Vince Purpale is the name of my favorite plant on my patio. He is PURPLE and INVINCIBLE. Hence, the name. Every time I see Vince, I marvel at his survival skills. We have thought Vince was done so many different times, and he always proves me wrong! Vince was originally installed in a different part of the patio and was eeking his way through life. He was relocated last year and appeared to be flourishing, only to be flattened and destroyed by a crazy rain storm. When it rains, it pours, up in here. Broken crumpled Vince was the saddest thing ever. For a while there was a hole where Vince had once been, and the AC guys even used it as a foot hold for their ladder. Then all of a sudden, a couple of weeks ago, VINCE CAME BACK. I can’t believe it. He really is invincible and I take inspiration from him every day! Love ya Vince!

~”Let it Grow” by Eric Clapton

Some of the simplest things in life bring me the greatest pleasure. Hot Water is definitely one of these things. Just ask Shane – I log a good hours worth of showers every day, mostly just for fun!

I also love a good hot tub

~”Black Water” by the Doobie Brother

If New York is the center of the universe - (it is) – then Johnny’s is the center of the center of the Universe.

Oh Johnny’s, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

• Tiny dive bar
• Window to the world
• West Village, NYC
• BEST JUKEBOX IN TOWN – this meant more before there were internet jukeboxes
• BEST KITTY IN THE WORLD is named after this bar
• Kickass bathroom graffitti, including my 2 all time favorites: “My cat’s breath smells like catfood” (Ralphie) and “If the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off!” (unknown)
• Nut machine
• You saw that I said Nut machine, right?
• Free NYC condoms by the front door to grab on your way out (conveniently located near the nut machine!)
• Best Bouncer
• Best bartenders
• There is a board where you can buy drinks for other patrons, including Kiefer Sutherland!
• Bazooka Joe shots – hiccup

~”Float On” by Modest Mouse

When you stop to smell the roses, you should also take a moment to check out what color they are. I love to marvel at Mother Nature’s paint brush. However we all got here, this place where we live is AMAZING. It’s just too bad there are so many assholes ruining it. I love being out in the world and observing the wonders of mom nature’s palette. My favorite examples that I always comment on:

• Edamame Green
• Carolina Blue Sky
• Sunset on our wedding day
• Pink kitty tongues
• Mango mango
• Peacock Blue
• Augusta Green

~”No Sugar Tonight” by The Guess Who

I’m not as much of a sucker for cutesie food trends as I seem to be (yes, i am), but you definitely get my attention when you throw in the word “adult”, because it gets my hopes up that there is some sex, drugs, or rock n roll involved. “Adult” definitely includes BOURBON.

I had two kickass ADULT MILKSHAKES while I was in Los Angeles with Carlos last month. MMMMM.

The first one was at 25 Degrees restaurant inside the Roosevelt Hotel. Bourbon Salty Caramel. The second one was from the room service menu at the West Hollywood Standard and also included some salty/sweet/bourbon combo. That was one of the happiest room service orders of my entire life, and the bourbon milkshake put it over the top.

~”Milkshake” by Kelis. This ain’t rocket science

Every time I think I’ve seen all the episodes of Law & Order ever released, I come across a random old episode or a random new episode and it renews my hope that there is an endless supply of Law and Orders that will never run out. Not that I really care. I rewatch all the ones I’ve already seen too. And I’ve definitely seen most of them. Dick Wolf is a fuckin genius. LOVE IT! My sleep is all messed up now, and my one comfort is that no matter what time of day it is, I can always find a Law & Order playing!

“I’m no lawyer, but I have seen almost every episode of Law & Order” – me

I know I’ve already written at least one post about how much I LOVE ART, so I will just be lazy and direct you to that: I LOVE ART

Manet’s “Luncheon in the Grass” is still my favorite.

 I love that Van Gogh. And Warhol of course.

But really I love all art and I could stare at it all day long. Don’t forget - art is inclusive of jewelry…

…shoes…

…handbags… 

and furniture!!

Shirley Temples are DA BEST. If you ever have a really bad hangover, just smoke a joint and drink a Shirley Temple and everything will be a-okay! And if you don’t have the Shirley Temple, everything will probably still be a-okay but that Shirley Temple sure does help!

Proper Shirley Temple:

• tall thin glass
• crushed ice
• ginger ale
• grenadine
• 2 cherries
• straw

The photo below is a Shirley Temple that SAVED MY LIFE on one of the worst hangover days EVER! In a damn foreign country!

Long live Shirley Temple!

~”Double Shot of my Baby’s Love” by The Swingin Medallions came to mind first, but if this post made you think of “The Good Ship Lollipop”, that’s a good one too!

Damn right. I love me some Ms. Pacman!

WACCA WACCA

Regular Pacman is pretty cool too. It’s like a poor man’s Ms. Pacman.

Even the best places in the world are improved by the presence of a Ms. Pacman machine. Examples:

• Vegas – downstairs game room at the Excalibur
• Charleston – The Upper Deck, Burns Alley Bar
• Manitou Springs – Every bar we went to
• Charlotte – My hizzle

~Ms. Pacman doesn’t conjure up any songs, but “Lola” by the Kinks is playing right now, so let’s make it that! L-O-L-A

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT MY RADIO. And that’s a fact, Jack. This goes back as far as I can remember, including aborted attempts to call in to local radio shows in Houston, TX when I was a third-grader. (More Foreshadowing!)

When I think about the randomness of life and how lucky we are to live in this time and place, I ALWAYS thank my lucky stars that I live during the era of satellite and internet radio!  Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge are the voices inside my head. Some of our best best best adventures have included our time spent with them.

~”Mexican Radio” by Wall of Voodoo