Adopt A Neighborhood - Santa Hat Pub Crawl 2008

Yo, what up? Crosby here. Back again for the 4th Annual Santa Hat Pub Crawl. My night started out as per usual, with a photo outside Miss Banana's apartment. This year we walked through the snowy weather to local pubs in Park Slope.

Our first bar was Buttermilk on 5th Ave and 16th Street.

At the second bar I was super happy to find literature for my peeps.

(And, I was able to hide my bear porn from prying bartender eyes.)

Hooray bear friendly Commonwealth!

On the way to Loki Lounge I asked everyone to come on ride the train...and ride it.

At Dram Shop, I totally ruled the pool table...

the shuffle boards...

and got some loving from some fine ass bitches.

On the way to O'Connor's I took some time to play in the snow.

I was totally upside down and twisted at this point! I wasn't feeling so well thanks to a trip through the christmas tree packing machine!

Consequently, all I remember of Sheep Station and 4th Ave Pub is more beer, some crumpled dollar bills and lots of shots.

Miss Banana and I were literally deflated by the end of the event. But a good time was had by all and you can look through the full set of photos here.

Until next time...Grrrrrrrrrr.

Happy Obama Day!

Here's to a new beginning and fun Shepard Fairey creations!

Taco-bama.

December Part III

December 14th - Evan Moves In and Mel Gets Old

Sporting a really stellar Santacon hangover, I helped my new roommate move in all morning. Then I made a labor intensive carrot cake (filled with love) for the very demanding birthday diva Mel.

We had a little shin dig complete with pizza, cake, and chocolate martinis.

December 15th - TDC Holiday Dinner

I knew my boss was great, but I liked him ever so much more when he brought the staff to Nha Trang (a favorite haunt of mine) for a holiday feast. Bowls of steaming pho, crispy squid, thin barbecue pork chops, and hollow vegetable all made their way to our table.

However, the clear favorite dish was whole market fish swimming in oniony goodness.

It was also a belated 40th birthday celebration for him, complete with a little Fifty Cent serenade.

December 19th - 3rd Friday

My friend Sarah hosted her monthly ladies night at The Rabbit Hole in the west village. It's one of those places you would never know existed unless someone told you it was there.

This cozy little joint also has an interesting bathroom.

After a few drinks with the girls, I met my friend Taz (who had been away for about a month) for some pre-holiday Kati Rolls and several glasses of wine at V Bar.

Ho! Ho! Ho-ly SANTACON! (2008 Edition)

December 13th was that time of year again. Time to dress like an idiot, spread holiday spirit, drink beer out of paper bags in public, and participate in the most ridiculous day long street performance called Santacon!

Sadly for me, the morning of the happiest day of the year began with Emily's big move. After five fun years together, she left our leaking tub and occasional mice infestation for a grown up apartment in Virginia. We thought it a fitting summary of our roommate relationship that in our final photo I'm dressed like an asshole while she holds a plunger.
Miss Farmer, I'm gonna miss you!

Thankfully I immediately drowned my sorrows in holiday shenanigans. This year, I brought two new Santas into the tradition. Here they are enjoying the first beer of the day.

Along our trek to Grand Central Station we encountered several clever holiday themed costumes.

We also posed for NYC themed photos to be used as Christmas cards.

Had my ambitions of snail mail holiday cheer been realized, my card would have read:
"Making a list and checking it twice makes me thirsty. Happy Holidays. Love Santa."

While relaxing with our beer, we watched this idiot climb to the top of the boat mast in South Street Seaport amidst cheers of "Santa's getting arrested! Santa's getting arrested!"

As the afternoon wore on, Santa convened, we got drunk, and we met some weirdos.

First of all, AJ and Martin were given little holiday gifts by a strange elf...at the urinal.

We conversed... briefly... with these super creepy Ninja Santas.

Jesus arrived on his cell phone to cries of "Happy Birthday" all around!

Martin, who was loudly called "Mexican Santa" by an obnoxious tourist mother, got a chance to hang out with fake Mexican Santa.

In addition to plenty of Santas practicing capoeira, DJ Santa and a break dance crew arrived on the scene for some light hearted entertainment.

I was thrilled to see that Santa can now forgo the ubiquitous brown paper bag in favor of festive appropriate beer cozies.

Santa then took a ride on the 4:30 Staten Island Ferry...

just in time to catch the December sunset on NYC harbour.

Mr. Hankey The Christmas Poo was spreading holiday cheer to residents of Staten Island.

Upon our return to Manhattan, at the corner of Canal and Lafayette, Santa could buy "Warm" Stuff.

However, this Santa decided to buy much needed dumplings instead.

After a few more bars (yes, more bars), Drunk Santa made a brief appearance at Sue's swanky 30th birthday / housewarming shin dig! Many apologies were said the nexy day!

All in all, it was a bittersweat drunken fun silly day. You can click here to see all 204 photos from the day! Ho! Ho! Ho!

December Part 1

It has gotten to be quite a habit of mine to write these big overview blog posts. In 2009, I resolve to be a little better about keeping things up to date. In the meantime, as per my November update, more photos less blather.

December 2nd - Kickball Playoffs

I'm still in denial that I played an outdoor sport next to the East River in December. However, bolstered by the frigid temperatures, The Devil's Rejects won their first post season game and scored a bid to play another week for a shot at the league title!

Who could deny this menace to sobriety?

Needless to say, much celebrating was done this evening.

December 5th - Visit by Steve and Jennifer

Because they are nuts for NASCAR (don't ask me why anyone likes to watch something go in a circle 300 times), my brother and sister in law came down for some sort of meet the drivers/cars event in Times Square. After drooling over Jimmy Johnson, I met them for celebratory drinks around town. At the last bar on our illustrious tour, we met Uma Thurman's brother, Gandan (who will forever be known as Gandalf to us). (Actual photo of him coming soon.)

December 6th - Holiday visit with Aunt Jeanne and Gram
with special guest appearance by Mom and Dad

Unlike last year, our annual ladies day was interrupted by one birthday boy spending his brand spanking new Social Security paycheck on booze!

Birthday celebrations = lots and lots of pre-Broadway show Manhattans for this crew.

Warmed by beverages and corny musical tunes, we made our annual trek through the holiday madness at Bryant Park! (My Gram is so cute.)

December 7th - Final FEAST - Farmer Foods

With heavy hearts and empty stomachs, FEAST bid adieu to founder, Emily. In honor of her culinary skills and creative themes, everyone brought their A game (and meat products) to a dinner inspired by her favorite foods. This glorious centerpiece was a reference to her total adoration of diet coke and pranks on The Office.

Seeing as I took no flattering photos of Herself, this image of meat glory will have to suffice.

December 9th - Kickball Finals

To summarize:
It was cold. We lost our game. I rode a bicycle built for two with Santa.

Santa got molested.

I drank way too many beers and Martin had to put me in a cab.
The end.