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I need to stay in the city until sometime in the early morning, despite the intense cold and wind. I live below a family of animals -- Hispanic party elephants -- who stomp around and play music so loud that the building throbs and the plaster cracks. It's a fairly safe bet they're going to lose their minds tonight so I may as well just huddle down in the city and bounce around from bar to bar.
I won't go near Times Square, of course. New Year's Eve is the emptiest holiday ritual of the year, and an opportunity for shallow under-30s to act like assholes.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 31, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Essentials
comment #1
George Prager
says ...
You're staying in Brooklyn, right? I think I used to live above them. They pour Clamato into their Heinekens.
Posted by George Prager
at December 31, 2008 10:18 AM
comment #2
MindlessObamaton
says ...
In NYC tonight for the MMJ show @ MSG. Gonna be epic. Been in town a few days. Ready to get the fuck out, too.
Posted by MindlessObamaton
at December 31, 2008 10:33 AM
comment #3
Gordie Lachance
says ...
Too bad I'm not going to be anywhere near the city tonight. I'd love to buy Jeff a drink. Take some of the sting away from a year of hispanic party elephants, stolen cameras, smoking house-sitters and impounded cowboy hats.
Happy New Year, Jeff.
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at December 31, 2008 10:35 AM
comment #4
Joel
says ...
Living below someone sucks. Even if they are quiet, sound really carries. A mild party can sound like a blowout.
Also, Jeff, it's New Year's Eve. Lighten up for ONCE.
Posted by Joel
at December 31, 2008 10:36 AM
comment #5
scooterzz
says ...
i've always been partial to the townhouse (56 bet 2 & 3)...it's where older investors go to meet young entrepreneurs...
Posted by scooterzz
at December 31, 2008 10:41 AM
comment #6
George Prager
says ...
If I were in Brooklyn, I would be going over to Pencil Factory.
Posted by George Prager
at December 31, 2008 10:43 AM
comment #7
actionman
says ...
Seven inches of snow in CT today. Stayed home from work. Went to Blockbuster and rented the following:
American Teen
Jar City
The Promotion
Towelhead
X-Files 2
Traitor
Just finished American Teen. It was solid. Entertaining.
Oh and Wells, I know exactly what you mean. When I lived in Santa Monica last year I had the unfortunate experience of living underneath a dumb, loud, obnoxious Persian douchebag. Some people are just assholes when it comes to living in apartments. No fucking class.
Posted by actionman
at December 31, 2008 10:56 AM
comment #8
scooterzz
says ...
'no fucking class'.......classy...
Posted by scooterzz
at December 31, 2008 11:03 AM
comment #9
MindlessObamaton
says ...
F'n Persians!!!
Posted by MindlessObamaton
at December 31, 2008 11:04 AM
comment #10
Jeffrey Wells
says ...
People with a little class and breeding and a college degree don't tend to be as noisy or boisterous or loutish as the commoners, cretins, galumphs, bad dressers, etc. The lower end of the gene pool. T'was ever thus.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells
at December 31, 2008 11:05 AM
comment #11
actionman
says ...
yes, scotterz. no fucking class. what don't you get? just because I curse doesn't mean I don't have class.
Posted by actionman
at December 31, 2008 11:07 AM
comment #12
NotImpressed1Yet
says ...
"People with a little class and breeding and a college degree don't tend to be as noisy or boisterous or loutish as the others -- commoners, cretins, galumphs, bad dressers, etc. The lower end of the gene pool."
Uh, BULLSHIT.
If you don't have a college degree but can still afford to pay rent, chances are you spend your nights sleeping off a long day's work.
On the other hand, your typical male twentysomething college grad cubicle-jockey usually has way too much free time, a really loud stereo, and absolutely no sense of courtesy when it comes to apartment dwelling.
Of course there are many exceptions, But really, there's no rule to begin with, and Wells is just demonstrating a common sort of snobbery.
Posted by NotImpressed1Yet
at December 31, 2008 11:28 AM
comment #13
DeafBrownTrashPunk
says ...
I fucking hate New Year's celebrations, too, Jeff. So shallow, superficial and empty. and people act like even bigger assholes around the holidays.
just fucking get 2009 here already please.
Posted by DeafBrownTrashPunk
at December 31, 2008 11:36 AM
comment #14
Gordie Lachance
says ...
For god's sake, the man lives in Union City. You'd be lucky to find a high school grad there. Spare me the early-to-bed working-class hero crap. These people are packed in like illegal sardines. They can't get a word in edgewise so they yell. That's hardly snobbery.
