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 was browsing Facebook for something to do this weekend and I came across an event at Cielo in which Eco was playing. He's a Jersey City based Trance artist I think. I accidentally found him on Soundcloud awhile back and it was awesome he was playing at Cielo. I really like the beats he creates. This time around I drove into the city because by the time I got out of the club the trains back to Jersey stop running. I found parking near Chelsea Market and the Highline. I use to often hang around the area, so it was pleasant to go back during this time of year.
First in line was food! Chelsea Market was the destination of choice because of the options. I was feeling something on the semi-healthy side after a week of not having fresh veggies at home. I decided to visit two locations Takumi Taco and Cull and Pistol . At Takumi it was fish tacos as the point of interest. They have a Bento Box special which includes 2 tacos of your choice and a side at about 12$. They have an array of options from adobe spiced meat to fresh cut tuna. I ended up getting the Spicy Tuna Tacos that contain sashimi grade big eye tuna, fresh avocado, and radish in a spicy mayo sauce. The side dish was Charred Corn Salad with kale, corn, shisito peppers, tomato, radish, edamame, brussels sprouts, and napa/rad cabbage all in a miso vinaigrette. Man, it was good. Before that I was at The Lobster Place, a fish market in where you can get prepared lobster, sashimi, and other seafood delicacies of your wishes. I know it's a market for food but the mass consumption of seafood by a particular group of people freaks me out because they just eat and eat voraciously despite never looking unpleasant. I get a great negative visceral reaction when I watch them eat, so I tried my best to look away.
I really enjoy looking around seafood market and observe different species of aquatic life being prepped for consumption. I made my way to the Cull and Pistol kiosk, located in the back of the market to get some Salmon Poke, oh yes. It would be the first I have poke and I was so excited. I waited longer then most people because the cooks forgot about my order, however they gave me a free cookie for waiting so patiently. They cooks were really nice, with big smiles and that's something I enjoy when I interact with anyone. The Poke bowl was fresh with a homemade sauce, sushi rice, some dried seaweed, radish, and edamame. I in my happy place and adding some more soy sauce just topped the poke experience.
Chelsea Market is the place for anyone who wants to go on an unique food adventure. The location contains thai food, fresh noodles, mexican, fusion, wine and beer shops, and so really good desert shop. If you are in the city and want to eat it all, come to this place.
Biergarten at the Standard/Highline, Cielo, and Pizza
After eating a bit, I walked around the Chelsea area which moves into the Meatpacking District. The area tends to be on the higher end with shopping and artwork. It's a fashionable place and so nice to look around at night. In the area you can go up to the Highline which contains different art installations during the year and various plants and events. Once you hit the end you are greeted by the Whitney Museum, The Standard Hotel, and below the Biergarten. This establishment is a hall where you can merrily drink with friends. You pay 9$ for ticket and you can get a boot of beer or something to eat like some Bratwerst or large Pretzels. During the winter it's close in so you stay warm.
Looking street side of Biergarten, if you go down to the right you find a few bars and to you left will be Cielo, an intimate nightclub for your dancing pleasure. The cost of the event this time around was about 10$, such a steal. The place was not to crowded.
After that was late night pizza, at of course Artichoke Basille. This time around was the Chelsea location where you can sit down to enjoy pizza and a few drinks. Because it was late night they have a security guards to make sure no drunk idiots mess up the night. If you are respectful and in the right state of mind, they are very nice and extremely accommodating. Because of this location I was able to order the sampler set, 3 slices of your choice at 18$. I opted for the white, vodka sauce, and the classic artichoke. It was a nice note to end the night in.
I hope you have a great Christmas eve and day filled with food, music, friends, and family. Till the next adventure!
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.
