An Unfortunate Commuter's End-of-Year Recap: New Years Resolution!

Oh this is just great isn't it?

You know my favorite part of looking back? Looking forward. (Pretty deep, eh?) So to conclude my year end wrap up, I look to the future. Here are some resolutions for 2011:

Visit more museums

-The Museum of Natural History is my neighbor. There is no excuse for me to be uninfomed about dinosaurs any longer.

Visit neighboring neighborhoods

-Ever heard of Inwood? Probably not. But I have! And it's only one stop up on the A Train. Why not?

Learn to ride the bus

-Face it: the 1 Train is abysmal. And unfortunately for us UWS'ers, its the main form of subterranean transportation. But the bus, ah the bus! A whole new world. I'll check it out.

Shop locally

-Maybe next time I want a bag of chips at 2 a.m., maybe I should go to the local deli owner who has worked his whole life to create a business rather than the 24 hour Duane Reade (ok, off my soapbox now.)

Find the fortunate in the unfortunate

***** PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS GOING TO PUT A FUNNY PICTURE OF A SMILE UP WITH A FUNNY CAPTION AND FOR SOME REASON IT IS NOT WORKING. BUT TRUST ME, IT WAS FUNNY. I SWEAR. THIS WHOLE ORDEAL HAS ME RETHINKING THIS RESOLUTION.

-Sure, I can find the unfortunate in any situation, but maybe I'll try the opposite. A brighter outlook on life never killed anyone, has it? (No really, has it?) So for every icy sidewalk, slow-walking tourist, Shake Shack line, and pushy subway rider, I will find the upside. Though I'm not making any promises.


Signing off. To a wonderful 2010, and to an even better 2011. Cheers!

An Unfortunate Commuter's End-of-Year Recap: Best Meals on the UWS

As is well documented, I, Anndrew Vacca, am a food-a-holic. I love eating; take out, going out, whatever, I love eating. Here are the best meals I have found on the Upper West Side all year:

Breakfast- Buttercup Bake Shop- 141 W. 72nd Street, between Broadway and Columbus

Quick and easy, just like breakfast is meant to be. And cheap, too! A coffee and muffin for under 3 dollars. How can you beat that? It's not a sit down bacon-and-eggs kind of place, but if you're looking for a morning snack to go with your morning brew, look no further. The muffins are amazing.

Lunch- Shake Shack- 366 Columbus Avenue @ 77th Street

Warning: this line is typical. Plan accordingly.

Let's all be honest with ourselves here and admit this guilty pleasure. It's kind of pricey, it's kind of greasy, and it's REALLY gluttonous, but it's one of the simplest and best meals on the UWS. Shack burger, cheese fries, and a shake are one hell of a meal, and at Shake Shack, it's perfect. And why lunch, you ask? You get to skip the dinner crowds.

Dinner- Patsy's Pizza- 61 West 74th Street at Columbus Avenue

Best. Pizza. Ever. Period. And the décor isn't bad either: with a huge fireplace and traditional, homestyle seating, this place really reminds you of home. And then you get the pizza, which is better than your mother's. Trust me. And the rest of the menu is delicious, too!

Snack- Levain Bakery- 167 West 74th Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite place on the Upper West Side: Levain Bakery. The place is the size of a hallway, and there's maybe two chairs at the most. But who cares? They have cookies the size of your head, that are at any given time of any day hot and gooey. A true culinary (and life) experience, words do not do these cookies justice. Go, fork down the 4 dollars, and inhale the best 1,000 calories you'll ever eat in your life. I'm not kidding.

An Unfortunate Commuter's End-of-Year Recap: My Top 10 Lessons Learned from Living Alone

And here, what must have been made on Microsoft Paint in 1996, a visual tribute to
the end of 2010, and the beginning of 2011. 

In just half a year of living alone, I have learned more about independent life than even I imagined. Here are the top 10 lessons I've taken away from my very own first apartment. (In no particular order)

1. Enjoy the silence

- Don't hide from the silence. You talk and listen all day. When you come home, even if for only 5 minutes, sit down in the silence, alone. You'll learn a little something about yourself every time.

