Roisin Brady's West Side Story
June, 2008.
Start Spreading The News...
Da-da-dada. That's right folks, I'm sending my greetings from the Big Apple. I have been neglecting my Glasgow guide, so I thought I would catch you all up from across the pond. Basically, I have up and left G-town for the summer, opting to spend my days working, and wondering around this neon kingdom, exploring department stores and dimly lit bars, playing softball and observing the most diverse and eclectic mix of people that flood the streets of New York every day. So in a nutshell, over the next few months, I would like to swap my West End stories, with some Upper West Side scoop.
New York News First...
I'll bring you all up to speed with the goings on over here, and then I feel the need to mention some home happenings as well. Let's start with business. And what fine businesses New York has to offer. I am currently crashing with two very good friends, an Irish lad and his American girlfriend, and it is the girlfriend, Tiffany, who has introduced me to the perks of working in the city. Her rather cool Advertising agency boasts an office for employees to play Guitar Hero, an area for Happy Hour, hosted by one of the many beer companies that they represent, and finally...the parties. Ah yes, there are industry parties. I am talking rooftop, candle-lit shindigs, attended by very beautiful people, who can enjoy very cool music, free bars, manicures, massages, a Nintendo Wii, and a goody bag at the door. When Tifany and myself left one such party last week, we left with free iPods. All in the name of business, eh?
And So, Onto The Pleasure Part.
While I am here, I have enjoyed several nights out, in a city that seems to house every type of bar, every type of beer and every type of clientele imaginable. However, with a monumental amount of nighttime activities on offer, I have actually found it difficult to make up my mind where to go. Myself and Tifany managed to wangle our way onto the guest list of The Plumm nightclub in the trendy meatpacking district, only for me to find it was more of a glamorised bar than anything else, and despite spotting a closed-off dance floor downstairs, I found myself wishing for a boogie at Viper instead! This city seems to rank fashionable hotspots, by the people who go there, and how important they believe themselves to be. I have since found that karaoke bars and theme clubs have a lot more to offer and are frequented by much more agreeable folk!
Home Sick? No Way!
I say this, simply because I haven't had the chance yet. One of the reasons that I love Glasgow is because we have such a reputation around the world. Whether it is a positive or negative one, it's nice when people recognise your origins. Several Americans have asked me about my loyalties when it comes to the Old Firm, and one of Tifany's co-workers even asked me about a rather rough nightclub on Suchiehall Street that some Scottish relatives had spoken about. But the funniest thing about being a Glaswegian in New York? Meeting so many other Glaswegians! Sitting amongst the thousands of Mets fans at Shea Stadium, I turned around to realise that the three people behind me where definitely NOT New York born and bred. Turns out the girl was from Busby, a friend of my friend, and her and her boyfriend were visiting her ex-pat uncle. We even worked out that we attended the same 21st Birthday party in December, we were just never introduced. What can I say? 'It's a small world just does not cover it! And when I met two boys that I haven't seen since I was in high school, and we just happened to run into each other at 2am in Times Square? Well...then, I just cannot help but think that I might take a trip down to the famous little New York cafe...Serendipity.
Sex and the Two Cities
I have to say that I spent the eve of my own 21st Birthday dining in the Cul de Sac, after watching Sex and the City at the Grosvenor cinema. And what a night we had! A three-course meal, a Cosmopolitan and tickets for the film for about #20? Well, that's just fabulous! The food was great, and the film was even better. Having previously viewed the trailer, I felt cheated that the entire content of the film may have been compiled into the two-minute preview. But cheated, I was not. There were many surprises in the storyline, none more so that the range of emotion felt by the audience. One minute it seemed as though the female-dominated cinema was on the verge of tears, provoked by a powerful standing-in-the-middle-of-the-street performance from Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis, only to be in a fit of laughter just seconds later. If you have seen the film, you will know what scene I am referring to, and I must say, it was one of my favourites. I can speak only highly of this film, and urge fans of the show to see it, as well as those who are sceptical of its female-orientated contact. At the end of the day, it is simply a very good, very funny, well-acted drama.
I would also like to point out that I chased Cynthia Nixon (aka Miranda from SATC) into the Central Park subway station yesterday to take a photograph with me. I was a little bit in shock, but she was very pleasant and obliged. Ten days in this city and I'm already celebrity spotting!
