Try This!

In a recent issue of Esquire I stumbled upon a section dedicated to sleep trivia. It was a collection of cool little facts about sleep, tips on how to get to sleep (i.e. when you toss and turn all night or if you're on a plane) and why we need it. The article came to my attention with perfect timing since I was on a plane where I rarely get decent sleep.

Within that special section I was given what is quite possibly the most valuable sleeping advice I have ever received. I was skeptical at first when I read about a guaranteed method of falling asleep so I had to see for myself. I have to say that after trying it myself on several occasions it has yet to fail me. I am confident this strategy will be as useful to you as it has been to me if executed properly. I encourage you to try this....


Before completing these seemingly arbitrary tasks you should note that a major reason it can be hard to fall asleep is because when we lay down and are left alone with our thoughts, we tend to think mostly about stressful issues. Even if your life in general may not necessarily be stressful you can still think of things, people or situations that evoke anxiety and make it difficult to doze off.

A great way to keep your mind off those type of thoughts is to do the following

1. Focus on a color- think of a color, any color and visualize it. concentrate (e.g. yellow)

2. Begin to list (in your mind) as many objects as you can that are that color. These can be anything at all. So for yellow I would think of Lakers jerseys, my pair of Iversons in 6th grade, the van in Little Miss Sunshine, The McDonalds arches etc.

3. Once you feel you have listed for a long time, then begin to think of categories and then name every thing in that category that is the color you have chosen. Ex. Food- yellow bell peppers, mangoes, mustard, butter. When you can't think of any more think of a new category like animals, articles of clothings, cars,

4. If you can make it this far (I never have) then you have to start thinking of phrases or names that contain the color you are thinking. Ex. Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Yellow Fever, etc.

The last stage is very difficult and I have on all occasions fallen asleep in the middle of stage 2. But I challenge you to try this trick and enjoy the benefit of never having trouble getting to bed.

Good Night!

Blog of the Week

I've been thinking of whether or not to take advantage of my acceptance to a program abroad... I'm not sure where though.. tons of factors going into this situation but in the process I finally found a new weekly gimmick! Do you ever think of just how many web-pages there are in existence? How every general thing I can think of is probably floating out there, maybe it was written years ago or maybe being created just as you think about it. The internet is the ultimate source of information. I enjoy stumbling across the most obscure web-sites and blogs. So from now on I'll feature a blog that I think is pretty cool or noteworthy.


This weeks blog is something I recently discovered but find amazing! It's definitely one of my new favorites. You can find this blog on the International Herald Tribune website under the "Culture" tab... (or by clicking HERE).... It's called Globespotters. It's a community of contributors around the globe who share their local insights to would-be travelers on topics like dinning, nightlife, special events, shopping and hotels.

Check it out if you are planning a trip in the near future. You can even post questions.

The Opportunity Cost & A Belated Top 10

One thing that is always tough to do (at least for some of us) is to sit down and calculate expenses. Recently I have found myself staring down a huge list of both expenses and some very important decisions that will have lasting affects on my life. As these plans and big decisions become more concrete I'll share them with you all, but the point I am struggling to get at today is that things cost a lot!

Every thing we do costs something whether it be time, money or the infinite other opportunities we let pass up. Yes we've all heard this the first day of Econ. right? "No such thing as a free lunch" that is, unless you are with Dickie Shiriani : )

With that in mind I had an old friend over the other night who apparently has not taken full advantage of his own educational opportunities here at NYU. To put it bluntly this person is a poster child for neo-conservative America and his views on social issues mirror those of a Grand Wizard in the Ku Klux Klan. It's more sad than it is shocking when I think about it.

We had a little "debate" on issues that I haven't expressed about ever before on this blog. We talked about the "War" in Iraq (If that's what you want to call it) and it made me think... I remembered hearing how much the war costs a day and it turns out that it is estimated to cost US tax payers 341 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY!.... that is depending who you ask because some statisticians have incorporated the costs Americans have incurred as a result of the increase in the price of oil...

I'll stop here before I fill up my whole home page trying to express a frustration that statistically you most likely share with me. but before I go I will imagine the TOP 10 things I would do with the $508,000,000 million the US has spent on this war.


