Interactive Google map for NYC Marathon being held on Nov 6. Pretty cool!

[Via GoogleMapMania]

Back in the day, the Village East Cinema would play the Rocky Horror Picture Show on a weekly basis and of course there were all the crazies who would go and act it out and all the regulars in the audience who would shout back lines, etc.

Some older friends organized a group of freshmen to go, wanting to embarass them as “virgins” (the uninitiated, those who haven’t been to one of those live RHPS things). And yes, I was on the virgin list.

This story would totally be better if I hadn’t sunk down in my seat and shot glaring glances at my friend Ivan who was totally the person who put me on that list. The people in charge weren’t all that persistent so I just got to watch the other “virgins” make fools of themselves by pretending to orgasm in front of the whole audience, etc.

All in all it’s pretty fun if you can ignore all the trenchcoat/goth nerds who go to these things every week wishing to be a “cast member.” The movies is great of course and in the spirit of Halloween you can go check out the Halloween extravaganza of the New York City cast which is now at some theatre in Chelsea. Or not.

I went to a WB party last night at Marquee High School. God I hate that place. If that place didn

Who knew your ipod could actually save you from those annoying subway bag searches? Descending into my station this morning, I noticed a new search table set up (this particular entrance had never had one before) surrounded by a few police officers scoping out the crowd. As I approached, I

If you live in Brooklyn, somewhat close to Park Slope, it’s pretty neat to join the Food Coop. Member owned, the coop offers cheap and organic everything since their mark-up is far below the typical grocery store mark-up because they don’t have to pay for labor: Everybody works 2.75 hours every four weeks. I’ve been a member and cashier for over a year and, even though the Coop is a 10 minute bike ride from my house, I still much rather shop there than at the Met on the corner of my block. The price difference is truly remarkable and I often feel like I’ve spent far too much money if I even just buy ingredients for one pasta dinner at the Met.

While there are many people who don’t like the Coop for many reasons, I have to say that my experience there has been almost entirely pleasurable. Aside from the occasional self-important member I really enjoy the people and the environment, especially the fact that you don’t feel like the people working there resent you and resent working there. In a world that is dominated by workers alienated from their labor, the coop is a place where that is not the case (of course the whole working every four weeks thing has something to do with it.)

And when my shift ends with snacking on freshly prepared guacamole with chips and the squad leader starts a little conversation on the dis/advantages of private property I feel like I’m in a good place.

Breaking news–I

Well, it finally happened. Walking down the street this morning, on my way to work, I encountered a dealer surreptitiously hawking…cigarettes (

I know a lot of people have been following Tessa

This is the last and final chapter in my Fresh Direct saga. In some respects I think it was a mistake to write about it, as it opened me up for personal phone calls (google is a bitch) and hate emails, and nasty comments. But fact is, I ordered Fresh Direct, a lot of New Yorkers order Fresh Direct, so deal. Emotionally I’m at the end of my rope with this and at the end of the day was so disheartened by FD’s final response that I’m ready to throw in the towel and say “You won.”

Yesterday, the director of transportation came to my office to show me pictures of potential people who could have done this. I quickly identified the offender for him. He next handed me his business card and told me the next time I ordered FD to hold up the card to the delivery guy and he would know not to hurt me. I laughed. I didn’t mean to, but what kind of response is that? I told him flat out I would not be ordering FD again, and as if scripted he said he was very sorry but to hold up the card the next time I ordered and I should be okay. He even put his cell on the back just in case something did happen so I could contact him. Great.

The other side of this was that they were doing an internal investigation with the delivery guy. They spoke to the guy today and although they could not give me any employment details they “gauranteed he would not be delivering to my area” any more. It doesn’t take a genius to read between the lines of that. Again, I said I’m sorry but I can’t use FD any longer. A few minutes ago, I received a message from the director of transportation who said he thought the last telephone conversation went badly. In return, I left him a message saying I’m just so drained I can’t go any further.

Yes, I suck at life. Yes, they won. But when things like this so consume your life, sometimes it feels like its best if you just let them win. Is this the best resolution? No. I’m a pansy, flake, worthless type of person for letting this happen? Yes. BUT as far as all the comments go, I reiterate, I always tip – just not to guys who demand one from me. And, at the end of the day, in regards to the comments section, I think that old saying should be rewritten to read “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always crush me.” It’s over with and done with and that’s my final word on the matter.

I