Westminster Dog Stalking

Well the images stink but the dogs did not. Held February 15-16, this year's Westminster Dog Show stalking was an hour of sneaking into hotel basements, peering down crowded hallways and begging a dog owner to show us his trot. And he did. Of course we did not see the show itself, we did see a plethora of the uber coifed ranging from giant beasts to pint sized pooches. We found the host hotel and got ourselves down into the dog park/ run converted basement and the little (and big) guys (and gals) run the treadmill and pounce in separate boy and girl dog "stations". We got a glimpse of a strange dinosaur looking hybrid- better known as a Bedlington Terrier, then pet and ogled a gigantic Mastif. A short trip but well worth it- how often do you get an up close and personal look at the best of the best in the canine world?

Tim Burton Exhibit

Tim Burton's exhibit at the MOMA was 100% whimsical goodness. While you have to hold your breath and squeeze through the millions of looky loos who have braved a musuem day, you'll quickly find it's worth it. Although, we suggest you head out early and get there right when the doors open.

Burton definitely came into his own unique style at a young age. His extensive collection encompases larger than life sculptures, quirky models, dark drawings, beautiful chalk pieces, oil paintings and our personal favorite, his elaborate and very well executed water color paintings. The exhibit also showcases props and wardrobe pieces from his films.

Go see it!

Sew Fast Sew Easy Embroidery Event

Sew Fast Sew Easy is a great little shop/ school that offers sewing classes for anyone and everyone at any skill level. A call to the shop and you may end up speaking with the owner a rather humorous woman with a bit of a sailor's mouth. She speaks with enthusiasm and candor and will push and push you into coming to check out the shop/ school. One quick call and an invite was tossed out to attend the free embroidery and holiday party they were throwing. Sure, why not?

Although cold and rainy the night of, the shop was warm and toasty and the employees were super nice with giant (very un-NYC) smiles. They supplied the treats and sips (complete with home brew pumpkin beer. YUM) and all the sewing supplies. We could make custom greeting cards with super sweet stitches or little stockings with crazy embroidered designs.

Their machines, top of the line. Their cheer, second to none. And the night, a silly success.

ROYKSOPP

A beautiful cross between trip hop dance and analogue video game music, Royksopp put on a show second to none. They play songs from the break out Melody AM up to the recent release Junior that had every booty in the house shaking. Anneli Drecker stepped in with backing vocals- a nice treat, best known for her vocals with the dream pop band Bel Canto and a fitting substitute for Karin Dreijer Andersson.

They played an absolute favorite and uber crowd pleaser- Eple. The entire show took the audience on a musical trip, shifting from booming beats to soft melodies with ease, as though we were on a carnival ride, Royksopp at the controls. They had moments in costume but left most of the ambiance of the show to Anneli with her 80's suit and arty masks. Ending the set on their second encore with a poppy impish cover of Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush) followed by a hard hitting Fat Burner, the boys gave a night of smiling musical satisfaction.

LINDA'S BINGO

Linda and Murray...what can I say except they, oddly enough, would be ideal parents. Linda commands the stage with her vintage "Leave It To Beaver" motherly appearance and Murray is a short, stalky, superbly clever John Waters type. Maybe not your average father figure, but I can buy into it.

These two read BINGO numbers like no others. The show is divided into 3 segments with potty breaks in between. The prizes included a light up, musical elephant that blew air through it's little trunk suspending a ball in the air. Frankly, it was fucking awesome. There was a horrible 3D deer painting, think plastic deer heads that stuck out from the "canvas". Not to exclude the goodie basket or the electric fish tank. Crowd pleasers! The final segment was blackout BINGO with a cash prize of $167 (the take from the card sales).

One winner had to strip down and cover his bits with a leopard scarf to collect his gift. We got to see some ass. Another bonus provided by BINGO. And, a bit yucky too.

This is a packed event with cheap alcohol and $2 BINGO cards. To recap, on Monday's head over to the Bowery Poetry Club in the East Village and get your game on.

BUNNY BUTTERFLY KISSES

As promoted, the bunny gal was waiting on the L train platform in her costume wearing high heels and purple tights. She held her sign patiently while seated on a bench watching evening commuters zip by her to go home. She seemed to terrify some, amuse others and  butterfly kiss the willing few. We were kissed.