TOP 10

10. Pay off student loans

9. Hire a personal chef and a full cooking staff

8. Buy a building in Manhattan and get Bobby Flay to open a Thai restaurant downstairs

7. Pay Bravo to take "Millionaire Matchmaker" off the air

6. Loan money to the Dodgers so they could build a championship team

5. Build a network of energy efficient schools in developing countries

4. Sponsor the education of every child in Haiti for a 20 years... and throw in some Nike Frees for all them while I'm at it.

3. Customize a space shuttle with an elastic cord that would pull 100 tons of waste and make daily trips up to space so I could sling the waste toward the sun

2. Hire a marching band to follow me and play songs at my request. (e.g. The Imperial March, Final Countdown, The Gap Band, Stevie Wonder etc.)

1. Throw a party a party on a deserted island and have the theme be "Castaways from Gilligan's Island"

Magic Mike

I love magic. I wish I had the time and patience to master the finesse and timing of slight-of-hand magic, but until then I'll be content watching my good friend Mike (aka Magic Mike) do his thing. 

Check out his website at  www.magicmichael.com! 

Here is his promo video. Watch the stunned faces of the two guys at the end : )

After Hours at Cafe Du Monde

Two weeks as ago a friend and I were stranded on the streets of the French Quarters without shelter  and dwindling funds. Bourbon Street got old after the first night and after witnessing a sloshed spring breaker nearly fall to his death from a balcony the night before, we were ready for a tame night. We managed to kill a few hours on 2 cent slots at Harrah's casino, but eventually decided to make the trek up Dacateur Street for a late night snack.

 

We walked toward the world famous Cafe Du Monde without a clue if they were open. The streets were empty and if not for the faint drum and bass of Lil' Wayne blasting from clubs on Bourbon St. they were also quiet. I didn't know the streets well so I found myself peering around every corner trying to catch a glimpse of the large open air patio and green and white awning hoping that the lights would be on. 

Moments later we were sitting inside the cafe (the patio was closed) ordering what would be my first* beignet ever. The menu was simple and the food was cheap... really cheap. I began to realize how this place became so popular. I noticed immediately however this place was nothing like I imagined. When I heard about the world famous cafe in the French Quarters renowned for their beignets I pictured a dim, cozy Victorian style building with balconies and cast iron corinthian style patio seats. At least that's what New Orleans looks like at Disneyland. Instead I was sitting in a cafe crammed with seats, the floors were sticky, the water warm and our waitress was sitting down having a midnight snack two table away from  us. To cap off the whole experience she scoffed at our 2 dollar tip (for 2.00 beignets!) and at no point did her actions even slightly come close to customer service.

The beignets were excellent but I hate when famous places think they don't have to pay attention to details. They become complacent and feel like their product alone does service to the customers. You see this at Lucky Boys (Pasadena) and Buffalo Wild Wings (Brooklyn), don't even get me started on "street wear" and their so called "boutiques" (aka Supreme, Union, Wesc etc.) They just bring customer service down to a whole new low. 

I realize that 30 minutes before closing isn't the best time to come into a place and expect excellent service, however it isn't hard to greet a customer with a smile or just greet them at all. Cafe Du Monde did boast some pretty delicious pastries but the service was borderline insulting.

*Truth be told, my first beignet was consumed earlier in the day from a friend who had just come from the Cafe.

Τεταρτη 10 Λογοι

If you are my age or older than you might find this next list amusing.

During my travels last week for spring break I frequented various different bars, clubs and lounges etc. in and around New Orleans, Los Angeles and New York. Being the observant blogger that I am, I took note of specific characteristics that I always notice when going into a place I won't enjoy.

Since I promised two lists this week I have made one multifaceted list.

The Top Ten Signs You Need to Leave a Bar/Club

AND 

The Top Ten Signs You are at the Best  High School Party Ever

10. Beers and cocktails are being served in plastic Solo cups

9. By cocktails they strictly mean either vodka and orange juice or vodka and cranberry

8. There is a lady selling flowers on the dance floor (I think this is an LA thing)

7. They played the "Superman" song twice

6. There are 18 year old girls riding a mechanical bull

5. They played the "Superman" song once

4. It is located in a strip mall (unless the strip mall has a 24 hour Taco Bell)

3. After you get passed the bouncer you are approached by a scrawny frat boy asking for a $10 dollar cover charge

2. There is an obnoxious emcee on stage screaming obnoxious things like "Wanna take it back to the 80s ladies?!" and belting the lyrics to every song.

