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On my way back

The two week trip to NY is finally wrapped up. The perfect cap? I used my last day off to take the Circle Line tour of New York, a boat ride that circumnavigates the island of Manhattan. Great views all around and really the easiest way to see the big sights of NY. After the cruise, I headed downtown and visited the New York public library, as well as Grand Central Station. Great visit, but I'm happy to be home. Photos

Wiki as a credible source?

Now here's something to chew on...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/278832_slug26.html

its a seemingly normal article about a slug. However what I find interesting is this part:

"It (the slug) also can transmit the tobacco mosaic virus, which is particularly infectious to tobacco, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and several ornamental flowers, according to customs officials and Wikipedia.org. "

I've read before how grad students are starting to reference Wiki, but this is the first time I've seen print journalists do so. For my relatives, Wikipedia is essentially a democratic knowledge base where any user can post a definition and leave it to others to decide if it should stay or what should be changed.

So is this a good thing or a bad thing? Is this lazy journalism?

Fun with Hotels

First, I'm *kicking* myself that I didn't take pictures of my room at the Radisson Lexington last night. Ab-solutely KICKING myself. It just struck me this morning that I had my camera all along and now only words will do to describe it. Well, colorful words.

My first week was spent at the Kimberley Hotel on 50th. Just a beautiful hotel with very nice rooms and a hugely helpful staff. I can't say enough about the place - if you are going to be in midtown New York, stay at the Kimberley if you can. The suite is spectacular. Full kitchen, gigantic bed, and a large balcony of your own. I loved the place. Sadly though, while my stay was extended for New York, my reservation couldn't be. I moved on to the Radisson Lexington, the only hotel in the area that had lodging Tuesday night.

My hope is that one day, someone will google "Radisson" and "New York" and come across this post. It will save them the trouble of the single worst place that $299 a night can buy. Not even that - I wouldn't even GIVE this room away. How can I describe it? I open the door and the first thing that hits me is a strong stench of mold. I look around, and see black spots on the carpet near the bathroom. Ah, that must be it. The carpet is frayed and the window shades badly need replacing. On top of that the "double" bed is tiny and sounds like the springs are going to bust through every time I sit down. Which I don't, because there are brown spots on the covers. I call down to the front desk to get a room change and they say that the ONLY other room is the worst one that I don't want (its by the A/C units). But they give me a $50 credit. Woo-hoo.

At this point, my options are limited. Hotels all across midtown are booked. I was planning on going out anyway, so *maybe* I can make this work. I take off my shoes...and my feet get wet. The carpet is soaked.

That's it. I pack up, call my office, and just tell them to find me another place. I am checking out.

I go downstairs to check out and explain the issue. I'd like them to hold my reservation for the following two nights, but change my room. For tonight, I'm going to find a different hotel.

"That's fine. Which card are you going to be paying for tonight's stay?"

uhhh...no. I'm not going to be paying for tonight. Get your manager.

The manager comes in and says the same damn thing. Did you hear what I just told you? OK, he says. I can have two more nights here, but I have to pay for tonight. Otherwise if I leave without paying, I'm not welcome back. I call the corporate agent and hand the manager the phone. The manager tells him the same thing and his face is getting redder as the NY-based agent has some words for him. Troy, the manager, then tosses my cellphone onto the counter and says, "You can go now."

My mind is racing. Go where? Leave? You are kicking me out? Did you just toss my phone?

"You're seriously going to charge me for wanting to leave a moldly, wet room?"

"You can go now."

Whatever. Troy, duty shift manager at the Radisson Lexington, you suck.

The bonus is I went back to the Kimberley as lucky for me, they had a cancel.

Old friends, new friends

One of the plus points for being out here is that I got to see a couple of friends who made the move from Seattle to NYC. I met up with Lindsay and her roommate Stephanie last Friday for a night out on the town. I was introduced to all of her friends and it struck me how fortunate she was to have met all of these good people. She left a close tight nit group of friends in Seattle and I'm sure she had some initial doubts upon leaving for NYC if she could make as strong of relationships with her new friends. After seeing her interact with her New York peers, not only do I think she was successful, but I think she has surpassed the bonds she created with many of us. These just aren't her friends, but they will also be in the future, her professional counterparts. She could relate to them in so many ways that we (at least me, anyway) can't. The stress of exams, the nights out at dinner, the sheer lunacy of med-school...I got to see it all. And I struggle to say this without sounding condescending, but she should know that her Seattle friends are all very proud of her. She's done well for herself. And her roommate is smoking hot.

Another friend I got to see again was Jenn Tesch. Jenn I met a couple years ago while she was in Seattle through her work. 6 short months later and to my dismay, she moved on. Dinner Friday was the first time I'd seen her in almost 2 and a half years. She's just moved in with her BF, a fellow mid-westerner. Having these two guide me around town to the nightspots in NY was great great fun! Updated photos

one..more...call...

This is the view of my computer from the perspective of my head repeatedly banging into the keyboard. And unfortunately, the only pic out of this day (though I have high hopes for a good night out).

Got a call and found out that EA/VMC wants to hire *250* gamers by Monday to work in Montreal. 250 Video Game Testers. I'm pretty proud of the folks here, as we worked late on a Friday night and are coming in over the weekend. We've been doing this all day and right now, have over 20. Not bad. But I'm shredded.

Its actually not a hard sell - $8 CAD to test games across all platforms. 2 nine hour shifts over the weekend or 5 7 hour shifts during the week. Its the summer time, so most people figure they'd be playing video games anyway. Might as well get paid for it. Anyone know some Canadians?

