I was in the city today for an interview on Washington St. in the Lower West Side, bw Bank and 11th. It was the prettiest patch of city I've ever seen. I mean, sure, on the Upper East it's gorgeous but also so grandiose that you can't help but feel that somehow you've been transported to another planet whose inhabitants are aliens who are really good looking and richer than Croesus or at least richer than you'll ever be times a hundred. But, in the West Village, as I walked along cobblestone streets lined with immaculate brownstones, I felt I was walking through a movie set. There was no traffic. No noise. Wine shops and sidewalk cafes dotted the street corners. It was perfect. It was
clean, I mean
really clean.
"How wonderful," I thought to myself. "If I had the money, I would totally set up shop here." I needed a place to change out of my sneakers into my grey suede ankle boots for the interview so I ducked into a cute little coffee place and ordered a small chai tea for $3.
It was very small.
It tasted like shit.
[After the interview I made a quick stop at the
Crumpler boutique for a quick look at their camera bags. None of which I can afford right now. Not that the fact that I can't afford something has ever prevented me from buying it. But today I did not buy a Crumpler bag despite being IN THE STORE and TOUCHING THEM. Aren't you proud of me? I deserve an award.]
I didn't want to head home during rush hour and pay a peak fare so to Brooklyn I went in search for some cute wardrobe goodness for a shoot I'm setting up. I read about
a vintage dress shop in NY Mag's the Best of NY and it seemed like a perfect place to start my hunt. I got off the L train at Lorimer, looked around, and thought, "Man, Brooklyn is such a shithole."
As I walked down Grand St., a sign in a store window caught my attention. I think it was because it was the most pathetic sign I've ever seen.
Indeed, what is an Action Burger? I wanted to find out more so I studied the storefront.
Curiouser and curiouser.
I decided to go inside.
An episode of Justice League was playing on the television.
This is their menu.
And of course, some people to keep you company while you eat.
Including the Teen Titans!
Awe. Some.
The gentleman seated at the table was chowing down. "These are really good," he told me. "You should try one."
It was too bad I had just eaten a passable club sandwich and some black bean and corn salad from Balducci's.
"Next time," I say. "I'll definitely be back."
So if you're ever in the mood for a burger or eating amongst super-heroes, check out Action Burger. Grand St, bw Union and Lorimer.
So I left Action Burger and made my way to Flores Antique Clothing. I think I selected somewhere between 13-15 dresses. I then whittled my selection down to 4, then back up to 5 at the advisement of a fellow shopper who came in to pick up a belt she had left. She ended up staying in the store "just to browse."
"Might as well," she said, "since I'm here already."
"Sound logic," I replied. And it was. To do otherwise would just be plain uneconomical.
Here is Mauricio Flores. And here is his fabulous store. You can catch him most afternoons, sitting in a chair, watching Unavision and fiddling around with the television attenae.
Mauricio offers discounts if you buy in bulk, like I did.
I found all this coolness just walking down one block. Funny thing, not once in Manhattan did I feel the urge to take out my camera. I'm thinking maybe Brooklyn may be more suited to my taste than the manicured curbsides of the Lower West Side. Sure, not all of it's pretty. But it's got heart. Character. Like the girl who isn't so good lookin but has a great personality because of it, ya know?
