Guy Brighton: February 2004 Archives

February 29, 2004

SUN 29th FEB: LOVE & HATE, A NATIONAL TOUR

I'M LOVIN' IT: driving distances to the North, Betsy's for a cup of tea, centuries old fortifications in York, seeing my brother in his local in Strensall, Flannels & Strand in Leeds, the story about the McDonalds worker cleaning windows with 'I'm Loving It' written on his back, 'Rural Rebellion' signs painted on bridges over the M1, dancing like a dfickhead at Mosh nightclub Leicester, dinner parties in Westbourne Park, football on Sunday afternoons.

I'M HATIN' IT: smoking, the price of petrol, back hand remarks at everybody and everything, the chattering class view of Americans: "they even sell Scottish items in the Welsh shop in Disney Land Orlando" - (Guy says: so that defines a nation does it???), me smoking and a slight worry about money / work etc but hey.....

Posted by Guy Brighton at 9:01 AM | Comments (0)

February 28, 2004

SAT 28th FEB : LONDON versus NEW YORK DINNER PARTY

So a classic dinner party in Westbourne Grove was enjoyed Saturday night: turning up around 7.30, varied crowd of people all bringing more booze than is recommended for monthly consumption, chaps spend the first hour in the kitchen, the girls in the living room, dinner arrives about 9.30, boy girl boy girl, Thai curry, now onto the wine, some discussion against Atkins diet and the heavy night everyone seemed to have the night before, after dinner smoking marathon, marijuana and devil's dandruff, dice game, host collapses and is put to bed, concerns about running out of booze and cigarettes, they run out, too many taxis arrive, I get offered bed, hear the hostess retire upstairs and start giggling, a little tidying of cheeses, retire myself to find hostess collapsed on landing, 15 minutes of coaxing to get her to lie on bed across host, switch lights off, go find a hidden beer - just to get the edge off.

A little different to the dinner party I had in New York where we turn up (the Lady would only let me bring one bottle), we have to serve ourselves a drink, dinner is prompt, much discussion about the food and the Democrats, Lady tells me not to eat so fast, table is cleared, no more wine is offered (less wine having been poured than was brought to the party), the hostess yawns and slips into pajamas. Had to pop down to Bar & Books just to get the edge off.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 2:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 24, 2004

TUE 24th FEB: LOVE & HATE LONDON

I'M LOVIN' IT: good friends, the price of a round of drinks, doing rounds of drinks, scrambled egg on two toast and mushroom at the Sunshine Cafe in Finsbury Park, decent Guinness, the 'cold', family, having 2 weeks here to see everyone in a relaxed manner.

I'M HATIN' IT: Middle Classless* (couples litter dropping on trains, women swearing about the width of seats, chaps drinking on station platforms on the way to the shops with their girlfriends, unabashed use of elbows and bags to get anywhere they damn well want to, 30-something ad execs taking ecstasy pills in bars), smoking, me smoking, the Tube at 6pm at Victoria Station, heading North.

*Note, I'm not talking Chav culture here. This is the collapse of the civil behavior by the English Middle Classes.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 7:46 AM | Comments (12)

FRI 19th FEB: RETURN TO LONDON

I'm out of here.... for 2 weeks.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 7:37 AM | Comments (0)

February 20, 2004

THUR 18th FEB: DINNER TIME

Had the most beautiful date: drinks in Angel's Share (Yokocho) and then great steak (me) and Lasagna (the Lady and me) in Franks. We sat overwatching the kitchen. The Lady was obsessed (she'd like to run a restaurant one day).... she watched how the main chef worked all the ingredients for the great dishes so well. F

inally she asked the chef, 'excuse me sir, do you love your job?'. He shrugged. 'yeah - eez okay.'

Put off by this lack of love for food, the Lady may not open her Cafe Ayatolla Already any time soon now.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:56 PM | Comments (0)

February 19, 2004

THURS 18th FEB: TEETH GRINDER

Wake up this morning and the Lady apologizes for throwing water over me, thumping me and trying to make me sleep on the sofa. I can't recollect anything but I imagine it's something to do with the text messages I found from her this morning on my phone ala 'do you think you should be out this late' - glad I saw the messages this morning....

Currently sat at my desk listening to the Groove Armada CD freebie: Doin It In The Dark..... fk it's so good that I'm sitting here looking at my PC screen, grinding my teeth.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:43 PM | Comments (0)

WED 17th FEB: GROOVE JET

Went out to see Groove Armada play in a bar in Lower East Side. Or that was the plan. Met Andrew and Phil USA and somehow we're transported to a huge party in Soho House NY with vodka promotion (Surface magazine party). Lots of people watching us as we 'double fist' our drinks. 'The drinks are free!' someone from the magazine cries as we wobble by the pool. 'Yeah, but have you seen the queue!' we replied..... (cont.)

Phil USA, Andrew and Guy getting over to Groove in Lower East Side

We get to the GA bar in Lower East Side at 10 hammered and there's no one there but a bunch of Brit guys just off the boat sat at a table bobbing their heads up and down like meerkats. We take off to play pool. There's a dive bar on Rivington where you get a complimentary whiskey shot with a can of Blue Ribbon beer (4 bucks) with a pool table in back.

Phil USA, Andrew and Guy getting over the Groove in Lower East Side

By now we're loud pissed wankers demanding that we play next. I think the rougher guys take us as a bit of entertainment. We end up somewhere else. Al drags us to a slice-a-pizza place at the end of the night and I now know why he's got that gut.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:41 PM | Comments (0)

NEW YORK BAR and RESTAURANT GUIDE

I've moved these details to a New Typepad blog!

http://newyorkguide.blogs.com/blog/

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)

February 18, 2004

WED 18th FEB : eBay Watch

Current items my girlfriend is bidding, watching, winning since she 'discovered' eBay on Sunday.... SHOULD I BE CONCERNED???!!!! (any advice left in comments box below much appreciated)

Items the Lady is Watching (cont...)

Flatware STAINLESS Mangasil Mod SET Eames
3702243398 $52.00 3 Ended mod-pod --
DANISH MODERN TEAK GATE LEG DINING TABLE (Guy says: what, to go with the other one in our studio apt?)
3703519423 $117.75 5 Ended terrier7 --
CLASSY Eames MURANO Chrome Swag SUNBURST Lamp
3273548864 $77.00 10 Ended retro-jack --
PAIR DANISH MODERN JUHL CHAIR/S EAMES ERA
3704735537 $65.00 1 0d 5h 40m tuseduto
Arch Sofa 86" Floor Lamp 9661C Chrome finish
2379512922 $59.95 2 0d 7h 20m sohofurnishing
1950'S DANISH MODERN DIPPIDITY-DOO TABLE LAMP (Guy says: a dippidy what?)
3273798155 $39.99 -- 0d 9h 25m productltd
Chrome EYE Sphere Floor Lamp Panton Eames
3274208245 $46.00 3 1d 12h 51m simplymod.com-auctions
Chrome floor lamp ball/pod Sputnik adjustable
3275066584

Items I'm Bidding On (15 Items) See totals | All item details

Items that the Lady is currently winning

Modernist Eames Noguchi Candle Holder
3703796445 $24.99 $24.99 $26.00 1 1 Feb-11 Feb-18 10:08:49 0d 0h 58m
JADE SNOW WONG EAMES ERA ENAMEL TRAY / PLATE
3703800240 $6.95 $15.50 $15.00
1 7 Feb-11 Feb-18 10:26:03 0d 1h 16m
NWT Papier NOT marni chloe TUBE TOP
2889981526 $19.99 $101.00 $101.00 1 14 Feb-12 Feb-19 08:30:12 0d 23h 20m
NWT Papier NOT marni chloe FLARED SKIRT
2889983063 $33.33 $33.33 $35.00 1 1 Feb-12 Feb-19 08:35:06 0d 23h 25m
Play PEEKABOO In CHLOE's Naughty RUNWAY Skirt (reserve price not yet met)
2890020559 $1.00 $44.50 $35.00
1 28 Feb-12 Feb-19 10:30:35 1d 1h 20m
Gorgeous new PUCCI swimsuit with tags! NR
2889096048 $0.01 $58.00 $47.00
1 13 Feb-09 Feb-19 13:45:00 1d 4h 35m
BRAND NEW BEST PUCCI DRESS/GOWN+CHANEL BOW! (reserve price not yet met)
2889852288 $45.00 $405.00 $155.00
1 16 Feb-12 Feb-19 16:00:00 1d 6h 50m
Bottega Veneta Woven Tote Bag
3460305073 $39.99 $39.99 $45.00 1 1 Feb-13 Feb-20 00:25:08 1d 15h 15m
Gywneth Paltrow's Junya Watanabe Tweed Skirt
2889801473 $199.00 $217.50 $215.00
1 4 Feb-11 Feb-21 18:00:00 3d 8h 50m
CHLOE RED CARPET DRESS KATE HUDSON WORE (Guy says: Lord, help us)
2890677601 $1.00 $102.50 $50.00
1 11 Feb-15 Feb-22 06:50:32 3d 21h 40m
KATE'S FAVE METAL PLATED FENDI OSTRIK BAG (reserve price not yet met)
3460767219 $1.00 $81.00 $80.00
1 7 Feb-15 Feb-22 07:01:41 3d 21h 51m
J.LO WOULD DIE 4 THIS GIVENCHY PUMPKIN BAG (reserve price not yet met)
3460853801 $1.00 $290.00 $100.00
1 12 Feb-15 Feb-22 11:25:39 4d 2h 15m
CLASSIEST JIMMY CHOO BOOTS U R DREAMING 8.5 (reserve price not yet met) (Guy says: am I dreaming???)
2890785266 $1.00 $117.50 $60.00
1 11 Feb-15 Feb-22 12:41:50 4d 3h 31m
MOST GLAMOROUS GUCCI DRESS EVER!+CHANEL BOW! (reserve price not yet met)
2890876578 $45.00 $152.50 $47.00
1 5 Feb-15 Feb-22 18:31:01 4d 9h 21m
Michael Kors Tweed Skirt lk Junya Watanabe 6
2890487654

Items The Lady Has Won (5 Items)
Arne Jacobsen Style Ant Chair Danish Modern - (Guy says: what just one???!!!)
3703700993 Feb-17 20:00:00 $31.01 $35.00 1 rks459
Leave Feedback
Architectural Mod Sphere Vase Eames Era White (Guy says: what, to go with the other 5 ???!!!)
3703682448 Feb-17 17:20:50 $28.50 $30.00 1 modernmacksmagic
Leave Feedback
V! JONATHAN ADLER Blue Striped Salt Pepper (Guy says: what's wrong with the plastic one the salt comes with?)
2379825860 Feb-16 17:50:01 $10.00 $11.00 1 velocity! Paid Leave Feedback
NEW LANCEL RED ELSA COIN PURSE WALLET BAG (Guy says: oh, so she really did 'like' that purse I got her for christmas after all)
3459265639 Feb-16 09:42:29 $13.00 $13.00 1 allstar_deals Paid Leave Feedback
FERRAGAMO BLACK LEATHER SHOES. 8 1/2 B (Guy says: have you seen her closet already???!!!)
2889206917 Feb-16 09:01:15

Items the Lady Didn't Win (thank god!!!)

DESIGNER NWT MARC JACOBS PANTS; size 6
2889857287 $32.00 $61.00 14 View seller's other items Find now
BRAND NEW PRADA LEATHER SLINGBACKS SZ 39.5
2889235173 $42.00 $50.00 15 View seller's other items Find now
WOMENS SALVATORE FERRAGAMO SHOES HEELS 8 1/2
2889219198 $10.50 $11.00 7 View seller's other items Find now
Burburry Tote Purse Bag NWT
3459265501 $110.00 $110.00 26 View seller's other items Find now
AUTH.BOTTEGA VENETA H/WOVEN BOX BAG ITALY A++
3458498128 $86.00 $87.00 13 View seller's other items Find now
NEW! Womens Pumps/Open Toe Sz 8 1/2 NICE!!!!
2889203402

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

TUE 17th FEB: Return to eBay

Caught the tube from the hotel I stayed at Crystal City to DC's Union Station with various government men: lots of rain coats, army fatigues, uniforms. They look at long haired bloke in shiny parker with unease - maybe they knew about what I did on Saturday???

Got back into NYC to go to a meeting for a dating dotcom and they tell us they have no money - but they'll pay us when they IPO. Hmmm, heard that one a few years before. Told the boss to forget about them - he said why - I said if the guy can;t even be hospitable enough to offer us a cup of tea then he's not going to get off his arse to pay us properly. This is my new theory - I have put a column in the new business sales sheet called 'Tea Offered?' - will report progress.

Oh yeah - I get back from work and the Lady says - can I have a look at something she likes on eBay. I click the link to look at some more junk and then notice something. I click another link and find that she's 'watching' 16 items, has bids in for 16 items, has lost 8 items but won 8 other items!! That's 48 different things she's trying to buy in 2 days!! Fck I should have let her buy at the warehouse sale now!!!! She admits she's a junky already. I wonder what the hell she's going to buy whilst I am away for 2 weeks.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

MON 16th FEB: DC and GEORGE W

Jumped on the train to Washington DC. Got the station in, Capitol Hill, the Mall (remember famous shot of all the Vietnam protestors behind pond), Washington Memorial, White House (couldn't find the side entrance to the bar), got my pic taken beside Lincoln and saw the Pentagon from a safe distance.

Had dinner with my sister in Alexandria - very quiet place so I dragged my sister afterwards to an Irish Bar: live music, a scary woman ten years older than my sister eyeing up men ten years younger than me, sister referring that she's my new girlfriend.

See the photos of the trip here.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

SUn 15th FEB: eBay Day

Chilled then introduced the Lady to the concept of eBay. 8 hours later I drag her away from the computer to bed...

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:03 PM | Comments (0)

February 17, 2004

JOB HUNT LINKS UPDATE

NYC Bar Further to my previous posted list of New York Headhunters, here's some more details.

1. List of best advertising headhunter sites
http://career.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2444

2. List of best job seeker sites for marketers
http://career.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=1789

3. New job postings (free to post, free to access)
http://career.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2522

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:
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Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

iTunes Pepsi Giveaway give away hack cheat thing

Posted by Guy Brighton at 2:13 PM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2004

SAT 14th FEB: VALIUM DAY

Put the Lady to shame: wake up, pull out hand made card, show apartment full of tulips and gladioli, make breakfast (the Lady finally digs out a card about 5.30). The possible reason for the delay was that she dug out a four month old spliff from a dinner party and decides that it would be fun to smoke on a day like this. There follows the Lady and I lying silent for 5 hours on the bed with our heads full of gobbledygook/amazing ideas, man.

When we come to she drags my dazed head and sloth body to Brooks Brothers Warehouse Sale in Chelsea where I have to spend an hour not trying to look at the women changing before me.

In turn I dragged her into the Maritime Hotel for another pint of that Moretti on draught (much recommended). Find out about Hiro bar(sp?) under neath La Bottega.

Duck worked out fine but I can't get the red sauce to gel. A couple of cheeky beers in a bar later with a few others. Head finally cleared when I got into bed. Stayed awake thinking all night.

Damn.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:02 PM | Comments (4)

February 13, 2004

FRI 13th FEB: PRE VALENTINES JITTERS

The Lady's folks come up and take us out to a restaurant. They also turn up with a month's worth of food including some great dishes. I begin thinking that I might not have to cook fowl for Val Day. The Lady's father now questions me about what 'my king' is doing in his country (Iran). I say something about oil he laughs, we get stuck into the pasta.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 8:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 12, 2004

THUR 12th FEB: GOOGLE SEARCHES

Recent searches on Google that took people to this blog:

"chav daily mail 12 february"
"SUNSWEETWIN PROMO LOTTERY"
"Soho House NY"
"street terms for vicodin"

??!!

Posted by Guy Brighton at 1:12 PM | Comments (0)

THUR 12th FEB: CHAVS and NEDS 3

Re. recent Chav posts. Gallery of Scottish Chav's, I suppose they call Neds : http://glasgowsurvival.co.uk/gallery/glaNedGal.html

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)

February 11, 2004

WED 11th DEC: FLYING NERVES - DO I FLY BRITISH AIRWAYS?

