Gaysville finally comes to the West Village. After nearly a year of wondering if I would find more in my neighborhood than uptight pushchair dronettes, finally I was blessed with streets overrun by gay men dancing and bopping to the sound of music and the floats of the New York Pride Parade.

Stood for 4 hours on 5th Ave watching the antics, followed by the last couple of hours on my balcony (read fire escape) looking down on Christopher Street. I heard rumors that over 1 million attended, explaining why the area looked like a bomb-site by the end of the evening. Thankfully, the wonders of the Department of Sanitation meant that by the time I headed to the gym at 6am this morning (just mentioned that in passing for those sitting agasp at the concept - I am a new man!) the place was as spotless as a spotless thing can be in New York City. The numbers do suprise me a little, since that would represent about 10% of the Manhattan population base - but they (being the Gay Mafia) tell me this is a major visitor attraction. Anyhoo numbers aside it was a fun day with mild sun and plenty of shirtless men around. All good.

So that being that I am taking the day off work (Monday) for a bit of rest and relaxation in the glorious weather of the first few days of summer.

Categories: Live From The Field, New York
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Walking is a way of life in this town - I’ve said it before. Walking epitomizes New Yorkers love affair with themselves (ouch, sorry even that sounds harsh for me! I must have taken a double dose of bitch pill today, sorry about that chaps).

Defending your space on the streets is a constant game to play. So I thought I would share some of the learned techniques for situations when people invade your space, walk into you, or are general pains in the ass in your vicinity.

(1) Cough uncontrollably, or start a sneezing fit (though everyone will say God Bless You - which bothers me, so I avoid that one). Special effect on this one is to begin choking, a New Yorker would cross the other side of the street rather than come near while you are carking it.

(2) Nervous twitches / erratic spasms, especially in confined spaces such as subways - seats clear immediately.

(3) An advanced user technique is talking or arguing with yourself. This takes a little more practice to be convincing. Woman in subway wearing Chanel and laughing and chatting to herself just didn’t cut it - business woman by day, lunatic in transit.

(4) Suddenly stopping while walking down the street. This does little to address people cutting you off on the street, but it is morbidly satisfying to have people slam uncontrollably into you from behind. A more holistic form of protest.

(5) The total avoidance technique. Stay in, order everything in - food, grocery, pharmacy, magazines. Lean out the window if you want to watch eye candy.

(6) Only in America - strap on a proximity flag belt. The belt has protruding flags attached to keep people away - I actually saw this. The lunatic concept works well here.

Well those are my top six, if you have any great ideas let me know - the more the merrier

Categories: Live From The Field
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