The People on the Subway
These were the people I observed on my subway train today:

* A young woman applying mascara while looking at her reflection in the back of her iPod. Kudows for ingenuity.

* A man in a suit clutching his briefcase to his chest as if his newborn child was in it and quickly darting around the subway looking for a mythical attacker, indicating he must normally take a taxi to work.

* A woman grabbing the overhead bar while reading The Wall Street Journal and sheltering an iced Dunkin Donuts coffee between her flip flopped feet. Very impressive!

* An older woman with remnants of her breakfast still on her chin.

* A man reading an Arab newspaper and another man reading a Japanese paper, but looking at the comics.

* An unwell man steps on the train and SHOUTS nonsense about God while staring out the dark window, he yells, "God's a pretty God, yeah he's pretty. God is a princess. An angel." The man standing near him jumps, a teenage couple laughs, the boyfriend mimicking the "he's pretty" part but looking more like Bernie Mac than the screamer and the iPod woman puts up the volume on her mp3 player. Luckily the man got off at 28th street, the following stop. The train is eerily silent in his absence.
--

Last night while coming home from the Cheesecake Factory (yum) for Yellow's birthday dinner, I met two men coming back from the U.S. Open. They asked me if I liked living in the city and if I felt safe etc (yes to both). When they heard that I work and am a student, they asked me if I was an actress. I think this is funny. They are not the first to assume that I'm a struggling actress trying to make it in the city. I'm not sure if I'm flattered that they think I can be an actress or annoyed that they are assuming that I'm not capable of a professional/corporate job and am going for my master's degree. I usually try to make it clear right away that I'm in Graduate school and not an undergrad, but people hear NYU and because I sometimes look younger, they just assume. Anyway, I digress, it was one of those fun quick subway meetings that happen in New York.

Afterwards I was walking to my apartment and contemplating eating my massive leftover sandwich tomorrow for lunch, when I spotted the group of homeless men in the little park near my place. They are often there drinking, laughing with each other and asking the passing cars and people for money. I sometimes give them my spare change, but they sort of leave me alone now that they know I'm not a tourist. Feeling guilty that I had a such a nice meal, I gave them my still warm leftovers.

News: Katrina Victims Keep in Touch With Web Logs

Dating Help, Book Reviews
Apparently people think I need some dating help, because for some reason I keep receiving singles books. Gee thanks, lol. I got a copy of Dating in America during a taping of The Tony Danza Show and then the author of How to Survive Dating kindly sent me a copy of her book and finally a friend and non-fiction guru gave me Why Men Prefer Bitches. Here are my reviews and what I thought was most useful:

The It's Just Lunch Guide to Dating in America by Andrea McGinty is quite long and tries to get the reader to join their nationwide dating service for "real" results. No thank you. However, lots of fun tips can be found in this book like first date ideas with actual locations in major cities to grab lunch, coffee, etc. Granted I didn't read this book cover to cover or beyond the first date part, but here is what I found most useful from the first section. First dates should be something that requires an activity or doing something new for both of you so you can share a new experience and have some fun doing something you normally would not do, like attempting a rock climbing wall, seeing a new exhibit, etc. I also like the book's philosophy that "it's just lunch." As in, do not put too much pressure on a first date or the first couple of meetings, just go in with the attitude that it's just lunch and cest le vie, which has always been my policy. The book also advises that you should never turn down a date with a reasonable man or woman. You should always go out on the date because you never know. And if anything, it keeps you in practice and can help you fine tune your skills for the real thing.

Book #2 How to Survive Dating: By Hundreds of Happy Singles Who Did and Some Things to Avoid from a Few Broken Hearts Who Didn't. Despite the how to in the title this book is not a guide but a collection of horror stories and success stories to learn from. There are quotes from singles and people in relationships from all over America and their experiences. Lots of their advice and confessions are simple and heartfelt, others are also really amusing in the I'm glad that wasn't me sense. One woman tells a story about how she went for coffee with a guy and when the bill came to the table he scrutinized it for several minutes and then said to her, "your half is $5.50." In response she scoops up the check saying "I don't do halves" and pays for the bill in full herself. There are lots of dating situations like these as well as recommendations for first dates and how not to scare someone off. Some of the advice they give are no-brainers, but the book goes really quickly just skipping from one bold quote and cartoon to another. A single friend of mine from college particularly liked reading the different entries when visiting my place this summer.

