BEST OF: Music For Moods

Best Music To Sulk and/or Over Think To
[Scene: Go into your room, shut the door, light a candle and think about life or feel sorry for yourself (illegal substances or alcohol encouraged, but not required).]

• Radiohead, any album, "Kid A" suggested.
• Coldplay, "Parachutes"
• Sigur Ros, "Ágætis Byrjun"
• Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue"
• Kings of Convenience, "Riot On An Empty Street"

Best Music To Workout and/or Dance To
[Scene: Dress yourself in cool workout gear so you feel like you are the man/woman -- best if listened to on the treadmill at 5.5 mph, preferably on an incline OR dancing around in your underwear, in your apartment where you think nobody is looking.]

• Jamiroquai, any album, "Dynamite" and "Traveling Without Moving" suggested.
• Justin Timberlake, "Justified"
• Madonna, "Confessions On A Dance Floor" and "Immaculate Collection"
• Sean Paul, "The Trinity"
• Michael Jackson "History Past, Present and Future" part 1
• Bunty aur Babli soundtrack

Best Music To Lip-sing To
[Scene: typically can be done in the shower, while driving or in the mirror while getting ready for work.]

• Mariah Carey, ALL albums
• Aretha Franklin, ALL albums
• Frank Sinatra, "The Good Years"
• Jamie Cullum, "Twentysomething"
• George Michael, "Ladies & Gentleman" or Wham

Best Music To Get Romantic To:
[Scene: grab a partner, find that special spot on the couch, dim the lights and cuddle (petting optional).]

• Sade, "Love Deluxe" and "Best of"
• Maxwell, "Urban Hang Suite" and "Now"
• Death Cab For Cutie, "Transatlanticism"
• D'Angelo, "Voodoo"
• Love Jones soundtrack

Best Music To Strut Around New York (or respective) City To
[Scene: Ladies, put on a pair of your sexiest, high-heeled boots; Gentleman, lace-up or velcro your trendiest tennis shoes, grab iPod, slip on shades and proceed with an air of arrogance.)]

• Tribe Called Quest, "Anthology"
• Common, "Be"
• Bloc Party, "Silent Alarm"
• The Rolling Stones, "40 Licks"
• Prince, "The Hits"

*Though the above listed has been formulated in a unisex-ish manner, it is up to the listener's personal prefence to use at his/her own discretion. Other music-appropriate suggestions welcome.

Inspirational Quotes

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination can encompass the whole world."
-Albert Einstein

"Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them."
-John Updike

Fate vs. Destiny

Every once in a while we find ourselves in a state of confusion. We question why we are where we are. Sometimes our careers may be uninspiring or our relationships seem to be failing. Perhaps we feel a lack of ambition or maybe there has been some kind of emotional crisis. At times like these we often lose hope and fear that this phase will not pass. But it always does, doesn't it? One morning you awake and feel rejuvenated, ready to take a step toward the next phase of your life. What is this cycle each of us go through? And why do some of us face the obstacle head on and others choose to move around it and forget?

I grew up in a divided household, with two completely separate schools of thought. My Mother, a devout Hindu, fearfully superstitious, socially naïve, where's her heart on her sleeve, believes that prayer and God determine our fate. My Father, a laborer, charitable, spiritual but not religious, believes hard work and kindness are an adequate equation for living. Generally, society has categorized us one or the other; either you're religious and look to God for your answers or you don't and take matters into your own hands. As it happens I've turned out to be an idealist. Then again, it's not that cut and dry. Many generalize idealists as dreamers or romantics thus writing us off as impractical. I am those things, but there is a duality, which I am slowly learning is the nature of many things in this world. While I am an idealist I do not find myself to be impractical. I admire my Mother's discipline and devotion to an entity higher than herself. I believe this has contributed to the fact that she is one of the most generous and kindest people I've ever known. But her mentality has boggled me for years. I cannot fathom relinquishing the entire course of my fate to any one thing. At the same time I understand that there are things that, no matter how hard I try, are out of my control. So it occurred to me that there must be a balance here, between fate and destiny. There is a distinction between the two...when I am overcome with hopelessness my Mother will be the one to turn to the stars and say, "your life is already written, you can't change what is to come." On the contrary, my Father would explain to me what action I need to take therefore directing me to my next destination, hence Destiny. Wikipedia says, "with destiny the entity is participating in achieving an outcome that is directly related to itself." So where exactly is the balance?

