $12 they may employ some pretty decent staff. Staff who fit in with the calm and reverent atmosphere of the museum. Instead I got barked at from across the room when I stepped on the line before a sculpture - nice to let everybody else on that floor know I was in error - and I also barked at when the place closed 15 minutes early. I finally got fed up when I went to get my jacket after I was obliged the several loud women screaming at paying customers to get out of the place. There were 3 staff at the desk - one other customer was being served by a kind and gentle older man but I had to wait for a woman to stop her conversation with the other. She looked at my token and she told me to get in line for the older man. I'm like - bloody jobsworth, I'm the only person waiting and she can't serve me - no wonder she had such a fat arse.

My recommendation - go early to see the art - maybe the staff won't be so rude.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 7:29 PM | Comments (0)

September 3, 2003

TUESDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER

Re. weekend activities - felt compelled to exercise.

Just got back from the jog. Soaking again but this time from a kind of rain that I was sure only falls when you're 13 in the middle of a muddy field on a school cross country run - and you can't see anyone else so you can't tell if you're first or lost. A sort of Autumnal sheet of constant fine water.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)

MONDAY 1st AUGUST

Weekend was what I imagine they call 'fat'. Spent the whole time eating and now I ache: Friday night in Upper West eating big burgers at a restaurant near the Columbia Uni campus, Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia eating Kebabs and other Middle Eastern surprises. I thought it wouldn't stop and it didn't: On Monday the Lady's family treated themselves to a Philly Cheese Steak - lots of shriveled up pieces of meat fried in cheese stuffed into a roll. Delicious.

Where's my breakfast?

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)

September 2, 2003

IT'S OK TO DRINK WHISKEY

Avoid any further talk about three silly women on stage dancing and kissing - watch a thrilling story about three beautiful older women as they dance, live and cry:

http://www.foxsearchlab.com/lab/shorts/ - A brilliant short film by Paul Williams

Something really worth hyping about.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

HOW RICH ARE YOU? (CHARITY PLEA)

I'm the 2,671,720,699 richest person on earth!


Discover how rich you are! >>

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:19 PM | Comments (0)

THURSDAY 28th AUGUST : CENTRAL JOBCLUB

Thursday did start off as a bit of a lark. Steve Bonks and a few other Brits invited me to a day of sunshine and relaxation in Central Park. It was one of the most beautiful days I had seen in New York marred only by the growing realisation that we were all out of work and there was nothing on the horizon. When a number of recently unemployed Americans tunred up (their office at www.jnco.com in New York closed down). There was little else to do but go find Happy Hour.

The Lady was a little suprised to see me return from the park at 11.30 in the evening in full spirits.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 11:06 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack