Archive for January, 2006

After 4 years of living in New York, I have finally visited all five boroughs, thanks to the Staten Island Ferry.
It’s free and it leaves every 30 minutes. From outside you get a perfect view of Manhattan, complete with seagulls drifting behind the ferry, like kites.
I hopped on one boring afternoon and rode it across and back, didn’t even leave the station on the other side. It took about an hour. I probably wouldn’t do it again, but I’m glad I did it once, everyone should..

This just in:

“Starting this Monday, the CakeShop is beginning late night free dance parties after the bands perform, (approx. 12am-4am+)

Every night will have a different flavor.

The Beat Club’s own PappaWheelie will innagurate the events this Monday (01/16), and he will hold down every Saturday night.

Please come out this Monday, and every Saturday for old school Paradise Garage deep Disco, Miami Bass, Freestyle, Italo, Acid House, etc.

Speculator from the shortbus radio on EVR will be gracing us with his master song selection every thursday night! You can what he plays here”
I don’t know if this sounds like UNCOOLKIDS kind of music, but we’re always in favor of free dance parties. Plus Cake Shop has REALLY DELICIOUS vegan brownies.

Many people claim to be good at trivia, but few can stand up to the challenge of The Big Quiz Thing. Host Noah Tarnow is a master of writing questions that are hard enough to stump the trivia junkies, but still accessible to a complete newbie.

Last night some friends and I gave it a go (there must be at least 4 people per team, but many people come in smaller groups and join forces). The five rounds lasted about 2 and a half hours, but the time flew by.

The Big Quiz thing draws a big crowd. It doesn’t hurt that they offer $200 for first place, $50 for second and a collection of door prizes for 3rd, 4th and 5th. The majority of the crowd are regulars who show up as early as 6pm to get a good table. They are not there for the prizes, but because it’s one of the most comfortable evenings out you can have in this city. It’s one of the few places in New York where you can go and dork out and just have fun.

And to be honest, last night was not my first visit. My team and I started going there a year ago. And, not to brag, but we kick ass. Here’s a picture of the first place trophy to prove it:

So come on down and see if you can take us on. The Big Quiz thing happens every other Monday at The Slipper Room, on the corner of Stanton and Orchard. Admission is $7.

When you’re looking for Bodies . . . The Exhibition at the South Street Seaport, don’t get confused and wander into the Gap and stare at mannequins. You actually want to go next door. You’ll know you’re in the right building when the smell hits you. It’s like you’re in 7th grade science class, about to dissect a frog. Don’t let that scare you off though; you get used to it.

In fact the same could be said for the whole exhibit: You get used to it. The first room shocks and maybe terrifies you, but by the fifth room all you can think is, “I’m getting kind of hungry”.

That sounds like I didn’t enjoy myself, but actually I loved it. I think Bodies is fascinating, educational and beautiful. It’s the perfect combination of science and art, mixed with gore, to get your adrenaline flowing.

The bodies in question are the result of plastination, a process in which tissue is replaced with liquid silicone rubber. The final product is a human body that looks exactly as if it has been skinned, but will not decompose. Besides the 22 bodies on display there are also 260 individual organs (some of which you can hold!) There is also a room filled entirely with veins. It’s pitch black and filled with display cases of arms, legs, a head; with everything removed, except for the bright red veins. That room alone is worth the price of admission.

However, before you go, there is an ethical matter to address: the way in which the bodies were obtained. They corpses were all unclaimed or unidentified, and while it is common practice for these bodies to be used in medical research, critics are questioning if this counts . . .and how ethical it is to display them in such a way without consent.

Bodies . . . The Exhibition is at the South Street Seaport on the corner of Fulton and Front Street. Tickets are not cheap at $26.50, but if you go before January 30th you can use this 15% off discount.

Fans of 7-11 hot dogs, taquitos and coffee should rush over to the 42nd St location (between 8th and 9th).
After 3pm you have to pay again; so hurry, only 1 hour left. . .