NYC...For Now

What's Playing: Mase - Welcome Back

Greetings readers! I've missed you all and I can only hope the feeling is mutual :)

Since the last post, I've finally freed myself from the 610-shackles and have returned to my glorious hometown of NYC. I'm happy to have finally left Lehigh, but now there are more serious matters at hand waiting for me back home.

If you are like me in any way, you have almost come to dread the winter sports season here in NYC. With an astounding record of 19-29, the New York Knicks seems almost too happy being in the middle of arguably the worst division in professional basketball, and are essentially honored to have playoff position in their sights as they sit at 10th place in the Eastern Conference (2 GB of the 8th spot Bobcats).

Between J.R. untying players' shoes at the free-throw blocks, Bargnani believing he can actually thwap from beyond the arc, and the combo of Felton/Chandler putting up some skeptical play at best, the Knicks have become the laughing stock of NYC sports. Amar'e is happily being paid to punch walls, sit down, and essentially stretch...all the while 'Melo is dropping buckets trying to increase his already high player value for the upcoming free agency. The Knicks have gone from hopeful to awful and it is interesting to see how Woodson will deal with the rest of the season seeing as the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture is a slew of average teams alongside the Pacers and Heat.

Though the same cannot be said verbatim, the New York Rangers have had an interesting season so far, a little bit past the halfway mark. The Rangers sit 8 games above .500, while harboring 3 overtime losses. New head coach Alain Vigneault has already left his mark by dishing out struggling defencemen Del Zotto to the predators for an even older defencemen in Kevin Klein. Though the Rangers are in a better position, and sorry but call me bias a better team, than the Knicks it is fair to assume attention of NY sports fans might switch heavily towards hockey. I think most fans just feel let down when the Knicks get blown out, because they doubt to see any progress in the future. On the other hand, when the Rangers lose there's always a sense of the "next game" to recover.

It will be interesting to see how the season plays out for both NY teams. The Rangers will be taking an extended break shortly from the 9th-21st of February so that players can go to Sochi and represent their respective nations. The Knicks continue their dreadful season tonight against a strong Trailblazers team, but if they are able to string a few wins together and stop the typical Knick "shenanigans" not only the playoffs, but a strong spot in the playoffs, is easily capibly in a heavily handicapped Eastern Conference.

All in all, I just hope I get through the season and don't feel like CeeLo Green by the end of it.

-

Long Hair Don't Even Care

What's Playing: Mr. Carter- Lil' Wayne

We have reached arguably the greatest month out of the year for men, November. To many it is called "Movember" to others it is called "No Shave November," regardless it is a time for men to show how gnarly and untamed their faces can really be.

I have taken quite a liking to November and the whole facial hair craze ever since I graduated from boarding school in Connecticut. It was the first time I was introduced to the facial hair lifestyle thanks to fellow hockey and lacrosse bros.

I will always support this month. It is a time to let sophistication go by the wayside and let your inner animal out into the wild...roar

No Shave October, November....maybe December?

Where The Beats Never End

What's Playing: Where The Beats... - Scooter

Bethlehem needs an establishment, venue, area to provide musical entertainment to both students and residents. Musical venues within a town should be a given. I've been lucky enough to be raised in NYC with one of the richest and diverse music scenes.

I love going to musical shows. I say show because I've been in traditional "concert" settings like Meatloaf at the Beacon Theatre, as well as "experiences" like going to Electric Zoo all 5 years it's been on Randalls Island.

I was recently reminded of this major difference in "hometowns" this past weekend when I was in NYC and was able to see Boys Noize at Output in Brooklyn. It was an intimate venue, certainly more towards a club/lounge than venue, but still an enjoyable place I would recommend and will go to in the future.

Now, as I sit in my house in Pennsylvania, I realize I have no music scene to go to. I could go to one of the many bars, where I am sure to hear the same 80s playlist I have been listening to for the past 4 years. I could hear the rambling townies at an open-mic night at Molly's or an involuntary game of karaoke at Sotto's. Needless to say the options are few. SteelStacks and Sands have shed some light on the little town of Bethlehem, though. They both offer good music, but their schedules are sporatic to say the least, and unless you're trying to cough up top dollar you might as well forget it.

