Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Verizon Fios Allows Me to Watch Sunset Daze on WE, OMG these GILFS are cray cray

So we recently invested in Verizon Fios (the building supports both that and Time Warner, whose prices have crept up over the years it seems). The building actually used to be the Bell Telephone building so my girlfriend actually was speaking with a rep on the phone who remembered working there years ago.

It's pretty great so far; we have our own unshared internet connection and are still getting used to what looks to be a pretty nice interface for cable. Which means I'm watching the premiere of Sunset Daze. Two episodes. 600 years of combined living experience.

Sunset Daze has the greatest opening credits since Freaks and Geeks.

They just described Joey, a potential date for a one Sandy, as "construction worker, stole a car at 14, and goes commando". They are trying so hard to make these guys totally rowdy, plus a a few diapers/pee bags.

Gail "Do You Think They Think I'm Gay" is pretty awesome and she's from New York so there's the tie-in to this blog (not really). Her rouge is a little much. She tells people that they are shitty actors. And all the dudes are kind of perverts, like this guy Dick. The guy has more balls are bigger than the hot air balloon he was riding on his date with Sandy.

Gail's son is the head of the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association. Which is exactly what it sounds like.

Dark rock music interlude. And then major key pop rock music interlude. Ann's skydiving partner looks like Puck from Alpha Flight.

Wait, here comes Jack. He's shifty with lots of moves. He kisses other women other than his girlfriend Kathleen. I'm glad everyone is still perverted at 70 years.

I kind of wish they would talk a little more about the actual culture of retirement living; it's kind of getting a little trashy (not that I mind, but just to switch it up a little from all these scheming between the sexes). In this day and age where baby boomers are approaching this age it's very interesting to have a show or something in the medium dedicated to the lives and concerns of older folks. Of course it's on WE so I shouldn't expect anything less than sensational (even Secret Lives of Women treads that territory sometimes). If this show was on Discovery, things would be different.

It's also set in Arizona which is very picture perfect; in New York and in Brooklyn I'm sure the day to day is significantly different. There are no golf carts to get around. The weather isn't always dry and sunny. From an east coast city perspective the show is kind of a fantasy.

Sandy must have really lived hard in the 70s, she curses more than I do. Home date? Sounds like our resident film critic Chris Cabin.

Jack don't get advice from Mort. Mort can't hear you and laughs at his own jokes, even quicker than I do.

A tribute to this show, courtesy of some throwback old schoolers Jurassic 5:

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earth Day - Landscaping Willoughby Square (What's That, You Ask)

If one knows how to manscape, would he know how to landscape? It's Earth Day folks, trim those beards, get some Vitamin D, weather permitting, and smell the earth, even if someone was kind enough to leave dog biznass 2 feet away.

So right over by the next block yonder hither to, Willoughby and Duffield is going to be a hotbed of meticulous plots to make downtown Brooklyn just a little purdier. Brownstoner reports that the square of land that currently holds something like a parking lot will be getting a lift with a little help from Hargreaves Associates. Now, the forum design meeting was held yesterday at LIU but you could probably still bother Josh Nachowitz (I know what you're thinking: Notcchyo-cheese) about it if you're not too lazy to click on Brownstoner's link and find his info. Just tell him all of my ideas: floating gold sparkles pool, a couple of really shady looking statues, a private bathroom for those who show receipts from shopping within the DoBro area, and a huge ice luge filled with SUNY Purchase punch.

All of those things would definitely not be a plus for the environment, but I tried. I've seen Lord of the Rings: Two Towers. Shit will go down if you don't respect those tree monsters.

The good people over at WatchMojo.com have a skinny on it before I parlay that into my musical suggestion for today:





Of course Propagandhi!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Downtown (DoBrah) Brooklyn News: Cheap Pizza Hooray!

Photo from Downtown Brooklyn Facebook via Shop Downtown Brooklyn.

Yesterday was the grand opening of Gus Martuscell's Saporita Pizza near the corner of Smith Street and Livingston (on the stretch of Smith that goes north of Atlantic, you were almost fooled right?). Kings County president Marty "Farts" Markowitz was on hand to deliver the good news to Fulton Mall dwellers as well as occasional pizza lovers like myself who don't want to schlep to Lucali down on Henry or Vinny's.

Anywho, taking a look at their jawesome official website (Impact font was my favorite too guys) I see that they not only serve cheap slices during lunch (which I will never be around to partake in) but recession priced appetizers, pastas, and heros. When half the menu is averaging 6 bucks or less, you know you've hit the jackpot. When Markowitz is at your grand opening, you know he had a lot of work that day.

They also have a few specialty pizzas to rise them above the hole in the wall fray, including a Spicy Chicken pizza. Those who know me know that those two words put together is kind of like half an orgasm. Spicy Kuritza!!

You can check out their online coupons which makes this site even better. It should get a Webby Award. Three things that are probably coming soon: online ordering (so you don't have to talk to anyone), a Facebook page, and a Twitter profile. That's what I call using social media to harness your branding.

Before you get yourself in a tizzy, know that they are closed on Saturdays, probably because they are awesome (not for observing anything). And they are closing at 6pm, so nobody who lives in the area but doesn't work in the area is probably going to get to take advantage. It's like all the businesses in the area, you can only imagine...

The recent Visa commercial with Mambo Italiano is one of my favorite recent TV ads is below in tribute. The dude is spinning the pie and flouring it all snazzy, you know he's thinking "BOO YA":

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Chilling in Cobble Hill Park - Morning Stroll

This morning we went for a walk and sat on a bench in Cobble Hill Park and drank some coffee before going to the supermarket. Compared to the East River State Park in Williamsburg with all the hilarious bird poop, this small park is just kind of wholesome. There are kids, small dogs, couples, sunlight, a central grassy area, a small playground, and a general sense of old-timey flavor stuck between Amity and especially Veranda Place.

I was sitting when two late 30s gentlemen who were having a conversation were leaving from a couple benches away. One turned to me and asked me where I found this Dag Nasty shirt I was wearing. I told him I purchased it a while ago, when I was much younger. He make a joke that that kind of statement must age him quite a bit, and we both had a small chuckle. I discussed that a lot of these folks probably were quite the sweaty rebels back in their day (not that their day has passed or anything) and now looking so well dressed and clean cut.

There was also a woman running along with a dog she was with, it was kind of funny to see someone fully decked out in a long coat being so physically all over the place and wacky. I then finished my girlfriend's Mazzola's coffee before tackling brussel sprouts.

By the way, at Mazzola's there was this woman in line who when the staff yelled out "Next!" due to the plenty o' foot traffic that moves in and out, this woman yelled back and said "I don't like being yelled at thank you, I don't appreciate it." I'm not sure if she knew that many businesses that are busy like to keep things moving by being forward and loud and clear about who is next in line. I struck me as an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Pretty sunny and a good morning for walking on this Easter.