Stumbling Upon Greatness...

So it’s after that show at Terminal 5 and the hottie you shared a cig with turned out to be a Craigslist “missed connection.” Why not drown your sorrows and sober up with some carbs and caffeine before heading back to the outer borough whence you came?


A drunken stroll away is a tiny Indian joint called Desi Deli where there’s nary a bespoke plaid shirt, but quality basic Indian food on the cheap. Just ask the cabbies that keep it in business.

Yeah, it’s a little grungy. It might even be a health risk. But so are you. Don’t let the liquid courage you consumed in the quest of “the one that got away” go to waste. Buck up and step inside.

Though the Tikka Masala is mighty tasty, you might want to forgo it tonight. Ask instead for roti. This made-to-order bread will not disappoint and for a buck it’s easy on the wallet.

You can’t go wrong ordering chai, either. Don’t say “chai tea” – that’s like saying “beer beer.” Chai is tea. Or didn’t you learn that at your liberal arts college? Except it’s made with a real cardamom seed, not a mix.

So you’re not like the other clientele. Embrace it. Don’t get your food to-go. Sit down. Strike up a conversation with your taxi-driving neighbor. Maybe you can persuade him to drive you out to Bed-Stuy or wherever it is you couch surf.

Desi Deli 724 10th Ave, NY, 10019

Aloha Jimmy!

(if Elvis ever went to see Buffet, he'd dress like this)

I went to my 2nd Jimmy Buffet concert ever this week. The last time I went was August of 1990, Lakewoood Ampitheatre, Atlanta GA. That concert was a part of his live album, Feeding Frenzy. I don't remember much (no, not because I was drunk/high), except having a pretty good time. And the motions to the song "Fins."


So, here I was this week, 20 years later, at Jones Beach for my 2nd concert. The crowd was older. There were lots of Hawaiian shirts and leis. I don't recall that from the last time. I remember more string bikini tops and cut off jeans from 1990. Maybe it's the toll of 20 years on those same fans? A Hawaiian shirt is far more forgiving.


But these fans were DETERMINED to have a good time. The tailgating looked like it had been going on all day. There was lots of awkward white-people-dancing. Lots of swaying.


Jimmy looked like your cool, tan uncle. He was in board shorts and barefoot.


I forgot that when you get past "Margaritaville," I still actually like some of his songs, and know a lot more than I realized. I only have "Margaritaville" on my iPod, but I really acutally like "One Particular Harbor" and a few others I had forgotten about.


I don't think I'm really Jimmy's demographic (a little too young, too dare I say "with it"), but I actually have a lot more respect coming out of the concert than I did going in. This guy's been at this for 40 years. He can sell out shows. People obviously take of days of work to see him. That's gotta say something.


He takes them to that place they imagine of frozen drinks, beaches, and no worries. I'd rather get on a plane and actually go, but maybe for some, the dream is better than the reality.

No Photography, Please.

I went to a great concert last night. U2 at Giant's Stadium. I was in general admission on the floor actually sort of "inside" the circle of the stage. I could see Bono's 5 o'clock shadow, the frayed bottoms of The Edge's jeans. Amazingly close.

It used to be that no cameras were allowed at concerts. Nowadays, what with camera phones, they've given up. So everyone, and I mean just about every single person (but me) had an actual camera.

And bou did they use them. I found it really distracting. And actually disturbing.

I want to be in the moment and enjoy the event. Taking pictures pulls you out of it. We supposedly take pictures to remember, but this is a concert. It's music. You can't really capture that.

I wouldn't begrudge someone a pic or two, but it was relentless and ubiquitous. I feel bad for them, actually.

You can't hold onto an experience like that. Bono's 10 feet away! Look! Enjoy it! Be present! Don't look at him through a screen.

Won't your ticket stub be enough?