Author: Sean

If you were to ask Google “Do Only Secret Evil” Maps where I live, you’d get the above response. But both you and Microsoft Lite would be wrong. I now live here.

I’ve got the keys. Anyone up for a drink in the new hood after work?

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Site of the Day:
Don’t be a hater on The Gates, anything is art.

So the good news is I found an apartment (more on that later after I sign the lease). I’ve decided to paint the walls before I move in and I’m realizing I don’t know anything about color schemes. It seems pretty complicated and I’m also battling with the fact that I am very lazy. Benjamin Moore recommends painting the ceiling, but I would too if I sold paint.

I want the space to look adult and cool at the same time, but I’m more into video games than interior decorating (there’s a token nod to my heterosexuality). I’ve opted for the color schemes above. I worked them out in about ten minutes by finding pictures of rooms I like at Ikea, pasting the shots into Adobe Photoshop, and then using the eyedropper. I’m posting them here in case I have a house warming party…or to invite comment… or, well eff it. I got nothing else today. At least it’s not the damn Gates.

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Site of the Day: Completely unrelated to decorating, yet equally uncool in it’s own way, the trailer to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

If my career were a child, it would be in first grade now and able to do small chores around the house.

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Site of the Day: Win a trip. To Space. Freakin’ unbelievable.

Ever since the days of the dotcom parties, few words grab my attention like “free booze.” So when I met Scott, part owner of Discovery Wines, and he mentioned “complimentary tastings” nightly, I almost hugged him. Discovery Wines shares a taste from a few bottles every evening from 6-9 and from 2-9 on Saturdays. Along with the sample, a friendly person explains what is unique about that particular wine.

Last night, Ildi and I sipped some French 2003 Chateu de Marmorieres Le Clape from the Languedoc region based on Scott’s recommendation. We liked it so much that I bought a bottle. For $12.99. That is the other amazing thing about Discovery Wines. The enormous luxurious store, paneled in white oak and skillfully lit, specializes in inexpensive wines from small wineries. Most bottles are under $20 and unbelievably good.

For people who are scared to talk to the resident aficionado, the store has computer kiosks that scan the barcode on the bottle and give a wealth of information. I learned that the South African 2004 Graham Beck Pinot Noir I picked up was full and hearty, went well with beef, and made a fine table wine. The empty bottle sits on my coffee table right now.

If you live in the EV, shop nowhere else but Discovery Wines for your vino. It’s also worth a trip on the F train for you New Yorkers in other neighborhoods. Out of towners should check out the extensive website, complete with online ordering. You palettes and checkbooks will be grateful.

Discovery Wines
10 Avenue A (between Houston and 2nd Street)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 674-7833
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Site of the Day: Owen Wilson is cooler than the New Yorker. Ben Stiller is still a doofus.

I watched the game at Mary’s and Aaron’s, true Eagles fans. Their hearts were broken, but I think they are winners for having sixteen people in their living room, an extra TV in the kitchen, unlimited chile, nachos, wine, beer, and Windy City Wasabi Beans.

Football is over. My Sundays will now include much less belching and much more NPR. Until pre-season.

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Site of the Day: Ironically, we like the smoking ban.

Using the depth of the filthy brown water in this plate (a birthday gift from Jerry in 2002), I estimate that about one inch of indoor rain fell in my tiny apartment on Friday night. The cause was a broken pipe in my neighbor’s kitchen.

My TV and IBM laptop survived, but other various things were ruined. I have renters insurance, so I expect to be reimbursed. Disappointingly, I have been unable to get anyone from my building’s management company on the phone. I cleaned all day Saturday and the place is livable, but the plaster is peeling and falling in quite a few places. When I do finally speak to the landlord, I want to have a list of specific demands, but for the life of me, I don’t know what to ask for. Here are some suggestions:

– To have the place professionally cleaned, plaster fixed.
– To be moved to a new apartment, same size and money.
– To break my lease.

What should I ask for? If anyone has advice, please send it.

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Site of the Day: In Canada, milk comes in bags. That is some weird shit.

It’s cold in the office so I’m coding in my fingerless gloves. I cut off the tips so I have a good feel when I’m filching wallets and then artfully dodging.
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When I first started going to The Edge, the jukebox was all The Clash and Buzzcocks, and with the darts and pool, the clientele seemed to be all 30-something, ex-pat UK dudes. I’m thinking that maybe the bar was named after the U2 guitarist. Speaking of U2, last night on CSPAN, Bono was on a panel for the very important G8 summit about Africa. Also with him were Tony Blair, the President of South Africa, and Bill Clinton. And Bono. What the fuck?
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Site of the Day: Stand By Your Statue has published some of my shots from my day at the Brooklyn Museum with Lauren and Janine. Well, alright then.

Using an SUV and taking an unbelievable number of digital pictures, Amazon and A9 have added photos to the Yellow Pages. Of course it was automated, so some problems occured.

The really cool thing is that you can walk up and down the street. It is exceptionally addictive. The first place I virtually stolled by was The Edge and I was amazed to see someone who looks very much like me out front smoking a cigarette. I’m not sure it is me, but I choose to believe so anyways.

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Site of the Day: A fat kid stuck in a chair.

Two of these beasts were dumping snow onto the same enourmous pile, their buckets almost clashing like the antlers of two gigantic rutting moose. Standing in the slush with my pants tucked into my duck boots, I wanted to steal one of the machines and make my morning commute a daily rampage of destruction. *Sigh*

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Watch out, citizens. Today’s warmth melts some of the massive snow build up and creates a hazard as great as quicksand or the tse-tse fly. The tiny canyons through the drifts at the intersection, started by one brave soul and then packed down by the shuffling feet of commuters traveling in single file, can turn into death traps.

The slush from the snow walls will fall into the blackened puddle, creating a bumpy topped brown patch that looks exactly like asphalt. But beware, neither a trained ninja or a vietcong could produce so cunning a trap and the seamingly level footing will engulf your leg into a foot of icy filth. This can ruin your shoes, pants, spirit, and most certainly your day.

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Site of the Day: I’m always, always asked for advice about New York for visiting friend. My friend Rosecrans at TMN takes care of the answer, once and for all.

I’ve recently had nightmares where I was a rookie cornerback on the Steelers in the locker room before the big game against the Pats on Sunday. I’m so nervous for this game that I can’t decide where to watch. I think the only viable option is home. Alone.

And drunk to the bejeezus.
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I need naps.
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Site of the Day: From Steve, See if you can pee in the snow as well as I do.