I didn't realise that it would get to me. I normally think I'm safe on planes - so I've been browsing British Airways website for a flight before their Jan sale ends. I find the flight - great price - $333 and I hesitate.... memories of those cancelled flights in January and I remember the email Davo sent me on Tuesday re. his flight back to London on BA:

"good bit of security action at the airport - stood waiting by the duty free
and the police apprehend a young bloke for not having a ticket or a boarding
card

up against the wall - searched cuffed the lot - he apparently got thru all
the security detectors and was about to try and get on a plane"

Hmmm. With a crafty bit of manipulation of Expedia, I think I can fly home on Branson's little Virgin Airways for the same price. And who's going to have a go at old beardie's planes....

damn, now I've jinxed it.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)

WED 11th DEC: MEL GIBSON, HIS FILM AND HIS DEVIL OF A WIFE

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4224452/he%20truth
much mirth, thank goodness I'm a left footer too - imagine it now: me and Mel playing tiddlywinks in peaceful heavenly thingy. I wonder where the Lady (a Zorostrian) will be going?

She'll probably turn up and order me home just as I think I'm going to beat Mel after our eternal game.....

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)

Proposed 1AM NYC Nightlife Closing Law - Blog Post 2

The New York Nightlife Association (NYNA) held it’s much anticipated Town-hall Meeting on Wednesday, Feb4th, 2004. The theme of the meeting was the dreaded 1 am closing, what the proposed law will mean to New York City’s nightlife industry, and how to fight it.

Speaking at the meeting was NYNA’s President David Rabin, Executive Director Bob Zuckerman, Vice President in charge of Government Affairs David McWater, and Legal Council Bob Bookman.

Harold here describes what happens in this blog/journal (please read!)

NYNA is not looking for press right now, again so as not to encourage certain community groups who are unfriendly to nightlife. NUNA Exec Director Zuckerman outlined three phases of protest action:

Phase 1: Letter writing. Politicians pay most attention to snail mail, then faxes, and least attention to email. So it is important to get these letters in the mail ASAP.

Phase 2: Get every employee to write letters. Perhaps a postcard campaign.

Phase 3: Hearings. This is where we don’t want to be but if it comes we will need every able body. Rallies will be held where we hope to get 5,000 and more people to come. We want our people overflowing out of Council Chambers and into the hallways. This is going to be a major battle and it will cost a lot of money. Hopefully it won’t come to this.

Organization Links

New York Night Life Association
Law Details In Full

Blog Links
Malobat's Blog
Guy's Blog Post 1

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:50 PM | Comments (0)

February 10, 2004

SAT 7th FEB: GOING DIZZEE IN NEW YORK CITY

Dizzee Rascal hanging out with Guy Brighton in Volume

Saturday saw the awesome Dizzee Rascal when we returned to Volume on N.13th in Williamsburg. They had this juggernaut in the huge warehouse space they have with a long trailer where he and his mate pranced around and the DJ span his discs. The act was in fact introduced by the truck being started (cough, cough) and it's fog-like horns being blasted. Not too sure many of the 'locals' understood his cockney-rude-boy accent. But to us all he looked and sounded awesome - especially when he went solo - no mate, no backing track, just poetry....

Volume is still a little under construction (or maybe they want it to look that way??). As i was getting my coat, Dizzee and his entourage brushed passed me into a small scarppy room. And suddenly I was pushed in too. There I was - with the latest and the greatest of the UK's garage fraternity - I remembered the Lady and tried to leave - damn, it was harder to get out of the room then it was to get into the club earlier. I made a scene and some kind person in charge must have spotted me and the security kindly threw me out of the room before the Lady noticed.

Phew

Posted by Guy Brighton at 11:38 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

February 9, 2004

FRI 6th FEB: LA BOTTEGA OVER THE HEADA

The Lady and I went and had dinner with Brit visitors Davo and his girlfriend Mora at La Bottega in the Maritime Hotel. We walked in so we had to wait. They've done it up well and not too crowded.

Suddenly I find myself Mr. Popular. You know, one of those nights where you think you're just the same (if not older) that every other night of your adult life and you (or your girlfriend) is hitting the ladies away with a certain kind of stick.... (cont.)

I tried to convince the Lady that it must have been the Maritime Hotel's staffing policy - she replied, 'what? that I'm invisible - they all keep smiling at you'. And what do you do when that happens? (And after a few draught Morretti) You, kinda, smile back. As we waited for a table at the bar the hostess kept approaching me, sliding her arm down my back and apologising that the table was late. Then she got us 'the best table in the restaurant'. Well actually she told me and Davo and only laid two sets of cuttlery! I tell the Lady she's over-imagining the situation. Then I get up to go to the restroom and the hostess walks into me. Oh sorry, she says with both hands on my waist. The hostess's assistant of course wanders past at this moment and shows her charming gnashers too. What do I do?

