The New York Time Machine

One WTC. Lower Manhattan.New York City is always changing.  Newer, faster, better...you'll find it in the BIG APPLE.  Surprisingly, many things about New York never change.  Watering holes from 1904 or 1919...and even older.  The same green grocer with the same surly clerk. You get the picture?  The more things change the more they stay the same.

AspenSpin took a ride in the New York Time Machine for a few days last week. In many ways it was as if time stood still, in others a 180 degree change.   It's been almost 15 years since A. Party cribbed full-time in the"city that never sleeps".  There were some good times back in the 90's. Riding the greatest bull market for all it was worth, bustin' balls with my pallies in Central Park, drinkin' sodas (not pop),  tossin' out shares in hot deals like they were bags of peanuts in the second row at MSG, "the world's most famous arena".  Fashion Shows?  Fegedaboutit...every day was effectively a three ring circus and that was just my daily commute from CPW to Rockefeller Center.  AspenSpin owes a debt of gratitude to Page Six of the NY Post...a guilty pleasure at 6.30am hoofing it up 7th Ave on the way to work. Those steps were re-traced last week...and it felt pretty good down at sea level, walkin' the gritty streets of Gotham.

Click 4 pix  NEW YORK TIME MACHINE

A.Party and Carnegie Deli. Perfect Match.One of my favorite places in The City no longer exists, The City Athletic Club, an oasis in the city.  The Legendary CAC, a city club, was established in 1908 and unfortunately went defunct about 10 years ago.  The CAC was a place where well-to-do Jewish gentlemen gathered to compete and fraternize because the NYAC would not allow Jews as members.  In 2001, the generations old HQ building at 54th and 6th was sold to our neighbors, the Museum of Modern Art,  for what seemed like a lot of money at the time.  The past it's prime building with the lush wood paneled walls, the funkiest pool in the world, the tiny hoop court, where any 6-footer was called "big guy" and the greatest steam room ever was knocked down almost immediately upon the sale. The CAC was 2 blocks from my office and 6 blocks from my Apt.  Let's just say there were plenty of Jewish triathalons goin' on at CAC, swim, steam shower. The place had so many idiosyncrasies and traditions it had a life of its own. Indoor softball?? Crazy.   Until about 1999, The CAC was all men, and for some unknown reason, nude swimming was "required". Weird,... I know...but when the pool attendant Hymie (who worked at The CAC for more than 30 years) explained that it was a "house rule" I have to admit it, I freaked a little.  Actually...once you get used to it...nude swimming is quite liberating...and it's easier to steer.   You had to wear a coat and tie to the CAC...but back then I was dressing Brittish, and thinkin' Yiddish at Morgan Stanley (before Dean Witter) so no big deal.

Flash forward to 2011. A reunion.  10 years after The CAC's demise.   We gathered at the NYAC which absorbed many of the CAC members into their 8000.   Many of the older CAC members have died.  Several of the CAC guys are "formerly wealthy".  Apparently Bernard Madoff used to be a CAC member???  We hooped, we steamed, we wore blazers (house rule), we ate the hand-crafted buffet. There was a lot of love in that room.  It was like time stood still. 

LONG LIVE the CAC.

The Boys from the CAC gathered again. 10/11/11 NYAC. Click 4 pix.The Book of Morman lived up to the hype. Post show on 49th Streer with stars Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad.   Morning Meeting with Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park. Click 4 more pix.

R.I.P. Al Davis. Just Win, Baby!

American Idol : The Talent Hits Aspen

American Idol films in Aspen, ColoradoAspen Spin entered the inner sanctum of Fox TV's American Idol,  at the judges auditions in Aspen, Colorado.  Once you get behind the curtain of Fox's #1 rated hit television series it's an extremely regulated and controlled environment.  Security was ultra tight and highly visible.   We haven't seen so many huge dudes with ear pieces dressed in black since Bill Clinton came to town.  The American Idol machine is well oiled as it preps for it's 11th season which premiers Sunday January 22, 2012 immediately following the NFC Championship game.

Luckily, we have a friend with connections at Fox, so A-Spin was added to the media list for the American Idol press conference at the Doerr-Hosier Center at Aspen Meadows.   The rules were perfectly clear ..."no still photos, no personal questions"  Whaaaaaat?? No photos??   The message that we received from the PR hotties..loud and clear... is that Fox and A.I. like to control their own message.  It was instantly obvious that Aspen Spin was identified as a possible "hot spot".  A very large bald guy (size estimate 6'8" 290 lbs) apparently was assigned to keep an eye peeled on the blogger as he never got very far outside my personal space.