We must take responsibility for the control that we have and learn to flow with the things we cannot control. No matter who you are, regardless of how much power you possess, you cannot have constant navigation of your life -- and at times, this is hard for us to grasp. When a death in the family occurs it is very difficult to "just accept it." But there comes a time when you have no choice but to "just accept it." Being an idealist like myself I at times forget this balance and in turn emotions get the better of me when life doesn't go exactly as I had hoped. This is when questions of what "should" and what "shouldn't" have been conflict in my mind. Is it ever worth questioning? If we accept that there is something higher than us we might be less emotionally attached to people, objects, dreams and other intangibles. This is what Hinduism teaches. But it is not in my make-up to accept a bad situation as is and leave the rest up to God. Once, at a time in my life when I reached complete despair someone dear to me and whom I trusted, told me to "find God." He did not reach his own hand out to me but instead he told me to search for strength in some unknown being. Instantly, I thought "cop out." When all else fails, when we're at our lowest, we turn to God? What about when we are overjoyed? How often do we turn to God then? We tend to use this as a crutch when we're too afraid and weak to support one another. Even I have been guilty of this at one time or another. I have been taught and and hold true that God is in all of us and so as people we need to behave in a Godly manner. Human compassion, service, love -- these are the innate virtues each of us possess. It is how we implement them in our lives, even at the worst of times, that set us apart. I hope I didn't offend anyone's belief system. These are merely my opinions based from my own experiences. I do not think having faith in God is a "cop out," I just feel that we too often excuse our actions in the name of God or some higher power.

Simply put, if you have the ability to take control of a situation and shift it for the better, then do it.

The Hudson Hotel

This hipster-meets-cosmopolitan-joint is my new favorite local spot. I've been frequenting The Hudson on Thursdays and occasionally on the weekends. You wouldn't know it was there unless someone told you (thanks Amar), but once you find it you'll see that it's the gem of Hells Kitchen. The Hudson isn't for everybody, it definitely has a prententious air, especially on the weekends. However, Thursday nights you'll find a token from each social group - you've got the rich Italian-suit-wearin 50-year-old; the chic modelesque yuppie; the Chuck All-Star footed rocker; and of course your typically trendy, resident gothamites. Before you enter The Hudson at the 58th Street entrance you see double-doors illuminated in yellow. Upon entering the hotel, the escalator takes you up to the lobby where once you arrive, you have the choice of going Right: to the swanky Hudson Bar-lounge. Or Left: to the Library, where the theme is Ski Lodge and the only sport being played is pool. You can peruse the thousands of books that line the walls while admiring the cow art (yes, I said cow art and it's very good!). Or you can take a seat in the leather bound couches, converse over a drink and watch a billiards game, all the while listening to the same grooves that play across the way in the lounge. The windows and glass doors lead you to the private garden which I have not yet had the pleasure of retreating to as I've only been in the winter. Once spring finally decides to stay for a while, I'm sure I'll enjoy many warm evenings out there. If you decided to go Right after getting off of the escalator, you will have entered into the lounge. I adore this room. I have no idea what the correct decor terms are for it, but it is ultra-cool. The floor lights up which makes the whole space seem as though it's glowing. The seating, slightly reminiscent of a scene from Alice In Wonderland -- empire chairs make you feel a little more regal than you really are and a seemingly misplaced log near the long bar has been converted into another seat which, after a drink or two, makes you feel like you could be in an enchanted forest. But the thing that truly makes The Hudson my favorite new watering hole is the MUSIC! I could not believe my ears whence I came to this darling place. The kick-ass female DJ who spins on Thursday nights is bloody phenomenal. She'll start you off with some indie tunes, like Block Party or Snow Patrol. And as you're sittin' there, with your friends or a date perhaps, gettin' your buzz on, suddenly she throws some George Michael and Bananarama at you. And then, just when you think you've been thrown a curve ball she starts spinning Mad Lion and Sean Paul. Oh, but the night cannot be over without some oldschool hip-hop and Jackson 5. She is by far, my favorite DJ in NYC so far. If you had the good fortune of being there last Thursday, you would've seen me, the only girl on the dance floor, having the time of my life. The set-up and decor of Hudson is definitely fun and aesthetically pleasing, but they only serve as a bonus. It's the music that sends me home satisfied, still wanting to come back for more.

The downfall to The Hudson is, as I previously mentioned, the pretentiousness along with pricey drinks. I have a low-tolerance for either of those aspects with any venue, but if the right elements are in place I don't mind making the sacrifice. The unusual yet charming atmosphere, influx with the culminating musical montage, topped off with good company and three captain & cokes make The Hudson a sure-fire good time.

HUDSON HOTEL
356 West 58th Street New York, New York 10019
Tel. 212 554 6000 Fax 212 554 6001

ADDICTED.

"Addiction is a compulsion to repeat a behaviour regardless of its consequences," says Wikipedia

There are rituals and then there are addictions. I think the key words here are 'consequence' and 'compulsion' (in no particular order). There are things in this world that, if done in excess, we all know are detrimental to our health: drugs, alcohol, gambling, smoking, food etc. We don't need to read about the most recent FDA study to explain the effects. Your average American is addicted to something. As you read this you might be thinking, "Well, I'M not addicted to anything." Maybe so or maybe you just haven't figured it out yet because it's not typical. There was a time where I really enjoyed smoking and still, on rare occasions, I find satisfaction out of smoking one cigarette -- a similar type of enjoyment I get from drinking a glass of wine. But a few years ago, I had been smoking regularly, buying packs, smoking in my car, taking smoke breaks. One morning, I woke up and felt completely disgusted. Since then it's been once, maybe twice a month, because as hypocritical as it sounds, I do find it to be a disgusting habit. I'd say that was my first run-in with addiction. Then came the second...

