New York Chronicles Season 2, Episode 2: “Home*”

Sorry for the delay folks, production on Season 2 got held up by the writer’s strike (hey, it worked for everyone else, why not me, too).

Well, since last episode’s apartment hunt, a bevy of things have occurred. I’m thoroughly convinced that my life here is basically a series of Catch-22s.

For instance–and the main point of today’s blog, I finally got an apartment (with aid of roommate, of course) but have yet to move in actual furniture. If there’s one thing more annoying than sharing a room in an apartment filled with people, it’s sleeping on a constantly deflating air mattress in a drafty-ass room (seriously, i need a chiropractor like yesterday).

Normally, this would be a *very* temporary problem except for two things: a) I work in publishing (READ: seventh circle of professional hell) and don’t really make that much (not to mention the delivery costs in NY are astronomical and it’s rather difficult to move things around here since almost no one actually owns a car but yet and still it’s always congested here from the traffic, so you would think that I would at least know someone who owns some form of transportation…but obviously that is another story unto itself) and b) everytime i get paid, someone new is digging deep into my pockets (Uncle Sam, student loans, old debts from college, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny, too).

But when that glorious Economic Stimulus check comes…OH HAPPY DAY!

*does the Holy Ghost dance while church says “AMEN!”*

Other than that, the place is pretty cool. Lots of space and it’s on the first floor and literally right around the corner from the nearest express train (which still doesn’t help, seeing as I’m still 5-10 minutes late for work on a daily basis). My biggest gripe is this damned temperamental toilet we have (which I just unclogged for the 10th time about twenty minutes ago. Ugh!)

Anywho, it’s not perfect but hey, it’s HOME!

D

*This post, nor the video included, endorses Diana’s version of this song. I just happened to see The Wiz recently (one of my favorite movies *ever*) and wanted to share a little of that Black Movie Magic with you all.

Because Every Hero Needs a Little Theme Music…

This song came on the other day as my friend Daryl and I walked into the American Apparel on Flatbush, and it got me thinking. First off, I *LOVE* this song (never knew who sang it until 2 days ago though). The bassline, the flute, the way whoever the hell that is plays those damn drums! It’s also one of the songs that I put into that “Walk Into A Room…” category (basically songs that you want to start playing when you walk into a room) and has inspired me to come up with a personal top ten.

So without further ado: D’S TOP TEN SONGS TO WALK INTO A ROOM TO

1. “Lowdown” by Bozz Scaggs – see description and video above
2. “Moments in Love” by The Art of Noise – This song really is really more appropriate for a certain type of room, of course. But wouldn’t you love it if this song came on the minute the lights went out? Yep!
3. “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson – There are three main reasons for this: a) this is the first MJ song I ever loved, b) the snare introduction is. what. that. is. and c) there really is no C…but you get the point.
4. “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’?” by Stephanie Mills – Another song with the perfect snare intro (and it’s no coincidence that she and Michael are this near each other). This doesn’t discount the horns or the use of the flute in this song, either.
5. “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees – If you haven’t figured this out yet, this list is a little disco/70s heavy (hell, it’s what most stuff from the 90s and 2000s samples). I guess it’s something about putting together tight basslines and three-part falsetto harmonies that makes someone feel heroic.
6. “Hey Lookaway” by the Questionmark Asylum – Remember this? I don’t know what the hell happened to them, but this song was my sh*t! This is the epitome of cool.
7. “Do You Love What You Feel” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan – Another Quincy Jones-produced jam by quintessential jam band Rufus. Need i say more?
8. “SpottieOttieDopalicious” by OutKast – Damn, damn, damn James!
9. “Flashing Lights” by Kanye West – This song right here is epic (nevermind the psychotic ass video).
10. “We At It Again” by Timbaland & Magoo – I don’t know too many people that remember this song, but it’s one of Tim’s best beats (I typically tune out his “rapping”).

What are some of your songs?

D

Playing Catch Up…

…is very difficult to do when you’ve been so damn busy!

Still, I am back my friends. I guess no one really missed me anyway (seeing as, once again, no one ever visits). I’ve been thinking about changing the format of this to serve on specific purpose (i.e.: refocusing this to solely be my chronicles of relocating to/living in NYC or maybe make it solely about music I like).

I guess it could stand as my online journal where I just dump all the events of my life/emotional turmoil/procrastinations into the internet ether for you guys (all -5 of you) to enjoy.

What say you? What changes should I make to the blog (and for more details about how the blog usually is–or was–check out it’s prior location).

Let me know what you think. If I don’t get any feedback, then I’ll just do whatever the hell I wanna do!

D