The tough part is the volume and the fact that because of this, I've been extended here through next week. I love NY, but...also love sleeping in my own bed. Oh well. Nothing a little Lady Soveriegn can't fix.

typical NY bar

I had dinner with Steve, John, Patrick, and Brogan last night at Opals, a nice bar east of mid-town New York. Our table was set on the sidewalk and I was amazed at the amount of people out on a Wednesday night. Downtown Seattle is dead all week and not that busy come weekends. I shared this thought with Steve and he laughed, saying if I thought it was busy tonight, I should see the neighborhood on the weekend. I'm amazed. Its not the that the city doesn't sleep - its citizens don't sleep. This wasn't just out for a quick drink, mind you. People were out to have fun last night.

Which is how I ended up at Minnie's, a small neighborhood bar. Inside was a piano and a gay crossdressing piano player/prop comic. Hill-arious; I was so happy my phone had a camera. Upon learning I was from Seattle, he sang me a little tune (that Seattle song...you know, "oh the skies are so blue...in Seattle"). Being from the Irish family O'Kim, I asked for a Irish drinking tune and was soon singing "Whisky in the Jar". Mic in hand. Next to a gay crossdressing piano player/prop comic.

Only in New York, right?

Packed like sardines

I wish I had pictures of the subway ride I had last night on the way to my first Mariner's game of the year (at Yankee Stadium, no less). Oh, I had my camera. I just couldn't reach it, packed in as I was. I remember Seinfeld episodes where Elaine is freaking out because she's pressed in from all sides. That really happens - I had my hands raised above my head holding onto the bar and I didn't have enough space to reach down below and grab my camera. I didn't mind it (though I can see how some of the nightmare stories I've read about can happen); its not bad if you could temporarily suspend your personal space issues.

Anyway, the game was good and the M's won (I know, they lost. BUT I left at a point where I felt the game was in hand, so emotionally, I left the game with a win.)

its damn hot

The thermometer today is set to reach almost 100 degrees and it is very humid here in NYC. I haven't seen temps this high since my first summer in Milwaukee. Ugh. Hot hot hot. Just a tip if you plan on travelling here in the summer - pack a lot of clothes. I'm going to have to get mine laundered already I've changed so much.

So my camera was returned to me just one day before I left for this latest trip. Very fortunate! Unfortunately, there is no editing program on my Volt provided laptop, so I have to make do with unformatted pics. Added a few photos of St. Patrick's Cathedral (which sits across from my office) and St. Bart's nearby. Which reminds me...saw a couple priests at lunch the other day. Wasn't sure whether to send them a drink or a cub scout.

<badda ching!>

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Boats...and Steve the Dealer

Friday night I took the red-eye to NYC via JetBlue (thank you God for this airline!). Upon landing at 8am, I was quickly whisked away via cab to Penn Station, where I met Patrick and Steve, the VP and CEO of Volt. Having known Patrick for some time now, I wasn't nervous about meeting Steve, figuring if Patrick was willing to give up a weekend to spend with Steve, then he must be an alright guy. Turns out he is. We took the Alcea rail to Providence, Rhode Island (home to Brown University) and spent the weekend on a boat (first time I've been on the Atlantic - btw, very warm water. 65 degrees). We took the boat out to Newport, watched a sailboat race, and overall, just enjoyed the water. We finished the night with a trip to the Foxwoods, the worlds largest casino. You could spot it miles away and yes, the casino is monstorous.

Apparently, you build the world's largest casino by letting schlubs like me play. I've decided its my lot in life to deposit various amounts of my money to casinos around the world. The highlight of the gambling was Steve, the dealer who hates his life. Steve was a mid-aged mustached man who grumbled, cursed, and threw our cards down on the table. He was sick and pissed off that he had to be in. He wouldn't talk and loudly poked at the table if you were distracted and didn't ask for another card. At one point, he dealt himself another card past 18 and upon realizing his mistake, threw his glasses onto the table, stared at the hidden eyes above, and started yelling "FLOOR!!". This went on for some time. He couldn't get Som-bak's (the floor supervisor) attention, so the entire table started joining in. That only annoyed Steve.

"FLOOR! FLOOR!! Somash...Goo-esh, Mish Mash, whatever the hell your name is!"

Honestly, I lost it at this point and started laughing. Normally, a cold dealer is a sign to move on and find someone who you can have fun with. But with Steve, I had a feeling that this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime deal. I couldn't leave; it was like watching your buddy in the college dining hall try to eat one-more-cheese-cake, a veritable trainwreck that was not going to end happy. The rubbing of the chest, the sweating hands, the red mustache, the large rimmed glasses, and the heavy sigh every time he had to deal. He's the sweaty guy at the AA meeting who is there for his probation, whose wife left him, daughter hates him, and has been working at the same aluminum reclying plant for the last 20 years. That guy. I would have felt bad for him if he wasn't such an ass.

"Steve, where you from?"

"Here."

"Steve, you ending your shift?"

"God, I wish."

"Steve, how long have you been dealing?"

"Too long. I hate this place."

Awesome. I'll be sure to come back soon.

Anyway, I'll be keeping updated pics from my trip here.

"Brilliant!"Announcement...

Death by Guinness 2006 will be held on August 12th, 2006!!!

In its second year, Death by Guinness is a single day tour of every Irish Bar in Seattle city limits. The rules are simple. 1 bar an hour. 1 Guinness an hour. The schedule will be posted in the coming days. Friends need not worry about not being able to do all the bars, as they are free to come and go at the scheduled times (rides are appreciated!).

Volunteers (aka non-drinkers) are needed this year for 'DD" duties and photos. This year we plan on adding one more bar (17 in total) and plan to podcast for posterity purposes (its a very "heart of darkness" journey from sober 10am to destroyed 2am that must be documented). Hell, if someone wants to film.....

Let me know if you are interested in participating - more details to come.