Want to see 22 of the top shows Broadway has to offer at 2 for 1? Then NYC's 'Broadway Week' - 1/17 - 2/14 - is just for you.
Ok, yes there are 1/2 price tickets available everyday at the Apple's famous TKTS booths - the most popular one is right in the middle of the theatre district at Times Square - that offer good deals, but you can only buy them on the actual day of the show.
And you could get stuck buying ducats for some real lemons like the perennial stinker 'Perfect Crime' that only survives through 1/2 price sales to uninformed B'way ticket buying virgins.
Believe me, even '2 for free' tix for such fare is way overpriced.
For the 'Ticket Week' shows (which is really 4 weeks, but who's counting), not only can you buy them in advance, but they are for plays that you actually may want to see.
'Memphis', 'Spider Man', 'Jersey Boys', 'Mamma Mia', 'Mary Poppins', 'Rock of Ages' & 'Sister Act' are all available.
But you have to act quickly. 'Lion King' & 'Wicked' - 2 always popular musicals - are already sold out.
To buy a couple, log on to:
http://www.nycgo.com/broadwayweek/?a=1&b=1&cid=getmore_shubert_eblast
And take someone special to a top Broadway play & have enough left over for a decent dinner on 'Restaurant Row'.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
THE HOTTEST SAUCE IN THE UNIVERSE
Not unlike Ahab's search for Moby, for years I've been on a fruitless quest for a truly hot 'hot sauce'.
Yes, I've ordered them all - 'liquid fire', 'atomic bomb', 'molten lava', 'hell in a bottle', 'belly burner', etc. - & have found them all to be much, much less than their fiery names promised.
That was until today when Sandy & I pedaled our 'Pequods' into USA's oldest city...
And stopped at this 'old town' shop.
'Wild? Ha!' I sneered & marched in confident that their '60 feet of samples' would be more tepid than flame.
Brazenly I asked to try their hottest knowing that my taste buds were seconds away from yet another major disappointment.
The Mistress of All Sauces - also known as Kelly - led me to the far side of the shop where children & those with weak stomachs were forbidden to trod.
From behind the counter - hidden for the safety of the general public - she pulled out:
'The hottest sauce in the universe?' I laughed, grabbed the bottle & a cracker.
'Only use one drop - or less,' she warned.
I chuckled, but mercifully followed her advice.
It took less than a minute for the heat to radiate from my mouth.
'It will get worse,' Kelly said with a slight smile.
She was right. My body temp began to rise.
She then began to explain - with a bit too much glee - that on the Scoville Organoleptic Scale (the test that officially measures the heat of chile peppers - yes this is a real scale. Google it.) this baby measures 2.5 million units.
About the same as being squirted in the face with pepper spray.
And the drop that I used was just a little more than you should use to season an entire gallon of spaghetti sauce.
By this time I was heading out the door of the shop, hoping my body would cool down in the 68 degree outside temp.
Kelly told Sandy that she was actually impressed by how well I handled my 2.5 mil. unit taste - she's seen people turn a variety of colors, fall to their knees or worse.
Sandy once again proved to be the love of my life by sparing me from any post taste 'I told you so's.
And, despite being an avid photographer, she took zero pictures that had even the slightest chance of including my ever changing, multi-colored mug for the next 3 hours.
BTW, the 1.77 oz bottle from hell costs $14.95 & can be purchased at the:
Pepper Palace
2 Saint George St Suite #101
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904)827-1090
But, please remember:
Although - unlike Ahab & his 'great white' - my quest for the 'hottest red' didn't end in death nor destruction...
... it would have been much more pleasant with only 1/2 of a drop - or less.
Yes, I've ordered them all - 'liquid fire', 'atomic bomb', 'molten lava', 'hell in a bottle', 'belly burner', etc. - & have found them all to be much, much less than their fiery names promised.
That was until today when Sandy & I pedaled our 'Pequods' into USA's oldest city...
