I just saw the Hanson Brothers on the corner of 7th and 58th street. All three were arguing with their Dad about something. It made me smile.

Cream cheese can really make or break a bagel.

Today my favorite song is Viscous World. That would be track 3, my friend.

I just heard that George Plimpton died. I know Robert Palmer died today as well, but I have to say that I am more saddened to hear of Plimpton's passing.

What is this site becoming? The Who-Do-You-Feel-More-Sad-About-When-Two-Relatively-Famous-People-Die-In-The-Same-Day Site?

Have no fear - I will not let that happen. However I will tell you a story that I always tell to friends visiting the city - or to friends who are J-walking. It has to do with George Plimpton.
After Sept. 11th PBS did that New Yorkers Reaction show. Beautifully done of course, and full of comments on what it takes to be a NYer, and how everyone felt. I remember George Plimpton came on the screen and started talking about how he thought the quintessential sign of a New Yorker was jaywalking.
I always tell that small bit to visitors, or if there is nothing to say when I am with someone, walking down the street.
George Plimpton also attended Robin's 7th birthday party. Of all of the guests that I should have been impressed with - I was most impressed with George. He was chauffeur for his twin grandchildren, and he mingled and chatted like a champ.

I love figuring out lyrics and stuff like that. One particular chorus that has always made me wonder, is from "What a Good Boy" by the Barenaked Ladies:

“This name is the hairshirt I wear
And this hairshirt is woven from your brown hair
This song is the cross that I bear
Bear it with me, bear with me, bear with me”

After reading it I would always kind of stop and think, “hmm, the hairshirt thing is a little weird.”
In a totally different topic - I started reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown the other day. This book is the first book I have read since reading "Christine" by Stephen King, that actually makes me so scared at night, that I lay frozen in my bed. Its a good thing I wear diapers. Moving on. The author writes about the Opus Dei sect of the Catholic Church, among other things. Apparently people of that sect are required to wear a spiked belt (called a cilice) around their thigh for about two hours a day to remind them of the pain Christ suffered for all of us heathens. I find this fascinating. So, this morning I was dinking around the Internet in search of a picture of the device. (I have yet to find a picture,) but I did find out that in addition to cilices; hairshirt’s are another kind of bodily mortification used by Catholics. The hairshirt was made of Goats hair in hopes to aid the wearer in avoiding temptations of the flesh. Seeing the word hairshirt made me think of the song by BNL. Also – just as a side note – REM wrote a song called hairshirt, on the album Green.
So I think BNL is trying to say is that the girl they are singing about is so awesome that they are willing to torture themselves in honor of her. That is the short hand version for now.

Last night was the opener for this season's Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Add another line to the list of TV show addictions - this show looks great. Check out the gauntlet Trading Cards! While you are at it, check out Hot Johnny Mosley!
People that I am glad to see on the show:
-Adam from New Orleans. Why we are still obsessed with his virginity is beyond me.
-Nathan from Seattle. I had a crush on Nathan. I wish they would bring back Irene.
-Abe from 2003 Road Rules. I was so pissed when Abe got kicked off the road. This just goes to show that whiny fat kid just how much he was a whiny fat kid.
-Rachel from Real World NYC2. I have so been wondering what ever happened to this girl. Now we can finally see. I wonder if her mom is going to call her on the road. That would be cool.
-Theo from some random Road Rules. I have always been a fan of raw Theo footage. This guy is pure testosterone. The episodes are hinting at him and Elka hooking up - I can't say I am a fan of that yet. I kind of want Theo to be with that blonde girl from Real World Seattle. Or Irene.
People that I could do without seeing again on any MTV shows:
-Coral. She already won last season. No fair.
-Norman from NYC. I don't get the draw.
-Mike from NYC2. I am glad he grew his hair out, but I fear this time around will be the same deal. We are going to watch him get drunk, and stomp around the house shouting about "The Miz". Snore. Seen it before. Miz: People will get pissed at you, and tell you to shut up. Coral will come over and try to defend your actions, then Abe will come over and start hitting on you.

Tonight at 7pm, Rufus Wainwright will be in Chelsea (no shocker there) promoting his new album - "Want One". I have high expectations, and a feeling a little apprehension for the new album because since Poses, the dude has been through rehab and back. So we'll see how that changed the music. So far I like track 1.
Rufus Wainwright reminds me of Thanksgiving 2001. I was sent out to pick up some random spice at Whole Foods in Greenwhich, Connecticut - basil if I remember correctly. I ended up getting lost (I have to admit, kind of intentionally), and spent two hours driving back roads in Connecticut, while "Poses" blasted from the stereo.
I like the way I discovered Rufie too. I was at Borders, looking for a mix tape opening song. The tape was a compliation of track 8's, so I went up to every listening machine and listened to track 8. The second I heard the first drum taps of Rebel Prince, I knew that I had my opener. I think I listened to that CD straight for two months.

