Little Good Things Can Make A Wintery Day Great

A week ago, NYC experienced a snowfall.  Weather reports pinpointed its arrival for Saturday.  Lewis and I were prepared! 
     My week hadn't started nicely, though.  On Thursday, I made a second attempt at Trader Joe's to buy groceries.  Yet, I found an extensive line beyond their door, with a inept-looking employee acting as "bouncer" to admit people.  I never saw such a line of customers at TJ's!  Peering inside, I saw plenty of room for us, yet nobody got an answer as to why we couldn't stand in line INSIDE.  Patrons continually left the store with their groceries, yet nobody was admitted in.  In a huff, I got off the line (in the freezing winter air) and departed from their discourteous service.
     To recover from that disappointment, I decided to buy some Astoria-made gin: the first distillery in Queens County since the 1930s Prohibition!  Called Astoria Courage, it's made by Astoria Distillery, using NYC rooftop honey, citrus, and botanicals.  Their website told me where to buy their gin.  However, the first place didn't actually carry it.  Despite the windy weather, I walked seven blocks to the next place... which didn't carry it.  In a frustrated final attempt, I followed their website via one subway stop... but THAT place was OUT OF BUSINESS!  In anger, I posted a withering complaint on their Facebook page.  I accused them of carelessly misleading customers who are trying to give them money.
     On Friday, I saw a response from Astoria Distillery's co-founder, Chris.  He profusely apologized, saying that places might've sold out of his product, and perhaps they hadn't reordered.  He assured me that his website would be updated to show current suppliers.  I felt good for helping other clients... and for giving free advice/feedback to the business, so they don't lose future customers.  Chris mentioned that he called a liquor store in Astoria at 8:30pm, the prior night, to ensure that they still had 2 bottles of his gin.  I replied to him with my gratitude.  
     Elated with such polite treatment, I flitted to that liquor store and snatched one of the last bottles.  According to its label, I got bottle #134 from Batch #2.  Carrying it with me, I attended my haircut appointment at nearby Gigi Salon.  

     My stylist, Dragan, was extremely thankful for my favorable Yelp comment.  His "shampoo girl" lavished a sensual scalp massage on me.  As I sat in Dragan's chair, he slipped a warm mug of mint tea into my grasp.  He regaled me with tales of his recent globe-trotting travels.  A gay mid-aged Eastern European, he has many friends around the world.
     Dragan prefers to travel alone.  It affords him ease of movement to go/come as he pleases, at his own timetable.  If he travels with a companion (not necessarily sexual), they agree to do their own itineraries--especially if they have different tastes.  Dragan met a charming gay couple on the beach at Rio de Janeiro.  Always receptive to positive energy, he was drawn to them, and they insisted that he forgo his hotel to stay at their apartment.  Nothing sexual was expected.  They showed him great hospitality (their maid kept the fresh towels and meals coming), and even lent one of their cars for his day-trip.  Dragan's artist/friend lives in Nicaragua, and he invited Dragan to visit again soon: cost-effective, beautiful culture, great coffee, open-door policies, and a fun society.  
     At the age of 10, Dragan told his astonished parents that he wanted to grow up to be either a pastry chef or a hair stylist.  Ergo, Dragan pursued both and is an accomplished baker!  

     With my handsome hairdo, I sauntered home.  Lewis was back from the gym, so we started our day (wink).  After soothing showers, we headed to the city.  
     I swapped a Christmas gift at the Land's End pop-up store on Fifth Avenue... just before the store closed in 2 days!  Happy with my exchange, we went downtown to Top Shop.  Finding a washed denim pair of shorts in "Spray On" fit, I was delighted to see the price tag at $25 from $50.  To my delight, the cashier said that they were actually $15!  
     Walking south to Chinatown, we decided to dine at a Shanghainese restaurant.  With time to spare before dinnertime, we split up to get delicacies from several grocers.  Due to his language skills, Lewis got on one line to buy spiced beef tendon.  I entered a market to buy spices.  I spotted a misplaced package of sweet red-bean rice balls. 

