May 26th, 2005

A quick one because I'm being kidnapped by my co-workers and taken to Belmont Park to see some horsies run around the track in a few minutes. I've never been to a horse race before, and I don't know whether to be excited or drunk.

I've got a f-load of work to do, and since I plan to catch Rilo Kiley tonight and tomorrow night (obvs.) at Webster Hall, it looks like I'll be spending my Holiday weekend chained to my computer. I guess that's FINE. My twink just started working at Astor Place Starbucks, and even though I've resigned myself to not get him fired by talking to him every three seconds, I still feel like I'm being social--which I like--even if I'm sitting in a corner by myself.

What people don't realize is how terribly lonely writing can be. I don't mean the slit-your-wrists kind of lonely--although in some cases, this does apply. I just mean sometimes you don't feel like getting up and sitting by yourself in a corner for ten hours. Feel me?

Last night I went to Sony Studios at W. 54th to listen to the new DMX album. The best thing about the new DMX album was the macaroni & cheese, cornbread, and fried chicken served before the new DMX album. Actually, as far as DMX albums go, it sounds like every other DMX album, which means it will sell like every other DMX album, and go platinum without breaking a sweat (but losing a shirt, obvs.).

I wish I could have taken pictures of the set-up, the shmoozing journalists and random cute girls sitting cooly at round tables, bopping their heads to the overwhelmingly loud beat.

These events are always a bit awkward for me, as I'm too shy to become BFF with other magazine writers, and since hiding behind my pen prevents me from singing in my underwear, I expect these other nerds to understand and not make me feel like a wallflower with their exclusionary circle formations.

But alas, they always do! So I look for the most benign person there, and ask if the seat next to him is taken, and then find out as soon as he starts running his mouth that he works for a competitor, and I try my damndest to avoid conversation and keep my mouth shut.

Because he's getting drunker and I'm sober, I have the upper-hand, so all I have to do is avoid talking, which is exactly why I bring a pen and a paper to these events even though there is no chance in hell I can cover this record because it comes out in 6 weeks and I work with a three month lead time.

I nibble on my cornbread, and write. And then after about the 12th song I slink out the back-door and walk the 48 blocks to visit the twink at Astor Place.