Beer. Everywhere.

I have been over here for two weeks now and one thing I have realized is this: New Yorkans drink a lot of beer. All the time. They really do. Why? Because it is just so easy. First off, there are bars everywhere. Second, Happy Hour and hot weather go together like pee and poo. Third, there are so many beers you can try. Starting from local brewerys such as Brooklyn Brewery to fancy spiced up beers such as the Michelada, there is something for every taste. Basically it is like this, except you have to substitute the word beer for... well, you get the idea:



And who can say no to pussy? Beer I mean, of course.

Entertainment Weekly, The New Classics Part 1

I love movies. So of course I do like reading about them. My weapon of choice this week was the Special Double Issue of Entertainment Weekly.


"The New Classics". The best movies of the last 25 years. Oh boy! Of course that got my movie-going-eating-salty-popcorn-with-lots-of-butter heart going. Who will come out on top? And which one of my favorites didn't make it? Instead of posting the whole list I posted the Movies that should not be in there. Why? Because I can!

• Nr. 3: Titanic
  
• Nr. 5: Toy Story
  
• Nr. 10: Moulin Rouge
• Nr. 19: Casino Royale
• Nr. 25: Shrek
• Nr. 29: The Bourne Supremacy
• Nr. 35: The Incredibles
  
• Nr. 42: Clueless
• Nr. 65: Dirty Dancing
• Nr. 80: Michael Clayton

Sorry, but none of these movies in my mind should be considered a classic. Some of these are just bad and others overrated. And since when does "good" or "decent" make a movie a classic? But what is worst of all, none of the following movies is in the list:

The Dude does not abide. In fact, he would like to take a poop on EW right about now. And baby Jesus doesn't like EW either.

Next time: The New Classics - TV-Shows.

PS: Pulp Fiction landet Nr. 1, South Park - The Movie Nr. 100. Can't disagree with that.

Sunday is Parkday

On the weekends, especially on Sunday, New Yorkans seek nature. So where do they go? Well, Central Park for one. With an area of 1.32 square miles (3.41 square km) and 25 million visitors per year, it is the most visited park in the US. To me it is just beautiful and also amazing to know, that in this huge city of concrete there is this rectangular patch of green. The first two pics I found on the net, the rest I took myself.

Senor Rickay at Kips Bay: Wanted

I just saw "Wanted" by the russian director Timur Bekmambetov, who also brought us "Night Watch" and "Day Watch". What made those films so special? Well in most part the completely over the top action with loads of even more over the top FX. Also a promising story which in parts was too incomprehensible to follow. Good ol' Timur stays true to the action formula in his latest film - which is based on a comic - starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy (the cool version of Shia Lebeouf). The action is fast and stylized and people will compare it to "The Matrix", of course. Most likely also to "Shootem Up" with Clive Owen which I felt, tried way too hard and therefore failed miserably. What "Wanted" boils down to is this: Stylish action, Angelina Jolie, car chase, stylish action, Special FX, typical average guy must become hero-type badass training scene, Angelina Jolie, generic Story with plotholes and foreseeable twist, somewhat bad endfight. In a nutshell so to speak. McAvoy gives a good performance and shows that he also can carry a blockbuster. Jolie on the other hand seems to have only one facial expression in this film. But her role doesn't really ask for much more either. So is it worth seeing? Yeah it is alright. The action is fast and well shot and there are some scenes which really are quite funny. And "Wanted" does have some amazing action sequences that are jawdropping. Unfortunately, the rest that holds the picture together didn't live up to my expectations.

Where did I go see it? Well pretty much right around the corner where I live: Kips Bay Theater on 2nd Ave.


Larger Map
Actually the theater is a bit further down the northeast part of the road. Right next to a petshop where they have the cutest little kittens. The movie theater isn't bad. The seats are comfortable, the snacks overpriced. The usual so to speak. But the greatest part is, that you don't have assigned seats (unlike in good ol' Germany) and you don't have to endure shitty commercials in the beginning (again, sorry Germany). The show started at 9PM. Lights out, several Trailers (Pineapple Express will rock) and - BAM - Movie starts. Love it.

Without a number, you are a zero!

Yes, America is very bureaucratic. Going to the Social Security Office can be quite the stressfull act full of boredom. I know that sounds like jumbo shrimp but it fits. You just have to go there even if time seems to slow down at these places to a point where every ticking second punches you in the ballsack "Cockpuncher"-style (I know you Steven Seagal fans are out there). "But why do you, oh master of the universe and all that has boobies, have to go there?" you might ask me. Let me tell you that without a social security number you are nothing in the USA. You need it all the time. Want to take the drivers licence test? Social security number needed. Want to sign a cell phone plan? Not without a social security number unless you want to pay a 400 Dollar deposit. Getting a job? Only with a social security number. So you get the point. But for the slow at heart here is a everyday example of a person having a social security number and the other not:

• Lisa = SSN
• Bart = No SSN
• Homer = Fat guy

Watch out NYC! Here I come...

I am finally over here in the big city of New York. Pretty much, I have left everything behind. Fortune, Fame - a man needs not those things. All he does need is two bags full of clothes and a place he can drop some kids off at the pool without having to empty a bucket after a week. God, I am lucky.

So what can you expect to find on this blog? Basically everything I encounter in NYC and feel is noteworthy of writing down on virtual paper. That may include me dealing with everyday bullshit, to hanging out with friends, going to the movies, working, and of course exploring the city in all its glory. After all, this is NYC.

Get ready to bite the Big Apple!