I’m going to New York in early September, what places should I hit up?   Send me your travel tips… especially food, lounge, and dessert places.  I’ve done all the touristy stuff already.  So far and highly possible on the agenda… discounted Broadway show, go to the US Open of Tennis, catch a Yankees game from some super cheap seats.  Will be staying in rooftop duplex in the Union Square area.  

Which of the cheaper Momofukus are worth going to or is it all a scam?  

Le Benardin for lunch… worth it?  Is it really the best fish in the US?  Lunch specials at Jean George or Per Se?

Steakhouse… Del Frisco?  Peter Luger’s?  

Send me all your tips!  We will eat all levels, from Gray’s Papaya, Joe’s Pizza, to Magnolia, to Le Benardin.  Will probably only do a couple of the nicer restaurants.  I don’t want to spend my whole time sitting in NY sitting at a four hour meal.  

If you would like to meet up and eat or walk with us while I’m in NYC, let me know!  

Someone I used to date hit me up with a “I need rent money” request.  First thing that flashed in my head, “Is my baby getting fed?  Are we sure it’s my baby?”  Just kidding.  But I did think, “I don’t have not babies of yours, so why are you asking me?”  How do you decide if you’ll help or not?  I have helped a friend with rent before, but they were in a tough place and had too much pride to ask for help, so I offered.  This time I said no.  This person needed rent because they aren’t a saver and didn’t plan well.  I’m not rich yet, I don’t even have enough money to buy a house yet.  

Howiemeter On the Economy

I don’t think the economy is moving anywhere fast.  My ticket sales at the beginning of the year was steady (at same pace as last year).  Then from end of May on sales stagnated.  My items ended up selling, but traffic was slow and most only sold a week before the show after prices were reduced, reduced, and reduced.  We are talking good shows, great seats for things that have been sold out for six months or more… Adele, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift…  

Something happened at the end of May.  I don’t know if it was just summer hitting and people getting more relaxed or it more people tightened up because they feared their job security.  It was weird because it was across the board effect on all shows in different cities.  Earlier in the year, Katy Perry and Adele tickets were flying off my hands.  I sensed the winds of change way before all the debt ceiling talk hit.  One economist compared us Japan of the 1990s.  Slow growth, large debt, going nowhere fast.  What do you think?  Is the US economy stuck in this no growth/low growth scenario for the next two or three years (exactly what I wondered two years ago)?  

Concerts I’ve been at the past few months:  My Chemical Romance, Glasvegas, Leighton Meester, Katy Perry, Toby Keith, and possibly Adele this week.  If you want pictures or a review of any, let me know.  

Leighton Meester @ the Troubadour – Monday, June 13, 2011

Mee Oh My… Yes, I went to Blair Waldorf’s concert and I liked it.  What else can you do on a Monday night for $19.35?  When Michelle and I walked up, the place was crawling with about 5-10 paparazzi.  I went up and asked one you here for the show too?  Who’s here so far?  

Stars always lambast the paparazzi but I like them.  All the ones I’ve talked to have been pretty cool and they are a wealth of information in entertainment rich cities like LA and New York.  I like to talk with them just like anyone else.   

“Michelle Trachtenberg so far.”  

I asked him if Justin Long was there (he was seen eating with Leighton last month), or Blake Lively and Leo.  Nada.   Later Aly Michalka also showed up. 

As we approached the entrance line, all my eyes could say was “Holy Sh*t!”  It was a line full of 20-30 something girls that stretched around the building.  The girl/guy ratio was about 8:1 and there was some A-level talent there.  My friend Stephen met up with us in line and said, “Hey, you’re not going to tell anyone that I wanted to go to this, right?”  

Check In the Dark was the opening band and they were also Leighton’s backing band.  Sugary acoustic pop folk, not at all edgy.  So… not exactly my type of stuff.  

Leighton performed a 1 hour set and was surprisingly great.  She’s a got a voice that will do well in the Singer/Songwriter or Pop Country category.  She sang mainly pop country and didn’t have any stage fright even though it was only her second show ever (her first was at Hotel Cafe a month earlier).   When I met her later I told her she did great, compared to Zoey Deschanel, who also sings great but seems very timid and focused in her singing when facing a live audience.   

Michelle & Leighton.  Stephen & Leighton.  

Me & Leighton.  Why do I look like a giant?  Remind me to stand back more for these pictures next time!  

Blair Waldorf she was not!  As you can see, no stuffy get up.  No Chanel bags (though two days earlier she was in London launching a perfume line with Vera Wang).  She didn’t have to, but 20 minutes after the show ended she came down and met, posed for pictures, and signed autographs for all 100 fans that waited while her dad and family waited for her.  Disarming, friendly, and personable, she talked with everyone like we were all normal people.  No bitchy ego in her bone.  

What I really wanted to do?  Hug her and say, “You’re a Waldorf, remember? People don’t tell you who you are, you tell them. Stay and fight.  I’ll fight with you.”