Someplace to Visit.

The Motor City Bar, located on the Lower East Side of the island of Manhattan, is a standard New York theme bar. It is however New York's only Detroit themed bar. According to one review, the Motor City Bar presents much of the 'raw charm' that can otherwise only be found in Detroit. That raw charm is provided by the owners, Detroit Natives who were transplanted to NYC 10 years ago and have operated Bar ever since. With car seats as bar benches, hubcaps on the walls and murals of multiple big three classics, I could see easily forgetting that I'm away from the D at all. But the auto theme alone isn't what carries this bar. It's the attention to the smaller details that really make it feel like home, like local Detroit street signs and sports logos. (There's a wings logo on the window near the entrance.) This will surely place where I'll go if homesickness kicks in. Personally, my favorite feature is the white board behind the bar. If you are missing a friend you can buy them a drink and the bartender will write your name, their name, and the drink you bought them and will leave it there for your friend to redeem at a later date. That's something I will likely use at least once. If you come to visit, make sure you swing by the Motor City Bar and check to see if I've bought you a drink lately.

So considering the apparent popularity of the Motor City Bar in New York, I couldn't help but wonder what New Yorkers think of the real Detroit. After a quick search, I found a fantastic article that gave me my answer. Check this out if you have time. I like that they call Detroit "a friendly small town masquerading as a desolate big city." I have to say that I agree whole-heartily with that statement.

What to Expect.

In the past, my blog entries have acted more as journal entries documenting events in my life. Moving forward, I plan to maintain some of my original style, with additional focus on arts and entertainment as well as some tech news thrown in. You'll notice each blog labelled as one of the three, either Pop Culture, Tech, or Personal. If I get very daring in the future I might even add in a design or architecture section. Feedback is always welcome and comments are open for anyone. This is a great way for us to keep in touch. Hopefully I can write enough to keep you satisfied and interested.

Microsoft Surface? Seriously?

I'll write more on this later, but you have to see this, if you haven't already. I think I saw this featured in a Michael Bay sci fi film a few years ago. Good work microsoft. Now get it to the public before Mac rips it off and steals all of your money! Anyway, to see this thing in action, check out the videos I've posted below. This is truly something I could see integrated into our everyday lives in the future. I can only imagine the fingerprints. Buy stock in Windex now.



Seriously, I can't wait to get one of my own. This is truly the ultimate gadget.

My Disconnect

Tonight will be my final night in my apartment. Tomorrow morning the movers will arrive with trucks to take all of my belongings to New York. This means it will be a few days without internet, which I think is the only thing that I'm the least bit nervous about. I know I'll find a computer somewhere. I've scheduled to have my cable disconnected tomorrow morning as well. It's gonna be an interesting weekend. By Monday I hope to have a new home. I'll be back in Detroit on Tuesday night, and will be here until Thursday when I leave for New York for possibly the final time, if everything goes well. Either way, I'll keep posting.

The White Stripes are Back

After a short run with his 'Nashville' band, the Raconteurs, Jack and Meg White have reunited to release their first album since Get Behind Me Satan. They're back, and the White Stripes rock more than ever.

On the new video for the single, Icky Thump:

I've spotted Meg White on numerous occasions around bars in Detroit and have always been stunned by how much hotter she is in real life than she appears on TV. Watching the new video, she was the first thing I noticed. You have to admit that she is pretty hot in this video, sporting new hair and a much more stylish look. She finally looks like the rock star we always knew she was. Even Jack is looking halfway cool, as opposed to the freakish Frankenstien look he usually sports. It looks like they've finally accepted that they're international rock stars. And while they have changed their look, they're sound hasn't changed. Thankfully, thay've maintained the amazing raw sound we expect from the White Stripes and other Detroit rock bands while still managing to come across so beautifully tight. This is a great step forward for the White Stripes, and if the rest of the album is anything like Icky Thump, it's sure to be their best to date. I can't wait for this album to be released.

Blogspot V. Myspace

For those of you who have voluntarily chosen to spend time reading my blogs, I will now be posting them on a new site as well. Jerryschiffer.blogspot.com is the new home of my blogging. Since I want to be able to keep everyone updated on my life after the move to NYC, I wanted to find a site that wasn't blocked on most work computers. Now when you have a few minutes to spare at some point during the day, you can check in and see whats new. I will also be posting the cmoplete blogs on myspace, but blogspot will often have additional information, photos, or videos added, so be sure to check in often. And yes, I am ripping my titles from Scrubs. I love that show.

Law and Order to the White House?

