For NYE the Paper Factory Hotel housed an event by Junxion. Junxion is a community of creatives from New York dedicated to music, the art, and good vibes with the association of the Burning Man flow. Though this creative establishment fosters the sense of community, to be in the network it's rather exclusive to other demographics that I will not mention.
The event had 5 rooms with various types of music from deep house, some tropical bass music, and other domains of music with the electronic twist. The music was wonderful and the performances. However, the number of tickets sold and the space was so wrong. I know that many places that sell "Foster community" and "We are creatives deviating from social norms" it is still a business with a different marketing vantage for a business. I may be wrong but this is how I personally feel at the emotional and logical level. Money to fund people's lives, to fund the owners, and to fund future events they are all valid points to why so many tickets were sold yet it's not an excuse to let the place pack up so much where it's very uncomfortable. The saying quality over quantity is so relevant to this event. Overall I enjoyed myself ringing the new year with someone I love. If you are ever in the need for a good party in the NYC and Brooklyn area I do recommend Junxion.
During the week in which my birthday falls on I traveled to Pennsylvania, the plan was a relaxing getaway. The choice of lodging was The French Manor Inn and Spa hidden in the Pocono region, about 20 minutes from the Shawnee/Tourist spot of the region. I booked the place a month in advance after searching for a place to stay that met the little fantasy in my head. I'm into french style locations because the style carries a sophisticated weight with an average person friendliness or in other words, carefree feel in the tasteful sense. Before reaching my destination I stopped by Martins Creek Environmental Preserve to get some exercise in and to enjoy the winter weather. The trail is about 5 miles with some really nice sites and beautiful wildlife. I saw a couple of plump hawks cuddling up to each other which was very pleasant to watch and I found a stone path that was from a storybook.
At the lodging location I intended to stay for two nights which was a little pricey, but worth the aesthetic of the room. I stayed at the Carriage House which houses two different rooms. I opted for Suite Genevieve because of the openness of the room and dark feel it brought in which I tend to gravitate to. When I booked the room I got the breakfast package, the manor advertises it as a gourmet breakfast however I thought it was mediocre because the meal was cold and the worse part was the discovery of hair in my food. On a positive note, the presentation was lovely. Yet I was still disappointed on the service provided. Also, though I was the one who was paying for the getaway. Most of the attention was given to my male companion. When it comes to serving a couple, the rule of thumb is to make the female feel welcomed and attention placed on to her because she is the one who will have a greater influence on the stay than the male. Especially, if it's her time. As a person who works with human behavior and has an understanding of customer service. A happy female can influence a great deal when it comes to service for we tend to be more opinionated in the quality and services of an establishment.
The room came with a decanter of Sherry which was refilled everyday and I had turn down service when the night came. There is an option to have breakfast in bed for an additional 10$ and they have spa services. Depending on the month you stay there are various on location events. For other activities that are off campus such a horseback riding and winter activities such as skiing, you need to travel a bit and there are options to purchase necessary passes at the manor at discounted pricing. I was suppose to go skiing but my health took the turn to the negative route, so I opted to on another long winter walk. About 15 minutes from the location is Tobyhanna State Park. The state park offers camping, boating, and long trails. Camping is closed during the winter season. On the other hand, the large frozen lake and ability to take on a 5 mile hike it's worth the visit because the view was so relaxing.
After that I came back to my room, turned on the fireplace, poured myself something to drink, and
prepared the jacuzzi. I bundled up with my boyfriend and relaxed for most of the night.
We got some pizza for the stay, because I was not interested in the dining options provided. I can get higher quality french cuisine at better pricing in the city. On the night before my birthday arrived I went to Mount Airy Casino just to check it out and it was pretty much another night of drinks and spending time with the boyfriend.
