Concrete Jungle

Yes, there are not many tree-lined streets in alphabet city. Don't get me wrong they do exist, but when they don't, the creatives have to do their best to make it happen. Sure there's no natural scent, shade, or oxygen created, but hey, do you really think real nature is prettier than this? Someone give me a fucking granola bar.

Ohhh it's on!

I can't wait. Modern day gladiators. "TITAN against TITAN!!!" (incorrectly quoted from Clash of the titans - 1981) Yeah I watch Ultimate Fighting, so what? Wanna fight about it?

Great gift idea for last minute shoppers

Elizabeth St.

I love the old wall at Elizabeth and Spring Street. It's constantly changing, Last week there was a guy with a green beard on it and now this. I'm not sure when or who adds and changes it but it never feels like the same corner, hmmm well maybe it does in a unique way. The only thing sad is, the old building is rumored to be sold, probably to some pseudo-Trumpateer. I hate to think of this gritty corner turned into a starbucks with 30 floors of turd housing above it. It's hard fighting change. Speaking of Trump, his new multi-$$$,$$$,$$$ condo development in soho was stopped a couple of days ago because they found human remains on the site that dated back to the 19th century, see story here. It's not determined when they will start construction back up. There is a possibility that it maybe labeled a historic site. Cross your fingers! I guess I'm not the only one who thinks there are too many overpriced condos being built. Even dead people from the 19th century don't want that crap. Maybe there is hope after all.

Ninja

I had dinner at Ninja New York the other night where Ninja's serve you dinner in their hidden lair. It was as tasty as it was cool.


This ninja performed clever magic tricks.



Smoke gushed from the sides of this dish when the sword was removed.


These are pork morsels that melt in your mouth not on your elbows, by far the best dish. The black coloring is from squid ink. It's ummm, not burnt.


A tiramisu bonsai tree for dessert, who woulda thunk?

How much $$

The other day i got this survey in the mail from the AIGA (American Institute for Graphic Arts) asking me to disclose my job title and salary. Paper-clipped on the front of the letter was a one dollar bill. The reason for this survey was to survey design professionals and poll the average salary of different level designers in the industry. I'm sure it would be sorted out into many other subsections that include area of design, geographical location, age, sex etc.... Whatever. Initially I was surprised that they would send cash through the mail, but at the same time thought it was very clever. First of all the dollar caught my attention and stopped me from throwing it in the trash. Second it was very much in line with the whole salary theme. And third, it made me feel guilty that i had to fill out the survey for receiving the dollar.
I haven't filled it out yet and also haven't decided if I will. However, I do believe that knowing the salaries of different positions, including our own, keeps the paychecks competitive. That being said, there is something inside me that is rebelling against this concept. Maybe i feel that their concept is manipulative and along the lines of the familia guilt. If they had just given the reasons for the survey without the dollar i might have been more compelled to fill out the survey, maybe not. Anyway I still haven't decided, but I do have to say that this was the most interesting piece of junk mail i received in a long time.