Paul LaRosa's Blog
October 26, 2009
It sure seems that way, judging by this season. Conrad Hilton or "Connie," as he's referred to in the show, is a bigger character this season than some of the regulars. Here's the question: is that because Hilton Hotels is paying "Mad Men" for this storyline?
I'm not sure but it makes sense. "Mad Men," which is about the golden age of Madison Avenue advertising in the early 1960's, is the perfect vehicle for product placement within a show. In fact, there is probably not a better show on...
October 25, 2009
I love reading articles about the Park Slope Food Coop and all its foibles. I've never been a member but there's just something I do not like about it. I think (know) it's all the rules the coop imposes on its members.
For those who don't know, the Park Slope Food Coop — which has a reported 15,000 members – is maybe the most successful food coop in the country, offering its members cheaper food for better prices than almost anywhere else. But the caveat is that you have to spend time...
October 23, 2009
This past summer, CBS News correspondent Erin Moriarty found herself tired and emotionally spent after doing several long interviews for an upcoming story. She boarded a NY-bound flight in Dallas and, uncharacteristically, was not in the mood to talk.
Of course, the guy sitting next to her turned out to be a chatty and friendly fellow.
"He was such a nice guy, I didn't want to be rude," she said.
The two began conversing and Erin mentioned her charity work for an organization called SKIP...
October 22, 2009
Now comes word that city officials in Los Angeles have awarded $1.3 billion in new contracts to vastly improve and expand Los Angeles Airport or LAX as most frequent flyers refer to it.
"This is an opportunity to send a message that we are serious about keeping and attracting new business," said Janice Hahn, a LA councilwoman told the New York Times.
Well, I have news for them. If they were really serious about attracting new business, they'd take all that money and figure out a way to break...
October 21, 2009
Having grown up in the Bronx and having gone to high school just about a mile from the Stadium, it's no surprise that I've been a Yankee fan all my life. But here's my confession — I find it hard to watch October baseball. It's way too nerve-racking.
What I do is, I mostly watch every other inning so, this way, I can never see the other team score. There's a lot less agita that way — at least for me.
Yes, I know the other team occasionally scores a run. Suddenly, the Angels are down only...
October 20, 2009
There's a reason people are silent in elevators because when people do feel the need to say something, it's completely inane. I was reminded of that yet again this morning.
I just barely beat some guy to the elevator button and pressed "up." The elevator was there — and I do mean THE elevator. Where I work, there's only one elevator at several spots in the building and, if you miss it, you're treated to the teeth-grinding experience of watching the elevator go all the way up to 6 and then all ...
October 17, 2009
A few years ago, whenever I checked into a hotel, I'd find myself — more often than not — with a room facing air conditioning equipment, an alley, or if I was lucky, a parking garage. This past week, when I checked into three hotels in California, I had rooms overlooking San Francisco Bay, a mountain range, and the Pacific Ocean.
What happened? It was not a matter of luck but savvy and it can happen to you.
The turnaround came after I read an article that changed my whole approach. The piece ...
October 11, 2009
Yes, I know we all live in a technological land where we're tethered to our cell phones, blackberrys and iPhones at all times and I acknowledge that it's not for everyone. I truly admire those who opt out on principal but what I can't stand are those who opt out because of….laziness, stupidity? It's hard to figure what it is but some people just can't get the hang of email.
A friend has a boss who insists my friend deliver a paper copy of every email sent. Recently, he asked his boss by email ...
October 8, 2009
It's hardly a unique insight that the French as a people are much thinner than their American counterparts, both men and women alike. But it's one thing to make that observation in a vacuum and quite another to see it in person as I did when I was in Paris all last week.
There is something monumentally unfair about the situation because the French love to eat and have plenty of great food at their fingertips. And they relish it (no pun intended). It's not at all unusual to see a young...
September 29, 2009
Now you might think someone who wrote a book with the words "Craigslist Killer" in the title would be a bit leery of using Craigslist…but not me. In fact, I just traded my house in Brooklyn for an apartment in Paris and so here we are. So far, so good. There was an apartment at the address the other couple gave us.
It is full of light and in a great area and has everything we need. As for the couple staying in our house, they tell us they're fairly normal but the week is only halfway over s...