Last but not least, there is this gem by Sherry Argov, Why Men Prefer Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl-A Woman's Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship. This book is hysterical and a really quick read. I did not plan on reading the whole thing, since I can never seem to read through most self-help books in their entirety, but with this one, I wanted to keep reading. The advice is simple and tells women to value their self first and be confident, then the men will follow or not, whatever. I like this more empowered take and really appreciated the humor.

Take a look at this quote:
"After a couple of dates, he goes out with the boys, comes in at midnight, calls her, and off she goes to see him. When a woman drives to see a man in the middle of the night, the only thing missing is a neon sign on the roof of her car that says WE DELIVER." lol!

The Doggie Style Cart
There are plenty of street vendors on every corner of New York City selling the usual stuff like hot dogs, ice cream or roasted nuts, but then there are also the more unique gyro carts, kebab stands, and the Baked Potato King near my office.

However, yesterday when walking in my neighborhood it was the first time I did a double take when passing by one particular cart designed for canine clientele only. The mobile cart is called Dog Town Bites and apparently offers passing dogs a quick snack to the more expensive gourmet treats listed on their menu. Prices range from $2-20. It also offers a quick water spray on hot days. Check out the snap shots I took. Do you believe it?

I saw the cart in the same spot a few times now, but I think the cart's owner had went inside the building it was parked in front of, otherwise I would have inquired more about it. I did find an official website: www.dogtownbites.com



Tonight I'm heading to a Yankees game vs Kansas City! :)

The Baxter
I attended an advance screening of the IFC film The Baxter. I know, I used to go to previews more often, hopefully in the Fall there will be more opportunities.

Anyway, the film chronicles the anxiety-ridden two weeks leading to the marriage of Elliot Sherman who is the quintessential "Baxter" -- which according to the film means the nice guy who never gets the girl.

Before the film started, the writer and star, Michael Showalter from the Comedy Central show Stella and Wet Hot American Summer, which he also wrote said that he loves the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movies and how they live happily ever after but he always wondered what happened to the poor Bill Pullman character. So he set out to write about the guy who loses "the girl" and his story to find happiness too.

The humor is quirky funny and easy going. I especially liked all the flashbacks of how The Baxter continually lost his previous girlfriends to the "leading actor" in some corny declaration of love, thus also making fun of romantic chick flicks in general.

The "hero" trying to steal The Baxter's fiancee is played by Justin Theroux (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle) the cool and rich ex-boyfriend with a soft side. Michelle Williams from Dawson's Creek, with dark brown hair, stars as the female baxter and Showalter's office temp. Paul Rudd plays her boyfriend and is in a funny bar segment. Plus other Wet Hot American Summer actors can be spotted throughout in bit parts. Oh and there is a scene stealing midget (Peter Dinklage) who plays their gay wedding planner who frantically calls his assistant for help when trying to leave their Brooklyn apartment, it's pretty funny.

New Yorkers and Brooklynites will especially enjoy the fact that the entire film was shot in New York and you'll be sure to recognize famous places like Chumleys.

Overall it was a pretty funny and unexpectedly enjoyable film, which made me laugh. It was also short enough (90 mins) to keep me and my friend's attention through out. The official release date is Friday, Aug. 26, 2005.

The after party meanwhile with Michael Showalter & Justin Theroux in attendance was at the newly opened Home on 27th Street and 10th Ave. The place was decorated in crystal chandeliers with red lights and black cushioned ceilings and seats.

My latest journalism clips

The Future of Cell Phone Viruses
By TaraMetBlog
Published Aug 19th '05

Worms, hackers and spam, oh my! Could they be invading your cell phone? Antivirus experts say it is possible and are questioning whether personal data entered into cell phones and PDA's can be stolen or infested now that minor security incidents are already being reported. (read more)


Broadway at Bat
Talent in Motion Magazine
Summer '05
The official Broadway Show League documentary is filming in the park (read more)