Friday, September 28, 2007

Addendum to SURVEY SAYS...

Ok, so my dear friend (arguably BESTEST) Tyler Gambrell from London by way of umm Athens, Georgia to Atlanta, Georgia brought to my attention that I regrettably omitted her presence from question #40 - Favorite friend to get completely hammered with (or something like that).

I dearly apologize for that simply because of all the friends listed, even added up with each other, Tyler still has oh about five years worth of hungover moments over them collectively.

I heart Tyler with all my umm, heart and liver and want to take the opportunity to make amends for it.

I LOVE YOU TYLER!

(Oh and honorable mentions also go out to Patti, Phil B and Andrew.)

CHEERS, bitches!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Survey Says...

1. You and Jesus go out to dinner - who pays?
Neither of us, we're VIP like that.

2. You suddenly have to flee the country and adopt a new name. What is it?
Jimmy Choo

3. Pick one state in the U.S. to get rid of permanently:
I don't really have any animosity towards one state in particular. Anything on the "bible belt?"

4. What was the last song you downloaded?:
"Fidelity," Regina Spektor

5. Luke Skywalker or Han Solo?
Yoda, 401k trade down

6. A toy you always wanted but never got as a child?
A Go-Cart

7. What is the last movie you saw that actually scared you?
An Inconvenient Truth

8. Stupidest thing you've ever said out loud?
"All right, you talked me into it..."

9. You're sentenced to death and it's the morning of your execution: what do you want to eat?
Nine or ten ecstacy pills

10. What's something that most people do that you've never done?:
Learned to drive a stick.

11. Before you die you want to go to:
Nepal

12. What’s the last thing you ate?:
Arroz con pollo

13. A wild animal you'd like to have as a pet?:
Duck billed platypus - just to see if it quacks, purrs or squeaks

14. A drug you'll never try?
An anti-depressant

15. If you were an animal, what would you be?
Either one that can fly or swim, but hopefully not one on the endangered species list cause that means I'd be pretty lonely

16. If you had to marry someone you knew at the age of 12 who would it be?:
Had to marry? Yeah, as long as Republicans are in office, I never have to worry about that.

17. What's something a lot of people don't know about you?:
Umm, I'm open about everything in my life for the most part. I don't know - that I'm deathly allergic to shellfish?

18. First celebrity crush?:
Janet Jackson

19. What's a weapon to suit your personality, habits and abilities?:
katana blade - sharp, sleek and umm, stabby

20. Best flavor of Runts?:
Banana

21. Favorite breakfast bread style (pancakes, waffles, toast etc...)?:
Sourdough English muffins

22. Favorite parody movie?:
Scary Movie 1-4, favorite character hands down is Brenda:
"Cindy, this is bones - would you run from Calista Flockhart?"

Cindy: Brenda, we're best friends!
Brenda: We was - I'm a miss you, girl!

23. Worst way to die?:
Eaten alive by a swarm of insects or burned alive or anything slow and agonizing

24. Grossest injury you've ever seen?:
3rd degree burn - uggh

25. The worst injury you've ever had?:
Nothing too horrible, knock on wood. Had a Staph infection when I was a kid that nearly killed me...

26. Favorite thing about Thanksgiving?:
It's more Christmas time, but cooking with Mom is always good times.

27. Sport you hate the most?:
Baseball, Racing and Golf - they're so f'n boring, no chance of injury, well a little bit in racing but that's kinda rare

28. What state in the US do you want to visit?:
Alaska, wait that's kinda lesbian isn't it? Umm, Hawaii.

29. What's something you think would be sweet to know everything about?:
The human body, that way I can be a surgeon and make a killing off inventing some new way of cosmetic surgery

30. Favorite Actor/Actress?:
Actor - (tie) Johnny Depp and Alan Cumming
Actress - (tie) Merryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench

31. What's one phrase you absolutely detest?:
"I could care less..." umm people, it's "I couldn't care less."

32. What makes an awesome party?:
Good soundsystem and lights, excellent talent, proper execution and timing, a great team, oh wait... they were probably asking about, nevermind.

33. What's your favorite material obsession?:
(tie) D&G Sunglasses and my laptop

34. What's something that most consider an insult but you enjoy having said about you?
Wow, you're actually nice.

35. Favorite kind of dog(s)?:
I've always been fond of Pekingese

36. Favorite carnival food (everyone has one)?:
(tie) Elephant Ears, Funnel Cakes and fried Twinkies

37. Morning or night person?:
Night, by far

38. Weirdest E-bay purchase?:
I don't buy stuff on E-Bay

39. It’s Saturday 3AM; where are you?:
Getting home from the club and/or still there with the staff

40. Who's your favorite friend to go out with?:
(tie) E, JD, Ferg, DJ Kim Crawford, Morganza, Genre, Rachael Pryor

41. Worst job you've ever had?:
I'm one of those odd people that actually enjoyed all of his jobs for one reason or another.