Feeling fortunate, I added the package to my basket.  The cashier delighted me further because it only cost $1.99!  Amidst the banter of Mandarin around me, I suddenly recognized a polite voice addressing me in English.  A young Chinese woman behind me alerted me that items were about to spill out of my pocket.  I thanked her for her help, and it brought a shy smile.  Lewis exited his store, as I left mine.  We met on the sidewalk and headed to dinner (below).

      Dining at 456, we ordered my favorite: Lion's Head Meatballs (succulent and soft!).  They're appropriate of the approaching Lunar New Year.

Egg/scallion pancakes, 2 trays of soup dumplings, and fried noodles with shrimp accompanied it.  

It evoked memories of our trip to China.  To see that, click here:

https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2014/11/our-trip-to-china-part-i.html

     The subway got us to Union Square at 8pm, and I spontaneously decided to try Trader Joe's again (before tomorrow's snowstorm).  Luckily, everybody else was at Happy Hour or dinner, so I glided easily through the store.  

As I left, I saw that another long line had formed outside.  It hadn't been there earlier!  I was gleeful that I arrived at just the right time to avoid it.  
     Lewis and I got to my apartment before the first snowflakes fell.  

     During Saturday's storm, we stayed snugly indoors all day.  We loved the gin!  

We had snacks and watched the 2011 TV series, "Journey To the West" online.  I highly recommend it.  The storyline has been a popular tale since ancient times... and still is via modern interpretations.

  
     The 2011 version is in Mandarin with English subtitles.  As a fan of foreign films, I don't mind subtitles.  Lewis' translations added extra "umph".  

     The next morning, a mound of snow lay against my bedroom window, on the fire escape.  The city had 2 feet of snow, in some areas!  Rising before Lewis, I set to work preparing a stew for later: parsnips, celery, carrots, onion, leeks, tomatoes, no-sodium chicken stock, spices, Turkish bay leaves, charred Italian sausage.  By 11 o'clock, I enticed him to step outside with me to explore!

      

     Lewis had a hankering for ice cream (I know, unbelievable, isn't it?).  So, we tromped through the newly-shovelled paths to the revamped TradeFair Market.  Some imbecile designed it so the layout resembles a labyrinth... with similar products displayed in multiple locations, in completely different sections of the store.  It was a total turn-off.  "Lets showcase eggs near the entrance, then put some eggs in the far corner, then put the organic eggs across the store near the fruit."  Idiotic.  As luck had it, the market featured Haagen-Dazs ice creams at 3 for $9.99.  A super deal!  

     Next, we headed to a Mediterranean Market.  Sidestepping their Bobcat on the sidewalk (like this),  

we went inside and discovered German iced lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies)--usually $7 per box at other markets--priced at $1.79!!!  I love gingerbread, so I got two!  

*To see when we ate freshly-made ones in Berlin while buying German handmade ornaments, please use this link:

https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2022/11/our-trip-to-berlin-germany-part-1-of-6.html

     After our snowball fight, we passed a townhouse and felt bad for its owner who let the snow accumulate before taking down their Christmas lights.  They're much easier to remove without icy snowfall over the cords.

     Shedding our wet boots and frosty gloves by the doorway, the aroma of our slow-cooker stew welcomed us.  (It pays to prepare in advance of your day's adventures).  

Lewis shook up some Bloody Mary's (stemware was already in the freezer).

A romp in bed--to keep warm--put us in the postcoital mood to watch more "Journey to the West".
     I counted all the "little things" that made that weekend extra special.  The list of our blessings always outweighs anything else.  I'm happy to share my experiences with you.

Aren't Legal Loopholes Fun?

Aren't legal loopholes fun?  Here's just a few:

-tax evasion by big businesses.
-American companies with a PO Box in Ireland or the Cayman Islands don't pay income tax.
-federal bailout money.
-offshore non-disclosing bank accounts.
-eminent domain.
-if a neighbor moves their fence line and you don't notice after several years, the property becomes theirs.
-client/doctor privilege. 
-diplomatic pouches.
-"made in" labels, based on if merely 40% of the product was made in one country.
-"rational use" clauses for illegal, unreported & unregulated fishing (IUU).
-cars insured in Florida for cheap rates but driven in NYC.
-"pre-existing condition" that insurance companies don't have to pay on.
-adopted child "re-homing" (trafficking).
-limited liability corporations.
-Fraternal Order of Police "courtesy card" to evade tickets (a.k.a. Police Benevolent Association).