And stopped at this 'old town' shop.
'Wild? Ha!' I sneered & marched in confident that their '60 feet of samples' would be more tepid than flame.
Brazenly I asked to try their hottest knowing that my taste buds were seconds away from yet another major disappointment.
The Mistress of All Sauces - also known as Kelly - led me to the far side of the shop where children & those with weak stomachs were forbidden to trod.
From behind the counter - hidden for the safety of the general public - she pulled out:
'The hottest sauce in the universe?' I laughed, grabbed the bottle & a cracker.
'Only use one drop - or less,' she warned.
I chuckled, but mercifully followed her advice.
It took less than a minute for the heat to radiate from my mouth.
'It will get worse,' Kelly said with a slight smile.
She was right. My body temp began to rise.
She then began to explain - with a bit too much glee - that on the Scoville Organoleptic Scale (the test that officially measures the heat of chile peppers - yes this is a real scale. Google it.) this baby measures 2.5 million units.
About the same as being squirted in the face with pepper spray.
And the drop that I used was just a little more than you should use to season an entire gallon of spaghetti sauce.
By this time I was heading out the door of the shop, hoping my body would cool down in the 68 degree outside temp.
Kelly told Sandy that she was actually impressed by how well I handled my 2.5 mil. unit taste - she's seen people turn a variety of colors, fall to their knees or worse.
Sandy once again proved to be the love of my life by sparing me from any post taste 'I told you so's.
And, despite being an avid photographer, she took zero pictures that had even the slightest chance of including my ever changing, multi-colored mug for the next 3 hours.
BTW, the 1.77 oz bottle from hell costs $14.95 & can be purchased at the:
Pepper Palace
2 Saint George St Suite #101
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904)827-1090
But, please remember:
Although - unlike Ahab & his 'great white' - my quest for the 'hottest red' didn't end in death nor destruction...
... it would have been much more pleasant with only 1/2 of a drop - or less.
Monday, January 9, 2012
MGM CLOSES ITS CAT HOUSE
Not that it's worth a special trip to Vegas, but if you want to see the MGM Grand's casino lion exhibit - you better get there by the month's end.
Yes, believe it or not - just like the rest of us - Sin City has been walloped by the bad economy (now even the worst gamblers are no longer losing their rent money because they simply no longer have any rent money to lose), so - to save $ - MGM is closing its freebee lion den January 31 and its once popular Studio 54 nightclub next month.
They won't say what will replace the $9 million, 5,000-square-foot, glass-encased 'roar palace', but it's no secret that the Grand is in the middle of a in $160 million 'room/casino/club/showroom remodel' that'll take about a year to finish.
However this isn't the 1st time the M has banished its maned mascot. Back in the 90s, you'd enter the casino by walking through the mouths of gigantic lion heads. That was 86-ed when someone realized that simba symbolized 'bad luck' in some Asian countries.
Anyway, now all of you fans of LV Strip animal habitats will have to stroll over to the Flamingo where they proudly feature...
...a flock of live Chilean Flamingos.
Ok, they're not exactly in the 'big cat' category, but here they have a more diverse range of animals.
So the multitudes who get their kicks from close up views of not only pink flamingos, but also of swans, ducks, koi & turtles (what no 'gaggle of geese'?) are definitely in for a real treat.
Yes, believe it or not - just like the rest of us - Sin City has been walloped by the bad economy (now even the worst gamblers are no longer losing their rent money because they simply no longer have any rent money to lose), so - to save $ - MGM is closing its freebee lion den January 31 and its once popular Studio 54 nightclub next month.
They won't say what will replace the $9 million, 5,000-square-foot, glass-encased 'roar palace', but it's no secret that the Grand is in the middle of a in $160 million 'room/casino/club/showroom remodel' that'll take about a year to finish.
However this isn't the 1st time the M has banished its maned mascot. Back in the 90s, you'd enter the casino by walking through the mouths of gigantic lion heads. That was 86-ed when someone realized that simba symbolized 'bad luck' in some Asian countries.