42. Favorite cereal?:
Not much of a cereal person since college, but Cinnamon Toast Crunch was always in the house

43. Movie you could watch repeatedly?:
Drop Dead Gorgeous, any of the Harry Potters, Chocolat, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (note: WILLY Wonka)

44. What's the meanest thing you've ever done?:
Told an ex they were a charity case and meant it.

45. If you were drafted into a war, would you survive?:
Yup, cause I would use the D.A.D.T. policy to my advantage the second I walked up to the registration desk. My friends and I also decided we would do well in any horror movie, armageddon type scenario as well. Oh, and car chases, we would do really well in those scenarios too. War, not so much.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Please Don't Stop the Music

So I've been purchasing some very bizarre tracks recently.

From American Idol Season 6 renditions of favorites (yeah, don't ask) to forgotten old jams, I've been up and down iTunes just picking out the most random shit.

So, the ones I'm quite proud of:
"Men All Pause," Klymaxx
"If You Leave," OMD
"Disrespectful (Paulo Mix)," Chaka Khan & Mary j. Blige
"Ramalama Bang Bang," Roisin Murphy
"Whine Up," Kat DeLuna
"The Way I Are (Richard 'Humpty' Vission Mix)," Timbaland
"Fidelity," Regina Spektor (sadly I heard this song in a *gag* Abercrombie & Fitch store and was so amused by it, I asked the salesfag the name of it)

And, the "I'm a dork" collection:
"Mayberry," Chris Richardson (words can not express)
"Back at One," Brian McKnight (umm, so yeah)
"Spellbound," Sherrie Lea (oh so gay)
"Freedom ('90)," George Michael (wasn't Pride a couple months ago?)
"If You Leave," OMD (double edged sword)
"Men All Pause," Klymaxx (pure 80's indulgence)

Yeah, I don't know what to tell y'all.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Molly, you in danger, girl...

It's one of the funniest lines in movie history. When Whoopi has the task of delivering a message from the Swayze to Demi from the beyond.

"You've got to tell her she's in danger!"

"You can't just say something like that to her, let me handle it. I'll tell her in my own way. Molly, you in danger, girl."

When ever one of my friends is going through it and think they're in trouble, I instantly respond with that funny-on-so-many-levels Goldberg quip.

I've had to use it a lot lately - even on people that have nothing to worry about. It just makes me laugh. Yeah, something has to be said about my taking comedy from another person's dismay.

It's just so damn funny.

And then there's "I'm a little black woman in a big silver box getting dragged down the street."

Oh, that Whoopi.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Ahh, There's the Drama

So, one aspect of my new job is having to take meetings with all sorts, even those you would consider not so desirable.

Last week, I took a meeting with some folks that are interested in opening a new spot in town. They wanted my input because of my "vast work experience."

Now, not to be funny, but I just left that gig. I'm not really interested. I am, however, interested in the travel opportunities, great money and exciting new adventures guaranteed from working with Drive and DFL.

So, all the bar owners, promoters and managers that have been trying to feverishly get ahold of me to verify, you can relax - I'm not a threat to your day-to-day.

It is nice to know that the old adage rings true: You only have to worry when they STOP talking about you.

And, they haven't.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Where is the Drama?

So, you know when everything is perfect? Great job, great friends, great times? Well, call it parnoia or life experience, but where the hell is the drama?

I'm used to deflecting incoming potential issues, shutting down the "theatre majors," and picking off the opposition. So far, with the new gig, there has been none of it. In fact, it has been smooth sailing since jump.

My only drama, and I use that term loosely is the inevitable move to New York.

Hmm, maybe the drama is there. Or, maybe, just maybe there isn't anymore drama. Who knows? New gig, new attitude. And drama? Well, drama can take a hike. Or, maybe it already has...

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Drive-Bye

Ok, so I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again - I love my new gig at Drive.

I feel like such a NYC boy now. Not that I don't love my Atlanta, it's just I've pretty much done anything and everything I could do here, well that is except for owning my own club. And even that might...never mind.

After talking to my dear friend Patti in LA, I realize that there is no cap to my potential. She recently gave me the gumption to say what I had to say to some old co-workers. It was a decompression I needed. To anyone that has never been able to tell their upper-management how they truly felt, then you know exactly how empowering it can leave you. I'm still grinning from ear to ear.

Tyler, I didn't forget about you - I'll get my ass over to Western Union later on this afternoon.

Ferg, get back to work, leave ol' blue eyes alone.

JD, wake up.

Morganza, hang in there - you're doing just fine.

E, let's rock this joint.

Patti, you don't leave unless I leave. you don't jump unless I jump.

Big K, you now have all the tools you need to cement your position. You ain't going nowhere. If you go, I go and that means EVERYONE goes.