Is anybody else following the career of Fred Thompson? For anyone who isn't impressed with the current candidates for 2008, I suggest you look into him. He has an extremely impressive resume, that has taken him from investigating watergate to staring in movies such as Die Hard 2. Oh, and he spent quite a bit of time as a U.S. Senator. He hasn't announced his candidacy yet, but I expect and hope he will soon. Whats special about him? He knows what he believes, and the rest is up to the people. He really is a people's politician. Not in the sense that he will say whatever it takes to get votes, as most of the current candidates would do. No, Fred Thompson has definite beliefs, but doesn't believe thats those beliefs are whats best for the country. When asked tough questions he gives direct, balls out answers with no hesitation, but always reenforces that thats his opinion, not the opinion of the people, and the peoples opinion comes from voting. These kind of politics excite me. I wish more politicians would stop kissing peoples asses and tell it like it is. Mr. Thompson has nothing to lose. He is a successful man with plenty of accomplishments under his belt. He knows that it doesn't really matter if he loses, but if the people want him and choose him, then thats great too.Anyhow, he hasn't announced that he's running yet. Still, I am an active member and contributer to DraftFred.com and have signed multiple petitions for the draft Fred movement. He has teased us twice now by publically saying that he would 'consider' running, but he hasn't yet made it official. Those mentions of possibly running instantly threw him to third place in polls among republicans, tied with Hillary Clinton, and he isn't even running yet. He is currently starring on NBCs Law and Order as the DA. Tonight I finally got around to watching the latest episode of Law and Order and got quite the surprise at the end. Freds character, Arthur Branch confronts Sam Watersons character in Branchs office. "You know one day this chair is gonna be empty." Says DA Branch. This comment leads me to believe Thomsons character is leaving the show??? "I'm no politician Arthur." Replies Jack McCoy, Watersons character. "Yeah, everybody says that." a contemplative Branch says as the two share a friendly smirk that's clearly out of context with the scene. Thats how the show ended. Could it be that the writers added that in to toy with the Fred Thompson fans watching? Was there more meaning to those few lines, or am I reading too much into this? I decided to do some web searches and look for posts on my favorite Fred Thompson sites mentioning the scene, but there was nothing. How could it be that noone caught that? Anyhow, I honestly believe that ALL of the current candidates pretty much suck. I'd love to see this election come down to Al Gore V. Fred Thompson. Now that would be something to watch.



I don't normally discuss politics, so I apologize if this bored you.

Parties Anyone?

My family threw me a going away party last night. It was intended to be a BBQ, and unfortunatly got rained out, forcing us all indoors. I realized at the time just how uncomfortable I am at the idea of moving. Everyone kept asking me if I was excited to move. I answered confidently that I was most certainly not excited about it. It's not that I don't want to go, I know that I do. It's actually more that I don't want to leave everyone here. It was really good to see everyone for the few hours that I had to see them, and by the end of the night I was having a great time. Thanks to everybody who came out.My next and last party is this Thursday night at the Wheat and Rye on Merriman Rd near the airport. I'll be there as soon as I get done working, so probably around 10:30 or 11:00. Hopefully by then I'll have accepted the fact that I am leaving and will start the night off in better spirits.

My dog the wingman.

Jake is seriously a complete pro at meeting girls. This past week I took Jake to the local pet store, as we do every week, and I realized just how great a conversation starter he can be. I had a large bag of dog food thrown over my left shoulder and was holding Jakes leash with my right hand when two twenty something girls approached. They immediately started making sounds like they were talking to an infant, and Jakes reaction was perfect. For once, he sat down rather than jumping, and he looked up at them with the adorable puppy dog eyes he's learned to use when he's in trouble. "Can we pet him?" They asked. "Of course," I said. After a few exchanged high fives, (from the dog, not me) and a smile or two (from me) we parted ways. I'm sure I could've taken things further and learned their names and probably even gotten a number, but figured I'd save that for the streets of New York. Still, it's good to know I'll have a built in wingman when I get there.

My Last Days in Detroit

You may have noticed a new photo album on my page labeled 'My Last Days in Detroit'. Some of you have already been made aware, but I thought it was about time I made the announcement official. At some point over the next few weeks I will be moving from my beloved hometown to New York City. Most likely to the Bronx. (At the request of my parents, I will also be looking at areas north of the city.)

I have recently been very lucky and was offered numerous jobs in the New York area without seeking any of them. For those of you who have known me for some time you know that I should fit right in there. I have always thought that I would end up in New York at some point, but believe in letting life take me, rather than forcing it along myself. In this case, life was beating me over the head. I am lucky enough to have been offered a manager position there with the same company I've been with for the past 9 years, and couldn't be happier about it. Despite the many rough times that my company has gone through recently, I still love it and the people who work there. I will be able to maintain my flight benefits, which will allow me to come home for visits. I will also maintain my vacation time that I have saved up for this year, which will be great for the long trips home.

I hope to get a chance to see everyone and enjoy your company one more time before my departure, so shoot me a comment or message if you have some free time to waste. Also, begin planning your summer vacations to NYC. I've worked hard to get here, so I will expect visits from you guys. Besides, it really is a pretty sweet destination, and you'll have a free place to crash, which is a pretty good deal for New York.
And yes, I will be having some kind of going away something…. I'll let you know.