Today I noticed that WireImage made a big mistake and named John Stewart - Jon Edwards!!! hahahah.

This is what I was doing exactly three years ago. My how time flies!

Hey Ya! Greyhound don't float on water.
Dudes. My blog don't have no more ads. I can put pictures of my own. No more fotolog action.
The new Outkast song properly expresses my enthusiasm. Lets get excited.

This season's Sorority Life is highly painful to watch. For some reason (probably attributed to the 'human' in me) I want all of the girls to be hot little rich chicks. Instead what I got were 8 incredibly ugly prepubescent middle class girls, who left a bad taste in my mouth before I went to bed.
Luckily, MTV has made up for the sorority mishap via the 'Newlyweds'. I want to hang out with the editors, and be the ultra nerd that recaps every detail of show. Basically, watching Jessica and Nick makes me laugh like seeing the billboard for a UPN show called "The Mullets" makes me cry.

Sadly however, my side of the office just got into a yelling match about how no one thinks Jess and Nick are going to last. We are placing bets. I fear that I am the only one that is wishing for them to last. I wanna believe.

What I have to say might be a shocker to some, but I am finally going to admit that I am secretly VERY chivalrous. I notice everything attributed to chivalry, and am constantly taking note. I first noticed my love of chivalry in college, and kept a mental list of all the awkward lanky boys whom had been taught right and wrong by their mothers and tended to revel in their company. Its not embarrassing for me to say that I notice daily gestures - however, it has been highly embarrassing for me to admit that I LOVE every Princely act. I mean, who doesn't want to be treated like a Princess? I love getting on trains first, I love not having to touch doors or buttons, I love not waiting in line at the bar. In the past (every day up to this one), to cover the embarrassment, I reach for doors, buttons, and knobs before the guy - because I don't want him thinking that I am not up with the times - or am snobby. Rest assured - its all over. I am changing my ways.
This morning I found relief from my inner battle with chivalry. I was just reading SheLovesNY.com, and found the etiquette section for gentlemen. Upon reading some of it - (the taxi part was a little extensive) I found myself totally agreeing with the author, and wishing for the perfect etiquette follower as described. From this point forward, I am throwing out all reservation to withhold my love for chivalry - and will only seek that well-brought-up someone that is willing to divulge, so I can in turn, indulge.

I think it would be fun to play a little game everytime 4 or more people are waiting for an elevator in the elevator lobby. I would call it 'Musical Elevators.'
The object of the game is to pick the elevator that you think is going to open, and get in it first.
So, when you notice a group of people waiting quietly - you all of a sudden shout "PICK AN ELEVATOR!" and everyone will run to the elevator that they think is going to open first, and stand in front of the door.
The person who is standing in front of the elevator door that opens, wins!
Let's get playin!

Bill Gates is giving NYC public schools 51 million dollars. I think that is great. Yahoo for Gates!

This is the coolest thing I have seen all week. What a great idea.

When i think about the upcoming fall season... I think I am most excited about movies. Theatres are always an escape from the weather. In the summer - we will watch anything to get out of the heat, so we will gladly drop 10 on shit for movies. However in the winter its all about being warm and being entertained to the fullest. I am so excited about LOdoubleTR TROTK. I am way psyched about that the most. I have already seen the other movie I was way psyched about: Lost in Translation. It was nice. It made me want sushi.

Saturday morning I noticed a one legged pigeon.

LOTR in CP 2003:
I am way excited about the fireworks in Central Park tonite. The New Yorker said that they will be a once in a lifetime type deal. Something that the future will ask about. I guess the whole park is going to be one big firework. I am excited. I haven't decided whether I should watch from my office windows - or got into the park, and experience it that way. Hmmm. Decisions....

Why am I way more upset about John Ritter's passing? I thought he would be around forever. What a mainstay.

Seeing the date: 'Sept. 11th' in the realtime sense - ie: on my phone, on the news, on the computer, has been giving me the chills all day. Everytime I see it, I freeze up. Why? I think its because when we talk about that day, we already have it in our brains that we are goign to talk about that day - so there is no shock involved. However when we see it used in a normal everyday setting - its like a shock/surprise - like when I look at my phone, I think "oh!" and get all freezed up, and then relax.