The Lady finally just had to take it as a circus side show curiosity - she admitted she couldn't dislike the starry eyed waitress who beamed down at me because she was too pretty (however, the hostess was a beast - in her eyes).

I'm thinking 'It's one of those nights where if you could - you would bottle it and you'd make a million' and then I think, , 'this isn't going to happen for a long long time again.'

Meanwhile the Lady is thinking I get this treatment every night I go out and then she thinks, 'Guy's not going to be let out again for a long long time'.

Oh yeah - Pizza was fabulous. Pasta with octopus so-so.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:47 PM | Comments (0)

February 6, 2004

FRI 6th FEB: YAHOO HOT JOBS SEARCH TIP

NYC Bar Yahoo! Hot Jobs: Browse the jobs without having to sign in by looking at all the companies under the categories section. ie.

go to www.hotjobs.com
click career tools button
click communities link
select your required sector link
click category home button
click the browse companies who advertise in this category

you should see something like this.

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

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

New Proposed Post 1AM Nightlife Law - Blog Post 1

I first heard about this from a journalist on the smoking porch out the back of APT - now more and more people are talking about it but still only a few know. As I am someone who has come to New York with the full intent of falling all over it late at night, I'm going to start spending some time on this blog dedicated to the proposed law and what it's going to mean for New York and people's reactions.

The New York Night Life Association describes the law as:
"New York City's bars, clubs and lounges now have another fight on our hands in the form of legislation that will be introduced in early 2004 to require establishments that stay open past 1 AM, serve food or drink and play music to obtain a new "nightlife license". This new license, adding another level of governemnt bureaucracy, would be a mandatory license for over 1,000 establishments in NYC, instead of the 300 or so clubs that are now required to have a cabaret licnese. In addition, under this new proposal, your bar or club could be padlocked for 10 days, essentially closing your business, for simply receiving three violations of many different types (including sanitation and noise) within the course of two years. Furthermore, your nightlife license can be revoked for receiving as few as two other types of violations (including indictments, not convictions, for assaults) within the course of two years, and once your license is revoked, you can NEVER get it back!"

An extract from a blog post from The Taverners United For Fairness:
"What is most unfair about this whole thing is that if it weren't for the smoking ban the streets wouldn't be nearly as noisy. But the city won't hear that. They'd rather destroy NYC's nightlife rather than work out a solution that would make everyone happy. And believe me, there are solutions. But the people who run the city government don't care about that. They look at bars and clubs as havens for crime and drugs. "Buckets of Blood " is what the Guiliani administration used to call them. Buckets of Bucks is more like it, the way our industry is taxed and regulated."

Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Gretchen Dykstra says, "This proposal promotes a lively nightlife without requiring a license to dance, and most importantly, it will improve the quality-of-life in neighborhoods and strengthen enforcement to effectively deal with poorly managed places." The bars and nightclubs will also have to make sure the streets outsides their establishments are "clean and free of unruly and noisy crowds.

Guy says: One of the arguments to curb the city's establishments licenses is the fact that people who smoke are making too much noise standing out in the street. So who put them there? And what do you think will happen when everyone is turfed out at 1am onto the streets? Ever been in a provincial market town at 11pm closing time in England? Everyone has a fight!

Have your say below - and check back regulary for more info.

Organization Links

New York Night Life Association
Law Details In Full

Blog Links
Gothamist
Guy's Follow Up Blog Post (2)

Posted by Guy Brighton at 1:06 PM | Comments (2)

THUR 5th FEB: PICKING 'EM OFF ON ORCHARD STREET

A night out* with Phil USA and Andrew - Lady out of town - ended in bar** full of Japansese girls (in de riguer trendy clothes) dancing to abstract 80s music - smoky room out back - Andrew patting them all on their head - us dancing like robots - a couple looking for a third partner - wild rock man indicates to his mates he's going home by letting his pint glass tumble - Phil USA scaring the girls away.

* Must remember that 7.30 is a very early time to start drinking in New York
** Think it was the Orchard Bar

Oh, no. And I had a donner from the place on the corner.