1. The DJ is using his iTunes to play music


* Note: There are definitely exceptions to some of these rules. I have definitely been to fun places with plastic cups... and I even know of a cool place that happens to be in a strip mall.  I also don't believe there is a place that possess all 10 of these characteristics and if it does exist then I'm glad I am not aware of it. 

Estelle!

This is the song I hope to be partying to in a few months...

It's been a while since my last post.. quite possibly the longest time without a new post this year. I have been all over NOLA and LA over spring break and have plenty of new food reviews as well as some funny stories that I'll be sure to post about in the next month.. I missed a wednesday top ten list this week but I'll make up for it this week with two top ten lists or even better... A top 20 List!!!

until then here is a catchy tune...

Top Ten Elenco di Mercoledì

As promised here is this week's Top Ten. In light of recent scandals involving Governor Spitzer and a 5"4' brunette named Kristen.. I wanted to feature a list of our "favorite" (aka those that are most comically offensive) R&B lyrics. You know the ones I'm talking about... "Feelin' on yo booty".... "Feel a lil' poke coming through"... etc... but then I realized Jodeci and Joe dominated half that list... So that category will have to be put on hold until I have the time to do some research...

As for right now it has just come to my attention that my blog is now being read in 14 different countries! So in honor of the international subscribers out there, here is a list of top ten countries I would like to visit among the 14 countries that have visited me.

10 to 1, last to first.

10. Canada- Sorry eh.

9. Colombia

8. Norway- way too cold.. and I wouldn't be able to handle all those hours of night,

7. Romania

6. Netherlands

5. Australia

4. Spain

3. United Kingdom

2. France

1. Japan

Countdown to NOLA

This March, instead of joining in on all the traditional spring break festivities (a.k.a. navigating overcrowded multilevel clubs in Mexico that are overflowing with dudes and on a good day, peppered with girls that are way overdressed for a place with sand dance floors and who all think they're classy by double fisting plastic cups of moonshine and blue food coloring) I'll be in New Orleans developing a my commitment to action.

What do I mean by commitment to action? About a month ago I, and over a thousand other college students from around the globe proposed commitments that would address the most pressing global issues of today.These commitments address four focus areas (global health, energy & climate change, human rights, poverty alleviation). Around 500 of these students were selected to participate in the latest project of the Clinton Global Initiative, CGIU- a conference that will bring together students, university presidents and their commitments and help put them into action.

I won't disclose the full details of my commitment here since it is not a finished product and is at a point where it can go in one of two very different directions. However, what I will say is that my commitment is to energy and the climate crisis. I would like to collaborate with an existing organization to reach out to middle schools students and create a school wide program aimed at finding simple energy saving and environmentally friendly solutions in schools. I've got great ideas and will surely share them with my loyal readership as they slowly become a reality in the next few months.

I'm really excited to kick off spring break in New Orleans and be a part of a project that has already proven to be a huge success in engaging young people and shedding light on global issues that our generation must begin to act upon. As if the star studded guest list were not enough the great music, cajun food, Southern belles, mint juleps and "Hurricanes" can only make it better ... I can hear the trumpets blaring now.

This week I have some serious midterms so I'll get back to you on Wed. for a half-assed Top Ten list. And to that I will say, in the words of my favorite Cajun cartoon character, Leatherhead.... "I GUA-RAN-TEE!!"





(Sorry Gambit)

Mercredi- La Liste Des Dix Premiers

I've been contemplating this all day and I decided to rank my top 10 teachers (K-12). Unlike Ratemyprofessor.com I ranked these instructors based on personality, raw teaching ability and the ex-factor... (as always)... corniness.


Since most people have no idea who these people are I have included a tag line that explains what earned them their spot among this special group.



