g56whiz

I really liked The King! It is cinematically wonderful. The sets and settings are beautiful if somewhat dimly lit - as befits the age. The battle scenes are epic and gory but not egregiously so: The Battle of Agincourt was fought in mud and here you see lots of mud and less the blood with which it was mixed. The plot follows much of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts I and 2 and Henry V which is to say it takes some of the historical liberties that Shakespeare did (Henry was more like 27 when he took the throne: not around 20 as Timothee Chalamet makes him appear). The language is Shakespearean although not oppressively so: lots of colorful metaphors rather than an overabundance of “thee’s” and “thou”s”. The acting is superb. He develops from a petulant child to an adult monarch who takes on the concerns of his world dealing with conundrums for which there is no real answer. My only regret is that I don’t own an 80” TV or had a chance to see this in a theatrical release. I’ll watch it again if only on my we Samsung,

You do indeed! I started working in NYC in Hanover Sq. Delmonico's was around the corner but I was on a McDonald's budget paying off college debt. I knew I was working too hard when I realized late on Sunday night that I had eaten three meals that day at the Killarney Rose Bar and Grill across the street from my office. I also worked for a time across the street from Smith & Wollensky on Third Avenue. I thought it was good but not good enough for the prices they charged. Courtesy of some generous clients, I did get to enjoy the original Palm Too on Second Avenue. I was working late in my office on Park Avenue half a block away from Sparks's Steak House the night in 1985 that John Gotti had Paul Castellano offed. But in that neighborhood, my friends and I preferred Ben & Jack's on E 44th. We went often enough to be treated as family. In my time in NYC, Raos was a money laundering vehicle for the mob. There were/are only 10 tables and they were booked for decades in advance yet the weekly turnover per table was astronomical. The IRS finally took "corrective action" in the 90's in believe. I smirk each time a pass a display of their "gravy" on the shelves of my local HEB. I'm told its actually good bust so so good as my own I'm sure. La Boite en Bois IS wonderful especially before a Lincoln Certre event. But for theater district dining I prefer Tout Va Bien on W51st Street off of 8th Avenue. It reminds me of the one start (or less) places I used to frequent whilst stationed in France before DeGaulle kicked us out in 1967. I had my first bouillabaise at . It's unpretentious and friendly especially after the theater when actors and crews filter in and one of the old owner/waitresses starts in on the Edith Piaf repertoire sounding exactly like the diva did. Well @Benjamin_Nicholas thanks for bringing back great memories of the days before I fled to Laredo.

You can fill me up too while you’re at it.

Do you really think that will fit?

SMILE dammit!!

Yes. And before it was The Works it was an Irish bar called Dinty Moore’s. In the mid ‘70’s my employer was in the news constantly. I used to go out at midnight to get a bulldog edition of The NY Times to see if I was still employed. By the time I passed The Works on my way home, guys in various leather works were draped across the parked cars surrounding it. FYI the building across 78th Street from The Works was used for the exterior shots of the bathhouse that was the subject of the filmed version of Terrance McNally’s comedy The Ritz. By the time I migrated from the UWS a decade ago the space had been glassified and turned into a coffee bar devoid of the sit down comfort of the Sbux located 2 blocks to its north.

A long, long time ago, I was invited to join some Asian friends for dinner at Peter Luger. They were coming from their business; I was coming from home. They miscounted and arrived before me with exactly the number of diners they had reserved for. I was confronted at the door and made to wait outside on the front portico while the matter was addressed. I shared that portico with two young, large, cigar smoking goombahs from New Jersey in the carting business. I got tired and left before these two would be Tony Sopranos argument over who hauled the most yardage turned violent. Actually I prefer the Greatneck Peter Luger out on Long Island. No evident goombahs.

Names! We want names @Benjamin_Nicholas!!

He can stew my beef any time!!

All the best and many many more.

I’m in LUST once again!!

Moi aussi!

And me next!

I’ve sometimes described myself as “Still seeking my inner slut”. I suspect Dennis would be a gifted guide in my pursuit.

I invited them. They’re taking turns. NEXT!!!

They’re all smiling. I’m guessing it’s not only cuz the photographer asked them to.

As a banker the day of NYE could be a horror story. Companies calling up at the last minute to move money for balance sheet window dressing. The year the tax code changed my last closing ended at 8:30 and the title guy had three more yet to close before midnight. NYE is amateur hour. Now I’m usually in bed before the end of PBS Newshour hopping i can sleep thru the fireworks. It’s my annual bah humbug moment.

OK! Patient or clinician? [swoon]

Three different acts from three Puccini operas? A fate worse than death!!!

My Humana covers my prescribed compounded testosterone thankfully cuz they offer very little coverage of Arndogel and the other variants. I suspect it’s more the Trimix rather than the compoundedness that’s the issue. I mean is there a medical necessity that you have sex?

I don't know about him but I'm singing in his rain! [LUST]

Wasn’t that the space Club 20 used on Sunday nights? 20 West 20th (kitty corner across the street from the West Side Club). Ah the memories.

What! No chocolates?

So many men so little time!

Nice equipment. I mean the Viking Range.