The philosophy is made fun of in movies like "Chicago" or "Wolf of Wall Street".

It really makes you wonder why people choose to obey the rules...

How People Hide & Avoid Their Flaws

After 6 months observing this guy at my local coffee shop, I've seen again how people deliberately "rewrite their stories" and hide their own accountability for their problems.

     Max is a good-looking, 24-year-old Venezuelan.  He wears dirty shirts (literally dark around the collar/cuffs)... because he doesn't wash them.  He has dirt under his fingernails.  He repeatedly says that he doesn't carry cash because he'll spend it fast.  He's immature.  He's been "job hopping" for several months.  He had a great job as a graphic artist (hired by the company's CEO) but he quit... to be a "roadie" for Comedy Central.  His parents (in Miami) have been paying for much of his life to continue.  His girlfriend (of 4 months) finally exploded angrily at him.  Max can't understand why.

     He bemoaned how his cellphone was cut off until he got a paycheck and could pay the bill.  We knew that his girlfriend was "on the way out of his life" when he started talking again about "dating life" in NYC.  Max has a strict policy: he takes a lot of different girls out to the same Taco eatery in the East Village of Manhattan.  He keeps the cost of his "first dates" under $48.  Tacos?!  When a woman in the coffee shop ridiculed him, citing the poor first impressions he gave, he replied, "They have to earn the good impression!"  

     Max prefers dating girls over the age of 18 (so they can stay out late) but under 24 (so they're not too smart).  He chooses girls who are "new" to the city because they won't be too critical of his "first dates".  They'll just be awestruck at having a meal in Manhattan.  He loves NYC for its constant influx of impressionable/naive females.

     His girlfriend is French and took him to France for a week at Christmas, to meet her family.  Most of the expenses were generously paid by her family.  Max was supposed to learn a small amount of French language.  He admitted that he didn't bother with that.  So unappreciative!  Thus, during the week, Max was unable to converse with his girlfriend's family.  Instead of apologizing, he attacked her for trying to "change him".

     In fact, they moved in together (in Brooklyn) to save Max money!  Ergo, when their relationship got "rocky", he--instead of making things better--made a "manly" decision and ended it.  He spent the last 2 nights at friends' apartments, since he avoids returning to the one he legally shares with his girlfriend.  She's probably so upset, betrayed and humiliated.  (Hopefully, she's learning lessons fast).

     Max was overheard on the phone lying to his landlord--trying to break the lease--saying that his girlfriend is being deported.  Another false story.  

     People tried encouraging him to rectify things with his girlfriend... to see her perspective.  No.  Max merely figured that she was emotionally unstable.  He held no accountability for what he'd done to make their union turn sour.  

     Hopefully, the girl finds someone worthy of her (and mends her heart).  Hopefully, Max realizes that "Karma is only a bitch when you are".

Repercussions of Stupid Favoritism in the Workplace

Please see this previous blog entry:
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2015/12/this-guy-got-hired.html