Weird. I smell like campfire today. I am not so sure I like that, being that I am sitting next to computers, and have no smores ingredients nearby....

This is the site of the day - compliments of Mr. Bill Rickman.

Question of the Day:
How did Rueben win American Idol, yet Clay got all the publicity... (cover of rolling stones, talk shows, etc.)???

Maybe sometimes it pays to lose.

Guster is a cute band. Listen to their songs. Give them a chance.

Amber has annouced a party this Friday in Port Chester for Cosmonaut Records:
>>>>>>>
Cosmonaut Records will host birthday for Amanda Gallo and Myles Karr (seeking approval from Myles) sometime this Friday night.
Please distribute widely and bring babes.
<<<<<<<
Port Chester is a fun place where a bunch of punks live - two seconds from the train. Email me, or Amber for dyerections.

I know, I know, dream posts are all the same crazy shit, but whatever - I will like looking back and reading about this dream because it was awesome to me. so eat rotten sour food and cough.

I had this incredible dream last night that I discovered a town in Alaska that I had never seen before. The town was perfect in every sense. There were just the right amount of hills, it was on the water, and there were fresh streams with clear water for drinking. There was just the right amount of forest. There was also a little island for recreation right off the the coast. Across the water - which was about oh, 20 minutes on boat there were mountains - to large to climb, yet beautiful to look and explore. Actually, for those of you back home - it looked a lot like Homer, except it was filled with this perfect sense of satisfaction. Everyone in the town was satisfied and had rosey cheeks. I cannot remember who I was with - but we were driving along a road, and basically stumbled upon the place - from a hill, we looked down on this fertile valley and so we started exploring with excitement. I remember looking down one street and being overly thrilled that there was a dairy queen in the town. I think I was happy about this because one of the major complaints I have about NYC is that there is no Dairy Queen, so wherever I go on vacation, I always make apoint of stopping by - however the last three trips I have taken have not had Dairy Queens, so that was some kind of sub conscious thing. Well duh, I was dreaming.
So anyway - luckily it was the last dream I had before I woke up. The other dreams before that were really stressful - the kind where you are paranoid, and no one is listening to you -and you are trying desperately to stick up for, and prove yourself.
I can't stop thinking about the town. It was presented in the style of the movie A.I. - saturated color, with clone-like happy people.

I have decided that I like watching movies about what we think the future will be like.

Being fashionably two years late, as is always the case, I finally watched A.I. last night. The flick was pretty entertaining. I don't remember what the critics said at the time about the movie, but I do recall it not being the big blockbuster that everyone thought it would be. I was watching a few critics on the Charlie Rose show a couple months ago talk about the movie business. At one point in the interview Rose asks everyone to say their fave movie from the past few years. I forget what most the critics said, but I do remember one of the critics (I think it was the critic of US mag) say that A.I. was his favorite pick. So that stuck in my head, and I thought I would give it a shot. Not bad. I am pretty sure, that upon analysis the movie may be inconsistent, but I dug watching what others thought our future would look like. It was a little creepy seeing Manhattan underwater (pre 9/11) that was little creepy. So in closing, if anyone has not seen that movie - check it out.

I am working to cross things off my NYC "to do" list, so last night I went to visit Strawberry Feilds. My first vision of what Strawberry Feilds would be like, is pretty much what I still want it to be like. I think the city should hire a few NYC Ballerina's - one male, one female. The ballerina's will all switch shifts, giving the feilds 24 hour coverage. Now, at the site, the ballerinas will prance around the tiled "imagine" circle so the tune of the Piggies song off of The White Album. That song has always sounded so Baroque to me, so they will be dressed in Baroque attire - the women wearing flower crowns, and the men wearing off-white tights with highly ornamented Bolero Jackets. They will sometimes throw rose petals up in the air, and they will act like nymphs - amid the city chaos. Perfect. Far from the reality I witnessed last night.
What I greeted instead where 4 hobo's smoking weed, two English tourists who insisted I take their picture as they sprawled out on the dirty ground, and one 8 year old named Robin. Yes, Robin was with me, and to everyone else's delight exclaimed "Wow! It smells great here!" As we entered a plume of bong smoke, and I droned on about the history of the Beatles... So yep, I have been there, done that. 10 more things to go.

I love fall music. I feel like making a Fall mix. Artists to be included on a Fall 2003 mix would be:
Rufus Wainwright - new CD

For all you bathroom humor lovers...... this just in from Paul.