"Emmy Nominated" host Ryan Seacrest was first out of hair and make-up.  He slung an arm around my shoulder, thinking it was the bouncer about to hassle me, I turned to find a perfectly coifed Ryan who encouraged me to ask Randy about his "high altitude rash". "Grammy-Award winning producer" Randy Jackson returning as an A.I. judge was next out of the dressing area. "Wut up dawg?" he called out as he fist pumped me on his way to podium.  " I like dat hat, dawg, ...and the shades". "This is Aspen" I replied trying to sound super-duper cool.   Then J-Lo, "Global Icon" Jennifer Lopez came out.  Wow!!!  she is haaaaawt in person.  We exchanged a fist bump as I pulled out my shooter and asked sheepishly "hey girl, you wanna be on Aspen Spin"?  She appeared to be amiable and soft spoken, almost shy and very polite... along with being illuminatingly fine.  She waved a friendly, smoking hot finger in my face and said "no still photos please".   The bouncer gave me a serious dosage of stink eye, so I put my camera away. "Rock Legend" Steven Tyler took the long way around to the stage, avoiding Aspen Spin, so we missed out on a personal interaction with the final judge.

The first few questions were obvious plants from a "coordinating entertainment producer" at Fox News Network (with 4 linked connections and 1 film credit on IMDB for the role of "Reporter" in the Fantastic Four Movie).  The Rock Legend Tyler,  took the opportunity to answer the first softball question by throwing down an Aerosmith-like vocal solo....sort of a yodel.  Randy commented..."it's a little pitchy, dawg".  J Lo. was sporting a pair of very sexy shorts (by Tibe) and spiked heels (by Christian Louboutin) admitted she "works wit (sic) a stylist". who apparently failed to plan for today's snow flurries in Aspen.  When Ryan was asked about preparing for stardom he said  "you can't prepare for it...but remember who you are".  Randy talked about the"high level of talent" and the "hippie chicks" in the Colorado Region  and warned San Diego (the last stop on American Idol's tour) to be "all of it" next week.  Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe confirmed the 25 to 30 contestants from the Colorado Region would make the cut and earn a trip to Hollywood.

When asked about visiting Aspen, his first trip since 1976, Rock Legend Steven Tyler said, "We love it here, the town is empty and its ours, we own it".

What Rock Legend Steven Tyler and the whole BIG TIME crew of American Idol might not realize... a lot of people think they own Aspen.

All images provided by Fox TV.

The American Idol auditions made the BIG Time in Aspen. Photo: Courtsey of Fox TV. / Michael Becker

Steve Jobs R.I.P. 1955-2011

Tweeting THE MEETING (and other tales from Aspen)

Finding the STOKE 4 Snow at The Meeting 7 in Aspen.In Aspen, The Meeting is a celebration of snow and film culture and the unofficial kick-off to ski season and Winter.  The Meeting has become an annual gathering of the snow sports tribe.  It's a wake-up call to start getting your work done (squats, lunges, planks etc), to line up your gear for 11/12, and to begin the countdown to opening day (Nov 24 in Aspen).  All the brand spanking new ski and snowboard movies are shown on the giant screen at The Historic Wheeler Opera House. The crowds are super-enthusiastic.  All the industry big wigs show up in the ZG.... athletes., filmers, sponsors, agents, journalists, marketers, brand managers, team managers and hangers-on.  It's a great place to connect if you are an up-and-coming ripper and a great place to re-live past glory days if you are an industry exec on the other side of 30.  Join the conversation, #themeeting7.

The whole town was buzzing, from the groms in the front row to most jaded Aspen locals who have seen it all.  The unpredictable mountain weather cooperated by being glorious all weekend.  Clear, warm and increasingly golden.   The slate of ski porn was undeniably the best of all-time.    11 movies in 2 days from all the top film crews, pros like MSP (Matchstick Productions), TGR (Teton Gravity Research), Level 1, Poor Boyz, Standard Films and more. Throw in NEPSA on Thursday which is the Locals night to shine (see previous posting) and you have a nice little weekend.