2. Your rules, make them good
- You're on your own, so live it up! But not too much. Sure, you don't have to sneak around when taking a puff. But don't overdue the new found freedom. Everything in moderation, my friends.

3. Be friendly to your neighbors
- You probably think they are noisy, boring, and gross, but get this: they think the same thing about you. A simple smile or a wave when entering or exiting your apartment will really stand out.

4. Demand respect from your guests
- Your own place= your own party. Enjoy the freedom! But make sure guests, whether they be for dinner or for a kegger, respect your house. Inside voices, please!

5. Demand respect from yourself
-Sure, it's easy to let the dishes pile up now that no one is screaming at you to clean them. But clean them. A clean house is a happy house!

6. Be welcoming
-Sure, your friends might eat all of your food and mess up your apartment, but always been the first to offer your home for a gathering. Why spend all that money on rent if no one can enjoy it?

7. Don't be wasteful
-Just because no one is here to remind you to turn off the TV when you leave the room or to take a less than two hour shower, do it. Utility bills are reason enough to be conservative.

8. Pay your bills on time
-Whether it be the 30 dollar electricity bill or the amount-that-shall-remain-unspoken for rent, pay your bills on time. It avoids any possible stress, and it teaches you that deadlines are a real thing.

9. Get out!
-Remember, it's not just your own apartment, but its also your own neighborhood, as well. Eat local, shop local, and have fun, local! Get to know your neighborhood, it's yours' now.

10. Phone home
-You don't live with your parents anymore. That doesn't mean that they don't exist. Call and check in on them. Just because you're not living under their roof anymore doesn't mean you shouldn't care.

Unfortunate Fact #9- The Christmastree peddlers

Ahhhh... Christmastime on the Upper West Side! ....not much different than the rest of the city, I suppose, but still great! Trees lit up with white and blue lights, decorations on the streetlights, and a general feeling of happiness and warmth. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Except for one thing: the damn Christmas trees. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Christmas tree. But I HATE when they are forced in my face at every turn. With the Yuletide season comes a new kind of panhandler in New York City: the Christmas tree vendor. These seasonal creeps come out after Thanksgiving and bombard the streets with imported Christmas trees. Sure, that's great and all, until Christmas starts approaching. By about two weeks out, these vendors turn desperate: faced with the possibility of having a surplus of goods by Christmas day, these vendors will do anything in their power to sell you a tree. 

An example of the evils lurking on every corner this holiday season.

So much so, in fact, that I am now officially a Duane Reade guy, unable to visit my local CVS due to the tree farm on the sidewalk outside. I went to buy some gum and almost left with a 10 foot Douglas Fur. These guys do not take no for an answer. Words of warning: NEVER MAKE EYE CONTACT!

So remember a few things when you're buying your tree: find a vendor that isn't a psychopath, and wait til the last minute, since most of them will be willing to pay YOU to take a tree. 

But seriously, everyone, from the guy who can find the unfortunate in anything (yes, even Christmas “cheer”,) Happy Holidays!

Unfortunate Fact #8- Forgetting to vote

If you've left the rock you've been living under any time in the past few weeks you have probably heard of some major legislation debate within our government. Since the midterm elections in November, there has been a lot of attention paid to the happenings within Congress. Most recently, the Senate voted to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, just a week after Repubs and Dems came to an agreement on tax cuts, which will extend the Bush era cuts for the wealthy.

As a college senior, the last thing I am concerned with is tax cuts, since god knows I'm a good century away from making enough money for it to matter. But all the recent activity in Congress has made me consider how important it is to vote, something I failed to do in the latest election. 

Moving to your first own apartment or house can be daunting, and the last thing on your mind may be signing up to vote in your new locality. Fear not: by following the next few steps, you'll be voting in no time, making the debates over legislation dominating CNN these days much more engaging to watch.

1. Register

- As soon as you move to your new home, Google your state's registration process. For most states, it's as easy as filling out an online form and sending some proof of residence (lease, utility bill, etc.)