Today is Paul Harvey's 85th birthday. Paul Harvey reminds me of my Grandma's light blue Cadillac. The car always smelled like one of those pine tree air fresheners, and was outfitted in cozy, always warm, blue velvet. Grandmas are supposed to drive slow, and that she did. When we drove around on Sundays - I would request driving down Echo Lake because it was a scenic country road. She took the corners slow, as the air fresheners aromafied, crucifix hung from the mirror, and Paul Harvey told us the rest of everyone's stories.

A stone temple pilot's song was just playing and I was freaking out because I hadn’t heard it in like oh, 8 years. so I was totally having this STP freak out, and remembered that I had the album on tape. About tapes: I was one of those people in 1996 who believed that CD's were a 3 year trend- tops. I have so many tapes in a box somewhere in Alaska that I don’t really know what to do about it. All of my "grunge" and what was then called "alternative" music is on tape. I am reluctant to buy STP, Sound Garden, Pearl Jam, etc. on CD because the cheap bastard in me says "but dude, you have them all on tape." so my CD collection lacks... However, after hearing that song that I hadn't heard in years - I think I might have to make the investment. or just buy an ipod and a mac and a subscription to some music site, because CD's are a dying trend...

I was looking at my pile of clothes on the floor last night, and thought about how every article of clothing there, I purchased and owned. I said to myself: "my parents have not seen any of the clothes, and probably won’t ever see them". Not that it's imperative that my parents see all of my clothing or anything like that, but I guess its just the thought that the people that once used to buy everything for me, and knew everything I owned are now so far away from that; and only know my clothing by what I take home during our one week together over Christmas.
Then I thought about materials and how right now, they seem so important, but really they are nothing. Like in 5 years I will most likely own nothing of the pile on the floor - I probably won't even remember most of it's contents - yet right now, that pile is basically what gets me from day to day (fully clothed). So anyway, maybe this is why our moms tell us to pick up our clothes from off the floor. It can cause too much thinking...

Oh, I had this dream that my friend and I were sitting on this dock chatting with each other while a party was happening behind us. All of a sudden this huge brown bear emerges from the lake. A girl goes up to the bear and starts hanging from one of it's arms. We sat and watched this bear mangle the girl, and then fight off the girls mom. Then my friend and I picked up our beers and walked away.

How many of you Friendster's out there got this message from that dude named Minger??

1. On a stroll through the countryside, you come across a field of delicious-looking strawberries. Your stomach starts to rumble, and no one else is around. Only a fence stands between a free lunch. How high is that fence?

2. You sneak into the garden and begin to help yourself to the fruit. How many berries do you eat?

3. Suddenly the farmer whose berries you're stealing appears out of nowhere and starts yelling at you. What do you say in your own defense?

4. After all is said and done, how did the berries taste? And looking back, how did you feel after your berry-stealing adventure was over?

My Friendster inbox is stuffed with thousands of messages. Send your answers to phoenix@minger.org.

I feel so "back to school" today. For some reason I have this dread that my clothes aren't cool enough, and I can't wait for lunch break to hang out with Monique in the commons area. A guy sits in my area that was talking about going back to school today - maybe that's why I feel the vibe. Or maybe it's because I packed a lunch.

This is great from Kevin Fanning and Reuben Stanton What I did on my Summer Vacation.

I love the U.S. Open, and find it really exciting that the Open will be broadcast all week from huge screens at Rockefeller Center! Apparently they are going so far as lining the whole plaza with fresh sod.

My favorite aspect of the suburbs is the feeling of cold cement on my bare feet when I take the trash out. Get's me every time.

I was right about Madonna being obsessed with Britney:
>>>>>>
Christina, 22, said: “Everyone wants to know about that damn kiss.
“She’s got a very soft lip — and she’s a very lovely kisser.
“I’ve kissed her numerous times — because at every rehearsal she wanted to do it right on every time.”
But Christina revealed that Britney, 22, had to be persuaded to give 45-year-old Madonna some lip service.
She added: “Britney was a little shy at first. Madonna kept having to go, ‘Britney, kiss me, kiss me!’”
<<<<<<

Who doesn't have soft lips?? I mean really. I would like to meet someone with rough lips so I can say "God, he was so cool - but when he went to kiss me, his lips were just so rough. It was a major turn off, and I asked that he take me home."
I mean seriously.