I have been known to say that I do not have an addictive personality. In college, many people around me were doing drugs. And not just marijuana, but hardcore drugs. Sure, I was curious and may have even experimented, but I never altered my life because of it. I never missed class because I spent all night tripping. Did I ever miss class because I was hungover? Yes, several times. Does that mean I'm addicted to alcohol? I don't think so. Does addiction mean everyday? Every other day? Every week? Every hour? How can we gage addiction? I think I may have one. Coffee. I have been speculating whether my level of consumption could be considered a legitimate addiction or not.

I've been drinking coffee for about eight years now. I started drinking it in high school because I thought it was cool and it made me feel grown up. Eventually I began to enjoy the taste of it. Once I was in college everyone was drinking it. Staying up late cramming for exams and with the Starbucks boom it was just the thing to do. I started with the gateway coffee, like mochas and cappuccinos. By the time I entered into the working world in Washington D.C. I was officially hooked -- and on Starbucks none the less! (I know, it's horrible. I'm ashamed that I supplemented such corporate scum). I've recently come to terms with my addiction. For the past year or so I have been trying to alternate: one day coffee, the next day green tea. Sometimes I'll go several days without coffee and I'll be fine. Then I start to think, "what's the big deal?"

I recently learned coffee has benefits! (This is what us addicts do. We justify our addictions. 'Oh, crack-cocaine is okay in moderation. At least I still have all my teeth!'). But seriously, there really are some benefits to coffee (http://www.webmd.com/content/article/80/96454.htm). Of course, with the good comes the bad: dehydration, the jitters, and yellow teeth! The thing is I only drink one small cup a day, with lots of cream so I consider myself on the low end of the coffee-addict-spectrum. However, each morning, when I'm on my way to work, before I approach my favorite local coffee shop (Tartare at W. 45th and 9th Ave.), I anticipate that steaming cup of brew between my fingers and the first heavenly sip going down -- for a brief moment I think, '...snap yourself out of it. It's coffee, not a man.' But I've come to realize drinking coffee is not just an addiction, it's a culture. It's a social pit stop; just another setting where people can come together and have a conversation. The truth is coffee is one of my comforts. Along with chocolate, my mom's chai, my dad's chicken curry, cheese-its, steaming hot showers, and about 100 other things. So, I ask myself this: Do the negative effects of coffee outweigh the enjoyment I have drinking it? If I'm not really hurting myself or anyone around me, then why can't I just enjoy my coffee guilt-free?

From the experiences I've had and the observations I've made, addiction qualifies as something which you once enjoyed that has taken over you, your thoughts, your body and you just can't seem to function naturally without it.

What's your addiction?

Just Write

I've only just begun and it's already happening...I'm too busy to keep up with this blog! Between work, dance classes, writing and keeping up with friends, all of my energy and brain space is used up. By the time I get home all I want to do is eat dinner, talk to my roommates, watch reruns of Sex and the City and unwind!

I do love to write, but I've never had a regular audience. So when it comes to blogging, I feel as though I have a certain expectation to fulfill. My fear is that if I write too often I'll go on about my personal experiences rather than stay objective on any giving topic (I guess it's the old 'Quantity vs. Qaulity' theory). Being a woman and coming from a literary background has resulted in a extremely analytical mind. I analyze, analyze, analyze -- whether it be a work of art or my own life (this is my curse). In essence, I don't want to dish out random thoughts. I want what I write to be coherent, intelligible and to a certain extent, inspiring. Maybe I'm just thinking too much (See, I told you I over-analyze).

I've taken many writing classes and the two lessons that have been constant are these:

1. Show, don't tell.
2. Just write.

Like most writers my internal editor always chimes in. But sometimes you can't take yourself too seriously, right? Right. So from here on, while I make an effort to be interesting, I promise to Just Write. I hope readers will let me know when I'm just not delivering the goods (I act like there's more than 5 people reading this)!

In the spirit of Just Writing, here are some fun, yet strange, tidbits from my past few days:
-Last weekend I stayed at a reformed brothel (seriously).
-Last weekend I also went to a local bar called Hudles in Railroad, PA and drank out of a straw shaped like a penis. Afterward, myself and about 7 other drunk girls braved freezing temperatures to enter a luke warm "hot" tub and ate bean dip.
-Tonight, I ate a delicious, home cooked Indian dinner accompanied by a chilled bottle of Riesling w/ my dear friends. Hosted at the apartment of the lovely couple Ami and Amir. We polished off the night with hot brownies ala mode while discussing travels to India and the ever so complex "Beauty and the Geek."
-My friends now address me as Luanne (due to the fact that I have mastered the southern accent).