2. Find your polling place
- As election day approaches, information will become available on your city's website about local polling places. Here in New York, you simply have to put in your address to find where you are registered to vote. This polling place will also be given to you when you receive confirmation of your registration. 

3. VOTE!

- Show up and VOTE! It takes approximately 2.5 minutes, and is one of the most satisfying things you will ever do. (Unless you vote for the loser. That kinda sucks.) Though remember to bring a government-issued photo ID with you, as it may be required.

Arranging all of your eggs in your basket when you first move can be really tough, but voting is such an important part of our society that it should be high on your priority list. Have a say in the legislation process, it's a truly rewarding action. You'll finally be able to chime in with your “uppity” friends when they start talking about Healthcare reform!

Unfortunate Fact #7: The noisy neighbors

This week's news of increased tensions and dangerously bad blood between North and South Korea made me think of how we live with neighbors. For the past few months I have had the joy of living next to an extremely loud woman who plays her TV loud and speaks even louder. The more and more I watch CNN the more I think "well, I guess it's a universal thing. If I can't deal with a loud TV, I guess maybe North Korea can't deal with its loud neighbor?"

So how can we all get along? How can we expect two large world superpowers to get along if we, humble New York apartment dwellers, can't do the same? Here are some simple rules for living graciously with neighbors:

-TV should never be higher than its volume's half-capacity. Past 12 a.m., it should never be higher than 1/4 capacity. Deal with it.

- Stereos are a thing of the past. Introduce yourself to headphones. If you MUST resist, the TV rules apply. Also, turn down the damn bass.

- Parties are fine on WEEKENDS ONLY! And when they will rage past 12 a.m., you must first clear it with your nextdoor neighbor. And maybe think about bringing them a baked good.

- Close your mouth in the hallway. Period.

- When walking up the stairs, try a little something called grace. You don't have to hop around like you're on an acid trip.

- When fighting with significant other, learn the silent and deadly trick: instead of raising your voice, let your anger show through your eyes. This will prevent anger from your neighbors, and it might also save your relationship, too.

-Last, but not least, learn that small talk is the devil's tool: a quick smile and acknowledgement with your neighbors is all that is necessary.

So next time you feel like you want to send a cruise missile next door, North Korea style, remember these tips to spare yourself high blood pressure (and possible U.N. sanctions.)

An Unfortunate Commuter's Favorite Things

Inspired by Friday's documented insanity of Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode (watch it here, and remember, those reactions are 100% real), I have for you here a list of an Unfortunate Commuter's Favorite Things. These are some things that I can't live without, and I don't think anyone who ever commutes, whether it be to school or work, can live without either. I do hope I can elicit some of the excitement that Oprah does, and if things get out of control, please make sure to document it.

1- Fossil Watch

Knowing the time is always important, but it's borderline critical when you are rushing on foot or by train to work or school. Miscalculating public transporation by a matter of seconds can be devastating. This watch looks amazing, so not only will you never be late again, but you'll be the best accessorized commuter in town! ($135, fossil.com)

2- Wool Peacoat- Gap

During the winter, it is essential for every commuter to stay as warm as humanly possible. Nothing slows down a good sprint to work in a late frenzy than cold appendages. That's why every commuter needs an awesome winter jacket. When you're bundled up tight, you, dare I say? might not even mind trudging through the snow.

This classic wool peacoat is as warm as it gets (without looking idiotic in one of those plastic puffy coats). ($135- gap.com)

3- Chuck Taylors- Converse

Whether you're racing to your next class or to a morning meeting, nothing sucks more than when your feet hurt. I always have a good pair of Chuck Taylors in my closet for those days when all that matters is comfort. ($65- converse.com)

4- Emerson Alarm Clock- Sears

Most of the world's problems would be solved if we all had a reliable alarm clock. Luckily for us, here it is. This Emerson alarm clock is eye catching enough that you won't be able to get into bed without being reminded to set it. Plus, with its projection technology, you'll never have to turn over in bed to see how much longer you have to snooze! ($29.99- sears.com)

As Oprah would say, YOU GET A COAT! AND YOU GET COAT! AND YOU GET A COAT! But I'm not Oprah, so buy these things yourselves.