meme, mail, The Ponys!!!!! and maybe I should think about a job; also, NYC

[oiran]

that journal name meme thing, as seen everywhere, but most recently on slodwick's LJ.

1. My journal title was actually gone, so I guess I took it out at some point, but I put it back (emphatically) for this meme. It says, "kick off my shoes, shut reason out," which is a line from a Tori Amos song called "Crazy" that I, um, relate to. In many ways besides the obvious.
   


2. Subtitle is also from that song. The line goes, "He said, 'First, let's just unzip your religion down,'" which is very sexy, and conflicted and rather *guh.* I like the vague, dirty theology concept wherever I think I find it.
   


3. I don't think the friends title shows up anywhere because I took the code for all that stuff out when I designed my own pages, but there are words that *could* show...it's more Tori. "Rabbit, where'd you put the keys?" But, again, I don't think there's anywhere you can see it. Oh--wait. It shows up at the top. Duh.
   


4. Username is velvetglove because it's a definite girl name and, while I enjoy people doing a double-take when I introduce myself as jed, that's only fun in person. Online, it's a pain, though I haven't been hanging out in areas where people challenge my gender much in the last couple years. I wanted a change. I was jedbird on TWoP and that was more of an in-joke between me and Mr. G. And there's a Daniel Clowes tie-in, and the iron fist dichotomy thing, and I rather like gloves. It also goes well with the "lady" images I tend to favor for icons. Or brings up stroking connotations with the naked boy icons. It's all good.

I'm mailing stuff out to a few people tomorrow. I think you know who you are; if not, you'll know I meant you when you get your packages ;)

I heard a record today that got me very excited: The Ponys. Per excitable record store guy, they kicked ass at SXSW. They're playing Memphis on Saturday, but it's a 3-hour drive and Mr. G will be just back from a business trip. I don't know how much leverage I can get out of the birthday thing, and admittedly I've only driven through Memphis and have no idea where/when/how to go to a show there. But, anyway: The Ponys. They're like Killing Joke produced by Phil Spector, played loud for girls to drink beer to. Woo! Record store guy could not sell me a copy because the one playing was his own and he was not giving it up, even for charming, charming me.

It has occurred to me that I should ingratiate myself and try to get them to give me a half-assed job, because I miss having new music all the time. I am not above using wiles to get work...it's just I've never had a line of work where wiles would do a damn bit of good. And while this record store doesn't sell comic books, it has way better music options than the other indie record store.... A job where I could sing and bounce around and have it be more or less normal behavior appeals. I mean, really, do I seem like a medical researcher to any of you? Maybe I was at one point, but I don't think I could anymore, even if I wanted to. A medical career left me more cynical than I would have been anyway, and also prone to telling stories about gross vaginal discharges while people are eating.

NYC: Where's good to stay? Cheap (ha!), in the city, clean. I tend to favor boutique or independent ventures over chains, but I can stay anywhere that is clean, really. We're planning frantically...

Comments

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

I like arguing with people that you are, in fact, a girl as well. I like Jed, I think it suits you. Of course, I haven't met you off-line.

Like slipping into a velvet glove [ie anal sex euphimism in some story]. I still can't stop snickering anymore when I see your username. Of course, due to the sheer amt of this stuff I've read I tend to snicker at chairs. Damn porn. Fax machines make me think of sex.

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

I like arguing with people that you are, in fact, a girl as well.

I am a source of contention in your life? Heh. Either that, or I am a tight, velvety anus.

You are a funny little bunny.

[pepperjackcandy.livejournal.com]

I like the vague, dirty theology concept wherever I think I find it.

You mean like this?

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yes, that sort of thing exactly ;)

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

Oh, I meant to tell you that I got my CDs, in case you were wondering. And I'm enjoying the hell out of them, as if there was any doubt. *g*


On the lodgings front: when I was in NYC, I stayed at the Novatel on Broadway. It's right at Times Square (with a big neon sign on the side, even, for easy location from a distance), but it was still remarkably quiet. The rooms start on the eight floor, so you have some buffer between rooms & the street.

It was also very clean, recently remodeled, with a swank little bar/restaurant in the lobby and a cute (and delicious) diner at street level. The room itself was rather spacious, from what I've seen of other NYC hotel rooms (I had the king size bed)... plus, the internet rate was exceptional, IMO.

[kstanley.livejournal.com]

Yeah if you can get a good deal at a boutique hotel, that is probably your best bet. I'm happy to hear a good review of Novatel from Sloddie.

Those boutique hotels tend to be nicer. Their prices are a bit lower due to the fact that they are slightly off the main areas. But Manhattan is so small, you are never more than a fifteen minutes subway ride from anything (except Yankee Stadium).

As good a deals as you can get from those hotel discount websites, sometimes you can call the hotel and get an even better deal. What you might do is look up rates on the websites, find hotels that look interesting, and then call them and see if they can do better than the price you were quoted.