SEE PIX:   Tweeting THE MEETING    &   Office Party (no names)

Go-Carting with Red BullThe Meeting in its 7th year has evolved organically into a "must attend" event for the ski and snowboard industry.   In addition to the snow flicks, The Meeting hosts several high-level, business oriented sessions.  This year,  3 panel discussions were held;  The Olympic Experience, Sustainability and Social Marketing.  Each was interesting, relevant and well attended. Work is work...but no convention would be complete without a little boon-doggle action.  On Saturday, RED BULL hosted a no holds barred go-cart comp. at the Woody Creek Race Track.  Speeds in the 60's mixed with a testosterone fueled group of risk-takers (yeah the ladies were fired up too) led to BIG fun and lots of near misses on the track.  Aspen / Snowmass marketing dude, "Digi" Dave Amirault took first place and won a $300 gift card from Target. His flyweight status came in handy according the the other finalists. 

The partying...well,... that was off the hook.  Yeah, we took a few pix...but what goes on the road stays on the road at The Meeting.  No late night tagging but click 4 pix.

SEE PIX:   Tweeting THE MEETING   &  Office Party (no names)

Two of the snow films deserve special recognition.

THE ART of FLIGHT: Starring Travis Rice, Mark Landvick and Eric Willett and others.  Produced by Red Bull Media House and Brain Farm Digital Media. Directed by Curt Morgan.

The Art of Flight is probably the most hyped snow film of all-time and maybe the most expensive. The Art of Flight (TAOF) has generated more on-line buzz than any other snow film and actually lived up to the hype.  It's not just a snow boarding film it's an experience.  The scenery documented by Red Bull and Brain Farm was breathtaking.  The chopper shots can only be described at siiiiiiiiiick.  The Art of Flight takes the genre to new levels.  TAOF was one of 5 films at The Meeting featuring an ultra-high def shotgun blast sequence, but TAOF's riders actually chopped down large trees and exploded propane tanks with teir guns during downtime.  What can you say...Red Bull knows it's audience.   The louder- than-loud dolby enhanced sound track kept the SRO crowd riveted to the screen.  Feeling the "jones"?...down load TAOF and watch it on your phone.  If TAOF does not get you fired up to ride on the mountain...you're already dead.

THE ORDINARY SKIER:  Starring: Seth Morrison  Produced by 1242 and Oakley Productions.  Directed by CP.

The Ordinary Skier (TOS) is a cinematic experience that extends past the typical ski film space.  It's not just another ski film, it's a well made, well written documentary  whose protagonist is emotionally involved with skiing.  Seth Morrison is one of the original pro freeskiers who was able to carve out a successful career without focusing on competition.  Seth just loves skiing POW and always pursued his passion.  The rest of the stuff eventually fell into place.  The Ordinary Skier tells Morrison's story and reveals that he's much more than the DAD of RAD (our words) and a purple headed super-charger who would always go bigger than anyone.  Morrison is shown to be a quiet, contemplative, perfectionist who is driven by instinct and riding on a course not previously followed in the commercial skiing world.  Much of the film shows Seth and his buds exploring huge lines in the Alps near Chamonix and getting "Chamofied". Seth Morrison has been leading the pack on mountain for more than 20 years and based on The Ordinary Skier...that will never change.

The Meeting is the first step in a seasonal rite of passage.  The juices start to flow.  For some people hitting the slopes is a chilly, once-a-year vacation. For others its an obsession, skiing and riding is everything.  It's a lifestyle, (really, it's not a cliche). For some its in between.  For AspenSpin skiing is the closest thing to unaided flight.  We love spitting out the POW as gravity pulls us down the mountain at a speed that still raises our short hairs and kicks the adrenalin into gear.  The Meeting reminds us about what's coming up soon.  Halloween,  the inevitable weather snap, the first real snow,  breaking out the puffies, waxing the sticks, doubling up on glocosumine and fending off the Aspen Crud.  Finally, we get opening day on Thanksgiving,  November 24, 2011. Are you ready?

The Meeting happens in some form in every ski town and for every mountain athlete, amateurs or pros, young or old.  It might not be to the scope and scale of The Meeting 7 in Aspen, but it still happens. Maybe you're watching a snow film on your i pad, maybe you're checking out Warren Miller at the mall.  Do what YOU need to do... to find the stoke.

Some people call it LIVING the DREAM...we do.  #winning  PARTY/Out

SEE the PIX: Tweeting THE MEETING   &  Office Party (no names)

Travis Rice and The Art of Flight Crew pre-gaming before the BIG show at The Meeting in Aspen . Clcik 4 pix The Meeting included some late night strategy sessions. Click 4 Pix.Sh*t got Crazy at the Lance Herbstrong Show to close out The Meeting 7. Click 4 pix.