If there are any people seeking business ideas out there, bring an establishment with some musical aspect to Bethlehem. I guarantee you will succeed.

EPIC Night @ Terminal 5

Eat. Sleep. _____. Repeat.

What's Playing: Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat - Fatboy Slim & Riva Starr

It's been a while since I've posted on the SMALL apple and I apologize for keeping you from the exciting moments of my exhilarating life. Honestly though, it's been quite hectic living this sort of double life and I am afraid it seems to be catching up to me.

Since the semester started I've been commuting back and forth from PA to NYC for school and weekends. Unfortunately, most of the time I have spent back home in NYC has been with friends, going out, and essentially anything else that will help me procrastinate and try to wipe my memory clear of where I spend the other half of my week.

This has had it's detrimental effect on my studies though. For the past two weeks I have been grinding non-stop just to catch up with the work I have easily brushed off till a later date. Well, that date has come my friends.

Now I know I will be okay. I know I will power through and get all of my work done so that this weekend in New York will be enjoyable, but my poorly managed time schedule has shed some light on my hometown.

NYC is definitely not suitable for the weak. NYers are always on a constant hustle getting from point A to point B, and it is in your best interest not to get in the way. Some people might fall in to the trap of constant distractions, opportunities, and adventures that await around the corner of each block.

Being so close to graduation I wonder if the city is the place for me in the near future. I mean I want to live their when I grow up, but would I decline a job offer that forced me to relocate to a different city? That. I do not know. I'm sure my pockets would appreciate the alleviated stress of city life, and it might be nice to be able to settle down somewhere and make a name for yourself in a smaller sea of fishes, so to speak.

For now, the city is my home and I will love it for that. But I've been enjoying my time in Bethlehem slightly more and more with each passing weak. The silence, sounds of nature, and lack of cabs are soothing but I wouldn't be myself if I didn't have that chaos factor in my life somehow. I do not know whether to give credit to Bethlehem for letting me accomplish my work, or to NYC for being so good at distracting...I guess to each his own.

Dear New York...

What's Playing: Dear New York - Firebeatz


 ....CAN I GET A SANDWICH?!

For most inhabitants of South Bethlehem it's common knowledge that if you're looking for a tasty sandwich, you go to the Goosey Gander. When you walk in to "The Goose," Tony is there with a smile on his face ready to prepare you a delicious deli sandwich with a side of pleasant conversation.

I just came back from The Goose to sit down and write this, after inhaling a "Guna Melt" (you got it, Tuna salad) and having a nice conversation with Tony on his birthday (The guy works on his birthday...dedication).

It got me thinking that New York City, though it is known for many things, has failed to present me with a go-to sandwich place, at least one near my house on the Upper East Side. Now I know I can get a nice burger at JG Melon's, a pastrami sandwich from Pastrami Queen or Katz's Delicatessen, and essentially an over-priced salad anywhere, but where can I get a nice deli sammy?! Is that so hard?

I don't want to go to Subway, it smells funny and you know it does too. I can go to any corner deli and attempt to get a sandwich, but who knows what the guy behind the counter is preparing (I once asked for ham and got roast beef, don't ask me how). However, when I go to The Goose I know Tony knows his menu like the back of his hand, and he makes every sandwich as if it were his own.

After eating at The Goose multiple times, I've come up with "Tony's Steps" that provides the perfect mathematical equation for a good sandwich:

Good Quality Deli Meat +

Giving 2 Sh!ts about what you're making +

A whole bunch of sauce (personal preference) =

Perfect Sandwich.

Tony has perfected this art, applying ample amounts of Russian Dressing to any combination of meat you can imagine, and it works!

I ask that deli owners take note of Tony. Who knows, maybe when I graduate I'll ask to start a Goose operation in New York City. I feel like that would be a delicious job to have. 

Tony....this ones for you. Bethlehem 3 - New York City 2.