Cheers!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Nothing To See, Folks

So, in this past week;
-Ferg has moved
-JD is recovering nicely
-E has escaped the Matrix
-Morgan has taken an AM position
-I landed some new accounts and I get to work the Tiesto event with Curtis

Ok, gotta run and see if JD wants to have lunch. If he is awake/not grumpy/doped up on pain medication, then we are good to go. I'm in the mood for pasta.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Listen Up...



So I checked my Top Played MP3s again and it seems there's been a huge shake up. My listening patterns are somewhere between grooved out and heartfelt lyrical.

10. "Suddenly I See," KT TUNSTALL
9. "Am I Here Yet," BILLIE MYERS
8. "This Ain't A Scene...," FALL OUT BOY
7. "Big Girls Don't Cry," FERGIE
6. "Someone To Hold (Hard Edit)," VERONICA
5. "Raise The Roof," TRACEY THORN
4. "Over My Head (Cable Car)," THE FRAY
3. "They Say Vision (Robbie Rivera Mix)," RES
2. "It Ends Tonight," ALL AMERICAN REJECTS
1. "Apologize," TIMBALAND f. ONE REPUBLIC

Friday, September 07, 2007

First Reactions

My buddy Mike from Orlando posted this on MySpace today. It's been a while since I had done one of those quiz things, so I thought this would be pretty fun.

Okay this is called “FIRST REACTIONS QUIZ”. I have reacted to being sent this by actually filling this out. You have to type the 1ST thing that comes to mind whenever you hear these 35 things. You can’t think and go back and change your answers. Copy and Paste, add one to the list, then delete answers to make them your own.

Here we go:

1. Beer: before liquor, never sicker.
2. Anorexic: She's skinny, Amber.
3. Relationships: tough
4. Purple: Hooter Shooter
5. Power Rangers: Isn't one of them doing gay porn now?
6. Weed: Not so much anymore.
7. Steroids: Dick shrinker.
8. Cartoons: Niece and nephew.
9. The President: Hillary.
10. Tupperware: Gotta wash my dishes.
11. Best vacation: Time off
12. Santa Claus: pedophile.
13. Halloween: Good times.
14. Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet.
15. Grammar: Country
16. Facebook: Who?
17. Worst fear: Being lost and alone.
18. Marriage: Ambitious.
19. Paris Hilton: Not a bit of talent
21. Redhead: The Fray, The Weasleys
22. Blonde: Ambition
23. Pass the time: Nap
24. One night stands: Uninterested.
25. Donald Trump: I need some money.
26. Neverland: Finding, Johnny Depp, yay!
27. Pixie Sticks: hate tart candy
28. Vanilla ice cream: only if i can see the vanilla bean specs
29. High School: rotted
30. Work: I heart my new job.
31. Pajamas: only in Winter
32. Woods: Blair Witch Project
33. Wet Sock: Should have worn boots
34. Alcohol: I said no, no, no
35. Love: is a many splendid thing.
36. Sexy: Attitude, Casual Confidence
37: Chewing: Gum. Polar Ice.
38. Dave: Holmes, he's gay.
39. Candy: Mini Peanut Butter cups
40. Drink: Jaeger Mini-Bomb

Checking Out

I'm in this odd place right now. Mentally, I've completely checked out of my former gig and wholeheartedly embraced my new role at Drive. As a business person, I have to do what I have to do and help this transition happen, but it's such an uphill battle. My initial impulse is always "so not my problem" and "i don't know," but you just can't do that, you know?

Ah well, now everyone can see even if I did make it look effortless, it was anything but. There's something really cool about that. I worry about my former co-workers and the only reason I'm still transitioning the club is because I truly do not want to see any one of them out on the street. That plus it's really good karma, I hope.

I am looking forward to a healthy social life again. And, this whole getting up before noon thing? Who woulda thought it's actully pretty productive and ahem, normal. I could get used to this. Well, maybe. Ok, so maybe I haven't completely checked out and just asked for a late check out.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

I Heart My New Gig...

It's only been a couple of days, but I'm loving my new gig. I'm learning a lot and I have a great boss(y). He is keen to share tips of the industry with me, how to deal with problem clients (ie people like me) and how to stick it to your enemies with the stealth of a ninja.

I'm going to like the contrast of our attitudes too. While I'm more laid back and handle things with "sarcasm, sense of humor and a snide comment" kind of guy, he's more of the "shut them down and the fuck up, I'm the shit and now you know why" variety.

Oh, and my new e-mail addy is:

arman@drivenyc.com

Good times.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

When One Door Closes...

...a new window opens. Or something like that. This past week ended my term at WETbar. This upcoming week kicks off a brand new adventure for me. Just to give everyone a hint - think of what I just wrapped up doing and now think of the same line of work, just on the opposite side of the contract. Yeah, it means ending up in NY or LA, but for now I'll be doing everything remotely from Atlanta. And, to be honest, I've never been so hyped up about a new gig in my life.

I think the most fitting part of it all is that I get to continue working with the people I love.

Stay tuned, y'all.