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at December 31, 2008 11:36 AM
comment #15
scooterzz
says ...
action -- if you have to announce that you have class, you don't....
and, deaf...i couldn't agree more...could we just get these freaking holidays over!?!
Posted by scooterzz
at December 31, 2008 11:43 AM
comment #16
dangovich
says ...
Here in New Mexico, people fire guns into the air. Fortunately, I don't live above anyone.
Happy New Year!
Posted by dangovich
at December 31, 2008 11:52 AM
comment #17
Glenn Kenny
says ...
As you are NOT in Brooklyn, may I recommend you just zip over to Hoboken rather than Manhattan? PLENTY of bars, ranging from the crassest collegiate joints to single-malt-specializing Serious Drinking venues. Less muss, less fuss, less spending a fortune getting back to your bed.
Posted by Glenn Kenny
at December 31, 2008 11:53 AM
comment #18
guy
says ...
Hispanic Party Elephants are opening for Emotionally Vivid Cowboy Hat at the Forum tonight.
Posted by guy
at December 31, 2008 12:00 PM
comment #19
Wiggumx
says ...
Jeff, don't go to the Townhouse. It's a trap!
Posted by Wiggumx
at December 31, 2008 12:10 PM
comment #20
DeafBrownTrashPunk
says ...
well, yesterday I was told that I will be travelling to China, Japan and some un-determined European nations in 2009.
so that's the only thing I'm looking forward to next year.
Do anyone of you have anything to look forward to?
Posted by DeafBrownTrashPunk
at December 31, 2008 12:11 PM
comment #21
The Playlist
says ...
"a family of animals -- Hispanic party elephants"
Jesus, Wells. We know you're unapologetically racist and all, but try and hide it sometimes.
Posted by The Playlist
at December 31, 2008 12:13 PM
comment #22
Movie fan09
says ...
Hispanic party elephants -- who stomp around and play music so loud that the building throbs and the plaster cracks.
that's not an insult.
I'm Mexican and most of them annoy the hell out of me.
and my dad. and he was born in the barrio.
Posted by Movie fan09
at December 31, 2008 12:15 PM
comment #23
DeafBrownTrashPunk
says ...
Pfftt MovieFan, I'm a Deaf South Asian Muslim and I think EVERYONE, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or disability, are annoying, stupid and worthless. And they bug the shit out of me.
Yep, I ain't going out tonight. I've had enough of morons.
Posted by DeafBrownTrashPunk
at December 31, 2008 12:23 PM
comment #24
actionman
says ...
really, scooterz? thanks for the insight. you're really insightful.
Posted by actionman
at December 31, 2008 1:06 PM
comment #25
Renfield
says ...
It being the end of the year and all, I'm going to get this out of my system.
Try living above and below Armenians.
Posted by Renfield
at December 31, 2008 1:08 PM
comment #26
Movie fan09
says ...
DeafBrownTrashPunk Author Profile Page says ...
Pfftt MovieFan, I'm a Deaf South Asian Muslim and I think EVERYONE, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or disability, are annoying, stupid and worthless. And they bug the shit out of me.
Yep, I ain't going out tonight. I've had enough of morons.
Deaf-
essentially, if you don't know better, you're not going to be better.
Posted by Movie fan09
at December 31, 2008 1:16 PM
comment #27
Edward
says ...
Have a safe, fun, productive, creative new year one and all!
Posted by Edward
at December 31, 2008 2:08 PM
comment #28
BurmaShave
says ...
I think those glasses are pretty douchey, but it's weird it'll be another 1000 years before someone can wear ones like it.
Posted by BurmaShave
at December 31, 2008 2:19 PM
comment #29
Josh Massey
says ...
I live about a half mile from a heavily Hispanic part of Atlanta, and I can guarantee you the sound of gunfire will resonate in my neighborhood at midnight. Mexicans firing guns in the air to celebrate - it's like a bad stereotype from a 1930s Disney cartoon.
Oddly enough, it also happens on the 4th of July.
Posted by Josh Massey
at December 31, 2008 2:28 PM
comment #30
T. S. Idiot
says ...
Aren't hispanic party elephants republicans as welll?
Posted by T. S. Idiot
at December 31, 2008 2:43 PM
comment #31
AndrewOwens
says ...
I used to live above a pub where they had Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights until midnight which was can't think, can't talk, can't listen type loudness (and tortured to death many of my favorite songs). It becomes really demoralizing after a while. You start to think they're doing it just to upset you - they're just trying to have a good time.
