S: Is for a bankrupt society!

Continuing yesterdays column I woke up at 11:00 after having tossed and turned all night from the bruising and sore muscles from my fall. I immediately went to my phone, then to my e-mail, no messages. So I logged onto Duane Reade's website. I called because the store manager's report should of been filed and I sent two letters. Both now have case numbers and yet nobody had contacted me which I found strange. I was given to customer service but when I explained I wrote about this I was given to legal. To the stores credit both their legal and claims department were courteous and seem concerned, though oddly not surprised. I continue to write about this because without fighting for ones rights they are being diminished. Which brings us to tonight's column.

Since I was laid up in bed and bored out of my mind I turned on a new CBS series called "Swingtown." I figured it was about the sexual revolution by it's name, but I was not prepared for how far they would go. A "Traditional Marriage" in this show is romantically shown by seducing the neighbors and who ever else comes into eyes view. Sex in a marriage is enhance by sleeping with someone else either in an orgy situation or an added partner to the mix and then the couples sexual appetite is ferocious. The people who are opposed to such values are shown as boring, non interesting prudes. What kind of message is this sending? The converted neighbors are intrigued and enticed, by quaaludes as they open their eyes and participate in the taboo-shattering environment. Orgies in the basement, coke, pot, recreational drugs, stealing, a student about to seduce a teacher, a graphic depiction of a child being beat up for spreading sexual rumors about a girl and the multiple sex partners was just in the first episode. One has to ask, what's next. This is a summer replacement on at 10 and I'll tell you I would not want a teenager watching this because it is all glamorized. I knew people in this scene and this lifestyle made them emotional zombies, put some in mental institutes, broke up marriages, left a lot of sexually transmitted diseases and left them in ruins in every way a person can be left. What was CBS thinking? More importantly what were the sponsors? I look back on the 70s, and I'm embarrassed: Coke addictions, the white-collar-robbery and the junk bonds that led to the Savings-and-Loan meltdown, herpes and HIV infections, polyester double-knit leisure suits and platform shoes (ok they were cool). Don't forget the shirts open to the navel with gold chains and mullets. My biggest problem with this show is it morally bankrupt. What ones morals are just that ones morals and behind closed doors, what consenting adults do is just that.

My problem is if you want to create a world of desensitized people who do your bidding, you show them the things that make us feel and care, don't exist. Coke, pot, medications and alcohol dull and shut off the feeling portion of our brains. Unless it's psychedelics, which are meant to expand our visions but again people who did them a lot are no better off than someone who is mentally challenged. Easy to control. People who are into sexual addiction become dulled to the experience and need higher and higher stakes to reach that high. Again easy to control. I was never one to play well in the sandbox and I am not one to blindly watch as the world I know becomes the science fiction novels I've read. Wake-up before it is too late and add your voice. For it is one thing to believe in freedom but it is beginning to be used against us and that is a scary F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Trauma at Duane Reade!

To start with, nobody I know likes the Duane Reade on 79th and Amsterdam. It is dirty, poorly stock, has some of the rudest employee's around, the lines are always about 20 deep but everyone shops there because the nearest drug store is about 8-10 blocks away. A month ago I went to get a prescription filled and I wanted to known the price and they refused and told me to get the price would take over 8 hours. Tonight I went to get kitty food at 6:50. I live down the street so I was thinking 10 minutes at the most. As I went down the kitty aisle I slipped. I was wearing a sarong and flip flops. Needless to say the whole dress opened up and I was left exposed. Imagine my embarrassment! You know that cliche where the person is hurt and nobody does anything? Well it is true. This was witnessed by about 10 people and the staff yet nobody came to me as I lay hurt. I heard voices calling to me "Are you ok" as I sent a muttered "NO!" As I got up realized there was a puddle of water from a water cooler with a disgusting rag that had been placed in the corner. The rag looked like it had catsup or blood on it. I had to ask for a manager who took over 10 minutes to arrive. When she did her blasé "you want a ambulance or what" without any concern had me irate. She did not ask me if I was hurt, would I like a chair or ice. I just told her I wanted to fill out a report which at first she told me didn't exist until I said that was against the law. Disappearing I stood in pain as my toe was swelling and my hip and forearm were dully aching. 10 minuets later the manager arrives back and all I can think does everything in this place have to do with 10's? Hurting, I ask when she was going to ask me if I wanted to sit. Rudely tells me she did and I refused, which was not the case. This argument went on for about 5 min. Ah, the 10's have disappeared. If I blink will this nightmare? No! So I ask for a copy of the report which she tells me she can not give me so I say I want the police. After all I need a record. Why, oh why did I leave without my cell. She reaches for her cell and dials then gives me the phone. The women who answers asks me where the fire is, I say I want the police. She takes down the address of where I am. The manager then asks me if I want to sit, but the puddle was still there and I am actually afraid to walk near it. So the manager finally has one of the staff bring a mop which is dirty beyond belief and when he mops smells distinctly of mold. I know this smell well as I am highly allergic. When I state this I am, I find out the mop had not been rinsed all day but I am wrong about the mold. I am not as I am starting to get nauseous. After just spreading the water all over the floor, they want me to walk to the chair. I say no, not till it is dry. Finally they break down and get some paper towels. The rag I mentioned is pushed to the corner. I sit waiting for the police as the manager does ask the one person still left who has witnessed this for her statement and her name which she does not want to give. I did however, see her buy $20 worth of medication at 7:37 so I asked the cashier who took her money what time it was. She will be easy to find as she is Asian. When I told the manager that fact she said she could make me a copy of the report now, something she said she could not do earlier. While I was sitting there I realize how dirty this place was as rat droppings are in view. The manager who never gave me her name or card then made me then wait in a line of 9 customers as I limped to the kitty food, to the line and out the door. At the register Chandra tells me the $5 reward I had had expired and was tearing it up until I asked to look at it. I then pointed out the date I received it which was 2 weeks ago and she laughed at her mistake. I left at 8:08 because the receipt is time stamped.