Must instruct The Lady never to go away on business again.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:22 PM | Comments (0)

February 5, 2004

THUR 5th FEB: FEEBLE METHOD TO INCREASE READERSHIP: WILLIAM HUNG

WILLIAM HUNG WILLIAM HUNG AMERICAN IDOL : http://www.williamhung.net

Google bot that.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

THUR 5th FEB: TRIPPLE DENTAL FLIPPING MENTAL

Today I endured the third and final trip to the endodentist. Now it wasn't so much about pain, or the hole that has appeared in my bone die to the infection due to the dentist on Falcon Road in Battersea - but much more about boredom.

There wasn't much more the dentist could talk to me about motorbikes or NYC snow and I couldn't say much with a big sheet of blue plastic covering my mouth. As the final smoke plumes rose from the cavity in my open tooth I thanked heavens and got out of there fast. Not before i asked for a copy of the dentist report... who knows NYC may have rubbed off on me far too much and I may think about 'complaining' to (/ asking for compensation from) the former dentist. Tut tut. In America, someone always has to pay for the pain.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:35 PM | Comments (0)

February 4, 2004

WED 4th FEB: DOMINIQUE

http://www.alterfin.com/dominique/

Posted by Guy Brighton at 2:38 PM | Comments (0)

February 3, 2004

GOOD EXAMPLES OF BUSINESS BLOGS

I just did a review for the marketing agency I am consulting for on great examples of marketing-orientated sites that agencies should use as benchmarks for their own blogs. Here are my favorites:

Jupiter – Individual analysts highbrow thoughts and views
Seth Godin – Marketing guru’s rants and raves
Brand mantra – Consultant’s view on branding. And she looks pretty hot too.
Coudal’s Fresh Signals – Creating writings from agency staff
Customer Evangelists – Blogs based on book & seminars
Dana’s Blog – Popular personal blog focused on sales/ marketing
Executive Summary – Consultant creating himself as a thought leader
Corante’s Idea Flow – Discussion forum from news provider
Marketing Profs.com – Content around consultancy offering
Red Door Interactive - Intelligence and links by categories

How not to do it:

Cheskin – Not up to date, why bother?
The Great Team (Realtors) – Any posts related to real estate?

If you want more information / guidance on business blogging, get in touch and I'll poin you in the right way.

Here's an article from Blog Biz Head Debbie Weil from her site Wordbiz (I would have just put a link to the content on your site Debbie but I can't find the content on it. So I republish without your consent. And anyway, it's actually all from Rick Bruner....) ;)

5 tips for a "useful resource" blog

By Debbie Weil

If the "coolness" factor (i.e., how to sound smart and plugged-in day after day) is holding you back from blogging, consider these five down-to-earth tips from Rick Bruner, president of Executive Summary Consulting.

First, be clear on the purpose of your blog. As Rick puts it: "Is it to establish thought leadership or to offer useful, timely information to your customers and prospects?"

If thought leadership is your aim, you've got a more difficult task. Rick maintains a blog at ExecutiveSummary.com whose purpose is to promote his services as an analyst and consultant.

He posts less often to that blog because "I need to sound smart and analytical and insightful which is harder to do. I have to write commentary which means I have to think a lot more."

By contrast, he creates regular content for the blog on Biznettravel.com's site. The travel agency has outsourced maintenance of their "travel log" to Rick.

"It doesn't need to be original writing," Rick emphasizes. "The purpose of this blog is to be a useful resource. We're identifying useful articles on other sites, providing a sentence or two of context and then linking to them."

Rick's 5 tips to maintain a useful blog

Tip #1: Make it a discipline to post to your blog at least once a week. Try to do it 3 or 4 times.

Tip #2: Make each post short and digestible.

Tip #3: Make it easy on yourself by consulting a list of resource links.

Add to your blog a list of links pointing to sites relevant to your business or industry niche. When it comes time to post, "troll your resource list yourself." This is a quick way to do research and come up with new articles to link to. In other words, "don't wait for inspiration to strike."

Tip #4: Don't worry about a distinctive voice

Although a distinctive, edgy voice is often a part of personal blogs, it's not necessary for a "useful resources" blog. Rick recruited a freelancer to help him with Biznettravel's blog. They both post regularly and between the two of them produce more than enough content.