Ascending from great to greatest:

1. Mrs. Steben (1st Grade)- Eucharistic minister who taught me how to tie my shoes

2. Mr. Nielsen (5th Grade)- The stereotypical "cool" teacher at every school.

3. Dr. Hatch (6th Grade Math) - Took me out of a traditional math courses

4. Mr. Luce (7th Grade History)- Main vocalist of the all-teacher cover band, Teacher's Pet.

5. Mrs. Porner (4th Grade)- Took me to Huntington Gardens 3 times.

6. Mr. Nitzani (7th Grade P.E.)- SPMS P.E. legend and inventor of 'Nitzani Ball'.

7. Ms. Fieblekorn (6th Grade P.E.)- She made me want to be an athlete.

8. Mrs. Bran (K)- All kindergarten teachers are nice, but not all of them can wear bell bottoms and sport an afro in '94!

9. Mrs. Fullinwider (Math 9th/10th)- Spent her weekends on a touring motorcycle. She was one of those teachers you hated for pushing you.

10. Mr. Ring (12th Bio)- I got a 'D' in his class and an 'A' in college level biology. He is a all around a great guy. Not to mention extremely corny.

I realize this list is completely useless and not entertaining for readers outside of the South Pasadena Unified School District loop... but my hope is that after reading this you think back to your Top Ten Teachers and the funny catch phrases and memories you've shared with them.

Lastly, to express my gratitude for these teachers here is a hit from my elementary school days. And yes, those are khaki shorts, plaid vests and ties.

"Hi Liar!": The Best of Ralph Wiggum

Have You Heard?

At work, when you get bored of reading blogs or hunting down videos of fighting giraffes on Youtube you should check out "Over Heard In New York", a website where New Yorkers post things they over hear everyday in the city. The website is a hit. I love people watching, and I am guilty of eavesdropping on occasion... Just a few moments ago I overheard a girl standing on a corner explaining how horrible her date was and that she was desperately trying to fake sick.

One of my all time favorite things over heard was couple's conversation in Central Park playing Scrabble...

(Girl just wins)

Girl: Yay!... Wait,hey hon, does your butt hurt?

Guy: Haha no. Why?

Girl: Oh because that's where I just raped you!

Guy: God I love you.


The site is really addicting and gives you a glimpse of the thousands of the stupid, funny and terrifying things we say to each other everyday. At the very least you'll learn to watch what you say the next time your on the phone or think no one is listening.

Wednesday Top Ten List

This week's "Top Ten" is dedicated to words or phrases that make me cringe. Some of these are just subtle word choices that I for some odd reason always pick up, sound awkward or bother me. You hear them all the time. Others on the list include words or phrases that are overused or misused and end up sounding stupid or corny (but not corny in a good way).


Ascending in order from bearable to "I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that"

1. "Next on the line"-  (as oppose to "in line") I think this is a regional thing.

2. "Who of you" (ex. "It would be who of you to make sure you arrive on time.")

3. "Inebriated"- You were not that drunk after 1 and a half cranberry vodkas

4. "Berate"- This is directed to my teammates, but seriously... What happened to "bagging"?

5. "Blast Dookies"- (ex. "Dude, I gotta go blast some dookies.) I actually like this one.. I just wanted to share it : )

6. When girls or homo-normative males use "bitch", "slut" or "whore" as a term of endearment.

7. "Preggers"- That doesn't even make sense.

8. "Party Foul!"- That's just old... and come on it was an accident.

9.  When people announce uncomfortable situations by saying "Awkward!"-  That is just plain immature whether you are completely unaffected by the situation or if it actually makes you       uneasy.

10. Ending correspondence in "Cheers" or "Best" (and you are not from London, Ireland or Australia)- Best what? And unfortunately I am not reading your Email at a bar.

Happy Tuesday! & Del Posto

Tonight a few friends and I decided to go to celebrity chef Mario Batali's Del Posto. The decor was stunning.  Everything about the interior from the elegant marble staircase and  grand piano to the mini ottomans set beside womens' chairs to hold their purses made this scene one of the best looking indoor spaces in the city. The menu showcased authentic, rich italian dishes with an excellent wine and rare beer selection to top it off.

Del Posto is definitely a date scene. This is a place to go for the experience, not if you're hungry. The servings were disappointingly small but offered a unique take on Italian and exemplified the detail and intricacies that characterize Batali's trademark style. The excellent service including compliments from the chef before and after dinner were another highlight of the night.