New Hope
On the day of my birthday, we checked out and visited New Hope. A town that is open welcoming the crafts and LGBTQ community. I always enjoy this town because of the shops, food, and wine bars. I did not go to Nektar Wine Bar that I adore which offers flights of wine and wonderful tapas with the perfect view overlooking the bridge and river. This time I went to the Triumph Brewing Company of New Hope and I know there is another location in Princeton, NJ. The food was amazing and the drinks as well. I got adobo pulled pork nachos, grilled chicken sandwich topped with chorizo, flight of beer (8 glasses at 6oz of their in house brewed beer), and whiskey sour (Menu). The meal was so glorious, I have to say it was the best meal of 2016.
The large meal was followed by a walk around the town, which you can see in the video below.
Overall, it was nice change to how I celebrated my Birthday. Last year it was a rager, pretty much partied for a week straight in the city to techno, trance, psytrance, deep house, and house music with lots of tequila in the system. As time goes I want to travel to different locations for my birthday. It maybe the same experience, but the site of a different location does have some meaning to myself.
Leaving on that little note, I hope you have a great New Year!
I took a winter trip into the city on the 10th, the start of my PTO! This time around I had to plan this trip because I was being "tested" on the quality of date night. I was not excited about that joke. What I had on the agenda was to visit an Izakya, the name of the particular destination is what got me because I have an inside pet name associated to the title. Izakyas are a pub/bar like setting for the Japanese. I've always wanted to go to one but till I get to Japan, a city based Izakya will have to do. I went to Izakya MEW located in Mid-town Manhattan. The food style of the bar is set with Traditional Japanese flavors mixed with modern tapas styles. The location of the bar is tucked between a Karaoke place and a Korean Restaurant. Once you enter you are set down into the basement greeted by artwork lining the walls in a film like manner. The size of the place does get crowded by the swam of people seated and waiting to be seated. I arrived at the location exactly at 5:30 pm, dinner opening time. The ambiance of the place is right up my ally with the rustic feel of the wooden table and bricks with lightbulbs dandling over your head. I enjoy places that are lined with lights and have a moody feel. That is one thing I look for when I eat and drink at a new location in New York. With the opening hour, I learned they had a happy hour special, Sapporo beer at 5$ and Wine at 6$, I opted for White Wine. I did learn I enjoy Sapporo Beer compared to American Beer, it has a lighter taste and lemon note.
To start off I got Tofu Avocado Salad, which was impressive because of the big chunks of tofu. The dressing was not that notable, but still satisfying. For main dishes I got the Seafood Garlic Shoyu Ramen and Buta Miso Itame. The ramen did hit the spot, however I had better ramen. The standard I compare my ramen is to Rai Rai Ramen, it's open still btw which burned down awhile ago but is up and running again. When I get ramen it's important for it to be very hot and the noodles a bit on the firm side. The ramen at Mew owned the noddle component I look for however, the broth and toppings were on the cold side for me. What was exciting about the dish were the mini squid and octopus I got, I was so happy because they were rather cute. The next dish was Itame, a stir fry dish which was very tasty. You can taste the sweetness, the punch of the miso, and deep flavor of the soy sauce. The dish was made of pork and veggies. My only complaint again is the dish should have been warmer. To top off the meals I go two special drinks. I'll say the drinks were more worthwhile compared to the food
Mew Breezed, M-Nnog, and Sapporo
M-Nog 9$
Rum Chata
Jameson
Kahlua
Almond Milk
Caramel Chocolate
Cinnamon
Mew Brezze 8$
Sugan Cane Shochu Vodka
Cranberry Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Tonic Water
The M-Nog was so good, made with almond milk which has bit of thicker consistency compared to milk worked so well the alcohol. It appeased the burn of the liquor, leaving the flavor of the alcohol and allowing the taste of the holiday to pop through. The Mew Breeze was adorable and refreshing, the fruity accents complement each other and the novelty of the combination raised the drink's value. Overall, the drinks were not heavy. Sometimes after a big meal and drinking alcohol your stomach environment tends present as more acidic. Chargeable to the lightness of the drinks, no stomach irritation. I did get a pleasant buzz and raise in temperature to help me survive the rest of the night.