My Own Happy Ending
My own happy ending came when my disappointment that the 'I Love It Here' graffiti behind Ashton Lane had been cleared was transformed into complete elation by what you will now see is my new photograph. It was the best birthday present I could ever have imagined. With all my heart, thank you.
January, 2008
2008, Come on down!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm proud to present...The New Year. The New Year comes complete with mud-stained Ugg boots, post-Christmas diets, exams that no one has studied for, and that dreaded phrase from your flatmate/mum/the woman at the local pharmacy, 'It might be that bug that's going around'. My tips for 2008: your Uggs are dirty...bin them! Baggy boyfriend jumpers/hoodies are very in, so don't stress about shedding those extra Christmas pudding pounds. After downing that jug of extra-alcoholic Egg Nog, trust me, it's just a hangover.
Fashion...
2008's fashion will be more up and down than Nicole Ritchie's bathroom scales. Whatever you read, whatever celebs you see pictured, for all that is good in the fashion world, please DO NOT invest in a New Year pair of flares. Come on people, we live in Scotland. It rains here. And rain does not a dry pair of flares make! Keep the skinny jeans for another season until a more functional trend emerges.
Flattery...
It's probably the only way you're going to pass those January exams, eh? Most lecturers won't accept a sly twenty pound note under the desk, and 'you're my favourite Environmental Engineering tutor' probably won't get you an A either. Next best thing? The co-operative on Great Western Road stocks the new large cans of Red Bull for caffeine and chocolate cupcakes for a tasty snack break, and bananas are great for energy and will give you a healthy kick to start this 5-a-day malarkey. But whatever you do, don't sign in to bebo...you'll never sign out. It's an all-nighter survival necessity.
Food...
More than a few steps up from Red Bull and cupcakes, is Mancini's on Great Western Road. On a particularly frosty Pre-Christmas evening, myself and my significant other booked into Mancini's upon the recommendation of a friend, and were delighted with the quality of the food and atmosphere. We only had the table for an hour though, due to the Christmas rush, which was extremely disappointing as we weren't even allowed to see the dessert menu. Oh well, next time we'll make sure we have a longer stay.
Film...
Whether it's a cinematic triumph. Whether it's a shabby rip-off of Godzilla. For me, the film of 2008 will be 'Cloverfield'. Take one eccentric producer with an imagination the size of the Starship Enterprise, mix it with an incredibly clever marketing scheme, and you've got one of the most hotly anticipated films of our time. JJ Abrams, the man who brought us Lost, threw some secretive websites into the www world, released an extremely mysterious and action-packed trailer back in June, and has set into motion an internet craze for a film that people seem to know very little about.
The trailer opens with a leaving party for 'Rob' who most assume to be the hero of our tale. Cut to a huge explosion over Manhattan, and the decapitation of the Statue of Liberty by what can only be described as a big, grey monster. Lots of running and screaming and shaky camera work ensues. And that's pretty much it. Movie blogger speculation has produced some crazy theories, but February will bring us answers. This film will be a big deal, and my guess is that the monster turns out to be Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy. Tough, durable, but with a good policy on housing.
Other films to watch out for in 2008 will be 'Juno', the new indy-drama starring Hollywood's celebrated new talent Ellen Page as a pregnant teenager who decides to sell her unwanted baby, with interesting results. This film has been a surprise hit across the pond after being awarded various accolades, including praise for Page and her supporting cast including Jennifer Garner of Alias, and Michael Cera and Jason Bateman who both star in Arrested Development. This summer's blockbuster is set to be 'The Dark Night', which sees Heath Ledger smiling devilishly as Christian Bale returns as Gotham City's vigilante hero, Batman. Heath Ledger can do very little wrong in my eyes, and I predict great reviews in his future as the Joker. And finally. With bated breath. I bring you...'Sex and the City', May 30 2008. Insert appropriate shoe one-liner here.Flu...
Need a fast remedy for whatever disease you'll insist to all of your flatmates that you're really dying, no seriously...DYING...from? I can only suggest an oversized hoodie (these are sooo 2008), hot Ribena, and a 2 litre Coke bottle filled with boiling water for a student's answer to Gran's hot water bottle. Collapse on your couch and watch whatever TV boxset Santa gave you for Christmas and relax. Doctor's notes for missed exams required!
Archive - Roisin Brady's west side story. 2007
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