Anyway, now all of you fans of LV Strip animal habitats will have to stroll over to the Flamingo where they proudly feature...
...a flock of live Chilean Flamingos.
Ok, they're not exactly in the 'big cat' category, but here they have a more diverse range of animals.
So the multitudes who get their kicks from close up views of not only pink flamingos, but also of swans, ducks, koi & turtles (what no 'gaggle of geese'?) are definitely in for a real treat.
DREAMING OF A CATSKILLS VACATION?
Ok, how many of you have been dreaming about a great Catskills' vacation?
I didn't think so.
I mean, the place hasn't been popular since the days when 'Baby' slipped out to 'midnight boogie' with the local Patrick Swayze-like lothario.
But The Roxbury - 2258 County Highway 41, Roxbury, NY, USA - is out to reinvent the Cat's 'dead since the 60s' image with fun movie/TV theme rooms like:
Say hello to 'Maryanne's Coconut Cream Pie Room'. So big, it almost can't fit on my blog.
Yes, this is the newest R room & it's based on the purported cooking skills of Maryanne', one of the 'Gilligan Island' castaways.
But, you were more into 'Ginger'?
Well, the R hasn't tackled her yet, but perhaps the 'Angel's Hair' room from Charlie's 'You Know Whats'
...will curl your locks.
And how about:
'Tony's Dancefloor' complete with everything but John Travolta &
'The Wizard's Emeralds' - missing Toto & Dorothy but including the Ruby Slippers...
And severed witch legs.
Plus there is a lot more to do here than just ogle your bedroom.
If you're into downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, fishing, golfing, hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, tubing, shopping, antiquing, auctioning, museum-hopping, train-riding, horseback riding, atv'ng, paint ball or just relaxing in a tranquil setting, it's all available at or close to The Roxbury.
The place is truly a 4 season getaway.
Ok, price for these theme rooms go from $165 to $235 per night, but the R does offer a ton of special discount packages that give you more bang for your travel buck.
http://theroxburymotel.com/Promotions/
And there are other, more elaborate (& a bit more expensive) 2 bedroom digs where you can bring the entire family.
Hey, what kid wouldn't want to jump into George Jetson's tub?
Just remember, you first might have to explain to him exactly just who the hell the Jetsons are.
wW
I didn't think so.
I mean, the place hasn't been popular since the days when 'Baby' slipped out to 'midnight boogie' with the local Patrick Swayze-like lothario.
But The Roxbury - 2258 County Highway 41, Roxbury, NY, USA - is out to reinvent the Cat's 'dead since the 60s' image with fun movie/TV theme rooms like:
Say hello to 'Maryanne's Coconut Cream Pie Room'. So big, it almost can't fit on my blog.
Yes, this is the newest R room & it's based on the purported cooking skills of Maryanne', one of the 'Gilligan Island' castaways.
But, you were more into 'Ginger'?
Well, the R hasn't tackled her yet, but perhaps the 'Angel's Hair' room from Charlie's 'You Know Whats'
...will curl your locks.
And how about:
'Tony's Dancefloor' complete with everything but John Travolta &
'The Wizard's Emeralds' - missing Toto & Dorothy but including the Ruby Slippers...
And severed witch legs.
Plus there is a lot more to do here than just ogle your bedroom.
If you're into downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, fishing, golfing, hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, tubing, shopping, antiquing, auctioning, museum-hopping, train-riding, horseback riding, atv'ng, paint ball or just relaxing in a tranquil setting, it's all available at or close to The Roxbury.
The place is truly a 4 season getaway.
Ok, price for these theme rooms go from $165 to $235 per night, but the R does offer a ton of special discount packages that give you more bang for your travel buck.
http://theroxburymotel.com/Promotions/
And there are other, more elaborate (& a bit more expensive) 2 bedroom digs where you can bring the entire family.