When are you coming? Rates in NYC are never cheap, but some dates are less expensive than others.

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

Yeah... the Novotel has a very chain feel to it when you get to the rooms.

WHen The Mom and I were planning my trip, we eyed a few boutique hotels, one of which was The Library Hotel. The Travel Channel even did a piece on this hotel... it's basically set up like a library. All the rooms/floors are organized by the Dewey Decimal system, so you can reserve a room based on topic... and the room is decorated with books/art according to that theme or topic. It looked awfully keen, but it was just a little outside my price range.

It says it's near Grand Central & the actual library, so it still seems pretty much in the thick of things, yet not so much in the crazy!tourist part of midtown. Just a thought. *g*

[kstanley.livejournal.com]

OMG really? That sounds very interesting. And Grand Central is a really cool these days.

I can't help but notice that the Library Hotel is offering a special "Erotica Package". Wow! That looks right up my alley (except for the $650 a night price tag).

The things you find out! From tourists!

I really regret that we didn't get a chance to hang out more. I hope you come back soon!

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

Dude, I had such a great time there... and I didn't get to spend nearly enough time there. I will definitely be back! *g*

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

They got sued! There's a library association that owns the Dewey classification system that didn't want them sullying it or something. Very unclear. Very stupid lawsuit. And who knew that the Dewey Decimal System belonged to anyone??? It made me want to categorize everything in my home with illicit numerals and document my transgression. Decimals belong to everyone!

Um, maybe I need to go to sleep soon.

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

Hee! I dunno... I've been awake for nearly 24 hours, and maybe it's the sleep deprivation talking, but... I think that sounds like a splendid idea.

*eyes label machine*

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Heh.

*is reminded she also has label machine*

When I found out about the lawsuit, I was incensed. I actually spent time searching for illicit Dewey classification minutiae, but I was only able to find about three twiddly layers of fustiness...like, the 100s, then the 120s, then the 123s or 124s...and none of the stuff beyond the actual decimal point. Because it's protected information now.

*remembers kindly, generous grade-school librarians and cries*

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

We're coming to see my friend perform in the New York Burlesque Festival, which is May 14th and 15th (and maybe 16th--I don't remember). I'm hoping we can be there from the 13th (Thurs) to the 17th (Mon). Ideally, we'd be there longer, but we probably can't afford to do so even with a relatively cheap hotel.

I want to see a couple of museums and meet fen while I'm there, as well as doing the Burlesque Fest bit. I know showerMat is going to be in town that same week, so hopefully we can all figure out a time and a place to meet face-to-face.

[kstanley.livejournal.com]

Oh that's right. Yes, yes. I am sure we can get together. I will be out of school by then, so my schedule will be pretty open.

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Thank you! That's prety much perfect, I think. That's probably where we'll stay, since the rates are surprisingly low. I mean, I'd rather pay $30 like you can do at a motel in the middle of Nebraska, but...this will be more fun, I bet ;)

Yay, CDs! I've been listening to them semi-non-stop myself, so I'm pleased that everyone seems to be enjoying them, too.

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of surprised. Librarians are usually sort of scary liberal, but maybe that is just about the first amendment.

[j-bluestocking.livejournal.com]

I'm going to NY for a week, probably starting May 15. I'm an ex-New Yorker, but here are a few hotels I just found online that I've never heard of -- the first two in the Village:

http://www.1-800-868-9218.com/us_ny_new_york/820_the_atrium.html

You will note A Feature Of Interest regarding this one:

http://www.wshotel.com/

And in Little Italy:

http://www.newyorkviews.com/newyork/pioneerofsohohotel.htm

There's also Journeys End, about which I know nothing except that nobody's heard of it, so it may be reasonably priced, and the Barnard Club used to send their overflow there.

[j-bluestocking.livejournal.com]

Almost forgot the Roger Williams, which I always think of fondly because it was the scene of some hot Mulder/Krycek action in a shockingly good story by the wonderful Anna. Since then (cough, cough) the hotel's been renovated and looks ultra-cool:

http://www.1stnewyorkhotels.com/hotels/Roger_Williams.htm

http://www.rogerwilliamshotel.com/

I find that using one of the online discount booking services is a good value.

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I'll look into these.

I hope you are going to be there around that time, since that's also when we'll be in town. I'd love it if we could all meet up one of the days around that weekend.

[j-bluestocking.livejournal.com]

That would be lovely! And because I can't stop myself once I Google, here's a good-looking Murray Hill hotel with rooms apparently starting at $129. For NYC, that's dirt cheap.

http://www.1stnewyorkhotels.com/hotels/Shelburne_Suite.htm

It also has a restaurant called Lex 303.

Murray Hill's in the middle of town, but it's not particularly known for anything, so you'd probably be continually leaving the neighborhood to go elsewhere. But it looks like a great value.