     After 6 months of dismal performance by their National Director of Visual, a hundred-year-old global luxury housewares company knew that they needed to change things.  But they didn't.  They replaced that feeble person with another idiot (despite all the qualified ones in our over-saturated job market).
     Typical of flabby unsupervised Corporate management, they allowed the Director of Stores to hire her young male friend for the job.  They should've hired a competent replacement, instead of the Director's buddy.  They allowed her to hire a 24-year-old idiot.  
     The new guy was given total control over window displays, across the country, as well as in-store merchandising.  Yet, it seems like he could care less about his job.  Despite this city's tough job market (which might make someone feel grateful to have a job), what did he do?  He sat at his corporate desk and let the managers do their entire re-merchandising for their stores.  A job that he's supposed to do!  Those managers complained that when he visited--at company expense--he barely looked at the work they'd done.  He doesn't seem concerned about consequences!
     What did he actually DO?  At the upper-Madison flagship, he merely showed up to put some flowers in vases.  (Actually, he split the 3 bouquets amongst 2 stores).  The flowers wilted within 2 days.  Such a luxury environment for clients!?
     The next thing he did at that flagship was to arrive and pull a cheap-looking tablecloth from its plastic wrapper and throw it on the table in the front store window... wrinkled and un-ironed/steamed.  He added some glitter-coated antlers (as winter flair... typical of a young gay guy).  Lastly, when the flagship's manager asked him for help with a store display, the young man took a taxi from the corporate office--at company expense--ONLY to say that he couldn't help that day.  Then, he took a taxi back.  What the  hell?  Why couldn't he accomplish that over the phone?  What a sign of "lack of oversight".  Obviously no one watches him!
     These are the repercussions of hiring "friends" (who aren't qualified), instead of qualified professionals.  !!!  If I was in charge, and I found out who had hired who... I would've fired both of them.  
     

A Ban on Central Park Horse Carriages

    Due to pressure from animal-lovers and "concerned citizens", as well as irrefutable videos online, our city's mayor finally started clamoring about removing the smelly, overworked, underfed horses.  Regardless of the weather, their uncaring and greedy owners force them to pull overweight carriages in NYC's Central Park.  Nobody cares about their lives spent amidst traffic, honking horns, smog, exhaust, heat from asphalt, and winter frigidness.  Knowing the mayor's reputation to merely provide favors to Big Business, skyscraper developers, and whomever pays the most, Lewis and I are skeptical that he'll save the horses.  

     Neglected by their owners, the unclean horses stink up the city's posh streets near Central Park--and its 5-star hotels.  Anytime you get within one street of them, their odor hits your senses.  That is bad for the horses.  Manhattan's uncaring government allows gridlock traffic jams to continue for decades, and those horses ride through that congestion on the avenues.  None of the numerous overpaid government agencies inspects their welfare, water supply, nutrition, or habitat.  

Below, look at that horse struggle to pull the overloaded carriage.

Is this how a horse should spend its life?

     My friends work at the Prada headquarters by Clinton Park in Midtown-West.  They abhor the stench of the crappy stables!  During NYC's sultry summers, the unclean stench is horrific, and it can be smelled from five streets away!  Such a terrible environment is reminiscent of NYC's despicable tenement houses.  Infamous to the world, those dilapidated buildings were operated by the city's wealthiest financiers, and impoverished immigrants were compelled to endure them.  The stables look like them.  (Slumlords continue to exist in NYC's corruption, and the authorities merely make them pay fines for their terrible properties, instead of mandating their improvement).  Some things never change... (in corrupt places).  

     As he does with other corrupt circumstances, the mayor clamored about the issue for years.  Yet, action was never taken.  I wondered why?  

     This morning, he held one of his typical evasive/murky News Conferences.  Suddenly, the man who sought to eradicate the horse-carriages proposed keeping them in Central Park.  He's considering using taxpayer money to give monetary compensation to the carriage drivers--so they don't use their own money for the horses' upkeep.  Next, the mayor removed the eco-friendly pedicab drivers and only let them ride north of 82nd Street, so they cannot "overcrowd" the carriage trade.  I'm certain that was done because conscientious people boycott the horse-drawn carriages and prefer the pedicabs.  

     *He did a similar maneuver when he allowed the corrupt taxi companies to underpay their staff--while instituting a new tax on passengers of ride-share cars, and that money was given to the taxi companies.  (When you are familiar with NYC, you anticipate such sleazy tactics).

     Did he ask voters for their approval?  Definitely not.  It seems like such a subsidy to build them new facilities, pay their outgoing drivers, and push away their competition.  I'm sure there are lots of people in this city who'd want such "help".  I wonder why he's doing it?
     Then I found out...
     The almighty Teamsters Union represents and protects the carriage drivers.