I $ee Dollar $ign$

So I suppose the "perk" in actually becoming a young professional is the lump sums of cash deposited into my bank account every two weeks. I got my first taste of true satisfactory accomplishment this past Friday when I received my first paycheck. Of course, having been on somewhat of a budget since I arrived in the City it was my first impulse to go out and blow all of it on things I merely "wanted" and didn't really "need." However, I shook myself from the hallucination, came back to Earth and realized that I now have bills and responsibilites to take care of before I can consider my paycheck discretionary income (after all I am officially cut-off from the parentals). So, after paying half of my rent (my roommate gave me a break this month and let me give her half now and half on my next paycheck, so that I could have money to have some fun with) I proceeded to treat myself to some lavish dinners, expensive drinks and good times with old friends. There is nothing like spending money you know you've worked for and earned. It makes the satisfaction of every sip that much more enjoyable (or painfully depending on how you look at your cup). A paycheck is like chocolate cake after the delectable meal. The shower following your evening jog (silent 'J'). The cigarette after your afternoon delight ;) It's the icing on the cake. The cherry on top. I could continue...but you get the idea. Perhaps I could attribute my excitement and appreciation for the "reward" to my ambitious and naive state-of-mind. I've worked before, I've earned checks before, but I suppose that after doing it for so many years the checks start looking less like rewards and more like overdue debts from your employers.

So how did I spend my first paycheck? Well that "sweet pad" pictured below isn't cheap, so after (half) my rent was paid I went to celebrate at this tiny, authentic, mom & pop Italian bistro on Park Ave. with Michelle (she was celebrating her new job). We went all out ordering calamari, a bottle of wine, two authentic tasting (very much comprable to the meals I ate in Italy) entrees and washed it down with the complimentary schnapps. Any of my Barcelona mates remember killing the two bottles they put on our table after that one giant meal we ate? It was the same idea... free booze. Needless to say, splitting the check in half with Michelle left me paying for dinner that, at first glance, would seem a family of four had ordered (judging by the total). However, one thing I told myself almost immediately coming to New York was that a good meal is worth it. I would never sacrifice eating at a delicious place for anything. I've also told myself that I will never (can't really say never, but try really hard not too) eat at a chain restaurant again. There is absolutely no need to being in this city with the endless options lining nearly every block of town. So far... so good, and I haven't had one bad meal to date.

Following dinner, we met up with two of our friends to see an early preview of "Knocked Up" which is truly one of the funniest movies I've seen (it's ranking close to my staples of "Anchorman" and "Zoolander").

Along the same lines of my dining out mentality, I've become quite the Emeril in the kitchen. I've slowly began enjoying cooking after work, going to the great markets around the city picking out fresh produce and actually creating some quality meals for myself. It's become my way of "winding down" after work since I don't really watch television anymore. That being said a portion of my money went to the Farmer's Market, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods this weekend. That sounds really boring.

I did go out Saturday night and met up with two my London friends (Candy and Chris). It's so interesting to me that we spent 5 months in London together and went through this incredible experience together-- and we've managed to stay close. The three of us invited friends along for the night out, which began at this awesome mexican restaurant named Senor Swankies. They are primarily known for the "Super-Duper Margaritas" and at $13 bucks a pop they certainly do the job. But, I must say that the most impressive part of the restaurant is the plate-sized burritos it serves. The menu's description intimates a "Moe's" style burrito "over stuffed with succulent beef," but that is pretty much a lie. The burrito comes sprawled on a plate like a giant heap of beef, mixed with beans, rice and cheese and a flour tortilla placed on top because it is too big to even wrap all the way around the filling. The burrito was the length of the plate (a modest 8-9 inches long. It was certainly a feast. Of the 6 people only a mere 2 could actually finish the entire burrito. Needless to say, we had to walk it off before hitting up Nice Guy Eddie's on W. Houston (pronounced HOUSE-TON, not HUSE-TON), which is a typical college-beer bar where the $2 draft budlights quinched my thirst. We proceeded down to Ave. A where we came across SB3, which we came to find out from the burlesque show it stands for "SEXY BITCH 3," and yes I said burlesque.

The cocktail lounge sat conveniently on the corner of small street with 2 of its four walls comprised of open-air door ways. The place, dimly lit with high tables, buzzed with a more sophisticated crowd sipping their $12 concochins. We were led to the downstairs, which was even darker than the upstairs but dramatically lit from behind the velvet couches with red lights... the show was about to start. I'd never been to a burlesque show-- or a strip club, and I never anticipated seeing full frontal nudity, nipple tassles and strange interpretative dances of a mermaid caught in a net on a Saturday night, but it was a good time to say the least. Of course, the bouncer let all 5 of my friends in and when he saw me walk in he made sure to yell to the bartender to "double check all of their IDs to make sure they are 21." You'd think I'd be use to it by now. I did however try some really good drinks-- which if you can find a bar to make them you should give them a shot.

1) Dark & Stormy: A national drink of Bermuda it is comprised of 4 oz Black Seal Rum (the rum company owns the trademark, so if the drink doesn't use this kind of rum it's not a real "Dark & Stormy.) with 2 oz of Ginger Beer. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with a lime for a good time. HEYOOO.

2) PIMMs "Chalice" Cup: Now this cocktail is for the more experimental alchy. It reminded me of a Mojito, and is made of mostly diffused gin and Pimm's ( 1 of 6 types of alcohols including gin, whiskey and rum ). Stir in some mint, fresh cucumber, ginger citrus and top with ginger soda. Tasty.

We hung out and enjoyed some good conversation until about 3 a.m. and decided to check out another bar down the block. It was more of an Emo/Indie Cash-only bar with a real chill vibe, books lining the walls and lit by christmas-style lights. I guess imperfections and beer goggles are better aided by "mood lighting." I hung out until about 4 a.m. and grabbed a cab back to Brooklyn to call it a night.

So what did I learn from earning my first paycheck? That every two weeks my life will be absolute bliss filled with expensive cocktails, delicious food and 4 a.m. cab rides. To quote a "Lab Nerd" friend of mine currently conducting cancer research in Miami... "My bank account is growing exponentially."