Things that I still have to do in NYC:
1. Sing at a night club. Progress: I have the song picked out, I have the piano player - I start voice lessons next week.
2. Visit Coney Island.
3. Visit the Cloisters.
4. Look at the John Lennon strawberry fields stone.
5. Go to the Opera.
6. See the NY Philharmonic.
7. Run the NYC marathon. haha. just kidding. but I would like to run the big Central Park loop.
8. It would be cool to camp out at the Museum of Natural History like Margo Tannenbaum. That would be cool.
9. Bike from the tip top of Manhattan, to the end of Manhattan.
10. Spend a morning at Fulton Fish Market
11. Visit the Stock Exchange.
12. See Rocky Horror Picture Show at the village theatre.
13. Run the east side river walkway
14. Visit Roosevelt Island.
15. Take a tour of the U.N.

So I have this fear of tarantulas. Even typing the word aids in my visioning them crawling under my desk. My back starts tingling, I start sweating, and panicking that they are crawling on me. I have to stop typing about this before I freak out. Overall, I know that I am relatively safe. I have vowed never to step foot in the states of Arizona, and New Mexico. It is a well known fact that during a family drive one summer from Alaska to South Padre Island, Texas - I did not get out of the car until we were at the Texas border. Living in NYC, I know to stay away from pet stores*. It is also a well known fact that when I see a picture of said arachnid I start screaming and throw the book/magazine across the room, stand up and start crying. That's how bad it is. Cry me a river. Once Elizabeth gave me a thank you card, and inside there was a big spider cut out from a magazine. She highly enjoyed watching me freak out, and then get furious at her. In doing all of this torture (she did it on numerous occasions) I no longer trust receiving any mail from her.
Anyway, all was going well with my phobia until the financial company SPDR started running that ad campaign featuring the big brown spider, and the black widow spider. These ads run in the two weekly's that I read: NY Times Mag & The New Yorker. Basically I have not read the NY times mag in a while, and luckily my summer roomie was a girl from Arizona who would ever so kindly go through the New Yorker before I read it, and rip out the ad. (I personally think she was tired of hearing me scream and throw it across the room.) Well, I no longer have the kind roommate to go through the mag for me - so this week's New Yorker has just been sitting here on my desk. Marcos stopped by, so I asked him to tear the ad out for me. He did so, and told me to write about my phobia. I asked why I would want to do that - to which he replied: "because your website is so you." So there, I wrote about my phobia.
*This is interesting to note - my 7 year old friend (she turned 8 last week - so that will take some adjusting too, when she gets back) is obsessed with pet stores. She finally succeeded in dragging me into the Petco on 86th - I asked the man working behind the counter were the spiders where kept, and he informed me that there were no arachnids in pet stores in New York City. He said that one of the first rules that Guilani passed, was that of banning the selling of Tarantulas in NYC. If that doesn’t make me love new york, I don't know what it will take.

One of the reasons that I do not have a comments box is because I fear it would become a big "Anise's family memory fest". My parents write me weekly with comments, I half think it might be fun to have a corner of the site dedicated to my parents comments. So as we all know, my dad is tired of the 5 questions, and thinks I cuss too much. Here is this week's observation (from my post about Nova) from my mom:
>>>>>>>>
Anise,
Do you remember that you liked NOVA as a kid too? You used to say things like, "Why don't you watch PBS more often it's educational" and "I love NOVA is it on yet?" Or you'd see the TV guide and say, "NOVA is on let's watch it!" Funny that you made your way back to it.
Love ya tons,
Mom
<<<<<<<<

I am officially freaked out after reading the article about NYC's water supply in the New Yorker. I actually purchased a 5 gallon container to store water. I used to think food/water storage was for freaks. Now I don't. I once knew this family in Alaska that was obsessed with food storage - they lived in a bunker, and used canned flour for walls. Like they had old coffee cans full of flour, and other grains. Then they had gallons full of water. I will never bee that afraid of running out of food; however I am totally convinced that people need to at least have some kind of storage container full of fresh drinking water. That's all I have to say about that.

I had a dream last night that I was with the boy and we were on a dance floor. He was telling me about a dream he had with me in it – about how when i left he felt sad and wanted me back more than anything, and about how when i came back – it was the best feeling in the world. I then told him that i had the exact same dream the night before. We were both wearing white. We then hugged each other and pressed up against the other. We embraced. I never wanted to leave his side. I felt so strongly for him. It was all i could do was think about being inside of his skin. Melting flesh together. After that moment we could not lie to anyone and went everywhere together. Attached at the proverbial hip.