S: Is for the So long and Farewell!

Months ago this column stated the treachery and the road back to McCarthyism lead by Gonzales and Rove. On August 27th (Praise be to God), Alberto Gonzales resigned. As of September 17th he will exist no more, to do any more harm to his country. In fact when asked, he stated that he was not directly involved in the firings (which he was), and that the firings were related to performance issues. Six of the eight fired had positive performance appraisals. I guess there's a difference between job performance, and what Bush would consider loyal activities by his own staff. After lying about his involvement, he was unclear regarding the reasoning behind the firing. We all know that the truth is puppets have puppets. While Bush has every right to fire anyone who does not agree with him, Gonzales has no right to lie to Congress. Clearly he did. The problem is Alberto is too stupid or negligent to cite to appropriate laws and make a statement based on principle. Instead he lied. With Gonzales gone, will Karl Rove step up to the plate and do the right thing? Doubtful, because then there won't be anyone loyal to Bush to staunchly defend his agenda. The question left is will he defend himself in the court of public opinion, based on violations of the law, or will it be his own violations of stupidity? All I know is one gone and I can rest a lot easier.

Meantime: Sen. Larry Craig denied trying to engage in lewd behavior in an airport bathroom and suggested he was entrapped. My question is what was he doing and did it involve any others. Hey boys will be boys and stupidity reins and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Total Bliss

I was on my way to Nikki Beach for "Girls Night Out" presented by "New York Girl Style" and my friend Caroline. I thought to stop into the Bliss store located at the W Hotel. Someone suggested that this event was a great topic for an article and so I went to check it out. Low and behold they were holding an event for their newest product. I was delightfully asked to join in. I was offered champagne, chocolate truffles and a mini neck facial to test their new product. Now I hate my neck, and anyone who knows me knows if I won the lottery I'd be in a plastic surgeon's office, toot sweet. I couldn't try the chocolate or the champagne since I started a diet two days earlier so I opted for the mini facial and a bottle of bliss water. My technician was Lenora who's skin put me at total ease. It was beautiful and flawless. Her demeanor completely put me at ease. She cleansed my neck with a lemon sage cleanser and then applied the new product thinny thin chin. A hint of orange and a slight tingly feeling asailed me. While it sat on my skin Lenora massaged my hands. Pure blissfully relaxation. An electronic device was then used and though I could feel the current ( I am highly sensitive), I could also feel the tightening begin. The product was then removed and I could feel all the dead cells peal away. They then used a cream and my skin felt instantly firmer, hydrated and the appearance of neck lines had improved. Clinical studies showed a reduction in sagginess of the neck and a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles in the neck area. For a mere $48 I am sold on this revolutionary product. The release isn't even until September 1st.

I was also given a sample of "Love handler", which I can't wait to try. I am told it can whittle my wiggly waist, tone tummy pudge and keep back fat at bay? It wages war for 8-hours. Made with cooling mint oil and naturally-derived amino acid ingredients your sure to feel blissed and your best.

This week I seem to be discovering things before they hit the press and the public. Sometimes you get to xplorefacts before they are F.A.C.T.S and that is what makes writing and sharing with you Bliss.