Go to Del Posto and see smell and taste for yourself what many acclaim as one of NYC's premier dining Establishments. 

Happy tuesday.. hang in there only a couple of more days of this week to go. Here is a song to help you unwind after a shitty Tuesday at school or work or wherever you are.

Personal Belongings

Every year the equipment room at the gym issues all athletes new work out clothes (e.g. Powerliners, socks, towels, shorts, shoes, jump rope, shirts, etc.) and a personal laundry bag so that after you work out you can have your sweaty clothes washed. However, the equipment room that issues the gear and does the laundry has strict rules when it comes to the laundry bags. Come to think of it there are really only two things to remember. 1) don't forget to seal your bag 2) Never put personal belongings in your bag.- The following account is true although some names have been altered. -


It all began last December... It was finals week. I had two of the hardest finals of my life coming up and I was operating on little sleep. I left the gym that day in a hurry because I had to make it up to Harlem for an interview. It would be my last work out until I returned to NY after break. Now I don't remember this happening, but apparently when I sealed my bag I left a huge hole in the opening... I broke the first rule and I was going to pay.

In January I got back to the equipment room and requested my laundry bag. It was all in slow motion as "Baron" the equipment room guru came from behind the steel cage with an empty laundry bag. It was like he was playing a practical joke on me. "I know he doesn't think I turned in an empty laundry bag." I thought to myself. I opened up the bag only to find a lone shriveled sock. My gear was lost in the mystery that lurks behind the steal cage at Coles Sports Recreation Center, in a sea of random sports equipment that only a select few can navigate.

I was pissed so I decided to start working out in my own workout clothes, and washing them in my laundry bag. I blatantly broke the second rule in retaliation for my lost clothes. Little did I know that the equipment room Nazi, "Gulliver" and his loyal wench "Tina" had other plans...

I had a perfect plan. I would only put shirts in the laundry bag that looked like the issued shirts so my bag wouldn't stand out... and then when they least expect it I would get bold and sneak in a white shirt or maybe a blue shirt. So my plan worked well until about a week ago.

I got my bag back after the long weekend and to my surprise I was missing some clothes again (my shirts and a towel). Baron and I trade glances as I quickly grab the bag and retreat to the locker room to investigate what happened. There have beenrumors of the equipment room confiscating personal belongings in laundry bags but I never really believed them.

"They took my shirts!" I announced in the locker room and I couldn't even ask for them back without awkwardly admitting that I have been in violation of their strictest policy. Out of principle I would not admit my wrong-doing and let them keep the shirts.

In the waning days of the season the running gag in the wrestling room was "What the hell is Byron wearing today?".. I had no issued clothing left and resorted to sweatshirts, t-shirts from home and on one occasion, the top we use for competition.

Yesterday was the last workout of the year and I decided to admit defeat, bite the bullet and ask the equipment room for my shirts back. As I made my way into the equipment room a figure emerged from the steal cage behind the counter. It was Baron... and he was wearing my shirt!

Season's End Pt. 2

Another year and another season under my belt. Thankfully this year my record has improved significantly, but enough about me... with a 16-1 record and the UAA championship this year's team is the best in NYU history! Who would have thought after our rough home opener against TCNJ that we would end the season in the top 15 teams in the nation?



Last night as I walked backwards westbound on 14th street trying to watch the lunar eclipse I realized that I don't have much to complain about nowadays. Now that wrestling is out of the way I already feel like I have so much more time to do things that I never had the chance to do. More food, more happy hour, more studying even. Just more time makes me so happy.

To celebrate my first week free from wrestling I''ve decided to go see "Be Kind Rewind" this weekend. I'll make sure to post a review.

Meanwhile.... enjoy ringing in another great Spring... here is some music to help you visualize some happy spring gatherings.

Wednesday's 10

I might have mentioned before that I listen to music constantly. It's just a habit I picked up in the city to make the commute a little more bearable.

I'm not saying I have a better taste in music than anyone else. In fact, all I am is a music fan.. I'm no aficionado. In my eyes, or I guess I mean to say to my ears, good music is relative. Like the way 90s alternative rock sounds so much better when being blasted in a bar or the way Eye of the Tiger only sounds good when your about to work out or before a big game.