Yes, it's a bit creepy. But, not as creepy as her partner who wears a shark head and gives bouncy rides to those who dare. I guess you are wondering who spends their evening stuffed into a costume? Club Animals, that's who! They not only offer butterfly kissing bunnies and bouncy rides, but they also deliver crack candy too,  all under the creative direction of Nate Hill. He produces these throwbacks to childhood to interact with adults in a comical, yet slightly disturbing/provocative way.

DAY TRIP TO BEACON & DIA

What an exciting week for Inertia. Paper folding on Thursday, then a day trip north to Beacon for a visit to the Dia Museum and a Poppy's lunch. We postponed the tour of the Tenement Museum to catch the last of the fall leaves. The train ride north was nice- about an hour and a half. Once off the train we greeted a small crafts and farmers market. Locally produced wine, fresh honey and maple syrup, cookies and cakes, knitted hats and essential oil spritzes filled the space. After perusing the market, we made the short walk to the Dia.

Our group was easily torn when reviewing this Modern Art museum. A few rather enjoyed the sparse walls, dim lighting and color compositions... but for the most part this museum was a bit on the pretentious side with pieces that certainly made you curious if you were looking at art or a storage facility. If you make the trek, do head upstairs- if you catch the exhibit at the right time, you may find yourself alone (with the exception of the art police) with a giant spider and a soundtrack to raise the hair on the back of your neck- alone worth the $10 admission fee. If you miss this, you may just want your money back.

Be prepared to check your bag at the door- most over size purses (meaning pretty much any city girl's bag) will not make it in the door. Cameras are not allowed, so no photograph of that creepy sculpture to take home and show your friends. And beware the precariously placed yarn, destined to decapitate someone in the near future.

Post Dia, we walked into town. Main Street is not as close as you'd imagine but not that far from the museum. Hungry and ready to grub we dropped into a burger joint called Poppy's. Veggie burgers, free range cow burgers, chili and Sloppy Joes make up the menu is this quaint burger joint. Filling and tasty-a must try when in town. Tummy's full, we made our way back to the train and into town... exhausted, sleepy and happy to escape the noise and hustle if only for a few hours.

ORIGAMI!

OMG NYC (Origami Meetup Group! New York City)  meets at Cosi Sandwich Bar on Thursday evenings from 7pm until the folding is done. Sok, a master origamist and event planner for OMG, is an incredibly patient guide to the world of paper creasing... even with our constant fumbling through basic directions. He introduced us to the beautiful history of origami from China to Japan to even NASA, who now incorporates it into satellites for space. Sok was incredible with explaining the techniques. We were creating cranes within an hour! Which, by the way, will thoroughly empress everyone at your work all day.

We HIGHLY suggest you check out the group. Besides for the more intimate Thursday classes, the entire group meets monthly and there is the international conference held in NY in the summer.

Oh, and mark your calendar...national origami day is next Wednesday, November 11th. Head out to Times Square and you'll receive a crane!

PUPPET PLAYLIST PRESENTS THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

The Tank, an incredibly intimate theatre located on West 45th street, hosted Puppet Playlist's latest show titled The Seven Deadly Sins. Tickets for their shows sell out quickly, especially given there are only about 75 seats in the house. After arriving an hour early to ensure our standby tickets, we were packed in the venue like cattle headed to the slaughter.

The program itself was broken down into 15 vignettes that ranged from lesbian rants set to accordion music to incredibly well written and performed comedies that would make Beck proud. Sprinkled inbetween were various puppeteering acts including a must see projector slide show that was a crowd favorite.

The show's whimsical and clever antics were often over shadowed by it's high school talent show production value. Check any expectations you came with at the door.

CHAMPAIGNE TUESDAYS AT SUPERDIVE

Superdive is just that... a dive. Although, it is a dive with a midget. And, this midget does in fact serve cheap champagne out of plastic flutes  (not the musical instrument, but the glass.) However, he does not use a saber to decork the bottles as advertised. He does it the old fashioned way using his itty bitty hands. Oh, and like the picture above, he was dressed as a pirate.


While the overall experience was quirky, it’s not a place for those who have graduated college. The crowd was full of 20 somethings, which all appeared to be feral.  Thus the reason Superdive caters to those who appreciate a $25 cover that gets you all the champagne you can down until it runs out or the clock hits 10pm, which ever comes first.