Brandon Stanton's Blog, page 486

"I know there is corruption in America. But I have lived here...

"I know there is corruption in America. But I have lived here for a year, and have not seen it. In Kyrgyzstan, corruption is everywhere. You can not do anything without corruption. To send your child to school, to apply for a job, you must pay a bribe. If there is a car accident in America, the police and insurance companies determine who is at fault. If there is a car accident in Kyrgyzstan, the person with less money or less power is at fault. In Kyrgyzstan, if you build a business, you can do everything right, and pay all your taxes, and still have it taken away. In America, if you do everything right, it belongs to you.”

The HONY book drops THREE WEEKS from today. If you haven’t...

The HONY book drops THREE WEEKS from today. If you haven’t already, you can preorder now for 40% off the list price:

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/10sbtW5
BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/16SycBf
INDIEBOUND: http://bit.ly/191EZLF

On launch day, OCTOBER 15th @ 7PM, we are going to have a celebration/signing at the Union Square Barnes and Noble. (Known colloquially as “that giant Barnes and Noble.”)

Confirmed attendees include: The 15 ft tall Christopher Walken HONYsaurus Rex, Blackwolf The Dragonmaster, Ricky Syers and his marionettes, Spiderman, and Joey McDevitt, who will be telling dick jokes for $1.  Joe Mangrum has also agreed to create one of his sand painting masterpieces for the occasion. More distinguished guests are committing every day…

I will be telling the story of HONY, which is a pretty good story if you don’t mind me saying. And if history is any indication, that means a 65% chance of man tears. I will then be signing books and anything else you put in front of me. (Books will of course be available in store, and everyone’s preorders should have arrived by then.) 

**You do not have to purchase a book to attend.**
Feel free to just come in listen, and/or say “hello.”
I’ll hang around until they kick me out.

If you can’t make it, do not fear. I will also be doing a book signing on October 22nd at Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn. More on this later…

"My philosophy is: ‘If you like yourself, everything...

"My philosophy is: ‘If you like yourself, everything around you will fall into place.’"

"What do you want to be when you grow...

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

“Fireman.”

“Why do you want to be a fireman?”

“I said Ironman!”

Well guys, I’ve been hitting the Rosetta Stone pretty hard...

Well guys, I’ve been hitting the Rosetta Stone pretty hard for about a month now, in order to bring you in depth conversations with Spanish-speaking New Yorkers. After several weeks of diligent practice, I present the first of these conversations. [Translated]:

"Where… from… you… are?"
"Cuba."
"Thank you. Goodbye."

"These are my bros.""We’ve been bro-zoned."

"These are my bros."
"We’ve been bro-zoned."

"I just wish I had a little more to put away after the bills are...

"I just wish I had a little more to put away after the bills are paid."

"I want to be an actor."“What’s the key to being a good...

"I want to be an actor."

“What’s the key to being a good actor?”

“My teacher keeps saying that you have to be a good listener. He says that if you really want to be a great actor, you need to listen and respond, and not always be thinking ahead about what you’re going to do next.”

"I’m dealing with the aftermath of a really horrible...

"I’m dealing with the aftermath of a really horrible breakup."

“What was so horrible about it?”

“Well, I was engaged. And now I’m not.”

"How are things with the ladies?"“Real...

"How are things with the ladies?"

“Real good.”

“Any advice for guys out there who might be struggling?”

“Just be yourself. Don’t say ‘What’s cookin’ good lookin,’ or dumb stuff like that. Just say hello.’”