All I could think as I limped up the street was how many laws were broken? How many times did the manager not do what a manager is suppose to do? If I had been an elderly person or a child this could of caused damage that could of been fatal, yet it took me saying I wasn't moving for the water, which was extensive to be mopped up properly. When reading the report I realized Samesha ( finally learned her name by looking at the report) even got it wrong and lied on several facts. I couldn't read it at the time as my glasses were broken. She also never got me to sign it for her safety. I write this column because I was hurt unnecessarily due to lack of management and staff neglect, but when it comes down to it Corporation neglect. Follow this as I will keep you abreast of what happens, for as I write this my toe is huge, my arm is lumped and my hip is throbbing and turning a hideous purple and this could of been avoided and that is the sad F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Cocktails in plush places!

I attended an event at Inc. Lounge The Time Hotel's hot new cocktail Lounge 224 W 49th St, 2nd Fl (between 8th Ave & Broadway). A glass elevator transports you to the second floor where comfort awaits. This is the perfect before or after theatre spot were you can play pool, sip on delectable cocktails and just mellow out. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the street giving the place a feeling of spaciousness. Plush furniture that has you not wanting to get up it is so comfortable. The sleek jet-black bar and mirror, sink as you sit red velvet couches, accented with glossy black chairs with studded belts, red and black wall paper and Mongolian sheepskin gives the first room an oriental feeling, of opulience. Patent leather settees, curvy-striped leather club chairs, brown alligator swivel stools, mini plasma TVs, and Timorous Beasties wallpaper with wild orchid and graphic tattoo mermaid design and pillows round out the lounge décor. I know it sounds terribly eclectic or like a shopping spree on the streets of the East Village, but this all works. I absolutely love the antique inspired black lacquer pool table, in which to test out your skills.

This is also a late night place to get good food or to cater a after theatre party or show opening. I had a tasting of the curried lamb skewers, Hummus, Black Olive Tapenade & Pita and the Szechwan Shrimp, Thai Red Curry Chicken, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Pickled Ginger, Wasabi platters an they were mouthwatering. The people I was with had Blackened Chicken, Spicy fire Roasted Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Mini Crabcakes, Sweet Potato Chips, Creole Remoulade, Garlic & Chili Shrimp, Mini Beef Empanadas, Chorizo, Shrimp Paella balls, Manchego triangles, Olives & Toasted Ficelle and they also could not wait to tell friends. With a 24-hour notice you can have these waiting for you and your party. Their pre order menu also has corned duck breast, Asian pear, smoked blue cheese, walnut-raisin ficelle, herb crusted seared tenderloin, red onion marmalade, to name just a few, as this list is extensive. There is a regular menu that has gourmet pan pizza's and other items that are sure to please the hardest of customers. The food comes from the re-neon restaurant Serafina's, located downstairs. As for drinks, again reasonably priced and a extensive selection. I tried the pear martini and a mojito and both were strong and delicious. The best part is the staff. Service friendly and pleasantly informed along with a happy attitude makes INC. a place to recommend. Normally places in the Theatre District are tourist orientated, finally there is a place that can please New Yorkers as well and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Art of the Party!