Hey, what kid wouldn't want to jump into George Jetson's tub?
Just remember, you first might have to explain to him exactly just who the hell the Jetsons are.
wW
Saturday, January 7, 2012
SPIRIT AIRLINES OFFERS $35 COUPON - BUT IS IT WORTH IT?
Spirit Airlines is offering a $35 coupon for its flights:
And you don't even need the coupon. Just type '35OFF' (all CAPS) in the Spirit promotion code box & 3 tens + a 5 stay in your wallet.
This works as long as all flights are booked by 11:59 PM ET on January 9, 2012 for travel starting from February 1, 2012 through March 27, 2012.
Yahoo, right?
Maybe.
But before you book, make sure you read all of the fine print involved.
1st, it's $35 off only for a roundtrip & not for a one way flight. So you'll actually save $17.50 per leg. A slightly diminished 'yahoo'.
Also coupon usage excludes travel into or out of the following markets: Armenia, Bogota, Medellín & Cartagena - all in Colombia.
Hey, who besides drug lords want to go there anyway, right?
But then - the coupon also can't be used on flights between (in both directions): Detroit to/from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers & Orlando or Dallas/Fort Worth to/from Orlando.
Ok, but it's still a $35 savings on the other flights, right?
Yes, but Spirit does charge for bags. That price at the Airport Counter/Kiosk is:
Carry-On Bag - $40 Domestic $40 International
First Checked Bag - $38 (D) $43 (I)
Second Checked Bag - $45 (D) $50 (I)
Third, Fourth, Fifth Checked Bag - $95 (D) $100 (I)
Plus you have to add all taxes and fees.
So my beef with Spirit is 'Where's the savings?'
Instead of falling for this 'not so great' pseudo savings coupon, you'd be better off checking a website like Kayak.com (or giving me a call) 1st to see if you can do better.
Often you can.
But whatever deal you choose - always read all of the fine print.
No matter how small it may be.
And you don't even need the coupon. Just type '35OFF' (all CAPS) in the Spirit promotion code box & 3 tens + a 5 stay in your wallet.
This works as long as all flights are booked by 11:59 PM ET on January 9, 2012 for travel starting from February 1, 2012 through March 27, 2012.
Yahoo, right?
Maybe.
But before you book, make sure you read all of the fine print involved.
1st, it's $35 off only for a roundtrip & not for a one way flight. So you'll actually save $17.50 per leg. A slightly diminished 'yahoo'.
Also coupon usage excludes travel into or out of the following markets: Armenia, Bogota, Medellín & Cartagena - all in Colombia.
Hey, who besides drug lords want to go there anyway, right?
But then - the coupon also can't be used on flights between (in both directions): Detroit to/from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers & Orlando or Dallas/Fort Worth to/from Orlando.
Ok, but it's still a $35 savings on the other flights, right?
Yes, but Spirit does charge for bags. That price at the Airport Counter/Kiosk is:
Carry-On Bag - $40 Domestic $40 International
First Checked Bag - $38 (D) $43 (I)
Second Checked Bag - $45 (D) $50 (I)
Third, Fourth, Fifth Checked Bag - $95 (D) $100 (I)
Plus you have to add all taxes and fees.
So my beef with Spirit is 'Where's the savings?'
Instead of falling for this 'not so great' pseudo savings coupon, you'd be better off checking a website like Kayak.com (or giving me a call) 1st to see if you can do better.
Often you can.
But whatever deal you choose - always read all of the fine print.
No matter how small it may be.
Friday, January 6, 2012
SAXOPHONES & GLACIERS?
Nothing says 'Alaska' like Kenny G, right?
I didn't think so either, but don't tell that to the top PR brains at Celebrity Cruises. They are planning a 7 day Kenny G Alaskan Cruise leaving Vancouver on May 17, 2013.