Rick says he may add a personal comment such as, "I lost my luggage recently and you know how aggravating that can be... " Then he'll link to a "top 10 tips" article on what to do when you lose your bags.

Tip #5: Write relevant, specific titles for each separate blog posting

The search engines love blogs and will index individual entries (no matter how short) if you've got your blogging software configured to create a separate page for each post.

In other words, think of each blog post as a Web page with its own title.

(Pub note: this was news to me. Turns out I can reconfigure Movable Type, the software that runs my blog, to do this.)

Bonus Tip: "Your blog may end up looking smarter than you intended just by virtue of frequent, short, useful postings," says Rick.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 5:18 PM | Comments (0)

TUE 3rd FEB: THE TROUBLE WITH JANET

It's interesting to see what goes on with the Janet Jackson Super Bowl 'cover-her-up-quick'.

Ms Jackson releases a statement today saying that "decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance was made after final rehearsals. MTV was completely unaware of it".

So how is it that MTV released a press release before the weekend promising that Janet Jackson will bring 'shocking moments' at half time and also said "one of the top questions along with 'Who's going to win?' is 'What will Janet Jackson be doing at the halftime show?'"

So MTV must have made the decision to go ahead with it. The reason I bother to comment is that I can just imagine a pathetic marketing department at MTV searching for answers for what went wrong - wondering why Madonna could get away with it on an awards show. Well maybe the answer is (a) we all know and expect Madonna to shock in the name of publicity and (b) MTV awards are so tacky this sort of behavior just enhances the show. Now, try the same stunt with a troubled aging diva and the nations favorite family event and what do you expect......

Posted by Guy Brighton at 10:45 AM | Comments (0)

February 2, 2004

MON 2nd FEB: OFF HUDSON

Around where I've started to work....

Posted by Guy Brighton at 9:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 1, 2004

MON 2nd FEB: NEW YORKERS AT CONCERTS IV

This article in the Onion reminded me of my previous comments about New Yorkers and the way they 'appreciate' their gigs:

Concert Ruined By Guy Enjoying Himself

"Froemer has a good time, to the dismay of concertgoers like Grant (inset). CHICAGO—Brian Grant, 24, reported that a rock concert he attended at the Empty Bottle Saturday was ruined by 35-year-old music fan Daryl Froemer's enthusiasm. 'I was trying to enjoy [New York-based rock group] Oneida, but it was totally impossible because [Froemer] was making a spectacle of himself,' Grant said. 'I couldn't even pay attention to the band. Halfway through the set, I had to leave. I go out to a bar to have a good time, and I can't because there's some jackass racing around in circles and waving his beer bottle in the air,' Grant added. 'I mean, he was even jumping up and down during the mid-tempo songs. Come on! It's not the '90s anymore. This isn't grunge.....'"

Posted by Guy Brighton at 9:18 PM | Comments (0)

SUN 1st FEB: QNS

After leaving St Patrick's I took the 7 alone across to Queens. As I watched the great view of the city as we passed by the Hunters Point Avenue stop I noticed a clown sat further down the carriage on the other side. Was he there before? No one seemed to notice him in his hat, jacket and trousers awash with stars and stripes. Big shoes, or big toes. His face was white with red cheeks and his nose was crowned with a flag spangled 2004 pair of sunglasses too. He looked miserable. It was as if he was on the first subway ride home after celebrating NYE in Times Square. Probably a children's entertainer of sorts, I imagined. At the next stop a lady-busker came on and as we moved off started to sing with her guitar. Misery guts got up and rushed out at the end of the carriage carrying a star spangled bucket of change.

Maybe it was a sign. I found very little of interest at the MOMA QNS apart from the selection they displayed from the permanent collection. If you want to see the best of the Kiki Smith stuff, pop by and look at the beautiful wallpaper with willow leaf print you can see without buying a ticket.

Yes, maybe I wasn't in the mood - but I was in the mood for the great peppersteak sandwich at the Dominican diner outside on the corner. Food - a real art. On the return journey I was entertained by a very tall older black guy with big square glasses who seemed to be having a whistling competition with a short Latino guy in a suit. I'm not too sure the former was even aware of the latter but I couldn't help noticing as the Latino guy sat beside me kept shouting out something that sounded like 'charidas' between the two or three wispy notes he kept repeating.