C: Is for out of this world clubs

My friend Maria has been trying to drag me to the hottest new club around "The Box". "The Box" is the newest destination on the Lower East Side for fine dining and theater. Located at 189 Chrystie Street, a 1935 two-story brick building between Stanton and Rivington Streets, with a stage door on Freeman Alley. One hundred years ago, this area was legendary for its vaudeville palaces, theaters and dime museums; THE BOX is bringing back the excitement and energy of those concert saloons and burlesque halls back to the neighborhood. A pedigreed crew is behind this surrealistic showplace. Owners include Simon Hammerstein, the 28-year-old grandson of Oscar; Randy Weiner, the “Donkey Show’’ writer; and Serge Becker, the night life impresario. The actors Jude Law and Rachel Weisz sit on the board of the opera house-cum-concert saloon. The entertainment is eccentric: Thai fighters one night and opera singers in Mexican wrestling masks the next. In an intimate setting a restaurant and theater, with two bars and a stage. A flexible design and top-notch sound system allow them to present all types of live entertainment: bands, shows, parties, private functions, and special events. It is hailed as "Completely Fabulous!" The show playing there now is PANDORA and is hosted by Cirque Du Soleil star MC Raven O. The show features 20 international variety acts, lavish production numbers in the spirit of Ziegfeld and Busby Berkley starring the Hammerstein Beauties, and live music from The Box orchestra, The Str8ts. The show runs every Friday and Saturday. Specialty acts change regularly and currently include: The James Gang, 3 singer-dancers who blend hip-hop lyrics with a Harlem renaissance style and look. Lombard Twins, internationally renowned tap stars, from Argentina. Dani Lou, 6 foot, stunning, supermodel burlesque superstar who pulls a string of pearls from a completely shaven ----- (fill in the blank), Chris McDaniel, lasso and 1996 World Texas skip champion, in the Will Rogers tradition. Acantha, world’s most gorgeous chanteuse from New Orleans. Erik Sanko, an original member of John Lurie's Lounge Lizards, and his troupe of marionetteers doing original puppet shows created for The Box. Reggie Watts, one man orchestra. Flambeaux, Guinness world record holder for longest fire eating, master of fire arts. Amanda Topaz, aerialist from down under. Ravi, scorpion mystic contortionist from Bombay. Vassily, beatboxing flautist from St Petersburg. There's a complete list of fine wines and champagnes to complement the night. This is one celebrity filled venue and from what I understand unless you have cash and lots of it or are hot as hell getting in is extremely difficult. I can't tell you as I have yet to have been, but I am invited there to a Fashion Week after party next week with Maria so I will write a follow-up article. Expect debauchery and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Creating Art!

Over the past couple weeks, an art installation has been going up in the lobby of The New York Times's beautiful new headquarters tower. Workers have been hanging neat, symmetrical rows of L.E.D. screens from the ceiling in two parallel wall. The screens are part of an artwork and an announcement will be made in a couple of weeks. The installation, is called Moveable Type, and was created by New York artist Ben Rubin and U.C.L.A. associate professor Mark Hansen. It is a dynamic portrait of The New York Times. Sophisticated algorithms are used to parse the daily output of the paper (news, features, editorials) and the archives, as well as the activity of visitors to NYTimes.com (browsing, searching, commenting).
The resulting refracted view of The Times will be displayed on 560 small L.E.D. screens on both sides of the main corridor of the lobby of The New York Times Building. The official unveiling won't take place until late October or early November. To see more of this artist's work log onto: www.earstudio.com/news/news.html

For some fun creating your own art, I recommend creating something beautiful. Here is the website to do so:
www.permadi.com/java/spaint/spaint.html

It is a F.A.C.T. that everyone can create a bit of art to soothe a troubled world.

F: Is for Flea Finds

I live near one of the best flea markets in New York. From vintage clothing, to winter coats, to things that make my life function better I know each Sunday I can walk a couple of blocks to the best free entertainment the city has to offer, as well as accomplish the errands of fresh fruit and vegetables for the week. Great merchandise abounds. From fabulous handmade jewelry & knitwear to decorative accents for your home to antiques that you'll cherish as though they were family heirlooms. The farmers market offers a wide variety of apples, and produce, baked goods, and jams & honey. If it's raining, never fear, there's a lively indoor market! The Sunday market's are open year-round from 10-5:30. The Saturday market 11-7. You will find exciting merchandise from all over the world. Handmade crafts and ethnic handicrafts are abundant. Many of the handmade items are sold by the same people who make them. Some vendors will even create something just for you. Looking for something for the house? Furniture, decorative objects, candles, wall hangings, carpets, curtains, lamps, china, glass, mirrors, and more. Just about everything you can imagine -- some new, some old, some "gently used". All at terrific prices. And don't forget to look at the collectibles -- posters, cartoon figures, magazines, albums. It's a great place for a date, some alone time and the whole family. No admission charge! Whether you’re just browsing or ready to buy, you will find a warm welcome. Make a day of it! I leave with you two great websites to find flea markets near to you. Fall is soon upon us and with that apple cider and pumpkins come to mind it is a F.A.C.T. that you will find the best at one of these.


http://fleamarketguide.com/NY.aspx

www.ny.com/shopping/flea/