And if you plunk down a 'C' note for the 'G' cruise before 1/15/12, not only will you reserve your space on the Celebrity Millennium but you will be:
1. Booked for orchestra seating at Kenny G's opening performance at the main stage.
2. Invited to an exclusive 'Up Close & Personal Chat Session with Kenny G'.
3. Have the opportunity to pre-book on Kenny G hosted optional shore excursion.
Yowza. My spit valve doth overflow.
But if your trust fund check doesn't arrive until the 16th, don't despair - you can still enjoy all things Kenny including:
1. Up-close-and-personal events with the one and only G man.
2. G's melodic sounds at exclusive performances.
3. Photo sessions with KG.
4. Join 'you know who' at his Champagne Reception
5 Optional shore excursions hosted by (take a wild guess).
Oh yeah, you'll also visit the Alaskan gold rush towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, get an up close view of the magnificent Hubbard Glacier & be pampered, entertained & over fed by the talented staff of the world class Millennium.
Plus spend the extra green to reserve a suite & there's more:
1. Dinner reservations at a specialty restaurant with Kenny G serenading all suite passengers
2. An exclusive photo op at a dinner event
3. Premium Orchestra Seating at Kenny G's opening main stage performance
4. And - a dream come true - an autographed Kenny G photo.
Now can you really put a price on all of this 'G' joy?
Obviously Celebrity can. Per person prices range from $1,999 for an inside cabin to $9,999 for the penthouse. Suites start at $4,599.
And don't forget to add on almost $300 each in taxes & fees.
'I am excited for the opportunity to cruise with my closest fans aboard the Celebrity Millennium through Alaska,' said the G-ster.
'The experience of playing with my band and sharing the breathtaking sites of one of the most beautiful destinations in the world is going to be one I will remember forever.'
Hey, if you were paying me between 2 to 10 grand a head for a week, I'd remember you too - and for a very long time.
I didn't think so either, but don't tell that to the top PR brains at Celebrity Cruises. They are planning a 7 day Kenny G Alaskan Cruise leaving Vancouver on May 17, 2013.
And if you plunk down a 'C' note for the 'G' cruise before 1/15/12, not only will you reserve your space on the Celebrity Millennium but you will be:
1. Booked for orchestra seating at Kenny G's opening performance at the main stage.
2. Invited to an exclusive 'Up Close & Personal Chat Session with Kenny G'.
3. Have the opportunity to pre-book on Kenny G hosted optional shore excursion.
Yowza. My spit valve doth overflow.
But if your trust fund check doesn't arrive until the 16th, don't despair - you can still enjoy all things Kenny including:
1. Up-close-and-personal events with the one and only G man.
2. G's melodic sounds at exclusive performances.
3. Photo sessions with KG.
4. Join 'you know who' at his Champagne Reception
5 Optional shore excursions hosted by (take a wild guess).
Oh yeah, you'll also visit the Alaskan gold rush towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, get an up close view of the magnificent Hubbard Glacier & be pampered, entertained & over fed by the talented staff of the world class Millennium.
Plus spend the extra green to reserve a suite & there's more:
1. Dinner reservations at a specialty restaurant with Kenny G serenading all suite passengers
2. An exclusive photo op at a dinner event
3. Premium Orchestra Seating at Kenny G's opening main stage performance
4. And - a dream come true - an autographed Kenny G photo.
Now can you really put a price on all of this 'G' joy?
Obviously Celebrity can. Per person prices range from $1,999 for an inside cabin to $9,999 for the penthouse. Suites start at $4,599.
And don't forget to add on almost $300 each in taxes & fees.
'I am excited for the opportunity to cruise with my closest fans aboard the Celebrity Millennium through Alaska,' said the G-ster.
'The experience of playing with my band and sharing the breathtaking sites of one of the most beautiful destinations in the world is going to be one I will remember forever.'
Hey, if you were paying me between 2 to 10 grand a head for a week, I'd remember you too - and for a very long time.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
THE TALE OF THE DUELING 'CHRIST' TRAILS
Want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus? How about jog? Well, the Israel Tourism Ministry wants to give you that chance to do both.