Madison Square Park Tree
Madison Square Park
After the meal it was time to see some sites. Usually people go to Radio City where the Grand Tree is near. I decided not to bother, because I did not want to tackle the crowds. At the same time Santa Con was happening, I know event tries to promotes an Anti-Drunk Mess Santa. To my dismay I did see few trying to raise hell and even 2 that almost go hit by a car.
I walked to my destination so I can build up an appetite for later in the night. I made it to the location and for me it was a throwback. Many moons ago, I did volunteer work at the location when they had a music/touch art installation. To be in the city during the holiday season manifest emotions from past ventures, friendship, and lovers. Having the ability to visit places I love and reflect on how time changed my life is very important for me. To reevaluate your life is part of mindfullness and it presents that you are an active player in the one life you have.
After that site, I was walking down to NYU area because there is bar/pool hall I enjoy called The Fat Cat. The location has affordable drinks and games ranging from ping pong to scrabble. Some nights there is a live band playing. Also, for a FYI I know above the location is a 3-D printer work space. Getting into the Fat Cat was cut out because it was way to crowded, so I found my way to a LGBTQ friendly bar. I can't remember the name but they have Cabaret performances. I enjoyed the energy of the bar.
The terminal that ended the night was Artichoke Basile Pizza (111 Macdougal St Location), damn the artichoke pizza was amazing with the cost of about 6$ or 7$. It was worth everything, I think the location that is in Chelsea is the one with the restaurant where you can get a pie medley with pizza topped with assorted meat, penne vodka, and the signature artichoke. The pizza crust was thick, had the crunch and on the inside the softness that is so comforting. The artichoke toppings was so creamy, good enough to place on pasta. I died and went to heaven, adding a few pepper flakes set me into oblivion. The next time I go into the city, you (I) must have the trio order of what they offer. I do not care if I have to starve myself and workout for 3 hours to justify eating that much. It will happen.
The adventure out that night was well needed and I hope you can find the same pleasantries as I do. With that said Peace out!
I've started a blog a number of times in my life. After awhile I would abandon it, because I got distracted or lost ambition with what I was trying to create. Time and time again I would deviate and then come back. One of the many reasons behind it was, I thought I would get nothing out of it. Why should I do something that will never blossom into something more? You should focus on finding a career that will lead you to stability, you need to have a formal education, you need to stick to the books. Well I've done that, I finished my schooling and have a full time job. I'm suppose to pursue graduate school, but I'm done with education sucking all my creative juice from my soul and I really hate dumbing down my thought to fit popular social perceptions of an academic career. Before taking the next step, I really want to dedicate time to documenting my experience and putting my own two sense. It's what I enjoy.
There is a change of a mindset with creating what I want. It's not about hoping it will become something more, but placing value on my life and saving memories. I'm a person who struggles with the value on her life, because it's been stripped away, discredited. What I create through multiple avenues is a way to reclaim my life. I can go into so much detail of my personal experience, how they influenced the choices I've made, and how I go to this point in my life. Yet, in doing so will take away from what I'm trying to do in this blog.
The event had 5 rooms with various types of music from deep house, some tropical bass music, and other domains of music with the electronic twist. The music was wonderful and the performances. However, the number of tickets sold and the space was so wrong. I know that many places that sell "Foster community" and "We are creatives deviating from social norms" it is still a business with a different marketing vantage for a business. I may be wrong but this is how I personally feel at the emotional and logical level. Money to fund people's lives, to fund the owners, and to fund future events they are all valid points to why so many tickets were sold yet it's not an excuse to let the place pack up so much where it's very uncomfortable. The saying quality over quantity is so relevant to this event. Overall I enjoyed myself ringing the new year with someone I love. If you are ever in the need for a good party in the NYC and Brooklyn area I do recommend Junxion.
