MyLifeInWriting.com

No, I don’t mean that ABC show with a bunch of middle-aged women bickering about topics that make men want to take a drill to their temple… I’m talking about the sweet view from my new NYC apartment! This summer I made the move from my previous apartment over in Gramercy Park to a one bedroom in Chelsea. Although my other place was nice, this one is definitely a step up, particularly when it comes to having a view — which is hugely important to me, since I spend most of my days working from home. After 2 years of seeing nothing but a brick office building, I’m thrilled to finally have something pretty to look at while I’m stuck at my desk. Is it the best view in the city? nah… but it’s not bad! Check it out:

Looking north at the Empire State building during the day

Looking north at the Empire State building at night

Looking west towards the Hudson during the day

Looking west towards the Hudson at night

Guaranteed. This is the best breakfast shake/smoothie you’ll ever make…at least when you combine the fact that it’s easy to make, healthy, and delicious. Here’s what you need:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup of skim milk
• 3 – 4 ice cubes
• 1 scoop of protein power
• 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil

Just put all this stuff in a blender, blend it for 15 seconds, and you’re all set! It’s easy, trust me. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be making it.

Here’s the thought behind the nutrition end of it. The banana provides some carbs and nutrients like potassium, along with giving the shake flavor and thickness. The skim milks add some more nutrients like calcium, as well as some protein. The ice cubes chill the shake, lighten it a little bit, and work as a thickening agent as well. The protein powder is obviously for protein. A lot of powders suggest 2 scoops, but I only add one since we’re already getting some protein from the milk — adding more is a waste, because your body can’t absorb all of it. Lastly, the flax seed oil adds some really heart-heathly, unsaturated fats to the mix (the kind of fats you actually want).

Two quick notes: First, do use a ripe banana, overly ripe, mushy even! It will actually make the shake taste better. Second, I’d recommend a vanilla flavored protein mix. I’m a big fan of BioChem Sports’ 100% Whey which is sold at Whole Foods, because it doesn’t have any extra crap in it, but go with whatever you like.

I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot. I find that bananas really work the best, but I’ve also used strawberries, rasberries, blueberries, and even mandrin oranges, so feel free to mix it up. Enjoy!

My younger brother texted me the other night and asked me if I’d be interested in buying a motorcycle with him (Read: buy a motorcycle for him). He said it was a 850cc Yahama from the 80’s and it was $750 — so the images running through my head weren’t pretty, but he sent me a pic today and it’s actually not bad:

If you take off the sound system between the handlebars, and those goofy-ass rear speakers, it’s not a bad looking bike — at least for starters. I’m toying with the idea of throwing down for it and having him fix it up. I’d like to get my license at some point, and this would give both of us a bike to learn on and use for the test. I don’t get home to NJ all that often, so riding before the winter might be out of the question, but at least I’ll have something to do when I make it home next spring.

Anyway, we’ll see how this one pans out. He still has to get the idea to slide with my parents (who, not surprisingly, are out of town this week). If he can get my dad into the idea of a fix it up project, he might have a shot… a small shot…

I’m a big fan of the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s a really dry, comedy series about two musicians from New Zealand who are in a band and trying to make it in New York City. The dialog is hiliarious, as are the music scenes that they do.

Anyway, they had the first season last year and I had kind of forgotten about it, but I caught a few reruns this week and remembered how entertaining it is. I’m really hoping they bring it back! I was expecting season two to start along with Entourage last month, but that didn’t happen, which casts a little doubt. But, the fact that they’re still showing episodes, along with the 4 emmy nominations that it got, seem to suggest that another season is in the works. I guess we’ll see! Here are few clips for your enjoyment:

Chicken egg situation

"If you’re into it"

Finding new, exciting bars in NYC can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Yes, there are an endless amount of spots in the city. And yes, most of them are better (or at least on par with) anything you’ll find elsewhere. But after a period of time, many of these places start to feel exactly the same, so I’ve put together my quick list of very unique and inconspicuous spots that I fall back on to mix things up. If you’re looking for places where you can become a regular, or pick up members of the opposite sex, look elsewhere — but if you’re trying take your friends (or date) some place interesting that’s under the radar, check these spots out!

Love (179 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10011)

Let me first say that Love is actually more of a nightclub, but not the type of nightclub that plays David Guetta tracks while sweaty dudes with half unbuttoned shirts grind on anything that moves. No, Love is a pretty well hidden spot on MacDougal and 8th that has an underground cave-like theme and a huge dance floor that’s usually vibrating from bass-heavy rasta music. Sound ridiculous? It is… in a good way. It’s roomy, has some quieter areas for conversation, and, in keeping with the rasta theme, is often speckled with random people wearing hoodies and smoking weed — which I think takes away from the pretentiousness. Oh, it’s also very late night, so don’t have any fear about rolling into this place at 2am. The only downside is that you may pay up to a $20 cover… rough, i know, but possibly worth it if you’re looking to chill somewhere for a couple drinks.

Backroom (102 Norfolk St., New York, NY 10002)

I was actully just introduced to this place recently. It’s a classy bar in the lower east side that’s in the backroom of a building, literally. When (or perhaps I should say, If) you get by the bouncer, you walk about 30 yards through an alley, up and down staircases, to get to this place… but I think that adds to the cool factor. When you get inside it has a very prohibition-esce feel to it. Beers are served covered with brown paper bags; cocktails come in teacups. Prices are high, but by high, I mean pretty much the same thing you’d expect at any other nice bar in NYC. It may take you a few tries to get in. I think they limit the crowd to keep up the atmosphere, but definitely give it a shot.

PDT (113 St. Marks Pl. , New York, NY 10009)

PDT (short for "Please Don’t Tell") is another prohibition themed bar, but this place takes it to another level! There’s no street entrance, and no bouncer. Instead you walk into a very average looking hot dog place named "Crif Dog." Go down the stairs into the restaurant (which is 100% functional, by the way) and you’ll see an old phone booth. Pick up the phone and press the call button. The wall of the phone booth will swing open and the hostess on the other side will attend to you. If you go early with just a few people you may be able to get in on the spot, otherwise you can call ahead for reservations, which I would recommend if you really want to go with a group of friends (Note: this isn’t the type of place you go to bombed with a big crowd at 1am). Inside you’ll find a very classy, intimate bar that has a menu of really unique (and delicious) cocktails. You can also order from a small food menu, which is a nice touch. Again, a little pricey, but totally worth the experience.