GenEx

Friday Wrap-Up

I've been spending some time at the New York Design Center, the to-the-trade mega center of high end furniture, fabric, hardware, you name it. I'm looking for sectional upholstery and drape fabric, after having given up on other sources. It's a magnificent place; if you know someone in the interiors biz (my friend Mario gets me in the door) it's worth checking out even if for inspiration only - the prices have a tendency to knock you out.

The place is crawling with that strange breed of elderly upper east side design snob. I was constantly being asked "trade-only" questions designed to throw me off and out me as a street-eating pedestrian. Luckily I came prepared. And I did see some fantastic options for upholstery and drapery. So perhaps we're getting closer on those major pieces for the apartment. Now it'll just be 8-12 weeks for construction and delivery.

It is raining (on our parade) once again today. A Friday - what a shock. Every year I'm convinced the weather is a conspiracy. Not that we haven't had any beautiful weekend days. But the lions share seem to be Tues-Thurs and then rain and cold all weekend. It's as if someone is trying to break down midtown office workers; to punish us until we can take it no more.

I'm heading out to Fire Island for the first time this year. It will be nice to be back on the beach. The first of 5 trips I plan to take there this summer, we'll get the house set up and cook a few good meals. Look for photos soon.

PLAY-STA-TION

An ad from Europe's TBWA/Wien for Sony's Playstation (hat tip, Naha). I can see this sweeping up at Cannes. Or, being completely ignored. I'm not quite sure what the "Playboy forever" bit is all about. Or why the gamer has ripped abs. But interesting nonetheless. Considering past ads have shown a close-up of a woman giving birth to an adult male, the reputation is to shock. A thumb for a penis - clever.

Still crazy after all those weeks

No, I haven't ordered a dining table yet - in case any of you were still following that saga. Last I mentioned this I was considering Eames vs Saarninen. The thinking is with my intense cherry wood floors, only white and steel will work as there's quite a bit of wood going on already. The table also has to be round and not be larger than 40" in diameter given the space. There are not many tables that fit that description.

Here's one I thought was quite interesting (I'm really into the architectural construction of the base). My naval chair to the right.

However, this table is 48" in diameter. And is only sold in Europe, as far as I can tell.

Today, I reached desperation and thought - well maybe wood can work. Because I love this table:

My bed is dark wood. And it doesn't look terribly out of place (goes the rationale). The lighter wood comes with the option of a white laminate top - but that seems to me like pouring ketchup on a steak. Why ruin it? This table is extremely overpriced but I'm getting to the point where I just want to throw money at the problem to make it go away. Will have to think about this one.

Psssssssst

Here's a sneak peek at one of the images I'm finalizing for a Viva paper towels print campaign about to break. Shot by Tony D'Orio. Retouched by Scott Giannini.

Fire Island 2008

This weekend I spent with Mom. Eating too much and comparing Manhattan to suburban grocery prices.

Next weekend I begin my quarter share in Fire Island. A quarter share consists of 5 weekends (weeks, really, if you can spare the time) from May to September. One per month is just enough to keep it interesting. I'm taking wagers now for what the weather might be. My gang is somewhat shellshocked from our one-week trip last August that amounted to 7 days of freezing monsoons. May weather can bring spectacular sunny skies and 70s, or torrential downpours and 40s. Gotta love the Northeast.

HBO Boxing

The ads around town for the Calzache Vs Hopkins fight on HBO look more like gay porn than a boxing match.

Joey's Rage

Did anyone catch last night's episode of The Real World Hollywood?

I don't think - in the 18 or so seasons of this show I've watched - that there has been a more terrifying event than Joey's binge drinking/rage explosion. We've learned over the last few episodes about his fucked up childhood. How his dad beat the shit out of him constantly. How his mom would lock him and his brothers in a room while she went on a coke binge. And how he himself succumbed to drug addiction and alcoholism. But it still did not prepare me for what I saw last night. Chugging a magnum of white zinfandel, after a night in which he probably took in a dozen cocktails at the club and every ounce of alcohol back at the house. Smashing glasses. Beating himself in the head. Throwing shit everywhere. And terrorizing everyone in the house.

You can watch the episode at the link above. Or see it next Wednesday at 9pm. Needless to say he's leaving the house for rehab. Which is sad above all as he's not a bad guy. He'll be back after 30 days and we'll see what happens then, when people stop being polite indeed.

When you care enough

Most e-cards suck. Bunnies and puppies running through grassy hills. Canned sentiment. Bad writing. That's why someecards.com was created; an antidote for cynical urban dwellers such as yourselves. Snarky lines paired with old line illustration adds up to pure genius.

Workout

While I really don't need to get hooked on yet another reality show, Brian Peeler of Bravo's Workout is just so freaking cute I can't help myself. The show isn't half bad either. But let's be honest - if Brian wasn't running the 10k Mud Run shirtless and then showering off in his boxers there wouldn't be much draw. Well, for me at least.

UPDATE: Yes, Brian was "fired" last night. But that doesn't mean he won't be back. I think Bravo knows the tension between he and what's-her-name boss lady is too good to give up.

UPDATE II: www.brianpeeler.com - blame Eric.

The Craving continues

Mark continues to spin the wildest sets over at The Crave Club every Saturday. Which you should have checked out by now but if you haven't, you'll find the link in permanent residency now in the sidebar. No, it's not a club. It's a podcast. Click the link and subscribe for free.