One of the hottest tickets in town is to the sold out Whitney Art Party, Tuesday June 17th. Whitney's Contemporaries Art Party is an annual fete featuring a VIP guest list of art, fashion, & celebrity circles as well as an silent art auction. Both the proceeds from the auction and the tickets (priced $250 a pop with a long waiting list) go to benefit the Whitney’s prestigious Independent Study Program. (Which I like to think of as day camp for really talented artists, but I know it’s much more intense than that.) The dress code is a must and many a shapely model and actress will done the body hugging 80s-style dresses by Herve Leger. (The label, as you fashion insiders know, is owned by BCBG, the event’s co-host. See the connection now?) The artist E. V. Day makes fireworks from fashion, such as a replica of Marilyn Monroe’s white halter dress. She has made bomber jets out of G-strings. Now how cool is that? Her latest project, is a take on a dress perhaps even more fraught with sexual metaphor, a bandage dress from the house of Hervé Léger. The reason is Ms. Day had been asked by the Whitney Museum to contribute a work based on the dress for the annual Art Party. Cocktails and dancing commence from 9 pm–1 am at The Skylight located at 275 Hudson Street (at Spring Street). The Dress code is Art Chic which means all of the top designers will be represented. This party insures the youthful energy of the Whitney flourishes. Committed to exploring new approaches to education multidimensional programs abound. Highly regarded art advisor Candace Worth of Worth Art Advisory picks are
the FedEx box by Walead Beshty. "It's just a wonderful piece and it's small enough to put anywhere" she said. (The current bid on the work, constructed from FedEx supplies and safety glass and related to Beshty's lauded installation in this year's Whitney Biennial, is $2,000.) "Very often his pieces are offered in groups—it's not as easy to get a single work." Worth also pointed out Melanie Schiff's dimly-lit color photograph of herself on a beer-bottle surrounded couch, Self-Portrait After John's Party (bidding is currently at $600). "She's a great up-and-coming photographer from Chicago. That's also a really good price," said Worth. Also catching Worth's eye are Mika Rottenberg's drawing P24 (currently at $400), Aaron Morse's watercolor Berlin (Kennedy) (currently at $1,000) and Matthew Brannon's gracefully composed letterpress print, Unfinished Business (currently at $2600). I have enclosed my takes as well as a Cecily Brown piece that I think will fetch the highest bids. You don't have to have a ticket to the party to bid. Log onto www.whitneyartparty.org/auction. I would suggest going now for as I was writing this the Cecily Brown piece was bought and is now longer there. It was a good thing I snagged the picture. Keeping art alive is a ggod thing and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: is for Films that do not disappoint!

Ask any girl or gay man where they were headed this weekend and it was to the sold out shows of "Sex and the City." Shocking the movie studios to the tune of $55.7 million, twice the low forecasted amount. Never under estimate the power of women or that of the sophisticated male. For a long time the studio's have been churning out crap geared to the 20 something crowd, but "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" has to date made $216.9 million. Both these movies have stars that range in the 40-60's age range and are sexier and drawing more viewers now. Executives state this phenomenon is due mainly because women have been buying out the theatre and make-up 85% of the audience. I went Saturday at 11:30 and the audience to my show and the 2 shows at 12 were mixed and let me tell you a lot of international cliental. Men are taking their wives and girlfriends and liking it. This film spans age ranges and continents. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte represent pieces of all of us. Samantha is the piece of us who clammers for sexual and personal freedom. The part that believes in ourselves and can take on the world like a cat in heat without the guilt. Miranda is practical, making mistakes and thinks business is just that...successful. Charlotte is the mother in all of us, the Madonna, the eternal optimist who believes the best in everyone. And Carrie sees it all, is the one who strives to have it all and when that doesn't happen writes about it all. She is who keeps our records and leads us through an era.

This movie also breaks a trend that for decades women have complained about and is finally and gloriously broken. Male frontal nudity. Women since the R rating was conceived have had to bare all, while their male counterparts were clothed. They would be in bed naked lounging as men were dressing. Even in musicals this went on. In "Passion" the opening scene had Clara nude as her lover was in a uniform as they sang of making love. Must admit I like this version a whole lot better and (Gilles Marini) Dante, Samantha's next door is mostly nude and always having sex, providing women and gay men some of the most delicious eye candy while the nongay men can enjoy Dante's sexual 'playmates'. I have found a Gilles Marini reel so enjoy one and all! Damn, no shower scene's.


I really enjoyed this movie and didn't expect to laugh out loud. Though I am not telling the story (go see it yourselves) I will state that the spoilers lie and the ending thank-God is happy and completely enjoyable. Jennifer Hudson is a stand out and proves she is no one hit wonder. You will leave the theatre feeling like you shopped to you dropped, had a night on the town and a taste for cosmopolitans. Women are back and in control of not only the box office but life.

We are not getting older baby, were getting better and that is a F.A.C.T.