R.I.P. ... means something TOTALLY different in NYC

Okay ... when I started this blog, I did say that this would be an ongoing dialogue of the crazy and chaotic ... right? That it wouldn't ALL be about Bon Jovi.

And today's post is definitely not Jovi related ... just warning y'all.

SO -- R.I.P. ... New York Style.

The City of New York, in its undeniably unique way, has developed a new online system for tracking ... ready for this ... rats. Yes, those furry, dirty, can-be-confused-with-a-Chihuahua rodents.

It is called the Rat Information Portal. No kidding ... R.I.P.

Portal? Sounds like something from Star Trek ... if so, couldn't they just beam them up to somewhere else?!

On the website, you can view what the level of rat population is in your neighborhood, report on recent sitings (I did not yet post about the large one I saw in the subway a few days ago that I named Henry).

You can even blog about the best way to rid your apartment or business of them ... so I guess the R.I.P is supposed to lead to more cases of actual R.I.P. (Rest in Peace)

ONLY in New York. Gotta love this town!

P.S. And since you all are expecting a little Bon Jovi ... here's a pic of Jon's reaction to this story having now moved to NYC ... LOL

Fast Food ... New York Style

So, my dear friend Samantha was marvelling at how us "Northern girls" could put up with the cold. How? By living in a city like New York.

So today, after a not-so-pleasant trip to the doctor (trust me, you don't want to know!) I headed back to the West Side for some comfort food. For me, that's Zabar's.

If you have never heard of Zabar's, let me educate you.

Imagine aisle after crowded aisle of all the wonderful food you can imagine - knishes, cheeses, strudels, salami, breads, fresh pastas, homemade soups, two zillion kinds of coffees and teas. Sounds great, huh?

But wait, the best part is still coming. Then there's the whole "prepared foods" section ... cause you know most of us NYers don't cook. We assemble and we heat. So, what's for dinner? How about a beautiful piece of salmon with wild rice and a vegetable souffle for ... $8.55. Just put in the micro for 2 minutes and you're done. Now, THIS is fast food!

So ... that is how we survive in the North!

P.S. And if you're not hungry for food, keep this in mind ... we have a yummy resident rock star.

Bon Jovi in Macy's Today ...

Ha! Made you look!

Anyway, so I walked into Macy's Herald Square today to once again get lost in the handbag section ... ahhhhh ... and what comes on the overhead system? A little Jovi of course ... (You Want to) Make A Memory.

At first I thought it was the beautiful Coach bag singing to me ... (wouldn't you want to make some memories carrying that around?!) ... but then I was pleased to find out it was actually our boys. LOL

Anyway .. I must apologize for neglecting this blog for the past couple of weeks. As most of you know, I recently got my ass back to NYC and things have been a bit chaotic. I am not crazy about the apartment EXCEPT the fact that it has two huge double closets ... a total rarity in the city. Now, I don't even need to curb my shoe obsession!

Wouldn't that Coach purse look awfully nice in that big closet ...? (by the way, its called the Bleecker Street bag ... which is not so far from Mercer Street if you know what I mean ...)

So, if you have never had the opportunity to visit the Big Apple ... what the hell are you waiting for?!?

And if you're coming thru, drop me a line and we can have a pretzel from a vendor on Central Park West. :-)

Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore?

No no no ... this is not going to be a sappy or sarcastic rant about relationships and "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" ... though I don't think that's too far from the truth ... LOL

Today's post is about this ... as a musician who plays music other people write, I am always astounded by the amount that a composer or songwriter creates ... much of which has never been performed.

We were all so blessed when Obie (and the guys) put together 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong. It allowed us a look into just some of those unknown songs ... but we all know there are so many more out there.

What about those songs that Jon and Richie wrote that that were recorded by someone else....? When do we get to hear those? (like We All Sleep Alone and the above-referenced Does Anybody .... both recorded by Cher.) Makes you wonder ... what other songs are out there that we don't know about ...?

Any others that come to mind for you ...?

Ring Them Bells, Ring Them Loud

Ring them bells, ring them loud.
Let them ring here and now.
Just reach out
And ring the bells of freedom.

When your world's crashing down,
Like you've lost every round,
Stand your ground,
And ring the bells of freedom.

Bells of Freedom
Bon Jovi - Have A Nice Day

Today is one of the most important days in our nation's history. And, it only seems fitting that I get to vote in Philadelphia, the cradle of democracy in our country. Here's hoping we all don't have to live thru what we had to after the last election...

Anyway ... BRAVO has been having a West Wing marathon this past week. Damn, what ever happened to good television? And how many of us would have been happy to write in Jed Bartlett for President?

This morning they aired the episode with Jon Bon Jovi. I am so happy he had the opportunity to be a part - even a small one - of that show. I do believe, however, that they could have featured him a whole lot more. I know time was limited and the band was in the midst of a tour - but here is a guy who is knowledgeable about the system and an incredible proponent for volunteerism and philanthropy.

And in that case, his preferred candidate actually won ... unlike Jon's last couple of times out (though I do tend to remind people, we did actually elect Al Gore.) In any case, here's hoping his candidate wins tonight.

So ... if you haven't yet ... GET OUT AND VOTE. Yes, your voice needs to be heard (trust me, I know ... I was living in Ohio last election ... oyyyyy.)

P.S. If you haven't renewed your Soul tickets yet, now is the time!

No Such Thing as Perfection ....?

We've often been told that perfection doesn't exist. Do me a favor ... watch this video ... and then think about it again ...



I can't even count all the ways this performance is perfect - from the emotion of the song (I'm a sucker for anything in 12/8 or 6/8), to the incredible crowd, to the way the wind blows thru David's hair, to Richie's dark faraway "lost in another world" look, to Tico's cool, calm demeanor ... and, of course, then there's Jon. Simply, Jon.