Their newly opened 'Gospel Trail' winds past 39 miles of famous New Testament sites from Nazareth - over the rivers & through the woods (while passing quite a few Jewish & Arab burgs) - & ends at Capernaum, the fishing town that was home to 'J man' himself.
The ITM believes this new quasi 'holy trail' will attract 200,000 Christians over the next 12 months.
'Jogging for Jesus' - with the extra tourist coin - sounds like a benign revenue raising publicity ploy that should offend no one, right?
Well - au contraire mon frere - it's really pissing off the backers of 'The Jesus Trail' - a free 40 miler - that since 2007 has been the only 'Christ-like walk in town'.
And instead of 'turning the other cheek', the JT-ers are so fighting mad at the Ministry - that once supported the JT both financially & even gave it PR on their web site - that they've created -
http://www.gospeltrail.com/
- a site to push both the benefits of their own 'original pious path' & to crucify those ITM Judases.
It seems that the JT-ers believe 'the public has been deceived by the Ministry of Tourism... (&) are sad to see so much time and money put into (attempting & failing) to recreate (the JT) walking experience.'
They claim that although the GT is quite similar to the JT, it differs by adding some grade 'B' biblical sites & avoiding such 'A ticket' attractions like the Horns of Hattin, Nebi Shu'eib & it even avoids climbing the 'must see' Mt. Arbel.
How could the IMT ever look into the Old Testament's face again?
JT-ers also claim:
1. The GT is not as well marked - ie: you will get lost & possibly die on this route.
2. It's farther from public transportation - ie: you will walk farther in the hot sun & possibly die from the extra exposure.
3. Water & food are not as readily available - ie: you will possibly dehydrate or starve to death on the GT.
Are you getting their subtle message?
I guess - for the true believers - all this Galilee griping boils down to one question:
Which path would Jesus take?
I don't know. But if he's anything like me he'd wait for the one that lets you walk on water.
Their newly opened 'Gospel Trail' winds past 39 miles of famous New Testament sites from Nazareth - over the rivers & through the woods (while passing quite a few Jewish & Arab burgs) - & ends at Capernaum, the fishing town that was home to 'J man' himself.
The ITM believes this new quasi 'holy trail' will attract 200,000 Christians over the next 12 months.
'Jogging for Jesus' - with the extra tourist coin - sounds like a benign revenue raising publicity ploy that should offend no one, right?
Well - au contraire mon frere - it's really pissing off the backers of 'The Jesus Trail' - a free 40 miler - that since 2007 has been the only 'Christ-like walk in town'.
And instead of 'turning the other cheek', the JT-ers are so fighting mad at the Ministry - that once supported the JT both financially & even gave it PR on their web site - that they've created -
http://www.gospeltrail.com/
- a site to push both the benefits of their own 'original pious path' & to crucify those ITM Judases.
It seems that the JT-ers believe 'the public has been deceived by the Ministry of Tourism... (&) are sad to see so much time and money put into (attempting & failing) to recreate (the JT) walking experience.'
They claim that although the GT is quite similar to the JT, it differs by adding some grade 'B' biblical sites & avoiding such 'A ticket' attractions like the Horns of Hattin, Nebi Shu'eib & it even avoids climbing the 'must see' Mt. Arbel.
How could the IMT ever look into the Old Testament's face again?
JT-ers also claim:
1. The GT is not as well marked - ie: you will get lost & possibly die on this route.
2. It's farther from public transportation - ie: you will walk farther in the hot sun & possibly die from the extra exposure.
3. Water & food are not as readily available - ie: you will possibly dehydrate or starve to death on the GT.
Are you getting their subtle message?
I guess - for the true believers - all this Galilee griping boils down to one question:
Which path would Jesus take?
I don't know. But if he's anything like me he'd wait for the one that lets you walk on water.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)