Every morning I make it a point to put on music that gets me ready for the long day ahead- "Morning Motivators" if you will. Here are my top 10. (#1 Being the best.)

1. Raphael Saadiq- Doin' What I Can
2. Shuggie Otis- Inspiration Information
3. Father MC- I'll Do 4 U
4. Bill Withers- Lovely Day
5. Jay-Z- December 4th
6. People Under the Stairs- Hang Loose
7. Phoenix- Long Distance Call
8. Steely Dan- Peg
9. Bruce Springsteen- Hungry Heart
10. Electric Light Orchestra- Don't Let Me Down

Happy Valentine's Day!

That catchy guitar part in that Sting song a couple of days ago got me thinking of another classic hit. This video speaks for itself. No drawn out back story needed. Just enjoy the holiday and take a break from watching Serendipity, put down the Oatmeal Cookie Raisin Ben & Jerry's and peep this motivational video. This one is for all the ex's out there.

Until next time...

Wednesday Top Ten List

One thing that I've always envisioned for my blog was a weekly tradition... you might recall "Champ/Chump" of the Week" or how I tried to designate a day to post about food. That is, until I realized I think about food too often to limit myself to blogging about it once a week. Those weekly initiatives failed. So I'm going to start small and commit myself to posting a "Top Ten" list every Wednesday.

My first top ten list needs a little back story. It is an homage to a popular wrestling t-shirt (folkstyle/collegiate. Not WWE). To a certain extent this t-shirt may very well be the one common bond that brings high schools wrestlers across the nation together. I speak of course of the infamous "Top Ten Reasons To Date a Wrestler" shirt. Every kid who has wrestled in high school either owns this shirt, knows someone who owns it or wishes they owned it. I could probably name five people who own it not including myself. To call the shirt corny would be an understatement and there really wasn't anything special about it. The shirt is simply ten common wrestling facts turned into sexual innuendoes (e.g. "#4 always wears his head gear", "#7 will eat anything" and my personal favorite "#6 Knows How To Ride"). You get the picture. In retrospect, wearing the shirt was really more like wearing a "badge of loyalty" if you wil. The shirt is so popular that it has become more of a token to the wrestling community.

A Mason once told me that all Masonic brothers learn secret codes that are made to act as beacons. There are secret gestures or code words that one can say when they are in distress so that if a nearby brother is present they can assist their fellow Mason. So, wearing the shirt is kind of the same thing. It's like a shout out to any wrestlers who might be around. you're saying to them "Hey, I too was stuck in a gym on a Saturday so long that I actually thought this was cool and buying this lame ass shirt was the best part of my day."

In honor of the Top Ten Reasons to Date a Wrestler shirt... here are the Top Ten Signs Wrestling Dictates Your Life:

1. You have a Wrestling USA tattoo or a tattoo of equal insignificance somewhere on your body
2. You have special underwear for weigh ins/ pajama pants for tournaments
3. You can't stand to eat energy bars between March and September
4. You have posted on a local wrestling forum
5. Your high school wrestling coach is in your cell phone.
6. You haven't had a real Thanksgiving dinner in more than 3 years
7. You know the name of every Gatorade flavor (e.g. Riptide Rush, Fierce Melon, X-Factor etc.)
8. You have torn your ACL or know someone who has
9. You have a pair of jeans that don't fit in the winter
10. You own a Top Ten Reasons Shirt

"The Professional"

Here is a really catchy Sting song I first heard at the end of the movie "The Professional". The movie is about a hit man, Leon, employed by an Italian mob boss (a.k.a Sal from Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing"). He takes in a mischievous young orphan girl (Natalie Portman) who quickly takes an interest to Leon's "line of work".

The movie has always been a favorite of mine because it's not just a shoot-em-up action movie like the Matrix. It's a great story about friendship, loyalty, revenge and personal growth. You see a young girl who learns to be a professional killer and a professional killer rediscover a life he once had.

The movie is a must-see. This is Sting with a cool acoustic version of "Shape of My Heart" off "The Professional" soundtrack.

Enjoy!