Anyway happy new year all of you guys!
Posted by AndrewOwens
at December 31, 2008 2:50 PM
comment #32
televisiontears
says ...
I honestly feel for those of you with such disdain for New Year's Eve. Sure, it's an empty ritual, but no more than Christmas for non-Christians. However, New Year's Eve has the symbolic weight of renewal, of a hope for better tomorrows. That's something I can get behind. That's something I can drink to. Jeff, I obviously don't know you, but I would've thought this is something you can appreciate. To me, the end of the year is like the end of so many great films - cathartic in its conclusion, infinite in the possibilities of what lie ahead.
So to everyone at HE, whether you're going out or staying in, whether you'll be blasted beyond recognition or as sober as a funeral, whether you're spending time with friends and loved ones or enjoying the company of yourself and a great film, Happy New Year's! I hope the next year brings you all that you need, and even a few things that you desire.
Posted by televisiontears
at December 31, 2008 3:24 PM
comment #33
arturobandini2
says ...
What a bracing cocktail of good cheer and xenophobia this thread is. By far the unpleasantest neighbors I ever had was in Koreatown. Quiet and respectful, yes, but they fried fishballs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nothing like waking every morning and coming home to the smell of hot grease and old fish.
I won't celebrate until Inauguration Day, but happy 2009 to all of you -- especially those I pissed off this year.
Posted by arturobandini2
at December 31, 2008 3:45 PM
comment #34
Chase Kahn
says ...
New Year's is like the 'Gran Torino' of holidays.
Loud, obvious, empty...
Posted by Chase Kahn
at December 31, 2008 4:10 PM
comment #35
dixiedugan
says ...
I love New Year's Eve - it's my birthday!
I wish all of you a happy and safe New Year. Lord knows we need it.
Posted by dixiedugan
at December 31, 2008 4:16 PM
comment #36
StevenKar
says ...
to Renfield...
Screw you and your enlightening comment. and thanks for generalising, moron. i'm sure your family and extended family absolutely has no assholes in it, right?
Posted by StevenKar
at December 31, 2008 4:50 PM
comment #37
LYT
says ...
Jeff, just wanted to give a virtual thumbs up for the Glenn Frey reference in your headline.
Posted by LYT
at December 31, 2008 5:50 PM
comment #38
AndrewOwens
says ...
Televisiontears, what a great post. I'm more of a Christmas than New Years kinda guy (practically a sin here in Scotland where the Hogmanay craziness is in full effect) but that's a cool way to think about it - the end of a great movie. Happy new year!
Posted by AndrewOwens
at December 31, 2008 6:49 PM
comment #39
bfm
says ...
You have my sympathies Jeff. I spent a couple of years living under some Middle Eastern youths who regularly partied until the small hours. Drove me crazy.
Hope you have a Happy New Year. You made my 2008 more enjoyable and I look forward to reading your column in 2009.
Posted by bfm
at January 1, 2009 1:39 AM
comment #40
Movie Watcher
says ...
Growing up in LA, even in the suburbs, there was plenty of gunfire. Here in Ohio, at least where I live, just a few pops. I don't drink anymore, so I stay in and watch the ball drop. Why is Dick Clark still on the air? I could barely understand what he was saying! I know he had a stroke, but one of the honchos at ABC should tell him it's time to step aside and let Seacrest take over full time. 2009 has got to be better that 2008!
Posted by Movie Watcher
at January 1, 2009 8:14 AM
comment #41
Movie Watcher
says ...
Arturo-While in the air force, I was stationed in South Korea. Twice. If you thought it was bad in Koreatown, try leaving the base and taking a wiff. The smell was terrible. Even after you get used to it, it still reeks. Jeff, if you think it's bad in an apartment, try living in a barracks, where almost everyone gets off work at the same time. It goes from quiet to 25 stereos blasting at the same time, plus they always put the bass way up! Just one big thump, either rap or metal.
Posted by Movie Watcher
at January 1, 2009 8:51 AM
comment #42
Howlingman
says ...
The Hispanic Party Elephant who lives next door was out last night so I mercifully got a good night of it. Nousy neighbors will usually get my patented Ministry-Malhavok-Metallica response courtesy of my big stereo.
Posted by Howlingman
at January 1, 2009 10:57 AM
comment #43
Renfield
says ...
StevenKar,
I was trying to make a point. Guess you missed it.
Happy New Year!
Posted by Renfield
at January 1, 2009 2:27 PM
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